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Les petits États insulaires en développement (PEID), mais aussi d'autres pays en développement, en particulier dans les pays du Sud, sont toujours confrontés à des défis particuliers pour assurer des moyens de subsistance durables à leur population actuelle ainsi qu'aux générations futures. Il s'agit notamment de l'accès et de la production ainsi que de la fourniture abordable d'énergie. Malgré un grand potentiel de production d'énergie renouvelable, la disponibilité et le rapport coût-efficacité des technologies d'efficacité énergétique, les pays du Sud restent fortement tributaires des combustibles fossiles pour répondre à leurs besoins énergétiques, notamment en raison d'un manque de ressources humaines qualifiées dans le secteur de l'énergie. L'adoption de solutions TIC, dans le domaine de l'énergie, peut être une mesure transversale précieuse pour promouvoir l'éducation à la durabilité et résoudre le problème chronique des capacités humaines qui entrave l'adoption plus rapide des technologies énergétiques durables dans les PEID. S'appuyant sur un exemple concret de projet impliquant les petits États insulaires en développement, ce document explore l'importance des cours en ligne en libre accès pour améliorer l'apprentissage tout au long de la vie. L'étude de cas « Apprentissage tout au long de la vie sur l'efficacité énergétique, l'accès et la sécurité dans les petits États insulaires en développement d'Afrique et du Pacifique » (L3EAP) offre des informations précieuses sur le développement pratique et la mise en œuvre d'une approche axée sur la demande. Le module d'apprentissage L3EAP répond aux besoins et aux demandes distinctifs des pays en développement en matière de connaissances et de technologies dans le domaine de la production d'énergie durable, de la production d'énergie renouvelable, de l'efficacité énergétique et de la sécurité énergétique. Conformément à la tendance mondiale de la numérisation, il est suggéré que les cours d'apprentissage en ligne en libre accès peuvent stimuler l'éducation au développement durable, comme en témoignent le nombre croissant d'opportunités d'apprentissage en ligne librement accessibles et l'intérêt croissant d'autres groupes de parties prenantes, par exemple les entreprises et le personnel gouvernemental. Enfin, le document propose également des recommandations et des mesures pour intégrer et utiliser les solutions d'apprentissage des TIC à l'appui du renforcement des capacités individuelles et du développement socio-économique durable dans les pays du Sud. Los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo (PEID), pero también otros países en desarrollo, especialmente en el Sur Global, aún enfrentan desafíos distintivos para garantizar medios de vida sostenibles para su población actual, así como para las generaciones futuras. Estos incluyen el acceso y la producción, así como el suministro de energía asequible. A pesar de un gran potencial para la producción de energía renovable, la disponibilidad y la rentabilidad de las tecnologías de eficiencia energética, el Sur Global todavía muestra una gran dependencia de los combustibles fósiles para satisfacer sus demandas de energía, sobre todo debido a la falta de recursos humanos calificados en el sector energético. Adoptar soluciones de TIC, en el área de la energía, puede ser una medida transversal valiosa para promover la educación para la sostenibilidad y abordar el problema crónico de la capacidad humana que limita la adopción más rápida de tecnologías de energía sostenible en los PEID. A partir de un ejemplo concreto de proyecto que involucra a los Pequeños Estados Insulares en Desarrollo, este documento explora la importancia de los cursos en línea de acceso abierto para mejorar el aprendizaje permanente. El estudio de caso "Aprendizaje permanente sobre eficiencia energética, acceso y seguridad en los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo de África y el Pacífico" (L3EAP corto) ofrece información valiosa sobre el desarrollo práctico y la implementación de un enfoque impulsado por la demanda. El módulo de aprendizaje de L3EAP aborda las necesidades y demandas distintivas de conocimiento y tecnología de los países en desarrollo en el campo de la producción de energía sostenible, la producción de energía renovable, la eficiencia energética y la seguridad energética. En línea con la tendencia mundial de la digitalización, se sugiere que los cursos de aprendizaje en línea de acceso abierto pueden impulsar la educación para el desarrollo sostenible, lo que se refleja en el creciente número de oportunidades de aprendizaje en línea de acceso abierto y el creciente interés de otros grupos de partes interesadas, por ejemplo, empresas y personal gubernamental. Por último, el documento también propone algunas recomendaciones de lecciones y medidas para integrar y utilizar soluciones de aprendizaje de TIC en apoyo de la creación de capacidad individual y el desarrollo socioeconómico sostenible en el Sur Global. Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), but also other developing countries especially in the Global South, still face distinctive challenges to ensure sustainable livelihoods for their current population as well as future generations. These include the access to and the production as well as provision affordable of energy. Despite a large potential for the production of renewable energy, availability and cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency technologies, the Global South still show a heavy reliance on fossil fuels to meet its energy demands, not least due to a lack of skilled human resources in the energy sector. Embracing ICT solutions, in the area of energy, can be a valuable crosscutting measure to promote education for sustainability and address the chronic human capacity problem that constrains the quicker uptake of sustainable energy technologies in SIDS. Drawing from a concrete project example involving Small Island Developing States, this paper explores the importance of open-access online courses for improved lifelong learning. The "Lifelong Learning on Energy Efficiency, Access and Security in African and Pacific Small Island Developing States", (short L3EAP) case study offers valuable insights into the practical development and implementation of a demand-driven approach. The L3EAP learning module addresses distinctive knowledge and technology needs and demands of developing countries in the field of sustainable energy production, renewable energy production, energy efficiency and energy security. In line with the global trend in digitalization, it is suggested that open-access online learning courses can boost education for sustainable development, reflected by the increasing number of openly accessible online learning opportunities and growing interest by further stakeholders groups, e.g. businesses and government staff. Finally, the paper also proposes some lessons recommendations and measures for integrating and utilizing ICT learning solutions in support of individual capacity-building and the sustainable socio-economic development in the Global South. لا تزال الدول الجزرية الصغيرة النامية، وكذلك البلدان النامية الأخرى خاصة في الجنوب العالمي، تواجه تحديات مميزة لضمان سبل العيش المستدامة لسكانها الحاليين وكذلك للأجيال القادمة. ويشمل ذلك الحصول على الطاقة وإنتاجها وتوفيرها بأسعار معقولة. على الرغم من الإمكانات الكبيرة لإنتاج الطاقة المتجددة وتوافر تقنيات كفاءة الطاقة وفعاليتها من حيث التكلفة، لا يزال الجنوب العالمي يُظهر اعتمادًا كبيرًا على الوقود الأحفوري لتلبية احتياجاته من الطاقة، لأسباب ليس أقلها نقص الموارد البشرية الماهرة في قطاع الطاقة. يمكن أن يكون تبني حلول تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات، في مجال الطاقة، تدبيرًا شاملًا قيمًا لتعزيز التعليم من أجل الاستدامة ومعالجة مشكلة القدرات البشرية المزمنة التي تقيد الاستيعاب الأسرع لتكنولوجيات الطاقة المستدامة في الدول الجزرية الصغيرة النامية. مستمدة من مثال مشروع ملموس يشمل الدول الجزرية الصغيرة النامية، تستكشف هذه الورقة أهمية الدورات التدريبية المفتوحة الوصول عبر الإنترنت لتحسين التعلم مدى الحياة. تقدم دراسة الحالة "التعلم مدى الحياة بشأن كفاءة الطاقة والوصول إليها وأمنها في الدول الجزرية الصغيرة النامية في أفريقيا والمحيط الهادئ" (L3EAP) رؤى قيمة حول التطوير العملي وتنفيذ نهج قائم على الطلب. تتناول وحدة التعلم L3EAP الاحتياجات والمطالب المعرفية والتكنولوجية المميزة للبلدان النامية في مجال إنتاج الطاقة المستدامة وإنتاج الطاقة المتجددة وكفاءة الطاقة وأمن الطاقة. تماشياً مع الاتجاه العالمي في الرقمنة، يُقترح أن دورات التعلم عبر الإنترنت مفتوحة الوصول يمكن أن تعزز التعليم من أجل التنمية المستدامة، ويتجلى ذلك في العدد المتزايد من فرص التعلم عبر الإنترنت التي يمكن الوصول إليها بشكل مفتوح والاهتمام المتزايد من قبل المزيد من مجموعات أصحاب المصلحة، مثل الشركات والموظفين الحكوميين. وأخيرًا، تقترح الورقة أيضًا بعض توصيات وتدابير الدروس لدمج واستخدام حلول تعلم تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات لدعم بناء القدرات الفردية والتنمية الاجتماعية والاقتصادية المستدامة في الجنوب العالمي.

Inflammation is regarded as an important mechanism behind mortality and morbidity experienced by cardiorespiratory patients exposed to urban air particulate matter (PM). Small-scale biomass combustion is an important source of particulate air pollution. In this study, we investigated association between inflammatory responses and chemical composition of PM(1) emissions from seven different small-scale wood combustion appliances representing old and modern technologies. Healthy C57Bl/6J mice were exposed by intratracheal aspiration to single dose (10 mg/kg) of particulate samples. At 4 and 18 h after the exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as serum was collected for subsequent analyses of inflammatory indicators (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-10; tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); keratinocyte-derived chemoattractant (KC), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)) in multiplexing assay. When the responses to the PM(1) samples were compared on an equal mass basis, the PM from modern technology appliances increased IL-6, KC, and IL-1β levels significantly in BALF at 4 and 18 h after the exposure. In contrast, these responses were seen only at 4 h time point in serum. Increased cytokine concentrations correlated with metal-rich ash related compounds which were more predominant in the modern technology furnaces emissions. These particles induced both local and systemic inflammation. Instead, polycyclic hydrocarbon (PAH) rich PM(1) samples from old technology (OT) evoked only minor inflammatory responses. In conclusion, the combustion technology largely affects the toxicological and chemical characteristics of the emissions. The large mass emissions of old combustion technology should be considered, when evaluating the overall harmfulness between the appliances. However, even the small emissions from modern technologies may pose significant toxic risks.

Abstract Background In the last years, the biotechnological production of platform chemicals for fuel components has become a major focus of interest. Although ligno-cellulosic material is considered as suitable feedstock, the almost inevitable pretreatment of this recalcitrant material may interfere with the subsequent fermentation steps. In this study, the fungus Ustilago maydis was used to produce itaconic acid as platform chemical for the synthesis of potential biofuels such as 3-methyltetrahydrofuran. No studies, however, have investigated how pretreatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass precisely influences the subsequent fermentation by U. maydis. Thus, this current study aims to first characterize U. maydis in shake flasks and then to evaluate the influence of three exemplary pretreatment methods on the cultivation and itaconic acid production of this fungus. Cellulose enzymatically hydrolysed in seawater and salt-assisted organic-acid catalysed cellulose were investigated as substrates. Lastly, hydrolysed hemicellulose from fractionated beech wood was applied as substrate. Results U. maydis was characterized on shake flask level regarding its itaconic acid production on glucose. Nitrogen limitation was shown to be a crucial condition for the production of itaconic acid. For itaconic acid concentrations above 25 g/L, a significant product inhibition was observed. Performing experiments that simulated influences of possible pretreatment methods, U. maydis was only slightly affected by high osmolarities up to 3.5 osmol/L as well as of 0.1 M oxalic acid. The production of itaconic acid was achieved on pretreated cellulose in seawater and on the hydrolysed hemicellulosic fraction of pretreated beech wood. Conclusion The fungus U. maydis is a promising producer of itaconic acid, since it grows as single cells (yeast-like) in submerged cultivations and it is extremely robust in high osmotic media and real seawater. Moreover, U. maydis can grow on the hemicellulosic fraction of pretreated beech wood. Thereby, this fungus combines important advantages of yeasts and filamentous fungi. Nevertheless, the biomass pretreatment does indeed affect the subsequent itaconic acid production. Although U. maydis is insusceptible to most possible impurities from pretreatment, high amounts of salts or residues of organic acids can slow microbial growth and decrease the production. Consequently, the pretreatment step needs to fit the prerequisites defined by the actual microorganisms applied for fermentation.

Assessment of the global burden of disease is based on epidemiological cohort studies that connect premature mortality to a wide range of causes, including the long-term health impacts of ozone and fine particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5). It has proved difficult to quantify premature mortality related to air pollution, notably in regions where air quality is not monitored, and also because the toxicity of particles from various sources may vary. Here we use a global atmospheric chemistry model to investigate the link between premature mortality and seven emission source categories in urban and rural environments. In accord with the global burden of disease for 2010 (ref. 5), we calculate that outdoor air pollution, mostly by PM2.5, leads to 3.3 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.61-4.81) million premature deaths per year worldwide, predominantly in Asia. We primarily assume that all particles are equally toxic, but also include a sensitivity study that accounts for differential toxicity. We find that emissions from residential energy use such as heating and cooking, prevalent in India and China, have the largest impact on premature mortality globally, being even more dominant if carbonaceous particles are assumed to be most toxic. Whereas in much of the USA and in a few other countries emissions from traffic and power generation are important, in eastern USA, Europe, Russia and East Asia agricultural emissions make the largest relative contribution to PM2.5, with the estimate of overall health impact depending on assumptions regarding particle toxicity. Model projections based on a business-as-usual emission scenario indicate that the contribution of outdoor air pollution to premature mortality could double by 2050.

