Development of monitoring and modelling tools as basis for sustainable thermal management concepts of urban groundwater bodies

Increasing groundwater temperatures observed in many urban areas strongly interfere with the demand of thermal groundwater use. The groundwater temperatures in these urban areas are affected by numerous interacting factors: open and closed-loop geothermal systems for heating and cooling, sealed surfaces, constructions in the subsurface (infrastructure and buildings), artificial groundwater recharge, and interaction with rivers. On the one hand, these increasing groundwater temperatures will negatively affect the potential for its use in the future e.g. for cooling purposes. On the other hand, elevated subsurface temperatures can be considered as an energy source for shallow geothermal heating systems. Integrated thermal management concepts are therefore needed to coordinate the thermal use of groundwater in urban areas. These concepts should be based on knowledge of the driving processes which influence the thermal regime of the aquifer. We are currently investigating the processes influencing the groundwater temperature throughout the urban area of Basel City, Switzerland. This involves a three-dimensional numerical groundwater heat-transport model including geothermal use and interactions with the unsaturated zone such as subsurface constructions reaching into the aquifer. The cantonal groundwater monitoring system is an important part of the data base in our model, which will help to develop sustainable management strategies. However, single temperature measurements in conventional groundwater wells can be biased by vertical thermal convection. Therefore, multilevel observation wells are used in the urban areas of the city to monitor subsurface temperatures reaching from the unsaturated zone to the base of the aquifer. These multilevel wells are distributed in a pilot area in order to monitor the subsurface temperatures in the vicinity of deep buildings and to quantify the influence of the geothermal use of groundwater. Based on time series of the conventional groundwater wells, the multilevel observation wells and the different boundary conditions we characterize the groundwater temperature regimes using a regional groundwater heattransport model. In the urban area of Basel, mean annual groundwater temperatures are significantly increasing with 0.05 K per year in the period of 1994 to 2014, which is most likely due to anthropogenic influences. Overall, mean annual groundwater temperatures of Basel are 3.0 ± 0.7 K higher compared to the mean annual air temperature, which is considered the expectable natural groundwater temperature. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of appropriate monitoring systems for quantifyin

Gender equality, resilience to climate change, and the design of livestock projects for rural livelihoods

Currently, there is growing interest in how livestock projects can contribute to resilience to the effects of climate change. In this article we recommend a shift away from gross productivity to sustainability, via the use of thrifty local breeds, with an additional emphasis on improving survival of young animals. These animals, due to their local adaptations, are more likely to be resilient to climate change. There is a gender dimension to these proposals, since smaller animals and local breeds are more likely to be perceived by communities as suitable for husbandry by women. We recommend a re-orientation towards an explicit gender-equality focus for these projects

Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency Type 1 due to a Novel Compound Heterozygous MC2R Mutation

Objective: Description of the clinical, biochemical and genetic features of a Polish patient with familial glucocorticoid deficiency. Methods: Detailed clinical investigation, hormonal analysis and sequencing of the coding region of the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) gene in this patient. Results: We report on a 3-month-old boy with familial glucocorticoid deficiency who presented at the age of 3 months with skin hyperpigmentation, muscle weakness, mild jaundice and constipation. Hormonal analyses revealed high ACTH and TSH serum concentrations, low serum cortisol concentration along with normal blood electrolytes. On hydrocortisone supplementation, the disease symptoms disappeared and the child recovered completely. His physical and mental development progresses normally. Genetic analysis disclosed a novel compound heterozygous MC2R mutation p.Leu46fs and p.Val49Met. Conclusion: The heterozygous p.Leu46fs mutation adds to the small number of MC2R nonsense mutations and is the first frameshift mutation within the first transmembrane domain of the receptor. According to molecular modeling the Val49Met mutation results in a structural change of the first transmembrane domain and in a potential novel interaction of the transmembrane domains I and VII.Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich

Handbuch zum Rückbau von Offshore-Windparks - Rahmenbedingungen, Technik, Logistik, Prozesse, Szenarien und Nachhaltigkeit

At the end of their operational life, offshore wind farms (OWF) have to be decommissioned. At present, there is little experience in decommissioning OWF. Due to the size and number of wind turbines, experiences can be transferred to the upcoming decommissioning of OWF only to a limited extent. The research project "SeeOff - Strategy development for efficient offshore wind farm decommissioning" has set itself the goal of supporting companies involved in OWF decommissioning in the development of sustainable OWF decommissioning strategies. We consider the decommissioning of OWF to be sustainable if it is cost-efficient, environmentally friendly as well as safe, fulfils all legal requirements and is publicly accepted. The research results are compiled in this "Handbook of offshore wind farm decommissioning". First, the requirements, especially of a legal, technical and organisational nature, for the decommissioning of OWF are presented (Chapter 2). For a reference OWF, decommissioning processes offshore and ashore, the associated technologies, logistics, procedures and resources are examined and described in detail (chapter 3). Based on this, ten decommissioning scenarios are developed and analysed in terms of their cost and resource efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, occupational safety and impact on marine biodiversity. Within the framework of a multi-criteria decision analysis, a holistic evaluation of the decommissioning scenarios is carried out (Chapter 4). Finally, the research results, transferability of the decommissioning processes and the assessment approach and potential for improvement are discussed (Chapter 5)

The potassium channel KCa3.1 as new therapeutic target for the prevention of obliterative airway disease.

BackgroundThe calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 is critically involved in T-cell activation as well as in the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. We sought to investigate whether KCa3.1 contributes to the pathogenesis of obliterative airway disease (OAD) and whether knockout or pharmacologic blockade would prevent the development of OAD.MethodsTracheas from CBA donors were heterotopically transplanted into the omentum of C57Bl/6J wild-type or KCa3.1 mice. C57Bl/6J recipients were either left untreated or received the KCa3.1 blocker TRAM-34 (120 mg/kg/day). Histopathology and immunologic assays were performed on postoperative day 5 or 28.ResultsSubepithelial T-cell and macrophage infiltration on postoperative day 5, as seen in untreated allografts, was significantly reduced in the KCa3.1 and TRAM-34 groups. Also, systemic Th1 activation was significantly and Th2 mildly reduced by KCa3.1 knockout or blockade. After 28 days, luminal obliteration of tracheal allografts was reduced from 89%±21% in untreated recipients to 53%±26% (P=0.010) and 59%±33% (P=0.032) in KCa3.1 and TRAM-34-treated animals, respectively. The airway epithelium was mostly preserved in syngeneic grafts, mostly destroyed in the KCa3.1 and TRAM-34 groups, and absent in untreated allografts. Allografts triggered an antibody response in untreated recipients, which was significantly reduced in KCa3.1 animals. KCa3.1 was detected in T cells, airway epithelial cells, and myofibroblasts. TRAM-34 dose-dependently suppressed proliferation of wild-type C57B/6J splenocytes but did not show any effect on KCa3.1 splenocytes.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that KCa3.1 channels are involved in the pathogenesis of OAD and that KCa3.1 blockade holds promise to reduce OAD development

Handbook of offshore wind farm decommissioning - Framework, technologies, logistics, processes, scenarios and sustainability

Am Ende Ihrer Betriebsdauer müssen Offshore-Windparks (OWP) zurückgebaut werden. Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt liegen nur wenig Erfahrung im OWP-Rückbau vor, die sich aufgrund der Größe und Anzahl der Windenergieanlagen auch nur geringfügig auf den anstehenden OWP-Rückbau übertragen lassen. Das Forschungsprojekt „SeeOff – Strategieentwicklung zum effizienten Rückbau von Offshore-Windparks“ hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt die am Rückbau beteiligten Unternehmen bei der Entwicklung nachhaltiger Rückbaustrategien zu unterstützen. Der OWP-Rückbau ist für uns dann nachhaltig, wenn er kosteneffizient, umweltverträglich sowie sicher ist, dabei alle rechtlichen Vorgaben erfüllt und mit einer gesellschaftlichen Akzeptanz einhergeht. Die Forschungsergebnisse sind im dem vorliegenden „Handbuch zum Rückbau von Offshore-Windparks“ zusammengestellt. Es werden zunächst die Anforderungen, insbesondere rechtlicher, technischer und organisatorischer Natur, für den OWP-Rückbau dargestellt (Kapitel 2). Für einen Referenz-OWP werden Rückbauprozesse auf See und an Land, die damit einhergehenden Technologien, Logistik, Prozeduren und Ressourcen eingehend untersucht und beschrieben (Kapitel 3). Darauf aufbauend werden zehn Rückbauszenarien entwickelt und hinsichtlich ihrer Kosten- und Ressourceneffizienz, Treibhausgasemissionen, Arbeitssicherheit und Wirkung auf die marine Biodiversität analysiert. Im Rahmen einer Multikriteriellen Entscheidungsanalyse erfolgt eine ganzheitliche Bewertung der Rückbauszenarien (Kapitel 4). Abschließend werden die Forschungsergebnisse, Übertragbarkeit der Rückbauprozesse sowie des Bewertungsansatzes und Verbesserungspotentiale diskutiert (Kapitel 5)

COVID-19-Impfung für Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen

Background!#!Severe mental illnesses are risk factors for SARS-CoV-2-related morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is an effective protection; therefore, high vaccination rates should be a major priority for people with mental illnesses.!##!Objectives!#!(1) Identification of at-risk groups for non-vaccination and structures and interventions needed for widespread vaccination among people with mental illnesses from the perspective of outpatient psychiatrists and neurologists, (2) discussion of the results in the context of the international literature and (3) recommendations derived from them.!##!Material and methods!#!Qualitative content analysis of COVID-19 vaccination-related questions from the COVID Ψ online survey of nâ¯=â85 psychiatrists and neurologists in Germany.!##!Results!#!In the survey, people with schizophrenia, severe lack of drive, low socioeconomic status and homelessness were seen as risk groups for non-vaccination. Increased and targeted information, education, addressing and motivation and easily accessible vaccination offers by general practitioners, psychiatrists, and neurologists as well as complementary institutions were considered as important interventions.!##!Discussion!#!COVID-19 vaccinations as well as information, motivation and access support should be systematically offered by as many institutions of the psychiatric, psychotherapeutic and complementary care systems in Germany as possible