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Observations with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) have enhanced our knowledge of nearby supernova (SN) remnants with ages younger than 500 yr by establishing Cassiopeia A and the remnant of Tycho’s SN as very-high-energy (VHE) γ-ray sources. The remnant of Kepler’s SN, which is the product of the most recent naked-eye SN in our Galaxy, is comparable in age to the other two, but is significantly more distant. If the γ-ray luminosities of the remnants of Tycho’s and Kepler’s SNe are similar, then the latter is expected to be one of the faintest γ-ray sources within reach of the current generation IACT arrays. Here we report evidence at a statistical level of 4.6σ for a VHE signal from the remnant of Kepler’s SN based on deep observations by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) with an exposure of 152 h. The measured integral flux above an energy of 226 GeV is ∼0.3% of the flux of the Crab Nebula. The spectral energy distribution (SED) reveals a γ-ray emitting component connecting the VHE emission observed with H.E.S.S. to the emission observed at GeV energies with Fermi-LAT. The overall SED is similar to that of the remnant of Tycho’s SN, possibly indicating the same nonthermal emission processes acting in both these young remnants of thermonuclear SNe. Astronomy and astrophysics 662, A65 (2022). doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202243096 Published by EDP Sciences, Les Ulis

In this paper we present an optical characterization for quantum dot intermediate band solar cells (QDIBSCs). The cells were developed by growing a stack of ten InAs/GaAs QDs layers between p and n doped GaAs conventional emitters. Electroluminescence, EL, photoreflectance, PR, and transmission electron microscopy, TEM, were applied to the samples in order to test and characterize them optically. The results, derived from the application of the different techniques, showed a good correlation. TEM images revealed a very good structural quality of the QDs, which seem to evolve in shape-strain from the bottom to the top of the stack. Corresponding to the quality observed by TEM, strong signals from EL and PR resolved unambiguously the energy band diagram of the QDIBSCs. By fitting PR data we were able to indentify the coexistence of bands and discrete energy levels coming from the IB material. The PR data evidenced also a strong electric field over the dots, attributed to the space charge region created between the p-n emitters sandwiching the IB material. From EL results, we identified the predominantly radiative nature of the IB material related energy transitions. 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 1-5 September 2008, Valencia, Spain; 298-301

This paper explores the feasibility of adopting ecological based planning in low-income residential development. It explicates that in developing countries efforts by housing authorities have been on housing provision irrespective of the environmental threats to sustainability. As these houses are built, future of urban ecology is under threat. The questions regarding this phenomenon are several: how do low-income populations perceive environmental issues of urban settlements? How capable and willing are the local authorities to embrace and apply ecological based planning in residential development? What are the facilitating instruments of ecological-based planning? What are the prospects of integrating ecological based planning to low-income residential development? What are the restraining factors towards embracement of ecological based planning and how best can they be harnessed towards future ecological cities? The case study of Hatcliffe residential area in Harare shows that there are many challenges to overcome uncoordinated planning approaches, ineffective policies and legislative frameworks, weak institutional settings, financial constraints, outdated planning standards and regulations, poverty, lack of environmental stewardship and lack of political will among others. The study findings call for robust environmental conservation strategies, strong environmental stewardship, responsive institutional and funding mechanism backed by realistic legislative frameworks and robust policy rectification. Tema. Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Vol 7, N° 1 (2014): Smart Cities Challenges: Smart Environment for Sustainable Resource Management

Sustainability communication is a more and more widespread necessity for marketers because of the increased sensitivity to this topic. The objective of this research is to investigate the way the largest companies in the world communicate their social and environmental commitment: sixteen companies’ websites have been analyzed in order to explore what kind of sustainability communication tools they use. Findings show that the selected companies pay attention to communicate their commitment, also in the case of those suspected to be irresponsible. Risks deriving from greenwashing are also discussed: it can be a danger for long term survival of companies.

