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This report reviews social housing archetypes in Scotland to enable identification of suitable energy efficiency and zero emissions heating systems.

Исследование ландшафтов всегда было традиционным научным направлением географии. В России подобная направленность исследований остаётся актуальной, несмотря на то, что термины «геоэкология» и «ландшафтная экология» сегодня более распространены в англоязычном научном сообществе. Наш краткий обзор показывает значительное ускорение антропогенных ландшафтных изменений в Европе, Центральной Азии и азиатской части России за последние пять десятилетий. Ландшафтные исследования в антропоцене должны быть направлены на достижение и сохранение устойчивости ландшафта при его высокой производительности, что включает в себя прекращение деградации ландшафтов, развитие культурных и сохранение природных ландшафтов. Чистая вода и чистый воздух, плодородные и здоровые почвы для производства продуктов питания и других экосистемных услуг, а также биологически разнообразная зеленая среда являются атрибутами ландшафтов, обеспечивающих выживание и благополучие населения. Дисциплинарные и междисциплинарные исследования должны генерировать знания, инновации и правила принятия действенных решений. Генерация знаний в глобализованном мире основана на сборе больших массивов данных и моделировании сценариев. Международные длительные полевые опыты и системы агроэкологического мониторинга будут предоставлять данные для экосистемных моделей и систем поддержки принимаемых решений. Landscape research has been a traditional scientific discipline of geography. This is still the case in Russia, whilst the terms geo-ecology and landscape ecology have become established in the English speaking scientific community. Our short review reveals huge and accelerating anthropogenic landscape transformations in Europe, Central Asia and Asian Russia since the end the 1960s. Landscape research in the Anthropocene has to focus on achieving landscape sustainability at high productivity. This includes halting landscape degradation, developing cultural landscapes, and maintaining semi-natural landscapes. Clean water and air, fertile and healthy soils for food and other ecosystem services and a green and bio-diverse environment are attributes of landscapes for the survival and well-being of humans. Research has to generate knowledge, innovations and decision rules by disciplinary, interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary work. Knowledge generation in a globalized world is based on big data gathering and scenario modelling. International long-term experiments and agri-environmental monitoring systems will deliver data for ecosystem models and decision support systems.

