Chudoba, populace a energetický pokrok v Evropské unii

Energetická chudoba je úzce propojena s problematikou probíhající energetické transformace, která je zaměřena na rozvoji obnovitelných zdrojů. Práce vyhodnocuje, zda jsou státy Evropské unie připraveny na rozpoznávání a boj s energetickou chudobou v kontextu transformace zaměřené na obnovitelné zdroje, která by mohla negativně ovlivnit nízké příjmové skupiny. Skrze hierarchické shlukování byly vytvořeny čtyři skupiny států na základně podobných charakteristik a pro každý klastr byl vyhodnocený obsah Národních ekonomických a klimatických plánu (NEKP). Práce shrnuje, že pouze patnáct států rozpoznává energetickou chudobu a identifikuje ohrožené spotřebitele. Pouze devět států používá vhodné metriky a nástroje na její zmírnění; vyhodnoceno pro NEKP z roku 2019 a návrhu NEKP z roku 2023 pokud byly dostupné. Dále práce popisuje nelineární vztah mezi indexem energetické chudoby a podílu obnovitelných zdrojů na konečné spotřebě i indexem energetické efektivity domácností, který přisuzuje investicím do rozvoje obnovitelných zdrojů. Nakonec práce představuje exploratorní model multiagentního modelování. JEL Classification Q430, Q480, Q470, N7 Klíčová slova Energetická chudoba, Národní ekonomický a klimatický plán, Green Premium, energetická transformace, Multiagentní modelování. Název práce Chudoba,...Energy poverty is closely connected to the current energy transformation focused on the utilization of renewable sources of energy. The thesis aims to evaluate whether European Union countries are prepared to tackle energy poverty effectively in the context of the ongoing transformation, which could impose an additional burden on vulnerable consumers. The thesis presents hierarchical clustering to group countries by common characteristics and assesses the countries' National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) within the clusters. The study concludes that National Energy and Climate Plans are poorly specified for most European Union Member States. Only fifteen countries address energy poverty effectively, and only nine countries have appropriate measures and tools to tackle energy poverty, evaluating 2019 NECPs and 2023 NECP drafts if available. Next, the thesis describes a nonlinear relationship between energy poverty and both the total share of renewables on final consumption and the energy efficiency index of households - linked to investments for deploying renewable energy sources. Finally, an exploratory Agent-based model is presented. JEL Classification Q430, Q480, Q470, N7 Keywords Energy poverty, National Energy and Climate Plan, Fuel Transitions, Green Premium, Energy Transformation, Energy...Institut ekonomických studiíInstitute of Economic StudiesFakulta sociálních vědFaculty of Social Science

A novel strigolactone-miR156 module controls stomatal behaviour during drought recovery

miR156 is a conserved microRNA whose role and induction mechanisms under stress are poorly known. Strigolactones are phytohormones needed in shoots for drought acclimation. They promote stomatal closure ABA-dependently and independently; however, downstream effectors for the former have not been identified. Linkage between miR156 and strigolactones under stress has not been reported. We compared ABA accumulation and sensitivity as well as performances of wt and miR156-overexpressing (miR156-oe) tomato plants during drought. We also quantified miR156 levels in wt, strigolactone-depleted and strigolactone-treated plants, exposed to drought stress. Under irrigated conditions, miR156 overexpression and strigolactone treatment led to lower stomatal conductance and higher ABA sensitivity. Exogenous strigolactones were sufficient for miR156 accumulation in leaves, while endogenous strigolactones were required for miR156 induction by drought. The “after-effect” of drought, by which stomata do not completely re-open after rewatering, was enhanced by both strigolactones and miR156. The transcript profiles of several miR156 targets were altered in strigolactone-depleted plants. Our results show that strigolactones act as a molecular link between drought and miR156 in tomato, and identify miR156 as a mediator of ABA-dependent effect of strigolactones on the after effect of drought on stomata. Thus, we provide insights into both strigolactone and miR156 action on stomata

Metabolic profiles of 2-oxindole-3-acetyl-amino acid conjugates differ in various plant species

