In response to the effects of climate change, many countries are realigning their energy systems to the principle of sustainability. An energy system change will lead to the development of ...substantial renewable energy infrastructure (mostly wind and photovoltaic) in landscapes with effects on perceived landscape quality and socio-political acceptance. Both direct perceptive effects of physical landscape structures and latent meanings associated with those structures potentially affect their acceptance.
This work evaluates the role of landscape-technology fit (derived from place-technology fit) representing the extent to which alternatives within each of these two components “fit” together (e.g., does a given type of renewable energy infrastructure fit well within some landscapes but not others?). It also evaluates the role of latent meanings ascribed to landscapes and renewable energy infrastructure within that mentioned “fit” decision as well as the role of prior experience (exposure) to both.
The study is based on a survey of Swiss citizens in a representative online panel (n = 1062). To estimate preferences for diverse renewable energy infrastructure scenarios across landscape types, a discrete choice model was implemented. Meanings ascribed to landscapes and renewable energy infrastructure were included in a second component of the survey. An innovative hybrid choice model approach facilitated integration of latent and observed variables in a hierarchy of predictors.
Results show that most effects were statistically significant. Landscape-technology fit functioned as a moderator between choice attributes and preferences; in turn, it is predicted by landscape and renewable energy meanings, which are predicted by relevant prior experience (exposure).
•Landscape-technology fit (LTF) moderates public preferences across energy scenarios.•Meanings ascribed to landscapes and renewable energy infrastructure predict LTF.•Exposure (landscape, renewable energy infrastructure) predicts ascribed meanings.•Renewable energy in natural landscapes triggers passive place-protective behavior.•The hybrid choice model enhances understanding of landscape transformation preferences.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Long-term power-system planning and operation, build on expectations concerning future electricity demand and future transmission/generation capacities. This paper reviews current methodologies for ...forecasting long-term hourly electricity demand on an aggregate scale (regional or nationally), for 10–50 years ahead. We discuss the challenges of these methodologies in a future energy system featuring more renewable energy sources and tighter coupling between the power sector and the building and transport sectors. Finally, we conclude with some recommendations on aspects to be taken into account regarding long-term load forecasts in a changing power system.
•Reviews long-term forecasting methodologies for hourly electricity demand.•Explains and discusses challenges with current methodologies.•Offers recommendation for components of an ideal long-term load forecasting methodology.•Load decomposition is beneficial when accounting for PV, HPs and flexible resources.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Despite the increasing industrial use of different nanomaterials, data on their genotoxicity are scant. In the present study, we examined the potential genotoxic effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs; ...>50% single-walled, ∼40% other CNTs; 1.1
nm
×
0.5–100
μm; Sigma–Aldrich) and graphite nanofibres (GNFs; 95%; outer diameter 80–200
nm, inner diameter 30–50
nm, length 5–20
μm; Sigma–Aldrich)
in vitro. Genotoxicity was assessed by the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay and the micronucleus assay (cytokinesis-block method) in human bronchial epithelial BEAS 2B cells cultured for 24
h, 48
h, or 72
h with various doses (1–100
μg/cm
2, corresponding to 3.8–380
μg/ml) of the carbon nanomaterials. In the comet assay, CNTs induced a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage at all treatment times, with a statistically significant effect starting at the lowest dose tested. GNFs increased DNA damage at all doses in the 24-h treatment, at two doses (40 and 100
μg/cm
2) in the 48-h treatment (dose-dependent effect) and at four doses (lowest 10
μg/cm
2) in the 72-h treatment. In the micronucleus assay, no increase in micronucleated cells was observed with either of the nanomaterials after the 24-h treatment or with CNTs after the 72-h treatment. The 48-h treatment caused a significant increase in micronucleated cells at three doses (lowest 10
μg/cm
2) of CNTs and at two doses (5 and 10
μg/cm
2) of GNFs. The 72-h treatment with GNFs increased micronucleated cells at four doses (lowest 10
μg/cm
2). No dose-dependent effects were seen in the micronucleus assay. The presence of carbon nanomaterial on the microscopic slides disturbed the micronucleus analysis and made it impossible at levels higher than 20
μg/cm
2 of GNFs in the 24-h and 48-h treatments. In conclusion, our results suggest that both CNTs and GNFs are genotoxic in human bronchial epithelial BEAS 2B cells
in vitro. This activity may be due to the fibrous nature of these carbon nanomaterials with a possible contribution by catalyst metals present in the materials—Co and Mo in CNTs (<5
wt.%) and Fe (<3
wt.%) in GNFs.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
4.
Androgens and Bone Vanderschueren, Dirk; Vandenput, Liesbeth; Boonen, Steven ...
