Search Results (145)

This study analyzes the provisioning strategy of the European Scops Owl (Otus scops) via continuous video monitoring of a breeding pair in a peri-urban Mediterranean forest in NE Spain (n = 724 deliveries). Invertebrates dominated numerically, with Orthoptera constituting 64.6%. Although vertebrates were scarce (1.8%), they contributed disproportionately to total biomass (20.8%), with rodents alone accounting for 20.3% of delivered energy. Parental effort followed a bimodal nocturnal rhythm, peaking at darkness onset (22:00 h) and before dawn. Crucially, we found a significant predation bias towards female orthopterans (65.6% vs. 34.3%; p < 0.001). While driven by Meconema thalassinum, selection in larger species like Tettigonia viridissima evidences a strategy focused on biomass profitability. Since Ensifera biomass scales allometrically (W $~ L^{2.797}$), selecting females yields disproportionate energetic gains. We also report the systematic removal of ovipositors prior to delivery, a behavior that optimizes intake but renders high-value females undetectable in traditional pellet analyses. These results suggest O. scops exploits artificial light sources (“streetlight traps”) to maximize foraging efficiency. Full article

Degrowth scholars emphasize the importance of the foundational economy (FE) for ‘living well within planetary boundaries’. The foundational economy describes the provision and regulation of everyday goods and services needed for the satisfaction of basic needs, such as housing, care, education, energy, food and mobility. However, there is a lack of conceptual models linking FE production and consumption to biodiversity conservation and restoration. This paper develops an ecological–economic model of ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, and the foundational economy. It embeds FE sectors in the whole economy and provides economic arguments both on the supply side (e.g., economies of scale, scope and density; transaction costs) as well as on the demand side (e.g., trust in institutions; universal basic services; willingness to accept changes) in favor of resource efficiency. Compared to extractive and financialized business models, the FE production has major environmental advantages, especially if connected to public and not-for-profit economic activities. Though FE production is certainly a necessary condition for biodiversity conservation, it is not per se a sufficient strategy. The foundational economy is also embedded in natural processes; thus, respective institutional, legal and economic frameworks are needed to limit the environmental impacts of FE. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common chronic complication of prematurity, associated with significant morbidity. Nutrition is a key modifiable factor influencing lung growth, repair, and overall development. This review summarizes current evidence on nutritional strategies for BPD prevention and management. Methods: Narrative review was conducted with literature search in major databases using relevant keywords. Results: Early nutritional deficits are strongly associated with BPD. Higher early protein (3.5–4 g/kg/day) and energy intake (>60 kcal/kg/day in the first week, with progressive increases) reduce ventilator dependence. Lipids are essential to achieve caloric goals. Fluid restriction may reduce BPD risk but often results in undernutrition. Nutrient density, rather than fluid volume, is critical. Enteral nutrition, particularly mother’s own milk, consistently reduces BPD risk, whereas formula feeding is linked to higher BPD incidence. In established BPD, nutritional requirements are substantially increased. Feeding is frequently complicated by fluid restriction, gastroesophageal reflux, and poor oral coordination. Management strategies include higher energy intake (130–150 kcal/kg/day), adequate protein provision (3.5–4 g/kg/day), and careful use of lipid-based energy sources. Fortified human milk or enriched preterm formulas are essential, with individualized fortification improving growth. Micronutrient support is critical, and long-term follow-up is required, as post-discharge growth remains vulnerable and predicts later outcomes. Conclusions: Nutritional strategies to mitigate BPD should focus on early optimization of protein and energy intake, prioritization of nutrient density and promotion of human milk feeding. Targeted micronutrient support, individualized fortification and multidisciplinary care are essential to improve pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Full article

The recent updates to the Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC) framework in the European energy market, along with new rules for providing manual frequency restoration reserve (mFRR) products in the Nordic Energy Activation Market (EAM), have introduced a finer Market Time Unit (MTU) resolution. These developments underscore the growing importance of flexible assets, such as power-to-hydrogen (PtH) facilities, in delivering system flexibility. However, to successfully participate in such markets, well-designed and accurate bidding strategies are essential. To fulfill this aim, this paper proposes a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model to determine the optimal bidding strategies for a typical PtH facility, accounting for both the technical characteristics of the involved technologies and the specific participation requirements of the mFRR EAM. The study also explores the economic viability of sourcing electricity from nearby wind turbines (WTs) under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The simulation is conducted using a case study of a planned PtH facility at the Port of Hirtshals, Denmark. Results demonstrate that participation in the mFRR EAM, particularly through the provision of downward regulation, can yield significant economic benefits. Moreover, involvement in the mFRR market reduces power intake from the nearby WTs, as capacity must be reserved for downward services. Finally, the findings highlight the necessity of clearly defined business models for such facilities, considering both technical and economic aspects. Full article

