Energy-producing System Research Articles

The evolutionary arch of bioenergetics from prebiotic mechanisms to the emergence of a cellular respiratory chain

This article proposes an evolutionary trajectory for the development of biological energy producing systems. Six main stages of energy producing system evolution are described, from early evolutionary pyrite-pulled mechanism through the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) to contemporary systems. We define the Last Pure Chemical Entity (LPCE) as the last completely non-enzymatic entity. LPCE could have had some life-like properties, but lacked genetic information carriers, thus showed greater instability and environmental dependence than LUCA. A double bubble model is proposed for compartmentalization and cellularization as a prerequisite to both highly efficient protein synthesis and transmembrane ion-gradient. The article finds that although LUCA predominantly functioned anaerobically, it was a non-exclusive anaerobe, and sulfur dominated metabolism preceded phosphate dominated one.

Lignocellulosic biomass based microbial fuel cells: Performance and applications

Lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to replace fossil fuels as a sustainable and renewable feedstock for energy generation . Microbial fuel cell technology offers an energy-producing system from lignocellulosic biomass. This review explores different microbial fuel cell designs i.e. membrane-less single chambered, double chambered and integrated microbial fuel cell along with their mode of operation. There are some compatibility issues with different microbial fuel cell designs in utilizing the lignocellulosic biomass as feed. Microbial fuel cell setup with integrated pre-treatment or simultaneous degradation of lignocellulosic biomass may provide a solution. A careful selection of microbial community according to the microbial fuel cell operation conditions along with upscaling of the system may help in efficient utilization of renewable energy sources . Thus, lignocellulosic biomass-based microbial fuel cell may potentially be used in the bioremediation, production of biofuels and industrially important value-added products along with simultaneous production of electricity. • Lignocellulosic biomass may be used as a renewable feedstock in microbial fuel cells. • Microbial fuel cell designs influence the substrate utilization efficiency. • Pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass is required to be used as feed. • Such eco-friendly technology may be used for several applications.

Simulation Model of PV System Function in Stand-Alone Mode for Grid Blackout Area

PV systems are frequently used in a stand-alone configuration. In a solar PV-based energy-producing system, power fluctuation is a natural occurrence. Alternative sources of energy, including such hybrid grid-tied or energy storage systems, could be discovered when solar PV systems run off-grid to satisfy regional power demands for reliable power supply. This research uses an unusual PV system that can function in both grid-connected and stand-alone states to propose an efficient approach for the power generation challenge in the residential segment. A block of storage battery with sufficient dimensions is included in the system to make sure the constant power supply of such a residential building with an average electricity demand of 10 kWh. An atypical 3.2 kWp PV system and a 19.2 kWh storage battery brick was determined to be capable of meeting the house’s whole daily energy requirements, as well as the defined electrical shutdown times, to simulate the system, which took into account the day load profile, network cutoff times, and monthly radiation from the sun. The collected simulation results showed that during 9 months of each year, the generated PV energy surpasses the load needs, resulting in a maximum battery state-of-charge (SOC) in the range of 74-85%. The generated PV energy is an approximately proportional requirement as during 3 months of minimum solar irradiance (Dec-Feb), whereas the sequence’s SOC differs between 40 and 49 % , demonstrating the validity of the proposed photovoltaic system. In January and July, the PV service’s daily energy produced ranges between 2.6 and 5.4 kWh/kWp, corresponding to a conversion efficiency of 90% and 66.25%, correspondingly.

Self-Powered Energy Producing System

Self-Powered Energy Producing System

Design and development of energy efficient re-roofing solutions

Although the study of roofing systems (from coverings to structure of the roof) is of great significance to energy efficiency and sustainable development, design and construction of new roofs on top of existing roofs in buildings has not received sufficient attention. This study discusses re-roofing as one of the key options to reduce energy consumption and improve overall building performance. The more conventional choice and more frequently chosen option for building energy retrofit is vertical building envelope components, however, this paper presents the case study of a proposed retrofitting concept for the roof of an existing building. Using a simulation methodology, the research demonstrates how the proposed retrofitting concept improves the energy performance using electricity generated and external conduction gain as evaluation metrics. The proposed novel re-roofing concept consists of thermal insulation, waterproofing and electric energy generation properties. More specifically, the design concept includes a three-layer roofing system consisting of (from exterior toward interior): a PV panel, an EPDM membrane and an insulation layer. The main goal of this study is to develop a concept for an innovative re-roofing solution that demonstrates the feasibility of turning an old building into a watertight and energy producing system.

