Machine dependence and reproducibility for coupled climate simulations: the HadGEM3-GC3.1 CMIP Preindustrial simulation

When the same weather or climate simulation is run on different high-performance computing (HPC) platforms, model outputs may not be identical for a given initial condition. While the role of HPC platforms in delivering better climate projections is to some extent discussed in the literature, attention is mainly focused on scalability and performance rather than on the impact of machine-dependent processes on the numerical solution. Here we investigate the behaviour of the Preindustrial (PI) simulation prepared by the UK Met Office for the forthcoming CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) under different computing environments. Discrepancies between the means of key climate variables were analysed at different timescales, from decadal to centennial. We found that for the two simulations to be statistically indistinguishable, a 200-year averaging period must be used for the analysis of the results. Thus, constant-forcing climate simulations using the HadGEM3-GC3.1 model are reproducible on different HPC platforms provided that a sufficiently long duration of simulation is used. In regions where El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnection patterns were detected, we found large sea surface temperature and sea ice concentration differences on centennial timescales. This indicates that a 100-year constant-forcing climate simulation may not be long enough to adequately capture the internal variability of the HadGEM3-GC3.1 model, despite this being the minimum simulation length recommended by CMIP6 protocols for many MIP (Model Intercomparison Project) experiments. On the basis of our findings, we recommend a minimum simulation length of 200 years whenever possible

Determinants and Levels of Agricultural Development Agents Job Satisfaction: The Case of Kalu Woreda, South Wollo Zone of the Amhara National Regional State

This study was conducted with an objective of assessing the level of job satisfaction and its determinants among agricultural development agents working in different kebeles of Kalu Woreda, South Wollo Zone of the Amhara National Regional State. A total of 100 development agents were selected and interviewed using simple random sampling technique to collect data for the study through structured questionnaire. Descriptive and multiple regression methods were used to address the study objectives. Results of descriptive analysis showed that in terms of the level of job satisfaction of development agents on average development agents are 'undecided' with their job as a result of their involvement in special projects such as agriculture growth projects and donor-funded projects, in decision making, in in-service training and working relationship with farmers. The econometric results showed that there exists a statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and recognition for best performances, rate of promotion, regular training and level of education of development agents. The study recommends that due attention needs to be given to defining career structure and provision of service training opportunities as criteria in promoting, improving and maintaining their job satisfaction.Keywords: Job satisfaction, Development agen

Determination of reliability and validity of the two modes of the Nikon Retinomax autorefractor

This study was designed to determine the reliability and validity of the two modes of the Nikon Retinomax Autorefractor. Reliability was determined by comparing readings within the regular mode and the quick mode. Ten consecutive readings, in each mode, were taken on 14 subjects ranging in age from 22 to 50. Validity of the quick mode was determined by comparing the readings of the quick mode to readings taken with the regular mode, 119 subjects between the ages of 5 and 88 participated. Results indicated that the findings are quite variable. Twenty five percent of the readings in the regular mode and 34% of the quick mode readings differed from the mean reading to a clinically significant degree using ANSI standards. However, when the data was compared using a less restrictive increment of +/- .25D, the reliability was greatly improved. In the validity analysis, the only significant difference between the modes was in the axis findings (p=.0264)

Polyaniline-tin(IV) molybdophosphate composite exchanger: Photocatalytic behavior and antibacterial activitiy

ABSTRACT. Polyaniline-tin(IV)molybdophosphate composite exchanger was prepared using sol–gel method by mixing polyaniline gel into the inorganic precipitates of tin(IV)molybdophosphate. The composite ion exchanger was characterized by various techniques such as XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and PL. Photocatalytic activities and antibacterial efficiencies of the bare polymer polyaniline (PANI), the inorganic exchanger tin(IV)molybdophosphate (TMP) and the composite polyaniline-tin(IV)molybdophosphate (PANI-TMP) were evaluated using methylene blue (MB) dye as a model organic pollutant and Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria as test microbes, respectively. Photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of polyaniline[1]tin(IV)molybdophosphate composite was found to be higher than that of organic (polyaniline) and inorganic (tin(IV)molybdophosphate) counterparts. The results obtained indicated the degradation efficiency of approximately 73% in 180 min exposure time. Effect of scavengers study evidenced the most important species in the degradation process to be (·O2 - ) and (·OH). Highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency for the composite exchanger studied was obtained at initial concentration of 10 mg/L MB, 100 mg/L of catalyst load and a pH of 8. Antibacterial efficiency of the exchanger over both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria was found to be higher than the single counterparts. KEY WORDS: Ion exchangers, Antimicrobial activity, Composites, Photocatalysis, Polyaniline Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(1), 59-76.                                                                  DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i1.6                                                                                                      &nbsp

