A yearly maximum sea level simulator and its applications: A Stockholm case study

A yearly maximum sea level simulator for Stockholm is presented. The simulator combines extreme sea level estimates and mean sea level rise projections into a joint probabilistic framework. The framework can be used, for example, to assess the risk that new structures placed at the current minimum allowed height above the sea level can become flooded in the future. Such assessments can be used to underpin future building free levels, which would be a great improvement over the much more arbitrary criteria in use today. Another strong point of the framework is that it can be used to quantify the influence of uncertainties in mean sea level projections, estimates of sea level extremes and future emission scenarios on the risk of flooding. For Stockholm mean sea level uncertainty is found to be much more important than extreme sea level uncertainty. The framework is also set-up to test adaptation measures. It is found that protections that are built once the mean sea level has risen above some given threshold can be very efficient. Lastly, the framework is embedded into a simple decision problem that can be used to calculate risk/reward ratios for land development as a function of height above today’s mean sea level.

Improving the Minimum Design Velocity of Sewage Pipes

The minimum design velocity for sewage pipes is set based on the planned quantity; however, deriving a reasonable design with only a single standard is limited. Thus, it is necessary to review whether consistent standards, such as the current minimum flow velocity, can efficiently transport the particles flowing in pipes. Improving the design that can determine the minimum design velocity rate and slope according to the concentration, specific gravity, particle size, and characteristics of the pipe material of the sediment flowing into the sewer system is necessary. In this study, the minimum design velocity for each particle size was examined based on the results of the simulation of fluid-solid multiphase flow required for the review process of hydraulic properties inside the pipe. The minimum design velocity standards for domestic and international sewage systems were investigated and compared, and a minimum design flow rate prediction equation was proposed considering the sedimentation. The equation includes the relationship between the particle size and pipe diameter and can be easily estimated.

The Minimum Wage as Method of Alleviating Poverty: Current Practices versus Alternative Policy and Legal Resolutions

Poverty is a social issue that impacts much of the world, including the United States. Oftentimes, proponents of the minimum wage argue that a higher minimum wage would help alleviate poverty in the country. Whether or not there will be impacts, or how significant the impact will be, is a subject of debate. The paper first analyzes arguments in support of using the minimum wage to reduce poverty in the US. Then, arguments against the current minimum wage are presented. Discussion regarding alternatives or alterations to the current minimum wage is raised at the end of the paper that would provide a more sustainable and legally sound public policy choice. This includes an analysis of the current minimum wage policies in the city of Philadelphia as example.

An Investigation into the Perceptions of Veterinarians towards Perioperative Pain Management in Calves

While veterinarians are instrumental to the welfare of calves (Bos taurus), limited knowledge exists concerning veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management in calves. As a part of a larger, nationwide study investigating the perceptions of veterinarians towards calf welfare, the current work sought to quantify veterinary perceptions towards perioperative pain management, including barriers to its use, and investigate demographic influences affecting those perceptions. An electronic mixed-methods survey was completed by 104 veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. The current work revealed that most veterinarians considered a multimodal approach as the most effective method for ameliorating perioperative pain in calves, rejected the practice of differential treatment based on developmental age, and perceived that postprocedural pain persists beyond 24 h for the majority of procedures included in the survey. Despite this, veterinarians identified certain barriers that may inhibit the provision of pain mitigation on-farm, including costs, inadequate recognition of pain, and ingrained farming practices. Certain demographic effects were found to influence perceptions towards perioperative pain management, including gender, the number of years since graduation, and species emphasis. Nevertheless, the current work demonstrated considerable support among veterinarians to improve pain management protocols during routine husbandry procedures. The asymmetries that exist between the current minimum provisions of perioperative pain management and veterinary perspectives suggest that substantive improvements are necessary in order to reconcile New Zealand’s existing regulatory regime with developments in scientific knowledge.

Stable DNA Sequence Over Close-Ending and Pairing Sequences Constraint

DNA computing is a new method based on molecular biotechnology to solve complex problems. The design of DNA sequences is a multi-objective optimization problem in DNA computing, whose objective is to obtain optimized sequences that satisfy multiple constraints to improve the quality of the sequences. However, the previous optimized DNA sequences reacted with each other, which reduced the number of DNA sequences that could be used for molecular hybridization in the solution and thus reduced the accuracy of DNA computing. In addition, a DNA sequence and its complement follow the principle of complementary pairing, and the sequence of base GC at both ends is more stable. To optimize the above problems, the constraints of Pairing Sequences Constraint (PSC) and Close-ending along with the Improved Chaos Whale (ICW) optimization algorithm were proposed to construct a DNA sequence set that satisfies the combination of constraints. The ICW optimization algorithm is added to a new predator–prey strategy and sine and cosine functions under the action of chaos. Compared with other algorithms, among the 23 benchmark functions, the new algorithm obtained the minimum value for one-third of the functions and two-thirds of the current minimum value. The DNA sequences satisfying the constraint combination obtained the minimum of fitness values and had stable and usable structures.

Vulnérabilité Future Des Systèmes De Productions Agricoles Face Aux Changements Climatiques Dans Le 4ème PDA : Cas Des Communes De Djidja Et De Djougou

La variabilité climatique dans les communes de Djidja et de Djougou engendre des conséquences aussi bien sur les niveaux de productivités, de production que sur les revenus des exploitants agricoles. L’objectif de cette recherche est d’étudier la vulnérabilité future des systèmes de productions agricoles face aux changements climatiques dans les Communes de Djidja et de Djougou.L’approche méthodologique utilisée comprend la collecte des données, leur traitement et l’analyse des résultats. Les enquêtes ont été faites dans les villages choisis sur la base de critères bien définis (la taille de la population agricole et son implication dans la production agricole). La méthode de D. Schwartz (1995, p. 94) a permis de constituer l’échantillon de 377 producteurs. Enfin, une projection climatique sur la période 2019-2050/2075 est faite au moyen du logiciel climatique « Climate explorer ».Il ressort des résultats de l’étude que, dans la commune de Djougou, la variation au niveau de la température minimale actuelle (RCP8.5) est comprise entre -1,62°C en 1992 et 2,29°C en 2075. La température maximale quant à elle varie entre -1,40°C en 1994 à 2,18°C en 2075. C’est à partir de 2071 que l’augmentation de la température minimale va dépasser les 2°C et si rien n’est fait cette hausse va s’accroître et devenir permanente. De même, dans la commune de Djidja, la température minimale la plus élevée est observée en 2075 avec des variations de 1 à 2°C pour les RCP4.5 et RCP8.5. Au niveau de la température maximale, l’année la moins chaude est 1992 (-1,33mm/jour) pour RCP8.5 et 1991 (-1,02mm/jour) pour RCP4.5. La même évolution s’observe au niveau des températures maximales. L’année 1992 reste la plus déficitaire avec une chute de -1,60°C et l’année la plus excédentaire sera l’année 2075 avec une hausse de 2,18 mm par jour, sur la période 1992-2080. La corrélation est observée en 2042 avec une valeur de 0,322 mm par jour. L’examen des résultats révèle que les valeurs des paramètres climatiques à savoir précipitations et évaporation sont à la hausse sur la période 1980-2080 dans la commune de Djidja. Suivant la trajectoire actuelle, RCP8.5, les années les plus arrosées sont 2037, 2070 et 2073 avec respectivement des variations égales à 0,17mm et 0,27mm de pluie par jour. Face à ces difficultés, les populations agricoles adoptent des mesures pour contrer les contraintes climatiques.ABSTRACTClimatic variability in the communes of Djidja and Djougou has consequences both on the levels of productivity and production and on the income of farmers. The objective of this research is to study the vulnerability of agricultural production systems to climate change in the Communes of Djidja and Djougou.The methodological approach used includes data collection, processing and analysis of the results. The surveys were carried out in the villages chosen on the basis of well-defined criteria (the size of the agricultural population and its involvement in agricultural production). The method of D. Schwartz (1995, p. 94) made it possible to constitute the sample of 377 producers. Finally, a climate projection over the period 2019-2050 / 2075 is made using the climate software "Climate explorer".The results of the study show that, in the municipality of Djougou, the variation in the current minimum temperature (RCP8.5) is between -1.62 ° C in 1992 and 2.29 ° C in 2075. The maximum temperature varies between -1.40 ° C in 1994 to 2.18 ° C in 2075. It is from 2071 that the increase in the minimum temperature will exceed 2 ° C and if nothing is In fact, this increase will increase and become permanent. Similarly, in the municipality of Djidja, the highest minimum temperature is observed in 2075 withvariations of 1 to 2 ° C for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. At maximum temperature, the coolest year is 1992 (-1.33mm / day) for RCP8.5 and 1991 (-1.02mm / day) for RCP4.5. The same development can be observed at the level of maximum temperatures. The year 1992 remains the most in deficit with a fall of -1.60 ° C and the year the most in surplus will be the year 2075 with an increase of 2.18mm per day, over the period 1992-2080. The correlation is observed in 2042 with a value of 0.322 mm per day. Examination of the results reveals that the values of climatic parameters, namely precipitation and evaporation, are on the rise over the period 1980-2080 in the municipality of Djidja. Following the current trajectory, RCP8.5, the wettest years are 2037, 2070 and 2073 with respectively variations equal to 0.17mm and 0.27mm of rain per day. Faced with these difficulties, agricultural populations are adopting measures to counter climatic constraints. Keywords: Djidja, Djougou, vulnerability, production system, agriculture, climate change.

