BACKGROUND: The Kingdom of Jordan belongs to the ten water scarcest countries in the world, and climate change is likely to increase the frequency of future droughts. Jordan is considered among the 10 most water impoverished countries in the world, with per capita water availability estimated at 170 m per annum, compared to an average of 1,000 m per annum in other countries. Jordan Government has taken the strategic decision to develop a conveyor system including a 325 km pipe to pump 100 million cubic meters per year of potable water from Disi-Mudawwara close to the Saudi Border in the south, to the Greater Amman area in the north. The construction of the water pipeline has started end of 2009 and shall be finished in 2013. Later on, the pipeline could serve as a major part of a national water carrier in order to convey desalinated water from the Red Sea to the economically most important central region of the country. The conveyor project will not only significantly increase water supplies to the capital, but also provide for the re-allocation of current supplies to other governorates, and for the conservation of aquifers. In the context of the Disi project that is co-funded by EIB two Environmental and Social Management Plans have been prepared: one for the private project partners and one for the Jordan Government. The latter includes the Governments obligation to re-balance water allocations to irrigation and to gradually restore the protected wetlands of Azraq (Ramsar site) east of Amman that has been depleted due to over-abstraction by re-directing discharge of highland aquifers after the Disi pipeline becomes operational. The Water Strategy recognizes that groundwater extraction for irrigation is beyond acceptable limits. Since the source is finite and priority should be given to human consumption it proposes to tackle the demand for irrigation through tariff adjustments, improved irrigation technology and disincentive to water intensive crops. The Disi aquifer is currently used for irrigation by farms producing all kinds of fruits and vegetables on a large scale and exporting most of their products to the Saudi and European markets and it is almost a third of Jordan's total consumption. The licenses for that commercial irrigation were finished by 2011/12. Whilst the licenses will be not renewed the difficulty will be the enforcement and satellite based information become an important supporting tool for monitoring. OUTLOOK: The ESA funded project Water management had the objective to support the South-North conveyor project and the activities of EIB together with the MWI in Jordan to ensure the supply of water for the increasing demand. EO Information provides a baseline for land cover and elevation and support the monitoring of further stages. usw.
Ziel des Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekts ist die Planung und Umsetzung eines integralen Energie- und Sanierungskonzepts für das 1887 in Braunschweig eröffnete Herzog-Anton-Ulrich-Museum. Unter Mitwirkung aller Projektbeteiligten werden die für die Sanierung relevanten Themengebiete Bauphysik, Raumklima, Heizung und Lüftung, Tages- und Kunstlicht untersucht. Der Einhaltung der für die Exponate maßgeblichen geringen Toleranzen in Bezug auf Feuchte und Temperatur kommt in diesem Zusammenhang besondere Bedeutung zu. Durch das Sanierungskonzept soll eine erhebliche Reduktion des Heizenergie- und elektrischen Stromverbrauchs erreicht werden (Heizenergie: - 35 Prozent, Strom für Beleuchtung, Belüftung und Befeuchtung: - 50 Prozent ). Weiterhin sollen die thermische und visuelle Behaglichkeit und die konservatorischen Randbedingungen für die Exponate verbessert werden. Dabei stehen eine Verbesserung der Gebäudehülle (Herstellung der Luftdichtheit, Einsatz optimierter Verglasungen etc.) und die Vermeidung sommerlicher Überhitzung im Vordergrund. Zur Umsetzung einer weitestgehend natürlichen Klimatisierung wird auch die Reaktivierung des vorhandenen Hypokausten-Systems geprüft. Die Konzepte werden seit Oktober 2000 durch Messungen und Computersimulationen geprüft und validiert. Nach der Sanierung folgt eine einjährige Monitoring- und Evaluierungsphase. Das Sanierungsprojekt für das Herzog-Anton-Ulrich Museum zeigt die vielfältigen Möglichkeiten, wie im behutsamen Umgang mit historischer Bausubstanz die klimatischen und visuellen Anforderungen an Museen optimiert und gleichzeitig erhebliche Energieeinsparungen realisiert werden können.
