Energy sufficiency in private households enabled by adequate appliances

Energy efficiency of a range of domestic appliances covered by the labelling and ecodesign directives has improved significantly over the last 15 years. However, the power consumption of the German residential sector has remained relatively constant over this period. Besides other factors, such as decreasing average household size, the main reasons for this development were the increases of the types, features, size, equipment stock and usage times of appliances and devices in private households. The project "Energy Sufficiency - strategies and instruments for a technical, systemic and cultural transformation towards sustainable restriction of energy demand in the field of construction and everyday life" investigates how the complementation of energy efficiency with energy sufficiency could lead to more user adequate domestic products and product-service systems and thereby result in an absolute reduction of power consumption. In this project, energy sufficiency is defined as a strategy to reduce energy consumption by three approaches: 1. Quantitative reduction of sizes, features, usage times of devices etc. 2. Substitution of technical equipment in households by e.g.urban services. 3. Adjustment of technical services delivered by appliances toutility needed and desired by users. The energy saving effects of an application of these approaches were modelled for different types of households and the energy saving potentials of energy sufficiency quantified. Innovative approaches for user adequate products and services were developed in open innovation workshops by the Design Thinking method. The paper summarizes some of the intermediate results of theoretical and transdisciplinary investigations of the project that runs until May 31, 2016. Furthermore, a first set of design criteria for user adequate appliances enabling energy sufficiency are developed based on these results. The paper concludes with suggestions for the future development of energy labelling and ecodesign derived from the design criteria and supplemented by examples of existing requirements according to the voluntary environmental label "Blauer Engel"

Warum Ernährungsmanagement mehr Aufmerksamkeit braucht

Ernährungsmanagement ist in Alters- und Pflegeheimen ein noch weitgehend unbeachtetes Gebiet. Dabei leiden viele ihrer Bewohner*innen an Mangelernährung. Gesundheitsfachpersonen sollten dieses Thema gemeinsam angehen

Intake of various food groups among girls and boys with different utilisation of school meals

Children and adolescents spend a large part of their time at school, which is why the quality of school meals is of great importance. In this study, the extent to which intakes of various food groups among children and adolescents were in line with the recommendations of the Optimised Mixed Diet (OMD) were examined according to frequency of utilisation of school meals, based on data from the second Eating study as a KiGGS Module (EsKiMo II). Among 6- to 11-year-old boys, more frequent (≥ three times weekly) utilisation of school meals is associated with more frequently meeting or exceeding the OMD recommendation for fruit consumption. The same is true among 12- to 17-year-old girls for eggs and fats/oils used for cooking or spreads, and among 12- to 17-year-old boys for fish. The results from EsKiMo II show that regular uptake of school meals is associated with differences in intakes of various food groups with respect to the OMD recommendations

The role of radiative cooling and leaf wetting in air–leaf water exchange during dew and radiation fog events in a temperate grassland

During prolonged dry periods, non-rainfall water (NRW) plays a vital role as water input into temperate grasslands, affecting the leaf surface water balance and plant water status. Previous chamber and laboratory experiments investigated air–leaf water exchange during dew deposition, but overlooked the importance of radiative cooling on air–leaf water exchange because the chamber is a heat trap, preventing radiative cooling. To complement these previous studies, we conducted a field study, in which we investigated the effect of radiatively-induced NRW inputs on leaf water isotope signals and air–leaf water exchange in a temperate grassland during the dry-hot summers of 2018 and 2019. We carried out field measurements of the isotope composition of atmospheric water vapor, NRW droplets on foliage, leaf water, xylem water of root crown, and soil water, combined with meteorological and plant physiological measurements. We combined radiation measurements with thermal imaging to estimate leaf temperatures using different methods, and computed the corresponding leaf conductance and air–leaf water exchange. Our results indicate that radiative cooling and leaf wetting induced a switch of direction in the net water vapor exchange from leaf-to-air to air-to-leaf. The leaf conductance and air–leaf water exchange varied by species due to the species-specific biophysical controls. Our results highlight the ecological relevance of radiative cooling and leaf wetting in natural temperate grasslands, a process which is expected to influence land surface water budgets and may impact plant survival in many regions in a drier climate

