Assimilation Efforts Research Articles

Agricultural Extension and the Campaign to Assimilate the Native Americans of Wisconsin, 1914–1932

Congress founded the Agricultural Extension Service (AES) in the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 to disseminate agricultural research to individual farmers. In some states the AES also worked to encourage Native Americans to adopt sedentary intensive agriculture and all aspects of assimilation connected with that occupation. J. F. Wojta, AES administrator in Wisconsin from 1914 to 1940, took a deep interest in Indian farmers and used the power and resources of his office to instruct Native Americans. Ho-Chunks, Menominees, Ojibwes, and Oneidas in Wisconsin adopted or rejected these social, economic, and political assimilation efforts during the Progressive Era according to their own circumstances and goals. The experience of Wisconsin tribes with the state's agricultural extension programs illustrates different ways that Native peoples tried to benefit from modern government services while maintaining their own culture and kinship ties.

Lev Levandas Roman „Gorjačee vremja“ als politischer Akt

Zusammenfassung Lev Levanda (1835–1888) was one of the first Jewish writers to publish in Russian. He presented himself as an ardent maskil, i. e. an exponent of the Jewish Enlightenment in Russia, or Haskalah in Hebrew. Due to his critical attitude towards the traditional Jewish lifestyle and the pro-Russian tendency of the majority of his writings, he was considered an avid Russophile most of his life. He wrote his best-known novel, “Goryachee Vremya”, on a politically delicate topic – the Jewish conflict of taking sides in the Polish uprising of 1863. What first seems to be typically tendentious prose closes with an irritating ending. The hero, a Jewish propagandist of assimilation, finally ends up in the company of exiled Polish insurgents discussing the similarities of Polish and Jewish destinies. The novel, which was mostly understood as pro-Russian propaganda for a Jewish audience, turns out to be a political statement directed to Russian readers, critically describing the negative outcome of denying Jewish assimilation efforts.

Robust Characterization of Model Physics Uncertainty for Simulations of Deep Moist Convection

AbstractThis study explores the functional relationship between model physics parameters and model output variables for the purpose of 1) characterizing the sensitivity of the simulation output to the model formulation and 2) understanding model uncertainty so that it can be properly accounted for in a data assimilation framework. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is employed to examine how changes in cloud microphysical parameters map to changes in output precipitation, liquid and ice water path, and radiative fluxes for an idealized deep convective squall line. Exploration of the joint probability density function (PDF) of parameters and model output state variables reveals a complex relationship between parameters and model output that changes dramatically as the system transitions from convective to stratiform. Persistent nonuniqueness in the parameter–state relationships is shown to be inherent in the construction of the cloud microphysical and radiation schemes and cannot be mitigated by reducing observation uncertainty. The results reinforce the importance of including uncertainty in model configuration in ensemble prediction and data assimilation, and they indicate that data assimilation efforts that include parameter estimation would benefit from including additional constraints based on known physical relationships between model physics parameters to render a unique solution.

A New Automated Extraction System for 14C Measurement for Atmospheric Co2

The radiocarbon content of atmospheric CO2 (Δ14CO2) has long been of interest to atmospheric and Earth system researchers. Recent improvements in 14C measurement precision and reduction in sample size requirements have now made it possible to measure Δ14CO2 within existing trace gas sampling networks, most notably as a method to quantify recently added fossil-fuel-derived CO2 in the atmosphere. At INSTAAR, in collaboration with NOAA/ESRL, ∼600 atmospheric samples from around the globe are prepared each year, and that number is anticipated to grow in connection with various monitoring and data assimilation efforts. To accommodate the growing demand and reduce per sample costs, we developed an automated extraction system to quantitatively isolate CO2 from whole air for AMS 14C analysis. Twenty samples can be extracted in 1 fully automated run, taking 10–12 hr to complete and requiring only about 1 hr of operator time, a substantial improvement over the manual extraction system. CO2 is extracted cryogenically by flowing the whole air over a liquid nitrogen trap, after first removing water in a trap at –85 °C. Large volume vacuum lines are used to extract ∼30 μmol of CO2 in less than 10 min, keeping contamination from leaks to a minimum and allowing rapid processing and greater throughput. δ13C measurements on the resultant CO2 demonstrate that extraction is quantitative, and extractions of 14C-free air show that no significant modern contamination occurs. Replicate analyses of standard materials indicate that both mean values and precision are comparable to those for the manual extraction system.

