The Mars Pathfinder (MPF) arrived on the Martian surface on 4 July 1997 to become only the third successful landed mission to Mars, recording surface meteorological data intermittently over a period of 83 Martian days ("sols"). The in situ observations made by the MPF meteorology (MET) experiment were recorded at much greater precision than those of the previous missions, Viking Landers 1 and 2. These observations have been analyzed, focusing primarily upon the four so-called "Presidential" sessions, which each covered a complete diurnal cycle. The signature of very strong convective activity was seen in the temperature data, beginning soon after sunrise with temperatures changing as much as 14.39 K over the four-second interval between observations, and ceasing in late afternoon at the collapse of the boundary layer. Less extreme variability occurred at most other times of day and night. Examination of the first ten tidal pressure harmonic amplitudes for each Presidential session revealed strong diurnal and semidiurnal amplitudes and smaller, yet significant, amplitudes at the higher tidal frequencies. The normalized diurnal amplitude was slightly more than 1.7% for one session and averaged ~2.5% for the other three sessions. The semidiurnal amplitude averaged ~1.3%. A pattern in the tidal pressure harmonic amplitudes exists, in which odd-numbered harmonics (excluding the diurnal frequency) have smaller amplitudes than those of the next lower and next higher, even-numbered harmonics. Wind direction data for one Presidential session show very high variability throughout most of the diurnal cycle, the most intense activity occurring during the daytime convective period. A generally clockwise rotation of the mean wind direction was observed throughout the session. Temperature and wind data were examined closely for evidence of contamination of the temperature data by thermal effects of the lander itself. No evidence was found for such "lander interference" in the morning, but lander interference may have occurred in the afternoon of the session examined. A study of a numerical simulation by the NASA Ames Mars General Circulation Model (MGCM) showed prominent minima and maxima, resembling those observed by MPF, in the diurnal pressure cycles of simulated sols corresponding to the Presidential sessions. Also well simulated in each sol is the very rapid increase in surface pressure immediately after the daily minimum. Maps of diurnal and semidiurnal tidal amplitudes for the simulated Presidential sols show that tidal harmonic amplitudes are very spatially dependent, and that large changes in the harmonic amplitudes at any given location are likely to result if the global amplitude pattern for one or more frequencies undergoes small shifts in areographic location. Simulated temperature has a classic "red" power spectrum, while simulated pressure power is concentrated in the tidal frequency range. These spectral shapes are roughly consistent with those computed from the MPF Presidential sessions. The ratios of simulated to observed temperature power spectral estimates for frequencies from 1 to 50 cycles/sol show that the MGCM's simulated temperature variability is too low at all frequencies and especially so at higher frequencies. / Graduation date: 2003

Improving diurnal errors in surface-based heating processes in models might be a promising step towards improved seasonal simulation of the North American Monsoon (NAM). This study isolates model errors in the surface energy budget and examines diurnal heating implications for seasonal development of the NAM 500hPa anticyclone and 850-500hPa thickness ridge using observations and multi-model output. Field data from the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment (NAME) and satellite estimates are used to evaluate land-atmosphere interactions in regional and global models as part of the North American Monsoon Model Assessment Project 2 (NAMAP2). Several key findings about heating in the NAM emerge: ? Models exhibit considerable differences in surface radiation of the NAM, beginning with albedo (Fig. 3.1). All models have highly-biased albedo throughout summer (Fig. 3.2). ? Observed net surface radiation is around 125 Wm-2 over land in the NAM region in summer (Table 3.5). Models overestimate it by an average of about 20 Wm-2, despite their high albedo, apparently due to deficiencies in cloud radiative forcing. ? Partitioning of this net radiation into latent and sensible fluxes to the atmosphere differs substantially among models. Sensitivity of this partitioning to rainfall also varies widely among models, and appears clearly excessive in some models relative to observations (Fig. 4.10). ? Total sensible heating exceeds latent heating in the NAM (Table 4.1), since it covers a much larger area than the rainy core region (Fig. 4.11). ? Inter-model differences in sensible heating can be traced consistently from surface heat flux (Table 5.1), to PBL diurnal evolution (Fig. 5.1), to diurnal thickening of the lower troposphere (Fig. 5.2). ? Seasonal biases in the NAM?s synoptic structure correspond well to diurnal heating biases (Fig. 5.3, Fig. 5.5), suggesting that diurnal cycle studies from a single field season may suffice to inform physical process improvements that could impact seasonal simulation and forecasting. These NAMAP2 results highlight the range of uncertainty and errors in contemporary models, including those defining US national weather forecasting capability. Model experimentation will be necessary to fully interpret the lessons and harvest the fruits of this offline inter-comparison exercise.

