Global Increase Research Articles

Tropospheric and Stratospheric Ozone: Scientific History and Shifts in Early Perspectives Regarding the Impact on Human Health

This publication aimed at the revision of scientific publications on the discovery of ozone, tracing its scientific history and how the early perspectives of the beneficial ozone impact on respiratory diseases and how they shifted with advancements in scientific knowledge: once considered a health index, ozone is now recognized as an atmospheric pollutant with detrimental effects on human health. The global increase in tropospheric ozone exposure, along with the associated rise in morbidity and mortality, highlights the urgent need to reduce emissions of ozone precursors to protect public health. Given the large at-risk population, tropospheric ozone exposure poses a significant public health concern. To address this, it is crucial to implement strategies that mitigate the harmful effects of tropospheric ozone, especially for vulnerable individuals. If these measures are not effectively implemented, a worsening of health impacts can be expected. The October 2024 update on stratospheric ozone recovery reveals its fragility and erratic behaviour, underscoring the need for continued and stringent control measures to protect human health. To our knowledge, no prior publications have addressed such a comprehensive time frame as we have in this study.

Quantifying the impact of global nitrate aerosol on tropospheric composition fields and its production from lightning NOx

Abstract. Several global modelling studies have explored the effects of lightning-generated nitrogen oxides (LNOx) on gas-phase chemistry and atmospheric radiative transfer, but few have quantified LNOx's impact on aerosol, particularly when nitrate aerosol is included. This study addresses two key questions: (1) how does including nitrate aerosol affect properties such as tropospheric composition, and (2) how do these effects depend on lightning parameterisation and LNOx levels? Using the Met Office's Unified Model–United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosol (UM–UKCA) global chemistry–climate model, which now includes a modal nitrate aerosol scheme, we investigate these effects with two lightning-flash-rate parameterisations. Our findings show that both nitrate aerosol and LNOx significantly impact tropospheric composition and aerosol responses. Including nitrate aerosol reduces global mean tropospheric OH by 5 %, decreases the tropospheric ozone burden by 4 %–5 %, increases methane lifetime by a similar amount, and alters the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) net downward radiative flux by −0.4 W m−2. The inclusion of nitrate also shifts the aerosol size distribution, particularly in the Aitken and accumulation modes. A 5.2 Tg N yr−1 increase in LNOx from a zero baseline results in global aerosol increases of 2.8 % in NH4, 4.7 % in fine NO3, 12 % in coarse NO3, and 5.8 % in SO4 mass burdens. This much LNOx increase causes relatively small positive changes in aerosol optical depth, TOA radiative flux, and cloud droplet number concentration compared to when nitrate is included. The results, based on a fast uptake rate for HNO3 to produce NH4NO3, likely represent an upper limit on nitrate effects.

A Survey on the Use and Acceptability of Smartphones for Nursing Education in Nigeria

Background: The global exponential increase in technology has resulted in smartphones being used for learning in low resource settings. Objectives: To investigate the use and acceptability of smartphones in nursing education in Nigeria. Design and Setting: Cross sectional descriptive survey design. Five nursing education institutions in Southwest Nigeria were included in the study. Participants: Nursing students in the setting were included (N = 1388), with a sample of 462 (university students: n = 354; college students: n = 108), allowing for an attrition rate of 10%. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire with two valid and reliable scales was used to measure use, acceptance, perceived ease of use and usefulness, attitudes, and challenges of using smartphones for educational purposes. Results: In the 451 respondents (97.6% response rate), the mean age was 21.31 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.59) years; most were female (389, 86.3%). Smartphones were common (422, 94.2%) and most (367, 81.4%) reported using their smartphone daily for educational purposes. High levels of smartphone acceptance with high ratings for perceived usefulness (M = 3.38, SD = 0.44), ease of use (M = 3.10, SD = 0.56) were reported with mixed attitudes (M = 2.75, SD = 0.35). Most of the respondents (428, 94.9%) found it useful for learning, but suitability of mobile content, unstable Internet, and data costs were barriers. Conclusion: Smartphones have emerged as unintended grassroots academic tools for learning in low resource settings, but challenges remain in terms of the appropriateness of educational learning material and costs.