The chloromuconate cycloisomerase of Pseudomonas sp. B13 was purified from 3-chlorobenzoate-grown wild-type cells while the chloromuconate cycloisomerases of Ralstonia eutropha JMP134 (pJP4) and Pseudomonas sp. P51 (pP51) were purified from Escherichia coli strains expressing the corresponding gene. Kinetic studies were performed with various chloro-, fluoro-, and methylsubstituted cis,cis-muconates. 2,4-Dichloro-cis,cis-muconate proved to be the best substrate for all three chloromuconate cycloisomerases. Of the three enzymes, TfdD of Ralstonia eutropha JMP134 (pJP4) was most specific, since its specificity constant for 2,4-dichloro-cis,cis-muconate was the highest, while the constants for cis,cis-muconate, 2-chloro- and 2,5-dichloro-cis,cis-muconate were especially poor. The sequence of ClcB of the 3-chloro-benzoate-utilizing strain Pseudomonas sp. B13 was determined and turned out to be identical to that of the corresponding enzyme of pAC27 (though slightly different from the published sequences). Corresponding to 2-chloro-cis,cis-muconate being a major metabolite of 3-chlorobenzoate degradation, the kcat/K(m) with 2-chloro-cis,cis-muconate was relatively high, while that with the still preferred substrate 2,4-dichloro-cis,cis-muconate was relatively low. This enzyme was thus the least specific and the least active among the three compared enzymes. TcbD of Pseudomonas sp. P51 (pP51) took an intermediate position with respect to both the degree of specificity and the activity with the preferred substrate.

Constraint-based modeling techniques have become a standard tool for the in silico analysis of metabolic networks. To further improve their accuracy, recent methodological developments focused on integration of thermodynamic information in metabolic models to assess the feasibility of flux distributions by thermodynamic driving forces. Here we present OptMDFpathway, a method that extends the recently proposed framework of Max-min Driving Force (MDF) for thermodynamic pathway analysis. Given a metabolic network model, OptMDFpathway identifies both the optimal MDF for a desired phenotypic behavior as well as the respective pathway itself that supports the optimal driving force. OptMDFpathway is formulated as a mixed-integer linear program and is applicable to genome-scale metabolic networks. As an important theoretical result, we also show that there exists always at least one elementary mode in the network that reaches the maximal MDF. We employed our new approach to systematically identify all substrate-product combinations in Escherichia coli where product synthesis allows for concomitant net CO2 assimilation via thermodynamically feasible pathways. Although biomass synthesis cannot be coupled to net CO2 fixation in E. coli we found that as many as 145 of the 949 cytosolic carbon metabolites contained in the genome-scale model iJO1366 enable net CO2 incorporation along thermodynamically feasible pathways with glycerol as substrate and 34 with glucose. The most promising products in terms of carbon assimilation yield and thermodynamic driving forces are orotate, aspartate and the C4-metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We also identified thermodynamic bottlenecks frequently limiting the maximal driving force of the CO2-fixing pathways. Our results indicate that heterotrophic organisms like E. coli hold a possibly underestimated potential for CO2 assimilation which may complement existing biotechnological approaches for capturing CO2. Furthermore, we envision that the developed OptMDFpathway approach can be used for many other applications within the framework of constrained-based modeling and for rational design of metabolic networks.

Purpose Climate change affects the geographic and seasonal range of malaria incidence, especially, in poor tropical countries. This paper aims to attempt to conceptualize the potential economic repercussions of such effects with its focus on Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual and descriptive in its design. It first reviews existing literature and evidence on the economic burdens of malaria, and the impacts of climate change on malaria disease. It then draws the economic implications of the expected malaria risk under the future climate. This is accompanied by a discussion on a set of methods that can be used to quantify the economic effects of malaria with or without climate change. Findings A review of available evidence shows that climate change is likely to increase the geographic and seasonal range of malaria incidence in Ethiopia. The economic consequences of even a marginal increase in malaria risk will be substantial as one considers the projected impacts of climate change through other channels, the current population exposed to malaria risk and the country’s health system, economic structure and level of investment. The potential effects have the potency to require more household and public spending for health, to perpetuate poverty and inequality and to strain agricultural and regional development. Originality/value This paper sheds light on the economic implications of climate change impacts on malaria, particularly, in Agrarian countries laying in the tropics. It illustrates how such impacts will interact with other impact channels of climate change, and thus evolve to influence the macro-economy. The paper also proposes a set of methods that can be used to quantify the potential economic effects of malaria. The paper seeks to stimulate future research on this important topic which rather has been neglected.