Browsing by Subject "Regulation"

Now showing 1 - 17 of 17

Best practices in form based coding
(2008-08) Grantham, Scott Wesley; Butler, Kent S.
This report is an exploration of theoretical and applied aspects of form-based coding. First, it presents an in-depth look at conventional zoning, conditions surrounding its origins around the turn of the twentieth century, the system of legal precedents that supports zoning, the evolution of the zoning “toolkit”, and the scope of zoning policies which are prevalent today. Second, form-based codes are defined and differentiated from conventional codes as well as design guidelines. The organizing principles on which FBCs are based are explained and the components of FBCs are described. Issues and controversy surrounding FBCs are discussed. Third, diverse case studies from around the country are carried out in order to examine how form-based codes are developed and applied in various real-world contexts. Case studies are presented in two different tiers, primary and secondary. Primary case studies involve in-depth research, whereas secondary case studies receive a brief, overview-style treatment. Primary case studies are: St. Lucie County, Florida and Sarasota County, Florida. Secondary case studies are: Leander, Texas; Peoria, Illinois; Montgomery, Alabama; Arlington County, Virginia; Hercules, California; and Miami, Florida. Fourth, conclusions are drawn from the research and point towards best practices in form-based coding. The report concludes that form-based codes are not a cure-all, should be developed in the context of a visioning process, and should strike a balance in terms of regulation. Additionally, market factors play a major role. The high cost of coding is a major concern. Furthermore, code writers should be prepared to educate the public as part of their profession.
Competitive renewable energy zones in Texas : suggestions for the case of Turkey
(2012-05) Ogunlu, Bilal; Baldick, Ross; Rai, Varun
As an energy-importing developing country, Turkey depends heavily on imported petroleum and natural gas. The increase in the global petroleum price has affected the Turkish economy adversely in the last decade. Renewable energy is an important alternative in reducing Turkey’s energy dependency. Turkey’s strategies are improving domestic production and diversifying energy sources for the security of supply. New investments, especially in renewables, have been chosen to achieve these objectives. As a model for Turkey, Texas is the leader in non-hydroelectric renewable energy production in the U.S. and has one of the world’s most competitive electricity markets. However, wind generation creates unique challenges for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the transmission system operator of Texas. The market environment has forced the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to develop unique deregulated energy markets. In 2005, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 20, in part to break the deadlock between transmission and wind generation development. This legislation instructed the PUCT to establish Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZs) throughout the State, and to designate new transmission projects to serve these zones. In this context, first of all, the electricity market development in Turkey is introduced in terms of renewable energy, especially wind power. Next, considering wind power, the progress in the Texas electricity market is investigated. Subsequently, we examine the development of CREZs in Texas from a regulatory perspective and discuss Texas’ policy initiatives, including the designation of CREZs. Finally, we review the impact of wind power on the primary electricity market of Texas and evaluate market conditions and barriers to renewable energy use in Turkey in order to extract suggestions. This experience may be particularly instructive to Turkey, which has a similar market structure on the supply and transmission sides. This study suggests ways that Turkey might handle renewable applications in combination with existing transmission constraints.
Complex Organization and Dynamic Regulation of the pks Gene Cluster in Bacillus subtilis
(2014-08-27) Vargas Bautista, Carol M
The pks genes are the largest antibiotic- encoding gene cluster in Bacillus subtilis and encode the Pks enzymatic complex that produces bacillaene. Bacillaene plays important roles in the fitness of B. subtilis during competition with other bacterial species. In this dissertation, I investigate the regulatory mechanisms used by B. subtilis to control the expression of the pks genes and the production of bacillaene. First, I focus on understanding the transcriptional regulatory network that coordinates the activation of the pks genes. My results indicate that multiple transcriptional regulators, in particular the stationary phase regulators Spo0A and CodY, coordinate the control of the pks gene activation. Also, cells dedicated to the formation of biofilms and spores but not motility induce the expression of the pks genes. I discuss these findings in light of their roles during bacterial competition. I also identified multiple regulatory elements along the pks genes. Promoters upstream of pksB, pksC and pksS are active during vegetative growth while a promoter upstream of pksG is active only during spore formation. The activity of the pksG promoter is exclusive to the nascent spores and not the mother cells. In addition to promoters, a cis-regulatory element at the intergenic region of pksC and pksD promotes readthrough of transcription terminators along the pks genes. Finally, I focus on the function of PksA, previously presumed to regulate the pks genes. I have found that PksA is not involved in the control of the pks gene expression. Instead, PksA negatively regulates the expression of ymcC. My data suggests that YmcC is not involved in bacillaene production but, consistent with structural prediction, I have found that YmcC is a membrane protein produced during sporulation. I hypothesize the function of YmcC during spore maturation or germination and propose experiments to elucidate this role. In general, this dissertation contributes to the understanding of pks gene regulation and its implications in the competitive fitness of B. subtilis. This work also provides a model for the activation of Type I trans-AT PKSs encoded in gene clusters with similar organization to the pks genes.
