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Background We developed and implemented a structured clinical documentation support (SCDS) toolkit within the electronic medical record, to optimize patient care, facilitate documentation, and capture data at office visits in a sleep medicine/neurology clinic for patient care and research collaboration internally and with other centers. Methods To build our SCDS toolkit, physicians met frequently to develop content, define the cohort, select outcome measures, and delineate factors known to modify disease progression. We assigned tasks to the care team and mapped data elements to the progress note. Programmer analysts built and tested the SCDS toolkit, which included several score tests. Auto scored and interpreted tests included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale. The SCDS toolkits also provided clinical decision support (untreated anxiety or depression) and prompted enrollment of patients in a DNA biobank. Results The structured clinical documentation toolkit captures hundreds of fields of discrete data at each office visit. This data can be displayed in tables or graphical form. Best practice advisories within the toolkit alert physicians when a quality improvement opportunity exists. As of May 1, 2019, we have used the toolkit to evaluate 18,105 sleep patients at initial visit. We are also collecting longitudinal data on patients who return for annual visits using the standardized toolkits. We provide a description of our development process and screenshots of our toolkits. Conclusions The electronic medical record can be structured to standardize Sleep Medicine office visits, capture data, and support multicenter quality improvement and practice-based research initiatives for sleep patients at the point of care.

Objective: To use the electronic medical record (EMR) to optimize patient care, facilitate documentation, and support quality improvement and practice-based research in a concussion (mild traumatic brain injury; mTBI) clinic.Methods: We built a customized structured clinical documentation support (SCDS) toolkit for patients in a concussion specialty clinic. The toolkit collected hundreds of fields of discrete, standardized data. Autoscored and interpreted score tests include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Glasgow Coma Scale. Additionally, quantitative score measures are related to immediate memory, concentration, and delayed recall. All of this data collection occurred in a standard appointment length.Results: To date, we evaluated 619 patients at an initial office visit after an mTBI. We provided a description of our toolkit development process, and a summary of the data electronically captured using the toolkit.Conclusions: The electronic medical record can be used to effectively structure and standardize care in a concussion clinic. The toolkit supports the delivery of care consistent with Best Practices, provides opportunities for point of care decision support, and writes comprehensive progress notes that can be communicated to other providers.

Industrial process heat (IPH) uses nearly three-quarters of U.S. manufacturing sector fuel energy, with most of IPH powered by fossil fuel combustion. Appreciably reducing industrial CO2 emissions will necessarily involve addressing IPH demand. Solar photovoltaics (PV) have contributed to the changing fuel mix of electricity generation in the United States, but on-site use of solar energy in the manufacturing sector remains insignificant. To understand the economic feasibility of IPH fuel switching, we develop an open-source process parity framework to identify conditions when solar process heat technologies can reach cost parity with an incumbent fossil fuel combustion technology. Building a case study that reflects common IPH demands and applicable solar technologies across several locations in the United States, we generalize the relationship between key parameters of solar resource, investment and fuel prices. We evaluate the use of solar thermal (ST) and PV connected electric boilers to partially substitute natural gas boilers in a brewery. Cost parity is not achieved in any analysis location for current solar system costs and fuel prices. Los Angeles County is most likely to achieve cost parity due to the higher fuel prices compared to other counties.

Low carbon heat generation is now a major concern for many industries to achieve sustainability targets, however, it is not always clear which renewable or low carbon process heat technology is the most economical. This article develops a techno-economic assessment methodology to compare the cost effectiveness of solar thermal and electricity powered vapor compression heat pumps for process heat generation. Using key investment and performance indicators, it clearly elucidates the lower cost renewable or low carbon heat technology under most conditions found in low temperature industries. The analysis also calculates the maximum turn-key specific investment, inclusive of all material, labor, and financial costs, for solar thermal to remain financially competitive against heat pumps, serving as a target for the solar thermal industry. The methodology, which is independent of plant size, process temperature, and technology, reveals key results when applied to three cities in Europe of varying solar irradiation and current electricity costs. In Seville, the maximum turn-key specific solar investment is typically greater than 500 €/m2ap, meaning that solar thermal will most likely provide lower cost heat than heat pumps. The case for Stockholm is the opposite, with the maximum investment being primarily less than 300 €/m2ap, a challenging turn-key solar plant investment target that leads to the superiority of heat pumps in this region. There is a wide range (230–1000 €/m2ap) of maximum turn-key solar thermal investment figures for a central German location (Wurzburg), indicating that either technology could be selected, but this is highly dependent on the process and other boundary conditions. Therefore, at any time now or in the future, the developed methodology can flexibly compare solar thermal and heat pumps so that the lower cost process heat technology can quickly be selected, while also providing a plant investment target for the solar thermal industry.

