Using Python Packages in 6D (Py)Ferret: EOF Analysis, OPeNDAP Sequence Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, K. M.; Manke, A.; Hankin, S. C.

2012-12-01

PyFerret was designed to provide the easy methods of access, analysis, and display of data found in the Ferret under the simple yet powerful Python scripting/programming language. This has enabled PyFerret to take advantage of a large and expanding collection of third-party scientific Python modules. Furthermore, ensemble and forecast axes have been added to Ferret and PyFerret for creating and working with collections of related data in Ferret's delayed-evaluation and minimal-data-access mode of operation. These axes simplify processing and visualization of these collections of related data. As one example, an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis Python module was developed, taking advantage of the linear algebra module and other standard functionality in NumPy for efficient numerical array processing. This EOF analysis module is used in a Ferret function to provide an ensemble of levels of data explained by each EOF and Time Amplitude Function (TAF) product. Another example makes use of the PyDAP Python module to provide OPeNDAP sequence data for use in Ferret with minimal data access characteristic of Ferret.

The Influence of Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction on MJO Development and Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-30

atmosphere-ocean feedbacks and their influence on MJO development, and for forecasting of air sea interaction in the Indian Ocean basin and its influence...black line indicating precipitation maximum over the DYNAMO area and the red line indicating the precipitation anomaly west of Sumatra . The... basin in December. Similar EOF decomposition of the precipitation associated with Kelvin waves (not shown here) indicates strong Kelvin wave anomaly

An Improved DINEOF Algorithm for Filling Missing Values in Spatio-Temporal Sea Surface Temperature Data.

PubMed

Ping, Bo; Su, Fenzhen; Meng, Yunshan

2016-01-01

In this study, an improved Data INterpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF) algorithm for determination of missing values in a spatio-temporal dataset is presented. Compared with the ordinary DINEOF algorithm, the iterative reconstruction procedure until convergence based on every fixed EOF to determine the optimal EOF mode is not necessary and the convergence criterion is only reached once in the improved DINEOF algorithm. Moreover, in the ordinary DINEOF algorithm, after optimal EOF mode determination, the initial matrix with missing data will be iteratively reconstructed based on the optimal EOF mode until the reconstruction is convergent. However, the optimal EOF mode may be not the best EOF for some reconstructed matrices generated in the intermediate steps. Hence, instead of using asingle EOF to fill in the missing data, in the improved algorithm, the optimal EOFs for reconstruction are variable (because the optimal EOFs are variable, the improved algorithm is called VE-DINEOF algorithm in this study). To validate the accuracy of the VE-DINEOF algorithm, a sea surface temperature (SST) data set is reconstructed by using the DINEOF, I-DINEOF (proposed in 2015) and VE-DINEOF algorithms. Four parameters (Pearson correlation coefficient, signal-to-noise ratio, root-mean-square error, and mean absolute difference) are used as a measure of reconstructed accuracy. Compared with the DINEOF and I-DINEOF algorithms, the VE-DINEOF algorithm can significantly enhance the accuracy of reconstruction and shorten the computational time.

Use of Multi-class Empirical Orthogonal Function for Identification of Hydrogeological Parameters and Spatiotemporal Pattern of Multiple Recharges in Groundwater Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, C. L.; Hsu, N. S.; Yeh, W. W. G.; Hsieh, I. H.

2017-12-01

This study develops an innovative calibration method for regional groundwater modeling by using multi-class empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). The developed method is an iterative approach. Prior to carrying out the iterative procedures, the groundwater storage hydrographs associated with the observation wells are calculated. The combined multi-class EOF amplitudes and EOF expansion coefficients of the storage hydrographs are then used to compute the initial gauss of the temporal and spatial pattern of multiple recharges. The initial guess of the hydrogeological parameters are also assigned according to in-situ pumping experiment. The recharges include net rainfall recharge and boundary recharge, and the hydrogeological parameters are riverbed leakage conductivity, horizontal hydraulic conductivity, vertical hydraulic conductivity, storage coefficient, and specific yield. The first step of the iterative algorithm is to conduct the numerical model (i.e. MODFLOW) by the initial guess / adjusted values of the recharges and parameters. Second, in order to determine the best EOF combination of the error storage hydrographs for determining the correction vectors, the objective function is devised as minimizing the root mean square error (RMSE) of the simulated storage hydrographs. The error storage hydrograph are the differences between the storage hydrographs computed from observed and simulated groundwater level fluctuations. Third, adjust the values of recharges and parameters and repeat the iterative procedures until the stopping criterion is reached. The established methodology was applied to the groundwater system of Ming-Chu Basin, Taiwan. The study period is from January 1st to December 2ed in 2012. Results showed that the optimal EOF combination for the multiple recharges and hydrogeological parameters can decrease the RMSE of the simulated storage hydrographs dramatically within three calibration iterations. It represents that the iterative approach that using EOF techniques can capture the groundwater flow tendency and detects the correction vector of the simulated error sources. Hence, the established EOF-based methodology can effectively and accurately identify the multiple recharges and hydrogeological parameters.

Soil water content evaluation considering time-invariant spatial pattern and space-variant temporal change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, W.; Si, B. C.

2013-10-01

Soil water content (SWC) varies in space and time. The objective of this study was to evaluate soil water content distribution using a statistical model. The model divides spatial SWC series into time-invariant spatial patterns, space-invariant temporal changes, and space- and time-dependent redistribution terms. The redistribution term is responsible for the temporal changes in spatial patterns of SWC. An empirical orthogonal function was used to separate the total variations of redistribution terms into the sum of the product of spatial structures (EOFs) and temporally-varying coefficients (ECs). Model performance was evaluated using SWC data of near-surface (0-0.2 m) and root-zone (0-1.0 m) from a Canadian Prairie landscape. Three significant EOFs were identified for redistribution term for both soil layers. EOF1 dominated the variations of redistribution terms and it resulted in more changes (recharge or discharge) in SWC at wetter locations. Depth to CaCO3 layer and organic carbon were the two most important controlling factors of EOF1, and together, they explained over 80% of the variations in EOF1. Weak correlation existed between either EOF2 or EOF3 and the observed factors. A reasonable prediction of SWC distribution was obtained with this model using cross validation. The model performed better in the root zone than in the near surface, and it outperformed conventional EOF method in case soil moisture deviated from the average conditions.

Understanding and Forecasting Upper Atmosphere Nitric Oxide Through Data Mining Analysis of TIMED/SABER Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flynn, S.; Knipp, D. J.; Matsuo, T.; Mlynczak, M. G.; Hunt, L. A.

2017-12-01

Storm time energy input to the upper atmosphere is countered by infrared radiative emissions from nitric oxide (NO). The temporal profile of these energy sources and losses strongly control thermospheric density profiles, which in turn affect the drag experienced by low Earth orbiting satellites. Storm time processes create NO. In some extreme cases an overabundance of NO emissions unexpectedly decreases atmospheric temperature and density to lower than pre-storm values. Quantifying the spatial and temporal variability of the NO emissions using eigenmodes will increase the understanding of how upper atmospheric NO behaves, and could be used to increase the accuracy of future space weather and climate models. Thirteen years of NO flux data, observed at 100-250 km altitude by the SABER instrument onboard the TIMED satellite, is decomposed into five empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) and their amplitudes to: 1) determine the strongest modes of variability in the data set, and 2) develop a compact model of NO flux. The first five EOFs account for 85% of the variability in the data, and their uncertainty is verified using cross-validation analysis. Although these linearly independent EOFs are not necessarily independent in a geophysical sense, the first three EOFs correlate strongly with different geophysical processes. The first EOF correlates strongly with Kp and F10.7, suggesting that geomagnetic storms and solar weather account for a large portion of NO flux variability. EOF 2 shows annual variations, and EOF 3 correlates with solar wind parameters. Using these relations, an empirical model of the EOF amplitudes can be derived, which could be used as a predictive tool for future NO emissions. We illustrate the NO model, highlight some of the hemispheric asymmetries, and discuss the geophysical associations of the EOFs.

Satellite imagery in the fight against Malaria, the case for Genetic Programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ssentongo, J. S.; Hines, E. L.

The analysis of multi-temporal data is a critical issue in the field of remote sensing and presents a constant challenge The approach used here relies primarily on utilising a method commonly used in statistics and signal processing Empirical Orthogonal Function EOF analysis Normalized Difference Vegetation Index NDVI and Rainfall Estimate RFE satellite images pertaining to the Sub-Saharan Africa region were obtained The images are derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer AVHRR on the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA polar orbiting satellites spanning from January 2000 to December 2002 The region of interest was narrowed down to the Limpopo Province Northern Province of South Africa EOF analyses of the space-time-intensity series of dekadal mean NDVI values was been performed They reveal that NDVI can be accurately approximated by its principal component time series and contains a near sinusoidal oscillation pattern Peak greenness essentially what NDVI measures seasons last approximately 8 weeks This oscillation period is very similar to that of Malaria cases reported in the same period but lags behind by 4 dekads about 40 days Singular Value Decomposition SVD of Coupled Fields is performed on the spacetime-intensity series of dekadal mean NDVI and RFE values Correlation analyses indicate that both Malaria and greenness appear to be dependant on rainfall the onset of their seasonal highs always following an arrival of rain There is a greater

Multi-year Droughts in California in the Last Two Decades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myoung, B.; Kafatos, M.

2016-12-01

Multi-year droughts in California including the notorious 2013-2014 drought became serious problems recently, causing significant socio-economic damages. In the present study, focusing on the three multi-year droughts in California, i.e., 1999-2002, 2007-2009, and 2012-2014, during the recent two decades (1995-2014), we compared and investigated their characteristics of the atmosphere and the oceans. By positioning abnormally strong anticyclonic circulations at 500 hPa over the North Pacific, the droughts seem to start around strong La Niña years and continued or intensified until the year prior to an El Niño. While precipitation decreases in La Niña years have been well documented previously, the intensification of droughts in the later period has not. The Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) and correlation analyses suggest that, around strong La Niña years, the first EOF mode (EOF1) of the 500 hPa height is active, while the second EOF mode (EOF2) becomes active in moderate/weak La Nina years. It is also found that while EOF1 is sensitive to SST variability in the central Pacific which is associated with the major ENSO events, EOF2 is sensitive to that in the western/South Pacific. Relations to various climate variability other than ENSO, e.g., Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Tropical/Northern Hemisphere (TNH), Pacific/North American (PNA), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), are also examined.

The cross wavelet and wavelet coherence analysis of spatio-temporal rainfall-groundwater system in Pingtung plain, Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yuan-Chien; Yu, Hwa-Lung

2013-04-01

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events has been observed recently in Taiwan. Particularly, Typhoon Morakot, Typhoon Fanapi, and Typhoon Megi consecutively brought record-breaking intensity and magnitude of rainfalls to different locations of Taiwan in these two years. However, records show the extreme rainfall events did not elevate the amount of annual rainfall accordingly. Conversely, the increasing frequency of droughts has also been occurring in Taiwan. The challenges have been confronted by governmental agencies and scientific communities to come up with effective adaptation strategies for natural disaster reduction and sustainable environment establishment. Groundwater has long been a reliable water source for a variety of domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses because of its stable quantity and quality. In Taiwan, groundwater accounts for the largest proportion of all water resources for about 40%. This study plans to identify and quantify the nonlinear relationship between precipitation and groundwater recharge, find the non-stationary time-frequency relations between the variations of rainfall and groundwater levels to understand the phase difference of time series. Groundwater level data and over-50-years hourly rainfall records obtained from 20 weather stations in Pingtung Plain, Taiwan has been collected. Extract the space-time pattern by EOF method, which is a decomposition of a signal or data set in terms of orthogonal basis functions determined from the data for both time series and spatial patterns, to identify the important spatial pattern of groundwater recharge and using cross wavelet and wavelet coherence method to identify the relationship between rainfall and groundwater levels. Results show that EOF method can specify the spatial-temporal patterns which represents certain geological characteristics and other mechanisms of groundwater, and the wavelet coherence method can identify general correlation between rainfall and groundwater signal at low frequency and high frequency relationship at some certain extreme rainfall events. Keywords: extreme rainfall, groundwater, EOF, wavelet coherence

Rotation of EOFs by the Independent Component Analysis: Towards A Solution of the Mixing Problem in the Decomposition of Geophysical Time Series

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aires, Filipe; Rossow, William B.; Chedin, Alain; Hansen, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The Independent Component Analysis is a recently developed technique for component extraction. This new method requires the statistical independence of the extracted components, a stronger constraint that uses higher-order statistics, instead of the classical decorrelation, a weaker constraint that uses only second-order statistics. This technique has been used recently for the analysis of geophysical time series with the goal of investigating the causes of variability in observed data (i.e. exploratory approach). We demonstrate with a data simulation experiment that, if initialized with a Principal Component Analysis, the Independent Component Analysis performs a rotation of the classical PCA (or EOF) solution. This rotation uses no localization criterion like other Rotation Techniques (RT), only the global generalization of decorrelation by statistical independence is used. This rotation of the PCA solution seems to be able to solve the tendency of PCA to mix several physical phenomena, even when the signal is just their linear sum.

A global weighted mean temperature model based on empirical orthogonal function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qinzheng; Chen, Peng; Sun, Langlang; Ma, Xiaping

2018-03-01

A global empirical orthogonal function (EOF) model of the tropospheric weighted mean temperature called GEOFM_Tm was developed using high-precision Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) Atmosphere Tm data during the years 2008-2014. Due to the quick convergence of EOF decomposition, it is possible to use the first four EOF series, which consists base functions Uk and associated coefficients Pk, to represent 99.99% of the overall variance of the original data sets and its spatial-temporal variations. Results show that U1 displays a prominent latitude distribution profile with positive peaks located at low latitude region. U2 manifests an asymmetric pattern that positive values occurred over 30° in the Northern Hemisphere, and negative values were observed at other regions. U3 and U4 displayed significant anomalies in Tibet and North America, respectively. Annual variation is the major component of the first and second associated coefficients P1 and P2, whereas P3 and P4 mainly reflects both annual and semi-annual variation components. Furthermore, the performance of constructed GEOFM_Tm was validated by comparison with GTm_III and GTm_N with different kinds of data including GGOS Atmosphere Tm data in 2015 and radiosonde data from Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) in 2014. Generally speaking, GEOFM_Tm can achieve the same accuracy and reliability as GTm_III and GTm_N models in a global scale, even has improved in the Antarctic and Greenland regions. The MAE and RMS of GEOFM_Tm tend to be 2.49 K and 3.14 K with respect to GGOS Tm data, respectively; and 3.38 K and 4.23 K with respect to IGRA sounding data, respectively. In addition, those three models have higher precision at low latitude than middle and high latitude regions. The magnitude of Tm remains at the range of 220-300 K, presented a high correlation with geographic latitude. In the Northern Hemisphere, there was a significant enhancement at high latitude region reaching 270 K during summer. GEOFM_Tm is capable to represent the spatiotemporal variations of Tm, with the high accuracy and reliability in a global scale, therefore, will be of great significance to the real-time GNSS water vapor inversion and climate studies.

Determination of the Navier slip coefficient of microchannels exploiting the streaming potential.

PubMed

Park, Hung Mok

2012-03-01

For most microchannels made of hydrophobic materials such as polymers, velocity slip occurs at the wall, affecting volumetric flow rate of electroosmotic flow Q(eof) and streaming potential (∂ϕ(str)/∂z). Since most techniques exploit Q(eof) or (∂ϕ(str)/∂z) to determine the zeta potential, ζ, it is very difficult to measure ζ of hydrophobic walls, if the slip coefficient b is not found a priori. Until now, Q(eof) and (∂ϕ(str)/∂z) are known to depend on ζ and b in a same functional form, which makes it impossible to estimate ζ or b separately using measurements of Q(eof) and (∂ϕ(str)/∂z). However, exploiting the analytic formula for Q(eof) and (∂ϕ(str)/∂z) derived in the present work, it is found that the effect of ζ and that of b on Q(eof) and (∂ϕ(str)/∂z) can be separated from each other by varying the bulk ionic concentration. Thus, the slip coefficient as well as the zeta potential of hydrophobic microchannels can be found with reasonable accuracy by means of a nonlinear curve fitting method using measured data of Q(eof) and (∂ϕ(str)/∂z) at various bulk ionic concentrations. The present method allows an accurate estimation of slip coefficient of hydrophobic microchannels, which is quite simple and cheap compared with methods employing microparticle velocimetry. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Controlling retention, selectivity and magnitude of EOF by segmented monolithic columns consisting of octadecyl and naphthyl monolithic segments--applications to RP-CEC of both neutral and charged solutes.

PubMed

Karenga, Samuel; El Rassi, Ziad

2011-04-01

Monolithic capillaries made of two adjoining segments each filled with a different monolith were introduced for the control and manipulation of the electroosmotic flow (EOF), retention and selectivity in reversed phase-capillary electrochromatography (RP-CEC). These columns were called segmented monolithic columns (SMCs) where one segment was filled with a naphthyl methacrylate monolith (NMM) to provide hydrophobic and π-interactions, while the other segment was filled with an octadecyl acrylate monolith (ODM) to provide solely hydrophobic interaction. The ODM segment not only provided hydrophobic interactions but also functioned as the EOF accelerator segment. The average EOF of the SMC increased linearly with increasing the fractional length of the ODM segment. The neutral SMC provided a convenient way for tuning EOF, selectivity and retention in the absence of annoying electrostatic interactions and irreversible solute adsorption. The SMCs allowed the separation of a wide range of neutral solutes including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are difficult to separate using conventional alkyl-bonded stationary phases. In all cases, the k' of a given solute was a linear function of the fractional length of the ODM or NMM segment in the SMCs, thus facilitating the tailoring of a given SMC to solve a given separation problem. At some ODM fractional length, the fabricated SMC allowed the separation of charged solutes such as peptides and proteins that could not otherwise be achieved on a monolithic column made from NMM as an isotropic stationary phase due to the lower EOF exhibited by this monolith. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Eigenanalysis and Graph Theory Combined to Determine the Seasonal and Solar-Cycle Variations of Polar Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shore, R. M.; Freeman, M. P.; Gjerloev, J. W.

2017-12-01

We apply the meteorological analysis method of Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) to ground magnetometer measurements, and subsequently use graph theory to classify the results. The EOF method is used to characterise and separate contributions to the variability of the Earth's external magnetic field (EMF) in the northern polar region. EOFs decompose the noisy EMF data into a small number of independent spatio-temporal basis functions, which collectively describe the majority of the magnetic field variance. We use these basis functions (computed monthly) to infill where data are missing, providing a self-consistent description of the EMF at 5-minute resolution spanning 1997-2009 (solar cycle 23). The EOF basis functions are calculated independently for each of the 144 months (i.e. 1997-2009) analysed. Since (by definition) the basis vectors are ranked by their contribution to the total variance, their rank will change from month to month. We use graph theory to find clusters of quantifiably-similar spatial basis functions, and thereby track similar patterns throughout the span of 144 months. We find that the discovered clusters can be associated with well-known individual Disturbance Polar (DP)-type equivalent current systems (e.g. DP2, DP1, DPY, NBZ), or with the motion of these systems. Via this method, we thus describe the varying behaviour of these current systems over solar cycle 23. We present their seasonal and solar cycle variations and examine the response of each current system to solar wind driving.

Statistical Prediction of Sea Ice Concentration over Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jongho; Jeong, Jee-Hoon; Kim, Baek-Min

2017-04-01

In this study, a statistical method that predict sea ice concentration (SIC) over the Arctic is developed. We first calculate the Season-reliant Empirical Orthogonal Functions (S-EOFs) of monthly Arctic SIC from Nimbus-7 SMMR and DMSP SSM/I-SSMIS Passive Microwave Data, which contain the seasonal cycles (12 months long) of dominant SIC anomaly patterns. Then, the current SIC state index is determined by projecting observed SIC anomalies for latest 12 months to the S-EOFs. Assuming the current SIC anomalies follow the spatio-temporal evolution in the S-EOFs, we project the future (upto 12 months) SIC anomalies by multiplying the SI and the corresponding S-EOF and then taking summation. The predictive skill is assessed by hindcast experiments initialized at all the months for 1980-2010. When comparing predictive skill of SIC predicted by statistical model and NCEP CFS v2, the statistical model shows a higher skill in predicting sea ice concentration and extent.

Dominant modes of variability in large-scale Birkeland currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cousins, E. D. P.; Matsuo, Tomoko; Richmond, A. D.; Anderson, B. J.

2015-08-01

Properties of variability in large-scale Birkeland currents are investigated through empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of 1 week of data from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE). Mean distributions and dominant modes of variability are identified for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Differences in the results from the two hemispheres are observed, which are attributed to seasonal differences in conductivity (the study period occurred near solstice). A universal mean and set of dominant modes of variability are obtained through combining the hemispheric results, and it is found that the mean and first three modes of variability (EOFs) account for 38% of the total observed squared magnetic perturbations (δB2) from both hemispheres. The mean distribution represents a standard Region 1/Region 2 (R1/R2) morphology of currents and EOF 1 captures the strengthening/weakening of the average distribution and is well correlated with the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). EOF 2 captures a mixture of effects including the expansion/contraction and rotation of the (R1/R2) currents; this mode correlates only weakly with possible external driving parameters. EOF 3 captures changes in the morphology of the currents in the dayside cusp region and is well correlated with the dawn-dusk component of the IMF. The higher-order EOFs capture more complex, smaller-scale variations in the Birkeland currents and appear generally uncorrelated with external driving parameters. The results of the EOF analysis described here are used for describing error covariance in a data assimilation procedure utilizing AMPERE data, as described in a companion paper.

Photochemical properties and sensor applications of modified yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) covalently attached to the surfaces of etched optical fibers (EOFs).

PubMed

Veselov, Alexey A; Abraham, Bobin George; Lemmetyinen, Helge; Karp, Matti T; Tkachenko, Nikolai V

2012-01-01

Fluorescent proteins have the inherent ability to act as sensing components which function both in vitro and inside living cells. We describe here a novel study on a covalent site-specific bonding of fluorescent proteins to form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the surface of etched optical fibers (EOFs). Deposition of fluorescent proteins on EOFs gives the opportunity to increase the interaction of guided light with deposited molecules relative to plane glass surfaces. The EOF modification is carried out by surface activation using 3-aminopropylthrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and bifunctional crosslinker sulfosuccinimidyl 4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (sulfo-SMCC) which exposes sulfhydryl-reactive maleimide groups followed by covalent site-specific coupling of modified yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Steady-state and fluorescence lifetime measurements confirm the formation of SAM. The sensor applications of YPF SAMs on EOF are demonstrated by the gradual increase of emission intensity upon addition of Ca(2+) ions in the concentration range from a few tens of micromolars up to a few tens of millimolars. The studies on the effect of pH, divalent cations, denaturing agents, and proteases reveal the stability of YFP on EOFs at normal physiological conditions. However, treatments with 0.5% SDS at pH 8.5 and protease trypsin are found to denaturate or cleave the YFP from fiber surfaces.

Application of Spectral Analysis Techniques in the Intercomparison of Aerosol Data: 1. an EOF Approach to the Spatial-Temporal Variability of Aerosol Optical Depth Using Multiple Remote Sensing Data Sets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Jing; Carlson, Barbara E.; Lacis, Andrew A.

2013-01-01

Many remote sensing techniques and passive sensors have been developed to measure global aerosol properties. While instantaneous comparisons between pixel-level data often reveal quantitative differences, here we use Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, also known as Principal Component Analysis, to demonstrate that satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) data sets exhibit essentially the same spatial and temporal variability and are thus suitable for large-scale studies. Analysis results show that the first four EOF modes of AOD account for the bulk of the variance and agree well across the four data sets used in this study (i.e., Aqua MODIS, Terra MODIS, MISR, and SeaWiFS). Only SeaWiFS data over land have slightly different EOF patterns. Globally, the first two EOF modes show annual cycles and are mainly related to Sahara dust in the northern hemisphere and biomass burning in the southern hemisphere, respectively. After removing the mean seasonal cycle from the data, major aerosol sources, including biomass burning in South America and dust in West Africa, are revealed in the dominant modes due to the different interannual variability of aerosol emissions. The enhancement of biomass burning associated with El Niño over Indonesia and central South America is also captured with the EOF technique.

Application of the empirical orthogonal function to study the rainfall pattern in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adi-Kusumo, Fajar; Gunardi, Utami, Herni; Nurjani, Emilya; Sopaheluwakan, Ardhasena; Aluicius, Irwan Endrayanto; Christiawan, Titus

2016-02-01

We consider the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) to study the rainfall pattern in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY) Province, Indonesia. The EOF is one of the important methods to study the dominant pattern of the data using dimension reduction technique. EOF makes possible to reduce the huge dimension of observed data into a smaller one without losing its significant information in order to figures the whole data. The methods is also known as Principal Components Analysis (PCA) which is conducted to find the pattern of the data. DIY Province is one of the province in Indonesia which has special characteristics related to the rainfall pattern. This province has an active volcano, karst, highlands, and also some lower area including beach. This province is bounded by the Indonesian ocean which is one of the important factor to provide the rainfall. We use at least ten years rainfall monthly data of all stations in this area and study the rainfall characteristics based on the four regencies of the province. EOF analysis is conducted to analyze data in order to decide the station groups which have similar characters.

Estimating mass balances of the global water reservoirs by GRACE satellite gravimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramillien, G.; Lombard, A.; Cazenave, A.

2004-12-01

According to global hydrology models, the total water storage on the continents continuously decreases with time. In order to verify this scenario of a global and progressive transfer of water mass between the atmosphere, the oceans and the continents, we estimated and analysed the time-variations of the water mass in these water mass reservoirs for a recent period of time by space gravimetry. For this purpose, we used the monthly GRACE geoids recently released by CSR and GFZ (04/2002-05/2004). The spatial resolution of the GRACE solutions was unfortunately limited to degree 10-15 (around 2000 km) by the presence of noise for the higher harmonic degrees. The water mass changes were also analysed using Empirical Othogonal Functions (EOFs) decompositions for characterizing the main modes of mass variability for each water reservoirs at seasonal and inter-annual time scales.

Exploring the Linkage of Sea Surface Temperature Variability on Three Spatial Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, L.; Capone, D. G.; Hutchins, D.; Kiefer, D.

2011-12-01

As part of a project examining climate change in the Southern California Bight at the University of Southern California, we studied the linkage of the variability of sea surface temperature across three nested spatial scales, the north Pacific Basin, the West Coast of North American, and the Southern California Bight. Specifically, we analyzed daily GHRSST images between September 1981 and July 2009. In order to remove seasonal changes in temperature and focus upon differences between years, we calculate weekly mean temperature for each pixel from the time series, and then subjected the anomalies for the 3 spatial scales to empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The corresponding temporal expansion coefficients and spatial components (eigenvector) for each EOF mode were then generated to examine the temporal and spatial patterns of SST change. The results showed that the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a clear influence on the SST variability across all the three spatial scales, especially the 1st EOF mode which represents the largest variance. The comparison between the time coefficients of the 1st EOF mode and the Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) suggested that the EOF mode 1 of the Pacific Basin region matched well with almost all the El Nino and La Nina signals while the West Coast of North American captured only the strong signals and the Southern California Bight captures still fewer of the signals. This clearly indicated that the Southern California Bight is relatively insensitive to ENSO signal relative to other locations along the West Coast. The 1st EOF Mode for the West Coast of North American was also clearly influenced by upwelling. The cross correlation coefficient between each pair of the EOF mode 1 temporal expansion coefficients for the three spatial scales suggested that they were significantly correlated to each other. The effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on the SST change was also demonstrated by the temporal variability of the temporal expansion coefficients of the 2nd EOF mode. However, the correlations of 2nd EOF mode time coefficients between the three scales appeared relatively low compared the 1st EOF mode. In summary sea surface temperature in the Southern California Bight behaves like a node that is relatively insensitive to ENSO, PDO, and upwelling signals.

Application of EOF/PCA-based methods in the post-processing of GRACE derived water variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forootan, Ehsan; Kusche, Jürgen

2010-05-01

Two problems that users of monthly GRACE gravity field solutions face are 1) the presence of correlated noise in the Stokes coefficients that increases with harmonic degree and causes ‘striping', and 2) the fact that different physical signals are overlaid and difficult to separate from each other in the data. These problems are termed the signal-noise separation problem and the signal-signal separation problem. Methods that are based on principal component analysis and empirical orthogonal functions (PCA/EOF) have been frequently proposed to deal with these problems for GRACE. However, different strategies have been applied to different (spatial: global/regional, spectral: global/order-wise, geoid/equivalent water height) representations of the GRACE level 2 data products, leading to differing results and a general feeling that PCA/EOF-based methods are to be applied ‘with care'. In addition, it is known that conventional EOF/PCA methods force separated modes to be orthogonal, and that, on the other hand, to either EOFs or PCs an arbitrary orthogonal rotation can be applied. The aim of this paper is to provide a common theoretical framework and to study the application of PCA/EOF-based methods as a signal separation tool due to post-process GRACE data products. In order to investigate and illustrate the applicability of PCA/EOF-based methods, we have employed them on GRACE level 2 monthly solutions based on the Center for Space Research, University of Texas (CSR/UT) RL04 products and on the ITG-GRACE03 solutions from the University of Bonn, and on various representations of them. Our results show that EOF modes do reveal the dominating annual, semiannual and also long-periodic signals in the global water storage variations, but they also show how choosing different strategies changes the outcome and may lead to unexpected results.

Electroosmotic flow in microchannels with nanostructures.

PubMed

Yasui, Takao; Kaji, Noritada; Mohamadi, Mohamad Reza; Okamoto, Yukihiro; Tokeshi, Manabu; Horiike, Yasuhiro; Baba, Yoshinobu

2011-10-25

Here we report that nanopillar array structures have an intrinsic ability to suppress electroosmotic flow (EOF). Currently using glass chips for electrophoresis requires laborious surface coating to control EOF, which works as a counterflow to the electrophoresis mobility of negatively charged samples such as DNA and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) denatured proteins. Due to the intrinsic ability of the nanopillar array to suppress the EOF, we carried out electrophoresis of SDS-protein complexes in nanopillar chips without adding any reagent to suppress protein adsorption and the EOF. We also show that the EOF profile inside a nanopillar region was deformed to an inverse parabolic flow. We used a combination of EOF measurements and fluorescence observations to compare EOF in microchannel, nanochannel, and nanopillar array chips. Our results of EOF measurements in micro- and nanochannel chips were in complete agreement with the conventional equation of the EOF mobility (μ(EOF-channel) = αC(i)(-0.5), where C(i) is the bulk concentration of the i-ions and α differs in micro- and nanochannels), whereas EOF in the nanopillar chips did not follow this equation. Therefore we developed a new modified form of the conventional EOF equation, μ(EOF-nanopillar) ≈ β[C(i) - (C(i)(2)/N(i))], where N(i) is the number of sites available to i-ions and β differs for each nanopillar chip because of different spacings or patterns, etc. The modified equation of the EOF mobility that we proposed here was in good agreement with our experimental results. In this equation, we showed that the charge density of the nanopillar region, that is, the total number of nanopillars inside the microchannel, affected the suppression of EOF, and the arrangement of nanopillars into a tilted or square array had no effect on it.

EOF analysis of COSMIC observations on the global zonal mean temperature structure of the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere from 2007 to 2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salinas, Cornelius Csar Jude H.; Chang, Loren C.

2018-06-01

This work presents the results of a Conventional Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis on daily global zonal mean temperature profiles in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (15-35 km), as measured by the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission from January 2007 to June 2013. For validation, results were compared with ERA-Interim reanalysis. Results show that, the leading global EOF mode (27%) from COSMIC is consistent with temperature anomalies due to the tropical cooling associated with boreal winter Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSW). The second global EOF mode from COSMIC (15.3%) is consistent with temperature anomalies due to the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO). The third global mode from COSMIC (10.9%) is consistent with temperature anomalies due to the El Nino Southern Oscillation. This work also shows that the second northern hemisphere EOF mode from COSMIC (16.8%) is consistent with temperature anomalies due Rossby-wave breaking (RWB) which is expected to only be resolved by a high vertical and temporal resolution dataset like COSMIC. Our work concludes that the use of a high vertical and temporal resolution dataset like COSMIC yields non-seasonal EOF modes that are consistent with relatively more intricate temperature anomalies due to the SSW, QBO, ENSO and RWB.

Global model of zenith tropospheric delay proposed based on EOF analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Langlang; Chen, Peng; Wei, Erhu; Li, Qinzheng

2017-07-01

Tropospheric delay is one of the main error budgets in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements. Many empirical correction models have been developed to compensate this delay, and models which do not require meteorological parameters have received the most attention. This study established a global troposphere zenith total delay (ZTD) model, called Global Empirical Orthogonal Function Troposphere (GEOFT), based on the empirical orthogonal function (EOF, also known as geographically weighted PCAs) analysis method and the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) Atmosphere data from 2012 to 2015. The results showed that ZTD variation could be well represented by the characteristics of the EOF base function Ek and associated coefficients Pk. Here, E1 mainly signifies the equatorial anomaly; E2 represents north-south asymmetry, and E3 and E4 reflects regional variation. Moreover, P1 mainly reflects annual and semiannual variation components; P2 and P3 mainly contains annual variation components, and P4 displays semiannual variation components. We validated the proposed GEOFT model using tropospheric delay data of GGOS ZTD grid data and the tropospheric product of the International GNSS Service (IGS) over the year 2016. The results showed that GEOFT model has high accuracy with bias and RMS of -0.3 and 3.9 cm, respectively, with respect to the GGOS ZTD data, and of -0.8 and 4.1 cm, respectively, with respect to the global IGS tropospheric product. The accuracy of GEOFT demonstrating that the use of the EOF analysis method to characterize ZTD variation is reasonable.

On the estimation of physical height changes using GRACE satellite mission data - A case study of Central Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godah, Walyeldeen; Szelachowska, Małgorzata; Krynski, Jan

2017-12-01

The dedicated gravity satellite missions, in particular the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) mission launched in 2002, provide unique data for studying temporal variations of mass distribution in the Earth's system, and thereby, the geometry and the gravity fi eld changes of the Earth. The main objective of this contribution is to estimate physical height (e.g. the orthometric/normal height) changes over Central Europe using GRACE satellite mission data as well as to analyse them and model over the selected study area. Physical height changes were estimated from temporal variations of height anomalies and vertical displacements of the Earth surface being determined over the investigated area. The release 5 (RL05) GRACE-based global geopotential models as well as load Love numbers from the Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM) were used as input data. Analysis of the estimated physical height changes and their modelling were performed using two methods: the seasonal decomposition method and the PCA/ EOF (Principal Component Analysis/Empirical Orthogonal Function) method and the differences obtained were discussed. The main fi ndings reveal that physical height changes over the selected study area reach up to 22.8 mm. The obtained physical height changes can be modelled with an accuracy of 1.4 mm using the seasonal decomposition method.

Factors controlling the interannual variation of 30-60-day boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation over the Asian summer monsoon region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jianying; Mao, Jiangyu

2018-04-01

The 30-60-day boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) is a dominant variability of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM), with its intensity being quantified by intraseasonal standard deviations based on OLR data. The spatial and interannual variations of the BSISO intensity are identified via empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis for the period 1981-2014. The first EOF mode (EOF1) shows a spatially coherent enhancement or suppression of BSISO activity over the entire ASM region, and the interannual variability of this mode is related to the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) contrast between the central-eastern North Pacific (CNP) and tropical Indian Ocean. In contrast, the second mode (EOF2) exhibits a seesaw pattern between the southeastern equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO) and equatorial western Pacific (EWP), with the interannual fluctuation linked with developing ENSO events. During strong years of EOF1 mode, the enhanced low-level westerlies induced by the summer-mean SSTA contrast between the warmer CNP and cooler tropical Indian Ocean tend to form a wetter moisture background over the eastern EIO, which interacts with intraseasonal low-level convergent flows, leading to stronger equatorial eastward propagation. The intensified easterly shear favors stronger northward propagation over the South Asian and Eastern Asian/Western North Pacific sectors, respectively. Opposite situation is for weak years. For interannual variations of EOF2 mode, the seesaw patterns with enhanced BSISO activity over the southeastern EIO while weakened activity over the EWP mostly occur in the La Niña developing summers, but inverse patterns appear in the El Niño developing summers.

A High-resolution Model of Field-aligned Currents Through Empirical Orthogonal Functions Analysis (MFACE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

He, Maosheng; Vogt, Joachim; Luehr, Hermann; Sorbalo, Eugen; Blagau, Adrian; Le, Guan; Lu, Gang

2012-01-01

Ten years of CHAMP magnetic field measurements are integrated into MFACE, a model of field-aligned currents (FACs) using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). EOF1 gives the basic Region-1/Region-2 pattern varying mainly with the interplanetary magnetic field Bz component. EOF2 captures separately the cusp current signature and By-related variability. Compared to existing models, MFACE yields significantly better spatial resolution, reproduces typically observed FAC thickness and intensity, improves on the magnetic local time (MLT) distribution, and gives the seasonal dependence of FAC latitudes and the NBZ current signature. MFACE further reveals systematic dependences on By, including 1) Region-1/Region-2 topology modifications around noon; 2) imbalance between upward and downward maximum current density; 3) MLT location of the Harang discontinuity. Furthermore, our procedure allows quantifying response times of FACs to solar wind driving at the bow shock nose: we obtain 20 minutes and 35-40 minutes lags for the FAC density and latitude, respectively.

Systematic Biases of Present-day's Land Surface Air Temperature and Precipitation and Associated Tendency of Future Projection in the Asia Monsoon of the CMIP5 models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ose, T.

2016-12-01

Seasonally varying land surface air temperature (SAT) is basically responsible for the occurrence of the Asia Monsoon precipitation whereas the precipitation may play more important roles in the appearance and variability of the Asia Monsoon circulations. A simple and basic analysis on model biases of land SAT simulations over the Eurasian Continent is done to find necessary improvements of land surface treatment in the models, their relationship with model precipitation and their influences to future projections. Specifically, the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis is applied to land SATs of the CMIP5 present-day's simulation (the June-July-August average during 1975-1999) ensemble. Associated biases of precipitation and other Asia Monsoon elements are obtained by the regression method onto the obtained EOF coefficients. The first EOF is the SAT bias over the dry region of the Eurasia. Positive deviations of the 1st EOF coefficient indicate northwestward shift of the Asia Monsoon System; northwestward (or inner-continent-ward) shifts of precipitation, the Tibetan High, the low-level jet, the Pacific High and so on. The second EOF is the SAT bias over the northeast Eurasia. It is interesting that warmer land SAT bias over the northeast Asia is related to more wet condition over East Asia like in early summer; southward shift of westerly jet and precipitation band in East Asia. The third one indicates the SAT bias over the Eurasian region between the 1st and 2nd EOF SAT regions. However, this EOF may be characterized by the accompanied model precipitation bias over the subtropical Northwest Pacific like in late summer; northeastward shift of upper westerly jet in the eastern Asia and the weak Pacific High in the subtropical Northwest Pacific. The most intrigued feature is a connection of the 3rd EOF with the future change of SAT in the extra-tropical Northern Hemisphere in the CMIP5 projections. This fact may indicate that precipitation climatology in the Asia Monsoon is an important factor in the heat budget of the northern summer in the future change as well as the present-day simulation.

A Novel Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF)-Based Methodology to Study the Internal Wave Effects on Acoustic Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-01

mail: gaelle.casagrande@dga.defense.gouv.fr). Y. Stephan is with the Service Hydrographique et Oceanographique de la Marine (SHOM), Brest 29200...the two first modes of the EOF analysis. In black, original data temperature profiles. The profiles are located on the expansion coefficient scatter...in 2000, the M.Sc. degree in oceanography, £ H meteorology, and environment from the University de Jussieu, Paris , France, in 2002, and the

Spatial and temporal analysis of the total electron content over China during 2011-2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Jianchang; Zhao, Biqiang; Xiong, Bo; Wan, Weixing

2016-06-01

In the present work we investigate variations of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) with empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the four-year TEC data are derived from ∼250 GPS observations of the crustal movement observation network of China (CMONOC) over East Asian area (30-55°N, 70-140°E) during the period from 2011, January to 2014, December. The first two EOF components together account for ∼93.78% of total variance of the original TEC data set, and it is found that the first EOF component represents a spatial variability of semi-annual variation and the second EOF component exhibits pronounced east-west longitudinal difference with respect to zero valued geomagnetic declination line. In addition, climatology of the vertical plasma drift velocity vdz induced by HWM zonal wind field (∼300 km) are studied in the paper. Results shows vdz displays significant east-west longitudinal difference at 10:00 LT and 20:00 LT, and its daytime temporal variation is consistent with the second EOF principal component, which suggests that the east-west longitudinal variability is partly caused by the thermospheric zonal wind and geomagnetic declination. It is expected that with this dense GPS network, local ionospheric variability can be described more accurately and a more realistic ionospheric model can be constructed and used for the satellite navigation and radio propagation.

Growth of Errors and Uncertainties in Medium Range Ensemble Forecasts of U.S. East Coast Cool Season Extratropical Cyclones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Minghua

Cool-season extratropical cyclones near the U.S. East Coast often have significant impacts on the safety, health, environment and economy of this most densely populated region. Hence it is of vital importance to forecast these high-impact winter storm events as accurately as possible by numerical weather prediction (NWP), including in the medium-range. Ensemble forecasts are appealing to operational forecasters when forecasting such events because they can provide an envelope of likely solutions to serve user communities. However, it is generally accepted that ensemble outputs are not used efficiently in NWS operations mainly due to the lack of simple and quantitative tools to communicate forecast uncertainties and ensemble verification to assess model errors and biases. Ensemble sensitivity analysis (ESA), which employs a linear correlation and regression between a chosen forecast metric and the forecast state vector, can be used to analyze the forecast uncertainty development for both short- and medium-range forecasts. The application of ESA to a high-impact winter storm in December 2010 demonstrated that the sensitivity signals based on different forecast metrics are robust. In particular, the ESA based on the leading two EOF PCs can separate sensitive regions associated with cyclone amplitude and intensity uncertainties, respectively. The sensitivity signals were verified using the leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) method based on a multi-model ensemble from CMC, ECMWF, and NCEP. The climatology of ensemble sensitivities for the leading two EOF PCs based on 3-day and 6-day forecasts of historical cyclone cases was presented. It was found that the EOF1 pattern often represents the intensity variations while the EOF2 pattern represents the track variations along west-southwest and east-northeast direction. For PC1, the upper-level trough associated with the East Coast cyclone and its downstream ridge are important to the forecast uncertainty in cyclone strength. The initial differences in forecasting the ridge along the west coast of North America impact the EOF1 pattern most. For PC2, it was shown that the shift of the tri-polar structure is most significantly related to the cyclone track forecasts. The EOF/fuzzy clustering tool was applied to diagnose the scenarios in operational ensemble forecast of East Coast winter storms. It was shown that the clustering method could efficiently separate the forecast scenarios associated with East Coast storms based on the 90-member multi-model ensemble. A scenario-based ensemble verification method has been proposed and applied it to examine the capability of different EPSs in capturing the analysis scenarios for historical East Coast cyclone cases at lead times of 1-9 days. The results suggest that the NCEP model performs better in short-range forecasts in capturing the analysis scenario although it is under-dispersed. The ECMWF ensemble shows the best performance in the medium range. The CMC model is found to show the smallest percentage of members in the analysis group and a relatively high missing rate, suggesting that it is less reliable regarding capturing the analysis scenario when compared with the other two EPSs. A combination of NCEP and CMC models has been found to reduce the missing rate and improve the error-spread skill in medium- to extended-range forecasts. Based on the orthogonal features of the EOF patterns, the model errors for 1-6-day forecasts have been decomposed for the leading two EOF patterns. The results for error decomposition show that the NCEP model tends to better represent both EOF1 and EOF2 patterns by showing less intensity and displacement errors during 1-3 days. The ECMWF model is found to have the smallest errors in both EOF1 and EOF2 patterns during 4-6 days. We have also found that East Coast cyclones in the ECMWF forecast tend to be towards the southwest of the other two models in representing the EOF2 pattern, which is associated with the southwest-northeast shifting of the cyclone. This result suggests that ECMWF model may have a tendency to show a closer-to-shore solution in forecasting East Coast winter storms. The downstream impacts of Rossby wave packets (RWPs) on the predictability of winter storms are investigated to explore the source of ensemble uncertainties. The composited RWPA anomalies show that there are enhanced RWPs propagating across the Pacific in both large-error and large-spread cases over the verification regions. There are also indications that the errors might propagate with a speed comparable with the group velocity of RWPs. Based on the composite results as well as our observations of the operation daily RWPA, a conceptual model of errors/uncertainty development associated with RWPs has been proposed to serve as a practical tool to understand the evolution of forecast errors and uncertainties associated with the coherent RWPs originating from upstream as far as western Pacific. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Characteristic variations of sea surface temperature with multiple time scales in the North Pacific

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tanimoto, Youichi; Hanawa, Kimio; Toba, Yoshiaki

1993-06-01

It is unclear whether the recent increases in global temperatures are really due to the increase of greenhouse gases or are a manifestation of natural variability. Temporal evolution and spectral structure of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the North Pacific over the last 37 years are investigated on the three characteristic time scales: shorter than 24 months (HF), 24-60 months (ES), and longer than 60 months (DC). The leading empirical-orthogonal function (EOF) for the DC time scale is characterized by a zonally elongated monopole centered at around 40[degrees]N, 180[degrees]. The leading EOF for the HF time scale is somewhatmore » similar to that for the DC time scale, although there are two centers of action with the same polarity at the mid and western Pacific. The leading EOF for the ES time scale, however, exhibits a different pattern whose center of action at the mid Pacific is located farther southeastward. In the time evolution of the SST anomalies associated with the leading EOF of the DC time scale, several anomaly periods can be identified that last five years or longer. The transition from a persistent period to another with the opposite polarity is generally very brief, except for the one that lasts throughout the late 1960s. The EOF analysis was repeated separately on these persistent anomaly periods and the long transition period. The spatial structure of the leading EOF of the SST variability with the ES time scale is found to be sensitive to the polarity of the decadal anomaly. These results are suggestive of the possible influence of the decadal SST variability upon the spatial structure of the variability with shorter time scales. 31 refs., 8 figs.« less

Sea ice algae chlorophyll a concentrations derived from under-ice spectral radiation profiling platforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lange, Benjamin A.; Katlein, Christian; Nicolaus, Marcel; Peeken, Ilka; Flores, Hauke

2016-12-01

Multiscale sea ice algae observations are fundamentally important for projecting changes to sea ice ecosystems, as the physical environment continues to change. In this study, we developed upon previously established methodologies for deriving sea ice-algal chlorophyll a concentrations (chl a) from spectral radiation measurements, and applied these to larger-scale spectral surveys. We conducted four different under-ice spectral measurements: irradiance, radiance, transmittance, and transflectance, and applied three statistical approaches: Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF), Normalized Difference Indices (NDI), and multi-NDI. We developed models based on ice core chl a and coincident spectral irradiance/transmittance (N = 49) and radiance/transflectance (N = 50) measurements conducted during two cruises to the central Arctic Ocean in 2011 and 2012. These reference models were ranked based on two criteria: mean robustness R2 and true prediction error estimates. For estimating the biomass of a large-scale data set, the EOF approach performed better than the NDI, due to its ability to account for the high variability of environmental properties experienced over large areas. Based on robustness and true prediction error, the three most reliable models, EOF-transmittance, EOF-transflectance, and NDI-transmittance, were applied to two remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and two Surface and Under-Ice Trawl (SUIT) spectral radiation surveys. In these larger-scale chl a estimates, EOF-transmittance showed the best fit to ice core chl a. Application of our most reliable model, EOF-transmittance, to an 85 m horizontal ROV transect revealed large differences compared to published biomass estimates from the same site with important implications for projections of Arctic-wide ice-algal biomass and primary production.

Spatio-temporal patterns of soil water storage under dryland agriculture at the watershed scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibrahim, Hesham M.; Huggins, David R.

2011-07-01

SummarySpatio-temporal patterns of soil water are major determinants of crop yield potential in dryland agriculture and can serve as the basis for delineating precision management zones. Soil water patterns can vary significantly due to differences in seasonal precipitation, soil properties and topographic features. In this study we used empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to characterize the spatial variability of soil water at the Washington State University Cook Agronomy Farm (CAF) near Pullman, WA. During the period 1999-2006, the CAF was divided into three roughly equal blocks (A, B, and C), and soil water at 0.3 m intervals to a depth of 1.5 m measured gravimetrically at approximately one third of the 369 geo-referenced points on the 37-ha watershed. These data were combined with terrain attributes, soil bulk density and apparent soil conductivity (EC a). The first EOF generated from the three blocks explained 73-76% of the soil water variability. Field patterns of soil water based on EOF interpolation varied between wet and dry conditions during spring and fall seasons. Under wet conditions, elevation and wetness index were the dominant factors regulating the spatial patterns of soil water. As soil dries out during summer and fall, soil properties (EC a and bulk density) become more important in explaining the spatial patterns of soil water. The EOFs generated from block B, which represents average topographic and soil properties, provided better estimates of soil water over the entire watershed with larger Nash-Sutcliffe Coefficient of Efficiency (NSCE) values, especially when the first two EOFs were retained. Including more than the first two EOFs did not significantly increase the NSCE of soil water estimate. The EOF interpolation method to estimate soil water variability worked slightly better during spring than during fall, with average NSCE values of 0.23 and 0.20, respectively. The predictable patterns of stored soil water in the spring could serve as the basis for delineating precision management zones as yield potential is largely driven by water availability. The EOF-based method has the advantage of estimating the soil water variability based on soil water data from several measurement times, whereas in regression methods only soil water measurement at a single time are used. The EOF-based method can also be used to estimate soil water at any time other than measurement times, assuming the average soil water of the watershed is known at that time.

Decadal-period external magnetic field variations resolved with eigenanalysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shore, Robert; Whaler, Kathryn; Macmillan, Susan; Beggan, Ciarán; Velímský, Jakub; Olsen, Nils

2017-04-01

Variations in the magnetic field at and above the Earth's surface permeate the interior of our planet, and can be used to determine the electrical conductivity of the mantle. Presently, the annual and semi-annual period fields induced by magnetospheric and ionospheric currents, suitable to estimate mantle conductivity in the approximate depth range 1,200-2,000 km, are subject to large uncertainty since they overlap with the periods on which the core field also changes significantly. It is timely to obtain an improved determination of the spatial geometry of the external, inducing, fields in order to better separate their internal, induced, part from that generated in the core. We apply the method of Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) to a dataset of ground-based magnetic observatory hourly means in order to decompose the external magnetic field during quiet times over a full 11-year solar cycle into its modes of maximum variance. This allows us to assess the spatial structures and magnitude changes of its dominant spatio-temporal patterns. Specifically, our focus is on isolating the long period external inducing fields as they penetrate to the depths of the mantle where the conductivity is least constrained. We expand ground-based measurements in the inertial local-time frame to produce spherical harmonic models of the dominant long period signals isolated by the EOF method. Whilst the ring current dominates the decomposition, we show that an annual and a semi-annual oscillation are important in describing the full inducing field. Each of these terms exhibits a modulation from the 11-year solar cycle. In summary, the most important harmonic in the description of the inducing fields is P10, followed by P21. There are lesser but still significant contributions from the P11 and P20 harmonics.

Hydrological signals in height and gravity in northeastern Italy inferred from principal components analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerbini, S.; Raicich, F.; Richter, B.; Gorini, V.; Errico, M.

2010-04-01

This work describes a study of GPS heights, gravity and hydrological time series collected by stations located in northeastern Italy. During the last 12 years, changes in the long-term behaviors of the GPS heights and gravity time series are observed. In particular, starting in 2004-2005, a height increase is observed over the whole area. The temporal and spatial variability of these parameters has been studied as well as those of key hydrological variables, namely precipitation, hydrological balance and water table by using the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) analysis. The coupled variability between the GPS heights and the hydrological balance and precipitation data has been investigated by means of the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) approach. Significant common patterns in the spatial and temporal variability of these parameters have been recognized. In particular, hydrology-induced variations are clearly observable starting in 2002-2003 in the southern part of the Po Plain for the longest time series, and from 2004-2005 over the whole area. These findings, obtained by means of purely mathematical approaches, are supported by sound physical interpretation suggesting that the climate-related fluctuations in the regional/local hydrological regime are one of the main contributors to the observed variations. A regional scale signal has been identified in the GPS station heights; it is characterized by the opposite behavior of the southern and northern stations in response to the hydrological forcing. At Medicina, in the southern Po Plain, the EOF analysis has shown a marked common signal between the GPS heights and the Superconducting Gravimeter (SG) data both over the long and the short period.

An Empirical Orthogonal Function Reanalysis of the Northern Polar External and Induced Magnetic Field During Solar Cycle 23

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shore, R. M.; Freeman, M. P.; Gjerloev, J. W.

2018-01-01

We apply the method of data-interpolating empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) to ground-based magnetic vector data from the SuperMAG archive to produce a series of month length reanalyses of the surface external and induced magnetic field (SEIMF) in 110,000 km2 equal-area bins over the entire northern polar region at 5 min cadence over solar cycle 23, from 1997.0 to 2009.0. Each EOF reanalysis also decomposes the measured SEIMF variation into a hierarchy of spatiotemporal patterns which are ordered by their contribution to the monthly magnetic field variance. We find that the leading EOF patterns can each be (subjectively) interpreted as well-known SEIMF systems or their equivalent current systems. The relationship of the equivalent currents to the true current flow is not investigated. We track the leading SEIMF or equivalent current systems of similar type by intermonthly spatial correlation and apply graph theory to (objectively) group their appearance and relative importance throughout a solar cycle, revealing seasonal and solar cycle variation. In this way, we identify the spatiotemporal patterns that maximally contribute to SEIMF variability over a solar cycle. We propose this combination of EOF and graph theory as a powerful method for objectively defining and investigating the structure and variability of the SEIMF or their equivalent ionospheric currents for use in both geomagnetism and space weather applications. It is demonstrated here on solar cycle 23 but is extendable to any epoch with sufficient data coverage.

Experiments in Reconstructing Twentieth-Century Sea Levels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ray, Richard D.; Douglas, Bruce C.

2011-01-01

One approach to reconstructing historical sea level from the relatively sparse tide-gauge network is to employ Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) as interpolatory spatial basis functions. The EOFs are determined from independent global data, generally sea-surface heights from either satellite altimetry or a numerical ocean model. The problem is revisited here for sea level since 1900. A new approach to handling the tide-gauge datum problem by direct solution offers possible advantages over the method of integrating sea-level differences, with the potential of eventually adjusting datums into the global terrestrial reference frame. The resulting time series of global mean sea levels appears fairly insensitive to the adopted set of EOFs. In contrast, charts of regional sea level anomalies and trends are very sensitive to the adopted set of EOFs, especially for the sparser network of gauges in the early 20th century. The reconstructions appear especially suspect before 1950 in the tropical Pacific. While this limits some applications of the sea-level reconstructions, the sensitivity does appear adequately captured by formal uncertainties. All our solutions show regional trends over the past five decades to be fairly uniform throughout the global ocean, in contrast to trends observed over the shorter altimeter era. Consistent with several previous estimates, the global sea-level rise since 1900 is 1.70 +/- 0.26 mm/yr. The global trend since 1995 exceeds 3 mm/yr which is consistent with altimeter measurements, but this large trend was possibly also reached between 1935 and 1950.

Electrophoretic separations in poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchips using a mixture of ionic and zwitterionic surfactants

PubMed Central

Guan, Qian; Noblitt, Scott D.; Henry, Charles S.

2012-01-01

The use of mixtures of ionic and zwitterionic surfactants in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchips is reported. The effect of surfactant concentration on EOF was studied for a single anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), a single zwitterionic surfactant (N-tetradecylammonium-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate, TDAPS), and a mixed SDS/TDAPS surfactant system. SDS increased the EOF as reported previously while TDAPS showed an initial increase in EOF followed by a reduction at higher concentrations. When TDAPS was added to a solution containing SDS, the EOF decreased in a concentration dependent manner. The EOF for all three surfactant systems followed expected pH trends, with increasing EOF at higher pH. The mixed surfactant system allowed tuning of the EOF across a range of pH and concentration conditions. After establishing the EOF behavior, the adsorption/desorption kinetics were measured and showed a slower adsorption/desorption rate for TDAPS than SDS. Finally, the separation and electrochemical detection of model catecholamines in buffer and reduced glutathione (GSH) in red blood cell lysate using the mixed surfactant system were explored. The mixed surfactant system provided shorter analysis times and/or improved resolution when compared to the single surfactant systems. PMID:22222982

Developing a Complex Independent Component Analysis (CICA) Technique to Extract Non-stationary Patterns from Geophysical Time Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forootan, Ehsan; Kusche, Jürgen; Talpe, Matthieu; Shum, C. K.; Schmidt, Michael

2017-12-01

In recent decades, decomposition techniques have enabled increasingly more applications for dimension reduction, as well as extraction of additional information from geophysical time series. Traditionally, the principal component analysis (PCA)/empirical orthogonal function (EOF) method and more recently the independent component analysis (ICA) have been applied to extract, statistical orthogonal (uncorrelated), and independent modes that represent the maximum variance of time series, respectively. PCA and ICA can be classified as stationary signal decomposition techniques since they are based on decomposing the autocovariance matrix and diagonalizing higher (than two) order statistical tensors from centered time series, respectively. However, the stationarity assumption in these techniques is not justified for many geophysical and climate variables even after removing cyclic components, e.g., the commonly removed dominant seasonal cycles. In this paper, we present a novel decomposition method, the complex independent component analysis (CICA), which can be applied to extract non-stationary (changing in space and time) patterns from geophysical time series. Here, CICA is derived as an extension of real-valued ICA, where (a) we first define a new complex dataset that contains the observed time series in its real part, and their Hilbert transformed series as its imaginary part, (b) an ICA algorithm based on diagonalization of fourth-order cumulants is then applied to decompose the new complex dataset in (a), and finally, (c) the dominant independent complex modes are extracted and used to represent the dominant space and time amplitudes and associated phase propagation patterns. The performance of CICA is examined by analyzing synthetic data constructed from multiple physically meaningful modes in a simulation framework, with known truth. Next, global terrestrial water storage (TWS) data from the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravimetry mission (2003-2016), and satellite radiometric sea surface temperature (SST) data (1982-2016) over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are used with the aim of demonstrating signal separations of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) from the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO), and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) from the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). CICA results indicate that ENSO-related patterns can be extracted from the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment Terrestrial Water Storage (GRACE TWS) with an accuracy of 0.5-1 cm in terms of equivalent water height (EWH). The magnitude of errors in extracting NAO or AMO from SST data using the complex EOF (CEOF) approach reaches up to 50% of the signal itself, while it is reduced to 16% when applying CICA. Larger errors with magnitudes of 100% and 30% of the signal itself are found while separating ENSO from PDO using CEOF and CICA, respectively. We thus conclude that the CICA is more effective than CEOF in separating non-stationary patterns.

Open-access and multi-directional electroosmotic flow chip for positioning heterotypic cells.

PubMed

Terao, Kyohei; Kitazawa, Yuko; Yokokawa, Ryuji; Okonogi, Atsuhito; Kotera, Hidetoshi

2011-04-21

We propose a novel method of cell positioning using electroosmotic flow (EOF) to analyze cell-cell interactions. The EOF chip has an open-to-air configuration, is equipped with four electrodes to induce multi-directional EOF, and allows access of tools for liquid handling and of physical probes for cell measurements. Evaluation of the flow within this chip indicated that it controlled hydrodynamic transport of cells, in terms of both speed and direction. We also evaluated cell viability after EOF application and determined appropriate conditions for cell positioning. Two cells were successively positioned in pocket-like microstructures, one in each micropocket, by controlling the EOF direction. As an experimental demonstration, we observed contact interactions between two individual cells through gap junction channels. The EOF chip should provide ways to elucidate various cell-cell interactions between heterotypic cells.

Field-effect Flow Control in Polymer Microchannel Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sniadecki, Nathan; Lee, Cheng S.; Beamesderfer, Mike; DeVoe, Don L.

2003-01-01

A new Bio-MEMS electroosmotic flow (EOF) modulator for plastic microchannel networks has been developed. The EOF modulator uses field-effect flow control (FEFC) to adjust the zeta potential at the Parylene C microchannel wall. By setting a differential EOF pumping rate in two of the three microchannels at a T-intersection with EOF modulators, the induced pressure at the intersection generated pumping in the third, field-free microchannel. The EOF modulators are able to change the magnitude and direction of the pressure pumping by inducing either a negative or positive pressure at the intersection. The flow velocity is tracked by neutralized fluorescent microbeads in the microchannels. The proof-of-concept of the EOF modulator described here may be applied to complex plastic ,microchannel networks where individual microchannel flow rates are addressable by localized induced-pressure pumping.

A Survey of Synoptic Waves over West Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Yuan-Ming; Thorncroft, Chris D.; Kiladis, George N.

2017-04-01

Motivated by the pronounced wave-to-wave variability in African easterly wave (AEW) circulation, the three-dimensional structure of synoptic waves over West Africa is revisited with an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) approach to isolate the dominant wave pattern. In this talk we present results of EOF analyses conducted with brightness temperature (Tb) derived from satellite observation and meridional wind at multiple levels from reanalysis data to examine the characteristics and variability of synoptic waves. The structure of waves is extracted by projecting the wind fields and Tb onto the principle components associated with EOF patterns of appropriately filtered parameters. The Tb EOF shows a confined AEW circulation centered around 7.5°N and a distinct evolution of convection within the wave in line with previous research. However, in striking contrast to the confined flow pattern in the Tb EOF, the EOF of 700-hPa meridional wind is distinguished by a meridionally broad AEW circulation. While the peak in circulation is centered around 10°N, there is marked cross-equatorial flow that is associated with an antisymmetric geopotential signature across the equator. This suggests the presence of a mixed Rossby-gravity wave (MRG) structure consistent with Matsuno's shallow water theory. Granted that the vast majority of studies on MRGs focus on the central and western Pacific region, this "hybrid" between AEWs and MRGs over West Africa and Atlantic sector has received little attention and more work regarding the nature and causes of its wave structure and behavior is needed. In addition, an upper-level synoptic wave is captured by EOFs of 200-hPa meridional wind. The kinematic fields reveal a continental-scale wave straddling the equator that resembles an MRG. This upper-level MRG appears to develop in situ over the Horn of Africa and intensifies as it moves across the continent. The associated lower-level structure shows an AEW-like circulation but with a larger spatial extent. This finding motivates the need for more in-depth investigations of synoptic wave variability over the region including an assessment of the direction of causality between the upper-level MRG and the lower-level AEW. This study highlights the various synoptic wave structures over West Africa and their interaction with AEWs. The results suggest the variability of AEW activity could be modulated by, in addition to the large-scale environment, other synoptic waves in the region. We will pursue the EOF approach to shed light on the characteristics and causes of the variability in synoptic wave activity over West Africa.

Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Experimenters' Operations Facility (EOF)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larduinat, Eliane; Potter, William

1994-01-01

This paper describes the SOHO Instrumenters' Operations Facility (EOF) project. The EOF is the element of the SOHO ground system at the Goddard Space Flight Center that provides the interface between the SOHO scientists and the other ground system elements. This paper first describes the development context of the SOHO EOF. It provides an overview of the SOHO mission within the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) project, and discusses the SOHO scientific objectives. The second part of this paper presents the implementation of the SOHO EOF, its innovative features, its possible applications to other missions, and its potential for use as part of a fully integrated ground control system.

Empirical orthogonal function analysis of cloud-containing coastal zone color scanner images of northeastern North American coastal waters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eslinger, David L.; O'Brien, James J.; Iverson, Richard L.

1989-01-01

Empirical-orthogonal-function (EOF) analyses were carried out on 36 images of the Mid-Atlantic Bight and the Gulf of Maine, obtained by the CZCS aboard Nimbus 7 for the time period from February 28 through July 9, 1979, with the purpose of determining pigment concentrations in coastal waters. The EOF procedure was modified so as to include images with significant portions of data missing due to cloud obstruction, making it possible to estimate pigment values in areas beneath clouds. The results of image analyses explained observed variances in pigment concentrations and showed a south-to-north pattern corresponding to an April Mid-Atlantic Bight bloom and a June bloom over Nantucket Shoals and Platts Bank.

An Alternating Current Electroosmotic Pump Based on Conical Nanopore Membranes.

PubMed

Wu, Xiaojian; Ramiah Rajasekaran, Pradeep; Martin, Charles R

2016-04-26

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is used to pump solutions through microfluidic devices and capillary electrophoresis columns. We describe here an EOF pump based on membrane EOF rectification, an electrokinetic phenomenon we recently described. EOF rectification requires membranes with asymmetrically shaped pores, and conical pores in a polymeric membrane were used here. We show here that solution flow through the membrane can be achieved by applying a symmetrical sinusoidal voltage waveform across the membrane. This is possible because the alternating current (AC) carried by ions through the pore is rectified, and we previously showed that rectified currents yield EOF rectification. We have investigated the effect of both the magnitude and frequency of the voltage waveform on flow rate through the membrane, and we have measured the maximum operating pressure. Finally, we show that operating in AC mode offers potential advantages relative to conventional DC-mode EOF pumps.

Large Scale EOF Analysis of Climate Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabhat, M.; Gittens, A.; Kashinath, K.; Cavanaugh, N. R.; Mahoney, M.

2016-12-01

We present a distributed approach towards extracting EOFs from 3D climate data. We implement the method in Apache Spark, and process multi-TB sized datasets on O(1000-10,000) cores. We apply this method to latitude-weighted ocean temperature data from CSFR, a 2.2 terabyte-sized data set comprising ocean and subsurface reanalysis measurements collected at 41 levels in the ocean, at 6 hour intervals over 31 years. We extract the first 100 EOFs of this full data set and compare to the EOFs computed simply on the surface temperature field. Our analyses provide evidence of Kelvin and Rossy waves and components of large-scale modes of oscillation including the ENSO and PDO that are not visible in the usual SST EOFs. Further, they provide information on the the most influential parts of the ocean, such as the thermocline, that exist below the surface. Work is ongoing to understand the factors determining the depth-varying spatial patterns observed in the EOFs. We will experiment with weighting schemes to appropriately account for the differing depths of the observations. We also plan to apply the same distributed approach to analysis of analysis of 3D atmospheric climatic data sets, including multiple variables. Because the atmosphere changes on a quicker time-scale than the ocean, we expect that the results will demonstrate an even greater advantage to computing 3D EOFs in lieu of 2D EOFs.

Electroosmotic Flow Reversal Outside Glass Nanopores

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

We report observations of a striking reversal in the direction of electroosmotic flow (EOF) outside a conical glass nanopore as a function of salt concentration. At high ionic strengths (>100 mM), we observe EOF in the expected direction as predicted by classical electrokinetic theory, while at low salt concentrations (<1 mM) the direction of the flow is reversed. The critical crossover salt concentration depends on the pore diameter. Finite-element simulations indicate a competition between the EOF generated from the inner and outer walls of the pore, which drives flows in opposite directions. We have developed a simple analytical model which reveals that, as the salt concentration is reduced, the flow rates inside the pore are geometrically constrained, whereas there is no such limit for flows outside the pore. This model captures all of the essential physics of the system and explains the observed data, highlighting the key role the external environment plays in determining the overall electroosmotic behavior. PMID:25490120

Climate forcing for dynamics of dissolved inorganic nutrients at Palmer Station, Antarctica: An interdecadal (1993-2013) analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyewon; Doney, Scott C.; Iannuzzi, Richard A.; Meredith, Michael P.; Martinson, Douglas G.; Ducklow, Hugh W.

2016-09-01

We analyzed 20 years (1993-2013) of observations of dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate, N; phosphate, P; and silicate, Si) and chlorophyll a (Chl) at Palmer Station, Antarctica (64.8°S, 64.1°W) to elucidate how large-scale climate and local physical forcing affect the interannual variability in the seasonal phytoplankton bloom and associated drawdown of nutrients. The leading modes of nutrients (N, P, and Si empirical orthogonal functions 1, EOF1) represent overall negative anomalies throughout growing seasons, showing a mixed signal of variability in the initial levels and drawdown thereafter (low-frequency dynamics). The second most common seasonal patterns of nitrate and phosphate (N and P EOF2) capture prolonged drawdown events during December-March, which are correlated to Chl EOF1. Si EOF2 captures a drawdown event during November-December, which is correlated to Chl EOF2. These different drawdown patterns are shaped by different sets of physical and climate forcing mechanisms. N and P drawdown events during December-March are influenced by the winter and spring Southern Annular Mode (SAM) phase, where nutrient utilization is enhanced in a stabilized upper water column as a consequence of SAM-driven winter sea ice and spring wind dynamics. Si drawdown during November-December is influenced by early sea ice retreat, where ice breakup may induce abrupt water column stratification and a subsequent diatom bloom or release of diatom cells from within the sea ice. Our findings underscore that seasonal nutrient dynamics in the coastal WAP are coupled to large-scale climate forcing and related physics, understanding of which may enable improved projections of biogeochemical responses to climate change.

Effect of nanostructures orientation on electroosmotic flow in a microfluidic channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eng Lim, An; Lim, Chun Yee; Cheong Lam, Yee; Taboryski, Rafael; Rui Wang, Shu

2017-06-01

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is an electric-field-induced fluid flow that has numerous micro-/nanofluidic applications, ranging from pumping to chemical and biomedical analyses. Nanoscale networks/structures are often integrated in microchannels for a broad range of applications, such as electrophoretic separation of biomolecules, high reaction efficiency catalytic microreactors, and enhancement of heat transfer and sensing. Their introduction has been known to reduce EOF. Hitherto, a proper study on the effect of nanostructures orientation on EOF in a microfluidic channel is yet to be carried out. In this investigation, we present a novel fabrication method for nanostructure designs that possess maximum orientation difference, i.e. parallel versus perpendicular indented nanolines, to examine the effect of nanostructures orientation on EOF. It consists of four phases: fabrication of silicon master, creation of mold insert via electroplating, injection molding with cyclic olefin copolymer, and thermal bonding and integration of practical inlet/outlet ports. The effect of nanostructures orientation on EOF was studied experimentally by current monitoring method. The experimental results show that nanolines which are perpendicular to the microchannel reduce the EOF velocity significantly (approximately 20%). This flow velocity reduction is due to the distortion of local electric field by the perpendicular nanolines at the nanostructured surface as demonstrated by finite element simulation. In contrast, nanolines which are parallel to the microchannel have no effect on EOF, as it can be deduced that the parallel nanolines do not distort the local electric field. The outcomes of this investigation contribute to the precise control of EOF in lab-on-chip devices, and fundamental understanding of EOF in devices which utilize nanostructured surfaces for chemical and biological analyses.

From Ion Current to Electroosmotic Flow Rectification in Asymmetric Nanopore Membranes

PubMed Central

Wu, Xiaojian

2017-01-01

Asymmetrically shaped nanopores have been shown to rectify the ionic current flowing through pores in a fashion similar to a p-n junction in a solid-state diode. Such asymmetric nanopores include conical pores in polymeric membranes and pyramidal pores in mica membranes. We review here both theoretical and experimental aspects of this ion current rectification phenomenon. A simple intuitive model for rectification, stemming from previously published more quantitative models, is discussed. We also review experimental results on controlling the extent and sign of rectification. It was shown that ion current rectification produces a related rectification of electroosmotic flow (EOF) through asymmetric pore membranes. We review results that show how to measure and modulate this EOF rectification phenomenon. Finally, EOF rectification led to the development of an electroosmotic pump that works under alternating current (AC), as opposed to the currently available direct current EOF pumps. Experimental results on AC EOF rectification are reviewed, and advantages of using AC to drive EOF are discussed. PMID:29240676

From Ion Current to Electroosmotic Flow Rectification in Asymmetric Nanopore Membranes.

PubMed

Experton, Juliette; Wu, Xiaojian; Martin, Charles R

2017-12-14

Asymmetrically shaped nanopores have been shown to rectify the ionic current flowing through pores in a fashion similar to a p-n junction in a solid-state diode. Such asymmetric nanopores include conical pores in polymeric membranes and pyramidal pores in mica membranes. We review here both theoretical and experimental aspects of this ion current rectification phenomenon. A simple intuitive model for rectification, stemming from previously published more quantitative models, is discussed. We also review experimental results on controlling the extent and sign of rectification. It was shown that ion current rectification produces a related rectification of electroosmotic flow (EOF) through asymmetric pore membranes. We review results that show how to measure and modulate this EOF rectification phenomenon. Finally, EOF rectification led to the development of an electroosmotic pump that works under alternating current (AC), as opposed to the currently available direct current EOF pumps. Experimental results on AC EOF rectification are reviewed, and advantages of using AC to drive EOF are discussed.

Tsunami Waves and Tsunami-Induced Natural Oscillations Determined by HF Radar in Ise Bay, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toguchi, Y.; Fujii, S.; Hinata, H.

2018-04-01

Tsunami waves and the subsequent natural oscillations generated by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake were observed by two high-frequency (HF) radars and four tidal gauge records in Ise Bay. The radial velocity components of both records increased abruptly at approximately 17:00 (JST) and continued for more than 24 h. This indicated that natural oscillations followed the tsunami in Ise Bay. The spectral analyses showed that the tsunami wave arrivals had periods of 16-19, 30-40, 60-90, and 120-140 min. The three longest periods were remarkably amplified. Time-frequency analysis also showed the energy increase and duration of these periods. We used an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) to analyze the total velocity of the currents to find the underlying oscillation patterns in the three longest periods. To verify the physical properties of the EOF analysis results, we calculated the oscillation modes in Ise Bay using a numerical model proposed by Loomis. The results of EOF analysis showed that the oscillation modes of 120-140 and 60-90 min period bands were distributed widely, whereas the oscillation mode of the 30-40 min period band was distributed locally. The EOF spatial patterns of each period showed good agreement with the eigenmodes calculated by the method of Loomis (1975). Thus, the HF radars were capable of observing the tsunami arrival and the subsequent oscillations.

An Investigation of Dust Storms Observed with the Mars Color Imager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guzewich, Scott D.; Toigo, Anthony D.; Wang, Huiqun

2017-01-01

Daily global imaging by the Mars Color Imager (MARCI) continues the record of the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) and has allowed creation of a long-duration record of Martian dust storms. We observe dust storms over the first two Mars years of the MARCI record, including tracking individual storms over multiple sols, as well as tracking the growth and recession of the seasonal polar caps. Using the combined 6 Mars year record of textured dust storms (storms with visible textures on the observed dust cloud tops), we study the relationship between textured dust storm activity and meteorology (as simulated by the MarsWRF general circulation model) and surface properties. We find that textured dust storms preferentially occur in places and seasons with above average surface wind stress. Textured dust storm occurrence also has a modest linear anti-correlation with surface albedo (0.43) and topography (0.40). Lastly, we perform an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on the distribution of occurrence of textured dust storms and find that over 50 of the variance in textured dust storm activity can be explained by two EOF modes. We associate the first EOF mode with cap-edge storms just before Ls = 180deg and the second EOF mode with flushing dust storms that occur from Ls = 180-210deg and again near Ls = 320deg.

Impacts of Pacific SSTs on California Winter Precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myoung, B.; Kafatos, M.

2017-12-01

Consecutive below-normal precipitation years and resulted multi-year droughts are critical issues as the recent 2012-2015 drought of California caused tremendous socio-economic damages. However, studies on the causes of the multi-year droughts lack. In this study, focusing on the three multi-year droughts (1999-2002, 2007-2009, and 2012-2015) in California during the last two decades, we investigated the atmospheric and oceanic characteristics of the three drought events for winter (December-February, DJF) in order to understand large-scale circulations that are responsible for initiation, maintenance, and termination of the droughts. It was found that abnormally developed upper-tropospheric ridges over the North Pacific are primarily responsible for precipitation deficits and then droughts. These ridges developed when negative sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTs) including La Niña events are pervasive in the tropical Pacific. After 3 or 4 years, the droughts ended under the opposite conditions; upper-tropospheric troughs in the North Pacific with El Niño events in the tropics. Results of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis for the 41-year (1974/75-2014/15) 500 hPa geopotential height in DJF revealed that, during the drought periods, the positive phases of the first and second EOF mode (EOF1+ and EOF2+, respectively) were active one by one, positioning upper-tropospheric ridges over the North Pacific. While EOF1+ is associated with cold tropical central Pacific and negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), EOF2+ is associated with the tropical east-west SST dipole pattern (i.e., warm western tropical Pacific and cool eastern tropical Pacific near the southern Peru). Based on these results, we developed a regression model for winter precipitation. While dominant SST factors differ by decades, for the recent two decades (1994/1995-2014/2015), 56% variability of DJF precipitation is explained by the tropical east-west SST dipole pattern and PDO (NINO3.4 signal removed) together. These results suggest that SST variability not only in the western/eastern tropical Pacific but also in the North Pacific independently contribute to precipitation variability and long-term droughts in California.