Soil is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and climate change

Abstract. It is unequivocal that human activities have increased emissions of greenhouse gases, that this is causing warming, and that these changes will be irreversible for centuries to millennia. Whilst previous studies have broadly examined the contribution of agriculture or land use change to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, the contribution of soil itself remains unclear, with quantifying the contribution of soil in this regard being critical for developing and implementing appropriate management practices. In the present study, we used previously published datasets for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane to determine soil-based emissions of greenhouse gases and their contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. We show that our near-complete reliance on soil to produce the rapidly increasing quantities of food being demanded by humans has caused soil to release profound amounts of greenhouse gases that are threatening the future climate. Indeed, net anthropogenic emissions from soil alone account for 15 % of the entire global increase in climate warming (radiative forcing) caused by well-mixed greenhouse gases, with carbon dioxide being the most important gas emitted from soil (74 % of total soil-derived warming), followed by nitrous oxide (17 %) and methane (9 %). There is an urgent need to prevent further land use change (including for biofuel production) to limit the release of carbon dioxide that results from the loss of soil organic carbon, to develop strategies to increase nitrogen fertilizer efficiency in order to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, to decrease methane from rice paddies, and to ensure that the widespread thawing of permafrost is avoided. Innovative approaches are urgently required for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from soil if we are to limit global warming to 1.5 or 2.0 °C.

Phenotypic upregulation of hexocylceramides and ether-linked phosphocholines as markers of human extreme longevity.

Centenarians and their relatives possess a notable survival advantage, with higher longevity and reduced susceptibility to major age-related diseases. To date, characteristic omics profiles of centenarians have been described, demonstrating that these individuals with exceptional longevity regulate their metabolism to adapt and incorporate more resilient biomolecules into their cells. Among these adaptations, the lipidomic profile stands out. However, it has not yet been determined whether this lipidomic profile is specific to centenarians or is the consequence of extreme longevity genetics and is also present in centenarians' offspring. This distinction is crucial for defining potential therapeutic targets that could help delay the aging process and associated pathologies. We applied mass-spectrometry-based techniques to quantify 569 lipid species in plasma samples from 39 centenarians, 63 centenarians' offspring, and 69 noncentenarians' offspring without familial connections. Based on this profile, we calculated different indexes to characterize the functional and structural properties of plasma lipidome. Our findings demonstrate that extreme longevity genetics (centenarians and centenarians' offspring) determines a specific lipidomic signature characterized by (i) an enrichment of hexosylceramides, (ii) a decrease of specific species of ceramides and sulfatides, (iii) a global increase of ether-PC and ether-LPC, and (iv) changes in the fluidity and diversity of specific lipid classes. We point out the conversion of ceramides to hexosylceramides and the maintenance of the levels of the ether-linked PC as a phenotypic trait to guarantee extreme longevity. We propose that this molecular signature is the result of an intrinsic adaptive program that preserves protective mechanisms and cellular identity.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Commensal Escherichia coli Isolates from Chickens in Hungarian Poultry Farms Between 2022 and 2023

Background: Widespread use of antibiotics has led to a global increase in resistance. The Escherichia coli bacterium is a facultative pathogen that often develops antibiotic resistance and is easily transmitted, not only in animal health but also in public health. Within the poultry sector, domestic fowl is widespread and one of the most dynamically growing sectors, which is why regular, extensive monitoring is crucial. Among economically important livestock, poultry as a major source of animal protein for humans is a frequent carrier of Escherichia coli, also with sporadically detected clinical disease. Methods: Our research evaluates the susceptibility of commensal Escherichia coli strains, isolated from large domestic fowl flocks in Hungary, to antibiotics of animal and public health importance, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration value. Results: A total of 410 isolates were tested, with the highest level of resistance being found for florfenicol (62.7%). Particularly alarming are the resistance rates to enrofloxacin (52.9%), colistin (30.7%), and ceftriaxone (23.9%). We also found a resistance of 56.1% to amoxicillin and 22.2% to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, which suggests that the majority of strains are β-lactamase-producing. When compared with the national human resistance data, we found with similar values for amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, but the resistance rates of aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and potency sulfonamide were worse in animal health. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results suggest that periodic surveys should be carried out and that long-term trends can be established that allow the monitoring of resistance patterns over time. For multidrug-resistant strains, new generation sequencing can be used to investigate the genetic background of resistance.

