EPLANopt optimization model based on EnergyPLAN applied at regional level: the future competition on excess electricity production from renewables

To face environmental and energy security issues, planning an energy system with high penetration of renewables is becoming increasingly important. The EPLANopt model couples a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to EnergyPLAN simulation software to study the future best energy mix. In this study, EPLANopt is applied to the case study of Niederösterreich, an Austrian region, to inspect the best configurations of the energy system at 2050. This model is used to inspect the competition between different renewable energy integration options. Storage systems, power to gas, power to heat or power to mobility are all integration options taken into account to study their competition in presence of electricity excess from renewables. The results show that in order to decarbonize the energy system the increase of the installed power of renewables is not enough to reach the CO2 reduction objective. Integration methods like the already mentioned storage systems, power to gas, power to heat or power to mobility become relevant. In particular the results show a deep energy efficiency refurbishment coupled to power to heat through heat pumps. Power to gas presents a relevant role in the integration of the excess of electricity from renewables. However, at the increase of electric mobility penetration the available excess of electricity is reduced and the deployment of power to gas decreases

Time resolved magneto-optical spectroscopy on InGaAs nanostructures grown on (311)A and (100)-oriented substrates

We present a time-resolved magneto-photoluminescence study of In0.5Ga0.5As self-organized nanostructures grown on (100) and (311)A-oriented substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The (311)A-oriented samples have a corrugated surface realizing a sort of quantum wire array, whereas the (100) samples exhibit Stranski–Krastanow islands. The different morphology of the nanostructures is reflected in the different electron/hole wave-function confinement along the three directions (perpendicular and parallel to the growth direction). We discuss the effects of the magnetic field (up to 8 T) on the recombination mechanism in these InGaAs nanostructures and on the transient dynamics of photoluminescence. We observe a clear decrease of the photoluminescence decay time with magnetic field flux indicating the exciton nature of the radiative low-temperature recombination processes

"Diagnóstico del sistema turístico en la Laguna de la Huacachina, Región de Ica, 2016"

En la presente investigación, tuvo como propósito analizar el funcionamiento del sistema turístico en la laguna de la Huacachina. Para dar cumplimiento a este objetivo, se planteó una investigación de enfoque cualitativo con un diseño fenomenológico y de tipo descriptivo, utilizando los instrumentos de la entrevista a profundidad y fichas de observación. Los entrevistados de la muestra fueron el director de turismo del DIRCETUR de Ica y los 8 turistas que visitaron la laguna de la Huacachina. Para la presentación de los resultados, se consideró el tema como variable de acuerdo a las categorías y codificaciones establecidas. Los resultados mostraron con mayor representatividad las categorías de Planta Turística, Infraestructura, Proyectos Turísticos, Participación Comunitaria, Características de la Demanda y Estado de Conservación, en las que se evidenciaron los aspectos relacionados al sistema turístico en base a los componentes y las características que presentan y las funciones que realizan en conjunto mediante un diagnóstico

Local degradation of selectively oxidized AlGaAs/AlAs distributed Bragg reflectors in lateral-injection vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

We show the local degradation of a selectively oxidized top distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) in a lateral-junction vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (LJ-VCSEL) working at room temperature in continuous-wave operation. The measurements were carried out by a scanning microluminescence system used in reflection mode. The injection of a few milliamps in continuous-wave operation at room temperature in the LJ-VCSEL induces damage both in the DBRs and in the active area. The submicron resolution maps of the reflected laser intensity, recorded from the top surface of the LJ-VCSEL, show a strong local change in the top DBR reflectivity before and after current injection. The μ-photoluminescence map, recorded after the device failure, shows that the radiative recombination is strongly decreased in the damaged area of the device

Quantum Noise Limits for Nonlinear, Phase-Invariant Amplifiers

Any quantum device that amplifies coherent states of a field while preserving their phase generates noise. A nonlinear, phase-invariant amplifier may generate less noise, over a range of input field strengths, than any linear amplifier with the same amplification. We present explicit examples of such nonlinear amplifiers, and derive lower bounds on the noise generated by a nonlinear, phase-invariant quantum amplifier.Comment: RevTeX, 6 pages + 4 figures (included in file; hard copy sent on request

Uncoupling protein 2 G(-866)A polymorphism: a new gene polymorphism associated with C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetic patients C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study evaluated the relationship between the G(-866)A polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) plasma levels in diabetic patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied 383 unrelated people with type 2 diabetes aged 40-70 years. Anthropometry, fasting lipids, glucose, HbA1c, and hs-CRP were measured. Participants were genotyped for the G (-866)A polymorphism of the uncoupling protein 2 gene.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hs-CRP (mg/L) increased progressively across the three genotype groups AA, AG, or GG, being respectively 3.0 ± 3.2, 3.6 ± 5.0, and 4.8 ± 5.3 (p for trend = 0.03). Since hs-CRP values were not significantly different between AA and AG genotype, these two groups were pooled for further analyses. Compared to participants with the AA/AG genotypes, homozygotes for the G allele (GG genotype) had significantly higher hs-CRP levels (4.8 ± 5.3 vs 3.5 ± 4.7 mg/L, p = 0.01) and a larger proportion (53.9% vs 46.1%, p = 0.013) of elevated hs-CRP (> 2 mg/L). This was not explained by major confounders such as age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, HbA1c, smoking, or medications use which were comparable in the two genotype groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study shows for the first time, in type 2 diabetic patients, a significant association of hs-CRP levels with the G(-866)A polymorphism of UCP2 beyond the effect of major confounders.</p

