PROSUMERS ROLE IN FUTURE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE : THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABLE HOMES IN FINLAND

The research investigates the opportunities of introduction prosumers scenario on the Finnish energy market and their role in the changes in the energy industry in Finland. The study concentrates on limiting CO2 emissions in the future through decentralization of the power industry. The intention of this research is to find answers to the four research questions: 1) What is the current situation of energy infrastructure in Finland? 2) What opportunities there are for development of sustainable and self-sufficient homes? 3) Who are prosumers and what kind of role do they have in the future? 4) How do operations of energy companies influence prosumers and how the cooperation between them could look like in the future? Henceforth, detailed interviews are being completed with two energy companies, including medium-size operator and clean energy association, operating on the Finnish market to understand a view of the current situation of infrastructure, upcoming developments and possible possibilities in the area. From obtained data, it is confirmed that existing energy infrastructure is suitable to implement the scenario of prosumers and the researched concept was considered by energy companies. It is also proved that prosumers have an essential role in changes towards sustainable energy production in the future. It is possible to implement the idea of prosumers in Finland, with adjustments to existing infrastructure and energy operators as a transition towards carbon neutral Finland in upcoming future. Moreover, the research revealed the benefits of implemented scenario in economic, social and environmental perspectives. The advantages are seen on an individual, regional and national scale. Implemented scenario brings advantages to all parties involved, including one on the governmental level

Immune response against HtrA proteases in children with cutaneous mastocytosis

Mast cells play an important role in both, the innate and adaptive immunity, however, clonal proliferation of abnormal mast cells in various organs leads to mastocytosis. A skin variant of the disease, cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) is the most frequent form of mastocytosis in children. HtrA proteases are modulators of important cellular processes, including cell signaling and apoptosis, and are related to development of several pathologies. The above and the observation that mast cells constitutively release the HtrA1 protein, prompted us to investigate a possible involvement of the HtrA proteins in pediatric CM. Levels of the serum autoantibodies (IgG) against the recombinant HtrA proteins (HtrA1-4) in children with CM (n=36) and in healthy controls (n=62) were assayed. Anti-HtrA IgGs were detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western-blotting. In the CM sera, levels of the anti-HtrA1 and anti-HtrA3 autoantibodies were significantly increased when compared to the control group, while the HtrA protein levels were comparable. No significant differences in the anti-HtrA2 IgG level were found; for the anti-HtrA4 IgGs lower levels in CM group were revealed. In healthy children, the IgG levels against the HtrA1, -3 and -4 increased significantly with the age of children; no significant changes were observed for the anti-HtrA2 IgG. Our results suggest involvement of the HtrA1 and HtrA3 proteins in pediatric CM; involvement of the HtrA4 protein is possible but needs to be investigated further. In healthy children, the autoantibody levels against HtrA1, -3 and -4, but not against HtrA2, increase with age