New England's Installed Electric Generation Forecast 2013-2025

The aim of this Master’s Project, as identified by our client the C Three Group, LLC, was to forecast installed electric capacity in the ISO New England region through the year 2025 under different scenarios including varying natural gas prices and RPS programs. ISO New England is the Independent System Operator of New England and oversees electric generation and transmission in the New England States. Our team built a basic supply model and, using linear optimization, we estimated ways for the ISO New England region to expand its supply to meet the growth in forecast demand. We ran our model under different scenarios, including varying natural gas prices and RPS programs. We took into account announced changes to capacity as well as possible scenarios that may affect further changes in the makeup of capacity. The final results showed continued expansion of natural gas and wind generation, the low-cost leaders, as well as new development of demand response. As we varied the future prices of natural gas, more electricity began to be imported from Canada. We believe that future carbon prices and stricter RPS standards may further ratchet up imports and renewables, in place of natural gas. Finally, our model predicts possible future coal retirements and is doubtful of new nuclear. Our client will potentially use the explanation of our models and written report of our findings in future research and consulting for their business

Reading eye movements performance on iPad vs print using a visagraph

This study investigated reading comprehension, reading speed, and the quality of eye movements while reading on an iPad, as compared to printed text. 31 visually-normal subjects were enrolled. Two of the passages were read from the Visagraph standardized text on iPad and Print. Eye movement characteristics and comprehension were evaluated. Mean (SD) fixation duration was significantly longer with the iPad at 270 ms (40) compared to the printed text (p=0.04) at 260 ms (40). Subjects’ mean reading rates were significantly lower on the iPad at 294 words per minute (wpm) than the printed text at 318 wpm (p=0.03). The mean (SD) overall reading duration was significantly (p=0.02) slower on the iPad that took 31 s (9.3) than the printed text at 28 s (8.0). Overall reading performance is lower with an iPad than printed text in normal individuals. These findings might be more consequential in children and adult slower readers when they read using iPads.

Effect of porcine somatotropin on metabolism and testicular characteristics of prepubertal pigs

Foi investigado o efeito da pST sobre características testiculares e metabolismo de suínos pré-púberes. O Experimento 1 determinou o intervalo entre aplicações de pST, baseado nas concentrações de IGF-I. O Experimento 2 avaliou o efeito da pST sobre o metabolismo, características testiculares e expressão gênica de GHR, IGF-I e PCNA. No Experimento 1 foram usados 12 leitões com 30 dias de idade. O grupo pST (n=6) foi submetido a uma injeção IM de pST e o grupo Controle (n=6) a uma injeção de placebo. Coletas de sangue foram realizadas até o dia sete após aplicação de pST para determinação dos níveis de IGF-I e parâmetros metabólicos. No Experimento 2 foram usados 12 leitões com 22 dias de idade. O grupo pST foi submetido à aplicações de pST a cada 3 dias, e o grupo Controle à doses de placebo, durante 30 dias. Coletas de sangue foram realizadas a cada três dias. Amostras de fígado e testículo foram coletadas para determinar a expressão gênica e características testiculares. No Experimento 1 a concentração de IGF-I foi maior no grupo pST (P=0,02). No Experimento 2 o grupo pST teve maior peso corporal e testicular (P=0,06) e aumento na expressão de PCNA no testículo (P<0,05). Contudo, foi observada uma redução no número de túbulos seminíferos, células de Sertoli e GHR (P<0,05). Assim, a administração de pST aumentou o desenvolvimento testicular e corporal de suínos pré-púberes, porém reduziu a densidade de túbulos seminíferos e células de Sertoli. The effect of pST on the testicular characteristics and metabolic parameters of prepubertal pigs was evaluated. Experiment 1 aimed to determine the interval between applications of pST based on the concentrations of circulating IGF-I. Experiment 2 aimed to evaluate the effect of pST on metabolic parameters, testicular characteristics, and expression of GHR, IGF-I and PCNA. In Experiment 1 twelve piglets with 30 days of age were used. The pST Group (n=6) was submitted to one i.m. injection of pST and the Control Group (n=6) to one placebo injection. Blood collections were performed until d 7 post pST application to determine IGF-I concentration and metabolic profile. In Experiment 2 twelve piglets with 22 days of age were used. The pST Group was submitted to pST injections every three days, and the Control Group received placebo doses during 30 days. Blood collections were performed every 3 days. Samples of liver and testicular tissue were collected to determine gene expression and testicular characteristics. In Experiment 1 IGF-I concentration was higher for the pST Group (P=0.02). In Experiment 2 the pST Group had higher body and testicular weight (P=0.06) and increased gene expression of PCNA in testes (P<0.05). However, a reduction in the number of seminiferous tubules, and Sertoli cells, and in GHR expression (P<0.05) was observed. Thus, pST administration increased body and testis development in prepubertal pigs, however it reduced the density of seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells

Effect of porcine somatotropin on metabolism and testicular characteristics of prepubertal pigs

The effect of pST on the testicular characteristics and metabolic parameters of prepubertal pigs was evaluated. Experiment 1 aimed to determine the interval between applications of pST based on the concentrations of circulating IGF-I. Experiment 2 aimed to evaluate the effect of pST on metabolic parameters, testicular characteristics, and expression of GHR, IGF-I and PCNA. In Experiment 1 twelve piglets with 30 days of age were used. The pST Group (n=6) was submitted to one i.m. injection of pST and the Control Group (n=6) to one placebo injection. Blood collections were performed until d 7 post pST application to determine IGF-I concentration and metabolic profile. In Experiment 2 twelve piglets with 22 days of age were used. The pST Group was submitted to pST injections every three days, and the Control Group received placebo doses during 30 days. Blood collections were performed every 3 days. Samples of liver and testicular tissue were collected to determine gene expression and testicular characteristics. In Experiment 1 IGF-I concentration was higher for the pST Group (P=0.02). In Experiment 2 the pST Group had higher body and testicular weight (P=0.06) and increased gene expression of PCNA in testes (P<0.05). However, a reduction in the number of seminiferous tubules, and Sertoli cells, and in GHR expression (P<0.05) was observed. Thus, pST administration increased body and testis development in prepubertal pigs, however it reduced the density of seminiferous tubules and Sertoli cells

Monensin Controlled-release Capsules do not Change Performance and Metabolic Profile in Unchallenged Beef Cattle

ABSTRACT Background: Some additives are able to improve animal performance in growing and finishing periods. Monensin was first used to control coccidiosis in poultry and was extended to other animals, like ruminants, to act also as a growth promoter and improve cattle performance. In this species, monensin improves the synthesis of propionic acid in the rumen and decreases methane synthesis and protein degradation, resulting in better performance in protein and energy metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of monensin controlled-release capsules on animals grazing Lolium multiflorum intercropped with Trifolium repens on metabolic profile and performance. Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Thirty Hereford cows were randomly distributed into two groups: control (CG) and monensin group (MG). Monensin was individually administered by controlled-release capsules placed in the rumen through oroesophageal pathway. All animals were identified through earring and kept under the same management condition, grazing on upland pasture mixture of Trifolium repens and Lolium multiflorum. Data from biochemical profile and performance were collected during 45 days. Blood samples started on the day of monensin controlled-release capsule placement (day 0) and continued in periods of 15, 30 and 45 days, after initial placement. Serum levels of albumin, glucose, urea, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were evaluated using colorimetric diagnostic kits. In the rumen fluid, pH was measured and protozoa count was performed. All statistical analyses were made using software SAS. Albumin, AST, glucose, LDH and urea were analyzed through MIXED procedure and Tukey-Kramer test was applied for comparison of means. For average daily gain, the orthogonal polynomials test was applied. Treatments did not differ in BSC, body weight and average daily gain (ADG). None of these performance parameters were significantly affected by the addition of monensin. Blood biomarkers did not show statistical differences between treatments and markers of rumen activity did not suffer interference from monensin supplementation. There was only a tendency (P = 0.07) for the first time (0) to a higher pH value in CG. Discussion: Animals grazing in the finishing period, characterized by a continuous and linear weight gain, did not suffer any kind of stress situation. This condition did not provide a striking challenge that could reach the level of a metabolic change in animals. Facing feed shortages, or other stressful condition, supplementation with monensin and other additives, such as yeast, showed to be more effective, compared to animals in nutritional comfort. Weight gain increase is related to the expected changes in biochemical profile, as increased AST, glucose and LDH. The increase in AST levels on day 30 (P &lt; 0.0001) is explained by the greater weight gain of animals in the previous period (day 15, P &lt; 0.0001), where there was a higher hepatic activity to meet this anabolism and also by AST been an enzyme indicator of liver activity. This study did not show statistical treatment differences in relation to ruminal pH but, just a trend (P = 0.07) of higher pH in CG which is not caused by monensin supplementation that occurred since the first time (0), when animals were moved to pasture and receiving the monensin capsule. Since there was a low consumption of monensin capsules, the results were consistent with environment conditions and the phase in which the animals were. The results were also in agreement with finishing period, metabolic changes and animal performance at the same moment

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements