Auxiliary data

Auxiliary data is independent data, so it is not predicted, but predictions can make use of it. All times and rates dependent on temperature, which is thus a frequently used auxiliary data type. So, if maxium repoduction rate Ri is in the dependent data, the mydata-file should specify a field in auxData of the type temp, such as auxData.temp.Ri = C2K(23), where C2K is a simple DEBtool-function that converts Celsius to Kelvin; the DEBtool function tempcorr for conversion of rates to other tmeperatures works in Kelvin. Like all data, the units and label must be specified as well as txtData.units.temp.Ri = 'K'; and txtData.label.temp.Ri = 'temperature';.

Since reproduction depends on size (and nutritional status), body length L can be a second auxiliary data point for the prediction of Ri. This length might, or might not, be equal to the measured maximum length Li, but the prediction cannot depend on this dependent data if this is also used as data point. But since maximum body length Li must be predicted as well, the predict-file will specify the maximum body length Lw_i, so also the maximum structural length L_i, which is a function of parameter values. This length can be used to predict Ri (via reprod_rate, reprod_rate_foetus, or reprod_rate_j, or reprod_rate_s, depending on the model that is used).

Best practice is to avoid the use of numbers in the predict-file. Better pass this information to the predict-file via auxData or via parameter values that are kept fixed.