Linear monogamy of entanglement in three-qubit systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Feng; Gao, Fei; Wen, Qiao-Yan

2015-11-01

For any three-qubit quantum systems ABC, Oliveira et al. numerically found that both the concurrence and the entanglement of formation (EoF) obey the linear monogamy relations in pure states. They also conjectured that the linear monogamy relations can be saturated when the focus qubit A is maximally entangled with the joint qubits BC. In this work, we prove analytically that both the concurrence and EoF obey linear monogamy relations in an arbitrary three-qubit state. Furthermore, we verify that all three-qubit pure states are maximally entangled in the bipartition A|BC when they saturate the linear monogamy relations. We also study the distribution of the concurrence and EoF. More specifically, when the amount of entanglement between A and B equals to that of A and C, we show that the sum of EoF itself saturates the linear monogamy relation, while the sum of the squared EoF is minimum. Different from EoF, the concurrence and the squared concurrence both saturate the linear monogamy relations when the entanglement between A and B equals to that of A and C.

Linear monogamy of entanglement in three-qubit systems.

PubMed

Liu, Feng; Gao, Fei; Wen, Qiao-Yan

2015-11-16

For any three-qubit quantum systems ABC, Oliveira et al. numerically found that both the concurrence and the entanglement of formation (EoF) obey the linear monogamy relations in pure states. They also conjectured that the linear monogamy relations can be saturated when the focus qubit A is maximally entangled with the joint qubits BC. In this work, we prove analytically that both the concurrence and EoF obey linear monogamy relations in an arbitrary three-qubit state. Furthermore, we verify that all three-qubit pure states are maximally entangled in the bipartition A|BC when they saturate the linear monogamy relations. We also study the distribution of the concurrence and EoF. More specifically, when the amount of entanglement between A and B equals to that of A and C, we show that the sum of EoF itself saturates the linear monogamy relation, while the sum of the squared EoF is minimum. Different from EoF, the concurrence and the squared concurrence both saturate the linear monogamy relations when the entanglement between A and B equals to that of A and C.

Linear monogamy of entanglement in three-qubit systems

PubMed Central

Liu, Feng; Gao, Fei; Wen, Qiao-Yan

2015-01-01

For any three-qubit quantum systems ABC, Oliveira et al. numerically found that both the concurrence and the entanglement of formation (EoF) obey the linear monogamy relations in pure states. They also conjectured that the linear monogamy relations can be saturated when the focus qubit A is maximally entangled with the joint qubits BC. In this work, we prove analytically that both the concurrence and EoF obey linear monogamy relations in an arbitrary three-qubit state. Furthermore, we verify that all three-qubit pure states are maximally entangled in the bipartition A|BC when they saturate the linear monogamy relations. We also study the distribution of the concurrence and EoF. More specifically, when the amount of entanglement between A and B equals to that of A and C, we show that the sum of EoF itself saturates the linear monogamy relation, while the sum of the squared EoF is minimum. Different from EoF, the concurrence and the squared concurrence both saturate the linear monogamy relations when the entanglement between A and B equals to that of A and C. PMID:26568265

Signal-Processing Algorithm Development for the ACLAIM Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vonLaven, Scott

1995-01-01

Methods for further minimizing the risk by making use of previous lidar observations were investigated. EOFs are likely to play an important role in these methods, and a procedure for extracting EOFs from data has been implemented, The new processing methods involving EOFs could range from extrapolation, as discussed, to more complicated statistical procedures for maintaining low unstart risk.

Intraseasonal variability of winter precipitation over central asia and the western tibetan plateau from 1979 to 2013 and its relationship with the North Atlantic Oscillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Heng; Liu, Xiaodong; Dong, Buwen

2017-09-01

Winter precipitation over Central Asia and the western Tibetan Plateau (CAWTP) is mainly a result of the interaction between the westerly circulation and the high mountains around the plateau. Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs), Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), linear regression and composite analysis were used to analyze winter daily precipitation and other meteorological elements in this region from 1979 to 2013, in order to understand how interactions between the regional circulation and topography affect the intraseasonal variability in precipitation. The SVD analysis shows that the winter daily precipitation variability distribution is characterized by a dipole pattern with opposite signs over the northern Pamir Plateau and over the Karakoram Himalaya, similar to the second mode of EOF analysis. This dipole pattern of precipitation anomaly is associated with local anomalies in both the 700 hPa moisture transport and the 500 hPa geopotential height and is probably caused by oscillations in the regional and large-scale circulations, which can influence the westerly disturbance tracks and water vapor transport. The linear regression shows that the anomalous mid-tropospheric circulation over CAWTP corresponds to an anti-phase variation of the 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies over the southern and northern North Atlantic 10 days earlier (at 95% significance level), that bears a similarity to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The composite analysis reveals that the NAO impacts the downstream regions including CAWTP by controlling south-north two branches of the middle latitude westerly circulation around the Eurasian border. During the positive phases of the NAO, the northern branch of the westerly circulation goes around the northwest Tibetan Plateau, whereas the southern branch encounters the southwest Tibetan Plateau, which leads to reduced precipitation over the northern Pamir Plateau and increased precipitation over the Karakoram Himalaya, and vice versa.

Surfactant-induced electroosmotic flow in microfluidic capillaries.

PubMed

Azadi, Glareh; Tripathi, Anubhav

2012-07-01

Control of EOF in microfluidic devices is essential in applications such as protein/DNA sizing and high-throughput drug screening. With the growing popularity of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the substrate for polymeric-based microfludics, it is important to understand the effect of surfactants on EOF in these devices. In this article, we present an extensive investigation exploring changes in EOF rate induced by SDS, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij35) and CTAB in PMMA microfluidic capillaries. In a standard protein buffer (Tris-Glycine), PMMA capillaries exhibited a cathodic EOF with measured mobility of 1.54 ± 0.1 (× 10⁻⁴ cm²/V.s). In the presence of surfactant below a critical concentration, EOF was independent of surfactant concentration. At high concentrations of surfactants, the electroosmotic mobility was found to linearly increase/decrease as the logarithm of concentration before reaching a constant value. With SDS, the EOF increased by 257% (compared to buffer), while it was decreased by 238% with CTAB. In the case of Brij35, the electroosmotic mobility was reduced by 70%. In a binary surfactant system of SDS/CTAB and SDS/Brij35, addition of oppositely charged CTAB reduced the SDS-induced EOF more effectively compared to nonionic Brij35. We propose possible mechanisms that explain the observed changes in EOF and zeta potential values. Use of neutral polymer coatings in combination with SDS resulted in 50% reduction in the electroosmotic mobility with 0.1% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), while including 2% poly (N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) had no effect. These results will potentially contribute to the development of PMMA-based microfluidic devices. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Urban Thermodynamic Island in a Coastal City Analysed from an Optimized Surface Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pigeon, Grégoire; Lemonsu, Aude; Long, Nathalie; Barrié, Joël; Masson, Valéry; Durand, Pierre

2006-08-01

Within the framework of ESCOMPTE, a French experiment performed in June and July 2001 in the south-east of France to study the photo-oxidant pollution at the regional scale, the urban boundary layer (UBL) program focused on the study of the urban atmosphere over the coastal city of Marseille. A methodology developed to optimize a network of 20 stations measuring air temperature and moisture over the city is presented. It is based on the analysis of a numerical simulation, performed with the non-hydrostatic, mesoscale Meso-NH model, run with four nested-grids down to a horizontal resolution of 250 m over the city and including a specific parametrization for the urban surface energy balance. A three-day period was modelled and evaluated against data collected during the preparatory phase for the project in summer 2000. The simulated thermodynamic surface fields were analysed using an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition in order to determine the optimal network configuration designed to capture the dominant characteristics of the fields. It is the first attempt of application of this kind of methodology to the field of urban meteorology. The network, of 20 temperature and moisture sensors, was implemented during the UBL-ESCOMPTE experiment and continuously recorded data from 12 June to 14 July 2001. The measurements were analysed in order to assess the urban thermodynamic island spatio-temporal structure, also using EOF decomposition. During nighttime, the influence of urbanization on temperature is clear the field is characterized by concentric thermo-pleths around the old core of the city, which is the warmest area of the domain. The moisture field is more influenced by proximity to the sea and airflow patterns. During the day, the sea breeze often moves from west or south-west and consequently the spatial pattern for both parameters is characterized by a gradient perpendicular to the shoreline. Finally, in order to assess the methodology adopted, the spatial structures extracted from the simulation of the 2000 preparatory campaign and observations gathered in 2001 have been compared. They are highly correlated, which is a relevant validation of the methodology proposed. The relations between these spatial structures and geographical characteristics of the site have also been studied. High correlations between temperature spatial structure during nighttime and urban cover fraction or street aspect ratio are observed and simulated. For temperature during daytime or moisture during both daytime and nighttime these geographical factors are not correlated with thermodynamic fields spatial structures.

Tidal and residual currents across the northern Ryukyu Island chain observed by ferryboat ADCP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhao-Jun; Nakamura, Hirohiko; Zhu, Xiao-Hua; Nishina, Ayako; Dong, Menghong

2017-09-01

Ferryboat Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) data from 2003 to 2012 are used to estimate the tidal and residual currents across the northern Ryukyu Island chain (RIC) between the islands of Okinawa and Amamioshima. In this region, the M2 tide current is the strongest tidal component, and the K1 tide current is the strongest diurnal tidal component. The corresponding maximum amplitudes are 40 and 34 cm s-1, respectively. After removal of the tidal currents, the mean volume transport, 1.5 ± 2.7 Sv, flows into the East China Sea (ECS) from the western North Pacific through four channels in this area. In an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis performed to clarify the temporal and spatial variability of currents through the four channels, the first two EOF modes account for 71% and 18% of the total variance, respectively. The EOF1 mode shows a clear bottom-intensified mode through the deep channel, which is likely to be formed by the propagation of bottom-trapped long topographic Rossby wave caused by the impingement of westward-propagating mesoscale eddies upon the eastern slope of the northern RIC. The EOF2 mode has significant seasonal variability and may be driven by the wind stress prevailing over the Kuroshio flow region around the northern RIC in October-November. This study provides observational evidence of the water exchanges across the northern RIC, which is essential for constructing a circulation scheme in the North Pacific subtropical western boundary region.

Alternating current electroosmotic flow in polyelectrolyte-grafted nanochannel.

PubMed

Li, Fengqin; Jian, Yongjun; Chang, Long; Zhao, Guangpu; Yang, Liangui

2016-11-01

In this work, we investigate the time periodic electroosmotic flow (EOF) of an electrolyte solution through a slit polyelectrolyte-grafted (PE-grafted) nanochannel under applied alternating current (AC) electrical field. The PE-grafted nanochannel is represented by a rigid surface covered by a polyelectrolyte layer (PEL) in a brush-like configuration. Under Debye-Hückel approximation, we obtain analytical solutions of electrical potential in decoupled regime of PE-grafted nanochannel, where the thickness of PEL is independent of the electrostatic effects triggered by polyelectrolyte charges. Based upon the electrical potential obtained above, we calculate EOF velocities with uniform and non-uniform drag coefficients for PE-grafted nanochannel and compare their results. The effects of pertinent dimensionless parameters on EOF velocity amplitude are discussed in detail. Moreover, the amplitude of EOF velocity in a PE-grafted nanochannel is compared with that in a rigid one. It is shown that larger EOF velocity and volume flow rate are found for a PE-grafted nanochannel. In addition, AC EOF velocity is further investigated. The oscillation of velocity reduces and is restricted within the region near the PEL-electrolyte interface for higher oscillating Reynolds number Re. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A two-step method for rapid characterization of electroosmotic flows in capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenjing; He, Muyi; Yuan, Tao; Xu, Wei

2017-12-01

The measurement of electroosmotic flow (EOF) is important in a capillary electrophoresis (CE) experiment in terms of performance optimization and stability improvement. Although several methods exist, there are demanding needs to accurately characterize ultra-low electroosmotic flow rates (EOF rates), such as in coated capillaries used in protein separations. In this work, a new method, called the two-step method, was developed to accurately and rapidly measure EOF rates in a capillary, especially for measuring the ultra-low EOF rates in coated capillaries. In this two-step method, the EOF rates were calculated by measuring the migration time difference of a neutral marker in two consecutive experiments, in which a pressure driven was introduced to accelerate the migration and the DC voltage was reversed to switch the EOF direction. Uncoated capillaries were first characterized by both this two-step method and a conventional method to confirm the validity of this new method. Then this new method was applied in the study of coated capillaries. Results show that this new method is not only fast in speed, but also better in accuracy. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Signatures of large-scale and local climates on the demography of white-tailed ptarmigan in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA.

PubMed

Wang, Guiming; Hobbs, N Thompson; Galbraith, Hector; Giesen, Kenneth M

2002-09-01

Global climate change may impact wildlife populations by affecting local weather patterns, which, in turn, can impact a variety of ecological processes. However, it is not clear that local variations in ecological processes can be explained by large-scale patterns of climate. The North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) is a large-scale climate phenomenon that has been shown to influence the population dynamics of some animals. Although effects of the NAO on vertebrate population dynamics have been studied, it remains uncertain whether it broadly predicts the impact of weather on species. We examined the ability of local weather data and the NAO to explain the annual variation in population dynamics of white-tailed ptarmigan ( Lagopus leucurus) in Rocky Mountain National Park, USA. We performed canonical correlation analysis on the demographic subspace of ptarmigan and local-climate subspace defined by the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) using data from 1975 to 1999. We found that two subspaces were significantly correlated on the first canonical variable. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the first EOF values of the demographic and local-climate subspaces was significant. The population density and the first EOF of local-climate subspace influenced the ptarmigan population with 1-year lags in the Gompertz model. However, the NAO index was neither related to the first two EOF of local-climate subspace nor to the first EOF of the demographic subspace of ptarmigan. Moreover, the NAO index was not a significant term in the Gompertz model for the ptarmigan population. Therefore, local climate had stronger signature on the demography of ptarmigan than did a large-scale index, i.e., the NAO index. We conclude that local responses of wildlife populations to changing climate may not be adequately explained by models that project large-scale climatic patterns.

Estimates of surface humidity and latent heat fluxes over oceans from SSM/I data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cho, S.H.; Atlas, R.M.; Shie, C.L.

1995-08-01

Monthly averages of daily latent heat fluxes over the oceans for February and August 1988 are estimated using a stability-dependent bulk scheme. Daily fluxes are computed from daily SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager) wind speeds and EOF-retrieved SSM/I surface humidity, National Meteorological Center sea surface temperatures, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analyzed 2-m temperatures. Daily surface specific humidity (Q) is estimated from SSM/I precipitable water of total (W) and a 500-m bottom layer (W{sub B}) using an EOF (empirical orthogonal function) method. This method has six W-based categories of EOFs (independent of geographical locations) and is developed usingmore » 23 177 FGGE IIb humidity soundings over the global oceans. For 1200 FGGE IIb humidity soundings, the accuracy of EOF-retrieved Q is 0.75 g kg{sup -1} for the case without errors in W and W{sub B} and increases to 1.16 g kg{sup -1} for the case with errors in W and W{sub B}. Compared to 342 collocated radiosonde observations, the EOF-retrieved SSM/I Q has an accuracy of 1.7 g kg{sup -1}. The method improves upon the humidity retrieval of Liu and is competitive with that of Schulz et al. The SSM/I surface humidity and latent heat fluxes of these two months agree reasonably well with those of COADS (Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set). Compared to the COADS, the sea-air humidity difference of SSM/I has a positive bias of approximately 1-3 g kg{sup -1} (an overestimation of flux) over the wintertime eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, it has a negative bias of about 1-2 g kg{sup -1} (an underestimation of flux). The results further suggest that the two monthly flux estimates, computed from daily and monthly mean data, do not differ significantly over the oceans. 35 refs., 12 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Trends in the Zonal Winds over the Southern Ocean from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis and Scatterometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richman, J. G.

2002-12-01

The winds over the Southern Ocean for the entire 54-year (1948-2001) period of the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis have been decomposed into Principal Components (Empirical Orthogonal Functions). The first EOF describes 83 percent of the variance in the zonal wind. The loading of the EOF shows the predominately westerly surface flow with strongest winds in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. The structure of this EOF is similar to the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) identified by Thompson, et al 2000. The amplitude of this EOF reveals a large trend of 4.42 cm/s/yr in the strength of the zonal wind corresponding to a nearly 50 percent increase in the wind stress over the Southern Ocean. Such a trend, if real, would be important in the dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). Recent studies by Gille, et al. (2001), Olbers and Ivchenko (2001) and Gent et al. (2001) have shown that the transport of the ACC is correlated to the variability in the zonal wind with a monotonic increase in the transport with increasing zonal wind strength. However, errors in the data assimilation scheme for surface pressure observations on the Antarctic continent appears to have caused a spurious trend in the sea level pressure south of 40S of -0.2 hPa/yr (Hines, et al. 2000 and Marshall, 2002). The sea level pressure difference between 40S and 60S has risen by 8 hPa over the same period. This sea level pressure difference is used as a proxy for the strength of the zonal winds. Thus, the trend in the zonal wind EOF amplitude may be an artifact of model errors in the NCEP Reanalysis. To check this trend, we analyzed scatterometer winds over the Southern Ocean from the SEASAT, ERS (1 and 2), NSCAT and QuikScat satellites. The scatterometer data is not used in the NCEP Reanalysis and, thus, is an independent estimate of the winds. The SEASAT Scatterometer (SASS) operated for 90 days in July-September, 1978, while the ERS, NSCAT and QuikScat scatterometers provide a continuous dataset from September 1992 through the present. The zonal winds for the combined ERS/NSCAT dataset were decomposed into Principal Components, similar to the NCEP winds. The first EOF describes 78 percent of the variance in the zonal wind. The loading of the EOF is nearly identical in structure to the loading of the NCEP EOF, and the correlation between the amplitudes is 0.93 for the coincident period. The trend in the scatterometer winds is 3.9 cm/s/yr for the eight years, which is not significantly different from the 4.4 cm /s/yr trend of the NCEP winds. The three months of SASS data were projected onto the scatterometer EOF and the amplitudes compared to the long-term NCEP amplitudes. The agreement between the scatterometer amplitudes and the NCEP is remarkable. The comparison between the scatterometer winds and NCEP Reanalysis winds suggests that the trend towards increasing zonal winds is real. The increasing zonal winds over the Southern Ocean may lead to a substantial increase in the transport of the ACC over the past 50 years.

Approaches for Subgrid Parameterization: Does Scaling Help?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yano, Jun-Ichi

2016-04-01

Arguably the scaling behavior is a well-established fact in many geophysical systems. There are already many theoretical studies elucidating this issue. However, the scaling law is slow to be introduced in "operational" geophysical modelling, notably for weather forecast as well as climate projection models. The main purpose of this presentation is to ask why, and try to answer this question. As a reference point, the presentation reviews the three major approaches for traditional subgrid parameterization: moment, PDF (probability density function), and mode decomposition. The moment expansion is a standard method for describing the subgrid-scale turbulent flows both in the atmosphere and the oceans. The PDF approach is intuitively appealing as it directly deals with a distribution of variables in subgrid scale in a more direct manner. The third category, originally proposed by Aubry et al (1988) in context of the wall boundary-layer turbulence, is specifically designed to represent coherencies in compact manner by a low--dimensional dynamical system. Their original proposal adopts the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD, or empirical orthogonal functions, EOF) as their mode-decomposition basis. However, the methodology can easily be generalized into any decomposition basis. The mass-flux formulation that is currently adopted in majority of atmospheric models for parameterizing convection can also be considered a special case of the mode decomposition, adopting the segmentally-constant modes for the expansion basis. The mode decomposition can, furthermore, be re-interpreted as a type of Galarkin approach for numerically modelling the subgrid-scale processes. Simple extrapolation of this re-interpretation further suggests us that the subgrid parameterization problem may be re-interpreted as a type of mesh-refinement problem in numerical modelling. We furthermore see a link between the subgrid parameterization and downscaling problems along this line. The mode decomposition approach would also be the best framework for linking between the traditional parameterizations and the scaling perspectives. However, by seeing the link more clearly, we also see strength and weakness of introducing the scaling perspectives into parameterizations. Any diagnosis under a mode decomposition would immediately reveal a power-law nature of the spectrum. However, exploiting this knowledge in operational parameterization would be a different story. It is symbolic to realize that POD studies have been focusing on representing the largest-scale coherency within a grid box under a high truncation. This problem is already hard enough. Looking at differently, the scaling law is a very concise manner for characterizing many subgrid-scale variabilities in systems. We may even argue that the scaling law can provide almost complete subgrid-scale information in order to construct a parameterization, but with a major missing link: its amplitude must be specified by an additional condition. The condition called "closure" in the parameterization problem, and known to be a tough problem. We should also realize that the studies of the scaling behavior tend to be statistical in the sense that it hardly provides complete information for constructing a parameterization: can we specify the coefficients of all the decomposition modes by a scaling law perfectly when the first few leading modes are specified? Arguably, the renormalization group (RNG) is a very powerful tool for reducing a system with a scaling behavior into a low dimension, say, under an appropriate mode decomposition procedure. However, RNG is analytical tool: it is extremely hard to apply it to real complex geophysical systems. It appears that it is still a long way to go for us before we can begin to exploit the scaling law in order to construct operational subgrid parameterizations in effective manner.

Gap-filling meteorological variables with Empirical Orthogonal Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graf, Alexander

2017-04-01

Gap-filling or modelling surface-atmosphere fluxes critically depends on an, ideally continuous, availability of their meteorological driver variables, such as e.g. air temperature, humidity, radiation, wind speed and precipitation. Unlike for eddy-covariance-based fluxes, data gaps are not unavoidable for these measurements. Nevertheless, missing or erroneous data can occur in practice due to instrument or power failures, disturbance, and temporary sensor or station dismounting for e.g. agricultural management or maintenance. If stations with similar measurements are available nearby, using their data for imputation (i.e. estimating missing data) either directly, after an elevation correction or via linear regression, is usually preferred over linear interpolation or monthly mean diurnal cycles. The popular implementation of regional networks of (partly low-cost) stations increases both, the need and the potential, for such neighbour-based imputation methods. For repeated satellite imagery, Beckers and Rixen (2003) suggested an imputation method based on empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). While exploiting the same linear relations between time series at different observation points as regression, it is able to use information from all observation points to simultaneously estimate missing data at all observation points, provided that never all observations are missing at the same time. Briefly, the method uses the ability of the first few EOFs of a data matrix to reconstruct a noise-reduced version of this matrix; iterating missing data points from an initial guess (the column-wise averages) to an optimal version determined by cross-validation. The poster presents and discusses lessons learned from adapting and applying this methodology to station data. Several years of 10-minute averages of air temperature, pressure and humidity, incoming shortwave, longwave and photosynthetically active radiation, wind speed and precipitation, measured by a regional (70 km by 20 km by 650 m elevation difference) network of 18 sites, were treated by various modifications of the method. The performance per variable and as a function of methodology, such as e.g. number of used EOFs and method to determine its optimum, period length and data transformation, is assessed by cross-validation. Beckers, J.-M., Rixen, M. (2003): EOF calculations and data filling from incomplete oceanographic datasets. J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech. 20, 1839-1856.

Observed evolution of drought episodes assessed with the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) over the Czech Republic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potop, V.; Boroneana, C.; Mozny, M.; Stepanek, P.; Skalak, P.

2012-04-01

This paper investigates the spatial and temporal evolution of drought episodes assessed with the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) over the Czech Republic. The SPEI were calculated from monthly records of mean temperature and precipitation totals using a dense network of 183 climatological stations for the period 1961-2010. The SPEI were calculated with various lags, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. The drought at these time scales is relevant for agricultural, hydrological and socio-economic impact, respectively. The study refers at the warm season of the year (April to September). The principal modes of variability of these five time scale SPEI were identified using the analysis of Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF). The explained variance of the leading EOF ranges between 71 and 61% as the time scale for calculating the SPEI increases from 1 month to 24 months. The explained variance of EOF2 and EOF3 ranges between 5 to 9% and 4 to 6%, respectively, as the SPEI is calculated for 1 to 24 months. Based on the spatial distribution of the EOF2 and EOF3 for all time scales of SPEI, which correspond to some extend to a regionalization previously used in other studies, we identified three climatically homogeneous regions, corresponding to the altitudes below 400 m, between 401 and 700 m and, above 700 m. These regions correspond to different land use types with mostly intensive agriculture, less intensive agriculture and limited agricultural production and mostly forested, respectively. For these three regions the frequency distribution of the SPEI values in 7 classes of drought category (%) were calculated based on station records in each region. The normal conditions represent around 65% out of the total values of SPEI for all times scales, in all three regions, while moderate drought and moderate wet conditions are almost equally distributed around 10.5 %. Differences in extremely dry conditions (5%) compared to extremely wet conditions (1.5 %) were observed when increasing the SPEI timescales. The drought is classified as local when covers up to 10% of the territory of the Czech Republic, widespread when covers 11-30% of the territory, very widespread when covers 31-50% of the territory and most extended when covers more than 50% of the country territory. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports for projects OC10010.

Towards the prediction of the East Africa short rains based on sea-surface temperature-atmosphere coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mutai, C. C.; Ward, M. N.; Colman, A. W.

1998-07-01

It is shown that the July-September sea-surface temperature (SST) pattern contains moderately strong relationships with the October-December (OND) seasonal rainfall total averaged across East Africa 15°S-5°N, 30°-41.25°E. The relations can be described by using three rotated global SST empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), mainly measuring aspects of SST patterns in the tropical Pacific (related to El Niño/Southern Oscillation), tropical Indian and, to a lesser extent, tropical Atlantic. Confidence in the relationships is raised because the three EOFs correlate significantly with OND near-surface divergence over the tropical Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans (extending into Northern mid-latitudes), as well as with the rainfall in East Africa and also with rainfall across southern and western tropical Africa.For the East African region, multiple linear regression (MLR) and linear discriminant analysis prediction models are tested. The predictors are pre-rainfall season values of the three rotated SST EOFs. The predictors use information through September. Validating MLR hindcasts using a 1945-1966 (1967-1988) training period and a 1967-1988 (1945-1966) testing period between 30 to 60% of the area-averaged rainfall variance is explained. To achieve unbiased estimates of the expected skill of a forecast system, it is safest to keep model training and testing periods completely separate. The above strategy achieves this in the most important step of ensuring that the models fit the SST predictors to the rainfall predictand using years independent of the testing period. However, the EOFs were calculated over 1901-1980, so for hindcasts prior to 1981, the EOFs describe the SST variability a little better than could be achieved in real-time, which could inflate skill estimates. Tests in the years 1981-1994, independent of the 1901-1980 eigenvector analysis period, do produce similar levels of skill, but a few more forecast years are needed to confirm this result. It is shown that the mean verification at each individual location within East Africa is somewhat lower, which is important to consider for some applications. The need to monitor the prediction relationships and update the models is emphasised. Furthermore, these forecasts only become available as the OND season is underway, though some evidence is found for one of the EOF predictors having skill as early as June.

Fluid mechanics of electroosmotic flow and its effect on band broadening in capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Ghosal, Sandip

2004-01-01

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) usually accompanies electrophoretic migration of charged species in capillary electrophoresis unless special precautions are taken to suppress it. The presence of the EOF provides certain advantages in separations. It is an alternative to mechanical pumps, which are inefficient and difficult to build at small scales, for transporting reagents and analytes on microfluidic chips. The downside is that any imperfection that distorts the EOF profile reduces the separation efficiency. In this paper, the basic facts about EOF are reviewed from the perspective of fluid mechanics and its effect on separations in free solution capillary zone electrophoresis is discussed in the light of recent advances.

Models of electroosmotic flow in micro- and nanochannels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Z.; Conlisk, A. T.; Sadr, R.; Yoda, M.

2003-11-01

Understanding electrooosmotic flow (EOF) is essential for developing efficient drug delivery and rapid biomolecular analysis devices given the extremely high pressure gradients required to drive flows through channels smaller than about 10 μ m. We consider fully-developed and steady EOF in one- and two-dimensional micro- and nanochannel geometries. The fluid, which is assumed to behave as a continuum, is a mixture of a neutral solvent such as water and a salt where the ionic species are entirely dissociated. The model can be used to analyze EOF where the opposite channel walls are oppositely charged and EOF with arbitrary electric double layer thickness. Unlike most previous models which assume a wall ζ -potential a priori, the model calculates the boundary conditions for the (wall) mole fractions using the equilibrium electrochemical potential in the upstream reservoir. We can therefore predict the wall ζ -potential, and calculate EOF with spatially and temporally varying wall ζ -potentials. The model results for electroosmotic mobility and volumetric flow rate are compared with those from three independent experimental datasets, and found to be in good agreement with all three sets of experimental data for channel sizes ranging from O(10 nm) to O(10 μ m). The limits of the continuum theory for EOF are discussed.

A handy liquid metal based electroosmotic flow pump.

PubMed

Gao, Meng; Gui, Lin

2014-06-07

A room temperature liquid metal based electroosmotic flow (EOF) pump has been proposed in this work. This low-cost EOF pump is convenient for both fabrication and integration. It utilizes polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels filled with the liquid-metal as non-contact pump electrodes. The electrode channels are fabricated symmetrically to both sides of the pumping channel, having no contact with the pumping channel. To test the pumping performance of the EOF pump, the mean flow velocities of the fluid (DI water) in the EOF pumps were experimentally measured by tracing the fluorescent microparticles in the flow. To provide guidance for designing a low voltage EOF pump, parametric studies on dimensions of the electrode and pumping channels were performed in this work. According to the experimental results, the pumping speed can reach 5.93 μm s(-1) at a driving voltage of only 1.6 V, when the gap between the electrode and the pumping channel is 20 μm. Injecting a room temperature liquid metal into microchannels can provide a simple, rapid, low-cost but accurately self-aligned way to fabricate microelectrodes for EOF pumps, which is a promising method to achieve the miniaturization and integration of the EOF pump in microfluidic systems. The non-contact liquid electrodes have no influence on the fluid in the pumping channel when pumping, reducing Joule heat generation and preventing gas bubble formation at the surface of electrodes. The pump has great potential to drive a wide range of fluids, such as drug reagents, cell suspensions and biological macromolecule solutions.

Dispersal of the Pearl River plume over continental shelf in summer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhaoyun; Gong, Wenping; Cai, Huayang; Chen, Yunzhen; Zhang, Heng

2017-07-01

Satellite images of turbidity were used to study the climatological, monthly, and typical snapshot distributions of the Pearl River plume over the shelf in summer from 2003 to 2016. These images show that the plume spreads offshore over the eastern shelf and is trapped near the coast over the western shelf. Eastward extension of the plume retreats from June to August. Monthly spatial variations of the plume are characterized by eastward spreading, westward spreading, or both. Time series of monthly plume area was quantified by applying the K-mean clustering method to identify the turbid plume water. Decomposition of the 14-year monthly turbidity data by the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis isolated the 1st mode in both the eastward and westward spreading pattern as the time series closely related to the Pearl River discharge, and the 2nd mode with out-of-phase turbidity anomalies over the eastern and western shelves that is associated with the prevailing wind direction. Eight typical plume types were detected from the satellite snapshots. They are characterized by coastal jet, eastward offshore spreading, westward spreading, bidirectional spreading, bulge, isolated patch, offshore branch, and offshore filaments, respectively. Their possible mechanisms are discussed.

Variability in Sea Surface Height: A Qualitative Measure for the Meridional Overturning in the North Atlantic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hakkinen, Sirpa

1999-01-01

Sea surface height (SSH) from altimeter observations from 1992 on and from modeling results is investigated to determine the modes of variability and the linkages to the state of oceanic circulation in the North Atlantic. First the altimeter and model simulated SSH are analyzed using the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. They are found to share a similar leading mode where the center of action is along the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current with opposite sign anomalies in the subpolar gyre and in the slope waters along the Eastern Seaboard. The time series of the leading EOF mode from the altimeter data shows that between winters of 1995 and 1996, SSH over the Gulf Stream decreased by about 12cm which change is reproduced by the model simulation. Based on the relationship from the model simulations between the time series of the SSH EOF1 and meridional heat transport, it is suggested that associated with this SSH change in 1995-96, the overturning has slowed down from its heights in the early 90's. Furthermore, it is shown that decadal variability in the leading SSH mode originates from the thermal forcing component. This adds confidence to the qualitative relationship between the state of overturning/meridional heat transport and SSH in the limited area described by the EOF1. SSH variability in the eastern side of the North Atlantic basin, outside the western boundary current region, is determined by local and remote (Rossby waves) wind stress curl forcing.

Reduced rank models for travel time estimation of low order mode pulses.

PubMed

Chandrayadula, Tarun K; Wage, Kathleen E; Worcester, Peter F; Dzieciuch, Matthew A; Mercer, James A; Andrew, Rex K; Howe, Bruce M

2013-10-01

Mode travel time estimation in the presence of internal waves (IWs) is a challenging problem. IWs perturb the sound speed, which results in travel time wander and mode scattering. A standard approach to travel time estimation is to pulse compress the broadband signal, pick the peak of the compressed time series, and average the peak time over multiple receptions to reduce variance. The peak-picking approach implicitly assumes there is a single strong arrival and does not perform well when there are multiple arrivals due to scattering. This article presents a statistical model for the scattered mode arrivals and uses the model to design improved travel time estimators. The model is based on an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of the mode time series. Range-dependent simulations and data from the Long-range Ocean Acoustic Propagation Experiment (LOAPEX) indicate that the modes are represented by a small number of EOFs. The reduced-rank EOF model is used to construct a travel time estimator based on the Matched Subspace Detector (MSD). Analysis of simulation and experimental data show that the MSDs are more robust to IW scattering than peak picking. The simulation analysis also highlights how IWs affect the mode excitation by the source.

North-South precipitation patterns in western North America on interannual-to-decadal timescales

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dettinger, M.D.; Cayan, D.R.; Diaz, Henry F.; Meko, D.M.

1998-01-01

The overall amount of precipitation deposited along the West Coast and western cordillera of North America from 25??to 55??N varies from year to year, and superimposed on this domain-average variability are varying north-south contrasts on timescales from at least interannual to interdecadal. In order to better understand the north-south precipitation contrasts, their interannual and decadal variations are studied in terms of how much they affect overall precipitation amounts and how they are related to large-scale climatic patterns. Spatial empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) and spatial moments (domain average, central latitude, and latitudinal spread) of zonally averaged precipitation anomalies along the westernmost parts of North America are analyzed, and each is correlated with global sea level pressure (SLP) and sea surface temperature series, on interannual (defined here as 3-7 yr) and decadal (>7 yr) timescales. The interannual band considered here corresponds to timescales that are particularly strong in tropical climate variations and thus is expected to contain much precipitation variability that is related to El Nino-Southern Oscillation; the decadal scale is defined so as to capture the whole range of long-term climatic variations affecting western North America. Zonal EOFs of the interannual and decadal filtered versions of the zonal-precipitation series are remarkably similar. At both timescales, two leading EOFs describe 1) a north-south seesaw of precipitation pivoting near 40??N and 2) variations in precipitation near 40??N, respectively. The amount of overall precipitation variability is only about 10% of the mean and is largely determined by precipitation variations around 40??-45??N and most consistently influenced by nearby circulation patterns; in this sense, domain-average precipitation is closely related to the second EOF. The central latitude and latitudinal spread of precipitation distributions are strongly influenced by precipitation variations in the southern parts of western North America and are closely related to the first EOF. Central latitude of precipitation moves south (north) with tropical warming (cooling) in association with midlatitude western Pacific SLP variations, on both interannual and decadal timescales. Regional patterns and zonal averages of precipitation-sensitive tree-ring series are used to corroborate these patterns and to extend them into the past and appear to share much long- and short-term information with the instrumentally based zonal precipitation EOFs and moments.The overall amount of precipitation deposited along the West Coast and western cordillera of North America from 25?? to 55 ??N varies from year to year, and superimposed on this domain-average variability are varying north-south contrasts on timescales from at least interannual to interdecadal. In order to better understand the north-south precipitation contrasts, their interannual and decadal variations are studied in terms of how much they affect overall precipitation amounts and how they are related to large-scale climatic patterns. Spatial empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) and spatial moments (domain average, central latitude, and latitudinal spread) of zonally averaged precipitation anomalies along the westernmost parts of North America are analyzed, and each is correlated with global sea level pressure (SLP) and sea surface temperature series, on interannual (defined here as 3-7 yr) and decadal (>7 yr) timescales. The interannual band considered here corresponds to timescales that are particularly strong in tropical climate variations and thus is expected to contain much precipitation variability that is related to El Nino-Southern Oscillation; the decadal scale is defined so as to capture the whole range of long-term climatic variations affecting western North America. Zonal EOFs of the interannual and decadal filtered versions of the zonal-precipitation series are remarkably similar. At both tim

Nordic Sea Level - Analysis of PSMSL RLR Tide Gauge data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knudsen, Per; Andersen, Ole

2015-04-01

Tide gauge data from the Nordic region covering a period of time from 1920 to 2000 are evaluated. 63 stations having RLR data for at least 40 years have been used. Each tide gauge data record was averaged to annual averages after the monthly average seasonal anomalies were removed. Some stations lack data, especially before around 1950. Hence, to compute representative sea level trends for the 1920-2000 period a procedure for filling in estimated sea level values in the voids, is needed. To fill in voids in the tide gauge data records a reconstruction method was applied that utilizes EOF.s in an iterative manner. Subsequently the trends were computed. The estimated trends range from about -8 mm/year to 2 mm/year reflecting both post-glacial uplift and sea level rise. An evaluation of the first EOFs show that the first EOF clearly describes the trends in the time series. EOF #2 and #3 describe differences in the inter-annual sea level variability with-in the Baltic Sea and differences between the Baltic and the North Atlantic / Norwegian seas, respectively.

Analysis of satellite precipitation over East Africa during last decades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cattani, Elsa; Wenhaji Ndomeni, Claudine; Merino, Andrés; Levizzani, Vincenzo

2016-04-01

Daily accumulated precipitation time series from satellite retrieval algorithms (e.g., ARC2 and TAMSAT) are exploited to extract the spatial and temporal variability of East Africa (EA - 5°S-20°N, 28°E-52°E) precipitation during last decades (1983-2013). The Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis is applied to precipitation time series to investigate the spatial and temporal variability in particular for October-November-December referred to as the short rain season. Moreover, the connection among EA's precipitation, sea surface temperature, and soil moisture is analyzed through the correlation with the dominant EOF modes of variability. Preliminary results concern the first two EOF's modes for the ARC2 data set. EOF1 is characterized by an inter-annual variability and a positive correlation between precipitation and El Niño, positive Indian Ocean Dipole mode, and soil moisture, while EOF2 shows a dipole structure of spatial variability associated with a longer scale temporal variability. This second dominant mode is mostly linked to sea surface temperature variations in the North Atlantic Ocean. Further analyses are carried out by computing the time series of the joint CCI/CLIVAR/JCOMM Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI, http://etccdi.pacificclimate.org/index.shtml), i.e. RX1day, RX5day, CDD, CDD, CWD, SDII, PRCPTOT, R10, R20. The purpose is to identify the occurrenes of extreme events (droughts and floods) and extract precipitation temporal variation by trend analysis (Mann-Kendall technique). Results for the ARC2 data set demonstrate the existence of a dipole spatial pattern in the linear trend of the time series of PRCPTOT (annual precipitation considering days with a rain rate > 1 mm) and SDII (average precipitation on wet days over a year). A negative trend is mainly present over West Ethiopia and Sudan, whereas a positive trend is exhibited over East Ethiopia and Somalia. CDD (maximum number of consecutive dry days) and CWD (maximum number of consecutive wet days) time series do not exhibit a similar behavior and trends are generally weaker with a lower significance level with respect to PRCPTOT and SDII.

Assimilation of altimeter data into a quasigeostrophic ocean model using optimal interpolation and eofs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rienecker, M. M.; Adamec, D.

1995-01-01

An ensemble of fraternal-twin experiments is used to assess the utility of optimal interpolation and model-based vertical empirical orthogonal functions (eofs) of streamfunction variability to assimilate satellite altimeter data into ocean models. Simulated altimeter data are assimilated into a basin-wide 3-layer quasi-geostrophic model with a horizontal grid spacing of 15 km. The effects of bottom topography are included and the model is forced by a wind stress curl distribution which is constant in time. The simulated data are extracted, along altimeter tracks with spatial and temporal characteristics of Geosat, from a reference model ocean with a slightly different climatology from that generated by the model used for assimilation. The use of vertical eofs determined from the model-generated streamfunction variability is shown to be effective in aiding the model's dynamical extrapolation of the surface information throughout the rest of the water column. After a single repeat cycle (17 days), the analysis errors are reduced markedly from the initial level, by 52% in the surface layer, 41% in the second layer and 11% in the bottom layer. The largest differences between the assimilation analysis and the reference ocean are found in the nonlinear regime of the mid-latitude jet in all layers. After 100 days of assimilation, the error in the upper two layers has been reduced by over 50% and that in the bottom layer by 38%. The essence of the method is that the eofs capture the statistics of the dynamical balances in the model and ensure that this balance is not inappropriately disturbed during the assimilation process. This statistical balance includes any potential vorticity homogeneity which may be associated with the eddy stirring by mid-latitude surface jets.

Analysis and Modeling of the Arctic Oscillation Using a Simple Barotropic Model with Baroclinic Eddy Forcing.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, H. L.

2003-06-01

In this study, a numerical simulation of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) is conducted using a simple barotropic model that considers the barotropic-baroclinic interactions as the external forcing. The model is referred to as a barotropic S model since the external forcing is obtained statistically from the long-term historical data, solving an inverse problem. The barotropic S model has been integrated for 51 years under a perpetual January condition and the dominant empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes in the model have been analyzed. The results are compared with the EOF analysis of the barotropic component of the real atmosphere based on the daily NCEP-NCAR reanalysis for 50 yr from 1950 to 1999.According to the result, the first EOF of the model atmosphere appears to be the AO similar to the observation. The annular structure of the AO and the two centers of action at Pacific and Atlantic are simulated nicely by the barotropic S model. Therefore, the atmospheric low-frequency variabilities have been captured satisfactorily even by the simple barotropic model.The EOF analysis is further conducted to the external forcing of the barotropic S model. The structure of the dominant forcing shows the characteristics of synoptic-scale disturbances of zonal wavenumber 6 along the Pacific storm track. The forcing is induced by the barotropic-baroclinic interactions associated with baroclinic instability.The result suggests that the AO can be understood as the natural variability of the barotropic component of the atmosphere induced by the inherent barotropic dynamics, which is forced by the barotropic-baroclinic interactions. The fluctuating upscale energy cascade from planetary waves and synoptic disturbances to the zonal motion plays the key role for the excitation of the AO.

Statistical downscaling forecast of Chinese winter temperature based on the autumn SST anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, J.

2017-12-01

This study investigates the impacts of the autumn sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) on interannual variations of Chinese winter temperature, and discusses the potential predictability of December-January-February (DJF) 2-m air temperature anomalies (TSA) over China based on the intimate linkage between the DJF TSA and autumn SSTA. According to the Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, three leading EOF modes jointly account for 80% of the total TSA variances and are characterized by a homogeneous spatial pattern, a north-south seesaw and a cross structure. The first three EOFs exhibit a stable feature revealed by cross-validation, suggesting the potential predictability of the DJF TSA. The EOF1 mode is influenced by changes in the intensities of the Siberian High (SH), East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) and East Asian Trough related to an Eurasian pattern teleconnection, which can be tracked back to September-October-November (SON) SSTA associated with two SSTA tripole patterns in the North Pacific and North Atlantic, a dipole mode in the Indian Ocean and an ENSO-like mode in the equatorial and subtropical Pacific. However, the Arctic Oscillation plays an important role in the second mode. The teleconnection connecting the atmospheric circulation anomalies in two hemispheres indicates that the configuration of global SON SSTA induces the two annular modes and causes a TSA oscillation between the northern and southern parts of China. The third mode is related to the westward shift of the SH and western pathway EAWM, which are attributed to two dipole modes in the North Pacific and South Pacific, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Indian Ocean Basin Mode. Therefore a physically-based statistical model is established based on autumn SSTA indices. Cross-validation suggests that this statistical downscaling forecast model shows a good performance in predicting the DJF TSA.

Numerical Study on Interdecadal Modulations of ENSO-related Spring Rainfall over South China by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MAO, J.; WU, X.

2017-12-01

The spatio-temporal variations of eastern China spring rainfall are identified via empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of rain-gauge (gridded) precipitation datasets for the period 1958-2013 (1920-2013). The interannual variations of the first two leading EOF modes are linked with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), with this linkage being modulated by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The EOF1 mode, characterized by predominant rainfall anomalies from the Yangtze River to North China (YNC), is more likely associated with out-of-phase PDO-ENSO events [i.e., El Niño during cold PDO (EN_CPDO) and La Niña during warm PDO (LN_WPDO)]. The sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) distributions of EN_CPDO (LN_WPDO) events induce a significant anomalous anticyclone (cyclone) over the western North Pacific stretching northwards to the Korean Peninsula and southern Japan, resulting in anomalous southwesterlies (northeasterlies) prevailing over eastern China and above-normal (below-normal) rainfall over YNC. In contrast, EOF2 exhibits a dipole pattern with predominantly positive rainfall anomalies over southern China along with negative anomalies over YNC, which is more likely connected to in-phase PDO-ENSO events [i.e., El Niño during warm PDO (EN_WPDO) and La Niña during cold PDO (LN_CPDO)]. EN_WPDO (LN_CPDO) events force a southwest-northeast oriented dipole-like circulation pattern leading to significant anomalous southwesterlies (northeasterlies) and above-normal (below-normal) rainfall over southern China. Numerical experiments with the CAM5 model forced by the SSTA patterns of EN_WPDO and EN_CPDO events reproduce reasonably well the corresponding anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns and spring rainfall modes over eastern China, validating the related mechanisms.

New Science ang technology development about CSES and LAIC coupling mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, X.; Zhao, S.; Zhou, C.; Ren, Z.; Wu, Y.

2016-12-01

China CSES satellite will be launched in 2017. There are eight scientific payloads onboard. In order to bring them into full play, some new technologies and science have been developed in data processing and LAIC coupling mechanism. Based on the GPS constellation, the assimilation model of ionosphere on Ne has been developed by using EOF method., where E and F layer have been calculated separately under different coordinate systems. Furthermore, the Hall and Pederson conductivity have been obtained at the altitude of 90-500km. By using the TBB receiver data, the ionospheric tomography technology has been developed by employing the methods of Truncated Singular Value Decomposition, Spherical Function and Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF). On the basis of beacon receiver data in China, the Ne profiles along the observing links have been built up, and their temporal features have been studied. The full wave propagation model of VLF radio waves has been improved, and the two-dimensional calculating results are displayed to reveal the spatial distribution features of these radio waves. The actual observation on DEMETER satellite of ground transmitters is compared with the 2D theoretical results, and their consistence verifies the reliability of the model. By emitting the high power HF signals into the space, one can disturb and cause the heating phenomena in lower and topside ionosphere. Three heating events have been chosen out in SURA-DEMETER experiments. Based on the Ohmic heating theory, a 3D model has been constructed to simulate the heating process, in which the disturbed amplitudes in Ne are close to the actual observing under different ionospheric state. In the LAIC model related to earthquake research, the DC electric field coupling model has been paid more attention in recent years.Some simultaneous variation phenomena have been obtained around earthquakes. To explain these disturbances, the electric field model is suggested and improved, in which the additional current at the ground surface is considered. It is found that, vertical electric field is more obvious at low latitude and the horizontal electric field does not change with the height at high latitudes. The penetration height of LAI electric field in ionosphere is lower at low latitude than that at high latitude.

Variation of Antarctic circumpolar current and its intensification in relation to the southern annular mode detected in the time-variable gravity signals by GRACE satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liau, Jen-Ru; Chao, Benjamin F.

2017-07-01

The southern annular mode (SAM) in the atmosphere and the Antarctic circumpolar current (ACC) in the ocean play decisive roles in the climatic system of the mid- to high-latitude southern hemisphere. Using the time-variable gravity data from the GRACE satellite mission, we find the link between the space-time variabilities of the ACC and the SAM. We calculate the empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) of the non-seasonal ocean bottom pressure (OBP) field in the circum-Antarctic seas from the GRACE data for the period from 2003 to 2015. We find that the leading EOF mode of the non-seasonal OBP represents a unison OBP oscillation around Antarctica with time history closely in pace with that of the SAM Index with a high correlation of 0.77. This OBP variation gives rise to a variation in the geostrophic flow field; the result for the same EOF mode shows heightened variations in the zonal velocity that resides primarily in the eastern hemispheric portion of the ACC and coincided geographically with the southernmost boundary of the ACC's main stream. Confirming previous oceanographic studies, these geodetic satellite results provide independent information toward better understanding of the ACC-SAM process.

Recent climate extremes associated with the West Pacific Warming Mode

USGS Publications Warehouse

Funk, Chris; Hoell, Andrew

2017-01-01

Here we analyze empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of observations and a 30 member ensemble of Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) simulations, and suggest that precipitation declines in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) and the northern Middle East/Southwestern Asia (NME/SWE: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, Saudi Arabia north of 25°N, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon) may be interpreted as an interaction between La Niña-like decadal variability and the West Pacific Warming Mode (WPWM). While they exhibit different SST patterns, warming of the Pacific cold tongue (ENSO) and warming of the western Pacific (WPWM) produce similar warm pool diabatic forcing, Walker circulation anomalies, and terrestrial teleconnections. CESM1 SST EOFs indicate that both La Niña-like WPWM warming and El Niño-like east Pacific warming will be produced by climate change. The temporal frequency of these changes, however, are distinct. WPWM varies decadally, while ENSO is dominated by interannual variability. Future WPWM and ENSO warming may manifest as a tendency toward warm West Pacific SST, punctuated by extreme warm East Pacific events. WPWM EOFs from Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) precipitation also identify dramatic WPWM-related declines in the Greater Horn of Africa and NME/SWE.

What Causes the North Sea Level to Rise Faster over the Last Decade ?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karpytchev, Mikhail; Letetrel, Camille

2013-04-01

We combined tide gauge records (PSMSL) and satellite altimetry data (TOPEX/POSEIDON-JASON 1-2) to reconstruct the mean level of the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea Shelf (NS-NSS) over 1950-2012. The reconstructed NS-NSS mean sea level fluctuations reveal a pronounced interannual variability and a strong sea level acceleration since the mid-1990's. In order to understand the causes of this acceleration, the NS-NSS mean sea level was cross-correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation and Arctic Oscillation indices. While the interannual variability of the mean sea level correlates well with the NAO/AO indices, the observed acceleration in the NS-NSS mean level is not linked linearly to the NAO/AO fluctuations. On the other hand, the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) analysis of steric sea level variations in the eastern North Atlantic gives a dominant EOF pattern (55% of variance explained) that varies on a decadal scale very closely to the NS-NSS mean level flcutuations. Also, the amplification in the temporal amplitude of the dominant steric sea level EOF corresponds to the acceleration observed in the NS-NSS mean sea level signal. This suggests that decadal variations in the mean level of the North Sea - the Norwegian Sea Shelf reflect changes in the Subpolar Front currents (Rossby, 1996).

A suite of global reconstructed precipitation products and their error estimate by multivariate regression using empirical orthogonal functions: 1850-present

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, S. S.

2014-12-01

This presentation describes a suite of global precipitation products reconstructed by a multivariate regression method using an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) expansion. The sampling errors of the reconstruction are estimated for each product datum entry. The maximum temporal coverage is 1850-present and the spatial coverage is quasi-global (75S, 75N). The temporal resolution ranges from 5-day, monthly, to seasonal and annual. The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) precipitation data from 1979-2008 are used to calculate the EOFs. The Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) gridded data are used to calculate the regression coefficients for reconstructions. The sampling errors of the reconstruction are analyzed in detail for different EOF modes. Our reconstructed 1900-2011 time series of the global average annual precipitation shows a 0.024 (mm/day)/100a trend, which is very close to the trend derived from the mean of 25 models of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5). Our reconstruction examples of 1983 El Niño precipitation and 1917 La Niña precipitation (Figure 1) demonstrate that the El Niño and La Niña precipitation patterns are well reflected in the first two EOFs. The validation of our reconstruction results with GPCP makes it possible to use the reconstruction as the benchmark data for climate models. This will help the climate modeling community to improve model precipitation mechanisms and reduce the systematic difference between observed global precipitation, which hovers at around 2.7 mm/day for reconstructions and GPCP, and model precipitations, which have a range of 2.6-3.3 mm/day for CMIP5. Our precipitation products are publically available online, including digital data, precipitation animations, computer codes, readme files, and the user manual. This work is a joint effort between San Diego State University (Sam Shen, Nancy Tafolla, Barbara Sperberg, and Melanie Thorn) and University of Maryland (Phil Arkin, Tom Smith, Li Ren, and Li Dai) and supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation (Awards No. AGS-1015926 and AGS-1015957).

Electroosmotic Flow Rectification in Membranes with Asymmetrically Shaped Pores: Effects of Current and Pore Density

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bishop, Gregory W.; Lopez, Marcos M.; Ramiah Rajasekaran, Pradeep

2015-07-09

We have recently demonstrated a new electrokinetic phenomenon—electroosmotic flow rectification in membranes with asymmetrically shaped pores. Flow rectification means that at constant driving force the flow rate in one direction through the membrane is faster than the flow rate in the opposite direction. EOF rectification could be of practical use in microfluidic devices incorporating porous membranes, but additional research is required. We explore here the effects of two key experimental variables—current density used to drive flow through the membrane and membrane pore density—on EOF rectification. We have found that the extent of EOF rectification, as quantified by the rectification ratio,more » increases with increasing current density. In contrast, the rectification ratio decreases with increasing membrane pore density. We propose explanations for these results based on simple EOF and membrane-transport theories.« less

Representation of the equatorial stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation in EOF phase space. [EOF (empirical orthogonal function)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wallace, J.M.; Panetta, R.L.; Estberg, J.

1993-06-15

A 35-year record of monthly mean zonal wind data for the equatorial stratosphere is represented in terms of a vector (radius and phase angle) in a two-dimensional phase space defined by the normalized expansion coefficients of the two leading empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the vertical structure. The tip of the vector completes one nearly circular loop during each cycle of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). Hence, its position and rate of progress along the orbit of the point provide a measure of the instantaneous amplitude and rate of phase progression of the QBO. Although the phase of the QBO bearsmore » little if any relation to calendar month, the rate of phase progression is strongly modulated by the first and second harmonics of the annual cycle, with a primary maximum in April/May, in agreement with previous studies based on the descent rates of easterly and westerly regimes. A simple linear prediction model is developed for the rate of phase progression, based on the phase of the QBO and the phase of the annual cycle. The model is capable of hindcasting the phase of the QBO to within a specified degree of accuracy approximately 50% longer than a default scheme based on the mean observed rate of phase progression of the QBO (1 cycle per 28.1 months). If the seasonal dependence is ignored, the prediction equation corresponds to the [open quotes]circle map,[close quotes] for which an extensive literature exists in dynamical systems theory. 17 refs., 14 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Spatio-temporal patterns of soil water storage under dryland agriculture at the watershed scale

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soil water patterns vary significantly due to precipitation, soil properties, topographic features, and land use. We used empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to characterize the spatial variability of soil water across a 37-ha field of the Washington State University Cook Agronomy Farm near...

Cluster analysis of multiple planetary flow regimes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mo, Kingtse; Ghil, Michael

1988-01-01

A modified cluster analysis method developed for the classification of quasi-stationary events into a few planetary flow regimes and for the examination of transitions between these regimes is described. The method was applied first to a simple deterministic model and then to a 500-mbar data set for Northern Hemisphere (NH), for which cluster analysis was carried out in the subspace of the first seven empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). Stationary clusters were found in the low-frequency band of more than 10 days, while transient clusters were found in the band-pass frequency window between 2.5 and 6 days. In the low-frequency band, three pairs of clusters determined EOFs 1, 2, and 3, respectively; they exhibited well-known regional features, such as blocking, the Pacific/North American pattern, and wave trains. Both model and low-pass data exhibited strong bimodality.

Procrustean rotation in concert with principal component analysis of molecular dynamics trajectories: Quantifying global and local differences between conformational samples.

PubMed

Oblinsky, Daniel G; Vanschouwen, Bryan M B; Gordon, Heather L; Rothstein, Stuart M

2009-12-14

Given the principal component analysis (PCA) of a molecular dynamics (MD) conformational trajectory for a model protein, we perform orthogonal Procrustean rotation to "best fit" the PCA squared-loading matrix to that of a target matrix computed for a related but different molecular system. The sum of squared deviations of the elements of the rotated matrix from those of the target, known as the error of fit (EOF), provides a quantitative measure of the dissimilarity between the two conformational samples. To estimate precision of the EOF, we perform bootstrap resampling of the molecular conformations within the trajectories, generating a distribution of EOF values for the system and target. The average EOF per variable is determined and visualized to ascertain where, locally, system and target sample properties differ. We illustrate this approach by analyzing MD trajectories for the wild-type and four selected mutants of the beta1 domain of protein G.

Procrustean rotation in concert with principal component analysis of molecular dynamics trajectories: Quantifying global and local differences between conformational samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oblinsky, Daniel G.; VanSchouwen, Bryan M. B.; Gordon, Heather L.; Rothstein, Stuart M.

2009-12-01

Given the principal component analysis (PCA) of a molecular dynamics (MD) conformational trajectory for a model protein, we perform orthogonal Procrustean rotation to "best fit" the PCA squared-loading matrix to that of a target matrix computed for a related but different molecular system. The sum of squared deviations of the elements of the rotated matrix from those of the target, known as the error of fit (EOF), provides a quantitative measure of the dissimilarity between the two conformational samples. To estimate precision of the EOF, we perform bootstrap resampling of the molecular conformations within the trajectories, generating a distribution of EOF values for the system and target. The average EOF per variable is determined and visualized to ascertain where, locally, system and target sample properties differ. We illustrate this approach by analyzing MD trajectories for the wild-type and four selected mutants of the β1 domain of protein G.

An Empirical Orthogonal Function-Based Algorithm for Estimating Terrestrial Latent Heat Flux from Eddy Covariance, Meteorological and Satellite Observations

PubMed Central

Feng, Fei; Li, Xianglan; Yao, Yunjun; Liang, Shunlin; Chen, Jiquan; Zhao, Xiang; Jia, Kun; Pintér, Krisztina; McCaughey, J. Harry

2016-01-01

Accurate estimation of latent heat flux (LE) based on remote sensing data is critical in characterizing terrestrial ecosystems and modeling land surface processes. Many LE products were released during the past few decades, but their quality might not meet the requirements in terms of data consistency and estimation accuracy. Merging multiple algorithms could be an effective way to improve the quality of existing LE products. In this paper, we present a data integration method based on modified empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to integrate the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LE product (MOD16) and the Priestley-Taylor LE algorithm of Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT-JPL) estimate. Twenty-two eddy covariance (EC) sites with LE observation were chosen to evaluate our algorithm, showing that the proposed EOF fusion method was capable of integrating the two satellite data sets with improved consistency and reduced uncertainties. Further efforts were needed to evaluate and improve the proposed algorithm at larger spatial scales and time periods, and over different land cover types. PMID:27472383

An Empirical Orthogonal Function-Based Algorithm for Estimating Terrestrial Latent Heat Flux from Eddy Covariance, Meteorological and Satellite Observations.

PubMed

Feng, Fei; Li, Xianglan; Yao, Yunjun; Liang, Shunlin; Chen, Jiquan; Zhao, Xiang; Jia, Kun; Pintér, Krisztina; McCaughey, J Harry

2016-01-01

Accurate estimation of latent heat flux (LE) based on remote sensing data is critical in characterizing terrestrial ecosystems and modeling land surface processes. Many LE products were released during the past few decades, but their quality might not meet the requirements in terms of data consistency and estimation accuracy. Merging multiple algorithms could be an effective way to improve the quality of existing LE products. In this paper, we present a data integration method based on modified empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to integrate the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LE product (MOD16) and the Priestley-Taylor LE algorithm of Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT-JPL) estimate. Twenty-two eddy covariance (EC) sites with LE observation were chosen to evaluate our algorithm, showing that the proposed EOF fusion method was capable of integrating the two satellite data sets with improved consistency and reduced uncertainties. Further efforts were needed to evaluate and improve the proposed algorithm at larger spatial scales and time periods, and over different land cover types.

Hindcast of extreme sea states in North Atlantic extratropical storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponce de León, Sonia; Guedes Soares, Carlos

2015-02-01

This study examines the variability of freak wave parameters around the eye of northern hemisphere extratropical cyclones. The data was obtained from a hindcast performed with the WAve Model (WAM) model forced by the wind fields of the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR). The hindcast results were validated against the wave buoys and satellite altimetry data showing a good correlation. The variability of different wave parameters was assessed by applying the empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) technique on the hindcast data. From the EOF analysis, it can be concluded that the first empirical orthogonal function (V1) accounts for greater share of variability of significant wave height (Hs), peak period (Tp), directional spreading (SPR) and Benjamin-Feir index (BFI). The share of variance in V1 varies for cyclone and variable: for the 2nd storm and Hs V1 contains 96 % of variance while for the 3rd storm and BFI V1 accounts only for 26 % of variance. The spatial patterns of V1 show that the variables are distributed around the cyclones centres mainly in a lobular fashion.

A Canonical Ensemble Correlation Prediction Model for Seasonal Precipitation Anomaly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, Samuel S. P.; Lau, William K. M.; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Li, Guilong

2001-01-01

This report describes an optimal ensemble forecasting model for seasonal precipitation and its error estimation. Each individual forecast is based on the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) in the spectral spaces whose bases are empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). The optimal weights in the ensemble forecasting crucially depend on the mean square error of each individual forecast. An estimate of the mean square error of a CCA prediction is made also using the spectral method. The error is decomposed onto EOFs of the predictand and decreases linearly according to the correlation between the predictor and predictand. This new CCA model includes the following features: (1) the use of area-factor, (2) the estimation of prediction error, and (3) the optimal ensemble of multiple forecasts. The new CCA model is applied to the seasonal forecasting of the United States precipitation field. The predictor is the sea surface temperature.

Optimal Design for Placements of Tsunami Observing Systems to Accurately Characterize the Inducing Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulia, Iyan E.; Gusman, Aditya Riadi; Satake, Kenji

2017-12-01

Recently, there are numerous tsunami observation networks deployed in several major tsunamigenic regions. However, guidance on where to optimally place the measurement devices is limited. This study presents a methodological approach to select strategic observation locations for the purpose of tsunami source characterizations, particularly in terms of the fault slip distribution. Initially, we identify favorable locations and determine the initial number of observations. These locations are selected based on extrema of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) spatial modes. To further improve the accuracy, we apply an optimization algorithm called a mesh adaptive direct search to remove redundant measurement locations from the EOF-generated points. We test the proposed approach using multiple hypothetical tsunami sources around the Nankai Trough, Japan. The results suggest that the optimized observation points can produce more accurate fault slip estimates with considerably less number of observations compared to the existing tsunami observation networks.

Patterns of variability in steady- and non steady-state Ross Ice Shelf flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, A. J.; Hulbe, C. L.; Scambos, T. A.; Klinger, M. J.; Lee, C. K.

2016-12-01

Ice shelves are gateways through which climate change can be transmitted from the ocean or atmosphere to a grounded ice sheet. It is thus important to separate patterns of ice shelf change driven internally (from the ice sheet) and patterns driven externally (by the ocean or atmosphere) so that modern observations can be viewed in an appropriate context. Here, we focus on the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS), a major component of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet system and a feature known to experience variable ice flux from tributary ice streams and glaciers, for example, ice stream stagnation and glacier surges. We perturb a model of the Ross Ice Shelf with periodic influx variations, ice rise and ice plain grounding events, and iceberg calving in order to generate transients in the ice shelf flow and thickness. Characteristic patterns associated with those perturbations are identified using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). The leading EOFs reveal shelf-wide pattern of response to local perturbations that can be interpreted in terms of coupled mass and momentum balance. For example, speed changes on Byrd Glacier cause both thinning and thickening in a broad region that extends to Roosevelt Island. We calculate decay times at various locations for various perturbations and find that mutli-decadal to century time scales are typical. Unique identification of responses to particular forcings may thus be difficlult to achieve and flow divergence cannot be assumed to be constant when interpreting observed changes in ice thickness. In reality, perturbations to the ice shelf do not occur individually, rather the ice shelf contains a history of boundary perturbations. To explore the degree individual perturbations are seperable from their ensemble, EOFs from individual events are combined in pairs and compared against experiments with the same periodic perturbations pairs. Residuals between these EOFs reveal the degree interaction between between disctinct perturbations.

Decadal variability of the position and strength of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone and its relationship to precipitation variability and extremes over Southeastern Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zilli, M. T.; Carvalho, L. V.; Lintner, B. R.

2016-12-01

The South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) is a diagonally oriented zone of low-level convergence, convective cloudiness, and rainfall originating over South America and extending to the southeast over the Atlantic Ocean. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of variability in the position and strength of the SACZ in causing precipitation variability and extremes over the southeastern Brazilian coast (SE). To that end, we perform Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of total summer (DJF) precipitation from 1979 to 2013, using the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), at 0.5° spatial resolution. The first mode (EOF-1) explains 22.7% of total variance and is characterized by a dipole-like structure, with opposite signs over central South America and over central South Atlantic along the northern margin of the SACZ. The time-coefficient or principal component of EOF-1 indicates a transition from a predominantly negative phase over 1999 to 2005 to a predominantly positive phase after 2006. The positive phase is associated with an increase in total precipitation over the continent and a reduction over the central South Atlantic, along the northern margin of the SACZ. These results provide evidence of the poleward shift of the SACZ and weakening of convergence along its northern margin over the past decade, consistent with the observed recent trends in extreme precipitation over SE. Compositing reanalysis fields with respect to the PC of EOF-1 suggests changes in moisture availability and circulation that could have affected precipitation regimes over SE. In particular, an increase in available precipitable water may have enhanced convective activity over the southern portion of SE Brazil, whereas the weakening of the northerly winds may be responsible for the weakening of convergence over the northern flank of the SACZ, inhibiting convection in this region.

Electroosmotic flow in capillary channels filled with nonconstant viscosity electrolytes: exact solution of the Navier-Stokes equation.

PubMed

Otevrel, Marek; Klepárník, Karel

2002-10-01

The partial differential equation describing unsteady velocity profile of electroosmotic flow (EOF) in a cylindrical capillary filled with a nonconstant viscosity electrolyte was derived. Analytical solution, based on the general Navier-Stokes equation, was found for constant viscosity electrolytes using the separation of variables (Fourier method). For the case of a nonconstant viscosity electrolyte, the steady-state velocity profile was calculated assuming that the viscosity decreases exponentially in the direction from the wall to the capillary center. Since the respective equations with nonconstant viscosity term are not solvable in general, the method of continuous binding conditions was used to solve this problem. In this method, an arbitrary viscosity profile can be modeled. The theoretical conclusions show that the relaxation times at which an EOF approaches the steady state are too short to have an impact on a separation process in any real systems. A viscous layer at the wall affects EOF significantly, if it is thicker than the Debye length of the electric double layer. The presented description of the EOF dynamics is applicable to any microfluidic systems.

A DC electrophoresis method for determining electrophoretic mobility through the pressure driven negation of electro osmosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karam, Pascal; Pennathur, Sumita

2016-11-01

Characterization of the electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential of micro and nanoparticles is important for assessing properties such as stability, charge and size. In electrophoretic techniques for such characterization, the bulk fluid motion due to the interaction between the fluid and the charged surface must be accounted for. Unlike current industrial systems which rely on DLS and oscillating potentials to mitigate electroosmotic flow (EOF), we propose a simple alternative electrophoretic method for optically determining electrophoretic mobility using a DC electric fields. Specifically, we create a system where an adverse pressure gradient counters EOF, and design the geometry of the channel so that the flow profile of the pressure driven flow matches that of the EOF in large regions of the channel (ie. where we observe particle flow). Our specific COMSOL-optimized geometry is two large cross sectional areas adjacent to a central, high aspect ratio channel. We show that this effectively removes EOF from a large region of the channel and allows for the accurate optical characterization of electrophoretic particle mobility, no matter the wall charge or particle size.

Role of Electroosmosis in the Permeation of Neutral Molecules: CymA and Cyclodextrin as an Example

PubMed Central

Bhamidimarri, Satya Prathyusha; Prajapati, Jigneshkumar Dahyabhai; van den Berg, Bert; Winterhalter, Mathias; Kleinekathöfer, Ulrich

2016-01-01

To quantify the flow of small uncharged molecules into and across nanopores, one often uses ion currents. The respective ion-current fluctuations caused by the presence of the analyte make it possible to draw some conclusions about the direction and magnitude of the analyte flow. However, often this flow appears to be asymmetric with respect to the applied voltage. As a possible reason for this asymmetry, we identified the electroosmotic flow (EOF), which is the water transport associated with ions driven by the external transmembrane voltage. As an example, we quantify the contribution of the EOF through a nanopore by investigating the permeation of α-cyclodextrin through CymA, a cyclodextrin-specific channel from Klebsiella oxytoca. To understand the results from electrophysiology on a molecular level, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations are used to detail the effect of the EOF on substrate entry to and exit from a CymA channel in which the N-terminus has been deleted. The combined experimental and computational results strongly suggest that one needs to account for the significant contribution of the EOF when analyzing the penetration of cyclodextrins through the CymA pore. This example study at the same time points to the more general finding that the EOF needs to be considered in translocation studies of neutral molecules and, at least in many cases, should be able to help in discriminating between translocation and binding events. PMID:26840725

Role of Electroosmosis in the Permeation of Neutral Molecules: CymA and Cyclodextrin as an Example.

PubMed

Bhamidimarri, Satya Prathyusha; Prajapati, Jigneshkumar Dahyabhai; van den Berg, Bert; Winterhalter, Mathias; Kleinekathöfer, Ulrich

2016-02-02

To quantify the flow of small uncharged molecules into and across nanopores, one often uses ion currents. The respective ion-current fluctuations caused by the presence of the analyte make it possible to draw some conclusions about the direction and magnitude of the analyte flow. However, often this flow appears to be asymmetric with respect to the applied voltage. As a possible reason for this asymmetry, we identified the electroosmotic flow (EOF), which is the water transport associated with ions driven by the external transmembrane voltage. As an example, we quantify the contribution of the EOF through a nanopore by investigating the permeation of α-cyclodextrin through CymA, a cyclodextrin-specific channel from Klebsiella oxytoca. To understand the results from electrophysiology on a molecular level, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations are used to detail the effect of the EOF on substrate entry to and exit from a CymA channel in which the N-terminus has been deleted. The combined experimental and computational results strongly suggest that one needs to account for the significant contribution of the EOF when analyzing the penetration of cyclodextrins through the CymA pore. This example study at the same time points to the more general finding that the EOF needs to be considered in translocation studies of neutral molecules and, at least in many cases, should be able to help in discriminating between translocation and binding events. Copyright © 2016 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Residue of organic fluorine pollutants in hair and nails collected from Tianjin].

PubMed

Yao, Dan; Zhang, Hong; Chai, Zhi-Fang; Shen, Jin-Can; Yang, Bo; Wang, Yan-Ping; Liu, Guo-Qing

2013-02-01

In order to explore the residue and distributions of organic fluorine pollutants in hair and nails, the residue levels of total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF) and perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in hair and nails collected from Tianjin adults were measured by the cyclic neutron activation analysis (CNAA) combined with the high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that inorganic fluorine (mean: 2.0 mg.kg-1, 4.5 mg.kg-1) was the primary fluorine in TF while EOF(mean: 0.7 mg.kg-1, 1.8 mg.kg-1) was minor. The average amount of identified fluorine (IF) was 0.038 mg.kg-1 in hair and 0.047 mg.kg-1 in nails, accounting or 7.1% (2.6%-16%) and 3.5% (1.1%-11%) of EOF, respectively, which indicated that more than 84% of EOF was unknown. The major residue in hair and nails were medium-and short-chain PFCs,in which perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorononanoic acid were the main species. TF, EOF and IF levels in dyed and permed hair were significantly higher than untreated hair (P <0.05), and the concentrations of Sigma PFCs in hair and nails showed no difference between genders. With significantly higher levels of sigma PFCs and PFOS residues than hair (P <0.01), nails could potentially become a more sensitive bioindicator for the exposure level of PFCs in human.

Changes in the frequency of extreme air pollution events over the Eastern United States and Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rieder, H. E.; Fiore, A. M.; Fang, Y.; Staehelin, J.

2011-12-01

Over the past few decades, thresholds for national air quality standards, intended to protect public health and welfare, have been lowered repeatedly. At the same time observations, over Europe and the Eastern U.S., demonstrate that extreme air pollution events (high O3 and PM2.5) are typically associated with stagnation events. Recent work showed that in a changing climate high air pollution events are likely to increase in frequency and duration. Within this work we examine meteorological and surface ozone observations from CASTNet over the U.S. and EMEP over Europe and "idealized" simulations with the GFDL AM3 chemistry-climate model, which isolate the role of climate change on air quality. Specifically, we examine an "idealized 1990s" simulation, forced with 20-year mean monthly climatologies for sea surface temperatures and sea ice from observations for 1981-2000, and an "idealized 2090s" simulation forced by the observed climatologies plus the multi-model mean changes in sea surface temperature and sea ice simulated by 19 IPCC AR-4 models under the A1B scenario for 2081-2100. With innovative statistical tools (empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) and statistics of extremes (EVT)), we analyze the frequency distribution of past, present and future extreme air pollution events over the Eastern United States and Europe. The upper tail of observed values at individual stations (e.g., within the CASTNet), i.e., the extremes (maximum daily 8-hour average (MDA8) O3>60ppb) are poorly described by a Gaussian distribution. However, further analysis showed that applying Peak-Over-Threshold-models, better capture the extremes and allows us to estimate return levels of pollution events above certain threshold values of interest. We next apply EOF analysis to identify regions that vary coherently within the ground-based monitoring networks. Over the United States, the first EOF obtained from the model in both the 1990s and 2090s idealized simulations identifies the Northeast as a region that varies coherently. Correlation analysis reveals that this EOF pattern is most strongly expressed in association with high surface temperature and high surface pressure conditions, consistent with previous work showing that observed O3 episodes over this area reflect the combined impacts of stagnation and increased chemical production. Next steps include the extension of this analysis applying EVT tools to the principal component time series associated with this EOF. The combination of EOF and EVT tools applied to the GFDL AM3 1990s vs. 2090s idealized simulations will enable us to quantify changes in the return levels of air pollution extremes. Therefore the combination of observational data and numerical and statistical models should allow us to identify key driving forces between high air pollution events and to estimate changes in the frequency of such events under different climate change scenarios.

Modulation of Electroosmotic Flow through Skin: Effect of Poly(Amidoamine) Dendrimers

PubMed Central

Kim, Hye Ji; Oh, Seaung Youl

2018-01-01

The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers on electroosmotic flow (EOF) through skin. The effect of size and concentration of dendrimer was studied, using generation 1, 4 and 7 dendrimer (G1, G4 and G7, respectively). As a marker molecule for the direction and magnitude of EOF, a neutral molecule, acetoaminophen (AAP) was used. The visualization of dendrimer permeation into the current conducting pore (CCP) of skin was made using G4–fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugate and confocal microscopy. Without dendrimer, anodal flux of AAP was much higher than cathodal or passive flux. When G1 dendrimer was added, anodal flux decreased, presumably due to the decrease in EOF by the association of G1 dendrimer with net negative charge in CCP. As the generation increased, larger decrease in anodal flux was observed, and the direction of EOF was reversed. Small amount of methanol used for the preparation of dendrimer solution also contributed to the decrease in anodal flux of AAP. Cross-sectional view perpendicular to the skin surface by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) study showed that G4 dendrimer-FITC conjugate (G4-FITC) can penetrate into the viable epidermis and dermis under anodal current. The permeation route seemed to be localized on hair follicle region. These results suggest that PAMAM dendrimers can permeate into CCP and change the magnitude and direction of EOF. Overall, we obtained a better understanding on the mechanistic insights into the electroosmosis phenomena and its role on flux during iontophoresis. PMID:29310428

10Be in late deglacial climate simulated by ECHAM5-HAM - Part 2: Isolating the solar signal from 10Be deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heikkilä, U.; Shi, X.; Phipps, S. J.; Smith, A. M.