Ivacaftor Reduces Inflammatory Mediators in Upper Airway Lining Fluid From Cystic Fibrosis Patients With a G551D Mutation: Serial Non- Invasive Home-Based Collection of Upper Airway Lining Fluid

In cystic fibrosis (CF) therapy, the recent approval of CF-transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel modulators is considered to be the major breakthrough. However, the current first-line approach based mainly on pulmonary function to measure effects of the novel therapy, tested by forced expiratory volumes in one second (FEV1), provides restricted sensitivity to detect early structural damages. Accordingly, there is a need for new sensitive surrogate parameters. Most interestingly, these should quantify inflammation that precedes a decline of pulmonary function. We present a novel method assessing inflammatory markers in the upper airways’ epithelial lining fluid (ELF) obtained by nasal lavage (NL). In contrast to broncho-alveolar lavage, ELF sampling by NL is an attractive method due to its limited invasiveness which allows repeated analyses, even performed in a home-based setting. In a longitudinal cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02311140), we assessed changes of inflammatory mediators in 259 serially obtained nasal lavages taken up to every second day before and during therapy with ivacaftor from ten CF patients carrying a G551D mutation. Patients were trained to sample NL-fluid at home, to immediately freeze and transfer chilled secretions to centers. Neutrophil Elastase, Interleukins IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8 in NL were quantified. During 8-12 weeks of ivacaftor-treatment, median values of IL-1b and IL-6 significantly declined 2.29-fold (2.97!1.30 pg/mL), and 1.13-fold (6.48!5.72 pg/mL), respectively. In parallel, sweat tests and pulmonary function improved considerably. This is the first study assessing changes of airway inflammation on a day-to-day basis in CF patients receiving a newly administered CFTR-modulator therapy. It proves a decline of airway inflammation during ivacaftor-therapy

Divergent dynamics of inflammatory mediators and multiplex PCRs during airway infection in cystic fibrosis patients and healthy controls: Serial upper airway sampling by nasal lavage

Background In cystic fibrosis (CF), acute respiratory exacerbations critically enhance pulmonary destruction. Since these mainly occur outside regular appointments, they remain unexplored. We previously elaborated a protocol for home-based upper airway (UAW) sampling obtaining nasal-lavage fluid (NLF), which, in contrast to sputum, does not require immediate processing. The aim of this study was to compare UAW inflammation and pathogen colonization during stable phases and exacerbations in CF patients and healthy controls. Methods Initially, we obtained NLF by rinsing 10 ml of isotonic saline/nostril during stable phases. During exacerbations, subjects regularly collected NLF at home. CF patients directly submitted one aliquot for microbiological cultures. The remaining samples were immediately frozen until transfer on ice to our clinic, where PCR analyses were performed and interleukin (IL)-1β/IL-6/IL-8, neutrophil elastase (NE), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were assessed. Results Altogether, 49 CF patients and 38 healthy controls (HCs) completed the study, and 214 NLF samples were analyzed. Of the 49 CF patients, 20 were at least intermittently colonized with P. aeruginosa and received azithromycin and/or inhaled antibiotics as standard therapy. At baseline, IL-6 and IL-8 tended to be elevated in CF compared to controls. During infection, inflammatory mediators increased in both cohorts, reaching significance only for IL-6 in controls (p=0.047). Inflammatory responses tended to be higher in controls [1.6-fold (NE) to 4.4-fold (MMP-9)], while in CF, mediators increased only moderately [1.2-1.5-fold (IL-6/IL-8/NE/TIMP-1/MMP-9)]. Patients receiving inhalative antibiotics or azithromycin (n=20 and n=15, respectively) revealed lower levels of IL-1β/IL-6/IL-8 and NE during exacerbation compared to CF patients not receiving those antibiotics. In addition, CF patients receiving azithromycin showed MMP-9 levels significantly lower than CF patients not receiving azithromycin at stable phase and exacerbation. Altogether, rhinoviruses were the most frequently detected virus, detected at least once in n=24 (49.0%) of the 49 included pwCF and in n=26 (68.4%) of the 38 healthy controls over the 13-month duration of the study. Remarkably, during exacerbation, rhinovirus detection rates were significantly higher in the HC group compared to those in CF patients (65.8% vs. 22.4%; p<0.0001). Conclusion Non-invasive and partially home-based UAW sampling opens new windows for the assessment of inflammation and pathogen colonization in the unified airway system

