Can energy self‑sufficiency be achieved? Case study of Warmińsko‑Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland)

An analysis was carried out to show whether the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland) could become energy selfsufficient. The technical potential of electricity and heat from renewable sources has been calculated. The calculated values are 6.93 TWh/year of electricity and 15.84 PJ/year of heat—these amounts would ensure the energy independence of the Voivodeship. The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship is an example of transformation towards “green” energy, it shows that such transformation is also possible in Poland even in short term. This would reduce air pollution as well as limit the import of energy resources. It is very important, it allows us to think with optimism and implement Poland’s energy transformation towards renewable energy (RE). Additionally, a SWOT analysis of each type of RE in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship was presented. The SWOT analysis makes it possible to identify the strengths, weaknesses, prospects and threats for RE in the Voivodeship and the whole country. It has been found that there is a great interest of investors in RE in the Voivodeship, there is usually a great public support for new energy sources, and the biggest barriers are high investment costs and complicated law in Poland

Exercise improves insulin and leptin sensitivity in hypothalamus of Wistar rats

Prolonged exercise of medium to high intensity is known to promote a substantial effect on the energy balance of rats. In male rats, moderately to severely intense programs lead to a reduction in food intake. However, the exact causes for the appetite-suppressive effects of exercise are not known. Here, we show that intracerebroventricular insulin or leptin infusion reduced food intake in exercised rats to a greater extent than that observed in control animals. Exercise was associated with a markedly increased phosphorylation/activity of several proteins involved in leptin and insulin signal transduction in the hypothalamus. The regulatory role of interleukin (IL)-6 in mediating the increase in leptin and insulin sensitivity in hypothalamus was also investigated. Treatment with insulin or leptin markedly reduced food intake in exercised rats that were pre-treated with vehicle, although no increase in sensitivity to leptin- and insulin-induced anorexia after pretreatment with anti-IL-6 antibody was detected. The current study provides direct measurements of leptin and insulin signaling in the hypothalamus and documents increased sensitivity to these hormones in the hypothalamus of exercised rats in an IL-6-dependent manner. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that the appetite-suppressive actions of exercise may be mediated by the hypothalamus.5592554256