Projecting household energy consumption within a conditional demand framework

Few models attempt to assess and project household energy consumption and expenditure by taking into account differential household choices correlated with such variables as race, ethnicity, income, and geographic location. The Minority Energy Assessment Model (MEAM), developed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) for the US Department of Energy (DOE), provides a framework to forecast the energy consumption and expenditure of majority, black, Hispanic, poor, and nonpoor households. Among other variables, household energy demand for each of these population groups in MEAM is affected by housing factors (such as home age, home ownership, home type, type of heating fuel, and installed central air conditioning unit), demographic factors (such as household members and urban/rural location), and climate factors (such as heating degree days and cooling degree days). The welfare implications of the revealed consumption patterns by households are also forecast. The paper provides an overview of the model methodology and its application in projecting household energy consumption under alternative energy scenarios developed by Data Resources, Inc., (DRI)

AU-Rich Element RNA Binding Proteins: At the Crossroads of Post-Transcriptional Regulation and Genome Integrity.

Genome integrity must be tightly preserved to ensure cellular survival and to deter the genesis of disease. Endogenous and exogenous stressors that impose threats to genomic stability through DNA damage are counteracted by a tightly regulated DNA damage response (DDR). RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are emerging as regulators and mediators of diverse biological processes. Specifically, RBPs that bind to adenine uridine (AU)-rich elements (AREs) in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs (AU-RBPs) have emerged as key players in regulating the DDR and preserving genome integrity. Here we review eight established AU-RBPs (AUF1, HuR, KHSRP, TIA-1, TIAR, ZFP36, ZFP36L1, ZFP36L2) and their ability to maintain genome integrity through various interactions. We have reviewed canonical roles of AU-RBPs in regulating the fate of mRNA transcripts encoding DDR genes at multiple post-transcriptional levels. We have also attempted to shed light on non-canonical roles of AU-RBPs exploring their post-translational modifications (PTMs) and sub-cellular localization in response to genotoxic stresses by various factors involved in DDR and genome maintenance. Dysfunctional AU-RBPs have been increasingly found to be associated with many human cancers. Further understanding of the roles of AU-RBP in maintaining genomic integrity may uncover novel therapeutic strategies for cancer

Market penetration of new energy systems estimated by econometric and stochastic methodology

A methodology was developed to evaluate the market potential of new energy technologies and systems in today's fast changing US economic and energy environment. An econometric and stochastic model approach is used to analyze the technical, economic, and market factors influencing the possible market penetration of new energy systems. The market model methodology includes four phases: Phase I - Segment the new technology/end-use market; Phase II - Estimate the technical market; Phase III - Estimate the economic market; and Phase IV - Estimate the market penetration. The market penetration of new Integrated Community Energy Systems (ICES) was estimated by this methodology. To illustrate the methodology, highlights of the ICES application are included in this paper

Physicochemical assessment of groundwater quality at Kashipur (Uttarakhand) industrial areas

1486-1494The quality of groundwater has been degrading due to municipal sewage, industrial pollutants, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. These dangerous pollutants enter into the deeper soil layers, infiltrate some aquifers, and decrease the gradation of groundwater. Other problems are associated with the leakage of sewer, faulty septic tank cleaning, landfill leachates, throwing of garbage into the river, pond and soil pollution. In coastal areas, salt water intrudes into fresh-water aquifers due to intensive pumping of fresh groundwater. In the present study, the city Kashipur in the state of Uttarakhand has been chosen due to big industrial settlements. The industrial wastes contain many highly harmful elements which destroy the quality of groundwater in the adjacent areas. Therefore, it is our target to test the groundwater quality of Kashipur industrial areas. To analyze the groundwater and to assess the impact of groundwater pollution of Kashipur area, an attempt has been made in the present study to test the physicochemical parameters including pH, total hardness, alkalinity, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, iron, zinc, copper and heavy metal atoms such as lead, arsenic etc. Imbalance of these parameters may degrade the quality of groundwater and may be deleterious to the health of individual and society in context of drinking, agriculture and industrial purposes. Physiochemical treatment of groundwater samples collected in summer, rainy season and post-monsoon were compared and analyzed by regression modeling making a quantitative correlation between pH and other parameters including total hardness, alkalinity, chloride, sulfate, fluoride and copper using multiple linear regression methods

