Implementation Of Computational Resources Focusing On Forecast Model Access For Universities

This research combines recent technological advances (i.e. Docker software containers, and cloud computing) in conjunction with the WRF model to create a portable NWP educational module. Incorporating the educational module into a senior level numerical methods course at the University of North Dakota allowed for analysis of the economic, policy, and privacy issues associated with using new software/tools. It also allowed for documentation of the benefits of tool usage within the classroom, both positive and negative. Use of these new tools also allowed for greater computational power to be accessed within the university computer labs. While the university labs were fully capable of running this module, Docker was unable to be installed due to security concerns. Through usage of Amazon Web Services cloud computing platform, the security issues associated with Docker were mitigated. Compliance of policy with the University of North Dakota was no issue, due to their policy not restricting the usage of cloud computing within the educational environment. The economic impact that cloud computing has on the university was found to be minor and easily reduced with proper AWS instance monitoring and use of the AWS Educate program. Use of these tools within the educational environment allowed for students to be exposed to hands on usage of NWP models and emerging tools. While these tools are associated with an increase in cost for the university, that cost is minimal in comparison to the workforce preparedness that can be generated from tool exposure. Due to the benefit associated with exposure to these tools, the recommendation of this work is to use the module within a cloud computing environment, such as AWS, to help better equip students for their careers following graduation

Soil nitrogen affects phosphorus recycling: foliar resorption and plant–soil feedbacks in a northern hardwood forest

Previous studies have attempted to link foliar resorption of nitrogen and phosphorus to their respective availabilities in soil, with mixed results. Based on resource optimization theory, we hypothesized that the foliar resorption of one element could be driven by the availability of another element. We tested various measures of soil N and P as predictors of N and P resorption in six tree species in 18 plots across six stands at the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. Phosphorus resorption efficiency (P , 0.01) and proficiency (P ¼ 0.01) increased with soil N content to 30 cm depth, suggesting that trees conserve P based on the availability of soil N. Phosphorus resorption also increased with soil P content, which is difficult to explain based on single-element limitation, but follows from the correlation between soil N and soil P. The expected single-element relationships were evident only in the O horizon: P resorption was high where resin-available P was low in the Oe (P , 0.01 for efficiency, P , 0.001 for proficiency) and N resorption was high where potential N mineralization in the Oa was low (P , 0.01 for efficiency and 0.11 for proficiency). Since leaf litter is a principal source of N and P to the O horizon, low nutrient availability there could be a result rather than a cause of high resorption. The striking effect of soil N content on foliar P resorption is the first evidence of multiple-element control on nutrient resorption to be reported from an unmanipulated ecosystem

Observational Cosmology in Macroscopic Gravity

We discuss the construction of cosmological models within the framework of Macroscopic Gravity (MG), which is a theory that models the effects of averaging the geometry of space-time on large scales. We find new exact spatially homogeneous and isotropic FLRW solutions to the MG field equations, and investigate large-scale perturbations around them. We find that any inhomogeneous perturbations to the averaged geometry are severely restricted, but that possible anisotropies in the correlation tensor can have dramatic consequences for the measurement of distances. These calculations are a first step within the MG approach toward developing averaged cosmological models to a point where they can be used to interpret real cosmological data, and hence to provide a working alternative to the "concordance" LCDM model.Comment: 22 page

A bizarre case of accessory larynx in an infant with OEIS syndrome

We report a bizarre case of accessory larynx in an infant with OEIS syndrome (omphalocele, cloacal exstrophy, imperforated anus & spinal defects). This is the first reported case in literature of a duplicate accessory larynx which is a mirror image of the true larynx. A congenital duplication of the larynx is a rare anomaly and can present in various forms. In this case, the infant presented with recurrent lung infection and inability to wean off oxygen. Scope revealed severe laryngomalacia in addition to the accessory larynx. Hence, supraglottoplasty was done with aim to resolve the lung and airway problem

Comment Letter to the U.S. Treasury Department Concerning the Regulatory Structure for Financial Institutions

This comment letter was submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department in connection with that Department\u27s review of proposals for changes in the regulatory structure for financial institutions. The comment letter presents the following policy recommendations: (1) the thrift charter should be eliminated, existing thrifts should be required to convert into banks, and the Office of Thrift Supervision should be merged with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); (2) the dual banking system should be preserved and strengthened in order to promote innovation in banking regulation and to support the community bank sector; (3) at least one federal agency that is separate and independent from the OCC should be designated as the primary federal regulator for state-chartered banks; (4) the existing statutory limits on bank mergers and acquisitions should be maintained, including the 10% nationwide deposit cap and the 30% statewide deposit cap; (5) greater scrutiny and special conditions should be required for large bank mergers; (6) Congress should establish federal consumer protection standards for all home mortgage lenders, credit card lenders, and other providers of consumer credit; (7) Congress should prohibit the OCC from issuing regulations that preempt state law, except in specific areas where Congress has given the OCC explicit authority to adopt preemptive rules; (8) Congress should establish a separate and independent federal authority to enforce federal consumer protection laws against all providers of financial services, including national banks; (9) Congress should recognize the authority of state attorneys general to enforce applicable state laws against all financial service providers, including national banks, (10) Congress should provide the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) with direct oversight over all significant financial conglomerates that control FDIC-insured banks; (11) Congress should prohibit the FDIC\u27s deposit insurance fund from making any payments to uninsured depositors or other uninsured claimants; and (12) all responsibility for protecting uninsured creditors of too big to fail (TBTF) financial institutions should be assigned to the FRB, and the FRB should impose assessments on significant financial conglomerates to recover the FRB\u27s cost of providing financial assistance to TBTF institutions