Energy performance contracting (EPC): a suitable mechanism for achieving energy savings in housing cooperatives? Results from a Norwegian pilot project

The barriers to energy savings in institutions and private homes are well known and include people’s lack of interest, awareness, knowledge and human and financial capacity. Experiences made in several countries show that EPC—energy performance contracting—may be used for overcoming many of these barriers. A typical EPC project is delivered by an energy service company (ESCO) and the contract is accompanied with a guarantee for energy savings. EPC is increasingly taken in use in the professional market (firms and the public sector), but is less common in the residential sector market. It has been suggested that there are several barriers for using EPC in the domestic sector such as the uncertainty involved in estimating forthcoming reductions in private consumption. In this paper, we present the results from a pilot project on the use of EPC in a housing cooperative in Oslo. The project was initiated and observed by the researchers. The research followed a transdisciplinary methodology in that it was conducted by both researcher and practitioner (co-authors) in close collaboration with members of the housing cooperative and the ESCOs, who also contributed to the interpretation of results. We document the process in terms of why the Board decided to join the EPC pilot, the call for offers from ESCOs who guaranteed that purchased annual energy would be reduced by one third, the responses to and negotiations of the offer from the ESCO who became contracted in the initial phase and up to the moment when the General Assembly finally decided to not invest in the proposed energy saving measures. We find that the residents not only had limited interest in energy savings but also lacked confidence in the EPC process. This contributed to the outcome. We discuss the findings in relation to the barriers to using EPC among housing cooperatives. We highlight the need for more knowledge about the client side for understanding how barriers may be overcome. Three specific recommendations for how EPC may successfully be employed among housing cooperatives are suggested as follows: (i) include refurbishment and not only energy savings in the EPC, (ii) identify the residents’ needs in an early phase and (iii) communicate the EPC principle to the residents throughout the process

Upper Holocene stratigraphy and pollen case study of Isfjorden, West Spitsbergen (Svalbard, Norway)

Three bottom sediment cores (140–190 cm long) taken from Isfjorden, West Spitsbergen, were analysed for pollen and spores with the main aim of elucidating the local pattern of pollen and spore succession in order to establish age control and define the stratigraphy of marine sediments. Isfjorden bottom sediments consist of greyish-green silty pelite with gruss, detritus, and pebble inclusions. The upper 25 cm are water-saturated and nonplastic. In spite of extremely low concentrations, and the predominance of reworked pre-Quaternary microfossils, the marine pollen spectra appear quite similar to those known from radiocarbon-dated lake sediments and peat exposures on the coasts of neighbouring Billefjorden, Van Mijenfjorden, and Hornsundfjorden, provided that long-distance transported pollen of conifers, tree birches, and spores of ferns are eliminated from marine pollen spectra compositions. The correlation of pollen zones (PZ) established in fjord sediments with those known from peat and lake sections enables the pollen-based stratigraphy of Isfjorden bottom sediments to be established and further reconstruction to be made of the major stages of the late Holocene terrestrial vegetation history of West Spitsbergen. The oldest pollen records date back to about 2.8–3 ka. They characterize the lowermost silty pelite layer (intervals 180–150 cm in core 11 and 190–60 cm in core 14 from the southwestern part of the fjord). At this time, moss–cereal–sedge fens and heather bogs in the coastal areas coexisted with rocky tundra vegetation at higher elevations. A marked increase in the content of Salix sp., Betula sect. Nanae-type, and Ericales pollen is recorded in the upper part of the pelite layer in cores 11 and 14. Similar spectra dominate core 9 from the northeastern inner part of the fjord. The percentage of green moss spores is extremely low. This type of spectra is suggestive of a warmer-than-present climate in West Spitsbergen. The upper water-saturated layer of all three cores contains pollen assemblages that are very similar to those identified in the Isfjorden surface sediment samples. Therefore, they have been likely accumulated during the last 2000 years. These uppermost pollen assemblages show a sharp increase in sedge pollen. This suggests the expansion of coastal fens, which can be attributed to an increase in the amount of precipitation. Extremely low pollen concentrations in Isfjorden bottom sediments possibly reflect very high accumulation rates during the time of silty pelite layer sedimentation

