Switzerland

The long-term energy policy of the Canton of Zurich aims on maintaining respectively enabling a high, but eco-friendly living standard. Until 2050 the CO2 emissions are to be reduced from today approximately 6.0 tonnes per year and person down to 2.2 tonnes. By 2034, all remaining nuclear power plants in Switzerland, some of them among the oldest in Europe, will be taken of the grid (in accordance with the new political decision taken by the Swiss Federal Council in the wake of the Fukushima desaster). The overall target is therefore the transformation of the energy supply from a nuclear and hydropower based to a more sustainable one. Security of supply is often identified as one of the principle challenges in this context. For all these aspects, support and promotion of Innovation beyond R&D is a key relevance as well. The smart city concept is not only multi-dimensional but also future-oriented in tackling energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It follows an urban development strategy whereby focussing on how (Internet-related) technologies enhance the lives of citizens, empowering them for contributing to urban change and realizing their ambitions

Technologien auf dem Prüfstand : neu entwickeltes Indikatorenset zur Bewertung der Stromproduktion anhand der Ziele der Energiestrategie 2050

Wie sind die verschiedenen Stromproduktionstechnologien im Hinblick auf die Energiewende zu bewerten? Welchen Beitrag können sie leisten? Ausgehend von diesen Fragen hat ein Forschungsteam der ZHAW ein Set von Bewertungs-Indikatoren entwickelt. Dieses stützt sich auf die in der Energiestrategie 2050 definierten Leitlinien Sicherheit, Wirtschaftlichkeit und Umweltverträglichkeit. Im Sinne einer ganzheitlichen Betrachtung wurde zudem der Aspekt der Gesellschaftsverträglichkeit hinzugefügt

Predictive models for the characterization of internal defects in additive materials from active thermography sequences supported by machine learning methods

The present article addresses a generation of predictive models that assesses the thickness and length of internal defects in additive manufacturing materials. These modes use data from the application of active transient thermography numerical simulation. In this manner, the raised procedure is an ad-hoc hybrid method that integrates finite element simulation and machine learning models using different predictive feature sets and characteristics (i.e., regression, Gaussian regression, support vector machines, multilayer perceptron, and random forest). The performance results for each model were statistically analyzed, evaluated, and compared in terms of predictive performance, processing time, and outlier sensibility to facilitate the choice of a predictive method to obtain the thickness and length of an internal defect from thermographic monitoring. The best model to predictdefect thickness with six thermal features was interaction linear regression. To make predictive models for defect length and thickness, the best model was Gaussian process regression. However, models such as support vector machines also had significative advantages in terms of processing time and adequate performance for certain feature sets. In this way, the results showed that the predictive capability of some types of algorithms could allow for the detection and measurement of internal defects in materials produced by additive manufacturing using active thermography as a non-destructive test.This research was funded by Ministry of Science and Innovation, Government of Spain, through the research project titled Fusion of non-destructive technologies and numerical simulation methods for the inspection and monitoring of joints in new materials and additive manufacturing processes (FaTIMA) with code RTI2018-099850-B-I00. The authors are grateful to the Fundación Universidad de Salamanca for the indirect support provided by the ITACA proof-of-concept project (PC_TCUE_18-20_047), being this helpful for some of the purposes of this article

Step heating thermography supported by machine learning and simulation for internal defect size measurement in additive manufacturing

A methodology based on step-heating thermography for predicting the length dimension of small defects in additive manufacturing from temperature data measured on thermal images is proposed. Regression learners were applied with different configurations to predict the length of the defects. These algorithms were trained using large datasets generated with Finite Element Method simulations. The different predictive methods obtained were optimized using Bayesian inference. Using predictive methods generated and based on intrinsic performance results, knowing the material characteristics, the defect length can be predicted from single temperature data in defect and non-defect zone. Thus, the developed algorithms were implemented in a laboratory set-up carried out on ad-hoc manufactured parts of Nylon and polylactic acid which include induced defects with different sizes and thicknesses. Using the trained algorithm, the deviation of the predicted results for the defect size varied between 13% and 37% for PLA and between 13% and 36% for Nylon.This research has been funded by Ministry of Science and Innovation (Government of Spain) through the research project titled Fusion of nondestructive technologies and numerical simulation methods for the inspection and monitoring of joints in new materials and additive manufacturing processes (FaTIMA) with code RTI2018-099850-B-I00

The IPBES Conceptual Framework - connecting nature and people

The first public product of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is its Conceptual Framework. This conceptual and analytical tool, presented here in detail, will underpin all IPBES functions and provide structure and comparability to the syntheses that IPBES will produce at different spatial scales, on different themes, and in different regions. Salient innovative aspects of the IPBES Conceptual Framework are its transparent and participatory construction process and its explicit consideration of diverse scientific disciplines, stakeholders, and knowledge systems, including indigenous and local knowledge. Because the focus on co-construction of integrative knowledge is shared by an increasing number of initiatives worldwide, this framework should be useful beyond IPBES, for the wider research and knowledge-policy communities working on the links between nature and people, such as natural, social and engineering scientists, policy-makers at different levels, and decision-makers in different sectors of society

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Análisis e interpretación de la distribución espacial de las evidencias arqueológicas de un sitio de naufragio: La Infatigable

ArqueólogoLos pecios o sitios arqueológicos de naufragio representan la categoría de yacimiento más recurrente estudiada por la arqueología marítima como subdisciplina arqueológica (Gibbins 1990: 376; Gibbins y Adams 2001: 279). Con frecuencia, la alta integridad y nivel de resolución que caracteriza a los sitios arqueológicos de naufragio incide en que su interpretación arqueológica sea realizada exclusivamente a partir de un proceso de deducción lógico, tomando en consideración exclusivamente la distribución observable de las evidencias. Esta aproximación intuitiva, ha generado que sitios aparentemente menos preservados hayan sido ignorados basados en un razonamiento de “sentido común”. La presente investigación incorpora como caso de estudio el sitio S3 PV, los restos arqueológicos de la barca transporte Infatigable, un velero perteneciente a la Armada de Chile, que naufragó accidentalmente el 03 de agosto de 1855 como consecuencia de una explosión y posterior incendio en el surgidero naval del puerto de Valparaís

Reflexiones en torno al uso de embarcaciones monóxilas en ambientes boscosos lacustres precordilleranos andinos, zona centro-sur de Chile

International audience"This paper proposes some thoughts on the use of watercraft on interior waters within the precordi-lleran lake forest environments of central-south Chile. A critical revision of available information related to water transport and indigenous logboats in particular is conducted from an archaeological, ethnohistorical and ethnographical perspective. Theoretical implications regarding watercraft use by continental Archaic and Ceramic period populations according to archaeological and historical proposals are analyzed, and the relative importance and antiquity of these practices in the Araucanian Lake District is discussed." (source éditeur)"El presente trabajo propone una refl exión en torno a las prácticas de navegación interior en los ambientes boscosos de lagos subandinos del centro-sur de Chile. Se realiza una revisión crítica de los antecedentes disponibles para estas tecnologías de transporte, y en particular, de las canoas monóxilas indígenas, desde la arqueología, la etnohistoria y la etnografía. Se analizan las implicancias teóricas del uso de embarcaciones por parte de grupos Arcaicos y Alfareros continentales tomando como referencia antecedentes propuestos en estudios históricos y arqueológicos, y se discute sobre la importancia relativa y la profundidad temporal de estas prácticas en el área de los lagos araucanos." (source éditeur

Success factors and barriers for 100% renewable energy regions

During the last decade so-called energy-regions have been established all across Europe (cf. for instance Lund, 2007 and Krajacic et al., 2011). The over-all goal of such projects is to restructure the energy supply system in order to make a transition to renewable energies and to increase energy efficiency (Muller 2014). The motivation and intentions of the initiators extend beyond the environmental aspects as much as they vary due to geographical location and diverging demographical and ecological preconditions. The aim of the presented study is on the one hand to verify the expectations held by initiators of these energy-regions, and on the other hand to examine the transferability of success factors. Therefore,interviews with experts were conducted to explore the individual understanding of a “100% renewable” or “self-sufficient” energy-region. Furthermore, an analysis on barriers and drivers which emerge during the implementation process was made. As it turned out, conceptions and processes of energy-regions differ widely in certain aspects. For instance, the constituents traffic or embodied energy might be neglected, thus not playing a part in the regional definition of the fully renewable concept. Nonetheless, similarities have also been identified such as intense persuading of different players and difficulties with environmental authorities acting as barriers for most energy-region projects. The study is based on the analysis and the profile of four energy-regions in Switzerland: Toggenburg, Goms, Knonauer Amt and Zimmerberg. Tischler et al. (2006) introduce a suitable guideline to study and compare different energy regions. Within this framework each community or city reaches the four development stages towards an energy region (Preparation - Development – Implementation – Evaluation) at a different pace. In conclusion, it can be said that the success of energy-regions crucially depends on the perseverance, conviction and engagement of its initiators and promoters