Cellular mechanisms of thyroid hormone homeostasis

Abstract The title of this thesis covers the whole world of local thyroid hormone (TH) transport, metabolism and action. Normal TH homeostasis is dependent on the intracellular availability of TH, as the genomic actions of TH are mediated by nuclear TH receptors (TRs) bound to promoter elements of TH responsive genes. The intracellular availability of TH, is dependent on adequate function of transporter proteins and deiodinating enzymes that convert T4 to the active form T3, as well as degradation of T3. Although we know that all described key players are important for normal TH homeostasis, many issues are still unresolved. The work in this thesis presents studies in which key players of TH homeostasis, in health and disease, are investigated. First, we discussed the impact of genetic variation in the type 2 deiodinase (D2). Next, new insights in the TH transport characteristics of the L-type amino acid transporters (LAT) 1-5 and monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) 8 and 10 were described. After that we discussed the ability of T4 to stimulate transcription of TH responsive genes and we explored gender differences in the age-related suppression of TH signalling. Finally, the associations between TH and trace elements were discussed

An overview of initiatives to innovate land tenure recordation:2011 to present

Fit-for-purpose inspired approaches to land tenure recordation are being developed and implemented mainly in the form of pilot projects in various countries and application contexts. These approaches combine mobile digital technologies and flexible database structures with community based approaches for capturing and managing tenure rights. We discuss 10 such initiatives. A basic commonality of the initiatives is the general approach to tenure recordation through community based digital data capture, in many cases via mobile applications – where formal land registration does not suffice or has failed and acknowledging the diversity of land tenure regimes. Looking at the initiatives in more detail a number of differences become apparent in terms of financing mechanisms and organizational characteristics, as well as process design and application domains. Our discussion provides a basis to point out directions for future research as well as points of consideration for evaluation of implementation efforts and the aim of achieving citizens’ tenure securit

Arrangement for providing information on fluid flow rate

The present disclosure relates to an arrangement for providing information about a flow rate of a fluid, comprising: a fluid inlet opening, at least one flow channel, and at least one porous zone located above the at least one flow channel, wherein the surface size and position of the at least one porous zone relative to the fluid inlet opening defines the evaporation rate of a fluid, arranged such that when a fluid is injected through the fluid inlet opening the fluid flows via hydraulic pressure through the at least one flow channel and then through the respective at least one porous zone

An approach to the modelling of stability of waste containers during urban flooding

Before the solid waste is dumped in landfills, the collection process for large Spanish cities starts from a regular collection of household waste municipal service which is carried out through street containers. When an urban flood occurs those containers may lose their stability, thereby allowing debris (i.e., solid waste contained) and leachate to escape from the container and contaminate the flood water. Moreover, once a container loses its stability it can further constrict a narrow street and increase flooding, thereby creating a closed basin with no outlet for runoff and exacerbating the effects of flooding. Therefore, the waste containers stability when exposed to flooding is definitely an environmental, safety and health concern to be addressed. In this research stability functions for waste containers exposed to urban floods have been derived. These thresholds have been employed to analyse the containers'' potential behaviour during floods in Barcelona. In order to validate the model a historical rainfall has been modelled and low-return-period design storms (i.e., 1, 5, and 10 years) have been used to assess the containers vulnerability against floods for frequent rainfall events. Once the number of potentially unstable containers has been estimated, an adaptation measure has been proposed in order to increase the resilience of waste sector against urban floods in Barcelona