Capacity market design options: a dynamic capacity investment model and a GB case study

Rising feed-in from renewable energy sources decreases margins, load factors, and thereby profitability of conventional generation in several electricity markets around the world. At the same time, conventional generation is still needed to ensure security of electricity supply. Therefore, capacity markets are currently being widely discussed as a measure to ensure generation adequacy in markets such as France, Germany, and the United States (e.g., Texas), or even implemented for example in Great Britain. We assess the effect of different capacity market design options in three scenarios: 1) no capacity market, 2) a capacity market for new capacity only, and 3) a capacity market for new and existing capacity. We compare the results along the three key dimensions of electricity policy ��� affordability, reliability, and sustainability. In a Great Britain case study we find that a capacity market increases generation adequacy since it provides incentives for new generation investments. Furthermore, our results show that a capacity market can lower the total bill of generation because it can reduce lost load and the potential to exercise market power. Additionally, we find that a capacity market for new capacity only is cheaper than a capacity market for new and existing capacity because it remunerates fewer generators in the first years after its introduction.renewable energy source

Pigs Weaned from Sows Fed a Feed Flavor Had Improved Nursery Performance, but Feed Flavor in the Nursery Diets did not Impact Performance

A total of 360 weaned pigs (DNA 241 × 600: initially 12.6 lb) were used to evaluate the effects of previous sow feed flavoring treatment (control vs. flavor) and nursery diets formulated with or without a feed flavor on growth performance in a 38-d trial. Pigs were weaned at approximately 19 d from sows fed diets with or without 0.05% of the feed flavor (Krave AP, Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA). Pigs were placed in pens (5 to 6 pigs per pen) within sow treatment and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary nursery treatments. There were 14 to 17 replications per treatment. Nursery treatments were either a control diet or a diet containing a feed flavor (Delistart #NA 21, Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA) added at 0.05% of the diet. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of sow and nursery treatment. Offspring from sows fed the flavor diet had a higher (P \u3c 0.001) BW at weaning, which was maintained throughout the study. No significant differences were observed for ADG, ADFI, or F/G during phase 1. During phase 2, there was a tendency (P \u3c 0.10) for a main effect of both nursery and sow diet on ADG. Pigs from sows fed the flavor diet had greater ADG compared to pigs from sows fed the control diet, and pigs fed the control diet had increased ADG compared to those fed the flavor diet. During phase 2, there was a tendency (P \u3c 0.10) observed for a main effect of sow treatment on ADFI, with pigs from sows fed the flavor diet having greater ADFI. During phase 3, there was a main effect (P \u3c 0.05) of nursery treatment on both ADFI and F/G where pigs fed the feed flavor diet had greater ADFI but poorer F/G. A tendency (P \u3c 0.10) was observed for an interaction between sow and nursery diet for ADG with pigs fed the flavor diet that were obtained from sows fed the flavor diet having greater ADG but no difference was observed when pigs were obtained from sows fed the control diet. Overall, progeny from sows fed a diet containing a feed flavor had greater ADG (P = 0.038) and ADFI (P = 0.043) and final BW (P \u3c 0.001) during the trial. In conclusion, offspring from sows fed a feed flavor had increased ADG, ADFI, and BW, but the presence of a feed flavor in the nursery did not elicit better overall nursery performance

The Effect of Lactation Diets Supplemented with Krave AP on Sow and Litter Performance

A total of 105 sows (Line 241, DNA) were used across four batch farrowing groups to evaluate the effects of feeding a feed flavor in lactation diets on sow and litter performance. Sow groups 1 and 2 farrowed in an old farrowing house during the summer months and groups 3 and 4 farrowed in a new farrowing house during the winter months. The farrowing house used for groups 1 and 2 was environmentally regulated by fans and drip coolers to adjust ambient temperature. The farrowing house used for groups 3 and 4 was environmentally controlled to maintain a target temperature by cool cells and fans. Sows were blocked by BW within parity on d 110 of gestation and allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were a standard corn-soybean-based lactation diet (control) or the control diet with the addition of 0.05% feed flavor (Krave AP, Adisseo, Alpharetta, GA). Sows were fed their treatment diet from entry to the farrowing house (d 110 of gestation) until weaning at around 19 days of age. Farrowing house environment had a large impact and resulted in many interactions with the lactation feed flavor treatment. Sows fed the flavor treatment had a tendency (P = 0.093) for a higher ADFI overall compared with control fed sows. Adding the feed flavor to the diet increased feed intake and piglet ADG in an environment that was warmer where feed intake was suppressed, but had no effect in the new farrowing house where feed intake of all sows was much greater