The effect of bathymetric filtering on nearshore process model results

Nearshore wave and flow model results are shown to exhibit a strong sensitivity to the resolution of the input bathymetry. In this analysis, bathymetric resolution was varied by applying smoothing filters to high-resolution survey data to produce a number of bathymetric grid surfaces. We demonstrate that the sensitivity of model-predicted wave height and flow to variations in bathymetric resolution had different characteristics. Wave height predictions were most sensitive to resolution of cross-shore variability associated with the structure of nearshore sandbars. Flow predictions were most sensitive to the resolution of intermediate scale alongshore variability associated with the prominent sandbar rhythmicity. Flow sensitivity increased in cases where a sandbar was closer to shore and shallower. Perhaps the most surprising implication of these results is that the interpolation and smoothing of bathymetric data could be optimized differently for the wave and flow models. We show that errors between observed and modeled flow and wave heights are well predicted by comparing model simulation results using progressively filtered bathymetry to results from the highest resolution simulation. The damage done by over smoothing or inadequate sampling can therefore be estimated using model simulations. We conclude that the ability to quantify prediction errors will be useful for supporting future data assimilation efforts that require this information.

That the People May Live: The Cowlitz Tribe's Journey of Peace and Justice

In an age of conflict and violence, the human family seeks peace-building paradigms. ‘Wisdom’ in traditional Native American culture provides a lens for exploring peace psychology. Native American culture understands ‘wisdom’ to be, ‘that the people may live’. Living implies love of life, love of others' lives, and the right to life and dignity. Here lies wisdom, that people may live with peace and justice. The Cowlitz Indians of western Washington, United States (US), traditionally, based constructive relations on the wisdom of kinship values, an ethic of generosity and reciprocity towards the wider community. Despite land loss and assimilation efforts of the dominant society, the US federal government finally recognised the Cowlitz Nation. This long awaited acknowledgment, won through adherence to traditional wisdom and values, has provided affirmation ‘that the people may live’.

Homogenization of Radiosonde Temperature Time Series Using Innovation Statistics

Abstract Radiosonde temperature records contain valuable information for climate change research from the 1940s onward. Since they are affected by numerous artificial shifts, time series homogenization efforts are required. This paper introduces a new technique that uses time series of temperature differences between the original radiosonde observations (obs) and background forecasts (bg) of an atmospheric climate data assimilation system for homogenization. These obs − bg differences, the “innovations,” are a by-product of the data assimilation process. They have been saved during the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and are now available for each assimilated radiosonde record back to 1958. It is demonstrated that inhomogeneities in the obs time series due to changes in instrumentation can be automatically detected and adjusted using daily time series of innovations at 0000 and 1200 UTC. The innovations not only reveal problems of the radiosonde records but also of the data assimilation system. Although ERA-40 used a frozen data assimilation system, the time series of the bg contains some breaks as well, mainly due to changes in the satellite observing system. It has been necessary to adjust the global mean bg temperatures before the radiosonde homogenization. After this step, homogeneity adjustments, which can be added to existing raw radiosonde observations, have been calculated for 1184 radiosonde records. The spatiotemporal consistency of the global radiosonde dataset is improved by these adjustments and spuriously large day–night differences are removed. After homogenization the climatologies of the time series from certain radiosonde types have been adjusted. This step reduces temporally constant biases, which are detrimental for reanalysis purposes. Therefore the adjustments applied should yield an improved radiosonde dataset that is suitable for climate analysis and particularly useful as input for future climate data assimilation efforts. The focus of this paper relies on the lower stratosphere and on the internal consistency of the homogenized radiosonde dataset. Implications for global mean upper-air temperature trends are touched upon only briefly.

A Social Proximity Explanation of the Reluctance to Assimilate

SUMMARYThe pursuit of migration is an extreme example of the severing of ties with, or a distancing from, one's friends and home. The ‘failure’ of migrants to assimilate cannot plausibly be attributed merely to an urge to stay close to their friends, or they might not have migrated to begin with. Non‐assimilation arises from a fear of enhanced relative deprivation if they reduce their distance from the natives as a reference group. Fundamentally, migration is a change of those with whom people associate. But it would be wrong to infer that a change of associates crowds out a change of behavior, given the associates. Through their actions, migrants can elect to associate more with some groups, less with others. However, when actions to keep in check the weight accorded to the rich natives as a reference group are not viable, the very choice of migration destination could be affected in an unexpected way: a country that is not so rich could be preferable to a country that is rich; migrants will protect themselves from an unfavorable comparison by not migrating to where the comparison, when unavoidable, would be highly unfavorable. Relatedly, the variance in the assimilation effort of migrants across host countries could arise from the variance in the income distance with the natives: the richer the natives, the weaker the effort to assimilate, other things held the same.

