• Energy Research
• 16. Peace & justice close

We jointly select the fronthaul links and optimize the transmit precoding matrices for maximizing the energy efficiency (EE) of a multiuser multiple-input multiple-output-aided distributed antenna system. The fronthaul link’s power consumption is taken into consideration, which is assumed to be proportional to the number of active fronthaul links quantified by using indicator functions. Both the rate requirements and the power constraints of the remote access units are considered. Under realistic power constraints, some of the users cannot be admitted. Hence, we formulate a two-stage optimization problem. In Stage I, a novel user selection method is proposed for determining the maximum number of admitted users. In Stage II, we deal with the EE optimization problem. First, the indicator function is approximated by a smooth concave logarithmic function. Second, a triple-layer iterative algorithm is proposed for solving the approximated EE optimization problem, which is proved to converge to the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions of the smoothened EE optimization problem. To further reduce the complexity, a single-layer iterative algorithm is conceived, which guarantees convergence. Our simulation results show that the proposed user selection algorithm approaches the performance of the exhaustive search method. Finally, the proposed algorithms are capable of achieving an order of magnitude higher EE than its conventional counterpart operating without considering link selection.

AbstractAimsTo establish which components of energy balance mediate the clinically significant weight loss demonstrated with use of cotadutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1)/glucagon receptor dual agonist, in early‐phase studies.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a phase 2a, single‐centre, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes. Following a 16‐day single‐blind placebo run‐in, participants were randomized 2:1 to double‐blind 42‐day subcutaneous treatment with cotadutide (100–300 μg daily) or placebo. The primary outcome was percentage weight change. Secondary outcomes included change in energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE).ResultsA total of 12 participants (63%) in the cotadutide group and seven (78%) in the placebo group completed the study. The mean (90% confidence interval [CI]) weight change was −4.0% (−4.9%, −3.1%) and −1.4% (−2.7%, −0.1%) for the cotadutide and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.011). EI was lower with cotadutide versus placebo (−41.3% [−66.7, −15.9]; p = 0.011). Difference in EE (per kJ/kg lean body mass) for cotadutide versus placebo was 1.0% (90% CI −8.4, 10.4; p = 0.784), assessed by doubly labelled water, and −6.5% (90% CI −9.3, −3.7; p < 0.001), assessed by indirect calorimetry.ConclusionWeight loss with cotadutide is primarily driven by reduced EI, with relatively small compensatory changes in EE.

In this paper, per capita CO2 convergence among the EU-25 countries between 1920 and 2007 is analysed using the distribution dynamics approach. Furthermore, the analysis is complemented by investigating the asymptotic half-life of convergence, mobility indices and the continuous version of the ergodic distributions. The novel aspect of this work consists in the fact that it examines whether patterns could differ if weighted by either the population of each country or their economic sizes. The unweighted analysis indicates that the convergence patterns differ strongly before and after World War II, with more convergence being displayed after the seventies. Results of weighting both by population and by economic size show that convergence is much faster when these features are introduced into the model. Conclusions from this analysis are important for the environment policy adopted across the EU-25 countries.

This meta-empirical study delves into the conflicts between Sweden and its forestry industry in response to the EU-commission's demands for sustainable forest management. Combining theoretical foundations with empirical analysis of existing research, this study grounds itself in a clear definition of forests as intricate, adaptive, and ever-evolving systems. The central research question revolves around the efficacy of Sweden's guiding principle, ''freedom under responsibility,'' in shaping forest policy and fostering long-term sustainability.To dissect the core of this conflict, two fundamental hypotheses are explored. The first centers on the clash of interests between the Swedish government and forest industry stakeholders, while the second delves into the tension between monetarily valued ecosystem services and those without a market value, a natural market being absent. These questions are scrutinized using a novel method tailored for conflict analysis. A model article and two specific analysis articles are developed, each focusing on distinct facets of forest management, and are subsequently compared to reveal insightful contrasts.This contrasting approach unveils a comprehensive socio-economic framework underlying these conflicts—a framework that often remains concealed due to deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior within homogeneous groups. The method's greatest strength lies in its ability to render the invisible visible and the ''silent'' audible. It clarifies what might be obscured in the model article, bringing the contours of the conflict into sharp relief.The study findings affirm the value and democratic nature of the ''freedom under responsibility'' principle. However, for it to yield the intended outcomes, substantial and continuous educational efforts directed at relevant forest management stakeholders are imperative. This meta-empirical study highlights the necessity of a robust educational campaign to ensure the principle's success.Moreover, this study contributes theoretical insights that could serve as a foundation for conflict resolution: • Forests are complex, adaptive, and dynamic systems. • Human intervention prompts responses and adaptations within this system. • The choice of management strategies plays a pivotal role in achieving specific outcomes, whether biomass production or the preservation of natural forest characteristics. • The production of forest ecosystem services necessitates active management and does not occur automatically.

AbstractSoybean is a prospective source of biofuel in Indonesia due to adaptive in Indonesian agro ecology, which is 75 d to 85 d to maturity, and high oil seed content. A total of twelve soybean genotypes tested in eight locations in Indonesia in 2013 to assess its potential yield and seed oil production. Seed yield stability was assessed by (Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction) AMMI method. The seed yield range was 2.15 t ha–1 to 2.79 t ha–1 with an average of 2.54 t ha–1. Seed oil content ranges from 16.57% to 18.85% with an average 17.6%. Four soybean (G5, G7, G9, and G10) as stable genotypes. G9 (L.Jateng×Sinabung-85) prospective to be used for biodiesel development in Indonesia due to its high yield (2.67 t ha–1) and the oil content of 18.85%, hence its seed oil production reach 504kg ha–1. G9 have 80 d to maturity. Potential production of soybean seed oil is determined by the seed yield and oil content. G9 could potentially be used for biodiesel development in Indonesia.

Africa is currently experiencing the world's fastest urbanization rate at 3.5 percent annually-placing increasing pressure on resource-constrained local governments to maintain and improve livability standards of their cities. But simultaneously, an 'Information and Communication Technologies' (ICT) revolution has swept across the continent-as evidenced by vastly improved telecommunications and internet infrastructure, leapfrogging mobile communications penetration rates, and emergence of a successful homegrown IT applications industry. This report aims to: 1) synthesize the role currently played by ICT towards improved governance, management and accountability of urban service providers in Africa as well as other regions, 2) explore current ICT initiatives that are relevant to the World Bank's thematic concerns, 3) reconcile existing deficiencies/barriers towards potential for replication, and 4) develop a roadmap to render easy strategy implementation by project teams. Section one outlines evolving trends in urban governance and presents ICT as a potential tool in the environment of modern governance. Section two discusses the role of ICT in some of the Bank's core areas of urban focus, namely: local governance and economic development; intergovernmental fiscal relations and municipal finance; urban poverty and slum upgrading; urban planning, land and housing; urban environment and climate change; and water and sanitation service delivery. An analysis of fundamental ICT methodologies employed is discussed in section three. Section four, in conclusion, suggests an action-plan for enhancing ICT initiatives as a component of the Bank's lending activities.

In this work, we consider the practical issues of resource allocation problem in OFDMA two-way relay networks: the inaccuracy of channel-state information (CSI) available to the transmitters. Instead, only the estimated channel status is known by the transmitters. In this context, a joint optimization of subcarrier pairing and allocation, relay selection and transmit power allocation is formulated in the OFDMA two-way amplify-and-forward relay networks. Moreover, to ensure the Quality of Service (QoS) requirement, the energy consumption must be minimized without compromising the QoS. Therefore, by applying convex optimization techniques, energy efficient algorithms are developed with the objective to minimize the total transmit power while guaranteeing the required data rates. Through simulation studies, energy consumption performance of the systems under the proposed schemes are investigated. It is shown that the proposed scheme can improve the energy consumption performance without scarifying the QoS.

The National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) is a computational model that forecasts the production, consumption, and prices of energy in the United States. Although NEMS is a complex and detailed model, it does not currently represent the multitude of uncertainties associated with the US energy system. These uncertainties need to be communicated to policy makers in order for them to develop better-informed decisions regarding energy policy. In this study, uncertainty is added to the vehicle miles traveled (VMT) equation of NEMS to demonstrate the importance and benefit of uncertainty in the model. The VMT model is derived and its uncertain parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed to model the uncertain VMT equation and demonstrate the range of possible VMT forecasts when these uncertainties are included. This simulation shows that the deterministic forecast does not adequately reflect all of the possible futures of VMT, which could lead policy makers to be unintentionally misinformed about the impacts of proposed policies. Finally, it is shown how the uncertain VMT equation could be used to help policy makers decide on the best policy to reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions. A target is set for VMT for each of the projected years, and four decision-making techniques are used to calculate the fuel tax required to reduce VMT to this specified goal. These methods could guide policy makers to better-informed energy policy decisions, but they are only possible if some amount of uncertainty is incorporated into the model.