Ubiquinol Supplementation Alters Exercise Induced Fatigue by Increasing Lipid Utilization in Mice.

Ubiquinol (QH), a reduced form of coenzyme Q10, is a lipid antioxidant that is hydro-soluble and is commonly formulated in commercial supplements. Ubiquinol has been increasingly reported to exert antioxidant functions, in addition to its role in the cell energy-producing system of mitochondria and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The aim of this study was to assess the potential beneficial effects of QH on anti-fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Forty 8-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups (n = 10 for each group): Group 1 (vehicle control or oil only); Group 2 (1X QH dose or 102.5 mg/kg); Group 3 (2X QH dose or 205 mg/kg); Group 4 (6X QH dose or 615 mg/kg). Anti-fatigue activity and exercise performance were studied using the forelimb grip strength experiment and exhaustive weight-loaded swimming time, and levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatine kinase (CK), and free fatty acids (FFA) after an acute exercise challenge. The forelimb grip strength and exhaustive weight-loaded swimming time of the QH-6X group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. QH supplementation dose-dependently reduced serum lactate, ammonia, and CK levels and increased the FFA concentration after acute exercise. In addition, QH increased the liver and muscle glycogen content, an important energy source during exercise. Therefore, the results suggest that QH formulation is a safe dietary supplement for amelioration of fatigue and for promoting exercise performance.

Exposure to Whole Body Vibration Impairs the Functional Activity of the Energy Producing System in Rabbit Myocardium

Indices of the patterns of energy metabolism in the rabbit myocardium were studied after vertical whole body vibration with an amplitude of 0.5 mm at frequencies of 8 and 44 Hz generated by an industrial unit. The energy dependent reactions of native mitochondria were investigated by a polarographic technique using a Clark-type closed membrane electrode. The metabolic states of mitochondria were modeled in vitro by varying exogenous energy substrates (succinic acid, a mixture of glutamic and malic acids) before and after the effect of the 2,4-dinitrophenol uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Amital or malonate-inhibitory analysis was used to estimate the contributions of nicotinamide dinucleotide and flavinadenin dinucleotide-dependent substrates to the endogenous respiratory activity of mitochondria. The results show that changes in the functional activity of myocardial mitochondria in response to vibration depend on the frequency and duration of exposure and are seen as inhibition of the NAD-dependent link of the respiratory chain and activation of the oxidation system of succinic acid, the ligand of metabotropic purinergic G-protein-conjugated receptor GPR91 from the P2Y-family. Due to a systematic deregulated effect vibration can be used as a factor to model bio-energetic cellular hypoxia, to study vibration phenomena at the level of energy producing systems of tissues and organs and for assessment of the vibroprotective properties of drugs.

Design, simulation and performance evaluation of vertical axis helical wind turbine

This report is all about the design, simulation, fabrication, and performance evaluation of the VAHWT. The experimental data obtained via testing and data from CFD approach are used for performance evaluation. From the data obtained experimentally, the VAHWT so fabricated has been found to operate at the low cut-in speed of 3.18 m/s and maximum power output has been found to be 2.656 watts at the wind speed of 8 m/s. The maximum rpm of the rotor blade is recorded to be 722.2 rpm at the velocity of 11.53 m/s signifying its potentiality of wind power production. Besides, the data so obtained from both the process when analyzed through graph plots, has shown the similar nature slope wise. This simply signifies the generation of satisfactory data via experiment. In addition, the mechanical losses has shown difference between the experimental and data obtained via CFD approach. At the end, when applying CFD approach for evaluation of maximum efficient turbine varying the aspect ratio, has shown the turbine with aspect ratio of 0.6531 to be the most efficient with performance coefficient of 36.396%. However due to limitation in RPM and Test rig, the rotor blade with aspect ratio of 0.6956 was fabricated and used for evaluation experimentally. The data so obtained from both the process were concluded to be relevant to each other. Thus, the detail study on this project has led to the need and opportunity of VAHWT to be further researched and can be developed as a good source of energy producing system. It can also be economical method of power extraction from wind in the countries like Nepal with growing urbanization.

