The transient response of global-mean precipitation to increasing carbon dioxide levels

The transient response of global-mean precipitation to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels of 1% yr(-1) is investigated in 13 fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) and compared to a period of stabilization. During the period of stabilization, when carbon dioxide levels are held constant at twice their unperturbed level and the climate left to warm, precipitation increases at a rate of similar to 2.4% per unit of global-mean surface-air-temperature change in the AOGCMs. However, when carbon dioxide levels are increasing, precipitation increases at a smaller rate of similar to 1.5% per unit of global-mean surface-air-temperature change. This difference can be understood by decomposing the precipitation response into an increase from the response to the global surface-temperature increase (and the climate feedbacks it induces), and a fast atmospheric response to the carbon dioxide radiative forcing that acts to decrease precipitation. According to the multi-model mean, stabilizing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide would lead to a greater rate of precipitation change per unit of global surface-temperature change

Categorizing zonal productivity on the continental shelf with nutrient-salinity ratios

Highlights Identifying riverine influence on productivity in the northern Gulf of Mexico Use of nutrient/salinity plots to differentiate inputs from two rivers Verifying Rowe-Chapman (2002) hypothesis with in situ data Abstract Coastal ocean productivity is often dependent on riverine sources of nutrients, yet it can be difficult to determine how far the influence of the river extends. The northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) receives freshwater and nutrients discharged mainly from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. We used nutrient/salinity relationships to (i) differentiate the nutrient inputs of the two rivers and (ii) determine the potential extent of the zones where productivity is affected by each. We identified three different zones: one close to the coast having a linear nutrient/salinity relationship where physical forcing (river flow) dominates, one offshore with nutrient (N or Si) concentrations \u3c1 μM, and one between them with variable nutrient concentrations largely controlled by consumption by autotrophs. While in the GOM salinity/nutrient relationships varied systematically with distance from the two rivers in winter, this was not seen in summer. Thus, the methodology is not always applicable directly, because the boundaries of the different regions vary with river flow, overall nutrient flux, and grids of stations at the regional spatial scale (15–20 km in the GOM), rather than single sections are needed to determine boundaries

A simple stress test of experimenter demand effects

As a stress test of experimenter demand effects, we run an experiment where subjects can physically destroy coupons awarded to them. About one subject out of three does. Giving money back to the experimenter is possible in a separate task but is more consistent with an experimenter demand effect than an explanation based on altruism towards the experimenter. A measure of sensitivity to social pressure helps predict destruction when social information is provided

Desa Bengkala dan Pemenuhan Hak Politik dalam Pemilu (Studi Kasus Kaum Disabilitas Desa Bengkala dalam Pemilukada 2017)

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Indonesia are still discriminated, especially on election day. Persons with disabilities in elections have not been fully considered. However, Bengkala Village, Buleleng, Bali Province is able to improve and fulfill the political rights for PwDs. Bengkala Village as a best practice for the needs of PwDs and success as an inclusive Election organizer. This research uses descriptive qualitative method with purposive sampling technique. In seeing the success of Bengkala Village to fulfill the political rights of disability is by using three theories namely: participation theory, rational choice theory, and dramaturgy theory. The three theories dissect disability community relationships with the fulfillment of political rights in elections in Bengkala Village. The purpose of this study is to find out how Bengkala village can fulfill the political rights of the disability. The findings of this research are, firstly, Bengkala Village meets as inclusive village for people with disability, this is inseparable from a Putu Kanta volunteer who supports the existence of people persons with disabilities. Secondly, although there are problems from the KPU, but people with disabilities can still run an inclusive 2017 Election. Third, the success of Pemilukada in Bengkala village was established in livelihood.   Keywords: BengkalaVillage, Disability, Election, Fulfillment of Political Rights

Efisiensi Sistem E-procurement dalam Pelelangan Umum Pengadaan Barang dan Jasa (Studi Kasus: Dinas Pekerjaan Umum Provinsi Bali)

E-procurement system in the procurement of government goods / services is essential to improve the efficiency of the procurement process, this is the purpose and principles of procurement process government goods / services, including the Public Works Department of Bali Province as one SKPD Bali Province who have used the e-procurement system in the procurement process. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency as well as the constraints of e-procurement system in the procurement of government goods / services performed particularly of Public Works Department of Bali Province. This type of research is using descriptive qualitative approach. Source data used are primary data and secondary data. The results of the analysis of the findings and conclusions of research are e-procurement system in the procurement of goods / services conducted by the Public Works Department of Bali Province has been run in full and more efficient than the conventional way. This is evidenced by the results of the field survey and data procurement conducted by the Public Works Department of Bali Province in particular prone years. But it need to increase the use of electronic systems in other procurement methods, as well as the development of the server to operate the system that are not easily hacked or suffer other server error, given the e-procurement system based online. So that in the future, e-procurement system will be more efficient and transparent in accordance with the principles and objectives