Endocrine reviews,
2004-June, Volume:
25, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Loss of estrogens or androgens increases the rate of bone remodeling by removing restraining effects on osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis, and also causes a focal imbalance between resorption ...and formation by prolonging the lifespan of osteoclasts and shortening the lifespan of osteoblasts. Conversely, androgens, as well as estrogens, maintain cancellous bone mass and integrity, regardless of age or sex. Although androgens, via the androgen receptor (AR), and estrogens, via the estrogen receptors (ERs), can exert these effects, their relative contribution remains uncertain. Recent studies suggest that androgen action on cancellous bone depends on (local) aromatization of androgens into estrogens. However, at least in rodents, androgen action on cancellous bone can be directly mediated via AR activation, even in the absence of ERs.
Androgens also increase cortical bone size via stimulation of both longitudinal and radial growth. First, androgens, like estrogens, have a biphasic effect on endochondral bone formation: at the start of puberty, sex steroids stimulate endochondral bone formation, whereas they induce epiphyseal closure at the end of puberty. Androgen action on the growth plate is, however, clearly mediated via aromatization in estrogens and interaction with ERα. Androgens increase radial growth, whereas estrogens decrease periosteal bone formation. This effect of androgens may be important because bone strength in males seems to be determined by relatively higher periosteal bone formation and, therefore, greater bone dimensions, relative to muscle mass at older age. Experiments in mice again suggest that both the AR and ERα pathways are involved in androgen action on radial bone growth. ERβ may mediate growth-limiting effects of estrogens in the female but does not seem to be involved in the regulation of bone size in males.
In conclusion, androgens may protect men against osteoporosis via maintenance of cancellous bone mass and expansion of cortical bone. Such androgen action on bone is mediated by the AR and ERα.
Secretory IgA (SIgA) protects the intestinal epithelium from enteric pathogens such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) through a process known as immune exclusion, where invading ...bacteria are aggregated via antibody cross-linking, encased in mucus, and then cleared from the intestinal tract via peristalsis. At high cell densities, the STm aggregates form a tightly packed network that is reminiscent of early bacterial biofilms. However, the underlying mechanism of how SIgA mediates this transition from a motile and invasive state to an avirulent sessile state in STm is currently unknown.
In this report, we developed and validated a methodology known as the "snow globe" assay to enable real-time imaging and quantification of STm agglutination by the mouse monoclonal IgA Sal4.
We observed that agglutination in the snow globe assay was dose-dependent, antigen-specific, and influenced by antibody isotype. We determined that flagellar-based motility was a prerequisite for rapid onset of agglutination, even at high cell densities where cell-cell contacts are expected to be frequent. We also investigated the roles of individual cyclic-di-GMP metabolizing enzymes previously implicated in motility and biofilm formation in Sal4 IgA-mediated agglutination.
Taken together, our results demonstrate that IgA-mediated agglutination is a dynamic process influenced by bacterial motility and cell-cell collisions. We conclude that the snow globe assay is a viable platform to further decipher the molecular and genetic determinants that drive this interaction.
•Electric Vehicle charging in apartment buildings.•Hourly predictions based on data sources frequently available for residents.•Field data from 6878 charging sessions registered by 97 ...users.•Significant potential for residential EV charging flexibility.
The increase in the number of electric vehicles leads to an increased demand for residential charging. While EV electric loads can have a negative impact on the power grid, they also represent a large potential for energy flexibility. This study proposes a methodology to describe charging habits, electricity load profiles, and flexibility potentials of EV charging in apartment buildings. The input data used for the method are generally available for buildings with multiple EV charge points: EV charging reports with individual charging sessions and aggregated smart meter data. The case study is a large housing cooperative in Norway, with a combination of private and shared charge points for the residents. The study compares two charging power assumptions of 3.6 kW and 7.2 kW. The flexibility potential increases with higher charging power. The study reveals a significant potential for residential EV charging flexibility when private parking spaces have EV charge points.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Increased leptin and decreased adiponectin levels are reported in coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Less is known regarding the impact of continuous positive ...airway pressure (CPAP) on these biomarkers. We aimed to determine variables associated with leptin and adiponectin in adults with CAD and nonsleepy OSA, and evaluate the effect of CPAP adjusted for confounding factors.
This was one of the secondary outcomes of the RICCADSA trial, conducted in Sweden between 2005 and 2013. From 244 revascularized CAD and OSA patients (apnoea–hypopnoea index >15/h) without excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score <10), 196 with blood samples at baseline, after 3, and 12 months were included in the randomized controlled trial arm; of those, 98 were allocated to auto-titrating CPAP, and 98 to no-CPAP.
