Suchergebnisse

The Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol could create a great chance for developing countries to profit from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the economic and environmental situation in the host country. The project cycle for the CDM differs from a usual investment project due to the need to develop a baseline for the calculation of emission reductions, registration by a national CDM body and monitoring and verification of the emission reduction by an independent entity. Before a project can be registered, its eligibility has to be checked. This means that it has to fulfil the international and national CDM criteria. We suggest national criteria concerning the CDM component, adherence to national policy goals, technological aspects, attractiveness for investor and host enterprise as well as avoidance of negative externalities. A set of sustainable development indicators is proposed for Uzbekistan. We then look at each step of project preparation and concentrate on baseline determination, using small hydropower stations in the Uzbek irrigation system as case studies. Determination of system boundaries, leakage and the lifetime of the projects are assessed. Different benchmarks for the Uzbek electricity sector are calculated. We calculate the economic attractiveness of three hydro power stations to determine whether the investment is really additional, using different discount rates and electricity price scenarios. In all scenarios we find positive costs, making the projects additional. ; Der Mechanismus für umweltverträgliche Entwicklung (CDM) des Kyoto-Protokolls eröffnet für Entwicklungsländer eine große Chance, von Projekten zu profitieren, die gleichzeitig Treibhausgasemissionen senken und die Lage der Ökonomie und Umwelt im Gastland verbessern. Der Projektzyklus eines CDM-Projekts unterscheidet sich von einer herkömmlichen Investition dadurch, dass ein Referenzfall für die Berechnung der Emissionsverringerung aufgestellt werden muss, das Projekt bei einer nationalen CDMAgentur angemeldet werden muss und eine Überprüfung und unabhängige Kontrolle der Emissionsverringerung erforderlich ist. Bevor ein Projekt angemeldet werden kann, muss geprüft werden, ob es überhaupt zulässig ist. Das bedeutet, das es die internationalen und nationalen CDM-Kriterien erfüllen muss. Wir schlagen nationale Kriterien bezüglich der CDM-Komponente, der Förderung nationaler Politikziele, technologischer Aspekte, Attraktivität für Investor und Gastfirma sowie Vermeidung negativer Externalitäten für Usbekistan vor. Wir betrachten dann die verschiedenen Schritte der Projektvorbereitung und konzentrieren uns dabei auf die Referenzfallbestimmung anhand von Kleinwasserkraftwerken im usbekischen Bewässerungssystem. Die Bestimmung der Systemgrenzen, indirekter Effekte und der Lebensdauer der Projekte werden diskutiert. Unterschiedliche Standard- Emissionsfaktoren für den usbekischen Stromsektor werden berechnet. Wir analysieren die ökonomische Attraktivität dreier Kleinwasserkraftwerke, um zu bestimmen, ob eine derartige Investition wirklich zusätzlich ist. Dabei werden unterschiedliche Diskontierungsraten und Strompreisentwicklungen berücksichtigt. In allen Szenarien kommen wir zu positiven Kosten, was bedeutet, dass die Investitionen zusätzlich wären.

Although scholars employing cross cultural methodologies are making an increasing use of available data in various forms, their studies have not as yet dealt directly with military concerns.

Interpretable and scalable data-driven methodologies providing high granularity baseline predictions of energy use in buildings are essential for the accurate measurement and verification of energy renovation projects and have the potential of unlocking considerable investments in energy efficiency worldwide. Bayesian methodologies have been demonstrated to hold great potential for energy baseline modelling, by providing richer and more valuable information using intuitive mathematics. This paper proposes a Bayesian linear regression methodology for hourly baseline energy consumption predictions in commercial buildings. The methodology also enables a detailed characterization of the analyzed buildings through the detection of typical electricity usage profiles and the estimation of the weather dependence. The effects of different Bayesian model specifications were tested, including the use of different prior distributions, predictor variables, posterior estimation techniques, and the implementation of multilevel regression. The approach was tested on an open dataset containing two years of electricity meter readings at an hourly frequency for 1578 non-residential buildings. The best performing model specifications were identified, among the ones tested. The results show that the methodology developed is able to provide accurate high granularity baseline predictions, while also being intuitive and explainable. The building consumption characterization provides actionable information that can be used by energy managers to improve the performance of the analyzed facilities. ; This research has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the ENTRACK project [Grant Agreement 885395]

