Using dew points to estimate savings during a planned cooling shutdown

In an effort to save money during the summer of 2003, Northern Illinois University (NIU) administrators instituted a four-day working week and stopped air conditioning buildings for the three-day weekends (Friday through Sunday). Shutting down the air conditioning systems caused a noticeable drop in electricity usage for that part of the campus that features in our study, with estimated total electricity savings of 1,268,492 kilowatt-hours or 17% of the average usage during that eight-week period. NIU’s air conditioning systems, which relied on evaporative cooling to function, were sensitive to dew point levels. Greatest savings during the shutdown period occurred on days with higher dew points. An examination of the regional dew point climatology (1959–2003) indicated that the average summer daily dew point for 2003 was 14.9◦C (58.8◦F), which fell in the lowest 20% of the distribution. Based on the relationship between daily average dew points and electrical usage, a predictive model that could estimate electrical daily savings was created. This model suggests that electrical savings related to any future three-day shutdowns over summer could be much greater in more humid summers. Studies like this demonstrate the potential value of applying climatological information and of integrating this information into practical decision-making

Behavior of unbonded multistrand posttensioning anchorage systems under monotonic and cyclical loads

The growing popularity of unbonded posttensioned structures designed for seismic resiliency, in conjunction with recent research indicating the inability of commercially available posttensioning anchorage systems to meet current industry certification standards, has prompted the need to investigate and better understand posttensioning anchorage systems. Recent research has focused on single-strand posttensioning systems; however, virtually no published literature is available regarding the behavior of multistrand anchorages. This paper presents results from a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of the fracture and ultimate strength and strain capacities of multistrand posttensioning anchorage systems for use in seismic-resilient rocking structures. The testing program encompassed two anchorage manufacturers, two anchorage alignment configurations, and two wedge geometries under both monotonic and cyclic loading. The results show that modifying the wedge geometry can improve the performance of commercially available posttensioning anchorages and that a strain limit of 1% should be used for seismic applications

Variation in Establishment Success for American Mistletoe [\u3ci\u3ePhoradendron leucarpum\u3c/i\u3e (Raf.) Reveal & M.C. Johnst. (Viscaceae)] Appears Most Likely to Predict its Distribution in Virginia and North Carolina, United States

Dispersal limitation and variation in habitat suitability may determine an association of American mistletoe [Phoradendron leucarpum (Raf.) Reveal & M.C. Johnst. (Viscaceae)] with forested wetlands in Virginia and North Carolina, United States. Here, we first tested the alternative hypothesis that variation in host availability drives this habitat relationship. We used a generalized linear model to show a positive effect of forested wetland habitat on American mistletoe occurrence after accounting for both variation in host availability and differences among regions in host use. We then used seed sowing experiments to quantify how light availability and flood regime determine the viability of American mistletoe, allowing us to evaluate the potential for establishment limitation to determine this habitat relationship. Light availability predicted establishment rates but % canopy openness did not predict seed germination rates. Thus, variation in the ability for American mistletoe to establish across forested habitat types with different local light availabilities is a potentially important mechanism in determining its distribution

Evaluation of Concrete and Mortars for Partial Depth Repairs

Partial-depth patching mixes must rapidly gain strength to allow the roadway to be reopened to traffic quickly. A patch should also bond well to the substrate to prevent the patch from separating from the existing material and be durable enough to withstand harsh winters. The objective of the research described in this report is to develop improved guidelines for evaluation of pre-bagged commercial patching mixtures and to recommend effective construction practices. To achieve these objectives, 13 different cementitious materials were selected and tested to determine key properties including strength gain, shrinkage, bond strength, and durability. The impact of the proposed research will be a better performing patch material as well as performance criteria that can be used to compare the materials tested in this program to new materials that will certainly be developed in the future. This research was conducted in four main phases, literature review and development of a testing plan and three phases of laboratory testing campaigns. The most commonly available acceptance specification for partial-depth patching materials is the ASTM C928. This specification was followed and the outcomes of each of the recommended tests were evaluated in context of the performance of the patching materials. Several additional tests were developed and conducted to evaluate the bonding properties of patching materials; correlations between lab measured properties were also evaluated. Through aforementioned testing and analysis, a laboratory testing based acceptance procedure was developed for partial-depth patching materials to be used by MnDOT.Minnesota Department of Transportation Research Services Sectio

Expression Profile of Nuclear Receptors along Male Mouse Nephron Segments Reveals a Link between ERRβ and Thick Ascending Limb Function

The nuclear receptor family orchestrates many functions related to reproduction, development, metabolism, and adaptation to the circadian cycle. The majority of these receptors are expressed in the kidney, but their exact quantitative localization in this ultrastructured organ remains poorly described, making it difficult to elucidate the renal function of these receptors. In this report, using quantitative PCR on microdissected mouse renal tubules, we established a detailed quantitative expression map of nuclear receptors along the nephron. This map can serve to identify nuclear receptors with specific localization. Thus, we unexpectedly found that the estrogen-related receptor β (ERRβ) is expressed predominantly in the thick ascending limb (TAL) and, to a much lesser extent, in the distal convoluted tubules. In vivo treatment with an ERR inverse agonist (diethylstilbestrol) showed a link between this receptor family and the expression of the Na+,K+-2Cl− cotransporter type 2 (NKCC2), and resulted in phenotype presenting some similarities with the Bartter syndrom (hypokalemia, urinary Na+ loss and volume contraction). Conversely, stimulation of ERRβ with a selective agonist (GSK4716) in a TAL cell line stimulated NKCC2 expression. All together, these results provide broad information regarding the renal expression of all members of the nuclear receptor family and have allowed us to identify a new regulator of ion transport in the TAL segments

