ESMValTool (v1.0) – a community diagnostic and performance metrics tool for routine evaluation of Earth system models in CMIP

A community diagnostics and performance metrics tool for the evaluation of Earth system models (ESMs) has been developed that allows for routine comparison of single or multiple models, either against predecessor versions or against observations. The priority of the effort so far has been to target specific scientific themes focusing on selected essential climate variables (ECVs), a range of known systematic biases common to ESMs, such as coupled tropical climate variability, monsoons, Southern Ocean processes, continental dry biases, and soil hydrology–climate interactions, as well as atmospheric CO2 budgets, tropospheric and stratospheric ozone, and tropospheric aerosols. The tool is being developed in such a way that additional analyses can easily be added. A set of standard namelists for each scientific topic reproduces specific sets of diagnostics or performance metrics that have demonstrated their importance in ESM evaluation in the peer-reviewed literature. The Earth System Model Evaluation Tool (ESMValTool) is a community effort open to both users and developers encouraging open exchange of diagnostic source code and evaluation results from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) ensemble. This will facilitate and improve ESM evaluation beyond the state-of-the-art and aims at supporting such activities within CMIP and at individual modelling centres. Ultimately, we envisage running the ESMValTool alongside the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) as part of a more routine evaluation of CMIP model simulations while utilizing observations available in standard formats (obs4MIPs) or provided by the user

NASA metrology and calibration, 1993

Th sixteenth annual workshop of NASA's Metrology and Calibration Working Group was held April 20-22, 1993. The goals of the Working Group are to provide Agencywide standardization of individual metrology programs, where appropriate; to promote cooperation and exchange of information within NASA, with other Government agencies, and with industry; to serve as the primary Agency interface with the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and to encourage formal quality control techniques such as Measurement Assurance Programs. These proceedings contain unedited reports and presentations from the workshop and are provided for information only

Do bacteria thrive when the ocean acidifies? Results from an off-­shore mesocosm study

Marine bacteria are the main consumers of the freshly produced organic matter. In order to meet their carbon demand, bacteria release hydrolytic extracellular enzymes that break down large polymers into small usable subunits. Accordingly, rates of enzymatic hydrolysis have a high potential to affect bacterial organic matter recycling and carbon turnover in the ocean. Many of these enzymatic processes were shown to be pH sensitive in previous studies. Due to the continuous rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration, seawater pH is presently decreasing at a rate unprecedented during the last 300 million years with so-far unknown consequences for microbial physiology, organic matter cycling and marine biogeochemistry. We studied the effects of elevated seawater pCO2 on a natural plankton community during a large-scale mesocosm study in a Norwegian fjord. Nine 25m-long Kiel Off-Shore Mesocosms for Future Ocean Simulations (KOSMOS) were adjusted to different pCO2 levels ranging from ca. 280 to 3000 µatm by stepwise addition of CO2 saturated seawater. After CO2 addition, samples were taken every second day for 34 days. The first phytoplankton bloom developed around day 5. On day 14, inorganic nutrients were added to the enclosed, nutrient-poor waters to stimulate a second phytoplankton bloom, which occurred around day 20. Our results indicate that marine bacteria benefit directly and indirectly from decreasing seawater pH. During both phytoplankton blooms, more transparent exopolymer particles were formed in the high pCO2 mesocosms. The total and cell-specific activities of the protein-degrading enzyme leucine aminopeptidase were elevated under low pH conditions. The combination of enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of organic matter and increased availability of gel particles as substrate supported higher bacterial abundance in the high pCO2 treatments. We conclude that ocean acidification has the potential to stimulate the bacterial community and facilitate the microbial recycling of freshly produced organic matter, thus strengthening the role of the microbial loop in the surface ocean

Evolutionary history of sympatric rainbow skinks from the australian monsoonal tropics