Effectiveness and User Perception of an In-Vehicle Voice Warning for Hypoglycemia: Development and Feasibility Trial

Background: Hypoglycemia is a frequent and acute complication in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and is associated with a higher risk of car mishaps. Currently, hypoglycemia can be detected and signaled through flash glucose monitoring or continuous glucose monitoring devices, which require manual and visual interaction, thereby removing the focus of attention from the driving task. Hypoglycemia causes a decrease in attention, thereby challenging the safety of using such devices behind the wheel. Here, we present an investigation of a hands-free technology—a voice warning that can potentially be delivered via an in-vehicle voice assistant. Objective: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of an in-vehicle voice warning for hypoglycemia, evaluating both its effectiveness and user perception. Methods: We designed a voice warning and evaluated it in 3 studies. In all studies, participants received a voice warning while driving. Study 0 (n=10) assessed the feasibility of using a voice warning with healthy participants driving in a simulator. Study 1 (n=18) assessed the voice warning in participants with T1DM. Study 2 (n=20) assessed the voice warning in participants with T1DM undergoing hypoglycemia while driving in a real car. We measured participants’ self-reported perception of the voice warning (with a user experience scale in study 0 and with acceptance, alliance, and trust scales in studies 1 and 2) and compliance behavior (whether they stopped the car and reaction time). In addition, we assessed technology affinity and collected the participants’ verbal feedback. Results: Technology affinity was similar across studies and approximately 70% of the maximal value. Perception measure of the voice warning was approximately 62% to 78% in the simulated driving and 34% to 56% in real-world driving. Perception correlated with technology affinity on specific constructs (eg, Affinity for Technology Interaction score and intention to use, optimism and performance expectancy, behavioral intention, Session Alliance Inventory score, innovativeness and hedonic motivation, and negative correlations between discomfort and behavioral intention and discomfort and competence trust; all P<.05). Compliance was 100% in all studies, whereas reaction time was higher in study 1 (mean 23, SD 5.2 seconds) than in study 0 (mean 12.6, SD 5.7 seconds) and study 2 (mean 14.6, SD 4.3 seconds). Finally, verbal feedback showed that the participants preferred the voice warning to be less verbose and interactive. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the feasibility of an in-vehicle voice warning for hypoglycemia. Drivers find such an implementation useful and effective in a simulated environment, but improvements are needed in the real-world driving context. This study is a kickoff for the use of in-vehicle voice assistants for digital health interventions

Multimodal In-Vehicle Hypoglycemia Warning for Drivers With Type 1 Diabetes: Design and Evaluation in Simulated and Real-World Driving

