Investing in the Clean Trillion: Closing the Clean Energy Investment Gap

In 2010 world governments agreed to limit the increase in global temperature to two degrees Celsius (2 °C) above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. To have an 80 percent chance of maintaining this 2 °C limit, the IEA estimates an additional $36 trillion in clean energy investment is needed through 2050 -- or an average of$1 trillion more per year compared to a "business as usual" scenario over the next 36 years.This report provides 10 recommendations for investors, companies and policymakers to increase annual global investment in clean energy to at least $1 trillion by 2030 -- roughly a four-fold jump from current investment levels

Microcrystalline identification of selected designer drugs

A microcrystalline test for the detection of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), benzylpiperazine (BZP) and 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI) using aqueous solutions of mercury chloride is described. Each of the compounds investigated formed specific drug–reagent crystals within minutes. The uniqueness of the test was confirmed by comparison of the microcrystalline response to that of other psychoactive stimulants and a common cutting agent. The limit of detection and cut-off levels for reference standards were established to 3 g/L and 5 g/L for mephedrone, 0.5 g/L for MDAI and 0.2 g/L and 0.3 g/L for BZP, respectively. Various mixtures of standards of either mephedrone, BZP or MDAI combined with caffeine were investigated for their microcrystalline response. Results showed that simultaneous detection of drug and cutting agent was possible with the concentrations tested but were dependant on the ratio of drug to cutting agent. BZP could be detected alongside caffeine from as low as 20% (v/v), MDAI from 40% (v/v) and mephedrone from 50% (v/v) and higher. Finally, seven samples of online purchased ‘legal highs’ were analysed using the developed test and the findings were compared to FTIR and GC–MS results. It was shown that 6 out of 7 samples did not contain the advertised active ingredient. Five samples consisted of BZP, caffeine and 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazine (3-TFMPP). The microcrystalline tests carried out on these samples showed positive results for both BZP and caffeine without interference from other substances present

995-22 The Effect of Perioperative Storage Solutions on the Long Term Vein Graft Function and Morphology

It has been shown that suboptimal preparation of a vein graft prior to its insertion results in immediate morphological and functional damage to the endothelial cells but not to the underlying smooth muscle cells. However. little is known if such perioperative injury to the vein grafts may influence the subsequent development of intimal hyperplasia and smooth muscle cell contractility. This study examines the influence of storage in saline or Ringer's lactate on the development of intimal hyperplasia and vasomotor function in experimental vein grafts. Twenty-six NM rabbits had a carotid vein bypass graft performed after the veins had been immersed (15 minutes) in either heparinized saline (Sal; n=13) or Ringer's lactate (RL; n=13) and each group was harvested after 28 days for either histology (n=8) or functional studies (n=5; four 5 mm rings/graft). Saline storage of the vein graft resulted in a 38% increase in the thickness of the intimal hyperplasia (113±2 vs. 83±μm, Sal vs. RL; mean±SEM, p<0.05) without a change in medial thickness (87±5 vs. 86±8μm, Sal vs. RL; p>0.05). There was no difference in the sensitivity to norepinephrine, serotonin and bradykinin between the two sets of vein grafts. The maximal contractile forces to serotonin and bradykinin were increased in the saline compared to Ringer's lactate stored vein grafts.SalineRinger'sp-valueNorepinephrine0.88±0.121.57±020<0.05Serotonin1.23±0.150.37±013<0.01Bradykinin2.08±0.110.52±007<0.01Values are the standardized maximal contractile force (maximal contraction/contraction to 60 mM KCI) expressed as mean±SEM.Saline storage of the vein graft results in the increased development of intimal hyperplasia with an overall enhanced contractility but without changes in agonist sensitivity. This study places further emphasis on the need for good perioperative care of the vein bypass graft because it results not only in the previously documented short term problems but also in long term structural and contractile changes which may contribute to decreased graft patency

Reversing microcrystalline tests: an analytical approach to recycling of microcrystals from drugs of abuse

A combined analysis of microcrystalline tests followed by LC-MS or GC-MS analysis is described. Microcrystalline tests are shown to be non-destructive as addition products formed were easily dissociated after the application of an appropriate solvent. Subsequent analysis of the sample was done to quantify the recovery of the drug. Examples were performed using the date rape drug γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and the synthetic opioid methadone

