Average Conditions Research Articles

Gold characteristics as safe haven and assets diversification for Sharia stocks in Indonesia

Purpose This study aims to determine the role of gold as a safe haven, hedge and asset diversification for Shariah stock in conditions of extreme stock market declines. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative approach is used by applying the threshold generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (TGARCH) model to capture bad or good news in the market condition and quantile regression method to obtain the extreme values of stock returns in several market conditions. The data used were the daily closing price of gold and the Jakarta Islamic Index from January 2011 to October 2022. Findings The average conditions show gold does not have a hedge property and only acts as an asset diversification. Second, gold has a substantial, safe haven property in every economic condition. However, the safe-haven property of gold seemed to weaken during the most extreme stock market decline. Thus, although gold appears as a safe haven and asset diversification, it remains a risky investment and only provides a minor role in the face of the extreme stock market period. Practical implications This research provides a discourse and literature for Islamic investors and investor managers to choose the right investment instrument in various economic conditions where gold has a function as diversification and safe haven in their asset portfolio under any other asset portfolio conditions which is also in line with modern portfolio theory. For policymakers, the study can be used as material for consideration in making policies related to the accessibility of gold as an investment instrument. Originality/value This study presents the originality by using the price of Antam gold as a proxy for gold investment during the latest research year data and focusing on case studies in Islamic capital market in Indonesia. Moreover, this research provides quantile regression that sharply discussion in various economics condition.

Investigating the effects of landscape productivity on the spatial ecology of a threatened marsupial inside feral predator exclosures

AbstractLandscape productivity and resource dispersion are key drivers of the movement patterns of many species. In less productive environments, home ranges are generally larger as individuals travel further to access resources. The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) has been reintroduced to several feral predator exclosures to reduce their extinction risk. Understanding how landscape productivity and resource dispersion influence bilby space use is critical to enable effective management of populations in exclosures. At two exclosures, we tested three hypotheses: 1. Bilbies would preferentially utilize habitats with sandy substrates (<20% clay content), as they are suitable for digging burrows and foraging pits; 2. Home ranges would be larger at the arid site compared to the semi‐arid site due to lower productivity and patchier distribution of preferred habitats; and 3. Bilbies would travel further each night at the arid site to access preferred habitats. Rainfall was used as an indicator of productivity, and dispersion of preferred habitats as an indicator of resource dispersion. The study was undertaken during average rainfall conditions and under similar bilby population densities at both sites. GPS loggers recorded home ranges and movements of 10 bilbies at the arid site, and 11 bilbies at the semi‐arid site. Seventeen of the 21 bilbies preferentially utilized habitats with sandy substrates, which were less abundant at the arid site. There were no significant differences in home range size or nightly movements between the sites for either sex. We suggest the average rainfall conditions at both sites, and the dietary flexibility of bilbies, supported the maintenance of relatively small and stable home ranges (particularly for females). The effects of landscape productivity and resource dispersion on bilby space use are more likely to be evident during extended periods of below average rainfall. Bilby home range studies during low rainfall conditions (e.g. drought) are required for the effective, long‐term management of exclosure populations.

Experimental and computational investigation of passive heat exchangers to enhance the performance of a geothermal thermoelectric generator

Thermoelectric devices hold significant promise for generating electricity from geothermal heat, enabling the powering of measuring equipment in remote locations without the need for moving parts. Nevertheless, most developed geothermal thermoelectric generators employ fans and pumps to enhance heat transfer, thereby compromising the robustness and reliability inherent to thermoelectricity. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on passive heat exchangers for geothermal thermoelectric generators, particularly in studying their operation under a wide range of meteorological conditions. Therefore, this paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of passive heat exchangers for the cold side of the generators. Phase-change-based heat exchangers differing in their length and fluid are studied experimentally, along with a fin dissipator. Additionally, the influence of wind velocity on heat transfer and mechanical requirements is further explored through a Computational Fluid Dynamics model. The most significant outcome is quantifying the impact of the design parameters and operational variables on the electrical production of the thermoelectric generator. Accordingly, this research aims to broaden the application of these generators to extreme environments, such as Deception Island in Antarctica. Under average operational conditions, generators incorporating 400mm water heat pipes generate 0.95W per thermoelectric module, while those incorporating heat pipes with methanol achieve an average of 0.70W. Moreover, water and methanol-based systems produce 120% and 60% more power than generators using a fin dissipator. Nonetheless, for temperatures beyond -6.5°C, water might freeze and the methanol-based heat exchangers become more suitable.

