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In 1973 and again in 1979 oil prices increased dramatically forcing many developed and developing nations to begin programmes of energy conservation in different areas of industry. I.R Iran as an oil producing and exporting country never felt the full effect of these global oil shortages. Therefore, it was one of the few countries in the world not to invest much time or money in the study of energy conservation. Recent studies have shown that in less than two decades domestic oil consumption and Iranian oil production will balance. When this happens Iran will lose its revenue from oil exports, upon which it is dependent for foreign currency, and may even have to begin to import energy. Therefore, Iran is not only behind most countries in the investigation of energy conservation technology but is facing severe shortages. This thesis studies Iran's energy production, consumption, and outlines the possibilities for energy conservation in Iran. Chapters 1 through 4 of this work introduce Iran, its geography and location and also provide a synopsis of its current energy situation. Chapter 2 explains Iran's energy balance, outlining the production and consumption of the different fuels used in Iran. Chapter 3 looks at energy demand forecasts as well as price and income elasticities. It is this chapter that highlights Iran's impending energy crisis. Chapter 4 discusses the general energy efficiency potential and obstacles to that energy efficiency in Iran. This chapter touches on the subjects of fuel prices and the institutions set up to control energy. Chapter 5 looks at energy conservation in Industry. It is divided into two main parts; first, a general look at industrial energy conservation techniques and practices in developed and developing nations; second, a specific look at energy conservation in Iranian industry. The latter section is itself divided into three parts; one, an energy audit of the National Industries Organization; two, energy conservation in the cement industry with a specific case study done at the Tehran cement factory; and, three, a general look at energy conservation in the glass industry, with a specific case study done at the Ghazvin Glass Company. Chapter 6 examines energy conservation in Transportation. It opens with a general overview of technical and managerial aspects of energy conservation in transportation in general around the world. Next, it discusses potential for energy conservation related to transportation in Iran. Chapter 7 discusses energy conservation in Mining. There has been very little work done on this subject, especially when compared to the information available on energy conservation in transportation and industry. Therefore, a special study was carried out in this field. This study identified a number of possible areas of energy conservation in mining. A separate section of Chapter 7 describes the Iranian mining sector and notes that its growth will necessitate quite a lot of work on energy conservation in that sector. Chapters 8 and 9 examine Employment and the Environmental aspects of energy conservation. First the subjects are examined in a general way and then they are discussed specifically for the case of Iran. Chapter 10 contains the conclusion and recommendations for every chapter of this work. The study of energy production and use in Iran which is described and discussed in this thesis is related to recommended actions for the future. It is shown that energy conservation can play an important role in the Iranian economy. Not only can it have positive environmental and employment effects, but it can delay the time when Iran ceases to be a net exporter of oil.

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Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with a five-year survival rate under 5%. Given the disease’s deadliness, increasing our understanding of the molecular nature of the pancreatic cancer is key to developing more effective preventive measures and treatments. Dietary energy restriction (DER) has been shown to have potent anticancer effects in pancreatic cancer, but the mechanism of action has yet to be completely elucidated. Here we investigate the potential of altered microRNA expression as a mechanism by which DER exerts its anticancer effect. Using the Exiqon microRNA Array, we identified several microRNAs of interest for further study. This includes microRNA (mir) 669c, a known regulator of glutathione-S transferases (linked to carcinogen metabolism and oxidative stress) that increases with age. To our knowledge, this is the first exploration of the effects of DER (which is known to suppress oxidative stress and other processes associated with aging and cancer) on microRNA expression. These findings may provide the initial steps towards identifying novel targets for pancreatic cancer prevention or treatment. / text

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Nowadays, energy is becoming more and more important. With the development of society, the demand of energy is also increasing correspondingly. There is 22% of the total energy which is used in building part. A more effective and sustainable energy system becomes necessary due to increasing energy prices and demand. The aim of this thesis is to make an energy survey of this building, evaluating different sources of energy supply and losses in this building. By evaluating, a better thermal comfort is expectedly achieved when having examinations, and a possible saving method is also expected in order to reduce the cost of this system.  In this project, the building is located in University of Gävle which is surveyed. It has 2 floors. The first floor is underground as a basement. An examination room is included in the second floor. There are a space heating system and heating recovery system ventilation in this examination building. At first step of analysis, the data of construction, ventilation, district heating and hot tap water were arranged by Mr. Magnus. Secondly, an energy balance had been done, and it helped to make energy input and output more clearly. In energy supply part, the solar radiation is 22.4MWh, the internal heat from people is 1.95MWh, the internal heat from equipment is 5.63MWh and district heating is 184MWh. In energy losses part, the transmission loss is 165MWh, the mechanical ventilation loss is 38.3MWh, the infiltration loss is 8.38MWh and the hot tap water is 2.09MWh. Thirdly, results of calculations were analyzed. At last, the optimization methods were given to save energy. The optimization methods were changing type of windows and improving indoor temperature which influenced the transmission loss part. Another method was reducing operating time of the ventilation system. Through these optimizing methods, the total energy use is reduced from 214MWh to 179MWh, and district heating is reduced from 184MWh to 149MWh. District heating of this building is supplied by Gävle Energi company, which is able to save 20% cost by these optimizing methods. According to the investment analysis, 19thousand SEK energy is saved per annum.