Essays on regulatory impact in electricity and internet markets
(2014-05) Roderick, Thomas Edward; Ryan, Stephen (Stephen P.)
This dissertation details regulation's impact in networked markets, notably in deregulated electricity and internet service markets. These markets represent basic infrastructure in the modern economy; their innate networked structures make for rich fields of economic research on regulatory impact. The first chapter models deregulated electricity industries with a focus on the Texas market. Optimal economic benchmarks are considered for markets with regulated delivery and interrelated network costs. Using a model of regulator, consumer, and firm interaction, I determine the efficiency of the current rate formalization compared to Ramsey-Boiteux prices and two-part tariffs. I find within Texas's market increases to generator surplus up to 55% of subsidies could be achieved under Ramsey-Boiteux pricing or two-part tariffs, respectively. The second chapter presents a framework to analyze dynamic processes and long-run outcomes in two-sided markets, specifically dynamic platform and firm investment incentives within the internet-service platform/content provision market. I use the Ericson-Pakes framework applied within a platform that chooses fees on either side of its two-sided market. This chapter determines the impact of network neutrality on platform investment incentives, specifically whether to improve the platform. I use a parameterized calibration from engineering reports and current ISP literature to determine welfare outcomes and industry behavior under network neutral and non-neutral regimes. My final chapter explores retail firm failure within the deregulated Texas retail electricity market. This chapter investigates determinants of retail electric firm failures using duration analysis frameworks. In particular, this chapter investigates the impact of these determinants on firms with extant experience versus unsophisticated entrants. Understanding these determinants is an important component in evaluating whether deregulation achieves the impetus of competitive electricity market restructuring. Knowing which economic events decrease a market's competitiveness helps regulators to effectively evaluate policy implementations. I find that experience does benefit a firm's duration, but generally that benefit assists firm duration in an adverse macroeconomic environment rather than in response to adverse market conditions such as higher wholesale prices or increased transmission congestion. Additionally, I find evidence that within the Texas market entering earlier results in a longer likelihood of duration.
Essays on the industrial organization of the taxi industry
(2016-05) Buchholz, Nicholas Wyeth; Ryan, Stephen (Stephen P.); Miravete, E. J. (Eugenio J.); Collard-Wexler, Allan; Glover, Andrew
This dissertation addresses several open questions in industrial organization economics, with a particular focus on dynamic economic models of spatial equilibrium and labor supply; spatial differentiation of supply and demand; spatially differentiated regula- tion; and the frictions stemming from the search and matching process. These questions are centered around the market for taxicabs, an important segment of the transportation industry that is currently facing regulatory overhaul in cities around the world. The first chapter analyzes the dynamic spatial equilibrium of taxicabs and shows how common taxi regulations lead to substantial inefficiencies. Taxis compete for pas- sengers by driving to different locations around the city. Search costs ensure that optimal search behavior will still result in equilibrium frictions in the form of waiting times and spatial mismatch. Medallion limit regulations and fixed fare structures exacerbate these frictions by preventing markets from clearing on prices, leaving empty taxis in some ar- eas, and excess demand in other areas. To analyze the role of regulation on frictions and efficiency, I pose a dynamic model of search and matching between taxis and passengers under regulation. Using a comprehensive dataset of New York City yellow medallion taxis, I use this model to compute the equilibrium spatial distribution of vacant taxis and estimate intraday demand. My estimates show that search frictions reduce welfare by $422M per year, or 62%. Counterfactual analysis reveals that existing regulations attain only 11% of the efficiency implied by a social planner’s solution, while the adoption of optimized two- part tariff pricing would lead to 89% efficiency, or a welfare gain on the order of $2.1B per year. These gains are further enhanced by the addition of directed matching technology. The second chapter considers the estimation of dynamic discrete choice models in a semi-parametric setting, in which the per-period utility functions are known up to a finite number of parameters, but the distribution of utility shocks is left unspecified. To show identification, we derive and exploit a new Bellman-like recursive representation for the unknown quantile function of the utility shocks. Our estimators are straightforward to compute; resembling classic estimators from the literature on semi-parametric regression and average derivative estimation. We use this estimator to evaluate a structural model of dynamic labor supply for New York City taxicab drivers. The third chapter presents an analysis of tipping in taxi markets. Tipping represents an approximately $50 billion economy in the U.S., but little empirical research has been done to understand the systematic determinants of tips. A substantial impediment to this type of analysis is a lack of data; not only are tips frequently unreported, they are often computed in part based on a judgement of service quality, a highly subjective characteristic that is difficult to reliably measure. This paper characterizes the determinants of tipping. Using New York taxi industry data, I identify and document new information about how tips are paid out in the taxi industry.
Harmonization of residential & commercial mixed-use developments : investigation of regulatory issues by case studies
(2013-08) Hsieh, Yu-Tang; Lee, Ming-Chun
Mixed-use neighborhoods, which feature increased housing/job variety and density, can create pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environments by reducing dependency on vehicles and traffic congestion, and shortening distances between housing, workplaces and other destinations. Municipal regulations are vital to modern mixed-use developments due to their capability to control the direction of metropolitan growth. In this research, I have attempted to make a correlation between local regulations and current neighborhood development patterns in three well known, mixed-use neighborhoods using the case study approach. Three mixed-use neighborhoods, the North Pearl District (NPD; Portland, Oregon), South Lake Union (SLU; Seattle, Washington) and False Creek North (FCN; Vancouver, Canada), were chosen for this case study research. I examined and visualized the local regulations that pertain to mixed-use development of each neighborhood using Illustrator and SketchUp. I also analyzed and discussed U.S. Census information, including households per acre, average household size and household vehicle occupancy. The investigation indicates that among the three neighborhoods, the mixed-use regulations of FCN are the most straightforward and clear. This is reflected in the consistency between regulations and current land uses. The overall mixed degree in NPD is relatively large likely due to its incentive regulations, making itself as a highly walkable neighborhood. The local regulations in SLU are the most complicated, and focus on attracting innovative firms. In conclusion, we have conducted a study to investigate the development of mixed-use neighborhoods by scrutinizing local regulations and analyzing current situations and statistical data. The results indicated that the straightforward and incentive regulations, such as legalized neighborhood land use plan and bonus floor area ratios, benefit the mixed-use developments of neighborhoods by increasing the efficiency in land use and maximizing the mixed-use degree, thus leading to a compact, walkable and vital community.
Imaging molecular motor regulation at the single molecule level
(2013-12) Walther, Juergen Herbert; Shubeita, George T.
Molecular motor proteins are responsible for the long range transport of vesicles and organelles inside living cells. A small number of motor types transport thousands of distinct cargoes to various regions in the cell at the same time. This requires that intracellular transport be tightly regulated, yet the details of how motor regulators and cofactors tune motor function remain unknown in most cases. In-vitro studies at the single motor level have been instrumental in understanding the function of individual motors. In this thesis work I developed the methodology to extend in-vitro experiments to interrogate motor regulation at the single molecule level. I describe my modifications to the microscope setup as well as the acquisition cycle that made this possible. By combining differential interference contrast microscopy with single molecule fluorescence imaging and optical trapping I was able to manipulate and image the cargo while imaging a fluorescently-labeled regulator binding at the site of the motors. I used lipid droplets purified from Drosophila embryos as cargoes. Lipid droplets are carried by the opposite polarity microtubule motors kinesin and dynein in the embryos, and bind specifically to microtubules in-vitro. In the presence of ATP they exhibit long-range and short-range motility. For this proof-of-principle experiment I used fluorescently labeled AMPPNP, a non-hydrolysable analogue of ATP which binds to the motor domain of kinesin when microtubule-bound, to image the binding of the nucleotide to the motor and demonstrate the activity of the motors. While a large fraction of microtubule-bound droplets co-localized with a fluorescent AMPPNP molecule, non-specific binding of the nucleotide to the microscope slide surface prevented confirming the specificity of the colocalization events. Nevertheless, these data demonstrate the ability of the methodology to capture, in real time, the process of a regulator binding the motor at the single molecule level.
