Development and validation of tools for the implementation of european air quality policy in Germany (Project VALIUM)
In the framework of the German Atmospheric Research Program AFO-2000 a system of consistent coupled numerical models has been developed. The purpose of the model system is to serve as a tool for the execution of European urban air quality regulations. A consortium with the acronym VALIUM was formed, which consisted of German research institutes, environmental consultancies and an environmental agency. A substantial part of the VALIUM program was devoted to the generation of a set of high quality data for the validation of the numerical model system. The validation data are based on a combination of field studies, tracer experiments and corresponding wind tunnel experiments. The field experiments were carried out inside and around a street canyon in a city district of Hanover/Germany. After a brief introduction to the VALIUM project a summary of the main results will be given.
The microscale obstacle-resolving meteorological model MITRAS v2.0: model theory
Abstract. This paper describes the developing theory and underlying
processes of the microscale obstacle-resolving model MITRAS version 2. MITRAS
calculates wind, temperature, humidity, and precipitation fields, as well as
transport within the obstacle layer using Reynolds averaging. It explicitly
resolves obstacles, including buildings and overhanging obstacles, to
consider their aerodynamic and thermodynamic effects. Buildings are
represented by impermeable grid cells at the building positions so that the
wind speed vanishes in these grid cells. Wall functions are used to calculate
appropriate turbulent fluxes. Most exchange processes at the obstacle
surfaces are considered in MITRAS, including turbulent and radiative
processes, in order to obtain an accurate surface temperature. MITRAS is also
able to simulate the effect of wind turbines. They are parameterized using
the actuator-disk concept to account for the reduction in wind speed. The
turbulence generation in the wake of a wind turbine is parameterized by
adding an additional part to the turbulence mechanical production term in the
turbulent kinetic energy equation. Effects of trees are considered
explicitly, including the wind speed reduction, turbulence production, and
dissipation due to drag forces from plant foliage elements, as well as the
radiation absorption and shading. The paper provides not only
documentation of the model dynamics and numerical framework but also a solid
foundation for future microscale model extensions.

Structure of the integument of southern right whales, Eubalaena australis
Skin (integument) anatomy reflects adaptations to particular environments. It is hypothesized that cetacean (whale) integument will show unique anatomical adaptations to an aquatic environment, particularly regarding differences in temperature, density, and pressure. In this study, the gross and histological structure of the southern right whale integument is described and compared with terrestrial mammals and previous descriptions of mysticete (baleen whale) and odontocete (toothed whale) species. Samples were taken of the integument of 98 free‐swimming southern right whales, Eubalaena australis, and examined by both light and electron microscopy. Results show that three epidermal layers are present, with the stratum corneum being parakeratotic in nature. As in bowhead whales, southern right whales possess an acanthotic epidermis and a notably thick hypodermis, with epidermal rods and extensive papillomatosis. However, unlike bowhead whales, southern right whales possess an uninterrupted hypodermal layer. Surprisingly, the integument of balaenids (right and bowhead mysticetes) in general is more like that of odontocetes than that of the more closely related balaenopterids (rorqual mysticetes). Similarities to odontocetes were found specifically in the collagen fibers in a fat‐free zone of the reticular dermal layer and the elastic fibers in the dermal and hypodermal layers. Callosities, a distinctive feature of this genus, have a slightly thicker stratum corneum and are usually associated with hairs that have innervated and vascularized follicles. These hairs may function as vibrissae, thus aiding in aquatic foraging by allowing rapid detection of changes in prey density. Although the thick insulatory integument makes right whales bulky and slow‐moving, it is an adaptation for living in cold water. Epidermal thickness, presence of epidermal rods, and callosities may act as barriers against mechanical injury from bodily contact with conspecifics or hard surfaces in the environment (e.g., rocks, ice). Anat Rec, 290:596–613, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.