The increasing integration of inverter-based renewable energy sources is displacing conventional synchronous generation, resulting in a progressive reduction in system inertia and heightened challenges to frequency stability. This study presents a detailed empirical analysis of the UK electricity grid over a representative 24 h period, utilizing high-resolution datasets that capture grid frequency, energy demand, generation mix, and wholesale market prices. An inertia proxy is developed based on the share of synchronous generation, enabling quantitative assessment of its relationship with the Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF). Through the application of change point detection and unsupervised clustering algorithms, the analysis identifies critical renewable penetration thresholds beyond which frequency stability significantly deteriorates. These findings underscore the increasing importance of synthetic inertia in maintaining grid resilience under high renewable scenarios. The results offer actionable insights for system operators aiming to enhance frequency control strategies and contribute to the formulation of policy and technical standards regarding synthetic inertia provision in future low-inertia power systems. Full article

Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) is widely recognised as an energy-efficient freight mode, yet its decarbonisation is increasingly constrained not by propulsion technology, but by the absence of infrastructure capable of delivering clean energy where and when it is needed. This paper presents a structured review of over a decade of academic, policy and technical literature, identifying systemic gaps in current decarbonisation strategies. The analysis shows that most pilot projects are vessel-specific, and poorly scalable, with infrastructure planning rarely based on vessel-level energy demand data, leaving energy provision as an afterthought. Current approaches overemphasise technology readiness while neglecting the complexity of aligning supply chains, operational diversity, and infrastructure deployment. This review reframes IWT decarbonisation as a problem of provision, not propulsion. It calls for demand-led, demand driven, fuel agnostic infrastructure models and proposes a roadmap that integrates technical, operational, and policy considerations. Without rethinking energy access as a core design challenge—on par with vessel systems and regulatory standards—the sector risks investing in stranded assets and missing climate and modal shift targets. Aligning vessel operations with dynamic, scalable energy delivery systems is essential to achieve a commercially viable, fully decarbonised IWT sector. Full article

Investing in large-scale hydropower is on the rise in Ethiopia in accordance with the country’s climate-resilient green economy strategy. Rural electrification is a top priority on the development agenda of the country, with very limited off-grid interventions. Although small-scale hydropower can bring various social and economic benefits compared to other off-grid solutions, it is hardly localized in the country. The motivation for this research is to break this technological bottleneck by synergizing and strengthening the local capacity. Accordingly, this paper presents the full-scale crossflow turbine design and development process of a power plant constructed to give electricity access to about 450 households in a rural village called Amentila. Based on a site survey and the resource potential, the power plant was designed for a 125 kW peak at 0.3 m³/s of discharge with a 53 m head. The crossflow was selected based on the head, discharge, and simplicity of development with the available local capacities. The detailed design of the turbine and its auxiliary components was developed and simulated using SolidWorks and CFD ANSYS CFX. The power plant has a run-of-river design, targeting provision of power during peak hours. This study demonstrates an off-grid engineering solution with applied research on the water–energy–food–environment nexus. Full article

The rapid urbanization in developing countries has resulted in altered land-use patterns, surface energy imbalances, and heightened urban heat stress, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and vulnerability to heatwaves. The abandonment of agricultural lands, while a global challenge, presents cities with a unique opportunity to meet tree cover targets and improve resilience to these climatic challenges. Building on prior studies, this research employs the combined use of ENVI-met 4.4.6 and Ray-Man 3.1 simulation models to assess the efficacy of nature-based solutions in revegetating abandoned urban agricultural lands with the aim of enhancing outdoor thermal comfort. As a vital component of urban ecosystem services, thermal comfort, particularly through microclimate cooling, is essential for improving public health and livability in cities. This investigation focuses on the integration of broadleaf, evergreen, and edible woody species as bioclimatic interventions to mitigate urban heat stress. Simulation results showed that species such as Quercus spp. (broadleaf) and Cupressus arizonica (evergreen) substantially reduced the Mean Radiant Temperature (Tmrt) index by up to 26.76 °C, primarily due to their shading effects and large canopies. Combining these vegetation types with crops emerged as the most effective strategy to mitigate heat stress and optimize land-use. This study demonstrates how cities can incorporate nature-based solutions to adapt and mitigate the health risks posed by climate change while fostering resilience. These findings offer valuable knowledge for other developing countries facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of revegetating abandoned urban agricultural lands for thermal comfort and ecosystem service provision, with the advantages of reducing mortality and morbidity during heatwaves. Consequently, these results should inform urban climate policies aimed at promoting resilience, public health, and ecological sustainability in a changing climate. Full article