Tese de doutoramento, Biologia (Biologia Evolutiva), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2018How speciation, range shifting and reticulation through climatic oscillations combine to shape current patterns of local and regional diversity remains a key question in evolutionary biology. This can be investigated by using multi-scale analyses of closely related species assemblages in diverse communities, such as the lizards of Australia’s tropical savannas. An example of these is the understudied group of rainbow skinks (Carlia) that are broadly co-distributed across the Australian Monsoonal Tropics (AMT) region, and that stands out from most well-studied Carlia species occurring along the Australian east coast. The aims of this thesis were to: i) identify lineage diversity between two sympatric and closely related skinks and to use an integrative taxonomic approach to statistically test major lineages as species; ii) compare past responses of species with different climatic niche breadth that experienced the same climatic fluctuations; iii) infer the phylogenetic relationships of the rainbow skinks in a collaborative study; and iv) explore the occurrence of introgression in a group of six species that broadly cooccur in the AMT, using a dataset by target exon capture (>1000 loci). The investigation of lineage diversity discovered cryptic lineages mostly in the Kimberley region (north west of Australia). In an integrative taxonomic approach, these lineages were then statistically validated as new species using multispecies coalescent methods and morphological analyses, and subsequently described as C. insularis sp. nov and C. isostriacantha sp. nov. with genetic and morphological characters. The exploration of how concordant were the species responses with late Pleistocene climatic changes, identified contrasting responses by species with different climatic niches, suggesting that the narrow climatic specialist species was more sensitive to these changes. In addition, using multiple phylogenomic approaches, it contributed to a much improved and well-supported phylogeny for the rainbow skinks in comparison with a previous, poorly resolved tree. The new tree showed that the six Carlia species that co-occur in the AMT are actually closely related. Lastly, the analysis for the presence of introgression between the AMT sympatric species did not detect evidence of recent admixture, but identified patterns of ancestral introgression before the divergence of sister species, and some instances of introgression in the more climatic unstable Kimberley region. It also showed that by accounting for reticulated evolution with phylogenetic networks methods, a distinct topology from the overall well supported species tree can be observed, in this case with the clade inferred as introgressed appearing as more ancestral in the phylogeny. The results of this thesis have implications for the understanding of the processes driving cryptic species diversity and responses to past climatic change across this richm and understudied Australian Monsoonal Tropics biome

Die Integration von Multiskalen- und Multi-Omik-Daten zur Erforschung von Wirt-Pathogen-Interaktionen am Beispiel von pathogenen Pilzen

The ongoing development and improvement of novel measurement techniques for scientific research result in a huge amount of available data coming from hetero- geneous sources. Amongst others, these sources comprise diverse temporal and spatial scales including different omics levels. The integration of such multiscale and multi-omics data enables a comprehensive understanding of the complexity and dynamics of biological systems and their processes. However, due to the biologically and methodically induced data heterogeneity, the integration process is a well-known challenge in nowadays life science. Applying several computational integration approaches, the present doctoral thesis aimed at gaining new insights into the field of infection biology regarding host- pathogen interactions. In this context, the focus was on fungal pathogens causing a variety of local and systemic infections. Based on current examples of research, on the one hand, several well-established approaches for the analysis of multiscale and multi- omics data have been presented. On the other hand, the novel ModuleDiscoverer approach was introduced to identify regulatory modules in protein-protein interac- tion networks. It has been shown that ModuleDiscoverer effectively supports the integration of multi-omics data and, in addition, allows the detection of potential key factors that cannot be detected by other classical approaches. This thesis provides deeper insights into the complex relationships and dynamics of biological systems and, thus, represents an important contribution to the investigation of host-pathogen interactions. Due to the interactions complexity and the limitations of the currently available knowledge databases as well as the bioinformatic tools, further research is necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexity of biological systems