Prefrontal response and frontostriatal functional connectivity to monetary reward in abstinent alcohol-dependent young adults

Although altered function in neural reward circuitry is widely proposed in models of addiction, more recent conceptual views have emphasized the role of disrupted response in prefrontal regions. Changes in regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are postulated to contribute to the compulsivity, impulsivity, and altered executive function that are central to addiction. In addition, few studies have examined function in these regions during young adulthood, when exposure is less chronic than in typical samples of alcohol-dependent adults. To address these issues, we examined neural response and functional connectivity during monetary reward in 24 adults with alcohol dependence and 24 psychiatrically healthy adults. Adults with alcohol dependence exhibited less response to the receipt of monetary reward in a set of prefrontal regions including the medial prefrontal cortex, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Adults with alcohol dependence also exhibited greater negative correlation between function in each of these regions and that in the nucleus accumbens. Within the alcohol-dependent group, those with family history of alcohol dependence exhibited lower mPFC response, and those with more frequent drinking exhibited greater negative functional connectivity between the mPFC and the nucleus accumbens. These findings indicate that alcohol dependence is associated with less engagement of prefrontal cortical regions, suggesting weak or disrupted regulation of ventral striatal response. This pattern of prefrontal response and frontostriatal connectivity has consequences for the behavior patterns typical of addiction. Furthermore, brain-behavior findings indicate that the potential mechanisms of disruption in frontostriatal circuitry in alcohol dependence include family liability to alcohol use problems and more frequent use of alcohol. In all, these findings build on the extant literature on reward-circuit function in addiction and suggest mechanisms for disrupted function in alcohol dependence. © 2014 Forbes et al

Gustatory Perception and Fat Body Energy Metabolism Are Jointly Affected by Vitellogenin and Juvenile Hormone in Honey Bees

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) provide a system for studying social and food-related behavior. A caste of workers performs age-related tasks: young bees (nurses) usually feed the brood and other adult bees inside the nest, while older bees (foragers) forage outside for pollen, a protein/lipid source, or nectar, a carbohydrate source. The workers' transition from nursing to foraging and their foraging preferences correlate with differences in gustatory perception, metabolic gene expression, and endocrine physiology including the endocrine factors vitellogenin (Vg) and juvenile hormone (JH). However, the understanding of connections among social behavior, energy metabolism, and endocrine factors is incomplete. We used RNA interference (RNAi) to perturb the gene network of Vg and JH to learn more about these connections through effects on gustation, gene transcripts, and physiology. The RNAi perturbation was achieved by single and double knockdown of the genes ultraspiracle (usp) and vg, which encode a putative JH receptor and Vg, respectively. The double knockdown enhanced gustatory perception and elevated hemolymph glucose, trehalose, and JH. We also observed transcriptional responses in insulin like peptide 1 (ilp1), the adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG, or “foraging gene” Amfor). Our study demonstrates that the Vg–JH regulatory module controls changes in carbohydrate metabolism, but not lipid metabolism, when worker bees shift from nursing to foraging. The module is also placed upstream of ilp1, AKHR, and PKG for the first time. As insulin, adipokinetic hormone (AKH), and PKG pathways influence metabolism and gustation in many animals, we propose that honey bees have conserved pathways in carbohydrate metabolism and conserved connections between energy metabolism and gustatory perception. Thus, perhaps the bee can make general contributions to the understanding of food-related behavior and metabolic disorders

Behavior of unbonded multistrand posttensioning anchorage systems under monotonic and cyclical loads

The growing popularity of unbonded posttensioned structures designed for seismic resiliency, in conjunction with recent research indicating the inability of commercially available posttensioning anchorage systems to meet current industry certification standards, has prompted the need to investigate and better understand posttensioning anchorage systems. Recent research has focused on single-strand posttensioning systems; however, virtually no published literature is available regarding the behavior of multistrand anchorages. This paper presents results from a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of the fracture and ultimate strength and strain capacities of multistrand posttensioning anchorage systems for use in seismic-resilient rocking structures. The testing program encompassed two anchorage manufacturers, two anchorage alignment configurations, and two wedge geometries under both monotonic and cyclic loading. The results show that modifying the wedge geometry can improve the performance of commercially available posttensioning anchorages and that a strain limit of 1% should be used for seismic applications.This article is published as Abramson, D. A., Musselman, E., and Sritharan, S. 2017. Behavior of Unbonded Multistrand PostTensioning Anchorage Systems Under Monotonic and Cyclical Loads. PCI Journal 62(1) 31-48. Posted with permission.</p