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Globalization has changed the way global society addresses common and global problems.

M.J.M. acknowledges funding from FCT through the grant SFRH/BPD/115566/2016. ALTALUZ (Reference PTDC/CTM-ENE/5125/2014). The optical properties of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) sustained by self-assembled silver nanoparticles are of great interest for enhancing light trapping in thin film photovoltaics. First, we report on a systematic investigation of the structural and the optical properties of silver nanostructures fabricated by a solid-state dewetting process on various substrates. Our study allows to identify fabrication conditions in which circular, uniformly spaced nanoparticles are obtainable. The optimized NPs are then integrated into plasmonic back reflector (PBR) structures. Second, we demonstrate a novel procedure, involving a combination of opto-electronic spectroscopic techniques, allowing for the quantification of useful and parasitic absorption in thin photovoltaic absorber deposited on top of the PBR. We achieve a significant broadband useful absorption enhancement of 90% for 0.9 µm thick μc-Si:H film and demonstrate that optical losses due to plasmonic scattering are insignificant below 730 nm. Finally, we present a successful implementation of a plasmonic light trapping scheme in a thin film a-Si:H solar cell. The quantum efficiency spectra of the devices show a pronounced broadband enhancement resulting in remarkably high short circuit current densities (Jsc). preprint published

Industrial poplar plantations represent a strategic source of wood products for many countries. Harvested after 10 to 30 years, they yield about 200 t ha-1 of timber and 100 t ha-1 industrial wood. The latter is obtained from poplar tops, which can be converted into chips, or a mix of pulpwood and chips. The study compared four options to process poplar tops. Alternatives derived from the intersection of two product strategies (pulpwood and chips, or chips only) with two pulpwood processing methods (manual or mechanized). Both mechanization and simplification (only one product) succeeded in reducing production cost, but the former had a stronger effect. The tests demonstrated that all options were cost-effective and could return some profits. However, the exclusive production of chips offered lower profits, compared to an articulate product strategy aimed at maximising value recovery. In the case of Italian poplar plantations, the price difference between pulp and chips is generally larger than the cost reduction obtained with integral chipping. Similar conclusions were reached by other authors working with spruce and beech in Central Europe. Of course, this is only true for the current price levels of pulpwood and chips: results may change, if this price balance will be altered by the growing demand for biomass fuel.

Scientific evidence and evidence-based reasoning are likely to face epistemological challenges when brought into societal debate if their foundational assumptions generate cognitive dissonance among key elements of the community. The risk of dissonance is even greater when scientific demonstrations and models are concerned with the decisions and behaviours of people interacting with an environment of interest. In this case, scientific information is often perceived as distorted or biased due to the inherent uncertainties attached to human ecosystems Human ecosystems are complex and adaptive, largely due to our individual cognitive capacities and communication skills. Complex systems science aims to track uncertainties attached to these systems by exploring metaphoric models of reality.

Slides presented at the 102 Annual American Meteorological Society Meeting, as part of the session "Major Weather Events and Impacts of 2021" (paper 6.3 - It's Getting Hot in Here: Real-Time Climate Fingerprints Applied to the 2021 Extreme Heat Season) For more information, please reach out to Daniel Gilford at dgilford@climatecentral.org. Presentation Abstract: Extreme heat was observed and experienced across large portions of the United States in 2021, including during notable record-breaking events in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, and along the East coast. The contiguous US experienced its hottest June on record, and excess heat related deaths stretched into the thousands. While more frequent and intense periods of extreme heat are expected consequences of anthropogenic climate change, rapidly and continuously assessing the degree to which human emissions of greenhouse gases increase the likelihood of a specific event remains a challenging technical process. In this study we introduce the Realtime Climate attribution framework and illustrate its application through an analysis of observed 2021 extreme heat events. The framework implements one model-based and two observation-based approaches to produce three distinct attribution assessments, including best estimates and uncertainties. The framework is designed to be flexible across a range of variables and scales, computationally lightweight, and adaptable for impact studies. Using a suite of global climate models, observed global mean temperatures, and local observed daily temperatures, we quantify the extent to which human-driven climate change made 2021 maximum and minimum daily temperature extremes more likely across the United States. Results confirm the continued and growing influence of human-driven climate change in local weather extremes. For instance, we find that the record-breaking high temperatures in June near Phoenix, AZ, were at least 3.25 times more likely because of human activity. Through this framework, we are building the capacity to produce attribution estimates while an event is unfolding. Furthermore, the ability to estimate attribution levels continuously will enhance studies of extreme heat impacts on human health, along with other socioeconomic or influences.

There is a growing body of literature in the field of urban climate change adaptation planning that indicate a need to address climate change planning measures from a more holistic sustainable development perspective. This paper presents the findings from a recently completed study that indicates there remain significant unresolved tensions between the development pathways and the climate change adaptation strategies of the 58 cities within the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

ct_max_assessment.csv contains data on the assessment of CTmax on control and selected replicate lines FTLs_assessment.csv contains data on the assessment of male fertility and sterility on control and selected replicate lines extinction_data/csv contains data on the average extinction, no pupae and decline temperatures for replicate lines for each species traits.csv contains data on all traits assessed and environmental variables for each species

It is generally acknowledged that economic activity continues apace and at the expense of social and ecological integrity while the course of economic development remains far from any approximation of sustainability. Few would dispute the fact that since 1992 little has been accomplished in practical terms to meet Agenda 21 objectives. Many would agree that Agenda 21-inspired local visions and goals have not translated into actual local change in part because of the complex and the multi-faceted nature of the issues involved. Policy work on ecological modernization and sustainability needs to be explicit on the question of scale and the role of governments. The central challenge for policy makers, action takers, and researchers is to determine the appropriate territorial (physical, social, economic, and political) scale at and through which government power needs to be deployed to effect transition to sustainable modes of regulation. This question is particularly relevant given the current discourse on regionalization / globalization. Adopting a 'post-disciplinary' approach this thesis examines how institutional inter-relations shape the outcome of plans to meet policy objectives on sustainable development at the local (municipality) scale. In-depth analysis of interview and secondary data reveals that numerous factors 'regulate' what occurs at local and other scales in relation to sustainable development. This thesis concludes with exploring the policy and future research implications of the findings.

This paper presents experimental results of Thermal Energy Storages (TES) implemented into a liquid cooling system for the cooling of power electronics (PE). The experimental investigations are performed on a test rig at Hamburg University of Technology. The main objective of this study is to find a constellation, in which the weight of the liquid cooling system can be reduced by complying with a maximum temperature. For this purpose tests with a Latent Heat Storage (LHS) and a Sensible Heat Storage (SHS) were realised. The results are compared to a direct cooling of power electronics. Finally the weight reduction potential is estimated.

The Emiliania huxleyi stoichiometry database contains data for the growth rate, cellular elemental content (particulate inorganic carbon - PIC, organic carbon - C, nitrogen - N and phosphorous - P) and C:N:P stoichiometry (PIC:C, C:N, N:P, C:P) compiled through a meta-analysis of literature reporting the results of laboratory experiments (cultures) on the coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi, an important calcifying marine phytoplankton. The database also reports selected additional parameters including cell size and/or volume, and chlorophyll a as well as additional meta-data associated with the original data source including strain details and culture experimental conditions. A description of the parameters contained in the database can be found in the file "The Emiliania huxleyi stoichiometry database data description". Please cite this dataset as: Sheward et al. (2021) The Emiliania huxleyi stoichiometry database. doi:10.5281/zenodo.4601185 The author can be contacted at sheward@em.uni-frankfurt.de to confirm versioning and to request details of any accompanying publications that arise. The compilation of this database was supported by Mount Allison University, Canada and Dalhousie University, Canada and funding through the Canada Research Chairs program (ZVF) and the Simons Collaboration on Computational Biogeochemical Modeling of Marine Ecosystems (CBIOMES grants 549937 to ZVF and 549935 to AJI).