REMIND-D: A Hybrid Energy-Economy Model of Germany

This paper presents a detailed documentation of the hybrid energy-economy model REMIND-D. REMIND-D is a Ramsey-type growth model for Germany that integrates a detailed bottom-up energy system module, coupled by a hard link. The model provides a quantitative framework for analyzing long-term domestic CO2 emission reduction scenarios. Due to its hybrid nature, REMIND-D facilitates an integrated analysis of the interplay between technological mitigation options in the different sectors of the energy system as well as overall macroeconomic dynamics. REMIND-D is an intertemporal optimization model, featuring optimal annual mitigation effort and technology deployment as a model output. In order to provide transparency on model assumptions, this paper gives an overview of the model structure, the input data used to calibrate REMIND-D to the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the techno-economic parameters of the technologies considered in the energy system module.Hybrid Model, Germany, Energy System, Domestic Mitigation

Crafting Firm Competencies to Improve Innovative Performance.

Recent interdisciplinary research suggests that customer and technological competencies have a direct, unconditional effect on firms' innovative performance. This study extends this stream of literature by considering the effect of organizational competencies. Results from a survey-research executed in the fast moving consumer goods industry suggest that firms that craft organizational competencies - such as improving team cohesiveness and providing slack time to foster creativity - do not directly improve their innovative performance. However, those firms that successfully combine customer, technological and organizational competencies will create more innovations that are new to the market.Innovation, Research and Development, Consumer Goods, Product Innovation, Production Management, Personnel Management, Capability Building

Myeloperoxidase and C - reactive protein as markers for canine osteoarthritis

Deckblatt-Impressum Inhaltsverzeichnis Abbildungsverzeichnis Tabellenverzeichnis Abkürzungsverzeichnis Einleitung Physiologischer Gelenkaufbau Osteoarthritis Arthrozentese Bildgebene Verfahren Myeloperoxidase C-reaktives Protein Eigene Untersuchungen Ergebnisse Myeloperoxidase in der Synovia MPO-Aktivität im Serum CRP Diskussion Zusammenfassung Summary Literaturverzeichnis Danksagung Selbständigkeitserklärung und AnhangZiel dieser Dissertation war es, die MPO-Aktivität in der Synovia von an Osteoarthritis (OA) erkrankten Gelenken, deren kontralateralen Gelenken und im Serum der Hunde zu bestim-men. Außerdem sollte die CRP-Konzentration im Serum ermittelt werden. Es wurden 75 Hunde untersucht, die aufgrund einer Gelenkerkrankung, auf die OA folgt, an der Klinik und Poliklinik der Freien Universität Berlin operiert wurden. Zusätzlich wurde Synovia von 8 OA freien Hunden gewonnen und analysiert. Die Analyse wurde am Institut für Veterinärbiochemie der Freien Universität Berlin durchgeführt. Lahmheitsdauer, eventuelle Vorbehandlung, Lahmheitsgrad, Schmerzhaftigkeit, Gelenkfüllung und Röntgenbefunde wurden erfasst. Es wurde Synovia aus erkranktem und kontralateralem Gelenk gewonnnen und die MPO- Aktivität mittels eines o- Dianisidine Assays bestimmt. Die MPO-Aktivität wurde außerdem im Serum bestimmt. Zusätzlich wurde die CRP-Konzentration im Serum mit einen ELISA Testkit (Tridelta)bestimmt. Die klinischen Befunde variierten für die verschiedenen Tiere deutlich. Die Lahmheitsdauer reicht von zwei Tagen bis hin zu vier Jahren. Bei einigen Tieren wurde keine, bei anderen hochgradige röntgenologischen Veränderungen festgestellt. Die MPO-Aktivität in der Synovia des erkrankten Gelenks lag zwischen 0 und 13,94mU/l, der Median (M) bei 1,007. Der Median der gesunden Gelenke lag bei 0,34 (0 3,66) und unterscheidet sich damit statistisch von den erkrankten Gelenken (p<0,05). Auch die Kontrolltiere haben eine niedrige Aktivität in der Synovia (M 0,75). Die Serumaktivität ist bei den erkrankten Tieren (M 1,75) höher als bei den Kontrolltieren (M 0,075), es kann allerdings kein Zusammenhang zur Aktivität in der Synovia gefunden werden. Es konnten keine Zusammenhänge zwischen der MPO-Aktivität in Synovia und Serum und der CRP-Konzentration im Serum festgestellt werden. Auch zwischen den Parametern, die in der klinischen Untersuchung erfasst wurden und der MPO-Aktivität in Synovia und Serum sowie der CRP-Konzentration konnten keine Abhängigkeiten gefunden werden. In weiteren Untersuchungen könnte eine Verlaufsbeobachtung über einen längeren Zeitraum eventuell weitere Erkenntnisse über die Aktivität der MPO bei OA liefern.The aim of this study was to determine MPO activity in the synovia of joints affected by os-teoarthritis (OA), in the synovia of their respective contralateral joints, and in the serum of dogs. Furthermore, serum CRP concentrations were to be measured. 75 dogs undergoing surgery at the Klinik und Poliklinik der Freien Universitaet Berlin be-cause of a joint disease which leads to OA were assessed. In addition, synovia of 8 OA-free dogs was collected and analyzed. Samples analyses were performed at the Institute of Vet-erinary Biochemistry at the Freie Universitaet Berlin. The duration of lameness, possible prior treatment, degree of lameness, painfulness, degree of joint effusion, and x-ray findings were documented. Synovia was collected from the affected and contralateral joint; MPO activity was determined using an o- dianisidine assay. In addition, MPO serum activity was measured. Moreover, CRP serum concentration was determined using an ELISA test kit (Tridelta®). Clinical findings varied markedly among the various animals studied. The duration of lame-ness ranged from two days to four years. While no X-ray changes were observed in some animals, high-grade changes were revealed in others. MPO activity in the synovia of affected joints ranged from 0 to 13.94 mU/L, with a median (M) of 1.007, compared to a median of 0.34 (range, 0 3.66) for healthy joints. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Controls also showed a low synovial activity (M=0.75). Serum activity was higher in affected animals (M=1.75) than in controls (M=0.075); however, no correlation to synovial activity was found. Furthermore, there was no association between synovial and serum MPO activity and serum CRP concentration. Likewise, parameters assessed by clinical examination and synovial and serum MPO activi-ties, as well as CRP concentrations appeared to be unrelated. Further studies with longer observation periods may result in a better understanding of MPO activity in OA

