Walking away from a low-carbon economy? Recent and historical trends using a regional decomposition analysis

Using the latest available data, this brief article attempts to provide the first regional decomposition analysis of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Covering eight regions of the world, determinants are estimated in relative and absolute terms for the period 1971-2010. We use the unparalleled 2010 global surge in CO2 emissions as a reference and entry point for the analysis. Overall, results show that most regions have recently performed worse than their historical trends and lack of meaningful progress is identified. Whereas specific drivers for certain regions suggest some level of continuous improvement (e.g. reduced energy intensity in Asia, decarbonisation of of energy supply in OECD Europe), they are incapable of offsetting the effects of economic growth and increased energy use. With the exception of Africa, most regions appear to have missed the low-carbon economy opportunity' provided by the 20082009 global financial crisis. Results suggest a lack of serious environmental effectiveness of regional policy portfolios aiming at reducing CO2 emissions. Highly ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy policies across all regions are immediately needed. Additionally, absolute reductions in energy use from fossil fuels and resulting CO2 emissions are urgently required in rich regions if we are to align production and consumption patterns with maintaining global warming below the 2 degrees C threshold. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

TrainMiC, Training in Metrology in Chemistry.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

A statistical analysis protocol for the time-differentiated target temperature management after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (TTH48) clinical trial

Background: The TTH48 trial aims to determine whether prolonged duration (48 hours) of targeted temperature management (TTM) at 33 (+/- 1) degrees C results in better neurological outcomes compared to standard duration (24 hours) after six months in comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. Methods: TTH48 is an investigator-initiated, multicentre, assessor-blinded, randomised, controlled superiority trial of 24 and 48 hours of TTM at 33 (+/- 1) degrees C performed in 355 comatose OHCA patients aged 18 to 80 years who were admitted to ten intensive care units (ICUs) in six Northern European countries. The primary outcome of the study is the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score observed at six months after cardiac arrest. CPC scores of 1 and 2 are defined as good neurological outcomes, and CPC scores of 3, 4 and 5 are defined as poor neurological outcomes. The secondary outcomes are as follows: mortality within six months after cardiac arrest, CPC at hospital discharge, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on day 4, length of stay in ICU and at hospital and the presence of any adverse events such as cerebral, circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, metabolic measures, infection or bleeding. With the planned sample size, we have 80% power to detect a 15% improvement in good neurological outcomes at a two-sided statistical significance level of 5%. Discussion: We present a detailed statistical analysis protocol (SAP) that specifies how primary and secondary outcomes should be evaluated. We also predetermine covariates for adjusted analyses and pre-specify sub-groups for sensitivity analyses. This pre-planned SAP will reduce analysis bias and add validity to the findings of this trial on the effect of length of TTM on important clinical outcomes after cardiac arrest.Peer reviewe

Summary from the Workshop "Improving the Scientific Base for Metrology in Chemistry (MiC) in EU Accession Countries".

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

Walking away from a low-carbon economy?

Using the latest available data, this brief article attempts to provide the first regional decomposition analysis of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Covering eight regions of the world, determinants are estimated in relative and absolute terms for the period 1971-2010. We take the 2010 global surge in CO2 emissions as an entry point for the analysis. Overall, results show that most regions have recently performed worse than their historical trends and lack of meaningful progress is identified. Whereas specific drivers for certain regions suggest some level of continuous improvement (e.g. reduced energy intensity in Asia), they are incapable of offsetting the effects of economic growth and energy use. With the exception of Africa, most regions appear to have missed the low-carbon economy opportunity provided by the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. Results suggest a lack of serious environmental effectiveness of regional policy portfolios aiming at reducing CO2 emissions. Highly ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy policies across all regions are immediately needed. Additionally, absolute reductions in CO2 emissions and energy use from fossil fuels are urgently required in rich regions if we are to align production and consumption patterns with maintaining global warming below the 2°C threshold

A Proteomics-based Approach to Detect and Identify Major Allergens in Processed Peanut by Capillary LC-Q-TOF (MS/MS)

An MS-based method, combining reverse-phase capillary liquid chromatography (capillary LC) with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (nano-ESI Q-TOP MS/MS) was developed with the aim to identify a set of peptides that can function as markers for peanut allergens. Emphasis was given to the identification of the three major peanut allergens Ara h1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3, since these proteins are considered to represent more than 30% of the total protein content of peanut and are directly relevant for the allergenic potential of this food.JRC.D.8-Food safety and qualit

Feasibility of a Capillary LC/ESI-Q-TOF MS Method for the Detection of Milk Allergens in an Incurred Model Food Matrix

The capability of a capillary LC-Q-TOF mass spectrometer system as a qualitative tool for the identification and confirmation of milk allergens in thermally processed food was investigated. Milk powder incurred cookies were produced in-house and chosen as the model food matrix. To unequivocally assess the presence of milk allergens, samples testing positive to ELISA were analysed by a capillary LC-Q-TOF MS/MS method in order to identify specific peptides that can be used as markers for milk allergens. Results show that a-S1 casein was the protein identified with the highest score (in 100 mg g-1 milk powder incurred cookies) and its identity was confirmed by detection of the peptides m/z 692.86 and 634.34 and their specific MS/MS ions providing a fingerprint for a-S1 casein. Besides that, other milk proteins were highlighted by performing database searching. The proteomic MS-based method employing a capillary LC-Q-TOF system proved to be a valuable tool to carry out qualitative and confirmative analysis to trace contamination of milk allergens in processed food matrices.JRC.D.5-Food Safety and Qualit

A New Method for Reduction of NH3 Emissions from Pig Housing Systems by Adding Sulphuric Acid to Slurry

Effects of adding sulphuric acid to slurry by flushing the waste pits were studied in a commercial finishing unit with four identical sections. Each section included 300 pigs on fully slatted floors. Waste pits in two control sections had a pull-plug system installed for removal of slurry. The other two sections had a new developed and patented waste handling system using a sulphuric acid treatment

Label-Free Proteomic Analysis of Wheat Gluten Proteins and Their Immunoreactivity to ELISA Antibodies

ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) methodology is currently the mainstay for gluten quantification. However, the lack of comparable measurements among commercial kits has caused a great deal of concern. Here, we studied the immunoreactivity of five commercial ELISA kits to wheat gluten fractionated by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and identified the proteins and peptides in the resulting fractions by mass spectrometry to understand the extent by which these may be contributing to the lack of comparability.JRC.F.5-Food and Feed Complianc

IMEP-12 Trace Elements in Water. Certification Report

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel