Net energy analysis and life cycle energy assessment of electricity supply in Chile: present status and future scenarios

Chile is one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, with a mainly fossil fuelled electricity demand and a population projected to surpass 20 million by 2035. Chile is undergoing a transition to renewable energies due to ambitious national targets, namely to generate 60% of its electricity from local renewable energy by 2035, and to achieve a 45%renewable energy share for all new electric installed capacity. In this work, we present a comprehensive energy analysis of the electricity generation technologies currently deployed in Chile. Then, we analyse potential future scenarios, considering a large deployment of RE, mainly PV and wind, to replace coal-fired electricity. The life cycle assessment (LCA) and net energy analysis (NEA) methods are applied in parallel to provide complementary indicators, respectively nr-CED and EROI, and identify weak spots and future opportunities. Special focus is given to the effect on EROI of transporting fossil fuels to Chile. Results show that a large deployment of PV and wind can significantly improve the overall net energy performance of electricity generation in Chile, while leading to an electricity supply mix that is >60% less reliant on non-renewable energy

Analysis of ectopic pregnancies admitted to emergency department

Objectives: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) may cause significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, presence of risk factors and diagnostic parameters of the patient with EP and predicting parameters for ruptured EP. Methods: Patients who presented to emergency department (ED) and diagnosed as EP within one year were included to the study. The demographic characteristics, β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) levels, transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUSG) findings, treatment protocols, pathology reports and hemoglobin levels at the time of admission to ED were obtained from patient files and hospital automation system and statistical analysis was performed. Results: Total 35 patients were included to the study. The mean age of the patients was 30 ± 5.6 years. Among the patients, 46% had a history of caesarean section (C-section). The complaints of the patients at presentation, their age, gestational week and the β-HCG levels were found to be inefficient in predicting ruptured EPs. TVUSG was found statistically significant in terms of demonstrating ruptures in EP. The ratio of salpingectomies was observed to be higher in the surgical treatment of ruptured EPs. Conclusions: C-section was most frequently seen with EP. There is no absolute diagnostic parameter for predicting ruptured EPs and TVUSG may be a clue for diagnosis. The final diagnosis is made through surgery. Keywords: Emergency, Ectopic pregnancy, Ultrasonograph

Significance of Tomography and CRP in Abdominal Pain Management

Purpose: We evaluated whether abdominal tomography is necessary for patients who have been admitted to the emergency service because of non traumatic abdominal pain and effect of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and tomography to the patient management. Materials and Method: On retrospective study, we recorded demographic data, tomography diagnoses, CRP and leucocyte values operation and following decisions of 199 patient who were 18 years old and over and were admitted to emergency service because of abdominal pain and were scanned abdominal tomography. 104 patient were hospitalized and their CRP values, tomography diagnoses, end of operation diagnoses were recorded from patient files. The statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and the diagnostic value was assessed through the logistic regression test. Results: A statistically significant relationship was observed between anormal tomography findings and high CRP and leukocyte values of the 199 patients included in the study. The tomography findings and CRP values were found to be efficient in discharge and hospitalization rates. When tomography finding and CRP value were combined, the operation decision was effected. Conclusion: Based on our study; in the event of abdominal pain, CRP can predict abnormal tomography finding and it is more valuable than leucocyte. When tomography was used with CRP, it affects the operation decision. [Cukurova Med J 2015; 40(4.000): 766-773

The Effect of Death Anxiety and Age on Health-Promoting Behaviors: A Terror-Management Theory Perspective

The authors aimed to examine the effect of death anxiety on the reports of health-promoting behaviors and to determine the role of age in this relation using a terror-management theory perspective. Participants were 100 individuals from Young adult (those who were 20-35 years of age) and older adult (those who were 60 years of age and older) groups whom the authors assigned to the death anxiety or control conditions. The questionnaire set included a demographic information sheet and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (S. Walker, K. R. Sechrist, & N. J. Pender, 1987). Before administering the scales, the authors gave the participants in the experimental condition a brief excerpt whose content induced death-related thoughts and led the participants to think about their own death. The authors calculated a 2 (young adults vs. older adults) x 2 (death anxiety vs. no death anxiety) between-subjects factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test their hypotheses. Although ANOVA results did not yield a significant main effect for age, the main effect of the conditions was significant, indicating that people in the death anxiety condition reported more health-promoting behaviors than did people in the control condition. The interaction of the age and conditions was also significant. The authors discuss the strengths, limitations, and implications of the findings

Economic structural change in global greenhouse gas emissions scenarios

International audienc

Global socio-economic and climate change mitigation scenarios through the lens of structural change

International audienceThis paper analyses structural change in the economy as a key but largely unexplored aspect of global socioeconomic and climate change mitigation scenarios. Structural change can actually drive energy and land use as much as economic growth and influence mitigation opportunities and barriers. Conversely, stringent climate policy is bound to induce specific structural and socioeconomic transformations that are still insufficiently understood. We introduce Multi-Sectoral Integrated Assessment Models as main tools to capture the key drivers of structural change and we conduct a multi-model study to assess main structural effectschanges of the sectoral composition and intensity of trade of global and regional economiesin a baseline and 2°C policy scenario by 2050. First, the range of baseline projections across models, for which we identify the main drivers, illustrates the uncertainty on future economic pathways-in emerging economies especially-and inform on plausible alternative futures with implications for energy use and emissions. Second, in all models, climate policy in the 2°C scenario imposes only a second-order impact on the economic structure at the macrosectoral level-agriculture, manufacturing and services-compared to changes modelled in the baseline. However, this hides more radical changes for individual industries-within the energy sector especially. The study, which adopts a top-down framing of global structural change, represents a starting point to kick-start a conversation and propose a new research agenda seeking to improve understanding of the structural change effects in socioeconomic and mitigation scenarios, and better inform policy assessments

The Factors Influencing Relapse in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with COPD Exacerbation

SUMMARY: Objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with high mortality and morbidity and is projected to be the third most common cause of death worldwide by 2020. For a variety of reasons, there is a drive to manage a greater number of individuals as outpatients. Preventing readmissions can reduce associated morbidity and subsequent healthcare costs. Methods: The aim of the present study was to determine the factors affecting the relapse of COPD exacerbated patients in the emergency department (ED). This study combines data from two prospective cohort studies. Patients included in the study were above 18 years of age, had a previous diagnosis of COPD, and presented to the ED for the treatment of acute exacerbation. All the information relevant to the study was collected during the patient's visit to the ED. Relapse was defined as an unscheduled visit to an ED or primary physician within 2 weeks of initial ED visit for worsening COPD symptoms. Telephone follow-up was done on all patients at the end of 2 weeks. Results: The cohort consists of 196 patients. Relapse rate in this study was 27%. Mean respiratory rate, exacerbations in previous year, home nebulizator therapy, home oxygen therapy, admission to intensive care or hospital ward due to COPD exacerbation, previous intubation and abnormal chest x-ray were associated with increased re-visit in univariate analysis. However, after multivariate analysis, exacerbations in previous year (OR: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.01–1.15) and abnormal chest X-ray (OR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.10–6.11) were still significant. Conclusions: In conclusion, the number of ED visits previous year and abnormal chest x-ray can predict the revisit of a COPD exacerbated patient within 14 days of an ED visit. Key words: Emergency medicine, COPD, relaps

The impact of visits on vital signs of the patients in surgical intensive care unit: a pilot study

BACKGROUN

The impact of visits on vital signs of the patients in surgical intensive care unit: a pilot study

BACKGROUN