Flowering time is strongly regulated by the circadian clock, which drives photoperiodic flowering. We recently explored natural allelic diversity of the clock in the dicot Arabidopsis and found a 'memory' of the proceeding environment. Furthermore, we showed that clock variation has a large role in directing flowering time under field conditions. Cloning of one circadian quantitative trait locus revealed variation at the flowering-time gene EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3). Here we will further explore allelic variation in clock genes to define key loci that direct photoperiodic flowering. Firstly, we will complete the construction of new Arabidopsis recombinant inbred populations derived from accessions originating from extremely differing latitudes, and map the genomes of these lines at kilobase resolution. These populations will be scored for variation in the clock and flowering time; dynamic correlations will be constructed. Together, components underling clock-gene variation that directs seasonal flowering will be identified. Secondly, we will examine the molecular genetics of circadian control of flowering in the monocot barley using existing and newly generated variation at barley ELF3. This gene is the likely direct regulator of the seasonality locus Ppd-H1. This second program should reveal dicot/monocot clock conservations and identify allelic variation at the circadian-clock gene ELF3 that could be directly used in barley breeding programs.
The overall aim of this project is a comparative analysis of the genetic control of heterosis in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) by QTL mapping of heterosis-relevant loci in different B. napus mapping populations. In the Gießen project a doubled haploid (DH) mapping population that has been generated in preliminary work from a cross between two lines with high and low general combining ability, respectively, will be used for construction of a genome map containing a set of consensus SSR markers that also slow polymorphisms in another population segregating for heterotic effects, to be constructed by the University of Göttingen in a closely-integrated parallel project. Field trials of test hybrids from crosses between the individual DH lines of the respective populations with common male-sterile tester lines will enable the identification and dissection of QTL that correspond to the expression of heterosis. By using common markers it will be possible to align the genetic maps from the two populations, meaning that the positions, effects and interactions of the respective heterosisrelevant QTL identified in the two populations can be aligned and compared. Based on the results of the respective mapping experiments, the genetic control of heterosis in the two populations will be studied and compared. This will bring important information regarding the following to date unanswered questions: a) Are the same loci involved in the expression of heterosis in different oilseed rape populations, and if so which loci are involved and to what extend? b) What is the respective contribution of different genetic mechanism (dominance, overdominance or epistasis) to heterosis in oilseed rape, and is the genetic basis the same in different populations?
LEnSE is a research project that responds to the growing need in Europe for assessing a building's sustainability performance. The project draws on the existing knowledge available in Europe on building assessment methodologies. LEnSE aims to develop a truly holistic methodology that addresses the overall, integrating concept of sustainability. The main objective of LEnSE is to develop a methodology for the assessment of the sustainability performance of existing, new and renovated buildings, which is broadly accepted by the European stakeholders involved in sustainable construction. This methodology will allow for future labelling of buildings, in analogy with the Energy Performance Directive. The work should result in increased awareness of the European stakeholders and will allow adequate policy implementation on sustainable construction. The project consists of three main themes. The first theme is the identification and scope of the issues which need to be included in a sustainability assessment. This has to be wide enough to be acceptable and limited enough to be practicable. A broad consensus on these issues will be reached through strategic consultation of the relevant stakeholders. The second theme is the actual development of the assessment methodology. The content of the assessment will be developed for a limited, but representative range of key issues. Guidelines on how to address local variations will be provided. This work will be validated by the development of a prototype tool and tested on case study buildings. The key stakeholders on the European and national level will be highly involved in the development of the methodology, to guarantee a wide acceptance and implementation of the project results. These consultations will include national meetings with stakeholders and trans-national expert workshops. Thematic -stepping stone- publications, will serve as strategic reference and discussion documents for the stakeholder consultation rounds. Prime Contractor: Centre Scientifique et Technique de la Construction; Bruxelles; Belgium.