2013-10-01

This study investigates the effect of deglacial climate on the deposition of the solar proxy 10Be globally, and at two specific locations, the GRIP site at Summit, Central Greenland, and the Law Dome site in coastal Antarctica. The deglacial climate is represented by three 30 yr time slice simulations of 10 000 BP (years before present = 1950 CE), 11 000 BP and 12 000 BP, compared with a preindustrial control simulation. The model used is the ECHAM5-HAM atmospheric aerosol-climate model, driven with sea surface temperatures and sea ice cover simulated using the CSIRO Mk3L coupled climate system model. The focus is on isolating the 10Be production signal, driven by solar variability, from the weather or climate driven noise in the 10Be deposition flux during different stages of climate. The production signal varies on lower frequencies, dominated by the 11yr solar cycle within the 30 yr time scale of these experiments. The climatic noise is of higher frequencies. We first apply empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) analysis to global 10Be deposition on the annual scale and find that the first principal component, consisting of the spatial pattern of mean 10Be deposition and the temporally varying solar signal, explains 64% of the variability. The following principal components are closely related to those of precipitation. Then, we apply ensemble empirical decomposition (EEMD) analysis on the time series of 10Be deposition at GRIP and at Law Dome, which is an effective method for adaptively decomposing the time series into different frequency components. The low frequency components and the long term trend represent production and have reduced noise compared to the entire frequency spectrum of the deposition. The high frequency components represent climate driven noise related to the seasonal cycle of e.g. precipitation and are closely connected to high frequencies of precipitation. These results firstly show that the 10Be atmospheric production signal is preserved in the deposition flux to surface even during climates very different from today's both in global data and at two specific locations. Secondly, noise can be effectively reduced from 10Be deposition data by simply applying the EOF analysis in the case of a reasonably large number of available data sets, or by decomposing the individual data sets to filter out high-frequency fluctuations.

Spatial and temporal variability of thermohaline properties in the Bay of Koper (northern Adriatic Sea)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soczka Mandac, Rok; Žagar, Dušan; Faganeli, Jadran

2013-04-01

In this study influence of fresh water discharge on the spatial and temporal variability of thermohaline (TH) conditions is explored for the Bay of Koper (Bay). The Bay is subject to different driving agents: wind stress (bora, sirocco), tidal and seiches effect, buoyancy fluxes, general circulation of the Adriatic Sea and discharge of the Rizana and Badaševica rivers. These rivers have torrential characteristics that are hard to forecast in relation to meteorological events (precipitation). Therefore, during episodic events the spatial and temporal variability of TH properties in the Bay is difficult to determine [1]. Measurements of temperature, salinity and turbidity were conducted monthly on 35 sampling points in the period: June 2011 - December 2012. The data were processed and spatial interpolated with an objective analysis method. Furthermore, empirical orthogonal function analysis (EOF) [2] was applied to investigate spatial and temporal TH variations. Strong horizontal and vertical stratification was observed in the beginning of June 2011 due to high fresh water discharge of the Rizana (31 m3/s) and Badaševica (2 m3/s) rivers. The horizontal gradient (ΔT = 6°C) was noticed near the mouth of the Rizana river. Similar pattern was identified for salinity field on the boundary of the front where the gradient was ΔS = 20 PSU. Vertical temperature gradient was ΔT = 4°C while salinity gradient was ΔS = 18 PSU in the subsurface layer at depth of 3 m. Spatial analysis of the first principal component (86% of the total variance) shows uniform temperature distribution in the surface layer (1m) during the studied period. Furthermore, temporal variability of temperature shows seasonal variation with a minimum in February and maximum in August. This confirms that episodic events have a negligible effect on spatial and temporal variation of temperature in the subsurface layer. Further analysis will include application of EOF on the salinity, density and total suspended matter. Additionally, we will investigate the cross correlations between the above mentioned parameters with singular value decomposition method. Reference: 1. Faganeli, J., Planinc, R., Pezdic, J., Smodis, B., Stegnar, P., and Ogorelec, B. 1991. Marine geology of Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic): Geochemical aspects. Marine Geology, 99: 93-108. 2. Glover, M., Jenkins, J., and Doney, S. C. 2011. Modeling methods for marine science. Cambridge University Press, 571 p.

Impact of cover crop, irrigation and season on nutrient and sediment in the runoff water measured at the edge-of-fields in northeast Arkansas

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Improved understanding of water quality at the edge-of-field (EOF) from production-size fields is needed to better inform agriculture and resource managers regarding sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship. We measured runoff water quality at EOF of paired commercial fields in Mi...

Electroosmotic flow in a microcavity with nonuniform surface charges.

PubMed

Halpern, David; Wei, Hsien-Hung

2007-08-28

In this work, we theoretically explore the characteristics of electroosmostic flow (EOF) in a microcavity with nonuniform surface charges. It is well known that a uniformly charged EOF does not give rise to flow separation because of its irrotational nature, as opposed to the classical problem of viscous flow past a cavity. However, if the cavity walls bear nonuniform surface charges, then the similitude between electric and flow fields breaks down, leading to the generation of vorticity in the cavity. Because this vorticity must necessarily diffuse into the exterior region that possesses a zero vorticity set by a uniform EOF, a new flow structure emerges. Assuming Stokes flow, we employ a boundary element method to explore how a nonuniform charge distribution along the cavity surface affects the flow structure. The results show that the stream can be susceptible to flow separation and exhibits a variety of flow structures, depending on the distributions of zeta potentials and the aspect ratio of the cavity. The interactions between patterned EOF vortices and Moffatt eddies are further demonstrated for deep cavities. This work not only has implications for electrokinetic flow induced by surface imperfections but also provides optimal strategies for achieving effective mixing in microgrooves.

Transport of the Norwegian Atlantic current as determined from satellite altimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pistek, Pavel; Johnson, Donald R.

1992-01-01

Relatively warm and salty North Atlantic surface waters flow through the Faeroe-Shetland Channel into the higher latitudes of the Nordic Seas, preserving an ice-free winter environment for much of the exterior coast of northern Europe. This flow was monitored along the Norwegian coast using Geosat altimetry on two ascending arcs during the Exact Repeat Mission in 1987-1989. Concurrent undertrack CTD surveys were used to fix a reference surface for the altimeter-derived SSH anomalies, in effect creating time series of alongtrack surface dynamic height topographies. Climatologic CTD casts were then used, with empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, to derive relationships between historical surface dynamic heights and vertical temperature and salinity profiles. Applying these EOF relationships to the altimeter signals, mean transports of volume, heat, and salt were calculated at approximately 2.9 Sverdrups, 8.1 x 10 exp 11 KCal/s and 1.0 x 10 exp 8 Kg/s, respectively. Maximum transports occurred in February/March and minimum in July/August.

Using the Quantile Mapping to improve a weather generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Y.; Themessl, M.; Gobiet, A.

2012-04-01

We developed a weather generator (WG) by using statistical and stochastic methods, among them are quantile mapping (QM), Monte-Carlo, auto-regression, empirical orthogonal function (EOF). One of the important steps in the WG is using QM, through which all the variables, no matter what distribution they originally are, are transformed into normal distributed variables. Therefore, the WG can work on normally distributed variables, which greatly facilitates the treatment of random numbers in the WG. Monte-Carlo and auto-regression are used to generate the realization; EOFs are employed for preserving spatial relationships and the relationships between different meteorological variables. We have established a complete model named WGQM (weather generator and quantile mapping), which can be applied flexibly to generate daily or hourly time series. For example, with 30-year daily (hourly) data and 100-year monthly (daily) data as input, the 100-year daily (hourly) data would be relatively reasonably produced. Some evaluation experiments with WGQM have been carried out in the area of Austria and the evaluation results will be presented.

[Effect of climate change on the fisheries conununity pattern in the overwintering ground of open waters of northern East China Sea].

PubMed

Liu, Zun-lei; Yuan, Xing-wei; Yang, Lin-lin; Yan, Li-ping; Tian, Yong-jun; Chen, Jia-hua

2015-03-01

Data sets of 26 fisheries target species from the fishery-depen-dent and fishery-independent surveys in the overwintering ground of open waters of northern East China Sea (OW-NECS), combined sea surface temperature (SST), were used to examine the links between diversity index, pattern of common variability and climate changes based on the principal component analysis (PCA) and generalized additive model (GAM). The results showed that the shift from a cold regime to a warm regime was detected in SST during the 1970s-2011 with step changes around 1982/ 1983. SST increased during the cold regime and the warm regime before 1998 (warming trend period, 1972-1998), and decreased during the warm regime after 1998 (cooling trend period, 1999-2011). Shannon diversity index was largely dependent on the filefish, which contributed up to 50% of the total production as a single species, with low diversity in the waters of the OW-NECS, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Excluding the filefish, the diversity index linearly increased and decreased during 1972-1998 and 1999-2011, respectively. The variation pattern generally corresponds with the trend in water temperature, strongly suggesting the effect of the SST on the diversity. The first two components (PC1 and PC2) of PCA for target species, which accounted for 32.43% of the total variance, showed evident decadal variation patterns with a step change during 1992-1999 and inter-annual variability with short-period fluctuation, respectively. It seems that PC1 was associated with large scale climatic change, while PC2 was related to inter-annual oceanographic variability such as ENSO events. Linear fitting results showed winEOF1 had significant effect on PC1, and GAM analysis for PC1 showed that winter EOF1 (winEOF1) and summer EOF2 (sumEOF2) can explain 88.9% of the total variance. Nonlinear effect was also found between PC2 and win EOF1, indicating that the fish community structure, which had predominantly decadal/inter-annual variation patterns, was influenced by inter-annual variations in oceanographic conditions.

Interannual variation of springtime biomass burning in Indochina: Regional differences, associated atmospheric dynamical changes, and downwind impacts.

PubMed

Huang, Wan-Ru; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang; Yen, Ming-Cheng; Lin, Neng-Huei; Promchote, Parichart

2016-09-16

During March and April, widespread burning occurs across farmlands in Indochina in preparation for planting at the monsoon onset. The resultant aerosols impact the air quality downwind. In this study, we investigate the climatic aspect of the interannual variation of springtime biomass burning in Indochina and its correlation with air quality at Mt. Lulin in Taiwan using long-term (2005-2015) satellite and global reanalysis data. Based on empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, we find that the biomass burning activities vary with two geographical regions: northern Indochina (the primary EOF mode) and southern Indochina (the secondary EOF mode). We determine that the variation of biomass burning over northern Indochina is significantly related with the change in aerosol concentrations at Mt. Lulin. This occurs following the change in the so-called India-Burma Trough in the lower and middle troposphere. When the India-Burma Trough is intensified, a stronger northwesterly wind (to the west of the trough) transports the dryer air from higher latitude into northern Indochina, and this promotes local biomass burning activities. The increase in upward motion to the east of the intensified India-Burma Trough lifts the aerosols, which are transported toward Taiwan by the increased low-level westerly jet. Further diagnoses revealed the connection between the India-Burma Trough and the South Asian jet's wave train pattern as well as the previous winter's El Niño - Southern Oscillation phase. This information highlights the role of the India-Burma Trough in modulating northern Indochina biomass burning and possibly predicting aerosol transport to East Asia on the interannual time scale.

An effective drift correction for dynamical downscaling of decadal global climate predictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paeth, Heiko; Li, Jingmin; Pollinger, Felix; Müller, Wolfgang A.; Pohlmann, Holger; Feldmann, Hendrik; Panitz, Hans-Jürgen

2018-04-01

Initialized decadal climate predictions with coupled climate models are often marked by substantial climate drifts that emanate from a mismatch between the climatology of the coupled model system and the data set used for initialization. While such drifts may be easily removed from the prediction system when analyzing individual variables, a major problem prevails for multivariate issues and, especially, when the output of the global prediction system shall be used for dynamical downscaling. In this study, we present a statistical approach to remove climate drifts in a multivariate context and demonstrate the effect of this drift correction on regional climate model simulations over the Euro-Atlantic sector. The statistical approach is based on an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis adapted to a very large data matrix. The climate drift emerges as a dramatic cooling trend in North Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and is captured by the leading EOF of the multivariate output from the global prediction system, accounting for 7.7% of total variability. The SST cooling pattern also imposes drifts in various atmospheric variables and levels. The removal of the first EOF effectuates the drift correction while retaining other components of intra-annual, inter-annual and decadal variability. In the regional climate model, the multivariate drift correction of the input data removes the cooling trends in most western European land regions and systematically reduces the discrepancy between the output of the regional climate model and observational data. In contrast, removing the drift only in the SST field from the global model has hardly any positive effect on the regional climate model.

Multi-sensor Oceanographic Correlations for Pacific Hake Acoustic Survey Improvement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brozen, M.; Hillyer, N.; Holt, B.; Armstrong, E. M.

2010-12-01

North Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), the most abundant groundfish along the Pacific coast of northwestern America, are an essential source of income for the coastal region from southern California to British Columbia, Canada. However, hake abundance and distribution are highly variable among years, exhibiting variance in both the north-south and east-west distribution as seen in the results from biannual acoustic surveys. This project is part of a larger undertaking, ultimately focused on the prediction of hake distribution to improve the distribution of survey effort and precision of stock assessments in the future. Four remotely sensed oceanographic variables are examined as a first step in improving our understanding the relationship between the intensity of coastal upwelling and other ocean dynamics, and the north-south summer hake distribution. Sea surface height, wind vectors, chlorophyll - a concentrations, and sea surface temperature were acquired from several satellites, including AVHRR, SeaWifs, TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, SSM/I, ASMR-E, and QuikScat. Data were aligned to the same spatial and temporal resolution, and these re-gridded data were then analyzed using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). EOFs were used as a spatio-temporally compact representation of the data and to reduce the co-variability of the multiple time series in the dataset. The EOF results were plotted and acoustic survey results were overlaid to understand differences between regions. Although this pilot project used data from only a single year (2007), it demonstrated a methodology for reducing dimensionality of linearly related satellite variables that can used in future applications, and provided insight into multi-dimensional ocean characteristics important for hake distribution.

Propagating and Non-propagating Annular Modes and Principal Oscillation Patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plumb, R. A.; Sheshadri, A.

2016-12-01

The leading "annular mode" in each hemisphere — usually defined as the dominant EOF of surface pressure or of zonal mean zonal wind variability — appears as a dipolar structure straddling the mean midlatitude jet and thus seems to describe north-south wobbling of the jet latitude. However, extratropical zonal wind anomalies frequently tend to migrate poleward. This behavior can be described by the first two EOFs, the first (AM1) being the dipolar structure, and the second (AM2) having a tripolar structure centered on the mean jet. (AM2 explains a significant amount of variance, though less than AM1.) Taken in isolation, AM1 thus describes a north-south wobbling of the jet position, while AM2 describes a strengthening and narrowing (or weakening and broadening) of the jet. However, despite the fact that they are spatially orthogonal, and their corresponding time series temporally orthogonal, AM1 and AM2 are not independent, but show significant lag-correlations which reveal the poleward propagation. The EOFs are not modes of the underlying dynamical system governing the zonal flow evolution. The true modes can be estimated using principal oscillation pattern (POP) analysis. The leading POPs manifest themselves as a pair of complex conjugate structures with conjugate eigenvalues thus, in reality, constituting a single, complex, mode that describes poleward propagating anomalies. This mode then shows up as AM1 and AM2 in EOF analyses. Even though the principal components associated with the two leading EOFs decay at different rates, each decays faster than the true mode. In the propagating regime, these facts have implications for the use of autocorrelations and cross-correlations to quantify eddy feedback and the susceptibility of the mode to external perturbations, including the response to stratospheric anomalies.

Dynamically formed admicelle layer to control the amplitude of cathodic electroosmotic flow.

PubMed

Erny, Guillaume L; Gonçalves, Bruna M; Esteves, Valdemar I

2012-09-21

In this manuscript, a method to precisely adjust the amplitude of a cathodic electroosmotic flow is described. The method uses a capillary pre-coated with a cationic polymer (polybrene), in presence of an anionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. At low concentration of surfactant, molecules will self-assemble to form an immobilized hemimicelle layer with the anionic "head" in contact with the cationic coating and the hydrophobic tail reaching into the background electrolyte. At higher concentration, surfactant molecules in solution will then interact, via hydrophobic interactions, to form an admicelle layer. It has been demonstrated that the admicelle layer can be constructed with either pure anionic surfactant (SDS), or a mixture of anionic and neutral surfactants. Admicelle coatings can be used to control the electroosmotic flow (EOF). While at low surfactant concentration the amplitude of the EOF depends on the concentration of the surfactants concentration, when this concentration reaches the critical admicelle concentration the EOF becomes near constant. The amplitude of the EOF can also be adjusted via the relative proportion of neutral and ionic surfactant in solution. Using this approach, the EOF was varied from 0.450 to 3.848 × 10(-8)m(2)V(-1)s(-1) with a precision below 0.050 × 10(-8)m(2)V(-1)s(-1) (standard deviation measured with three replicates). The coating has been tested using a mix of triazines (atrazine, simazine and terbuthylazine) and a beer sample. With the beer sample an average relative standard deviation of 1.5% for the migration time and of 2.2% for the corrected peak area was obtained. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phenotypic homogeneity with minor deviance in osmotic fragility of Sahel goat erythrocytes in non-ionic sucrose media during various physiologic states.

PubMed

Igbokwe, Nanacha Afifi; Igbokwe, Ikechukwu Onyebuchi

2016-11-01

Erythrocyte swelling in non-ionic sucrose media and the subsequent osmotic lysis are influenced by mechanisms of regulatory volume adjustment and osmotic water permeability. Kinetics of transmembrane water and ion fluxes in varied physiologic states may determine the phenotype of erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and affect estimates of EOF. Effects of sex, age, late pregnancy (third trimester) and lactation on the haemolysis of Sahel goat erythrocytes incubated in a series of hyposmotic non-ionic sucrose media were investigated. The fragiligram was sigmoidal in 72 (97%) out of 74 goats. Two male (3%) goats with low and high extreme median erythrocyte fragilities (MEF), had non-sigmoidal curves. The mean fragilities at osmolarities of 30-300 mosmol/L of sucrose and the mean osmolarities responsible for 10%-90% haemolysis (CH10-CH90) were not significantly different between males and non-pregnant dry (NPD) females, amongst the age groups and between pregnant or lactating and NPD female goats. The MEF (CH50) of the goats were at osmolarities of 126-252 mosmol/L (median of data: 171 mosmol/L) with a mean of 175.24±16.20 mosmol/L. Therefore, phenotypic homogeneity of EOF occurred with minor deviance, since EOF variables were not differentiated by sex, age, late pregnancy or lactation. Physiologic states of the goat did not affect EOF phenotype in non-ionic sucrose media. Sigmoidal fragility phenotype seemed to be homogeneously conserved by osmoregulatory mechanisms not partitioned by sex, age, late pregnancy or lactation, but a minor non-sigmoidal curve might have occurred due to altered erythrocyte osmotic behaviour that would require further investigation.

Secondary electroosmotic flow in microchannels with nonuniform and asymmetric Zeta potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jinbai; He, Guowei; Liu, Feng

2004-11-01

Microfluidics has a broad range of applications in biotechnology, such as sample injection, drug delivering, solution mixing, and separations. All of these techniques require handling fluids in the low Reynolds number (Re) regime. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) or electroosmocitcs is the bulk movement of liquid relative to a stationary surface due to an externally applied electronic field. It is an alternative to pressure-driven flows with convenient implementation The driving force for EOF is dependent on the zeta potential. Previous reseraches focus on the nonuniform Zeta potential. In the present work, we consider nonuniform and asymmetric Zeta potential. The effects of asymmetric Zeta potential on the EOF are investigated analytically and simulated numerically. It is demonstrated that the nonuniform and asymmetric Zeta potential can generate more flow patterns for microfluidic control compared to symmetric Zeta potential.

Reconstruction of Missing Pixels in Satellite Images Using the Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Function (DINEOF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, X.; Wang, M.

2016-02-01

For coastal and inland waters, complete (in spatial) and frequent satellite measurements are important in order to monitor and understand coastal biological and ecological processes and phenomena, such as diurnal variations. High-frequency images of the water diffuse attenuation coefficient at the wavelength of 490 nm (Kd(490)) derived from the Korean Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) provide a unique opportunity to study diurnal variation of the water turbidity in coastal regions of the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea. However, there are lots of missing pixels in the original GOCI-derived Kd(490) images due to clouds and various other reasons. Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Function (DINEOF) is a method to reconstruct missing data in geophysical datasets based on Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF). In this study, the DINEOF is applied to GOCI-derived Kd(490) data in the Yangtze River mouth and the Yellow River mouth regions, the DINEOF reconstructed Kd(490) data are used to fill in the missing pixels, and the spatial patterns and temporal functions of the first three EOF modes are also used to investigate the sub-diurnal variation due to the tidal forcing. In addition, DINEOF method is also applied to the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on board the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite to reconstruct missing pixels in the daily Kd(490) and chlorophyll-a concentration images, and some application examples in the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico will be presented.

Conditions for similitude and the effect of finite Debye length in electroosmotic flows.

PubMed

Oh, Jung Min; Kang, Kwan Hyoung

2007-06-15

Under certain conditions, the velocity field is similar to the electric field for electroosmotic flow (EOF) inside a channel. There was a disagreement between investigators on the necessity of the infinitesimal-Reynolds-number condition for the similarity when the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski relation is applied throughout the boundaries. What is puzzling is a recent numerical result that showed, contrary to the conventional belief, an evident Reynolds number dependence of the EOF. We show here that the notion that the infinitesimal-Reynolds-number condition is required originates from the misunderstanding that the EOF is the Stokes flow. We point out that the EOF becomes the potential flow when the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski relation is applied at the boundaries. We carry out a numerical simulation to investigate the effect of finiteness of the Debye length and the vorticity layer inherently existing at the channel wall. We show that the Reynolds number dependence of the previous numerical simulation resulted from the finiteness of the Debye length and subsequent convective transport of vorticity toward the bulk flow. We discuss in detail how the convection of vorticity occurs and what factors are involved in the transport process, after carrying out the simulation for different Reynolds numbers, Debye lengths, corner radii, and geometries.

Effect of the electric field ratio on electroosmotic flow patterns in cross-shaped microchannels by the lattice-Boltzmann Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Socias, Alvaro; Oyarzun, Diego; Guzman, Amador

2014-11-01

The electroosmotic flow (EOF) pattern characteristics in cross-shaped microchannels flow are important features when either suppressing or enhancing flow features for injection and separation or mixing of multiple species are the wanted objectives. There are situations in EOF in cross-shaped microchannels where the fluid flows toward unexpected and unwanted directions under a given external electric field that depends of both the applied electric field and lengths of the different channels. This article describes the effect of the electric field ratio, defined as the ratio between longitudinal nominal electric field ELong = (VE-VW) /(LW + LE) and the nominal electric field E a = (VS-VE) /(VS + VE) , where E, S and W define the east, south and west directions of the cross-shaped microchannel; V is the externally applied voltage and L is the length, on the EOF characteristics in a cross-shaped microchannel. We use the lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) for solving the discretized Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE) describing the coupled processes of hydrodynamics and electrodynamic. Our numerical simulations allow us to determine the EOF pattern for a wide range of the electric field ratio and Ea such that inverted flow features are captured and described, which are very important to determine for flow separation or mixing.

Simple and Rapid Immobilization of Coating Polymers on Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-glass Hybrid Microchips by a Vacuum-drying Method.

PubMed

Kitagawa, Fumihiko; Nakagawara, Syo; Nukatsuka, Isoshi; Hori, Yusuke; Sueyoshi, Kenji; Otsuka, Koji

2015-01-01

A simple and rapid vacuum-drying modification method was applied to several neutral and charged polymers to obtain coating layers for controlling electroosmotic flow (EOF) and suppressing sample adsorption on poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS)-glass hybrid microchips. In the vacuum-dried poly(vinylpyrrolidone) coating, the electroosmotic mobility (μeo) was suppressed from +2.1 to +0.88 × 10(-4) cm(2)/V·s, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of μeo was improved from 10.2 to 2.5% relative to the bare microchannel. Among several neutral polymers, poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) and poly(dimethylacrylamide) coatings gave more suppressed and repeatable EOF with RSDs of less than 2.3%. The vacuum-drying method was also applicable to polyanions and polycations to provide accelerated and inversed EOF, respectively, with acceptable RSDs of less than 4.9%. In the microchip electrophoresis (MCE) analysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the vacuum-dried and thermally-treated PVA coating channel, an almost symmetric peak of BSA was obtained, while in the native microchannel a significantly skewed peak was observed. The results demonstrated that the vacuum-dried polymer coatings were effective to control the EOF, and reduced the surface adsorption of proteins in MCE.

The power of power: electrokinetic control of PAH interactions with exfoliated graphite.

PubMed

Qin, Jinyi; Moustafa, Ahmed; Harms, Hauke; El-Din, Mohamed Gamal; Wick, Lukas Y

2015-05-15

Exfoliated graphite (EG) exhibits exceptional sorption capacity for petroleum and dissolved hydrocarbons owing to its highly hydrophobic surface and wide pore size distribution. The high price of preparing EG, however, restricts its application. Methods which increase the rate or extent of sorption to EG even further are thus longed for. Here, we assess the effects of weak direct current (DC) fields on the sorption of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene (PHE) to EG. DC applied to an ionic solution in a solid matrix invokes electroosmotic flow (EOF), i.e., the surface charge-induced movement of the solution. EG was exposed to weak DC fields in the presence of dissolved PHE to test if EOF increases transport of PHE to poorly accessible sorption sites. DC fields increased PHE sorption rates in EG sevenfold and reduced the desorption rate of sorbed PHE by >99%. EOF thus appeared to be highly effective in translocating PHE into pores, which contribute most of the sorption sites, but are difficult to access in the absence of EOF by molecular diffusion only. The observed 'power of power' may be used to kinetically regulate the interaction of sorbates with EG or other porous sorbents in environmental (bio-) technology. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Toward Better Intraseasonal and Seasonal Prediction: Verification and Evaluation of the NOGAPS Model Forecasts

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-30

Circulation (HC) in terms of the meridional streamfunction. The interannual variability of the Atlantic HC in boreal summer was examined using the EOF...large-scale circulations in the NAVGEM model and the source of predictability for the seasonal variation of the Atlantic TCs. We have been working...EOF analysis of Meridional Circulation (JAS). (a) The leading mode (M1); (b) variance explained by the first 10 modes. 9

Separation of organic cations using novel background electrolytes by capillary electrophoresis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Steiner, S.; Fritz, J.

2008-02-12

A background electrolyte for capillary electrophoresis containing tris(-hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (THAM) and ethanesulfonic acid (ESA) gives excellent efficiency for separation of drug cations with actual theoretical plate numbers as high as 300,000. However, the analyte cations often elute too quickly and consequently offer only a narrow window for separation. The best way to correct this is to induce a reverse electroosmotic flow (EOF) that will spread out the peaks by slowing their migration rates, but this has always been difficult to accomplish in a controlled manner. A new method for producing a variable EOF is described in which a low variablemore » concentration of tributylammonium- or triethylammonium ESA is added to the BGE. The additive equilibrates with the capillary wall to give it a positive charge and thereby produce a controlled opposing EOF. Excellent separations of complex drug mixtures were obtained by this method.« less

[Characteristics of electroosmotic flow in open-tubular capillary electrochromatography with magnetic nanoparticle coating as mixed-mode stationary phase].

PubMed

Qin, Sasa; Zhou, Chaoran; Zhu, Yaxian; Ren, Zhiyu; Zhang, Lingyi; Fu, Honggang; Zhang, Weibing

2011-09-01

A novel open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC) column with magnetic nanoparticle coating as mixed-mode stationary phase was prepared. The mixed-mode stationary phases were obtained by mixing C18 and amino modified magnetic nanoparticles with different ratios. The mixed modified magnetic nanoparticles as stationary phase were introduced into the capillary by using external magnetic force. The magnetic nanoparticle coating can be easily regenerated by removing the external magnetic field, and applied to other separation modes. The characteristics of electroosmotic flow (EOF) were theoretically investigated through the effect of physicochemical properties of different stationary phases on EOF. The experiment was conducted under different ratios of mixed-mode stationary phases and coating lengths, and it was verified that the theoretical conclusions accorded with the experimental results. It was shown that the EOF can be easily adjusted by changing the ratio of stationary phases or the number of permanent magnets.

Predicting the Dominant Patterns of Subseasonal Variability of Wintertime Surface Air Temperature in Extratropical Northern Hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Hai

2018-05-01

Skillfully predicting persistent extreme temperature anomalies more than 10 days in advance remains a challenge although it is of great value to the society. Here the two leading modes of subseasonal variability of surface air temperature over the extratropical Northern Hemisphere in boreal winter are identified with pentad (5 days) averaged data. They are well separated geographically, dominating temperature variability in North America and Eurasia, respectively. There exists a two-pentad lagged correlation between these two modes, implying an intercontinental link of temperature variability. Forecast skill of these two modes is evaluated based on three operational subseasonal prediction models. The results show that useful forecasts of the Eurasian mode (EOF2) can be achieved four pentads in advance, which is more skillful than the North American mode (EOF1). EOF2 is found to benefit from the Madden-Julian Oscillation signal in the initial condition.

Normal forms for reduced stochastic climate models

PubMed Central

Majda, Andrew J.; Franzke, Christian; Crommelin, Daan

2009-01-01

The systematic development of reduced low-dimensional stochastic climate models from observations or comprehensive high-dimensional climate models is an important topic for atmospheric low-frequency variability, climate sensitivity, and improved extended range forecasting. Here techniques from applied mathematics are utilized to systematically derive normal forms for reduced stochastic climate models for low-frequency variables. The use of a few Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) (also known as Principal Component Analysis, Karhunen–Loéve and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition) depending on observational data to span the low-frequency subspace requires the assessment of dyad interactions besides the more familiar triads in the interaction between the low- and high-frequency subspaces of the dynamics. It is shown below that the dyad and multiplicative triad interactions combine with the climatological linear operator interactions to simultaneously produce both strong nonlinear dissipation and Correlated Additive and Multiplicative (CAM) stochastic noise. For a single low-frequency variable the dyad interactions and climatological linear operator alone produce a normal form with CAM noise from advection of the large scales by the small scales and simultaneously strong cubic damping. These normal forms should prove useful for developing systematic strategies for the estimation of stochastic models from climate data. As an illustrative example the one-dimensional normal form is applied below to low-frequency patterns such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in a climate model. The results here also illustrate the short comings of a recent linear scalar CAM noise model proposed elsewhere for low-frequency variability. PMID:19228943

Long-Term Validation and Variability of the Shortwave and Longwave Radiation Data of the GEWEX Surface Radiation Budget (SRB) Project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Taiping; Stackhouse, Paul W., Jr.; Gupta, Shashi K.; Cox, Stephan J.; Mikovitz, Colleen; Hinkelman, Laura M.

2006-01-01

In this investigation, we make systematic Surface Radiation Budget-Baseline Surface Radiation Network (SRB-BSRN), Surface Radiation Data Centre (SRB-WRDC) and Surface Radiation Budget-Global Energy Balance Archive (SRB-GEBA) comparisons for both shortwave and longwave daily and monthly mean radiation fluxes at the Earth's surface. We first have an overview of all the comparable pairs of data in scatter or scatter density plots. Then we show the time series of the SRB data at grids in which there are ground sites where longterm records of data are available for comparison. An overall very good agreement between the SRB data and ground observations is found. To see the variability of the SRB data during the 21.5 years, we computed the global mean and its linear trend. No appreciable trend is detected at the 5% level. The empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) of the SRB deseasonalized shortwave downward flux are computed over the Pacific region, and the first EOF coefficient is found to be correlated with the ENSO Index at a high value of coefficient of 0.7083.

The impacts of the atmospheric annular mode on the AMOC and its feedback in an idealized experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santis, Wlademir; Aimola, Luis; Campos, Edmo J. D.; Castellanos, Paola

2018-03-01

The interdecadal variability of the atmospheric and oceanic meridional overturning circulation is studied, using a coupled model with two narrow meridional barriers representing the land and a flat bottomed Aquaplanet. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis are used in the atmospheric and oceanic meridional overturning cells, revealing the atmospheric interdecadal variability is dominated by an annular mode, in both hemispheres, which introduces in the ocean a set of patterns of variability. The most energetic EOFs in the ocean are the barotropic responses from the annular mode. The interaction between the heat anomalies, due to the barotropic response, and the thermohaline circulation of each basin leads to a resonance mechanism that feeds back to the atmospheric forcing, modulating the annular mode spectrum. Besides the barotropic response, the annular mode introduces anomalies of salinity and temperature in the subtropical Atlantic that affects its upper buoyancy. These anomalies are incorporated within the ocean circulation and advected until the areas of deep sinking in the northern Atlantic, impacting on its overturning circulation as well.

Southern hemisphere low level wind circulation statistics from the Seasat scatterometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levy, Gad

1994-01-01

Analyses of remotely sensed low-level wind vector data over the Southern Ocean are performed. Five-day averages and monthly means are created and the month-to-month variability during the winter (July-September) of 1978 is investigated. The remotely sensed winds are compared to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (ABM) and the National Meteorological Center (NMC) surface analyses. In southern latitudes the remotely sensed winds are stronger than what the weather services' analyses suggest, indicating under-estimation by ABM and NMC in these regions. The evolution of the low-level jet and the major stormtracks during the season are studied and different flow regimes are identified. The large-scale variability of the meridional flow is studied with the aid of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The dominance of quasi-stationary wave numbers 3,4, and 5 in the winter flows is evident in both the EOF analysis and the mean flow. The signature of an exceptionally strong blocking situation is evident in July and the special conditions leading to it are discussed. A very large intraseasonal variability with different flow regimes at different months is documented.

Coherent response of the Indo-African boreal summer monsoon to Pacific SST captured in Ethiopian rain δ18O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madhavan, M.; Palliyil, L. R.; Ramesh, R.

2017-12-01

Pacific Sea Surface Temperature (SST) plays an important role in the inter-annual to inter-decadal variability of boreal monsoons. We identified a common mode of inter annual variability in the Indian and African boreal summer monsoon (June to September) rainfalls, which is linked to Pacific SSTs, using Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis. Temporal coefficients (Principle component: PC1) of the leading mode of variability (EOF-1) is well correlated with the Indian summer monsoon rainfall and Sahel rainfall. About forty year long monthly observations of δ18O (and δD) at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia show a strong association with PC1 (r=0.69 for δ18O and r=0.75 for δD). Analysis of SST, sea level pressure and lower tropospheric winds suggest that 18O depletion in Ethiopian rainfall (and wet phases of PC1) is associated with cooler eastern tropical Pacific and warmer western Pacific and strengthening of Pacific subtropical high in both the hemispheres. Associated changes in the trade winds cause enhanced westerly moisture transport into the Indian subcontinent and northern Africa and cause enhanced rainfall. The intrusion of Atlantic westerly component of moisture transport at Addis Ababa during wet phases of PC1 is clearly recorded in δ18O of rain. We also observe the same common mode of variability (EOF1) of Indo-African boreal summer monsoon rain on decadal time scales. A 100 year long δ18O record of actively growing speleothem from the Mechara cave, Ethiopia, matches very well with the PC1 on the decadal time scale. This highlights the potential of speleothem δ18O and leaf wax δD from Ethiopia to investigate the natural variability and teleconnections of Indo-African boreal monsoon.

Interdecadal variability in pan-Pacific and global SST, revisited

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tung, Ka-Kit; Chen, Xianyao; Zhou, Jiansong; Li, King-Fai

2018-05-01

Interest in the "Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO)" in the global SST has surged recently on suggestions that the Pacific may be the source of prominent interdecadal variations observed in the global-mean surface temperature possibly through the mechanism of low-frequency modulation of the interannual El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. IPO was defined by performing empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of low-pass filtered SST. The low-pass filtering creates its unique set of mathematical problems—in particular, mode mixing—and has led to some questions, many unanswered. To understand what these EOFs are, we express them first in terms of the recently developed pairwise rotated EOFs of the unfiltered SST, which can largely separate the high and low frequency bands without resorting to filtering. As reported elsewhere, the leading rotated dynamical modes (after the global warming trend) of the unfiltered global SST are: ENSO, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). IPO is not among them. The leading principal component (PC) of the low-pass filtered global SST is usually defined as IPO and it is seen to comprise of ENSO, PDO and AMO in various proportions depending on the filter threshold. With decadal filtering, the contribution of the interannual ENSO is understandably negligible. The leading dynamical mode of the filtered global SST is mostly AMO, and therefore should not have been called the Interdecadal "Pacific" Oscillation. The leading dynamical mode of the filtered pan-Pacific SST is mostly PDO. This and other low-frequency variability that have the action center in the Pacific, from either the pan-Pacific or global SST, have near zero global mean.

Diagnosis of extratropical variability in seasonal integrations of the ECMWF model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferranti, L.; Molteni, F.; Brankovic, C.

1994-06-01

Properties of the general circulation simulated by the ECMWF model are discussed using a set of seasonal integrations at T63 resolution. For each season, over the period of 5 years, 1986-1990, three integrations initiated on consecutive days were run with prescribed observed sea surface temperature (SST). This paper presents a series of diagnostics of extratropical variability in the model, with particular emphasis on the northern winter. Time-filtered maps of variability indicate that in this season there is insufficient storm track activity penetrating into the Eurasian continent. Related to this the maximum of lower-frequency variability for northern spring are more realistic.more » Blocking is defined objectively in terms of the geostrophic wind at 500 mb. Consistent with the low-frequency transience, in the Euro-Atlantic sector the position of maximum blocking in the model is displaced eastward. The composite structure of blocks over the Pacific is realistic, though their frequency is severely underestimated at all times of year. Shortcomings in the simulated wintertime general circulation were also revealed by studying the projection of 5-day mean fields onto empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the observed flow. The largest differences were apparent for statistics of EOFs of the zonal mean flow. Analysis of weather regime activity, defined from the EOFs, suggested that regimes with positive PNA index were overpopulated, while the negative PNA regimes were underpopulated. A further comparison between observed and modeled low-frequency variance revealed that underestimation of low-frequency variability occurs along the same axes that explain most of the spatial structure of the error in the mean field, suggesting a common dynamical origin for these two aspects of the systematic error. 17 refs., 17 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Monitoring the spatio-temporal changes of terrestrial water storage using GRACE data in the Tarim River basin between 2002 and 2015.

PubMed

Yang, Peng; Xia, Jun; Zhan, Chesheng; Qiao, Yunfeng; Wang, Yueling

2017-10-01

With the threat of water shortages intensifying, the need to identify the terrestrial water storage (TWS) variation in the Tarim River Basin (TRB) becomes very significant for managing its water resource. Due to the lack of large-scale hydrological data, this study employed the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) to monitor TWS variation in the TRB during the period of 2002-2015, cooperating with two statistical techniques, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) - Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). Results indicated that (1) the Tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) data can be applied well in the TRB; (2) the EOF result showed that both the time series of TRMM precipitation and GRACE-derived TWS in the TRB between 2002 and 2015 were dominated by the annual signals, which were followed by the semiannual signals; (3) the linear trend for the spatially averaged GRACE-derived TWS changes exhibited an decrease of 1.6±1.1mm/a, and the EOF result indicated a significant decrease of 4.1±1.5mm/a in the north of TRB; (4) while the precipitation variations was the major driver for the TWS changes, the GLDAS-derived TWS (i.e., soil moisture) decrease and ground water decrease played the major role in the TWS decrease in the north of TRB for the significant correlation (P<0.05). The changes of TWS might be linked to excessive exploitation of water resources, increased population, and shrinking water supplies, which would impact on the water level of the lakes or reservoir. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Unsteady electroosmosis in a microchannel with Poisson-Boltzmann charge distribution.

PubMed

Chang, Chien C; Kuo, Chih-Yu; Wang, Chang-Yi

2011-11-01

The present study is concerned with unsteady electroosmotic flow (EOF) in a microchannel with the electric charge distribution described by the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation. The nonlinear PB equation is solved by a systematic perturbation with respect to the parameter λ which measures the strength of the wall zeta potential relative to the thermal potential. In the small λ limits (λ<1), we recover the linearized PB equation - the Debye-Hückel approximation. The solutions obtained by using only three terms in the perturbation series are shown to be accurate with errors <1% for λ up to 2. The accurate solution to the PB equation is then used to solve the electrokinetic fluid transport equation for two types of unsteady flow: transient flow driven by a suddenly applied voltage and oscillatory flow driven by a time-harmonic voltage. The solution for the transient flow has important implications on EOF as an effective means for transporting electrolytes in microchannels with various electrokinetic widths. On the other hand, the solution for the oscillatory flow is shown to have important physical implications on EOF in mixing electrolytes in terms of the amplitude and phase of the resulting time-harmonic EOF rate, which depends on the applied frequency and the electrokinetic width of the microchannel as well as on the parameter λ. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Combined EOF/Variational Approach for Mapping Radar-Derived Sea Surface Currents

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-13

characterized by specific structure of the artificial gaps introduced into the simulated data set assess the benefits of the gap-filling technique. These...15 minutes and 1-2 km respectively. However, the back-scattered HFR signals suffer from to numerous distortions of artificial and natural origin. As a...data because information on the spatial structure of the velocity field within the gap is implicitly drawn from the idealized covariance function

Constraining the variability of optical properties in the Santa Barbara Channel, CA: A phytoplankton story

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barron, Rebecca Katherine

The research presented in this dissertation evaluates the direct relationships of phytoplankton community composition and inherent optical properties (IOP); that is, the absorption and scattering of light in the ocean. Phytoplankton community composition affect IOPs in both direct and indirect ways, thus creating challenges for optical measurements of biological and biogeochemical properties in aquatic systems. Studies were performed in the Santa Barbara Channel (SBC), CA where an array of optical and biogeochemical measurements were made. Phytoplankton community structure was characterized by an empirical orthogonal functional analysis (EOF) using phytoplankton accessory pigments. The results showed that phytoplankton community significantly correlated to all IOPs, e.g. phytoplankton specific absorption, detrital absorption, CDOM absorption and particle backscattering coefficients. Furthermore, the EOF analysis was unique in splitting the microphytoplankton size class into separate diatom and dinoflagellate regimes allowing for assessment optical property differences within the same size class, a technique previously not systematically achievable. The phytoplankton functional group dinoflagellates were particularly influential to IOPs in surprising ways. Dinoflagellates showed higher backscattering efficiencies than would be predicted based on Mie theory, and significantly influenced CDOM absorption via direct association with dissolved mycosproine-like amino acid absorption (MAA) peaks in CDOM spectra. A new index was developed in this work to quantify MAA absorption peaks in CDOM spectra, and was named the MAA Index. Prior to this research dissolved MAA absorption in natural waters was never quantified, and CDOM data containing these peaks were often disregarded and discarded from analysis. CDOM dynamics in the SBC were assessed for a 15-year study period, and this work shows that significantly large MAA Index values, e.g. MAA Index > 1, were present in approximately 16% of surface water data. Variability in CDOM spectral shape was quantified using the EOF technique, and regression analysis with EOF outputs showed that CDOM absorption intensity and spectral shape were well correlated dinoflagellate presence. Furthermore, results showed that phytoplankton biomass played a secondary role in relation to CDOM absorption, and that variability in CDOM absorption coefficients were primarily driven by community composition. CDOM quality in the SBC was also assessed using CDOM fluorescence properties via excitation emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS). The EEMS data was analyzed using a multivariate statistical procedure, again, an EOF analysis, to identify three dominant CDOM source regimes: the surface pelagic regime, deep-water (up to 300 m) regime and kelp forest pelagic regime. This work also found that while CDOM absorption coefficient was strongly influence by which phytoplankton groups were present, DOM quality was characterized more so by the amount of phytoplankton biomass, hence indicating strong microbial component to DOM production. Lastly, with the use of the EEMS data, and characterization of CDOM absorption properties, e.g. spectral slope, S, slope ratio, SR, specific UV-absorbance, SUVA and MAA Index, we found that terrestrial sources of CDOM were very limited in the SBC. Based on this research, mineral particle concentrations that significantly correlated with IOPs were thought to be associated with suspended sediments from shoaling of the continental shelf rather than from stream/river influence. Thus, the SBC is a unique, optically complex ocean system where IOP dynamics, thus remote sensing reflectance, are strongly influenced by shifts in phytoplankton community structure.

Temporal and spatial variations of sea surface temperature in the East China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tseng, Chente; Lin, Chiyuan; Chen, Shihchin; Shyu, Chungzen

2000-03-01

Sea surface temperature of the East China Sea (ECS) were analyzed using the NOAA/AVHRR SST images. These satellite images reveal surface features of ECS including mainly the Kuroshio Current, Kuroshio Branch Current, Taiwan Warm Current, China coastal water, Changjiang diluted water and Yellow Sea mixed cold water. The SST of ECS ranges from 27 to 29°C in summer; some cold eddies were found off northeast Taiwan and to the south of Changjiang mouth. SST anomalies at the center of these eddies were about 2-5°C. The strongest front usually occurs in May each year and its temperature gradient is about 5-6°C over a cross-shelf distance of 30 nautical miles. The Yellow Sea mixed cold water also provides a contrast from China Coastal waters shoreward of the 50 m isobath; cross-shore temperature gradient is about 6-8°C over 30 nautical miles. The Kuroshio intrudes into ECS preferably at two locations. The first is off northeast Taiwan; the subsurface water of Kuroshio is upwelled onto the shelf while the main current is deflected seaward. The second site is located at 31°N and 128°E, which is generally considered as the origin of the Tsushima Warm Current. More quantitatively, a 2-year time series of monthly SST images is examined using EOF analysis to determine the spatial and temporal variations in the northwestern portion of ECS. The first spatial EOF mode accounts for 47.4% of total spatial variance and reveals the Changjiang plume and coastal cold waters off China. The second and third EOF modes account for 16.4 and 9.6% of total variance, respectively, and their eigenvector images show the intrusion of Yellow Sea mixed cold waters and the China coastal water. The fourth EOF mode accounts for 5.4% of total variance and reveals cold eddies around Chusan Islands. The temporal variance EOF analysis is less revealing in this study area.

Coupled cluster investigation on the thermochemistry of dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide and their dissociation products: the problem of the enthalpy of formation of atomic sulphur

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denis, Pablo A.

2014-04-01

By means of coupled cluster theory and correlation consistent basis sets we investigated the thermochemistry of dimethyl sulphide (DMS), dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) and four closely related sulphur-containing molecules: CH3SS, CH3S, CH3SH and CH3CH2SH. For the four closed-shell molecules studied, their enthalpies of formation (EOFs) were derived using bomb calorimetry. We found that the deviation of the EOF with respect to experiment was 0.96, 0.65, 1.24 and 1.29 kcal/mol, for CH3SH, CH3CH2SH, DMS and DMDS, respectively, when ΔHf,0 = 65.6 kcal/mol was utilised (JANAF value). However, if the recently proposed ΔHf,0 = 66.2 kcal/mol was used to estimate EOF, the errors dropped to 0.36, 0.05, 0.64 and 0.09 kcal/mol, respectively. In contrast, for the CH3SS radical, a better agreement with experiment was obtained if the 65.6 kcal/mol value was used. To compare with experiment avoiding the problem of the ΔHf,0 (S), we determined the CH3-S and CH3-SS bond dissociation energies (BDEs) in CH3S and CH3SS. At the coupled cluster with singles doubles and perturbative triples correction level of theory, these values are 48.0 and 71.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The latter BDEs are 1.5 and 1.2 kcal/mol larger than the experimental values. The agreement can be considered to be acceptable if we take into consideration that these two radicals present important challenges when determining their EOFs. It is our hope that this work stimulates new studies which help elucidate the problem of the EOF of atomic sulphur.

Synthetic temperature profiles derived from Geosat altimetry: Comparison with air-dropped expendable bathythermograph profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carnes, Michael R.; Mitchell, Jim L.; de Witt, P. Webb

1990-10-01

Synthetic temperature profiles are computed from altimeter-derived sea surface heights in the Gulf Stream region. The required relationships between surface height (dynamic height at the surface relative to 1000 dbar) and subsurface temperature are provided from regression relationships between dynamic height and amplitudes of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the vertical structure of temperature derived by de Witt (1987). Relationships were derived for each month of the year from historical temperature and salinity profiles from the region surrounding the Gulf Stream northeast of Cape Hatteras. Sea surface heights are derived using two different geoid estimates, the feature-modeled geoid and the air-dropped expendable bathythermograph (AXBT) geoid, both described by Carnes et al. (1990). The accuracy of the synthetic profiles is assessed by comparison to 21 AXBT profile sections which were taken during three surveys along 12 Geosat ERM ground tracks nearly contemporaneously with Geosat overflights. The primary error statistic considered is the root-mean-square (rms) difference between AXBT and synthetic isotherm depths. The two sources of error are the EOF relationship and the altimeter-derived surface heights. EOF-related and surface height-related errors in synthetic temperature isotherm depth are of comparable magnitude; each translates into about a 60-m rms isotherm depth error, or a combined 80 m to 90 m error for isotherms in the permanent thermocline. EOF-related errors are responsible for the absence of the near-surface warm core of the Gulf Stream and for the reduced volume of Eighteen Degree Water in the upper few hundred meters of (apparently older) cold-core rings in the synthetic profiles. The overall rms difference between surface heights derived from the altimeter and those computed from AXBT profiles is 0.15 dyn m when the feature-modeled geoid is used and 0.19 dyn m when the AXBT geoid is used; the portion attributable to altimeter-derived surface height errors alone is 0.03 dyn m less for each. In most cases, the deeper structure of the Gulf Stream and eddies is reproduced well by vertical sections of synthetic temperature, with largest errors typically in regions of high horizontal gradient such as across rings and the Gulf Stream front.

An Evaluation of Subseasonal Intensity Variation of the South Asian High in the CMIP5 Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, W.; Ren, X.

2017-12-01

The South Asian High (SAH) is a vital member among the Asian summer monsoon circulations in the upper troposphere located over the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas during boreal summer. This study presents an evaluation of the characteristics of SAH's subseasonal intensity variation simulated by 18 coupled models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is used on subseasonal anomalies in 100hPa geopotential height over 20°-40°N, 35°-110°E for June, July and August from 1979 to 2005. The first EOF mode from the ERA-Interim (denoted as observation) shows a monopole pattern capturing the strengthening/weakening of SAH. The power spectrum analysis of the corresponding principal component (PC1) time series shows a period about 10-30 days. In general, all the 18 coupled models can reproduce the monopole pattern and its subseasonal oscillation to a certain extent. The four well-simulated models are: ACCESS1-3, HadGEM2-CC, MRI-CGCM3 and BNU-ESM, which EOF1 show strong positive anomalies in the 100hPa geopotential height over the SAH's region and weak negative anomalies in their north side. Lead-lag regression shows that the evolution of the EOF1 from day -12 to +3 in the above four models is also reasonably simulated. In the observation, positive rainfall band moves northward from the equatorial Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengals and the Western North Pacific to the north of Indian Peninsula, south of Tibetan Plateau and Southeast China, accompanied by the increasing intensity of SAH. In the above four models, the northward movement of anomalous rainfall band can be well reproduced. In the observation, the spatial pattern of anomalies in integrated apparent heat source and integrated apparent moisture sink resemble that of rainfall, thus corresponding to anomalous condensation heat release. The anomalous heating stimulates positive height anomalies with an anomalous anticyclonic circulation to its northwest in the upper troposphere, causing the strengthening of SAH intensity. For the four well-simulated models, the anomalies pattern of and are realistically simulated. That is why they are able to reproduce the key features of the subseasonal intensity variation of the SAH.

Compilation of Abstracts of Theses Submitted by Candidates for Degrees, 1 October 1981 - 30 September 1982.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-01

the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts is used to define the storm and to calculate the budgets. Important differences are found...geopotential field at 850, 700 and 500mb on a 120 point grid with 5 degree latitude and longitude spacing that is centered on the storm . The 120 EOF... storm movement and intensity during the past 36 hours. The EOF-based regression equations are verified over an independent sample of 50 storms , and

Effect of Divalent Electrolytes on Electroosmotic Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Haifeng; Gnanaprakasam, Pradeep

2005-11-01

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is of importance in micro- and nanofluidic applications. Recent numerical results [Zheng et al. (2003) Electrophoresis 24, 3006] suggest that the addition of even trace amounts of divalent counterions can greatly affect the velocity and electric potential distribution for EOF of a nominally monovalent electrolyte solution, nearly halving the flow rate in 20 nm channels. Scaled experiments were therefore carried out for steady and fully-developed EOF of buffered aqueous mono- and divalent electrolyte mixtures through fused silica microchannels. Nano-particle image velocimetry (nPIV), based upon evanescent-wave illumination of colloidal tracers, was used to obtain velocity data within about 300 nm of the wall. In all cases, the thickness of the electric double layer, defined as the distance from the wall where the velocity and electric potential recover to 99% of their freestream values, is of O(10 nm), or much less than the channel dimension of O(10 μm). The nPIV results are compared with predictions from an asymptotic perturbation analysis.

10Be in late deglacial climate simulated by ECHAM5-HAM - Part 2: Isolating the solar signal from 10Be deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heikkilä, U.; Shi, X.; Phipps, S. J.; Smith, A. M.

2014-04-01

This study investigates the effect of deglacial climate on the deposition of the solar proxy 10Be globally, and at two specific locations, the GRIP site at Summit, Central Greenland, and the Law Dome site in coastal Antarctica. The deglacial climate is represented by three 30 year time slice simulations of 10 000 BP (years before present = 1950 CE), 11 000 and 12 000 BP, compared with a preindustrial control simulation. The model used is the ECHAM5-HAM atmospheric aerosol-climate model, driven with sea-surface temperatures and sea ice cover simulated using the CSIRO Mk3L coupled climate system model. The focus is on isolating the 10Be production signal, driven by solar variability, from the weather- or climate-driven noise in the 10Be deposition flux during different stages of climate. The production signal varies at lower frequencies, dominated by the 11 year solar cycle within the 30 year timescale of these experiments. The climatic noise is of higher frequencies than 11 years during the 30 year period studied. We first apply empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis to global 10Be deposition on the annual scale and find that the first principal component, consisting of the spatial pattern of mean 10Be deposition and the temporally varying solar signal, explains 64% of the variability. The following principal components are closely related to those of precipitation. Then, we apply ensemble empirical decomposition (EEMD) analysis to the time series of 10Be deposition at GRIP and at Law Dome, which is an effective method for adaptively decomposing the time series into different frequency components. The low-frequency components and the long-term trend represent production and have reduced noise compared to the entire frequency spectrum of the deposition. The high-frequency components represent climate-driven noise related to the seasonal cycle of e.g. precipitation and are closely connected to high frequencies of precipitation. These results firstly show that the 10Be atmospheric production signal is preserved in the deposition flux to surface even during climates very different from today's both in global data and at two specific locations. Secondly, noise can be effectively reduced from 10Be deposition data by simply applying the EOF analysis in the case of a reasonably large number of available data sets, or by decomposing the individual data sets to filter out high-frequency fluctuations.

CM-DataONE: A Framework for collaborative analysis of climate model output

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hao; Bai, Yuqi; Li, Sha; Dong, Wenhao; Huang, Wenyu; Xu, Shiming; Lin, Yanluan; Wang, Bin

2015-04-01

CM-DataONE is a distributed collaborative analysis framework for climate model data which aims to break through the data access barriers of increasing file size and to accelerate research process. As data size involved in project such as the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) has reached petabytes, conventional methods for analysis and diagnosis of model outputs have been rather time-consuming and redundant. CM-DataONE is developed for data publishers and researchers from relevant areas. It can enable easy access to distributed data and provide extensible analysis functions based on tools such as NCAR Command Language, NetCDF Operators (NCO) and Climate Data Operators (CDO). CM-DataONE can be easily installed, configured, and maintained. The main web application has two separate parts which communicate with each other through APIs based on HTTP protocol. The analytic server is designed to be installed in each data node while a data portal can be configured anywhere and connect to a nearest node. Functions such as data query, analytic task submission, status monitoring, visualization and product downloading are provided to end users by data portal. Data conform to CMIP5 Model Output Format in each peer node can be scanned by the server and mapped to a global information database. A scheduler included in the server is responsible for task decomposition, distribution and consolidation. Analysis functions are always executed where data locate. Analysis function package included in the server has provided commonly used functions such as EOF analysis, trend analysis and time series. Functions are coupled with data by XML descriptions and can be easily extended. Various types of results can be obtained by users for further studies. This framework has significantly decreased the amount of data to be transmitted and improved efficiency in model intercomparison jobs by supporting online analysis and multi-node collaboration. To end users, data query is therefore accelerated and the size of data to be downloaded is reduced. Methodology can be easily shared among scientists, avoiding unnecessary replication. Currently, a prototype of CM-DataONE has been deployed on two data nodes of Tsinghua University.

Metallomesogenic stationary phase for open-tubular capillary electrochromatography.

PubMed

Chen, Jian-Lian

2006-02-01

A synthetic coppermesogenic polymer is prepared and then covalently bonded to the siloxane-based deactivated column as the stationary phases of open-tubular CEC with essentially high phase ratio. The EOF generated from the modified phase is surveyed through conventional aqueous buffers and hydroorganic mobile phases. Zeta potentials, which are computed from the EOF data and the ratio of dielectric constant to viscosity, are plotted as a function of pH, ionic molarity, and compositional range. These plots responsible for the electroosmotic characteristic of the bonded phases are found to be like those of bare fused-silica or deactivated columns through decreasing or increasing the ACN content in the mobile phase, respectively. This two-phase characteristic is basically derived from the polymeric configuration with carboxylato ligands attached onto the polysiloxane backbone. Phthalates and amino acids are suitable probes to examine the two phenomena, more-polar and less-polar mediums, respectively, and to judge whether the chromatographic retention is the major source of separation mechanism. With the mixing modes of Lewis acid-base interaction, dispersive force, and shape discrimination, the chromatographic partition adequately accomplishes the uneasily resolved separations by only CZE mode, although the electrophoretic migration is truly somewhat involved.

Reconstruction from EOF analysis of SMOS salinity data in Mediterranean Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parard, Gaelle; Alvera-Azcárate, Aida; Barth, Alexander; Olmedo, Estrella; Turiel, Antonio; Becker, Jean-Marie

2017-04-01

Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) data from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission is reconstructed in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea using DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions). We used the satellite data Level 2 from SMOS Barcelona Expert Centre between 2011 and 2015. DINEOF is a technique that reconstructs missing data and removes noise by retaining only an optimal set of EOFs. DINEOF analysis is used to detect and remove outliers from the SMOS SSS daily field. The gain obtained with DINEOF method and L2 SMOS data give a higher spatial and temporal resolution between 2011 and 2015, allow to study the SSS variability from daily to seasonal resolution. In order to improve the SMOS salinity data reconstruction we combine with other parameters measured from satellite such chlorophyll, sea surface temperature, precipitation and CDOM variability. After a validation of the SMOS satellite data reconstruction with in situ data (CTD, Argo float salinity measurement) in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, the main SSS processes and their variability are studied. The gain obtained with the higher spatial and temporal resolution with SMOS salinity data give assess to study the characteristics of oceanic structures in North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

A strategy to modulate the electrophoretic behavior in plastic microchips using sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

PubMed

Guo, Jinxiu; Chen, Yu; Zhao, Lizhi; Sun, Ping; Li, Hongli; Zhou, Lei; Wang, Xiayan; Pu, Qiaosheng

2016-12-16

Plastic microchips have been broadly used as disposable microfluidic devices, but the poorly defined surface properties limit their application. Herein, we proved that an anionic polymer could be used as the background electrolyte (BGE) to provide a strong and stable cathodic electroosmotic flow (EOF) and modulate the electrophoretic behavior for efficient separation in relative thicker microchannels (∼75μm id). A cathodic EOF of ∼3.3×10 -4 cm 2 V -1 s -1 was maintained using sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSSNa) with a molecular weight of 5×10 5 as the BGE, which ensured fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled biogenic amines (BAs) appeared ahead of other components in the electropherograms obtained with microchips of cyclic olefin copolymer. Four selected BAs appeared within 50s and theoretical plate numbers of 8.0×10 5 /m were achieved. The role of PSSNa was evaluated with streaming potential, dynamic light scattering, contact angle and atomic force microscopy. Its functionalities as surface modifier, viscosity regulator and pseudostationary phase were also confirmed. The proposed electrophoretic method was applied in the fast determination of BAs in fish meat samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Distinct winter patterns of tropical Pacific convection anomaly and the associated extratropical wave trains in the Northern Hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Shuoyi; Chen, Wen; Graf, Hans-F.; Guo, Yuanyuan; Nath, Debashis

2017-11-01

In this paper, distinct patterns of boreal winter convection anomalies over the tropical Pacific and associated wave trains in the extratropics are addressed. The first leading mode (EOF1) of convection anomalies as measured by outgoing longwave radiation demonstrates an east-west oscillation of deep convection with centers over the equatorial central Pacific (CP) and over the tropical western North Pacific and the Maritime Continent. The second leading mode (EOF2) is also a dipole pattern with opposite centers straddling 170°W, possibly modifying EOF1 to some extent. Combining the first two leading modes, five major categories of tropical convection anomalies can be identified for the period 1979/80-2012/13. The comparison between these five categories and the corresponding SST anomaly patterns indicates a nonlinear relationship between convection and SST. The combination of EOF1 and EOF2 with in-phase PCs exhibits an east-west dipole pattern with opposite signs over west of the dateline and the Maritime Continent. The negative phase of the two PCs, named La Niña pattern, induces a negative Pacific/North American—positive North Atlantic Oscillation teleconnection in the extratropics. Approximately opposite responses can be detected in its positive phase, named CP El Niño pattern. The negative PC2 superposing positive PC1, named EP El Niño pattern, shows the strongest convection anomalies with enhanced (depressed) convection over the eastern (western) Pacific and leads to a Tropical/Northern Hemisphere-like teleconnection pattern and an anomalous anticyclone extending from the North Pacific to the North Atlantic. The positive PC2 with neutral PC1, named western CP pattern, shows weakly enhanced convection to the west of the dateline as a response to local SST warming around the dateline. This convection anomaly pattern, although weak, is important and excites a northeastward wave train from the tropics to Greenland, resulting in surface air temperature cooling covering the northeastern North America and warmer and wetter conditions over Western Europe.

Propagating annular modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheshadri, A.; Plumb, R. A.

2017-12-01

The leading "annular mode", defined as the dominant EOF of surface pressure or of zonal mean zonal wind variability, appears as a dipolar structure straddling the mean midlatitude jet and thus seems to describe north-south wobbling of the jet latitude. However, extratropical zonal wind anomalies frequently tend to migrate poleward. This behavior can be described by the first two EOFs, the first (AM1) being the dipolar structure, and the second (AM2) having a tripolar structure centered on the mean jet. Taken in isolation, AM1 thus describes a north-south wobbling of the jet position, while AM2 describes a strengthening and narrowing of the jet. However, despite the fact that they are spatially orthogonal, and their corresponding time series temporally orthogonal, AM1 and AM2 are not independent, but show significant lag-correlations which reveal the propagation. The EOFs are not modes of the underlying dynamical system governing the zonal flow evolution. The true modes can be estimated using principal oscillation pattern (POP) analysis. In the troposphere, the leading POPs manifest themselves as a pair of complex conjugate structures with conjugate eigenvalues thus, in reality, constituting a single, complex, mode that describes propagating anomalies. Even though the principal components associated with the two leading EOFs decay at different rates, each decays faster than the true mode. These facts have implications for eddy feedback and the susceptibility of the mode to external perturbations. If one interprets the annular modes as the modes of the system, then simple theory predicts that the response to steady forcing will usually be dominated by AM1 (with the longest time scale). However, such arguments should really be applied to the true modes. Experiments with a simplified GCM show that climate response to perturbations do not necessarily have AM1 structures. Implications of these results for stratosphere-troposphere interactions are explored. The POP structures are shown to be independent of any weighting (unlike the EOFs, the structures and time scales of which change substantially with pressure weighting), a fact that is particularly important for a deep system such as the troposphere and stratospere. The structure and time evolution of coupled modes of the troposphere-stratosphere system are studied.

[Key factors in the control of electroosmosis with external radial electric field in CE].

PubMed

Zhu, Y; Chen, Y

1999-11-01

Direct control of electroosmosis flow (EOF) by external radial electric field was performed at room temperature using a home-made field-modulated capillary electrophoresis (CE) system. The EOF was monitored at 206 nm by using DMSO as a probe. To apply a radial electric field across the CE capillary wall, the capillary was cased with a wide column. Both of the concentric space and the capillary bore were then filled with an identical running buffer and applied with an axial electric field of 150 V/cm but starting from different levels. All of the tubes used were made of fused silica with polyimide over-coating (from the Yongnian Optical Fiber Work, Hebei, P. R. China). The size of the CE capillaries adopted was 25-100 microns i.d. (375 microns o.d.) x 28.5/45 cm (effective/total length), and that of the casing column 400 microns i.d. x 32 cm. To investigate the fundamentals of the external EOF control when using the flexible fused silica capillaries, various parameters have been inspected such as pH, buffer composition, additives and capillary wall feature etc.. As expected, to well control both of the magnitude and direction of the electroosmosis, the buffer pH should be kept below 4 and the buffer concentration below 50 mmol/L. However, buffers below 1 mmol/L should be avoided because such a diluted running buffer may result in poor CE separation. Weak electrolytes like citric acid, tartaric acid and acetic acid were found to be capable of generating better EOF control than the strong electrolytes such as phosphate and chlorides. This is possibly due to the formation of looser electric double layer with the weak rather than the strong electrolytes. Some wall coatings like calix arene and its derivatives can evidently improve the EOF control even at pH 5. This reveals an exciting way to expend the controllable pH range. In addition, narrow-bore capillaries were demonstrated to be better than wide-bore tubes. Other conditions such as buffer additives and capillary rinse procedure were shown to have only negligible influence on the control.

High storm surge events in Venice and the 11-yr solar cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barriopedro, David; García-Herrera, Ricardo; Lionello, Piero; Pino, Cosimo

2010-05-01

In the last years the Venice lagoon has received much attention as a case of coastal vulnerability, mainly because of relative sea level rise and increase frequency of storm surge events, the so-called "aqua alta", which, particularly during autumn, cause the flooding of the Venice historical city center. Long-term fluctuations in solar activity and large-scale climate patterns have been suggested as feasible factors of flooding variability. This study explores the long-term frequency variability of High Surge Events (HSE) in Venice for the period 1948-2008 and its modulation by the 11-yr solar cycle. A significant decadal variability in the frequency of HSE is found in good correspondence with the 11-yr cycle, solar maxima being associated to a significant increase of the October-November-December HSE frequency. A Storm Surge Pattern (SSP), i.e. the seasonal 1000 hPa height pattern associated to increased frequency of HSE, is identified and found similar to the positive phase of the main variability mode of the regional atmospheric circulation (EOF1). However, further analyses indicate that the increase of HSE in solar maxima cannot be simply explained by a higher recurrence of positive EOF1 phases during high solar years. It rather seems that solar activity modulates the spatial patterns of the atmospheric circulation (EOF) and the favorable conditions for HSE occurrence (SSP). Thus, under solar maxima, the occurrence of HSE is enhanced by the EOF1, namely a large-scale wave train pattern that is symptomatic of storm track paths over northern Europe. Solar minima reveal a substantially different and less robust SSP, consisting of a meridionally oriented dipole with a preferred southward path of storm track activity, which is not associated to any EOF during low solar periods. It is concluded that solar activity plays an indirect role in the frequency of HSE by modulating the spatial patterns of the main modes of atmospheric regional variability, the favorable patterns for HSE occurrence and their mutual relationships, so that constructive interaction between them is enhanced during solar maxima and inhibited in solar minima.

Variations in freshwater pathways from the Arctic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zeliang; Hamilton, James; Su, Jie

2017-06-01

Understanding the mechanisms that drive exchanges between the Arctic Ocean and adjacent oceans is critical to building our knowledge of how the Arctic is reacting to a warming climate, and how potential changes in Arctic Ocean freshwater export may impact the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation). Here, freshwater pathways from the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic are investigated using a 1 degree global model. An EOF analysis of modeled sea surface height (SSH) demonstrates that while the second mode accounts for only 15% of the variability, the associated geostrophic currents are strongly correlated with freshwater exports through CAA (Canadian Arctic Archipelago; r = 0.75), Nares Strait (r = 0.77) and Fram Strait (r = -0.60). Separation of sea level into contributing parts allows us to show that the EOF1 is primarily a barotropic mode reflecting variability in bottom pressure equivalent sea level, while the EOF2 mode reflects changes in steric height in the Arctic Basin. This second mode is linked to momentum wind driven surface current, and dominates the Arctic Ocean freshwater exports. Both the Arctic Oscillation and Arctic Dipole atmospheric indices are shown to be linked to Arctic Ocean freshwater exports, with the forcing associated with the Arctic Dipole reflecting the out-of-phase relationship between transports through the CAA and those through Fram Strait. Finally, observed freshwater transport variation through the CAA is found to be strongly correlated with tide gauge data from the Beaufort Sea coast (r = 0.81), and with the EOF2 mode of GRACE bottom pressure data (r = 0.85) on inter-annual timescales.

Gravitational Signal of Mass Redistribution Due to Interannual Meteorological Oscillations in Atmosphere and Ocean

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, B. F.; Au, A. Y.; Johnson, T.; Smith, David E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Interannual meteorological oscillations (ENSO, QBO, NAO, etc.) have demonstrable influences on Earth's rotation. Here we study their effects on global gravitational field, whose temporal variations are being studied using SLR (satellite laser ranging) data and in anticipation of the new space mission GRACE. The meteorological oscillation modes are identified using the EOF (empirical orthogonal function)/PC (principal component) decomposition of surface fields (in which we take care of issues associated with the area-weighting and non-zero mean). We examine two fields, one for the global surface pressure field for the atmosphere obtained from the NCEP reanalysis (for the past 40 years), one for the surface topography field for the ocean from the Topex/Poseidon (T/P) data (for the past 8 years). We use monthly maps, and remove the mean-monthly ("climatology") values from each grid point, hence focusing only on non-seasonal signals. The T/P data were first subject to a steric correction where the steric contribution to the ocean surface topography was removed according to output of the numerical POCM model. The respective atmospheric and oceanic contributions to the gravitational variation, in terms of harmonic Stokes coefficients, are then combined mode-by-mode. Since the T/P data already contain the oceanic response to overlying atmospheric pressure, no regards to the inverted-barometer behavior for the ocean need be considered. Results for the lowest-degree Stokes coefficients can then be compared with space geodetic observations including the Earth's rotation and the SLR data mentioned above, to identify the importance of each meteorological oscillations in gravitational variation signals.

Nonlinear Dynamical Modes as a Basis for Short-Term Forecast of Climate Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feigin, A. M.; Mukhin, D.; Gavrilov, A.; Seleznev, A.; Loskutov, E.

2017-12-01

We study abilities of data-driven stochastic models constructed by nonlinear dynamical decomposition of spatially distributed data to quantitative (short-term) forecast of climate characteristics. We compare two data processing techniques: (i) widely used empirical orthogonal function approach, and (ii) nonlinear dynamical modes (NDMs) framework [1,2]. We also make comparison of two kinds of the prognostic models: (i) traditional autoregression (linear) model and (ii) model in the form of random ("stochastic") nonlinear dynamical system [3]. We apply all combinations of the above-mentioned data mining techniques and kinds of models to short-term forecasts of climate indices based on sea surface temperature (SST) data. We use NOAA_ERSST_V4 dataset (monthly SST with space resolution 20 × 20) covering the tropical belt and starting from the year 1960. We demonstrate that NDM-based nonlinear model shows better prediction skill versus EOF-based linear and nonlinear models. Finally we discuss capability of NDM-based nonlinear model for long-term (decadal) prediction of climate variability. [1] D. Mukhin, A. Gavrilov, E. Loskutov , A.Feigin, J.Kurths, 2015: Principal nonlinear dynamical modes of climate variability, Scientific Reports, rep. 5, 15510; doi: 10.1038/srep15510. [2] Gavrilov, A., Mukhin, D., Loskutov, E., Volodin, E., Feigin, A., & Kurths, J., 2016: Method for reconstructing nonlinear modes with adaptive structure from multidimensional data. Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, 26(12), 123101. [3] Ya. Molkov, D. Mukhin, E. Loskutov, A. Feigin, 2012: Random dynamical models from time series. Phys. Rev. E, Vol. 85, n.3.

Instantaneous velocity measurement of AC electroosmotic flows by laser induced fluorescence photobleaching anemometer with high temporal resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Wei; Yang, Fang; Qiao, Rui; Wang, Guiren; Rui Qiao Collaboration

2015-11-01

Understanding the instantaneous response of flows to applied AC electric fields may help understand some unsolved issues in induced-charge electrokinetics and enhance performance of microfluidic devices. Since currently available velocimeters have difficulty in measuring velocity fluctuations with frequency higher than 1 kHz, most experimental studies so far focus only on the average velocity measurement in AC electrokinetic flows. Here, we present measurements of AC electroosmotic flow (AC-EOF) response time in microchannels by a novel velocimeter with submicrometer spatial resolution and microsecond temporal resolution, i.e. laser-induced fluorescence photobleaching anemometer (LIFPA). Several parameters affecting the AC-EOF response time to the applied electric signal were investigated, i.e. channel length, transverse position and solution conductivity. The experimental results show that the EOF response time under a pulsed electric field decreases with the reduction of the microchannel length, distance between the detection position to the wall and the conductivity of the solution. This work could provide a new powerful tool to measure AC electrokinetics and enhance our understanding of AC electrokinetic flows.

Numerical Analysis of Storm Surge and Seiche at Tokyo Bay caused by the 2 Similar Typhoons, Typhoon Phanphon and Vongfong in 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwamoto, T.; Takagawa, T.

2017-12-01

A long period damped oscillation, or seiche, sometimes happens inside a harbor after passing typhoon. For some cases, a maximum sea level is observed due to the superposition of astronomical tide and seiche rather than a peak of storm surge. Hence to clarify seiche factors for reducing disaster potential is important, a long-period seiche with a fundamental period of 5.46 hours in Tokyo Bay (Konishi, 2008) was investigated through numerical simulations and analyses. We examined the case of Typhoon Phanphon and Vongfong in 2014 (Hereafter Case P and V). The intensity and moving velocity were similar and the best-tracks were an arc-shaped, typical one approaching to Tokyo Bay. The track of Case V was about 1.5 degree higher latitude than that of Case P, only Typhoon Phanphon caused significant seiche.Firstly, numerical simulations for the 2 storm surges at Tokyo Bay were conducted by Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) and Meso-Scale Model Grid Point Values (MSM-GPV). MSM-GPV gave the 10m wind speed and Sea Level Pressure (SLP), especially the Mean Error (ME) and Root Mean Squire Error (RMSE) of SLP were low compared to the 12 JMA observation points data (Case P: ME -0.303hPa, RMSE 1.87hPa, Case V: ME -0.285hPa, RMSE 0.74hPa). The computational results showed that the maximum of storm surge was underestimated but the difference was less than 20cm at 5 observation points in Tokyo Bay(Fig.1, 2).Then, power spectrals, coherences and phase differences of storm surges at the 5 observation points were obtained by spectral analysis of observed and simulated waveforms. For Case P, the phase-difference between the bay mouth and innermost part of Tokyo Bay was little, and coherence was almost 1(Fig.3, 4). However, for Case V, coherence was small around the fundamental period of 5.46 hours. Furthermore, Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of storm surge, SLP and sea surface stress were conducted. The contributions of EOF1 were above 90% for the all variables, the gradient of storm surge EOF1 was parallel to the bay axis for Case P, but about 50-degree oblique from the axis for Case V(Fig.5, 6). In addition, the EOF1 of SLP for Case P showed a concentric circle structure above Tokyo Bay, besides the structure was not appeared for Case V.

Variability of the recent climate of eastern Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schreck, Carl J., III; Semazzi, Fredrick H. M.

2004-05-01

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the recent variability of the eastern African climate. The region of interest is also known as the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), and comprises the countries of Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.The analysis was based primarily on the construction of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of gauge rainfall data and on CPC Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) data, derived from a combination of rain-gauge observations and satellite estimates. The investigation is based on the period 1961-2001 for the short rains season of eastern Africa of October through to December. The EOF analysis was supplemented by projection of National Centers for Environmental Prediction wind data onto the rainfall eigenmodes to understand the rainfall-circulation relationships. Furthermore, correlation and composite analyses have been performed with the Climatic Research Unit globally averaged surface-temperature time series to explore the potential relationship between the climate of eastern Africa and global warming.The most dominant mode of variability (EOF1) based on CMAP data over eastern Africa corresponds to El Niño-southern oscillation (ENSO) climate variability. It is associated with above-normal rainfall amounts during the short rains throughout the entire region, except for Sudan. The corresponding anomalous low-level circulation is dominated by easterly inflow from the Indian Ocean, and to a lesser extent the Congo tropical rain forest, into the positive rainfall anomaly region that extends across most of eastern Africa. The easterly inflow into eastern Africa is part of diffluent outflow from the maritime continent during the warm ENSO events. The second eastern African EOF (trend mode) is associated with decadal variability. In distinct contrast from the ENSO mode pattern, the trend mode is characterized by positive rainfall anomalies over the northern sector of eastern Africa and opposite conditions over the southern sector. This rainfall trend mode eluded detection in previous studies that did not include recent decades of data, because the signal was still relatively weak. The wind projection onto this mode indicates that the primary flow that feeds the positive anomaly region over the northern part of eastern Africa emanates primarily from the rainfall-deficient southern region of eastern Africa and Sudan. Although we do not assign attribution of the trend mode to global warming (in part because of the relatively short period of analysis), the evidence, based on our results and previous studies, strongly suggests a potential connection.