Risk factors of ischemic stroke and subsequent outcome in hemodialysis patients

Background and purpose: End stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis (HD) carries up to a 10-fold greater risk of stroke than normal renal function. Knowledge concerning risk factors and management strategies derived from the general population may not be applicable to those with ESRD. We studied a large ESRD population to identify risk factors and outcomes for stroke. Methods: All adult patients receiving HD for ESRD from 01/01/2007 to 31/12/2012 were extracted from the electronic patient record. Variables associated with stroke were identified by survival analysis; demographic, clinical, imaging and dialysis related variables were assessed and case-fatality determined. Follow-up was until 31/12/2013. Results: 1382 patients were identified (mean age 60.5 years, 58.5% male). The prevalence of AF was 21.2% and 59.4% were incident HD patients. 160 (11.6%) experienced a stroke during 3471 patient-years of follow-up (95% ischemic). Stroke incidence was 41.5/1000 patient-years in prevalent and 50.1/1000 patient-years in incident HD patients. Factors associated with stroke on regression analysis were prior stroke, diabetes and age at starting renal replacement therapy. AF was not significantly associated with stroke and warfarin did not affect stroke risk in warfarin treated patients. Fatality was 18.8% at 7, 26.9% at 28 and 56.3% 365 days after stroke.<p></p> Conclusions: Incidence of stroke is high in patients with ESRD on HD with high case-fatality. Incident HD patients had the highest stroke incidence. Many, but not all, important risk factors commonly associated with stroke in the general population were not associated with stroke in patients receiving HD

Why has South Africa been relatively unsuccessful at attracting inward foreign direct investment since 1994?

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into South Africa have been very low for several decades, and this research examines the reason(s) why this has been the case since 1994. There is a common belief amongst economists that there is a positive relationship between the amount of FDI received and economic growth, thus the desire to attract greater FDI inflows. A literature review was conducted to establish the determinants of FDI globally and then data were collected and assessed to test which causes are most important. The performance of developing nations in attracting FDI was first compared with that of the developed nations. Thereafter, a regional breakdown of FDI flows was presented, with a particular focus on the Southern African region. FDI inflows to South Africa since 1994 were compared against the identified determinants of FDI, as well as with FDI inflows into two other major mining economies, Chile and Botswana. The friendliness of the government towards business was identified as a significant determinant of FDI inflows and the importance of this factor in explaining FDI inflows into environment in South Africa was looked at in more depth. It was found that many investors perceive the South African government as hostile towards business and as corrupt and/or inefficient. The empirical results show that this negative perception helps explain the FDI inflows attracted by South Africa since 1994. Therefore, increased friendliness to business by the government should increase future inward FDI flows into South Africa

1030-13 Alterations in Endothelial Cell Adenosine Receptors Mediate Endothelium-Dependent Vasoconstriction in Experimental Vein Grafts

Adenosine is a potent endogenous vasodilator which mediates its action through A1 and A2 receptor subtypes located on both vascular endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). Adenosine-mediated relaxation in vein grafts has not been examined. This study assesses the in vitro isometric tension responses to specific adenosine receptor agonists (A1: R-phenyl-isopropyl-adenosine and A2: CSG-21680; 10–9 to 10–4 M) of common carotid external jugular vein bypass grafts (VG) in New Zealand White rabbits. These responses were compared to those obtained in the extemal jugular vein (JV) and in the common carotid artery (CA). All vessels were precontracted with prostaglandin F2a (10–5 M). Endothelialized and de-endothelialized vessels were examined. The A1 mediated relaxation in JV was endothelium-independent, whereas A2 mediated relaxation was endothelium-dependent. In CA, A1 mediated relaxation was partially endothelium-dependent, while A2 mediated relaxation was endotheliumindependent. In VG, Al activation induced endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction. Endothelial denudation restored Al mediated relaxation, but reduced compared to that of JV (max. 19±9%). A2 relaxation in VG was endothelium-independent (max. 39±4%). Primary cultures of arterial and vein graft SMC expressed both A1 and A2 receptors on northern blot analysis. There was, however, a marked reduction in the A1 affinity of the SMC from the VG compared to the arterial SMC (40.9±1.3% arterial binding). This study, therefore, demonstrates that there is a substantial change in the adenosine mediated vasoreactivity in VG compared to JV, due to a change in endothelial A1 receptor mediated response from relaxation to constriction, coupled with a decreased affinity of the A1 receptors on the VG SMC. The adenosine responses of the VG are also different from CA. Therefore, the endothelial celis of VG appear to be unique, in that functionally they neither maintain a venous phenotype nor acquire an arterial phenotype in response to adenosine