With the continuous increase in renewable energy penetration, traditional frequency regulation strategies in power grids struggle to maintain frequency stability under high renewable-share conditions. To address the shortcomings of the current deadband settings in regional grid frequency regulation, this paper proposes an optimized deadband-configuration scheme for renewable energy power plants and evaluates its effectiveness in enhancing the frequency regulation potential of renewable units. By developing frequency response models for thermal power, wind power, photovoltaic generation, and energy storage, the impact of different deadband widths on dynamic frequency response and steady-state deviation is analyzed. Three representative output scenarios for renewable units are constructed, and under each scenario the coordinated control performance of the proposed and the existing deadband configurations is compared. Simulation studies are then conducted based on a typical high renewable penetration scenario. The results show that, compared with the existing regional-grid deadband settings, the proposed configuration more fully exploits the regulation potential of renewable units, improves overall frequency-response capability, significantly reduces frequency deviations, and shortens recovery time. This research provides both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for frequency-support provision by renewable energy power plants under high penetration conditions. Full article

Implementing the provisions related to energy transition, decarbonization, and, thus, the implementation of the Green Deal in the European Union requires increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy generation mix. On the one hand, this approach enables the acquisition of clean energy, but, on the other hand, it can affect the stability of energy supply to consumers in terms of the time and quantity required. Therefore, in the presented research, the authors proposed and verified the following thesis: Innovative coal technologies can play a temporary but crucial role in building the stability of the energy system by developing an operational stability index for the energy system in Poland. To this end, they determined the energy system stability index (ESSI) level, verified its variability over time, and simulated changes in the index when clean coal technology was used. The proposed method is highly universal and can be applied to any country, and the program written specifically for this research fully automates the ESSI calculation process. It is an excellent tool for facilitating decision making and enables the creation of simulations and scenarios of the impact of potential energy development strategies on its operational stability. The set of indicators developed by the authors characterizes the operational stability of the energy system according to the four-dimensional energy security paradigm. This allows for the consideration of the entire spectrum of operational and structural indicators when analysing the stability of the energy system. The developed ESSI allows for the assessment of the system’s stability in a technical sense, but also its adaptability, power and energy balancing, and, ultimately, its independence. Full article

The transition towards a power system characterized by a reduced presence of synchronous generators (SGs) and an increased reliance on inverter-based resources (IBRs), including wind, solar photovoltaics (PV), and battery storage, presents new operational challenges, particularly when these sources exceed 50–60% of the system’s demand. While current grid-following (GFL) IBRs, which are equipped with fast and rigid control systems, continue to dominate the inverter landscape, there has been a notable surge in research focused on grid-forming (GFM) inverters in recent years. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the practicality and control methodologies of GFM inverters relative to traditional GFL inverters from a system planning perspective. A comprehensive framework aimed at assisting system developers and consulting engineers in the grid-integration of wide-scale renewable energy sources (RESs), incorporating strategies for the deployment of inverters, capacitor banks, and harmonic filters, is proposed in this paper. The discussion includes an examination of the reactive power capabilities of the plant’s inverters and the provision of additional reactive power to ensure compliance with grid interconnection standards. Furthermore, the paper outlines a practical approach to assess the necessity for enhanced filtering measures to mitigate potential resonant conditions and achieve harmonic compliance at the installation site. The objective of this work is to offer useful guidelines and insights for the effective addition of RES into contemporary power systems. Full article

Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) extends edge AI capabilities to resource-constrained devices, offering a promising solution for real-time, low-power intelligence in smart cities. This review systematically analyzes 66 peer-reviewed studies from 2019 to 2024, covering applications across urban mobility, environmental monitoring, public safety, waste management, and infrastructure health. We examine hardware platforms and machine learning models, with particular attention to power-efficient deployment and data privacy. We review the approaches employed in published studies for deploying machine learning models on resource-constrained hardware, emphasizing the most commonly used communication technologies—while noting the limited uptake of low-power options such as Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs). We also discuss hardware–software co-design strategies that enable sustainable operation. Furthermore, we evaluate the alignment of these deployments with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting both their contributions and existing gaps in current practices. This review identifies recurring technical patterns, methodological challenges, and underexplored opportunities, particularly in the areas of hardware provisioning, usage of inherent privacy benefits in relevant applications, communication technologies, and dataset practices, offering a roadmap for future TinyML research and deployment in smart urban systems. Among the 66 studies examined, 29 focused on mobility and transportation, 17 on public safety, 10 on environmental sensing, 6 on waste management, and 4 on infrastructure monitoring. TinyML was deployed on constrained microcontrollers in 32 studies, while 36 used optimized models for resource-limited environments. Energy harvesting, primarily solar, was featured in 6 studies, and low-power communication networks were used in 5. Public datasets were used in 27 studies, custom datasets in 24, and the remainder relied on hybrid or simulated data. Only one study explicitly referenced SDGs, and 13 studies considered privacy in their system design. Full article

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources necessitates efficient energy storage solutions, with large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) playing a key role in grid stabilization and time-shifting of energy. This study presents a multi-level simulation framework for optimizing BESS operation across multiple markets while incorporating degradation-aware dispatch strategies. The framework integrates a day-ahead (DA) dispatch level, an intraday (ID) dispatch level, and a high-resolution simulation level to accurately model the impact of operational strategies on state of charge and battery degradation. A case study of BESS operation in the German electricity market is conducted, where frequency containment reserve provision is combined with DA and ID trading. The simulated revenue is validated by a battery revenue index. The study also compares full equivalent cycle (FEC)-based and state-of-health-based degradation models and discusses their application to cost estimation in dispatch optimization. The results emphasize the advantage of using FEC-based degradation costs for dispatch decision-making. Future research will include price forecasting and expanded market participation strategies to further improve and stabilize the profitability of BESS in multi-market environments. Full article

Intestinal development is a critical determinant of growth and overall health in pigs. Accumulating evidence underscores the significant influence of intestinal microbiota on essential physiological functions and systemic health. Dietary nutrients play a pivotal role in regulating both intestinal development and the composition of intestinal microbiota. Optimal early-life nutrient provision ensures proper intestinal growth and functional maturation, with maternal nutrition emerging as a key factor shaping intestinal development during fetal and neonatal stages. This review synthesizes recent studies on maternal nutrient intake—encompassing protein, energy, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, probiotics, and prebiotics—and their effects on intestinal growth and health of offspring. Emerging multi-omics evidence has revealed that gestational and lactational nutrition dynamically coordinates offspring intestinal development through vertical microbial transmission and epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation. These processes further regulate intestinal barrier maturation, mucosal immunity, and enteroendocrine signaling. Collectively, this review emphasizes that enhancing maternal nutrition can promote postnatal growth by enhancing intestinal development and early microbial colonization in piglets. Further research is crucial to determining the optimal nutritional strategies during the perinatal period. Full article

Developing countries face a disproportionate degree of threat from climate change. As such, they require and receive significant financial support to address the menace. However, little is known about the potential externalities of this form of external liquidity for the business sector. This paper evaluates the impact of climate finance on the ease of doing business (EODB). On the one hand, climate finance might lead to an improved business environment as the funds facilitate infrastructure provision, technological innovation, and international collaboration for recipient countries. On the other hand, however, the business environment might be negatively impacted by complex new regulations, disruptive technological transitions, market distortions, and resource diversions. Countries receiving climate funds may also introduce new environmental and business regulations, implement new technologies, and divert resources to new programs to justify the receipt of aid or demonstrate a commitment to balancing economic development with environmental objectives. We theorize that given the expected disruptions to business, climate finance should negatively impact the EODB. We also argue that this negative impact will be more severe for resource-rich countries than for their resource-poor peers. Countries rich in natural resources might experience higher disruptions to business operations as they attempt to balance resource-dependent economic operations with environmental objectives mandated by climate finance. Utilizing panel data for 86 recipient countries for the 2002–2021 period, we test our hypotheses using the Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) technique. The baseline results suggest that climate finance has a weak positive impact on the EODB. However, as argued, resource-dependence heterogeneity analysis reveals that climate finance significantly negatively disrupts the EODB in resource-rich countries. Furthermore, a sectoral comparative analysis shows that while climate finance has a significant positive impact on the growth of the service sector, it significantly slows the growth of the resource sector, affirming the argument that climate finance might attract higher disruptions to resource-dependent business operations. By implication, lowly diversified economies might realize more negative than positive effects of climate finance, and investors should consider providing support to ease the pains of transitioning from resource-intensive growth to clean energy-driven development strategies. Full article