The PPP Simulator: User’s Manual and Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-11-01

simulator: Script started on Thu Aug 28 09:16:15 1986 1 ji] -> ppp -d Benchmarks/Par/ccon6.w pau load /a/hprg’fagin/ PPPl /Benchmarks/Par,’concatOP .w Capace...EOF ) putc( c, stdout ) #else if(( fp = fopen("/a/hprg/fagin/ PPPl /notes’, fir" ))!NULL) while(( c = getc(fp)) != EOF ) putc( c, stdout ) #erndif if...hprg/fagin/ PPPl /bitl.d’, fir" ) =NULL) lddsptbl( fp, bi-tbl ); while((--argc > 0) && ((*.+argv)[0]= -I for( s =argv[0]+l; *s!=’\\0’ s++ A -A Aug 18 16

An analytic description of electrodynamic dispersion in free-flow zone electrophoresis.

PubMed

Dutta, Debashis

2015-07-24

The present work analyzes the electrodynamic dispersion of sample streams in a free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE) chamber resulting due to partial or complete blockage of electroosmotic flow (EOF) across the channel width by the sidewalls of the conduit. This blockage of EOF has been assumed to generate a pressure-driven backflow in the transverse direction for maintaining flow balance in the system. A parallel-plate based FFZE device with the analyte stream located far away from the channel side regions has been considered to simplify the current analysis. Applying a method-of-moments formulation, an analytic expression was derived for the variance of the sample zone at steady state as a function of its position in the separation chamber under these conditions. It has been shown that the increase in stream broadening due to the electrodynamic dispersion phenomenon is additive to the contributions from molecular diffusion and sample injection, and simply modifies the coefficient for the hydrodynamic dispersion term for a fixed lateral migration distance of the sample stream. Moreover, this dispersion mechanism can dominate the overall spatial variance of analyte zones when a significant fraction of the EOF is blocked by the channel sidewalls. The analysis also shows that analyte streams do not undergo any hydrodynamic broadening due to unwanted pressure-driven cross-flows in an FFZE chamber in the absence of a transverse electric field. The noted results have been validated using Monte Carlo simulations which further demonstrate that while the sample concentration profile at the channel outlet approaches a Gaussian distribution only in FFZE chambers substantially longer than the product of the axial pressure-driven velocity and the characteristic diffusion time in the system, the spatial variance of the exiting analyte stream is well described by the Taylor-Aris dispersion limit even in analysis ducts much shorter than this length scale. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exploring the Dominant Modes of Shoreline Change Along the Central Florida Atlantic Coast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conlin, M. P.; Adams, P. N.; Jaeger, J. M.; MacKenzie, R.

2017-12-01

Geomorphic change within the littoral zone can place communities, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure at risk as the coastal environment responds to changes in sea level, sediment supply, and wave climate. At NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida, chronic shoreline retreat currently threatens critical launch infrastructure, but the spatial (alongshore) pattern of this hazard has not been well documented. During a 5-year monitoring campaign (2009-2014), 86 monthly and rapid-response RTK GPS surveys were completed along this 11 km-long coastal reach in order to monitor and characterize shoreline change and identify links between ocean forcing and beach morphology. Results indicate that the study area can be divided into four behaviorally-distinct alongshore regions based on seasonal variability in shoreline change, mediated by the complex offshore bathymetry of the Cape Canaveral shoals. In addition, seasonal erosion/accretion cycles are regularly interrupted by large erosive storm events, especially during the anomalous wave climates produced during winter Nor'Easter storms. An effective tool for analyzing multidimensional datasets like this one is Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, a technique to determine the dominant spatial and temporal signals within a dataset. Using this approach, it is possible to identify the main time and space scales (modes) along which coastal changes are occurring. Through correlation of these changes with oceanographic forcing mechanisms, we are enabled to infer the principal drivers of shoreline change at this site. Here, we document the results of EOF analysis applied to the Cape Canaveral shoreline change dataset, and further correlate the results of this analysis with oceanographic forcings in order to reveal the dominant modes as well as drivers of coastal variability along the central Atlantic coast of Florida. This EOF-based analysis, which is the first such analysis in the region, is shedding light on the hazards that most affect Florida's coastal communities and the scales at which coastal planners and stakeholders should focus protection efforts.

Influence of the West Pacific subtropical high on surface ozone daily variability in summertime over eastern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zijian; Wang, Yuxuan

2017-12-01

The West Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), as one of the most important components of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM), is the key synoptic-scale circulation pattern influencing summertime precipitation and atmospheric conditions in China. Here we investigate the impacts of the WPSH on surface ozone daily variability over eastern China, using observations from recently established network of ozone monitors and meteorology reanalysis data during summer (June, July, August; JJA) 2014-2016 with a focus on 2014. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of daily ozone variations reveals that the dominating eigenvector (EOF1), which contributes a quarter (25.2%) to the total variances, is a marked north-south contrast. This pattern is temporally well correlated (r = -0.66, p < 0.01) with daily anomalies of a normalized WPSH intensity index (WPSH-I). Spatially, the WPSH-I and ozone correlation is positive in North China (NC) but negative in South China (SC), which well correlates with the ozone EOF1 pattern showing the same north-south contrast (r = -0.86, p < 0.01). These associations suggest the dominant component of surface ozone daily variability in eastern China is linked with the variability of the WPSH intensity in that a stronger WPSH leads to a decrease of surface ozone over SC but an increase over NC and vice versa. This is because a stronger WPSH enhances southwesterly transport of moisture into SC, creating such conditions not conducive for ozone formation as higher RH, more cloudiness and precipitation, less UV radiation, and lower temperature. Meanwhile, as most of the rainfall due to the enhanced southwesterly transport of moisture occurs in SC, water vapor is largely depleted in the air masses transported towards NC, creating dry and sunny conditions over NC under a strong WPSH, thereby promoting ozone formation.

Extracting climate signals from large hydrological data cubes using multivariate statistics - an example for the Mediterranean basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kauer, Agnes; Dorigo, Wouter; Bauer-Marschallinger, Bernhard

2017-04-01

Global warming is expected to change ocean-atmosphere oscillation patterns, e.g. the El Nino Southern Oscillation, and may thus have a substantial impact on water resources over land. Yet, the link between climate oscillations and terrestrial hydrology has large uncertainties. In particular, the climate in the Mediterranean basin is expected to be sensitive to global warming as it may increase insufficient and irregular water supply and lead to more frequent and intense droughts and heavy precipitation events. The ever increasing need for water in tourism and agriculture reinforce the problem. Therefore, the monitoring and better understanding of the hydrological cycle are crucial for this area. This study seeks to quantify the effect of regional climate modes, e.g. the Northern Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean. We apply Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) to a wide range of hydrological datasets to extract the major modes of variation over the study period. We use more than ten datasets describing precipitation, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and changes in water mass with study periods ranging from one to three decades depending on the dataset. The resulting EOFs are then examined for correlations with regional climate modes using Spearman rank correlation analysis. This is done for the entire time span of the EOFs and for monthly and seasonally sampled data. We find relationships between the hydrological datasets and the climate modes NAO, Arctic Oscillation (AO), Eastern Atlantic (EA), and Tropical Northern Atlantic (TNA). Analyses of monthly and seasonally sampled data reveal high correlations especially in the winter months. However, the spatial extent of the data cube considered for the analyses have a large impact on the results. Our statistical analyses suggest an impact of regional climate modes on the hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean area and may provide valuable input for evaluating process-oriented climate models. The study is supported by WACMOS-MED project of the European Space Agency.

Analytical study of mixed electroosmotic-pressure-driven flow in rectangular micro-channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Movahed, Saeid; Kamali, Reza; Eghtesad, Mohammad; Khosravifard, Amir

2013-09-01

Operational state of many miniaturized devices deals with flow field in microchannels. Pressure-driven flow (PDF) and electroosmotic flow (EOF) can be recognized as the two most important types of the flow field in such channels. EOF has many advantages in comparison with PDF, such as being vibration free and not requiring any external mechanical pumps or moving parts. However, the disadvantages of this type of flow such as Joule heating, electrophoresis demixing, and not being suitable for mobile devices must be taken into consideration carefully. By using mixed electroosmotic/pressure-driven flow, the role of EOF in producing desired velocity profile will be reduced. In this way, the advantages of EOF can be exploited, and its disadvantages can be prevented. Induced pressure gradient can be utilized in order to control the separation in the system. Furthermore, in many complicated geometries such as T-shape microchannels, turns may induce pressure gradient to the electroosmotic velocity. While analytical formulas are completely essential for analysis and control of any industrial and laboratory microdevices, lack of such formulas in the literature for solving Poisson-Boltzmann equation and predicting electroosmotic velocity field in rectangular domains is evident. In the present study, first a novel method is proposed to solve Poisson-Boltzmann equation (PBE). Subsequently, this solution is utilized to find the electroosmotic and the mixed electroosmotic/pressure-driven velocity profile in a rectangular domain of the microchannels. To demonstrate the accuracy of the presented analytical method in solving PBE and finding electroosmotic velocity, a general nondimensional example is analyzed, and the results are compared with the solution of boundary element method. Additionally, the effects of different nondimensional parameters and also aspect ratio of channels on the electroosmotic part of the flow field will be investigated.

Spatiotemporal Variability of the Meteorological Drought in Romania using the Standardized Precipitation Index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheval, Sorin; Busuioc, Aristita; Dumitrescu, Alexandru; Birsan, Marius-Victor

2013-04-01

Drought events occur over any geographical area, and may impact severely the environment and society. In terms of economic losses, droughts are one of the major natural hazards affecting Romania, so that the topic has been constantly approached. In general, the climatic projections over the 21st century display increasing temperatures and very likely declining summer precipitation (Busuioc et al., 2010), probably causing better drought conditions. This study examines the variability of the droughts in Romania, aiming to characterize the droughts intensity, durations and frequency (a), to identify spatial and temporal patterns (b), trends (c), and potential triggering factors (d). Besides, we consider comparing the performance of different instances of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) (McKee et al., 1993), such as time scale and probability distribution functions (gamma and Pearson type III), for retrieving drought characteristics. Homogenous monthly precipitation amounts from 98 weather stations run by the Romanian Meteorological Administration covering the period 1961-2010 were the primary data for calculating 1, 3, 6, and 12-month time scale SPI. The Mann-Kendall statistics sustained the trend significance examination, while Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis synthesizes the climate signal related to spatial and temporal characteristics of variability over Romania. The SPI variability over Romania is mainly influenced by the large-scale mechanisms (e.g. North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO)) accounting for more than 50% from the observed variance, on second place being the Carpathians accounting for the highest influence in winter (11%). Thus, the Carpathians separate Romania in two major regions in terms of drought characteristics, namely outside and inside the mountainous arch. Significant trends towards dry conditions are noted at very few stations in winter, spring and summer, while trend to precipitation surplus cover extended areas in autumn. Further, preliminary analysis has demonstrated that NAO and AMO influence the characteristics of the meteorological drought over Romania, and qualify as possible predictors in water deficit studies. However, a stronger connection was found between the time series associated to SPI EOF1 and sea level pressure EOF1 over the region 5°E-45°E, 30°N-55°N. The work has been financed by the research project Changes in climate extremes and associated impact in hydrological events in Romania (CLIMHYDEX), Cod PN II-ID-2011-2-0073, sponsored by the National Authority for Scientific Research.

Use of Numerical Groundwater Model and Analytical Empirical Orthogonal Function for Calibrating Spatiotemporal pattern of Pumpage, Recharge and Parameter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, C. L.; Hsu, N. S.; Hsu, F. C.; Liu, H. J.

2016-12-01

This study develops a novel methodology for the spatiotemporal groundwater calibration of mega-quantitative recharge and parameters by coupling a specialized numerical model and analytical empirical orthogonal function (EOF). The actual spatiotemporal patterns of groundwater pumpage are estimated by an originally developed back propagation neural network-based response matrix with the electrical consumption analysis. The spatiotemporal patterns of the recharge from surface water and hydrogeological parameters (i.e. horizontal hydraulic conductivity and vertical leakance) are calibrated by EOF with the simulated error hydrograph of groundwater storage, in order to qualify the multiple error sources and quantify the revised volume. The objective function of the optimization model is minimizing the root mean square error of the simulated storage error percentage across multiple aquifers, meanwhile subject to mass balance of groundwater budget and the governing equation in transient state. The established method was applied on the groundwater system of Chou-Shui River Alluvial Fan. The simulated period is from January 2012 to December 2014. The total numbers of hydraulic conductivity, vertical leakance and recharge from surface water among four aquifers are 126, 96 and 1080, respectively. Results showed that the RMSE during the calibration process was decreased dramatically and can quickly converse within 6th iteration, because of efficient filtration of the transmission induced by the estimated error and recharge across the boundary. Moreover, the average simulated error percentage according to groundwater level corresponding to the calibrated budget variables and parameters of aquifer one is as small as 0.11%. It represent that the developed methodology not only can effectively detect the flow tendency and error source in all aquifers to achieve accurately spatiotemporal calibration, but also can capture the peak and fluctuation of groundwater level in shallow aquifer.

Plant Identity Influences Decomposition through More Than One Mechanism

PubMed Central

McLaren, Jennie R.; Turkington, Roy

2011-01-01

Plant litter decomposition is a critical ecosystem process representing a major pathway for carbon flux, but little is known about how it is affected by changes in plant composition and diversity. Single plant functional groups (graminoids, legumes, non-leguminous forbs) were removed from a grassland in northern Canada to examine the impacts of functional group identity on decomposition. Removals were conducted within two different environmental contexts (fertilization and fungicide application) to examine the context-dependency of these identity effects. We examined two different mechanisms by which the loss of plant functional groups may impact decomposition: effects of the living plant community on the decomposition microenvironment, and changes in the species composition of the decomposing litter, as well as the interaction between these mechanisms. We show that the identity of the plant functional group removed affects decomposition through both mechanisms. Removal of both graminoids and forbs slowed decomposition through changes in the decomposition microenvironment. We found non-additive effects of litter mixing, with both the direction and identity of the functional group responsible depending on year; in 2004 graminoids positively influenced decomposition whereas in 2006 forbs negatively influenced decomposition rate. Although these two mechanisms act independently, their effects may be additive if both mechanisms are considered simultaneously. It is essential to understand the variety of mechanisms through which even a single ecosystem property is affected if we are to predict the future consequences of biodiversity loss. PMID:21858210

Cluster analysis of multiple planetary flow regimes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mo, Kingtse; Ghil, Michael

1987-01-01

A modified cluster analysis method was developed to identify spatial patterns of planetary flow regimes, and to study transitions between them. This method was applied first to a simple deterministic model and second to Northern Hemisphere (NH) 500 mb data. The dynamical model is governed by the fully-nonlinear, equivalent-barotropic vorticity equation on the sphere. Clusters of point in the model's phase space are associated with either a few persistent or with many transient events. Two stationary clusters have patterns similar to unstable stationary model solutions, zonal, or blocked. Transient clusters of wave trains serve as way stations between the stationary ones. For the NH data, cluster analysis was performed in the subspace of the first seven empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). Stationary clusters are found in the low-frequency band of more than 10 days, and transient clusters in the bandpass frequency window between 2.5 and 6 days. In the low-frequency band three pairs of clusters determine, respectively, EOFs 1, 2, and 3. They exhibit well-known regional features, such as blocking, the Pacific/North American (PNA) pattern and wave trains. Both model and low-pass data show strong bimodality. Clusters in the bandpass window show wave-train patterns in the two jet exit regions. They are related, as in the model, to transitions between stationary clusters.

Dynamic equilibrium behaviour observed on two contrasting tidal flats from daily monitoring of bed-level changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhan; van der Wal, Daphne; Cai, Huayang; van Belzen, Jim; Bouma, Tjeerd J.

2018-06-01

Dynamic equilibrium theory (DET) has been applied to tidal flats to systematically explain intertidal morphological responses to various distributions of bed shear stress (BSS). However, it is difficult to verify this theory with field observations because of the discrepancy between the idealized conceptions of theory and the complex reality of intertidal dynamics. The core relation between intertidal morphodynamics and BSS distribution can be easily masked by noise in complex datasets, leading to conclusions of insufficient field evidence to support DET. In the current study, hydrodynamic and morphodynamic data were monitored daily for one year on two tidal flats with contrasting wave exposures. BSS distribution was obtained by validated numerical models. Tidal flat dynamic equilibrium behaviour and BSS were linked via Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis. We show that the principal morphodynamic modes corresponded well with the respective modes of BSS found at both sites. Tide-induced BSS was the dominant force at both sites, regardless of the level of wave exposure. The overall erosional and steepening trend found at the two flats can be attributed to the prevailing action of tidal forcing and reduced sediment supply. Hence, EOF analysis confirmed that tidal flat morphodynamics are consistent with DET, providing both field and model evidence to support this theory.

Quality evaluation of six bioactive constituents in goji berry based on capillary electrophoresis field amplified sample stacking.

PubMed

Wang, Wei-Feng; Yang, Jun-Li; Shi, Yan-Ping

2018-04-27

Goji berry, fruits of the plant Lycium barbarum L., has long been used as traditional medicine and functional food in China. In this work, a simple and easy-operation on-line concentration capillary electrophoresis (CE) for detection flavonoids in goji berry was developed by coupling of field amplified sample stacking (FASS) with an electroosmotic (EOF) pump driving water removal process. Due to the EOF pump and electrokinetic injection showing different influence on the concentration, the analytes injection condition should be systemically studied. Thereafter, the verification of the analytes injection conditions was achieved using response surface experimental design. Under the optimum conditions, 86-271 folds sensitivity enhancement upon normal capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE, 50 mbar × 5 s) were achieved for six flavonoids, and the detection limits ranged from 0.35 to 1.82 ng/mL; the LOQ ranged from 1.20 to 6.01 ng/mL. Eventually, the proposed method was applied to detect flavonoids in 30 goji berry samples from different habitats of China; and the results indicated that the flavonoids were rich in the eluent of 30-60% methanol, which provided a reference for extraction of goji berry flavonoids. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Use of a mixture of n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside and sodium dodecyl sulfate in poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchips to suppress adhesion and promote separation of proteins.

PubMed

Huang, Bo; Kim, Samuel; Wu, Hongkai; Zare, Richard N

2007-12-01

Dynamic modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) channels using a mixture of n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside (DDM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is able to suppress analyte adsorption and control electroosmotic flow (EOF). In this mixed surfactant system, the nonionic surfactant DDM functions as a surface blocking reagent, whereas the anionic surfactant SDS introduces negative charges to the channel walls. Changing the DDM/SDS mixing ratio tunes the surface charge density and the strength of EOF. Using 0.1% (w/v) DDM and 0.03% (w/v) SDS, Alexa Fluor 647 labeled streptavidin can be analyzed according to the charges added by the fluorophores. Protein molecules with different numbers of fluorophores are well resolved. DDM and SDS also form negatively charged mixed micelles, which act as a separation medium. The low critical micellar concentration of DDM/SDS mixed micelles also allows the use of SDS at a nondenaturing concentration, which enables the analysis of proteins in their native state. The immunocomplex between a membrane protein, beta2 adrenergic receptor, and anti-FLAG antibody has been fully separated using 0.1% (w/v) DDM and 0.03% (w/v) SDS. We have also analyzed the composition of light-harvesting protein-chromophore complexes in cyanobacteria.

Electroosmotic flows of non-Newtonian power-law fluids in a cylindrical microchannel.

PubMed

Zhao, Cunlu; Yang, Chun

2013-03-01

EOF of non-Newtonian power-law fluids in a cylindrical microchannel is analyzed theoretically. Specially, exact solutions of electroosmotic velocity corresponding to two special fluid behavior indices (n = 0.5 and 1.0) are found, while approximate solutions are derived for arbitrary values of fluid behavior index. It is found that because of the approximation for the first-order modified Bessel function of the first kind, the approximate solutions introduce largest errors for predicting electroosmotic velocity when the thickness of electric double layer is comparable to channel radius, but can accurately predict the electroosmotic velocity when the thickness of electric double layer is much smaller or larger than the channel radius. Importantly, the analysis reveals that the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski velocity of power-law fluids in cylindrical microchannels becomes dependent on geometric dimensions (radius of channel), standing in stark contrast to the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski velocity over planar surfaces or in parallel-plate microchannels. Such interesting and counterintuitive effects can be attributed to the nonlinear coupling among the electrostatics, channel geometry, and non-Newtonian hydrodynamics. Furthermore, a method for enhancement of EOFs of power-law fluids is proposed under a combined DC and AC electric field. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Variability of cold season surface air temperature over northeastern China and its linkage with large-scale atmospheric circulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuang, Yuanhuang; Zhang, Jingyong; Wang, Lin

2018-05-01

Cold temperature anomalies and extremes have profound effects on the society, the economy, and the environment of northeastern China (NEC). In this study, we define the cold season as the months from October to April, and investigate the variability of cold season surface air temperature (CSAT) over NEC and its relationships with large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns for the period 1981-2014. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis shows that the first EOF mode of the CSAT over NEC is characterized by a homogeneous structure that describes 92.2% of the total variance. The regionally averaged CSAT over NEC is closely linked with the Arctic Oscillation ( r = 0.62, 99% confidence level) and also has a statistically significant relation with the Polar/Eurasian pattern in the cold season. The positive phases of the Arctic Oscillation and the Polar/Eurasian pattern tend to result in a positive geopotential height anomaly over NEC and a weakened East Asian winter monsoon, which subsequently increase the CSAT over NEC by enhancing the downward solar radiation, strengthening the subsidence warming and warm air advection. Conversely, the negative phases of these two climate indices result in opposite regional atmospheric circulation anomalies and decrease the CSAT over NEC.

FGGE/ERBM tape specification and shipping letter description

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, D.; Lo, H.

1983-01-01

The Nimbus-7 FGGE/ERBM tape contains 27 ERB parameters which are extracted and reformatted from the Nimbus-7 ERB-MATRIX tape. There are four types of files on a FGGE/ERBM tape: a test file; tape-header file which describes the data set characteristics and the contents of the tape; a grid-descriptor file which contains the information of the ERB scanning channel target number and their associated latitude limits and longitude intervals; and one or more data files. A single end-of-file (EOF) tape mark is written after each file, and two EOF marks are written after the last data file on the tape.

Tradeoff between mixing and transport for electroosmotic flow in heterogeneous microchannels with nonuniform surface potentials.

PubMed

Tian, Fuzhi; Li, Baoming; Kwok, Daniel Y

2005-02-01

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is a phenomenon associated with the movement of an aqueous solution induced by the application of an electric field in microchannels. The characteristics of EOF depend on the nature of the surface potential, i.e., whether it is uniform or nonuniform. In this paper, a lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) combined with the Poisson-Boltzmann equation is used to simulate flow field in a rectangular microchannel with nonuniform (step change) surface potentials. The simulation results indicate that local circulations can occur near a heterogeneous region with nonuniform surface potentials, in agreement with those by other authors. Largest circulations, which imply a highest mixing efficiency due to convection and short-range diffusion, were found when the average surface potential is zero, regardless of whether the distribution of the heterogeneous patches is symmetric or asymmetric. In this work, we have illustrated that there is a trade-off between the mixing and liquid transport in EOF microfluidics. One should not simply focus on mixing and neglect liquid transport, as performed in the literature. Excellent mixing could lead to a poor transport of electroosmotic flow in microchannels.

North Polar Radiative Flux Variability from 2002 Through 2014

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rutan, David; Rose, Fred; Doelling, David; Kato, Seiji; Smith, Bill, Jr.

2017-01-01

NASA's Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project produces the SYN1Deg data product. SYN1deg provides global, 1deg gridded, hourly estimates of Top of Atmosphere (TOA) (CERES observations and calculations) and atmospheric and surface radiative flux (calculations). Examples of 12 year North Polar averages of some variables are shown to the right. Given recent interest in polar science we focus here on TOA and Surface validation of calculated irradiant fluxes. TOA upward longwave irradiance calculations match the CERES observations well both spatially and temporally with correlations remaining strong through PC 6. Compare SYN1Deg Calculations & Meteorological Teleconnections. TOA reflected shortwave irradiance calculations match the CERES observations well both spatially and temporally with correlations remaining string through PC 7. Comparing SYN1Deg calculations to teleconnection patterns requires expanding the area to 30N for EOF analyses. Correlating the Principal Components of various variables to teleconnection time series indicates which variable is most highly correlated with which teleconnection signal. The tables indicate the Pacific North American Oscillation is most correlated to the OLR EOF 1, and the North American Oscillation is correlated most closely to surface LW flux down EOF 1.

Functionally dissimilar neighbors accelerate litter decomposition in two grass species.

PubMed

Barbe, Lou; Jung, Vincent; Prinzing, Andreas; Bittebiere, Anne-Kristel; Butenschoen, Olaf; Mony, Cendrine

2017-05-01

Plant litter decomposition is a key regulator of nutrient recycling. In a given environment, decomposition of litter from a focal species depends on its litter quality and on the efficiency of local decomposers. Both may be strongly modified by functional traits of neighboring species, but the consequences for decomposition of litter from the focal species remain unknown. We tested whether decomposition of a focal plant's litter is influenced by the functional-trait dissimilarity to the neighboring plants. We cultivated two grass species (Brachypodium pinnatum and Elytrigia repens) in experimental mesocosms with functionally similar and dissimilar neighborhoods, and reciprocally transplanted litter. For both species, litter quality increased in functionally dissimilar neighborhoods, partly as a result of changes in functional traits involved in plant-plant interactions. Furthermore, functional dissimilarity increased overall decomposer efficiency in one species, probably via complementarity effects. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning in grasslands: interspecific functional diversity within plant communities can enhance intraspecific contributions to litter decomposition. Thus, plant species might better perform in diverse communities by benefiting from higher remineralization rates of their own litter. © 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust.

Time Changes of the European Gravity Field from GRACE: A Comparison with Ground Measurements from Superconducting Gravimeters and with Hydrology Model Predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinderer, J.; Lemoine, Frank G.; Crossley, D.; Boy, J.-P.

2004-01-01

We investigate the time-variable gravity changes in Europe retrieved from the initial GRACE monthly solutions spanning a 18 month duration from April 2002 to October 2003. Gravity anomaly maps are retrieved in Central Europe from the monthly satellite solutions we compare the fields according to various truncation levels (typically between degree 10 and 20) of the initial fields (expressed in spherical harmonics to degree 120). For these different degrees, an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition of the time-variable gravity field leads us to its main spatial and temporal characteristics. We show that the dominant signal is found to be annual with an amplitude and a phase both in agreement with predictions in Europe modeled using snow and soil-moisture variations from recent hydrology models. We compare these GRACE gravity field changes to surface gravity observations from 6 superconducting gravimeters of the GGP (Global Geodynamics Project) European sub-network, with a special attention to loading corrections. Initial results suggest that all 3 data sets (GRACE, hydrology and GGP) are responding to annual changes in near-surface water in Europe of a few microGal (at length scales of approx.1000 km) that show a high value in winter and a summer minimum. We also point out that the GRACE gravity field evolution seems to indicate that there is a trend in gravity between summer 2002 and summer 2003 which can be related to the 2003 heatwave in Europe and its hydrological consequences (drought). Despite the limited time span of our analysis and the uncertainties in retrieving a regional solution from the network of gravimeters, the calibration and validation aspects of the GRACE data processing based on the annual hydrology cycle in Europe are in progress.

Spatiotemporal variations of the twentieth century Tibetan Plateau precipitation based on the monthly 2.5° reconstructed data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Samuel S. P.; Clarke, Gregori; Shen, Bo-Wen; Yao, Tandong

2017-12-01

This paper studies the spatiotemporal variations of precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) region with latitude and longitude ranges of (25° N, 45° N) and (65° E, 105° E) of the twentieth century from January 1901-December 2000. A long-term (January 1901-December 2009) TP monthly precipitation dataset with 2.5° latitude-longitude resolution is generated in this paper using spectral optimal gridding (SOG) method. The method uses the Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC) ground station data to anchor the basis of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) computed from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) data. Our gridding takes teleconnection into account and uses data from stations both within and outside of the TP region. While the annual total precipitation increased at an approximate rate of 2.6 mm per decade in the period of 1971-2000 exists, no significant increase of TP precipitation from 1901 to 2000 was found. Our rate is less than those of previous publications based only on the TP stations because our data consider the entire TP region, including desert and high-altitude areas. An analysis of extremes and spatiotemporal patterns of our data shows that our reconstructed data can properly quantify the reported disasters of flooding and droughts in India, Bangladesh, and China for the following events: flooding in 1988 and 1998 and drought in 1972. Our time-frequency analysis using the empirical mode decomposition method shows that our nonlinear trend agrees well with the linear trend in the period from 1971 to 2000. The spatiotemporal variation characteristics documented in this paper can help understand atmospheric circulations on TP precipitation and validate the TP precipitation in climate models.

A system decomposition approach to the design of functional observers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernando, Tyrone; Trinh, Hieu

2014-09-01

This paper reports a system decomposition that allows the construction of a minimum-order functional observer using a state observer design approach. The system decomposition translates the functional observer design problem to that of a state observer for a smaller decomposed subsystem. Functional observability indices are introduced, and a closed-form expression for the minimum order required for a functional observer is derived in terms of those functional observability indices.

Corrected confidence bands for functional data using principal components.

PubMed

Goldsmith, J; Greven, S; Crainiceanu, C

2013-03-01

Functional principal components (FPC) analysis is widely used to decompose and express functional observations. Curve estimates implicitly condition on basis functions and other quantities derived from FPC decompositions; however these objects are unknown in practice. In this article, we propose a method for obtaining correct curve estimates by accounting for uncertainty in FPC decompositions. Additionally, pointwise and simultaneous confidence intervals that account for both model- and decomposition-based variability are constructed. Standard mixed model representations of functional expansions are used to construct curve estimates and variances conditional on a specific decomposition. Iterated expectation and variance formulas combine model-based conditional estimates across the distribution of decompositions. A bootstrap procedure is implemented to understand the uncertainty in principal component decomposition quantities. Our method compares favorably to competing approaches in simulation studies that include both densely and sparsely observed functions. We apply our method to sparse observations of CD4 cell counts and to dense white-matter tract profiles. Code for the analyses and simulations is publicly available, and our method is implemented in the R package refund on CRAN. Copyright © 2013, The International Biometric Society.

Corrected Confidence Bands for Functional Data Using Principal Components

PubMed Central

Goldsmith, J.; Greven, S.; Crainiceanu, C.

2014-01-01

Functional principal components (FPC) analysis is widely used to decompose and express functional observations. Curve estimates implicitly condition on basis functions and other quantities derived from FPC decompositions; however these objects are unknown in practice. In this article, we propose a method for obtaining correct curve estimates by accounting for uncertainty in FPC decompositions. Additionally, pointwise and simultaneous confidence intervals that account for both model- and decomposition-based variability are constructed. Standard mixed model representations of functional expansions are used to construct curve estimates and variances conditional on a specific decomposition. Iterated expectation and variance formulas combine model-based conditional estimates across the distribution of decompositions. A bootstrap procedure is implemented to understand the uncertainty in principal component decomposition quantities. Our method compares favorably to competing approaches in simulation studies that include both densely and sparsely observed functions. We apply our method to sparse observations of CD4 cell counts and to dense white-matter tract profiles. Code for the analyses and simulations is publicly available, and our method is implemented in the R package refund on CRAN. PMID:23003003

Generalized decompositions of dynamic systems and vector Lyapunov functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikeda, M.; Siljak, D. D.

1981-10-01

The notion of decomposition is generalized to provide more freedom in constructing vector Lyapunov functions for stability analysis of nonlinear dynamic systems. A generalized decomposition is defined as a disjoint decomposition of a system which is obtained by expanding the state-space of a given system. An inclusion principle is formulated for the solutions of the expansion to include the solutions of the original system, so that stability of the expansion implies stability of the original system. Stability of the expansion can then be established by standard disjoint decompositions and vector Lyapunov functions. The applicability of the new approach is demonstrated using the Lotka-Volterra equations.

Combination of Rivest-Shamir-Adleman Algorithm and End of File Method for Data Security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rachmawati, Dian; Amalia, Amalia; Elviwani

2018-03-01

Data security is one of the crucial issues in the delivery of information. One of the ways which used to secure the data is by encoding it into something else that is not comprehensible by human beings by using some crypto graphical techniques. The Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) cryptographic algorithm has been proven robust to secure messages. Since this algorithm uses two different keys (i.e., public key and private key) at the time of encryption and decryption, it is classified as asymmetric cryptography algorithm. Steganography is a method that is used to secure a message by inserting the bits of the message into a larger media such as an image. One of the known steganography methods is End of File (EoF). In this research, the cipher text resulted from the RSA algorithm is compiled into an array form and appended to the end of the image. The result of the EoF is the image which has a line with black gradations under it. This line contains the secret message. This combination of cryptography and steganography in securing the message is expected to increase the security of the message, since the message encryption technique (RSA) is mixed with the data hiding technique (EoF).

Microbial Community Functional Change during Vertebrate Carrion Decomposition

PubMed Central

Pechal, Jennifer L.; Crippen, Tawni L.; Tarone, Aaron M.; Lewis, Andrew J.; Tomberlin, Jeffery K.; Benbow, M. Eric

2013-01-01

Microorganisms play a critical role in the decomposition of organic matter, which contributes to energy and nutrient transformation in every ecosystem. Yet, little is known about the functional activity of epinecrotic microbial communities associated with carrion. The objective of this study was to provide a description of the carrion associated microbial community functional activity using differential carbon source use throughout decomposition over seasons, between years and when microbial communities were isolated from eukaryotic colonizers (e.g., necrophagous insects). Additionally, microbial communities were identified at the phyletic level using high throughput sequencing during a single study. We hypothesized that carrion microbial community functional profiles would change over the duration of decomposition, and that this change would depend on season, year and presence of necrophagous insect colonization. Biolog EcoPlates™ were used to measure the variation in epinecrotic microbial community function by the differential use of 29 carbon sources throughout vertebrate carrion decomposition. Pyrosequencing was used to describe the bacterial community composition in one experiment to identify key phyla associated with community functional changes. Overall, microbial functional activity increased throughout decomposition in spring, summer and winter while it decreased in autumn. Additionally, microbial functional activity was higher in 2011 when necrophagous arthropod colonizer effects were tested. There were inconsistent trends in the microbial function of communities isolated from remains colonized by necrophagous insects between 2010 and 2011, suggesting a greater need for a mechanistic understanding of the process. These data indicate that functional analyses can be implemented in carrion studies and will be important in understanding the influence of microbial communities on an essential ecosystem process, carrion decomposition. PMID:24265741

Comparative evaluation of haematological parameters and erythrocyte membrane stability in pregnant and lactating goats in different seasons of tropical Savannah.

PubMed

Habibu, B; Makun, H J; Yaqub, L S; Buhari, H U; Aluwong, T; Kawu, M U

2017-09-01

Haematological parameters and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) are commonly used as indicators of health status and erythrocyte membrane integrity. Variations in haematological parameters and EOF in late gestation and early lactation during the cold-dry (CDS), hot-dry (HDS) and rainy (RAS) seasons were studied in sixty (n = 60) Red Sokoto goats (20 goats for each season). The ambient temperatures and temperature-humidity index recorded were higher in the afternoon hours of the HDS and RAS, but lower in the morning hours of the CDS as compared with the thermoneutral zone of goats. Results revealed that the pregnant goats had significantly (P < 0.05) lower PCV and RBC, but higher haemoglobin parameters (Hb, MCH and MCHC) in RAS. Unlike in the pregnant goats, higher (P < 0.05) values of PCV and RBC were observed during the HDS as compared with the CDS and RAS in lactating goats. The EOF was significantly higher during lactation than pregnancy in the CDS and HDS. Similarly, the magnitude of the left shift in fragiligram during the CDS was more marked in pregnant compared with lactating goats. During gestation, the CDS had lower (P < 0.05) EOF than HDS and RAS, with a marked left shift in the fragiligram of both pregnant and lactating goats during the CDS. In conclusion, seasonal variations exist in physiology of erythrocytes of goats during the peri-partum period, with an increase in PCV and RBC, but a decrease in haemoglobin parameters in pregnant compared with lactating goats during the RAS. Erythrocyte stability and membrane integrity were higher in pregnant than lactating goats, and also higher during the CDS than the HDS and RAS, irrespective of reproductive status. This information may be useful in the design of animal breeding and is of value in animal welfare, research, diagnosis and management of haematological conditions during the peri-partum period. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mechanisms for Seasonal and Interannual Sea Surface Salinity Variability in the Indian Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Köhler, J.; Stammer, D.; Serra, N.; Bryan, F.

2016-12-01

Space-borne salinity data in the Indian Ocean are analyzed over the period 2000-2015 based on data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) "Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity" (SMOS) and the National Aeronautical Space Agency's (NASA) "Aquarius/SAC-D" missions. The seasonal variability is the dominant mode of sea surface salinity (SSS) variability in the Indian Ocean, accounting for more than 50% of salinity variance. Through a combined analysis of the satellite and ARGO data, dominant forcing terms for seasonal salinity changes are identified. It is found, that E-P controls seasonal salinity tendency in the western Indian Ocean, where the ITCZ has a strong seasonal cycle. In contrast, Ekman advection is the dominant term in the northern and eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. The influence of vertical processes on the salinity tendency is enhanced in coastal upwelling regions and south of the equator due to mid-ocean upwelling. Jointly those processes can explain most of the observed seasonal cycle with a correlation of 0.85 and an RMS difference of 0.07/month. However, the detailed composition of driving terms depends on underlying data products. In general, our study confirms previous results from Lisan Yu (2011); however, in the eastern Indian Ocean contrasting results indicate the leading role of meridional Ekman advection to the seasonal salinity tendency instead of surface external forces due to precipitation. The inferred dominant salinity budget terms are confirmed by results obtained from a high resolution NCAR Core model run driven by NCEP forcing fields. From an EOF analysis of the salinity fields after substracting the annual and semiannual cycle we found that the first EOF mode explains more than 20% of salinity variance. The first principal component of SSS EOF is correlated with the Indian Ocean Dipole Mode Index. Nevertheless the EOF pattern shows a meridional tripole structure, while the IOD describes a zonal SST dipole (Saji et al, 1999).

Detect signals of interdecadal climate variations from an enhanced suite of reconstructed precipitation products since 1850 using the historical station data from Global Historical Climatology Network and the dynamical patterns derived from Global Precipitation Climatology Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, S. S.

2015-12-01

This presentation describes the detection of interdecadal climate signals in a newly reconstructed precipitation data from 1850-present. Examples are on precipitation signatures of East Asian Monsoon (EAM), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillations (AMO). The new reconstruction dataset is an enhanced edition of a suite of global precipitation products reconstructed by Spectral Optimal Gridding of Precipitation Version 1.0 (SOGP 1.0). The maximum temporal coverage is 1850-present and the spatial coverage is quasi-global (75S, 75N). This enhanced version has three different temporal resolutions (5-day, monthly, and annual) and two different spatial resolutions (2.5 deg and 5.0 deg). It also has a friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI). SOGP uses a multivariate regression method using an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) expansion. The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) precipitation data from 1981-20010 are used to calculate the EOFs. The Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) gridded data are used to calculate the regression coefficients for reconstructions. The sampling errors of the reconstruction are analyzed according to the number of EOF modes used in the reconstruction. Our reconstructed 1900-2011 time series of the global average annual precipitation shows a 0.024 (mm/day)/100a trend, which is very close to the trend derived from the mean of 25 models of the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5). Our reconstruction has been validated by GPCP data after 1979. Our reconstruction successfully displays the 1877 El Nino (see the attached figure), which is considered a validation before 1900. Our precipitation products are publically available online, including digital data, precipitation animations, computer codes, readme files, and the user manual. This work is a joint effort of San Diego State University (Sam Shen, Gregori Clarke, Christian Junjinger, Nancy Tafolla, Barbara Sperberg, and Melanie Thorn), UCLA (Yongkang Xue), and University of Maryland (Tom Smith and Phil Arkin) and supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation (Awards No. AGS-1419256 and AGS-1015957).

An Optimal Design for Placements of Tsunami Observing Systems Around the Nankai Trough, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulia, I. E.; Gusman, A. R.; Satake, K.

2017-12-01

Presently, there are numerous tsunami observing systems deployed in several major tsunamigenic regions throughout the world. However, documentations on how and where to optimally place such measurement devices are limited. This study presents a methodological approach to select the best and fewest observation points for the purpose of tsunami source characterizations, particularly in the form of fault slip distributions. We apply the method to design a new tsunami observation network around the Nankai Trough, Japan. In brief, our method can be divided into two stages: initialization and optimization. The initialization stage aims to identify favorable locations of observation points, as well as to determine the initial number of observations. These points are generated based on extrema of an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) spatial modes derived from 11 hypothetical tsunami events in the region. In order to further improve the accuracy, we apply an optimization algorithm called a mesh adaptive direct search (MADS) to remove redundant measurements from the initially generated points by the first stage. A combinatorial search by the MADS will improve the accuracy and reduce the number of observations simultaneously. The EOF analysis of the hypothetical tsunamis using first 2 leading modes with 4 extrema on each mode results in 30 observation points spread along the trench. This is obtained after replacing some clustered points within the radius of 30 km with only one representative. Furthermore, the MADS optimization can improve the accuracy of the EOF-generated points by approximately 10-20% with fewer observations (23 points). Finally, we compare our result with the existing observation points (68 stations) in the region. The result shows that the optimized design with fewer number of observations can produce better source characterizations with approximately 20-60% improvement of accuracies at all the 11 hypothetical cases. It should be note, however, that our design is a tsunami-based approach, some of the existing observing systems are equipped with additional devices to measure other parameter of interests, i.e., for monitoring seismic activities.

Voltage-Rectified Current and Fluid Flow in Conical Nanopores.

PubMed

Lan, Wen-Jie; Edwards, Martin A; Luo, Long; Perera, Rukshan T; Wu, Xiaojian; Martin, Charles R; White, Henry S

2016-11-15

Ion current rectification (ICR) refers to the asymmetric potential-dependent rate of the passage of solution ions through a nanopore, giving rise to electrical current-voltage characteristics that mimic those of a solid-state electrical diode. Since the discovery of ICR in quartz nanopipettes two decades ago, synthetic nanopores and nanochannels of various geometries, fabricated in membranes and on wafers, have been extensively investigated to understand fundamental aspects of ion transport in highly confined geometries. It is now generally accepted that ICR requires an asymmetric electrical double layer within the nanopore, producing an accumulation or depletion of charge-carrying ions at opposite voltage polarities. Our research groups have recently explored how the voltage-dependent ion distributions and ICR within nanopores can induce novel nanoscale flow phenomena that have applications in understanding ionics in porous materials used in energy storage devices, chemical sensing, and low-cost electrical pumping of fluids. In this Account, we review our most recent investigations on this topic, based on experiments using conical nanopores (10-300 nm tip opening) fabricated in thin glass, mica, and polymer membranes. Measurable fluid flow in nanopores can be induced either using external pressure forces, electrically via electroosmotic forces, or by a combination of these two forces. We demonstrate that pressure-driven flow can greatly alter the electrical properties of nanopores and, vice versa, that the nonlinear electrical properties of conical nanopores can impart novel and useful flow phenomena. Electroosmotic flow (EOF), which depends on the magnitude of the ion fluxes within the double layer of the nanopore, is strongly coupled to the accumulation/depletion of ions. Thus, the same underlying cause of ICR also leads to EOF rectification, i.e., unequal flows occurring for the same voltage but opposite polarities. EOF rectification can be used to electrically pump fluids with very precise control across membranes containing conical pores via the application of a symmetric sinusoidal voltage. The combination of pressure and asymmetric EOF can also provide a means to generate new nanopore electrical behaviors, including negative differential resistance (NDR), in which the current through a conical pore decreases with increasing driving force (applied voltage), similar to solid-state tunnel diodes. NDR results from a positive feedback mechanism between the ion distributions and EOF, yielding a true bistability in both fluid flow and electrical current at a critical applied voltage. Nanopore-based NDR is extremely sensitive to the surface charge near the nanopore opening, suggesting possible applications in chemical sensing.

Investigations of the preferred modes of north Pacific jet variability, their downstream impacts, and tropical and extratropical precursors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffin, Kyle S.

Time extended EOF (TE-EOF) analysis is employed to examine the synoptic-scale evolution of the two leading modes of north Pacific jet stream variability, namely its zonal extension/retraction (TE-EOF 1) and the north/south shift of its exit region (TE-EOF 2). Composite analyses are constructed preceding and following peaks in the principal component associated with each of the two TE-EOFs, providing insight into the preferred evolutions of the north Pacific jet. Jet extension events are associated with an anomalous Gulf of Alaska cyclone, while jet retractions are associated with an anomalous ridge over the Aleutians. Similar but shifted upper level patterns are noted with the corresponding poleward/equatorward shifted jet phases, with the poleward (equatorward) shift of the jet exit region associated with anomalous low-level warmth (cold) over western North America. Such composites also suggest connections between certain phases of these leading modes of jet variability and deep convection in the tropics, a connection that has been challenging to physically diagnose in previous studies. The isentropic pressure depth measures the mass contained within an isentropic layer in a given grid column, enabling the tracking of mass exhausted by deep convection. The gradient of isentropic pressure depth is directly associated with the vertical geostrophic wind shear in that layer and thus provides a means to track the influence of convective mass flux on the evolution of the jet stream. A case study focused on the extreme North American warm episode of March 2012 demonstrates how positive pressure depth anomalies from a strong MJO event impact the jet stream over eastern Asia and drive a portion of the mid-latitude response that leads to the flow amplification and subsequent downstream warmth. This study demonstrates one way by which isentropic pressure depth can diagnose the impacts of tropical deep convection on the mid-latitude circulation. Using TE-EOFs, composites of isentropic pressure depth are constructed, to examine the evolution of pressure depth anomalies preceding each phase of the two leading modes of jet variability. In jet extension events, a large negative pressure depth anomaly in the 315-330 K isentropic layer and a positive pressure depth anomaly in the 340-355 K isentropic layer align north and south of the climatological jet exit region, respectively. A similar but opposite configuration is found in jet retraction events. During poleward shifted jet events, the configuration of pressure depth anomalies is comparable to that observed in jet extension events, but shifted poleward. Positive pressure depth anomalies in each set of events predominantly originate from either the Maritime Continent or East Asia and track along the climatological jet before impacting the exit region of the jet stream. Negative pressure depth anomalies have similar upstream origins before moving through the jet in a similar manner. These composite evolutions provide insight into the synoptic-scale evolutions that precede the preferred modes of jet variability, highlighting the influence of both mid-latitude weather systems and mass flux from tropical deep convection on North Pacific jet variability.

20th century trends of drought conditions in the Mediterranean: the influence of large-scale circulation patterns.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, Pedro; Trigo, Ricardo; Garcia-Herrera, Ricardo

2010-05-01

Here we have used the Self Calibrated PDSI (scPDSI) proposed by Wells et al (2004) as a more appropriate approach to characterize drought conditions in the Mediterranean area. The scPDSI has been shown to perform better (than the original PDSI) when evaluating spatial and temporal drought characteristics for regions outside the USA (Schrier et al, 2005). Seasonal and annual trends for the 1901-2000, 1901-1950 and 1951-2000 periods were computed using the standard Mann-Kendall test for trend significance evaluation. However, statistical significance obtained with this test can be highly misleading because it does not take into account the low variability nature that dominates the seasonal evolution of scPDSI fields. We have now improved these results by employing a modified Mann-Kendall test for auto-correlated series (Hamed and Ramachandra, 1997), such as the scPDSI case. This development allowed for a better definition of the Mediterranean areas characterized by significant changes in the scPDSI, namely the largely negative trends that dominate the Mediterranean basin, with the exceptions of parts of eastern Turkey and northwestern Iberia, since initially these areas were overestimated. The spatio-temporal variability of these indices was evaluated with an EOF analysis, in order to reduce the large dimensionality of the fields under analysis. Spatial representation of the first EOF patterns shows that EOF 1 covers the entire Mediterranean basin (16.4% of EV), while EOF2 is dominated by a W-E dipole (10% EV). The following EOF patterns present smaller scale features, and explain smaller amounts of variance. The EOF patterns have also facilitated the definition of four sub-regions with large socio-economic relevance: 1) Iberia, 2) Italian Peninsula, 3) Balkans and 4) Turkey. Afterwards we perform a comprehensive analysis on the links between the scPDSI and the large-scale atmospheric circulation indices that affect the Mediterranean basin, namely; NAO, EA, and SCAND (Trigo et al., 2006) and where we have also taken into account once again the effect of autocorrelation. Some of these links were obtained with 3 or 6 months lagged relationships, while others were achieved with instantaneous (no lag) links. This analysis was performed for the entire Mediterranean region as a whole, but also for each considered sub-domain. Finally, a stepwise regression model was developed to reproduce summer scPDSI series during the 1951-2002 period, using these large scale indices as predictors in the model. This procedure results in positive Skill Score values against the persistence model. Hamed K.H., Ramachandra A. (1997) "A modified Mann-Kendall trend test for autocorrelated data", Journal of Hidrology, 204, 182-196. Schrier G, Briffa KR, Jones PD, Osborn TJ. (2005). Summer moisture variability across Europe. Journal of Climate 19: 2818-2834. Trigo, R. and 21 authors (2006) Relations between variability in the Mediterranean region and mid-latitude variability. In: P. Lionello, P. Malanotte-Rizzoli & R. Boscolo (Eds), Mediterranean Climate Variability, Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 179-226. Wells N, Goddard S and Hayes MJ (2004) A self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index. Journal of Climate 17, 2335-2351.

Hemispheric Circulation Regimes Associated with Predominant Anomaly Patterns of Wintertime Temperature Distribution over the Far East

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukougawa, H.; Mabuchi, M.

2012-04-01

Characteristics of extratropical planetary flow regimes in the Northern Hemisphere associated with prevailing spatial patterns of temperature anomaly distribution in the winter season (DJF) over the Far East are examined based on 2D phase space spanned by the leading two EOFs of the Far East low-frequency temperature variation by the use of ERA-40 reanalysis dataset from 1957/58 to 2001/02 winter and NOAA OLR dataset from 1979/80 to 2001/02 winter. The first EOF of 10-day low-pass filtered 850-hPa temperature anomaly in the winter season over the Far East (25˚N-50˚N, 120˚E-150˚E) represents a coherent temperature variation over the whole domain while the second EOF corresponds to a meridional dipole pattern with a node around 40˚N. These two leading EOFs explain 76% of the total temperature variance over the Far East. Regression analysis of 250-hPa height anomaly with respect to the corresponding PCs shows that EOF1 and EOF2 are related to the Eurasian (EU) and the West Pacific (WP) pattern, respectively. The PDF of 850-hPa low-frequency temperature anomaly is estimated by the kernel density estimation method of Kimoto and Ghil (1993) in 2D phase space spanned by the leading 2 PCs. Inhomogeneity of the observed PDF from the bivariate Gaussianity is evaluated by a nonparametric method, and we find the existence of two distinct regimes with significantly greater PDF than the Gaussianity: One regime (regime A) represents an atmospheric state with low temperature anomaly over the whole Far East region, especially over Western Japan. The other regime (regime B) corresponds to a state with a prevailing weak positive temperature anomaly over the Far East. Finally, a composite analysis of 250-hPa height anomaly associated with regime A based on the 2D phase space reveals its time evolution as follows: Blocking developing over the Alaska 15 days (day -15) before the mature phase of regime A has a retrograde phase velocity and resides over the Sea of Okhotsk. After day -10, the EU pattern emanating from cyclonic anomaly over Europe creates a cyclonic anomaly over Western Japan and an anticyclonic anomaly over East Siberia. The anticyclonic anomaly is also amplified through the superposition of the retrograding blocking. Then, regime A comprising the EU pattern and the WP pattern with a dominant negative height anomaly over Western Japan causes a strong cold surge in Southeast Asia. Moreover, the analysis on the OLR dataset reveals that an upper-tropospheric Rossby wave train emanating from the Bay of Bengal due to an anomalous convective activity over the South China Sea also plays an important role in forming the cyclonic anomaly over Western Japan. We will discuss the recent high occurrence probability of regime A in connection with the warming trend of the SST over the western Pacific due to the global warming.

A conceptual prediction model for seasonal drought processes using atmospheric and oceanic standardized anomalies: application to regional drought processes in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhenchen; Lu, Guihua; He, Hai; Wu, Zhiyong; He, Jian

2018-01-01

Reliable drought prediction is fundamental for water resource managers to develop and implement drought mitigation measures. Considering that drought development is closely related to the spatial-temporal evolution of large-scale circulation patterns, we developed a conceptual prediction model of seasonal drought processes based on atmospheric and oceanic standardized anomalies (SAs). Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is first applied to drought-related SAs at 200 and 500 hPa geopotential height (HGT) and sea surface temperature (SST). Subsequently, SA-based predictors are built based on the spatial pattern of the first EOF modes. This drought prediction model is essentially the synchronous statistical relationship between 90-day-accumulated atmospheric-oceanic SA-based predictors and SPI3 (3-month standardized precipitation index), calibrated using a simple stepwise regression method. Predictor computation is based on forecast atmospheric-oceanic products retrieved from the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2), indicating the lead time of the model depends on that of CFSv2. The model can make seamless drought predictions for operational use after a year-to-year calibration. Model application to four recent severe regional drought processes in China indicates its good performance in predicting seasonal drought development, despite its weakness in predicting drought severity. Overall, the model can be a worthy reference for seasonal water resource management in China.

Summer U.S. Surface Air Temperature Variability: Controlling Factors and AMIP Simulation Biases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merrifield, A.; Xie, S. P.

2016-02-01

This study documents and investigates biases in simulating summer surface air temperature (SAT) variability over the continental U.S. in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP). Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and multivariate regression analyses are used to assess the relative importance of circulation and the land surface feedback at setting summer SAT over a 30-year period (1979-2008). In observations, regions of high SAT variability are closely associated with midtropospheric highs and subsidence, consistent with adiabatic theory (Meehl and Tebaldi 2004, Lau and Nath 2012). Preliminary analysis shows the majority of the AMIP models feature high SAT variability over the central U.S., displaced south and/or west of observed centers of action (COAs). SAT COAs in models tend to be concomitant with regions of high sensible heat flux variability, suggesting an excessive land surface feedback in these models modulate U.S. summer SAT. Additionally, tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) play a role in forcing the leading EOF mode for summer SAT, in concert with internal atmospheric variability. There is evidence that models respond to different SST patterns than observed. Addressing issues with the bulk land surface feedback and the SST-forced component of atmospheric variability may be key to improving model skill in simulating summer SAT variability over the U.S.

On the Predictability of Northeast Monsoon Rainfall over South Peninsular India in General Circulation Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nair, Archana; Acharya, Nachiketa; Singh, Ankita; Mohanty, U. C.; Panda, T. C.

2013-11-01

In this study the predictability of northeast monsoon (Oct-Nov-Dec) rainfall over peninsular India by eight general circulation model (GCM) outputs was analyzed. These GCM outputs (forecasts for the whole season issued in September) were compared with high-resolution observed gridded rainfall data obtained from the India Meteorological Department for the period 1982-2010. Rainfall, interannual variability (IAV), correlation coefficients, and index of agreement were examined for the outputs of eight GCMs and compared with observation. It was found that the models are able to reproduce rainfall and IAV to different extents. The predictive power of GCMs was also judged by determining the signal-to-noise ratio and the external error variance; it was noted that the predictive power of the models was usually very low. To examine dominant modes of interannual variability, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was also conducted. EOF analysis of the models revealed they were capable of representing the observed precipitation variability to some extent. The teleconnection between the sea surface temperature (SST) and northeast monsoon rainfall was also investigated and results suggest that during OND the SST over the equatorial Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, the central Pacific Ocean (over Nino3 region), and the north and south Atlantic Ocean enhances northeast monsoon rainfall. This observed phenomenon is only predicted by the CCM3v6 model.

Characters of Vertical Variability with Geodetic Satellites and Ground-based Continuous GPS in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, C.-C.; Wu, Y.-H.; Chao, B. F.; Yu, S.-B.

2009-04-01

Present-day GPS network have been extensively used to monitor crustal deformation due to various geodynamic mechanisms. Situated among the Pacific Ring of Fire on the suture zone of Eurasian and Philippine Sea Plates, the island of Taiwan with a dense continuous GPS network since ~1996 and now over 300 stations sees plenty of geophysical phenomena including particularly prominent crustal motions. We assessed daily solution of each station's coordinate time series, and made the routine corrections, such as orbital, EOP, atmospheric and tidal corrections, using GAMIT/GLOBK software (with ITRF05). We then employ the Quasi-Observation Combination Analysis (QOCA) package to obtain the variability and trend after removing occasional earthquake "disruptions". Preliminary results show strong seasonal variations. We then utilize the numerical method of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) to analysis the geophysical signals from the continuous and dense GPS vertical crustal motion observations. We wish to be able to characterize both the seasonal and non-seasonal variability in the vertical crustal motion, in terms of the EOF modes in the spatial domain over Taiwan (plus a few offshore islets) with time evolution spanning the entire period of time. Corraborating with time-variable gravity data from the geodetic satellite mission GRACE, we can further obtain vertical components of both mass-induced loading with respect to the precipitation minus evaporation and the crustal motion caused by the active tectonic processes on Taiwan.

Matrix partitioning and EOF/principal component analysis of Antarctic Sea ice brightness temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, C. W., Jr.; Mueller, J. L.; Zwally, H. J.

1984-01-01

A field of measured anomalies of some physical variable relative to their time averages, is partitioned in either the space domain or the time domain. Eigenvectors and corresponding principal components of the smaller dimensioned covariance matrices associated with the partitioned data sets are calculated independently, then joined to approximate the eigenstructure of the larger covariance matrix associated with the unpartitioned data set. The accuracy of the approximation (fraction of the total variance in the field) and the magnitudes of the largest eigenvalues from the partitioned covariance matrices together determine the number of local EOF's and principal components to be joined by any particular level. The space-time distribution of Nimbus-5 ESMR sea ice measurement is analyzed.

Topside correction of IRI by global modeling of ionospheric scale height using COSMIC radio occultation data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, M. J.; Guo, P.; Fu, N. F.; Xu, T. L.; Xu, X. S.; Jin, H. L.; Hu, X. G.

2016-06-01

The ionosphere scale height is one of the most significant ionospheric parameters, which contains information about the ion and electron temperatures and dynamics in upper ionosphere. In this paper, an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis method is applied to process all the ionospheric radio occultations of GPS/COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) from the year 2007 to 2011 to reconstruct a global ionospheric scale height model. This monthly medium model has spatial resolution of 5° in geomagnetic latitude (-87.5° ~ 87.5°) and temporal resolution of 2 h in local time. EOF analysis preserves the characteristics of scale height quite well in the geomagnetic latitudinal, anural, seasonal, and diurnal variations. In comparison with COSMIC measurements of the year of 2012, the reconstructed model indicates a reasonable accuracy. In order to improve the topside model of International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), we attempted to adopt the scale height model in the Bent topside model by applying a scale factor q as an additional constraint. With the factor q functioning in the exponent profile of topside ionosphere, the IRI scale height should be forced equal to the precise COSMIC measurements. In this way, the IRI topside profile can be improved to get closer to the realistic density profiles. Internal quality check of this approach is carried out by comparing COSMIC realistic measurements and IRI with or without correction, respectively. In general, the initial IRI model overestimates the topside electron density to some extent, and with the correction introduced by COSMIC scale height model, the deviation of vertical total electron content (VTEC) between them is reduced. Furthermore, independent validation with Global Ionospheric Maps VTEC implies a reasonable improvement in the IRI VTEC with the topside model correction.

Conceptual design optimization study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollowell, S. J.; Beeman, E. R., II; Hiyama, R. M.

1990-01-01

The feasibility of applying multilevel functional decomposition and optimization techniques to conceptual design of advanced fighter aircraft was investigated. Applying the functional decomposition techniques to the conceptual design phase appears to be feasible. The initial implementation of the modified design process will optimize wing design variables. A hybrid approach, combining functional decomposition techniques for generation of aerodynamic and mass properties linear sensitivity derivatives with existing techniques for sizing mission performance and optimization, is proposed.

Electroosmotic flow hysteresis for dissimilar ionic solutions

PubMed Central

Lim, An Eng; Lam, Yee Cheong

2015-01-01

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) with two or more fluids is commonly encountered in various microfluidics applications. However, no investigation has hitherto been conducted to investigate the hysteretic or flow direction-dependent behavior during the displacement flow of solutions with dissimilar ionic species. In this investigation, electroosmotic displacement flow involving dissimilar ionic solutions was studied experimentally through a current monitoring method and numerically through finite element simulations. The flow hysteresis can be characterized by the turning and displacement times; turning time refers to the abrupt gradient change of current-time curve while displacement time is the time for one solution to completely displace the other solution. Both experimental and simulation results illustrate that the turning and displacement times for a particular solution pair can be directional-dependent, indicating that the flow conditions in the microchannel are not the same in the two different flow directions. The mechanics of EOF hysteresis was elucidated through the theoretical model which includes the ionic mobility of each species, a major governing parameter. Two distinct mechanics have been identified as the causes for the EOF hysteresis involving dissimilar ionic solutions: the widening/sharpening effect of interfacial region between the two solutions and the difference in ion concentration distributions (and thus average zeta potentials) in different flow directions. The outcome of this investigation contributes to the fundamental understanding of flow behavior in microfluidic systems involving solution pair with dissimilar ionic species. PMID:25945139

Characterization of the startup transient electrokinetic flow in rectangular channels of arbitrary dimensions, zeta potential distribution, and time-varying pressure gradient.

PubMed

Miller, Andrew; Villegas, Arturo; Diez, F Javier

2015-03-01

The solution to the startup transient EOF in an arbitrary rectangular microchannel is derived analytically and validated experimentally. This full 2D transient solution describes the evolution of the flow through five distinct periods until reaching a final steady state. The derived analytical velocity solution is validated experimentally for different channel sizes and aspect ratios under time-varying pressure gradients. The experiments used a time resolved micro particle image velocimetry technique to calculate the startup transient velocity profiles. The measurements captured the effect of time-varying pressure gradient fields derived in the analytical solutions. This is tested by using small reservoirs at both ends of the channel which allowed a time-varying pressure gradient to develop with a time scale on the order of the transient EOF. Results showed that under these common conditions, the effect of the pressure build up in the reservoirs on the temporal development of the transient startup EOF in the channels cannot be neglected. The measurements also captured the analytical predictions for channel walls made of different materials (i.e., zeta potentials). This was tested in channels that had three PDMS and one quartz wall, resulting in a flow with an asymmetric velocity profile due to variations in the zeta potential between the walls. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Evanescent-wave particle velocimetry measurements of zeta-potentials in fused-silica microchannels.

PubMed

Cevheri, Necmettin; Yoda, Minami

2013-07-01

The wall ζ-potential ζ(w), the potential at the shear plane of the electric double layer, depends on the properties of the BGE solution such as the valence and type of electrolyte, the pH and the ionic strength. Most of the methods estimate ζ(w) from measurements of the EOF velocity magnitude ueo , usually spatially averaged over the entire capillary. In these initial studies, evanescent-wave particle velocimetry was used to measure ueo in steady EOF for a variety of monovalent aqueous solutions to evaluate the effect of small amounts of divalent cations, as well as the pH and ionic strength of BGE solutions. In brief, the magnitude of the EOF velocity of NaCl-NaOH and borate buffer-NaOH solutions was estimated from the measured velocities of radius α = 104 nm fluorescent polystyrene particles in 33 μm fused-silica microchannels. The particle ζ-potentials were measured separately using laser-Doppler micro-electrophoresis; ζ(w) was then determined from ueo. The results suggest that evanescent-wave particle velocimetry can be used to estimate ζ(w) for a variety of BGE solutions, and that it can be used in the future to estimate local wall ζ-potential, and hence spatial variations in ζ(w). © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Trigonometric Integrals via Partial Fractions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, H.; Fulford, M.

2005-01-01

Parametric differentiation is used to derive the partial fractions decompositions of certain rational functions. Those decompositions enable us to integrate some new combinations of trigonometric functions.

Hyperspectral retrieval of surface reflectances: A new scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thelen, Jean-Claude; Havemann, Stephan

2013-05-01

Here, we present a new prototype algorithm for the simultaneous retrieval of the atmospheric profiles (temperature, humidity, ozone and aerosol) and the surface reflectance from hyperspectral radiance measurements obtained from air/space borne, hyperspectral imagers. The new scheme, proposed here, consists of a fast radiative transfer code, based on empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), in conjunction with a 1D-Var retrieval scheme. The inclusion of an 'exact' scattering code based on spherical harmonics, allows for an accurate treatment of Rayleigh scattering and scattering by aerosols, water droplets and ice-crystals, thus making it possible to also retrieve cloud and aerosol optical properties, although here we will concentrate on non-cloudy scenes.

Residue decomposition of submodel of WEPS

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Residue Decomposition submodel of the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) simulates the decrease in crop residue biomass due to microbial activity. The decomposition process is modeled as a first-order reaction with temperature and moisture as driving variables. Decomposition is a function of ...

Density functional theory studies of HCOOH decomposition on Pd(111)

DOE PAGES

Scaranto, Jessica; Mavrikakis, Manos

2015-12-02

Here, the investigation of formic acid (HCOOH) decomposition on transition metal surfaces is important to derive useful insights for vapor phase catalysis involving HCOOH and for the development of direct HCOOH fuel cells (DFAFC). Here we present the results obtained from periodic, self-consistent, density functional theory (DFT-GGA) calculations for the elementary steps involved in the gas-phase decomposition of HCOOH on Pd(111). Accordingly, we analyzed the minimum energy paths for HCOOH dehydrogenation to CO 2 + H 2 and dehydration to CO + H 2O through the carboxyl (COOH) and formate (HCOO) intermediates. Our results suggest that HCOO formation is easiermore » than COOH formation, but HCOO decomposition is more difficult than COOH decomposition, in particular in presence of co-adsorbed O and OH species. Therefore, both paths may contribute to HCOOH decomposition. CO formation goes mainly through COOH decomposition.« less

Density functional theory studies of HCOOH decomposition on Pd(111)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scaranto, Jessica; Mavrikakis, Manos

Here, the investigation of formic acid (HCOOH) decomposition on transition metal surfaces is important to derive useful insights for vapor phase catalysis involving HCOOH and for the development of direct HCOOH fuel cells (DFAFC). Here we present the results obtained from periodic, self-consistent, density functional theory (DFT-GGA) calculations for the elementary steps involved in the gas-phase decomposition of HCOOH on Pd(111). Accordingly, we analyzed the minimum energy paths for HCOOH dehydrogenation to CO 2 + H 2 and dehydration to CO + H 2O through the carboxyl (COOH) and formate (HCOO) intermediates. Our results suggest that HCOO formation is easiermore » than COOH formation, but HCOO decomposition is more difficult than COOH decomposition, in particular in presence of co-adsorbed O and OH species. Therefore, both paths may contribute to HCOOH decomposition. CO formation goes mainly through COOH decomposition.« less

The Utility of Decomposition and Associated Microbial Parameters to Assess Changes in Stream Ecosystems due to Eutrophication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gulis, V.; Ferreira, V. J.; Graca, M. A.

2005-05-01

Traditional approaches to assess stream ecosystem health rely on structural parameters, e.g. a variety of biotic indices. The goal of the Europe-wide RivFunction project is to develop methodology that uses functional parameters (e.g. plant litter decomposition) to this end. Here we report on decomposition experiments carried out in Portugal in five pairs of streams that differed in dissolved inorganic nutrients. On average, decomposition rates of alder and oak leaves were 2.8 and 1.4 times higher in high nutrient streams in coarse and fine mesh bags, respectively, than in corresponding reference streams. Breakdown rate correlated better with stream water SRP concentration rather than TIN. Fungal biomass and sporulation rates of aquatic hyphomycetes associated with decomposing leaves were stimulated by higher nutrient levels. Both fungal parameters measured at very early stages of decomposition (e.g. days 7-13) correlated well with overall decomposition rates. Eutrophication had no significant effect on shredder abundances in leaf bags but species richness was higher in disturbed streams. Decomposition is a key functional parameter in streams integrating many other variables and can be useful in assessing stream ecosystem health. We also argue that because decomposition is often controlled by fungal activity, microbial parameters can also be useful in bioassessment.

Forecasting ENSO events: A neural network-extended EOF approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tangang, F.T.; Tang, B.; Monahan, A.H.

The authors constructed neural network models to forecast the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) for three regions: Nino 4. Nino 3.5, and Nino 3, representing the western-central, the central, and the eastern-central parts of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, respectively. The inputs were the extended empirical orthogonal functions (EEOF) of the sea level pressure (SLP) field that covered the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans and evolved for a duration of 1 yr. The EEOFs greatly reduced the size of the neural networks from those of the authors` earlier papers using EOFs. The Nino 4 region appeared to be the best forecastedmore » region, with useful skills up to a year lead time for the 1982-93 forecast period. By network pruning analysis and spectral analysis, four important inputs were identified: modes 1, 2, and 6 of the SLP EEOFs and the SSTA persistence. Mode 1 characterized the low-frequency oscillation (LFO, with 4-5-yr period), and was seen as the typical ENSO signal, while mode 2, with a period of 2-5 yr, characterized the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) plus the LFO. Mode 6 was dominated by decadal and interdecadal variations. Thus, forecasting ENSO required information from the QBO, and the decadal-interdecadal oscillations. The nonlinearity of the networks tended to increase with lead time and to become stronger for the eastern regions of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 35 refs., 14 figs., 4 tabs.« less

Variability in pigment concentration in warm-core rings as determined by coastal zone color scanner satellite imagery from the Mid-Atlantic Bight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia-Moliner, Graciela; Yoder, James A.

1994-01-01

A time series of coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) derived chlorophyll (CZCS-chl) and sea surface temperature (SST) satellite imagery was developed for the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB). Warm-core rings (WCR) were identified by both the warmer SST signal as well as the low pigment concentrations of their cores. The variation in pigment concentrations and SST observed in satellite imagery over the geographic range and life span of four WCRs is investigated. The hypotheses are that pigment concentration increase during the lifetime of the WCR is a response to processes such as convective overturn, upwelling, edge enhancement due to increased vertical mixing, active convergence, or lateral exchange. Empirical orthogonal function analysis (EOF) is used to investigate the relationship between SST and pigment patterns observed in the presence of a WCR. The first two EOF modes explain more than 80% of the variability observed in all four WCRs and in both (SST and pigment) data sets. The results of this study show that, at the synoptic scales of staellite data, the variability observed in the WCRs is greater at the periphery of the rings. These results show that advective entrainment, rather than processes at ring center (e.g., shoaling of the pycnocline/nutricline in response to frictional decay) or at the periphery due to other processes such as vertical mixing, is the mechanism responsible for the observed variability.

Solar wind: A possible factor driving the interannual sea surface temperature tripolar mode over North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Ziniu; Li, Delin

2016-06-01

The effect of solar wind (SW) on the North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) in boreal winter is examined through an analysis of observational data during 1964-2013. The North Atlantic SSTs show a pronounced meridional tripolar pattern in response to solar wind speed (SWS) variations. This pattern is broadly similar to the leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of interannual variations in the wintertime SSTs over North Atlantic. The time series of this leading EOF mode of SST shows a significant interannual period, which is the same as that of wintertime SWS. This response also appears as a compact north-south seesaw of sea level pressure and a vertical tripolar structure of zonal wind, which simultaneously resembles the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the overlying atmosphere. As compared with the typical low SWS winters, during the typical high SWS winters, the stratospheric polar night jet (PNJ) is evidently enhanced and extends from the stratosphere to the troposphere, even down to the North Atlantic Ocean surface. Notably, the North Atlantic Ocean is an exclusive region in which the SW signal spreads downward from the stratosphere to the troposphere. Thus, it seems that the SW is a possible factor for this North Atlantic SST tripolar mode. The dynamical process of stratosphere-troposphere coupling, together with the global atmospheric electric circuit-cloud microphysical process, probably accounts for the particular downward propagation of the SW signal.

Long term, non-anthropogenic groundwater storage changes simulated by a global land surface model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, B.; Rodell, M.; Sheffield, J.; Wood, E. F.

2017-12-01

Groundwater is crucial for meeting agricultural, industrial and municipal water needs, especially in arid, semi-arid and drought impacted regions. Yet, knowledge on groundwater response to climate variability is not well understood due to lack of systematic and continuous in situ measurements. In this study, we investigate global non-anthropogenic groundwater storage variations with a land surface model driven by a 67-year (1948-204) meteorological forcing data set. Model estimates were evaluated using in situ groundwater data from the central and northeastern U.S. and terrestrial water storage derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites and found to be reasonable. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was employed to examine modes of variability of groundwater storage and their relationship with atmospheric effects such as precipitation and evapotranspiration. The result shows that the leading mode in global groundwater storage reflects the influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Consistent with the EOF analysis, global total groundwater storage reflected the low frequency variability of ENSO and decreased significantly over 1948-2014 while global ET and precipitation did not exhibit statistically significant trends. This study suggests that while precipitation and ET are the primary drivers of climate related groundwater variability, changes in other forcing fields than precipitation and temperature are also important because of their influence on ET. We discuss the need to improve model physics and to continuously validate model estimates and forcing data for future studies.

The Impact of a Submaximal Level of Exercise on Balance Performance in Older Persons

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a submaximal level of exercise on balance performance under a variety of conditions. Material and Method. Thirteen community-dwelling older persons with intact foot sensation (age = 66.69 ± 8.17 years, BMI = 24.65 ± 4.08 kg/m2, female, n = 6) volunteered to participate. Subjects' balance performances were measured using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration of Balance (mCTSIB) at baseline and after test, under four conditions of stance: (1) eyes-opened firm-surface (EOF), (2) eyes-closed firm-surface (ECF), (3) eyes-opened soft-surface (EOS), and (4) eyes-closed soft-surface (ECS). The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) protocol was used to induce the submaximal level of exercise. Data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Results. Balance changes during EOF (z = 0.00, P = 1.00) and ECF (z = −1.342, P = 0.180) were not significant. However, balance changes during EOS (z = −2.314, P = 0.021) and ECS (z = −3.089, P = 0.02) were significantly dropped after the 6MWT. Conclusion. A submaximal level of exercise may influence sensory integration that in turn affects balance performance, particularly on an unstable surface. Rehabilitation should focus on designing intervention that may improve sensory integration among older individuals with balance deterioration in order to encourage functional activities. PMID:25383386

Interactive plant functional group and water table effects on decomposition and extracellular enzyme activity in Sphagnum peatlands

Treesearch

Magdalena M. Wiedermann; Evan S. Kane; Lynette R. Potvin; Erik A. Lilleskov

2017-01-01

Peatland decomposition may be altered by hydrology and plant functional groups (PFGs), but exactly how the latter influences decomposition is unclear, as are potential interactions of these factors.We used a factorial mesocosm experiment with intact 1 m3 peat monoliths to explore how PFGs (sedges vs Ericaceae) and water table level individually...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

W. C. Adams

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requested that the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) perform a confirmatory survey on the Emergency Operations Facility (EOF) at the Connecticut Yankee Haddam Neck Plant (HNP) in Haddam, Connecticut

Dominant modal decomposition method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dombovari, Zoltan

2017-03-01

The paper deals with the automatic decomposition of experimental frequency response functions (FRF's) of mechanical structures. The decomposition of FRF's is based on the Green function representation of free vibratory systems. After the determination of the impulse dynamic subspace, the system matrix is formulated and the poles are calculated directly. By means of the corresponding eigenvectors, the contribution of each element of the impulse dynamic subspace is determined and the sufficient decomposition of the corresponding FRF is carried out. With the presented dominant modal decomposition (DMD) method, the mode shapes, the modal participation vectors and the modal scaling factors are identified using the decomposed FRF's. Analytical example is presented along with experimental case studies taken from machine tool industry.

Effects of water flow regulation on ecosystem functioning in a Mediterranean river network assessed by wood decomposition.

