Climate Demands Research Articles

How does a shelter of solar panels influence water flows in a soil–crop system?

Associating on the same land area an upper layer of solar panels together with a crop layer at the ground level has been shown to allow significant saving of land resource compared to separate energy and food productions (Marrou et al., 2013a). Indeed, crops can achieve high yield under the fluctuating shade of these agrivoltaic systems. Moreover, under dry Mediterranean climate, microclimate measurements at crop level below these panels suggest that these systems could contribute to alleviate climatic stress and to save water. On two experimental prototypes of these agrivoltaic systems, we combined two complementary approaches to assess the impact of the solar panels cover on crop water use. First we calculated the bulk actual evapotranspiration (AET) of irrigated lettuces and cucumbers grown in agrivoltaic systems and in the full sun, from field measurements using the water balance equation for a crop–soil system. Then, we proposed a conceptual framework to analyze AET modifications in the partial shade and assess the contribution of identified drivers to this change. This conceptual framework breaks AET into two components (plant transpiration and soil evaporation) and four drivers: climatic demand at canopy level (ET0), fraction of radiation intercepted by the vegetation, plant stomatal conductance, and soil surface hydraulic conductance. From specific field measurements, we assessed the contribution of each driver to the variations of evapotranspiration below the photovoltaic panels (PVP), in comparison with the full sun. Crop AET calculated with the first approach (water balance) was reduced in agrivoltaic systems by 10–30% when available light was equal to 50–70% of full sun radiation, with variations according to the weather season. The second approach showed that reduction of evapotranspiration was mainly driven by the reduction of the climatic demand below the solar panels and did not result systematically in an increase of the water use efficiency, depending on the genotypic plant sensibility of dry matter accumulation to shade. The conceptual framework suggest that water use efficiency in agrivoltaic systems could be increased by selecting crop species and varieties with a rapid soil covering, which contributes to increased light capture and to decreased soil evaporation, leaving more water for plant transpiration and thereby for biomass production.

Is percentage theatre utilisation data an accurate predictor of cost-effectiveness and performance in urology?

Objective: The current economic and political climate demands a focus on efficiency and productivity, whilst delivering quality, across all aspects of the National Health Service (NHS). Operative theatres act as a critical, yet costly resource. The Audit Commission employs the use of percentage theatre utilisation as a principal measure of NHS operating theatre service and efficiency performance. We analysed theatre utilisation data in a five-consultant, high turnover, urology department within a NHS University Teaching Hospital. Our aim was to examine the relationship between theatre utilisation data, cost effectiveness and income generated. Patients and methods: Data on the usage of a dedicated urology theatre was collected over 251 hours for a full calendar month. A total of 176 consecutive procedures were performed. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation between number of operating hours, cases per hour, utilisation percentages and income generated. Results: There was no correlation between percentage theatre utilisation and income ( R2=0.0191, p=0.82). No relationship was identified between percentage theatre utilisation and total number of cases performed ( R2=0.0001, p=0.99). Although there appeared to be a positive correlation between the number of cases performed and income generated, this was not statistically significant ( R2=0.725, p=0.067). Furthermore, there was no association between the number of cases performed per hour and income generated ( R2=0.3184, p=0.32). Conclusion: Our data identifies no correlation between percentage theatre utilisation, income generated and number of cases performed. Utilisation percentages are not a reliable performance indicator when used in isolation, and therefore should be used as part of a more global picture when assessing cost effectiveness and efficiency performance.

A spatial agent-based model for assessing strategies of adaptation to climate and tourism demand changes in an alpine tourism destination

A vast body of literature suggests that the European Alpine Region is amongst the most sensitive socio-ecosystems to climate change impacts. Our model represents the winter tourism socio-ecosystem of Auronzo di Cadore, located in the Dolomites (Italy), which economic and environmental conditions are highly vulnerable to climate variations. This agent-based model includes eight types of agents corresponding to different winter tourist profiles based on their socio-economic background and activity targets. The model is calibrated with empirical data while results are authenticated through direct interaction of local stakeholders with the model. The model is then used for assessing three hypothetical and contrasted infrastructure-oriented adaptation strategies for the winter tourism industry, that have been previously discussed with local stakeholders, as possible alternatives to the “business-as-usual” situation. These strategies are tested against multiple future scenarios that include: (a) future weather conditions in terms of snow cover and temperature, (b) the future composition and total number of tourists and (c) the type of market competition. A set of socio-economic indicators, which are strongly coupled with relevant environmental consequences, are considered in order to draw conclusions on the robustness of the selected strategies.