Methodological Framework for Data Collection and Analysis

This D1.3 Framework for data collection and analysis is rooted in Work Package (WP) 1, Task 1.5 Develop data collection framework for multiple case study, including the SPOTTERON ICT platform. It is an integrated framework for data collection and analysis in WP 2 (social inclusion study) and WP 3 (social innovation and gender studies). In particular it addresses the work of Task 2.4 - Develop and refine the design and methodology for each case study; T3.1 Cross-case analysis of social inclusion opportunities; T3.2 Cross-case gender analysis; T3.3 Cross-case analysis of innovation processes, social change and the role of citizen social science (CSS); and T3.4 Cross�case analysis for positive drivers. The primary focus is on the social inclusion sub study, but the framework also touches on the social innovation and gender studies. It provides details of the 10 local cases being developed in nine countries in a multiple case study of co-creative youth citizen social science (Y-CSS) in Europe. This Report comprises four parts: (1) anintroductory overview of YouCount’s six overlapping WPs and four sub studies; (2) the planned participatory and co-creative research design and approachfor the multiple case study and use of ICT tools for inclusive science practices; (3) details the data collection methods that are both common to, and unique to the local cases; and (4) sets out the data analysis strategy and preliminary plans for cross case analyses. The main target group for this Deliverable is the YouCount consortium partners themselves as this document collates the plans and descriptions of the common methodological approach in the local cases as well as highlighting variations across the cases. It serves as a reference document for all YouCount team members including individuals joining the project at a later stage. As flexibility is at the heart of the YouCount approach, this is a ‘living’ document, offering an initial starting point that will be further amended to reflect empirical findings and practical experience at the end of the stud

Hands-On Youth Citizen Social Science Meta Report of the YouCount Experiences with Case Study Implementation

This D2.3 Meta Report of the YouCount Experiences with Case Study Implementation is rooted in WP2 and the implementation of hands-on youth citizen social science (Y-CSS). In particular it addresses the work of Tasks 2.1 to 2.10 which include laying the foundations and planning multidisciplinary research teams that include professional researchers, students and young people as Youth Citizen Scientists (YCS), recruiting and engaging YCS, students and stakeholders, developing and refining research methods to explore social inclusion with YCS and conducting co-creative research with young people. The primary focus is on case experiences with implementing the social inclusion sub study. It therefore provides details of the 10 local cases in nine countries in a multiple case study of co-creative Y-CSS in Europe and their experiences. The cross case thematic analysis builds on the individual case reports, extracts from the evaluation self-reports and notes from consortium or WP2 discussions. This Report comprises six parts: (1) background and contextual overview of YouCount’s aims and intentions in implementing the multiple case study of hands-on Y-CSS; (2) planning and establishing Y-CSS; (3) recruitment, training and support of YCS; (4) methodologies adopted by the local cases including the designs, methods and data analysis conducted; (5) what co-creation meant in practice; (6) summary and conclusions. The main target groups for this Deliverable are those interested in how Y-CSS can be conducted in practice, either as practitioner, scientists or evaluator of best practices

Genetic variation in metronidazole metabolism and oxidative stress pathways in clinical Giardia lamblia assemblage A and B isolates

Christina S Saghaug,1,2 Christian Klotz,3 Juha P Kallio,4 Hans-Richard Brattbakk,1,5 Tomasz Stokowy,1,5 Toni Aebischer,3 Inari Kursula,4,6 Nina Langeland,1–2,7 Kurt Hanevik1,21Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway; 2Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway; 3Department of Infectious Diseases, Unit 16 Mycotic and Parasitic Agents and Mycobacteria, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany; 4Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway; 5Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway; 6Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; 7Department of Medicine, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Hordaland, NorwayPurpose: Treatment-refractory Giardia cases have increased rapidly within the last decade. No markers of resistance nor a standardized susceptibility test have been established yet, but several enzymes and their pathways have been associated with metronidazole (MTZ) resistant Giardia. Very limited data are available regarding genetic variation in these pathways. We aimed to investigate genetic variation in metabolic pathway genes proposed to be involved in MTZ resistance in recently acquired, cultured clinical isolates.Methods: Whole genome sequencing of 12 assemblage A2 and 8 assemblage B isolates was done, to decipher genomic variation in Giardia. Twenty-nine genes were identified in a literature search and investigated for their single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the coding/non-coding regions of the genes, either as amino acid changing (non-synonymous SNVs) or non-changing SNVs (synonymous).Results: In Giardia assemblage B, several genes involved in MTZ activation or oxidative stress management were found to have higher numbers of non-synonymous SNVs (thioredoxin peroxidase, nitroreductase 1, ferredoxin 2, NADH oxidase, nitroreductase 2, alcohol dehydrogenase, ferredoxin 4 and ferredoxin 1) than the average variation. For Giardia assemblage A2, the highest genetic variability was found in the ferredoxin 2, ferredoxin 6 and in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidoreductase putative genes. SNVs found in the ferredoxins and nitroreductases were analyzed further by alignment and homology modeling. SNVs close to the iron-sulfur cluster binding sites in nitroreductase-1 and 2 and ferredoxin 2 and 4 could potentially affect protein function. Flavohemoprotein seems to be a variable-copy gene, due to higher, but variable coverage compared to other genes investigated.Conclusion: In clinical Giardia isolates, genetic variability is common in important genes in the MTZ metabolizing pathway and in the management of oxidative and nitrosative stress and includes high numbers of non-synonymous SNVs. Some of the identified amino acid changes could potentially affect the respective proteins important in the MTZ metabolism.Keywords: drug metabolism, resistance, genetic analysis, metronidazole genes, ferredoxin, genetic diversit

Genetic variation in metronidazole metabolism and oxidative stress pathways in clinical Giardia lamblia assemblage A and B isolates

Abstract Purpose: Treatment-refractory Giardia cases have increased rapidly within the last decade. No markers of resistance nor a standardized susceptibility test have been established yet, but several enzymes and their pathways have been associated with metronidazole (MTZ) resistant Giardia. Very limited data are available regarding genetic variation in these pathways. We aimed to investigate genetic variation in metabolic pathway genes proposed to be involved in MTZ resistance in recently acquired, cultured clinical isolates. Methods: Whole genome sequencing of 12 assemblage A2 and 8 assemblage B isolates was done, to decipher genomic variation in Giardia. Twenty-nine genes were identified in a literature search and investigated for their single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the coding/non-coding regions of the genes, either as amino acid changing (non-synonymous SNVs) or non-changing SNVs (synonymous). Results: In Giardia assemblage B, several genes involved in MTZ activation or oxidative stress management were found to have higher numbers of non-synonymous SNVs (thioredoxin peroxidase, nitroreductase 1, ferredoxin 2, NADH oxidase, nitroreductase 2, alcohol dehydrogenase, ferredoxin 4 and ferredoxin 1) than the average variation. For Giardia assemblage A2, the highest genetic variability was found in the ferredoxin 2, ferredoxin 6 and in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidoreductase putative genes. SNVs found in the ferredoxins and nitroreductases were analyzed further by alignment and homology modeling. SNVs close to the iron-sulfur cluster binding sites in nitroreductase-1 and 2 and ferredoxin 2 and 4 could potentially affect protein function. Flavohemoprotein seems to be a variable-copy gene, due to higher, but variable coverage compared to other genes investigated. Conclusion: In clinical Giardia isolates, genetic variability is common in important genes in the MTZ metabolizing pathway and in the management of oxidative and nitrosative stress and includes high numbers of non-synonymous SNVs. Some of the identified amino acid changes could potentially affect the respective proteins important in the MTZ metabolism