Evaluation of Precision Feeding Standardized Ileal Digestible Lysine to Meet the Lactating Sow’s Requirement and Maximize Piglet Growth Performance

A total of 56 mixed parity sows (DNA 241, Columbus, NE) and litters (DNA 241 × 600) were used across two batch farrowing groups to evaluate the effects of precision feeding SID Lys during lactation. Sows were blocked by parity and allotted to 1 of 3 treatments on day 2 of lactation (the day after the start of farrowing). The first treatment was a control treatment where sows were provided a 1.10% SID Lys diet throughout lactation. The second and third treatments included sows fed either a static blend curve or a dynamic blend curve. Both blend curve treatments utilized the Gestal Quattro Opti Feeder (Jyga Technologies, St-Lambert-de-Lauzon, Quebec, Canada) to blend a low and high Lys diet to target a specific SID g/d of Lys intake for each day of lactation. The only difference between the static blend curve and dynamic blend curve was that the dynamic blend curve of the low and high Lys diet was adjusted every 2 days based on a rolling average of Lys intake to more closely reach target g/d of Lys intake while the static blend curve was not adjusted throughout lactation. Lysine intake curves were based on the NRC (2012) model estimates, but targets were increased by 20% to reach an average Lys intake of approximately 60 g/d across parities. Dietary treatments for sows on the blend curve treatments were formed by blending a low Lys diet (0.40% SID Lys) and the control high Lys diet (1.10% SID Lys). Actual SID Lys intake was 97% of the targeted g/d for sows fed the static blend curve and 96% of targeted g/d for sows fed the dynamic blend curve. Sows fed the control treatment had greater Lys intake (g/day; P \u3c 0.05) compared to sows fed either of the blend curve treatments, with no differences between the two blend curve treatments (P \u3e 0.05). No differences in sow ADFI or sow body weight, backfat, or loin depth at entry or weaning were observed among treatments (P \u3e 0.05). There were no differences among treatments observed in litter size, piglet weight at birth or weaning, ADG, and litter weight or ADG (P \u3e 0.05). Because sows fed either blend curve had a numerically greater ADFI, no differences in sow feed cost were observed (P \u3e 0.05). Sows fed the control treatment excreted more N and had a higher serum urea N concentration compared to sows fed either blend curve treatment (P \u3e 0.05). Based on the results of the study, blending a low and high Lys diet can be used during lactation to decrease N excretion and achieve similar piglet growth performance compared to results for piglets from sows fed only a high Lys diet throughout lactation. Furthermore, these data would suggest that 60 g/d of SID Lys is sufficient to maximize litter weight gain for litter sizes of 13.5 weaned piglets

Evaluation of Precision Feeding SID Lysine to Lactating Sows on Sow and Litter Performance, Nitrogen Level, and Feed Cost

A total of 95 mixed parity sows (DNA 241) and litters (DNA 241 × 600) were used across four batch farrowing groups to evaluate the effects of precision feeding Lys during lactation. Sows were blocked by parity and allotted to 1 of 3 treatments on day 2 (the day after farrowing) of lactation. Dietary treatments were formed by using 2 diets: a low Lys diet (0.25% SID Lys) and a high Lys diet (1.10% SID Lys). Treatments included a control, NRC (2012), or INRA (2009) treatment curve. Sows on the NRC or INRA treatment curves received a blend of the low and high diet using the Gestal Quattro Opti Feeder (Jyga Technologies, St-Lambert-de-Lauzon, Quebec, Canada) to target a specific SID g/d of Lys intake for each day of lactation based on the NRC and INRA models for each sow parity and litter size combination. Sows on the control treatment received only the high Lys diet with no diet blending or specific g/d of Lys target. Sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed throughout lactation. Lysine intake was 102% of targeted average g/d of Lys intake during lactation for sows fed the NRC treatment curve and 98% of targeted average g/d for sows fed the INRA treatment curves. Sows fed only the high Lys diet (control) had greater (P \u3c 0.05) average g/d of Lys intake compared to sows fed either the NRC or INRA treatment curves. No differences (P \u3e 0.05) in sow weight, backfat, caliper score, or loin depth change were observed among treatments. However, litters from sows fed the control treatment had greater (P \u3c 0.05) litter weight on d 9 and weaning compared to litters from sows fed either the NRC or INRA treatment curves. Pigs from sows fed the control treatment had greater (P \u3c 0.05) BW at weaning and preweaning ADG compared to pigs from sows fed the INRA treatment curve, with pigs from sows fed the NRC treatment curve intermediate. Sows fed the NRC treatment curve had a greater (P \u3c 0.05) feed cost per lb of litter gain compared to sows fed the control treatment, with sows fed the INRA treatment curve intermediate. This was unexpected because sows fed the NRC treatment curves had a blend of the low and high Lys diets which had a decreased feed cost per lb compared to the control diet. However, this was the result of higher feed intake of sows fed the NRC treatment curve. Sows fed the control treatment had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) N excretion and sows fed the INRA treatment curve the lowest, with sows fed the NRC treatment curve intermediate. Sows fed the control treatment had greater (P \u3c 0.05) serum urea nitrogen concentration on d 9 and at weaning compared to sows fed the NRC and INRA treatment curves. In summary, pigs from sows fed a single diet (control) that did not utilize feed blending had increased pig growth performance during lactation compared to pigs from sows fed the NRC or INRA treatment curves. This is likely because the NRC and INRA estimated Lys requirements are too low to maximize litter growth performance and not because they were on a feed blending curve. Future research should be aimed at examining the effects of blending high and low Lys diets, while providing daily Lys intakes with greater dietary SID Lys concentrations, to achieve similar litter growth performance compared to conventional feeding of a high Lys diet

