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The paper describes formation and spreading of dense shelf waters in the Adriatic Sea (North Adriatic Dense Water, NAdDW) during the winter of 2012 as a consequence of an intense and long cold air outbreak of northeasterly Bora winds. As a result, during February 2012 northern Adriatic Sea water temperature dropped to about 6 degrees C and density exceeded 1030 kg/m(3), most likely the maximum value since 1929. NAdDW dynamics has been investigated by means of a 3-D ocean-wave coupled model running on a high resolution and eddy-permitting grid. The numerical experiments have relied on the Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment-Transport (COAWST) system forced one-way with atmospheric forcings provided by the model COSMO-17. A suite of observational data has been used to characterize the Bora event and evaluate numerical model performance. At sub-basin scales, the newly formed waters flowing southerly have produced a water renewal of the northern Adriatic, as more than 50% of water volumes have left the basin. Dense waters volume transports, evaluated through different Adriatic cross-sections, have been modulated by tides (damped for the densest water masses) and reached about 1 Sv. The contribution of wave-induced forcings has been quantified and examined, indicating that these represent a major driving mechanism during NAdDW production and spreading phases. This work provides evidence that NAdDW is spread accordingly with two different mechanisms: at early stages of its formation, the wind-driven ocean circulation pushes newly formed waters to leave the northern basin with relatively high speeds (about 0.30 m/s). Later on, remaining NAdDW leaks slowly out (0.09 m/s as average) from the production site. Residence times of dense waters in the north, middle, and south Adriatic Sea are also documented. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract The OECD/NEA Sandia Fuel Project provided unique thermal-hydraulic experimental data associated with Spent Fuel Pool (SFP) complete drain down. The study conducted at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) was successfully completed (July 2009 to February 2013). The accident conditions of interest for the SFP were simulated in a full scale prototypic fashion (electrically heated, prototypic assemblies in a prototypic SFP rack) so that the experimental results closely represent actual fuel assembly responses. A major impetus for this work was to facilitate severe accident code validation and to reduce modeling uncertainties within the codes. Phase I focused on axial heating and burn propagation in a single PWR 17 × 17 assembly (i.e. “hot neighbors” configuration). Phase II addressed axial and radial heating and zirconium fire propagation including effects of fuel rod ballooning in a 1 × 4 assembly configuration (i.e. single, hot center assembly and four, “cooler neighbors”). This paper summarizes the comparative analysis regarding the final destructive ignition test of the phase I of the project. The objective of the benchmark is to evaluate and compare the predictive capabilities of computer codes concerning the ignition testing of PWR fuel assemblies. Nine institutions from eight different countries were involved in the benchmark calculations. The time to ignition and the maximum temperature are adequately captured by the calculations. It is believed that the benchmark constitutes an enlargement of the validation range for the codes to the conditions tested, thus enhancing the code applicability to other fuel assembly designs and configurations. The comparison of lumped parameter and CFD computer codes represents a further valuable achievement.

This study is based on assessing fecal indicator bacteria contamination along meteorological, hydrological and physical-chemical variables after high rainy events during the summer period. The study focused on four different coastal sites in the western and eastern Adriatic coast characterized by various geomorphological and hydrological features, levels of urbanization and anthropogenic pressures, with the aim of finding appropriate and effective solutions to ensure the safety and sustainability of tourism and public health. Detailed in-situ survey revealed a wide range of fecal indicator bacterial (FIB) across the different river mouths with concentrations of E. coli ranging from 165 to 6700 CFU 100 mL-1. It was found that nitrogen compounds track microbial load and acted as tracers for fecal contaminants. Further, a modelling tool was also used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of fecal pollution at these coastal sites. The integrated monitoring through high frequent survey in river waters and modeling framework allowed for the estimation of fecal indicator bacterial load at the river mouth and examination of fecal pollutant dispersion in recreational waters, considering different scenarios of fecal dispersion along the coast. This study formed the basis of a robust decision support system aimed at improving the management of recreational areas and ensuring the protection of water bodies through efficient management of bathing areas.

The direct-on-line start-up of a synchronous motor results in alternating torques which can excite the lowest torsional natural frequency of compressor trains used in the oil & gas industry. Considering a slip-dependent variation of the rotor parameters, an integrated electrical and mechanical simulation model is developed, providing an accurate estimation of the air-gap torque. The proposed approach is validated by an accurate testing campaign carried out during moto-compressor field test activities.

