CO2-response function of radiation use efficiency in rice for climate change scenarios

The objective of this work was to evaluate a generalized response function to the atmospheric CO2 concentration [f(CO2)] by the radiation use efficiency (RUE) in rice. Experimental data on RUE at different CO2 concentrations were collected from rice trials performed in several locations around the world. RUE data were then normalized, so that all RUE at current CO2 concentration were equal to 1. The response function was obtained by fitting normalized RUE versus CO2 concentration to a Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF) function, and by using Marquardt's method to estimate the model coefficients. Goodness of fit was measured by the standard deviation of the estimated coefficients, the coefficient of determination (R²), and the root mean square error (RMSE). The f(CO2) describes a nonlinear sigmoidal response of RUE in rice, in function of the atmospheric CO2 concentration, which has an ecophysiological background, and, therefore, renders a robust function that can be easily coupled to rice simulation models, besides covering the range of CO2 emissions for the next generation of climate scenarios for the 21st century

Stocktake of placement preparation and clinical experience for Aotearoa New Zealand student nurses in aged care settings: July 2023

The global population is getting older. In 2019 there were 703 million people aged ≥65 years. This figure is predicted to double to 1.5 billion, or 16% of the global population, by 2050 (United Nations, 2020). By comparison, Aotearoa New Zealand is expected to see a 36% increase in people aged ≥65 years for the ten years between 2021 and 2031 (Stats NZ, 2020). Since age is the most significant predictor for the most common health conditions, and the prevalence of chronic diseases and disability is also set to increase, pressures on most healthcare services are likely to escalate (Inouye et al., 2021). The Better Later Life (2019–2034) strategy sets out key areas of action for addressing a response to our ageing population. It recognises the importance of promoting healthy ageing and improving access to services as a fundamental part of the realisation of the strategy. A key factor underpinning this action is the education of health professionals. Nurses are at the front line of healthcare and are ideally placed to respond to the changing demographic. As a profession, we need to analyse how well we are preparing nurses for undertaking the work that will be required. As educators, we need to anticipate curriculum developments which may be required to support a well-prepared profession

Solar energetic particle heavy ion properties in the widespread event of 2020 November 29

Context. Following a multi-year minimum of solar activity, a solar energetic particle event on 2020 Nov. 29 was observed by multiple spacecraft covering a wide range of solar longitudes including ACE, the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory-A, and the recently launched Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. Aims. Multi-point observations of a solar particle event, combined with remote-sensing imaging of flaring, shocks, and coronal mass ejections allows for a global picture of the event to be synthesized, and made available to the modeling community to test, constrain, and refine models of particle acceleration and transport according to such parameters as shock geometries and particle mass-to-charge ratios. Methods. Detailed measurements of heavy ion intensities, time dependence, fluences, and spectral slopes provided the required test data for this study. Results. The heavy ion abundances, timing, and spectral forms for this event fall well within the range found in prior surveys at 1 au. The spectra were well fitted by broken power law shapes; the Fe/O ratio was somewhat lower than the average of other events. In addition, 3He/4He was very low, with only the upper limits established here. © 2021 ESO.Immediate accessThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]