Pflanzliche Cytochrom-P450-Monooxygenasen (P450s oder CYPs) sind wichtige Enzyme des Sekundärmetabolismus. Sie spielen weiterhin eine große Rolle im Metabolismus von Xenobiotika - wie z.B. Pestiziden, insbesondere Herbiziden. Spezies-Unterschiede in der Aktivität bestimmter P450s zum Metabolismus von Herbiziden werden als der Mechanismus angesehen, der es toleranten Pflanzenspezies ermöglicht, gegenüber Herbiziden weniger empfindlich zu sein als andere. P450s, die im Pestizid-Metabolism involviert sind, üben vermutlich auch eine Funktion im Sekundär-Metabolismus aus. CYP73A1 z.B. ist die trans-Zimtsäure-Hydroxylase aus Jerusalem-Artichoke, die auch die Ring-Methyl-Hydroxylierung von Chlortoluron katalysiert, wie durch Expression ihrer cDNA in Hefe gezeigt wurde. Ein Wissenszuwachs über P450s, die in empfindlichen und toleranten Pflanzen vorkommen, und über molekulare Mechanismen, die den P450-katalysierten Metabolismus von Herbiziden in toleranten Pflanzen verantwortlich sind, kann zu einem Verständis der Herbizid-Resistenz und ihrer Entwicklung beitragen. Auf Grund seiner Toxizität war Kornrade (Agrostemma githago L.) in der Vergangenheit ein problematisches Unkraut in europäischen Getreidefeldern. Heutzutage ist die Pflanze fast ausgestorben - als Folge des Einsatzes von Herbiziden und einer verbesserten industriellen Saatgutreinigung. In Weizenfeldern, sind eine Reihe Herbizide effektiv gegenüber Kornrade (z.B. Triasulfuron, Diuron, Metribuzin, Dicamba + 2,4-D und Bromoxynil). Obwohl bislang über Resistenz bei Kornrade nicht berichtet wurde, sind Zellsuspensionskulturen der Kornrade in der Lage, die Herbizide Metamitron und Atrazin sowie das Xenoestrogen Nonylphenol zu metabolisieren. Die Metaboliten, die identifziert wurden, entstehen durch Dealkylierung und Hydroxylierung der aromatischen und aliphatischen Teilstrukturen der Ausgangsverbindungen. Da diese Reaktionen als typisch für P450-Enzyme im Metabolismus von Xenobiotika angesehen werden, kann man vermuten, dass P450s an der beobachteten Metabolisierung beteiligt sind. In Verlauf des Projektes wurde eine Plasmid-abhängige cDNA-Bibliothek von Kornrade-Zellsuspensionskulturen konstruiert, um unbekannte P450-Sequenzen zu isolieren. Um eine erhöhte Expression von P450s zu erreichen, wurden die Zellen mit dem Herbizid-Safener Benoxacor behandelt, von dem bekannt ist, dass er den P450-Gehalt von Mais-Keimlingen deutlich erhöht. Um sicherzustellen, dass die Kornradezellen der Suspensionskultur die gewünschten Enzyme noch exprimieren, wurde ihre Fähigkeit, 4-n-Nonylphenol (4-n-NP) durch Oxidation zu metabolisieren, in einer Metabolismus-Studie mit dem radioaktiv-markierten (ring-U-14C)4-n-Nonylphenol überprüft. Nach Anwendung verschiedener molekularbiologischer Techniken konnten letztlich mittels einer PCR-Strategie unter Verwendung P450-spezifischer degenerierter Primer zwei PCR-Produkte kloniert werden. U.s.w.