Atrial fibrillation and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia: Relationships, potential mechanisms, and current therapies

Atrial fibrillation (AF), cognitive impairment, and dementia are significant health concerns. The prevalence and incidence of AF have been increasing and are expected to increase continuously in the future. In recent years, emerging evidence has indicated that AF, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia are associated with one another. Given the global increase in individuals who are at risk for AF, a greater focus is needed on the primary and secondary prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia in high-risk groups. Although earlier studies hypothesized that ischemic stroke is the main cause of cognitive impairment and dementia in patients with AF, recent studies have demonstrated that AF may contribute to cognitive impairment in the absence of stroke through other mechanisms. To date, various pathomechanisms have been proposed to explain the association between AF and cognitive decline, including overt ischemic stroke, silent cerebral infarctions, impaired cerebrovascular reactivity, decreased cerebral blood perfusion, neuroinflammation, microbleeds, and shared risk factors. However, a complete understanding of these mechanisms remains elusive. In addition, whether treatments targeting AF, including anticoagulation and rhythm control strategies, can avert cognitive decline and dementia has great clinical implications. To pave the way for targeted effective interventions for cognitive protection, we provide an overview of the association between AF and cognitive impairment and the potential mechanisms underlying this association. In addition, the effectiveness of AF-related treatment strategies, including anticoagulation, sinus rhythm restoration through elective cardioversion and catheter ablation, for cognitive protection in patients with AF is also discussed in this review.

The effects of green technology and globalization on energy demand in emerging economies

Preserving energy security and promoting sustainable development in the face of globalization constitute essential challenges. Hence, this study focuses on how green technology innovation (GRTI) and globalization (GLOB) influence renewable (RE) and non-renewable (NRE) energy demand, employing panel data from 15 emerging nations from 1990 to 2023. The study discloses major insights employing several panel data approaches to tackle cross-sectional dependency, slope heterogeneity, and structural breaks in cointegration. The results indicate that a 1% change in GRTI leads to a 0.13% rise in REN at a 1% significance level, whereas its impact on NRE is negligible, reducing it by 0.01% in the long run. Conversely, a 1% increase in GLOB leads to an insignificant 2.62% rise in REN and a significant 1.02% increase in NRE at the 5% significance level. Besides, in terms of aggregate energy consumption, GRTI has an unfavorable impact, whereas GLOB holds a positive impact. Notably, the interaction between regulatory quality (REQ) and IVA implies a substantial fall, although the interaction between GLOB and REQ remains promising for aggregate energy demand. Finally, the COVID-19 epidemic markedly enhanced environmental awareness and energy-saving behaviors beyond the explanatory variables. Policies should encourage green technology innovation and prudent globalization to conserve energy demand.

Using mercury and lead stable isotopes to assess mercury, lead, and trace metal source contributions to Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

Great Salt Lake is a critical habitat for migratory birds that is threatened by elevated metal concentrations, including mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb), and is subject to severe hydrologic changes, such as declining lake level. When assessing metal profiles recorded in Great Salt Lake sediment, a large data gap exists regarding the sources of metals within the system, which is complicated by various source inputs to the lake and complex biogeochemistry. Here, we leverage Hg and Pb stable isotopes to track relative changes in metal source contributions to Great Salt Lake over time. Mercury and Pb concentrations increase in sediments deposited after 1920 and peak between 1965 and 1995, following closure of several local smelters and the onset of increased emission controls. The nominal associations above are confirmed via Hg stable isotopes in pre-1920 background sediments, which reflect atmospheric inputs from regional and global origin, whereas Hg and Pb stable isotopes together indicate that elevated metal concentrations in mid-late 20th century sediments reflect increased mining/smelting inputs. The observed minimal rebound towards pre-1920 Pb isotope signatures in 21st century sediments indicates that mining/smelting inputs, though reduced, remain a primary source of Pb to Great Salt Lake. In contrast, the more pronounced rebound of Hg stable isotope signatures to pre-1920 values indicate a greater contribution of atmospheric inputs of regional/global origin to current Hg inputs, though Hg concentrations are ~10 times greater than pre-1920 background values due to global increases in atmospheric Hg concentrations or possibly slow recovery from local contamination. The importance of regional/global Hg sources to the system suggests that reductions in Hg bioaccumulation in the open water food webs of Great Salt Lake are more dependent on national and global reductions in Hg emissions and management strategies to limit methylmercury production within system. This work highlights the utility of using coupled Hg and Pb stable isotope values to assess trace metal pollution sources and pathways in aquatic systems.

Vulnerability of Global Pine Forestry's Carbon Sink to an Invasive Pathogen-Vector System.

The substantial contribution of northern forest growth to the global increase of biomass carbon stock is well documented. However, the ecological consequences of pest- and disease-related losses in these forests have not received comparable attention. This study highlights that pine species are major contributors to carbon stocks in Northern Hemisphere. The total carbon storage of Pinus in the Northern Hemisphere was estimated at 70,726 teragrams of carbon (TgC; 17.7% of the total forest carbon 478,012 TgC), accounting for 4.9%, 28.4%, and 12.5% of the total carbon storage in the forests of Asia, Europe, and North America, respectively. However, pine trees were under threat from an invasive complex involving the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and Japanese pine sawyer beetle (Monochamus spp.). Since 1977, this complex resulted in a carbon sink deficit of 1857 TgC (18% of the carbon currently stored in Europe's live tree biomass) in northern pine ecosystems. The carbon losses attributed to B. xylophilus exceeded those caused by wildfires, which are typically regarded as the primary factor of forest disturbances. Furthermore, the contributions of environmental variables indicate that the expected northward shift in precipitation patterns will exacerbate B. xylophilus threats, endangering 78% of the boreal forests across Eurasia by 2100. Among these high-risk areas, 62% contributed significantly to global carbon sink, and 42% was protected forests. Following the present trend, carbon losses caused by the B. xylophilus complex could exceed 39% of the total carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems. This study provides comprehensive datasets that detail the global distribution and high-risk habitats of pine species and B. xylophilus vector beetles in affected countries. Our findings underscore the substantial risk of carbon losses posed by B. xylophilus to northern pine forests, with potential implications for global carbon dynamics and the achievement of international goals related to "carbon peak" and "carbon neutrality."

Impact of caesarean scar defects on the success of assisted human reproduction: the NICHE-ART prospective French cohort study protocol

BackgroundThe global increase in caesarean sections (CS), currently at 21.1% of all deliveries, has led to a rise in uterine scar defects, or ‘niches’, at the hysterotomy site. These niches,...

The role of motivational interviewing in the management of obesity in adults

Introduction: The last 50 years have seen a significant global increase in the obesity rate. The prevalence of excess weight gain has doubled worldwide since 2000 and approximately one-third of the world's population is obese or overweight. Purpose: To identify the role of motivational interviewing in the management of obesity in adults. Methodology: This narrative review was based on the bibliographic search of reviews and research studies drawn from international databases. The exclusion criterion of the articles was the language other than English and Greek. Results: There is evidence for the effectiveness of family-based behavioral treatment for controlling weight and improving health outcomes. Obesity-related health risks have been documented such as metabolic syndrome. The importance of dietary prevention is also a major modifiable factor in cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. One of the most prevalent health-related behavior modification models is Motivational Interviewing which is a patient-centered communication style that uses specific methods such as reflective listening, autonomy support, shared decision-making, and eliciting change talk. Conclusion: Recent studies support the use of motivational Interviewing for weight loss in primary care.

Simulation of modern and future climate by INM-CM6M

Abstract The paper considers the results of climate change modelling for 1850–2100 using the INM-CM6M climate model of the Marchuk Institute of Numerical Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The calculations were performed according to the CMIP6 protocol for modelling the present-day climate for the period from 1850 to 2014 and the IPCC scenarios SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 of anthropogenic forcing changes in 2015–2100. We analyse changes in such characteristics of the climate system as global mean near-surface temperature, spatial distributions of near-surface temperature, precipitation, sea level pressure, and radiative forcing characteristics in comparison with observational data and results obtained with the previous (INM-CM5) version of the model. We conclude that the new version of the model is superior to the previous one in terms of the quality of simulation of the observed climate and its changes in 1960–2022. The amplitude of global warming predicted by the INM-CM6M for moderate IPCC scenarios is close to the average value of the CMIP6 model ensemble, and for severe scenarios it is closer to the upper limit of its range. For the SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, INM-CM6M predicts a complete loss of Arctic sea ice in summer. As the rate of global warming increases, so does the amplitude and duration of extreme weather and climate events.

