The Met Office Hadley Centre climate modelling capability: the competing requirements for improved resolution, complexity and dealing with uncertainty

Predictions of future climate change require complex computer models of the climate system to represent the full range of processes and interactions that influence climate. The Met Office Hadley Centre uses 'families' of models as part of the Met Office Unified Model Framework to address different classes of problems. The HadGEM family is a suite of state-of-the-art global environment models that are used to reduce uncertainty and represent and predict complex feedbacks. The HadCM3 family is a suite of well established but cheaper models that are used for multiple simulations, for example, to quantify uncertainty or to test the impact of multiple emissions scenarios.     

Parenteral administration of glutamine modulates acute phase response in postparturient dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate whether administration of l-Gln would affect mediators of acute phase response in postparturient dairy cows. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by the expected day of calving and randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 treatment groups (n = 8/group): 1) i.v. infusion of 10 L of 0.85% NaCl (control), 2) i.v. infusion of 106, or 3) 212 g/d of l-Gln mixed with 10 L of 0.85% NaCl solution; each treatment was given 8 h/d for each of 7 consecutive days starting on d 1 after calving. Blood samples were collected 1 wk before the expected day of parturition as well as on d 0, 7, 14, and 21 after parturition; plasma concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein were measured by ELISA, and α₁-acid glycoprotein was assessed by radial immunodiffusion. Concentrations of SAA, haptoglobin, and α₁-acid glycoprotein increased in control cows after parturition, reaching peak values on d 0 or 7 postpartum (60, 1,093, and 963 μg/mL, respectively). Cows infused with 106 g/d of l-Gln had greater concentrations of SAA in plasma on d 14 and 21 compared with controls (62.8 vs. 30.2 and 71.1 vs. 34.5 μg/mL, respectively). Cows infused with 212 g/d of l-Gln had greater concentrations of SAA on d 7 (82.5 vs. 53.9 μg/mL) and lower concentrations of haptoglobin on d 14 and 21 postpartum compared with controls (264 vs. 621 and 175 vs. 587 μg/mL, respectively). Cows treated with 106 and 212 g/d of l-Gln had greater plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein concentrations on d 7 compared with control group (50.0 and 35.6 vs. 10.8 μg/mL, respectively). There were no treatment differences with respect to milk yield and DM intake during the experimental period. In conclusion, our data indicate that i.v. administration of l-Gln modulated acute phase mediators in dairy cows after parturition and warrants further research into the mechanisms behind these effects.     

The structural characterization of (NH4)2B10H10 and thermal decomposition studies of (NH4)2B10H10 and (NH4)2B12H12

The structure of (NH₄)₂B₁₀H₁₀ (1) was determined through powder XRD analysis. The thermal decomposition of 1 and (NH₄)₂B₁₂H₁₂ (2) was examined between 20 and 1000 °C using STMBMS methods. Between 200 and 400 °C a mixture of NH₃ and H₂ evolves from both compounds; above 400 °C only H₂ evolves. The dihydrogen bonding interaction in 1 is much stronger than that in 2. The stronger dihydrogen bond in 1 resulted in a significant reduction by up to 60 °C, but with a corresponding 25% decrease in the yield of H₂ in the lower temperature region and a doubling of the yield of NH₃. The decomposition of 1 follows a lower temperature exothermic reaction pathway that yields substantially more NH₃ than the higher temperature endothermic pathway of 2. Heating of 1 at 250 °C resulted in partial conversion of B₁₀H₁₀²⁻ to B₁₂H₁₂²⁻. Both 1 and 2 form an insoluble polymeric material after decomposition. The elements of the reaction network that control the release of H₂ from the B₁₀H₁₀²⁻ can be altered by conducting the experiment under conditions in which pressures of NH₃ and H₂ are either near, or away from, their equilibrium values.     

Quality Control Laboratory Design Project for Poultry Science Undergraduate Students Enrolled in an Advanced Food Microbiology Course

An exercise for designing a quality control laboratory was developed as a laboratory group project in a senior level undergraduate advanced food microbiology course. The assignment was based on the student’s designing their own laboratory and implementing testing methods for different types of bacteria known to cause food-borne illness. Individual research papers and group project participation were required of each student. In each of the laboratory sections students were separated into groups of four students who were then responsible for a group project report describing and justifying a quality control laboratory design based on the detection of a particular food-borne pathogen. A survey questionnaire of students participating in the project was conducted to retrieve their perceptions of the different components of the exercise. Several general responses were evident. Students who did not expect to do scientific writing in their careers identified project activities such as determination of laboratory budgets as being the most difficult component and working with others as the most interesting component. The most difficult aspect of the team component was finding time for all members of the group to meet and getting participation from all group members. It appears that more instructional emphasis on scientific problem solving and group activity skills is needed if undergraduate food and poultry science students are to gain more confidence and ability to remain up to date with rapid technical developments occurring in laboratory science.

