University of Victoria

About: University of Victoria is a education organization based out in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 14994 authors who have published 41051 publications receiving 1447972 citations. The organization is also known as: Victoria College.

Climate model response from the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP)

Abstract: Solar geoengineering - deliberate reduction in the amount of solar radiation retained by the Earth - has been proposed as a means of counteracting some of the climatic effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. We present results from Experiment G1 of the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project, in which 12 climate models have simulated the climate response to an abrupt quadrupling of CO2 from preindustrial concentrations brought into radiative balance via a globally uniform reduction in insolation. Models show this reduction largely offsets global mean surface temperature increases due to quadrupled CO2 concentrations and prevents 97% of the Arctic sea ice loss that would otherwise occur under high CO2 levels but, compared to the preindustrial climate, leaves the tropics cooler (-0.3 K) and the poles warmer (+0.8 K). Annual mean precipitation minus evaporation anomalies for G1 are less than 0.2 mm day-1 in magnitude over 92% of the globe, but some tropical regions receive less precipitation, in part due to increased moist static stability and suppression of convection. Global average net primary productivity increases by 120% in G1 over simulated preindustrial levels, primarily from CO2 fertilization, but also in part due to reduced plant heat stress compared to a high CO2 world with no geoengineering. All models show that uniform solar geoengineering in G1 cannot simultaneously return regional and global temperature and hydrologic cycle intensity to preindustrial levels. Key Points Temperature reduction from uniform geoengineering is not uniform Geoengineering cannot offset both temperature and hydrology changes NPP increases mostly due to CO2 fertilization ©2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

The reading–science learning–writing connection: Breakthroughs, barriers, and promises

Abstract: This article establishes a broad framework from which to interpret and evaluate the reading–science learning–writing connection. The presentation of breakthroughs, barriers, and promises is intended to outline the established links between, to identify current bottlenecks in thinking about, and to highlight productive inquiries into, print-based languages and scientific understanding. The ideas presented come from various disciplines connected to science education. The ideas are meant to be informative, provocative, integrative, supportive, and without hidden agenda.

Visible Acts of Meaning: An Integrated Message Model of Language in Face-to-Face Dialogue

Abstract: The authors propose that dialogue in face-to-face interaction is both audible and visible; language use in this setting includes visible acts of meaning such as facial displays and hand gestures. S...

Understanding Ripple Effects: The Cross–National Adoption of Policy Instruments for Bureaucratic Accountability

Abstract: This article examines different explanations for the cross–national diffusion of three recent innovations in bureaucratic accountability—the institution of the ombudsman, freedom of information legislation and data protection (information privacy) law. The first two explanations are based on the assumption that these innovations are by–products of modernization, either the growth of the state or democratization. The third assumes that policy is shaped through processes of international communication. A combination of methodologies is employed to conclude that while the growth of government and liberal democratic values are necessary conditions for the adoption of all three policy instruments, they are not sufficient conditions. The pattern of adoption observed is best explained by examining how evidence about these respective policies flows from adopting states to non–adopters. In the case of the ombudsman, this process can be characterized as one of lesson–drawing; for freedom of information, evidence is used for legitimation purposes; for data protection, the diffusion is attributable to harmonization through international organizations. Policy transfer is hence a multi–faceted concept that embraces a number of distinct processes of transnational learning and communication.

A New Free-Fall Profiler for Measuring Biophysical Microstructure

Abstract: This paper evaluates the performance of a newly developed free-falling microstructure profiler. The instrument is equipped with standard turbulence sensors for measuring turbulent velocity shear and temperature gradient, as well as bio-optical sensors for measuring in situ chlorophyll and turbidity variations. Simultaneous measurements with this profiler and an acoustic Doppler velocimeter were carried out in a flow tank, and data from both instruments agreed well. Turbulence spectra computed from both instruments agreed with the Kolmogorov inertial subrange hypothesis over approximately two decades in wavenumber space. Data from field tests conducted with the profiler showed that turbulence spectra measured in situ agreed with the empirical Nasmyth spectrum when corrections were made for the shear probe’s spatial averaging. Dissipation rates as low as 5 3 10210 Wk g 21 were resolved when certain precautions were taken to avoid spectral bias caused by instrument vibrations. By assuming a universal form of the turbulence spectrum, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates below 5 3 10210 Wk g 21 can be estimated. The optical sensors resolved centimeter-scale structures of in vivo fluorescence and backscatter in field measurements.