Improved regulatory oversight using real-time data monitoring technologies in the wake of Macondo
(2014-08) Carter, Kyle Michael; Van Oort, Eric
As shown by the Macondo blowout, a deepwater well control event can result in loss of life, harm to the environment, and significant damage to company and industry reputation. Consistent adherence to safety regulations is a recurring issue in deepwater well construction. The two federal entities responsible for offshore U.S. safety regulation are the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), with regulatory authorities that span well planning, drilling, completions, emergency evacuation, environmental response, etc. With such a wide range of rules these agencies are responsible for, safety compliance cannot be comprehensively verified with the current infrequency of on-site inspections. Offshore regulation and operational safety could be greatly improved through continuous remote real-time data monitoring. Many government agencies have adopted monitoring regimes dependent on real-time data for improved oversight (e.g. NASA Mission Control, USGS Earthquake Early Warning System, USCG Vessel Traffic Services, etc.). Appropriately, real-time data monitoring was either re-developed or introduced in the wake of catastrophic events within those sectors (e.g. Challenger, tsunamis, Exxon Valdez, etc.). Over recent decades, oil and gas operators have developed Real-Time Operations Centers (RTOCs) for continuous, pro-active operations oversight and remote interaction with on-site personnel. Commonly seen as collaborative hubs, RTOCs provide a central conduit for shared knowledge, experience, and improved decision-making, thus optimizing performance, reducing operational risk, and improving safety. In particular, RTOCs have been useful in identifying and mitigating potential well construction incidents that could have resulted in significant non-productive time and trouble cost. In this thesis, a comprehensive set of recommendations is made to BSEE and USCG to expand and improve their regulatory oversight activities through remote real-time data monitoring and application of emerging real-time technologies that aid in data acquisition and performance optimization for improved safety. Data sets and tools necessary for regulators to effectively monitor and regulate deepwater operations (Gulf of Mexico, Arctic, etc.) on a continuous basis are identified. Data from actual GOM field cases are used to support the recommendations. In addition, the case is made for the regulator to build a collaborative foundation with deepwater operators, academia and other stakeholders, through the employment of state-of-the-art knowledge management tools and techniques. This will allow the regulator to do “more with less”, in order to address the fast pace of activity expansion and technology adoption in deepwater well construction, while maximizing corporate knowledge and retention. Knowledge management provides a connection that can foster a truly collaborative relationship between regulators, industry, and non-governmental organizations with a common goal of safety assurance and without confusing lines of authority or responsibility. This solves several key issues for regulators with respect to having access to experience and technical know-how, by leveraging industry experts who would not normally have been inaccessible. On implementation of the proposed real-time and knowledge management technologies and workflows, a phased approach is advocated to be carried out under the auspices of the Center for Offshore Safety (COS) and/or the Offshore Energy Safety Institute (OESI). Academia can play an important role, particularly in early phases of the program, as a neutral playing ground where tools, techniques and workflows can be tried and tested before wider adoption takes place.
Measuring molecular motor forces to probe transport regulation in vivo
(2012-05) Leidel, Christina Paulette; Shubeita, George T.
The cell relies on molecular motor proteins for long range transport of vesicles and organelles to maintain the organization required within the cell as it changes over time. Cargos move bidirectionally along microtubules due to the presence of multiple copies of opposite polarity motors. Individual motor properties have been teased out in vitro, but understanding how multiple motors cooperate in vivo has thus far been limited by many obstacles. The goal of this work is to study how multiple similar and dissimilar motors operate together in vivo. Since the function of motors is to generate force to haul cargos, I designed a novel optical trapping system capable of precisely measuring the forces exerted by molecular motors in their native environment, a living cell. Using this system, I find evidence that motors do not fight against each other, supporting the regulation model over the tug-of war model for bidirectional transport. I then study motor regulation in axons in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. I find that GSK-3, a kinase found in abnormal amounts in Alzheimer’s brains, is a negative regulator of transport. I show that GSK-3 regulates motor activity rather than cargo binding. Finally, I also use the optical trap to probe the viscosity of cytosol in vivo and investigate its implications on the cooperation of multiple motors.
Metal specificity and the mechanism of allosteric regulation in metal-sensing metal-responsive transcriptional repressors Staphylococcus aureus CzrA and Mycobacterium tuberculosis NmtR
(Texas A&M University, 2005-08-29) Pennella, Mario Antonio
The metal-responsive transcriptional repressors of the SmtB/ArsR family repress the expression of their respective operons in the absence of metal and are released from the operator/promoter region when metal ions bind, thus allowing RNA polymerase to bind and transcribe the operon, which encodes genes involved in homeostasis and resistance. To elucidate the determinants of metal ion selectivity, comparative metalbinding and DNA-binding properties of S. aureus CzrA and M. tuberculosis NmtR were characterized. The structure of the metal coordination complexes of CzrA and NmtR reveal that CzrA forms a 4-coordinate, tetrahedral complex with both Zn(II) and Co(II) potent regulators of czr operator/promoter (O/P) binding in vitro and de-repression in vivo. In contrast, NmtR adopts 5- or 6-coordinate complexes with Ni(II) and Co(II), the strongest allosteric regulators of nmt O/P binding in vitro and de-repression in vivo. Zn(II), a non-inducer in vivo and poor regulator in vitro, binds NmtR with high affinity and forms a non-native 4-coordinate complex. These studies suggest that metal coordination geometries (number), not metal binding affinities, are primary determinants of functionality. To gain molecular insight into the mechanism of allosteric regulation of O/P binding by metal ions, NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies of apo- and zinc forms of CzrA, and another ArsR/SmtB zinc sensor, Synechococcus PCC7942 SmtB, were performed. These studies showed that formation of the metal chelate drives a quaternary structural switch mediated by an intersubunit hydrogen-binding network that originates with the nonliganding Nε2 face of His97 in CzrA (His117 in SmtB) that stabilizes a low affinity DNA-binding conformation. Mutagenesis experiments reveal that substitution of D84 and H97 in CzrA, results in the formation of higher coordination number complexes that are nonfunctional in driving zinc-mediated allosteric regulation of DNA binding. In contrast, conservative mutations of H86 and H100 in CzrA bind Co(II) or Zn(II) in a tetrahedral manner, albeit with greatly reduced affinity, and allosterically regulate O/P binding with significant lower coupling free energies compared to wild-type CzrA. These findings further reinforce the notion that metal coordination geometry is the primary determinant for functional sites in metal-sensing transcriptional repressors.
OATS, CAT, and CARDS : financial regulation in the era of big data
(2015-05) Moore, Peter Austin; Flamm, Kenneth, 1951-; Von Hippel, Paul
The explosion of data in the financial industry has led regulators to seek better ways to utilize big data analytics. This paper analyzes the inception and development of three major regulatory programs borne from market failures. These programs represent the promise of big data, but have had to withstand criticisms of their cost, effectiveness, and necessity. The focus is on the twin goals of these programs: to reconstruct the market and to detect market abuse; and how the promises have been met and criticisms have been replied to.
Quantifying the impacts of regulatory delay on housing affordability and quality in Austin, Texas
(2015-05) Shannon, Megan Elizabeth; Wegmann, Jake; Mitchell, Terry
Regulatory delay during site plan review of multifamily projects in Austin has three primary impacts: 1) it generates unexpected development costs which increases housing prices over-time; 2) it stifles innovation and decreases quality of development; and 3) it promotes exurban growth. These impacts reduce affordability and quality of life for all Austinites and thwart the goals of the Imagine Austin comprehensive plan. As regulatory delays have increased remarkably since 2009, strong rent growth has compensated for this growing uncertainty throughout the Austin market. If regulatory delays are eliminated and developers receive approvals for multifamily projects within the 120 day mandate instead of the 223 day average, renters could see relief of 4-5% on their rent, or an average of $60 per month or $720 annually in Central Austin. Interviews with 14 Austin-area residential developers confirm these delays, costs, and impacts on their projects. On average it takes 3.5 additional months to receive site plan approvals in Austin in addition to the code mandated four month cycle. Austin's peer cities fare differently. The average delay in Denver, Colorado is three weeks, and is just several days in Raleigh, North Carolina. Whereas land use regulations theoretically generate positive externalities, delays in administering those regulations generate no benefits to the community. During this unforeseen 3.5 months, developers accrue unexpected costs such as legal fees, and developer overhead which includes the opportunity costs of not pursuing other deals. Construction costs increase during delays, and developers must continue to pay for land options and carry costs. In the short-term, developers pay for these unexpected costs out-of-pocket, and by reducing construction costs, which can result in lower quality materials or amenities. Unexpected costs roll into the project's overall budget, resulting in more expensive development projects. More expensive projects require higher rents in order to maintain the development team's expected yield on cost. Further, interviews with urban designers and civil engineers reveal that regulatory delay stifles private sector innovation in the built environment. Developer interviews and case studies suggest that regulatory delay promotes exurban growth instead of urban infill in the Austin metropolitan area.
Ratee Reactions: Negative Feedback as a Motivating Source
(2012-02-14) Kabins, Adam Howard
The majority of empirical research on responses to negative feedback has focused on affective responses to negative feedback, which have largely been adverse. The purpose of this study was to examine how negative feedback enhances motivation. A key feature of this study is the conceptualization of motivation using Edward Deci and Richard Ryan?s self-determination theory. Self-determination theory proposes a continuum of motivation, based on one?s regulation, or contingency for performance. Goal orientation and social dominance orientation are proposed as two moderators of the negative feedback-regulation relationship. Two studies were conducted to examine the relationship between negative feedback and regulation. Study 1 used a survey-based instrument with a work sample after a performance appraisal was conducted (N = 221), and Study 2 took place in a psychology statistics undergraduate course (N = 156). Negative feedback yielded a decrease in obligated motivation in Study 1. Mastery prove goal orientation and performance prove goal orientation were consistent significant moderators of the negative feedback-regulation relationship, such that individuals with high levels of Mastery prove goal orientation increased their autonomous regulation at higher levels of negative feedback, while individuals with high levels of performance prove goal orientation decreased their autonomous regulation at higher levels of negative feedback. Implications for feedback delivery are discussed. This study contributes to the literature by being the first to examine the effects of negative feedback on all forms of regulation, and is the first to use goal orientation and social dominance orientation as moderators of the negative feedback ? regulation relationship. Further, this study demonstrated the positive motivational effects of giving positive feedback as well as setting mastery prove based goals.
Regulation and inhibition of MAP kinases
(2012-05) Kaoud, Tamer Saad Gabr; Dalby, Kevin N.
Due to their role in cellular signaling, mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases represent targets of pharmaceutical interest. Most MAP kinase inhibitors target the highly conserved ATP binding site. This conservation promotes cross-reactivity and toxicities that may limit their potential as drugs. These drawbacks motivate the search for non-ATP competitive inhibitors with acceptable specificity and potency and also drive efforts to understand MAPK regulation. We applied a virtual screening (VS) workflow to discover novel scaffolds for ATP-independent JNK (C-Jun N-terminal Kinase) inhibitors targeting the JNK-JIP (JNK Interacting Protein) interaction. (-)-Zuonin A was identified as an inhibitor of JNK, exhibiting 100-fold selectivity for the JNKs over other MAP kinases. (-)-Zuonin A was characterized extensively both in vitro and in cell-based assays. The JNK2 isoform has been reported to regulate breast cancer cell migration. Accordingly, we engineered a JNK2-selective peptide inhibitor. Peptides derived from the JIP scaffolds linked to the cell-penetrating peptide TAT are used widely to investigate JNK-mediated signaling events without exibiiting isoform selectivity. Herein, Several JIP-based peptide sequences were designed and tested. A JIP sequence connected through a flexible linker to either the N-terminus of an inverted TAT sequence [mathematical equation], or to a poly-arginine sequence [mathematical equation] enabled the potent inhibition of JNK2 (IC₅₀~90 nM) with 10-fold selectivity over JNK1 and JNK3. Both peptides revealed a potent ability to inhibit the induction of JNK activation and c-Jun phosphorylation in HEK293 cells treated with anisomycin, and inhibited the migration of Polyoma Middle-T Antigen Mammary Tumor (P[subscript y]VMT) cells through the selective inhibition of JNK2. ERK2 dimerization has been reported to regulate its nuclear translocation and signaling. Our analysis using light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation and NMR provide strong evidence that ERK2 is monomeric under physiological conditions.