Objective To use the electronic medical record (EMR) to optimize patient care, facilitate documentation, and support quality improvement and practice-based research, in a headache specialty clinic. Background Many physicians enter data into the EMR as unstructured free text and not as discrete data. This makes it challenging to use data for quality improvement or research initiatives. Methods We describe the process of building a customized structured clinical documentation support toolkit, specific for patients seen in a headache specialty clinic. The content was developed through frequent physician meetings to reach consensus on elements that define clinical Best Practices. Tasks were assigned to the care team and data mapped to the progress note. Results The toolkit collects hundreds of fields of discrete, standardized data. Auto scored and interpreted score tests include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire, Insomnia Sleep Index, and Migraine-Specific Quality of Life. We have developed Best Practice Advisories (BPA) and other clinical documentation support tools that alert physicians, when appropriate. As of April 1, 2018, we have used the toolkits at 4346 initial patient visits. We provide screenshots of our toolkits, details of data fields collected, and diagnoses of patients at the initial visit. Conclusions The EMR can be used to effectively structure and standardize headache clinic visits for quality improvement and practice-based research. We are sharing our proprietary toolkit with other clinics as part of the Neurology Practice-Based Research Network. These tools are also facilitating clinical research enrollment and a pragmatic trial of comparative effectiveness at the point-of-care among migraine patients.

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the feasibility of pragmatic clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of treatments using the electronic medical record (EMR) and an adaptive assignment design.MethodsWe have designed and are implementing pragmatic trials at the point-of-care using custom-designed structured clinical documentation support and clinical decision support tools within our physician’s typical EMR workflow. We are applying a subgroup based adaptive design (SUBA) that enriches treatment assignments based on baseline characteristics and prior outcomes. SUBA uses information from a randomization phase (phase 1, equal randomization, 120 patients), to adaptively assign treatments to the remaining participants (at least 300 additional patients total) based on a Bayesian hierarchical model. Enrollment in phase 1 is underway in our neurology clinical practices for 2 separate trials using this method, for migraine and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).ResultsWe are successfully collecting structured data, in the context of the providers’ clinical workflow, necessary to conduct our trials. We are currently enrolling patients in 2 point-of-care trials of non-inferior treatments. As of March 1, 2018, we have enrolled 36% of eligible patients into our migraine study and 63% of eligible patients into our MCI study. Enrollment is ongoing and validation of outcomes has begun.DiscussionThis proof of concept article demonstrates the feasibility of conducting pragmatic trials using the EMR and an adaptive design.ConclusionThe demonstration of successful pragmatic clinical trials based on a customized EMR and adaptive design is an important next step in achieving personalized medicine and provides a framework for future studies of comparative effectiveness.

Solar energy is an important measure to reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions from the energy supply in industries requiring heat below 150 °C. A robust methodology was developed to compare two solar conversion technologies (solar thermal and photovoltaics via resistance heating) to determine which provided lower cost heat, highly flexible for various plant sizes, investments, currencies, locations, and process temperatures. At current PV investments, solar thermal plants must be installed turn-key below 400 €/m2ap in northern European climates and 500 €/m2ap in southern to remain economically competitive. Photovoltaic heat is already the lower cost heat provider for many applications in northern latitudes above 100 °C. In future PV cost scenarios, solar thermal must reduce investments below 250 €/m2ap to remain competitive in Europe and 400 €/m2ap in higher solar resource regions. When opportunity costs are considered, photovoltaics are better utilized to offset local electrical, not thermal, demand. Despite this fact, future efforts must be given to solar thermal cost reduction in order to remain competitive against all other renewable heat producers.