> Les pays riches doivent faire beaucoup plus, beaucoup plus vite. L'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies en septembre 2021 réunira les pays à un moment critique pour organiser une action collective pour faire face à la crise environnementale mondiale. Ils se réuniront à nouveau lors du sommet sur la biodiversité à Kunming, en Chine, et de la conférence sur le climat (Conférence des Parties (COP)26) à Glasgow, au Royaume-Uni. Avant ces réunions cruciales, nous - les rédacteurs en chef des revues de santé du monde entier - appelons à une action urgente pour maintenir les augmentations moyennes de la température mondiale en dessous de 1,5 ° C, arrêter la destruction de la nature et protéger la santé. La santé est déjà affectée par l'augmentation de la température mondiale et la destruction du monde naturel, un état de fait sur lequel les professionnels de la santé attirent l'attention depuis des décennies.1 La science est sans équivoque ; une augmentation mondiale de 1,5 ° C au-dessus de la moyenne préindustrielle et la perte continue de la biodiversité risquent de causer des dommages catastrophiques à la santé qu'il sera impossible d'inverser.2 3 Malgré la préoccupation nécessaire du monde concernant la COVID-19, nous ne pouvons pas attendre que la pandémie passe pour réduire rapidement les émissions. Reflétant la gravité du moment, cet éditorial apparaît dans des revues de santé à travers le monde. Nous sommes unis pour reconnaître que seuls des changements fondamentaux et équitables dans les sociétés inverseront notre trajectoire actuelle. Les risques pour la santé des augmentations supérieures à 1,5 °C sont maintenant bien établis.2 En effet, aucune augmentation de température n'est « sûre ». Au cours des 20 dernières années, la mortalité liée à la chaleur chez les personnes âgées de plus de 65 ans a augmenté de plus de 50 %.4 Des températures plus élevées ont entraîné une augmentation de la déshydratation et de la perte de la fonction rénale, des tumeurs malignes dermatologiques, des infections tropicales, des problèmes de santé mentale, des complications de grossesse, des allergies et une morbidité et une mortalité cardiovasculaires et pulmonaires.5 6 Les préjudices affectent de manière disproportionnée les plus vulnérables, notamment les enfants, les populations plus âgées, les minorités ethniques, les communautés les plus pauvres et les personnes ayant des problèmes de santé sous-jacents.2 4 Le réchauffement climatique contribue également à la baisse de ... > Las naciones ricas deben hacer mucho más, mucho más rápido. La Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en septiembre de 2021 reunirá a los países en un momento crítico para organizar la acción colectiva para abordar la crisis ambiental mundial. Se reunirán nuevamente en la cumbre de biodiversidad en Kunming, China, y en la conferencia climática (Conferencia de las Partes (COP)26) en Glasgow, Reino Unido. Antes de estas reuniones fundamentales, nosotros, los editores de revistas de salud de todo el mundo, pedimos medidas urgentes para mantener el aumento promedio de la temperatura global por debajo de 1,5 ° C, detener la destrucción de la naturaleza y proteger la salud. La salud ya se está viendo perjudicada por el aumento de la temperatura global y la destrucción del mundo natural, una situación a la que los profesionales de la salud han estado prestando atención durante décadas.1 La ciencia es inequívoca; un aumento global de 1,5 ° C por encima del promedio preindustrial y la continua pérdida de biodiversidad corren el riesgo de causar daños catastróficos a la salud que serán imposibles de revertir.2 3 A pesar de la preocupación necesaria del mundo por el COVID-19, no podemos esperar a que la pandemia pase para reducir rápidamente las emisiones. Como reflejo de la gravedad del momento, este editorial aparece en revistas de salud de todo el mundo. Estamos unidos en el reconocimiento de que solo los cambios fundamentales y equitativos en las sociedades revertirán nuestra trayectoria actual. Los riesgos para la salud de aumentos superiores a 1,5 °C están ahora bien establecidos.2 De hecho, ningún aumento de temperatura es "seguro". En los últimos 20 años, la mortalidad relacionada con el calor entre las personas mayores de 65 años ha aumentado en más del 50%.4 Las temperaturas más altas han provocado un aumento de la deshidratación y la pérdida de la función renal, neoplasias malignas dermatológicas, infecciones tropicales, resultados adversos para la salud mental, complicaciones del embarazo, alergias y morbilidad y mortalidad cardiovascular y pulmonar.5 6 Los daños afectan de manera desproporcionada a los más vulnerables, incluidos los niños, las poblaciones mayores, las minorías étnicas, las comunidades más pobres y las personas con problemas de salud subyacentes.2 4 El calentamiento global también está contribuyendo a la disminución de ... > Wealthy nations must do much more, much faster. The United Nations General Assembly in September 2021 will bring countries together at a critical time for marshalling collective action to tackle the global environmental crisis. They will meet again at the biodiversity summit in Kunming, China, and the climate conference (Conference of the Parties (COP)26) in Glasgow, UK. Ahead of these pivotal meetings, we—the editors of health journals worldwide—call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5°C, halt the destruction of nature and protect health. Health is already being harmed by global temperature increases and the destruction of the natural world, a state of affairs health professionals have been bringing attention to for decades.1 The science is unequivocal; a global increase of 1.5°C above the preindustrial average and the continued loss of biodiversity risk catastrophic harm to health that will be impossible to reverse.2 3 Despite the world's necessary preoccupation with COVID-19, we cannot wait for the pandemic to pass to rapidly reduce emissions. Reflecting the severity of the moment, this editorial appears in health journals across the world. We are united in recognising that only fundamental and equitable changes to societies will reverse our current trajectory. The risks to health of increases above 1.5°C are now well established.2 Indeed, no temperature rise is 'safe'. In the past 20 years, heat-related mortality among people aged over 65 has increased by more than 50%.4 Higher temperatures have brought increased dehydration and renal function loss, dermatological malignancies, tropical infections, adverse mental health outcomes, pregnancy complications, allergies, and cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity and mortality.5 6 Harms disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, including children, older populations, ethnic minorities, poorer communities and those with underlying health problems.2 4 Global heating is also contributing to the decline in … > يجب على الدول الغنية أن تفعل أكثر من ذلك بكثير، وأسرع بكثير. ستجمع الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة في سبتمبر 2021 البلدان في وقت حرج لحشد العمل الجماعي لمعالجة الأزمة البيئية العالمية. وسيجتمعون مرة أخرى في قمة التنوع البيولوجي في كونمينغ، الصين، ومؤتمر المناخ (مؤتمر الأطراف 26) في غلاسكو، المملكة المتحدة. قبل هذه الاجتماعات المحورية، ندعو - نحن محرري المجلات الصحية في جميع أنحاء العالم - إلى اتخاذ إجراءات عاجلة للحفاظ على متوسط الزيادات في درجات الحرارة العالمية أقل من 1.5 درجة مئوية، ووقف تدمير الطبيعة وحماية الصحة. الصحة تتضرر بالفعل من ارتفاع درجات الحرارة العالمية وتدمير العالم الطبيعي، وهو وضع يلفت الانتباه إليه المهنيون الصحيون منذ عقود. 1 العلم لا لبس فيه ؛ زيادة عالمية قدرها 1.5 درجة مئوية فوق متوسط ما قبل الصناعة واستمرار فقدان التنوع البيولوجي خطر ضرر كارثي على الصحة سيكون من المستحيل عكسه. 2 3 على الرغم من الانشغال العالمي الضروري بـ COVID -19، لا يمكننا الانتظار حتى ينتقل الوباء لتقليل الانبعاثات بسرعة. مما يعكس شدة اللحظة، تظهر هذه الافتتاحية في المجلات الصحية في جميع أنحاء العالم. نحن متحدون في الاعتراف بأن التغييرات الأساسية والعادلة في المجتمعات هي وحدها التي ستعكس مسارنا الحالي. أصبحت المخاطر الصحية للزيادات التي تزيد عن 1.5 درجة مئوية ثابتة الآن. 2 في الواقع، لا يوجد ارتفاع في درجة الحرارة "آمن". في السنوات العشرين الماضية، زادت الوفيات المرتبطة بالحرارة بين الأشخاص الذين تزيد أعمارهم عن 65 عامًا بأكثر من 50 ٪.4 وقد أدت درجات الحرارة المرتفعة إلى زيادة الجفاف وفقدان وظائف الكلى، والأورام الخبيثة الجلدية، والالتهابات الاستوائية، والنتائج السلبية للصحة العقلية، ومضاعفات الحمل، والحساسية، واعتلال القلب والأوعية الدموية والرئوية والوفيات .5 6 تؤثر الأضرار بشكل غير متناسب على الفئات الأكثر ضعفًا، بما في ذلك الأطفال وكبار السن والأقليات العرقية والمجتمعات الفقيرة وأولئك الذين يعانون من مشاكل صحية كامنة .2 4 يساهم التدفئة العالمية أيضًا في انخفاض...