Auxins are a group of phytohormones that play a key role in plant growth and development, mainly presented by the major member of the family - indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The levels of free IAA are regulated, in addition to de novo biosynthesis, by irreversible oxidative catabolism and reversible conjugation with sugars and amino acids. These conjugates, which serve as inactive storage forms of auxin and/or degradation intermediates, can also be oxidized to form 2-oxindole-3-acetyl-1-O-ß-d-glucose (oxIAA-glc) and oxIAA-amino acids (oxIAA-AAs). Until now, only oxIAA conjugates with aspartate and glutamate have been identified in plants. However, detailed information on the endogenous levels of these and other putative oxIAA-amino acid conjugates in various plant species and their spatial distribution is still not well understood but is finally getting more attention. Herein, we identified and characterized two novel naturally occurring auxin metabolites in plants, namely oxIAA-leucine (oxIAA-Leu) and oxIAA-phenylalanine (oxIAA-Phe). Subsequently, a new liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of a wide range of IAA metabolites. Using this methodology, the quantitative determination of IAA metabolites including newly characterized oxIAA conjugates in roots, shoots and cotyledons of four selected plant models - Arabidopsis thaliana, pea (Pisum sativum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was performed to compare auxin metabolite profiles. The distribution of various groups of auxin metabolites differed notably among the studied species as well as their sections. For example, oxIAA-AA conjugates were the major metabolites found in pea, while oxIAA-glc dominated in Arabidopsis. We further compared IAA metabolite levels in plants harvested at different growth stages to monitor the dynamics of IAA metabolite profiles during early seedling development. In general, our results show a great diversity of auxin inactivation pathways among angiosperm plants. We believe that our findings will greatly contribute to a better understanding of IAA homeostasis

Finite element method model of the mechanical behaviour of Jatropha curcas L. bulk seeds under compression loading: Study and 2D modelling of the damage to seeds

This article is focused on comprehensive research of a pressing process ofJatropha curcas L. bulk seeds during linear compression. Compression experiments were performed and the strain and brittle fracturing of the seeds visualised. The mechanical behaviour and stress distribution at the volumetric strain of bulk seeds in pressing cylinders and semi-cylinders with diameters of 60, 80 and 100 mm were described by 2D FEM models. It has been determined that the study of nonlinear visco-elastic and plastic strain seed interactions and the damage and crack growth in such seeds can be significantly improved through computer simulations using an explicit FEM algorithm. In this study, the compressibility of ripe J. curcas L. bulk seeds was analysed and compared depending on the volume strain and energy performance of the linear pressing process. Empirical equations and differential deformation theory describing the seeds interacting beyond the oil point were reported. In addition, the issue of contact theory in numerical modelling of the point contact of interacting seeds was also described. Statistical results showed that the 2D FEM model can be used to study the volumetric strain, stress and damage of J. curcas L. bulk seeds. These studies suggest that FEM models may be considered an important tool to assess the energy performance of the pressing process of J. curcas bulk seeds and can provide valuable information for the design and optimisation of pressing equipment. (C) 2014 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Czech Republic [L01201]; "National Programme for Sustainability I"; OPR&DI project Centre for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0005]; project "Development of Research Teams of R&D Projects at the Technical University of Liberec" [CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0024]; CREATex project [CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0321]; European Social Fund; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Czech Republic; ESF operational programme "Education for Competitiveness" in the Czech Republic [CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0065

Salicylic acid targets protein phosphatase 2A to attenuate growth in plants

Plants, like other multicellular organisms, survive through a delicate balance between growth and defense against pathogens. Salicylic acid (SA) is a major defense signal in plants, and the perception mechanism as well as downstream signaling activating the immune response are known. Here, we identify a parallel SA signaling that mediates growth attenuation. SA directly binds to A subunits of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), inhibiting activity of this complex. Among PP2A targets, the PIN2 auxin transporter is hyperphosphorylated in response to SA, leading to changed activity of this important growth regulator. Accordingly, auxin transport and auxin-mediated root development, including growth, gravitropic response, and lateral root organogenesis, are inhibited. This study reveals how SA, besides activating immunity, concomitantly attenuates growth through crosstalk with the auxin distribution network. Further analysis of this dual role of SA and characterization of additional SA-regulated PP2A targets will provide further insights into mechanisms maintaining a balance between growth and defense