Effect of Increasing Manganese from Manganese Hydroxychloride on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economics of Grow-Finish Pigs

A total of 2,025 grow-finish pigs (337 × 1050, PIC; initially 88.0 ± 2.68 lb) were used in a 95-d trial to determine the impact on growth by increasing Mn from Mn hydroxychloride compared to a control diet containing MnSO4. Pigs were housed in mixed gender pens with 27 pigs per pen and 15 pens per treatment. The treatments were structured as a completely randomized design and consisted of a control diet containing 30 ppm of Mn from MnSO4 (Eurochem, Veracruz, Mexico) or 15, 30, 45, or 65 ppm of Mn from Mn hydroxychloride (IBM; IntelliBond M, Micronutrients USA, LLC, Indianapolis, IN). Experimental diets were corn-soybean meal-DDGS-based and were formulated with a premix without Mn and containing 150 ppm of Cu from IntelliBond C (Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN) and 100 ppm of Zn from IntelliBond Z (Micronutrients, Indianapolis, IN). Diets were fed in four phases from 88 to 110, 110 to 165, 165 to 220, and 220 to 294 lb. In the grower period (d 0 to 43), F/G was improved (quadratic, P = 0.036) when IBM level increased up to 45 ppm but then worsened thereafter. Overall (d 0 to 95), there was no evidence of difference for any growth or carcass response criteria when comparing the Mn sources at 30 ppm of Mn or when increasing the level of IBM in diets. In conclusion, no differences were observed in this trial with the exception of an improvement in F/G observed in the grower phase as IBM increased up to 45 ppm

Comparing Increasing Tryptophan:Lysine Ratios in DDGS-Based Diets with or without a DDGS Withdrawal Strategy on Growth Performance and Iodine Value of Growing-Finishing Pigs

A total of 6,240 pigs (DNA 600 × PIC 1050; initially 49.7 × 2.23 lb), divided into 2 groups, were used in a 119- or 120-d study to compare increasing the Trp:Lys ratio in diets with DDGS or a DDGS withdrawal strategy on growth performance and carcass fat iodine value of grow-finish pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 7 dietary treatments with 30 to 36 pigs per pen and 26 replications per treatment. Diets were fed in 4 phases (approximately 50 to 96, 96 to 157, 157 to 220, and 220 lb to market). Diets included a control corn-soybean meal-based diet formulated to a 19% SID Trp:Lys ratio; 4 diets with 30% DDGS fed in all four phases and formulated to achieve a 16%, 19%, 22%, or 25% SID Trp:Lys ratio, respectively; and 2 DDGS withdrawal strategy diets: 19% SID Trp:Lys with 30% DDGS in phases 1 through 3 and then 0% DDGS in phase 4 with either a 19 or 25% Trp:Lys ratio. Overall, BW, ADG, ADFI, and F/G improved (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as the SID Trp:Lys ratio increased in diets with 30% DDGS fed in all 4 phases. Hot carcass weight and carcass yield increased (quadratic, P \u3c 0.05) as the Trp:Lys ratio increased along with backfat depth (linear, P = 0.040). Pigs fed diets containing a SID Trp:Lys ratio of 19% and 30% DDGS from phases 1 through 3 and 0% DDGS in phase 4 had the greatest numeric ADG and ADFI for the overall study, but were not different than pigs fed the control, the 25% Trp:Lys withdrawal treatment, or the 30% DDGS diets with 25% Trp:Lys ratio throughout the study. Pigs fed the control diet had decreased (P \u3c 0.05) carcass fat iodine value compared to pigs fed DDGS throughout the study, with pigs fed the two DDGS withdrawal strategies having lower (P \u3c 0.05) iodine values compared to pigs fed 30% DDGS in all 4 phases. No significant differences (P \u3e 0.05) in revenue per pen or IOFC per pen were observed, however, feed cost per lb of gain (quadratic, P = 0.001) and feed cost per pig placed (linear, P = 0.002) increased and revenue per pig placed tended to increase (P = 0.064) as the Trp:Lys ratio increased. In summary, increasing the SID Trp:Lys ratio in diets with 30% DDGS resulted in a linear improvement in ADG, ADFI, F/G, and BW but did not influence iodine values. Removing DDGS from the diet in the last period reduced carcass fat iodine value and increased growth rate during the withdrawal period compared to pigs fed 30% DDGS throughout, indicating value in a withdrawal strategy

In-hospital complications after invasive strategy for the management of Non STEMI: women fare as well as men

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To analyze the in-hospital complication rate in women suffering from non-ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to men.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The files of 479 consecutive patients (133 women and 346 men) suffering from a Non STEMI (Non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) between the January 1^st2006 and March 21^st2009 were retrospectively analyzed with special attention to every single complication occurring during hospital stay. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests and are reported as median unless otherwise specified. A p value < .05 was considered significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As compared to men, women were significantly older (75.8 <it>vs</it>. 65.2 years; p < .005). All cardiovascular risk factors but tobacco and hypertension were similar between the groups: men were noticeably more often smoker (p < .0001) and women more hypertensive (p < .005). No difference was noticed for pre-hospital cardiovascular drug treatment. However women were slightly more severe at entry (more Killip class IV; p = .0023; higher GRACE score for in-hospital death - p = .008 and CRUSADE score for bleeding - p < .0001). All the patients underwent PCI of the infarct-related artery after 24 or 48 hrs post admission without sex-related difference either for timing of PCI or primary success rate. During hospitalization, 130 complications were recorded. Though the event rate was slightly higher in women (30% <it>vs</it>. 26% - p = NS), no single event was significantly gender related. The logistic regression identified age and CRP concentration as the only predictive variables in the whole group. After splitting for genders, these parameters were still predictive of events in men. In women however, CRP was the only one with a borderline p value.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study does not support any gender difference for in-hospital adverse events in patients treated invasively for an acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation and elevated troponin.</p

Exploring Metabolic Pathway Reconstruction and Genome-Wide Expression Profiling in Lactobacillus reuteri to Define Functional Probiotic Features

The genomes of four Lactobacillus reuteri strains isolated from human breast milk and the gastrointestinal tract have been recently sequenced as part of the Human Microbiome Project. Preliminary genome comparisons suggested that these strains belong to two different clades, previously shown to differ with respect to antimicrobial production, biofilm formation, and immunomodulation. To explain possible mechanisms of survival in the host and probiosis, we completed a detailed genomic comparison of two breast milk–derived isolates representative of each group: an established probiotic strain (L. reuteri ATCC 55730) and a strain with promising probiotic features (L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475). Transcriptomes of L. reuteri strains in different growth phases were monitored using strain-specific microarrays, and compared using a pan-metabolic model representing all known metabolic reactions present in these strains. Both strains contained candidate genes involved in the survival and persistence in the gut such as mucus-binding proteins and enzymes scavenging reactive oxygen species. A large operon predicted to encode the synthesis of an exopolysaccharide was identified in strain 55730. Both strains were predicted to produce health-promoting factors, including antimicrobial agents and vitamins (folate, vitamin B12). Additionally, a complete pathway for thiamine biosynthesis was predicted in strain 55730 for the first time in this species. Candidate genes responsible for immunomodulatory properties of each strain were identified by transcriptomic comparisons. The production of bioactive metabolites by human-derived probiotics may be predicted using metabolic modeling and transcriptomics. Such strategies may facilitate selection and optimization of probiotics for health promotion, disease prevention and amelioration