Green ammonia is gaining momentum as a globally significant technology for deep decarbonisation. In this thesis, several models are developed across chemical, techno-economic, and energy system modelling disciplines to explore the future role of green ammonia. First, standalone models of production (i.e., power-to-ammonia) and re-electrification (i.e., ammonia-to-power) are developed and compared to competing technologies. Second, these models are integrated into a planning and dispatch energy system model (ESM) of India to 2050. The ESM has several novel additions including the sector coupling of hydrogen and ammonia, multiple years of granular weather data, and learning-curve-based technology cost forecasts. India is chosen as an ideal case study given its globally unmatched demand growth in all three relevant sectors: electricity, green hydrogen, and green ammonia. The projected electricity demands for green hydrogen and ammonia production account for 25% of the total Indian electricity demand in 2050, underscoring the transformational potential that green hydrogen and ammonia sector coupling can have on the Indian energy system. The results of the state-of-the-art ESM highlight synergistic effects of hydrogen and ammonia sector coupling with the power system. The least-cost system employs seasonal green ammonia production paired with up to 40 million tonnes (i.e., 200 TWh) of ammonia storage, as well as some re-electrification via gas turbines. Sector coupling reduces system curtailment, addresses challenges of long-duration storage, and improves system resilience to interannual weather variations. While India is a crucial case study from a global decarbonisation perspective, the methodology and findings are generally applicable, and it is the aim of this work to motivate and accelerate the wider research community into considering the potential impacts of green ammonia sector coupling on electricity grid design. Finally, this work highlights strategic technology development direction for ammonia producers and gas turbine manufacturers, as well as implications for policymakers.

