A review of the role of spatial resolution in energy systems modelling:Lessons learned and applicability to the North Sea region

The importance of spatial resolution for energy modelling has increased in the last years. Incorporating more spatial resolution in energy models presents wide benefits, but it is not straightforward, as it might compromise their computational performance. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of spatial resolution in energy models, including benefits, challenges and future research avenues. The paper is divided in four parts: first, it reviews and analyses the applications of geographic information systems (GIS) for energy modelling in the literature. GIS analyses are found to be relevant to analyse how meteorology affects renewable production, to assess infrastructure needs, design and routing, and to analyse resource allocation, among others. Second, it analyses a selection of large scale energy modelling tools, in terms of how they can include spatial data, which resolution they have and to what extent this resolution can be modified. Out of the 34 energy models reviewed, 16 permit to include regional coverage, while 13 of them permit to include a tailor-made spatial resolution, showing that current available modelling tools permit regional analysis in large scale frameworks. The third part presents a collection of practices used in the literature to include spatial resolution in energy models, ranging from aggregated methods where the spatial granularity is non-existent to sophisticated clustering methods. Out of the spatial data clustering methods available in the literature, k-means and max-p have been successfully used in energy related applications showing promising results. K-means permits to cluster large amounts of spatial data at a low computational cost, while max-p ensures contiguity and homogeneity in the resulting clusters. The fourth part aims to apply the findings and lessons learned throughout the paper to the North Sea region. This region combines large amounts of planned deployment of variable renewable energy sources with multiple spatial claims and geographical constraints, and therefore it is ideal as a case study. We propose a complete modelling framework for the region in order to fill two knowledge gaps identified in the literature: the lack of offshore integrated system modelling, and the lack of spatial analysis while defining the offshore regions of the modelling framework

Transcellular communication at the immunological synapse: A vesicular traffic-mediated mutual exchange

The cell's ability to communicate with the extracellular environment, with other cells, and with itself is a crucial feature of eukaryotic organisms. In the immune system, T lymphocytes assemble a specialized structure upon contact with antigen-presenting cells bearing a peptide-major histocompatibility complex ligand, known as the immunological synapse (IS). The IS has been extensively characterized as a signaling platform essential for T-cell activation. Moreover, emerging evidence identifies the IS as a device for vesicular traffic-mediated cell-to-cell communication as well as an active release site of soluble molecules. Here, we will review recent advances in the role of vesicular trafficking in IS assembly and focused secretion of microvesicles at the synaptic area in naïve T cells and discuss the role of the IS in transcellular communication

Sources of obsidian artefacts, exchange networks and landscape use in Auca Mahuida (Neuquén, northwestern Patagonia)

We present the results of XRF analysis for 59 obsidian samples from 11 archaeological sites in Auca Mahuida region, Northeastern Neuquén, Argentina. The results indicate that several obsidian sources were utilized; however, the intensities of their exploitation were variable. Strong differences appear between the Colorado river basin, characterised by a low variability of obsidian groups from northern Neuquén, the Auca volcano, with a low variability of obsidian groups but from local sources located north and southwards from the study area; and along Bajo del Añelo, which presents a high variability of obsidian groups from several local and non-local sources. The pattern recorded fit different mechanisms of access to the sources and conveyance of obsidian across the landscape. Two distinct paths of direct access are suggested for obsidian available along the Colorado river in northern Neuquén and for Portada Covunco obsidian in central Neuquén. Additionally, we suggest the presence of obsidian from sources in southern Neuquén Province (Cerro Las Planicies-Lago Lolog), located ca. 350 km from the study area. While not conclusive yet, this possibility parsimoniously integrates available geochemical and spatial information, allowing us to propose the existence of either long-distance transport or indirect access by exchange or similar mechanisms.Fil: Rindel, Diego Damián. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Perez, S. I.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barberena, Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Basicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Basicas.; ArgentinaFil: MacDonald, B. L.. University of Missouri; Estados UnidosFil: Glascock, Michael D. University of Missouri; Estados Unido