Waves of disruption in clean energy transitions: sociotechnical dimensions of system disruption in Germany and the United Kingdom

Academic and policy literatures are seeing a growing discussion about ‘clean energy disruption’. However, the term disruption often lacks definitional clarity. Departing from the concept of disruptive innovation and based on a review of firm-based management and socio-technical transitions literatures, we derive four dimensions of system disruption: technology, markets and business models, ownership and actors, and regulation. We apply these dimensions to analyse the status of disruption in two exemplary countries pursuing ambitious low-carbon energy transitions: Germany and the United Kingdom (UK). The views of a diverse range of actors are investigated regarding how disruption is unfolding and what is seen as disruptive in the energy sector. Our analysis draws on 28 expert interviews, supplemented with a review of empirical studies. We find that despite comparable shares of renewables in the two countries' electricity systems, the scale of disruption in Germany significantly exceeds that in the UK, covering all four rather than just two dimensions. We also find a greater awareness of and resistance to expected further waves of disruption in Germany, as compared to the UK. Finally, we discuss the implications of the notion of disruption for understanding and governing socio-technical transitions

Mesenchymal stem cells with rhBMP-2 inhibits the growth of canine osteosarcoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to a unique group of proteins that includes the growth factor TGF-β. BMPs play important roles in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and inhibition of cell growth. They also participate in the maturation of several cell types, depending on the microenvironment and interactions with other regulatory factors. Depending on their concentration gradient, the BMPs can attract various types of cells and act as chemotactic, mitogenic, or differentiation agents. BMPs can interfere with cell proliferation and the formation of cartilage and bone. In addition, BMPs can induce the differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells into various cell types, including chondroblasts and osteoblasts. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of treatment with rhBMP-2 on the proliferation of canine mesenchymal stem cells (cMSCs) and the tumor suppression properties of rhBMP-2 in canine osteocarcoma (OST) cells. Osteosarcoma cell lines were isolated from biopsies and excisions of animals with osteosarcoma and were characterized by the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute. The mesenchymal stem cells were derived from the bone marrow of canine fetuses (cMSCs) and belong to the University of São Paulo, College of Veterinary Medicine (FMVZ-USP) stem cell bank. After expansion, the cells were cultured in a 12-well Transwell system; cells were treated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells associated with rhBMP2. Expression of the intracytoplasmic and nuclear markers such as Caspase-3, Bax, Bad, Bcl-2, Ki-67, p53, Oct3/4, Nanog, Stro-1 were performed by flow citometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We evaluated the regenerative potential of <it>in vitro </it>treatment with rhBMP-2 and found that both osteogenic induction and tumor regression occur in stem cells from canine bone marrow. rhBMP-2 inhibits the proliferation capacity of OST cells by mechanisms of apoptosis and tumor suppression mediated by p53.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We propose that rhBMP-2 has great therapeutic potential in bone marrow cells by serving as a tumor suppressor to increase p53 and the pro-apoptotic proteins Bad and Bax, as well as by increasing the activity of phosphorylated caspase 3.</p> <p>Study design</p> <p>Canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells associated with rhBMP2 in canine osteosarcoma treatment: "<it>in vitro</it>" study</p

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STEM CELLS FROM YOLK SAC DOMESTIC PORCINE (Sus scrofa)

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that are able to generate a whole organism. The ES cells give rise to rapidly dividing fetal stem (FS) cells, which are responsible for fetal growth and development. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the cells from the yolk sac to characterize this cells as to potential as a possible source of pluripotent stem cells for future use in regenerative therapy. The yolk sac tissue was collected from the embryos in the early stage of gestation (30d) and explants from YS were plated with medium culture 15% fetal bovine serum  and incubated at 37ºC in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2. Trials were made for concentration and cell viability, cell growth evaluation, and the characterization by flow cytometry using specific antibodies (CD105, NANOG, CD45 and Oct-3/4), immunocytochemistry using the following antibody: CD90, CD105, CD117, vimentin, Stro-1, Oct-4, VEGF, beta tubulin, Cytokeratin and PCNA and Osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation assays. The yolk sac cells showed adherence to plastic and a spindle-like morphology, they reached confluence of 70% in about 20 days, these cells were maintained until passage 4, where later cell death occurred. These cells had similar imunofenoipagem the mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic cells expressing markers such as CD105, CD90, CD117, vimentin, Stro-1, Oct-4, VEGF, Beta Tubulin, Cytokeratin, Nanog and PCNA. These cells can be classified as pluripotent cells, in other words, possessed self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation potency, which could differentiate into chondrocytes, adipocytes and osteocytes. The pYS cells would provide an ideal cell resource for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering

Exploring the re-emergence of industrial policy : Perceptions regarding low-carbon energy transitions in Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark

Industrial policy has re-emerged as an area of policy discussion in recent years, but the characteristics and role of industrial policy vary across national contexts. Particularly, the role of industrial policy in the ongoing energy transitions of different countries has received little attention. We introduce an analytical framework to explore the relationship between industrial policy and different energy policy trajectories and apply this framework in an empirical analysis of the perceptions of key stakeholders in the energy sector in Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark. We identify four key elements of industrial policy – industrial visions, industrial policy instruments, industrial policy governance, and employment concerns – and based on these analyse perceptions of how industrial policy has facilitated changes in the energy system of the three countries. We find significant differences in industrial policy styles for low-carbon transitions, reflecting broader differences in political institutions and cultures. Our analysis shows how sustainability transitions relate to industrial policy, and which elements can act as enablers and barriers to low-carbon transitions

Effects of two different decellularization routes on the mechanical properties of decellularized lungs

Considering the limited number of available lung donors, lung bioengineering using whole lung scaffolds has been proposed as an alternative approach to obtain lungs suitable for transplantation. However, some decellularization protocols can cause alterations on the structure, composition, or mechanical properties of the lung extracellular matrix. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the acellular lung mechanical properties when using two different routes through the trachea and pulmonary artery for the decellularization process. This study was performed by using the lungs excised from 30 healthy male C57BL/6 mice, which were divided into 3 groups: tracheal decellularization (TDG), perfusion decellularization (PDG), and control groups (CG). Both decellularized groups were subjected to decellularization protocol with a solution of 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The behaviour of mechanical properties of the acellular lungs was measured after decellularization process. Static (Est) and dynamic (Edyn) elastances were obtained by the end-inspiratory occlusion method. TDG and PDG showed reduced Est and Edyn elastances after lung decellularization. Scanning electron microscopy showed no structural changes after lung decellularization of the TDG and PDG. In conclusion, was demonstrated that there is no significant difference in the behaviour of mechanical properties and extracellular matrix of the decellularized lungs by using two different routes through the trachea and pulmonary artery

Direito e linguagem se (entre)laçam e se (con)fundem

A interconexão entre Direito e Língua Portuguesa foi o tema da palestra on-line de Cristiane Martins de Paula Luz, analista judiciária da 7ª Vara Federal de Florianópolis/SC, graduada em Direito e autora do livro “Letra certa: diálogos sobre português formal”, aos acadêmicos da 4ª fase do curso de Direito da Unoesc Xanxerê. Realizada em 12 de fevereiro de 2021, a atividade teve como objetivo qualificar um dos instrumentos de trabalho fundamentais dos futuros profissionais do Direito: a palavra, o desempenho linguístico. Foi organizada no componente curricular de Português aplicado ao Direito, ministrado pela professora Rossaly Beatriz Chioquetta Lorenset. &nbsp;Esta atividade socializa esse conhecimento e objetiva dar visibilidade às reflexões que emergiram a partir da esfera da sala de aula.&nbsp

Ambiente y conflictos territoriales: ¿obstáculos u oportunidades para el desarrollo local?

La ciudad es un territorio de producción social del espacio derivado del esfuerzo colectivo, que requiere la presencia del Estado en la distribución equitativa de los costos y beneficios del proceso urbanizador entre los agentes públicos y privados. En este contexto, las políticas públicas son herramientas que posibilitan el establecimiento de directrices que orientan el proceso de desarrollo del territorio. La definición de las mismas requiere, entre otros aspectos, la clara identificación de las prácticas de los agentes en el territorio en donde se inscriben proyectos sociales y en donde los intereses contrapuestos de los agentes generan negociaciones y conflictos. Esto implica que uno de los insumos claves para la definición de políticas y estrategias de gestión es la identificación y análisis de los conflictos que en el territorio se hacen evidentes o los que potencialmente pudieran existir. En estos conflictos están en disputa los sistemas de vida locales y el control de los territorios. El Ordenamiento Territorial es un instrumento de política pública, destinado a orientar el proceso de producción social del espacio en este sentido. Sin embargo, la ordenación pensada desde los enfoques neoclásicos apunta principalmente a cuantificar. Hoy esa mirada no es suficiente para explicar los contextos complejos y es necesario profundizar en las cualidades del territorio y debe ser complementada con la inclusión de las prácticas de los agentes y los conflictos asociados, así como la definición de los componentes que le dan origen que sustenten espacios de decisión y negociación dinámicos. En este marco, este proyecto se plantea como hipótesis que la incorporación de los conflictos territoriales como un criterio más a tener en cuenta en las estrategias de gestión territorial es una oportunidad para potenciar el desarrollo local y como objetivo de general evaluar la utilización de los conflictos territoriales como criterios para la gestión sustentable del territorio Si bien el Proyecto se desarrollará en el arco sur del ejido municipal de la ciudad de Córdoba, se tendrán presentes las implicancias de las prácticas y/o intereses contrapuestos de la Región Metropolitana Córdoba que podrían afectar el sector de análisis particular. Para la descripción de la situación socio-ambiental y sus tendencias se elaborará cartografía digital y se simularán escenarios mediante un sistema de información geográfica (ArcGis 10.0). La recolección de información primaria para la identificación de las prácticas se hará mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad y grupos focales. Se determinarán las relaciones existentes entre las prácticas de los agentes, la condición ambiental y los conflictos. Se plantearán escenarios posibles considerando las tendencias actuales y diferentes opciones de actuación. Desde el punto de vista del desarrollo territorial local, se propone aportar un estudio de caso que integre datos del medio físico, de la práctica de los agentes y de los potenciales conflictos entre ellos. Esto posibilitará obtener resultados, que plasmados en propuestas de uso del territorio dinámica, facilitarán el equilibrio de fuerzas entre agentes en conflicto.Fil: Maldonado, Martín Alejandro. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales; ArgentinaFil: Mogni, Paula Patricia. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura; Argentin

Serial bone marrow transplantation reveals in vivo expression of the pCLPG retroviral vector

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gene therapy in the hematopoietic system remains promising, though certain aspects of vector design, such as transcriptional control elements, continue to be studied. Our group has developed a retroviral vector where transgene expression is controlled by p53 with the intention of harnessing the dynamic and inducible nature of this tumor suppressor and transcription factor. We present here a test of <it>in vivo </it>expression provided by the p53-responsive vector, pCLPG. For this, we used a model of serial transplantation of transduced bone marrow cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed, by flow cytometry, that the eGFP transgene was expressed at higher levels when the pCLPG vector was used as compared to the parental pCL retrovirus, where expression is directed by the native MoMLV LTR. Expression from the pCLPG vector was longer lasting, but did decay along with each sequential transplant. The detection of eGFP-positive cells containing either vector was successful only in the bone marrow compartment and was not observed in peripheral blood, spleen or thymus.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings indicate that the p53-responsive pCLPG retrovirus did offer expression <it>in vivo </it>and at a level that surpassed the non-modified, parental pCL vector. Our results indicate that the pCLPG platform may provide some advantages when applied in the hematopoietic system.</p

Habitat use by the endangered white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius species complex: a systematic review

Understanding habitat requirements is a key part of conserving declining species, particularly when reintroductions are planned as part of the recovery strategy. The white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) has undergone severe declines across its range and is now classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as ‘endangered’. Translocation of threatened A. pallipes populations to isolated ‘Ark sites’ where threats are minimised is an increasingly used conservation tool. A full feasibility assessment of potential Ark sites, including an assessment of habitat suitability, is recommended within translocation guidelines developed by the IUCN. This literature review employed a systematic search and ‘vote counting’ approach to identify and assess the relative importance of physical habitat requirements of A. pallipes. Many habitat features were positively associated with crayfish presence, in particular: boulder substrate, trees/shading, woody debris, exposed roots, and undercut banks; and habitat use patterns varied among crayfish sexes and size classes. Ark sites should incorporate heterogeneous habitat, with as many of these features as possible, to provide both ample refugia and rich foraging areas

Activation of endogenous p53 by combined p19Arf gene transfer and nutlin-3 drug treatment modalities in the murine cell lines B16 and C6

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reactivation of p53 by either gene transfer or pharmacologic approaches may compensate for loss of p19Arf or excess mdm2 expression, common events in melanoma and glioma. In our previous work, we constructed the pCLPG retroviral vector where transgene expression is controlled by p53 through a p53-responsive promoter. The use of this vector to introduce p19Arf into tumor cells that harbor p53wt should yield viral expression of p19Arf which, in turn, would activate the endogenous p53 and result in enhanced vector expression and tumor suppression. Since nutlin-3 can activate p53 by blocking its interaction with mdm2, we explored the possibility that the combination of p19Arf gene transfer and nutlin-3 drug treatment may provide an additive benefit in stimulating p53 function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>B16 (mouse melanoma) and C6 (rat glioma) cell lines, which harbor p53wt, were transduced with pCLPGp19 and these were additionally treated with nutlin-3 or the DNA damaging agent, doxorubicin. Viral expression was confirmed by Western, Northern and immunofluorescence assays. p53 function was assessed by reporter gene activity provided by a p53-responsive construct. Alterations in proliferation and viability were measured by colony formation, growth curve, cell cycle and MTT assays. In an animal model, B16 cells were treated with the pCLPGp19 virus and/or drugs before subcutaneous injection in C57BL/6 mice, observation of tumor progression and histopathologic analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we show that the functional activation of endogenous p53wt in B16 was particularly challenging, but accomplished when combined gene transfer and drug treatments were applied, resulting in increased transactivation by p53, marked cell cycle alteration and reduced viability in culture. In an animal model, B16 cells treated with both p19Arf and nutlin-3 yielded increased necrosis and decreased BrdU marking. In comparison, C6 cells were quite susceptible to either treatment, yet p53 was further activated by the combination of p19Arf and nutlin-3.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to apply both p19Arf and nutlin-3 for the stimulation of p53 activity. These results support the notion that a p53 responsive vector may prove to be an interesting gene transfer tool, especially when combined with p53-activating agents, for the treatment of tumors that retain wild-type p53.</p