Ripensare i depositi archeologici, promuovere l’infomobilità. Presentazione del progetto e risultati preliminari

Nell’ambito del Dottorato in Scienze e Tecnologie per l’Archeologia e i Beni Culturali dell’Università degli Studi di Ferrara, è stata attivata una linea di ricerca il cui focus è l’individuazione di una gamma significativa di parametri adottabile nella gestione dei depositi museali. La ricerca è rafforzata dalla messa a disposizione da parte del MIUR di una borsa di dottorato sul Fondo ministeriale per il sostegno dei giovani (Fondo Giovani) - Anno Finanziario 2012. La collaborazione con gli organismi preposti alla salvaguardia e alla valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale, in particolare con il riferimento al MIBACT e con l’Associazione Nazionale Musei Locali e Istituzionali (ANMLI), ha consentito la stesura condivisa di un questionario informatizzato in grado di rilevare lo stato dell’arte nell’ambito della gestione e movimentazione delle collezioni museali. Una prima applicazione del questionario è stata condotta in importanti complessi internazionali tra i quali il Museo del Oro di Bogotà o il Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle di Parigi. Oggetto del presente lavoro sarà pertanto la presentazione/analisi dei primi risultati della ricerca. Gli Autori, sebbene l’indagine, per complessità e numero di soggetti coinvolti, sia ancora in itinere, ritengono utile, già a questo stadio, confrontarsi con la comunità scientifica di riferimento anche al fine di ottimizzare il proprio operato

Direct photolysis of benzoylecgonine under UV irradiation at 254nm in a continuous flow microcapillary array photoreactor

Benzoylecgonine (BE) is the major metabolite of cocaine and a contaminant of emerging concern often detected in sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents and surface waters. In this study, an innovative microcapillary film (MCF) array photoreactor made of fluoropolymer material was used to determine the direct photolysis quantum yield of benzoylecgonine at 254 nm. The quantum yield of BE was found to be (6.22 ± 0.19) × 10-3 mol ein-1. The proposed methodology was validated by estimating the quantum yield of caffeine (7.48 10-4 ± 0.64) × 10-4 mol ein-1, which was found in agreement with results published in literature. The MCF uses a very small sample volume (in the order of 330μl per meter length of material) and allows extremely rapid photolysis with a short contact time ranging from a fraction of seconds to a few minutes. This new microfluidics approach presented in this study is particularly useful for determining the photochemical behavior of highly priced pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, metabolites and uncommon or regulated substances

Bird diversity and conservation in the lower delta of the Paraná River, Argentina

The Delta of the Paraná River, one of the most important wetlands in South America, harbors subtropicaland temperate bird species. Although this region is key for biodiversity conservation, aspects such as speciescomposition and conservation status, and their relationship with vegetation types are poorly known. Herewe described bird richness and composition of this area, with emphasis on the relationship between vegetationtype and the presence of key bird species. We compiled systematic studies conducted during the 2007-2020 periodand performed new surveys to elaborate a checklist of bird species and assess completeness. We reviewed a total of 12 studies distributed along five landscape units and nine vegetation types. We recorded 245 species, though the species accumulation curve indicates that the number of species could be even higher for the area. Most species were recorded in freshwater marshes, watercourses and grasslands in Entre Ríos. We identified 14 (5.7%) threatened species (e.g., Spartonoica maluroides, Limnoctites rectirostris and Sporophila palustris), most of them registered in grassland and freshwater marshes. To our best knowledge, the list of species is the most comprehensive one for the area, showing that 23.7% lf all bird species known for Argentina. Our results suggest the importance of freshwater marshes, watercourses and grasslands as key vegetation types for birds.Fil: Fracassi, Natalia Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Sica, Yanina Vanesa. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Magnano, Andrea Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Vaccaro, Anahí Sofía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Landó, Roberto. Arauco Argentina Sociedad Anonima (arauco Argentina Sa);Fil: Artero, Diego. Arauco Argentina Sociedad Anonima (arauco Argentina Sa);Fil: Gavier Pizarro, Gregorio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bó, Roberto Fabián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; ArgentinaFil: Somma, Daniel Jorge. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Norte. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, Ruben Dario. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, María José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Cabanne, Gustavo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin