A CGE-Analysis of Energy Policies Considering Labor Market Imperfections and Technology Specifications

The paper establishes a CGE/MPSGE model for evaluating energy policy measures with emphasis on their employment impacts. It specifies a dual labor market with respect to qualification, two different mechanisms for skill specific unemployment, and a technology detailed description of electricity generation. Non clearing of the dual labor market is modeled via minimum wage constraints and via wage curves. The model is exemplarily applied for the analysis of capital subsidies on the application of technologies using renewable energy sources. Quantitative results highlight that subsidies on these technologies do not automatically lead to a significant reduction in emissions. Moreover, if emission reductions are achieved these might actually partly result from negative growth effects induced by the promotion of cost inefficient technologies. Inefficiencies in the energy system increase unemployment for both skilled and unskilled labor.CGE, Energy Economic Analysis, Employment Impact, Choice of Technology

An evaluation methodology and framework for semantic web services technology

Software engineering has been driven over decades by the trend towards component based development and loose coupling. Service oriented architectures and Web Services in particular are the latest product of this long-reaching development. Semantic Web Services (SWS) apply the paradigms of the Semantic Web to Web Services to allow more flexible and dynamic service usages. Numerous frameworks to realize SWS have been put forward in recent years but their relative advantages and general maturity are not easy to assess. This dissertation presents a solution to this issue. It defines a general methodology and framework for SWS technology evaluation as well as concrete benchmarks to assess the functional scope and performance of various approaches. The presented benchmarks have been executed within international evaluation campaign. The thesis thus comprehensively covers theoretical, methodological as well as practical results regarding the evaluation and assessment of SWS technologies

Bw horizon in Holocene slope deposits (Kratzeburg, NE Germany) – dating and pedological characteristics

A soil-sediment sequence in NE Germany has provided information about the duration and intensity of formation of a Bw horizon in Holocene slope deposits. With a combination of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), 14C- and archaeological dating methods, colluvial layers taken from a former castle wall trench constructed during the Bronze Age were dated. With this chronology, the relative age of the postsedimentary Bw horizon formation within the colluvial sediments was derived, resulting in the first valid pedochronological data (maximum and minimum age) for a Holocene Bw horizon in NE Germany. The horizon was formed within 2400 years. Weathering and brunification have altered the Holocene parent material. However, the geochemical characteristics of the Holocene soil formation are weak compared to Bw horizons from the Late Glacial and the Late Glacial to Holocene. The results presented here enhance our understanding of soil formation processes in northern Germany, while highlighting the role of colluvial layers as sedimentological tracers of Holocene soil formation processes.researc

Wachstum und Produktqualität verschiedener Schweineherkünfte aus ökologischer Haltung

In order to investigate if there are differences between endangered or modern pig breeds concerning growth and product quality a total of ninety fattened pigs were housed and fed after the principles of the organic farming. During the fattening period the animals got regularly weight and measured alive with magnetic resonance tomo-graphy (MRT) in order to research tissue growth. After achieving a live weight of about 120 kilogram the pigs got slaughtered. After slaughtering the carcass quality was acquired, samples were taken for investigating the meat quality and one carcass side was measured again with the MRT. Results point out that differences exist between the breeds concerning the attributes of growth, carcass and meat quality

Recycling of beta-Li3PS4-based all-solid-state Li-ion batteries: Interactions of electrode materials and electrolyte in a dissolution-based separation process

All-solid-state batteries are currently developed at high pace and show a strong potential for market introduction within the next years. Though their performance has improved considerably over the last years, investigation of their sustainability and the development of suitable recycling strategies have received less attention. However, their potential for efficient circular processes must be accessed comprehensively. In this article, we investigate the separation of the solid electrolyte beta-Li3PS4 from different lithium transition metal oxide electrode materials (LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2, LiFePO4, LiNi0.85Co0.1Al0.05O2 and Li4Ti5O12) via an approach based on the dissolution and subsequent recrystallization of the thiophosphate using N-methylformamide as solvent. A combination of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, iodometric titration and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical characterization was used to characterize the electrolyte and electrode materials before and after separation. We find that the presence of electrode materials in the dissolution process can lead to significant chemical reactions. These interactions can (but most not) lead to strong alteration of the electrochemical characteristics of the individual compounds. Thus, we show that an efficient recovery of materials will likely depend on the precise material combination within an all-solid-state battery

