With many states recently enacting either renewable energy mandates or goals,the small hydropower industry has a unique opportunity to supply a growing portion of U.S. electricity supply. But the procedure to obtain a license for project development is unwieldy, increasingly wrought with regulatory hurdles at both the state and Federal levels. Government incentives exist that promote the development of small hydropower,but are insufficient to overcome the regulatory barriers faced by the industry. Although it is possible for small hydropower to supply a growing share of energy production in the U.S., it is unlikely that the full potential will be realized without substantial changes to the renewable energy regulatory system. This study describes the current state of the regulatory system governing the development of small hydropower facilities in the United States. A basic overview of hydroelectric technology is discussed, followed by a detailed description of the process through which a project developer must apply for a Federal license to construct and operate a hydropower project. The current state of the U.S. small hydropower industry is examined, considering the potential opportunity for the industry to supply a growing share of the U.S. electricity supply. This analysis is supplemented by a discussion of the costs of project construction and an investigation into the regulatory barriers to project development. / text

The purpose of the research study was to identify the implications of the licensing processrelated costs for coupling high temperature reactor(s) (HTR) to the SASOL coal-to-liquid (CTL) process (hereafter known as nuclear coal-to-liquid (NCTL)). This was achieved by formulating a licensing plan using SASOL Secunda as a case study. The secondary objectives of the study were: To analyse the national nuclear regulatory (NNR) act, regulation and authorisation, relevant to the licensing of the NCTL production plant; identify variables influencing licensing and evaluating the relative significance from the perspective of relevant stakeholders; and evaluate the magnitude of the activity-base costs. In order to achieve these goals, an in-depth literature review was conducted to understand the application of nuclear licensing and related concepts. These concepts consisted of several key elements, ranging from South Africa’s legal requirements from the perspective of the national energy regulator; environmental impact assessment; NNR’s nuclear installation site license, nuclear installation license – including commissioning and decommissioning. A mixed experimental approach consisting of qualitative (explorative) and quantitative (descriptive) survey designs were utilised in this study to achieve the primary aim and secondary objectives. Three (3) structured measuring instruments such as a telephonic interview, in-depth interviews and self-administered surveys were utilised in this study to collect data. The data collected revealed three (3) short comings. Short comings were addressed thereafter; ten (10) problems were also identified, to which solutions were suggested. From the results of the study and empirical evidence, a quantified assessment of the risk of time and cost of licensing the NCTL production plant was achieved; it was shown that the overall timelines of the licensing plan for the NCTL production plant was estimated at 8 years as suggested by international best practise; total licensing costs was estimated at ZAR 918,599,904.00 in 2013 value. This study concluded with several recommendations in respect of engagement with the NNR, of which the following are important: To gain clarity on the requirements on the content of site safety reports; provide direction on how to apply for multiple nuclear installation licenses for installations for construction on a common site after granting multiple nuclear installation site licenses and public participation process; and distinguish whether the safety authority has the required human resource capable of handling two (2) license applications per year. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of the research study was to identify the implications of the licensing processrelated costs for coupling high temperature reactor(s) (HTR) to the SASOL coal-to-liquid (CTL) process (hereafter known as nuclear coal-to-liquid (NCTL)). This was achieved by formulating a licensing plan using SASOL Secunda as a case study. The secondary objectives of the study were: To analyse the national nuclear regulatory (NNR) act, regulation and authorisation, relevant to the licensing of the NCTL production plant; identify variables influencing licensing and evaluating the relative significance from the perspective of relevant stakeholders; and evaluate the magnitude of the activity-base costs. In order to achieve these goals, an in-depth literature review was conducted to understand the application of nuclear licensing and related concepts. These concepts consisted of several key elements, ranging from South Africa’s legal requirements from the perspective of the national energy regulator; environmental impact assessment; NNR’s nuclear installation site license, nuclear installation license – including commissioning and decommissioning. A mixed experimental approach consisting of qualitative (explorative) and quantitative (descriptive) survey designs were utilised in this study to achieve the primary aim and secondary objectives. Three (3) structured measuring instruments such as a telephonic interview, in-depth interviews and self-administered surveys were utilised in this study to collect data. The data collected revealed three (3) short comings. Short comings were addressed thereafter; ten (10) problems were also identified, to which solutions were suggested. From the results of the study and empirical evidence, a quantified assessment of the risk of time and cost of licensing the NCTL production plant was achieved; it was shown that the overall timelines of the licensing plan for the NCTL production plant was estimated at 8 years as suggested by international best practise; total licensing costs was estimated at ZAR 918,599,904.00 in 2013 value. This study concluded with several recommendations in respect of engagement with the NNR, of which the following are important: To gain clarity on the requirements on the content of site safety reports; provide direction on how to apply for multiple nuclear installation licenses for installations for construction on a common site after granting multiple nuclear installation site licenses and public participation process; and distinguish whether the safety authority has the required human resource capable of handling two (2) license applications per year. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Many studies have demonstrated that there is a strong relationship between endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress and have demonstrated also that hyperglycemia is associated with increased generation of oxidative stress and atherosclerotic vascular diseases, but we do not know how hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and high glucose (HG) could affect calcium regulatory proteins of human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. In the present study, we have examined the acute effect of H2O2 (100 M) and the effect of chronic exposure to HG concentration (35 mM) on the calcium regulatory system of human vascular endothelial cells using fluorescence imaging microscopy (fura-2). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that calcium regulatory proteins (SERCA-ATPase and PMCA-ATPase pumps and the NCX exchanger) of ECs have different sensitivities to H2O2 and high glucose concentration. We also tested the hypothesis that calcium regulatory proteins could be potential targets of ROS at the early stage of vascular disease. The results of this study showed that both H2O2 and high glucose induced significant delay in calcium removal time (CRT). The study of H2O2 showed that the delay in CRT was due to partial inhibition of SERCA-ATPase and the sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) activity and the effect of H2O2 on CRT was reversible. In contrast, the PMCA-ATPase pump was resistant to inhibition by H2O2. Furthermore, H2O2 induced a 40 ± 6.5 % reduction in endoplasmic reticulum refilling. The second part of the study showed that exposure of ECs to HG concentration for 10 days induced a significant delay in CRT and this delay was due to partial blockade of the SERCA-ATPase pump. Blockade of PMCA-ATPase pump with vanadate showed a further delay in CRT. We conclude that: 1- Both H2O2 and HG affected components of the calcium removal system with different sensitivities; 2- H2O2 and HG did not show any inhibitory effects on the PMCA-ATPase pump; 3- The effect of H2O2 on CRT was reversible; 4- The effect of HG on CRT could be due to increased production of H2O2; 5- The calcium regulatory proteins of ECs could be potential targets for ROS during the early stage of a cardio-vascular disease such as diabetes mellitus.

Yes / Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Aeromonas caviae strain L12, which shows quorum-sensing activity. The availability of this genome sequence is important to the research of the quorum-sensing regulatory system in this isolate. / High Impact Research Grants from the University of Malaya (A000001-50001; UM-MOHE HIR Grant UM C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/CHAN/14/1, H-50001-A000027)

Submitted by Lucas Bocchini Rodrigues Alves null (lucasbocchini@gmail.com) on 2017-12-05T19:45:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Lucas_Bocchini_Rodrigues_Alves.pdf: 48834271 bytes, checksum: 5031c0180284664e9a7c99d9701586b4 (MD5) / Submitted by Lucas Bocchini Rodrigues Alves null (lucasbocchini@gmail.com) on 2017-12-11T18:47:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Lucas_Bocchini_Rodrigues_Alves.pdf: 48834271 bytes, checksum: 5031c0180284664e9a7c99d9701586b4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Karina Gimenes Fernandes null (karinagi@fcav.unesp.br) on 2017-12-13T11:36:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 rodriguesalves_lb_jabo.pdf: 48291587 bytes, checksum: dba569cb90d71bd85abca6cc394cb228 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-13T11:36:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 rodriguesalves_lb_jabo.pdf: 48291587 bytes, checksum: dba569cb90d71bd85abca6cc394cb228 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / RESUMO – Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) é um patógeno hospedeiro-específico que causa o tifo aviário, doença sistêmica severa que é considerada uma das principais preocupações da indústria avícola mundial. Quando infecta a ave, SG utiliza mecanismos de evasão para sobreviver e replicar no interior de macrófagos. Nesse contexto, os genes phoPQ codificam o sistema regulatório de dois componentes (PhoPQ) que regula genes de virulência responsáveis pela adaptação