In the summer of 2008 (June 2nd September 19th) detailed measurements of meteorological conditions and glacier surface properties were conducted in the Belcher Glacier catchment (718 km2), Devon Island Ice Cap, Nunavut, Canada. These measurements were used to force and validate a distributed surface energy balance and sub-surface snow model capable of calculating surface ablation rates and meltwater runoff. This study represents a contribution to the International Polar Year (IPY) Glaciodyn project, whose overall aim is to examine the role of hydrology and ice dynamics in the response of marine-terminating glaciers in the Arctic to climate change. Spatially-averaged total water equivalent (w.e.) ablation was 677 mm w.e., and total predicted runoff during the 2008 summer was 3.9 x 108 m3. Net radiation (87%) was the main source of energy over the study period, followed by the sensible heat flux (13%). Net longwave radiation and the latent heat flux represented an overall energy loss from the surface. Modelled melt season duration lasted from June 17th August 15th, and the majority of ablation occurred in two main periods, from June 26th July 18th, and from July 27th to August 14th. Snowfall and lower air temperatures limited ablation between these dates and after August 15th. Ice exposure at elevations below 1000 m occurred by July 1st. Periods of high ablation rates were associated with positive air temperatures and high net shortwave radiation receipts, and with near surface air temperature gradients that were shallow or inverted (i.e. higher air temperatures at higher elevations). Periods of minimum ablation rates occurred when net shortwave radiation receipts were reduced (e.g. following summer snowfall) and when air temperatures were negative. The largest changes in both the net surface energy balance and ablation rates were linked to changes in surface albedo associated with (i) snowpack removal and ice exposure, and (ii) summer snowfall events. Modelled time series of runoff from individual sub-catchments within the Belcher catchment will be used to force a coupled hydrology and ice flow dynamics model of the Belcher Glacier that will be used to investigate the dynamic response of tidewater-terminating glaciers to surface hydrological forcing.

The Virginia Tech crossbreeding program began in the fall of 2002 by mating Holstein and Jersey foundation females to Holstein and Jersey bulls to create HH, HJ, JH, and JJ breed groups (sire breed listed first). Collection of daily dry matter intakes (DMI) began in the fall of 2005 and continued through spring of 2008. DMI were measured for two weeks out of every six week period in first lactation on 44, 32, 29, and 13 HH, HJ, JH, and JJ cows. Daily milk and body weights and monthly milk components were collected. The National Research Council (NRC) DMI prediction equation was used across breed groups to investigate breed differences. DMI prediction equations were developed across breeds. Random regression model were used to predict energy consumed (TEC), energy needed for production, maintenance, and growth at every week of lactation (WOL). Energy balance (EB) was calculated at every WOL by subtracting energy for production, maintenance, growth, and pregnancy from TEC. Common health events were recorded if they occurred in the first 100 days of lactation. Logistic regression was used to analyze health disorder. The HJ and JH were not different from each other in any analyses. The NRC under-predicted DMI for HH and over-predicted DMI for HJ, JH, and JJ. There were significant breed differences in the prediction equations developed. Results indicated that breeds differ in DMI after accounting for production and body weights. The HH cows consumed more energy than HJ and JJ cows. The HH, HJ, and JJ were not different from each other for production but were different from JJ. The JH allocated less energy to maintenance than the HH. There were no breed differences for weeks required to reach positive EB, return to positive cumulative EB, or EB at week 21 of lactation. The HJ, JH, and JJ were more likely to have an incidence of mastitis than HH. The HJ and JH were less likely to have an incidence of metritis than HH. The results indicate breeds differ in DMI, and health diseases and evidence suggests differences in characterization of EB and warrants further investigation. / Ph. D.

