Social Effects in the Diffusion of Solar Photovoltaic Technology in the UK

Abstract The main research question in this paper is whether the installation rate of solar PV technology is affected by social spillovers from spatially close households. The installed base, defined as the cumulative number of solar PV installations within a neighbourhood by the end of a particular month, serves as a measure for the social effects of interest. Motivated by the technology-specific time lag between the decision to adopt a solar PV panel and the completion of the installation, the third lag of the installed base serves as main regressor of interest in the panel data model employed. The results suggest small, but positive and significant social effects that can be exploited to promote adoption: at the average installation rate of 0.7 installations per 1,000 owner-occupied households, one more solar PV panel in the postcode district increases the installation rate three months later by one percent. At the average number of 6,629 owner-occupied households within a postcode district, this implies an increase in the number of new installations in the neighbourhood by 0.005. Projects involving a high number of installations could hence promote diffusion. A major limitation of the model is that social spillovers are assumed to spread within defined neighbourhoods, only. Spatial econometric methods could allow for social effects across these borders

Which smart electricity service contracts will consumers accept? The demand for compensation in a platform market

This paper analyses the heterogeneity of household consumer preferences for electricity service contracts in a smart grid context. Platform pricing strategies that could incentivise consumers to participate in a two-sided electricity platform market are discussed. The research is based on original data from a discrete choice experiment on electricity service contracts that was conducted with 1,892 electricity consumers in Great Britain in 2015. We estimate a flexible mixed logit model in willingness to pay space and exploit the results in posterior analysis. The findings suggest that while consumers are willing to pay for technical support services, they are likely to demand significant compensation to share their usage and personally identifying data and to participate in automated demand response programs involving remote monitoring and control of electricity usage. Cross-subsidisation of consumers combining appropriate participation payments with sharing of bill savings could incentivise participation of the number of consumers required to provide the optimal level of demand response. We also examine the preference heterogeneity to suggest how, by targeting customers with specific characteristics, smart electricity service providers could significantly reduce their customer acquisition costs.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the EPSRC Autonomic Power System project (Grant No: EP/I031650/1) and the Energy Policy Research Group

Characteristics of sexually experienced HIV testers aged 18 to 32 in rural South Africa: baseline results from a community-based trial, NIMH Project Accept (HPTN 043)

BACKGROUND: Young people in South Africa are at high risk of HIV infection and yet may have more limited access to prevention and treatment services than others in the population. Testing facilitates the sharing of prevention messages but also enables the linkage to care and treatment of those who test positive and therefore has wider public health implications.METHODS: This baseline survey conducted in 2005 for a community randomized trial in rural KwaZulu-Natal explored factors associated with a history of ever, repeat and recent testing amongst sexually debuted men and women aged 18 to 32 years.RESULTS: Over 35% of this rural population ever tested for HIV, with men less likely to ever (unadjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.21-0.32) and repeatedly test than women (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.97). Men aged 24-28 years (aOR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.10-3.71) and 29-32 years (aOR 2.69, 95% CI: 1.46-4.94) were more likely to ever test than those <20 years. Those who reported having discussed HIV with others had significantly greater odds of reporting ever (men's aOR 2.83, 95% CI: 1.63-4.89; women's aOR 3.36, 95% CI: 2.50-4.53), recent (irrespective of sex, aOR 2.87, 95% CI: 2.02-4.09) and repeat testing (aOR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.28-3.19).CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the need for novel youth- and men-friendly testing services and emphasises the importance of discussions about HIV in the home and community to encourage testing

Microbial carbon limitation : the need for integrating microorganisms into our understanding of ecosystem carbon cycling

Numerous studies have demonstrated that fertilization with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increases plant productivity in both natural and managed ecosystems, demonstrating that primary productivity is nutrient limited in most terrestrial ecosystems. In contrast, it has been demonstrated that heterotrophic microbial communities in soil are primarily limited by organic carbon or energy. While this concept of contrasting limitations, that is, microbial carbon and plant nutrient limitation, is based on strong evidence that we review in this paper, it is often ignored in discussions of ecosystem response to global environment changes. The plant-centric perspective has equated plant nutrient limitations with those of whole ecosystems, thereby ignoring the important role of the heterotrophs responsible for soil decomposition in driving ecosystem carbon storage. To truly integrate carbon and nutrient cycles in ecosystem science, we must account for the fact that while plant productivity may be nutrient limited, the secondary productivity by heterotrophic communities is inherently carbon limited. Ecosystem carbon cycling integrates the independent physiological responses of its individual components, as well as tightly coupled exchanges between autotrophs and heterotrophs. To the extent that the interacting autotrophic and heterotrophic processes are controlled by organisms that are limited by nutrient versus carbon accessibility, respectively, we propose that ecosystems by definition cannot be 'limited' by nutrients or carbon alone. Here, we outline how models aimed at predicting non-steady state ecosystem responses over time can benefit from dissecting ecosystems into the organismal components and their inherent limitations to better represent plant-microbe interactions in coupled carbon and nutrient models

Coupled carbon and nitrogen losses in response to seven years of chronic warming in subarctic soils

Increasing temperatures may alter the stoichiometric demands of soil microbes and impair their capacity to stabilize carbon (C) and retain nitrogen (N), with critical consequences for the soil C and N storage at high latitude soils. Geothermally active areas in Iceland provided wide, continuous and stable gradients of soil temperatures to test this hypothesis. In order to characterize the stoichiometric demands of microbes from these subarctic soils, we incubated soils from ambient temperatures after the factorial addition of C, N and P substrates separately and in combination. In a second experiment, soils that had been exposed to different in situ warming intensities (+0, +0.5, +1.8, +3.4, +8.7, +15.9 °C above ambient) for seven years were incubated after the combined addition of C, N and P to evaluate the capacity of soil microbes to store and immobilize C and N at the different warming scenarios. The seven years of chronic soil warming triggered large and proportional soil C and N losses (4.1 ± 0.5% °C−1 of the stocks in unwarmed soils) from the upper 10 cm of soil, with a predominant depletion of the physically accessible organic substrates that were weakly sorbed in soil minerals up to 8.7 °C warming. Soil microbes met the increasing respiratory demands under conditions of low C accessibility at the expenses of a reduction of the standing biomass in warmer soils. This together with the strict microbial C:N stoichiometric demands also constrained their capacity of N retention, and increased the vulnerability of soil to N losses. Our findings suggest a strong control of microbial physiology and C:N stoichiometric needs on the retention of soil N and on the resilience of soil C stocks from high-latitudes to warming, particularly during periods of vegetation dormancy and low C inputs

Evaluación geriátrica guiada por G8 en la decisión del tratamiento de adultos mayores con cáncer. Un estudio piloto

