Towards an Understanding of Hydrogen Supply Chains: A Structured Literature Review Regarding Sustainability Evaluation

Hydrogen technologies have received increased attention in research and development to foster the shift towards carbon-neutral energy systems. Depending on the specific production techniques, transportation concepts, and application areas, hydrogen supply chains (HSCs) can be anything from part of the energy transition problem to part of the solution: Even more than battery-driven electric mobility, hydrogen is a polyvalent technology and can be used in very different contexts with specific positive or negative sustainability impacts. Thus, a detailed sustainability evaluation is crucial for decision making in the context of hydrogen technology and its diverse application fields. This article provides a comprehensive, structured literature review in the context of HSCs along the triple bottom line dimensions of environmental, economic, and social sustainability, analyzing a total of 288 research papers. As a result, we identify research gaps mostly regarding social sustainability and the supply chain stages of hydrogen distribution and usage. We suggest further research to concentrate on these gaps, thus strengthening our understanding of comprehensive sustainability evaluations for HSCs, especially in social sustainability evaluation. In addition, we provide an additional approach for discussion by adding literature review results from neighboring fields, highlighting the joint challenges and insights regarding sustainability evaluation

Spatial survey of tephra deposits in the middle Lahn valley (Hesse, Germany)

Tephra deposits and especially Laacher See tephra (LST) deposits resulting from the Laacher See eruption (12.9 ka) are an important stratigraphic marker for the Allerød period in central Europe (van den Bogaard and Schmincke, 1995). Within the central German low mountain range (Rhenish Massif and eastern areas) the LST was found within soils (initial deposits, sheltered slope positions) and valleys (relocated deposits) (Bos and Urz, 2003; Hahn and Opp, 2005). The Niederweimar gravel quarry, located on the lower terrace in the middle reach of the Lahn River valley south of Marburg (Hesse, Germany), is known for its high-resolution stratigraphy of Quaternary gravel deposits and late glacial, as well as Holocene, floodplain fines (Lomax et al., 2018). This particular stratigraphy is mainly achieved by the up to 2 m thick LST deposits, which consist of pure LST beds and a multitude of fine LST bands (partly interbedded with black sands or interrupted by clay bands). The origin of the LST in the floodplain is attributed to an extensive deposition (aeolian, directly in the floodplain), as well as later fragmentation of the tephra deposits by surface erosion and renewed deposition of LST from the catchment area through changing river systems (Bos and Urz, 2003; Lomax et al., 2018). The surroundings of the gravel quarry are also rich in archaeological finds reaching more or less continuously from the Mesolithic (11.7 to 7.5 ka) to the Middle Ages (Bos and Urz, 2003; Lomax et al., 2018). Further well-summarized information about the situation within the Niederweimar gravel quarry can be found in Lomax et al. (2018) or on the website of the archaeological survey of Hesse (https://lfd.hessen.de/, last access: 21 March 2021). The evidence of LST in the Lahn valley, as in other valley sediments, is often limited to gravel pits (other larger excavations). These pits and their profiles offer very good insights (e.g. detailed lithostratigraphic description of profiles), but they are always limited to a comparatively small spatial section of the entire floodplain (gravel pit area). Therefore, the objective of the presented study is to provide a spatial survey of LST deposits in the middle Lahn valley, covering the entire floodplain cross section. The following two questions form the focus of the spatial survey. (1) How is the lateral and vertical extension of the LST deposits within the Lahn valley floodplain? (2) Does the spatial distribution provide overarching information about the deposition dynamics of the LST? For this purpose, a transect-based survey with qualitative analysis of LST grains based on density separation and visual identification (stereomicroscope) was applied

Review of Design-Oriented Green Information Systems Research

Green IS (GIS) research addresses environmental challenges brought on by climate change and the need to preserve the natural environment. Within this scope, design-oriented research, most notably within the Design Science Research (DSR) community, aims to provide solutions to these environmental challenges in the form of novel artifacts. The resulting IS solutions are valuable instruments for reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and mitigating waste. Over the past 14 years, the IS research community was called upon multiple times to focus on designing solutions suitable for facilitating sustainability. However, it is unclear how these calls for action resonated within the design-oriented research community. Against this background, we analyzed the landscape of design-oriented GIS research by looking at 60 different GIS studies that have designed and evaluated an artifact. By analyzing these publications, we were able to make six observations. Based on these observations, we discuss how design-oriented GIS research can evolve to live up to the expectations of creating an immediate positive environmental impact

Phase II Dose Escalation Study of Caspofungin for Invasive Aspergillosis ▿ §

Our objective was to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose of caspofungin for invasive aspergillosis (IA). The safety and pharmacokinetics of escalating dosages of caspofungin were investigated in IA. Eight patients each received caspofungin 70, 100, 150, or 200 mg once a day (QD). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as the same non-hematological treatment-related adverse event of grade ≥4 in 2 of 8 patients or ≥3 in 4 of 8 patients in a cohort. A total of 46 patients (median age, 61 years; 21 female; 89% with hematological malignancies) received caspofungin (9, 8, 9, and 20 patients in the 70-, 100-, 150-, and 200-mg cohorts) for a median of 24.5 days. Plasma pharmacokinetics were linear across the investigated dosages and followed a two-compartment model, with weight as the covariate on clearance and sex as the covariate on central volume of distribution. Simulated peak plasma concentrations at steady state ranged from 14.2 to 40.6 mg/liter (28%), trough concentrations from 4.1 to 11.8 mg/liter (58%), and area under the concentration-time curve from 175 to 500 mg/liter/h (32%) (geometric mean, geometric coefficient of variation). Treatment was well tolerated without dose-limiting toxicity. The rate of complete or partial responses was 54.3%, and the overall mortality at 12-week follow-up was 28.3%. In first-line treatment of invasive aspergillosis, daily doses of up to 200 mg caspofungin were well tolerated and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Pharmacokinetics was linear. Response rates were similar to those previously reported for voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin

Transfer empirischer Evidenz : Entwurf eines reformierten Leitbilds und Programms der Journalistik

Die Integration von Theorie und Praxis steht seit Jahrzehnten im Mittelpunkt des Leitbilds und der Programme der Journalistik. Doch „Integration“ wird unterschiedlich interpretiert: Während das Ausbildungsprogramm heute weitgehend unumstritten ist, haben sich Forschungsprogramme zwischen Distanz und Nähe zur journalistischen Praxis differenziert. Dadurch stößt die Forschung an Grenzen und steht dem Ziel einer gemeinsamen Identität der Journalistik als integratives Lehr- und Forschungsgebiet im Wege. Dieser Beitrag zieht Bilanz und entwirft ein reformiertes Leitbild und Programm. Die Reformgedanken speisen sich zudem aus dem Wandel des Journalismus, der aufgrund eines Innovationsdrucks neue Anforderungen an Journalistenausbildung und Journalismusforschung stellt. Ziele und Aufgaben der Journalistik werden nicht mehr nur in einer Theorie und Praxis integrierenden Ausbildung gesehen, sondern auch in einer integrierenden Forschung. Sie erkennt zwar die Systemunterschiede zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis an, entwickelt, testet und evaluiert aber gerade deshalb Methoden des Transfers, um die Basis für evidenzbasierte strategische Entscheidungen in Redaktionen zu legen. Es handelt sich um ein explizit normatives Leitbild: Fluchtpunkt für theoretische Positionen, Methodenwahl und -entwicklung sowie Ergebnisinterpretation ist die Qualität des Journalismus