Basin-scale spatio-temporal development of glacial lakes in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalayas

Glacial lakes are expanding exponentially in the cryospheric environment of the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalayas (HKH). Rapid glacier melting due to an above mean global annual temperature increase in HKH is attributed as the main reason for the expansion of the glacial lakes. The rapid expansion of glacial lakes increases the risk of future Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) events in the HKH.In the present study, glacial lake inventories for the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra (IGB) river basins in the HKH were generated for 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 using Landsat (TM & OLI) at the sub-basin level to understand the spatio-temporal and regional patterns of glacial lakes dynamics, elevational evolution, and changes in the typology. We mapped 17,641 glacial lakes (area: 1082.57 ± 192.601 km2) in 1990, 18,206 (area: 1120.95 ± 198.49 km2) in 2000, 18,399 (area: 1147.12 ± 201.26 km2) in 2010, and 19,284 (area: 1191.81 ± 209.21 km2) in 2020. Between 1990 and 2020, IGB basins showed an increase of 9.31 % in total number and 10.09 % in total area of glacial lakes. In 2020, the Brahmaputra basin had the maximum total area (area: 763.59 ± 132.14 km2), followed by Indus basin (area: 217.47 ± 43.39 km2) and the Ganga basin (area: 210.74 ± 33.66 km2). However, between 1990 and 2020, glacial lakes in the Ganga basin (n: 22.08 %) had the highest growth rate, followed by the Indus basin (n: 14.73 %) and the Brahmaputra basin (n: 4.41 %). In 2020, 76.11 % of glacial lakes were end-moraine-dammed M(e) lakes, followed by other bedrock-dammed B(o) lakes (16.45 %), supraglacial lakes (2.79 %), lateral moraine-dammed M(l) lakes (2 %), cirque B(c) lakes (1.06 %), other moraine-dammed M(o) lakes (0.38 %), and other glacial (O) lakes (1.18 %). Given the rapid growth of glacial lakes in the region along with their likely flood volumes and damage potential in case of their failures, the present study will be of importance for disaster management authorities, an important input for detection of potentially hazardous glacial lakes and for development of mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of potential future GLOF events.

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists Are Not Associated With an Increased Risk of Ileus or Intestinal Obstruction in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease-A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study.

There is a global increase in the prevalence of obesity, including among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are potential anti-obesity medications due to their weight-lowering effects. However, concerns exist regarding ileus and intestinal obstruction as a severe side effect. This nationwide Danish cohort study evaluates the risk of ileus and intestinal obstruction in patients with IBD receiving GLP-1RAs. Patients with IBD and their exposure to GLP-1RAs were identified using Danish health registries. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios for the risk of ileus and intestinal obstruction adjusted for age at diagnosis of IBD, sex, type of IBD, prior ileus or intestinal obstruction, diabetes status, steroid use, and small bowel or colon surgery. This study found that GLP-1RA exposure was not associated with an increased risk of ileus or intestinal obstruction in patients with IBD. This study suggests that GLP-1RAs do not increase the risk of ileus or intestinal obstruction in patients with IBD.

Nonstationary linkage between summer warmth index and NDVI at high latitudes in Eurasia

Abstract The global increase in vegetation photosynthetic activity under the warming climate, commonly referred to as “greening”, has been a hot topic, especially in the high latitudes. However, in this study, it was found that, within the region of 60°–70°N and 110°–150°E, the interannual relationship between summer NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) and SWI (summer warmth index) changes from being statistically positive in P1 (1982–2010) to statistically negative in P2 (2011–2021). Also, the interannual relationship between summer NDVI and summer soil moisture changes from being negative in P1 to positive in P2. The reason and possible mechanisms were investigated. On the one hand, the atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) has increased significantly in P2 corresponding to the increasing SWI, and the interannual relationship between the VPD and NDVI transforms into a significantly negative one. This is because, when the atmospheric VPD increases, leaf and canopy photosynthetic rates decline owing to stomatal closure, to protect vegetation from losing too much water. Therefore, the interannual relationship between the NDVI and VPD, and in turn the SWI, transforms into a significantly negative one in P2. On the other hand, it was found that the surface evapotranspiration is energy-limited in P1, but then with the decreasing soil moisture content it becomes soil-moisture-limited in P2. As one of the most important components of surface evapotranspiration, vegetation evapotranspiration is also limited by soil moisture. Therefore, the interannual relationship between soil moisture and NDVI becomes significantly positive in P2.

