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How "clean" is the hydrogen economy? Tracing the connections between hydrogen and fossil fuels
Get PDFHydrogen is experiencing a resurgence in energy transition debates. Before representing a solution, however, the existing hydrogen economy is still a climate change headache: over 99 % of production depends on fossil fuels, oil refining accounts for 42 % of demand, and its transportation is intertwined with fossil infrastructure, like natural gas pipelines. This article investigates the path-dependent dynamics shaping the hydrogen economy and its interconnections with the oil and gas industry. It draws on the global production networks (GPN) approach and political economy research to provide a comprehensive review of current and prospective end-uses of hydrogen, modes of transport, networks of industrial actors and state strategies, along the major production facilities and holders of intellectual property rights. The results presented in this article suggest that the superimposition of private agendas may jeopardise the viability of future energy systems and requires counterbalancing forces to override the negative consequences of path-dependent energy transitions.202
A European perspective on acceptability of innovative agri-environment-climate contract solutions
Get PDFThe agri-environment-climate measures of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy are incentives aiming to reduce negative environmental impacts and increase positive effects generated from agriculture. Several criticisms have been addressed to their efficiency and effectiveness and thus, the design of innovative contract solutions is currently suggested. Among the novel contractual solutions, there are result-based payments, collective implementation of measures, the engagement of private and business actors in value chains, and new forms of land tenure systems coupled with environmental clauses. Little is known about the factors at interplay influencing farmers’ decision to uptake such contracts. The present paper investigates the acceptability determinants of the above-mentioned novel contractual solutions concerning a sample of nearly 1900 farmers from 10 European Union countries. The analysis is based on a questionnaire built through a common research framework. We apply ordered logistic regressions: both proportional and partial proportional odds models are used. Farmers’ preferences are interpreted by splitting the innovative contractual solutions into 13 individual contractual features which are then modeled in combination with the structural characteristics of the farms and the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the farmers. We estimate farmers’ willingness to enroll in result-based, collective, value-chain, and land tenure contracts and highlight the positive and negative factors potentially influencing farmers’ acceptability of each type of contract.202
HYDIN variants cause primary ciliary dyskinesia in the Finnish population
Get PDFIntroduction
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by chronic respiratory tract infections and in some cases laterality defects and infertility. The symptoms of PCD are caused by malfunction of motile cilia, hair-like organelles protruding out of the cell. Thus far, disease causing variants in over 50 genes have been identified and these variants explain around 70% of all known cases. Population specific genetics underlying PCD has been reported highlighting the importance of characterizing gene variants in different populations for development of gene-based diagnostics and management.
Methods
Whole exome sequencing was used to identify disease causing variants in Finnish PCD cohort. The effect of the identified HYDIN variants on cilia structure and function was confirmed by high-speed video analysis, immunofluorescence and electron tomography.
Results
In this study, we identified three Finnish PCD patients carrying homozygous loss-of-function variants and one patient with compound heterozygous variants within HYDIN. The functional studies showed defects in the axonemal central pair complex. All patients had clinical PCD symptoms including chronic wet cough and recurrent airway infections, associated with mostly static airway cilia.
Conclusion
Our results are consistent with the previously identified important role of HYDIN in the axonemal central pair complex and improve specific diagnostics of PCD in different national populations.202
Kinetochore and ionomic adaptation to whole-genome duplication in Cochlearia shows evolutionary convergence in three autopolyploids
Get PDFWhole-genome duplication (WGD) occurs in all kingdoms and impacts speciation, domestication, and cancer outcome. However, doubled DNA management can be challenging for nascent polyploids. The study of within-species polyploidy (autopolyploidy) permits focus on this DNA management aspect, decoupling it from the confounding effects of hybridization (in allopolyploid hybrids). How is autopolyploidy tolerated, and how do young polyploids stabilize? Here, we introduce a powerful model to address this: the genus Cochlearia, which has experienced many polyploidization events. We assess meiosis and other polyploid-relevant phenotypes, generate a chromosome-scale genome, and sequence 113 individuals from 33 ploidy-contrasting populations. We detect an obvious autopolyploidy-associated selection signal at kinetochore components and ion transporters. Modeling the selected alleles, we detail evidence of the kinetochore complex mediating adaptation to polyploidy. We compare candidates in independent autopolyploids across three genera separated by 40 million years, highlighting a common function at the process and gene levels, indicating evolutionary flexibility in response to polyploidy.202
Comparison of two methods of extracting bull epididymal spermatozoa