Background and purpose Epilepsy patients are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment compared to individuals in the general population. As the reasons for this are not definitively known, we sought to determine what factors correlate most strongly with cognition and a screening test for depression in epilepsy patients. Methods Our study population included 379 adult patients diagnosed with epilepsy or seizure in our neurology clinic. We collected detailed demographic and clinical data during patient visits using structured clinical documentation support tools that we have built within our commercial electronic medical records system (Epic), including a depression score (Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy, NDDIE) and cognition score test measures (specifically in this study, Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]). Medication, age, gender, body mass index, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, current number of anti-epileptic medications, years of education were assessed in relation to baseline score as well as change in score from initial visit to first annual follow-up. Results Of the analyzed factors, two statistically significant associations were found after correction for multiple testing. Male gender and lower anti-seizure medication count were associated with better mood, as assessed by NDDIE score, at initial visit. Specifically, male gender was associated with a 1.3 decrease in NDDIE and for each additional anti-seizure medication, there was an associated 1.2 increase in NDDIE. Conclusions However, these factors were not associated with change in NDDIE score from initial to first annual follow-up visit. These findings, although interesting, are preliminary. Additionally, these findings were based on a homogenous (mainly Caucasian) clinic-based population and detailed information on previous medication use was lacking. Further work is needed to replicate these findings and to understand any mechanisms that may explain these associations.

The electronic medical record (EMR) presents an opportunity to standardize patient data collection based on quality guidelines and conduct practice-based research. We describe the development of a customized EMR “toolkit” that standardizes patient data collection with hundreds of discrete fields that supports Best Practices for treating patients with memory disorders. The toolkit also supports practice-based research. We describe the design and successful implementation of a customized EMR toolkit to support Best Practices in the care of patients with memory disorders. We discuss applications, including quality improvement projects and current research initiatives, using the toolkit. This toolkit is being shared with other departments of Neurology as part of the Neurology Practice-Based Research Network. Data collection is ongoing, including longitudinal follow-up. This toolkit will generate data that will allow for descriptive and hypothesis driven research as well-quality improvement among patients seen in a memory clinic.

Basic and detailed audits of small and medium sized food and beverage enterprises were conducted in six European Union countries to determine product specific energy consumption and measures to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Collected results showed that the companies’ products had similar specific energy consumption as prior studies, but due to no standard metrics, the range was rather large. Auditors primarily recommended energy savings measures (process optimization and heat recovery), due to their low payback periods. Lower carbon energy sources were also recommended (solar thermal and combined heat/power), but often at higher costs, supported through government incentive programs. Through these measures, energy savings of up to 45% and carbon to 30% (∼30,000 t CO2 equivalent in the audited companies) were possible, dependent on the type, size of company, and fuel choice. Typically, very small companies and those using coal showed the greatest margin for improvement, though it varied greatly depending on the type of product produced and the installed heating and cooling equipment. Auditors noted significant barriers toward the implementation of measures, e.g. companies found the costs too high, did not know of efficient technologies and their performance, or did not have managerial support to implement efficiency measures.

Background and Purpose: Standardized electronic medical record tools provide an opportunity to efficiently provide care that conforms to Best Practices and supports quality improvement and practice-based research initiatives. Methods: We describe the development of a customized structured clinical documentation “toolkit” that standardizes patient data collection to conform to Best Practices for treating patients with stroke. The toolkit collects patients’ demographic information, relevant score test measures, and captures information on disability, treatment, and outcomes. Results: We describe here our creation and implementation of the toolkits and provide example screenshots. As of August 1, 2018, we have evaluated 2332 patients at an initial visit for a possible stroke. We provide basic descriptive data gathered from the use of the toolkits, demonstrating their utility in collecting patient data in a manner that supports both quality clinical care and research initiatives. Conclusions: We have developed an EMR toolkit to support Best Practices in the care of patients with stroke. We discuss quality improvement projects and current research initiatives using the toolkit. This toolkit is being shared with other Departments of Neurology as part of the Neurology Practice-Based Research Network.