Regulation versus competition : an assessment of regulation’s impacts on title insurance premiums
(2012-08) Zou, Beibei; Powers, Daniel A.; Eaton, David J.
This study uses a multilevel model of change to assess the effects of five distinguished regulation styles in title insurance on insurance premiums. This study finds that the states promulgating title insurance premiums have higher charges than the states allowing free competition in the title insurance market. The other regulation styles do not have significantly different impacts on title insurance premiums from free competition. In addition, market characteristics such as home sales, housing price, and property value can also influence title insurance premiums. This study explains the title insurance premium variation among states. The research outcomes can also provide insights into the ongoing regulatory reform in title insurance, in particular in the states using the promulgation regulation style.
Texas offshore wind power and water desalination potential
(2015-05) Beceiro, Jose Daniel; Spence, David B.; Webber, Michael E., 1971-
Texas leads the nation in oil and gas production as well as renewable energy production. Texas also leads the nation in installed wind power and is the 6th largest wind market in the world. Over the past decade, Texas has gone from nearly zero megawatts of installed wind to now over 14,000 megawatts. Texas has an immense onshore wind resource that has been exploited. However, another of Texas' large untapped energy resources has yet to be explored -- offshore wind. Texas is also experiencing one of the most severe and longest sustained drought cycles in the state's history. Texas is blessed with a vast supply of ocean water and brackish groundwater trapped in aquifers, but energy-intensive water desalination plants are required to purify the water to potable standards. Offshore wind has the ability to turn large-scale water desalination into an economical solution. This thesis focuses on offshore wind and water desalination technology development, cost competitiveness with competing renewable energy and thermo electric generation resources on the ERCOT nodal grid, and the opportunity to couple water desalination facilities with offshore wind farms to enhance overall project economics, reduce the cost of electricity, and increase the supply of fresh water. An economic model evaluating offshore wind-powered water desalination is utilized to demonstrate the viability of implementing these technologies across the state.
Wind power systems in the stable nocturnal boundary layer
(Texas Tech University, 2007-08) Walter, Kevin Robert
Hourly-averaged tall-tower data from a 200m tower located near Lubbock, Texas are used to examine static atmospheric stability as a governor of speed and direction shear in the atmospheric boundary layer. Meteorological forcing mechanisms for such shears include the thermal wind, inertial oscillation, Ekman spiral, and others. The inertial oscillation is highlighted as an atmospheric mechanism capable of generating discernable diurnal variations in average speed shear data in regions void of low-level jet association. Theoretical aerodynamic treatment shows the case of direction shear to differ from the case of turbine operation in yawed flow, and has therefore not been studied in wind power systems. Numerical simulations of power production in steady non-turbulent flow fields containing speed and direction shear show instantaneous power gain as great as 0.5% and depletion as great as 6% relative to a no shear baseline. Coupled with joint-probability distributions of speed and direction shear measured at Lubbock, instantaneous losses as great as 3% and gains as great as 0.5% are expected, while the average power change relative to the zero shear case is estimated to be -0.5%. Over the 20 year lifetime of a 100 MW wind power plant this finding translates to a $2.1 million loss in project revenue. Observational evidence shows the correlation coefficient between the average diurnal variation in static stability and power law shear exponent is 1.00. The correlation coefficient between the average diurnal variation in static stability and direction shear magnitude is found to be 0.93. The influence of static stability on speed and direction shear is hypothesized to be globally applicable. Observations from a second data platform in northwest Indiana support the magnitudes of direction shear found at Lubbock, and further suggest that the presence of direction shear is a more general result. Large magnitudes of wind direction shear are found to occur concurrently with large magnitudes of power law shear exponent at hub-height wind speeds greater than 8 m/s, making them present in a critical operating region where wind turbine control transitions from speed control to power regulation.

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