Public preferences for phasing-out fossil fuels in the german building and transport sectors

In most of Europe, the decarbonisation of the building and transport sectors lags behind emission targets. Achieving full decarbonisation requires not only the diffusion of net-zero emission technologies but also the phase-out of technologies that emit greenhouse gases (GHG). However, implementing policy changes in these sectors can have an immediate and significant impact on people's day-to-day life, leading to a higher risk of political backlash, as exemplified by the yellow vest movement in France. In this study, we investigate public preferences for phase-out policy packages in both sectors in Germany by conducting two conjoint experiments with 1,777 respondents in March 2022. Respondents collectively evaluated a total of 17,770 policy packages per sector, specifically targeting the phase-out of fossil fuel-based heating systems and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). We find that respondents favour earlier phase-out dates for both technologies, but the type of preferred instruments varies: while regulatory instruments like bans are preferred for heating systems, economic instruments like taxes are preferred for ICEVs. These preferences are even more pronounced in people most concerned about climate change. In addition, we find that people with higher knowledge about sector emissions tend to demonstrate higher acceptance of policy interventions and that supportive measures significantly enhance the attractiveness of policy packages. Our findings can inform the design of phase-out policy packages, potentially increasing their acceptability and political feasibility

Polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions among older and younger male prisoners in Switzerland

The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in older and younger prisoners, and compared if age group is associated with risks of polypharmacy and DDIs.; For 380 prisoners from Switzerland (190 were 49 years and younger; 190 were 50 years and older), data concerning their medication use were gathered. MediQ identified if interactions of two or more substances could lead to potentially adverse DDI. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and generalised linear mixed models.; On average, older prisoners took 3.8 medications, while younger prisoners took 2.1 medications. Number of medications taken on one reference day was higher by a factor of 2.4 for older prisoners when compared to younger prisoners (; p; = 0.002). The odds of polypharmacy was significantly higher for older than for younger prisoners (>=5 medications: odds ratio = 5.52,; p; = 0.035). Age group analysis indicated that for potentially adverse DDI there was no significant difference (odds ratio = 0.94;; p; = 0.879). However, when controlling for the number of medication, the risk of adverse DDI was higher in younger than older prisoners, but the result was not significant.; Older prisoners are at a higher risk of polypharmacy but their risk for potentially adverse DDI is not significantly different from that of younger prisoners. Special clinical attention must be given to older prisoners who are at risk for polypharmacy. Careful medication management is also important for younger prisoners who are at risk of very complex drug therapies

Effect of radiant heat exposure on structure and mechanical properties of thermal protective fabrics

The heat protective performance of thermal protective fabrics is related to the multiscale structure of the fibrous material and the composite design of a multilayered fabric system. In this study, a molecular interpretation is provided to explain the structural changes within fibers to correlate with the mechanical properties of the outermost layer fabric made up of m-aramid blended with (5–10) % p-aramid upon various radiant heat exposures. An increase in crystallinity due to limited polymer chain movement but no change in lamellar spacing was observed when fabrics were exposed below the glass transition temperature which resulted in no change in mechanical properties. A noticeable increase in lamellar spacing and crystallinity was obtained when the temperature during the heat exposures is in the proximity of 375 °C of the fabric layer due to the fibrillar-to-lamellar transformation. Even though no visible changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the fabric exposed to the aforementioned thermal conditions, we found that their mechanical properties are compromised due to the structural changes within fibers of the fabrics. Therefore, further use of fabrics could be potentially dangerous for the user. Furthermore, for expoheat exposures where the temperature of the fabrics reaches above the degradation point, thermal decomposition occurs which is noticed by its hard and brittle behavior. The inner layers of both the fabric systems mostly remain intact until the thermal degradation of the outermost layers. This study provides an in-depth understanding of molecular mechanisms of structural changes that are in line with changes in the mechanical properties. The understanding of the structure-mechanical property relationship could serve as basic knowledge for the design and fabrication of high-performance fabrics for various fire environments

Comparison of two telemetric intestinal temperature devices with rectal temperature during exercise.

The experienced discomfort of rectal probes and esophageal probes for the estimation of body core temperatures has triggered the development of GI-capsules that are easy acceptable for athletes and workers due to their non-invasive characteristics.
 We compare two new GI-capsule devices with rectal temperature during cycle ergometer exercise and rest. Eight participants followed a protocol of (i) 30 min exercise with a power output of 130 W, (ii) 5 min rest, (iii) 10 min self-paced maximum exercise, and (iv) 15 min rest. Core temperature was measured using two GI-capsule devices (e-Celsius and myTemp) and rectal temperature.
 The myTemp system gave temperatures indifferent different from rectal temperature during rest and exercise. However, the factory calibrated e-Celsius system, showed a systematic underestimation of rectal temperature of 0.2 °C that is corrected in the 2018 versions. Finally, both GI-capsules react faster to temperature changes in the body compared to the rectal temperature probe during the rest period following maximum exercise

Die Phasengliederung der Eisrandlagen des würmeiszeitlichen Reussgletschers im zentralen Schweizerischen Mittelland

No abstract available

Effect of post-harvest handling and extraction on the content on echinacoside and cynarin in the root tissues of Echinacea angustifolia DC

Echinacea angustifolia DC is among the top-selling medicinal plants, whose pharmacological activity is due to several active principles, including caffeic acid derivatives (CAD). Plants grown under controlled conditions exhibit a large variability in composition, which may result from inadequate processing prior to HPLC analysis. Moreover, commercial preparations of E. angustifolia are normally obtained from dried roots and limited information is available on the extraction of fresh material, which may be required in research work. The paper shows how the post-harvest handling (i.e. storage temperature, drying conditions and extraction protocol) influenced the content of two main components, echinacoside and cynarin, in E. angustifolia roots. The two marker compounds were identified by means of LC-MS and quantified by HPLC with UV detection. A pooled sample of roots was prepared with plants from a controlled greenhouse hydroponic cultivation and six homogeneous aliquots were subjected to the following treatments: storage at -80°C (FR-80) or -20°C (FR-20), freeze-drying (FD), air- drying at room temperature (AD25), oven-drying at 50°C (AD50) or 75°C (AD75). Subsequently the samples were extracted according to a protocol reported in the literature. With the air- or oven-drying treatments, the concentrations of the marker compounds exhibited opposite dependence on temperature. Moreover, both echinacoside and cynarin were absent or scarce in FR-80, FR-20 and FD root samples. Some modifications of the original extraction method were therefore tested, aimed at improving the extraction efficiency. The final protocol that was developed consisted in the addition of acidified methanol 70% to the sample prior to grinding, to reduce the risk of air and enzymatic oxidation. No loss of metabolites, as determined through an internal standard (gallic acid), was observed with this method. Compared to the original extraction protocol, the modified one improved the extraction efficiency in AD50 roots and, above all, allowed the recovery of both echinacoside and cynarin in FR-80, FR-20 and FS samples. Despite the substantial improvement, in the latter samples the contents of the two marker compounds remained significantly lower than those found in oven-dried roots. These findings suggest that metabolite degradation may occur in roots which do not undergo dehydration, and the best post-handling process is oven-drying at 50°C or higher temperature

A review on ergonomics of headgear: Thermal effects

The thermal effects related to wearing headgear are complex and different studies have investigated single parts of this topic. This review aims at summarizing the different findings to give a complete overview on this topic as well as to suggest new perspectives. Headgear increases head insulation and therefore is mainly problematic under warm conditions, which is the focus of this review. Helmets do not affect physiological parameters other than the local skin temperature and sweat rate. However, the head is among the most sensitive body parts related to thermal comfort, thereby directly affecting the willingness to wear headgear. Several methods have been used to study thermal aspects of headgear, which could be categorized as (i) numerical, (ii) biophysical, (iii) combined numerical and biophysical, and (iv) user trials. The application of these methods established that heat transfer mainly takes place through radiation and convection. Headgear parameters relevant to these heat transfer pathways, are reviewed and suggestions are provided for improving existing headgear concepts and developing new concepts, ultimately leading to more accepted headgear. Relevance to industry: This review provides a sound basis for improving existing headgear concepts. Firstly, a concise overview of headgear research related to thermal effects is given, leading to empirically based improvement suggestions and identification of research fields with a high potential. Finally, relevant research methods are described facilitating evaluation in R&D processes. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd