Potential of Photovoltaics and Energy Storage to Address Lack of Electricity Access

Lack of electricity access is widespread in the developing world and associated with increased mortality, reduced educational levels, and economic and social disadvantages, especially among women. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has emphasized securing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. For climatological and health reasons, particular attention has been focused on expanding the use of renewables for electricity production. In particular, photovoltaics, coupled to energy storage, is an attractive option for dispatchable electricity production, but the degree to which they can be used to address global lack of electricity access, and associated costs, merits more attention. This study presents a global geospatial analysis to identify areas suitable for production of dispatchable electricity using photovoltaics and energy storage. Analysis considers land use restrictions, 25 years of historical hourly solar irradiance, seasonal demand curves, population, and visible nighttime light (as a measure of electrification). We show that nearly all the population identified without electricity access (approx. 1.1 billion people) could get access to Tier 5 level electricity in the Sustainable Energy for All initiative framework using photovoltaics and battery storage coupled systems. Under most cost scenarios analyzed, around 90 percent of this population could be served for a lifetime cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.20 dollars per kWhe or less at current system costs

Tracking electricity losses and their perceived causes using nighttime light and social media

Urban environments are intricate systems where the breakdown of critical infrastructure can impact both the economic and social well-being of communities. Electricity systems hold particular significance, as they are essential for other infrastructure, and disruptions can trigger widespread consequences. Typically, assessing electricity availability requires ground-level data, a challenge in conflict zones and regions with limited access. This study shows how satellite imagery, social media, and information extraction can monitor blackouts and their perceived causes. Night-time light data (in March 2019 for Caracas, Venezuela) is used to indicate blackout regions. Twitter data is used to determine sentiment and topic trends, while statistical analysis and topic modeling delved into public perceptions regarding blackout causes. The findings show an inverse relationship between nighttime light intensity. Tweets mentioning the Venezuelan President displayed heightened negativity and a greater prevalence of blame-related terms, suggesting a perception of government accountability for the outages

Surface Characteristics of Nanocrystalline Apatites: Effect of Mg Surface Enrichment on Morphology, Surface Hydration Species, and Cationic Environments

The incorporation of foreign ions, such as Mg2+, exhibiting a biological activity for bone regeneration is presently considered as a promising route for increasing the bioactivity of bone-engineering scaffolds. In this work, the morphology, structure, and surface hydration of biomimetic nanocrystalline apatites were investigated before and after surface exchange with suchMg2+ ions, by combining chemical alterations (ion exchange,H2OD2O exchanges) and physical examinations (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and highresolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)). HRTEM data suggested that the Mg2+/Ca2+ exchange process did not affect the morphology and surface topology of the apatite nanocrystals significantly, while a new phase, likely a hydrated calcium and/or magnesium phosphate, was formed in small amount for high Mg concentrations. Near-infrared (NIR) and medium-infrared (MIR) spectroscopies indicated that the samples enriched withMg2+ were found to retain more water at their surface than the Mg-free sample, both at the level of H2O coordinated to cations and adsorbed in the form of multilayers. Additionally, the H-bonding network in defective subsurface layers was also noticeably modified, indicating that the Mg2+/Ca2+ exchange involved was not limited to the surface. This work is intended to widen the present knowledge on Mg-enriched calcium phosphate-based bioactive materials intended for bone repair applications

Envejecimiento activo y de éxito o saludable: una breve historia de modelos conceptuales

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:The aim of this paper is to analyse and describe different conceptual models of successful ageing, active and healthy ageing developed in Europe and in America in the 20° century, starting from Rowe and Kahn's original model (1987, 1997). METHODOLOGY:A narrative review was conducted on the literature on successful ageing. RESULTS: Our review included definition of successful ageing from European and American scholars. Models were found that aimed to describe indexes of active and healthy ageing, models devoted to describe processes involved in successful ageing, and additional views that emphasise subjective and objective perception of successful ageing. A description is also given of critiques on previous models and remedies according to Martin et al. (2014) and strategies for successful ageing according to Jeste and Depp (2014). The need is discussed for the enhancement of Rowe and Kahn's model and other models with a more inclusive, universal description of ageing, incorporating scientific evidence regarding active ageing

Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 With Acute Encephalopathy and Coma: An International Prospective Study

International audienceBackground and ObjectivesTo report the prevalence of acute encephalopathy and outcomes in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to identify determinants of 90-day outcomes.MethodsData from adults with severe COVID-19 and acute encephalopathy were prospectively collected for patients requiring intensive care unit management in 31 university or university-affiliated intensive care units in 6 countries (France, United States, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) between March and September of 2020. Acute encephalopathy was defined, as recently recommended, as subsyndromal delirium or delirium or as a comatose state in case of severely decreased level of consciousness. Logistic multivariable regression was performed to identify factors associated with 90-day outcomes. A Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) score of 1-4 was considered a poor outcome (indicating death, vegetative state, or severe disability).ResultsOf 4,060 patients admitted with COVID-19, 374 (9.2%) experienced acute encephalopathy at or before the intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A total of 199/345 (57.7%) patients had a poor outcome at 90-day follow-up as evaluated by the GOS-E (29 patients were lost to follow-up). On multivariable analysis, age older than 70 years (odds ratio [OR] 4.01, 95% CI 2.25-7.15), presumed fatal comorbidity (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.68-9.44), Glasgow coma scale score <9 before/at ICU admission (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.22-3.98), vasopressor/inotrope support during ICU stay (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.97-7.76), renal replacement therapy during ICU stay (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.21-4.50), and CNS ischemic or hemorrhagic complications as acute encephalopathy etiology (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.41-7.82) were independently associated with higher odds of poor 90-day outcome. Status epilepticus, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome were associated with lower odds of poor 90-day outcome (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.83).DiscussionIn this observational study, we found a low prevalence of acute encephalopathy at ICU admission in patients with COVID-19. More than half of patients with COVID-19 presenting with acute encephalopathy had poor outcomes as evaluated by GOS-E. Determinants of poor 90-day outcome were dominated by older age, comorbidities, degree of impairment of consciousness before/at ICU admission, association with other organ failures, and acute encephalopathy etiology.Trial Registration InformationThe study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04320472