de Salmonella spp. a fatores antimicrobianos como baixo pH, peptídeos antimicrobianos e baixas concentrações de cátions bivalentes. No presente estudo, objetivou-se investigar a função desses genes para SG. Assim, uma estirpe de SG com genes phoPQ defectivos (SG ∆phoPQ) foi construída e sua patogenicidade avaliada em aves poedeiras de 20 dias de vida susceptíveis ao tifo aviário. SG ∆phoPQ não causou sinais clínicos nem mortalidade em aves desafiadas oralmente, sendo não-patogênica. Ademais, essa estirpe não foi recuperada de fígados e baços. Por outro lado, aves desafiadas subcutaneamente com a estirpe mutante tiveram alterações patológicas discretas a moderadas e baixas contagens bacterianas em tecidos de fígado e baço. A partir dos dados, observa-se que SG ∆phoPQ é atenuado para aves o que sugere que ambos os genes são importantes durante a infecção sistêmica em aves por SG. / ABSTRACT – Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) is a host-restrict pathogen that causes fowl typhoid, a severe systemic disease that is one of the major concerns to the poultry industry worldwide. When infecting the bird, SG makes use of evasion mechanisms to survive and to replicate within macrophages. In this context, phoPQ genes encode a two-component regulatory system (PhoPQ) that regulates virulence genes responsible for adaptation of Salmonella spp. to antimicrobial factors such as low pH, antimicrobial peptides and deprivation of bivalent cations. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of the mentioned genes to SG. Thus, a phoPQ-depleted SG strain (SG ∆phoPQ) was constructed and its virulence assessed in twenty-day-old laying hens susceptible to fowl typhoid. SG ∆phoPQ did cause neither clinical signs nor mortality in birds orally challenged, being non-pathogenic. Furthermore, this strain was not recovered from livers or spleens. On the other hand, chickens challenged subcutaneously with the mutant strain had discreet to moderate pathological changes and also low bacterial counts in liver and spleen tissues. These findings show that SG ∆phoPQ is attenuated to susceptible chickens and suggest that both genes are important during chicken systemic infection by SG.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21808号 / 農博第2321号 / 新制||農||1066(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H31||N5180(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 植田 充美, 教授 渡邊 隆司, 教授 栗原 達夫 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Salmonella enterica is an intracellular bacterial pathogen of humans and the causative agent of the acute gastrointestinal disease, salmonellosis, and the chronic systemic infection, typhoid fever. Sensor proteins convert environmental signals, including signals detected within the host environment, into biochemical signals to control cellular responses. It has been previously established that the two component regulatory system SsrA-SsrB, consisting of the integral membrane sensor kinase protein SsrA and the cytoplasmic DNA-binding response regulator SsrB are essential for regulation of bacterial factors during systemic intracellular infection. The first chapter of this thesis describes characterization of the sensor kinase SsrA. The structure of the periplasmic sensor domain is modeled and evidence is presented that it is involved in enhancing signaling activity in response to environmental acidification encountered within the intracellular environment. A mechanism whereby protonation of histidine residues within this region in response to acidification drives conformational strain and thereby signaling is proposed. The second chapter describes identification of the DNA-binding motif of SsrB within regulated promoters as well as its regulon. Integration of experimental data with comparative genomics data resulted in identification of the palindromic heptameric DNA recognition motif of SsrB as well as identification of novel SsrB-regulated promoters. In addition, a DNA microarray analysis is described wherein the complete SsrB regulon is identified. Finally, the third chapter describes regulatory input of SsrB to the S. enterica type VI secretion system. This chapter also describes the contribution of this system to systemic dissemination of S. enterica during host infection. Altogether, these data advance understanding of how Salmonella controls factors essential for disease in response to the host environment during infection. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous, opportunistic pathogen that causes acute and chronic infections. Infection is typically initiated via motile and virulent strains. After exposure to stressors, acute infections make both genotypic and phenotypic switches to a chronic, sessile strain. This is due to intricate regulatory networks directing gene expression in response to stressors. One network, GacA/GacS, has been established to control virulence factors. The stringent response of bacteria is mediated by alarmones produced primarily by RelA which responds to starvation. To study the effect of the stringent response on the virulence switch. A series of experiments were run in both PAO1, a virulent strain, and PDO300, an acute strain, and RelA deletion mutants of each transcriptional fusions of GacA/GacA system were integrated in the wild-types and mutants. Alginate, swimming, twitching, and biofilm formation assays were performed on all. The preliminary data suggests that the stringent response influences the GacA/GacS system.

No description available.