NOTA DE CONTRIBUCIÓN: Lucia Richter: a,b,c,e,f, Ariana Revollo: a,b,c,e,f, Noelia Silveyra: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, Natalia Lladó: b, c, e, g, Ana Kmaid: a, b, e, f, g, Luis Ubillos: a, c, e, f, g a) Concepción y diseño del estudio b) Recolección de los datos o realización de los experimentos c) Análisis e interpretación de los datos o resultados d) Análisis estadísticos de los datos o resultados e) Elaboración de un borrador del manuscrito f) Escritura del manuscrito g) Supervisión del trabajo h) Colección y manejo de las muestras provenientes de los pacientes Lucia Richter: Servicio de Oncología Clínica. Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo – Uruguay. ORCID: 0000-0001-9755-3098 Ariana Revollo: Departamento de Geriatría y Gerontología. Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo – Uruguay. ORCID: 0000-0002-8248-5915 Noelia Silveyra: Servicio de Oncología Clínica. Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina-Universidad de la República. Montevideo – Uruguay. ORCID: 0000-0002-0021-5760 Natalia Lladó: Departamento de Geriatría y Gerontología. Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo – Uruguay. ORCID: 0000-0003-3100-5843 Ana Kmaid: Departamento de Geriatría y Gerontología. Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo – Uruguay. ORCID: 0000-0003-4504-5467 Luis Ubillos: Departamento de Geriatría y Gerontología. Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República. Montevideo – Uruguay. Correo electrónico: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-9081-7545Introducción: El cáncer es una enfermedad asociada al envejecimiento y tiene una alta prevalencia en los adultos mayores. La valoración geriátrica integral (VGI) mejora los cuidados de los adultos mayores (AM) con cáncer. En contextos sanitarios con recursos limitados, no todos los AM podrán ser evaluados por un geriatra. Un modelo en 2 pasos, incluyendo el test G8, en la consulta habitual del oncólogo, permite seleccionar aquellos pacientes que se beneficiarán de una VGI. Esta puede aportar en la toma de decisiones del tratamiento oncológico específico. Objetivo: Evaluar el beneficio del test G8 y la VGI en ≥ 70 años con cáncer candidatos a recibir quimioterapia. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, de una muestra no probabilística de pacientes ≥ de 70 años con diagnóstico de cáncer y candidatos a recibir quimioterapia. Se aplicó el G8 por el oncólogo y se completó la VGI en los que presentaron alteración en algunas de las áreas evaluadas. Resultados: Se analizaron 32 pacientes. Se realizó G8 a todos, en 21 de ellos se completó la VGI. En estos, en reunión multidisciplinaria con oncólogo y geriatra se discutió el tratamiento. En el 38% de los pacientes se cambió la conducta oncológica tras contar con la valoración geriátrica integral. Conclusión: Creemos que la incorporación del G8 en la práctica clínica del oncólogo aporta una herramienta de cribado útil para identificar los pacientes ≥70 años que se benefician de una VGI previa al inicio de tratamiento oncoespecífico, optimizando de esta manera los recursos.Introduction: Cancer is a disease associated with aging and has a high prevalence in older adults. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) improves the care of older adults (OA)with cancer. In healthcare settings with limited resources, not all OA may be evaluated by a geriatrician. A 2-step model, including the G8 test, in the usual oncologist consultation, allows selecting those patients who will benefit from CGA. This can contribute to decision-making regarding specific cancer treatment. Aims: To evaluate the benefit of the incorporation of the G8 test and CGA in the ≥ 70 years with cancer candidates for chemotherapy. Methods: Observational, descriptive, crosssectional study of a non-probability sample of patients ≥ 70 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer and candidates for chemotherapy. The G8 was applied by the oncologist and the CGA was completed in those who presented alteration in some of the evaluated areas. Results: 32 patients were analyzed. G8 was performed in all, in 21 of them the CGA was completed. In these, the treatment was discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting with an oncologist and a geriatrician. Oncological behavior was changed in 38% of patients after having a comprehensive geriatric evaluation. Conclusion: We believe that the incorporation of the G8 test in the clinical practice of the oncologist provides a useful screening tool to identify patients ≥70 years who benefit from CGA prior to the start of oncospecific treatment, thus optimizing resources.Introdução: O câncer é uma doença associada ao envelhecimento e tem alta prevalência em idosos. A avaliação geriátrica ampla (AGA) melhora o atendimento a idosos com câncer. Em ambientes de saúde com recursos limitados, nem todos eles podem ser avaliadas por um geriatra. Um modelo de duas etapas, incluindo o teste G8, na consulta oncológica usual, permite selecionar os pacientes que serão beneficiados pela AGA. Isso pode contribuir para a tomada de decisões em relação ao tratamento específico do câncer. Objetivo: Avaliar o benefício da incorporação do teste G8 e AGA nos ≥ 70 anos com câncer, candidatos à quimioterapia. Material e Métodos: Estudo observacional, descritivo e transversal de uma amostra não probabilística de pacientes com idade ≥ 70 anos com diagnóstico de câncer e candidatos à quimioterapia. O G8 foi aplicado pelo oncologista e a AGA foi realizada naqueles que apresentaram alteração em algumas das áreas avaliadas. Resultados: 32 pacientes foram analisados. O G8 foi realizado em todos, em 21 deles a AGA foi aplicada. Nesses, o tratamento foi discutido em reunião multidisciplinar com oncologista e geriatra. O tratamento oncológico foi alterado em 38% dos pacientes após uma avaliação geriátrica amplia. Conclusão: Acreditamos que a incorporação do teste G8 na prática clínica do oncologista fornece uma ferramenta de triagem útil para identificar pacientes com idade ≥70 anos que se beneficiam da AGA antes do início do tratamento oncoespecífico, otimizando recursos

Identification of morphological biosignatures in martian analogue field specimens using in situ planetary instrumentation

We have investigated how morphological biosignatures (i.e., features related to life) might be identified with an array of viable instruments within the framework of robotic planetary surface operations at Mars. This is the first time such an integrated lab-based study has been conducted that incorporates space-qualified instrumentation designed for combined in situ imaging, analysis, and geotechnics (sampling). Specimens were selected on the basis of feature morphology, scale, and analogy to Mars rocks. Two types of morphological criteria were considered: potential signatures of extinct life (fossilized microbial filaments) and of extant life (crypto-chasmoendolithic microorganisms). The materials originated from a variety of topical martian analogue localities on Earth, including impact craters, high-latitude deserts, and hydrothermal deposits. Our in situ payload included a stereo camera, microscope, Mössbauer spectrometer, and sampling device (all space-qualified units from Beagle 2), and an array of commercial instruments, including a multi-spectral imager, an X-ray spectrometer (calibrated to the Beagle 2 instrument), a micro-Raman spectrometer, and a bespoke (custom-designed) X-ray diffractometer. All experiments were conducted within the engineering constraints of in situ operations to generate realistic data and address the practical challenges of measurement

Drought history affects grassland plant and microbial carbon turnover during and after a subsequent drought event

Drought periods are projected to become more severe and more frequent in many European regions. While effects of single strong droughts on plant and microbial carbon (C) dynamics have been studied in some detail, impacts of recurrent drought events are still little understood. We tested whether the legacy of extreme experimental drought affects responses of plant and microbial C and nitrogen (N) turnover to further drought and rewetting. In a mountain grassland, we conducted a 13C pulse-chase experiment during a naturally occurring drought and rewetting event in plots previously exposed to experimental droughts and in ambient controls (AC). After labelling, we traced 13C below-ground allocation and incorporation into soil microbes using phospholipid fatty acid biomarkers. Drought history (DH) had no effects on the standing shoot and fine root plant biomass. However, plants with experimental DH displayed decreased shoot N concentrations and increased fine root N concentrations relative to those in AC. During the natural drought, plants with DH assimilated and allocated less 13C below-ground; moreover, fine root respiration was reduced and not fuelled by fresh C compared to plants in AC. Regardless of DH, microbial biomass remained stable during natural drought and rewetting. Although microbial communities initially differed in their composition between soils with and without DH, they responded to the natural drought and rewetting in a similar way: gram-positive bacteria increased, while fungal and gram-negative bacteria remained stable. In soils with DH, a strongly reduced uptake of recent plant-derived 13C in microbial biomarkers was observed during the natural drought, pointing to a smaller fraction of active microbes or to a microbial community that is less dependent on plant C. Synthesis. Drought history can induce changes in above- vs. below-ground plant N concentrations and affect the response of plant C turnover to further droughts and rewetting by decreasing plant C uptake and below-ground allocation. DH does not affect the responses of the microbial community to further droughts and rewetting, but alters microbial functioning, particularly the turnover of recent plant-derived carbon, during and after further drought periods. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Societ

Dissipative phenomena in extended-bodies interactions I: Methods Dwarf galaxies of the Local Group and their synthetic CMDs

Dissipative phenomena occurring during the orbital evolution of a dwarf satellite galaxy around a host galaxy may leave signatures in the star formation activity and signatures in the colour magnitude diagram of the galaxy stellar content. Our goal is to reach a simple and qualitative description of the these complicated phenomena. We develop an analytical and numerical technique able to study ram pressure, Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, Rayleigh-Taylor and tidal forces acting on the star formation processes in molecular clouds. We consider it together with synthetic colour magnitude diagrams techniques. We developed a method to investigate the connections existing between gas consumption processes and star formation processes in the context of the two extended-body interaction with special attention to the dwarf galaxies dynamical regime.Comment: Accepted on A&

Effects of soil organic matter properties and microbial community composition on enzyme activities in cryoturbated arctic soils

Enzyme-mediated decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) is controlled, amongst other factors, by organic matter properties and by the microbial decomposer community present. Since microbial community composition and SOM properties are often interrelated and both change with soil depth, the drivers of enzymatic decomposition are hard to dissect. We investigated soils from three regions in the Siberian Arctic, where carbon rich topsoil material has been incorporated into the subsoil (cryoturbation). We took advantage of this subduction to test if SOM properties shape microbial community composition, and to identify controls of both on enzyme activities. We found that microbial community composition (estimated by phospholipid fatty acid analysis), was similar in cryoturbated material and in surrounding subsoil, although carbon and nitrogen contents were similar in cryoturbated material and topsoils. This suggests that the microbial community in cryoturbated material was not well adapted to SOM properties. We also measured three potential enzyme activities (cellobiohydrolase, leucine-amino-peptidase and phenoloxidase) and used structural equation models (SEMs) to identify direct and indirect drivers of the three enzyme activities. The models included microbial community composition, carbon and nitrogen contents, clay content, water content, and pH. Models for regular horizons, excluding cryoturbated material, showed that all enzyme activities were mainly controlled by carbon or nitrogen. Microbial community composition had no effect. In contrast, models for cryoturbated material showed that enzyme activities were also related to microbial community composition. The additional control of microbial community composition could have restrained enzyme activities and furthermore decomposition in general. The functional decoupling of SOM properties and microbial community composition might thus be one of the reasons for low decomposition rates and the persistence of 400 Gt carbon stored in cryoturbated material