The relationship between an organism’s genome, developmental stage, and environment is complex. The aim of the research presented herein was to provide experimental evidence to contribute to the annotation of the P. trichocarpa genome and to test two major hypotheses addressing the interaction between drought and time of day in A. thaliana and in two hybrid Populus clones. In order to generate data to address these aims, three separate experiments were undertaken. First, all members of the R2R3-MYB family of transcription factors in the P. trichocarpa genome were characterised by phylogenetic analysis and their transcript accumulation patterns across a range of tissues and organs were assessed using whole genome poplar microarrays. Results of this analysis indicated that expansion and diversification of the R2R3-MYB family may have contributed to phenotypic innovation in the Populus lineage. Second, drought-responsive transcriptome adjustments of two hybrid poplar clones, DN34 (P. deltoides X P. nigra) and NM6 (P. nigra X P. maxiomowiczii) were assessed for time-of-day and genotype dependent patterns. For each genotype, each of four time points was characterised by discrete sets of drought-responsive genes. Furthermore, while a number of genes were identified that were responsive to drought in both genotypes, a much larger number of genotype-dependent, drought-responsive transcriptome changes were detected. Finally, the drought-responsive transcriptome adjustments A. thaliana plants were assessed for time-of-day dependent accumulation patterns. Results of this analysis indicate that time-of-day-dependent differences in the drought response were manifest as changes of different magnitudes for a conserved set of genes across the four time points measured. These results emphasise the complex interplay of a plant’s genome, developmental stage, and environment in shaping the observed transcriptome.

To address odour and gas problems generated by livestock facilities, air dispersion models have been used to determine reasonable science-based setback distances between the livestock operations and the neighbouring residences. However, none of the existing models consider diurnal, seasonal and climate variations of odour and gas (ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide) concentrations and emission rates (OGCER), which may result in great uncertainties in setback distance calculations. Thus, the purpose of this project was to monitor and model diurnal and seasonal OGCER from swine grower/finisher rooms. Specifically, this research was conducted to: 1) characterize diurnal OGCER between two different flooring systems (fully and partially slatted floorings) under three different weather conditions (August, October and February); 2) identify seasonal OGCER over a 12-month measuring period; and 3) develop mathematical models to predict the OGCER. <p>A two-factorial strip-block experiment was designed for measuring diurnal OGCER in two grower/finisher rooms. It was found that: 1) the diurnal OGCER in the fully slatted flooring system was 27.6 to 39.5% higher than that in the partially slatted flooring system; however, no significant differences in the diurnal OGCER were found between the two rooms, except for the NH3 concentrations in August, the NH3 and H2S concentrations and emissions in October, and odour concentrations and emissions in February (P > 0.05), and 2) significant diurnal variations in the OGCER (except for the odour concentrations and H2S emissions) have been observed in August (P < 0.05); only gas emissions showed significant fluctuation patterns in October (P < 0.05); no significant variations in the OGCER (except for the CO2 concentrations and emissions) were found in February (P > 0.05). <p>A repeated measurement method was used to monitor seasonal OGCER in four grower/finisher rooms over a period of 12 months. It was found that: 1) the seasonal OGCER from the fully slatted flooring system was 2.9 to 40.6% higher than that from the partially slatted flooring system; however, the seasonal OGCER (except for the NH3 concentrations in October, November and January; the CO2 concentrations in August and the CO2 emissions in December) between the two different floors for each measuring month did not differ significantly (P > 0.05); and 2) the seasonal OGCER was significantly affected by the sampling month (P < 0.05), and no specific seasonal pattern was observed. <p> The statistical models developed for each type of the flooring system determined the OGCER based on the room and ambient temperatures, the ventilation rates and the animal units. The predicted results showed good agreement with measured values for most of OGCER (r2: 0.67-0.95). In order to improve odour and gas prediction models, animal activity and dirtiness of pens should be further investigated.

