Freeing Energy Data: A Guide for Regulators to Reduce One Barrier to Residential Energy Efficiency

This report advocates for improving entrepreneurs' access to residential energy-use data, thereby increasing the deployment of cost-effective energy-efficiency measures, generating saving and improving the environment. While this report does discuss policy, its focus is on informing policy makers on how to address liability, consumer privacy, and administrative concerns that could arise when third parties receive energy-use data from utilities. What makes this report novel compared to other efforts is that it provides model language for laws or rules that lawmakers or regulators can use as building blocks to open up access to energy data

Modelling pollutants transport scenarios based on the X-Press Pearl disaster

The MV X-Press Pearl accident near Sri Lanka in May 2021 released several pollutants into the ocean, including 1843.3 t of urea, raising concerns about the impact on the region. This study uses a coupled ocean (NEMO)–biogeochemistry (ERSEM) model to simulate urea dispersion under various scenarios. While it doesn't directly reflect the real accident, it provides insights into the potential impact of similar chemical spills. By adjusting tracer release rates and timing, we assessed their impact on the distribution of the chemical plume. Findings show slower release rates prolong higher urea concentrations, potentially causing phytoplankton blooms, while monsoon conditions significantly affect dispersal patterns. Due to a lack of publicly available urea observations, we used particle tracking experiments validated with data on plastic nurdle beaching. This research shows how a simpler, affordable scenario approach could inform the management of chemical spills without a fully developed operational oceanographic system

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION AND BODY TEMPERATURE IN EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a leading cause of death in athletes. While there is evidence supporting best practices to prevent death, there is a lack of understanding regarding the clinical presentation of EHS. Therefore, Aim 1 was to describe central nervous system (CNS) function, using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and signs and symptoms (S&Sx), in EHS patients; Aim 2 was to determine if a relationship exists between rectal temperature (Tre) and GCS in EHS patients. METHODS: A cross sectional research design was utilized by observing EHS patients (defined as \u3e40°C + CNS dysfunction) at an 11.3-km road race. De-identified medical records were provided by the medical director. The primary outcome variables were GCS cumulative score, Tre, and S&Sx (recorded as pre-determined nominal values). Trained, dedicated scribes recorded information on the patient’s medical record. Parametric and non-parametric descriptive statistics were calculated according to data type. A Spearman’s rank correlation was used to determine if a relationship existed between GCS score and Tre. RESULTS: Runners diagnosed with EHS (male=13, female=10) were aged 30 ± 14y (range 15-58y), with an initial Tre of 41.0 ± 0.6°C (40.0-42.1°C) and GCS of 14 ± 3 (4-15). Across evaluation and treatment time points, the maximum Tre was 41.2 ± 0.7°C (40.0-42.6°C) and the worst cumulative GCS scores were 13 ± 4 (0-15). At the initial recording, S&Sx observations included nausea (17.4% of recorded observations), dizziness, irritability, aggressive, headache, and malaise (all 4.3%). Confusion (13%), difficulty remembering (8.7%), and irritability (8.7%) had the highest percent of observations at different time points over the course of evaluation and treatment. A significant correlation did not exist for average Tre and GCS (rs(20)=-0.88, p=0.218), nor with maximum Tre and GCS (rs(20)=-0.34, p=0.144) or minimum Tre and GCS (rs(20)=0.044, p=0.852). CONCLUSIONS: GCS ranged widely for EHS during evaluation and treatment. As a result, there was no relationship between GCS and Tre. Additional S&Sx observations also varied widely, with not one symptom category representing the majority of observations at any time point. Clinicians should be prepared to recognize CNS dysfunction in EHS patients in a variety of ways. GCS may not be a good measure of CNS dysfunction in EHS patients, let alone for clinical decision making