Get PDFExtraction of epididymal spermatozoa may be necessary to avoid losing valuable genetic material, for example, from individuals of rare breeds or endangered species, but the resulting sperm samples may be of poor quality. Two methods of extracting bull epididymal spermatozoa from slaughterhouse material were compared. The bulls were 16–23 months of age. Spermatozoa were extracted by making an incision one cm in length in the tail of the epididymis to allow the spermatozoa to flow out (method A), or by flushing the tail of epididymis (method B). The two methods were used for each bull, alternating between right and left epididymis, i.e. if method A was used for the left epididymis in Bull 1, it was used for the right epididymis in bull 2, etc. Sperm concentration in the extracted samples was adjusted to 69 × 106/mL in Andromed; the sperm sample was packed in 0.25 mL straws. After cooling for two h at 5 °C, the straws were placed 4 cm above liquid nitrogen for 20 min before transferring them to liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility, viability, reactive oxygen species, membrane integrity and DNA fragmentation were analysed in the fresh samples and again after thawing. The results for all parameters in fresh semen were not different between methods. Although sperm quality was lower in thawed samples than in fresh samples, there was no difference in sperm quality between the two extraction methods in the thawed samples. In conclusion, both methods are useful for the extraction of bull epididymal spermatozoa.202
Milk somatic cell count, composition and yield of multi-breed dairy cattle in Ethiopia
Get PDFMastitis is highly prevalent and causes significant economic loss in the Ethiopian dairy industry. An important aspect of monitoring dairy cow health and milk quality is understanding somatic cell count (SCC), composition and milk yield. This study aimed to evaluate milk SCC, composition, yield, and factors associated with the quality traits of Ethiopian dairy farms. A total of 3269 milk samples were collected from 1719 cows across 201 herds. The overall means and standard deviations of loge-transformed somatic cell score (SCS), fat, protein, lactose, and test day milk yield were 12.39 ± 1.61 cells/mL, 2.68 ± 1.71%, 3.17 ± 0.24%, 4.75 ± 0.36%, and 10.45 ± 5.04 litres, respectively. The results showed that 40.7% of the analysed milk samples had the SCC class ≤ 200x103 cells/mL. SCS was negatively correlated with milk yield and composition but moderately positively correlated with electrical conductivity (r = 0.41). Lactation stage, breed, parity, herd size and altitude significantly influenced most milk parameters, except fat content, which was unaffected by parity (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the highest SCS was recorded in this study. An increase in SCS negatively affects both milk yield and composition. Therefore, breed selection and herd management should focus on reducing the SCC to improve milk yield and quality.202
Costs and benefits of implementing continuous cover forestry in boreal peatlands
Get PDFClimate change and forestry activities heighten the risk of nutrient export from boreal peatland forests into watercourses, threatening water quality. Recognizing a nutrient-reducing practice is insufficient; evaluating costs and benefits is crucial to choose the best options. This study addresses this gap by applying a cost-benefit analysis to continuous cover forestry (CCF) as a strategy to mitigate phosphorus (P) export. The NutSpaFHy model estimated P exports under different management scenarios, comparing rotation forestry (RF) with CCF. Key variables measured included P reduction, net present value, revenue losses, and consumer surplus from recreation. Results showed CCF reduced P exports to 0.022 kg/ha/year, roughly one-third of RF levels on sites suitable for CCF. Recreational benefits, quantified at 6.55€/person/year/kg, were assessed using travel cost and contingent behavior valuation methods. Revenue impacts were evaluated using a size-structured forest optimization model, with CCF costs determined by revenue differentials between optimal management and immediate CCF conversion. High discount rates and mesic sites favor CCF as the optimal solution, indicating no additional costs from an immediate switch on mature stands. Analysis across discount rates (1%, 3%, and 5%) suggests CCF is a viable water protection option, meeting cost-benefit criteria with a benefit-cost ratio of 4.05.202
Fates of nutrient elements and heavy metals during thermal conversion of cattle slurry-derived anaerobic digestates
Get PDFThermal processes are emerging as promising solutions to recovering phosphorus and other nutrient elements from anaerobic digestates. The feasibility of nutrient element recovery depends largely on the fates of nutrient elements and heavy metals during thermal processing. This study assesses the partitioning of macronutrients (N, P, K, Na, Ca and Mg) and heavy metals (Zn, Cu, and Mn) between condensed and gaseous phases during thermal conversion of cattle slurry digestates in gas atmospheres of pyrolysis, combustion, and gasification processes. This study also assesses the chemical forms of macronutrients retained in combustion ashes. The partitioning of elements between condensed and gaseous phases was quantified by mass balances based on elemental analyses of char and ash residues. The char and ash residues were prepared in a fixed-bed, batch reactor at temperatures within the range 800–1000 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction was used to identify the chemical forms of macronutrient elements in combustion ashes. Volatilisation of P was low (< 20%) when the digestates were heated in inert and oxidising atmospheres, whereas a reducing atmosphere volatilized P to a major extent (~ 60% at 1000 °C). Oxidising atmospheres increased volatilisation of N but suppressed volatilisation of K, Na, and Zn. Volatilisation of the following elements was low (< 30%) in all investigated operating conditions: Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu. The combustion ashes contained both high concentrations of P (around 7 w/w%) and acceptable concentrations of regulated heavy metals (Cu, and Zn) for application on agricultural and forest soils in Finland. Phosphorous was retained in the combustion ashes in the form of whitlockite. This form of P is expected to be available to plants when the ashes are added to soil.202