No significant changes in leptin and adiponectin levels were observed during follow-up, whereas Body-Mass-Index and waist circumference increased in both CPAP and no-CPAP groups with no significant between-group differences. Alterations in plasma leptin were determined by changes in waist circumference (beta coefficient 2.47; 95% confidence interval 0.77–4.40), whereas none of the analyzed parameters was predictive for changes in adiponectin levels. No association was found with CPAP adherence.
CPAP had no significant effect on leptin and adiponectin in this cohort of nonsleepy OSA patients. An increase in waist circumference predicted an increase in plasma levels of leptin after 12 months, suggesting that lifestyle modifications should be given priority in adults with CAD and OSA regardless of CPAP treatment.
•Increased leptin and decreased adiponectin levels are reported in coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea.•Less is known regarding the impact of continuous positive airway pressure treatment (CPAP) on these biomarkers.•CPAP treatment for 12 months had no effect on circulating leptin and adiponection levels in the current cohort.•Alterations in leptin levels were determined by changes in waist circumference.•Lifestyle modifications should be considered in coronary artery disease and sleep apnea regardless of CPAP treatment.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The in-vitro genotoxicity of nanosized TiO2 rutile and anatase was assessed in comparison with fine TiO2 rutile in human bronchial epithelial BEAS 2B cells using the single-cell gel electrophoresis ...(comet) assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test. BEAS 2B cells were exposed to eight doses (1—100 μg/cm2) of titanium(IV) oxide nanosized rutile (>95%, <5% amorphous SiO2 coating; 10 × 40 nm), nanosized anatase (99.7%; <25 nm), or fine rutile (99.9%; <5 μm) for 24, 48, and 72 h. Fine rutile reduced cell viability at lower doses than nanosized anatase, which was more cytotoxic than nanosized rutile. In the comet assay, nanosized anatase and fine rutile induced DNA damage at several doses with all treatment times. Dose-dependent effects were seen after the 48- and 72-h treatments with nanosized anatase and after the 24-, 48- (in one out of two experiments), and 72-h treatments (one experiment) with fine rutile. The lowest doses inducing DNA damage were 1 μg/cm2 for fine rutile and 10 μg/cm 2 for nanosized anatase. Nanosized rutile showed a significant induction in DNA damage only at 80 μg/cm2 in the 24-h treatment and at 80 and 100 μg/ cm2 in the 72-h treatment (with a dose-dependent effect). Only nanosized anatase could elevate the frequency of micronucleated BEAS 2B cells, producing a significant increase at 10 and 60 μg/cm 2 after the 72-h treatment (no dose-dependency). At increasing doses of all the particles, MN analysis became difficult due to the presence of TiO2 on the microscopic slides. In conclusion, our studies in human bronchial epithelial BEAS 2B cells showed that uncoated nanosized anatase TiO2 and fine rutile TiO2 are more efficient than SiO 2-coated nanosized rutile TiO2 in inducing DNA damage, whereas only nanosized anatase is able to slightly induce micronuclei.
We present stated preference data based on a national representative Swiss online panel survey related to preference of mixed renewable energy infrastructure in landscapes. Data were collected ...between November 2018 and March 2019 via an online questionnaire and yielded 1026 responses. The online questionnaire consisted of two main parts – (1) questions covering meanings related to landscapes, nature and renewable energy infrastructure and questions regarding the “fit” of landscape/renewable energy infrastructure (REI) combinations and (2) a stated choice experiment. While in the first part of the questionnaire we asked respondents about their personal connection to certain landscapes, to nature and to specific REI, we also asked them to evaluate the fitting of seven different Swiss landscapes (near natural alpine areas, northern alps, touristic alpine areas, agricultural plateau, urban plateau, Jura ridges, urban alpine valley) with five different REI (wind, PV ground/agricultural, PV ground/other, PV roof, power lines) combinations. In the second part of the questionnaire, the stated choice experiment confronted respondents with 15 consecutive choice tasks, with each task involving a choice between two “energy system transformation” options and an opt-out option (none). Each choice option (beside the opt-out option) included four unlabeled attributes (landscape, wind energy infrastructure, photovoltaic energy infrastructure, high voltage overhead power line infrastructure) with varying levels. Due to data cleaning procedures (item nonresponse) the number of responses used within hybrid choice modeling and analysis was n = 844 (12,660 choice observations). An analysis of the hybrid choice model and further insights are presented in the article “How landscape-technology fit affects public evaluations of renewable energy infrastructure scenarios. A hybrid choice model.”
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The acute radiation syndrome (ARS) constitutes the most challenging, immediate medical consequence of exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation in an emergency situation. This report highlights ...some of the currently available medical guidelines and recommendations on the clinical management of ARS, comments recent trends regarding the approval of targeted pharmaceuticals for ARS, and suggests further initiatives for international collaboration aiming at continuously updating the medical knowledge base of this syndrome.
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