Factors associated with intent to stay in the profession: an exploratory cluster analysis across healthcare professions in Switzerland.

Retention issues are widespread within the health workforce. This cross-sectional study used data collected from 1707 healthcare professionals in 2022-23 to identify with k-means clustering groups of individuals sharing similar working experiences. These profiles were linked with varying levels of turnover intentions and a range of healthcare professions. While occupational therapists and paramedics reported in average better working conditions, registered nurses and intermediate caregivers reported the poorest experiences. In other clusters, salaries were high where work-life balance was low, and inversely. By learning from similarities and differences in the working conditions of diverse healthcare professionals, shared initiatives aimed at improving retention across professions can be facilitated.

UPAYA MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI DAN HASIL BELAJAR SIFAT-SIFAT BANGUN DATAR MELALUI MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TIPE STAD

This study aims to improve motivation and learning outcomes. The properties of flat shapes. This research was conducted at SD Negeri 3 Tempursari class VI for the 2022/2023 school year. The data in this study were obtained from the results of interviews, test results, field notes and observations. This research was conducted in two cycles. The results of the study of the learning process in the second cycle using the cooperative learning model type STAD. The average condition of students' motivation in the second cycle increased to 81.81% with a very high predicate and 18.19% with high criteria. Classical student completeness increased in cycle II, namely 10 students completed or 90.90% and 1 student did not complete. The increase in the percentage of student learning completeness from pre-cycle to cycle II was 62.74%. Based on the results of the above research, it can be concluded that the learning process using the STAD type cooperative learning model to increase motivation and learning outcomes The properties of flat shapes in grade VI semester 1 SD Negeri 3 Tempursari students in the 2022/2023 school year are more effective and increase and run smoothly in accordance with the RPP that has been prepared.

Strategi Pengembangan Agrowisata Buah Naga Palopat Maria di Kota Padangsidimpuan

Padangsidimpuan City has reliable agrotourism potential in increasing regional and community income. One of the agrotourism spots in Padangsidimpuan City is Palopat Maria Dragon Fruit Agrotourism. Palopat Maria Dragon Fruit Agrotourism is an agrotourism destination that relies on the natural beauty of plantations and enjoys the authenticity of dragon fruit. The research was conducted in November 2023 at Palopat Maria Dragon Fruit Agrotourism, Padangsidimpuan Hutaimbaru District, Padangsidimpuan City, North Sumatra 22733. This research resulted that Palopat Maria Dragon Fruit Agrotourism shows that the internal and external factors that determine the development of agrotourism are in above average conditions. -average, with a focus on human resources, finance, marketing, production, tourist attractions, as well as facilities and infrastructure.

Evaluation of consumer digital radon measurement devices: a comparative analysis

Kansas State University (KSU) Engineering Extension conducted an abridged evaluation of eight consumer grade digital radon monitors. Using the KSU secondary radon chamber, these devices were exposed to three different radon concentrations for 7 d in average household temperature and relative humidity conditions. The three different radon concentration ranges used were: 12.8 pCi L−1 to 15.5 pCi L−1 (473.6 Bq m−3–573.5 Bq m−3), 27.7 pCi L−1 to 29.4 pCi L−1 (1024.9–10 857.8 Bq m−3), and ambient room level average radon concentration of 0.6 pCi L−1 (22.2 Bq m−3). The American National Standards Institute/American Academy of Radon Scientists and Technologists Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air (ANSI/AARST MS-PC) (ANSI/AARST MS-PC 2022 Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air (AARST Radon Standards)) minimum performance metrics were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of each model type for each radon concentration tested. The eight different device models performed within the 0 ± 25% requirement for the individual percent error (IPE) for radon concentrations between 27.7 pCi L−1 and 29.4 pCi L−1 (1024.9–10 857.8 Bq m−3). For radon concentrations between 12.8 pCi L−1 and 15.5 pCi L−1 (444–592 Bq m−3) seven of the eight monitors fell within the IPE requirement and for ambient room radon concentrations six of the eight monitors fell within the IPE requirement for the ANSI/AARST MS-PC minimum performance requirement (ANSI/AARST MS-PC 2022 Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air (AARST Radon Standards)) ranges. All eight device models fell within the ± 15% ANSI/AARST MS-PC minimum performance requirement (ANSI/AARST MS-PC 2022 Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air (AARST Radon Standards)) coefficient of variation (CV) range for radon concentrations between 12.8 pCi L−1 and 15.5 pCi L−1 (444–592 Bq m−3) and for radon concentrations between 27.7 pCi L−1 and 29.4 pCi L−1 (1024.9–10 857.8 Bq m−3). In the future, evaluating the performance of these models over time to observe their long term accuracy and precision is anticipated.