Bioenergy crops are well known for their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the soil carbon stock. Although such crops are often held to be in competition with food crops and thus raise the question of current and future food security, at the same time mitigation measures are required to tackle climate change and sustain local farming communities and crop production. However, in some cases the actions envisaged for specific pedo-climatic conditions are not always economically sustainable by farmers. In this frame, energy crops with high environmental adaptability and yields, such as giant reed (Arundo donax L.), may represent an opportunity to improve farm incomes, making marginal areas not suitable for food production once again productive. In so doing, three of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations would be met, namely SDG 2 on food security and sustainable agriculture, SDG 7 on reliable, sustainable and modern energy, and SDG 13 on action to combat climate change and its impacts. In this work, the response of giant reed in the marginal areas of an agricultural district of southern Italy (Destra Sele) and expected farm incomes under climate change (2021-2050) are evaluated. The normalized water productivity index of giant reed was determined (WP; 30.1gm-2) by means of a SWAP agro-hydrological model, calibrated and validated on two years of a long-term field experiment. The model was used to estimate giant reed response (biomass yield) in marginal areas under climate change, and economic evaluation was performed to determine expected farm incomes (woodchips and chopped forage). The results show that woodchip production represents the most profitable option for farmers, yielding a gross margin 50% lower than ordinary high-input maize cultivation across the study area.

Sustainability hat sich zu einem globalen Thema entwickelt und erlangt besonders in der Finanzwirtschaft eine immer größere Bedeutung. Das Thema nachhaltige Finanzwelt ist weltweit spürbar, sei es an den Finanzmärkten, sei es auf politischer und regulatorischer Sicht, sei es aus Sicht der Öffentlichkeit oder sei es aus Sicht der Kund/innen und Investor/innen. Im Zuge von finanzpolitischen Entscheidungen und der Gestaltung von Finanzprodukten und -dienstleistungen müssen zunehmend die Dimensionen Environmental, Social and Governance berücksichtigt werden. Vor allem im Finanzsektor können anhand der Berücksichtigung von Nachhaltigkeitsfaktoren neue Chancen entstehen. Im Rahmen der Bachelorarbeit wird untersucht, welchen Stellenwert das Thema Nachhaltigkeit im österreichischen Finanzsektor einnimmt. Zudem wird der effiziente Umgang mit Nachhaltigkeitsrisiken in der Finanzbranche erläutert. Folglich wird auf die regulato-rischen Rahmenbedingungen eingegangen. Im Zuge intensiver Recherchen konnte festgestellt werden, welche enorme Bedeutung die Themen Nachhaltigkeit und Nachhaltigkeitsrisiken in der Finanzbranche einnehmen. Zusätzlich zur Literaturrecherche wurde die Arbeit mittels einer empirischen Analyse unterstützt. Die empirische Aufbereitung der Thematik erfolgte mithilfe von Experteninterviews mit Vertreter/innen aus der Finanzbranche. Durch die empirische Analyse konnte dargestellt werden, wie präsent die Themen Sustainabilty und Nachhaltigkeitsrisiken im Finanzsektor sind. Das Ergebnis dieser Bachelorarbeit zeigt, dass das Thema Sustainable Finance bereits ein sehr prägnantes und essenzielles Thema ist, welches die Finanzbranche innehat. Jedoch wird das Thema in Zukunft einen noch größeren Stellenwert einnehmen als bisher. Durch Sustainable Finance entstehen große Chancen, welche der Finanzbranche zugutekommen können. Eine Neupositionierung der gesamten Branche ist aufgrund von Sustainability möglich. Sustainability has developed into a global issue and is becoming increasingly important, especially in the financial sector. The issue of sustainable finance is being felt worldwide, whether on the financial markets, from a political and regulatory point of view, from the perspective of the public or from the point of view of customers and investors. In the course of financial policy decisions and the design of financial products and services, the dimensions of environmental, social and governance must increasingly be taken into account. Particularly in the financial sector, new opportunities can arise through the consideration of sustainability factors. The bachelor thesis examines the importance of sustainability in the Austrian financial sector. In addition, the efficient handling of sustainability risks in the financial sector is explained. Furthermore, the regulatory framework conditions are discussed. During intensive research, it was possible to determine the enormous importance that the topics of sustainability and sustainability risks have in the financial sector. In addition to the literature research, the work was supported by an empirical analysis. The empirical preparation of the topic was carried out with expert interviews with representatives from the financial sector. The empirical analysis made it possible to show how present the topics of sustainability and sustainability risks are in the financial sector. The result of this bachelor thesis shows that the topic of sustainable finance is already a very concise and essential topic in the financial sector. In the future, however, the topic will become even more important than it has been up to now. Sustainable Finance creates great opportunities that can benefit the financial sector. A repositioning of the entire sector is possible due to sustainability.