Effect of plasma treatment on the release kinetics of a chemotherapy drug from biodegradable polyester films and polyester urethane films

Investigation was made into the effect of plasma treatment on the release kinetics of the drug Temozolomide (TMZ) from thin, biodegradable polyester films, comprising polylactic acid (PLA) and polyester urethane. The authors utilized two systems to achieve this, the first being diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge, applying air as the gaseous medium, while the other involved capacitively coupled radio frequency discharge plasma under an argon atmosphere with hexamethyldisiloxane. Results showed that both forms of plasma treatment positively reduced the undesirable burst effect and benefited the release rate of TMZ. The hydrolytic degradability of the materials was slightly enhanced following hydrophilization, whereas the same diminished after hydrophobization had taken place. This was especially true for PLA due to modification of its wettability. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.02/0199/14, VEGA, Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV; APVV-14-0518, APVV, Agentúra na Podporu Výskumu a Vývoja; QJ1310254, MZe, Ministerstvo Zemědělství; SAV, Slovenská Akadémia Vied; 15-08287Y, GACR, Grantová Agentura České Republiky; CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0409; LO1504Czech Science Foundation [15-08287Y]; Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic [QJ1310254]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic [LO1504, CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0409]; Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy of Sciences, as a part of the "VEGA" project [02/0199/14]; Slovak Research and Development Agency [APVV-14-0518

Correlations between Phytohormones and Drought Tolerance in Selected Brassica Crops: Chinese Cabbage, White Cabbage and Kale

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting the productivity of Brassica crops. To understand the role of phytohormones in drought tolerance, we subjected Chinese cabbage (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis), white cabbage (B. oleracea var. capitata), and kale (B. oleracea var. acephala) to droughta nd examined the stress response on the physiological, biochemical and hormonal levels. The phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA), auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), brassinosteroids (BRs), cytokinins (CKs), jasmonates (JAs), and salicylic acid (SA) were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Based on the physiological and biochemical markers the Chinese cabbage exhibited the lowest tolerance, followed by the white cabbage, while the kale appeared to be the most tolerant to drought. The drought tolerance of the kale correlated with increased levels of SA, ABA, IAA, CKs iP(R) and cZ(R), and typhasterol (TY), a precursor of active BRs. In contrast, the drought sensitivity of the Chinese cabbage correlated with a significant increase in ABA, JAs and the active BRs castasterol (CS) and brassinolide (BL). The moderately tolerant white cabbage, positioned between the kale and Chinese cabbage, showed more similarity in terms of the phytohormone patterns with the kale. We concluded that the drought tolerance in Brassicaceae is mostly determined by the increased endogenous levels of IAA, CKs, ABA and SA and the decreased levels of active BRs

Non–T Cell Activation Linker (NTAL): A Transmembrane Adaptor Protein Involved in Immunoreceptor Signaling

A key molecule necessary for activation of T lymphocytes through their antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) is the transmembrane adaptor protein LAT (linker for activation of T cells). Upon TCR engagement, LAT becomes rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated and then serves as a scaffold organizing a multicomponent complex that is indispensable for induction of further downstream steps of the signaling cascade. Here we describe the identification and preliminary characterization of a novel transmembrane adaptor protein that is structurally and evolutionarily related to LAT and is expressed in B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and mast cells but not in resting T lymphocytes. This novel transmembrane adaptor protein, termed NTAL (non–T cell activation linker) is the product of a previously identified WBSCR5 gene of so far unknown function. NTAL becomes rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated upon cross-linking of the B cell receptor (BCR) or of high-affinity Fcγ- and Fcɛ-receptors of myeloid cells and then associates with the cytoplasmic signaling molecules Grb2, Sos1, Gab1, and c-Cbl. NTAL expressed in the LAT-deficient T cell line J.CaM2.5 becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and rescues activation of Erk1/2 and minimal transient elevation of cytoplasmic calcium level upon TCR/CD3 cross-linking. Thus, NTAL appears to be a structural and possibly also functional homologue of LAT in non–T cells