Holographic thermodynamics of a charged AdS black hole with a global monopole

By regarding the Newton constant G N and cosmological constant Λ as variables, in this paper we study the thermodynamics and phase transition of the Reissner-Nordstr öm anti-de Sitter (RN-AdS) black hole with a global monopole within the framework of AdS/CFT correspondence. We find interesting critical phenomena and phase behavior in the (grand) canonical ensembles of fixed ( Q˜,V,C ), ( Φ˜,V,C ) and ( Q˜,V,μ ). When the other parameters are fixed, the free energy decreases with the global monopole increases. In the ( Q˜,V,C ) ensemble, the range of the unstable region decreases with the increase of the global monopole. In the ( Φ˜,V,C ) ensemble, when Φ˜<Φc , the free energy appears as two branches, where the upper and lower branches correspond to low and high entropy, respectively. When ( Q˜,V,μ ) is fixed, a new zero-order phase transition occurs in the high-entropy phase and the low-entropy phase at certain μ-dependent temperatures. When μ increases to a certain value, this zero-order phase transition disappears. This certain value is negatively related to the magnitude of the global monopole. Finally, we find that p−V criticality does not appear with the change of global monopole. Therefore, it is important to note that the CFT states of charged black holes with global monopoles do not correspond to van der Waals fluids. Finally, we find that charged black holes with global monopoles can better reflect thermodynamic phase transitions and critical phenomena under the AdS/CFT correspondence. By adjusting the change of the global monopole, the thermodynamic phase transition will also change.

The Impact of Green Finance and Technological Innovation on Corporate Environmental Performance: Driving Sustainable Energy Transitions

As global sustainability imperatives increase, understanding how green finance policies and technological innovation influence corporate environmental performance has become a relevant issue. This study examines the impact of green finance on corporate environmental practices, particularly focusing on how innovation enhances sustainable energy transitions. A difference-in-differences (DID) approach was employed. This research compares corporate environmental performance before and after the implementation of green finance policies across treated and control groups. This method allows for isolating the effect of green finance by controlling for temporal and individual factors, providing robust insights into policy efficacy. Our findings indicate a statistically significant improvement in environmental performance, particularly among larger, state-owned enterprises in China’s eastern regions. The findings also underscore the moderating role of innovation in optimizing green finance outcomes. Finally, important implications for policymakers aiming to drive corporate sustainability are offered.

Accurate Method for Solar Power Generation Estimation for Different PV (Photovoltaic Panels) Technologies

In 2023, solar photovoltaic energy alone accounted for 75% of the global increase in renewable capacity. Moreover, this natural energy resource is the one that requires the least investment, which makes it accessible to developing countries. Increasing return on investment in these regions requires a particular evaluation of environmental parameters influencing PV systems performance. Higher temperatures decrease PV module efficiency and, as a result, their power output. Additionally, fluctuations in solar irradiance directly impact the energy generated by these systems. Consequently, it is essential for investors to improve accurate predictive models that assess the power generation capacity of photovoltaic systems under local environmental conditions. Therefore, accurate estimation of maximum power generation is then crucial for optimizing photovoltaic (PV) system performances and selecting suitable PV modules for specific climates. In this context, this study presents an experimental comparison of three maximum power prediction methods for four PV module types (amorphous silicon, monocrystalline silicon, micromorphous silicon, and polycrystalline silicon) under real outdoor conditions. Experimental data gathered over the course of a year are analyzed and processed for the four PV technologies. Three different methods taking into account environmental parameters are presented and analyzed. The first estimation method utilizes irradiance as the primary input parameter, while two additional methods incorporate ambient temperature and PV module temperature for enhanced accuracy. The performance of each method is evaluated using standard statistical metrics, including the root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of all three methods, with RMSE values ranging from 1.6 W to 3.8 W and R2 values consistently above 0.95. The most appropriate method for estimating PV power output is determined by the specific type of photovoltaic module and the availability of meteorological parameters. This study provides valuable insights for selecting an appropriate maximum power prediction method and choosing the most suitable PV module for a given climate.

Human CCR4-NOT globally regulates gene expression and is a novel silencer of retrotransposon activation.

CCR4-NOT regulates multiple steps in gene regulation and has been well studied in budding yeast, but much less is known about the human complex. Auxin-induced degradation was used to rapidly deplete the scaffold subunit CNOT1, and CNOT4, to characterize the functions of human CCR4-NOT in gene regulation. Depleting CNOT1 increased RNA levels and caused a widespread decrease in RNA decay. In contrast, CNOT4 depletion only modestly changed steady-state RNA levels and, surprisingly, led to a global acceleration in mRNA decay. Further, depleting either subunit resulted in a global increase in RNA synthesis. In contrast to most of the genome, the transcription of KRAB-Zinc-Finger-protein (KZNFs) genes, especially those on chromosome 19, was repressed. KZNFs are transcriptional repressors of retrotransposable elements (rTEs), and consistent with the decreased KZNFs expression, rTEs, mainly Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINEs), were activated. These data establish CCR4-NOT as a global regulator of gene expression and a novel silencer of rTEs.