Over the last decade, energy prices in China have risen dramatically. At the same time, extensive use of coal fired energy provision systems in industry has led to serious environmental and economic problems translating to an economic damage of an estimated 10% of the Gross Domestic Product. This has led to increasing awareness in the process industries of the need to save energy whilst replacing conventional energy sources with renewable ones. An energy audit was conducted for a soy sauce production facility in Beijing, which aimed to reduce its thermal energy demand through process intensification and to integrate renewable energy. Their current supply of thermal energy came directly from a district steam network, which was both directly consumed and downgraded via heat exchangers. It was determined that the best two solar integration locations would be in the pre-heating/mixing of raw ingredients to 60 °C and the subsequent direct steaming of the mixture to 120 °C. Three different systems for supplementing steam were investigated: (1) a traditional solar thermal heating system; (2) a system consisting of mono crystalline photovoltaic panels coupled with either a resistance heater or electric steam generator; and (3) a cascading system consisting of two types of solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic panels, and an electric steam generator. Comparisons of systems 1 and 2 were made for the heating of mixing water, and systems 1, 2, and 3 for saturated steam generation. Results showed that for the heating of process water, flat plate solar collectors performed best with an estimated 20 year Levelised Cost of Energy of 0.063 €/kW h. Steam generation was most cost effective with a cascade system of photovoltaic and flat plate collectors, with an estimated 20 year Levelised Cost of Energy of 0.145 €/kW h. The model predicts that integration of this technology would lead to a reduction of 14% in heating utility demand.

Magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly ordered examination by many foot and ankle surgeons for ankle pain and suspected peroneal tendon pathologic abnormalities. Magic angle artifact is one of the complexities associated with this imaging modality. Magic angle refers to the increased signal on magnetic resonance images associated with the highly organized collagen fibers in tendons and ligaments when they are orientated at a 55° angle to the main magnetic field. We present several examples from a clinical practice setting using 3T imaging illustrating a substantial reduction in magic angle artifact of the peroneal tendon in the prone plantarflexed position compared with the standard neutral (right angle) position.

Accurate measurement of solar radiation heat flux is important in characterizing the performance of CSP plants. Thermopile type Heat Flux Sensors (HFSs) are usually used for this purpose. These sensors are typically reasonably accurate at high heat fluxes. However measurement accuracy drops significantly as the measured radiation is below 1 kW/m 2 , this often leads to underestimation of the actual flux. At the Masdar Institute Beam Down Solar Thermal Concentrator (BDSTC), measurement of fluxes ranging from 0 kW/m 2 to more than 100 kW/m 2 is required. To improve the accuracy of the sensors in the lower range around 1 kW/m 2 , we have performed a test under ambient (not-concentrated) sunlight. Such low irradiation levels are experienced in characterizing the concentration quality of individual heliostats. It was found during the test that the measurement at this low range is significantly affected by ambient conditions and transients in the HFS cooling water temperature. A Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of more than 100 W/m 2 was observed even though we kept the transients in water temperature to a minimum. Hence we devised a model to account for this measurement error at this flux range. Using the proposed model decreased the RMSE to less than 10 W/m 2 . The application of the model on existing heat flux measurement installations is facilitated by the fact that it only employs easily measurable variables. This model was checked by using a test data set and the results were in good agreement with the training data set.

