Gas generation and wind power: A review of unlikely allies in the United Kingdom and Ireland

No single solution currently exists to achieve the utopian desire of zero fossil fuel electricity generation. Until such time, it is evident that the energy mix will contain a large variation in stochastic and intermittent sources of renewable energy such as wind power. The increasing prominence of wind power in pursuit of legally binding European energy targets enables policy makers and conventional generating companies to plan for the unique challenges such a natural resource presents. This drive for wind has been highly beneficial in terms of security of energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, it has created an unusual ally in natural gas. This paper outlines the suitability and challenges faced by gas generating units in their utilisation as key assets for renewable energy integration and the transition to a low carbon future. The Single Electricity Market of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and the British Electricity Transmission Trading Agreement Market are the backdrop to this analysis. Both of these energy markets have a reliance on gas generation matching the proliferation of wind power. The unlikely and mostly ignored relationship between natural gas generation and wind power due to policy decisions and market forces is the necessity of gas to act as a bridging fuel. This review finds gas generation to be crucially important to the continued growth of renewable energy. Additionally, it is suggested that power market design should adequately reward the flexibility required to securely operate a power system with high penetrations of renewable energy, which in most cases is provided by gas generation

Role of ghrelin in the regulation of gastric acid secretion involving nitrergic mechanisms in rats

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), has been identified in the rat and human gastrointestinal tract. Ghrelin has been proposed to play a role in gastric acid secretion. Nitric oxide (NO) was shown as a mediator in the mechanism of ghrelin action on gastric acid secretory function. However, there is a little knowledge about this topic. We have investigated the role of ghrelin in gastric acid secretion and the role of NO as a mediator. Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The pyloric sphincter was ligated through a small midline incision. By the time, saline (0.5 ml, iv) was injected to the control group, ghrelin (20 μg/kg, iv) was injected to the first experimental group, ghrelin (20 μg/kg, iv) + L-NAME (70 mg/kg, sc) was injected to the second group and L-NAME (70 mg/kg, sc) was administered to the third group. The rats were killed 3 h after pylorus ligation; gastric acid secretion, mucus content and plasma nitrite levels were measured. Exogenous ghrelin administration increased gastric acid output, mucus content and total plasma nitrite levels, while these effects of ghrelin were inhibited by applying L-NAME. We can conclude that ghrelin participates in the regulation of gastric acid secretion through NO as a mediator.</jats:p

Clinical and prognostic features of patients with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus in the intensive care unit

Objective: To investigate the clinical and prognostic features of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus.Methods: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit for severe pneumonia associated with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus were evaluated.Results: The study included 20 patients with the mean age of 36±13. Of the 20 subjects, 17 (85%) had underlying conditions. Of the 20 patients, 11(55%) were discharged and 9 (45%) died. Cardinal symptoms were fever, myalgia, and hemoptysis with the rates of 85 %, 75 % and 45 %, respectively. All patients had pneumonic infiltrations in their chestroentgenograms. Main laboratory findings were lymphopenia, high creatin phosphokinase (CPK) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. All patients had positivity on real time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). None of the patients had pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus vaccination. None of them had taken oseltamivir within 48hours. Main reasons for mortality were cardiovascular complications and ventilatory associated pneumonia due to Acynetobacter baumannii.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment in these cases seem to be the best approach to avoid serious illness. Special attention should be given to patients having underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and pregnancy

Clinical and prognostic features of patients with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus in the intensive care unit

Objective: To investigate the clinical and prognostic features of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus. Methods: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit for severe pneumonia associated with pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus were evaluated. Results: The study included 20 patients with the mean age of 36±13. Of the 20 subjects, 17 (85%) had underlying conditions. Of the 20 patients, 11(55%) were discharged and 9 (45%) died. Cardinal symptoms were fever, myalgia, and hemoptysis with the rates of 85 %, 75 % and 45 %, respectively. All patients had pneumonic infiltrations in their chest roentgenograms. Main laboratory findings were lymphopenia, high creatin phosphokinase (CPK) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. All patients had positivity on real time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). None of the patients had pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus vaccination. None of them had taken oseltamivir within 48 hours. Main reasons for mortality were cardiovascular complications and ventilatory associated pneumonia due to Acynetobacter baumannii. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment in these cases seem to be the best approach to avoid serious illness. Special attention should be given to patients having underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and pregnancy