Piezoelectric-Based Low-Power Wind Generator Design and Testing

The main purpose of this paper is to show, design and test a new piezoelectric-based low-power generator to generate cheap and clean energy. The presented generator can be evaluated as an experimental renewable energy producing system. Obtained results show that presented generator systems can be constructed on a large scale for usable energy production. Power production capacity of presented generator can be increased with technical and physical improvements. Simple structure and cheapness are the most important features of presented generator. This generator includes an unbalanced propeller and a piezoelectric material equipped board. This unbalanced propeller generates mechanical vibration by the variation of wind speed conditions. These vibrations are transferred to a piezoelectric material equipped board. The piezoelectric material equipped board converts these vibrations into electrical power. Some experimental data were collected under different wind speeds and different external load resistances to evaluate presented generator. Changes in output power are shown with graphics related with dependent wind speed and external load resistors.

Grazing intensity affects the environmental impact of dairy systems.

Dairy products are major components of the human diet but are also important contributors to global environmental impacts. This study evaluated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, net energy intensity (NEI), and land use of confined dairy systems with increasing levels of pasture in the diet. A Wisconsin farm was modeled to represent practices adopted by dairy operations in a humid continental climate typical in the Great Lakes region and other climates that have large differences in seasonal temperatures. Five grazing scenarios (all of which contained some portion of confinement) were modeled based on different concentrations of dry matter intake from pasture and feed supplementation from corn grain, corn silage, and soybean meal. Scenarios that incorporate grazing consisted of 5 mo of pasture feeding from May to September and 7 mo of confined feeding from October to April. Environmental impacts were compared within the 5 scenarios that incorporate grazing and across 2 entirely confined scenarios with and without on-farm electricity production through anaerobic digestion (AD). To conduct a fair comparison, all scenarios were evaluated based on the same total amount of milk produced per day where resource inputs were adjusted according to the characteristics of each scenario. A cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessment evaluated the environmental burdens that were partitioned by allocation between milk and meat and by system expansion when biogas-based electricity was produced. Overall, results for all scenarios were comparable. Enteric methane was the greatest contributor to GHG emissions, and the production of crops was the most energy-intense process. For the confined scenario without AD, GHG emissions were 0.87 kg of CO2 equivalents, NEI was 1.59 MJ, and land use was 1.59 m2/kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM). Anaerobic digestion significantly reduced emissions to 0.28 kg of CO2 equivalents/kg of FPCM and reduced NEI to -1.26 MJ/kg of FPCM, indicating a net energy producing system and highlighting the potential of AD to improve the sustainability of confined systems. For scenarios that combined confinement and grazing, GHG emissions ranged from 0.84 to 0.92 kg of CO2 equivalents, NEI ranged from 1.42 to 1.59 MJ, and land use ranged from 1.19 to 1.26 m2/kg of FPCM. All environmental impacts were minimized in scenarios that supplemented enough feed to increase milk yield but maintained dry matter intake from pasture at a level high enough to reduce material and energy use.

Effect of Ubiquinol on Serum Reproductive Hormones of Amenorrhic Patients.

In neuroendocrine system the increase in oxidative status is produced by a glucocorticoid-dependent and transcriptional increase in pro-oxidative drive, with concurrent inhibition of the antioxidant defense system, ultimately leading to increased neuronal cell death. Functional hypothalamic disturbances and neuroendocirne aberrations have both short and long term consequences for reproductive health. Understandably, an impaired or diminished hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis leads to anovulation and hypoestrogenism. Anovulation is directly linked to the neurohormonal and hormonal background of Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea. Impairment of pulsatile Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone secretion causes the impairment of pulsatile Lutenizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) secretion. The importance of oxidative stress in various pituitary disorders suggesting a possible clinical usefulness of antioxidant molecules like the lipophilic antioxidant Ubiquinol. Coenzyme Q10 or Ubiquinol is an essential part of the cell energy-producing system of mitochondria. However, it is also a powerful lipophilic antioxidant, protecting lipoproteins and cell membranes from autooxidation. Due to these unique actions Ubiquinol is used in clinical practice as an antioxidants for neurodegenerative diseases. So to identify the role of Ubiquinol on reproductive hormones FSH and LH, we have included 50 infertile patients of age group of 20-40, which are mostly amenorrhic. Out of 50 only 30 patients were in continuous follow up after supplementing them with 150mg of Ubiquinol every day for 4months. The hormonal levels were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay technique at follicular phase. The result suggests that FSH concentration is increased up to three times (from 3.10±2.70 to 10.09±6.93) but remains within the normal limit (P<0.05). LH values were found doubled (P<0.05) than its normal range (from 14.83±10.48 to 27.85±22.30). The Prolactin values were decreased while Progesterone values were high but not in the significant range (P>0.05). The supplementation of 150mg of Ubiquinol may reduce the oxidative stress in neuroendocrine system which further improves the function of diminished HPA axis. Hence increased level of FSH and LH may be due to reduced oxidative stress by Ubiquinol.