As part of the international climate negotiations there is a lot of discussion about methodologies for quantifying emission reductions of greenhouse gas reduction projects (baseline discussion) and about granting emission reduction credits only to projects that are additional (Investment Additionality discussion). So far this discussion has been fairly general and has not systematically analysed the impacts on investor decisions. We analyse these impacts for the case of renewable energies and show that the approaches under discussion can all give perverse incentives to invest at unfavourable sites. Thus, higher CO2 abatement costs than without any crediting system might be realised resulting in inefficiencies in climate policy. To overcome this problem we introduce a new Investment Additionality concept and propose to have only one emission reduction factor for each electricity grid. ; Im Rahmen der internationalen Klimaverhandlungen wird z. Z. intensiv über Methodologien zur Quantifizierung von CO2 Reduktionen durch Projekte zur Treibhausgasminderung (sog. Baseline-Diskussion) sowie über die ausschließliche Vergabe von Emissionsreduktionszertifikaten für Projekte, die zu zusätzlichen Reduktionen führen (Investment Additionality Diskussion), diskutiert. Bisher war diese Diskussion sehr allgemein gehalten und die Auswirkungen der betreffenden Regelungen auf das Entscheidungsverhalten von Investoren wurden nicht systematisch untersucht. Wir analysieren diese Wirkungen für erneuerbare Energien und zeigen, dass die diskutierten Verfahren den Anreiz geben können, an ungünstigen Standorten zu investieren. Auf diese Weise können höhere CO2 Vermeidungskosten realisiert werden, als dies ohne jegliches Anreizsystem der Fall wäre, woraus wiederum eine ineffiziente Klimapolitik resultieren würde. Um die Probleme zu lösen, führen wir ein neues Konzept der Investment Additionality ein und fordern für jedes elektrische Netz jeweils einheitliche Baselines (Emissionsreduktionsfaktoren) zu verwenden.

Two different methodologies (visual, memory) were used to evaluate alternative versions of the same configural display. One version (composite display) had several graphical design techniques applied, whereas the other version (baseline display) did not. Two types of information probes (high-level property, low-level data) were administered. When the displays were visible during completion of the probes (visual methodology), the display manipulation had the largest impact on performance (composite display associated with better performance); when the displays were not visible (memory methodology) the probe manipulation had the largest impact on performance (high-level probes associated with better performance). These results are interpreted in light of the mutually interacting constraints introduced by factors in display design, task requirements, and the participants' cognitive and perceptual capabilities/limitations. Implications for both the design and the evaluation of displays and interfaces in general are discussed. Actual or potential applications of this research include design techniques for improving the quality of graphic displays and methodological insights for interpreting previous research and guiding future experimentation.