PubMed

Abril, Meritxell; Muñoz, Isabel; Casas-Ruiz, Joan P; Gómez-Gener, Lluís; Barceló, Milagros; Oliva, Francesc; Menéndez, Margarita

2015-06-01

Mediterranean rivers are extensively modified by flow regulation practises along their courses. An important part of the river impoundment in this area is related to the presence of small dams constructed mainly for water abstraction purposes. These projects drastically modified the ecosystem morphology, transforming lotic into lentic reaches and increasing their alternation along the river. Hydro-morphologial differences between these reaches indicate that flow regulation can trigger important changes in the ecosystem functioning. Decomposition of organic matter is an integrative process and this complexity makes it a good indicator of changes in the ecosystem. The aim of this study was to assess the effect caused by flow regulation on ecosystem functioning at the river network scale, using wood decomposition as a functional indicator. We studied the mass loss from wood sticks during three months in different lotic and lentic reaches located along a Mediterranean river basin, in both winter and summer. Additionally, we identified the environmental factors affecting decomposition rates along the river orders. The results revealed differences in decomposition rates between sites in both seasons that were principally related to the differences between stream orders. The rates were mainly related to temperature, nutrient concentrations (NO2(-), NO3(2-)) and water residence time. High-order streams with higher temperature and nutrient concentrations exhibited higher decomposition rates compared with low-order streams. The effect of the flow regulation on the decomposition rates only appeared to be significant in high orders, especially in winter, when the hydrological characteristics of lotic and lentic habitats widely varied. Lotic reaches with lower water residence time exhibited greater decomposition rates compared with lentic reaches probably due to more physical abrasion and differences in the microbial assemblages. Overall, our study revealed that in high orders the reduction of flow caused by flow regulation affects the wood decomposition indicating changes in ecosystem functioning. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Insight into the stability of poly(diallydimethylammoniumchloride) and polybrene poly cationic coatings in capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Pei, Lei; Lucy, Charles A

2014-10-24

Polycationic polymers are widely used in capillary electrophoresis (CE) as surface coatings to prevent protein adsorption and control electroosmotic flow (EOF). Such semi-permanent coatings are formed by flushing the capillary with a quaternary amine-based polymer such as poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) or polybrene. Compared to covalent capillary coatings, the claimed advantages of adsorptive polycation coatings are their simple preparation and that they are not limited to the pH 2-8 range as are covalent coatings. However, while the latter is commonly claimed, few studies have demonstrated the stability of polycationic coatings at extreme pH. Herein PDADMAC and polybrene are studied as model cationic coatings. PDADMAC with higher molecular weight (M.W.) demonstrated higher EOF stability at pH 9.5, with PDADMAC of M.W. less than 200,000 being unstable at pH 9.5. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that the quaternary amines of PDADMAC and polybrene were slowly converted to tertiary amines in alkaline solution and more rapidly when adsorbed on a silica surface. The degraded polycation deprotonated at pH >7, resulting in loss of polymer from the surface and diminishing EOF. Successive multiple ionic layer (SMIL) coatings show greater alkaline stability by distancing the polycation from the surface. Separations of inorganic anions at pH 9.5 illustrate the degradation behavior and enhanced stability of higher M.W. polycationic coatings. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and general health status of adolescent Sprague Dawley rats supplemented with Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous calyx extracts as neonates followed by a high-fructose diet post-weaning.

PubMed

Ibrahim, K G; Lembede, B W; Chivandi, E; Erlwanger, K

2018-02-01

High-fructose diets (HFD) can cause oxidative damage to tissues including erythrocyte cell membranes. Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) has protective antioxidant properties. Rats were used to investigate whether the consumption of HS by neonates would result in long-term effects on their erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and general health when later fed a high-fructose diet post-weaning through adolescence. Eighty of four-day-old Sprague Dawley rat pups were divided randomly into three treatment groups. The controls (n = 27) received distilled water at 10 ml/kg b. w, while the other groups received either 50 mg/kg (n = 28) or 500 mg/kg (n = 25) of an HS aqueous calyx extract orally till post-natal day 14. The rats in each group were weaned and divided into two subgroups; one continued on normal rat chow, and the other received fructose (20% w/v) in their drinking water for 30 days. Blood was collected in heparinised tubes and added to serially diluted (0.0-0.85%) phosphate-buffered saline to determine the EOF. Clinical markers of health status were determined with an automated chemical analyser. HS extracts did not programme metabolism in the growing rats to alter their general health and EOF in response to the HFD. © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Topside Ionospheric Response to Solar EUV Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, P. C.; Hawkins, J.

2015-12-01

We present an analysis of 23 years of thermal plasma measurements in the topside ionosphere from several DMSP spacecraft at ~800 km. The solar cycle variations of the daily averaged densities, temperatures, and H+/O+ ratios show a strong relationship to the solar EUV as described by the E10.7 solar EUV proxy with cross-correlation coefficients (CCCs) with the density greater than 0.85. The H+/O+ varies dramatically from solar maximum when it is O+ dominated to solar minimum when it is H+ dominated. These ionospheric parameters also vary strongly with season, particularly at latitudes well away from the equator where the solar zenith angle (SZA) varies greatly with season. There are strong 27-day solar rotation periodicities in the density, associated with the periodicities in the solar EUV as measured by the TIMED SEE and SDO EVE instruments, with CCCs at times greater than 0.9 at selected wavelengths. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis captures over 95% of the variation in the density over the 23 years in the first two principle components. The first principle component (PC1) is clearly associated with the solar EUV showing a 0.91 CCC with the E10.7 proxy while the PC1 EOFs remain relatively constant with latitude indicating that the solar EUV effects are relatively independent of latitude. The second principle component (PC2) is clearly associated with the SZA variation, showing strong correlations with the SZA and the concomitant density variations at latitudes away from the equator and with the PC2 EOFs having magnitudes near zero at the equator and maximum at high latitude. The magnitude of the variation of the response of the topside ionosphere to solar EUV variability is shown to be closely related to the composition. This is interpreted as the result of the effect of composition on the scale height in the topside ionosphere and the "pivot effect" in which the variation in density near the F2 peak is expected to be amplified by a factor of e at an altitude a scale height above the F2 peak. When the topside ionosphere is H+ dominated, DMSP may be much less than a scale height above the F2 peak while when it is O+ dominated, DMSP may be several scale heights above the F2 peak.

Cryptic diversity and ecosystem functioning: a complex tale of differential effects on decomposition.

PubMed

De Meester, N; Gingold, R; Rigaux, A; Derycke, S; Moens, T

2016-10-01

Marine ecosystems are experiencing accelerating population and species loss. Some ecosystem functions are decreasing and there is growing interest in the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The role of cryptic (morphologically identical but genetically distinct) species in this biodiversity-ecosystem functioning link is unclear and has not yet been formally tested. We tested if there is a differential effect of four cryptic species of the bacterivorous nematode Litoditis marina on the decomposition process of macroalgae. Bacterivorous nematodes can stimulate or slow down bacterial activity and modify the bacterial assemblage composition. Moreover, we tested if interspecific interactions among the four cryptic species influence the decomposition process. A laboratory experiment with both mono- and multispecific nematode cultures was conducted, and loss of organic matter and the activity of two key extracellular enzymes for the degradation of phytodetritus were assessed. L. marina mainly influenced qualitative aspects of the decomposition process rather than its overall rate: an effect of the nematodes on the enzymatic activities became manifest, although no clear nematode effect on bulk organic matter weight loss was found. We also demonstrated that species-specific effects on the decomposition process existed. Combining the four cryptic species resulted in high competition, with one dominant species, but without complete exclusion of other species. These interspecific interactions translated into different effects on the decomposition process. The species-specific differences indicated that each cryptic species may play an important and distinct role in ecosystem functioning. Functional differences may result in coexistence among very similar species.

Projection decomposition algorithm for dual-energy computed tomography via deep neural network.

PubMed

Xu, Yifu; Yan, Bin; Chen, Jian; Zeng, Lei; Li, Lei

2018-03-15

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has been widely used to improve identification of substances from different spectral information. Decomposition of the mixed test samples into two materials relies on a well-calibrated material decomposition function. This work aims to establish and validate a data-driven algorithm for estimation of the decomposition function. A deep neural network (DNN) consisting of two sub-nets is proposed to solve the projection decomposition problem. The compressing sub-net, substantially a stack auto-encoder (SAE), learns a compact representation of energy spectrum. The decomposing sub-net with a two-layer structure fits the nonlinear transform between energy projection and basic material thickness. The proposed DNN not only delivers image with lower standard deviation and higher quality in both simulated and real data, and also yields the best performance in cases mixed with photon noise. Moreover, DNN costs only 0.4 s to generate a decomposition solution of 360 × 512 size scale, which is about 200 times faster than the competing algorithms. The DNN model is applicable to the decomposition tasks with different dual energies. Experimental results demonstrated the strong function fitting ability of DNN. Thus, the Deep learning paradigm provides a promising approach to solve the nonlinear problem in DECT.

ENSO-related Interannual Variability of Southern Hemisphere Atmospheric Circulation: Assessment and Projected Changes in CMIP5 Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frederiksen, Carsten; Grainger, Simon; Zheng, Xiaogu; Sisson, Janice

2013-04-01

ENSO variability is an important driver of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) atmospheric circulation. Understanding the observed and projected changes in ENSO variability is therefore important to understanding changes in Australian surface climate. Using a recently developed methodology (Zheng et al., 2009), the coherent patterns, or modes, of ENSO-related variability in the SH atmospheric circulation can be separated from modes that are related to intraseasonal variability or to changes in radiative forcings. Under this methodology, the seasonal mean SH 500 hPa geopotential height is considered to consist of three components. These are: (1) an intraseasonal component related to internal dynamics on intraseasonal time scales; (2) a slow-internal component related to internal dynamics on slowly varying (interannual or longer) time scales, including ENSO; and (3) a slow-external component related to external (i.e. radiative) forcings. Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) are used to represent the modes of variability of the interannual covariance of the three components. An assessment is first made of the modes in models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) dataset for the SH summer and winter seasons in the 20th century. In reanalysis data, two EOFs of the slow component (which includes the slow-internal and slow-external components) have been found to be related to ENSO variability (Frederiksen and Zheng, 2007). In SH summer, the CMIP5 models reproduce the leading ENSO mode very well when the structures of the EOF and the associated SST, and associated variance are considered. There is substantial improvement in this mode when compared with the CMIP3 models shown in Grainger et al. (2012). However, the second ENSO mode in SH summer has a poorly reproduced EOF structure in the CMIP5 models, and the associated variance is generally underestimated. In SH winter, the performance of the CMIP5 models in reproducing the structure and variance is similar for both ENSO modes, with the associated variance being generally underestimated. Projected changes in the modes in the 21st century are then investigated using ensembles of CMIP5 models that reproduce well the 20th century slow modes. The slow-internal and slow-external components are examined separately, allowing the projected changes in the response to ENSO variability to be separated from the response to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations. By using several ensembles, the model-dependency of the projected changes in the ENSO-related slow-internal modes is examined. Frederiksen, C. S., and X. Zheng, 2007: Variability of seasonal-mean fields arising from intraseasonal variability. Part 3: Application to SH winter and summer circulations. Climate Dyn., 28, 849-866. Grainger, S., C. S. Frederiksen, and X. Zheng, 2012: Modes of interannual variability of Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation in CMIP3 models: Assessment and Projections. Climate Dyn., in press. Zheng, X., D. M. Straus, C. S. Frederiksen, and S. Grainger, 2009: Potentially predictable patterns of extratropical tropospheric circulation in an ensemble of climate simulations with the COLA AGCM. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 135, 1816-1829.

More on boundary holographic Witten diagrams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Yoshiki

2018-01-01

In this paper we discuss geodesic Witten diagrams in general holographic conformal field theories with boundary or defect. In boundary or defect conformal field theory, two-point functions are nontrivial and can be decomposed into conformal blocks in two distinct ways; ambient channel decomposition and boundary channel decomposition. In our previous work [A. Karch and Y. Sato, J. High Energy Phys. 09 (2017) 121., 10.1007/JHEP09(2017)121] we only consider two-point functions of same operators. We generalize our previous work to a situation where operators in two-point functions are different. We obtain two distinct decomposition for two-point functions of different operators.

Sparse decomposition of seismic data and migration using Gaussian beams with nonzero initial curvature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Peng; Wang, Yanfei

2018-04-01

We study problems associated with seismic data decomposition and migration imaging. We first represent the seismic data utilizing Gaussian beam basis functions, which have nonzero curvature, and then consider the sparse decomposition technique. The sparse decomposition problem is an l0-norm constrained minimization problem. In solving the l0-norm minimization, a polynomial Radon transform is performed to achieve sparsity, and a fast gradient descent method is used to calculate the waveform functions. The waveform functions can subsequently be used for sparse Gaussian beam migration. Compared with traditional sparse Gaussian beam methods, the seismic data can be properly reconstructed employing fewer Gaussian beams with nonzero initial curvature. The migration approach described in this paper is more efficient than the traditional sparse Gaussian beam migration.

Oscillatory electroosmotic flow in a parallel-plate microchannel under asymmetric zeta potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peralta, M.; Arcos, J.; Méndez, F.; Bautista, O.

2017-06-01

In this work, we conduct a theoretical analysis of the start-up of an oscillatory electroosmotic flow (EOF) in a parallel-plate microchannel under asymmetric zeta potentials. It is found that the transient evolution of the flow field is controlled by the parameters {R}ω , {R}\\zeta , and \\bar{κ }, which represent the dimensionless frequency, the ratio of the zeta potentials of the microchannel walls, and the electrokinetic parameter, which is defined as the ratio of the microchannel height to the Debye length. The analysis is performed for both low and high zeta potentials; in the former case, an analytical solution is derived, whereas in the latter, a numerical solution is obtained. These solutions provide the fundamental characteristics of the oscillatory EOFs for which, with suitable adjustment of the zeta potential and the dimensionless frequency, the velocity profiles of the fluid flow exhibit symmetric or asymmetric shapes.

Decomposition of metabolic network into functional modules based on the global connectivity structure of reaction graph.

PubMed

Ma, Hong-Wu; Zhao, Xue-Ming; Yuan, Ying-Jin; Zeng, An-Ping

2004-08-12

Metabolic networks are organized in a modular, hierarchical manner. Methods for a rational decomposition of the metabolic network into relatively independent functional subsets are essential to better understand the modularity and organization principle of a large-scale, genome-wide network. Network decomposition is also necessary for functional analysis of metabolism by pathway analysis methods that are often hampered by the problem of combinatorial explosion due to the complexity of metabolic network. Decomposition methods proposed in literature are mainly based on the connection degree of metabolites. To obtain a more reasonable decomposition, the global connectivity structure of metabolic networks should be taken into account. In this work, we use a reaction graph representation of a metabolic network for the identification of its global connectivity structure and for decomposition. A bow-tie connectivity structure similar to that previously discovered for metabolite graph is found also to exist in the reaction graph. Based on this bow-tie structure, a new decomposition method is proposed, which uses a distance definition derived from the path length between two reactions. An hierarchical classification tree is first constructed from the distance matrix among the reactions in the giant strong component of the bow-tie structure. These reactions are then grouped into different subsets based on the hierarchical tree. Reactions in the IN and OUT subsets of the bow-tie structure are subsequently placed in the corresponding subsets according to a 'majority rule'. Compared with the decomposition methods proposed in literature, ours is based on combined properties of the global network structure and local reaction connectivity rather than, primarily, on the connection degree of metabolites. The method is applied to decompose the metabolic network of Escherichia coli. Eleven subsets are obtained. More detailed investigations of the subsets show that reactions in the same subset are really functionally related. The rational decomposition of metabolic networks, and subsequent studies of the subsets, make it more amenable to understand the inherent organization and functionality of metabolic networks at the modular level. http://genome.gbf.de/bioinformatics/

Functional and Structural Succession of Soil Microbial Communities below Decomposing Human Cadavers

PubMed Central

Cobaugh, Kelly L.; Schaeffer, Sean M.; DeBruyn, Jennifer M.

2015-01-01

The ecological succession of microbes during cadaver decomposition has garnered interest in both basic and applied research contexts (e.g. community assembly and dynamics; forensic indicator of time since death). Yet current understanding of microbial ecology during decomposition is almost entirely based on plant litter. We know very little about microbes recycling carcass-derived organic matter despite the unique decomposition processes. Our objective was to quantify the taxonomic and functional succession of microbial populations in soils below decomposing cadavers, testing the hypotheses that a) periods of increased activity during decomposition are associated with particular taxa; and b) human-associated taxa are introduced to soils, but do not persist outside their host. We collected soils from beneath four cadavers throughout decomposition, and analyzed soil chemistry, microbial activity and bacterial community structure. As expected, decomposition resulted in pulses of soil C and nutrients (particularly ammonia) and stimulated microbial activity. There was no change in total bacterial abundances, however we observed distinct changes in both function and community composition. During active decay (7 - 12 days postmortem), respiration and biomass production rates were high: the community was dominated by Proteobacteria (increased from 15.0 to 26.1% relative abundance) and Firmicutes (increased from 1.0 to 29.0%), with reduced Acidobacteria abundances (decreased from 30.4 to 9.8%). Once decay rates slowed (10 - 23 d postmortem), respiration was elevated, but biomass production rates dropped dramatically; this community with low growth efficiency was dominated by Firmicutes (increased to 50.9%) and other anaerobic taxa. Human-associated bacteria, including the obligately anaerobic Bacteroides, were detected at high concentrations in soil throughout decomposition, up to 198 d postmortem. Our results revealed the pattern of functional and compositional succession in soil microbial communities during decomposition of human-derived organic matter, provided insight into decomposition processes, and identified putative predictor populations for time since death estimation. PMID:26067226

A density functional theory study of the decomposition mechanism of nitroglycerin.

PubMed

Pei, Liguan; Dong, Kehai; Tang, Yanhui; Zhang, Bo; Yu, Chang; Li, Wenzuo

2017-08-21

The detailed decomposition mechanism of nitroglycerin (NG) in the gas phase was studied by examining reaction pathways using density functional theory (DFT) and canonical variational transition state theory combined with a small-curvature tunneling correction (CVT/SCT). The mechanism of NG autocatalytic decomposition was investigated at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Five possible decomposition pathways involving NG were identified and the rate constants for the pathways at temperatures ranging from 200 to 1000 K were calculated using CVT/SCT. There was found to be a lower energy barrier to the β-H abstraction reaction than to the α-H abstraction reaction during the initial step in the autocatalytic decomposition of NG. The decomposition pathways for CHOCOCHONO 2 (a product obtained following the abstraction of three H atoms from NG by NO 2 ) include O-NO 2 cleavage or isomer production, meaning that the autocatalytic decomposition of NG has two reaction pathways, both of which are exothermic. The rate constants for these two reaction pathways are greater than the rate constants for the three pathways corresponding to unimolecular NG decomposition. The overall process of NG decomposition can be divided into two stages based on the NO 2 concentration, which affects the decomposition products and reactions. In the first stage, the reaction pathway corresponding to O-NO 2 cleavage is the main pathway, but the rates of the two autocatalytic decomposition pathways increase with increasing NO 2 concentration. However, when a threshold NO 2 concentration is reached, the NG decomposition process enters its second stage, with the two pathways for NG autocatalytic decomposition becoming the main and secondary reaction pathways.

North Pacific Decadal Variability in the GEOS-5 Atmosphere-Ocean Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Achuthavarier, Deepthi; Schubert, Siegfried D.; Vikhliaev, Yury V.

2013-01-01

This study examines the mechanisms of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) in the GEOS-5 general circulation model. The model simulates a realistic PDO pattern that is resolved as the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) of winter sea surface temperature (SST). The simulated PDO is primarily forced by Aleutian low through Ekman transport and surface fluxes, and shows a red spectrum without any preferred periodicity. This differs from the observations, which indicate a greater role of El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) forcing, and likely reflects the too short time scale of the simulated ENSO. The geostrophic transport in response to the Aleutian low is limited to the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension, and is unlikely the main controlling factor in this model, although it reinforces the Ekman-induced SST anomalies. The delay between the Aleutian low and the PDO is relatively short (1 year) suggesting that the fast Ekman response (rather than Rossby wave propagation) sets the SST pattern immediately following an Aleutian low fluctuation. The atmospheric feedback (response to the SST) is only about 25 of the forcing and never evolves into an Aleutian low completely, instead projecting onto the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO), a meridional dipole in sea level pressure (SLP). The lack of preferred periodicity and weak atmospheric response bothindicate a coupled oscillation is an unlikely mechanism for the PDO in this model. In agreement with recent studies, the NPO is correlated with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO), which is another leading EOF of the North Pacific SST. A possible connection between the PDO and the NPGO is discussed.

North Pacific decadal variability: insights from a biennial ENSO environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Achuthavarier, Deepthi; Schubert, Siegfried D.; Vikhliaev, Yury V.

2017-08-01

This study examines the mechanisms of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) in the NASA GEOS-5 general circulation model (GCM). Similar to several other state-of-the-art GCMs, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulated by the GEOS-5 has a strong biennial periodicity. Since this is a model bias that precludes a strong role of ENSO, it provides a unique environment to assess the other leading mechanisms of North Pacific decadal variability. Despite the biennial ENSO periodicity, the model simulates a realistic PDO pattern in the North Pacific that is resolved as the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) of winter mean sea surface temperature (SST). The spectrum of the PDO indicates no preferred periodicity. The SST anomalies associated with the PDO, particularly its basin wide structure, are primarily forced by the Aleutian low through Ekman transport. The slow geostrophic transport in association with the meridional adjustment of the subtropical gyre is limited to a narrow region in the Kuroshio-Oyashio extension, north of 40°N. The atmosphere's response to the PDO, while weak, projects onto the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO), a meridional dipole in sea level pressure. Both the lack of preferred periodicity and the weak atmospheric response indicate an air-sea coupled oscillation is an unlikely mechanism in this model. In agreement with recent studies, the NPO is correlated with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, which is another leading EOF of North Pacific SST variability. The results emphasize the role of atmospheric variability in the North Pacific SST modes, thereby bringing into question the potential for their predictability.

Predictability of the summer East Asian upper-tropospheric westerly jet in ENSEMBLES multi-model forecasts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chaofan; Lin, Zhongda

2015-12-01

The interannual variation of the East Asian upper-tropospheric westerly jet (EAJ) significantly affects East Asian climate in summer. Identifying its performance in model prediction may provide us another viewpoint, from the perspective of upper-tropospheric circulation, to understand the predictability of summer climate anomalies in East Asia. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of year-to-year variability of the EAJ based on retrospective seasonal forecasts, initiated from 1 May, in the five state-of-the-art coupled models from ENSEMBLES during 1960-2005. It is found that the coupled models show certain capability in describing the interannual meridional displacement of the EAJ, which reflects the models' performance in the first leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode. This capability is mainly shown over the region south of the EAJ axis. Additionally, the models generally capture well the main features of atmospheric circulation and SST anomalies related to the interannual meridional displacement of the EAJ. Further analysis suggests that the predicted warm SST anomalies in the concurrent summer over the tropical eastern Pacific and northern Indian Ocean are the two main sources of the potential prediction skill of the southward shift of the EAJ. In contrast, the models are powerless in describing the variation over the region north of the EAJ axis, associated with the meridional displacement, and interannual intensity change of the EAJ, the second leading EOF mode, meaning it still remains a challenge to better predict the EAJ and, subsequently, summer climate in East Asia, using current coupled models.

North Pacific Decadal Variability: Insights from a Biennial ENSO Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Achuthavarier, Deepthi; Schubert, Siegfried D.; Vikhliaev, Yury V.

2016-01-01

This study examines the mechanisms of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) in the NASA GEOS-5 general circulation model (GCM). Similar to several other state-of-the-art GCMs, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulated by the GEOS-5 has a strong biennial periodicity. Since this is a model bias that precludes a strong role of ENSO, it provides a unique environment to assess the other leading mechanisms of North Pacific decadal variability. Despite the biennial ENSO periodicity, the model simulates a realistic PDO pattern in the North Pacific that is resolved as the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) of winter mean sea surface temperature (SST). The spectrum of the PDO indicates no preferred periodicity. The SST anomalies associated with the PDO, particularly its basin wide structure, are primarily forced by the Aleutian low through Ekman transport. The slow geostrophic transport in association with the meridional adjustment of the subtropical gyre is limited to a narrow region in the Kuroshio-Oyashio extension, north of 40degN. The atmosphere's response to the PDO, while weak, projects onto the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO), a meridional dipole in sea level pressure. Both the lack of preferred periodicity and the weak atmospheric response indicate an air-sea coupled oscillation is an unlikely mechanism in this model. In agreement with recent studies, the NPO is correlated with the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation, which is another leading EOF of North Pacific SST variability. The results emphasize the role of atmospheric variability in the North Pacific SST modes, thereby bringing into question the potential for their predictability.

The influence of ENSO, PDO and PNA on secular rainfall variations in Hawai`i

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frazier, Abby G.; Elison Timm, Oliver; Giambelluca, Thomas W.; Diaz, Henry F.

2017-11-01

Over the last century, significant declines in rainfall across the state of Hawai`i have been observed, and it is unknown whether these declines are due to natural variations in climate, or manifestations of human-induced climate change. Here, a statistical analysis of the observed rainfall variability was applied as first step towards better understanding causes for these long-term trends. Gridded seasonal rainfall from 1920 to 2012 is used to perform an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The leading EOF components are correlated with three indices of natural climate variations (El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Pacific North American (PNA)), and multiple linear regression (MLR) is used to model the leading components with climate indices. PNA is the dominant mode of wet season (November-April) variability, while ENSO is most significant in the dry season (May-October). To assess whether there is an anthropogenic influence on rainfall, two methods are used: a linear trend term is included in the MLR, and pattern correlation coefficients (PCC) are calculated between recent rainfall trends and future changes in rainfall projected by downscaling methods. PCC results indicate that recent observed rainfall trends in the wet season are positively correlated with future expected changes in rainfall, while dry season PCC results do not show a clear pattern. The MLR results, however, show that the trend term adds significantly to model skill only in the dry season. Overall, MLR and PCC results give weak and inconclusive evidence for detection of anthropogenic signals in the observed rainfall trends.

Potential impacts of the Arctic on interannual and interdecadal summer precipitation over China

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Yuefeng; Leung, Lai-Yung R.

2013-02-01

After the end of the 1970s, there has been a tendency for enhanced summer precipitation over South China and the Yangtze River valley and drought over North China and Northeastern China. Coincidentally, Arctic ice concentration has decreased since the late 1970s, with larger reduction in summer than spring. However, the Arctic warming is more significant in spring than summer, suggesting that spring Arctic conditions could be more important in their remote impacts. This study investigates the potential impacts of the Arctic on summer precipitation in China. The leading spatial patterns and time coefficients of the unfiltered, interannual, and interdecadal precipitationmore » (1960-2008) modes were analyzed and compared using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, which shows that the first three EOFs can capture the principal precipitation patterns (northern, central and southern patterns) over eastern China. Regression of the Arctic spring and summer temperature onto the time coefficients of the leading interannual and interdecadal precipitation modes shows that interdecadal summer precipitation in China is related to the Arctic spring warming, but the relationship with Arctic summer temperature is weak. Moreover, no notable relationships were found between the first three modes of interannual precipitation and Arctic spring or summer temperatures. Finally, correlations between summer precipitation and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index from January to August were investigated, which indicate that summer precipitation in China correlates with AO only to some extent. Overall, this study suggests important relationships between the Arctic spring temperature and summer precipitation over China at the interdecadal time scale.« less

Atmospheric QBO and ENSO indices with high vertical resolution from GNSS radio occultation temperature measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilhelmsen, Hallgeir; Ladstädter, Florian; Scherllin-Pirscher, Barbara; Steiner, Andrea K.

2018-03-01

We provide atmospheric temperature variability indices for the tropical troposphere and stratosphere based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) temperature measurements. By exploiting the high vertical resolution and the uniform distribution of the GNSS RO temperature soundings we introduce two approaches, both based on an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The first method utilizes the whole vertical and horizontal RO temperature field from 30° S to 30° N and from 2 to 35 km altitude. The resulting indices, the leading principal components, resemble the well-known patterns of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the tropics. They provide some information on the vertical structure; however, they are not vertically resolved. The second method applies the EOF analysis on each altitude level separately and the resulting indices contain information on the horizontal variability at each densely available altitude level. They capture more variability than the indices from the first method and present a mixture of all variability modes contributing at the respective altitude level, including the QBO and ENSO. Compared to commonly used variability indices from QBO winds or ENSO sea surface temperature, these new indices cover the vertical details of the atmospheric variability. Using them as proxies for temperature variability is also of advantage because there is no further need to account for response time lags. Atmospheric variability indices as novel products from RO are expected to be of great benefit for studies on atmospheric dynamics and variability, for climate trend analysis, as well as for climate model evaluation.

Land surface and atmospheric conditions associated with heat waves over the Chickasaw Nation in the South Central United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Eungul; Bieda, Rahama; Shanmugasundaram, Jothiganesh; Basara Richter, Heather

2016-06-01

Exposure to extreme heat was reconstructed based on regional land-atmosphere processes from 1979 to 2010 in the South Central U.S. The study region surrounds the Chickasaw Nation (CN), a predominantly Native American population with a highly prevalent burden of climate-sensitive chronic diseases. Land surface and atmospheric conditions for summer heat waves were analyzed during spring (March-April-May, MAM) and summer (June-July-August, JJA) based on the Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability, and Change maximum temperature definition for heat wave frequency (HWF). The spatial-temporal pattern of HWF was determined using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis and the corresponding principle component time series of the first EOF of HWF. Statistically significant analyses of observed conditions indicated that sensible heat increased and latent heat fluxes decreased with high HWF in the South Central U.S. The largest positive correlations of sensible heat flux to HWF and the largest negative correlations of latent heat flux to HWF were specifically observed over the CN. This is a significantly different energy transfer regime due to less available soil moisture during the antecedent MAM and JJA. The higher sensible heat from dry soil could cause significant warming from the near surface (>2.0°C) to the lower troposphere (>1.5°C), and accumulated boundary layer heat could induce the significant patterns of higher geopotential height and enhance anticyclonic circulations (negative vorticity anomaly) at the midtroposphere. Results suggested a positive land-atmosphere feedback associated with heat waves and called attention to the need for region-specific climate adaptation planning.

Land surface and atmospheric conditions associated with heat waves in the South Central United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Eungul; Bieda, Rahama; Shanmugasundaram, Jothiganesh; Richter, Heather

2017-04-01

Exposure to extreme heat was reconstructed based on regional land-atmosphere processes from 1979 to 2010 in the South Central U.S. The study region surrounds the Chickasaw Nation (CN), a predominantly Native American population with a highly prevalent burden of climate-sensitive chronic diseases. Land surface and atmospheric conditions for summer heat waves were analyzed during spring (March-April-May, MAM) and summer (June-July-August, JJA) based on the Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability, and Change maximum temperature definition for heat wave frequency (HWF). The spatial-temporal pattern of HWF was determined using empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis and the corresponding principle component time series of the first EOF of HWF. Statistically significant analyses of observed conditions indicated that sensible heat increased and latent heat fluxes decreased with high HWF in the South Central U.S. The largest positive correlations of sensible heat flux to HWF and the largest negative correlations of latent heat flux to HWF were specifically observed over the CN. This is a significantly different energy transfer regime due to less available soil moisture during the antecedent MAM and JJA. The higher sensible heat from dry soil could cause significant warming from the near surface (> 2.0°C) to the lower troposphere (> 1.5°C), and accumulated boundary layer heat could induce the significant patterns of higher geopotential height and enhance anticyclonic circulations (negative vorticity anomaly) at the midtroposphere. Results suggested a positive land-atmosphere feedback associated with heat waves and called attention to the need for region-specific climate adaptation planning.

Rigorous Characterisation of a Novel, Statistically-Based Ocean Colour Algorithm for the PACE Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Craig, S. E.; Lee, Z.; Du, K.; Lin, J.

2016-02-01

An approach based on empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of ocean colour spectra has been shown to accurately derive inherent optical properties (IOPs) and chlorophyll concentration in scenarios, such as optically complex waters, where standard algorithms often perform poorly. The algorithm has been successfully used in a number of regional applications, and has also shown promise in a global implementation based on the NASA NOMAD data set. Additionally, it has demonstrated the unique ability to derive ocean colour products from top of atmosphere (TOA) signals with either no or minimal atmospheric correction applied. Due to its high potential for use over coastal and inland waters, the EOF approach is currently being rigorously characterised as part of a suite of approaches that will be used to support the new NASA ocean colour mission, PACE (Pre-Aerosol, Clouds and ocean Ecosystem). A major component in this model characterisation is the generation of a synthetic TOA data set using a coupled ocean-atmosphere radiative transfer model, which has been run to mimic PACE spectral resolution, and under a wide range of geographical locations, water constituent concentrations, and sea surface and atmospheric conditions. The resulting multidimensional data set will be analysed, and results presented on the sensitivity of the model to various combinations of parameters, and preliminary conclusions made regarding the optimal implementation strategy of this promising approach (e.g. on a global, optical water type or regional basis). This will provide vital guidance for operational implementation of the model for both existing satellite ocean colour sensors and the upcoming PACE mission.

Mode Analyses of Gyrokinetic Simulations of Plasma Microturbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatch, David R.

This thesis presents analysis of the excitation and role of damped modes in gyrokinetic simulations of plasma microturbulence. In order to address this question, mode decompositions are used to analyze gyrokinetic simulation data. A mode decomposition can be constructed by projecting a nonlinearly evolved gyrokinetic distribution function onto a set of linear eigenmodes, or alternatively by constructing a proper orthogonal decomposition of the distribution function. POD decompositions are used to examine the role of damped modes in saturating ion temperature gradient driven turbulence. In order to identify the contribution of different modes to the energy sources and sinks, numerical diagnostics for a gyrokinetic energy quantity were developed for the GENE code. The use of these energy diagnostics in conjunction with POD mode decompositions demonstrates that ITG turbulence saturates largely through dissipation by damped modes at the same perpendicular spatial scales as those of the driving instabilities. This defines a picture of turbulent saturation that is very different from both traditional hydrodynamic scenarios and also many common theories for the saturation of plasma turbulence. POD mode decompositions are also used to examine the role of subdominant modes in causing magnetic stochasticity in electromagnetic gyrokinetic simulations. It is shown that the magnetic stochasticity, which appears to be ubiquitous in electromagnetic microturbulence, is caused largely by subdominant modes with tearing parity. The application of higher-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) to the full distribution function from gyrokinetic simulations is presented. This is an effort to demonstrate the ability to characterize and extract insight from a very large, complex, and high-dimensional data-set - the 5-D (plus time) gyrokinetic distribution function.

Using empirical orthogonal functions from remote sensing reflectance spectra to predict various phytoplankton pigment concentrations in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bracher, Astrid; Taylor, Bettina; Taylor, Marc; Steinmetz, Francois; Dinter, Tilman; Röttgers, Rüdiger

2014-05-01

Phytoplankton pigments play a major role in photosynthesis and photoprotection. Their composition and abundance give information on characteristics of a phytoplankton community in respect to its acclimation to light, overall biomass and composition of major phytoplankton groups. Most phytoplankton pigments can be measured by applying HPLC techniques to filtered water samples. This method like other mathods analysing water samples in the laboratory is time consuming and therefore only a limited number of samples can be obtained. In order to obtain information on phytoplankton pigment composition with a better temporal and spatial composition, the rationale was to develop a method to get from continuous optical measurements pigment concentrations. We have used remote sensing reflectances (RRS) derived from ship-based hyper-spectral underwater radiometric and from satellite MERIS measurements (using the POLYMER algorithm developed by Steinmetz et al. 2011), sampled in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic, to predict the water surface concentration of various pigments or pigment groups in this area. A statistical model based on Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of these RRS spectra was developed. Then subsequently linear models with measured (collocated) pigment concentrations as the response variable and EOF loadings as predictor variables were constructed. The model results, which have been verified by cross validation, show that from the ship-based RRS measurements the surface concentrations of a suite of pigments and pigment groups can be well predicted, even when only a multi-spectral resolution of RRS data is chosen. Based on the MERIS reflectance data, only concentrations of total chlorophyll-a (chl-a), monovinyl-chl-a and the groups of photoprotective and photosynthetic carotenoids can be obtained with high quality. The model constructed on the satellite reflectances as input was also applied to one month of MERIS POLYMER data to predict for the whole Eastern Tropical Atlantic area the concentration of those pigments. Finally, the potential, limitations and future perspectives for the application of our generic method are discussed.

An NAFP Project: Use of Object Oriented Methodologies and Design Patterns to Refactor Software Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaykhian, Gholam Ali; Baggs, Rhoda

2007-01-01

In the early problem-solution era of software programming, functional decompositions were mainly used to design and implement software solutions. In functional decompositions, functions and data are introduced as two separate entities during the design phase, and are followed as such in the implementation phase. Functional decompositions make use of refactoring through optimizing the algorithms, grouping similar functionalities into common reusable functions, and using abstract representations of data where possible; all these are done during the implementation phase. This paper advocates the usage of object-oriented methodologies and design patterns as the centerpieces of refactoring software solutions. Refactoring software is a method of changing software design while explicitly preserving its external functionalities. The combined usage of object-oriented methodologies and design patterns to refactor should also benefit the overall software life cycle cost with improved software.

Spatial and temporal variability of Mediterranean drought events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trigo, R.; Sousa, P.; Nieto, R.; Gimeno, L.

2009-04-01

The original Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and a recent adaptation to European soil characteristics, the Self Calibrated PDSI (or scPDSI) proposed by Schrier et al (2005) were used. We have computed monthly, seasonal and annual trends between 1901 and 2000 but also for the first and second halves of the 20th century. Results were represented only when achieving a minimum level of statistical significance (either 5% or 10% using a Mann-Kendall test) and confirm that the majority of the western and central Mediterranean is getting drier in the last decades of the 20th century while Turkey is generally getting wetter (Trigo et al., 2006). The spatio-temporal variability of these indices was evaluated with an EOF analysis, in order to reduce the large dimensionality of the fields under analysis. Spatial representation of the first EOF patterns shows that EOF 1 covers the entire Mediterranean basin (16.4% of EV), while EOF2 is dominated by a W-E dipole (10% EV). The following EOF patterns present smaller scale features, and explain smaller amounts of variance. The EOF patterns have also facilitated the definition of four sub-regions with large socio-economic relevance: 1) Iberia, 2) Italian Peninsula, 3) Balkans and 4) Turkey. The inter-annual variability of the regional spatial droughts indices for each region was analyzed separately. We have also performed an evaluation of their eventual links with large-scale atmospheric circulation indices that affect the Mediterranean basin, namely the NAO, EA, and SCAND. Finally we have evaluated the main sources of moisture affecting two drought prone areas in the western (Iberia) and eastern (Balkans) Mediterranean. This analysis was performed by means of backward tracking the air masses that ultimately reach these two regions using the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART (Stohl et al., 1998) and meteorological analysis data from the ECMWF to track atmospheric moisture. This was done for a five-year period (2000-2004) and using ECMWF operational analysis available every six hours (00, 06, 12 and 18 UTC) with a 1°x1° resolution (Sthol et al., 2004). Following the approach used by the authors for the Sahel (Nieto et al., 2006) and Tropical south America (Nieto et al., 2008) we traced (E-P) backwards from both regions, limiting the transport times to 10 days, which is the average time that water vapor resides in the atmosphere. In order to evaluate possible shifts in the origin of the moisture sources (between wet and dry years) this analysis was performed independently for dry and wet winter seasons. Nieto R., Gimeno L., Trigo R.M. (2006) A Lagrangian identification of major sources of Sahel moisture. Geophys. Res. Letters, 33, L18707, doi:10.1029/2006GL027232. Nieto R., Ribera P., Trigo R.M. , Gallego D., Gimeno L.(2008) Dynamic identification of moisture sources in the Orinoco Basin. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 53, 602-612. Schrier G, Briffa KR, Jones PD, Osborn TJ. (2005). Summer moisture variability across Europe. Journal of Climate, 19, 2818-2834. Stohl, A., M. Hittenberger, and G. Wotawa (1998), Validation of the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART against large scale tracer experiment data, Atmos. Environ., 32, 4245- 4264. Stohl, A., and P. James (2004), A Lagrangian analysis of the atmospheric branch of the global water cycle. Part 1: Method description, validation, and demonstration for the August 2002 flooding in central Europe. J. Hydrometeor., 5, 656-678. Trigo, R. and 21 authors (2006) Relations between variability in the Mediterranean region and mid-latitude variability. In: P. Lionello, P. Malanotte-Rizzoli & R. Boscolo (Eds), Mediterranean Climate Variability, Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 179-226.

Atomic Cholesky decompositions: a route to unbiased auxiliary basis sets for density fitting approximation with tunable accuracy and efficiency.

PubMed

Aquilante, Francesco; Gagliardi, Laura; Pedersen, Thomas Bondo; Lindh, Roland

2009-04-21

Cholesky decomposition of the atomic two-electron integral matrix has recently been proposed as a procedure for automated generation of auxiliary basis sets for the density fitting approximation [F. Aquilante et al., J. Chem. Phys. 127, 114107 (2007)]. In order to increase computational performance while maintaining accuracy, we propose here to reduce the number of primitive Gaussian functions of the contracted auxiliary basis functions by means of a second Cholesky decomposition. Test calculations show that this procedure is most beneficial in conjunction with highly contracted atomic orbital basis sets such as atomic natural orbitals, and that the error resulting from the second decomposition is negligible. We also demonstrate theoretically as well as computationally that the locality of the fitting coefficients can be controlled by means of the decomposition threshold even with the long-ranged Coulomb metric. Cholesky decomposition-based auxiliary basis sets are thus ideally suited for local density fitting approximations.

Atomic Cholesky decompositions: A route to unbiased auxiliary basis sets for density fitting approximation with tunable accuracy and efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aquilante, Francesco; Gagliardi, Laura; Pedersen, Thomas Bondo; Lindh, Roland

2009-04-01

Cholesky decomposition of the atomic two-electron integral matrix has recently been proposed as a procedure for automated generation of auxiliary basis sets for the density fitting approximation [F. Aquilante et al., J. Chem. Phys. 127, 114107 (2007)]. In order to increase computational performance while maintaining accuracy, we propose here to reduce the number of primitive Gaussian functions of the contracted auxiliary basis functions by means of a second Cholesky decomposition. Test calculations show that this procedure is most beneficial in conjunction with highly contracted atomic orbital basis sets such as atomic natural orbitals, and that the error resulting from the second decomposition is negligible. We also demonstrate theoretically as well as computationally that the locality of the fitting coefficients can be controlled by means of the decomposition threshold even with the long-ranged Coulomb metric. Cholesky decomposition-based auxiliary basis sets are thus ideally suited for local density fitting approximations.

An analysis of scatter decomposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nicol, David M.; Saltz, Joel H.

1990-01-01

A formal analysis of a powerful mapping technique known as scatter decomposition is presented. Scatter decomposition divides an irregular computational domain into a large number of equal sized pieces, and distributes them modularly among processors. A probabilistic model of workload in one dimension is used to formally explain why, and when scatter decomposition works. The first result is that if correlation in workload is a convex function of distance, then scattering a more finely decomposed domain yields a lower average processor workload variance. The second result shows that if the workload process is stationary Gaussian and the correlation function decreases linearly in distance until becoming zero and then remains zero, scattering a more finely decomposed domain yields a lower expected maximum processor workload. Finally it is shown that if the correlation function decreases linearly across the entire domain, then among all mappings that assign an equal number of domain pieces to each processor, scatter decomposition minimizes the average processor workload variance. The dependence of these results on the assumption of decreasing correlation is illustrated with situations where a coarser granularity actually achieves better load balance.

Goal-Function Tree Modeling for Systems Engineering and Fault Management

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Stephen B.; Breckenridge, Jonathan T.

2013-01-01

This paper describes a new representation that enables rigorous definition and decomposition of both nominal and off-nominal system goals and functions: the Goal-Function Tree (GFT). GFTs extend the concept and process of functional decomposition, utilizing state variables as a key mechanism to ensure physical and logical consistency and completeness of the decomposition of goals (requirements) and functions, and enabling full and complete traceabilitiy to the design. The GFT also provides for means to define and represent off-nominal goals and functions that are activated when the system's nominal goals are not met. The physical accuracy of the GFT, and its ability to represent both nominal and off-nominal goals enable the GFT to be used for various analyses of the system, including assessments of the completeness and traceability of system goals and functions, the coverage of fault management failure detections, and definition of system failure scenarios.

Soil Fungi and Macrofauna in the Neotropics

Treesearch

Yiqing Li; Grizelle Gonzalez

2008-01-01

Decomposition is a critical ecosystem function that decomposes dead organic materials, removes wastes, recycles nutrients and renews soils fertility. In natural ecosystems most nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) required for plant growth are supplied through the decomposition of detritus, relying therefore on the activities of soil microbes and microfauna. Decomposition...

Compositional aspects of herbaceous litter decomposition in the freshwater marshes of the Florida Everglades

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Litter decomposition in wetlands is an important component of ecosystem function in these detrital systems. In oligotrophic wetlands, such as the Florida Everglades, litter decomposition processes are dependent on nutrient availability and litter quality. However, not much is known about how the che...

Succession of Phylogeny and Function During Plant Litter Decomposition (2013 DOE JGI Genomics of Energy and Environment 8th Annual User Meeting)

ScienceCinema

Brodie, Eoin

2018-04-26

Eoin Brodie of Berkeley Lab on "Succession of phylogeny and function during plant litter decomposition" at the 8th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting on March 27, 2013 in Walnut Creek, CA.

Succession of Phylogeny and Function During Plant Litter Decomposition (2013 DOE JGI Genomics of Energy and Environment 8th Annual User Meeting)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brodie, Eoin

2013-03-01

Eoin Brodie of Berkeley Lab on "Succession of phylogeny and function during plant litter decomposition" at the 8th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting on March 27, 2013 in Walnut Creek, CA.

The effect of resource history on the functioning of soil microbial communities is maintained across time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keiser, A. D.; Strickland, M. S.; Fierer, N.; Bradford, M. A.

2011-02-01

Historical resource conditions appear to influence microbial community function. With time, historical influences might diminish as populations respond to the contemporary environment. Alternatively, they may persist given factors such as contrasting genetic potentials for adaptation to a new environment. Using experimental microcosms, we test competing hypotheses that function of distinct soil microbial communities in common environments (H1a) converge or (H1b) remain dissimilar over time. Using a 6 × 2 (soil community inoculum × litter environment) full-factorial design, we compare decomposition rates in experimental microcosms containing grass or hardwood litter environments. After 100 days, communities that develop are inoculated into fresh litters and decomposition followed for another 100 days. We repeat this for a third, 100-day period. In each successive, 100-day period, we find higher decomposition rates (i.e. functioning) suggesting communities function better when they have an experimental history of the contemporary environment. Despite these functional gains, differences in decomposition rates among initially distinct communities persist, supporting the hypothesis that dissimilarity is maintained across time. In contrast to function, community composition is more similar following a common, experimental history. We also find that "specialization" on one experimental environment incurs a cost, with loss of function in the alternate environment. For example, experimental history of a grass-litter environment reduced decomposition when communities were inoculated into a hardwood-litter environment. Our work demonstrates experimentally that despite expectations of fast growth rates, physiological flexibility and rapid evolution, initial functional differences between microbial communities are maintained across time. These findings question whether microbial dynamics can be omitted from models of ecosystem processes if we are to predict reliably global change effects on biogeochemical cycles.

The effect of resource history on the functioning of soil microbial communities is maintained across time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keiser, A. D.; Strickland, M. S.; Fierer, N.; Bradford, M. A.

2011-06-01

Historical resource conditions appear to influence microbial community function. With time, historical influences might diminish as populations respond to the contemporary environment. Alternatively, they may persist given factors such as contrasting genetic potentials for adaptation to a new environment. Using experimental microcosms, we test competing hypotheses that function of distinct soil microbial communities in common environments (H1a) converge or (H1b) remain dissimilar over time. Using a 6 × 2 (soil community inoculum × litter environment) full-factorial design, we compare decomposition rates in experimental microcosms containing grass or hardwood litter environments. After 100 days, communities that develop are inoculated into fresh litters and decomposition followed for another 100 days. We repeat this for a third, 100-day period. In each successive, 100-day period, we find higher decomposition rates (i.e. functioning) suggesting communities function better when they have an experimental history of the contemporary environment. Despite these functional gains, differences in decomposition rates among initially distinct communities persist, supporting the hypothesis that dissimilarity is maintained across time. In contrast to function, community composition is more similar following a common, experimental history. We also find that "specialization" on one experimental environment incurs a cost, with loss of function in the alternate environment. For example, experimental history of a grass-litter environment reduced decomposition when communities were inoculated into a hardwood-litter environment. Our work demonstrates experimentally that despite expectations of fast growth rates, physiological flexibility and rapid evolution, initial functional differences between microbial communities are maintained across time. These findings question whether microbial dynamics can be omitted from models of ecosystem processes if we are to predict reliably global change effects on biogeochemical cycles.

Two-stage decompositions for the analysis of functional connectivity for fMRI with application to Alzheimer’s disease risk

PubMed Central

Caffo, Brian S.; Crainiceanu, Ciprian M.; Verduzco, Guillermo; Joel, Suresh; Mostofsky, Stewart H.; Bassett, Susan Spear; Pekar, James J.

2010-01-01

Functional connectivity is the study of correlations in measured neurophysiological signals. Altered functional connectivity has been shown to be associated with a variety of cognitive and memory impairments and dysfunction, including Alzheimer’s disease. In this manuscript we use a two-stage application of the singular value decomposition to obtain data driven population-level measures of functional connectivity in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The method is computationally simple and amenable to high dimensional fMRI data with large numbers of subjects. Simulation studies suggest the ability of the decomposition methods to recover population brain networks and their associated loadings. We further demonstrate the utility of these decompositions in a functional logistic regression model. The method is applied to a novel fMRI study of Alzheimer’s disease risk under a verbal paired associates task. We found a indication of alternative connectivity in clinically asymptomatic at-risk subjects when compared to controls, that was not significant in the light of multiple comparisons adjustment. The relevant brain network loads primarily on the temporal lobe and overlaps significantly with the olfactory areas and temporal poles. PMID:20227508

Two-stage decompositions for the analysis of functional connectivity for fMRI with application to Alzheimer's disease risk.

PubMed

Caffo, Brian S; Crainiceanu, Ciprian M; Verduzco, Guillermo; Joel, Suresh; Mostofsky, Stewart H; Bassett, Susan Spear; Pekar, James J

2010-07-01

Functional connectivity is the study of correlations in measured neurophysiological signals. Altered functional connectivity has been shown to be associated with a variety of cognitive and memory impairments and dysfunction, including Alzheimer's disease. In this manuscript we use a two-stage application of the singular value decomposition to obtain data driven population-level measures of functional connectivity in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The method is computationally simple and amenable to high dimensional fMRI data with large numbers of subjects. Simulation studies suggest the ability of the decomposition methods to recover population brain networks and their associated loadings. We further demonstrate the utility of these decompositions in a functional logistic regression model. The method is applied to a novel fMRI study of Alzheimer's disease risk under a verbal paired associates task. We found an indication of alternative connectivity in clinically asymptomatic at-risk subjects when compared to controls, which was not significant in the light of multiple comparisons adjustment. The relevant brain network loads primarily on the temporal lobe and overlaps significantly with the olfactory areas and temporal poles. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Species associations overwhelm abiotic conditions to dictate the structure and function of wood-decay fungal communities.

PubMed

Maynard, Daniel S; Covey, Kristofer R; Crowther, Thomas W; Sokol, Noah W; Morrison, Eric W; Frey, Serita D; van Diepen, Linda T A; Bradford, Mark A

2018-04-01

Environmental conditions exert strong controls on the activity of saprotrophic microbes, yet abiotic factors often fail to adequately predict wood decomposition rates across broad spatial scales. Given that species interactions can have significant positive and negative effects on wood-decay fungal activity, one possibility is that biotic processes serve as the primary controls on community function, with abiotic controls emerging only after species associations are accounted for. Here we explore this hypothesis in a factorial field warming- and nitrogen-addition experiment by examining relationships among wood decomposition rates, fungal activity, and fungal community structure. We show that functional outcomes and community structure are largely unrelated to abiotic conditions, with microsite and plot-level abiotic variables explaining at most 19% of the total variability in decomposition and fungal activity, and 2% of the variability in richness and evenness. In contrast, taxonomic richness, evenness, and species associations (i.e., co-occurrence patterns) exhibited strong relationships with community function, accounting for 52% of the variation in decomposition rates and 73% in fungal activity. A greater proportion of positive vs. negative species associations in a community was linked to strong declines in decomposition rates and richness. Evenness emerged as a key mediator between richness and function, with highly even communities exhibiting a positive richness-function relationship and uneven communities exhibiting a negative or null response. These results suggest that community-assembly processes and species interactions are important controls on the function of wood-decay fungal communities, ultimately overwhelming substantial differences in abiotic conditions. © 2018 by the Ecological Society of America.

Interannual correlations between sea surface temperature and concentration of chlorophyll pigment off Punta Eugenia, Baja California, during different remote forcing conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrera-Cervantes, H.; Lluch-Cota, S. E.; Lluch-Cota, D. B.; Gutiérrez-de-Velasco, G.

2014-05-01

Interannual correlation between satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) and surface chlorophyll a (Chl a) are examined in the coastal upwelling zone off Punta Eugenia on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula, an area than has been identified as having intense biological productivity and oceanographic transition between midlatitude and tropical ocean conditions. We used empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) analysis separately and jointly on the two fields from 1997 through 2007, a time period dominated by different remote forcing: ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) conditions (weak, moderate and strong) and the largest intrusion of subarctic water reported in the last 50 years. Coastal upwelling index anomalies (CUI) and the multivariate ENSO index (MEI) were used to identify the influence of local (wind stress) and remote (ENSO) forcing over the interannual variability of both variables. The spatial pattern of the individual EOF1 analysis showed the greater variability of SST and Chl a offshore, their corresponding amplitude time series presented the highest peaks during the strong 1997-2000 El Niño-La Niña cycles and during the 2002-2004 period associated to the intrusion of subarctic water. The MEI is well correlated with the individual SST principal component (R ≈ 0.67, P < 0.05) and poorly with the individual Chl a principal component (R = -0.13). The joint EOF1 and the SST-Chl a correlation patterns show the area where both variables covary tightly; a band near the coast where the largest correlations occurred (| R | > 0.4) mainly regulated by ENSO cycles. This was spatially revealed when we calculated the homogeneous correlations for the 1997-1999 El Niño-La Niña period and during the 2002-2004 period, the intrusion of subarctic water period. Both, SST and Chl a showed higher coupling and two distinct physical-biological responses: on average ENSO influence was observed clearly along the coast mostly in SST, while the subarctic water influence, observed offshore and in Bahía Vizcaíno, mostly in Chl a. We found coastal chlorophyll blooms off Punta Eugenia during the 2002-2003 period, an enrichment pattern similar to that observed off the coast of Oregon. These chlorophyll blooms are likely linked to high wind stress anomalies during 2002, mainly at high latitudes. This observation may provide an explanation of why Punta Eugenia is one of the most important biological action centers on the Pacific coast.

Using synchronization in multi-model ensembles to improve prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hiemstra, P.; Selten, F.

2012-04-01

In recent decades, many climate models have been developed to understand and predict the behavior of the Earth's climate system. Although these models are all based on the same basic physical principles, they still show different behavior. This is for example caused by the choice of how to parametrize sub-grid scale processes. One method to combine these imperfect models, is to run a multi-model ensemble. The models are given identical initial conditions and are integrated forward in time. A multi-model estimate can for example be a weighted mean of the ensemble members. We propose to go a step further, and try to obtain synchronization between the imperfect models by connecting the multi-model ensemble, and exchanging information. The combined multi-model ensemble is also known as a supermodel. The supermodel has learned from observations how to optimally exchange information between the ensemble members. In this study we focused on the density and formulation of the onnections within the supermodel. The main question was whether we could obtain syn-chronization between two climate models when connecting only a subset of their state spaces. Limiting the connected subspace has two advantages: 1) it limits the transfer of data (bytes) between the ensemble, which can be a limiting factor in large scale climate models, and 2) learning the optimal connection strategy from observations is easier. To answer the research question, we connected two identical quasi-geostrohic (QG) atmospheric models to each other, where the model have different initial conditions. The QG model is a qualitatively realistic simulation of the winter flow on the Northern hemisphere, has three layers and uses a spectral imple-mentation. We connected the models in the original spherical harmonical state space, and in linear combinations of these spherical harmonics, i.e. Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs). We show that when connecting through spherical harmonics, we only need to connect 28% of the state variables to obtain synchronization. In addition, when connecting through EOFs, we can reduce this percentage even more to 12%. This reduction is caused by the more efficient description of the model state variables when using EOFs. The connected state variables center around the medium scale structures in the model. Small and large scale structures need not be connected in order to obtain synchronization. This could be related to the baroclinic instabilities in the QG model which are located in the medium scale structures of the model. The baroclinic instabilities are the main source of divergence between the two connected models.

The influence of Indian summer monsoon on the climatic regime of Eastern Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rizou, D.; Flocas, H. A.; Bartzokas, A.; Helmis, C. G.

2012-04-01

In a previous study, composite analysis demonstrated that there are significant differences in the atmospheric circulation over the greater Mediterranean region at the upper and lower levels between strong and weak monsoon years. More specifically, in the lower atmosphere the geopotential height anomaly patterns for the extreme Indian summer monsoon (ISM) years indicated the intensification (weakening) of the Azores anticyclone and the Persian trough, which extends from the Asian monsoon towards the Aegean Sea, during strong (weak) ISM years. This further implies that the ISM has an impact on the strong northerly winds blowing over the Aegean Sea, namely "Etesians", which result from the combined action of the two aforementioned major systems. The accompanied continual cool advection in the area was identified in the negative anomalies of the strong 1000 hPa temperature composite over the region. At the same time, in the 500 hPa ω anomaly field it was found that a pronounced subsidence (upward motion) dominates over Eastern Mediterranean during years of strong (weak) ISM, counteracting the advective cooling in the area. The objective of this study is to further investigate the ISM impact on the temperature and wind regime of the Eastern Mediterranean region, with the aid of multivariate statistics. For this purpose, the standardized Dynamic Indian Monsoon Index by Wang and Fan (1999) was used for a period of 44 years (1958-2001) along with ERA40 Reanalysis data, including monthly means of surface air temperature and wind at 850hPa with a horizontal resolution of 0.25° latitude x 0.25° longitude. Initially, the correlation maps of the seasonal anomalies of the two variables upon ISM index are computed and subsequently Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis (EOF) is carried out on individual fields. Under this framework, correlation coefficients between the derived EOF amplitudes and ISM index are calculated and in order to validate the results from the first method, the EOF modes that exhibit high correlation coefficients are compared to the aforementioned correlation patterns. Our results verify that there is correlation between Indian monsoon and the etesian pattern over the Aegean Sea. Acknowledgments: This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund - ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) - Research Funding Program: Heracleitus II. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund.

Effects of L-glutamine on rectal temperature and some markers of oxidative stress in Red Sokoto goats during the hot-dry season.

PubMed

Ocheja, Ohiemi Benjamin; Ayo, Joseph Olusegun; Aluwong, Tagang; Minka, Ndazo Salka

2017-08-01

The experiment investigated the ameliorative effects of L-glutamine administration on rectal temperature (RT), erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF), serum antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in Red Sokoto goats during the hot-dry season. Twenty eight healthy Red Sokoto goats, comprising 14 experimental (administered 0.2 g/kg of L-glutamine dissolved in 10 mL of distilled water, once daily for 21 days) and 14 control (administered equivalent of distilled water) goats served as subjects. Rectal temperature (measured at 6:00, 13:00 and 18:00 h) and blood samples (taken at 8:00 h) were obtained from all subjects weekly, before, during and after L-glutamine administration. Data obtained were compared using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. The dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index for the study period ranged between 24.0 and 37.5 °C, 26.0 and 84.0% and 73.0 and 86.3, respectively. L-glutamine administration decreased (P < 0.05) RT, EOF and MDA and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in experimental group, compared to controls during weeks 1, 2 and 3. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities were higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental group than in the controls only during week 1 of L-glutamine administration. In conclusion, L-glutamine administration mitigated increases in RT, EOF and serum MDA concentration and enhanced serum SOD, GPx and catalase activities and may be beneficial in heat-stressed goats during the hot-dry season.

Cryohemolysis, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, and supplementary hematimetric indices in the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis.

PubMed

Emilse, Ledesma Achem Miryam; Cecilia, Haro; María, Terán Magdalena; Eugenia, Mónaco María; Alicia, Issé Blanca; Lazarte, Sandra Stella

2018-03-01

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a chronic hemolytic anemia characterized by microspherocytes in the peripheral blood and increased erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF). This study evaluated the cryohemolysis test (CHT); initial hemolysis (IH); immediate and incubated hemolysis percentage in 5.5 g/L NaCl (H5.5); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); red blood cell distribution width (RDW); and Hb/MCHC, Hb/RDW, and MCHC/RDW ratios for the diagnosis of HS. Data from 13 patients with HS were evaluated at the Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada and compared with data from 14 unaffected individuals and 11 patients with anemia due to another etiology. Total blood and reticulocyte counts, CHT, and immediate and incubated EOF were performed in all subjects; sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and Youden index (YI) were calculated. Eight patients with HS had MCHC ≥345 g/L, 10 had RDW ≥14.5%, 12 had IH >5.0 g/L, 11 had immediate H5.5 ≥5%, and 13 had incubated H5.5 ≥50% (the cut-off value to consider HS). The efficiency and YI were: immediate H5.5 (0.94-0.85), incubated H5.5 (0.89-0.82), IH (0.89-0.78), MCHC (0.87-0.62), CHT (0.84-0.54), and Hb/MCHC (0.71-0.56), respectively. The calculated ratios could distinguish subjects with HS from unaffected individuals ( P <0.05), but not those with anemia of another etiology ( P >0.05). Although the CHT and supplementary hematimetric indexes were useful to differentiate individuals with SH from healthy controls, they cannot distinguish from anemias of other etiology. CHT and MCHC, in addition to EOF, are recommended for diagnosing HS patients because of their low cost and efficiency.

Microchip electrophoresis of oligosaccharides using large-volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow pump in a single channel.

PubMed

Kawai, Takayuki; Sueyoshi, Kenji; Kitagawa, Fumihiko; Otsuka, Koji

2010-08-01

The applicability of an online preconcentration technique, large-volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow pump (LVSEP), to microchip zone electrophoresis (MCZE) for the analysis of oligosaccharides was investigated. Since the sample stacking and separation proceeded continuously without polarity switching in LVSEP, a single "straight" channel microchip could be employed. In the MCZE analysis of oligosaccharides, sample adsorption onto the channel surface should be suppressed, so the straight microchannel was modified with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). So far, the mechanism of LVSEP in the polymer-coated capillary or microchannel has not been reported, and thus, the LVSEP process in the PVA-coated channel was investigated by fluorescence imaging. Although it is well-known that the PVA coating can suppress the electroosmotic flow (EOF), an enhanced EOF with a mobility of 4.4 x 10(-4) cm(2)/(V x s) was observed in a low ionic strength sample solution. It was revealed that such temporarily enhanced EOF in the sample zone worked as the driving force to remove the sample matrix in LVSEP. To evaluate the analytical performance of LVSEP-MCZE, oligosaccharides were analyzed in the PVA-coated straight channel. As a result, both the glucose ladder and oligosaccharides obtained from bovine ribonuclease B were well enriched and separated with up to 2200-2900-fold sensitivity enhancement compared to those in a conventional MCZE analysis. The run-to-run repeatabilities of the migration time and peak height were good with relative standard deviations of 1.1% and 7.2%, respectively, which were better than those of normal MCZE. By applying the LVSEP technique to MCZE, a complicated voltage program for fluidic control could be simplified from four channels for two steps to two channels for one step.

Sol-gel open tubular ODS columns with reversed electroosmotic flow for capillary electrochromatography.

PubMed

Hayes, J D; Malik, A

2001-03-01

Sol-gel chemistry was successfully used for the fabrication of open tubular columns with surface-bonded octadecylsilane (ODS) stationary-phase coating for capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC). Following column preparations, a series of experiments were performed to investigate the performance of the sol-gel coated ODS columns in OT-CEC. The incorporation of N-octadecyldimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride as one of the sol-gel precursors played an important role in the electrochromatographic performance of the prepared columns. This chemical reagent possesses a chromatographically favorable, bonded ODS moiety, in conjunction with three methoxy groups allowing for sol-gel reactivity. In addition, a positively charged nitrogen atom is present in the molecular structure of this reagent and provides a positively charged capillary surface responsible for the reversed electroosmotic flow (EOF) in the columns during CEC operation. Comparative studies involving the EOF within such sol-gel ODS coated and uncoated capillaries were performed using acetonitrile and methanol as the organic modifiers in the mobile phase. The use of a deactivating reagent, phenyldimethylsilane, in the sol-gel solution was evaluated. Efficiency values of over 400,000 theoretical plates per meter were achieved in CEC on a 64 cm x 25 microm i.d. sol-gel ODS open tubular column. Test mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene derivatives, and aromatic aldehydes and ketones were used to evaluate the CEC performances of both nondeactivated and deactivated open tubular sol-gel columns. The effects of mobile-phase organic modifier contents and pH on EOF in such columns were evaluated. The prepared sol-gel ODS columns are characterized by switchable electroosmotic flow. A pH value of approximately 8.5 was found correspond to the isoelectric point for the prepared sol-gel ODS coatings.

Enhanced decomposition of stable soil organic carbon and microbial catabolic potentials by long-term field warming

DOE PAGES

Feng, Wenting; Liang, Junyi; Hale, Lauren E.; ...

2017-06-09

Quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition under warming is critical to predict carbon–climate feedbacks. According to the substrate regulating principle, SOC decomposition would decrease as labile SOC declines under field warming, but observations of SOC decomposition under warming do not always support this prediction. This discrepancy could result from varying changes in SOC components and soil microbial communities under warming. This study aimed to determine the decomposition of SOC components with different turnover times after subjected to long-term field warming and/or root exclusion to limit C input, and to test whether SOC decomposition is driven by substrate lability under warming.more » Taking advantage of a 12-year field warming experiment in a prairie, we assessed the decomposition of SOC components by incubating soils from control and warmed plots, with and without root exclusion for 3 years. We assayed SOC decomposition from these incubations by combining inverse modeling and microbial functional genes during decomposition with a metagenomic technique (GeoChip). The decomposition of SOC components with turnover times of years and decades, which contributed to 95% of total cumulative CO 2 respiration, was greater in soils from warmed plots. But the decomposition of labile SOC was similar in warmed plots compared to the control. The diversity of C-degradation microbial genes generally declined with time during the incubation in all treatments, suggesting shifts of microbial functional groups as substrate composition was changing. Compared to the control, soils from warmed plots showed significant increase in the signal intensities of microbial genes involved in degrading complex organic compounds, implying enhanced potential abilities of microbial catabolism. These are likely responsible for accelerated decomposition of SOC components with slow turnover rates. Overall, the shifted microbial community induced by long-term warming accelerates the decomposition of SOC components with slow turnover rates and thus amplify the positive feedback to climate change.« less

Enhanced decomposition of stable soil organic carbon and microbial catabolic potentials by long-term field warming

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Wenting; Liang, Junyi; Hale, Lauren E.

Quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition under warming is critical to predict carbon–climate feedbacks. According to the substrate regulating principle, SOC decomposition would decrease as labile SOC declines under field warming, but observations of SOC decomposition under warming do not always support this prediction. This discrepancy could result from varying changes in SOC components and soil microbial communities under warming. This study aimed to determine the decomposition of SOC components with different turnover times after subjected to long-term field warming and/or root exclusion to limit C input, and to test whether SOC decomposition is driven by substrate lability under warming.more » Taking advantage of a 12-year field warming experiment in a prairie, we assessed the decomposition of SOC components by incubating soils from control and warmed plots, with and without root exclusion for 3 years. We assayed SOC decomposition from these incubations by combining inverse modeling and microbial functional genes during decomposition with a metagenomic technique (GeoChip). The decomposition of SOC components with turnover times of years and decades, which contributed to 95% of total cumulative CO 2 respiration, was greater in soils from warmed plots. But the decomposition of labile SOC was similar in warmed plots compared to the control. The diversity of C-degradation microbial genes generally declined with time during the incubation in all treatments, suggesting shifts of microbial functional groups as substrate composition was changing. Compared to the control, soils from warmed plots showed significant increase in the signal intensities of microbial genes involved in degrading complex organic compounds, implying enhanced potential abilities of microbial catabolism. These are likely responsible for accelerated decomposition of SOC components with slow turnover rates. Overall, the shifted microbial community induced by long-term warming accelerates the decomposition of SOC components with slow turnover rates and thus amplify the positive feedback to climate change.« less

Enhanced decomposition of stable soil organic carbon and microbial catabolic potentials by long-term field warming.

PubMed

Feng, Wenting; Liang, Junyi; Hale, Lauren E; Jung, Chang Gyo; Chen, Ji; Zhou, Jizhong; Xu, Minggang; Yuan, Mengting; Wu, Liyou; Bracho, Rosvel; Pegoraro, Elaine; Schuur, Edward A G; Luo, Yiqi

2017-11-01

Quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition under warming is critical to predict carbon-climate feedbacks. According to the substrate regulating principle, SOC decomposition would decrease as labile SOC declines under field warming, but observations of SOC decomposition under warming do not always support this prediction. This discrepancy could result from varying changes in SOC components and soil microbial communities under warming. This study aimed to determine the decomposition of SOC components with different turnover times after subjected to long-term field warming and/or root exclusion to limit C input, and to test whether SOC decomposition is driven by substrate lability under warming. Taking advantage of a 12-year field warming experiment in a prairie, we assessed the decomposition of SOC components by incubating soils from control and warmed plots, with and without root exclusion for 3 years. We assayed SOC decomposition from these incubations by combining inverse modeling and microbial functional genes during decomposition with a metagenomic technique (GeoChip). The decomposition of SOC components with turnover times of years and decades, which contributed to 95% of total cumulative CO 2 respiration, was greater in soils from warmed plots. But the decomposition of labile SOC was similar in warmed plots compared to the control. The diversity of C-degradation microbial genes generally declined with time during the incubation in all treatments, suggesting shifts of microbial functional groups as substrate composition was changing. Compared to the control, soils from warmed plots showed significant increase in the signal intensities of microbial genes involved in degrading complex organic compounds, implying enhanced potential abilities of microbial catabolism. These are likely responsible for accelerated decomposition of SOC components with slow turnover rates. Overall, the shifted microbial community induced by long-term warming accelerates the decomposition of SOC components with slow turnover rates and thus amplify the positive feedback to climate change. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Combination Base64 Algorithm and EOF Technique for Steganography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahim, Robbi; Nurdiyanto, Heri; Hidayat, Rahmat; Saleh Ahmar, Ansari; Siregar, Dodi; Putera Utama Siahaan, Andysah; Faisal, Ilham; Rahman, Sayuti; Suita, Diana; Zamsuri, Ahmad; Abdullah, Dahlan; Napitupulu, Darmawan; Ikhsan Setiawan, Muhammad; Sriadhi, S.

2018-04-01

The steganography process combines mathematics and computer science. Steganography consists of a set of methods and techniques to embed the data into another media so that the contents are unreadable to anyone who does not have the authority to read these data. The main objective of the use of base64 method is to convert any file in order to achieve privacy. This paper discusses a steganography and encoding method using base64, which is a set of encoding schemes that convert the same binary data to the form of a series of ASCII code. Also, the EoF technique is used to embed encoding text performed by Base64. As an example, for the mechanisms a file is used to represent the texts, and by using the two methods together will increase the security level for protecting the data, this research aims to secure many types of files in a particular media with a good security and not to damage the stored files and coverage media that used.

Domain decomposition: A bridge between nature and parallel computers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keyes, David E.

1992-01-01

Domain decomposition is an intuitive organizing principle for a partial differential equation (PDE) computation, both physically and architecturally. However, its significance extends beyond the readily apparent issues of geometry and discretization, on one hand, and of modular software and distributed hardware, on the other. Engineering and computer science aspects are bridged by an old but recently enriched mathematical theory that offers the subject not only unity, but also tools for analysis and generalization. Domain decomposition induces function-space and operator decompositions with valuable properties. Function-space bases and operator splittings that are not derived from domain decompositions generally lack one or more of these properties. The evolution of domain decomposition methods for elliptically dominated problems has linked two major algorithmic developments of the last 15 years: multilevel and Krylov methods. Domain decomposition methods may be considered descendants of both classes with an inheritance from each: they are nearly optimal and at the same time efficiently parallelizable. Many computationally driven application areas are ripe for these developments. A progression is made from a mathematically informal motivation for domain decomposition methods to a specific focus on fluid dynamics applications. To be introductory rather than comprehensive, simple examples are provided while convergence proofs and algorithmic details are left to the original references; however, an attempt is made to convey their most salient features, especially where this leads to algorithmic insight.

Virus decomposition provides an important contribution to benthic deep-sea ecosystem functioning.

PubMed

Dell'Anno, Antonio; Corinaldesi, Cinzia; Danovaro, Roberto

2015-04-21

Viruses are key biological agents of prokaryotic mortality in the world oceans, particularly in deep-sea ecosystems where nearly all of the prokaryotic C production is transformed into organic detritus. However, the extent to which the decomposition of viral particles (i.e., organic material of viral origin) influences the functioning of benthic deep-sea ecosystems remains completely unknown. Here, using various independent approaches, we show that in deep-sea sediments an important fraction of viruses, once they are released by cell lysis, undergo fast decomposition. Virus decomposition rates in deep-sea sediments are high even at abyssal depths and are controlled primarily by the extracellular enzymatic activities that hydrolyze the proteins of the viral capsids. We estimate that on a global scale the decomposition of benthic viruses releases ∼37-50 megatons of C per year and thus represents an important source of labile organic compounds in deep-sea ecosystems. Organic material released from decomposed viruses is equivalent to 3 ± 1%, 6 ± 2%, and 12 ± 3% of the input of photosynthetically produced C, N, and P supplied through particles sinking to bathyal/abyssal sediments. Our data indicate that the decomposition of viruses provides an important, previously ignored contribution to deep-sea ecosystem functioning and has an important role in nutrient cycling within the largest ecosystem of the biosphere.

Virus decomposition provides an important contribution to benthic deep-sea ecosystem functioning

PubMed Central

Dell’Anno, Antonio; Corinaldesi, Cinzia

2015-01-01

Viruses are key biological agents of prokaryotic mortality in the world oceans, particularly in deep-sea ecosystems where nearly all of the prokaryotic C production is transformed into organic detritus. However, the extent to which the decomposition of viral particles (i.e., organic material of viral origin) influences the functioning of benthic deep-sea ecosystems remains completely unknown. Here, using various independent approaches, we show that in deep-sea sediments an important fraction of viruses, once they are released by cell lysis, undergo fast decomposition. Virus decomposition rates in deep-sea sediments are high even at abyssal depths and are controlled primarily by the extracellular enzymatic activities that hydrolyze the proteins of the viral capsids. We estimate that on a global scale the decomposition of benthic viruses releases ∼37–50 megatons of C per year and thus represents an important source of labile organic compounds in deep-sea ecosystems. Organic material released from decomposed viruses is equivalent to 3 ± 1%, 6 ± 2%, and 12 ± 3% of the input of photosynthetically produced C, N, and P supplied through particles sinking to bathyal/abyssal sediments. Our data indicate that the decomposition of viruses provides an important, previously ignored contribution to deep-sea ecosystem functioning and has an important role in nutrient cycling within the largest ecosystem of the biosphere. PMID:25848024

Predictable and unpredictable modes of seasonal mean precipitation over Northeast China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ying, Kairan; Frederiksen, Carsten S.; Zhao, Tianbao; Zheng, Xiaogu; Xiong, Zhe; Yi, Xue; Li, Chunxiang

2018-04-01

This study investigates the patterns of interannual variability that arise from the potentially predictable (slow) and unpredictable (intraseasonal) components of seasonal mean precipitation over Northeast (NE) China, using observations from a network of 162 meteorological stations for the period 1961-2014. A variance decomposition method is applied to identify the sources of predictability, as well as the sources of prediction uncertainty, for January-February-March (JFM), April-May-June (AMJ), July-August-September (JAS) and October-November-December (OND). The averaged potential predictability (ratio of slow to total variance) of NE China precipitation has the highest value of 0.32 during JAS and lowest value of 0.1 in AMJ. Possible sources of seasonal prediction for the leading predictable precipitation EOF modes come from the SST anomalies in the Japan Sea, as well as the North Atlantic during JFM, the Indian Ocean SST in AMJ, and the eastern tropical Pacific SST in JAS and OND. The prolonged linear trend, which is seen in the principal component time series of the leading predictable mode in JFM and OND, may also serve as a source of predictability. The Polar-Eurasia and Northern Annular Mode atmospheric teleconnection patterns are closely connected with the leading and the second predictable mode of JAS, respectively. The Hadley cell circulation is closely related to the leading predictable mode of OND. The leading/second unpredictable precipitation modes for all these four seasons show a similar monopole/dipole structure, and can be largely attributed to the intraseasonal variabilities of the atmosphere.

Quantization of Electromagnetic Fields in Cavities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kakazu, Kiyotaka; Oshiro, Kazunori

1996-01-01

A quantization procedure for the electromagnetic field in a rectangular cavity with perfect conductor walls is presented, where a decomposition formula of the field plays an essential role. All vector mode functions are obtained by using the decomposition. After expanding the field in terms of the vector mode functions, we get the quantized electromagnetic Hamiltonian.

Wave spectral energy variability in the northeast Pacific

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bromirski, P.D.; Cayan, D.R.; Flick, R.E.

2005-01-01

The dominant characteristics of wave energy variability in the eastern North Pacific are described from NOAA National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoy data collected from 1981 to 2003. Ten buoys at distributed locations were selected for comparison based on record duration and data continuity. Long-period (LP) [T > 12] s, intermediate-period [6 ??? T ??? 12] s, and short-period [T < 6] s wave spectral energy components are considered separately. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses of monthly wave energy anomalies reveal that all three wave energy components exhibit similar patterns of spatial variability. The dominant mode represents coherent heightened (or diminished) wave energy along the West Coast from Alaska to southern California, as indicated by composites of the 700 hPa height field. The second EOF mode reveals a distinct El Nin??o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-associated spatial distribution of wave energy, which occurs when the North Pacific storm track is extended unusually far south or has receded to the north. Monthly means and principal components (PCs) of wave energy levels indicate that the 1997-1998 El Nin??o winter had the highest basin-wide wave energy within this record, substantially higher than the 1982-1983 El Nin??o. An increasing trend in the dominant PC of LP wave energy suggests that storminess has increased in the northeast Pacific since 1980. This trend is emphasized at central eastern North Pacific locations. Patterns of storminess variability are consistent with increasing activity in the central North Pacific as well as the tendency for more extreme waves in the south during El Nin??o episodes and in the north during La Nin??a. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.

European Climate and Pinot Noir Grape-Harvest Dates in Burgundy, since the 17th Century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tourre, Y. M.

2011-12-01

Time-series of growing season air temperature anomalies in the Parisian region and of 'Pinot Noir' grape-harvest dates (GHD) in Burgundy (1676-2004) are analyzed in the frequency-domain. Variability of both time-series display three significant frequency-bands (peaks significant at the 5% level) i.e., a low-frequency band (multi-decadal) with a 25-year peak period; a 3-to-8 year band period (inter-annual) with a 3.1-year peak period; and a 2-to-3 year band period (quasi-biennial) with a 2.4-year peak period. Joint sea surface temperature/sea level pressure (SST/SLP) empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) analyses during the 20th century, along with spatio-temporal patterns for the above frequency-bands are presented. It is found that SST anomalies display early significant spatial SST patterns in the North Atlantic Ocean (air temperature lagging by 6 months) similar to those obtained from EOF analyses. It is thus proposed that the robust power spectra for the above frequency-bands could be linked with Atlantic climate variability metrics modulating Western European climate i.e., 1) the global Multi-decadal Oscillation (MDO) with its Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) footprint; 2) the Atlantic Inter-Annual (IA) fluctuations; and 3) the Atlantic Quasi-Biennial (QB) fluctuations, respectively. Moreover these specific Western European climate signals have effects on ecosystem health and can be perceived as contributors to the length of the growing season and the timing of GHD in Burgundy. Thus advance knowledge on the evolution and phasing of the above climate fluctuations become important elements for viticulture and wine industry management. It is recognized that anthropogenic effects could have modified time-series patterns presented here, particularly since the mid 1980s.

Atmospheric soluble dust records from a Tibetan ice core: Possible climate proxies and teleconnection with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigholm, B.; Mayewski, P. A.; Kang, S.; Zhang, Y.; Kaspari, S.; Sneed, S. B.; Zhang, Q.

2009-10-01

In autumn 2005, a joint expedition between the University of Maine and the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research recovered three ice cores from Guoqu Glacier (33°34'37.8″N, 91°10'35.3″E, 5720 m above sea level) on the northern side of Mt. Geladaindong, central Tibetan Plateau. Isotopes (δ18O), major soluble ions (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-), and radionuclide (β-activity) measurements from one of the cores revealed a 70-year record (1935-2005). Statistical analysis of major ion time series suggests that atmospheric soluble dust species dominate the chemical signature and that background dust levels conceal marine ion species deposition. The soluble dust time series have interspecies relations and common structure (empirical orthogonal function (EOF) 1), suggesting a similar soluble dust source or transport route. Annual and seasonal correlations between the EOF 1 time series and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis climate variables (1948-2004) suggest that the Mt. Geladaindong ice core record provides a proxy for local and regional surface pressure. An approximately threefold decrease of soluble dust concentrations in the middle to late 1970s, accompanied by regional increases in pressure and temperature and decreases in wind velocity, coincides with the major 1976-1977 shift of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) from a negative to a positive state. This is the first ice core evidence of a potential teleconnection between central Asian atmospheric soluble dust loading and the PDO. Analysis of temporally longer ice cores from Mt. Geladaindong may enhance understanding of the relationship between the PDO and central Asian atmospheric circulation and subsequent atmospheric soluble dust loading.

Error Estimation of An Ensemble Statistical Seasonal Precipitation Prediction Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, Samuel S. P.; Lau, William K. M.; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Li, Gui-Long

2001-01-01

This NASA Technical Memorandum describes an optimal ensemble canonical correlation forecasting model for seasonal precipitation. Each individual forecast is based on the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) in the spectral spaces whose bases are empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). The optimal weights in the ensemble forecasting crucially depend on the mean square error of each individual forecast. An estimate of the mean square error of a CCA prediction is made also using the spectral method. The error is decomposed onto EOFs of the predictand and decreases linearly according to the correlation between the predictor and predictand. Since new CCA scheme is derived for continuous fields of predictor and predictand, an area-factor is automatically included. Thus our model is an improvement of the spectral CCA scheme of Barnett and Preisendorfer. The improvements include (1) the use of area-factor, (2) the estimation of prediction error, and (3) the optimal ensemble of multiple forecasts. The new CCA model is applied to the seasonal forecasting of the United States (US) precipitation field. The predictor is the sea surface temperature (SST). The US Climate Prediction Center's reconstructed SST is used as the predictor's historical data. The US National Center for Environmental Prediction's optimally interpolated precipitation (1951-2000) is used as the predictand's historical data. Our forecast experiments show that the new ensemble canonical correlation scheme renders a reasonable forecasting skill. For example, when using September-October-November SST to predict the next season December-January-February precipitation, the spatial pattern correlation between the observed and predicted are positive in 46 years among the 50 years of experiments. The positive correlations are close to or greater than 0.4 in 29 years, which indicates excellent performance of the forecasting model. The forecasting skill can be further enhanced when several predictors are used.

Predictable patterns of the May-June rainfall anomaly over East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Wen; Wang, Bin; Yim, So-Young; Ha, Kyung-Ja

2017-02-01

During early summer (May-June, MJ), East Asia (EA) subtropical front is a defining feature of Asian monsoon, which produces the most prominent precipitation band in the global subtropics. Here we show that dynamical prediction of early summer EA (20°N-45°N, 100°E-130°E) rainfall made by four coupled climate models' ensemble hindcast (1979-2010) yields only a moderate skill and cannot be used to estimate predictability. The present study uses an alternative, empirical orthogonal function (EOF)-based physical-empirical (P-E) model approach to predict rainfall anomaly pattern and estimate its potential predictability. The first three leading modes are physically meaningful and can be, respectively, attributed to (a) the interaction between the anomalous western North Pacific subtropical high and underlying Indo-Pacific warm ocean, (b) the forcing associated with North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly, and (c) the development of equatorial central Pacific SST anomalies. A suite of P-E models is established to forecast the first three leading principal components. All predictors are 0 month ahead of May, so the prediction here is named as a 0 month lead prediction. The cross-validated hindcast results demonstrate that these modes may be predicted with significant temporal correlation skills (0.48-0.72). Using the predicted principal components and the corresponding EOF patterns, the total MJ rainfall anomaly was hindcasted for the period of 1979-2015. The time-mean pattern correlation coefficient (PCC) score reaches 0.38, which is significantly higher than dynamical models' multimodel ensemble skill (0.21). The estimated potential maximum attainable PCC is around 0.65, suggesting that the dynamical prediction models may have large rooms to improve. Limitations and future work are discussed.

Interannual variability of western North Pacific SST anomalies and its impact on North Pacific and North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jae-Heung; An, Soon-Il; Kug, Jong-Seong

2017-12-01

In this study, the interannual variability of sea surface temperature (SST) and its atmospheric teleconnection over the western North Pacific (WNP) toward the North Pacific/North America during boreal winter are investigated. First, we defined the WNP mode as the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of SST anomalies over the WNP region (100-165°E, 0-35°N), of which the principle component time-series are significantly correlated with several well-known climate modes such as the warm pool mode which is the second EOF mode of the tropical to North Pacific SST anomalies, North Pacific oscillation (NPO), North Pacific gyre oscillation (NPGO), and central Pacific (CP)-El Niño at 95% confidence level, but not correlated with the eastern Pacific (EP)-El Niño. The warm phase of the WNP mode (sea surface warming) is initiated by anomalous southerly winds through reduction of wind speed with the background of northerly mean winds over the WNP during boreal winter, i.e., reduced evaporative cooling. Meanwhile, the atmospheric response to the SST warming pattern and its diabatic heating further enhance the southerly wind anomaly, referred to the wind-evaporation-SST (WES) feedback. Thus, the WNP mode is developed and maintained through winter until spring, when the northerly mean wind disappears. Furthermore, it is also known that anomalous upper-level divergence associated with WNP mode leads to the NPO-like structure over the North Pacific and the east-west pressure contrast pattern over the North America through Rossby wave propagation, impacting the climate over the North Pacific and North America.

A discussion of the links between solar variability and high-storm-surge events in Venice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barriopedro, David; GarcíA-Herrera, Ricardo; Lionello, Piero; Pino, Cosimo

2010-07-01

This study explores the long-term frequency variability of high-surge events (HSEs) in the North Adriatic, the so-called acqua alta, which, particularly during autumn, cause flooding of the historical city center of Venice. The period 1948-2008, when hourly observations of sea level are available, is considered. The frequency of HSEs is correlated with the 11 year solar cycle, solar maxima being associated with a significant increase in the October-November-December HSE frequency. The seasonal geopotential height pattern at 1000 hPa (storm surge pattern; SSP) associated with the increased frequency of HSEs is identified for the whole time period and found to be similar to the positive phase of the main variability mode of the regional atmospheric circulation (empirical orthogonal function 1; EOF1). However, further analysis indicates that solar activity modulates the spatial patterns of the atmospheric circulation (EOF) and the favorable conditions for HSE occurrence (SSP). Under solar maxima, the occurrence of HSEs is enhanced by the main mode of regional atmospheric variability, namely, a large-scale wave train pattern that is symptomatic of storm track paths over northern Europe. Solar minima reveal a substantially different and less robust SSP, consisting of a meridionally oriented dipole with a preferred southward path of storm track activity, which is not associated with any dominant mode of atmospheric variability during low-solar periods. It is concluded that solar activity plays an indirect role in the frequency of HSEs by modulating the spatial patterns of the main modes of atmospheric regional variability, the favorable patterns for HSE occurrence, and their mutual relationships, so that constructive interaction between them is enhanced during solar maxima and inhibited in solar minima.

Statistical downscaling of general-circulation-model- simulated average monthly air temperature to the beginning of flowering of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in Slovenia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergant, Klemen; Kajfež-Bogataj, Lučka; Črepinšek, Zalika

2002-02-01

Phenological observations are a valuable source of information for investigating the relationship between climate variation and plant development. Potential climate change in the future will shift the occurrence of phenological phases. Information about future climate conditions is needed in order to estimate this shift. General circulation models (GCM) provide the best information about future climate change. They are able to simulate reliably the most important mean features on a large scale, but they fail on a regional scale because of their low spatial resolution. A common approach to bridging the scale gap is statistical downscaling, which was used to relate the beginning of flowering of Taraxacum officinale in Slovenia with the monthly mean near-surface air temperature for January, February and March in Central Europe. Statistical models were developed and tested with NCAR/NCEP Reanalysis predictor data and EARS predictand data for the period 1960-1999. Prior to developing statistical models, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was employed on the predictor data. Multiple linear regression was used to relate the beginning of flowering with expansion coefficients of the first three EOF for the Janauary, Febrauary and March air temperatures, and a strong correlation was found between them. Developed statistical models were employed on the results of two GCM (HadCM3 and ECHAM4/OPYC3) to estimate the potential shifts in the beginning of flowering for the periods 1990-2019 and 2020-2049 in comparison with the period 1960-1989. The HadCM3 model predicts, on average, 4 days earlier occurrence and ECHAM4/OPYC3 5 days earlier occurrence of flowering in the period 1990-2019. The analogous results for the period 2020-2049 are a 10- and 11-day earlier occurrence.

Identification of biogeochemical hot spots using time-lapse hydrogeophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franz, T. E.; Loecke, T.; Burgin, A.

2016-12-01

The identification and monitoring of biogeochemical hot spots and hot moments is difficult using point based sampling techniques and sensors. Without proper monitoring and accounting of water, energy, and trace gas fluxes it is difficult to assess the environmental footprint of land management practices. One key limitation is optimal placement of sensors/chambers that adequately capture the point scale fluxes and thus a reasonable integration to landscape scale flux. In this work we present time-lapse hydrogeophysical imaging at an old agricultural field converted into a wetland mitigation bank near Dayton, Ohio. While the wetland was previously instrumented with a network of soil sensors and surface chambers to capture a suite of state variables and fluxes, we hypothesize that time-lapse hydrogeophysical imaging is an underutilized and critical reconnaissance tool for effective network design and landscape scaling. Here we combine the time-lapse hydrogeophysical imagery with the multivariate statistical technique of Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) in order to isolate the spatial and temporal components of the imagery. Comparisons of soil core information (e.g. soil texture, soil carbon) from around the study site and organized within like spatial zones reveal statistically different mean values of soil properties. Moreover, the like spatial zones can be used to identify a finite number of future sampling locations, evaluation of the placement of existing sensors/chambers, upscale/downscale observations, all of which are desirable techniques for commercial use in precision agriculture. Finally, we note that combining the EOF analysis with continuous monitoring from point sensors or remote sensing products may provide a robust statistical framework for scaling observations through time as well as provide appropriate datasets for use in landscape biogeochemical models.

Development of a multi-data assimilation scheme to integrate Bio-Argo floats data with ocean colour satellite data into the CMEMS MFC-Biogeochemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cossarini, Gianpiero; D'Ortenzio, Fabrizio; Mariotti, Laura; Mignot, Alexandre; Salon, Stefano

2017-04-01

The Mediterranean Sea is a very promising site to develop and test the assimilation of Bio-Argo data since 1) the Bio-Argo network is one of the densest of the global ocean, and 2) a consolidate data assimilation framework of biogeochemical variables (3DVAR-BIO, presently based on assimilation of satellite-estimated surface chlorophyll data) already exists within the CMEMS biogeochemical model system for Mediterranean Sea. The MASSIMILI project, granted by the CMEMS Service Evolution initiative, is aimed to develop the assimilation of Bio-Argo Floats data into the CMEMS biogeochemical model system of the Mediterranean Sea, by means of an upgrade of the 3DVAR-BIO scheme. Specific developments of the 3DVAR-BIO scheme focus on the estimate of new operators of the variational decomposition of the background error covariance matrix and on the implementation of the new observation operator specifically for the Bio-Argo float vertical profile data. In particular, a new horizontal covariance operator for chlorophyll, nitrate and oxygen is based on 3D fields of horizontal correlation radius calculated from a long-term reanalysis simulation. A new vertical covariance operator is built on monthly and spatial varying EOF decomposition to account for the spatiotemporal variability of vertical structure of the three variables error covariance. Further, the observation error covariance is a key factor for an effective assimilation of the Bio-Argo data into the model dynamics. The sensitivities of assimilation to the different factors are estimated. First results of the implementation of the new 3DVAR-BIO scheme show the impact of Bio-Argo data on the 3D fields of chlorophyll, nitrate and oxygen. Tuning the length scale factors of horizontal covariance, analysing the sensitivity of the observation error covariance, introducing non-diagonal biogeochemical covariance operator and non-diagonal multi-platform operator (i.e. Bio-Argo and satellite) are crucial future steps for the success of the MASSIMILI project. In our contribute, we will discuss the recent and promising advancements this strategic project has been having in the past year and its potential for the whole operational biogeochemical modelling community.

Functional traits drive the contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition among multiple arid-zone species.

PubMed

Pan, Xu; Song, Yao-Bin; Liu, Guo-Fang; Hu, Yu-Kun; Ye, Xue-Hua; Cornwell, William K; Prinzing, Andreas; Dong, Ming; Cornelissen, Johannes H C

2015-08-18

In arid zones, strong solar radiation has important consequences for ecosystem processes. To better understand carbon and nutrient dynamics, it is important to know the contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition of different arid-zone species. Here we investigated: (1) whether such contribution varies among plant species at given irradiance regime, (2) whether interspecific variation in such contribution correlates with interspecific variation in the decomposition rate under shade; and (3) whether this correlation can be explained by leaf traits. We conducted a factorial experiment to determine the effects of solar radiation and environmental moisture for the mass loss and the decomposition constant k-values of 13 species litters collected in Northern China. The contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition varied significantly among species. Solar radiation accelerated decomposition in particular in the species that already decompose quickly under shade. Functional traits, notably specific leaf area, might predict the interspecific variation in that contribution. Our results provide the first empirical evidence for how the effect of solar radiation on decomposition varies among multiple species. Thus, the effect of solar radiation on the carbon flux between biosphere and atmosphere may depend on the species composition of the vegetation.

Functional traits drive the contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition among multiple arid-zone species

PubMed Central

Pan, Xu; Song, Yao-Bin; Liu, Guo-Fang; Hu, Yu-Kun; Ye, Xue-Hua; Cornwell, William K.; Prinzing, Andreas; Dong, Ming; Cornelissen, Johannes H.C.

2015-01-01

In arid zones, strong solar radiation has important consequences for ecosystem processes. To better understand carbon and nutrient dynamics, it is important to know the contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition of different arid-zone species. Here we investigated: (1) whether such contribution varies among plant species at given irradiance regime, (2) whether interspecific variation in such contribution correlates with interspecific variation in the decomposition rate under shade; and (3) whether this correlation can be explained by leaf traits. We conducted a factorial experiment to determine the effects of solar radiation and environmental moisture for the mass loss and the decomposition constant k-values of 13 species litters collected in Northern China. The contribution of solar radiation to leaf litter decomposition varied significantly among species. Solar radiation accelerated decomposition in particular in the species that already decompose quickly under shade. Functional traits, notably specific leaf area, might predict the interspecific variation in that contribution. Our results provide the first empirical evidence for how the effect of solar radiation on decomposition varies among multiple species. Thus, the effect of solar radiation on the carbon flux between biosphere and atmosphere may depend on the species composition of the vegetation. PMID:26282711

Plant species traits are the predominant control on litter decomposition rates within biomes worldwide.

PubMed

Cornwell, William K; Cornelissen, Johannes H C; Amatangelo, Kathryn; Dorrepaal, Ellen; Eviner, Valerie T; Godoy, Oscar; Hobbie, Sarah E; Hoorens, Bart; Kurokawa, Hiroko; Pérez-Harguindeguy, Natalia; Quested, Helen M; Santiago, Louis S; Wardle, David A; Wright, Ian J; Aerts, Rien; Allison, Steven D; van Bodegom, Peter; Brovkin, Victor; Chatain, Alex; Callaghan, Terry V; Díaz, Sandra; Garnier, Eric; Gurvich, Diego E; Kazakou, Elena; Klein, Julia A; Read, Jenny; Reich, Peter B; Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A; Vaieretti, M Victoria; Westoby, Mark

2008-10-01

Worldwide decomposition rates depend both on climate and the legacy of plant functional traits as litter quality. To quantify the degree to which functional differentiation among species affects their litter decomposition rates, we brought together leaf trait and litter mass loss data for 818 species from 66 decomposition experiments on six continents. We show that: (i) the magnitude of species-driven differences is much larger than previously thought and greater than climate-driven variation; (ii) the decomposability of a species' litter is consistently correlated with that species' ecological strategy within different ecosystems globally, representing a new connection between whole plant carbon strategy and biogeochemical cycling. This connection between plant strategies and decomposability is crucial for both understanding vegetation-soil feedbacks, and for improving forecasts of the global carbon cycle.

Optimal Averages for Nonlinear Signal Decompositions - Another Alternative for Empirical Mode Decomposition

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-01

nonlinear and non-stationary signals. It aims at decomposing a signal, via an iterative sifting procedure, into several intrinsic mode functions ...stationary signals. It aims at decomposing a signal, via an iterative sifting procedure into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), and each of the... function , optimization. 1 Introduction It is well known that nonlinear and non-stationary signal analysis is important and difficult. His- torically

Drought and detritivores determine leaf litter decomposition in calcareous streams of the Ebro catchment (Spain).

PubMed

Monroy, Silvia; Menéndez, Margarita; Basaguren, Ana; Pérez, Javier; Elosegi, Arturo; Pozo, Jesús

2016-12-15

Drought, an important environmental factor affecting the functioning of stream ecosystems, is likely to become more prevalent in the Mediterranean region as a consequence of climate change and enhanced water demand. Drought can have profound impacts on leaf litter decomposition, a key ecosystem process in headwater streams, but there is still limited information on its effects at the regional scale. We measured leaf litter decomposition across a gradient of aridity in the Ebro River basin. We deployed coarse- and fine-mesh bags with alder and oak leaves in 11 Mediterranean calcareous streams spanning a range of over 400km, and determined changes in discharge, water quality, leaf-associated macroinvertebrates, leaf quality and decomposition rates. The study streams were subject to different degrees of drought, specific discharge (Ls -1 km -2 ) ranging from 0.62 to 9.99. One of the streams dried out during the experiment, another one reached residual flow, whereas the rest registered uninterrupted flow but with different degrees of flow variability. Decomposition rates differed among sites, being lowest in the 2 most water-stressed sites, but showed no general correlation with specific discharge. Microbial decomposition rates were not correlated with final nutrient content of litter nor to fungal biomass. Total decomposition rate of alder was positively correlated to the density and biomass of shredders; that of oak was not. Shredder density in alder bags showed a positive relationship with specific discharge during the decomposition experiment. Overall, the results point to a complex pattern of litter decomposition at the regional scale, as drought affects decomposition directly by emersion of bags and indirectly by affecting the functional composition and density of detritivores. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The patch mosaic and ecological decomposition across spatial scales in a managed landscape of northern Wisconsin, USA

Treesearch

Sari C. ​Saunders; Jiquan Chen; Thomas D. Drummer; Thomas R. Crow; Kimberley D. Brosofske; Eric J. Gustafson

2002-01-01

Understanding landscape organization across scales is vital for determining the impacts of management and retaining structurally and functionally diverse ecosystems. We studied the relationships of a functional variable, decomposition, to microclimatic, vegetative and structural features at multiple scales in two distinct landscapes of northern Wisconsin, USA. We hoped...

Computing the Partial Fraction Decomposition of Rational Functions with Irreducible Quadratic Factors in the Denominators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Man, Yiu-Kwong

2012-01-01

In this note, a new method for computing the partial fraction decomposition of rational functions with irreducible quadratic factors in the denominators is presented. This method involves polynomial divisions and substitutions only, without having to solve for the complex roots of the irreducible quadratic polynomial or to solve a system of linear…

Thermal decomposition of cyanate ester resins

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-09-01

Polycyanurate networks were prepared by thermal polymerization of cyanate ester monomers containing two or more cyanate ester : (O-CN) functional groups. The thermal decomposition chemistry of nine different polycyanurates was studied by : ther...

U.S. ports and the funding of intermodal facilities : an overview of key issues

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-03-28

The growing us eof containers to move freight has led carriers to use fewer but larger ports. In their efforts to attract and retain carriers, U.S. ports have made or are planning substantial investments in new berths, docks, and improved connections...

Kinetic Analysis of Isothermal Decomposition Process of Sodium Bicarbonate Using the Weibull Probability Function—Estimation of Density Distribution Functions of the Apparent Activation Energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janković, Bojan

2009-10-01

The decomposition process of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) has been studied by thermogravimetry in isothermal conditions at four different operating temperatures (380 K, 400 K, 420 K, and 440 K). It was found that the experimental integral and differential conversion curves at the different operating temperatures can be successfully described by the isothermal Weibull distribution function with a unique value of the shape parameter ( β = 1.07). It was also established that the Weibull distribution parameters ( β and η) show independent behavior on the operating temperature. Using the integral and differential (Friedman) isoconversional methods, in the conversion (α) range of 0.20 ≤ α ≤ 0.80, the apparent activation energy ( E a ) value was approximately constant ( E a, int = 95.2 kJmol-1 and E a, diff = 96.6 kJmol-1, respectively). The values of E a calculated by both isoconversional methods are in good agreement with the value of E a evaluated from the Arrhenius equation (94.3 kJmol-1), which was expressed through the scale distribution parameter ( η). The Málek isothermal procedure was used for estimation of the kinetic model for the investigated decomposition process. It was found that the two-parameter Šesták-Berggren (SB) autocatalytic model best describes the NaHCO3 decomposition process with the conversion function f(α) = α0.18(1-α)1.19. It was also concluded that the calculated density distribution functions of the apparent activation energies ( ddfE a ’s) are not dependent on the operating temperature, which exhibit the highly symmetrical behavior (shape factor = 1.00). The obtained isothermal decomposition results were compared with corresponding results of the nonisothermal decomposition process of NaHCO3.

Biomass is the main driver of changes in ecosystem process rates during tropical forest succession.

PubMed

Lohbeck, Madelon; Poorter, Lourens; Martínez-Ramos, Miguel; Bongers, Frans

2015-05-01

Over half of the world's forests are disturbed, and the rate at which ecosystem processes recover after disturbance is important for the services these forests can provide. We analyze the drivers' underlying changes in rates of key ecosystem processes (biomass productivity, litter productivity, actual litter decomposition, and potential litter decomposition) during secondary succession after shifting cultivation in wet tropical forest of Mexico. We test the importance of three alternative drivers of ecosystem processes: vegetation biomass (vegetation quantity hypothesis), community-weighted trait mean (mass ratio hypothesis), and functional diversity (niche complementarity hypothesis) using structural equation modeling. This allows us to infer the relative importance of different mechanisms underlying ecosystem process recovery. Ecosystem process rates changed during succession, and the strongest driver was aboveground biomass for each of the processes. Productivity of aboveground stem biomass and leaf litter as well as actual litter decomposition increased with initial standing vegetation biomass, whereas potential litter decomposition decreased with standing biomass. Additionally, biomass productivity was positively affected by community-weighted mean of specific leaf area, and potential decomposition was positively affected by functional divergence, and negatively by community-weighted mean of leaf dry matter content. Our empirical results show that functional diversity and community-weighted means are of secondary importance for explaining changes in ecosystem process rates during tropical forest succession. Instead, simply, the amount of vegetation in a site is the major driver of changes, perhaps because there is a steep biomass buildup during succession that overrides more subtle effects of community functional properties on ecosystem processes. We recommend future studies in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning to separate the effects of vegetation quality (community-weighted mean trait values and functional diversity) from those of vegetation quantity (biomass) on ecosystem processes and services.

FACETS: multi-faceted functional decomposition of protein interaction networks.

PubMed

Seah, Boon-Siew; Bhowmick, Sourav S; Dewey, C Forbes

2012-10-15

The availability of large-scale curated protein interaction datasets has given rise to the opportunity to investigate higher level organization and modularity within the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using graph theoretic analysis. Despite the recent progress, systems level analysis of high-throughput PPIs remains a daunting task because of the amount of data they present. In this article, we propose a novel PPI network decomposition algorithm called FACETS in order to make sense of the deluge of interaction data using Gene Ontology (GO) annotations. FACETS finds not just a single functional decomposition of the PPI network, but a multi-faceted atlas of functional decompositions that portray alternative perspectives of the functional landscape of the underlying PPI network. Each facet in the atlas represents a distinct interpretation of how the network can be functionally decomposed and organized. Our algorithm maximizes interpretative value of the atlas by optimizing inter-facet orthogonality and intra-facet cluster modularity. We tested our algorithm on the global networks from IntAct, and compared it with gold standard datasets from MIPS and KEGG. We demonstrated the performance of FACETS. We also performed a case study that illustrates the utility of our approach. Supplementary data are available at the Bioinformatics online. Our software is available freely for non-commercial purposes from: http://www.cais.ntu.edu.sg/~assourav/Facets/

Decomposition Dynamics and Changes in Chemical Composition of Wheat Straw Residue under Anaerobic and Aerobic Conditions

PubMed Central

Gao, Hongjian; Chen, Xi; Wei, Junling; Zhang, Yajie; Zhang, Ligan; Chang, Jiang; Thompson, Michael L.

2016-01-01

Soil aeration is a crucial factor that regulates crop residue decomposition, and the chemical composition of decomposing crop residues may change the forms and availability of soil nutrients, such as N and P. However, to date, differences in the chemical composition of crop straw residues after incorporation into soil and during its decomposition under anaerobic vs. aerobic conditions have not been well documented. The objective of the present study was to assess changes in the C-containing functional groups of wheat straw residue during its decomposition in anaerobic and aerobic environments. A 12-month incubation experiment was carried out to investigate the temporal variations of mass, carbon, and nitrogen loss, as well as changes in the chemical composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) straw residues under anaerobic and aerobic conditions by measuring C-containing functional groups using solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The residual mass, carbon content, and nitrogen content of the straw residue sharply declined during the initial 3 months, and then slowly decreased during the last incubation period from 3 to 12 months. The decomposition rate constant (k) for mass loss under aerobic conditions (0.022 d-1) was higher than that under anaerobic conditions (0.014 d-1). The residual mass percentage of cellulose and hemicellulose in the wheat straw gradually declined, whereas that of lignin gradually increased during the entire 12-month incubation period. The NMR spectra of C-containing functional groups in the decomposing straw under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions were similar at the beginning of the incubation as well as at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. The main alterations in C-containing functional groups during the decomposition of wheat straw were a decrease in the relative abundances of O-alkyl C and an increase in the relative abundances of alkyl C, aromatic C and COO/N-C = O functional groups. The NMR signals of alkyl C and aromatic C in decomposing wheat straw residues under anaerobic condition were higher than those under aerobic conditions. The higher mass percentages of lignin and the higher signals of aromatic C and alkyl C functional groups in decomposing wheat residues under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions were due to the slower decomposition rates of aryl C and alkyl C in wheat straw residues under anaerobic conditions. PMID:27380023

Theoretical studies of the decomposition mechanisms of 1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate.

PubMed

Pei, Liguan; Dong, Kehai; Tang, Yanhui; Zhang, Bo; Yu, Chang; Li, Wenzuo

2017-12-06

Density functional theory (DFT) and canonical variational transition-state theory combined with a small-curvature tunneling correction (CVT/SCT) were used to explore the decomposition mechanisms of 1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN) in detail. The results showed that the γ-H abstraction reaction is the initial pathway for autocatalytic BTTN decomposition. The three possible hydrogen atom abstraction reactions are all exothermic. The rate constants for autocatalytic BTTN decomposition are 3 to 10 40 times greater than the rate constants for the two unimolecular decomposition reactions (O-NO 2 cleavage and HONO elimination). The process of BTTN decomposition can be divided into two stages according to whether the NO 2 concentration is above a threshold value. HONO elimination is the main reaction channel during the first stage because autocatalytic decomposition requires NO 2 and the concentration of NO 2 is initially low. As the reaction proceeds, the concentration of NO 2 gradually increases; when it exceeds the threshold value, the second stage begins, with autocatalytic decomposition becoming the main reaction channel.

Domain decomposition for aerodynamic and aeroacoustic analyses, and optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baysal, Oktay

1995-01-01

The overarching theme was the domain decomposition, which intended to improve the numerical solution technique for the partial differential equations at hand; in the present study, those that governed either the fluid flow, or the aeroacoustic wave propagation, or the sensitivity analysis for a gradient-based optimization. The role of the domain decomposition extended beyond the original impetus of discretizing geometrical complex regions or writing modular software for distributed-hardware computers. It induced function-space decompositions and operator decompositions that offered the valuable property of near independence of operator evaluation tasks. The objectives have gravitated about the extensions and implementations of either the previously developed or concurrently being developed methodologies: (1) aerodynamic sensitivity analysis with domain decomposition (SADD); (2) computational aeroacoustics of cavities; and (3) dynamic, multibody computational fluid dynamics using unstructured meshes.

Metal-porphyrin: a potential catalyst for direct decomposition of N(2)O by theoretical reaction mechanism investigation.

PubMed

Maitarad, Phornphimon; Namuangruk, Supawadee; Zhang, Dengsong; Shi, Liyi; Li, Hongrui; Huang, Lei; Boekfa, Bundet; Ehara, Masahiro

2014-06-17

The adsorption of nitrous oxide (N2O) on metal-porphyrins (metal: Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) has been theoretically investigated using density functional theory with the M06L functional to explore their use as potential catalysts for the direct decomposition of N2O. Among these metal-porphyrins, Ti-porphyrin is the most active for N2O adsorption in the triplet ground state with the strongest adsorption energy (-13.32 kcal/mol). Ti-porphyrin was then assessed for the direct decomposition of N2O. For the overall reaction mechanism of three N2O molecules on Ti-porphyrin, two plausible catalytic cycles are proposed. Cycle 1 involves the consecutive decomposition of the first two N2O molecules, while cycle 2 is the decomposition of the third N2O molecule. For cycle 1, the activation energies of the first and second N2O decompositions are computed to be 3.77 and 49.99 kcal/mol, respectively. The activation energy for the third N2O decomposition in cycle 2 is 47.79 kcal/mol, which is slightly lower than that of the second activation energy of the first cycle. O2 molecules are released in cycles 1 and 2 as the products of the reaction, which requires endothermic energies of 102.96 and 3.63 kcal/mol, respectively. Therefore, the O2 desorption is mainly released in catalytic cycle 2 of a TiO3-porphyrin intermediate catalyst. In conclusion, regarding the O2 desorption step for the direct decomposition of N2O, the findings would be very useful to guide the search for potential N2O decomposition catalysts in new directions.

Video Shot Boundary Detection Using QR-Decomposition and Gaussian Transition Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amiri, Ali; Fathy, Mahmood

2010-12-01

This article explores the problem of video shot boundary detection and examines a novel shot boundary detection algorithm by using QR-decomposition and modeling of gradual transitions by Gaussian functions. Specifically, the authors attend to the challenges of detecting gradual shots and extracting appropriate spatiotemporal features that affect the ability of algorithms to efficiently detect shot boundaries. The algorithm utilizes the properties of QR-decomposition and extracts a block-wise probability function that illustrates the probability of video frames to be in shot transitions. The probability function has abrupt changes in hard cut transitions, and semi-Gaussian behavior in gradual transitions. The algorithm detects these transitions by analyzing the probability function. Finally, we will report the results of the experiments using large-scale test sets provided by the TRECVID 2006, which has assessments for hard cut and gradual shot boundary detection. These results confirm the high performance of the proposed algorithm.

Regional application of multi-layer artificial neural networks in 3-D ionosphere tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghaffari Razin, Mir Reza; Voosoghi, Behzad

2016-08-01

Tomography is a very cost-effective method to study physical properties of the ionosphere. In this paper, residual minimization training neural network (RMTNN) is used in voxel-based tomography to reconstruct of 3-D ionosphere electron density with high spatial resolution. For numerical experiments, observations collected at 37 GPS stations from Iranian permanent GPS network (IPGN) are used. A smoothed TEC approach was used for absolute STEC recovery. To improve the vertical resolution, empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) obtained from international reference ionosphere 2012 (IRI-2012) used as object function in training neural network. Ionosonde observations is used for validate reliability of the proposed method. Minimum relative error for RMTNN is 1.64% and maximum relative error is 15.61%. Also root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.17 × 1011 (electrons/m3) is computed for RMTNN which is less than RMSE of IRI2012. The results show that RMTNN has higher accuracy and compiles speed than other ionosphere reconstruction methods.

The decomposition of fine and coarse roots: their global patterns and controlling factors

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xinyue; Wang, Wei

2015-01-01

Fine root decomposition represents a large carbon (C) cost to plants, and serves as a potential soil C source, as well as a substantial proportion of net primary productivity. Coarse roots differ markedly from fine roots in morphology, nutrient concentrations, functions, and decomposition mechanisms. Still poorly understood is whether a consistent global pattern exists between the decomposition of fine (<2 mm root diameter) and coarse (≥2 mm) roots. A comprehensive terrestrial root decomposition dataset, including 530 observations from 71 sampling sites, was thus used to compare global patterns of decomposition of fine and coarse roots. Fine roots decomposed significantly faster than coarse roots in middle latitude areas, but their decomposition in low latitude regions was not significantly different from that of coarse roots. Coarse root decomposition showed more dependence on climate, especially mean annual temperature (MAT), than did fine roots. Initial litter lignin content was the most important predictor of fine root decomposition, while lignin to nitrogen ratios, MAT, and mean annual precipitation were the most important predictors of coarse root decomposition. Our study emphasizes the necessity of separating fine roots and coarse roots when predicting the response of belowground C release to future climate changes. PMID:25942391

Generalized neurofuzzy network modeling algorithms using Bézier-Bernstein polynomial functions and additive decomposition.

PubMed

Hong, X; Harris, C J

2000-01-01

This paper introduces a new neurofuzzy model construction algorithm for nonlinear dynamic systems based upon basis functions that are Bézier-Bernstein polynomial functions. This paper is generalized in that it copes with n-dimensional inputs by utilising an additive decomposition construction to overcome the curse of dimensionality associated with high n. This new construction algorithm also introduces univariate Bézier-Bernstein polynomial functions for the completeness of the generalized procedure. Like the B-spline expansion based neurofuzzy systems, Bézier-Bernstein polynomial function based neurofuzzy networks hold desirable properties such as nonnegativity of the basis functions, unity of support, and interpretability of basis function as fuzzy membership functions, moreover with the additional advantages of structural parsimony and Delaunay input space partition, essentially overcoming the curse of dimensionality associated with conventional fuzzy and RBF networks. This new modeling network is based on additive decomposition approach together with two separate basis function formation approaches for both univariate and bivariate Bézier-Bernstein polynomial functions used in model construction. The overall network weights are then learnt using conventional least squares methods. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of this new data based modeling approach.

Simulated drought regimes reveal community resilience and hydrological thresholds for altered decomposition.

PubMed

Rodríguez Pérez, Héctor; Borrel, Guillaume; Leroy, Céline; Carrias, Jean-François; Corbara, Bruno; Srivastava, Diane S; Céréghino, Régis

2018-05-01

Future climate scenarios forecast a 10-50% decline in rainfall in Eastern Amazonia. Altered precipitation patterns may change important ecosystem functions like decomposition through either changes in physical and chemical processes or shifts in the activity and/or composition of species. We experimentally manipulated hydroperiods (length of wet:dry cycles) in a tank bromeliad ecosystem to examine impacts on leaf litter decomposition. Gross loss of litter mass over 112 days was greatest in continuously submersed litter, lowest in continuously dry litter, and intermediate over a range of hydroperiods ranging from eight cycles of 7 wet:7 dry days to one cycle of 56 wet:56 dry days. The resilience of litter mass loss to hydroperiod length is due to a shift from biologically assisted decomposition (mostly microbial) at short wet:dry hydroperiods to physicochemical release of dissolved organic matter at longer wet:dry hydroperiods. Biologically assisted decomposition was maximized at wet:dry hydroperiods falling within the range of ambient conditions (12-22 consecutive dry days) but then declined under prolonged wet:dry hydroperiods (28 and 56 dry days. Fungal:bacterial ratios showed a similar pattern as biologically assisted decomposition to hydroperiod length. Our results suggest that microbial communities confer functional resilience to altered hydroperiod in tank bromeliad ecosystems. We predict a substantial decrease in biological activity relevant to decomposition under climate scenarios that increase consecutive dry days by 1.6- to 3.2-fold in our study area, whereas decreased frequency of dry periods will tend to increase the physicochemical component of decomposition.

Sparse Solution of Fiber Orientation Distribution Function by Diffusion Decomposition

PubMed Central

Yeh, Fang-Cheng; Tseng, Wen-Yih Isaac

2013-01-01

Fiber orientation is the key information in diffusion tractography. Several deconvolution methods have been proposed to obtain fiber orientations by estimating a fiber orientation distribution function (ODF). However, the L 2 regularization used in deconvolution often leads to false fibers that compromise the specificity of the results. To address this problem, we propose a method called diffusion decomposition, which obtains a sparse solution of fiber ODF by decomposing the diffusion ODF obtained from q-ball imaging (QBI), diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), or generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI). A simulation study, a phantom study, and an in-vivo study were conducted to examine the performance of diffusion decomposition. The simulation study showed that diffusion decomposition was more accurate than both constrained spherical deconvolution and ball-and-sticks model. The phantom study showed that the angular error of diffusion decomposition was significantly lower than those of constrained spherical deconvolution at 30° crossing and ball-and-sticks model at 60° crossing. The in-vivo study showed that diffusion decomposition can be applied to QBI, DSI, or GQI, and the resolved fiber orientations were consistent regardless of the diffusion sampling schemes and diffusion reconstruction methods. The performance of diffusion decomposition was further demonstrated by resolving crossing fibers on a 30-direction QBI dataset and a 40-direction DSI dataset. In conclusion, diffusion decomposition can improve angular resolution and resolve crossing fibers in datasets with low SNR and substantially reduced number of diffusion encoding directions. These advantages may be valuable for human connectome studies and clinical research. PMID:24146772

Eigenvector decomposition of full-spectrum x-ray computed tomography.

PubMed

Gonzales, Brian J; Lalush, David S

2012-03-07

Energy-discriminated x-ray computed tomography (CT) data were projected onto a set of basis functions to suppress the noise in filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstructions. The x-ray CT data were acquired using a novel x-ray system which incorporated a single-pixel photon-counting x-ray detector to measure the x-ray spectrum for each projection ray. A matrix of the spectral response of different materials was decomposed using eigenvalue decomposition to form the basis functions. Projection of FBP onto basis functions created a de facto image segmentation of multiple contrast agents. Final reconstructions showed significant noise suppression while preserving important energy-axis data. The noise suppression was demonstrated by a marked improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) along the energy axis for multiple regions of interest in the reconstructed images. Basis functions used on a more coarsely sampled energy axis still showed an improved SNR. We conclude that the noise-resolution trade off along the energy axis was significantly improved using the eigenvalue decomposition basis functions.

Decomposition Theory in the Teaching of Elementary Linear Algebra.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

London, R. R.; Rogosinski, H. P.

1990-01-01

Described is a decomposition theory from which the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, the diagonalizability of complex square matrices, and functional calculus can be developed. The theory and its applications are based on elementary polynomial algebra. (KR)

Modified complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition and intrinsic mode functions evaluation index for high-speed train gearbox fault diagnosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dongyue; Lin, Jianhui; Li, Yanping

2018-06-01

Complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) has been developed for the mode-mixing problem in Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method. Compared to the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), the CEEMD method reduces residue noise in the signal reconstruction. Both CEEMD and EEMD need enough ensemble number to reduce the residue noise, and hence it would be too much computation cost. Moreover, the selection of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) for further analysis usually depends on experience. A modified CEEMD method and IMFs evaluation index are proposed with the aim of reducing the computational cost and select IMFs automatically. A simulated signal and in-service high-speed train gearbox vibration signals are employed to validate the proposed method in this paper. The results demonstrate that the modified CEEMD can decompose the signal efficiently with less computation cost, and the IMFs evaluation index can select the meaningful IMFs automatically.

Total fluorine, extractable organic fluorine, perfluorooctane sulfonate and other related fluorochemicals in liver of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from South China.

PubMed

Yeung, L W Y; Miyake, Y; Wang, Y; Taniyasu, S; Yamashita, N; Lam, P K S

2009-01-01

The concentrations of 10 PFCs (perfluorinated compounds: PFOS, PFHxS, PFOSA, N-EtFOSA, PFDoDA, PFUnDA, PFDA, PFNA, PFOA, and PFHpA) were measured in liver samples of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) (n=10) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) (n=10) stranded in Hong Kong between 2003 and 2007. PFOS was the dominant PFC in the tissues at concentrations ranging at 26-693 ng/g ww in dolphins and 51.3-262 ng/g ww in porpoises. A newly developed combustion ion chromatography for fluorine was applied to measure total fluorine (TF) and extractable organic fluorine (EOF) in these liver samples to understand PFC contamination using the concept of mass balance analysis. Comparisons between the amounts of known PFCs and EOF in the livers showed that a large proportion (approximately 70%) of the organic fluorine in both species is of unknown origin. These investigations are critical for a comprehensive assessment of the risks of these compounds to humans and other receptors.

TRMM Fire Algorithm, Product and Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ji, Yi-Min; Stocker, Erich

2003-01-01

Land fires are frequent menaces to human lives and property. They also change the state of the vegetation and contribute to the climate forcing by releasing large amount of aerosols and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This paper summarizes methodologies of detecting global land fires from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Visible Infrared Scanner FIRS) measurements. The TRMM Science Data and Information System (TSDIS) fire products include global images of daily hot spots and monthly fire counts at 0.5 deg. x 0.5 deg. resolution, as well as text fiies that details necessary information of all fire pixels. The information includes date, orbit number, pixel number, local time, solar zenith angle, latitude, longitude, reflectance of visible/near infrared channels, brightness temperatures of infrared channels, as well as background brightness temperatures of infrared channels. These products have been archived since January 1998. The TSDIS fire products are compared with the coincidental European Commission (EC) Joint Research Center (JRC) 1 km AVHRR fire products. Analyses of the TSDIS monthly fire products during the period from 1998 to 2003 manifested seasonal cycles of biomass fires over Southeast Asia, Africa, North America and South America. The data also showed interannual variations associated with the 98/99 ENS0 cycle in Central America and the Indonesian region. In order to understand the variability of global land fires and their effects on the distribution of atmospheric aerosols, statistical methods were applied to the TSDIS fire products as well as to the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) aerosol index products for a period of five years from January 1998 to December 2002. The variability of global atmospheric aerosol is consistent with the fire variations over these regions during this period. The correlation between fire count and TOMS aerosol index is about 0.55 for fire pixels in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Africa. Parallel statistical analyses such as Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis and Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) methods were applied to pentad TRMM fire data and TOMS aerosol data. The EOF analyses showed contrast between North and South hemispheres and also inter- continental transitions in Africa and America. EOF and SSA analyses also identified 25-60 day intra-seasonal oscillations that were superimposed on the annual cycles of both fire and aerosol data. The intra-seasonal variability of fires showed similarity of tropical rainfall oscillation modes. The TRMM fire products were also compared to the coincident TRMh4 rainfall and other rainfall products to investigate the interaction between rainfall and fire. The results indicate that the annual, interannual and intraseasonal variability of fire are dominated by global rainfall variations. However, the feedback of fire to the rainfall occurrence at regional scale for certain regions is also evident.

Migration behavior of organic dyes based on physicochemical properties of solvents as background electrolytes in non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Gu, Minjeong; Cho, Keunchang; Kang, Seong Ho

2018-07-27

The migration behavior of organic fluorescent dyes (i.e., crystal violet, methyl violet base, methyl violet B base, rhodamine 6G, and rhodamine B base) in non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) was investigated by focusing on the physicochemical properties of various organic solvents [ethanol, methanol, 2-propanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)] in background electrolyte (BGE). Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and UV/Vis detectors were employed to observe both the migration time of organic dyes and the electroosmotic flow (EOF) in NACE, respectively. As seen in conventional aqueous BGE, the mobility of EOF in organic solvents tended to rise when the ratio between the dielectric constant and the solvent's viscosity (ε/η) increased in accordance with Smoluchowski's equation. However, unlike the ε/η of pure organic solvents, the migration order of dyes changed as follows: methanol (60.0) > DMF (45.8) > ethanol (22.8) > DMSO (23.4) > 2-propanol (9.8). Since the amount of acetic acid added to balance the pH depends on the pK a of each solvent, EOF changed when the difference in the ε/η value was small. This resulted from the inhibition of mobility, and its difference was dependent on the ε/η of BGEs with high ionic strength. In particular, the actual mobility of dyes in DMF showed excellent compliance with the Debye-Hückel-Onsager (DHO) theory extended by Falkenhagen and Pitts, which enabled us to analyze all dyes within 15 min with excellent resolution (R s >  2.5) under optimum NACE conditions (10 mM sodium borate and 4661 mM acetic acid in 100% DMF, pH 4.5). In addition, the NACE method was successfully applied for analyzing commercially available ballpoint ink pens. Thus, these results could be used to anticipate the migration order of organic dyes in a 100% NACE separation system. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cryohemolysis, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, and supplementary hematimetric indices in the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis

PubMed Central

Emilse, Ledesma Achem Miryam; Cecilia, Haro; María, Terán Magdalena; Eugenia, Mónaco María; Alicia, Issé Blanca

2018-01-01

Background Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a chronic hemolytic anemia characterized by microspherocytes in the peripheral blood and increased erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF). This study evaluated the cryohemolysis test (CHT); initial hemolysis (IH); immediate and incubated hemolysis percentage in 5.5 g/L NaCl (H5.5); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); red blood cell distribution width (RDW); and Hb/MCHC, Hb/RDW, and MCHC/RDW ratios for the diagnosis of HS. Methods Data from 13 patients with HS were evaluated at the Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada and compared with data from 14 unaffected individuals and 11 patients with anemia due to another etiology. Total blood and reticulocyte counts, CHT, and immediate and incubated EOF were performed in all subjects; sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and Youden index (YI) were calculated. Results Eight patients with HS had MCHC ≥345 g/L, 10 had RDW ≥14.5%, 12 had IH >5.0 g/L, 11 had immediate H5.5 ≥5%, and 13 had incubated H5.5 ≥50% (the cut-off value to consider HS). The efficiency and YI were: immediate H5.5 (0.94–0.85), incubated H5.5 (0.89–0.82), IH (0.89–0.78), MCHC (0.87–0.62), CHT (0.84–0.54), and Hb/MCHC (0.71–0.56), respectively. The calculated ratios could distinguish subjects with HS from unaffected individuals (P<0.05), but not those with anemia of another etiology (P>0.05). Conclusion Although the CHT and supplementary hematimetric indexes were useful to differentiate individuals with SH from healthy controls, they cannot distinguish from anemias of other etiology. CHT and MCHC, in addition to EOF, are recommended for diagnosing HS patients because of their low cost and efficiency. PMID:29662857

Decomposition of Proteins into Dynamic Units from Atomic Cross-Correlation Functions.

PubMed

Calligari, Paolo; Gerolin, Marco; Abergel, Daniel; Polimeno, Antonino

2017-01-10

In this article, we present a clustering method of atoms in proteins based on the analysis of the correlation times of interatomic distance correlation functions computed from MD simulations. The goal is to provide a coarse-grained description of the protein in terms of fewer elements that can be treated as dynamically independent subunits. Importantly, this domain decomposition method does not take into account structural properties of the protein. Instead, the clustering of protein residues in terms of networks of dynamically correlated domains is defined on the basis of the effective correlation times of the pair distance correlation functions. For these properties, our method stands as a complementary analysis to the customary protein decomposition in terms of quasi-rigid, structure-based domains. Results obtained for a prototypal protein structure illustrate the approach proposed.

On the application of the Principal Component Analysis for an efficient climate downscaling of surface wind fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chavez, Roberto; Lozano, Sergio; Correia, Pedro; Sanz-Rodrigo, Javier; Probst, Oliver

2013-04-01

With the purpose of efficiently and reliably generating long-term wind resource maps for the wind energy industry, the application and verification of a statistical methodology for the climate downscaling of wind fields at surface level is presented in this work. This procedure is based on the combination of the Monte Carlo and the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) statistical methods. Firstly the Monte Carlo method is used to create a huge number of daily-based annual time series, so called climate representative years, by the stratified sampling of a 33-year-long time series corresponding to the available period of the NCAR/NCEP global reanalysis data set (R-2). Secondly the representative years are evaluated such that the best set is chosen according to its capability to recreate the Sea Level Pressure (SLP) temporal and spatial fields from the R-2 data set. The measure of this correspondence is based on the Euclidean distance between the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) spaces generated by the PCA (Principal Component Analysis) decomposition of the SLP fields from both the long-term and the representative year data sets. The methodology was verified by comparing the selected 365-days period against a 9-year period of wind fields generated by dynamical downscaling the Global Forecast System data with the mesoscale model SKIRON for the Iberian Peninsula. These results showed that, compared to the traditional method of dynamical downscaling any random 365-days period, the error in the average wind velocity by the PCA's representative year was reduced by almost 30%. Moreover the Mean Absolute Errors (MAE) in the monthly and daily wind profiles were also reduced by almost 25% along all SKIRON grid points. These results showed also that the methodology presented maximum error values in the wind speed mean of 0.8 m/s and maximum MAE in the monthly curves of 0.7 m/s. Besides the bulk numbers, this work shows the spatial distribution of the errors across the Iberian domain and additional wind statistics such as the velocity and directional frequency. Additional repetitions were performed to prove the reliability and robustness of this kind-of statistical-dynamical downscaling method.

Ionization-Enhanced Decomposition of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Molecules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Bin; Wright, David; Cliffel, David

2011-01-01

The unimolecular decomposition reaction of TNT can in principle be used to design ways to either detect or remove TNT from the environment. Here, we report the results of a density functional theory study of possible ways to lower the reaction barrier for this decomposition process by ionization, so that decomposition and/or detection can occur at room temperature. We find that ionizing TNT lowers the reaction barrier for the initial step of this decomposition. We further show that a similar effect can occur if a positive moiety is bound to the TNT molecule. The positive charge produces a pronounced electronmore » redistribution and dipole formation in TNT with minimal charge transfer from TNT to the positive moiety.« less

Negative values of quasidistributions and quantum wave and number statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peřina, J.; Křepelka, J.

2018-04-01

We consider nonclassical wave and number quantum statistics, and perform a decomposition of quasidistributions for nonlinear optical down-conversion processes using Bessel functions. We show that negative values of the quasidistribution do not directly represent probabilities; however, they directly influence measurable number statistics. Negative terms in the decomposition related to the nonclassical behavior with negative amplitudes of probability can be interpreted as positive amplitudes of probability in the negative orthogonal Bessel basis, whereas positive amplitudes of probability in the positive basis describe classical cases. However, probabilities are positive in all cases, including negative values of quasidistributions. Negative and positive contributions of decompositions to quasidistributions are estimated. The approach can be adapted to quantum coherence functions.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karch, Andreas; Sato, Yoshiki

In this paper we discuss geodesic Witten diagrams in generic holographic conformal field theories with boundary or defect. Boundary CFTs allow two different de-compositions of two-point functions into conformal blocks: boundary channel and ambient channel. Building on earlier work, we derive a holographic dual of the boundary channel decomposition in terms of bulk-to-bulk propagators on lower dimensional AdS slices. In the situation in which we can treat the boundary or defect as a perturbation around pure AdS spacetime, we obtain the leading corrections to the two-point function both in boundary and ambient channel in terms of geodesic Witten diagrams whichmore » exactly reproduce the decomposition into corresponding conformal blocks on the field theory side.« less

Keratin decomposition by trogid beetles: evidence from a feeding experiment and stable isotope analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiura, Shinji; Ikeda, Hiroshi

2014-03-01

The decomposition of vertebrate carcasses is an important ecosystem function. Soft tissues of dead vertebrates are rapidly decomposed by diverse animals. However, decomposition of hard tissues such as hairs and feathers is much slower because only a few animals can digest keratin, a protein that is concentrated in hairs and feathers. Although beetles of the family Trogidae are considered keratin feeders, their ecological function has rarely been explored. Here, we investigated the keratin-decomposition function of trogid beetles in heron-breeding colonies where keratin was frequently supplied as feathers. Three trogid species were collected from the colonies and observed feeding on heron feathers under laboratory conditions. We also measured the nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) stable isotope ratios of two trogid species that were maintained on a constant diet (feathers from one heron individual) during 70 days under laboratory conditions. We compared the isotopic signatures of the trogids with the feathers to investigate isotopic shifts from the feathers to the consumers for δ15N and δ13C. We used mixing models (MixSIR and SIAR) to estimate the main diets of individual field-collected trogid beetles. The analysis indicated that heron feathers were more important as food for trogid beetles than were soft tissues under field conditions. Together, the feeding experiment and stable isotope analysis provided strong evidence of keratin decomposition by trogid beetles.

Decomposition rate of Rhizopora stylosa litter in Tanjung Rejo Village, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatera Province

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rambey, R.; Delvian; Sianturi, S. D.

2018-02-01

Research on the decomposition rate of Rhizopora stylosa litter in Tanjung Rejo village, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatera Province was conducted from September 2016 to May 2017. The objectives of this research were (1) to measure the decomposition rate of Rhizophora stylosa litter and (2) to determine the type of functional fungi in decomposition of litter. R. stylosa litter decomposition is characterized by a reduction in litter weight per observation period. Decomposition rate tended to increase every week, which was from 0.238 in the seventh day and reached 0.302 on the fiftysixthth day. The decomposition rate of R. stylosa litter of leaf was high with the value of k per day > 0,01 caused by macrobentos and fungi, and also the decomposition of R. stylosa litter conducted in the pond area which is classified far from the coast. Therefore, to enable the high population of fungi which affect the decomposition rate of the litter. The types of fungi decomposers were: Aspergillus sp.-1, Aspergillus sp.-2, Aspergillus sp.-3, Rhizophus sp.-1., Rhizophus sp.-2, Penicillium sp., Syncephalastrum sp. and Fusarium sp.

Time-resolved spectroscopic measurements of shock-wave induced decomposition in cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) crystals: anisotropic response.

PubMed

Dang, Nhan C; Dreger, Zbigniew A; Gupta, Yogendra M; Hooks, Daniel E

2010-11-04

Plate impact experiments on the (210), (100), and (111) planes were performed to examine the role of crystalline anisotropy on the shock-induced decomposition of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) crystals. Time-resolved emission spectroscopy was used to probe the decomposition of single crystals shocked to peak stresses ranging between 7 and 20 GPa. Emission produced by decomposition intermediates was analyzed in terms of induction time to emission, emission intensity, and the emission spectra shapes as a function of stress and time. Utilizing these features, we found that the shock-induced decomposition of RDX crystals exhibits considerable anisotropy. Crystals shocked on the (210) and (100) planes were more sensitive to decomposition than crystals shocked on the (111) plane. The possible sources of the observed anisotropy are discussed with regard to the inelastic deformation mechanisms of shocked RDX. Our results suggest that, despite the anisotropy observed for shock initiation, decomposition pathways for all three orientations are similar.

Pressure-dependent decomposition kinetics of the energetic material HMX up to 3.6 GPa.

PubMed

Glascoe, Elizabeth A; Zaug, Joseph M; Burnham, Alan K

2009-12-03

The effect of pressure on the global thermal decomposition rate of the energetic material HMX was studied. HMX was precompressed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) and heated at various rates. The parent species population was monitored as a function of time and temperature using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Global decomposition rates were determined by fitting the fraction reacted to the extended-Prout-Tompkins nucleation-growth model and the Friedman isoconversional method. The results of these experiments and analysis indicate that pressure accelerates the decomposition at low-to-moderate pressures (i.e., between ambient pressure and 0.1 GPa) and decelerates the decomposition at higher pressures. The decomposition acceleration is attributed to pressure-enhanced autocatalysis, whereas the deceleration at high pressures is attributed to pressure-inhibiting bond homolysis step(s), which would result in an increase in volume. These results indicate that both the beta- and delta-polymorphs of HMX are sensitive to pressure in the thermally induced decomposition kinetics.

Intramolecular homolytic displacements. 30. Functional decarbonylative transformations of aldehydes via homolytically induced decomposition of unsaturated peroxyacetals

PubMed

Degueil-Castaing; Moutet; Maillard

2000-06-30

Homolytically induced decompositions of unsaturated peroxyacetals, synthesized from aldehydes, gave alkoxyalkoxyl radicals that yielded alkyl radicals by rapid beta-scission. The latter radicals could react with several types of "transfer agents" to smoothly bring about homolytic decarbonylative functional group transformations of aldehydes into halides, hydrocarbons, xanthates, alkanenitriles, 2-alkyl-3-chloromaleic anhydrides, 1-phenylalk-1-ynes, and ethyl 2-alkylpropenoates.

Modeling the hysteretic moisture and temperature responses of soil carbon decomposition resulting from organo-mineral interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, J.; Riley, W. J.

2017-12-01

Most existing soil carbon cycle models have modeled the moisture and temperature dependence of soil respiration using deterministic response functions. However, empirical data suggest abundant variability in both of these dependencies. We here use the recently developed SUPECA (Synthesizing Unit and Equilibrium Chemistry Approximation) theory and a published dynamic energy budget based microbial model to investigate how soil carbon decomposition responds to changes in soil moisture and temperature under the influence of organo-mineral interactions. We found that both the temperature and moisture responses are hysteretic and cannot be represented by deterministic functions. We then evaluate how the multi-scale variability in temperature and moisture forcing affect soil carbon decomposition. Our results indicate that when the model is run in scenarios mimicking laboratory incubation experiments, the often-observed temperature and moisture response functions can be well reproduced. However, when such response functions are used for model extrapolation involving more transient variability in temperature and moisture forcing (as found in real ecosystems), the dynamic model that explicitly accounts for hysteresis in temperature and moisture dependency produces significantly different estimations of soil carbon decomposition, suggesting there are large biases in models that do not resolve such hysteresis. We call for more studies on organo-mineral interactions to improve modeling of such hysteresis.

Low-rank canonical-tensor decomposition of potential energy surfaces: application to grid-based diagrammatic vibrational Green's function theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rai, Prashant; Sargsyan, Khachik; Najm, Habib; Hermes, Matthew R.; Hirata, So

2017-09-01

A new method is proposed for a fast evaluation of high-dimensional integrals of potential energy surfaces (PES) that arise in many areas of quantum dynamics. It decomposes a PES into a canonical low-rank tensor format, reducing its integral into a relatively short sum of products of low-dimensional integrals. The decomposition is achieved by the alternating least squares (ALS) algorithm, requiring only a small number of single-point energy evaluations. Therefore, it eradicates a force-constant evaluation as the hotspot of many quantum dynamics simulations and also possibly lifts the curse of dimensionality. This general method is applied to the anharmonic vibrational zero-point and transition energy calculations of molecules using the second-order diagrammatic vibrational many-body Green's function (XVH2) theory with a harmonic-approximation reference. In this application, high dimensional PES and Green's functions are both subjected to a low-rank decomposition. Evaluating the molecular integrals over a low-rank PES and Green's functions as sums of low-dimensional integrals using the Gauss-Hermite quadrature, this canonical-tensor-decomposition-based XVH2 (CT-XVH2) achieves an accuracy of 0.1 cm-1 or higher and nearly an order of magnitude speedup as compared with the original algorithm using force constants for water and formaldehyde.

AFRRI Reports October - December 1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-01

in the reaction between cytosine radicals and adria- mycin, it is possible that the yield of-DMPO--O,- and of its decomposition product, DMPO-OH, are...mixture due to the decomposition Time (min) of DMPO-O- by 0,7 ’. Fig. 2. Adriamycin radical yield as a function of time. y.lrradiated The electron...radical by decomposition of superoxide spin trapped toionization of thyminc. The thymnine cation and union radicals. adducts, Ato. Pharmn. 21: 262-265

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Glascoe, E A; Zaug, J M; Burnham, A K

The effect of pressure on the thermal decomposition rate of the energetic material HMX was studied. HMX was precompressed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) and heated at various rates. The parent species population was monitored as a function of time and temperature using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Decomposition rates were determined by fitting the fraction reacted to the extended-Prout-Tompkins nucleation-growth model and the Friedman isoconversional method. The results of these experiments and analysis indicate that pressure accelerates the decomposition at low to moderate pressures (i.e. between ambient pressure and 1 GPa) and decelerates the decomposition at higher pressures.more » The decomposition acceleration is attributed to pressure enhanced autocatalysis whereas the deceleration at high pressures is attributed pressure inhibiting bond homolysis step(s), which would result in an increase in volume. These results indicate that both {beta} and {delta} phase HMX are sensitive to pressure in the thermally induced decomposition kinetics.« less

A Four-Stage Hybrid Model for Hydrological Time Series Forecasting

PubMed Central

Di, Chongli; Yang, Xiaohua; Wang, Xiaochao

2014-01-01

Hydrological time series forecasting remains a difficult task due to its complicated nonlinear, non-stationary and multi-scale characteristics. To solve this difficulty and improve the prediction accuracy, a novel four-stage hybrid model is proposed for hydrological time series forecasting based on the principle of ‘denoising, decomposition and ensemble’. The proposed model has four stages, i.e., denoising, decomposition, components prediction and ensemble. In the denoising stage, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method is utilized to reduce the noises in the hydrological time series. Then, an improved method of EMD, the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), is applied to decompose the denoised series into a number of intrinsic mode function (IMF) components and one residual component. Next, the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is adopted to predict the trend of all of the components obtained in the decomposition stage. In the final ensemble prediction stage, the forecasting results of all of the IMF and residual components obtained in the third stage are combined to generate the final prediction results, using a linear neural network (LNN) model. For illustration and verification, six hydrological cases with different characteristics are used to test the effectiveness of the proposed model. The proposed hybrid model performs better than conventional single models, the hybrid models without denoising or decomposition and the hybrid models based on other methods, such as the wavelet analysis (WA)-based hybrid models. In addition, the denoising and decomposition strategies decrease the complexity of the series and reduce the difficulties of the forecasting. With its effective denoising and accurate decomposition ability, high prediction precision and wide applicability, the new model is very promising for complex time series forecasting. This new forecast model is an extension of nonlinear prediction models. PMID:25111782

Experimental and DFT simulation study of a novel felodipine cocrystal: Characterization, dissolving properties and thermal decomposition kinetics.

PubMed

Yang, Caiqin; Guo, Wei; Lin, Yulong; Lin, Qianqian; Wang, Jiaojiao; Wang, Jing; Zeng, Yanli

2018-05-30

In this study, a new cocrystal of felodipine (Fel) and glutaric acid (Glu) with a high dissolution rate was developed using the solvent ultrasonic method. The prepared cocrystal was characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. To provide basic information about the optimization of pharmaceutical preparations of Fel-based cocrystals, this work investigated the thermal decomposition kinetics of the Fel-Glu cocrystal through non-isothermal thermogravimetry. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations were also performed on the Fel monomer and the trimolecular cocrystal compound for exploring the mechanisms underlying hydrogen bonding formation and thermal decomposition. Combined results of IR spectroscopy and DFT simulation verified that the Fel-Glu cocrystal formed via the NH⋯OC and CO⋯HO hydrogen bonds between Fel and Glu at the ratio of 1:2. The TG/derivative TG curves indicated that the thermal decomposition of the Fel-Glu cocrystal underwent a two-step process. The apparent activation energy (E a ) and pre-exponential factor (A) of the thermal decomposition for the first stage were 84.90 kJ mol -1 and 7.03 × 10 7  min -1 , respectively. The mechanism underlying thermal decomposition possibly involved nucleation and growth, with the integral mechanism function G(α) of α 3/2 . DFT calculation revealed that the hydrogen bonding between Fel and Glu weakened the terminal methoxyl, methyl, and ethyl groups in the Fel molecule. As a result, these groups were lost along with the Glu molecule in the first thermal decomposition. In conclusion, the formed cocrystal exhibited different thermal decomposition kinetics and showed different E a , A, and shelf life from the intact active pharmaceutical ingredient. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A four-stage hybrid model for hydrological time series forecasting.

PubMed

Di, Chongli; Yang, Xiaohua; Wang, Xiaochao

2014-01-01

Hydrological time series forecasting remains a difficult task due to its complicated nonlinear, non-stationary and multi-scale characteristics. To solve this difficulty and improve the prediction accuracy, a novel four-stage hybrid model is proposed for hydrological time series forecasting based on the principle of 'denoising, decomposition and ensemble'. The proposed model has four stages, i.e., denoising, decomposition, components prediction and ensemble. In the denoising stage, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method is utilized to reduce the noises in the hydrological time series. Then, an improved method of EMD, the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), is applied to decompose the denoised series into a number of intrinsic mode function (IMF) components and one residual component. Next, the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is adopted to predict the trend of all of the components obtained in the decomposition stage. In the final ensemble prediction stage, the forecasting results of all of the IMF and residual components obtained in the third stage are combined to generate the final prediction results, using a linear neural network (LNN) model. For illustration and verification, six hydrological cases with different characteristics are used to test the effectiveness of the proposed model. The proposed hybrid model performs better than conventional single models, the hybrid models without denoising or decomposition and the hybrid models based on other methods, such as the wavelet analysis (WA)-based hybrid models. In addition, the denoising and decomposition strategies decrease the complexity of the series and reduce the difficulties of the forecasting. With its effective denoising and accurate decomposition ability, high prediction precision and wide applicability, the new model is very promising for complex time series forecasting. This new forecast model is an extension of nonlinear prediction models.

Comments on `A Cautionary Note on the Interpretation of EOFs'.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behera, Swadhin K.; Rao, Suryachandra A.; Saji, Hameed N.; Yamagata, Toshio

2003-04-01

The misleading aspect of the statistical analyses used in Dommenget and Latif, which raises concerns on some of the reported climate modes, is demonstrated. Adopting simple statistical techniques, the physical existence of the Indian Ocean dipole mode is shown and then the limitations of varimax and regression analyses in capturing the climate mode are discussed.

Submesoscale Structure of the California Current Near San Clemente Island

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-01

components at the 8 km line in figure 9 p• p - e 0 Fi u eOFS JSlIE DIS TAIIC I |MI .: ..- 1111 O, AIF | KA Figrellh. Vertical cross-section of standard...7. Huyer, Adriana and P. Michael Kosro, Mesoscale Surveys over the Shelf and Slope in the Upwelling Region Near Point Arena, California, J. Geophs

Quantifying and characterizing dissolved carbon and nitrogen leaching from litter: a comparison of methods

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Litter decomposition has a fundamental role in ecosystem functioning. It recycles energy, carbon and nutrients, supporting ecosystem productivity and soil organic matter formation. Litter decomposition occurs through leaching, fragmentation, and catabolism. Leaching is, arguably, the least studie...

Temporal and Spatial Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Bacterial and Arthropod Community Structure and Function

PubMed Central

Singh, Baneshwar; Minick, Kevan J.; Strickland, Michael S.; Wickings, Kyle G.; Crippen, Tawni L.; Tarone, Aaron M.; Benbow, M. Eric; Sufrin, Ness; Tomberlin, Jeffery K.; Pechal, Jennifer L.

2018-01-01

As vertebrate carrion decomposes, there is a release of nutrient-rich fluids into the underlying soil, which can impact associated biological community structure and function. How these changes alter soil biogeochemical cycles is relatively unknown and may prove useful in the identification of carrion decomposition islands that have long lasting, focal ecological effects. This study investigated the spatial (0, 1, and 5 m) and temporal (3–732 days) dynamics of human cadaver decomposition on soil bacterial and arthropod community structure and microbial function. We observed strong evidence of a predictable response to cadaver decomposition that varies over space for soil bacterial and arthropod community structure, carbon (C) mineralization and microbial substrate utilization patterns. In the presence of a cadaver (i.e., 0 m samples), the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was greater, while the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia was lower when compared to samples at 1 and 5 m. Micro-arthropods were more abundant (15 to 17-fold) in soils collected at 0 m compared to either 1 or 5 m, but overall, micro-arthropod community composition was unrelated to either bacterial community composition or function. Bacterial community structure and microbial function also exhibited temporal relationships, whereas arthropod community structure did not. Cumulative precipitation was more effective in predicting temporal variations in bacterial abundance and microbial activity than accumulated degree days. In the presence of the cadaver (i.e., 0 m samples), the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased significantly with cumulative precipitation. Furthermore, soil bacterial communities and C mineralization were sensitive to the introduction of human cadavers as they diverged from baseline levels and did not recover completely in approximately 2 years. These data are valuable for understanding ecosystem function surrounding carrion decomposition islands and can be applicable to environmental bio-monitoring and forensic sciences. PMID:29354106

Temporal and Spatial Impact of Human Cadaver Decomposition on Soil Bacterial and Arthropod Community Structure and Function.

PubMed

Singh, Baneshwar; Minick, Kevan J; Strickland, Michael S; Wickings, Kyle G; Crippen, Tawni L; Tarone, Aaron M; Benbow, M Eric; Sufrin, Ness; Tomberlin, Jeffery K; Pechal, Jennifer L

2017-01-01

As vertebrate carrion decomposes, there is a release of nutrient-rich fluids into the underlying soil, which can impact associated biological community structure and function. How these changes alter soil biogeochemical cycles is relatively unknown and may prove useful in the identification of carrion decomposition islands that have long lasting, focal ecological effects. This study investigated the spatial (0, 1, and 5 m) and temporal (3-732 days) dynamics of human cadaver decomposition on soil bacterial and arthropod community structure and microbial function. We observed strong evidence of a predictable response to cadaver decomposition that varies over space for soil bacterial and arthropod community structure, carbon (C) mineralization and microbial substrate utilization patterns. In the presence of a cadaver (i.e., 0 m samples), the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was greater, while the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia was lower when compared to samples at 1 and 5 m. Micro-arthropods were more abundant (15 to 17-fold) in soils collected at 0 m compared to either 1 or 5 m, but overall, micro-arthropod community composition was unrelated to either bacterial community composition or function. Bacterial community structure and microbial function also exhibited temporal relationships, whereas arthropod community structure did not. Cumulative precipitation was more effective in predicting temporal variations in bacterial abundance and microbial activity than accumulated degree days. In the presence of the cadaver (i.e., 0 m samples), the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased significantly with cumulative precipitation. Furthermore, soil bacterial communities and C mineralization were sensitive to the introduction of human cadavers as they diverged from baseline levels and did not recover completely in approximately 2 years. These data are valuable for understanding ecosystem function surrounding carrion decomposition islands and can be applicable to environmental bio-monitoring and forensic sciences.

A data-driven method to enhance vibration signal decomposition for rolling bearing fault analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grasso, M.; Chatterton, S.; Pennacchi, P.; Colosimo, B. M.

2016-12-01

Health condition analysis and diagnostics of rotating machinery requires the capability of properly characterizing the information content of sensor signals in order to detect and identify possible fault features. Time-frequency analysis plays a fundamental role, as it allows determining both the existence and the causes of a fault. The separation of components belonging to different time-frequency scales, either associated to healthy or faulty conditions, represents a challenge that motivates the development of effective methodologies for multi-scale signal decomposition. In this framework, the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) is a flexible tool, thanks to its data-driven and adaptive nature. However, the EMD usually yields an over-decomposition of the original signals into a large number of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The selection of most relevant IMFs is a challenging task, and the reference literature lacks automated methods to achieve a synthetic decomposition into few physically meaningful modes by avoiding the generation of spurious or meaningless modes. The paper proposes a novel automated approach aimed at generating a decomposition into a minimal number of relevant modes, called Combined Mode Functions (CMFs), each consisting in a sum of adjacent IMFs that share similar properties. The final number of CMFs is selected in a fully data driven way, leading to an enhanced characterization of the signal content without any information loss. A novel criterion to assess the dissimilarity between adjacent CMFs is proposed, based on probability density functions of frequency spectra. The method is suitable to analyze vibration signals that may be periodically acquired within the operating life of rotating machineries. A rolling element bearing fault analysis based on experimental data is presented to demonstrate the performances of the method and the provided benefits.

An optimized time varying filtering based empirical mode decomposition method with grey wolf optimizer for machinery fault diagnosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xin; Liu, Zhiwen; Miao, Qiang; Wang, Lei

2018-03-01

A time varying filtering based empirical mode decomposition (EMD) (TVF-EMD) method was proposed recently to solve the mode mixing problem of EMD method. Compared with the classical EMD, TVF-EMD was proven to improve the frequency separation performance and be robust to noise interference. However, the decomposition parameters (i.e., bandwidth threshold and B-spline order) significantly affect the decomposition results of this method. In original TVF-EMD method, the parameter values are assigned in advance, which makes it difficult to achieve satisfactory analysis results. To solve this problem, this paper develops an optimized TVF-EMD method based on grey wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm for fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. Firstly, a measurement index termed weighted kurtosis index is constructed by using kurtosis index and correlation coefficient. Subsequently, the optimal TVF-EMD parameters that match with the input signal can be obtained by GWO algorithm using the maximum weighted kurtosis index as objective function. Finally, fault features can be extracted by analyzing the sensitive intrinsic mode function (IMF) owning the maximum weighted kurtosis index. Simulations and comparisons highlight the performance of TVF-EMD method for signal decomposition, and meanwhile verify the fact that bandwidth threshold and B-spline order are critical to the decomposition results. Two case studies on rotating machinery fault diagnosis demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed method.

Assessing the effect of different treatments on decomposition rate of dairy manure.