The Proposed Heating and Cooling System in the CH2 Building and Its Impact on Occupant Productivity

Melbourne's climatic conditions demand that its buildings require both heating and cooling systems. In a multi-storey office building , however, cooling requirements will dominate. How the internal space is cooled and ventilation air is delivered will significantly impact on occupant comfort. This paper discusses the heating and cooling systems proposed for the CH2building. The paper critiques the proposed systems against previous experience, both internationally and in Australia. While the heating system employs proven technologies, less established techniques are proposed for the cooling system. Air movement in the shower towers, for example, is to be naturally induced and this has not always been successful elsewhere. Phase change material for storage of "coolth" does not appear to have been demonstrated previously in a commercial building, so the effectiveness of the proposed system is uncertain. A conventional absorption chiller backs up the untried elements of the cooling system, so that ultimately occupant comfort should not be compromised .

Climate change, tourism and water resources in the Mediterranean

Purpose– This paper aims to present and discuss some quantitative results obtained in assessing the economic impact of variations in tourism flows, induced by climate change, for some Mediterranean countries.Design/methodology/approach– Estimates by a regional climate model are used to build a tourism climate index, which indicates the suitability of climate, in certain locations, for general outdoor activities. As climate change is expected to affect a number of variables like temperature, wind and precipitation, it will have consequences on the degree of attractiveness of touristic destinations. The authors estimate the macroeconomic consequences of changing tourism flows by means of a computable general equilibrium model.Findings– The authors found that more incoming tourists will increase income and welfare, but this phenomenon will also induce a change in the productive structure, with a decline in agriculture and manufacturing, partially compensated by an expansion of service industries. The authors found that, in most countries, the decline in agriculture entails a lower demand for water, counteracting the additional demand for water coming from tourists and bringing about a lower water consumption overall.Research limitations/implications– A great deal of uncertainty affects, in particular: estimates of future climate conditions, especially for variables different from temperature, the relationship between climate and tourist demand, and its interaction with socio-economic variables. This also depends on the reliability of the TCI index as an indicator of climate suitability for tourism, on its application to spatially and temporally aggregated data, on the degree of responsiveness of tourism demand to variations in the TCI. Furthermore, as the authors followed here a single region approach, the authors were not able to consider in the estimates the impact of climate change on the global tourism industry. Nonetheless, the authors believe that a quantitative analysis like the one presented here is not without scope. First, it provides an order of magnitude for the impact of climate change on tourism and the national economy. Second, it allows to assess systemic and second-order effects, which are especially relevant in this context and, moreover, appear to be sufficiently robust to alternative model specifications. In other words, the value added of this study does not lie in the specific figures obtained by numerical computations, but on the broader picture emerging from the overall exercise.Originality/value– To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in which, by assessing higher tourism attractiveness into a general equilibrium framework, the effect described above is detected and highlighted.

Predicting the distribution of the two bark beetlesTomicus destruensandTomicus piniperdain Europe and the Mediterranean region

