Carrying out a multi-model integrated assessment of European energy transition pathways: Challenges and benefits

With the publication of the European Green Deal, the European Union has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. The envisaged reductions of direct greenhouse gases emissions are seen as technically feasible, but if a wrong path is pursued, significant unintended impacts across borders, sectors, societies and ecosystems may follow. Without the insights gained from an impact assessment framework reaching beyond the techno-economic perspective, the pursuit of direct emission reductions may lead to counterproductive outcomes in the long run. We discuss the opportunities and challenges related to the creation and use of an integrated assessment framework built to inform the European Commission on the path to decarbonisation. The framework is peculiar in that it goes beyond existing ones in its scope, depth and cross-scale coverage, by use of numerous specialised models and case studies. We find challenges of consistency that can be overcome by linking modelling tools iteratively in some cases, harmonising modelling assumptions in others, comparing model outputs in others. We find the highest added value of the framework in additional insights it provides on the technical feasibility of decarbonisation pathways, on vulnerability aspects and on unintended environmental and health impacts on national and sub-national scale.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Forest bioenergy feedstock in Lithuania – Renewable energy goals and the use of forest resources

Demands on forest bioenergy feedstock are expected to increase in many countries due to climate change mitigation. However, sustainable use of forest biomass resources can be ensured only if local and landscape conditions are taken into account, linking energy use to its resource base. The aim of this study was to analyse the forest biomass potential for Lithuania's energy pathways, while comparing the projected demand of forest bioenergy feedstock with resource projections. This was performed using the Landscape simulation and Ecological Assessment (LEcA) tool and the energy model MESSAGE. Biomass demand can be met up to 2050, after which demands under a Biomass Low pathway can still be met by the domestic forest resource if other wood uses are reduced, while Biomass High leads to a biomass deficit regarding domestic forest resources. Information exchange between the energy model and the LEcA tool enables an integrated sustainability assessment, and may contribute to a sustainable and efficient use of forest as a bioenergy feedstock resource. Keywords: Forest bioenergy feedstock, Environmental restrictions, Resource efficiency, Integrated resource assessment, Integrated sustainability assessmen

Renewable transport fuel production combined with cogeneration plant operation and waste heat recovery in district heating system

For the future energy markets, where the role of fossil fuels will be minimized and district heating systems will become more efficient through the use of waste streams, a new concept is proposed based on tri-generation of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) products, heat, and power. The challenge of combining the transport sector with a District Heating (DH) network and power grid is presented in this article by discussing the operating modes of the gasifier, FT product output (as a raw material for refinery) and waste stream generated after the synthesis reactor, preliminary process management schemes, market factors, and economic attractiveness. The feasibility of the concept was examined for an existing combined heat and power plant in Lithuania, which could become a potential demo plant. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, which may help create independence from fossil fuels through the use of syngas (for a sudden increase in heat demand), a techno-economic assessment was performed. The analysis of various scenarios showed that the cost of the FT product may be between 0.67 and 1.47 €/kg for gasifier capacities ranging from 10-40 MW. However, the economic attractiveness assessment revealed that the concept is profitable at a liquid biofuel (FT product) prime cost below 1.07 €/kg (without electrolysis capability)

Curcumin and melphalan cotreatment induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Abstract Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dietary bioactive compounds may act at different stages of carcinogenesis, including tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Spices have been used for thousands of years and have many bioactive compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. Curcumin has a multitude of beneficial biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study investigated the effects of cotreatment with curcumin and the chemotherapeutic drug melphalan in cultured MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. When used alone, both curcumin and melphalan had a cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells. Combined treatment with 11.65 µM of curcumin and 93.95 µM of melphalan (CURC/MEL) reduced cell viability by 28.64% and 72.43% after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. CURC/MEL reduced the number of colony-forming units and increased ROS levels by 1.36-fold. CURC/MEL alter cell cycle progression, induce apoptosis, and upregulate caspases-3, -7, and -9, in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cotreatment with curcumin and melphalan have anti-breast cancer cells effects and represent a promising candidate for clinical testing

Some Lithuanian ethnobotanical taxa: a linguistic view on Thorn Apple and related plants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The perception and use of plants correspond with common plant names. The study of plant names may give insight into historical and recent use of plants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Plant names in dictionaries and folklore have been evaluated. A etymological analysis of the names is provided. Onomasiological and semasiological aspects have been considered. Therefore, species named with names related to each other have been selected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Plant names containing the stem <it>dag</it>- or <it>deg</it>- may belong to either of two categories: incenses or thorny plants. Plants named in <it>durn</it>- have been in use as psychopharmaca. The name <it>rymo </it>points not to Rome but to the use of plants as anodyne or psychopharmaca.</p