Background Many physicians enter data into the electronic medical record (EMR) as unstructured free text and not as discrete data, making it challenging to use for quality improvement or research initiatives. Objectives The objective of this research paper was to develop and implement a structured clinical documentation support (SCDS) toolkit within the EMR to facilitate quality initiatives and practice-based research in a multiple sclerosis (MS) practice. Methods We built customized EMR toolkits to capture standardized data at office visits. Content was determined through physician consensus on necessary elements to support best practices in treating patients with demyelinating disorders. We also developed CDS tools and best practice advisories within the toolkits to alert physicians when a quality improvement opportunity exists, including enrollment into our DNA biobanking study at the point of care. Results We have used the toolkit to evaluate 541 MS patients in our clinic and begun collecting longitudinal data on patients who return for annual visits. We provide a description and example screenshots of our toolkits, and a brief description of our cohort to date. Conclusions The EMR can be effectively structured to standardize MS clinic office visits, capture data, and support quality improvement and practice-based research initiatives at the point of care.

End-use energy efficiency is a cost-effective and rapidly deployable strategy for significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy costs. Energy savings certificates (ESCs)—instruments assigning the property rights to energy savings or attributes of those savings—are becoming an effective tool for meeting energy savings and GHG targets. The efficacy of ESCs will depend on the market’s ability to (1) verify the amount of savings that they certify along with the uncertainty of those savings (i.e., quantify their value), (2) clearly assign ownership rights to that value (i.e., state exactly who owns what) and (3) efficiently buy and sell those rights between interested parties (i.e., conduct simple transactions). The measurement and verification (M&V) system governing ESCs will critically impact whether these three criteria are satisfied. An M&V system for ESCs requires the fundamental elements of an M&V system for any regulated energy-efficiency program, but must also address more explicitly the above-mentioned criteria. In this paper, the authors discuss the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) and specific elements of an M&V system that address components of an ESC system.

We describe quality improvement and practice-based research using the electronic medical record (EMR) in a community health system–based department of neurology. Our care transformation initiative targets 10 neurologic disorders (brain tumors, epilepsy, migraine, memory disorders, mild traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, Parkinson disease, restless legs syndrome, and stroke) and brain health (risk assessments and interventions to prevent Alzheimer disease and related disorders in targeted populations). Our informatics methods include building and implementing structured clinical documentation support tools in the EMR; electronic data capture; enrollment, data quality, and descriptive reports; quality improvement projects; clinical decision support tools; subgroup-based adaptive assignments and pragmatic trials; and DNA biobanking. We are sharing EMR tools and deidentified data with other departments toward the creation of a Neurology Practice-Based Research Network. We discuss practical points to assist other clinical practices to make quality improvements and practice-based research in neurology using the EMR a reality.

Magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly ordered examination by many foot and ankle surgeons for ankle pain and suspected peroneal tendon pathologic abnormalities. Magic angle artifact is one of the complexities associated with this imaging modality. Magic angle refers to the increased signal on magnetic resonance images associated with the highly organized collagen fibers in tendons and ligaments when they are orientated at a 55° angle to the main magnetic field. We present several examples from a clinical practice setting using 3T imaging illustrating a substantial reduction in magic angle artifact of the peroneal tendon in the prone plantarflexed position compared with the standard neutral (right angle) position.

A survey of 204 food and beverage companies in Europe - Austria (54), Spain (47), Poland (39), Germany (28), UK (26), and France (10) - was conducted to determine consumption patterns and potentials for CO 2 emission reduction based on sub sector, size and geographic location of the companies. 45 of these companies were consequently selected for in depth analysis. For these cases detailed recommendations for efficiency improvements and renewable energy (RE) integration with associated CO 2 reduction potential were developed and 8 cases were consequently selected for implementation of these measures within the lifetime of the GREENFOODS project. In total, over 4,400 GWh of annual energy consumption was collected in the basic audits, with coal as the leading energy source followed by natural gas, electricity, and oil. Results indicated that 11…19% of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by undergoing retrofits in existing processing lines without significant disturbance of production. The most recommended measures are process optimization and heat recovery followed closely by solar heat use, then cold supply optimization and biomass use, and finally heat supply optimization and CHP utilization. In total, over 120 GWh of energy consumption were identified for reduction and more than 30,000 t CO 2 e have been identified for potential mitigation.