A desiccant/steam-injected gas-turbine industrial cogeneration system

An integrated desiccant/steam-injected gas-turbine system was evaluated as an industrial cogenerator for the production of electricity and dry, heated air for product drying applications. The desiccant can be regenerated using the heated, compressed air leaving the compressor. The wet stream leaves the regenerator at a lower temperature than when it entered the desiccant regenerator, but with little loss of energy. The wet stream returns to the combustion chamber of the gas-turbine system after preheating by exchanging heat with the turbine exhaust strewn. Therefore, the desiccant is regenerated virtually energy-free. In the proposed system, the moisture-laden air exiting the desiccant is introduced into the combustion chamber of the gas-turbine power system. This paper discusses various possible design configurations, the impact of increased moisture content on the combustion process, the pressure drop across the desiccant regenerator, and the impact of these factors on the overall performance of the integrated system. A preliminary economic analysis including estimated potential energy savings when the system is used in several drying applications, and equipment and operating costs are also presented

A computational-based update on microRNAs and their targets in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many plant species have been investigated in the last years for the identification and characterization of the corresponding miRNAs, nevertheless extensive studies are not yet available on barley (at the time of this writing). To extend and to update information on miRNAs and their targets in barley and to identify candidate polymorphisms at miRNA target sites, the features of previously known plant miRNAs have been used to systematically search for barley miRNA homologues and targets in the publicly available ESTs database. Matching sequences have then been related to Unigene clusters on which most of this study was based.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred-fifty-six microRNA mature sequences belonging to 50 miRNA families have been found to significantly match at least one EST sequence in barley. As expected on the basis of phylogenetic relations, miRNAs putatively orthologous to those of <it>Triticum </it>are significantly over-represented inside the set of identified barley microRNA mature sequences. Many previously known and several putatively new miRNA/target pairs have been identified. When the predicted microRNA targets were grouped into functional categories, biological processes previously known to be regulated by miRNAs, such as development and response to biotic and abiotic stress, have been highlighted and most of the target molecular functions were related to transcription regulation. Candidate microRNA coding genes have been reported and genetic variation (SNPs/indels) both in functional regions of putative miRNAs (mature sequence) and at miRNA target sites has been found.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study has provided an update of the information on barley miRNAs and their targets representing a foundation for future studies. Many of previously known plant microRNAs have homologues in barley with expected important roles during development, nutrient deprivation, biotic and abiotic stress response and other important physiological processes. Putative polymorphisms at miRNA target sites have been identified and they can represent an interesting source for the identification of functional genetic variability.</p

Chemical PARP Inhibition Enhances Growth of Arabidopsis and Reduces Anthocyanin Accumulation and the Activation of Stress Protective Mechanisms

Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) post-translationally modifies proteins through the addition of ADP-ribose polymers, yet its role in modulating plant development and stress responses is only poorly understood. The experiments presented here address some of the gaps in our understanding of its role in stress tolerance and thereby provide new insights into tolerance mechanisms and growth. Using a combination of chemical and genetic approaches, this study characterized phenotypes associated with PARP inhibition at the physiological level. Molecular analyses including gene expression analysis, measurement of primary metabolites and redox metabolites were used to understand the underlying processes. The analysis revealed that PARP inhibition represses anthocyanin and ascorbate accumulation under stress conditions. The reduction in defense is correlated with enhanced biomass production. Even in unstressed conditions protective genes and molecules are repressed by PARP inhibition. The reduced anthocyanin production was shown to be based on the repression of transcription of key regulatory and biosynthesis genes. PARP is a key factor for understanding growth and stress responses of plants. PARP inhibition allows plants to reduce protection such as anthocyanin, ascorbate or Non-Photochemical-Quenching whilst maintaining high energy levels likely enabling the observed enhancement of biomass production under stress, opening interesting perspectives for increasing crop productivity