Multi-purpose InSTRument for Astronomy at Low-resolution: MISTRAL at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence

Multi-purpose InSTRument for Astronomy at Low-resolution (MISTRAL) is the new Faint Object Spectroscopic Camera mounted at the folded Cassegrain focus of the 1.93m telescope of the Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP). We describe the design and components of the instrument and give some details about its operation. We emphasize in particular the various observing modes and the performance of the detector. A short description of the working environment is also provided. Various types of objects, including stars, nebulae, comets, novae, and galaxies, have been observed during various test phases to evaluate the performance of the instrument. The instrument covers the range of 4000 to 8000 AA with the blue setting, or from 6000 to 10000 AA with the red setting, at an average spectral resolution of 700. Its peak efficiency is about 22$<!PCT!>$ at 6000 AA . In spectroscopy, a limiting magnitude of rsim 19.5 can be achieved for a point source in one hour with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 in the continuum (and better when emission lines are present). In imaging mode, limiting magnitudes of 20-21 can be obtained in 10-20mn (with average seeing conditions of 2.5 arcsec at the OHP). The instrument is very user-friendly and can be put into operations in less than 15mn (rapid change-over from the other instrument in use) if required by the science (e.g. for gamma-ray bursts). Some first scientific results are described for various types of objects, and in particular, for the follow-up of gamma-ray bursts. While some further improvements are still under way, in particular, to facilitate the switch from blue to red setting and add more grisms or filters, MISTRAL is ready for the follow-up of transients and other variable objects, in the soon-to-come era of the Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) satellite and of the Rubin telescope, for instance.

How does intergenerational coresidence affect the physical health of middle-aged children? Evidence from China

ABSTRACT Due to increasing longevity and decreasing fertility, the middle-aged generation has emerged as the primary caregivers for their elderly parents in China. Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, this study employs an endogenous treatment effect model to estimate the causal impact of intergenerational coresidence on the physical health of middle-aged children. The findings reveal that coresidence significantly deteriorates the physical health of middle-aged children. Notably, this effect is more pronounced in employed individuals compared to unemployed ones. Marginal effect analysis uncovers that coresidence has adverse effects on middle-aged children who are either particularly healthy or particularly unhealthy, while the marginal impact of coresidence on children in average health conditions is insignificant.

Seasonal Variability and Water Scarcity Adaptations in Buea Urban, South West Region, Cameroon

Nowadays water scarcity in developing countries has remained disturbing and creates various impacts especially on the urban areas at best average economic conditions. This seems to be amplified by growing urbanization, climate change and seasonality. Although located in a mountainous area with abundant rainfall received over the years, Buea has been significantly stressed by water scarcity driven by seasonal changes. This study aims at identifying the seasonal variability in water supply and various adaptation mechanisms to water scarcity in Buea. Making use of mixed research design, the study used the systematic random sampling technique. 200 questionnaires were distributed to the sampled populations in the Molyko, Buea Town, Federal Quarters and the Great Soppo neighbourhoods in Buea. Field observations and interviews were used in the study in order to assess the water supply and seasonal variability as well as the various water scarcity adaptations that have been put in place by the sampled population. Linear regression was used to identify variability in the trends of climatic parameters of temperature and rainfall in Buea. The chi-square test was used to verify the assertion that the water scarcity adaptation measures put in place are a function of seasonal variability in Buea. The findings revealed that drilling of boreholes, fetching of water from neighbouring streams and springs in the municipality, rainwater harvesting among others were revealed by this study to be some of the water scarcity adaptations that have been put in place. Results also revealed that the various water scarcity adaptations put in place is not a function of seasonal changes in Buea. Income was seen to be one of the key determinants of the choice as well as the type of water scarcity adaptation put in place. Concerning the challenges faced, the study revealed that limitations to water scarcity adaptions are very significant across the different sampled localities in the Buea. Financial difficulty (32.5%) was the greatest challenge faced poor water development of water supply infrastructure (21%) as well as limited knowledge on water scarcity adaptation were identified.

