Auctions for Renewable Energy Support II - First insights and results of the Horizon2020 project AURES II

This is the final version. Available from Funcas via the link in this recordThe Horizon2020 project AURES II aims at ensuring the effective implementation of auctions for renewable energies in the EU Member States (MS). In recent years, auction schemes for the allocation of support for renewable electricity sources (RES) have been advancing rapidly across Europe. Auctions are considered to have brought down support levels and increased planning capability for RES deployment and state budgets. In some unfortunate cases, they have, however, also resulted in delayed or unrealised projects and increased uncertainty for project developers. A variety of auction designs are still being tested and introduced in EU MS, as well as foreseen by European legislation. Therefore, there is still a need for further assessment and improvement of national auction design and implementation to ensure the future success of RES auctions in Europe. Applying different qualitative and quantitative methods in the various work packages (WPs), the AURES II project partners have already drafted and published a large number of reports and studies. This article aims at comprehensively presenting these results and provide a first overview.European Union Horizon 202

Scaning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy: A Useful Tool for Studying Atmospheric Corrosion of MgAl Alloys In Situ

Scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) is used to study the initial stages of atmospheric corrosion of an AlMg alloy and of physical vapor deposition (PVD) deposited 2 mm Al dots on pure Mg. The latter system is used as a model of a two-phase AlMg alloy. The influence of CO2 was studied in situ in humid air using SKPFM. This method allows for the in situ investigation of the evolution of the Volta potential during exposure, the resolution being in the submicrometer range. The temperature was 22.0 degreesC, and the relative humidity was 85 or 95%. The concentration of CO2 was <1 or 350 ppm. The corrosion products were analyzed by gravimetry, ion chromatography, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, scanning Kelvin probe, and Auger electron spectroscopy. We found that the initial stages of atmospheric corrosion on magnesium are influenced by the presence of cathodic PVD-deposited aluminum. A similar effect was seen in the case of AZ91D, the aluminum- rich &beta;-phase forming the cathodic areas. The &beta;-phase is nobler compared to the substrate because of the higher Al content. In the absence of CO2, the corrosion attack is localized in nature whereas the presence of ambient levels of CO2 results in a more general corrosion attack. The inhibitive effect of CO2 on the atmospheric corrosion of AZ91D is explained by the formation of a passivating layer of Mg-5(CO3)(4)(OH)(2) &BULL; 5H(2)O. In the absence of CO2, the increase in pH originating from the cathodic reaction results in the dissolution of aluminum in the passive layer. A corrosion mechanism is proposed explaining the behavior in the two environments. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society

FGF-independent MEK1/2 signalling in the developing foetal testis is essential for male germline differentiation in mice

Abstract Background Disrupted germline differentiation or compromised testis development can lead to subfertility or infertility and are strongly associated with testis cancer in humans. In mice, SRY and SOX9 induce expression of Fgf9, which promotes Sertoli cell differentiation and testis development. FGF9 is also thought to promote male germline differentiation but the mechanism is unknown. FGFs typically signal through mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) to phosphorylate ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). We explored whether FGF9 regulates male germline development through MAPK by inhibiting either FGF or MEK1/2 signalling in the foetal testis immediately after gonadal sex determination and testis cord formation, but prior to male germline commitment. Results pERK1/2 was detected in Sertoli cells and inhibition of MEK1/2 reduced Sertoli cell proliferation and organisation and resulted in some germ cells localised outside of the testis cords. While pERK1/2 was not detected in germ cells, inhibition of MEK1/2 after somatic sex determination profoundly disrupted germ cell mitotic arrest, dysregulated a broad range of male germline development genes and prevented the upregulation of key male germline markers, DPPA4 and DNMT3L. In contrast, while FGF inhibition reduced Sertoli cell proliferation, expression of male germline markers was unaffected and germ cells entered mitotic arrest normally. While male germline differentiation was not disrupted by FGF inhibition, a range of stem cell and cancer-associated genes were commonly altered after 24 h of FGF or MEK1/2 inhibition, including genes involved in the maintenance of germline stem cells, Nodal signalling, proliferation, and germline cancer. Conclusions Together, these data demonstrate a novel role for MEK1/2 signalling during testis development that is essential for male germline differentiation, but indicate a more limited role for FGF signalling. Our data indicate that additional ligands are likely to act through MEK1/2 to promote male germline differentiation and highlight a need for further mechanistic understanding of male germline development

Familienbeziehungen Jugendlicher

Familienbeziehungen Jugendlicher. - In: Die Jugend / Helga Reimann ... (Hrsg.) - 2., völlig neu bearb. Aufl. - Opladen : Westdt. Verl., 1987. - S. 53-68. - (WV studium ; 133