PubMed

Khalil, Tariq M; Higgins, Stewart S; Ndegwa, Pius M; Frear, Craig S; Stöckle, Claudio O

2016-11-01

Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) contribute to greenhouse gas emission, but the magnitude of these emissions as a function of operation size, infrastructure, and manure management are difficult to assess. Modeling is a viable option to estimate gaseous emission and nutrient flows from CAFOs. These models use a decomposition rate constant for carbon mineralization. However, this constant is usually determined assuming a homogenous mix of manure, ignoring the effects of emerging manure treatments. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the decomposition rate constants of dairy manure in single and three-pool decomposition models, and to develop an empirical model based on chemical composition of manure for prediction of a decomposition rate constant. Decomposition rate constants of manure before and after an anaerobic digester (AD), following coarse fiber separation, and fine solids removal were determined under anaerobic conditions for single and three-pool decomposition models. The decomposition rates of treated manure effluents differed significantly from untreated manure for both single and three-pool decomposition models. In the single-pool decomposition model, AD effluent containing only suspended solids had a relatively high decomposition rate of 0.060 d(-1), while liquid with coarse fiber and fine solids removed had the lowest rate of 0.013 d(-1). In the three-pool decomposition model, fast and slow decomposition rate constants (0.25 d(-1) and 0.016 d(-1) respectively) of untreated AD influent were also significantly different from treated manure fractions. A regression model to predict the decomposition rate of treated dairy manure fitted well (R(2) = 0.83) to observed data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time-dependent density functional theory for open systems with a positivity-preserving decomposition scheme for environment spectral functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, RuLin; Zheng, Xiao; Kwok, YanHo; Xie, Hang; Chen, GuanHua; Yam, ChiYung

2015-04-01

Understanding electronic dynamics on material surfaces is fundamentally important for applications including nanoelectronics, inhomogeneous catalysis, and photovoltaics. Practical approaches based on time-dependent density functional theory for open systems have been developed to characterize the dissipative dynamics of electrons in bulk materials. The accuracy and reliability of such approaches depend critically on how the electronic structure and memory effects of surrounding material environment are accounted for. In this work, we develop a novel squared-Lorentzian decomposition scheme, which preserves the positive semi-definiteness of the environment spectral matrix. The resulting electronic dynamics is guaranteed to be both accurate and convergent even in the long-time limit. The long-time stability of electronic dynamics simulation is thus greatly improved within the current decomposition scheme. The validity and usefulness of our new approach are exemplified via two prototypical model systems: quasi-one-dimensional atomic chains and two-dimensional bilayer graphene.

Padé spectrum decompositions of quantum distribution functions and optimal hierarchical equations of motion construction for quantum open systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jie; Luo, Meng; Jiang, Feng; Xu, Rui-Xue; Yan, YiJing

2011-06-01

Padé spectrum decomposition is an optimal sum-over-poles expansion scheme of Fermi function and Bose function [J. Hu, R. X. Xu, and Y. J. Yan, J. Chem. Phys. 133, 101106 (2010)], 10.1063/1.3484491. In this work, we report two additional members to this family, from which the best among all sum-over-poles methods could be chosen for different cases of application. Methods are developed for determining these three Padé spectrum decomposition expansions at machine precision via simple algorithms. We exemplify the applications of present development with optimal construction of hierarchical equations-of-motion formulations for nonperturbative quantum dissipation and quantum transport dynamics. Numerical demonstrations are given for two systems. One is the transient transport current to an interacting quantum-dots system, together with the involved high-order co-tunneling dynamics. Another is the non-Markovian dynamics of a spin-boson system.

Origin of the Chemical and Kinetic Stability of Graphene Oxide

PubMed Central

Zhou, Si; Bongiorno, Angelo

2013-01-01

At moderate temperatures (≤ 70°C), thermal reduction of graphene oxide is inefficient and after its synthesis the material enters in a metastable state. Here, first-principles and statistical calculations are used to investigate both the low-temperature processes leading to decomposition of graphene oxide and the role of ageing on the structure and stability of this material. Our study shows that the key factor underlying the stability of graphene oxide is the tendency of the oxygen functionalities to agglomerate and form highly oxidized domains surrounded by areas of pristine graphene. Within the agglomerates of functional groups, the primary decomposition reactions are hindered by both geometrical and energetic factors. The number of reacting sites is reduced by the occurrence of local order in the oxidized domains, and due to the close packing of the oxygen functionalities, the decomposition reactions become – on average – endothermic by more than 0.6 eV. PMID:23963517

Origin of the chemical and kinetic stability of graphene oxide.

PubMed

Zhou, Si; Bongiorno, Angelo

2013-01-01

At moderate temperatures (≤ 70°C), thermal reduction of graphene oxide is inefficient and after its synthesis the material enters in a metastable state. Here, first-principles and statistical calculations are used to investigate both the low-temperature processes leading to decomposition of graphene oxide and the role of ageing on the structure and stability of this material. Our study shows that the key factor underlying the stability of graphene oxide is the tendency of the oxygen functionalities to agglomerate and form highly oxidized domains surrounded by areas of pristine graphene. Within the agglomerates of functional groups, the primary decomposition reactions are hindered by both geometrical and energetic factors. The number of reacting sites is reduced by the occurrence of local order in the oxidized domains, and due to the close packing of the oxygen functionalities, the decomposition reactions become - on average - endothermic by more than 0.6 eV.

Alkaloids May Not be Responsible for Endophyte Associated Reductions in Tall Fescue Decomposition Rates

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

1. Fungal endophyte - grass symbioses can have dramatic ecological effects, altering individual plant physiology, plant and animal community structure and function, and ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. 2. Within the tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) - funga...

Boundary holographic Witten diagrams

DOE PAGES

Karch, Andreas; Sato, Yoshiki

2017-09-25

In this paper we discuss geodesic Witten diagrams in generic holographic conformal field theories with boundary or defect. Boundary CFTs allow two different de-compositions of two-point functions into conformal blocks: boundary channel and ambient channel. Building on earlier work, we derive a holographic dual of the boundary channel decomposition in terms of bulk-to-bulk propagators on lower dimensional AdS slices. In the situation in which we can treat the boundary or defect as a perturbation around pure AdS spacetime, we obtain the leading corrections to the two-point function both in boundary and ambient channel in terms of geodesic Witten diagrams whichmore » exactly reproduce the decomposition into corresponding conformal blocks on the field theory side.« less

Methylamine adsorption and decomposition on B12N12 nanocage: A density functional theory study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esrafili, Mehdi D.; Nurazar, Roghaye

2014-08-01

Density functional theory calculations are performed to investigate the adsorption and decomposition of methylamine (CH3NH2) on the surface of a B12N12 fullerene-like nanocage. Two adsorption types and two reaction channels are identified. It is found that the electrical conductivity of the nanocage can be modified upon the adsorption of CH3NH2. The pathways of CH3NH2 decomposition via bond scission of the Csbnd N and Nsbnd H bonds are examined. The results indicate that Nsbnd H bond scission is the most favorable pathway on the B12N12 surface. The side reaction that generates CH3 and NH2 fragments is endothermic by 15.6 kcal/mol with an energy-barrier height of 81.5 kcal/mol. For the CH3NH2 decomposition on the B12N12 surface, the rate-determining step appears to be as the following reaction: CH3NH → CH3N + H.

Subgrid-scale physical parameterization in atmospheric modeling: How can we make it consistent?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yano, Jun-Ichi

2016-07-01

Approaches to subgrid-scale physical parameterization in atmospheric modeling are reviewed by taking turbulent combustion flow research as a point of reference. Three major general approaches are considered for its consistent development: moment, distribution density function (DDF), and mode decomposition. The moment expansion is a standard method for describing the subgrid-scale turbulent flows both in geophysics and engineering. The DDF (commonly called PDF) approach is intuitively appealing as it deals with a distribution of variables in subgrid scale in a more direct manner. Mode decomposition was originally applied by Aubry et al (1988 J. Fluid Mech. 192 115-73) in the context of wall boundary-layer turbulence. It is specifically designed to represent coherencies in compact manner by a low-dimensional dynamical system. Their original proposal adopts the proper orthogonal decomposition (empirical orthogonal functions) as their mode-decomposition basis. However, the methodology can easily be generalized into any decomposition basis. Among those, wavelet is a particularly attractive alternative. The mass-flux formulation that is currently adopted in the majority of atmospheric models for parameterizing convection can also be considered a special case of mode decomposition, adopting segmentally constant modes for the expansion basis. This perspective further identifies a very basic but also general geometrical constraint imposed on the massflux formulation: the segmentally-constant approximation. Mode decomposition can, furthermore, be understood by analogy with a Galerkin method in numerically modeling. This analogy suggests that the subgrid parameterization may be re-interpreted as a type of mesh-refinement in numerical modeling. A link between the subgrid parameterization and downscaling problems is also pointed out.

Effect of petroleum on decomposition of shrub-grass litters in soil in Northern Shaanxi of China.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoxi; Liu, Zengwen; Yu, Qi; Luc, Nhu Trung; Bing, Yuanhao; Zhu, Bochao; Wang, Wenxuan

2015-07-01

The impacts of petroleum contamination on the litter decomposition of shrub-grass land would directly influence nutrient cycling, and the stability and function of ecosystem. Ten common shrub and grass species from Yujiaping oil deposits were studied. Litters from these species were placed into litterbags and buried in petroleum-contaminated soil with 3 levels of contamination (slight, moderate and serious pollution with petroleum concentrations of 15, 30 and 45 g/kg, respectively). A decomposition experiment was then conducted in the lab to investigate the impacts of petroleum contamination on litter decomposition rates. Slight pollution did not inhibit the decomposition of any litters and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of Hippophae rhamnoides, Caragana korshinskii, Amorpha fruticosa, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa, Periploca sepium, Medicago sativa and Bothriochloa ischaemum. Moderate pollution significantly inhibited litter decomposition of M. sativa, Coronilla varia, Artemisia vestita and Trrifolium repens and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of C. korshinskii, Z. jujuba var. spinosa and P. sepium. Serious pollution significantly inhibited the litter decomposition of H. rhamnoides, A. fruticosa, B. ischaemum and A. vestita and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of Z. jujuba var. spinosa, P. sepium and M. sativa. In addition, the impacts of petroleum contamination did not exhibit a uniform increase or decrease as petroleum concentration increased. Inhibitory effects of petroleum on litter decomposition may hinder the substance cycling and result in the degradation of plant communities in contaminated areas. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

FACETS: multi-faceted functional decomposition of protein interaction networks

PubMed Central

Seah, Boon-Siew; Bhowmick, Sourav S.; Forbes Dewey, C.

2012-01-01

Motivation: The availability of large-scale curated protein interaction datasets has given rise to the opportunity to investigate higher level organization and modularity within the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network using graph theoretic analysis. Despite the recent progress, systems level analysis of high-throughput PPIs remains a daunting task because of the amount of data they present. In this article, we propose a novel PPI network decomposition algorithm called FACETS in order to make sense of the deluge of interaction data using Gene Ontology (GO) annotations. FACETS finds not just a single functional decomposition of the PPI network, but a multi-faceted atlas of functional decompositions that portray alternative perspectives of the functional landscape of the underlying PPI network. Each facet in the atlas represents a distinct interpretation of how the network can be functionally decomposed and organized. Our algorithm maximizes interpretative value of the atlas by optimizing inter-facet orthogonality and intra-facet cluster modularity. Results: We tested our algorithm on the global networks from IntAct, and compared it with gold standard datasets from MIPS and KEGG. We demonstrated the performance of FACETS. We also performed a case study that illustrates the utility of our approach. Contact: seah0097@ntu.edu.sg or assourav@ntu.edu.sg Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at the Bioinformatics online. Availability: Our software is available freely for non-commercial purposes from: http://www.cais.ntu.edu.sg/∼assourav/Facets/ PMID:22908217

Coherent mode decomposition using mixed Wigner functions of Hermite-Gaussian beams.

PubMed

Tanaka, Takashi

2017-04-15

A new method of coherent mode decomposition (CMD) is proposed that is based on a Wigner-function representation of Hermite-Gaussian beams. In contrast to the well-known method using the cross spectral density (CSD), it directly determines the mode functions and their weights without solving the eigenvalue problem. This facilitates the CMD of partially coherent light whose Wigner functions (and thus CSDs) are not separable, in which case the conventional CMD requires solving an eigenvalue problem with a large matrix and thus is numerically formidable. An example is shown regarding the CMD of synchrotron radiation, one of the most important applications of the proposed method.

Effects of fire frequency on litter decomposition as mediated by changes to litter chemistry and soil environmental conditions.

PubMed

Ficken, Cari D; Wright, Justin P

2017-01-01

Litter quality and soil environmental conditions are well-studied drivers influencing decomposition rates, but the role played by disturbance legacy, such as fire history, in mediating these drivers is not well understood. Fire history may impact decomposition directly, through changes in soil conditions that impact microbial function, or indirectly, through shifts in plant community composition and litter chemistry. Here, we compared early-stage decomposition rates across longleaf pine forest blocks managed with varying fire frequencies (annual burns, triennial burns, fire-suppression). Using a reciprocal transplant design, we examined how litter chemistry and soil characteristics independently and jointly influenced litter decomposition. We found that both litter chemistry and soil environmental conditions influenced decomposition rates, but only the former was affected by historical fire frequency. Litter from annually burned sites had higher nitrogen content than litter from triennially burned and fire suppression sites, but this was correlated with only a modest increase in decomposition rates. Soil environmental conditions had a larger impact on decomposition than litter chemistry. Across the landscape, decomposition differed more along soil moisture gradients than across fire management regimes. These findings suggest that fire frequency has a limited effect on litter decomposition in this ecosystem, and encourage extending current decomposition frameworks into disturbed systems. However, litter from different species lost different masses due to fire, suggesting that fire may impact decomposition through the preferential combustion of some litter types. Overall, our findings also emphasize the important role of spatial variability in soil environmental conditions, which may be tied to fire frequency across large spatial scales, in driving decomposition rates in this system.

Effects of fire frequency on litter decomposition as mediated by changes to litter chemistry and soil environmental conditions

PubMed Central

Wright, Justin P.

2017-01-01

Litter quality and soil environmental conditions are well-studied drivers influencing decomposition rates, but the role played by disturbance legacy, such as fire history, in mediating these drivers is not well understood. Fire history may impact decomposition directly, through changes in soil conditions that impact microbial function, or indirectly, through shifts in plant community composition and litter chemistry. Here, we compared early-stage decomposition rates across longleaf pine forest blocks managed with varying fire frequencies (annual burns, triennial burns, fire-suppression). Using a reciprocal transplant design, we examined how litter chemistry and soil characteristics independently and jointly influenced litter decomposition. We found that both litter chemistry and soil environmental conditions influenced decomposition rates, but only the former was affected by historical fire frequency. Litter from annually burned sites had higher nitrogen content than litter from triennially burned and fire suppression sites, but this was correlated with only a modest increase in decomposition rates. Soil environmental conditions had a larger impact on decomposition than litter chemistry. Across the landscape, decomposition differed more along soil moisture gradients than across fire management regimes. These findings suggest that fire frequency has a limited effect on litter decomposition in this ecosystem, and encourage extending current decomposition frameworks into disturbed systems. However, litter from different species lost different masses due to fire, suggesting that fire may impact decomposition through the preferential combustion of some litter types. Overall, our findings also emphasize the important role of spatial variability in soil environmental conditions, which may be tied to fire frequency across large spatial scales, in driving decomposition rates in this system. PMID:29023560

System and methods for determining masking signals for applying empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and for demodulating intrinsic mode functions obtained from application of EMD

DOEpatents

Senroy, Nilanjan [New Delhi, IN; Suryanarayanan, Siddharth [Littleton, CO

2011-03-15

A computer-implemented method of signal processing is provided. The method includes generating one or more masking signals based upon a computed Fourier transform of a received signal. The method further includes determining one or more intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of the received signal by performing a masking-signal-based empirical mode decomposition (EMD) using the at least one masking signal.

Low-rank canonical-tensor decomposition of potential energy surfaces: application to grid-based diagrammatic vibrational Green's function theory

DOE PAGES

Rai, Prashant; Sargsyan, Khachik; Najm, Habib; ...

2017-03-07

Here, a new method is proposed for a fast evaluation of high-dimensional integrals of potential energy surfaces (PES) that arise in many areas of quantum dynamics. It decomposes a PES into a canonical low-rank tensor format, reducing its integral into a relatively short sum of products of low-dimensional integrals. The decomposition is achieved by the alternating least squares (ALS) algorithm, requiring only a small number of single-point energy evaluations. Therefore, it eradicates a force-constant evaluation as the hotspot of many quantum dynamics simulations and also possibly lifts the curse of dimensionality. This general method is applied to the anharmonic vibrationalmore » zero-point and transition energy calculations of molecules using the second-order diagrammatic vibrational many-body Green's function (XVH2) theory with a harmonic-approximation reference. In this application, high dimensional PES and Green's functions are both subjected to a low-rank decomposition. Evaluating the molecular integrals over a low-rank PES and Green's functions as sums of low-dimensional integrals using the Gauss–Hermite quadrature, this canonical-tensor-decomposition-based XVH2 (CT-XVH2) achieves an accuracy of 0.1 cm -1 or higher and nearly an order of magnitude speedup as compared with the original algorithm using force constants for water and formaldehyde.« less

Low-rank canonical-tensor decomposition of potential energy surfaces: application to grid-based diagrammatic vibrational Green's function theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rai, Prashant; Sargsyan, Khachik; Najm, Habib

Here, a new method is proposed for a fast evaluation of high-dimensional integrals of potential energy surfaces (PES) that arise in many areas of quantum dynamics. It decomposes a PES into a canonical low-rank tensor format, reducing its integral into a relatively short sum of products of low-dimensional integrals. The decomposition is achieved by the alternating least squares (ALS) algorithm, requiring only a small number of single-point energy evaluations. Therefore, it eradicates a force-constant evaluation as the hotspot of many quantum dynamics simulations and also possibly lifts the curse of dimensionality. This general method is applied to the anharmonic vibrationalmore » zero-point and transition energy calculations of molecules using the second-order diagrammatic vibrational many-body Green's function (XVH2) theory with a harmonic-approximation reference. In this application, high dimensional PES and Green's functions are both subjected to a low-rank decomposition. Evaluating the molecular integrals over a low-rank PES and Green's functions as sums of low-dimensional integrals using the Gauss–Hermite quadrature, this canonical-tensor-decomposition-based XVH2 (CT-XVH2) achieves an accuracy of 0.1 cm -1 or higher and nearly an order of magnitude speedup as compared with the original algorithm using force constants for water and formaldehyde.« less

Evaluation of Atmospheric Precipitable Water from Reanalysis Products Using Homogenized Radiosonde Observations over China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, T.; Wang, J.; Dai, A.

2015-12-01

Many multi-decadal atmospheric reanalysis products are avialable now, but their consistencies and reliability are far from perfect. In this study, atmospheric precipitable water (PW) from the NCEP/NCAR, NCEP/DOE, MERRA, JRA-55, JRA-25, ERA-Interim, ERA-40, CFSR and 20CR reanalyses is evaluated against homogenized radiosonde observations over China during 1979-2012 (1979-2001 for ERA-40). Results suggest that the PW biases in the reanalyses are within ˜20% for most of northern and eastern China, but the reanalyses underestimate the observed PW by 20%-40% over western China, and by ˜60% over the southwestern Tibetan Plateau. The newer-generation reanalyses (e.g., JRA25, JRA55, CFSR and ERA-Interim) have smaller root-mean-square error (RMSE) than the older-generation ones (NCEP/NCAR, NCEP/DOE and ERA-40). Most of the reanalyses reproduce well the observed PW climatology and interannual variations over China. However, few reanalyses capture the observed long-term PW changes, primarily because they show spurious wet biases before about 2002. This deficiency results mainly from the discontinuities contained in reanalysis RH fields in the mid-lower troposphere due to the wet bias in older radiosonde records that are assimilated into the reanalyses. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis revealed two leading modes that represent the long-term PW changes and ENSO-related interannual variations with robust spatial patterns. The reanalysis products, especially the MERRA and JRA-25, roughly capture these EOF modes, which account for over 50% of the total variance. The results show that even during the post-1979 satellite era, discontinuities in radiosonde data can still induce large spurious long-term changes in reanalysis PW and other related fields. Thus, more efforts are needed to remove spurious changes in input data for future long-term reanlayses.

Prediction of rainfall anomalies during the dry to wet transition season over the Southern Amazonia using machine learning tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, X.; Zhang, K.; Zhuang, Y.; Fu, R.; Hong, Y.

2017-12-01

Seasonal prediction of rainfall during the dry-to-wet transition season in austral spring (September-November) over southern Amazonia is central for improving planting crops and fire mitigation in that region. Previous studies have identified the key large-scale atmospheric dynamic and thermodynamics pre-conditions during the dry season (June-August) that influence the rainfall anomalies during the dry to wet transition season over Southern Amazonia. Based on these key pre-conditions during dry season, we have evaluated several statistical models and developed a Neural Network based statistical prediction system to predict rainfall during the dry to wet transition for Southern Amazonia (5-15°S, 50-70°W). Multivariate Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) Analysis is applied to the following four fields during JJA from the ECMWF Reanalysis (ERA-Interim) spanning from year 1979 to 2015: geopotential height at 200 hPa, surface relative humidity, convective inhibition energy (CIN) index and convective available potential energy (CAPE), to filter out noise and highlight the most coherent spatial and temporal variations. The first 10 EOF modes are retained for inputs to the statistical models, accounting for at least 70% of the total variance in the predictor fields. We have tested several linear and non-linear statistical methods. While the regularized Ridge Regression and Lasso Regression can generally capture the spatial pattern and magnitude of rainfall anomalies, we found that that Neural Network performs best with an accuracy greater than 80%, as expected from the non-linear dependence of the rainfall on the large-scale atmospheric thermodynamic conditions and circulation. Further tests of various prediction skill metrics and hindcasts also suggest this Neural Network prediction approach can significantly improve seasonal prediction skill than the dynamic predictions and regression based statistical predictions. Thus, this statistical prediction system could have shown potential to improve real-time seasonal rainfall predictions in the future.

Study Variability of Seasonal Soil Moisture in Ensemble of CMIP5 Models Over South Asia During 1950-2005

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fahim, A. M.; Shen, R.; Yue, Z.; Di, W.; Mushtaq Shah, S.

2015-12-01

Moisture in the upper most layer of soil column from 14 different models under Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase-5 (CMIP5) project were analyzed for four seasons of the year. Aim of this study was to explore variability in soil moisture over south Asia using multi model ensemble and relationship between summer rainfall and soil moisture for spring and summer season. GLDAS (Global Land Data Assimilation System) dataset set was used for comparing CMIP5 ensemble mean soil moisture in different season. Ensemble mean represents soil moisture well in accordance with the geographical features; prominent arid regions are indicated profoundly. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis was applied to study the variability. First component of EOF explains 17%, 16%, 11% and 11% variability for spring, summer, autumn and winter season respectively. Analysis reveal increasing trend in soil moisture over most parts of Afghanistan, Central and north western parts of Pakistan, northern India and eastern to south eastern parts of China, in spring season. During summer, south western part of India exhibits highest negative trend while rest of the study area show minute trend (increasing or decreasing). In autumn, south west of India is under highest negative loadings. During winter season, north western parts of study area show decreasing trend. Summer rainfall has very week (negative or positive) spatial correlation, with spring soil moisture, while possess higher correlation with summer soil moisture. Our studies have significant contribution to understand complex nature of land - atmosphere interactions, as soil moisture prediction plays an important role in the cycle of sink and source of many air pollutants. Next level of research should be on filling the gaps between accurately measuring the soil moisture using satellite remote sensing and land surface modelling. Impact of soil moisture in tracking down different types of pollutant will also be studied.

Potential Predictability and Prediction Skill for Southern Peru Summertime Rainfall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

WU, S.; Notaro, M.; Vavrus, S. J.; Mortensen, E.; Block, P. J.; Montgomery, R. J.; De Pierola, J. N.; Sanchez, C.

2016-12-01

The central Andes receive over 50% of annual climatological rainfall during the short period of January-March. This summertime rainfall exhibits strong interannual and decadal variability, including severe drought events that incur devastating societal impacts and cause agricultural communities and mining facilities to compete for limited water resources. An improved seasonal prediction skill of summertime rainfall would aid in water resource planning and allocation across the water-limited southern Peru. While various underlying mechanisms have been proposed by past studies for the drivers of interannual variability in summertime rainfall across southern Peru, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO), and extratropical forcings, operational forecasts continue to be largely based on rudimentary ENSO-based indices, such as NINO3.4, justifying further exploration of predictive skill. In order to bridge this gap between the understanding of driving mechanisms and the operational forecast, we performed systematic studies on the predictability and prediction skill of southern Peru summertime rainfall by constructing statistical forecast models using best available weather station and reanalysis datasets. At first, by assuming the first two empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of summertime rainfall are predictable, the potential predictability skill was evaluated for southern Peru. Then, we constructed a simple regression model, based on the time series of tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), and a more advanced Linear Inverse Model (LIM), based on the EOFs of tropical ocean SSTs and large-scale atmosphere variables from reanalysis. Our results show that the LIM model consistently outperforms the more rudimentary regression models on the forecast skill of domain averaged precipitation index and individual station indices. The improvement of forecast correlation skill ranges from 10% to over 200% for different stations. Further analysis shows that this advantage of LIM is likely to arise from its representation of local zonal winds and the position of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Dust sources and atmospheric circulation in concert controlling Saharan dust emission and transport towards the Western Mediterranean Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schepanski, Kerstin; Mallet, Marc; Heinold, Bernd; Ulrich, Max

2017-04-01

Dust transported from north African source regions towards Europe is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the Mediterranean region, a geographic region that is in part densely populated. Besides its impacts on the atmospheric radiation budget, dust suspended in the atmosphere results in reduced air quality, which is generally sensed as a reduction in quality of life. Furthermore, the exposure to dust aerosols enhances the prevalence of respiratory diseases, which reduces the general human wellbeing, and ultimately results in an increased loss of working hours due to illness and hospitalization rates. Characteristics of the atmospheric dust life cycle that determine dust transport will be presented with focus on the ChArMEx special observation period in June and July 2013 using the atmosphere-dust model COSMO-MUSCAT (COSMO: Consortium for Small-scale MOdeling; MUSCAT: MUltiScale Chemistry Aerosol Transport Model). Modes of atmospheric circulation were identified from empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the geopotential height at 850 hPa for summer 2013 and compared to EOFs calculated from 1979-2015 ERA-Interim reanalysis. Generally, two different phases were identified. They are related to the eastward propagation of the subtropical ridge into the Mediterranean basin, the position of the Saharan heat low, and the predominant Iberian heat low. The relation of these centres of action illustrates a dipole pattern for enhanced (reduced) dust emission fluxes, stronger (weaker) meridional dust transport, and consequent increase (decrease) atmospheric dust concentrations and deposition fluxes. In concert, the results from this study aim at illustrating the relevance of knowing the dust source locations in concert with the atmospheric circulation. Ultimately, this study addresses the question of what is finally transported towards the Mediterranean basin and Europe from which source regions - and fostered by which atmospheric circulation pattern. Outcomes from this study contribute to the understanding of varying atmospheric mineral dust contributions to the aerosol burden affecting populated areas around Europe.

Consumer trophic diversity as a fundamental mechanism linking predation and ecosystem functioning.

PubMed

Hines, Jes; Gessner, Mark O

2012-11-01

1. Primary production and decomposition, two fundamental processes determining the functioning of ecosystems, may be sensitive to changes in biodiversity and food web interactions. 2. The impacts of food web interactions on ecosystem functioning are generally quantified by experimentally decoupling these linked processes and examining either primary production-based (green) or decomposition-based (brown) food webs in isolation. This decoupling may strongly limit our ability to assess the importance of food web interactions on ecosystem processes. 3. To evaluate how consumer trophic diversity mediates predator effects on ecosystem functioning, we conducted a mesocosm experiment and a field study using an assemblage of invertebrates that naturally co-occur on North Atlantic coastal saltmarshes. We measured the indirect impact of predation on primary production and leaf decomposition as a result of prey communities composed of herbivores alone, detritivores alone or both prey in combination. 4. We find that primary consumers can influence ecosystem process rates not only within, but also across green and brown sub-webs. Moreover, by feeding on a functionally diverse consumer assemblage comprised of both herbivores and detritivores, generalist predators can diffuse consumer effects on decomposition, primary production and feedbacks between the two processes. 5. These results indicate that maintaining functional diversity among primary consumers can alter the consequences of traditional trophic cascades, and they emphasize the role of the detritus-based sub-web when seeking key biotic drivers of plant production. Clearly, traditional compartmentalization of empirical food webs can limit our ability to predict the influence of food web interactions on ecosystem functioning. © 2012 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2012 British Ecological Society.

Examining the Complexity of Educational Attainment for Black Males in an Educational Opportunity Fund Program at a Community College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, LaVon A.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this research is to describe the lived experience of Black males in an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program at a community college. According to research, community colleges are the first option for many Black male students who are underprepared academically and come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This phenomenological…

Scaling Law for Cross-stream Diffusion in Microchannels under Combined Electroosmotic and Pressure Driven Flow.

PubMed

Song, Hongjun; Wang, Yi; Pant, Kapil

2013-01-01

This paper presents an analytical study of the cross-stream diffusion of an analyte in a rectangular microchannel under combined electroosmotic flow (EOF) and pressure driven flow to investigate the heterogeneous transport behavior and spatially-dependent diffusion scaling law. An analytical model capable of accurately describing 3D steady-state convection-diffusion in microchannels with arbitrary aspect ratios is developed based on the assumption of the thin Electric Double Layer (EDL). The model is verified against high-fidelity numerical simulation in terms of flow velocity and analyte concentration profiles with excellent agreement (<0.5% relative error). An extensive parametric analysis is then undertaken to interrogate the effect of the combined flow velocity field on the transport behavior in both the positive pressure gradient (PPG) and negative pressure gradient (NPG) cases. For the first time, the evolution from the spindle-shaped concentration profile in the PPG case, via the stripe-shaped profile (pure EOF), and finally to the butterfly-shaped profile in the PPG case is obtained using the analytical model along with a quantitative depiction of the spatially-dependent diffusion layer thickness and scaling law across a wide range of the parameter space.

Scaling Law for Cross-stream Diffusion in Microchannels under Combined Electroosmotic and Pressure Driven Flow

PubMed Central

Song, Hongjun; Wang, Yi; Pant, Kapil

2012-01-01

This paper presents an analytical study of the cross-stream diffusion of an analyte in a rectangular microchannel under combined electroosmotic flow (EOF) and pressure driven flow to investigate the heterogeneous transport behavior and spatially-dependent diffusion scaling law. An analytical model capable of accurately describing 3D steady-state convection-diffusion in microchannels with arbitrary aspect ratios is developed based on the assumption of the thin Electric Double Layer (EDL). The model is verified against high-fidelity numerical simulation in terms of flow velocity and analyte concentration profiles with excellent agreement (<0.5% relative error). An extensive parametric analysis is then undertaken to interrogate the effect of the combined flow velocity field on the transport behavior in both the positive pressure gradient (PPG) and negative pressure gradient (NPG) cases. For the first time, the evolution from the spindle-shaped concentration profile in the PPG case, via the stripe-shaped profile (pure EOF), and finally to the butterfly-shaped profile in the PPG case is obtained using the analytical model along with a quantitative depiction of the spatially-dependent diffusion layer thickness and scaling law across a wide range of the parameter space. PMID:23554584

ESTIMATION OF INHERENT OPTICAL PROPERTIES AND WATER CONSTITUENT CONCENTRATIONS FROM THE REMOTE-SENSING REFLECTANCE SPECTRA IN THE ALBEMARLE-PAMLICO ESTUARY, USA

EPA Science Inventory

The decomposition of remote sensing reflectance (RSR) spectra into absorption, scattering and backscattering coefficients, and scattering phase function is an important issue for estimating water quality (WQ) components. For Case 1 waters RSR decomposition can be easily accompli...

Decomposition of terrestrial resource subsidies in headwater streams: Does consumer diversity matter?

Treesearch

David Stoker; Amber J. Falkner; Kelly M. Murray; Ashley K. Lang; Thomas R. Barnum; Jeffrey Hepinstall-Cymerman; Michael J. Conroy; Robert J. Cooper; Catherine M. Pringle

2017-01-01

Resource subsidies and biodiversity are essential for maintaining community structure and ecosystem functioning, but the relative importance of consumer diversity and resource characteristics to decomposition remains unclear. Forested headwater streams are detritus-based systems, dependent on leaf litter inputs from adjacent riparian ecosystems, and...

Source, habitat and nutrient enrichment effects on decomposition of detritus in Lower Mississippi River Basin bayous

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Potential differences in storage and processing of detritus in agricultural landscapes may alter freshwater ecosystem function. We compared decomposition rates of maize (Zea mays) and willow oak (Quercus phellos) from three bayous located within the Lower Mississippi River Basin of NW Mississippi, ...

On Partial Fraction Decompositions by Repeated Polynomial Divisions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Man, Yiu-Kwong

2017-01-01

We present a method for finding partial fraction decompositions of rational functions with linear or quadratic factors in the denominators by means of repeated polynomial divisions. This method does not involve differentiation or solving linear equations for obtaining the unknown partial fraction coefficients, which is very suitable for either…

Towards high concentration enhancement of microfluidic temperature gradient focusing of sample solutes using combined AC and DC field induced Joule heating.

PubMed

Ge, Zhengwei; Wang, Wei; Yang, Chun

2011-04-07

It is challenging to continuously concentrate sample solutes in microfluidic channels. We present an improved electrokinetic technique for enhancing microfluidic temperature gradient focusing (TGF) of sample solutes using combined AC and DC field induced Joule heating effects. The introduction of an AC electric field component services dual functions: one is to produce Joule heat for generating temperature gradient; the other is to suppress electroosmotic flow. Consequently the required DC voltages for achieving sample concentration by Joule heating induced TGF are reduced, thereby leading to smaller electroosmotic flow (EOF) and thus backpressure effects. As a demonstration, the proposed technique can lead to concentration enhancement of sample solutes of more than 2500-fold, which is much higher than the existing literature reported microfluidic concentration enhancement by utilizing the Joule heating induced TGF technique.

Surface retrievals from Hyperion EO1 using a new, fast, 1D-Var based retrieval code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thelen, Jean-Claude; Havemann, Stephan; Wong, Gerald

2015-05-01

We have developed a new algorithm for the simultaneous retrieval of the atmospheric profiles (temperature, humidity, ozone and aerosol) and the surface reflectance from hyperspectral radiance measurements obtained from air/space-borne, hyperspectral imagers such as Hyperion EO-1. The new scheme, proposed here, consists of a fast radiative transfer code, based on empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), in conjunction with a 1D-Var retrieval scheme. The inclusion of an 'exact' scattering code based on spherical harmonics, allows for an accurate treatment of Rayleigh scattering and scattering by aerosols, water droplets and ice-crystals, thus making it possible to also retrieve cloud and aerosol optical properties, although here we will concentrate on non-cloudy scenes. We successfully tested this new approach using hyperspectral images taken by Hyperion EO-1, an experimental pushbroom imaging spectrometer operated by NASA.

Spatio-temporal water quality mapping from satellite images using geographically and temporally weighted regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Hone-Jay; Kong, Shish-Jeng; Chang, Chih-Hua

2018-03-01

The turbidity (TB) of a water body varies with time and space. Water quality is traditionally estimated via linear regression based on satellite images. However, estimating and mapping water quality require a spatio-temporal nonstationary model, while TB mapping necessitates the use of geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models, both of which are more precise than linear regression. Given the temporal nonstationary models for mapping water quality, GTWR offers the best option for estimating regional water quality. Compared with GWR, GTWR provides highly reliable information for water quality mapping, boasts a relatively high goodness of fit, improves the explanation of variance from 44% to 87%, and shows a sufficient space-time explanatory power. The seasonal patterns of TB and the main spatial patterns of TB variability can be identified using the estimated TB maps from GTWR and by conducting an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis.

Atmospheric Teleconnections From Cumulants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabou, F.; Kaspi, Y.; Marston, B.; Schneider, T.

2011-12-01

Multi-point cumulants of fields such as vorticity provide a way to visualize atmospheric teleconnections, complementing other approaches such as the method of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). We calculate equal-time two-point cumulants of the vorticity from NCEP reanalysis data during the period 1980 -- 2010 and from direct numerical simulation (DNS) using an idealized dry general circulation model (GCM) (Schneider and Walker, 2006). Extratropical correlations seen in the NCEP data are qualitatively reproduced by the model. Three- and four-point cumulants accumulated from DNS quantify departures of the probability distribution function from a normal distribution, shedding light on the efficacy of direct statistical simulation (DSS) of atmosphere dynamics by cumulant expansions (Marston, Conover, and Schneider, 2008; Marston 2011). Lagged-time two-point cumulants between temperature gradients and eddy kinetic energy (EKE), accumulated by DNS of an idealized moist aquaplanet GCM (O'Gorman and Schneider, 2008), reveal dynamics of storm tracks. Regions of enhanced baroclinicity (as found along the eastern boundary of continents) lead to a local enhancement of EKE and a suppression of EKE further downstream as the storm track self-destructs (Kaspi and Schneider, 2011).

Comparison of two interpolation methods for empirical mode decomposition based evaluation of radiographic femur bone images.

PubMed

Udhayakumar, Ganesan; Sujatha, Chinnaswamy Manoharan; Ramakrishnan, Swaminathan

2013-01-01

Analysis of bone strength in radiographic images is an important component of estimation of bone quality in diseases such as osteoporosis. Conventional radiographic femur bone images are used to analyze its architecture using bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition method. Surface interpolation of local maxima and minima points of an image is a crucial part of bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition method and the choice of appropriate interpolation depends on specific structure of the problem. In this work, two interpolation methods of bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition are analyzed to characterize the trabecular femur bone architecture of radiographic images. The trabecular bone regions of normal and osteoporotic femur bone images (N = 40) recorded under standard condition are used for this study. The compressive and tensile strength regions of the images are delineated using pre-processing procedures. The delineated images are decomposed into their corresponding intrinsic mode functions using interpolation methods such as Radial basis function multiquadratic and hierarchical b-spline techniques. Results show that bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition analyses using both interpolations are able to represent architectural variations of femur bone radiographic images. As the strength of the bone depends on architectural variation in addition to bone mass, this study seems to be clinically useful.

Function of bacterial community dynamics in the formation of cadaveric semiochemicals during in situ carcass decomposition.

PubMed

Pascual, Javier; von Hoermann, Christian; Rottler-Hoermann, Ann-Marie; Nevo, Omer; Geppert, Alicia; Sikorski, Johannes; Huber, Katharina J; Steiger, Sandra; Ayasse, Manfred; Overmann, Jörg

2017-08-01

The decomposition of dead mammalian tissue involves a complex temporal succession of epinecrotic bacteria. Microbial activity may release different cadaveric volatile organic compounds which in turn attract other key players of carcass decomposition such as scavenger insects. To elucidate the dynamics and potential functions of epinecrotic bacteria on carcasses, we monitored bacterial communities developing on still-born piglets incubated in different forest ecosystems by combining high-throughput Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of volatiles. Our results show that the community structure of epinecrotic bacteria and the types of cadaveric volatile compounds released over the time course of decomposition are driven by deterministic rather than stochastic processes. Individual cadaveric volatile organic compounds were correlated with specific taxa during the first stages of decomposition which are dominated by bacteria. Through best-fitting multiple linear regression models, the synthesis of acetic acid, indole and phenol could be linked to the activity of Enterobacteriaceae, Tissierellaceae and Xanthomonadaceae, respectively. These conclusions are also commensurate with the metabolism described for the dominant taxa identified for these families. The predictable nature of in situ synthesis of cadaveric volatile organic compounds by epinecrotic bacteria provides a new basis for future chemical ecology and forensic studies. © 2017 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An Efficient Local Correlation Matrix Decomposition Approach for the Localization Implementation of Ensemble-Based Assimilation Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hongqin; Tian, Xiangjun

2018-04-01

Ensemble-based data assimilation methods often use the so-called localization scheme to improve the representation of the ensemble background error covariance (Be). Extensive research has been undertaken to reduce the computational cost of these methods by using the localized ensemble samples to localize Be by means of a direct decomposition of the local correlation matrix C. However, the computational costs of the direct decomposition of the local correlation matrix C are still extremely high due to its high dimension. In this paper, we propose an efficient local correlation matrix decomposition approach based on the concept of alternating directions. This approach is intended to avoid direct decomposition of the correlation matrix. Instead, we first decompose the correlation matrix into 1-D correlation matrices in the three coordinate directions, then construct their empirical orthogonal function decomposition at low resolution. This procedure is followed by the 1-D spline interpolation process to transform the above decompositions to the high-resolution grid. Finally, an efficient correlation matrix decomposition is achieved by computing the very similar Kronecker product. We conducted a series of comparison experiments to illustrate the validity and accuracy of the proposed local correlation matrix decomposition approach. The effectiveness of the proposed correlation matrix decomposition approach and its efficient localization implementation of the nonlinear least-squares four-dimensional variational assimilation are further demonstrated by several groups of numerical experiments based on the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model.

Plant traits and decomposition: are the relationships for roots comparable to those for leaves?

PubMed Central

Birouste, Marine; Kazakou, Elena; Blanchard, Alain; Roumet, Catherine

2012-01-01

Background and Aims Fine root decomposition is an important determinant of nutrient and carbon cycling in grasslands; however, little is known about the factors controlling root decomposition among species. Our aim was to investigate whether interspecific variation in the potential decomposition rate of fine roots could be accounted for by root chemical and morphological traits, life history and taxonomic affiliation. We also investigated the co-ordinated variation in root and leaf traits and potential decomposition rates. Methods We analysed potential decomposition rates and the chemical and morphological traits of fine roots on 18 Mediterranean herbaceous species grown in controlled conditions. The results were compared with those obtained for leaves in a previous study conducted on similar species. Key Results Differences in the potential decomposition rates of fine roots between species were accounted for by root chemical composition, but not by morphological traits. The root potential decomposition rate varied with taxonomy, but not with life history. Poaceae, with high cellulose concentration and low concentrations of soluble compounds and phosphorus, decomposed more slowly than Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Patterns of root traits, including decomposition rate, mirrored those of leaf traits, resulting in a similar species clustering. Conclusions The highly co-ordinated variation of roots and leaves in terms of traits and potential decomposition rate suggests that changes in the functional composition of communities in response to anthropogenic changes will strongly affect biogeochemical cycles at the ecosystem level. PMID:22143881

Analysis of a parallelized nonlinear elliptic boundary value problem solver with application to reacting flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keyes, David E.; Smooke, Mitchell D.

1987-01-01

A parallelized finite difference code based on the Newton method for systems of nonlinear elliptic boundary value problems in two dimensions is analyzed in terms of computational complexity and parallel efficiency. An approximate cost function depending on 15 dimensionless parameters is derived for algorithms based on stripwise and boxwise decompositions of the domain and a one-to-one assignment of the strip or box subdomains to processors. The sensitivity of the cost functions to the parameters is explored in regions of parameter space corresponding to model small-order systems with inexpensive function evaluations and also a coupled system of nineteen equations with very expensive function evaluations. The algorithm was implemented on the Intel Hypercube, and some experimental results for the model problems with stripwise decompositions are presented and compared with the theory. In the context of computational combustion problems, multiprocessors of either message-passing or shared-memory type may be employed with stripwise decompositions to realize speedup of O(n), where n is mesh resolution in one direction, for reasonable n.

Warming enhances old organic carbon decomposition through altering functional microbial communities

DOE PAGES

Cheng, Lei; Zhang, Naifang; Yuan, Mengting; ...

2017-04-21

Soil organic matter (SOM) stocks contain nearly three times as much carbon (C) as the atmosphere and changes in soil C stocks may have a major impact on future atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and climate. Over the past two decades, much research has been devoted to examining the influence of warming on SOM decomposition in topsoil. Most SOM, however, is old and stored in subsoil. The fate of subsoil SOM under future warming remains highly uncertain. Here, by combining a long-term field warming experiment and a meta-analysis study, we showed that warming significantly increased SOM decomposition in subsoil. We alsomore » showed that a decade of warming promoted decomposition of subsoil SOM with turnover times of decades to millennia in a tall grass prairie and this effect was largely associated with shifts in the functional gene structure of microbial communities. By coupling stable isotope probing with metagenomics, we found that microbial communities in warmed soils possessed a higher relative abundance of key functional genes involved in the degradation of organic materials with varying recalcitrance than those in control soils. These findings suggest warming may considerably alter the stability of the vast pool of old SOM in subsoil, contributing to the long-term positive feedback between the C cycle and climate.« less

Warming enhances old organic carbon decomposition through altering functional microbial communities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheng, Lei; Zhang, Naifang; Yuan, Mengting

Soil organic matter (SOM) stocks contain nearly three times as much carbon (C) as the atmosphere and changes in soil C stocks may have a major impact on future atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and climate. Over the past two decades, much research has been devoted to examining the influence of warming on SOM decomposition in topsoil. Most SOM, however, is old and stored in subsoil. The fate of subsoil SOM under future warming remains highly uncertain. Here, by combining a long-term field warming experiment and a meta-analysis study, we showed that warming significantly increased SOM decomposition in subsoil. We alsomore » showed that a decade of warming promoted decomposition of subsoil SOM with turnover times of decades to millennia in a tall grass prairie and this effect was largely associated with shifts in the functional gene structure of microbial communities. By coupling stable isotope probing with metagenomics, we found that microbial communities in warmed soils possessed a higher relative abundance of key functional genes involved in the degradation of organic materials with varying recalcitrance than those in control soils. These findings suggest warming may considerably alter the stability of the vast pool of old SOM in subsoil, contributing to the long-term positive feedback between the C cycle and climate.« less

Warming enhances old organic carbon decomposition through altering functional microbial communities

PubMed Central

Cheng, Lei; Zhang, Naifang; Yuan, Mengting; Xiao, Jing; Qin, Yujia; Deng, Ye; Tu, Qichao; Xue, Kai; Van Nostrand, Joy D; Wu, Liyou; He, Zhili; Zhou, Xuhui; Leigh, Mary Beth; Konstantinidis, Konstantinos T; Schuur, Edward AG; Luo, Yiqi; Tiedje, James M; Zhou, Jizhong

2017-01-01

Soil organic matter (SOM) stocks contain nearly three times as much carbon (C) as the atmosphere and changes in soil C stocks may have a major impact on future atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and climate. Over the past two decades, much research has been devoted to examining the influence of warming on SOM decomposition in topsoil. Most SOM, however, is old and stored in subsoil. The fate of subsoil SOM under future warming remains highly uncertain. Here, by combining a long-term field warming experiment and a meta-analysis study, we showed that warming significantly increased SOM decomposition in subsoil. We also showed that a decade of warming promoted decomposition of subsoil SOM with turnover times of decades to millennia in a tall grass prairie and this effect was largely associated with shifts in the functional gene structure of microbial communities. By coupling stable isotope probing with metagenomics, we found that microbial communities in warmed soils possessed a higher relative abundance of key functional genes involved in the degradation of organic materials with varying recalcitrance than those in control soils. These findings suggest warming may considerably alter the stability of the vast pool of old SOM in subsoil, contributing to the long-term positive feedback between the C cycle and climate. PMID:28430189

Warming enhances old organic carbon decomposition through altering functional microbial communities.

PubMed

Cheng, Lei; Zhang, Naifang; Yuan, Mengting; Xiao, Jing; Qin, Yujia; Deng, Ye; Tu, Qichao; Xue, Kai; Van Nostrand, Joy D; Wu, Liyou; He, Zhili; Zhou, Xuhui; Leigh, Mary Beth; Konstantinidis, Konstantinos T; Schuur, Edward Ag; Luo, Yiqi; Tiedje, James M; Zhou, Jizhong

2017-08-01

Soil organic matter (SOM) stocks contain nearly three times as much carbon (C) as the atmosphere and changes in soil C stocks may have a major impact on future atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and climate. Over the past two decades, much research has been devoted to examining the influence of warming on SOM decomposition in topsoil. Most SOM, however, is old and stored in subsoil. The fate of subsoil SOM under future warming remains highly uncertain. Here, by combining a long-term field warming experiment and a meta-analysis study, we showed that warming significantly increased SOM decomposition in subsoil. We also showed that a decade of warming promoted decomposition of subsoil SOM with turnover times of decades to millennia in a tall grass prairie and this effect was largely associated with shifts in the functional gene structure of microbial communities. By coupling stable isotope probing with metagenomics, we found that microbial communities in warmed soils possessed a higher relative abundance of key functional genes involved in the degradation of organic materials with varying recalcitrance than those in control soils. These findings suggest warming may considerably alter the stability of the vast pool of old SOM in subsoil, contributing to the long-term positive feedback between the C cycle and climate.

Temperature effect on mineralization of SOM, plant litter and priming: modified by soil type?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azzaroli Bleken, Marina; Berland Frøseth, Randi

2015-04-01

The purpose of this study was to provide improved temperature response functions to be used in models of soil organic carbon (SOC) and litter mineralization, with focus on the winter period. Our working hypothesis were: 1) decomposition of SOM and plant residue occurs also at temperature close to the freezing point; 2) the effect of temperature on SOC decomposition is stronger in clayey than in sandy soil; 3) decomposition and response to temperature of added plant litter is not affected by soil type. A silty clay loam (27% clay, 3% sand) and a sandy loam (6% clay, 51% sand) with similar weather and cultivation history were pre-incubated at about 15° C for about 4.5 months. Clover leaves labelled with 13C were added to half of the samples, and soil with and without clover was incubated for 142 days at 0, 4, 8.5 or 15 °C. Mineralization of SOC and clover leaves was observed also at 0° C. In the absence of added plant material, SOC decomposition followed a first order reaction which was twice as fast in the sandy soil as in the clay soil. The decomposition rate of clover leaves was also higher in the sandy soil than in the clay soil. However, the influence of temperature on SOC and on clover decomposition was the same in both soils. In presence of plant material, there was a positive priming effect on SOC, which initially correlated with decomposition of plant litter. There was a progressively lower priming effect at higher temperatures, particularly in the sandy soil, that could be understood as substrates exhaustion in a restricted volume of influence around the added clover leaves. We provide parameterised Arrhenius and alternative modifying linear temperature functions together with decay rates at reference temperature, which can be used for predicting decay rates of SOC per se and of the labile pool of clover leaves. We also show the superiority of these functions compared to the use of Q10 as temperature factor. Further, we suggest approaches for modelling the priming effect caused by plant litter. Reference: Frøseth RB, Bleken MA(2015) Effect of low temperature and soil type on the decomposition rate of soil organic carbon and clover leaves, and related priming effect. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 80:156-166.

Measurement of the energy dependence of X-ray-induced decomposition of potassium chlorate.

PubMed

Pravica, Michael; Bai, Ligang; Sneed, Daniel; Park, Changyong

2013-03-21

We report the first measurements of the X-ray induced decomposition of KClO3 as a function of energy in two experiments. KClO3 was pressurized to 3.5 GPa and irradiated with monochromatic synchrotron X-rays ranging in energy from 15 to 35 keV in 5 keV increments. A systematic increase in the decomposition rate as the energy was decreased was observed, which agrees with the 1/E(3) trend for the photoelectric process, except at the lowest energy studied. A second experiment was performed to access lower energies (10 and 12 keV) using a beryllium gasket; suggesting an apparent resonance near 15 keV or 0.83 Ǻ maximizing the chemical decomposition rate. A third experiment was performed using KIO3 to ascertain the anionic dependence of the decomposition rate, which was observed to be far slower than in KClO3, suggesting that the O-O distance is the critical factor in chemical reactions. These results will be important for more efficiently initiating chemical decomposition in materials using selected X-ray wavelengths that maximize decomposition to aid useful hard X-ray-induced chemistry and contribute understanding of the mechanism of X-ray-induced decomposition of the chlorates.

A comparison between general circulation model simulations using two sea surface temperature datasets for January 1979

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ose, Tomoaki; Mechoso, Carlos; Halpern, David

1994-01-01

Simulations with the UCLA atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) using two different global sea surface temperature (SST) datasets for January 1979 are compared. One of these datasets is based on Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) (SSTs) at locations where there are ship reports, and climatology elsewhere; the other is derived from measurements by instruments onboard NOAA satellites. In the former dataset (COADS SST), data are concentrated along shipping routes in the Northern Hemisphere; in the latter dataset High Resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS SST), data cover the global domain. Ensembles of five 30-day mean fields are obtained from integrations performed in the perpetual-January mode. The results are presented as anomalies, that is, departures of each ensemble mean from that produced in a control simulation with climatological SSTs. Large differences are found between the anomalies obtained using COADS and HIRS SSTs, even in the Northern Hemisphere where the datasets are most similar to each other. The internal variability of the circulation in the control simulation and the simulated atmospheric response to anomalous forcings appear to be linked in that the pattern of geopotential height anomalies obtained using COADS SSTs resembles the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF 1) in the control simulation. The corresponding pattern obtained using HIRS SSTs is substantially different and somewhat resembles EOF 2 in the sector from central North America to central Asia. To gain insight into the reasons for these results, three additional simulations are carried out with SST anomalies confined to regions where COADS SSTs are substantially warmer than HIRS SSTs. The regions correspond to warm pools in the northwest and northeast Pacific, and the northwest Atlantic. These warm pools tend to produce positive geopotential height anomalies in the northeastern part of the corresponding oceans. Both warm pools in the Pacific produce large-scale circulation anomalies with a pattern that resembles that obtained using COADS SSTs as well as EOF 1 of the control simulation; the warm pool in the Atlantic does not. These results suggest that the differences obtained with COADS SSTs and HIRS SSTs are mostly due to the differences in the datasets over the northern Pacific. There was a blocking episode near Greenland in late January 1979. Both simulations with warm SST anomalies over the northwest and northeast Pacific show a tendency toward increased incidence of North Atlantic blocking; the simulation with warm SST anomalies over the northwest Atlantic shows a tendency toward decreased incidence. These results suggest that features in both SST datasets that do not have a counterpart in the other dataset contribute signficantly to the differences between the simulated and observed fields. The results of this study imply that uncertainties in current SST distributions for the world oceans can be as important as the SST anomalies themselves in terms of their impact on the atmospheric circulation. Caution should be exercised, therefore, when linking anomalous circulation and SST patterns, especially in long-range prediction.

Quantifying the Influence of Dynamics Across Scales on Regional Climate Uncertainty in Western North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldenson, Naomi L.

Uncertainties in climate projections at the regional scale are inevitably larger than those for global mean quantities. Here, focusing on western North American regional climate, several approaches are taken to quantifying uncertainties starting with the output of global climate model projections. Internal variance is found to be an important component of the projection uncertainty up and down the west coast. To quantify internal variance and other projection uncertainties in existing climate models, we evaluate different ensemble configurations. Using a statistical framework to simultaneously account for multiple sources of uncertainty, we find internal variability can be quantified consistently using a large ensemble or an ensemble of opportunity that includes small ensembles from multiple models and climate scenarios. The latter offers the advantage of also producing estimates of uncertainty due to model differences. We conclude that climate projection uncertainties are best assessed using small single-model ensembles from as many model-scenario pairings as computationally feasible. We then conduct a small single-model ensemble of simulations using the Model for Prediction Across Scales with physics from the Community Atmosphere Model Version 5 (MPAS-CAM5) and prescribed historical sea surface temperatures. In the global variable resolution domain, the finest resolution (at 30 km) is in our region of interest over western North America and upwind over the northeast Pacific. In the finer-scale region, extreme precipitation from atmospheric rivers (ARs) is connected to tendencies in seasonal snowpack in mountains of the Northwest United States and California. In most of the Cascade Mountains, winters with more AR days are associated with less snowpack, in contrast to the northern Rockies and California's Sierra Nevadas. In snowpack observations and reanalysis of the atmospheric circulation, we find similar relationships between frequency of AR events and winter season snowpack in the western United States. In spring, however, there is not a clear relationship between number of AR days and seasonal mean snowpack across the model ensemble, so caution is urged in interpreting the historical record in the spring season. Finally, the representation of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)--an important source of interannual climate predictability in some regions--is explored in a large single-model ensemble using ensemble Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) to find modes of variance across the entire ensemble at once. The leading EOF is ENSO. The principal components (PCs) of the next three EOFs exhibit a lead-lag relationship with the ENSO signal captured in the first PC. The second PC, with most of its variance in the summer season, is the most strongly cross-correlated with the first. This approach offers insight into how the model considered represents this important atmosphere-ocean interaction. Taken together these varied approaches quantify the implications of climate projections regionally, identify processes that make snowpack water resources vulnerable, and seek insight into how to better simulate the large-scale climate modes controlling regional variability.

Analysis of Decomposition for Structure I Methane Hydrate by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Na; Sun, Wan-Tong; Meng, Ying-Feng; Liu, An-Qi; Zhou, Shou-Wei; Guo, Ping; Fu, Qiang; Lv, Xin

2018-05-01

Under multi-nodes of temperatures and pressures, microscopic decomposition mechanisms of structure I methane hydrate in contact with bulk water molecules have been studied through LAMMPS software by molecular dynamics simulation. Simulation system consists of 482 methane molecules in hydrate and 3027 randomly distributed bulk water molecules. Through analyses of simulation results, decomposition number of hydrate cages, density of methane molecules, radial distribution function for oxygen atoms, mean square displacement and coefficient of diffusion of methane molecules have been studied. A significant result shows that structure I methane hydrate decomposes from hydrate-bulk water interface to hydrate interior. As temperature rises and pressure drops, the stabilization of hydrate will weaken, decomposition extent will go deep, and mean square displacement and coefficient of diffusion of methane molecules will increase. The studies can provide important meanings for the microscopic decomposition mechanisms analyses of methane hydrate.

A projection method for low speed flows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Colella, P.; Pao, K.

The authors propose a decomposition applicable to low speed, inviscid flows of all Mach numbers less than 1. By using the Hodge decomposition, they may write the velocity field as the sum of a divergence-free vector field and a gradient of a scalar function. Evolution equations for these parts are presented. A numerical procedure based on this decomposition is designed, using projection methods for solving the incompressible variables and a backward-Euler method for solving the potential variables. Numerical experiments are included to illustrate various aspects of the algorithm.

Neural image analysis for estimating aerobic and anaerobic decomposition of organic matter based on the example of straw decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boniecki, P.; Nowakowski, K.; Slosarz, P.; Dach, J.; Pilarski, K.

2012-04-01

The purpose of the project was to identify the degree of organic matter decomposition by means of a neural model based on graphical information derived from image analysis. Empirical data (photographs of compost content at various stages of maturation) were used to generate an optimal neural classifier (Boniecki et al. 2009, Nowakowski et al. 2009). The best classification properties were found in an RBF (Radial Basis Function) artificial neural network, which demonstrates that the process is non-linear.

Teaching Quality Management Model for the Training of Innovation Ability and the Multilevel Decomposition Indicators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lu, Xingjiang; Yao, Chen; Zheng, Jianmin

2013-01-01

This paper focuses on the training of undergraduate students' innovation ability. On top of the theoretical framework of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD), we propose a teaching quality management model. Based on this model, we establish a multilevel decomposition indicator system, which integrates innovation ability characterized by four…

PROCESS OF COATING WITH NICKEL BY THE DECOMPOSITION OF NICKEL CARBONYL

DOEpatents

Hoover, T.B.

1959-04-01

An improved process is presented for the deposition of nickel coatings by the thermal decomposition of nickel carbonyl vapor. The improvement consists in incorporating a small amount of hydrogen sulfide gas in the nickel carbonyl plating gas. It is postulated that the hydrogen sulfide functions as a catalyst. i

Litter chemistry, community shift, and non-additive effects drive litter decomposition changes following invasion by a generalist pathogen

Treesearch

Richard C. Cobb; David M. Rizzo

2016-01-01

Forest pathogens have strong potential to shape ecosystem function by altering litterfall, microclimate, and changing community structure. We quantified changes in litter decomposition from a set of distinct diseases caused by Phytophthora ramorum, an exotic generalist pathogen. Phytophthora ramorum causes leaf blight and...

Density functional theory study of HfCl4, ZrCl4, and Al(CH3)3 decomposition on hydroxylated SiO2: Initial stage of high-k atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeloaica, L.; Estève, A.; Djafari Rouhani, M.; Estève, D.

2003-07-01

The initial stage of atomic layer deposition of HfO2, ZrO2, and Al2O3 high-k films, i.e., the decomposition of HfCl4, ZrCl4, and Al(CH3)3 precursor molecules on an OH-terminated SiO2 surface, is investigated within density functional theory. The energy barriers are determined using artificial activation of vibrational normal modes. For all precursors, reaction proceeds through the formation of intermediate complexes that have equivalent formation energies (˜-0.45 eV), and results in HCl and CH4 formation with activation energies of 0.88, 0.91, and 1.04 eV for Hf, Zr, and Al based precursors, respectively. The reaction product of Al(CH3)3 decomposition is found to be more stable (by -1.45 eV) than the chemisorbed intermediate complex compared to the endothermic decomposition of HfCl4 and ZrCl4 chemisorbed precursors (0.26 and 0.29 eV, respectively).

Gibbsian Stationary Non-equilibrium States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Carlo, Leonardo; Gabrielli, Davide

2017-09-01

We study the structure of stationary non-equilibrium states for interacting particle systems from a microscopic viewpoint. In particular we discuss two different discrete geometric constructions. We apply both of them to determine non reversible transition rates corresponding to a fixed invariant measure. The first one uses the equivalence of this problem with the construction of divergence free flows on the transition graph. Since divergence free flows are characterized by cyclic decompositions we can generate families of models from elementary cycles on the configuration space. The second construction is a functional discrete Hodge decomposition for translational covariant discrete vector fields. According to this, for example, the instantaneous current of any interacting particle system on a finite torus can be canonically decomposed in a gradient part, a circulation term and an harmonic component. All the three components are associated with functions on the configuration space. This decomposition is unique and constructive. The stationary condition can be interpreted as an orthogonality condition with respect to an harmonic discrete vector field and we use this decomposition to construct models having a fixed invariant measure.

Effects of inter and intraspecific diversity and genetic divergence of aquatic fungal communities on leaf litter decomposition-a microcosm experiment.

PubMed

Andrade, Ricardo; Pascoal, Cláudia; Cássio, Fernanda

2016-07-01

Freshwater fungi play a key role in plant litter decomposition and have been used to investigate the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in streams. Although there is evidence of positive effects of biodiversity on ecosystem processes, particularly on biomass produced, some studies have shown that neutral or negative effects may occur. We manipulated the composition and the number of species and genotypes in aquatic fungal assemblages creating different levels of genetic divergence to assess effects of fungal diversity on biomass produced and leaf decomposition. Generally, diversity effects on fungal biomass produced were positive, suggesting complementarity between species, but in assemblages with more species positive diversity effects were reduced. Genotype diversity and genetic divergence had net positive effects on leaf mass loss, but in assemblages with higher diversity leaf decomposition decreased. Our results highlight the importance of considering multiple biodiversity measures when investigating the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. © FEMS 2016. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A novel hybrid decomposition-and-ensemble model based on CEEMD and GWO for short-term PM2.5 concentration forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niu, Mingfei; Wang, Yufang; Sun, Shaolong; Li, Yongwu

2016-06-01

To enhance prediction reliability and accuracy, a hybrid model based on the promising principle of "decomposition and ensemble" and a recently proposed meta-heuristic called grey wolf optimizer (GWO) is introduced for daily PM2.5 concentration forecasting. Compared with existing PM2.5 forecasting methods, this proposed model has improved the prediction accuracy and hit rates of directional prediction. The proposed model involves three main steps, i.e., decomposing the original PM2.5 series into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) via complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) for simplifying the complex data; individually predicting each IMF with support vector regression (SVR) optimized by GWO; integrating all predicted IMFs for the ensemble result as the final prediction by another SVR optimized by GWO. Seven benchmark models, including single artificial intelligence (AI) models, other decomposition-ensemble models with different decomposition methods and models with the same decomposition-ensemble method but optimized by different algorithms, are considered to verify the superiority of the proposed hybrid model. The empirical study indicates that the proposed hybrid decomposition-ensemble model is remarkably superior to all considered benchmark models for its higher prediction accuracy and hit rates of directional prediction.

Predicting Trophic Interactions and Habitat Utilization in the California Current Ecosystem

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

spatial and temporal distribution of key marine organisms over multiple trophic levels, and (2) natural and anthropogenic variability in ecosystem...areas of climate modeling in upwelling regions (E. Curchitser), physical-biological modeling in the CCLME (J. Fiechter and C. Edwards), data...optimal growth conditions). By comparing interannual changes in fat depot against EOF modes for environmental variability (i.e., SST) and prey

Wavelet-bounded empirical mode decomposition for measured time series analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Keegan J.; Kurt, Mehmet; Eriten, Melih; McFarland, D. Michael; Bergman, Lawrence A.; Vakakis, Alexander F.

2018-01-01

Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a powerful technique for separating the transient responses of nonlinear and nonstationary systems into finite sets of nearly orthogonal components, called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), which represent the dynamics on different characteristic time scales. However, a deficiency of EMD is the mixing of two or more components in a single IMF, which can drastically affect the physical meaning of the empirical decomposition results. In this paper, we present a new approached based on EMD, designated as wavelet-bounded empirical mode decomposition (WBEMD), which is a closed-loop, optimization-based solution to the problem of mode mixing. The optimization routine relies on maximizing the isolation of an IMF around a characteristic frequency. This isolation is measured by fitting a bounding function around the IMF in the frequency domain and computing the area under this function. It follows that a large (small) area corresponds to a poorly (well) separated IMF. An optimization routine is developed based on this result with the objective of minimizing the bounding-function area and with the masking signal parameters serving as free parameters, such that a well-separated IMF is extracted. As examples of application of WBEMD we apply the proposed method, first to a stationary, two-component signal, and then to the numerically simulated response of a cantilever beam with an essentially nonlinear end attachment. We find that WBEMD vastly improves upon EMD and that the extracted sets of IMFs provide insight into the underlying physics of the response of each system.

Sustained Responses in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Drug-resistance after Peg-interferon Alfa-2a Add-on Treatment: A Long-term Cohort Study.

PubMed

Liu, Yunhua; Li, Weikun; Jia, Ting; Peng, Dan; Li, Huimin; Li, Xiaofei; Lv, Songqin

2018-03-28

Background and Aims: The use of additional nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) without cross-resistance to previously used NAs as a rescue therapy is recommended by most international guidelines for chronic hepatitis B patients with NA-resistance. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of peg-interferon (PegIFN) alfa-2a and NA in these patients, comparing to those who switch to an alternative NA therapy without cross-resistance. Methods: In this prospective, comparative and cohort study, data were collected from the patients' hospital records. Eligible patients were those with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity and resistance to one or more NAs. All patients were treated with alternative NA alone or in combination with PegIFN alfa-2a for 52 weeks or 72 weeks, respectively. HBeAg seroconversion was measured at the end of follow-up (EOF; more than 104 weeks after the end of treatment). Results: Sixty-three patients were recruited to the cohort study (NA-therapy group = 31 patients; combination therapy group of NA and PegIFN alfa-2a = 32 patients). At the EOF, significantly more patients in the combination therapy group (13/27, 48.2%) achieved primary outcome of HBeAg seroconversion than those in the NA therapy group (4/32, 12.5%) ( p = 0.003). Four patients (14.8%) in the combination therapy group achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and HBsAg seroconversion, but none in the NA therapy group did ( p = 0.039). In the combination therapy group, 16 patients (51.6%) achieved HBeAg seroconversion at the end of treatment, of which, 11 patients (68.8%) maintained the response until EOF. Conclusions: Adding on PegIFN alfa-2a in combination with NA therapy might be an appropriate rescue treatment option for patients who have prior NA resistance. In addition, combination therapy induced sustained off-treatment biochemical responses in these patients.

The neural basis of novelty and appropriateness in processing of creative chunk decomposition.

PubMed

Huang, Furong; Fan, Jin; Luo, Jing

2015-06-01

Novelty and appropriateness have been recognized as the fundamental features of creative thinking. However, the brain mechanisms underlying these features remain largely unknown. In this study, we used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to dissociate these mechanisms in a revised creative chunk decomposition task in which participants were required to perform different types of chunk decomposition that systematically varied in novelty and appropriateness. We found that novelty processing involved functional areas for procedural memory (caudate), mental rewarding (substantia nigra, SN), and visual-spatial processing, whereas appropriateness processing was mediated by areas for declarative memory (hippocampus), emotional arousal (amygdala), and orthography recognition. These results indicate that non-declarative and declarative memory systems may jointly contribute to the two fundamental features of creative thinking. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Microchip Non-Aqueous Capillary Electrophoresis (MicronNACE) Method to Analyze Long-Chain Primary Amines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willis, Peter A.; Mora, Maria; Cable, Morgan L.; Stockton, Amanda M.

2012-01-01

A protocol was developed as a first step in analyzing the complex organic aerosols present on Saturn's moon Titan, as well as the analogues of these aerosols (tholins) made on Earth. Labeling of primary amines using Pacific Blue succinimidyl ester is effected in ethanol with 25 mM triethylamine to maintain basic conditions. This reaction is allowed to equilibrate for at least one hour. Separation of the labeled primary amines is performed in ethanol with 1.05 M acetic acid, and 50 mM ammonium acetate in a commercial two-layer glass device with a standard crossmicrochannel measuring 50 microns wide by 20 microns deep. Injection potentials are optimized at 2 kV from the sample (negative) to the waste well (positive), with slight bias applied to the other two wells ( 0.4 and 0.8 V) to pinch the injection plug for the 30-s injection. Separation is performed at a potential of 5 kV along the channel, which has an effective separation distance of 7 cm. The use of ethanol in this method means that long-chain primary amines can be dissolved. Due to the low pH of the separation buffer, electro-osmotic flow (EOF) is minimized to allow for separation of both short-chain and longchain amines. As the freezing point of ethanol is much lower than water, this protocol can perform separations at temperatures lower than 0 C, which would not be possible in aqueous phase. This is of particular importance when considering in situ sampling of Titan aerosols, where unnecessary heating of the sample (even to room temperature) would lead to decomposition or unpredictable side reactions, which would make it difficult to characterize the sample appropriately.

Potential macro-detritivore range expansion into the subarctic stimulates litter decomposition: a new positive feedback mechanism to climate change?

PubMed

van Geffen, Koert G; Berg, Matty P; Aerts, Rien

2011-12-01

As a result of low decomposition rates, high-latitude ecosystems store large amounts of carbon. Litter decomposition in these ecosystems is constrained by harsh abiotic conditions, but also by the absence of macro-detritivores. We have studied the potential effects of their climate change-driven northward range expansion on the decomposition of two contrasting subarctic litter types. Litter of Alnus incana and Betula pubescens was incubated in microcosms together with monocultures and all possible combinations of three functionally different macro-detritivores (the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, isopod Oniscus asellus, and millipede Julus scandinavius). Our results show that these macro-detritivores stimulated decomposition, especially of the high-quality A. incana litter and that the macro-detritivores tested differed in their decomposition-stimulating effects, with earthworms having the largest influence. Decomposition processes increased with increasing number of macro-detritivore species, and positive net diveristy effects occurred in several macro-detritivore treatments. However, after correction for macro-detritivore biomass, all interspecific differences in macro-detritivore effects, as well as the positive effects of species number on subarctic litter decomposition disappeared. The net diversity effects also appeared to be driven by variation in biomass, with a possible exception of net diversity effects in mass loss. Based on these results, we conclude that the expected climate change-induced range expansion of macro-detritivores into subarctic regions is likely to result in accelerated decomposition rates. Our results also indicate that the magnitude of macro-detritivore effects on subarctic decomposition will mainly depend on macro-detritivore biomass, rather than on macro-detritivore species number or identity.

Understanding Litter Input Controls on Soil Organic Matter Turnover and Formation are Essential for Improving Carbon-Climate Feedback Predictions for Arctic, Tundra Ecosystems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wallenstein, Matthew

The Arctic region stored vast amounts of carbon (C) in soils over thousands of years because decomposition has been limited by cold, wet conditions. Arctic soils now contain roughly as much C that is contained in all other soils across the globe combined. However, climate warming could unlock this oil C as decomposition accelerates and permafrost thaws. In addition to temperature-driven acceleration of decomposition, several additional processes could either counteract or augment warming-induced SOM losses. For example, increased plant growth under a warmer climate will increase organic matter inputs to soils, which could fuel further soil decomposition by microbes, butmore » will also increase the production of new SOM. Whether Arctic ecosystems store or release carbon in the future depends in part on the balance between these two counteracting processes. By differentiating SOM decomposition and formation and understanding the drivers of these processes, we will better understand how these systems function. We did not find evidence of priming under current conditions, defined as an increase in the decomposition of native SOM stocks. This suggests that decomposition is unlikely to be further accelerated through this mechanism. We did find that decomposition of native SOM did occur when nitrogen was added to these soils, suggesting that nitrogen limits decomposition in these systems. Our results highlight the resilience and extraordinary C storage capacity of these soils, and suggest shrub expansion may partially mitigate C losses from decomposition of old SOM as Arctic soils warm.« less

INVASIVE PLANTS HARBOR HUNGRY DETRITIVORES THAT ALTER ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION

EPA Science Inventory

Ecosystems are expected to function more efficiently in response to a diverse community of inhabitants. However, biological invasions may change expected relationships between ecosystem function and diversity. We observed increased decomposition, a measure of ecosystem function...

HCOOH decomposition on Pt(111): A DFT study

DOE PAGES

Scaranto, Jessica; Mavrikakis, Manos

2015-10-13

Formic acid (HCOOH) decomposition on transition metal surfaces is important for hydrogen production and for its electro-oxidation in direct HCOOH fuel cells. HCOOH can decompose through dehydrogenation leading to formation of CO 2 and H 2 or dehydration leading to CO and H 2O; because CO can poison metal surfaces, dehydrogenation is typically the desirable decomposition path. Here we report a mechanistic analysis of HCOOH decomposition on Pt(111), obtained from a plane wave density functional theory (DFT-PW91) study. We analyzed the dehydrogenation mechanism by considering the two possible pathways involving the formate (HCOO) or the carboxyl (COOH) intermediate. We alsomore » considered several possible dehydration paths leading to CO formation. We studied HCOO and COOH decomposition both on the clean surface and in the presence of other relevant co-adsorbates. The results suggest that COOH formation is energetically more difficult than HCOO formation. In contrast, COOH dehydrogenation is easier than HCOO decomposition. Here, we found that CO 2 is the main product through both pathways and that CO is produced mainly through the dehydroxylation of the COOH intermediate.« less

Decomposition mechanism of chromite in sulfuric acid-dichromic acid solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Qing; Liu, Cheng-jun; Li, Bao-kuan; Jiang, Mao-fa

2017-12-01

The sulfuric acid leaching process is regarded as a promising, cleaner method to prepare trivalent chromium products from chromite; however, the decomposition mechanism of the ore is poorly understood. In this work, binary spinels of Mg-Al, Mg-Fe, and Mg-Cr in the powdered and lump states were synthesized and used as raw materials to investigate the decomposition mechanism of chromite in sulfuric acid-dichromic acid solution. The leaching yields of metallic elements and the changes in morphology of the spinel were studied. The experimental results showed that the three spinels were stable in sulfuric acid solution and that dichromic acid had little influence on the decomposition behavior of the Mg-Al spinel and Mg-Fe spinel because Mg2+, Al3+, and Fe3+ in spinels cannot be oxidized by Cr6+. However, in the case of the Mg-Cr spinel, dichromic acid substantially promoted the decomposition efficiency and functioned as a catalyst. The decomposition mechanism of chromite in sulfuric acid-dichromic acid solution was illustrated on the basis of the findings of this study.

HCOOH decomposition on Pt(111): A DFT study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scaranto, Jessica; Mavrikakis, Manos

Formic acid (HCOOH) decomposition on transition metal surfaces is important for hydrogen production and for its electro-oxidation in direct HCOOH fuel cells. HCOOH can decompose through dehydrogenation leading to formation of CO 2 and H 2 or dehydration leading to CO and H 2O; because CO can poison metal surfaces, dehydrogenation is typically the desirable decomposition path. Here we report a mechanistic analysis of HCOOH decomposition on Pt(111), obtained from a plane wave density functional theory (DFT-PW91) study. We analyzed the dehydrogenation mechanism by considering the two possible pathways involving the formate (HCOO) or the carboxyl (COOH) intermediate. We alsomore » considered several possible dehydration paths leading to CO formation. We studied HCOO and COOH decomposition both on the clean surface and in the presence of other relevant co-adsorbates. The results suggest that COOH formation is energetically more difficult than HCOO formation. In contrast, COOH dehydrogenation is easier than HCOO decomposition. Here, we found that CO 2 is the main product through both pathways and that CO is produced mainly through the dehydroxylation of the COOH intermediate.« less

Validating the performance of one-time decomposition for fMRI analysis using ICA with automatic target generation process.

PubMed

Yao, Shengnan; Zeng, Weiming; Wang, Nizhuan; Chen, Lei

2013-07-01

Independent component analysis (ICA) has been proven to be effective for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data analysis. However, ICA decomposition requires to optimize the unmixing matrix iteratively whose initial values are generated randomly. Thus the randomness of the initialization leads to different ICA decomposition results. Therefore, just one-time decomposition for fMRI data analysis is not usually reliable. Under this circumstance, several methods about repeated decompositions with ICA (RDICA) were proposed to reveal the stability of ICA decomposition. Although utilizing RDICA has achieved satisfying results in validating the performance of ICA decomposition, RDICA cost much computing time. To mitigate the problem, in this paper, we propose a method, named ATGP-ICA, to do the fMRI data analysis. This method generates fixed initial values with automatic target generation process (ATGP) instead of being produced randomly. We performed experimental tests on both hybrid data and fMRI data to indicate the effectiveness of the new method and made a performance comparison of the traditional one-time decomposition with ICA (ODICA), RDICA and ATGP-ICA. The proposed method demonstrated that it not only could eliminate the randomness of ICA decomposition, but also could save much computing time compared to RDICA. Furthermore, the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) power analysis also denoted the better signal reconstruction performance of ATGP-ICA than that of RDICA. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Organic Matter Decomposition following Harvesting and Site Preparation of a Forested Wetland

Treesearch

Carl C. Trettin; M. Davidian; M.F. Jurgensen; R. Lea

1996-01-01

Organic matter accumulation is an important process that affects ecosystem function in many northern wetlands. The cotton strip assay (CSA)was used to measure the effect of harvesting and two different site preparation treatments, bedding and trenching, on organic matter decomposition in a forested wetland. A Latin square experimental design was used to determine the...

A Survey of Singular Value Decomposition Methods and Performance Comparison of Some Available Serial Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Plassman, Gerald E.

2005-01-01

This contractor report describes a performance comparison of available alternative complete Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) methods and implementations which are suitable for incorporation into point spread function deconvolution algorithms. The report also presents a survey of alternative algorithms, including partial SVD's special case SVD's, and others developed for concurrent processing systems.

Influence of Temperature and Catalyst on the Decomposition of Potassium Chlorate in a Simple DTA-Apparatus.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiederholt, Erwin

1983-01-01

DTA is a technique in which the temperature difference between sample/reference is measured as a function of temperature, while both are subject to a controlled temperature program. Use of a simple DTA-apparatus in demonstrating catalytic effects of manganese dioxide and aluminum oxide on decomposition temperature of potassium chlorate is…

Neural Correlates of Morphological Decomposition in a Morphologically Rich Language: An fMRI Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lehtonen, Minna; Vorobyev, Victor A.; Hugdahl, Kenneth; Tuokkola, Terhi; Laine, Matti

2006-01-01

By employing visual lexical decision and functional MRI, we studied the neural correlates of morphological decomposition in a highly inflected language (Finnish) where most inflected noun forms elicit a consistent processing cost during word recognition. This behavioral effect could reflect suffix stripping at the visual word form level and/or…

A TV-constrained decomposition method for spectral CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Xiaoyue; Zhang, Li; Xing, Yuxiang

2017-03-01

Spectral CT is attracting more and more attention in medicine, industrial nondestructive testing and security inspection field. Material decomposition is an important issue to a spectral CT to discriminate materials. Because of the spectrum overlap of energy channels, as well as the correlation of basis functions, it is well acknowledged that decomposition step in spectral CT imaging causes noise amplification and artifacts in component coefficient images. In this work, we propose materials decomposition via an optimization method to improve the quality of decomposed coefficient images. On the basis of general optimization problem, total variance minimization is constrained on coefficient images in our overall objective function with adjustable weights. We solve this constrained optimization problem under the framework of ADMM. Validation on both a numerical dental phantom in simulation and a real phantom of pig leg on a practical CT system using dual-energy imaging is executed. Both numerical and physical experiments give visually obvious better reconstructions than a general direct inverse method. SNR and SSIM are adopted to quantitatively evaluate the image quality of decomposed component coefficients. All results demonstrate that the TV-constrained decomposition method performs well in reducing noise without losing spatial resolution so that improving the image quality. The method can be easily incorporated into different types of spectral imaging modalities, as well as for cases with energy channels more than two.

Chronic impacts of TiO2 nanoparticles on Populus nigra L. leaf decomposition in freshwater ecosystem.

PubMed

Du, Jingjing; Zhang, Yuyan; Guo, Wei; Li, Ningyun; Gao, Chaoshuai; Cui, Minghui; Lin, Zhongdian; Wei, Mingbao; Zhang, Hongzhong

2018-05-15

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles have been applied in diverse commercial products, which could lead to toxic effects on aquatic microbes and would inhibit some important ecosystem processes. The study aimed to investigate the chronic impacts of TiO 2 nanoparticles with different concentrations (5, 50, and 500 mg L -1 ) on Populus nigra L. leaf decomposition in the freshwater ecosystem. After 50 d of decomposing, a significant decrease in decomposition rates was observed with higher concentrations of TiO 2 nanoparticles. During the period of litter decomposition, exposure of TiO 2 nanoparticles led to decreases in extracellular enzyme activities, which was caused by the reduction of microbial especially fungal biomass. In addition, the diversity and composition of the fungal community associated with litter decomposition were strongly affected by the concentrations of TiO 2 nanoparticles. The diversity and composition of the fungal community associated with litter decomposition was strongly affected. The abundance of Tricladium chaetocladium decreased with the increasing concentrations of TiO 2 nanoparticles, indicating the little contribution of the species to the litter decomposition. In conclusion, this study provided the evidence for the chronic exposure effects of TiO 2 nanoparticles on the litter decomposition and further the functions of freshwater ecosystems. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Large herbivores affect forest ecosystem functions by altering the structure of dung beetle communities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iida, Taichi; Soga, Masashi; Koike, Shinsuke

2018-04-01

Dramatic increases in populations of large mammalian herbivores have become a major ecological issue, particularly in the northern hemisphere, due to their substantial impacts on both animal and plant communities through processes such as grazing, browsing, and trampling. However, little is known about the consequences of these population explosions on ecosystem functions. Here, we experimentally investigated how the population density of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in temperate deciduous forest areas in Japan affected the decomposition of mammal dung by dung beetles, which is a key process in forest ecosystems. We measured a range of environmental variables (e.g., vegetation cover, soil hardness) and the dung decomposition rate, measured as the amount of deer dung decomposed during one week, and sampled dung beetles at 16 study sites with three different deer densities (high/intermediate/low). We then used structural equation modeling to investigate the relationships between deer density, environmental variables, the biomass of dung beetles (classified into small or large species), and the dung decomposition rate. We found that the biomass of small species increased with increasing deer density, whereas that of large species was not related to deer density. Furthermore, the dung decomposition rate was positively related to the biomass of small species but unrelated to that of large species. Overall, our results showed that an increase in deer density affects the decomposition rate of mammal dung by changing the structure of dung beetle communities (i.e., increasing the number of small dung beetles). Such an understanding of how increases in large herbivore populations affect ecosystem functions is important for accurately evaluating the ecological consequences of their overabundance and ultimately managing their populations appropriately.

TENSOR DECOMPOSITIONS AND SPARSE LOG-LINEAR MODELS

PubMed Central

Johndrow, James E.; Bhattacharya, Anirban; Dunson, David B.

2017-01-01

Contingency table analysis routinely relies on log-linear models, with latent structure analysis providing a common alternative. Latent structure models lead to a reduced rank tensor factorization of the probability mass function for multivariate categorical data, while log-linear models achieve dimensionality reduction through sparsity. Little is known about the relationship between these notions of dimensionality reduction in the two paradigms. We derive several results relating the support of a log-linear model to nonnegative ranks of the associated probability tensor. Motivated by these findings, we propose a new collapsed Tucker class of tensor decompositions, which bridge existing PARAFAC and Tucker decompositions, providing a more flexible framework for parsimoniously characterizing multivariate categorical data. Taking a Bayesian approach to inference, we illustrate empirical advantages of the new decompositions. PMID:29332971

Global sensitivity analysis for fuzzy inputs based on the decomposition of fuzzy output entropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yan; Lu, Zhenzhou; Zhou, Yicheng

2018-06-01

To analyse the component of fuzzy output entropy, a decomposition method of fuzzy output entropy is first presented. After the decomposition of fuzzy output entropy, the total fuzzy output entropy can be expressed as the sum of the component fuzzy entropy contributed by fuzzy inputs. Based on the decomposition of fuzzy output entropy, a new global sensitivity analysis model is established for measuring the effects of uncertainties of fuzzy inputs on the output. The global sensitivity analysis model can not only tell the importance of fuzzy inputs but also simultaneously reflect the structural composition of the response function to a certain degree. Several examples illustrate the validity of the proposed global sensitivity analysis, which is a significant reference in engineering design and optimization of structural systems.

Microbial community assembly and metabolic function during mammalian corpse decomposition

USGS Publications Warehouse

Metcalf, Jessica L; Xu, Zhenjiang Zech; Weiss, Sophie; Lax, Simon; Van Treuren, Will; Hyde, Embriette R.; Song, Se Jin; Amir, Amnon; Larsen, Peter; Sangwan, Naseer; Haarmann, Daniel; Humphrey, Greg C; Ackermann, Gail; Thompson, Luke R; Lauber, Christian; Bibat, Alexander; Nicholas, Catherine; Gebert, Matthew J; Petrosino, Joseph F; Reed, Sasha C.; Gilbert, Jack A; Lynne, Aaron M; Bucheli, Sibyl R; Carter, David O; Knight, Rob

2016-01-01

Vertebrate corpse decomposition provides an important stage in nutrient cycling in most terrestrial habitats, yet microbially mediated processes are poorly understood. Here we combine deep microbial community characterization, community-level metabolic reconstruction, and soil biogeochemical assessment to understand the principles governing microbial community assembly during decomposition of mouse and human corpses on different soil substrates. We find a suite of bacterial and fungal groups that contribute to nitrogen cycling and a reproducible network of decomposers that emerge on predictable time scales. Our results show that this decomposer community is derived primarily from bulk soil, but key decomposers are ubiquitous in low abundance. Soil type was not a dominant factor driving community development, and the process of decomposition is sufficiently reproducible to offer new opportunities for forensic investigations.

Microbial community assembly and metabolic function during mammalian corpse decomposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Metcalf, J. L.; Xu, Z. Z.; Weiss, S.

2015-12-10

Vertebrate corpse decomposition provides an important stage in nutrient cycling in most terrestrial habitats, yet microbially mediated processes are poorly understood. Here we combine deep microbial community characterization, community-level metabolic reconstruction, and soil biogeochemical assessment to understand the principles governing microbial community assembly during decomposition of mouse and human corpses on different soil substrates. We find a suite of bacterial and fungal groups that contribute to nitrogen cycling and a reproducible network of decomposers that emerge on predictable time scales. Our results show that this decomposer community is derived primarily from bulk soil, but key decomposers are ubiquitous in lowmore » abundance. Soil type was not a dominant factor driving community development, and the process of decomposition is sufficiently reproducible to offer new opportunities for forensic investigations.« less

NMR study of methane + ethane structure I hydrate decomposition.

PubMed

Dec, Steven F; Bowler, Kristen E; Stadterman, Laura L; Koh, Carolyn A; Sloan, E Dendy

2007-05-24

The thermally activated decomposition of methane + ethane structure I hydrate was studied with use of 13C magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR as a function of composition and temperature. The observed higher decomposition rate of large sI cages initially filled with ethane gas can be described in terms of a model where a distribution of sI unit cells exists such that a particular unit cell contains zero, one, or two methane molecules in the unit cell; this distribution of unit cells is combined to form the observed equilibrium composition. In this model, unit cells with zero methane molecules are the least stable and decompose more rapidly than those populated with one or two methane molecules leading to the observed overall faster decomposition rate of the large cages containing ethane molecules.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Spogen, L.R.; Cleland, L.L.

An approach to the development of performance based regulations (PBR's) is described. Initially, a framework is constructed that consists of a function hierarchy and associated measures. The function at the top of the hierarchy is described in terms of societal objectives. Decomposition of this function into subordinate functions and their subsequent decompositions yield the function hierarchy. ''Bottom'' functions describe the roles of system components. When measures are identified for the performance of each function and means of aggregating performances to higher levels are established, the framework may be employed for developing PBR's. Consideration of system flexibility and performance uncertainty guidemore » in determining the hierarchical level at which regulations are formulated. Ease of testing compliance is also a factor. To show the viability of the approach, the framework developed by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for evaluation of material control systems at fixed facilities is presented.« less

Characterization of Nanoparticles by Capillary Electrophoresis and Trapping of Nanoparticles in Microfluidics Device

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

tubular mode driven by electroosmotic flow and the inherent electrophoretic mobility of the analytes under the influence of an applied electric field...could be due to unlabeled beads. Figure 3 (C and D) also shows electropherogram of a neutral electroosmotic flow (EOF) marker dye BODIPY and...internal turbulent mixing . The current microfabricated electromagnets cannot produce sufficient fields to trap the NPs against a large flow forces

The Influence of Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction on MJO Development and Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-30

feedbacks and their influence on MJO development, and for forecasting of air sea interaction in the Indian Ocean basin and its influence on MJO. The...indicating precipitation maximum over the DYNAMO area and the red line indicating the precipitation anomaly west of Sumatra . The corresponding EOF...characterizing the November episode, relatively weaker October episode and convection situated in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean basin in December

Drought assessment using multi-sattelite remote sensing in Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rebello, V.; Getirana, A.; Rotunno Filho, O. C.; Lakshmi, V.

2016-12-01

In this study, we investigated long-term Terra-MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) response to a recent drought period in Brazil's Southeast (SE) and Northeast (NE) regions between 2012 and 2015. An analysis of precipitation anomaly from 1979 to 2015 suggests a dry period over NE in 2012-2013 and SE in 2014-2015. Through EOF analysis it was possible to note that the first two modes account for 76% of variability and depict the vegetation seasonal cycle. Moreover, the time series of the respective modes show a deviation of NDVI in 2012 when both regions had negative precipitation anomaly. The other EOF modes show a negative trend from 2012 until 2015 mainly in northeastern Brazil in the semiarid region named Caatinga. In order to examine the influence of hydro-meterological variables on vegetation changes, the SVD technique was used to identify coupled patterns between NDVI and precipitation, soil moisture and evapotranspiration. SVD results showed that the highest correlations are achieved between NDVI and precipitation, 0.81 and 0.83, respectively in the first two modes. Although less correlated than precipitation, significant coupling between NDVI and evapotranspiration was found for the second and third modes, the correlation between their expanded coefficients was respectively 0.82 and 0.90.

A macrocyclic polyamine as an anion receptor in the capillary electrochromatographic separation of carbohydrates.

PubMed

Liu, Chuen-Ying; Chen, Tse-Hsien; Misra, Tarun Kumar

2007-06-22

An analytical approach of the 32-membered macrocyclic polyamine, 1,5,9,13,17,21,25,29-octaazacyclodotriacontane ([32]ane-N8) was described for the capillary electrochromatographic (CEC) separation of derivatized mono- and disaccharides. The column displayed reversal electroosmotic flow (EOF) at pH below 7.0, while a cathodic EOF was shown at pH above 7.0. The reductive amination of saccharides was carried out with p-aminobenzoic acid. Some parameters that affect the CEC separations were investigated. Several competitive ligands, such as Tris, EDTA and phosphate were also examined for the effect on the performance. We achieved a complete separation of all compounds as well as the excess derivatizing agent by using borate buffer (pH 9.0) in a mode of concentration gradient (60 mM inlet side and 70 mM outlet side). The relative standard deviation of the retention time measured for each sample was less than 4% in six continuous runs, suggesting that the bonded phase along with the gradient formed inside the column was quite stable. With the mixing modes of anion coordination, anion exchange, and shape discrimination, the interaction adequately accomplishes the separation of carbohydrates which are epimers or have different glycosidic linkage, although the electrophoretic migration is also involved in the separation mechanism.

Effect of packing on changes in erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malondialdehyde concentration in donkeys administered with ascorbic acid.

PubMed

Olaifa, Folashade; Ayo, Joseph O; Ambali, Suleiman F; Rekwot, Peter I

2012-12-05

Experiments were performed with the aim of investigating the effect of packing on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in donkeys, and the effect of ascorbic acid (AA). Twelve apparently healthy donkeys raised under the traditional extensive system served as experimental subjects. Six donkeys administered orally with AA (200 mg/kg) and subjected to packing were used as experimental animals, whilst six others not administered with AA served as controls. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-packing from all the donkeys for the determination of MDA and EOF. At 0.3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) concentration, the percentage haemolysis was 93.69% ± 2.21% in the control donkeys and the value was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the value of 71.31% ± 8.33%, recorded in the experimental donkeys. The post-packing MDA concentration obtained in the control donkeys was 39.62 µmol ± 4.16 µmol, and was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the value of 35.97 µmol ± 2.88 µmol recorded in the experimental donkeys. In conclusion, the increase in haemolysis obtained in the donkeys suggested that packing induced oxidative stress, which was ameliorated by AA administration.

Assessment of polyelectrolyte coating stability under dynamic buffer conditions in CE.

PubMed

Swords, Kyleen E; Bartline, Peter B; Roguski, Katherine M; Bashaw, Sarah A; Frederick, Kimberley A

2011-09-01

Dynamic buffer conditions are present in many electrophoretically driven separations. Polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings have been employed in CE because of their chemical and physical stability as well as their ease of application. The goal of this study is to measure the effect of dynamic changes in buffer pH on flow using a real-time method for measuring EOF. Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) were composed of pairs of strong or completely ionized polyelectrolytes including poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride and poly(styrene sulfonate) and weak or ionizable polyelectrolytes including poly(allylamine) and poly(methacrylic acid). Polyelectrolyte multilayers of varying thicknesses (3, 4, 7, 8, 15, or 16 layers) were also studied. While the magnitude of the EOF was monitored every 2 s, the buffer pH was exchanged from a relatively basic pH (7.1) to increasingly acidic pHs (6.6, 6.1, 5.5, and 5.1). Strong polyelectrolytes responded minimally to changes in buffer pH (<1%), whereas substantial (>10%) and sometimes irreversible changes were measured with weak polyelectrolytes. Thicker coatings resulted in a similar magnitude of response but were more likely to degrade in response to buffer pH changes. The most stable coatings were formed from thinner layers of strong polyelectrolytes. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The CE-Way of Thinking: "All Is Relative!".

PubMed

Schmitt-Kopplin, Philippe; Fekete, Agnes

2016-01-01

Over the last two decades the development of capillary electrophoresis instruments lead to systems with programmable sampler, separation column, separation buffer, and detection devices comparable visually in many aspects to the setup of classical chromatography.Two processes make capillary electrophoresis essentially different from chromatography and are the basis of the CE-way of thinking, namely, the injection type and the liquid flow within the capillary. (1) When the injection is made hydrodynamically (such as in most of the found applications in the literature), the injected volumes are directly dependent on the type and size of the separation capillary. (2) The buffer velocity is not pressure driven as in liquid chromatography but electrokinetically governed by the quality of the capillary surface (separation buffer dependant surface charge) inducing an electroosmotic flow (EOF). The EOF undergoes small variations and is not necessarily identical from one separation or day to the other. The direct consequence is an apparent nonreproducible migration time of the analytes, even though the own velocity of the ions is the same.The effective mobility (field strength normalized velocity) of the ions is a possible parameterization from acquired timescale to effective mobility-scale electropherograms leading to a reproducible visualization and better quantification with a direct relation to structural characters of the analytes (i.e., charge and size-see chapter on semiempirical modelization).

Comparing intra- and inter-specific effects on litter decomposition in an old-field ecosystem

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crutsinger, Greg; Sanders, Dr. Nathan James; Classen, Aimee T

2009-09-01

Plant species can differ in the quantity and quality of leaf litter they produce, and many studies have examined whether plant species diversity affects leaf-litter decomposition and nutrient release. A growing number of studies have indicated that intra-specific variation within plant species can also affect key ecosystem processes. However, the relative importance of intra- versus inter-specific variation for the functioning of ecosystems remains poorly known. Here, we investigate the effects of intra-specific variation in a dominant old-field plant species, tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), and inter-specific variation among goldenrod species on litter quality, decomposition, and nitrogen (N) release. We found thatmore » the nutrient concentration of leaf litter varied among genotypes, which translated into 50% difference in decomposition rates. Variation among other goldenrod species in decomposition rate was more than twice that of genetic variation within S. altissima. Furthermore, by manipulating litterbags to contain 1, 3, 6, or 9 genotypes, we found that S. altissima genotype identity had much stronger effects than did genotypic diversity on leaf-litter quality, decomposition, and N release. Taken together, these results suggest that the order of ecological importance for controlling leaf-litter decomposition and N release dynamics is plant species identitygenotype identity>genotypic diversity.« less

Effect of CaO on the selectivity of N2O decomposition products: A combined experimental and DFT study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Lingnan; Hu, Xiaoying; Qin, Wu; Gao, Pan; Dong, Changqing; Yang, Yongping

2016-09-01

The effect of CaO on N2O decomposition and the selectivity of its decomposition products (NO and N2) was investigated using a fixed-bed flow reactor with varying temperatures from 317 °C to 947 °C. The selectivity of NO from CaO-catalyzed N2O decomposition is much lower than the N2 selectivity with the N2/NO products ratio greater than 12.1. Compared to N2O homogeneous decomposition with the minimum N2/NO products ratio of 6.2 at 718 °C, CaO also decreases the NO selectivity from 718 °C to 947 °C. Density functional theory calculations provide possible N2O decomposition routes on the CaO (1 0 0) surface considering both N2 and NO as N2O decomposition products. The N2 formation route is more favorable than the NO formation route in terms of energy barrier and reaction energy, and NO formation on the CaO (1 0 0) surface is likely to proceed via N2O + Osurf2- → N2 + O2 , surf2- and N2O + O2 , surf2- → 2NO + Osurf2-.

Regulation of C:N:P stoichiometry of microbes and soil organic matter by optimizing enzyme allocation: an omics-informed model study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Y.; Yao, Q.; Wang, G.; Yang, X.; Mayes, M. A.

2017-12-01

Increasing evidences is indicating that soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and stabilization process is a continuum process and controlled by both microbial functions and their interaction with minerals (known as the microbial efficiency-matrix stabilization theory (MEMS)). Our metagenomics analysis of soil samples from both P-deficit and P-fertilization sites in Panama has demonstrated that community-level enzyme functions could adapt to maximize the acquisition of limiting nutrients and minimize energy demand for foraging (known as the optimal foraging theory). This optimization scheme can mitigate the imbalance of C/P ratio between soil substrate and microbial community and relieve the P limitation on microbial carbon use efficiency over the time. Dynamic allocation of multiple enzyme groups and their interaction with microbial/substrate stoichiometry has rarely been considered in biogeochemical models due to the difficulties in identifying microbial functional groups and quantifying the change in enzyme expression in response to soil nutrient availability. This study aims to represent the omics-informed optimal foraging theory in the Continuum Microbial ENzyme Decomposition model (CoMEND), which was developed to represent the continuum SOM decomposition process following the MEMS theory. The SOM pools in the model are classified based on soil chemical composition (i.e. Carbohydrates, lignin, N-rich SOM and P-rich SOM) and the degree of SOM depolymerization. The enzyme functional groups for decomposition of each SOM pool and N/P mineralization are identified by the relative composition of gene copy numbers. The responses of microbial activities and SOM decomposition to nutrient availability are simulated by optimizing the allocation of enzyme functional groups following the optimal foraging theory. The modeled dynamic enzyme allocation in response to P availability is evaluated by the metagenomics data measured from P addition and P-deficit soil samples in Panama sites.The implementation of dynamic enzyme allocation in response to nutrient availability in the CoMEND model enables us to capture the varying microbial C/P ratio and soil carbon dynamics in response to shifting nutrient constraints over time in tropical soils.

Species richness and trophic diversity increase decomposition in a co-evolved food web.

PubMed

Baiser, Benjamin; Ardeshiri, Roxanne S; Ellison, Aaron M

2011-01-01

Ecological communities show great variation in species richness, composition and food web structure across similar and diverse ecosystems. Knowledge of how this biodiversity relates to ecosystem functioning is important for understanding the maintenance of diversity and the potential effects of species losses and gains on ecosystems. While research often focuses on how variation in species richness influences ecosystem processes, assessing species richness in a food web context can provide further insight into the relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning and elucidate potential mechanisms underpinning this relationship. Here, we assessed how species richness and trophic diversity affect decomposition rates in a complete aquatic food web: the five trophic level web that occurs within water-filled leaves of the northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea. We identified a trophic cascade in which top-predators--larvae of the pitcher-plant mosquito--indirectly increased bacterial decomposition by preying on bactivorous protozoa. Our data also revealed a facultative relationship in which larvae of the pitcher-plant midge increased bacterial decomposition by shredding detritus. These important interactions occur only in food webs with high trophic diversity, which in turn only occur in food webs with high species richness. We show that species richness and trophic diversity underlie strong linkages between food web structure and dynamics that influence ecosystem functioning. The importance of trophic diversity and species interactions in determining how biodiversity relates to ecosystem functioning suggests that simply focusing on species richness does not give a complete picture as to how ecosystems may change with the loss or gain of species.

Species Richness and Trophic Diversity Increase Decomposition in a Co-Evolved Food Web

PubMed Central

Baiser, Benjamin; Ardeshiri, Roxanne S.; Ellison, Aaron M.

2011-01-01

Ecological communities show great variation in species richness, composition and food web structure across similar and diverse ecosystems. Knowledge of how this biodiversity relates to ecosystem functioning is important for understanding the maintenance of diversity and the potential effects of species losses and gains on ecosystems. While research often focuses on how variation in species richness influences ecosystem processes, assessing species richness in a food web context can provide further insight into the relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning and elucidate potential mechanisms underpinning this relationship. Here, we assessed how species richness and trophic diversity affect decomposition rates in a complete aquatic food web: the five trophic level web that occurs within water-filled leaves of the northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea. We identified a trophic cascade in which top-predators — larvae of the pitcher-plant mosquito — indirectly increased bacterial decomposition by preying on bactivorous protozoa. Our data also revealed a facultative relationship in which larvae of the pitcher-plant midge increased bacterial decomposition by shredding detritus. These important interactions occur only in food webs with high trophic diversity, which in turn only occur in food webs with high species richness. We show that species richness and trophic diversity underlie strong linkages between food web structure and dynamics that influence ecosystem functioning. The importance of trophic diversity and species interactions in determining how biodiversity relates to ecosystem functioning suggests that simply focusing on species richness does not give a complete picture as to how ecosystems may change with the loss or gain of species. PMID:21673992

Cluster decomposition of full configuration interaction wave functions: A tool for chemical interpretation of systems with strong correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehtola, Susi; Tubman, Norm M.; Whaley, K. Birgitta; Head-Gordon, Martin

2017-10-01

Approximate full configuration interaction (FCI) calculations have recently become tractable for systems of unforeseen size, thanks to stochastic and adaptive approximations to the exponentially scaling FCI problem. The result of an FCI calculation is a weighted set of electronic configurations, which can also be expressed in terms of excitations from a reference configuration. The excitation amplitudes contain information on the complexity of the electronic wave function, but this information is contaminated by contributions from disconnected excitations, i.e., those excitations that are just products of independent lower-level excitations. The unwanted contributions can be removed via a cluster decomposition procedure, making it possible to examine the importance of connected excitations in complicated multireference molecules which are outside the reach of conventional algorithms. We present an implementation of the cluster decomposition analysis and apply it to both true FCI wave functions, as well as wave functions generated from the adaptive sampling CI algorithm. The cluster decomposition is useful for interpreting calculations in chemical studies, as a diagnostic for the convergence of various excitation manifolds, as well as as a guidepost for polynomially scaling electronic structure models. Applications are presented for (i) the double dissociation of water, (ii) the carbon dimer, (iii) the π space of polyacenes, and (iv) the chromium dimer. While the cluster amplitudes exhibit rapid decay with an increasing rank for the first three systems, even connected octuple excitations still appear important in Cr2, suggesting that spin-restricted single-reference coupled-cluster approaches may not be tractable for some problems in transition metal chemistry.

The functionalization of limonite to prepare NZVI and its application in decomposition of p-nitrophenol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haibo; Chen, Tianhu; Xie, Qiaoqin; Zou, Xuehua; Chen, Chen; Frost, Ray L.

2015-09-01

Nano zero valent iron (NZVI) was prepared by reducing natural limonite using hydrogen. X-ray fluorescence, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), field emission scanning electron microscope/energy disperse spectroscopy (FESEM/EDS) were utilized to characterize the natural limonite and reduced limonite. The ratios of Fe:O before and after reducing was determined using EDS. The reactivity of the NZVI was assessed by decomposition of p-nitrophenol ( p-NP) and was compared with commercial iron powder. In this study, the results of TPR and FESEM/EDS indicated that NZVI can be prepared by reducing natural limonite using hydrogen. Most importantly, this NZVI was proved to have a good performance on decomposition of p-NP and the process of p-NP decomposition agreed well with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The reactivity of this NZVI for decomposition of p-NP was greatly superior to that of commercial iron powder.

DFT study of hydrogen production from formic acid decomposition on Pd-Au alloy nanoclusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, D.; Gao, Z. Y.; Wang, X. C.; Zeng, J.; Li, Y. M.

2017-12-01

Recently, it has been reported that the hydrogen production rate of formic acid decomposition can be significantly increased using Pd-Au binary alloy nano-catalysts [Wang et al. J. Mater. Chem. A 1 (2013) 12721-12725]. To explain the reaction mechanism of this alloy catalysis method, formic acid decomposition reactions on pure Pd and Pd-Au alloy nanoclusters are studied via density functional theory simulations. The simulation results indicate that the addition of inert element Au would not influence formic acid decomposition on Pd surface sites of Pd-Au alloy nanoclusters. On the other hand, the existence of Au surface sites brings relative weak hydrogen atom adsorption. On Pd-Au alloy nanoclusters, the dissociated hydrogen atoms from formic acid are easier to combine as hydrogen molecules than that on pure Pd clusters. Via the synergetic effect between Pd and Au, both formic acid decomposition and hydrogen production are events with large probability, which eventually results in high hydrogen production rate.

New insights into thermal decomposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon oxyradicals.

PubMed

Liu, Peng; Lin, He; Yang, Yang; Shao, Can; Gu, Chen; Huang, Zhen

2014-12-04

Thermal decompositions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) oxyradicals on various surface sites including five-membered ring, free-edge, zigzag, and armchair have been systematically investigated by using ab initio density functional theory B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) basis set. The calculation based on Hückel theory indicates that PAHs (3H-cydopenta[a]anthracene oxyradical) with oxyradicals on a five-membered ring site have high chemical reactivity. The rate coefficients of PAH oxyradical decomposition were evaluated by using Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory and solving the master equations in the temperature range of 1500-2500 K and the pressure range of 0.1-10 atm. The kinetic calculations revealed that the rate coefficients of PAH oxyradical decomposition are temperature-, pressure-, and surface site-dependent, and the oxyradical on a five-membered ring is easier to decompose than that on a six-membered ring. Four-membered rings were found in decomposition of the five-membered ring, and a new reaction channel of PAH evolution involving four-membered rings is recommended.

X-Ray Thomson Scattering Without the Chihara Decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magyar, Rudolph; Baczewski, Andrew; Shulenburger, Luke; Hansen, Stephanie B.; Desjarlais, Michael P.; Sandia National Laboratories Collaboration

X-Ray Thomson Scattering is an important experimental technique used in dynamic compression experiments to measure the properties of warm dense matter. The fundamental property probed in these experiments is the electronic dynamic structure factor that is typically modeled using an empirical three-term decomposition (Chihara, J. Phys. F, 1987). One of the crucial assumptions of this decomposition is that the system's electrons can be either classified as bound to ions or free. This decomposition may not be accurate for materials in the warm dense regime. We present unambiguous first principles calculations of the dynamic structure factor independent of the Chihara decomposition that can be used to benchmark these assumptions. Results are generated using a finite-temperature real-time time-dependent density functional theory applied for the first time in these conditions. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Does clear-cut harvesting accelerate initial wood decomposition? A five-year study with standard wood material

Treesearch

L. Finer; M. Jurgensen; M. Palviainen; S. Piirainen; Deborah Page-Dumroese

2016-01-01

Coarse woody debris (CWD) serves a variety of ecological functions in forests, and the understanding of its decomposition is needed for estimating changes in CWD-dependent forest biodiversity, and for the quantification of forest ecosystem carbon and nutrient pools and fluxes. Boreal forests are often intensively managed, so information is needed on the effects of...

Image fusion method based on regional feature and improved bidimensional empirical mode decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Xinqiang; Hu, Gang; Hu, Kai

2018-01-01

The decomposition of multiple source images using bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) often produces mismatched bidimensional intrinsic mode functions, either by their number or their frequency, making image fusion difficult. A solution to this problem is proposed using a fixed number of iterations and a union operation in the sifting process. By combining the local regional features of the images, an image fusion method has been developed. First, the source images are decomposed using the proposed BEMD to produce the first intrinsic mode function (IMF) and residue component. Second, for the IMF component, a selection and weighted average strategy based on local area energy is used to obtain a high-frequency fusion component. Third, for the residue component, a selection and weighted average strategy based on local average gray difference is used to obtain a low-frequency fusion component. Finally, the fused image is obtained by applying the inverse BEMD transform. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides superior performance over methods based on wavelet transform, line and column-based EMD, and complex empirical mode decomposition, both in terms of visual quality and objective evaluation criteria.

Accuracy assessment of a surface electromyogram decomposition system in human first dorsal interosseus muscle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Xiaogang; Rymer, William Z.; Suresh, Nina L.

2014-04-01

Objective. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of a surface electromyogram (sEMG) motor unit (MU) decomposition algorithm during low levels of muscle contraction. Approach. A two-source method was used to verify the accuracy of the sEMG decomposition system, by utilizing simultaneous intramuscular and surface EMG recordings from the human first dorsal interosseous muscle recorded during isometric trapezoidal force contractions. Spike trains from each recording type were decomposed independently utilizing two different algorithms, EMGlab and dEMG decomposition algorithms. The degree of agreement of the decomposed spike timings was assessed for three different segments of the EMG signals, corresponding to specified regions in the force task. A regression analysis was performed to examine whether certain properties of the sEMG and force signal can predict the decomposition accuracy. Main results. The average accuracy of successful decomposition among the 119 MUs that were common to both intramuscular and surface records was approximately 95%, and the accuracy was comparable between the different segments of the sEMG signals (i.e., force ramp-up versus steady state force versus combined). The regression function between the accuracy and properties of sEMG and force signals revealed that the signal-to-noise ratio of the action potential and stability in the action potential records were significant predictors of the surface decomposition accuracy. Significance. The outcomes of our study confirm the accuracy of the sEMG decomposition algorithm during low muscle contraction levels and provide confidence in the overall validity of the surface dEMG decomposition algorithm.

Block matrix based LU decomposition to analyze kinetic damping in active plasma resonance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roehl, Jan Hendrik; Oberrath, Jens

2016-09-01

``Active plasma resonance spectroscopy'' (APRS) is a widely used diagnostic method to measure plasma parameter like electron density. Measurements with APRS probes in plasmas of a few Pa typically show a broadening of the spectrum due to kinetic effects. To analyze the broadening a general kinetic model in electrostatic approximation based on functional analytic methods has been presented [ 1 ] . One of the main results is, that the system response function Y(ω) is given in terms of the matrix elements of the resolvent of the dynamic operator evaluated for values on the imaginary axis. To determine the response function of a specific probe the resolvent has to be approximated by a huge matrix which is given by a banded block structure. Due to this structure a block based LU decomposition can be implemented. It leads to a solution of Y(ω) which is given only by products of matrices of the inner block size. This LU decomposition allows to analyze the influence of kinetic effects on the broadening and saves memory and calculation time. Gratitude is expressed to the internal funding of Leuphana University.

Linking Intra-Aggregate Pore Size Distribution with Organic Matter Decomposition Status, Evidence from FTIR and X-Ray Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toosi, E. R.; Quigley, M.; Kravchenko, A. N.

2014-12-01

It has been reported that conversion of intensively cultivated lands to less disturbed systems enhances soil OM storage capacity, primarily through OM stabilization in macroaggregates. We hypothesized that the potential for OM stabilization inside macro-aggregates is influenced by presence and abundance of intra-aggregate pores. Pores determine microbial access to OM and regulate diffusion of solution/gases within aggregates which drives microbial functioning. We investigated the influence of longterm disturbance intensity on soil OM composition and its relation to pore size distribution within macroaggregates. We used quantitative FTIR to determine OM decomposition status and X-ray micro-tomography to assess pore size distribution in macroaggregates as affected by management and landuse. Macroaggregates 4-6 mm in size where selected from topsoil under long term conventional tillage (CT), cover-crop (CC), and native succession vegetation (NS) treatments at Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan. Comparison of main soil OM functional groups suggested that with increasing disturbance intensity, the proportion of aromatic and carboxylic/carbohydrates associated compounds increased and it was concomitant with a decrease in the proportion of aliphatic associated compounds and lignin derivatives. Further, FTIR-based decomposition indices revealed that overall decomposition status of macroaggregates followed the pattern of CT > CC ≈ NS. X-ray micro-tomography findings suggested that greater OM decomposition within the macroaggregates was associated with i) greater percent of pores >13 micron in size within the aggregates, as well as ii) greater proportion of small to medium pores (13-110 micron). The results develop previous findings, suggesting that shift in landuse or management indirectly affects soil OM stabilization through alteration of pore size distribution within macroaggregates that itself, is coupled with OM decomposition status.

Comparison of litter decomposition in a natural versus coal-slurry pond reclaimed as a wetland

USGS Publications Warehouse

Taylor, J.; Middleton, B.A.

2004-01-01

Decomposition is a key function in reclaimed wetlands, and changes in its rate have ramifications for organic-matter accumulation, nutrient cycling, and production. The purpose of this study was to compare leaf litter decomposition rates in coal-slurry ponds vs. natural wetlands on natural floodplain wetlands in Illinois, USA. The rate of decomposition was slower in the natural wetland vs. the coal pond (k=0.0043??0.0008 vs. 0.0066??0.0011, respectively); the soil of the natural wetland was more acidic than the coal pond in this study (pH=5.3 vs. 7.9, respectively). Similarly, higher organic matter levels were related to lower pH levels, and organic matter levels were seven-times higher in the natural wetland than in the coal pond. The coal slurry pond was five years old at the time of the study, while the natural oxbow wetland was older (more than 550 years). The coal-slurry pond was originally a floodplain wetland (slough); the downstream end was blocked with a stoplog structure and the oxbow filled with slurry. The pattern of decomposition for all species in the coal pond was the same as in the natural pond; Potomogeton nodosus decomposed more quickly than Phragmites australis, and both of these species decomposed more quickly than either Typha latifolia or Cyperus erythrorhizos (k=0.0121??0.0008, 0.0051??0.0006, 0.0024??0.0001, 0-0024??0.0004, respectively). Depending on how open or closed the system is to outside inputs, decomposition rate regulates other functions such as production, nutrient cycling, organic-layer accumulation in the soil, and the timing and nature of delivery of detritus to the food chain. ?? 2004 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.

Microbial decomposition is highly sensitive to leaf litter emersion in a permanent temperate stream.

PubMed

Mora-Gómez, Juanita; Duarte, Sofia; Cássio, Fernanda; Pascoal, Cláudia; Romaní, Anna M

2018-04-15

Drought frequency and intensity in some temperate regions are forecasted to increase under the ongoing global change, which might expose permanent streams to intermittence and have severe repercussions on stream communities and ecosystem processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of drought duration on microbial decomposition of Populus nigra leaf litter in a temperate permanent stream (Oliveira, NW Portugal). Specifically, we measured the response of the structural (assemblage composition, bacterial and fungal biomass) and functional (leaf litter decomposition, extracellular enzyme activities (EEA), and fungal sporulation) parameters of fungal and bacterial communities on leaf litter exposed to emersion during different time periods (7, 14 and 21d). Emersion time affected microbial assemblages and litter decomposition, but the response differed among variables. Leaf decomposition rates and the activity of β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase and phosphatase were gradually reduced with increasing emersion time, while β-xylosidase reduction was similar when emersion last for 7 or more days, and the phenol oxidase reduction was similar at 14 and 21days of leaf emersion. Microbial biomass and fungal sporulation were reduced after 21days of emersion. The structure of microbial assemblages was affected by the duration of the emersion period. The shifts in fungal assemblages were correlated with a decreased microbial capacity to degrade lignin and hemicellulose in leaf litter exposed to emersion. Additionally, some resilience was observed in leaf litter mass loss, bacterial biomass, some enzyme activities and structure of fungal assemblages. Our study shows that drought can strongly alter structural and functional aspects of microbial decomposers. Therefore, the exposure of leaf litter to increasing emersion periods in temperate streams is expected to affect decomposer communities and overall decomposition of plant material by decelerating carbon cycling in streams. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Compressed Continuous Computation v. 12/20/2016

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorodetsky, Alex

2017-02-17

A library for performing numerical computation with low-rank functions. The (C3) library enables performing continuous linear and multilinear algebra with multidimensional functions. Common tasks include taking "matrix" decompositions of vector- or matrix-valued functions, approximating multidimensional functions in low-rank format, adding or multiplying functions together, integrating multidimensional functions.

Decomposition of conditional probability for high-order symbolic Markov chains.

PubMed

Melnik, S S; Usatenko, O V

2017-07-01

The main goal of this paper is to develop an estimate for the conditional probability function of random stationary ergodic symbolic sequences with elements belonging to a finite alphabet. We elaborate on a decomposition procedure for the conditional probability function of sequences considered to be high-order Markov chains. We represent the conditional probability function as the sum of multilinear memory function monomials of different orders (from zero up to the chain order). This allows us to introduce a family of Markov chain models and to construct artificial sequences via a method of successive iterations, taking into account at each step increasingly high correlations among random elements. At weak correlations, the memory functions are uniquely expressed in terms of the high-order symbolic correlation functions. The proposed method fills the gap between two approaches, namely the likelihood estimation and the additive Markov chains. The obtained results may have applications for sequential approximation of artificial neural network training.

Decomposition of conditional probability for high-order symbolic Markov chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnik, S. S.; Usatenko, O. V.

2017-07-01

The main goal of this paper is to develop an estimate for the conditional probability function of random stationary ergodic symbolic sequences with elements belonging to a finite alphabet. We elaborate on a decomposition procedure for the conditional probability function of sequences considered to be high-order Markov chains. We represent the conditional probability function as the sum of multilinear memory function monomials of different orders (from zero up to the chain order). This allows us to introduce a family of Markov chain models and to construct artificial sequences via a method of successive iterations, taking into account at each step increasingly high correlations among random elements. At weak correlations, the memory functions are uniquely expressed in terms of the high-order symbolic correlation functions. The proposed method fills the gap between two approaches, namely the likelihood estimation and the additive Markov chains. The obtained results may have applications for sequential approximation of artificial neural network training.

Measurement of the Energy and High-Pressure Dependence of X-ray-Induced Decomposition of Crystalline Strontium Oxalate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goldberger, David; Evlyukhin, Egor; Cifligu, Petrika

We report measurements of the X-ray-induced decomposition of crystalline strontium oxalate (SrC2O4) as a function of energy and high pressure in two separate experiments. SrC2O4 at ambient conditions was irradiated with monochromatic synchrotron X-rays ranging in energy from 15 to 28 keV. A broad resonance of the decomposition yield was observed with a clear maximum when irradiating with ~20 keV X-rays and ambient pressure. Little or no decomposition was observed at 15 keV, which is below the Sr K-shell energy of 16.12 keV, suggesting that excitation of core electrons may play an important role in the destabilization of the C2O42–more » anion. A second experiment was performed to investigate the high-pressure dependence of the X-ray-induced decomposition of strontium oxalate at fixed energy. SrC2O4 was compressed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) in the pressure range from 0 to 7.6 GPa with 1 GPa increments and irradiated in situ with 20 keV X-rays. A marked pressure dependence of the decomposition yield of SrC2O4 was observed with a decomposition yield maximum at around 1 GPa, suggesting that different crystal structures of the material play an important role in the decomposition process. This may be due in part to a phase transition observed near this pressure.« less

Decomposition techniques

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chao, T.T.; Sanzolone, R.F.

1992-01-01

Sample decomposition is a fundamental and integral step in the procedure of geochemical analysis. It is often the limiting factor to sample throughput, especially with the recent application of the fast and modern multi-element measurement instrumentation. The complexity of geological materials makes it necessary to choose the sample decomposition technique that is compatible with the specific objective of the analysis. When selecting a decomposition technique, consideration should be given to the chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the sample, elements to be determined, precision and accuracy requirements, sample throughput, technical capability of personnel, and time constraints. This paper addresses these concerns and discusses the attributes and limitations of many techniques of sample decomposition along with examples of their application to geochemical analysis. The chemical properties of reagents as to their function as decomposition agents are also reviewed. The section on acid dissolution techniques addresses the various inorganic acids that are used individually or in combination in both open and closed systems. Fluxes used in sample fusion are discussed. The promising microwave-oven technology and the emerging field of automation are also examined. A section on applications highlights the use of decomposition techniques for the determination of Au, platinum group elements (PGEs), Hg, U, hydride-forming elements, rare earth elements (REEs), and multi-elements in geological materials. Partial dissolution techniques used for geochemical exploration which have been treated in detail elsewhere are not discussed here; nor are fire-assaying for noble metals and decomposition techniques for X-ray fluorescence or nuclear methods be discussed. ?? 1992.

Theoretical study of the decomposition mechanism of environmentally friendly insulating medium C3F7CN in the presence of H2O in a discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaoxing; Li, Yi; Xiao, Song; Tian, Shuangshuang; Deng, Zaitao; Tang, Ju

2017-08-01

C3F7CN has been the focus of the alternative gas research field over the past two years because of its excellent insulation properties and environmental characteristics. Experimental studies on its insulation performance have made many achievements. However, few studies on the formation mechanism of the decomposition components exist. A discussion of the decomposition characteristics of insulating media will provide guidance for scientific experimental research and the work that must be completed before further engineering application. In this study, the decomposition mechanism of C3F7CN in the presence of trace H2O under discharge was calculated based on the density functional theory and transition state theory. The reaction heat, Gibbs free energy, and activation energy of different decomposition pathways were investigated. The ionization parameters and toxicity of C3F7CN and various decomposition products were analyzed from the molecular structure perspective. The formation mechanism of the C3F7CN discharge decomposition components and the influence of trace water were evaluated. This paper confirms that C3F7CN has excellent decomposition characteristics, which provide theoretical support for later experiments and related engineering applications. However, the existence of trace water has a negative impact on C3F7CN’s insulation performance. Thus, strict trace water content standards should be developed to ensure dielectric insulation and the safety of maintenance personnel.

Leaf Litter Mixtures Alter Microbial Community Development: Mechanisms for Non-Additive Effects in Litter Decomposition

PubMed Central

Chapman, Samantha K.; Newman, Gregory S.; Hart, Stephen C.; Schweitzer, Jennifer A.; Koch, George W.

2013-01-01

To what extent microbial community composition can explain variability in ecosystem processes remains an open question in ecology. Microbial decomposer communities can change during litter decomposition due to biotic interactions and shifting substrate availability. Though relative abundance of decomposers may change due to mixing leaf litter, linking these shifts to the non-additive patterns often recorded in mixed species litter decomposition rates has been elusive, and links community composition to ecosystem function. We extracted phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) from single species and mixed species leaf litterbags after 10 and 27 months of decomposition in a mixed conifer forest. Total PLFA concentrations were 70% higher on litter mixtures than single litter types after 10 months, but were only 20% higher after 27 months. Similarly, fungal-to-bacterial ratios differed between mixed and single litter types after 10 months of decomposition, but equalized over time. Microbial community composition, as indicated by principal components analyses, differed due to both litter mixing and stage of litter decomposition. PLFA biomarkers a15∶0 and cy17∶0, which indicate gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria respectively, in particular drove these shifts. Total PLFA correlated significantly with single litter mass loss early in decomposition but not at later stages. We conclude that litter mixing alters microbial community development, which can contribute to synergisms in litter decomposition. These findings advance our understanding of how changing forest biodiversity can alter microbial communities and the ecosystem processes they mediate. PMID:23658639

Measurement of the Energy and High-Pressure Dependence of X-ray-Induced Decomposition of Crystalline Strontium Oxalate.

PubMed

Goldberger, David; Evlyukhin, Egor; Cifligu, Petrika; Wang, Yonggang; Pravica, Michael

2017-09-28

We report measurements of the X-ray-induced decomposition of crystalline strontium oxalate (SrC 2 O 4 ) as a function of energy and high pressure in two separate experiments. SrC 2 O 4 at ambient conditions was irradiated with monochromatic synchrotron X-rays ranging in energy from 15 to 28 keV. A broad resonance of the decomposition yield was observed with a clear maximum when irradiating with ∼20 keV X-rays and ambient pressure. Little or no decomposition was observed at 15 keV, which is below the Sr K-shell energy of 16.12 keV, suggesting that excitation of core electrons may play an important role in the destabilization of the C 2 O 4 2- anion. A second experiment was performed to investigate the high-pressure dependence of the X-ray-induced decomposition of strontium oxalate at fixed energy. SrC 2 O 4 was compressed in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) in the pressure range from 0 to 7.6 GPa with 1 GPa increments and irradiated in situ with 20 keV X-rays. A marked pressure dependence of the decomposition yield of SrC 2 O 4 was observed with a decomposition yield maximum at around 1 GPa, suggesting that different crystal structures of the material play an important role in the decomposition process. This may be due in part to a phase transition observed near this pressure.

Microbial community assembly and metabolic function during mammalian corpse decomposition.

PubMed

Metcalf, Jessica L; Xu, Zhenjiang Zech; Weiss, Sophie; Lax, Simon; Van Treuren, Will; Hyde, Embriette R; Song, Se Jin; Amir, Amnon; Larsen, Peter; Sangwan, Naseer; Haarmann, Daniel; Humphrey, Greg C; Ackermann, Gail; Thompson, Luke R; Lauber, Christian; Bibat, Alexander; Nicholas, Catherine; Gebert, Matthew J; Petrosino, Joseph F; Reed, Sasha C; Gilbert, Jack A; Lynne, Aaron M; Bucheli, Sibyl R; Carter, David O; Knight, Rob

2016-01-08

Vertebrate corpse decomposition provides an important stage in nutrient cycling in most terrestrial habitats, yet microbially mediated processes are poorly understood. Here we combine deep microbial community characterization, community-level metabolic reconstruction, and soil biogeochemical assessment to understand the principles governing microbial community assembly during decomposition of mouse and human corpses on different soil substrates. We find a suite of bacterial and fungal groups that contribute to nitrogen cycling and a reproducible network of decomposers that emerge on predictable time scales. Our results show that this decomposer community is derived primarily from bulk soil, but key decomposers are ubiquitous in low abundance. Soil type was not a dominant factor driving community development, and the process of decomposition is sufficiently reproducible to offer new opportunities for forensic investigations. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Matrix Methods for Estimating the Coherence Functions from Estimates of the Cross-Spectral Density Matrix

DOE PAGES

Smallwood, D. O.

1996-01-01

It is shown that the usual method for estimating the coherence functions (ordinary, partial, and multiple) for a general multiple-input! multiple-output problem can be expressed as a modified form of Cholesky decomposition of the cross-spectral density matrix of the input and output records. The results can be equivalently obtained using singular value decomposition (SVD) of the cross-spectral density matrix. Using SVD suggests a new form of fractional coherence. The formulation as a SVD problem also suggests a way to order the inputs when a natural physical order of the inputs is absent.

Functional effects of the bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki on aquatic microbial communities.

PubMed

Kreutzweiser, D P; Gringorten, J L; Thomas, D R; Butcher, J T

1996-04-01

Epilithic microbial communities were colonized on leaf disks and exposed to commercial preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) in aquatic microcosms. Responses in terms of microbial respiration, bacterial cell density, protozoan density, and microbial decomposition activity were measured. Test concentrations for treatments with Dipel 64AF and Dipel 8AF in microcosms were the expected environmental concentration (EEC) of 20 IU/ml, 100x the EEC, and 1000x the EEC. Bacterial cell density in the biofilm of leaf disks was significantly increased at concentrations as low as the EEC. There were no concomitant alterations in protozoan density. Microbial respiration was significantly increased, and decomposition activity was significantly decreased, but only at the artificially high concentration of 1000x the EEC. This effect was attributed to the spore-crystal component rather than formulation ingredients. Microbial decomposition of leaf material was also determined in outdoor stream channels treated at concentrations ranging from the EEC to 100x the EEC. Although there tended to be reduced decomposition activity in treated channels, there were no significant differences in mass loss of leaf material between treated and control channels. Various regression, classification, and ordination procedures were applied to the experimental data, and none indicated significant treatment effects. These results from laboratory and controlled field experiments indicate that contamination of watercourses with Btk is unlikely to result in significant adverse effects on microbial community function in terms of detrital decomposition.

Effect of charged and excited states on the decomposition of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene molecules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kimmel, Anna V.; Sushko, Peter V.; Shluger, Alexander L.

The authors have calculated the electronic structure of individual 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene molecules (FOX-7) in the gas phase by means of density functional theory with the hybrid B3LYP functional and 6-31+G(d,p) basis set and considered their dissociation pathways. Positively and negatively charged states as well as the lowest excited states of the molecule were simulated. They found that charging and excitation can not only reduce the activation barriers for decomposition reactions but also change the dominating chemistry from endo- to exothermic type. In particular, they found that there are two competing primary initiation mechanisms of FOX-7 decomposition: C-NO{sub 2} bond fission andmore » C-NO{sub 2} to CONO isomerization. Electronic excitation or charging of FOX-7 disfavors CONO formation and, thus, terminates this channel of decomposition. However, if CONO is formed from the neutral FOX-7 molecule, charge trapping and/or excitation results in spontaneous splitting of an NO group accompanied by the energy release. Intramolecular hydrogen transfer is found to be a rare event in FOX-7 unless free electrons are available in the vicinity of the molecule, in which case HONO formation is a feasible exothermic reaction with a relatively low energy barrier. The effect of charged and excited states on other possible reactions is also studied. Implications of the obtained results to FOX-7 decomposition in condensed state are discussed.« less

Determination of Nitrate Carry-Over on Bytac(registered) Strips Via Capillary Electrophoresis

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-19

Beckman Coulter P/ ACE MDQ capillary electrophoresis instrument. A 60 cm long (10 cm effective length), 75 µm i.d. bare fused-silica capillary was used...the separation. Due to the high concentration of the BGE, electroosmotic flow (EOF) is significantly reduced allowing for the application of a...bromide) are not seen in the electropherogram due to the reversed polarity; electroosmotic flow suppression is sufficient to cause the ammonium and

A general framework of noise suppression in material decomposition for dual-energy CT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petrongolo, Michael; Dong, Xue; Zhu, Lei, E-mail: leizhu@gatech.edu

Purpose: As a general problem of dual-energy CT (DECT), noise amplification in material decomposition severely reduces the signal-to-noise ratio on the decomposed images compared to that on the original CT images. In this work, the authors propose a general framework of noise suppression in material decomposition for DECT. The method is based on an iterative algorithm recently developed in their group for image-domain decomposition of DECT, with an extension to include nonlinear decomposition models. The generalized framework of iterative DECT decomposition enables beam-hardening correction with simultaneous noise suppression, which improves the clinical benefits of DECT. Methods: The authors propose tomore » suppress noise on the decomposed images of DECT using convex optimization, which is formulated in the form of least-squares estimation with smoothness regularization. Based on the design principles of a best linear unbiased estimator, the authors include the inverse of the estimated variance–covariance matrix of the decomposed images as the penalty weight in the least-squares term. Analytical formulas are derived to compute the variance–covariance matrix for decomposed images with general-form numerical or analytical decomposition. As a demonstration, the authors implement the proposed algorithm on phantom data using an empirical polynomial function of decomposition measured on a calibration scan. The polynomial coefficients are determined from the projection data acquired on a wedge phantom, and the signal decomposition is performed in the projection domain. Results: On the Catphan{sup ®}600 phantom, the proposed noise suppression method reduces the average noise standard deviation of basis material images by one to two orders of magnitude, with a superior performance on spatial resolution as shown in comparisons of line-pair images and modulation transfer function measurements. On the synthesized monoenergetic CT images, the noise standard deviation is reduced by a factor of 2–3. By using nonlinear decomposition on projections, the authors’ method effectively suppresses the streaking artifacts of beam hardening and obtains more uniform images than their previous approach based on a linear model. Similar performance of noise suppression is observed in the results of an anthropomorphic head phantom and a pediatric chest phantom generated by the proposed method. With beam-hardening correction enabled by their approach, the image spatial nonuniformity on the head phantom is reduced from around 10% on the original CT images to 4.9% on the synthesized monoenergetic CT image. On the pediatric chest phantom, their method suppresses image noise standard deviation by a factor of around 7.5, and compared with linear decomposition, it reduces the estimation error of electron densities from 33.3% to 8.6%. Conclusions: The authors propose a general framework of noise suppression in material decomposition for DECT. Phantom studies have shown the proposed method improves the image uniformity and the accuracy of electron density measurements by effective beam-hardening correction and reduces noise level without noticeable resolution loss.« less

Teaching a New Method of Partial Fraction Decomposition to Senior Secondary Students: Results and Analysis from a Pilot Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Man, Yiu-Kwong; Leung, Allen

2012-01-01

In this paper, we introduce a new approach to compute the partial fraction decompositions of rational functions and describe the results of its trials at three secondary schools in Hong Kong. The data were collected via quizzes, questionnaire and interviews. In general, according to the responses from the teachers and students concerned, this new…

Modelling regulation of decomposition and related root/mycorrhizal processes in arctic tundra soils

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Linkins, A.E.

1992-01-01

Since this was the final year of this project principal activities were directed towards either collecting data needed to complete existing incomplete data sets or writing manuscripts. Data sets on Imnaviat Creek watershed basin are functionally complete and data finialized on the cellulose mineralizaiton and dust impact on soil organic carbon and phsophorus decomposition. Seven manuscripts were prepared, and are briefly outlined.

Computer modeling of adsorption and decomposition pathways of boundary-layer lubricants on clean aluminum(111) surface, and adhesive metal transfer at the aluminum/steel interface: The ab-initio study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Jun

Density functional theory (DFT) is employed to study lubricant adsorption and decomposition pathways, and adhesive metal transfer on clean aluminum surfaces. In this dissertation, density functional theory (DFT-GGA) is used to investigate the optimal adsorption geometries and binding energies of vinyl-phosphonic and ethanoic acids on an A1(111) surface. Tri-bridged, bi-bridged and uni-dentate coordinations for adsorbates are examined to determine the optimal binding sites on the surface. An analysis of the charge density of states (DOS) of oxygen involved in reacting with aluminum ions reveals changes in the atomic bonding configuration. For these acid molecules, the favorable decomposition pathways lead to fragments of vinyl- and alkylchains bonding to the Al(111) surface with phosphorous and carbon ions. Final optimal decomposition geometries and binding energies for various decomposition stages are also discussed. In addition, ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) is carried out to explore collisions of aliphatic lubricants like butanol-alcohol and butanoic-acid with the Al(111) surface. Simulation results indicate that functional oxygen groups on these molecules could react with the "islands of nascent aluminum" and oxidize the surface. Favorable decomposition pieces on the surface, which were corroborated with experiment and DFT calculations, are found to contribute to the effectiveness of a particular molecule for boundary thinfilm lubrication to reduce the wear of aluminum. Finally, ab-initio molecular dynamics is also applied to investigations of the interaction between aluminum and hematite surfaces with and without a vinyl-phosphonic acid (VPA) lubricant. Without the lubricant, hematite is found to react with Al strongly (thermit reaction). This removes relatively large fragments from the surface of the aluminum substrate when this substrate is rubbed with a harder steel-roller under an external shock contact-load exceeding the ability of the substrate to support the aluminum-oxide film. Adhesive wear is found to significantly raise the temperature of system. Addition of VPA lubricant is found to retard the reaction of hematite with aluminum by forming an effective barrier between the two surfaces.

Tomography Reconstruction of Ionospheric Electron Density with Empirical Orthonormal Functions Using Korea GNSS Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Junseok; Kim, Yong Ha; Chung, Jong-Kyun; Ssessanga, Nicholas; Kwak, Young-Sil

2017-03-01

In South Korea, there are about 80 Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring stations providing total electron content (TEC) every 10 min, which can be accessed through Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) for scientific use. We applied the computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) algorithm to the TEC dataset from this GPS network for monitoring the regional ionosphere over South Korea. The algorithm utilizes multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART) with an initial condition of the latest International Reference Ionosphere-2016 model (IRI-2016). In order to reduce the number of unknown variables, the vertical profiles of electron density are expressed with a linear combination of empirical orthonormal functions (EOFs) that were derived from the IRI empirical profiles. Although the number of receiver sites is much smaller than that of Japan, the CIT algorithm yielded reasonable structure of the ionosphere over South Korea. We verified the CIT results with NmF2 from ionosondes in Icheon and Jeju and also with GPS TEC at the center of South Korea. In addition, the total time required for CIT calculation was only about 5 min, enabling the exploration of the vertical ionospheric structure in near real time.

Methanol Oxidation on Pt3Sn(111) for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells: Methanol Decomposition.

PubMed

Lu, Xiaoqing; Deng, Zhigang; Guo, Chen; Wang, Weili; Wei, Shuxian; Ng, Siu-Pang; Chen, Xiangfeng; Ding, Ning; Guo, Wenyue; Wu, Chi-Man Lawrence

2016-05-18

PtSn alloy, which is a potential material for use in direct methanol fuel cells, can efficiently promote methanol oxidation and alleviate the CO poisoning problem. Herein, methanol decomposition on Pt3Sn(111) was systematically investigated using periodic density functional theory and microkinetic modeling. The geometries and energies of all of the involved species were analyzed, and the decomposition network was mapped out to elaborate the reaction mechanisms. Our results indicated that methanol and formaldehyde were weakly adsorbed, and the other derivatives (CHxOHy, x = 1-3, y = 0-1) were strongly adsorbed and preferred decomposition rather than desorption on Pt3Sn(111). The competitive methanol decomposition started with the initial O-H bond scission followed by successive C-H bond scissions, (i.e., CH3OH → CH3O → CH2O → CHO → CO). The Brønsted-Evans-Polanyi relations and energy barrier decomposition analyses identified the C-H and O-H bond scissions as being more competitive than the C-O bond scission. Microkinetic modeling confirmed that the vast majority of the intermediates and products from methanol decomposition would escape from the Pt3Sn(111) surface at a relatively low temperature, and the coverage of the CO residue decreased with an increase in the temperature and decrease in partial methanol pressure.

Double Bounce Component in Cross-Polarimetric SAR from a New Scattering Target Decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Sang-Hoon; Wdowinski, Shimon

2013-08-01

Common vegetation scattering theories assume that the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) cross-polarization (cross-pol) signal represents solely volume scattering. We found this assumption incorrect based on SAR phase measurements acquired over the south Florida Everglades wetlands indicating that the cross-pol radar signal often samples the water surface beneath the vegetation. Based on these new observations, we propose that the cross-pol measurement consists of both volume scattering and double bounce components. The simplest multi-bounce scattering mechanism that generates cross-pol signal occurs by rotated dihedrals. Thus, we use the rotated dihedral mechanism with probability density function to revise some of the vegetation scattering theories and develop a three- component decomposition algorithm with single bounce, double bounce from both co-pol and cross-pol, and volume scattering components. We applied the new decomposition analysis to both urban and rural environments using Radarsat-2 quad-pol datasets. The decomposition of the San Francisco's urban area shows higher double bounce scattering and reduced volume scattering compared to other common three-component decomposition. The decomposition of the rural Everglades area shows that the relations between volume and cross-pol double bounce depend on the vegetation density. The new decomposition can be useful to better understand vegetation scattering behavior over the various surfaces and the estimation of above ground biomass using SAR observations.

Reduced-Rank Array Modes of the California Current Observing System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Andrew M.; Arango, Hernan G.; Edwards, Christopher A.

2018-01-01

The information content of the ocean observing array spanning the U.S. west coast is explored using the reduced-rank array modes (RAMs) derived from a four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation system covering a period of three decades. RAMs are an extension of the original formulation of array modes introduced by Bennett (1985) but in the reduced model state-space explored by the 4D-Var system, and reveal the extent to which this space is activated by the observations. The projection of the RAMs onto the empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the 4D-Var background error correlation matrix provides a quantitative measure of the effectiveness of the measurements in observing the circulation. It is found that much of the space spanned by the background error covariance is unconstrained by the present ocean observing system. The RAM spectrum is also used to introduce a new criterion to prevent 4D-Var from overfitting the model to the observations.

Atmospheric correction of short-wave hyperspectral imagery using a fast, full-scattering 1DVar retrieval scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thelen, J.-C.; Havemann, S.; Taylor, J. P.

2012-06-01

Here, we present a new prototype algorithm for the simultaneous retrieval of the atmospheric profiles (temperature, humidity, ozone and aerosol) and the surface reflectance from hyperspectral radiance measurements obtained from air/space-borne, hyperspectral imagers such as the 'Airborne Visible/Infrared Imager (AVIRIS) or Hyperion on board of the Earth Observatory 1. The new scheme, proposed here, consists of a fast radiative transfer code, based on empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs), in conjunction with a 1D-Var retrieval scheme. The inclusion of an 'exact' scattering code based on spherical harmonics, allows for an accurate treatment of Rayleigh scattering and scattering by aerosols, water droplets and ice-crystals, thus making it possible to also retrieve cloud and aerosol optical properties, although here we will concentrate on non-cloudy scenes. We successfully tested this new approach using two hyperspectral images taken by AVIRIS, a whiskbroom imaging spectrometer operated by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Identifying the Thermal Decomposition Mechanism of Guaiacol on Pt(111): An Integrated X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hensley, Alyssa J.; Wockel, Claudia; Gleichweit, Christoph

Using a concerted effort from both experiment and theory, we determine the thermal decomposition mechanism for guaiacol on Pt(111), a reaction of interest in the area of bio-oil upgrading. This work serves as a demonstration of the power of combining in situ temperature-programmed X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy cos (TPXPS) and density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate complex reaction mechanisms occurring on heterogeneous surfaces. At low temperature (230 K), guaiacol was found to chemisorb with the aromatic ring parallel to the Pt(111) surface with five distinct carbon species and three oxygen species. As the temperature was increased, TPXPS showed several significant changesmore » to the surface species. The increase in the species associated with the decomposition of the functional groups of guaiacol is followed by their subsequent disappearance and an increase in the nonaromatic carbon signal. On the basis of an energetic analysis of the various mechanisms using DFT, along with the comparison of the experimentally and theoretically derived core-level binding energies, we determined that guaiacol's decomposition mechanism occurs via the dehydrogenation of both the methyl and hydroxyl functional groups, followed by demethylation of the CH2 or CH group to form 1,2-benzoquinone. Further heating to above 375 K likely breaks the aromatic ring and results in the rapid formation and desorption of CO, accounting for the disappearance of the 0 is signal above 450 K These results show that a knowledgeable application of TPXPS and DFT can result in the quantitative identification of surface species during complex reactions, providing insight useful for the design of future heterogeneous surfaces.« less

Gas Sensing Analysis of Ag-Decorated Graphene for Sulfur Hexafluoride Decomposition Products Based on the Density Functional Theory

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiaoxing; Huang, Rong; Gui, Yingang; Zeng, Hong

2016-01-01

Detection of decomposition products of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is one of the best ways to diagnose early latent insulation faults in gas-insulated equipment, and the occurrence of sudden accidents can be avoided effectively by finding early latent faults. Recently, functionalized graphene, a kind of gas sensing material, has been reported to show good application prospects in the gas sensor field. Therefore, calculations were performed to analyze the gas sensing properties of intrinsic graphene (Int-graphene) and functionalized graphene-based material, Ag-decorated graphene (Ag-graphene), for decomposition products of SF6, including SO2F2, SOF2, and SO2, based on density functional theory (DFT). We thoroughly investigated a series of parameters presenting gas-sensing properties of adsorbing process about gas molecule (SO2F2, SOF2, SO2) and double gas molecules (2SO2F2, 2SOF2, 2SO2) on Ag-graphene, including adsorption energy, net charge transfer, electronic state density, and the highest and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The results showed that the Ag atom significantly enhances the electrochemical reactivity of graphene, reflected in the change of conductivity during the adsorption process. SO2F2 and SO2 gas molecules on Ag-graphene presented chemisorption, and the adsorption strength was SO2F2 > SO2, while SOF2 absorption on Ag-graphene was physical adsorption. Thus, we concluded that Ag-graphene showed good selectivity and high sensitivity to SO2F2. The results can provide a helpful guide in exploring Ag-graphene material in experiments for monitoring the insulation status of SF6-insulated equipment based on detecting decomposition products of SF6. PMID:27809269

Declining resilience of ecosystem functions under biodiversity loss.

PubMed

Oliver, Tom H; Isaac, Nick J B; August, Tom A; Woodcock, Ben A; Roy, David B; Bullock, James M

2015-12-08

The composition of species communities is changing rapidly through drivers such as habitat loss and climate change, with potentially serious consequences for the resilience of ecosystem functions on which humans depend. To assess such changes in resilience, we analyse trends in the frequency of species in Great Britain that provide key ecosystem functions--specifically decomposition, carbon sequestration, pollination, pest control and cultural values. For 4,424 species over four decades, there have been significant net declines among animal species that provide pollination, pest control and cultural values. Groups providing decomposition and carbon sequestration remain relatively stable, as fewer species are in decline and these are offset by large numbers of new arrivals into Great Britain. While there is general concern about degradation of a wide range of ecosystem functions, our results suggest actions should focus on particular functions for which there is evidence of substantial erosion of their resilience.

Multi-scale clustering of functional data with application to hydraulic gradients in wetlands

USGS Publications Warehouse

Greenwood, Mark C.; Sojda, Richard S.; Sharp, Julia L.; Peck, Rory G.; Rosenberry, Donald O.

2011-01-01

A new set of methods are developed to perform cluster analysis of functions, motivated by a data set consisting of hydraulic gradients at several locations distributed across a wetland complex. The methods build on previous work on clustering of functions, such as Tarpey and Kinateder (2003) and Hitchcock et al. (2007), but explore functions generated from an additive model decomposition (Wood, 2006) of the original time se- ries. Our decomposition targets two aspects of the series, using an adaptive smoother for the trend and circular spline for the diurnal variation in the series. Different measures for comparing locations are discussed, including a method for efficiently clustering time series that are of different lengths using a functional data approach. The complicated nature of these wetlands are highlighted by the shifting group memberships depending on which scale of variation and year of the study are considered.

Intraspecific traits change biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning under metal stress.

PubMed

Fernandes, Isabel; Pascoal, Cláudia; Cássio, Fernanda

2011-08-01

Studies investigating the impacts of biodiversity loss on ecosystem processes have often reached different conclusions, probably because insufficient attention has been paid to some aspects including (1) which biodiversity measure (e.g., species number, species identity or trait) better explains ecosystem functioning, (2) the mechanisms underpinning biodiversity effects, and (3) how can environmental context modulates biodiversity effects. Here, we investigated how species number (one to three species) and traits of aquatic fungal decomposers (by replacement of a functional type from an unpolluted site by another from a metal-polluted site) affect fungal production (biomass accumulation) and plant litter decomposition in the presence and absence of metal stress. To examine the putative mechanisms that explain biodiversity effects, we determined the contribution of each fungal species to the total biomass produced in multicultures by real-time PCR. In the absence of metal, positive diversity effects were observed for fungal production and leaf decomposition as a result of species complementarity. Metal stress decreased diversity effects on leaf decomposition in assemblages containing the functional type from the unpolluted site, probably due to competitive interactions between fungi. However, dominance effect maintained positive diversity effects under metal stress in assemblages containing the functional type from the metal-polluted site. These findings emphasize the importance of intraspecific diversity in modulating diversity effects under metal stress, providing evidence that trait-based diversity measures should be incorporated when examining biodiversity effects.

Evaluation of atmospheric precipitable water from reanalysis products using homogenized radiosonde observations over China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Tianbao; Wang, Juanhuai; Dai, Aiguo

2015-10-01

Many multidecadal atmospheric reanalysis products are available now, but their consistencies and reliability are far from perfect. In this study, atmospheric precipitable water (PW) from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR), NCEP/Department of Energy (DOE), Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA), Japanese 55 year Reanalysis (JRA-55), JRA-25, ERA-Interim, ERA-40, Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), and 20th Century Reanalysis version 2 is evaluated against homogenized radiosonde observations over China during 1979-2012 (1979-2001 for ERA-40). Results suggest that the PW biases in the reanalyses are within ˜20% for most of northern and eastern China, but the reanalyses underestimate the observed PW by 20%-40% over western China and by ˜60% over the southwestern Tibetan Plateau. The newer-generation reanalyses (e.g., JRA25, JRA55, CFSR, and ERA-Interim) have smaller root-mean-square error than the older-generation ones (NCEP/NCAR, NCEP/DOE, and ERA-40). Most of the reanalyses reproduce well the observed PW climatology and interannual variations over China. However, few reanalyses capture the observed long-term PW changes, primarily because they show spurious wet biases before about 2002. This deficiency results mainly from the discontinuities contained in reanalysis relative humidity fields in the middle-lower troposphere due to the wet bias in older radiosonde records that are assimilated into the reanalyses. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis revealed two leading modes that represent the long-term PW changes and El Niño-Southern Oscillation-related interannual variations with robust spatial patterns. The reanalysis products, especially the MERRA and JRA-25, roughly capture these EOF modes, which account for over 50% of the total variance. The results show that even during the post-1979 satellite era, discontinuities in radiosonde data can still induce large spurious long-term changes in reanalysis PW and other related fields. Thus, more efforts are needed to remove spurious changes in input data for future long-term reanalyses.

Annual asymmetry in thermospheric density: Observations and simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Jiuhou; Dou, Xiankang; Burns, Alan; Wang, Wenbin; Luan, Xiaoli; Zeng, Zhen; Xu, Jiyao

2013-05-01

In this paper, the Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) observations during 2002-2010 are utilized to study the variation of the annual asymmetry in thermospheric density at 400 km under low solar activity condition (F10.7 = 80) based on the method of empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs). The derived asymmetry index (AI) in thermospheric density from the EOF analysis shows a strong latitudinal variation at night but varies a little with latitudes in daytime. Moreover, it exhibits a terdiurnal tidal signature at low to middle latitudes. The global mean value of the AI is 0.191, indicating that a 47% difference in thermosphere between the December and June solstices in the global average. In addition, the NCAR Thermosphere-Ionosphere Electrodynamics Global Circulation Model (TIEGCM) is used to explore the possible mechanisms responsible for the observed annual asymmetry in thermospheric density. It is found that the standard simulations give a lower AI and also a weaker day-to-night difference. The simulated AI shows a semidiurnal pattern in the equatorial and low-latitude regions in contrast with the terdiurnal tide signature seen in the observed AI. The daily mean AI obtained from the simulation is 0.125, corresponding to a 29% December-to-June difference in thermospheric density at 400 km. Further sensitivity simulations demonstrated that the effect of the varying Sun-Earth distance between the December and June solstices is the main process responsible for the annual asymmetry in thermospheric density, while the magnetic field configuration and tides from the lower atmosphere contribute to the temporal and spatial variations of the AI. Specifically, the simulations show that the Sun-Earth distance effect explains 93% of the difference in thermospheric density between December and June, which is mainly associated with the corresponding changes in neutral temperature. However, our calculation from the density observations reveals that the varying Sun-Earth distance effect only accounts for ~67% of the December-to-June difference in thermosphere density, indicating that the TIEGCM might significantly underestimate the forcing originating from the lower atmosphere.

Predictability of a Coupled Model of ENSO Using Singular Vector Analysis: Optimal Growth and Forecast Skill.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Yan

The optimal growth and its relationship with the forecast skill of the Zebiak and Cane model are studied using a simple statistical model best fit to the original nonlinear model and local linear tangent models about idealized climatic states (the mean background and ENSO cycles in a long model run), and the actual forecast states, including two sets of runs using two different initialization procedures. The seasonally varying Markov model best fit to a suite of 3-year forecasts in a reduced EOF space (18 EOFs) fits the original nonlinear model reasonably well and has comparable or better forecast skill. The initial error growth in a linear evolution operator A is governed by the eigenvalues of A^{T}A, and the square roots of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of A^{T}A are named singular values and singular vectors. One dominant growing singular vector is found, and the optimal 6 month growth rate is largest for a (boreal) spring start and smallest for a fall start. Most of the variation in the optimal growth rate of the two forecasts is seasonal, attributable to the seasonal variations in the mean background, except that in the cold events it is substantially suppressed. It is found that the mean background (zero anomaly) is the most unstable state, and the "forecast IC states" are more unstable than the "coupled model states". One dominant growing singular vector is found, characterized by north-south and east -west dipoles, convergent winds on the equator in the eastern Pacific and a deepened thermocline in the whole equatorial belt. This singular vector is insensitive to initial time and optimization time, but its final pattern is a strong function of initial states. The ENSO system is inherently unpredictable for the dominant singular vector can amplify 5-fold to 24-fold in 6 months and evolve into the large scales characteristic of ENSO. However, the inherent ENSO predictability is only a secondary factor, while the mismatches between the model and data is a primary factor controlling the current forecast skill.