Various factors such as climate and resource availability influence the geographical distributions of organisms. Species sensitive to small temperature variations are known to experience rapid distribution shifts as a result of current global warming, sometimes leading to new threats to agriculture and forests.Tomicus piniperdaandTomicus destruens(Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) cause economic damage to pines in Europe and around the Mediterranean Basin. However, their respective potential distributions have not yet been studied at a large scale. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of climatic and host factors on the geographical distributions of bothTomicusspecies in Europe and around the Mediterranean Sea, and to establish maps of suitable areas.Using 114 published localities where the presence or absence of both species was unambiguously recorded, we gathered WorldClim meteorological records to correlate the occurrence of insects with bioclimatic variables and to build potential distribution maps.The two studiedTomicusspecies presented parapatric distributions and opposite climate demands, withT. destruensoccurring in locations with warmer temperatures, whereasT. piniperdaoccurs under a colder climate. Amongst the investigated climate variables, temperature appeared to be most correlated with both species distributions.The potential ranges of both species were further restricted by the availability of pine hosts. It appeared that setting new pine plantations in regions whereT. destruensorT. piniperdaare still absent could favour a rapid expansion of their distributions. Our data will be useful when aiming to apply management strategies adapted to each species, and to forecast their potential range expansions/contractions as a result of climate warming.

Evaluation of the Potential of Large Solar Heating Plants in Spain

An evaluation of Central Solar Heating Plants with Seasonal Storage in Spain has been performed with dynamic simulations built on TRNSYS. The model has been designed for several Spanish cities that are representative of the different climatic areas with a significant demand of thermal energy for heating. The system should cover the heating demand of 1000 apartments of 100 m2 in multifamily buildings with similar features, providing a solar fraction of about 50% without wasting solar heat in summer and without oversizing the seasonal storage tank. Climatic and specific demand data for each city have been used. The model simulates the solar collector field, pipe lines, heat exchangers, a seasonal storage tank, pumps, auxiliary boiler and auxiliary pieces of equipment needed in the model. The obtained results show that CSHPSS with a solar fraction of about 50% require in the case of Spain a relatively small Ratio Area of solar collectors versus heating Demand and a high Ratio of seasonal storage tank Volume versus solar collector Area. The estimated cost of the heat produced in CSHPSS with a solar fraction of 50% can be competitive with the heat cost of domestic heat boilers, which is a very common solution for heating in residential buildings in Spain. The obtained results show that CSHPSS represent an interesting and promising alternative for covering the heating demand in residential buildings in Spain.

Ecofisiologia do amendoim

The peanut is the fourth most grown oilseed in the world. Grown in tropical regions in the wide range of latitude between 30 ° N and S in temperate countries like the United States. The climate needs depends on the stage of development of culture. Plants have indeterminate growth habit, occurring at the same time vegetative and reproductive development. At the beginning of the flowering, the demand for nutritional and environmental conditions is high, because many events are occurring in the plant, such as production of leaves, flowers, roots, pegs, pegs penetration in the soil and the pods development. The climatic and nutritional needs must be met during the cycle. However, from the beginning of the flowering, the peanut crop has a high nutrient demand, and to achieve high yields it is necessary that the environmental conditions, nutrient supply and management are adequate. The plant is not influenced by photoperiod and the light is not limiting factor. The time of sowing is one of the main factors responsible for getting the climate demands of the plants.

Adding more years to the work careers of an aging workforce – what works?

Adding more years to the work careers of an aging workforce – what works?

Prediction of the energy balance and milk production of grazing cows in the Azores for autumn and spring calving

The climatic energy demand (CED) of cattle was modelled for Azores climate conditions. A deterministic model of the bioenergetic system of lactating and pregnant cows (TERCOW) was used to predict the energy balance and milk production of grazing cows for 3 classes of maternal live weight (400, 550 and 620 kg), respectively with 4000 kg, 5300 kg and 7000 kg milk production, for two calving periods (autumn and spring). Model simulations considered diets based on fresh grass supplemented, or not, with grass silage and commercial concentrate in accordance with the availability of grass in the pasture, the animal energy requirements and the case studies (Autumn calving, AC: a) grass, grass silage and barley; b) grass and maize silage; c) grass, grass silage and concentrate; d) grass, maize silage and concentrate; Spring calving, SC: e) grass; f) grass and barley; g) grass, maize silage and concentrate). It was concluded that thermoneutral heat production was higher than the CED all year-round in all weight classes studied and for autumn and spring calving. Under Azores production conditions it was possible to sustain the milk production target of 4000 kg with 400 kg live weight cows feeding grass only. Spring calving may have economic advantages in relation to autumn calving. Production costs can be 0.01 € kg −1 milk lower than those obtained with autumn calving, but economic benefits are masked by the seasonal differences in the milk price paid by local cooperatives.