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Zusammenfassung (Redaktion). Studenten eines Praktikums für Lebensmittel-Mikrobiologie sollten im Rahmen eines Gruppenprojektes die Ausstattung eines Labors für Qualit?tskontrolle festlegen; sie sollten auch darüber befinden, welche Nachweismethoden in diesem Labor zu etablieren seien, um die verschiedenen Typen von Bakterien identifizieren zu k?nnen, die – ausgehend von Lebensmitteln – humanpathogen sind. Jeder Student sollte sowohl selbst Untersuchungsverfahren beschreiben als sich auch an der Arbeit der Gruppe beteiligen. Jedem Laborbereich wurde jeweils eine Gruppe aus vier Studenten zugeordnet; diese waren verantwortlich für den Projektbericht ihrer Gruppe, in dem die Ausrüstung des Labors für Qualit?tskontrolle jeweils mit Bezug auf ein ausgew?hltes humanpathogenes Bakterium beschrieben und bewertet wurde. Den am Projekt teilnehmenden Studenten wurde ein Fragenkatalog vorgelegt, um ihre bei der Projektdurchführung gewonnenen Erfahrungen kennen zu lernen. Mehrere generelle Antworten traten deutlich hervor. Studenten, die nicht erwarteten, in ihrem zukünftigen Berufsleben wissenschaftliche Texte abzufassen, fiel z. B. die Festlegung eines Labor-Budgets schwer, w?hrend sie die gemeinsame Teamarbeit interessant fanden. Bei der Teamarbeit stellte es sich als schwierig heraus, genug Zeit für einander innerhalb der Gruppe zur Verfügung zu haben. Es zeigt sich, dass mehr Gewicht auf die Anleitung gelegt werden sollte, wie man wissenschaftliche Problemstellungen l?sen und wie man Gruppenarbeit sachgerecht gestalten kann. So k?nnen Studenten des Fachbereichs Lebensmittel sich eher sicher sein, stets über den neuesten Stand der technischen Ver?nderungen im Laborbereich ausreichend informiert zu sein.

     

Concerning ordered mutation testing of relational operators

The aim of this paper is to correct a misapprehension concerning mutation testing of relational operators in imperative programming languages. An apparently plausible, but fallacious argument is stated concerning the order in which mutants are best considered. Subsequently, a counter-example is presented which disproves the argument.     

Anthocyanins remain stable during commercial blackcurrant juice processing

Abstract: It remains important to establish the stability of anthocyanins throughout commercial processing in order to maintain the bioactivity of the processed food/s. The present study aimed to assess the recovery and formation of anthocyanins and their free phenolic acid degradation products during the commercial processing of blackcurrant juice concentrate. A bench‐scale processing model was also established to allow for alteration of predefined parameters to identify where commercial processes could be modified to influence anthocyanin yield. No significant loss in anthocyanins was observed throughout the commercial processing of blackcurrants, from whole berry through milling, to pectin hydrolysis and sodium bisulphite addition (P ≥ 0.7). No significant loss in anthocyanins was observed following the subsequent processing of pressed juice, through pasteurization, decantation, filtration, and concentration (P ≥ 0.9). Similarly, the bench‐scale model showed no significant losses in anthocyanin content except during pasteurization (22%± 0.7%, P < 0.001). In the full‐factorial Design of Experiment model analysis, only sodium bisulphite concentration had an impact on anthocyanin recovery, which resulted in an increase (23% to 27%; P < 0.001) in final anthocyanin concentration. No phenolic degradation products (free protocatechuic acid or gallic acid derived from cyanidin and delphinin species, respectively) were identified in any processed sample when compared to authentic analytical standards, analyzed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography DAD. Practical Application: This article provides crucial data directly applicable to commercial juice processing, such as improving anthocyanin yield and practical considerations for anthocyanin stability and degradation. This aspect is particularly pertinent considering the current commercial interest in anthocyanin‐derived phenolic acids and their health‐related benefits. Further research and development targets in the area of commercial juice product development are identified.     

Heavy metal sensors and sequestrating agents based on polyaromatic copolymers and hydrogels

A series of readily available, amphiphilic pyrene‐ and perylene‐containing fluorescent materials, derived from the co‐polymerisation of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid with acrylate esters, can be used to detect heavy metal ions in the micromolar concentration range in aqueous solutions. The incorporation of these amphiphilic copolymers into semi‐interpenetrating hydrogels also resulted in the irreversible removal of divalent Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions at neutral pH.     

Batch fabrication and structure of integrated GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs field-effect transistor-self-electro-optic effectdevices (FET-SEED's)

The authors have demonstrated a smart pixel prototype field-effect-transistor-self-electrooptic-effect-device (FET-SEED) integrated optoelectronic amplifier utilizing process technology suitable for flexible design and fabrication of high-yield optoelectronic circuits. A single MBE growth sequence provides for quantum-well modulators, photodiodes, doped channel MIS-like field-effect transistors (DMTs), and resistors. The device dimensions are controlled in a planar technology using ion implantation and selective plasma etching for isolation and contacting. Results demonstrate optical amplification in a fully integrated circuit. This technology will enable increased functionality by providing digital electronic processing between optical input and output     

The use of Nassi-Shneiderman charts and supporting tools in software engineering education

In 1973 Nassi and Shneiderman proposed a new form of flowchart which was advocated as being better suited to the practices of structured programming. It is argued that Nassi-Shneiderman charts (N-S charts) provide a convenient common framework for the communication and practice of other widely accepted ideas concerning software development. They can for example be used to promote top-down design, structured implementation, thorough testing and graphical documentation. This paper relates experiences using N-S charts in a University educational environment and describes some tools which have been developed to support use of the charts.