采用共沉淀法合成磁性Fe_3O_4,通过碳化磺化制备核壳结构的磁性固体酸催化剂Fe_3O_4/C-SO_3H,并利用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪(FT-IR)、X射线衍射(XRD)、振动样品磁强计(VSM)、元素分析等手段对催化剂特性进行表征分析。以催化玉米芯水解所得的木糖得率为评价指标,对磁性固体酸催化剂催化玉米芯水解工艺条件进行优化研究,得出最佳条件为反应时间10 h、反应温度140 ℃、催化剂用量1.5 g、固液比(g/mL)2∶50(玉米芯含量为0.5 g),此时木糖得率为51.01%。研究认为,磁性固体酸催化剂催化木质纤维素水解的反应过程为酸催化和吸附过程共同作用,木质纤维素是分级解聚逐步转化,利用两步操作能够最大程度的水解木质纤维素。

Measurements: Rainfall - Total monthly rainfall including all precipitation (snow, rain, mist and fog) captured in a 12.7 cm rain gauge (mm per month); numbers of days with rain (0.2mm or more); the day with the maximum daily rainfall for that month. Sun shine: the total hours of sunshine recorded for the month; the day with most hours of sunshine; days when no sunshine recorded. Air temperature: the average maximum and average minimum air temperature (degrees C) for the month; the warmest day; the coldest day for the month. Frost: Numbers of air or ground frosts. The average refers to the 30-year mean 1981-2010. The summary report is derived from daily data measured at Rothamsted Research. Teses original raw data are available from the e-RA database. Daily data verification includes checks for instrument errors, missing data and outliers. These weather summaries are reported in the local Harpenden press on a monthly basis. Monthly and summaries and annual summary of rainfall, temperature, sun hours and numbers of ground frosts for 2013. Variation noted in comparison to 30-year means 1981-2010. This report consists of the monthly and annual summaries of meteorological data measured at Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK, from January 2013 until December 2013. Daily measurements are taken at Rothamsted Meteorological Station. These data are summarised monthly and annually as a report.

The 2022 World Cup organised by the International Association Football Federation (International Olympic Committee, 2021) and hosted by Qatar was billed to be the tournament that would completely revolutionise football, both on and off the field. It garnered acclaim in being the first World Cup held outside its customary months of June-July as well as in pioneering net zero carbon emissions in the sport - an assertion that ultimately proved largely unfounded(Ralston, 2022) with high reputational consequences for the country and the game. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), like the Carbon Market Watch that works with the European Union amongst others, claimed that “carbon emissions created by the new stadiums could be as much as eight times higher than the figures contained in Qatar’s analysis” (MacInnes, 2022). Against the backdrop of mounting sustainability concerns expressed by policymakers and enthusiasts alike, this essay examines the environmental hazards associated with major sporting events, like the 2022 FIFA World Cup whilst delving into adaptations that organisers could make for future sporting bonanzas that would give their green aspirations wings that could fly without getting burned like the fabled Icarus whose own pride and arrogance led him to ignore the rising temperatures and ultimately cause his demise. Essex Student Journal Volume 14 Issue S1 2023

Wave energy is an important renewable energy source. Previous studies of wave energy conversion (WEC) have focused on the maximum power take-off (PTO) techniques of a single machine. However, there is a lack of research on the energy and power quality of wave farm systems. Owing to the pulsating nature of ocean waves and popular PTO devices, the generated electrical power suffers from severe fluctuations. Existing solutions require extra energy storage and overrated power converters for wave power integration. In this study, we developed a master-slave wave farm system with rotor inertia energy storage; this system delivers self-smoothed power output to the grid and reduces the number of converters. Two control methods based on the moving average filter (MAF) and energy filter (EF) are proposed to smooth the output power of wave farms. RTDS simulations show that the proposed systems and control methods facilitate simple and smooth grid integration of wave energy. Keywords: Wave farm, Energy storage, Power smoothing, Power quality, Energy quality

PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2019 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly becoming the productive drivers of economic growth and development in South Africa. This is so because SME sector is the engine of employment creation and the key contributor to the GDP of the country. Despite their contribution to the development of the economy, the rate of failure and discontinuity of SMEs in South Africa is still one of the highest in the world. A lot of business scholars have addressed the issue plaguing the sector by identifying the causes of SME failure but have not provided a solution on what needs to be done for these business ventures to become sustainable. The purpose of this study therefore was to develop a framework for enhancing the sustainability of SMEs in municipalities of the North West province of South Africa. A number of objectives were set to accomplish the purpose of the study that built up to the development of the proposed framework to enhance the sustainability of SMEs in this region. In order to attain the objectives of this study, the study used five principal theories that address the sustainability of SMEs: the financial gap theory, the resource dependence theory, the theory of mergers and acquisitions, investment theory and trickle-down theory. The pragmatist research paradigm underpinned supported the adoption of a sequential explanatory mixed method approach for collecting and analysing quantitative data in a first phase, while the qualitative phase was built on the outcomes of the preliminary quantitative results. The target population of this study was drawn from the current number of formal (duly registered) SMEs in the North-West province as indicated by the Central Supply Database of the Provincial Department of Finance. This population was chosen from the four district municipalities of the North-West province of South Africa and a non-probability sampling method was used to select a sample size of 400 small business owners and managers for the quantitative phase and 20 for the qualitative phase. The Statistical Package for Social Science was used to analyse quantitative data and Atlas-Ti software was used to analyse qualitative data. The findings of the study indicate that the major causes of SME failure and discontinuity in the North West province is due to various factors such as lack of strategic business planning, lack of sufficient finance, poor management, lack of innovation, lack of business research and low level of human capital education and training. Therefore, it is imperative for SME owners and managers to formulate and pursue a strategic business plan for their businesses, seek for measures to foster an improved flow of finances and implement strategic management in their businesses. More so, it is necessary for SME owners and managers to be innovative in business, conduct business research and upgrade the level of education and training of their human capital to ensure successful and sustainable business enterprises. More importantly, because of their contribution to economic growth of the country, the government should endeavour to support and encourage this sector to develop by offering financial and technical assistance to small business enterprises through relevant departments and agencies. Doctoral

Given the highly climate-sensitive character of agricultural production, climate change has obvious and important ramifications for agricultural commercialisation, which in turn has a bearing on poverty, gender empowerment, and food and nutrition security. The nature and extent of climate change implications for agricultural commercialisation will depend on: the magnitude of the climate impacts that farmers have to deal with; and, the extent to which sustainable intensification processes can be pursued in ways which strengthen, rather than weaken, adaptive capacity and resilience in the face of climate change. This brief provides a summary of a longer working paper, which offers a review of recent literature on the implications of climate change for agricultural commercialisation and APRA’s research in this area.