Frequency and Use of Medications in Horses Racing at Prairie Meadows

An analysis was made of the horses racing at Prairie Meadows race track in Altoona, Iowa during 1993 to determine the number of entries designated as racing under the influence of phenylbutazone (Bute(RX)), furosemide (Lasix(Rx)) or both medications. In a total of 1379 Quarter Horse entries, 5.7 % raced with no medication, 74.9 % raced on phenylbutazone, 0.5 % raced on furosemide, and 18.9 % raced on both phenylbutazone and furosemide. In a total of 3424 Thoroughbred entries, 2.1 % raced under no medication, 43.6 % raced on phenylbutazone, 0.4 % raced on furosemide, and 53.9 % raced on both phenylbutazone and furosemide. Overall, of the 4803 entries, 3.2 % raced with no medication, 52.6 % raced on phenylbutazone, 0.4 % raced on furosemide, and 43.9 % raced on both phenylbutazone and furosemide

The Effect of Furosemide on Arterial Blood Gases and Performance in Quarter Horses Performing a Fatigue Test on a Treadmill

Four Quarter Horses (1 filly age 2, 1 mare age 5 and 2 geldings ages 3 and 4; average weight 539 kg) were used in a 2 x 2 crossover design. The effects of furosemide (Lasix(Rx)) on arterial blood packed ceii voiume (PCV), hemogiobin (Hb), pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO-3 and base excess (BE) were measured. Plasma lactate, heart rate, and fatigue time were determined as indicators of perlormance while the horses performed a fatigue test on a high-speed treadmill. The left carotid artery was surgically elevated subcutaneously to facilitate collection of arterial blood samples. Horses were conditioned for 13 weeks with increasing intensity then randomly assigned furosemide (F) or physiological saline (C) as treatments. Treatments were administered 4 hours prior to the fatigue test in accordance with racing regulations. Arterial blood samples were collected prior to treatment dose, prior to exercise, at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th minute during the fatigue test, at fatigue, and at the 5th, 15th, 30th, and 45th minute post-exercise. Arterial blood samples were analyzed for blood gases, Hb, PCV, and plasma lactate. Heart rate and fatigue time were recorded. No difference between treatments (P \u3e 0.05) was observed for blood gases except for pCO2 at rest, and HCO-3 and BE at the 2 minute collection period. No difference between treatments (P \u3e 0.05) was observed for Hb, PCV, lactate and heart rate except at 15 minutes post-exercise for Hb and PCV, and 45 minutes postexercise for Hb. Fatigue times were 11 min 56 sec ± 5 min 30 sec for F horses and 11 min 35 sec--± 2 min 6 sec for C horses. No difference (P \u3e 0.05) was observed in fatigue time. Based on our data, the trend indicated that all parameters measured returned to pre-exercise levels more rapidly for furosemide treated horses. However, furosemide did not enhance performance

Preparing teams of neuro-typical and neuro-atypical students with a computer orchestrated group learning environment for collaborative work:A multi case study

The number of students entering higher education with a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD is on the rise, and within engineering it is higher than the sector average. This calls for understanding how these students experience higher education and how best to support them in overcoming socio-communication challenges and developing the teamwork skills required by industry. This article investigates a novel Computer Orchestrated Group Learning Environment (COGLE) that orchestrates content delivery and learning in small face-to-face groups of neuro-typical (NT) and neuroatypical (NAT) engineering students. This research uses a literal replication logic, where multiple similar case studies contribute evidence towards analytical generalisation and transferability. COGLE is used in the first case in a flipped classroom setting and in the second case within a Project Based Learning setting. The teamwork skills of NT and NAT students were compared. Normalised learning gain (NLG) scores were computed using pre and post test data. Qualitative comments provide insights into the experience of NT and NAT students. Key lessons learnt highlight the importance of learning together to master content before engaging in collaborative activities such as peer instruction commonly within flipped classrooms and teamwork within Project Based Learning. In both case studies, NT and NAT students had comparable NLG scores and developed their team working skills. This research shows that both staff and students can benefit from COGLE as it prepares students for collaborative working by improving both technical knowledge and team working skills freeing up staff to focus on guiding and supporting student learning

Dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel disease: a role for bacteriophages?

International audienceIntestinal bacteria have been implicated in theinitiation and amplification of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The dysbiosis theory, reviewed by Tamboli et al (Gut 2004;53:1), is that an imbalance between putative ‘‘harmful'' versus ‘‘protective'' bacterial species may promote chronic intestinal inflammation

Numerical modelling of MPA-CVD reactors with the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method

In this article we develop a fully self consistent mathematical model describing the formation of a hydrogen plasma in a microwave power assisted chemical vapour deposition (MPA-CVD) reactor employed for the manufacture of synthetic diamond. The underlying multi-physics model includes constituent equations for the background gas mass average velocity, gas temperature, electromagnetic field energy and plasma density. The proposed mathematical model is numerically approximated based on exploiting the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method. We demonstrate the practical performance of this computational approach on a variety of CVD reactor geometries for a range of operating conditions