Background Hypoglycemia threatens cognitive function and driving safety. Previous research investigated in-vehicle voice assistants as hypoglycemia warnings. However, they could startle drivers. To address this, we combine voice warnings with ambient LEDs. Objective The study assesses the effect of in-vehicle multimodal warning on emotional reaction and technology acceptance among drivers with type 1 diabetes. Methods Two studies were conducted, one in simulated driving and the other in real-world driving. A quasi-experimental design included 2 independent variables (blood glucose phase and warning modality) and 1 main dependent variable (emotional reaction). Blood glucose was manipulated via intravenous catheters, and warning modality was manipulated by combining a tablet voice warning app and LEDs. Emotional reaction was measured physiologically via skin conductance response and subjectively with the Affective Slider and tested with a mixed-effect linear model. Secondary outcomes included self-reported technology acceptance. Participants were recruited from Bern University Hospital, Switzerland. Results The simulated and real-world driving studies involved 9 and 10 participants with type 1 diabetes, respectively. Both studies showed significant results in self-reported emotional reactions (P<.001). In simulated driving, neither warning modality nor blood glucose phase significantly affected self-reported arousal, but in real-world driving, both did (F2,68=4.3; P<.05 and F2,76=4.1; P=.03). Warning modality affected self-reported valence in simulated driving (F2,68=3.9; P<.05), while blood glucose phase affected it in real-world driving (F2,76=9.3; P<.001). Skin conductance response did not yield significant results neither in the simulated driving study (modality: F2,68=2.46; P=.09, blood glucose phase: F2,68=0.3; P=.74), nor in the real-world driving study (modality: F2,76=0.8; P=.47, blood glucose phase: F2,76=0.7; P=.5). In both simulated and real-world driving studies, the voice+LED warning modality was the most effective (simulated: mean 3.38, SD 1.06 and real-world: mean 3.5, SD 0.71) and urgent (simulated: mean 3.12, SD 0.64 and real-world: mean 3.6, SD 0.52). Annoyance varied across settings. The standard warning modality was the least effective (simulated: mean 2.25, SD 1.16 and real-world: mean 3.3, SD 1.06) and urgent (simulated: mean 1.88, SD 1.55 and real-world: mean 2.6, SD 1.26) and the most annoying (simulated: mean 2.25, SD 1.16 and real-world: mean 1.7, SD 0.95). In terms of preference, the voice warning modality outperformed the standard warning modality. In simulated driving, the voice+LED warning modality (mean rank 1.5, SD rank 0.82) was preferred over the voice (mean rank 2.2, SD rank 0.6) and standard (mean rank 2.4, SD rank 0.81) warning modalities, while in real-world driving, the voice+LED and voice warning modalities were equally preferred (mean rank 1.8, SD rank 0.79) to the standard warning modality (mean rank 2.4, SD rank 0.84). Conclusions Despite the mixed results, this paper highlights the potential of implementing voice assistant–based health warnings in cars and advocates for multimodal alerts to enhance hypoglycemia management while driving. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05183191; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05183191, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05308095; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0530809

THREDDS Data Server a simplified way to discover and access scientific data at GEOMAR

One of today‘s challenge is the effective access to scientific data either within research groups or across different institutions to allow and increase the reusability of the data. While large operational modeling and service centers have enabled query and access to data via common web services, this is often not the case for smaller research groups. Especially the maintenance of the infrastructure and simple workflows to make the data available is a common challenge for scientists and data management. Here we would like to introduce the updated THREDDS Data Server (TDS) available at GEOMAR to provide, query, access and explore scientific data in netcdf format. This includes a simple and well documented workflow with step-by-step guidelines to provide data to the TDS system. This workflow aims to maximize the use of semi-automated processes, such as data integrity including standard metadata, checksums and persistent identifiers. By doing so, this workflow minimizes extra workload for persons involved in the data provision procedure such as scientists, data stewards and data managers but maximizes data reusibility under the FAIR principles. The TDS is a system developed and maintained by Unidata,a division of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). The aim of the TDS is 1) to make it simple to enable web service access to existing output files, 2) using free technologies that are easy to deploy and configure, and 3) provide standardized, service-based tools that work in existing research environments. The TDS provides catalog, metadata, and data access services for scientific datasets with remote data access protocols including OPeNDAP, OGC WCS, OGC WMS, and HTTPS. These standardized services enable reusability and increase the visibility of scientific datasets. We will show examples using viewer technologies to access datasets or directly explore these within common development environments such as Python or MATLAB

Investigating the Prevalence of RNA-Binding Metabolic Enzymes in E. coli

An open research field in cellular regulation is the assumed crosstalk between RNAs, metabolic enzymes, and metabolites, also known as the REM hypothesis. High-throughput assays have produced extensive interactome data with metabolic enzymes frequently found as hits, but only a few examples have been biochemically validated, with deficits especially in prokaryotes. Therefore, we rationally selected nineteen Escherichia coli enzymes from such datasets and examined their ability to bind RNAs using two complementary methods, iCLIP and SELEX. Found interactions were validated by EMSA and other methods. For most of the candidates, we observed no RNA binding (12/19) or a rather unspecific binding (5/19). Two of the candidates, namely glutamate-5-kinase (ProB) and quinone oxidoreductase (QorA), displayed specific and previously unknown binding to distinct RNAs. We concentrated on the interaction of QorA to the mRNA of yffO, a grounded prophage gene, which could be validated by EMSA and MST. Because the physiological function of both partners is not known, the biological relevance of this interaction remains elusive. Furthermore, we found novel RNA targets for the MS2 phage coat protein that served us as control. Our results indicate that RNA binding of metabolic enzymes in procaryotes is less frequent than suggested by the results of high-throughput studies, but does occur