Using findings from a federally mandated statewide study of homelessness in the state of Iowa, this paper presents methodologies developed to address various aspects of homeless research, including enumeration of the population, screening for reporting duplications, estimating the annual number of incidents of homelessness, and exploring county‐level estimates of homelessness. After implementing an algorithm to eliminate duplicate reporting, and using the baseline unduplicated reported number of homeless persons, a statewide estimate of the number of homeless individuals was derived. Following further adjustments for differences in agency reporting practices and after extrapolating for nonreported time periods, we estimated the number of Unique incidents of homelessness experienced in the state during the year of the study (1997). The policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Using findings from a federally mandated statewide study of homelessness in the state of Iowa, this paper presents methodologies developed to address various aspects of homeless research, including enumeration of the population, screening for reporting duplications, estimating the annual number of incidents of homelessness, & exploring county-level estimates of homelessness. After implementing an algorithm to eliminate duplicate reporting, & using the baseline unduplicated reported number of homeless persons, a statewide estimate of the number of homeless individuals was derived. Following further adjustments for differences in agency reporting practices & after extrapolating for nonreported time periods, we estimated the number of unique incidents of homelessness experienced in the state during the year of the study (1997). The policy implications of these findings are discussed. 4 Tables, 1 Figure, 27 References. Adapted from the source document.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of illustrations -- Notes on contributors -- Preface -- Note on the text -- 1 Introduction: the state of convergence in media and communication research -- Part I - History: sources of media and communication research -- 2 The humanistic sources of media and communication research -- 3 The social-scientific sources of media and communication research -- Part II - Systematics: processes of communication -- Media organizations -- 4 The production of entertainment media -- 5 News production -- Media texts -- 6 Analysing news discourse -- 7 Mediated fiction -- Media users -- 8 Media effects: quantitative traditions -- 9 Media reception: qualitative traditions -- Media contexts -- 10 Communication in contexts: beyond mass-interpersonal and online-offline divides -- 11 The cultural contexts of media and communication -- 12 History, communication, and media -- Part III - Practice: scientific approaches and social applications -- Empirical research designs -- 13 Quantitative approaches to media and communication research -- 14 The qualitative research process -- 15 Digital methods for media and communication research -- 16 The complementarity of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in media and communication research -- Multiple media, multiple methods -- 17 Personal media in everyday life: a baseline study -- 18 Media industries and audience research: an analytic dialogue on the value of engagement -- 19 Employing media-rich participatory action research to foster youth voice -- Communicating research -- 20 The social origins and uses of media and communication research -- References -- Index.

The main objective of the present paper is the validation of new methods concerning experimental investigations of journal bearings under ordinary and extraordinary operational conditions. Derived results should facilitate the determination of damage mechanisms and a qualitative ranking for a prospective coating development. Prior investigated scenarios like start/stop and emergency running behavior were extended by starved and unlubricated experiments for an aircraft application. Focusing on thermal stability and reproducibility, two new subscale test strategies were developed derived from generalized operational conditions of journal bearings. For an improved ex-situ wear measurement of bearing shells, a new device was developed successfully. The results showed that the newly designed test methodologies are suitable to investigate unlubricated coatings leading to conclusive and repetitive results.

BACKGROUND: REDD+ is being questioned by the particular status of High Forest/Low Deforestation countries. Indeed, the formulation of reference levels is made difficult by the confrontation of low historical deforestation records with the forest transition theory on the one hand. On the other hand, those countries might formulate incredibly high deforestation scenarios to ensure large payments even in case of inaction. RESULTS: Using a wide range of scenarios within the Guiana Shield, from methods involving basic assumptions made from past deforestation, to explicit modelling of deforestation using relevant socio-economic variables at the regional scale, we show that the most common methodologies predict huge increases in deforestation, unlikely to happen given the existing socio-economic situation. More importantly, it is unlikely that funds provided under most of these scenarios could compensate for the total cost of avoided deforestation in the region, including social and economic costs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a useful and efficient international mechanism should really focus on removing the underlying political and socio-economic forces of deforestation rather than on hypothetical result-based payments estimated from very questionable reference levels.