Growth and development of the Lusitano foal on extensive systems

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias, especialidade de Produção AnimalThe general aim of this study was to characterize the growth and development of the Lusitano foal bred and raised on extensive systems. In particular, the relationship between growth patterns and bone quality was evaluated. Additionally, nutritional status and body condition (BC) changes of the mares during the productive cycle were studied, in order to stablish appropriate scores to optimize the development of foals from pregnancy to weaning, as well as to increase the productive efficiency of the system. A longitudinal field study was conducted in four Lusitano stud-farms. Broodmares were monitored during three consecutive gestation/lactation cycles and foals were followed from birth to 42 months of age. The biomechanical properties of equine cortical bone were also assessed. Results showed that changes in broodmare body weight (BW) and BC were mainly influenced by pasture availability and quality and when the foaling season occurs in the year. The reproductive performance of mares and the growth of suckling foals were also clearly influenced by broodmare nutritional status. BC score changes at mating had a strong effect on fertility outcome of the first two estrous cycles after foaling, being highly impaired by BCS negative changes, whatever the BCS. Best fertility results were obtained with positive and greater BC changes. The Richards function was used to characterize foals’ growth patterns and growth curves were obtained for BW, withers height (WH), girth and cannon circumference. Lusitano foals showed slower BW growth rates, comparable with moderate growth levels proposed for other sport breeds. In contrast, WH growth rates were similar to those presented by early maturing breeds. The validity of the quantitative ultrasonoghraphy as a non-invasive method for the in vivo assessment of bone mechanical properties and overall bone quality was also demonstrated. Changes in foals BW and WH growth rates were associated with the presence of radiographic findings compatible with osteochondrosis (OC) lesions at the onset of training. When compared to healthy foals, OC positive foals seem to be early maturing as regards to BW, and showed a tendency for worse cortical bone quality, lower IGF-I and higher insulin and PTH concentrations. The results underline the importance of an early monitoring of foals’ growth during the first year of life in order to avoid sudden changes to the average growth rates and to promote a better osteoarticular quality of the Lusitano horse. The integrated approach in what concerns mares and foals management decisions, in particular the choice of the foaling season and the introduction of adequate feeding strategies, will be determinant for the improvement of the efficiency and profitability of the Lusitano production systems.RESUMO - O crescimento e desenvolvimento do poldro de raça Lusitana em sistemas extensivos - O presente estudo teve como principal objectivo a caracterização do crescimento e do desenvolvimento do poldro de raça Lusitana, em sistemas extensivos. Em particular, foi avaliada a relação entre os padrões de crescimento e a qualidade do tecido ósseo. O estado nutricional e evolução da condição corporal (CC) das éguas de ventre ao longo do ciclo produtivo foram igualmente estudados, no sentido de estabelecer os índices mais adequados à optimização do desenvolvimento dos poldros desde a gestação até ao desmame, bem como de aumentar a eficiência produtiva do sistema. Para o efeito foi realizado um trabalho de campo longitudinal, no qual foram acompanhados animais pertencentes a quatro coudelarias. As éguas foram avaliadas durante três ciclos produtivos (gestação/lactação) consecutivos e os poldros foram seguidos desde o desmame aos 42 meses de idade. Paralelamente foram também estudadas as propriedades biomecânicas do osso cortical do cavalo. As variações do peso vivo (PV) e da CC das éguas ao longo do ciclo produtivo foram sobretudo influenciadas pela disponibilidade e qualidade da pastagem e pela época de parto. O desempenho reprodutivo das éguas e o crescimento dos poldros lactentes foram afectados pelo estado nutricional das éguas. A variação da CC no período correspondente à cobrição teve um forte efeito na fertilidade dos dois primeiros estros, sendo esta claramente prejudicada por variações negativas da CC, independentemente da nota observada. As melhores taxas de fertilidade foram obtidas com variações positivas e mais elevadas de CC. A função de Richards foi utilizada na caracterização dos padrões de crescimento dos poldros, tendo sido obtidas curvas de crescimento para o PV, altura ao garrote (AG), perímetro torácico e perímetro da canela. No que se refere ao PV, os poldros Lusitanos apresentaram taxas de crescimento mais lentas, podendo enquadrar-se nos valores propostos para um crescimento moderado em outras raças de desporto. No entanto, as taxas de crescimento para a AG foram semelhantes às observadas em raças mais precoces. A ultrasonografia quantitativa foi confirmada como técnica não invasiva para a avaliação das propriedades biomecânicas e da qualidade do osso cortical em geral. A presença de sinais radiográficos de osteocondrose (OC) ao desbaste foi associada a alterações nas taxas de crescimento (PV e AG) dos poldros. Para além de apresentarem um índice de maturidade mais elevado para o PV, os poldros com OC revelaram uma tendência para uma menor qualidade do osso cortical, menores concentrações de IGF-I e concentrações mais elevadas de insulina e de PTH. Os resultados obtidos apontam para a importância de uma monitorização precoce do crescimento dos poldros, em particular durante o primeiro ano de vida, no sentido de evitar alterações súbitas das taxas médias de crescimento e de promover uma melhor qualidade osteoarticular no cavalo Lusitano. A abordagem integrada das opções de maneio nas éguas e nos poldros, em particular no que se refere a uma melhor gestão da época de partos e à introdução de estratégias alimentares adequadas, será determinante para a melhoria da eficiência e da produtividade dos sistemas de produção do cavalo Lusitano