How Variable are Patient Comorbidity Profiles Among Practicing Otolaryngologists?

To determine whether certain groups of otolaryngologists (ORLs) are treating cohorts of patients with more comorbidities. Cross-sectional population-based analysis. 2019 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Dataset. Each ORL's average Medicare hierarchical condition category (HCC) risk score, a comorbidity index calculated from a patient's comorbidities, was collected. These were stratified and compared by various physician characteristics, including practice region and rurality, years in practice, gender, subspecialty, and setting (academic vscommunity). Among 8959 ORLs, the mean HCC risk score for Medicare patients was 1.35 ± 0.35. On univariate analysis, ORLs practicing in urban (compared to rural), ORLs in academic settings (compared to community), and early career ORLs all had a patient population with a higher HCC risk score (P < .001 for all). On multivariate analysis controlling for gender, rurality, graduation year, and region, rural setting was associated with decreased odds of having a high-risk patient population (odds ratio: 0.58 [95% confidence interval,CI: 0.48-0.71]; P < .001), while those more recently graduated has an increased risk (2000-2009: 1.41 [1.01-1.96], P = .046; 2010-2015: 2.30 [1.63-3.25], P < .001). In a separate subgroup analysis, subspecialty differences were seen and community setting was associated with decreased odds of having a high-risk patient population (0.36 [0.23-0.55]; P < .001). There is variability in patient comorbidity profiles among ORLs, with those in urban settings, those more recently graduated, and those in academic settings treating a group with more comorbidities. As the comorbidity burden may increase the cost of practice and complications, these findings may have important implications for health inequity.

An SDP relaxation in the complex domain for the efficient coordination of BESS and DGs in single-phase distribution grids while considering reactive power capabilities

This research proposes an efficient energy management system design for medium-voltage distribution networks from a perspective of convex optimization. The exact nonlinear programming problem that represents the operation of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as batteries and photovoltaic sources, is approximated as an equivalent semi-definite programming (SDP) problem. This SDP approximation is achieved in the complex domain using Hermitian matrices, which are the equivalent of positive semi-definite matrices in the real number domain. Two test feeders, one with 27 nodes and the other with 33 nodes, are modified to match the characteristics of Colombian rural and urban networks. The 27-bus grid is adapted to accommodate the average demand and solar generation conditions of the municipality of Capurganá, while those of the city of Medellín are used for the 33-bus grid. One of the main contributions of this research is that it considers a DER operation with variable power factors, which allows for significant improvements compared to the traditional use of a unitary power factor scheme. Numerical comparisons are conducted using metaheuristic optimizers, including parallel versions of the particle swarm optimizer, the vortex search algorithm, and the continuous version of the genetic algorithm. These comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed SDP approximation. All simulations are carried out in the MATLAB software (version 2022b), using the disciplined convex optimizer (CVX) and the SDPT3 and SEDUMI solvers.

Influence of humic preparations on the development of honeysuckle in the forest steppe of Western Siberia

Blue honeysuckle is a winter-hardy and unpretentious crop; in folk medicine, its berries and juice are used for hypertension, anemia, and intestinal disorders. The environmental situation and the general rise in prices of pesticides and mineral fertilizers stimulate the choice of alternative technologies and the use of biological plant protection products, growth stimulants, and bacterial fertilizers. In this regard, our research aimed to study the effect of various humic preparations on the growth and development of green cuttings of blue honeysuckle variety Berel. This variety has a medium ripening period, gives a high yield, is slightly crumbling, and is highly winter-hardy. The research was carried out in the Novosibirsk region on the territory of the Agro Seed Company in 2019 - 2021. The average annual growth and general condition of blue honeysuckle plants of the Berel variety were determined according to generally accepted methods. Data analysis showed that all studied indicators of honeysuckle plants are greatly influenced by the year’s conditions when the difference between years reaches 25 - 30%. In addition, it was found that all the studied drugs positively affect the growth and development of plants and, in particular, the survival rate and overwintering of green honeysuckle cuttings (up to 45%). Thus, the ZhT “Ekozhizn” preparation provided better survival and overwintering of plants. Cytohumate had a better effect on the development of vegetative mass, but in terms of survival and overwintering, it was inferior to using the ZhT “Ecozhizn” preparation.