Development of a satellite SAR image spectra and altimeter wave height data assimilation system for ERS-1

The applicability of ERS-1 wind and wave data for wave models was studied using the WAM third generation wave model and SEASAT altimeter, scatterometer and SAR data. A series of global wave hindcasts is made for the surface stress and surface wind fields by assimilation of scatterometer data for the full 96-day SEASAT and also for two wind field analyses for shorter periods by assimilation with the higher resolution ECMWF T63 model and by subjective analysis methods. It is found that wave models respond very sensitively to inconsistencies in wind field analyses and therefore provide a valuable data validation tool. Comparisons between SEASAT SAR image spectra and theoretical SAR spectra derived from the hindcast wave spectra by Monte Carlo simulations yield good overall agreement for 32 cases representing a wide variety of wave conditions. It is concluded that SAR wave imaging is sufficiently well understood to apply SAR image spectra with confidence for wave studies if supported by realistic wave models and theoretical computations of the strongly nonlinear mapping of the wave spectrum into the SAR image spectrum. A closed nonlinear integral expression for this spectral mapping relation is derived which avoids the inherent statistical errors of Monte Carlo computations and may prove to be more efficient numerically

Some XBT-observations on the thermal structure of theWarmwassersphäre in equatorial and lower latitudes of the eastern Atlantic

Two megameter long XBT sections passing through the Atlantic between the Iberian Peninsula and the equatorial Brazilian shelf, and between the Peninsula and the Cape region of South Africa were obtained during supply cruises to the antarctic in November 1980 and March 1981. Most of the individual probes reached an observation depth of nearly 800 m allowing statements on the thermal stratification and zonation of theWarmwassersphäre in the open ocean. Our new data are compared with a number of earlier long sections. As a general result we identify five zones dividing different hydrographic regions. Zone 1 is characterized by the clear influence of the Mediternean Undercurrent on the lower boundary of theWarmwasserphäre creating nearly thermostatic conditions below 300 m off Portugal. The adjacent zone 2 is identical with the Subtropical Convergence, where theWarmwassersphäre reaches its maximum depth (15°C isotherm at about 300 m). We call the equatorial region zone 3 and present an improved scheme of its current system and its thermal stratification. Zone 4 is marked by the Benguela Current and its northern extension. In a final zone 5 we show the influence of the Agulhas Current extension on the stratification

The scientific impotence excuse in education – Disentangling potency and pertinence assessments of educational research

When facing belief-contradictory scientific evidence, preservice teachers tend to doubt the potency of science and consult scientific sources less frequently. Thus, individuals run the risk not only to maintain questionable assumptions but also to develop dysfunctional stances toward research as a reliable source of knowledge. In two studies, we (a) replicated findings on the so-called scientific impotence excuse (SIE) in education and (b) differentiated the effects on the potency and pertinence of science to investigate educational topics to better understand the nature of SIE-related science devaluation. Both studies followed a 2 × 2 mixed experimental design: Preservice teachers assessed their prior belief about an educational topic (i.e., effectiveness of grade retention) before and after reading either confirming or disconfirming scientific evidence concerning the topic. Study 1 ( N = 147 preservice teachers; direct replication) confirmed the central prior findings of science devaluation when belief-evidence conflicts occur. In contrast, the results of Study 2 ( N = 152; follow-up study) revealed no systematic devaluations of science when disentangling the facets of potency and pertinence. Despite partial devaluation tendencies, both studies revealed that preservice teachers adapted their prior beliefs to the evidence presented. These findings extend previous research by providing insights into the conditions of science devaluation