Social status influences reproductive physiology in many species, and sex change in marine teleost fishes provides an excellent model to understand how an organism can modulate its reproductive system in response to social stimuli. The series of experiments presented in this dissertation has focused on the proximate mechanisms underlying sex change and, in particular, the neuroendocrine factors that might translate social information into physiological changes. The bluebanded goby (Lythrypnus dalli) is a sexually plastic fish, and the dominant female typically changes sex when the male is removed from the social group. The direct physical interactions between the male and the females were found to be the main sensory cues that inhibit sex change. Sex steroids can both modulate and be modulated by behavior, and as a result they have been the most obvious candidates for a key role in the regulation of sex change. Males and females showed similar diurnal patterns for steroid hormones, but females had significantly higher water-borne estrogen levels. Concentrations of estradiol, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone presented sex and tissue differences in brain, gonad and muscle, and they varied in complex ways in different tissues during sex change. The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) has been suggested to be involved in the inhibition of socially regulated sex change because of its role in the modulation of both reproductive and aggressive behavior. None of the pharmacological manipulations performed in L. dalli to alter serotonergic activity was able to overcome the input from the social environment and affect sex change. Neither monoamine levels nor the area or number of 5-HT immunoreactive neurons were different between males, females and sex changers or between dominant and subordinate females. The results do not support the hypothesis of a serotonergic inhibition on sex change in L. dalli, but show that rapid changes in brain androgen levels might be implicated in inducing behavioral or morphological changes associated with sex reversal. Also, steroids respond to changes in the social environment in different ways in different tissues so local steroid synthesis should receive greater attention, and caution is required when using circulating levels to understand behavioral regulation.

The relationship between an organism’s genome, developmental stage, and environment is complex. The aim of the research presented herein was to provide experimental evidence to contribute to the annotation of the P. trichocarpa genome and to test two major hypotheses addressing the interaction between drought and time of day in A. thaliana and in two hybrid Populus clones. In order to generate data to address these aims, three separate experiments were undertaken. First, all members of the R2R3-MYB family of transcription factors in the P. trichocarpa genome were characterised by phylogenetic analysis and their transcript accumulation patterns across a range of tissues and organs were assessed using whole genome poplar microarrays. Results of this analysis indicated that expansion and diversification of the R2R3-MYB family may have contributed to phenotypic innovation in the Populus lineage. Second, drought-responsive transcriptome adjustments of two hybrid poplar clones, DN34 (P. deltoides X P. nigra) and NM6 (P. nigra X P. maxiomowiczii) were assessed for time-of-day and genotype dependent patterns. For each genotype, each of four time points was characterised by discrete sets of drought-responsive genes. Furthermore, while a number of genes were identified that were responsive to drought in both genotypes, a much larger number of genotype-dependent, drought-responsive transcriptome changes were detected. Finally, the drought-responsive transcriptome adjustments A. thaliana plants were assessed for time-of-day dependent accumulation patterns. Results of this analysis indicate that time-of-day-dependent differences in the drought response were manifest as changes of different magnitudes for a conserved set of genes across the four time points measured. These results emphasise the complex interplay of a plant’s genome, developmental stage, and environment in shaping the observed transcriptome.

Syfte: Syftet med studien var att utvärdera om det fanns någon variation av tårfilmens osmolariet, morgon och kväll hos personer utan symptom av torra ögon. Metod: Tårfilmens osmolaritet mättes på totalt 30 patienter, två gånger på en dag; morgon och kväll. Mätningarna utfördes med TearLabTM osmolarity system. Både höger och vänster öga mättes på varje patient. Samtliga deltagande ombads fylla i en symptomenkät vid namn TERTC-DEQ. Endast personer utan symptom på torra ögon tilläts delta i studien. Alltså personer med totalt  17 poäng på TERTC-DEQ. Resultat: Ingen statistisk signifikant skillnad kunde iakttas hos personernas osmolaritet mellan morgon och kväll (P &gt; 0.05). Slutsats: I studien kunde ingen skillnad på osmolaritet i tårfilmen iakttas mellan morgon och kväll hos personer utan symptom på torra ögon. Därmed tros tårfunktionen hos dessa personer fungera korrekt. Tårfilmens osmolaritet upprätthåller rätt balans och förändras därför inte från morgon till kväll. / Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if there is an diurnal variation in tear osmolarity among healty non dry-eye subjects. Method: The osmolarity of the tearfilm was measured in a total of 30 subjects twice a day; morning and evening, using the TearLabTM osmolarity system. Measurements were performed on both right and left eye in all the subjects. All subjects were asked to fill in a symptom questionnaire named TERTC-DEQ and only those with a total score of  17 points were allowed to participate in the study. Subjects below this score had therefore no symptoms of dry eye. Results: There was no statistical significant difference between the subjects tear osmolarity comparing the morning and evening values (P&gt;0,05). Conclusion: This study did not show any difference in the subjects tear osmolarity, comparing morning and evening measurements. None of the individuals had any symptoms of dry eye. Therefore it is believed that in subjects with no symptoms of dry eye, the tear osmolarity remains stable between morning and evening.

