Information Processing view of Electricity Demand Response Systems: A Comparative Study Between India and Australia

Background: In recent years, demand response (DR) has gained increased attention from utilities, regulators, and market aggregators to meet the growing demands of electricity. The key aspect of a successful DR program is the effective processing of data and information to gain critical insights. This study aims to identify information processing needs and capacity that interact to improve energy DR effectiveness. To this end, organizational information processing theory (OIPT) is employed to understand the role of Information Systems (IS) resources in achieving desired DR program performance. This study also investigates how information processing for DR systems differ between developing (India) and developed (Australia) countries. Method: This work adopts a case study methodology to propose a theoretical framework using OIPT for information processing in DR systems. The study further employs a comparative case data analyses between Australian and Indian DR initiatives. Results: Our cross case analysis identifies variables of value creation in designing DR programs - pricing structure for demand side participation, renewable integration at supply side, reforms in the regulatory instruments, and emergent technology. This research posits that the degree of information processing capacity mediates the influence of information processing needs on energy DR effectiveness. Further, we develop five propositions on the interaction between task based information processing needs and capacity, and their influence on DR effectiveness. Conclusions: The study generates insights on the role of IS resources that can help stakeholders in the electricity value chain to take informed and intelligent decisions for improved performance of DR programs

Constraints on Acoustic Signaling Among Birds Breeding in Secondary Cavities: The Effects of Weather, Cavity Material, and Noise on Sound Propagation

Increasing evidence suggests that anthropogenic noise from urbanization affects animal acoustic communication. We investigated whether the begging calls of nestling Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) varied along a disturbance gradient of ambient noise. Contrary to our prediction and the results of a previous study of nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), we found that nestling Eastern Bluebirds did not increase the amplitude or structural characteristics—including frequency, rate, and duration—of their vocalizations in response to ambient noise. However, we found that prevalent temperature and humidity conditions attenuated begging calls. Specifically, in warmer, more humid weather, vocalizations of nestling Eastern Bluebirds attenuated outside the nest box; this is consistent with research conducted on the propagation of sound in various mediums and temperatures. Finally, our results indicate that increased ambient noise is associated with a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio of nestling vocalizations. In other words, loud ambient noise likely masks chick begging calls, which suggests that chicks and parents may experience communication difficulties in noisy environments. We suggest that future studies explore the effects of ambient noise on parental behavior and aspects of parent—offspring communication and conflict that are related to raising a brood of nestlings

Stabilization of Black Cotton Soil using Lime, Coir Fiber & Rice Husk

Because of their low bearing capacity, the expansive black cotton soils' high swelling and shrinking characteristics have posed numerous challenges to construction projects. When subjected to varying levels of moisture, black cotton soil expands and contracts rapidly. As a result, stabilising the soil is necessary to address these issues. Rice Husk Ash (RHA), Cori Fiber, and Lime are being tested in this study to see if they can act as a stabilising material in the expansive black cotton soil. The impact of RHA, CF, and LIME on the expansive soil's index and engineering properties was studied in the lab. Coir fibre concentration is 1.5 percent, lime is 5 percent by weight of dry soil, and RHA is mixed in at a ratio of 20 percent. The virgin soil sample is first tested for specific gravity and grain size distribution. With and without these admixtures soil's index properties like its plastic limit, liquid limit and shrinkage limit and its strength properties like its California Bearing Ratio, Unconfined Compressive Strength tests are discovered. According to the test results, a combination of 5 percent lime and 1.5 percent coir fibre yielded the strongest soil and best index properties

First record of the glass octopus Vitreledonella richardi (Cephalopoda: Vitreledonellidae) from the Arabian Sea

Background: Arabian Sea considered as one of the richest region of oceanic cephalopods. On conflicting information related to species diversity is still scare. Result: This work presents the first report of a paralarvae of glass octopus Vitreledonella richardi from the Arabian Sea. A single specimen was collected during dusk by Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl net on 28 February 2015. (Horizon of 150 m at 09° 52′ 30″ N; 73° 37′ 22″ E, bottom depth: 2005 m). A description of the specimen is provided. Conclusion: Record of this rare squid, from Arabian Sea is an addition to the cephalopod fauna of India

Scope for light assisted fishing in Southeastern Arabian Sea

Scope for light assisted fishing in Southeastern Arabian Se

Rare occurrence of Reinhardt’s cranch squid Liocranchia reinhardti (Cephalopod: Cranchiidae) from southeastern Arabian Sea

Single individual of the rare cranchiid squid Liocranchia reinhardti belonging to the Cranchiidae family was caught in a bottom trawl operated at 80 m in southeastern Arabian Sea. The morphometric measurements and indices of the specimen are provided. Statolith microstructure analysis revealed that the L. reinhardti with 118 mm dorsal mantle length (DML) had an age of 71 days with growth rate of 1.66 mm DML/day

Paralarva of the sharpear enope squid Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (Oegopsida: Ancistrocheiridae) in the southeastern Arabian Sea

First morphological description of an early stage paralarva of the sharpear enope squid Ancistrocheirus lesueurii from southeastern Arabian Sea is presented. The paralarva was collected at dusk by using surface tows of zooplankton nets in February 2012. The presence of paralarva A. lesueurii indicates that this species completes its life cycle in this sea. A comparison of the arm formula of paralarva and adult stages shows a major change in the formula during metamorphosis to adult

Dystrophin glycoprotein complex dysfunction:a regulatory link between muscular dystrophy and cancer cachexia

SummaryCachexia contributes to nearly a third of all cancer deaths, yet the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle wasting in this syndrome remain poorly defined. We report that tumor-induced alterations in the muscular dystrophy-associated dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) represent a key early event in cachexia. Muscles from tumor-bearing mice exhibited membrane abnormalities accompanied by reduced levels of dystrophin and increased glycosylation on DGC proteins. Wasting was accentuated in tumor mdx mice lacking a DGC but spared in dystrophin transgenic mice that blocked induction of muscle E3 ubiquitin ligases. Furthermore, DGC deregulation correlated positively with cachexia in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Based on these results, we propose that, similar to muscular dystrophy, DGC dysfunction plays a critical role in cancer-induced wasting

Ashtamudi clams fetch more

Eco-labelling through sustainable fishing practices results in premium prices and ecological gains. Short-neck clam fisheries of Ashtamudi garnered an eco-label from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a first in India. Clams function as bio-filters for Ashtamudi. Understanding the value chain and a comparison between pre and post management of the fishery points to the advantages of certification