Recent market convulsions in the energy industry have generated a plethora of post-mortem analyses on a wide range of issues, including accounting rules, corporate governance, commodity markets, and energy policy. While most of these analyses have focused on business practices related to wholesale energy trading, there has been limited analysis of retail energy services, particularly energy efficiency projects. We suggest that there were several business concepts and strategies in the energy efficiency arena whose inherent value may have been masked by the larger failure of companies such as Enron. In this paper, we describe one such concept, namely, actuarial pricing of energy efficiency projects, which leverages a portfolio-based approach to risk management. First, we discuss the business drivers, contrasting this approach with conventional industry practice. We then describe the implementation of this approach, including an actuarial database, pricing curves, and a pricing process compatible with commodity pricing. We conclude with a discussion of the prospects and barriers for the further development of transparent and quantifiable risk management products for energy efficiency, a prerequisite for developing energy efficiency as a tradeable commodity. We address these issues from an experiential standpoint, drawing mostly on our experience in developing and implementing such strategies at Enron.

An analysis of the beam down optical experiment (BDOE) performance with full concentration is presented. The analysis is based on radiation flux distribution data taken on Mar. 21st, 2011 using an optical-thermal flux measurement system. A hypothetical thermal receiver design is used in conjunction with the experimental data to determine the optimal receiver aperture size as a function of receiver losses and flux distribution. The overall output of the plant is calculated for various operating temperatures and three different control strategies namely, constant mass flow of the heat transfer fluid (HTF), constant outlet fluid temperature and real-time optimal outlet fluid temperature. It was found that the optimal receiver aperture size (radius) of the receiver ranged between (1.06 and 1.71 m) depending on temperature. The optical efficiency of the BDOE ranged from 32% to 37% as a daily average (average over the ten sunshine hours). The daily average mean flux density ranged between 9.422 kW/m2 for the 1.71 m-receiver and 20.9 kW/m2 for the 1.06 m-receiver. Depending on the control parameters and assuming an open receiver with solar absorptivity of 0.95 and longwave emissivity of 0.10. The average receiver efficiency varied from 71% at 300 °C down to 68% at 600 °C. The overall daily average thermal efficiency of the plant was between 28% and 24%, respectively for the aforementioned temperatures. The peak of useful power collected in the HTF was around 105 kWth at 300 °C mean fluid temperature and 89 kWth at 600 °C.

A higher penetration of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for household lighting can reduce growth in peak electricity demand, reduce sales of subsidized electricity, and lessen environmental impacts. This paper describes an economic analysis of a project designed to promote high penetration rates of CFLs in two cities in Mexico. Our analysis indicates that the project will bring substantial net economic benefits to Mexico, the utility, and the average customer. In the absence of any subsidy to CFLs, most customers will see a payback period longer than two years. By sharing some of the anticipated net benefit, CFE, the utility company, can reduce the payback period to a maximum of two years for all customers. CFE's role is thus crucial to the successful implementation of the project. Expanding the Ilumex project to a Mexico-wide program would make a significant contribution towards meeting the planned addition of generation capacity by the year 2000.

Project planning is a delicate and on-going activity that requires a great deal of experience and knowledge. Several models and methods are developed which explore the various aspects of planning a project. In this paper, we propose a framework named Spiral Pro that integrates Spiral Model, MBASE and COCOMO II to help project managers do their project planning in a systematic way. In an empirical study, a project plan template, developed following the framework, was provided for thirteen e-service projects and a survey was used at the end to assess the study. Based on the survey, some characteristics are summarized, which help point out the effectiveness of using of Spiral Pro framework. Motivated by the findings in the study, a tool has been developed to help both experienced and inexperienced project managers make better use of the framework for project planning.

To reduce the complexity and time spent in building life cycle plans, project managers often reuse process assets from past projects. Such impromptu reuse is risky when the assets being reused were not created with strategies that make it reusable. In elaborating Osterweil’s “Software Processes are Software Too” insight, Boehm et al have expressed the duality between software products and processes as: “If a given approach is good for software products, then its process counterpart is good for software processes.” In this paper we discuss the duality between product and process reuse. We propose the development of process elements, “process counterparts to software components,” which can be built with reusable strategies. These process elements can then be integrated with other process elements to develop software plans. We also present the results of an experiment that was conducted on several projects using our approach.