Frequency curves of high and low flows in intermittent river basins for hydrological analysis and hydraulic design

Upper and lower percentiles of Flow Duration Curves (FDCs) of daily streamflow data were investigated to develop frequency curves. Upper percentiles with exceedance probability of 1, 5 and 10% (Q1, Q5, Q10) were used for high flows, and lower percentiles with non-exceedance probability of 10, 5 and 1% (Q90, Q95, Q99) for low flows. Median value (Q50) was covered to represent the average conditions of streamflow. A mixed frequency analysis based on the total probability theorem taking zero values into account was applied for the lower percentiles of FDC. Case studies were performed for three intermittent Streamflow Gauging Stations (SGSs) from Kucuk Menderes River Basin in western Turkey. An overall assessment of results shows that the best-fit probability distribution function does not change from one SGS to another considerably for low flows while each SGS has its own probability distribution function for high flows. Upper and lower percentiles, and median value were calculated at various return periods by using the identified probability distribution functions. The calculated values were plotted in the form of frequency curves of high flow percentiles and low flow percentiles. The frequency curves have a practically significant potential use in hydrological analysis, water resources management and hydraulic design under high and low flow conditions. They are yet open to further development for regionalization and their applicability can be extended to ungauged sites in river basins.

Assessing Pipe Condition in Water Distribution Networks

The condition assessment of water distribution pipes is of utmost importance for the prioritization of rehabilitation interventions. However, the application of available methodologies for condition assessment by water utilities with limited human, technological and financial resources is becoming increasingly complex. The current paper aims at the development and application of a methodology for the prediction of the physical condition of water distribution pipes without the need for visual inspection. The methodology includes the development and application of three different algorithms (heuristic, linear regression and support vector regression). The methodology is applied to a water distribution network located in the Algarve region, Portugal. The results obtained from each algorithm are compared with a well-known performance indicator, the ratio of useful life, and present significant differences in its overall pipe condition classification. Results have demonstrated the following: the ratio of useful life tends to distribute pipe classification more equally in the three classes (i.e., good, average and unsatisfactory); the heuristic algorithm classifies most pipes as average condition; and the linear regression algorithm classifies with unsatisfactory conditions. The support vector regression algorithm stands out as the main classifier for identifying pipes in good condition when compared to other algorithms.

Non-indigenous species and their realized niche in tidepools along the South-East Pacific coast

Non-indigenous species (NIS) have the potential to colonize and become established in a wide range of coastal habitats. Species with broad environmental tolerances can quickly adapt to local conditions and expand their niches along environmental gradients, and even colonize habitats with extreme abiotic conditions. Here we report and document the distribution of eight marine NIS (four seaweed and four invertebrate species) found in tidepools along a 3000 km latitudinal gradient along the Pacific coast of Chile (18.4°S to 41.9°S). The seaweed NIS Codium fragile, Capreolia implexa, Schottera nicaeensis and Mastocarpus latissimus were mostly distributed towards high latitudes (i.e., more southerly locations), where temperatures in tidepools were low. The invertebrate NIS Anemonia alicemartinae, Ciona robusta, Bugula neritina and Bugulina flabellata were more common towards low latitudes, where high temperatures were registered in the tidepools. Across the intertidal gradient, seaweed NIS were mostly found in pools in the mid and low intertidal zone, while invertebrate NIS occurred mostly in pools from the mid and upper intertidal zones. The realized niche spaces of NIS (based on the Outlying Mean Index, OMI) in the study area were mainly influenced by environmental conditions of temperature and salinity (along the latitudinal and intertidal gradients), while other tidepool characteristics (depth, surface area, exposition, and complexity) only had minor effects. Five of the eight NIS exhibited a realized niche space coinciding with the average tidepool environmental conditions, while marginal niches were occupied by species with affinities for specific temperatures and salinities along the latitudinal and intertidal gradients. Our results indicate that physiological tolerances to environmental factors play a fundamental role in the distribution of seaweed and invertebrate NIS in tidepools along the Chilean coast. This study confirms that tidepools offer suitable conditions for some seaweed and invertebrate NIS, potentially facilitating their invasion into new natural habitats.