Emission trading vs. renewable energy technology promotion for GHG control in the European Union : effectiveness, economic costs, and security of supply

Policy instruments for GHG abatement may follow different strategies. Two prominent distinct strategies that are also part of the EU climate protection approach are market oriented cap and trade regimes and support schemes for carbon free generation technologies. The two strategies differ in their impact on the energy system and thus in effectiveness of abatement, in economic impact, and in consequences for energy security. We contrast the EU-wide impacts of two policy instruments each representing a single control strategy by using the recursive-dynamic, technology rich CGE model NEWAGE-W. First, we consider a cap and trade regime where international emission allowance trade is implemented following the Kyoto-protocol. Second, we consider targets for the application of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. Our model results suggest that for reasons of effectiveness, economic efficiency, and security of supply a GHG control strategy should not merely rely on technology oriented policies. Combining a technology oriented strategy with a cap and trade strategy may only slightly further decrease emissions where this reduction is accompanied by negative growth impacts. Impacts differ between new and old member states and are highly sensitive to the allocation of the overall EU target

changes in PTSD prevalence in military personnel

Background: Recently, changes have been introduced to the diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Objectives: This study investigated the effect of the diagnostic changes made from DSM-IV to DSM-5 and from ICD-10 to the proposed ICD-11. The concordance of provisional PTSD prevalence between the diagnostic criteria was examined in a convenience sample of 100 members of the German Armed Forces. Method: Based on questionnaire measurements, provisional PTSD prevalence was assessed according to DSM-IV, DSM-5, ICD-10, and proposed ICD-11 criteria. Consistency of the diagnostic status across the diagnostic systems was statistically evaluated. Results: Provisional PTSD prevalence was the same for DSM-IV and DSM-5 (both 56%) and comparable under DSM-5 versus ICD-11 proposal (48%). Agreement between DSM-IV and DSM-5, and between DSM-5 and the proposed ICD-11, was high (both p < .001). Provisional PTSD prevalence was significantly increased under ICD-11 proposal compared to ICD-10 (30%) which was mainly due to the deletion of the time criterion. Agreement between ICD-10 and the proposed ICD-11 was low (p = .014). Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence for a satisfactory concordance between provisional PTSD prevalence based on the diagnostic criteria for PTSD that are defined using DSM-IV, DSM-5, and proposed ICD-11. This supports the assumption of a set of PTSD core symptoms as suggested in the ICD-11 proposal, when at the same time a satisfactory concordance between ICD-11 proposal and DSM was given. The finding of increased provisional PTSD prevalence under ICD-11 proposal in contrast to ICD-10 can be of guidance for future epidemiological research on PTSD prevalence, especially concerning further investigations on the impact, appropriateness, and usefulness of the time criterion included in ICD-10 versus the consequences of its deletion as proposed for ICD-11

Energieprognose Bayern 2030

Im Gutachten „Energieprognose Bayern 2030“ wird untersucht, wie sich die erfolgten Veränderungen der energiewirtschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen auf die Entwicklung von Energieversorgung und -anwendung in Bayern auswirken und welche Folgen dies wiederum auf die Entwicklung der energiebezogenen Emissionen haben wird. Damit sollen Daten und Analysen vorgelegt werden, die eine belastbare Basis für die Ausgestaltung der energiepolitischen Rahmenbedingungen in Bayern darstellen, die sich an den Zielen einer sicheren, wirtschaftlichen, umwelt- und nachweltverträglichen, d. h. dem Leitbild der „nachhaltigen Entwicklung“ entsprechenden Energieversorgung orientiert, so dass sowohl die ökonomischen als auch die ökologischen Anforderungen an die Energieversorgung bestmöglich erfüllt werden können