Objective: The proposed project is designed to address the problem of pollution of the environment by road vehicles as denned under the Thematic Priority 1.6.2, Sustainable Surface Transport relating to the Work Programme 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area'. The research activities of the consortium will be based around state of the art developments in the area of optical fibre sensor and intelligent instrumentation technology to formulate a system for on line monitoring of exhaust emissions from road vehicles. The application of this technology to resolving the problems of atmospheric pollutants and their regional impacts is therefore highly appropriate to the issue identified in the thematic roadmap i.e. 'New technologies and concepts for all surface transport modes'. The consortium which will execute the research programme comprises six members from four EC member states. They include four academic institutions, an SME and an end user (a major European car manufacturer). Their combined expertise and knowledge of the technological and business issues will facilitate the rapid development of the technology into a demonstratable prototype within the three year lifetime of the project. The project's technical objectives are summarised as follows: -. To set up laboratory based test facilities such that the sensor systems may be characterised in a precisely controlled and reproducible manner. Therefore, individual parameters such as optical absorption and scattering may be studied in isolation as well as collectively.. To isolate and identify the optical signals arising from contaminants present in the complex mixtures of exhaust systems of a wide range of vehicles using advanced and novel optical fibre based spectroscopie interrogation techniques. To develop novel optical fibre sensors which are miniature and robust in their construction and may be fitted...
Sowohl die bisher gewonnenen Erkenntnisse und Erfahrungen mit Windkonvertern kleinerer und mittlerer Leistungen im In- und Ausland als auch die Ergebnisse mehrerer dem Projekt GROWIAN vorausgegangener FE-Vorhaben ließen erkennen, dass ein (großtechnischer Versuch zur additiven Erzeugung von elektrischem Strom aus Windenergie mit Leistungen zwischen 2000 und 3000 kW als realisierbar einzuschätzen war. So wurde folgerichtig der Entschluss gefasst, das Projekt GROWIAN in einer Prototypanlage zu verwirklichen, auch wenn mit der vorgegebenen Bemessung -Turmhöhe 100m/Rotor Durchmesser, 100m/Nennleistung 3000 kW- diese Größenordnung derzeit ohne Vorbild war, sodass in vielen Fällen technisches Neuland betreten werden musste. Zielsetzung: Die Projektierung, Konstruktion, Errichtung und Erprobung sollen zur Verwirklichung der Einzelentwicklung von (Anlagekomponenten und -systemen durchgeführt werden. Die damit gewonnenen Erkenntnisse sollen neben der Feststellung der Bauaufwendungen die Beurteilung der Realisierbarkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit einer Stromerzeugung in großen Windenergieanlagen ermöglichen. Ergebnis: Ungeachtet der Frage der Lebensdauer und der festgestellten Bauaufwendungen hat die Anlage die in sie gesetzten Erwartungen voll erfüllt.
Mankind is approaching a crisis in energy generation and utilization. Traditional fossil fuel reserves are diminishing and legislative issues regarding CO2 emission will make use of existing lower grade reserves unattractive. New technologies have to be developed to satisfy the ever-increasing energy demand and to maximize efficient energy usage. The materials chemist, through the design of new materials with novel properties and by controlling interfacial interactions between materials, will play a crucial role in these endeavours and in enabling the paradigm shift that is required. This project is centred around two core and inter-related issues (i) energy generation from photovoltaics using sunlight and (ii) efficient lighting devices based on light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Both of these topics are areas of intense activity world-wide. Within Europe the PIs research group is one of the leaders in the field. However, as research efforts in these areas are proving successful and proof-ofprinciple systems are being established and optimized, a new factor needs to be addressed. State of the art photovoltaic devices based upon the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) most frequently utilize inorganic dyes comprising ruthenium complexes of oligopyridine ligands. The projected next generation mass market OLEDs and prototype LECs are based upon iridium complexes containing cyclometallated pyridine ligands. A traditional criticism of these approaches related to the costs of the raw materials although this is in reality low compared to the costs of other components. However, the price reflects in part the availability of these metals and in this respect devices based upon ruthenium (1 ppb by atom in Earth crust) or iridium (0.05 ppb by atom in Earth crust) are unsustainable. This project is concerned with the development of complexes based upon abundant and sustainable first row transition metals to replace second and third row transition metals in these devices. Initial efforts will centre upon complexes of copper(I) and zinc(II) which have well-established photochemistry and photophysics making them suitable for such applications. The PI has already established proof-of-principle for the replacement of ruthenium by copper in DSCs and is a world leader in this technology. The work on the two projects will involve (i) materials synthesis and characterization (ii) computational modelling (iii) device construction and testing and (iv) property optimization.
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