303 research outputs found
Evaluation and analysis of impact of subsidies on small scale renewable energy technologies dissemination: a case study of Nepal
Get PDFThe report has analysed the status of rural electrification using renewable energy technologies (RETs) and the current subsidy delivery modality of RETs in Nepal. As the Government of Nepal is subsidizing small scale renewable energy projects, it is important to evaluate and analyse the programme to make sure that a programme is running in an effective and efficient way while reaching the target group.
During the course of the research, primary information collected from the field has been compiled using appropriate tools/software (such as MS Office) and analyzed. Different sets of questionnaires were prepared, targeting different personnel ranging from the users’ level to the government policy level. The field survey methods include field observations of RETs installations and operations along with interviews with selected users on a random sampling basis to identify barriers to subsidy delivery and possible measures to overcome these barriers; to determine user satisfaction level and time period for subsidy delivery mechanisms.
The report started with the country background information and the rationale behind the study. This is followed by the literature review and information on the current status of small scale RETs in the country. Next it deals with the organizational structure and current subsidy delivery modality of RETs in the country. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the subsidy with the current subsidy delivery modality has been analyzed based on six parameters; Targets and Achievements, Impact of RETs, Subsidy Delivery System Efficiency, Transparency, Sustainability and Effectiveness.
The research shows that the subsidized government program has been successful in achieving its goal to provide basic energy services in rural areas through RETs in terms of its quantitative target. Although the subsidized program is successful in electrifying the rural communities via RETs, the poorest of the poor families are still excluded from the subsidy. The program seems to benefit more the rich and upper middle class families rather than the poor families for which the subsidy was intended. The high capital cost and long subsidy delivery process are the main important reasons for this failure. The author has proposed a new modality which might overcome the time barriers and bureaucratic process in the subsidy delivery mechanism and will decrease the lead time. This will in turn help to reduce the operational cost of the private companies and will encourage more players to enter the market, increase competition and result in lower system costs.
After identifying gaps in the current subsidy delivery modality, the project report ends with the recommendation of a new modality improving the current modality and filling the gaps identified. As this study has some limitations, as described in chapter one, the scope of further works has been listed at the end
The Role of DNA in the Extracellular Environment: A Focus on NETs, RETs and Biofilms
Get PDFThe capacity to actively release genetic material into the extracellular environment has been reported for bacteria, archaea, fungi, and in general, for microbial communities, but it is also described in the context of multicellular organisms, animals and plants. This material is often present in matrices that locate outside the cells. Extracellular matrices have important roles in defense response and disease in microbes, animal and plants cells, appearing as barrier against pathogen invasion or for their recognition. Specifically, neutrophils extracellular traps (NETs) in animals and root extracellular traps (RETs) in plants, are recognized to be important players in immunity. A growing amount of evidence revealed that the extracellular DNA, in these contexts, plays an active role in the defense action. Moreover, the protective role of extracellular DNA against antimicrobials and mechanical stress also appears to be confirmed in bacterial biofilms. In parallel, recent efforts highlighted different roles of self (homologous) and non-self (heterologous) extracellular DNA, paving the way to discussions on its role as a “Damage-associated molecular pattern” (DAMP). We here provide an evolutionary overview on extracellular DNA in extracellular matrices like RETs, NETs, and microbial biofilms, discussing on its roles and inferring on possible novel functionalities
Regulatory RNAs and the HptB/RetS signalling pathways fine-tune Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis
Get PDFBacterial pathogenesis often depends on regulatory networks, two-component systems and small RNAs (sRNAs). In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the RetS sensor pathway downregulates expression of two sRNAs, rsmY and rsmZ. Consequently, biofilm and the Type Six Secretion System (T6SS) are repressed, whereas the Type III Secretion System (T3SS) is activated. We show that the HptB signalling pathway controls biofilm and T3SS, and fine-tunes P. aeruginosa pathogenesis. We demonstrate that RetS and HptB intersect at the GacA response regulator, which directly controls sRNAs production. Importantly, RetS controls both sRNAs, whereas HptB exclusively regulates rsmY expression. We reveal that HptB signalling is a complex regulatory cascade. This cascade involves a response regulator, with an output domain belonging to the phosphatase 2C family, and likely an anti-anti-σ factor. This reveals that the initial input in the Gac system comes from several signalling pathways, and the final output is adjusted by a differential control on rsmY and rsmZ. This is exemplified by the RetS-dependent but HptB-independent control on T6SS. We also demonstrate a redundant action of the two sRNAs on T3SS gene expression, while the impact on pel gene expression is additive. These features underpin a novel mechanism in the fine-tuned regulation of gene expression
Structural Studies of the Bacterial Histidine Kinases RetS and GacS, Key Components of the Multikinase Network that Controls the Switch Between a Motile Invasive Lifestyle and a Sessile Biofilm Lifestyle in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
No full textSignal transduction networks enable organisms to respond to environmental stimuli. Bacteria utilize two-component systems (TCSs) and phosphorelays as their primary means of signal transduction. Histidine kinase (HK) and response regulator (RR) proteins comprise these TCSs and phosphorelays. Previously, signal transduction within TCSs and phosphorelays was thought to only occur through a linear series of phosphotransfers between HKs and RRs. Recently multikinase networks have been shown to be involved in TCS and phosphorelay signal transmission. A multikinase network that includes the HKs RetS and GacS controls the switch between the motile invasive lifestyle and the sessile biofilm lifestyle of the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. GacS promotes the sessile biofilm lifestyle, while RetS promotes the motile invasive lifestyle via the inhibition of GacS. This inhibition occurs through three distinct mechanisms. Two of the mechanisms are dephosphorylating mechanisms and the third mechanism is a direct interaction between RetS and GacS which results in the inhibition of GacS autophosphorylation. This study examines the direct binding interaction between RetS and GacS using structural biology. We observed a heterodimeric RetS-GacS complex in which the canonical homodimerization interface was replaced with a heterodimeric interface. Heterodimerization between bacterial HKs is currently a novel observation, but it is likely that other HKs heterodimerize. The RetS-GacS direct interaction can serve as a model for HK-HK binding in multikinase networks.Doctor of PhilosophyThe way in which bacteria assess and respond to their environment is of great interest to microbiologists. Bacteria transmit environmental signals via protein interactions. Some of these interactions involve the transfer of phosphate groups, and some involve a direct binding interaction between proteins. We are investigating a direct binding interaction between two proteins, RetS and GacS. These proteins control whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen of humans, causes an acute infection, which is characterized by motility and invasiveness, or a chronic infection, which is characterized by a sessile biofilm lifestyle, in a human host. Through the use of structural biology techniques we have visualized the three-dimensional structure of the complex between RetS and GacS. This complex has provided insight into the role of the RetS-GacS interaction in controlling the infection state of P. aeruginosa
The host galaxies of 106 rapidly evolving transients discovered by the Dark Energy Survey
No full textRapidly evolving transients (RETs), also termed fast blue optical
transients, are a recently discovered group of astrophysical events that
display rapid luminosity evolution. RETs typically rise to peak in less
than 10 d and fade within 30, a time-scale unlikely to be compatible
with the decay of Nickel-56 that drives conventional supernovae (SNe).