Non-minimal coupling, negative null energy, and effective field theory

The non-minimal coupling of scalar fields to gravity has been claimed to violate energy conditions, leading to exotic phenomena such as traversable wormholes, even in classical theories. In this work we adopt the view that the non-minimal coupling can be viewed as part of an effective field theory (EFT) in which the field value is controlled by the theory’s cutoff. Under this assumption, the average null energy condition, whose violation is necessary to allow traversable wormholes, is obeyed both classically and in the context of quantum field theory. In addition, we establish a type of "smeared" null energy condition in the non-minimally coupled theory, showing that the null energy averaged over a region of spacetime obeys a state dependent bound, in that it depends on the allowed field range. We finally motivate our EFT assumption by considering when the gravity plus matter path integral remains semi-classically controlled.

A generalization of the Hawking black hole area theorem

Hawking’s black hole area theorem was proven using the null energy condition (NEC), a pointwise condition violated by quantum fields. The violation of the NEC is usually cited as the reason that black hole evaporation is allowed in the context of semiclassical gravity. Here we provide two generalizations of the classical black hole area theorem: first, a proof of the original theorem with an averaged condition, the weakest possible energy condition to prove the theorem using focusing of null geodesics. Second, a proof of an area-type result that allows for the shrinking of the black hole horizon but provides a bound on it. This bound can be translated to a bound on the black hole evaporation rate using a condition inspired from quantum energy inequalities. Finally, we show how our bound can be applied to two cases that violate classical energy conditions.

Widespread breakdown in masting in European beech due to rising summer temperatures.

Climate change effects on tree reproduction are poorly understood, even though the resilience of populations relies on sufficient regeneration to balance increasing rates of mortality. Forest-forming tree species often mast, i.e. reproduce through synchronised year-to-year variation in seed production, which improves pollination and reduces seed predation. Recent observations in European beech show, however, that current climate change can dampen interannual variation and synchrony of seed production and that this masting breakdown drastically reduces the viability of seed crops. Importantly, it is unclear under which conditions masting breakdown occurs and how widespread breakdown is in this pan-European species. Here, we analysed 50 long-term datasets of population-level seed production, sampled across the distribution of European beech, and identified increasing summer temperatures as the general driver of masting breakdown. Specifically, increases in site-specific mean maximum temperatures during June and July were observed across most of the species range, while the interannual variability of population-level seed production (CVp) decreased. The declines in CVp were greatest, where temperatures increased most rapidly. Additionally, the occurrence of crop failures and low seed years has decreased during the last four decades, signalling altered starvation effects of masting on seed predators. Notably, CVp did not vary among sites according to site mean summer temperature. Instead, masting breakdown occurs in response to warming local temperatures (i.e. increasing relative temperatures), such that the risk is not restricted to populations growing in warm average conditions. As lowered CVp can reduce viable seed production despite the overall increase in seed count, our results warn that a covert mechanism is underway that may hinder the regeneration potential of European beech under climate change, with great potential to alter forest functioning and community dynamics.

Evaluation of a concentrated solar power plant under meteorological and climatological forcing

The performance of renewable energy-conversion systems depends strongly on the background climate and ambient meteorological conditions. However, common approaches to simulating such systems use aggregated climatic data as forcing. Given strong variability in the climate, along with possible future long-term changes, it is important to understand the trade-offs between high-resolution forcing data and representative data. Here we simulate a concentrated solar power plant driven by hourly-resolved reanalysis data using both air and water-based cooling systems. These simulations allow us to analyze plant performance under realistic meteorological variability at two locations. In addition, we simulate the plant under average climatic conditions, where all sub-seasonal and interannual variability has been removed. These simulations are cheaper to run, but do not represent extreme values in the forcing. Our analysis shows that variability in the direct normal irradiance (DNI) is a critical factor for simulating the plant realistically. We show that where (and when) DNI variability is low, average forcing provides a realistic picture of power output. Average forcing can also provide a good estimate of how the plant will perform on average. However, in cases where understanding how robustly the plant performs, it is critical to include realistic variability in the input data.