Composition of object-oriented software design models

In practice, object-oriented design models have been less useful throughout the lifetime of software systems than they should be Design models are often large and monolithic, and the structure of designs is generally quite different from that of requirements. As a result, developers tend to discard the design, especially as the system evolves, since it is too difficult to keep its relationship to requirements and code accurate, especially when both are changing. This thesis identifies a number of key, well-defined problems with current object-oriented design methods and proposes new techniques to solve them. The new techniques present a different approach to designing systems, based on flexible decomposition and composition. The existing decomposition mechanisms of object-oriented designs (based on class, object, interface and method) are extended to include decomposing designs in a manner directly aligning design with requirements specifications. Composition mechanisms for designs are extended to support the additional decomposition mechanisms. The approach closely aligns designs with both requirements specifications and with code. It is illustrated how this approach permits the benefits of designs to be maintained throughout a system’ s lifetime

Recent Naval Postgraduate School Publications/ FY 1980

This document has been prepared for personnel interested in recent documented activities at the Naval Postgraduate school. A list of papers, reports and presentations by NPS faculty and students during the previous four years is included. Requests for additional information should be directed to the Defense Technical Information Center, to the faculty members in the research area of interest, or to the Dean of Research

Annual Report of the University, 1992-1993, Volumes 1-4

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS Preparation, approval by President Peck, delivery to NMCHE of UNM\u27s response to House Memorials 38 and 25 (on minorities and women). Development and packaging of a presentation on minorities at UNM to Hispanic community people and organizations. Renewal of faculty instructional workload report and other information for use by President Peck and others in the President\u27s Council in testimony to the legislature on accountability by faculty. Significant workload and contributions to WICHE\u27s Diversity Project: - responses to long questionnaire - projected demographics - substitution for O. Forbes on planning for diversity Reprogramming of obsolete computer program of the University of Southern California\u27s Faculty Planning Model. Work remains incomplete. Support and staff work for University Planning Council, Faculty Senate Long Range Planning Committee, Senate President, Senate Budget Committee, Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee, Admissions and Registration Committee, Staff Council; Graduate Petition and grade Review Subcommittee Service to NMCHE\u27s Outcomes Assessment Advisory Group; NMCHE\u27s review group on diversity plans Service on Albuquerque Business/Education Compact Conducted several special data analyses to provide user outcome information for the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS). Wrote reports to summarize analyses. Served in an advisory capacity to VP Zuniga Forbes for the two surveys (Campus Climate for Diversity, ACT Student Opinion Survey) and helped to draw the sample for the ACT survey. Conducted secondary analyses and prepared report of all analyses of the Freshman Survey (CIRP) for VP Zuniga Forbes. Gave presentation of CIRP findings to the Regents Subcommittee on Student Affairs. Conducted secondary analyses and prepared report of all analyses of the Campus Climate for Diversity Survey for VP Zuniga Forbes

Energy: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 16, January 1978

This bibliography lists 1287 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system from October 1, 1977 through December 31, 1977