Their peak luminosity spans a range of -15 < Mg <
-22.5, with some events observed at redshifts greater than 1. Their
evolution on fast time-scales has hindered high-quality follow-up
observations, and thus their origin and explosion/emission mechanism
remains unexplained. In this paper, we present the largest sample of
RETs to date, comprising 106 objects discovered by the Dark Energy
Survey, and perform the most comprehensive analysis of RET host
galaxies. Using deep-stacked photometry and emission lines from OzDES
spectroscopy, we derive stellar masses and star formation rates (SFRs)
for 49 host galaxies, and metallicities ([O/H]) for 37. We find that
RETs explode exclusively in star-forming galaxies and are thus likely
associated with massive stars. Comparing RET hosts to samples of host
galaxies of other explosive transients as well as field galaxies, we
find that RETs prefer galaxies with high specific SFRs (⟨log
(sSFR)⟩ ~ -9.6), indicating a link to young stellar populations,
similar to stripped-envelope SNe. RET hosts appear to show a lack of
chemical enrichment, their metallicities akin to long-duration gamma-ray
bursts and superluminous SN host galaxies (⟨12 + log (O/H)⟩ ~
9.4). There are no clear relationships between mass or SFR of the host
galaxies and the peak magnitudes or decline rates of the transients
themselves
Liver Retransplantation in Adults: The Largest Multicenter Italian Study
Get PDFAbstract
This study is the largest Italian survey on liver retransplantations (RET). Data report on 167 adult patients who received 2 grafts, 16 who received 3 grafts, and one who received 4 grafts over a 11 yr period.There was no statistically significant difference in graft survival after the first or the second RET (52, 40, and 29% vs 44, 36, and 18% at 1,5,and 10 yr, respectively: Log-Rank test, p = 0.30).Survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years of patients who underwent 2 (n = 151) or 3 (n = 15) RETs, were 65, 48,and 39% vs 59, 44, and 30%, respectively (p = 0.59).Multivariate analysis of survival showed that only the type of graft (whole vs reduced) was associated with a statistically significant difference (HR = 3.77, Wald test p = 0. 05); the donor age appeared to be a relevant factor as well, although the difference was not statistically significant (HR = 1.91, Wald test p = 0.08).Though late RETs have better results on long term survival relative to early RETs, no statistically significant difference can be found in early results, till three years after RET.Considering late first RETs (interval>30 days from previous transplantation) with whole grafts the difference in graft survival in RETs due to HCV recurrence (n = 17) was not significantly different from RETs due to other causes (n = 53) (65-58 and 31% vs 66-57 and 28% respectively at 1-5 and 10 years, p = 0.66)
Organização das informações do balanço social em instituição financeira como instrumento de gestão de sua responsabilidade social
Get PDFDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.Atualmente, está havendo uma retomada da consciência social das empresas, e isso vem sendo demonstrado através da elaboração do balanço social. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho desenvolve um estudo sobre o balanço social em instituição financeira como instrumento de gestão e informação de sua responsabilidade social. O objetivo geral consiste em desenvolver uma proposta de organização das informações do balanço social em instituição financeira, de modo a servir de instrumento de gestão de sua responsabilidade social. O trabalho inicia-se com a revisão de literatura, destacando a contribuição da responsabilidade e contabilidade social para a gestão dos negócios da organização. Apresenta a discussão sobre a responsabilidade social em instituições financeiras e aspectos sobre a Account Ability 1000 - AA1000. Faz a descrição do instrumento de balanço social, desde aspectos conceituais e históricos, até usuários, legislação e modelos. Faz ainda uma abordagem da demonstração do valor adicionado. Finalmente, apresenta o estudo de caso do Banco do Brasil, descrevendo e analisando a organização das informações do balanço social nesta organização. Em seguida apresenta-se a proposta de organização das informações do balanço social em instituição financeira. Conclui-se que a organização das informações do balanço social constitui-se em importante suporte de gestão da responsabilidade social na instituição financeira estudada. Currently, it is having one retaken of the social conscience of the companies, and this comes being demonstrated through the elaboration of the social rocking. In this direction, the present work develops a study on the social rocking in financial institution as instrument of management and information of its social responsibility. The general objective consists of developing a proposal of organization of the information of the social rocking in financial institution, in order to serve of instrument of management of its social responsibility. The work initiates with the literature revision, detaching the contribution of the responsibility and social accounting for the management of the businesses of the organization. It presents the quarrel on the social responsibility in financial institutions and aspects on the Account Ability 1000 - AA1000. It makes the description of the instrument of social rocking, since conceptual and historical aspects, until users, legislation and models. It still makes a boarding of the demonstration of the added value. Finally, it presents the study of case of the Bank of Brazil, describing and analyzing the organization of the information of the social rocking in this organization. After that it is presented proposal of organization of the information of the social rocking in financial institution. One concludes that the organization of the information of the social rocking consists in important support of management of the social responsibility in the studied financial institution
Multiple communication mechanisms between sensor kinases are crucial for virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Get PDFThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available as an open access article from the publisher via the DOI in this recordBacteria and many non-metazoan Eukaryotes respond to stresses and threats using two-component systems (TCSs) comprising sensor kinases (SKs) and response regulators (RRs). Multikinase networks, where multiple SKs work together, detect and integrate different signals to control important lifestyle decisions such as sporulation and virulence. Here, we study interactions between two SKs from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, GacS and RetS, which control the switch between acute and chronic virulence. We demonstrate three mechanisms by which RetS attenuates GacS signalling: RetS takes phosphoryl groups from GacS-P; RetS has transmitter phosphatase activity against the receiver domain of GacS-P; and RetS inhibits GacS autophosphorylation. These mechanisms play important roles in vivo and during infection, and exemplify an unprecedented degree of signal processing by SKs that may be exploited in other multikinase networks.This work was supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC) (grant number MR/
M020045/1), the Leverhulme Trust (grant number RPG-2014-228), the RoseTrees Trust
(grant number M328) and a NERC PhD studentship (grant number 1076449)
Occupational (In)visibility: The emerging role of the Remote Education Tutor as an educational conduit
Get PDFRemote Education Tutors (RETs) are central to the delivery of distance schooling in Australia and are accountable for the face-to face supervision and educational support of students. They act as the government mandated adult supervisors of Australian primary and secondary school students enrolled in distance education, including geographically isolated learners. This paper draws on statistical data from a national survey (N = 575) that was designed to map the perceptions of Australian RETs. These data confirmed that RETs act as a conduit between the distance schooling teacher and student, and that their role requires complex capabilities to be performed within a structured framework. Time restrictions with competing demands present a constant challenge to the RETs’ work satisfaction. Constraining this occupation is the reality that there is no formal qualification available for RETs. Without specific credentialling, it appears that the RETs’ (in)visible role risks being overlooked as a substantive educational occupation
The host galaxies of rapidly evolving transients in the dark energy survey
Get PDFRapidly evolving transients (RETs), also termed fast blue optical transients (FBOTs), are a distinct class of astrophysical event. They are characterised by lightcurves that decline much faster than common classes supernovae (SNe), span vast ranges in peak luminosity and can be seen to redshifts greater than 1. Their evolution on fast timescales has hindered high quality follow-up observations, and thus their origin and explosion/emission mechanism remains unexplained. In this paper we define the largest sample of RETs to date, comprising 106 objects from the Dark Energy Survey, and perform the most comprehensive analysis of RET host galaxies. Using deep-stacked photometry and emission-lines from OzDES spectroscopy, we derive stellar masses and star-formation rates (SFRs) for 49 host galaxies, and metallicities for 37. We find that RETs explode exclusively in star-forming galaxies and are thus likely associated with massive stars. Comparing RET hosts to samples of host galaxies of other explosive transients as well as field galaxies, we find that RETs prefer galaxies with high specific SFRs, indicating a link to young stellar populations, similar to stripped-envelope SNe. RET hosts appear to show a lack of chemical enrichment, their metallicities akin to long duration gamma-ray bursts and superluminous SN host galaxies. There are no clear relationships between properties of the host galaxies and the peak magnitudes or decline rates of the transients themselves
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