Efficiency of reduced-order, time-dependent adjoint data assimilation approaches

Applications of adjoint data assimilation, which is designed to bring an ocean circu- lation model into consistency with ocean observations, are computationally demand- ing. To improve the convergence rate of an optimization, reduced-order optimization methods that reduce the size of the control vector by projecting it onto a limited number of basis functions were suggested. In this paper, we show that such order reduction can indeed speed up the initial convergence rate of an assimilation effort in the east- ern subtropical North Atlantic using in situ and satellite data as constraints. How- ever, an improved performance of the optimization was only obtained with a hybrid approach where the optimization is started in a reduced subspace but is continued subsequently using the full control space. In such an experiment about 50% of the computational cost can be saved as compared to the optimization in the full control space. Although several order-reduction approaches seem feasible, the best result was obtained by projecting the control vector onto Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) computed from a set of adjusted control vectors estimated previously from an optimi- zation using the same model configuration.

Error quantification of a high-resolution coupled hydrodynamic–ecosystem coastal–ocean model: Part 1 model overview and assessment of the hydrodynamics

We present an assessment of the uncertainties present in a high-resolution (∼7 km horizontal resolution and 20 s-levels in the vertical) coupled hydrodynamic–ecosystem model of the northwest European continental shelf. The models in question are a three-dimensional baroclinic circulation model developed for massively parallel computers (the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory Coastal–Ocean Modelling System) and a sophisticated ecosystem model, representing the functioning of the ecosystem with 52 state variables (The European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model). In this paper and part 2, which focuses on the ecosystem model, we simulate the period of the North Sea Project (August 1988 to October 1989) and attempt as comprehensive an examination of model uncertainties as the available data permits. We are able to make some degree of assessment for all aspects of the physics model, apart from the turbulence closure scheme, and use a simple cost function to systematically compare the accuracy of different variables. We find some aspects (notably tidal currents and elevation, and sea surface temperature) are well modelled, with RMS errors less than 0.4 standard deviations of the data, whereas some aspects (e.g. residual current speed and salinity) have RMS errors similar to the standard deviation of the data. Improving the residual currents and salinity comparison requires improving several aspects of both the model (forcing and formulation) and observational data (quantity and quality). In addition to directing improvements in the model, this exercise also suggests where data assimilation effort might prove most fruitful. We also demonstrate that this resolution is sufficient to model complex biophysical interaction in both the horizontal (e.g. enhanced production at fronts) and vertical (e.g. mid-water production modulated by the spring–neap cycle).

Nation–states and ethnic boundaries: modern Turkish identity and Turkish–Kurdish conflict

Ethnic and religious conflicts are two of the most pressing issues facing Turkey today. This article offers the argument that the development of the Turkish state and identity, and Turkey’s peripheral position in the interstate system, have collectively determined the parameters and dynamics of the conflicts. It is argued that modern Turkish identity has been forged by the state through the nation–state formation process that began in the 1920s. During the transition from Ottoman Empire to Turkish Republic it was deemed necessary to redefine the state and Turkish identity. At the historical juncture, Islam was replaced with other ideals and universals such as Turkism, modernity and étatism. The sudden and large–scale shift away from religion followed by vigorous ethnic assimilation efforts created a contradictory context between the state and ethnic/religious segments of the population. The change also marked the beginning of a new era in the Turkish–Kurdish discord. Another assertion of the article is that the state’s approach to ethnic/religious issues and demands is consistent with the assumptions and predictions of the ethnic democracy model.

Pride and Prejudice

Terror management theory posits that awareness of mortality engenders a potential for paralyzing terror, which is assuaged by cultural worldviews: humanly created, shared beliefs that provide individuals with the sense they are valuable members of an enduring, meaningful universe (self-esteem), and hence are qualified for safety and continuance beyond death. Thus, self-esteem serves the fundamental psychological function of buffering anxiety. In support of this view, studies have shown that bolstering self-esteem reduces anxiety and that reminders of mortality intensify striving for self-esteem; this research suggests that self-esteem is critical for psychological equanimity. Cultural worldviews serve the fundamental psychological function of providing the basis for death transcendence. To the extent this is true, reminders of mortality should stimulate bolstering of one's worldview. More than 80 studies have supported this idea, most commonly by demonstrating that making death momentarily salient increases liking for people who support one's worldview and hostility toward those with alternative worldviews. This work helps explain human beings' dreadful history of intergroup prejudice and violence: The mere existence of people with different beliefs threatens our primary basis of psychological security; we therefore respond by derogation, assimilation efforts, or annihilation.

ENSO in a hybrid coupled model. Part II: prediction with piggyback data assimilation

A hybrid coupled model (HCM) for the tropical Pacific ocean-atmosphere system is employed for ENSO prediction. The HCM consists of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory ocean general circulation model and an empirical atmospheric model. In hindcast experiments, a correlation skill competitive to other prediction models is obtained, so we use this system to examine the effects of several initialization schemes on ENSO prediction. Initialization with wind stress data and initialization with wind stress reconstructed from SST using the atmospheric model give comparable skill levels. In re-estimating the atmospheric model in order to prevent hindcast-period wind information from entering through empirical atmospheric model, we note some sensitivity to the estimation data set, but this is considered to have limited impact for ENSO prediction purposes. Examination of subsurface heat content anomalies in these cases and a case forced only by the difference between observed and reconstructed winds suggests that at the current level of prediction skill, the crucial wind components for initialization are those associated with the slow ENSO mode, rather than with atmospheric internal variability. A “piggyback” suboptimal data assimilation is tested in which the Climate Prediction Center data assimilation product from a related ocean model is used to correct the ocean initial thermal field. This yields improved skill, suggesting that not all ENSO prediction systems need to invest in costly data assimilation efforts, provided the prediction and assimilation models are sufficiently close.

Martian Weather Correlation Length Scales

Spring and fall equinox Viking infrared thermal mapper 15-μm channel atmospheric brightness temperature (T15) observations are used to estimate the weather correlation length scale of Mars in the pressure range 0.5–1 mbar. The results provide a better understanding of martian atmospheric dynamics, a benchmark for validating martian general circulation models (GCMs), a guide to the optimal placement of a network of landers, and information for use in data assimilation efforts for orbiters and landers. Observations of atmospheric temperature are used to compute an atmospheric mean state as a function of time-of-day, latitude, longitude, and altitude, which is then subtracted from the observations to yield weather temperature residuals. These residuals are correlated with each other to determine (1) the weather temperature correlation length scale (∼1000 km) as a function of latitude and (2) the weather temperature variance (∼4 K2global average forLS∼ 0°, ∼3 K2forLS∼ 180°). Good general agreement is found in comparing the length scales to the Rossby radius of deformation and to inferences made from other data sets. The weather temperature variance results are also compared with GCM results, yielding satisfactory agreement, with some differences in the magnitudes of the variances.

Weeping: Evidence for a cognitive theory

According to a two-factor cognitive theory of weeping, schema-incongruent information and efforts to assimilate it create arousal; resolution, giving up of the schema, and cessation of the assimilation efforts result in arousal reduction and may be associated with emotional tears. To assess these predictions, female subjects were shown an emotional film under one of two conditions. In one condition only schema-induction and incongruity phases were viewed, while the other condition viewed the complete film (i.e., schema-induction, incongruity, and resolution). Consistent with expectations, incongruity was associated with increased stress and depressed mood. Only subjects who viewed the complete film reported significant decreases in these states. The final scene, assumed to trigger schema change, produced the greatest amount of weeping.

Assimilation Efforts in Colonial Taiwan: The Fate of the 1914 Movement

Assimilation denotes the process by which cultures and peoples interact and fuse. Under colonialism this process entails the transformation of the languages, customs, habits and institutions of a subject people until they become more at one or merge with the nationals of the home country. Assimilation efforts in a given colony may differ in respect to the means and ends involved. Measures may be imposed by colonial authorities for immediate advantages as well as long-range benefits to the home country. Local leaders and spokesmen from the home country may also initiate assimilation procedures, including popular movements, so as to gain rights and privileges for the subject people equal to those enjoyed by nationals in the colony and at home. Even in the latter context assimilation still suggests the inferior status implied by the word colony, for it connotes one-sided change on the part of the subject people not of the nationals who are acclaimed bearers of a superior culture.1