During 2002-2006 geological field work were carried out in Mozambique. The purpose was to check the preliminary geological interpretations and also to resolve the problems that arose during the compilation of preliminary geological maps and collect samples for laboratory studies. In parallel, airborne geophysical data were collected in many parts of the country to support the geological interpretation and compilation of geophysical maps. In the present work the aeromagnetic data collected in 2004 and 2005 in two small areas northwest of Niassa province and another one in eastern part of Tete province is analysed using GeosoftTM. The processing of aeromagnetic data began with the removal of diurnal variations and corrections for IGRF model of the Earth in the data set. The study of the effect of height variations on recorded magnetic field, levelling and interpolation techniques were also studied. La Porte interpolation showed to be a good tool for interpolation of aeromagnetic data using measured horizontal gradient. Depth estimation techniques are also used to obtain semi-quantitative interpretation of geological bodies. It was showed that many features in the study areas are located at shallow depth (less than 500 m) and few geological features are located at depths greater than 1000 m. This interpretation could be used to draw conclusions about the geology or be incorporated into further investigations in these areas.

To address odour and gas problems generated by livestock facilities, air dispersion models have been used to determine reasonable science-based setback distances between the livestock operations and the neighbouring residences. However, none of the existing models consider diurnal, seasonal and climate variations of odour and gas (ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide) concentrations and emission rates (OGCER), which may result in great uncertainties in setback distance calculations. Thus, the purpose of this project was to monitor and model diurnal and seasonal OGCER from swine grower/finisher rooms. Specifically, this research was conducted to: 1) characterize diurnal OGCER between two different flooring systems (fully and partially slatted floorings) under three different weather conditions (August, October and February); 2) identify seasonal OGCER over a 12-month measuring period; and 3) develop mathematical models to predict the OGCER. <p>A two-factorial strip-block experiment was designed for measuring diurnal OGCER in two grower/finisher rooms. It was found that: 1) the diurnal OGCER in the fully slatted flooring system was 27.6 to 39.5% higher than that in the partially slatted flooring system; however, no significant differences in the diurnal OGCER were found between the two rooms, except for the NH3 concentrations in August, the NH3 and H2S concentrations and emissions in October, and odour concentrations and emissions in February (P > 0.05), and 2) significant diurnal variations in the OGCER (except for the odour concentrations and H2S emissions) have been observed in August (P < 0.05); only gas emissions showed significant fluctuation patterns in October (P < 0.05); no significant variations in the OGCER (except for the CO2 concentrations and emissions) were found in February (P > 0.05). <p>A repeated measurement method was used to monitor seasonal OGCER in four grower/finisher rooms over a period of 12 months. It was found that: 1) the seasonal OGCER from the fully slatted flooring system was 2.9 to 40.6% higher than that from the partially slatted flooring system; however, the seasonal OGCER (except for the NH3 concentrations in October, November and January; the CO2 concentrations in August and the CO2 emissions in December) between the two different floors for each measuring month did not differ significantly (P > 0.05); and 2) the seasonal OGCER was significantly affected by the sampling month (P < 0.05), and no specific seasonal pattern was observed. <p> The statistical models developed for each type of the flooring system determined the OGCER based on the room and ambient temperatures, the ventilation rates and the animal units. The predicted results showed good agreement with measured values for most of OGCER (r2: 0.67-0.95). In order to improve odour and gas prediction models, animal activity and dirtiness of pens should be further investigated.

This thesis studies the optimization of a variable speed, three blade, horizontal-axis wind turbine. The design parameters considered are the rotor diameter, hub height and generator capacity. The levelized cost of energy and simple payback are the figures of merit being minimized. Blade element momentum theory is used to calculate the power produced by the wind turbine rotor. Increasing the rotor diameter increases the power delivered to the generator at all wind speeds up to the limit of generator capacity. Increasing the generator capacity raises the limit on maximum power output. Increasing the hub height of a wind turbine increases power output due to the higher wind speeds at increased heights. However, all of these design changes involve an increase in capital cost. Furthermore, wind characteristics vary between wind resources. Therefore, the optimal wind turbine design will change depending on the wind resource. The model developed in this thesis is used to minimize the levelized cost of energy for various wind resources. The results of this study provide a guideline for the optimum wind turbine design in various wind resources. The model is also used to compare the difference between minimizing the levelized cost of energy and minimizing simple payback of a wind turbine located off the coast of Georgia. Simple payback is calculated by considering not only the total annual electricity produced and capital cost of the turbine but also the revenue the turbine will generate. Revenue is calculated from a time-dependent valuation of electrical power. The results of this study show that minimizing levelized cost of energy and minimizing simple payback result in the same optimum design for this particular site. The results show, however, that using a time-dependent valuation of electricity results in a different simple payback than when an average value of electricity is used.