Teledialysis: new service technology

Journal of Renal NursingVol. 3, No. 3 Green CampaignTeledialysis: new service technologyTara Collidge, Bruce Honeyman, Susan Stewart, Anne Allan, Lynn Robinson, Rob Brown, Mary Wakeling, David Heaney, Robert PeelTara CollidgeSearch for more papers by this author, Bruce HoneymanSearch for more papers by this author, Susan StewartSearch for more papers by this author, Anne AllanSearch for more papers by this author, Lynn RobinsonSearch for more papers by this author, Rob BrownSearch for more papers by this author, Mary WakelingSearch for more papers by this author, David HeaneySearch for more papers by this author, Robert PeelSearch for more papers by this authorTara Collidge; Bruce Honeyman; Susan Stewart; Anne Allan; Lynn Robinson; Rob Brown; Mary Wakeling; David Heaney; Robert PeelPublished Online:29 Sep 2013https://doi.org/10.12968/jorn.2011.3.3.150AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 1 May 2011Volume 3Issue 3ISSN (print): 2041-1448ISSN (online): 2052-2894 Metrics History Published online 29 September 2013 Published in print 1 May 2011 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Is selective thinning an adequate practice for adapting Quercus ilex coppices to climate change?

Future climatic scenarios demand an increasing involvement of management for forest preservation, but little is known on how forestry practices will benefit stands in facing variation of climatic components. We investigated how selective thinning affected the response of an old Quercus ilex coppice to 6 years of throughfall reduction. Plots thinned from below (≈30% basal area removal) and unthinned plots were subject to either throughfall exclusion (TE; ≈33% throughfall reduction) or normal rainfall. Stem diameter growth, stem survival, and seed and sprout production were measured. TE did not have a significant effect on stem growth but it reduced the production of viable acorns. Also, in the absence of thinning, TE accelerated the mortality of small stems and stimulated the emergence of new sprouts. Thinning reduced stem mortality, enhanced growth of residual stems, and caused a profuse emission of resprouts. Thinning also increased total seed production, but the crop had a large proportion of aborted seeds, especially in those areas subject to TE. The mere elimination of suppressed and diseased stems in abandoned Q. ilex coppice stands helps remaining trees to cope with current and future (probably longer and more intense) droughts. Potentially drier conditions might attenuate the success of thinning in producing a viable seed crop.

Testing the Work Environment Hypothesis of Bullying on a Group Level of Analysis: Psychosocial Factors as Precursors of Observed Workplace Bullying

The present paper scrutinises the work environment hypothesis of bullying by examining relationships between psychosocial factors at work and bullying within departments on a group level of analysis, as compared to the many studies executed on an individual level of analysis. Relationships between quantitative demands, job control, role demands, leadership behaviour and social climate, and observed bullying were studied in a convenience sample consisting of 276 departments with a total of 4,064 respondents. Between‐group bivariate correlations showed relatively strong relationships (r > .52) between the predictors social climate, leadership behaviour, and role demands, respectively, and observed bullying in the department. A two‐factor higher‐level model was formulated for the independent variables yielding two latent factors reflecting an interpersonal domain and a task‐oriented domain, where the former was strongly associated with observed bullying at a group level of analysis (Beta =−.73), while the last factor yielded an insignificant contribution. The results confirm that a poor social work environment exists within departments in which bullying takes place, hence, yielding further support to the work environment hypothesis. In line with the present results, future studies on workplace bullying should include a group level of analysis.

Soil surface moisture estimation over a semi-arid region using ENVISAT ASAR radar data for soil evaporation evaluation

Abstract. The present paper proposes a method for the evaluation of soil evaporation, using soil moisture estimations based on radar satellite measurements. We present firstly an approach for the estimation and monitoring of soil moisture in a semi-arid region in North Africa, using ENVISAT ASAR images, over two types of vegetation covers. The first mapping process is dedicated solely to the monitoring of moisture variability related to rainfall events, over areas in the "non-irrigated olive tree" class of land use. The developed approach is based on a simple linear relationship between soil moisture and the backscattered radar signal normalised at a reference incidence angle. The second process is proposed over wheat fields, using an analysis of moisture variability due to both rainfall and irrigation. A semi-empirical model, based on the water-cloud model for vegetation correction, is used to retrieve soil moisture from the radar signal. Moisture mapping is carried out over wheat fields, showing high variability between irrigated and non-irrigated wheat covers. This analysis is based on a large database, including both ENVISAT ASAR and simultaneously acquired ground-truth measurements (moisture, vegetation, roughness), during the 2008–2009 vegetation cycle. Finally, a semi-empirical approach is proposed in order to relate surface moisture to the difference between soil evaporation and the climate demand, as defined by the potential evaporation. Mapping of the soil evaporation is proposed.

Crop Reference Evapotranspiration: A Discussion of the Concept, Analysis of the Process and Validation

The study at first recalls the concept of “potential evapotranspiration” (PET), originally considered equal to the evaporation climatic demand; then, it reminds the steps of its progressive evolution toward the concept of “reference crop evapotranspiration” (ET0) determined on irrigated grass. A physical analysis conducted on the evaporation process is subsequently reported to help clarifying the links between ET0 and evaporation climatic demand. This analysis clearly demonstrates that the equivalence of ET0 to evaporation climatic demand is not correct, although still common assumption in recent scientific literature, particularly in hydrology. The study also identifies two processes acting in opposite directions in the dynamics of ET0: (1) the climatic variables determining the evaporation demand, and (2) the canopy resistance which slows down the response of irrigated grass to such demand. The analysis of the respective impact of these two processes on ET0 dynamics shows that the available energy is the dominant process. This variable takes into account the 60–70% of the variation of ET0, both at hourly and daily scales, while canopy resistance only explains 10–20% of ET0 variation of irrigated grass. The study regards different climatic situations. Possible effects on practical applications were also discussed in the conclusions, together with comments on the correct canopy resistance modelling.

Magnaporthe oryzae , the blast pathogen: current status and options for its control.

Abstract Blast disease is one of the major constraints for food production in the world, affecting many crops of agricultural importance. Wheat blast, since it was first report in the mid-1980s, has been responsible for considerable damage on the wheat fields in several South American countries such as Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Rice blast disease has often been considered as a model for studies on plant-pathogen interactions. Loss of the avirulence gene AVR-CO39 and mutations on the AVR-Pita are significant examples associated with this interaction. The first example is related to the adaptation of Magnaporthe oryzae to the rice crop and the second to the breakdown in cultivar resistance. A large number of genes (about 80 so far) with complete resistance to rice blast have been described, and 13 of them have been cloned. These results, involving avirulence and resistance genes, are important for understanding the biological mechanisms of interaction between pathogen and host, in considering finding strategies to control the disease. There is great concern about the potential spread of the wheat blast pathogen to locations where this disease does not currently occur. There are some wheat-producing regions in the world where wheat blast has not been reported so far, but which have climatic conditions very similar to the regions in South America where wheat blast attacks quite frequently. This situation, in a scenario of climate change, is concerning and demands research action.

Influence of sorption isotherm hysteresis effect on indoor climate and energy demand for heating

Abstract In order to investigate the effects of sorption isotherm hysteresis on indoor climate and energy demand, a new module for precise representation of mass transfer in materials in contact with indoor air, called Humi-mur, was developed and implemented in the energy performance simulation tool, TRNSYS. This extended whole-building HAM (Heat–Air–Moisture) simulation tool was then used to investigate the impact of the moisture-buffering effect on indoor conditions in a room. Two modelling approaches were compared: including/excluding moisture-buffering effect and including/excluding hysteresis in sorption isotherm. In addition, two ventilation strategies were used: constant airflow ventilation (CAV) and relative humidity sensitive ventilation (RHS). The simulation showed that for the CAV system, the use of moisture-buffering materials did not change energy demand but improved the indoor conditions. For the RHS ventilation system, the use of the buffering materials led to a higher energy demand, but the indoor relative humidity comfort was significantly improved. The results also showed that hysteresis of the sorption isotherm impacts on indoor conditions, even if the effect is smaller for the studied material than the average moisture-buffering effect.

Predicting regime shifts in flow of the Colorado River

The effects of continued global warming on water resources are a concern for water managers and stake holders. In the western United States, where the combined climatic demand and consumptive use of water is equal to or greater than the natural supply of water for some locations, there is growing concern regarding the sustainability of future water supplies. In addition to the adverse effects of warming on water supply, another issue for water managers is accounting for, and managing, the effects of natural climatic variability, particularly persistently dry and wet periods. Analyses of paleo‐reconstructions of Upper Colorado River basin (UCRB) flow demonstrate that severe sustained droughts, and persistent pluvial periods, are a recurring characteristic of hydroclimate in the Colorado River basin. Shifts between persistently dry and wet regimes (e.g., decadal to multi‐decadal variability (D2M)) have important implications for water supply and water management. In this study paleo‐reconstructions of UCRB flow are used to compute the risks of shifts between persistently wet and dry regimes given the length of time in a specific regime. Results indicate that low frequency variability of hydro‐climatic conditions and the statistics that describe this low frequency variability can be useful to water managers by providing information about the risk of shifting from one hydrologic regime to another. To manage water resources in the future water managers will have to understand the joint hydrologic effects of natural climate variability and global warming. These joint effects may produce future hydrologic conditions that are unprecedented in both the instrumental and paleoclimatic records.

The role of primary care in managing chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common, harmful, and treatable. CKD is now recognised as a public health problem because of its association and interactions with other vascular diseases. Primary care has a pivotal role in educating the public, alongside early identification and integrated management of CKD. Times of crisis offer the best environment and opportunities to change what we do for the better. At the very least, the current financial climate demands improved quality of care for the same money. The NHS has traditionally been poor at measuring quality, yet it is essential to know whether what we do adds value or not, and how to maximise implementation of best practice. Epidemiological studies suggest that up to 10% of the population have CKD1 but some clinicians question the impact and significance of diagnosing a patient with CKD, particularly as the concept of CKD is relatively new and patients with early disease are often asymptomatic. Even individuals with modest reductions in kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m2; CKD Stage 3B), have adjusted hazard ratios for death of 1.8 and are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular events.2 Furthermore, this independent association of CKD with adverse outcomes is graduated, worsening with severity of kidney impairment. Identifying and appropriately managing the 6 million people with CKD in the UK offers real opportunities to improve vascular care, achieve …

Relating energy performance and water productivity of sprinkler irrigated maize, wheat and sunflower under limited water availability

The energy potential of a crop may be evaluated through life cycle assessment methodologies. These refer to the computation of the crop’s energy balance and related indicators, such as the energy efficiency. This study concerns sprinkler irrigated sunflower, wheat and maize crops using data relative to the campaign of 2008. It is applied to selected farms in the Vigia Irrigation District, Alentejo, using pressurised water distribution systems. A model was developed and various scenarios were considered in order to assess the impacts on the crops’ energy balance of (1) full and deficit irrigation, (2) climatic demand scenarios, and (3) upgrading irrigation systems performance. The model allows the energy efficiency and the energy balance of the three referred crops using centre-pivot and solid set sprinkler systems to be computed. The different irrigation scenarios and crop yield thresholds were defined in a previous study ( Rodrigues & Pereira, 2009 ). The modelling results lead to the conclusion that the maize crop is the most efficient in producing energy and wheat is the least for all the alternative scenarios considered. The results of full irrigation scenarios present higher energy performance than deficit irrigation because it depends greatly on the yields achieved. Weak relationships were found when relating energy efficiency and water productivity (WP) because while the first mainly depends upon yields, the second is highly influenced by water use. Results also show that improving irrigation systems performance has little impact on energy performance, which contrasts with WP.