Up to 80% of menopausal women suffer from hot flushes, consisting of a coordinated activation of heat loss mechanisms (sweating, cutaneous vasodilatation, etc.). Ovarian steroid withdrawal also leads to hypersecretion of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and changes in body fat distribution. Because gonadotropin release, thermoregulation, and energy balance are hierarchically controlled by the hypothalamus, it is likely that changes in response to estrogen withdrawal are occurring at the level of the hypothalamus. The infundibular (arcuate) nucleus of the hypothalamus contains an estrogen-sensitive population of cells that co-express kisspeptin, neurokin B (NKB), and dynorphin ("KNDy neurons"). KNDy neurons have been proposed to be a site of estrogen negative feedback on gonadotropin release in multiple species because they are estrogen sensitive and respond to estrogen withdrawal with somatic hypertrophy and significant changes in gene expression. Because KNDy neurons project to known thermoregulatory centers in the hypothalamus (such as the median preoptic nucleus, MnPO), we also hypothesized that changes in thermoregulation were also a due to changes in KNDy neurons. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats also show disorders of thermoregulation, increased serum LH and FSH, and altered weight gain. Furthermore, OVX rats exhibit KNDy gene expression changes similar to changes seen in the human, making this model ideal to study the effects of estrogen withdrawal. We used a novel neurotoxin conjugate NK₃-SAP to ablate KNDy neurons in OVX female rats. We then observed core and tail skin temperatures, serum gonadotropin levels, and weight changes before and after replacement with 17β-estradiol. Next, we ablated NK3R-expressing neurons in the MnPO and monitored the thermoregulatory axis. Rats with KNDy-ablation did not exhibit the rise in LH and profound weight gain associated with ovariectomy. Furthermore, KNDy-ablated animals did not exhibit the chronic vasodilatation observed in OVX rats, providing the first evidence that KNDy neurons play a role in vasomotion. Rats with NK₃R cell-specific MnPO lesions also exhibited decreased activation of heat loss effectors. Together, these data demonstrate an important role for arcuate KNDy neurons in estrogen modulation of LH release and body weight, and demonstrate that NKB signaling is critical for activation of heat dissipation effectors.

Title: The Relationship between Moderate, Within Day Protein Intake and Energy Balance on Body Composition of Collegiate Sand Volleyball Players Background: Achieving an ideal body composition with relatively low fat mass and relatively high fat-free mass (FFM) is desirable for virtually all competitive athletes. Some studies suggest that protein intake, depending on quality, amount, and timing, may improve relative musculature by stimulating muscle protein synthesis, but some issues related to timing and amount of protein intake remain unclear. Current evidence suggests that frequent consumption of moderate amounts of protein is useful for muscle building. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to simultaneously assess energy balance and protein intake to determine if these factors are associated with body composition in a population of collegiate sand volleyball players. Methods: In a cross sectional, observational study, players completed a food intake and activity form for a 24-hour period to serve as the basis of energy balance and protein intake assessment. The assessment day was representative of a typical day during the regular training season. These data were entered into a software program providing total and hourly energy balance and nutrient content of the consumed foods. Athletes were measured for body composition via a multi-current bioelectrical impedance scale to predict weight, BMI, fat mass and fat free mass. Height was measured using a standard wall-mounted stadiometer. Data analyses included descriptive and frequency statistics, Spearman correlations and regression analyses. Results: Twelve women from the GSU sand volleyball team participated in the study using an IRB-approved protocol. The mean BMI was 22 kg/m2 (±3 kg/m2) and the mean body fat percentage was 18% (±7%). The mean protein intake for all participants was 132 grams (±52 g). Protein intake distribution was skewed, on average, toward the latter half of the day with approximately 19% of protein consumed in the morning and 34% consumed in the evening. The mean net energy balance at the end of the 24-hour assessment period was -404 (±385) kcal. Athletes, on average, spent 17 hours in a catabolic energy balance state (< 0 kcal). No significant correlation was found between energy balance per gram of protein consumption and body composition. However, regression analyses indicated that energy balance and protein variables explain a significant proportion (p=.037) of the variance in body fat percentage. Conclusions: Sand volleyball players in this study spent a high proportion of time in a negative energy balance, which may have compromised the potential benefit that frequent protein consumption may have had on FFM. Since both energy balance and protein explain a significant proportion of the variance in body composition, these athletes might benefit from improving within-day energy balance as a strategy for optimizing body composition.