Influence of minimum wage and prompt salary payment on teachers’ effectiveness in public secondary schools

Obviously that less motivated teachers are less productive and less disposed to perform their best, despite their acquired teaching experiences in secondary schools. Drawing on equity theory, valence expectancy theory, and the two-factor theory, this paper examines the influence of minimum wage and prompt salary payment on teacher effectiveness in public secondary schools. The study’s sample was drawn from 20 selected public secondary schools in Ibadan North local government area of Oyo State, Nigeria. This study adopts a quantitative research approach. The questionnaires were randomly distributed. Out of 200 questionnaires, 149 questionnaires were effective for analysis after analyzing the data with SPSS version 25. This study revealed that minimum wage, prompt salary payment, and demographic variables have significant independent and joint influence on teachers’ effectiveness in public secondary schools. It was proved that several teachers are dissatisfied with minimum wage payments and that prompt salary payment influences teachers’ effectiveness. Therefore, the study recommended that the state government should review the current minimum wage, making it more attractive to motivate teachers, thereby directly enhancing teachers’ effectiveness. The focus should also be on achieving prompt salary payment through consistent and effective salary scheme management, promoting teachers’ effectiveness. AcknowledgmentThe current author acknowledges the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, under Professor Wilfred Ukpere, in funding the current study and its publication.

Analysing and Interpreting the Concept and Possible Implementation of Herd Immunity in the Human Population against COVID 19 Infections

Introduction: Herd immunity refers to developing immunity in individuals by acquiring natural immunity or through vaccination. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in a city in China, Wuhan. Currently, no vaccines are available to treat and cure the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Information was gathered from electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. These articles were checked for relevance with recent articles and journals were included while older ones were excluded. Data analysis was then performed using MS Excel and SPSS. Results: Current epidemiological evidence suggests different countries have varying infection rates, therefore varying rates of reproduction number. The current minimum threshold required for herd immunity currently stands between 50-66.67%, although rates vary differently across the globe. Conclusion: A vaccine development is anticipated to be critical in controlling the Covid-19. However, there are several limitations, including changing and managing trends at the virus epitope, differences in the reproduction number across different countries and varying geographical locations, underreporting of infection rates across countries across the globe, and the varying infectious nature of the virus among the demographic population. Regarding the presented information, the vaccine development would significantly accelerate herd immunity and play a key role in managing the disease.

GB Apprentice Jockeys Do Not Have the Body Composition to Make Current Minimum Race Weights: Is It Time to Change the Weights or Change the Jockeys?

Flat jockeys in Great Britain (GB) are classified as apprentices if they are aged less than 26 years and/or have ridden less than 95 winners. To gain experience, apprentices are allocated a weight allowance of up to 7 lb (3.2 kg). Given that there is no off-season in GB flat horseracing, jockeys are required to maintain their racing weight all year round. In light of recent work determining that current apprentices are considerably heavier than previous generations and that smaller increases have been made in the minimum weight, the aim of this study was to assess if the minimum weight in GB was achievable. To make the minimum weight (50.8 kg) with the maximal weight allowance requires a body mass of ∼46.6 kg while maintaining a fat mass >2.5 kg (the lowest fat mass previously reported in weight-restricted males). Thirty-two male apprentice jockeys were assessed for body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mean (SD) total mass and fat mass were 56 (2.9) kg and 7.2 (1.8) kg, respectively. Given that the lowest theoretical body mass for this group was 51.2 (2.3) kg, only one of 32 jockeys was deemed feasible to achieve the minimum weight with their current weight allowance and maintaining fat mass >2.5 kg. Furthermore, urine osmolality of 780 (260) mOsmol/L was seen, with 22 (out of 32) jockeys classed as dehydrated (>700 mOsmols/L), indicating that body mass would be higher when euhydrated. Additionally, we observed that within new apprentice jockeys licensed during this study (N = 41), only one jockey was able to achieve the minimum weight. To facilitate the goal of achieving race weight with minimal disruptions to well-being, the authors’ data suggest that the minimum weight for GB apprentices should be raised.