International networks and global experiences are becoming increasingly important for the success of the next generation of scientists. However, the process for making that first foray into the international community is not always readily apparent or easy for young chemists. To help ease their transition, the American Chemical Society has established a travel awards program to provide American students with the opportunity to present their research at a chemistry conference outside the U.S. This year, ACS will provide up to 10 travel awards for American graduate students to attend the 4th Congress of the European Association for Chemical & Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS) in Prague, Czech Republic, Aug. 26–30. ACS launched the program, which is run by the Office of International Activities, by sending 21 award recipients to a conference in Germany in 2011. The undergraduate and graduate chemistry students presented their research at the national meeting of the Gesellschaft Deutscher ...

The Brazil/US Aspen Global Forum on Climate Change Policies and Programs has facilitated a dialogue between key Brazil and US public and private sector leaders on the subject of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). With support from the US government, a cooperative effort between Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Sao Paulo conducted an assessment of a number of projects put forth by Brazilian sponsors. Initially, we gathered information and conducted a screening assessment for ten projects in the energy sector and six projects in the forestry sector. Some of the projects appeared to offer greater potential to be attractive for CDM, or had better information available. We then conducted a more detailed assessment of 12 of these projects, and two other projects that were submitted after the initial screening. An important goal was to assess the potential impact of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) on the financial performance of projects. With the exception of the two forestry-based fuel displacement projects, the impact of CERs on the internal rate of return (IRR) is fairly small. This is true for both the projects that displace grid electricity and those that displace local (diesel-based) electricity production. The relative effect of CERs is greater for projects whose IRR without CERs is low. CERs have a substantial effect on the IRR of the two short-rotation forestry energy substitution projects. One reason is that the biofuel displaces coke and oil, both of which are carbon-intensive. Another factor is that the product of these projects (charcoal and woodfuel, respectively) is relatively low value, so the revenue from carbon credits has a strong relative impact. CERs also have a substantial effect on the NPV of the carbon sequestration projects. Financial and other barriers pose a challenge for implementation of most of the projects. In most cases, the sponsor lacks sufficient capital, and loans are available only at high interest rate and with substantial guarantee. A few of the projects might go ahead without the benefit of CERs, but most probably would not. Whether the projected revenue from CERs would be sufficient to induce sponsors to proceed with the projects is an important issue that requires further investigation. All of the projects contribute to economic development in Brazil. The forestry projects in particular would create a significant number of rural jobs, and contribute income to rural communities. Some of the carbon sequestration projects would provide environmental benefits with respect to protection of biodiversity and soil.

This paper describes a standardized method for establishing a multi-project baseline for a power system. The method provides an approximation of the generating sources that are expected to operate on the margin in the future for a given electricity system. It is most suitable for small-scale electricity generation and electricity efficiency improvement projects. It allows estimation of one or more carbon emissions factors that represent the emissions avoided by projects, striking a balance between simplicity of use and the desire for accuracy in granting carbon credits.

MORE THAN 4,400 ATTENDEES from around the world gathered in Florianopolis, Brazil, to attend the 34th annual meeting of the Brazilian Chemical Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Quimica, or SBQ). The event was held on May 23–26 at the convention center of the Costao do Santinho Resort. With a theme of “Chemistry for a Better World,” the meeting was the largest gathering of the Brazilian chemical community in history and served as a central focus for Brazil’s celebrations of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC). The scientific program consisted of more than 4,000 presented papers—another record—with major focuses on analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic, materials, and natural product chemistry as well as chemical education. Significantly, 42% of the attendees and presenters were undergraduate students and another 30% were graduate students. The students presented their work with pronounced enthusiasm during the workshops, short courses, symposia, and poster sessions. In recognition of the 100th...

Consommation d'energies par les differents secteurs dans les zones urbaines de differents pays en voie de developpement