Implications of different nitrogen input sources for potential production and carbon flux estimates in the coastal Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Korean Peninsula coastal waters

The coastal Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and coastal sea off the Korean Peninsula (CSK) both suffer from human-induced eutrophication. We used a nitrogen (N) mass balance model in two different regions with different nitrogen input sources to estimate organic carbon fluxes and predict future carbon fluxes under different model scenarios. The coastal GOM receives nitrogen predominantly from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers and atmospheric nitrogen deposition is only a minor component in this region. In the CSK, groundwater and atmospheric nitrogen deposition are more important controlling factors. Our model includes the fluxes of nitrogen to the ocean from the atmosphere, groundwater and rivers, based on observational and literature data, and identifies three zones (brown, green and blue waters) in the coastal GOM and CSK with different productivity and carbon fluxes. Based on our model results, the potential primary production rate in the inner (brown water) zone are over 2 gC m−2 d−1 (GOM) and 1.5 gC m−2 d−1 (CSK). In the middle (green water) zone, potential production is from 0.1 to 2 (GOM) and 0.3 to 1.5 gC m−2 d−1 (CSK). In the offshore (blue water) zone, productivity is less than 0.1 (GOM) and 0.3 (CSK) gC m−2 d−1. Through our model scenario results, overall oxygen demand in the GOM will increase approximately 21 % if we fail to reduce riverine N input, likely increasing considerably the area affected by hypoxia. Comparing the results from the USA with those from the Korean Peninsula shows the importance of considering both riverine and atmospheric inputs of nitrogen. This has direct implications for investigating how changes in energy technologies can lead to changes in the production of various atmospheric contaminants that affect air quality, climate and the health of local populations

Lattice dynamics and vibrational spectra of the orthorhombic, tetragonal and cubic phases of methylammonium lead iodide

The hybrid halide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 exhibits a complex structural behaviour, with successive transitions between orthorhombic, tetragonal and cubic polymorphs at ca. 165 K and 327 K. Herein we report first-principles lattice dynamics (phonon spectrum) for each phase of CH3NH3PbI3. The equilibrium structures compare well to solutions of temperature-dependent powder neutron diffraction. By following the normal modes we calculate infrared and Raman intensities of the vibrations, and compare them to the measurement of a single crystal where the Raman laser is controlled to avoid degradation of the sample. Despite a clear separation in energy between low frequency modes associated with the inorganic PbI3 network and high-frequency modes of the organic CH3NH3+ cation, significant coupling between them is found, which emphasises the interplay between molecular orientation and the corner-sharing octahedral networks in the structural transformations. Soft modes are found at the boundary of the Brillouin zone of the cubic phase, consistent with displacive instabilities and anharmonicity involving tilting of the PbI6 octahedra around room temperature.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Dye sensitized solar cells as optically random photovoltaic media

n order to enhance optical absorption, light trapping by multiple scattering is commonly achieved in dye sensitized solar cells by adding particles of a different sort. Herein we propose a theoretical method to find the structural parameters (particle number density and size) that optimize the conversion efficiency of electrodes of different thicknesses containing spherical inclusions of diverse composition. Our work provides a theoretical framework in which the response of solar cells containing diffuse scattering particles can be rationalized. Optical simulations are performed by combining a Monte Carlo approach with Mie theory, in which the angular distribution of scattered light is accounted for. Several types of scattering centers, such as anatase, gold and silver particles, as well as cavities, are considered and their effect compared. Estimates of photovoltaic performance, insight into the physical mechanisms responsible for the observed enhancements, and guidelines to improve the cell design are provided. We discuss the results in terms of light transport in weakly disordered optical media and find that the observed variations between the optimum scattering configurations attained for different electrode thicknesses can be understood as the result of the randomization of the light propagation direction at different depths within the active layer. A primary conclusion of our study is that photovoltaic performance is optimised when the scattering properties of the film are adjusted so that the distance over which incident photons are randomized is comparable to the thickness of the film. This simple relationship could also be used as a design rule to attain the optimum optical design in other photovoltaic materials.European Union 307081Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MAT2011-23593, CSD2007-00007Junta de Andalucía FQM3579, FQM524