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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.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 116 + (2013) 176-181. doi:10.1016/j.solmat.2013.04.019

Many developing countries face a dilemma between meeting the intensive growth in electricity demand, broadening an electricity access, as well as tackling climate change. The use of renewable energy is considered as an option for meeting both electrification and climate change objectives. In this study, long-term forecasting of electricity supply for the Java-Bali power system – the main power system in Indonesia – is presented. The forecasts take into consideration the Indonesian government policy of increasing the share of new and renewable energy in the national energy mix up to 23% by 2025 and 30% by 2050. After a systematic review of energy system models, we perform the analysis of the Java-Bali power system expansion using the Long-range Energy Alternative Planning system (LEAP) model. Three scenarios are developed over the planning horizon (2016-2050) including the business as usual scenario (BAU), the renewable energy scenario (REN) and the optimization scenario (OPT). The results of the three scenarios are analyzed in terms of the changes in resource/technology deployment, CO2 emissions and total costs.

A serious problem with using electrical actuators in legged locomotion is the significant energy loss. For this reason, we propose and analyse an alternative means of actuation: Controlled Passive Actuation. Controlled Passive Actuation aims at reducing the energy flow through electric actuators by actuating with a combination of an energy storage element and a Continuously Variable Transmission. In this work, we present a method where we apply a Continuously Variable Transmission with a storage element in the form of a mass to change the state of another mass (“the load”). An abstraction layer is created to abstract the inertia-driven Controlled Passive Actuation to a source of effort, a force actuator. On this abstracted system, feedback control can be applied to achieve control goals such as path tracking. With simulations and experiments, we show that inertia-driven Controlled Passive Actuation can be used to control the state of an (inertial) load. The experimental results show that the performance of the system is affected by the internal dynamics and limited rate of change of the transmission ratio of the Continuously Variable Transmission.

Green tea catechins mixed with caffeine have been proposed as adjuvants for maintaining or enhancing energy expenditure and for increasing fat oxidation, in the context of prevention and treatment of obesity. These catechins-caffeine mixtures seem to counteract the decrease in metabolic rate that occurs during weight loss. Their effects are of particular importance during weight maintenance after weight loss. Other metabolic targets may be fat absorption and the gut microbiota composition, but these effects still need further investigation in combination with weight loss. Limitations for the effects of green tea catechins are moderating factors such as genetic predisposition related to COMT-activity, habitual caffeine intake, and ingestion combined with dietary protein. In conclusion, a mixture of green tea catechins and caffeine has a beneficial effect on body-weight management, especially by sustained energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and preservation of fat free body-mass, after energy restriction induced body-weight loss, when taking the limitations into account.

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.

Drought is a natural hazard that has hit Europe hard over the last decades. The DROUGHT-R&SPI project (2011-2015) advances on drought research and associated science-policy interfacing. This FP7 project works at various scales, ranging from local to the pan-EU level. In addition to the European level, the project works in six Case Studies, in Greece (local), Spain & Italy (river basin), Portugal, Switzerland, and The Netherlands (national). In the paper, the various drought science-policy interfacing approaches are described. An overall finding is that Science-Policy interfacing at detailed scales (i.e. specific to sector, context and territory) is easier than at pan-European scale. Another important conclusion is that successful science-policy interfaces develop over time, based on their specific (socio-economic, historic and institutional) circumstances and specific drought characteristics. As well, stakeholders appreciate to be engaged in science-policy activities, they express a benefit from being involved. The functioning of the science-policy interfaces has been observed to refine and improve in the case of prolonged or successive droughts.