Monitoring solid pollutants in wooden biomass can avoid environmental pollution and can offer interesting opportunities of business by transforming wooden industrial wastes into a precious and clean energy source. Objective of this research is the control of solid pollutants in biomass from forest, such as from wood processing enterprises and from wood waste, reached by using FT­IR­ATR technology. The research goes through 3 steps: evaluation of pollutants dynamics within time from contamination and in reference to wood sizes particles, level of detection threshold in pollutants concentration, monitoring (presence and concentration) of pollutants in solid wood, chips, pellets originated from forest. Not contaminated Norway spruce wood was experimentally contaminated with oil and fuels. Preliminary results showed that occurrence, concentration and typology of pollutants were successfully measured with FT­IR­ATR. This research presents part of the study realized within the research project BiQueen, granted by CARITRO Foundation. Proceedings of the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 6-10 June 2011, Berlin, Germany, pp. 320-327

The landscape of supply chain and logistics is changing at the fast past than ever due to digitalization. Everyday, new technologies are emerging and having impact on how logistics activities will be carried out. Furthermore, the acceptance of these technologies depends on the initial perception of stakeholders in logistics. This presentation outlines impact of nine various emerging technologies on future of logistics as perceived by experts in supply chain and logistics. - Results were presented during the 13th ITS European Congress special session.

The possible effects of climate change in urbanized areas – evidenced by several studies – led the City of Bologna to adopt a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to assess potential risks and vulnerabilities as a basis for adaptation actions prioritizing interventions through a coordinated local strategy. This paper summarizes some measures implemented at local level in collaboration with the Department of Architecture of the University of Bologna and, in particular, the pilot actions for urban greening developed within the European project H2020 - ROCK and the proposals for intervention included made during the “Design for Adaptation” project. Resilient Urban Communities” PhD Climate KIC summer school. TECHNE - Journal of Technology for Architecture and Environment, TECHNE 15 (2018): Architectural resilience

Objetivo: Evaluar la viabilidad de la auditoría energética como herramienta de gestión en atención primaria, para mejorar la eficiencia energética y medioambiental de un centro de salud, disminuyendo sus costes de explotación. Método: Se realizaron 55 auditorías energéticas en centros de salud durante el periodo 2005-2010, de tamaño entre 500 y 3500 m², ubicados en zonas de salud de 3500 a 25.000 usuarios, construidos entre 1985 y 2007. Resultados: Se demuestra que con una inversión media de 11.601 € por centro de salud es posible disminuir el consumo energético en 10.801 kWh, ahorrando 2961 € anuales en un tiempo medio de amortización de 3,92 años y evitando la emisión de 7010kg de CO2. Conclusiones: La auditoría energética supone una herramienta práctica para evaluar y disminuir los gastos de explotación y mantenimiento, mejorando el confort en las instalaciones y colaborando en la preservación del medio ambiente.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability of energy audit as a management tool in primary care to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of a health center by reducing its operating costs. Method: We conducted 55 energy audits in health centers from 2005-2010. The health centers were sized between 500 and 3,500 m², were located in health areas with 3,500 to 25,000 users, and were built between 1985 and 2007. Results: With an average investment of 11,601€ per site, energy consumption can be reduced by 10,801 kWh per year, saving 2,961€ with a mean payback period of 3.92 years, and preventing emission of 7,010kg of CO2. Conclusions: Energy auditing is a practical tool to reduce the operating and maintenance costs of health centers and of improving the comfort of the facilities.

The loss of coastal habitats is a widespread problem in Europe. To protect the intertidal salt marshes of the lagoon of Venice from the erosion due to natural and human causes which is diffusely and intensely impacting them, the European Commission has funded the demonstrative project LIFE VIMINE. LIFE VIMINE aims to protect the most interior, hard-to-access salt marshes in the northern lagoon of Venice through an integrated approach, whose core is the prevention of erosion through numerous, small but spatially-diffuse soil-bioengineering protections works, mainly placed through semi-manual labour and with low impact on the environment and the landscape. The effectiveness of protection works in the long term is ensured through routine, temporally-continuous and spatially-diffuse actions of monitoring and maintenance. This method contrasts the common approach to managing hydraulic risk and erosion in Italy which is based on large, one-off and irreversible protection actions. The sustainability of the LIFE VIMINE approach is ensured by the participatory involvement of stakeholders and the recognition that protecting salt marshes means defending the benefits they provide to society through their ecological functions, as well as protecting the jobs linked to the existence or conservation of this habitat. EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality, Vol 18 (2015)