PURPOSE: There are several settlements in the Northern and Western Regions of Uganda serving refugees from South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), respectively. Trachoma prevalence surveys were conducted in a number of those settlements with the aim of determining whether interventions for trachoma are required. METHODS: An evaluation unit (EU) was defined as all refugee settlements in one district. Cross-sectional population-based trachoma prevalence survey methodologies designed to adhere to World Health Organization recommendations were deployed in 11 EUs to assess prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in 1-9-year-olds and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) unknown to the health system in ≥15-year-olds. Household-level water, sanitation and hygiene coverage was also assessed in study populations. RESULTS: A total of 40,892 people were examined across 11 EUs between 2018 and 2020. The prevalence of TF in 1-9-year-olds was <5% in all EUs surveyed. The prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) unknown to the health system in ≥15-year-olds was <0.2% in 5 out of 11 EUs surveyed and ≥0.2% in the remaining 6 EUs. A high proportion of households had improved water sources, but a low proportion had improved latrines or quickly (within a 30-minute return journey) accessible water sources. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the antibiotic, facial cleanliness and environmental improvement components of the SAFE strategy is not needed for the purposes of trachoma's elimination as a public health problem in these refugee settlements; however, intervention with TT surgery is needed in six EUs. Since instability continues to drive displacement of people from South Sudan and DRC into Uganda, there is likely to be a high rate of new arrivals to the settlements over the coming years. These populations may therefore have trachoma surveillance needs that are distinct from the surrounding non-refugee communities.

International audience ; Background: REDD+ is being questioned by the particular status of High Forest/Low Deforestation countries. Indeed, the formulation of reference levels is made difficult by the confrontation of low historical deforestation records with the forest transition theory on the one hand. On the other hand, those countries might formulate incred‑ibly high deforestation scenarios to ensure large payments even in case of inaction. Results: Using a wide range of scenarios within the Guiana Shield, from methods involving basic assumptions made from past deforestation, to explicit modelling of deforestation using relevant socio‑economic variables at the regional scale, we show that the most common methodologies predict huge increases in deforestation, unlikely to happen given the existing socio‑economic situation. More importantly, it is unlikely that funds provided under most of these scenarios could compensate for the total cost of avoided deforestation in the region, including social and economic costs. Conclusion: This study suggests that a useful and efficient international mechanism should really focus on removing the underlying political and socio‑economic forces of deforestation rather than on hypothetical result‑based pay‑ments estimated from very questionable reference levels.

International audience ; Background: REDD+ is being questioned by the particular status of High Forest/Low Deforestation countries. Indeed, the formulation of reference levels is made difficult by the confrontation of low historical deforestation records with the forest transition theory on the one hand. On the other hand, those countries might formulate incred‑ibly high deforestation scenarios to ensure large payments even in case of inaction. Results: Using a wide range of scenarios within the Guiana Shield, from methods involving basic assumptions made from past deforestation, to explicit modelling of deforestation using relevant socio‑economic variables at the regional scale, we show that the most common methodologies predict huge increases in deforestation, unlikely to happen given the existing socio‑economic situation. More importantly, it is unlikely that funds provided under most of these scenarios could compensate for the total cost of avoided deforestation in the region, including social and economic costs. Conclusion: This study suggests that a useful and efficient international mechanism should really focus on removing the underlying political and socio‑economic forces of deforestation rather than on hypothetical result‑based pay‑ments estimated from very questionable reference levels.

International audience ; Background: REDD+ is being questioned by the particular status of High Forest/Low Deforestation countries. Indeed, the formulation of reference levels is made difficult by the confrontation of low historical deforestation records with the forest transition theory on the one hand. On the other hand, those countries might formulate incred‑ibly high deforestation scenarios to ensure large payments even in case of inaction. Results: Using a wide range of scenarios within the Guiana Shield, from methods involving basic assumptions made from past deforestation, to explicit modelling of deforestation using relevant socio‑economic variables at the regional scale, we show that the most common methodologies predict huge increases in deforestation, unlikely to happen given the existing socio‑economic situation. More importantly, it is unlikely that funds provided under most of these scenarios could compensate for the total cost of avoided deforestation in the region, including social and economic costs. Conclusion: This study suggests that a useful and efficient international mechanism should really focus on removing the underlying political and socio‑economic forces of deforestation rather than on hypothetical result‑based pay‑ments estimated from very questionable reference levels.