Morphofunctional properties of red blood cells and erythropoiesis intensity during 105-day isolation

Throughout the 105-day experiment with isolation and confinement, the energy-producing system of red blood cells did not exhibit substantial changes. A compensatory increase in G6PD activity intensified reparative processes in the cell and inhibited lipid peroxidation (LPO). The possibility of LPO activation in the erythrocyte plasma membrane can be inferred from changes in lipid and phospholipid fractions, which testifies to an increase in the membrane microviscosity on days 70 and 105 of the experiment and after its completion. On days 70 and 105, the content of erythropoietin in all test subjects decreased, which points to a reduced erythropoietic activity and a decrease in the content of hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, hematocrit value, and hemoglobin content per erythrocyte. These shifts persisted after the experiment although erythropoietin level was slightly increased on these days. The shifts were adaptive by nature while changes in biochemical values were compensatory reactions aimed at counteracting lipid peroxidation activation by emotional stresses of the experiment.

Overview of the evolutionary history and the role in citric acid production of alternative oxidase

All organisms are exposed to countless environmental effects, which influence in a disadvantageous way their life processes. They continuously adapt to the changing conditions and respond to the stress impacts by defence mechanisms. Through different signal transduction pathways they are able to increase or decrease the expression of their genes and consequently modify their metabolic processes. My interest focuses on alternative oxidase (AOX) enzyme whose expression is often increased under biotic and abiotic stress. The so far proven and putative functions of the AOX play a role in the ability of organisms to adapt to different conditions, such as heavy metals accumulation, pathogenic infection, oxidative stress and lack of oxygen or nutrients.&#x0D; AOX is a member of the di-iron carboxylate protein family. Members of the di-iron carboxylate protein family are present in all kingdoms of life. They are considered to have ancient origin. It is believed that their sulfide-resistant and oxygen-reducing ability played a role in the survival of organisms during the transition between the anaerobic and the aerobic world. It is assumed that the AOX arose in eukaryotes through a primary endosymbiotic event, and this event made possible the development of mitochondria. Afterwords, vertical inheritance, and secondary and tertiary endosimbiotic events led to its spread among eukaryotes. It is assumed that bacteria obtained AOX by horizontal gene transfer from plants.&#x0D; AOX-catalyzed alternative respiration plays an important role in the operation of energy-producing and biosynthesizing system of microorganisms. In these cases, the regeneration of reduced cofactors is an essential condition, and therefore may be rate-limiting for biotechnological processes, including the citric acid production.

Effect of general vibration on functions of breath chain in the rabbit parenchimatic organs

The purpose of the paper was to study the activity of energy producing system of the rabbit liver and ren after exposure to general vibration of different type regimens. The energy dependent reactions of native mitochondria were investigated by means of polarographic method using Clark’s closed membrane electrode. The energy producing system of the liver and ren was shown to be involved in response reaction of the organism on vibration exposure. The degree of functional activity of the liver and ren mitochondria depended on the studied regimens of vibration (frequency and duration) and manifested with misbalance between FAD- and NAD-depended links of the breath chain. The increase in frequency and duration of vibration led to low energetic shift with activation of the oxidative system for succinate and the inhibition of NAD-depended link of the breath chain in mitochondria as well as with dystrophy of the liver tissue.

Hormonal Influence on Coenzyme Q10 Levels in Blood Plasma

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone for its presence in all body cells, is an essential part of the cell energy-producing system. However, it is also a powerful lipophilic antioxidant protecting lipoproteins and cell membranes. Due to these two actions, CoQ10 is commonly used in clinical practice in chronic heart failure, male infertility, and neurodegenerative disease. However, it is also taken as an anti-aging substance by healthy people aiming for long-term neuroprotection and by sportsmen to improve endurance. Many hormones are known to be involved in body energy regulation, in terms of production, consumption and dissipation, and their influence on CoQ10 body content or blood values may represent an important pathophysiological mechanism. We summarize the main findings of the literature about the link between hormonal systems and circulating CoQ10 levels. In particular the role of thyroid hormones, directly involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, is discussed. There is also a link with gonadal and adrenal hormones, partially due to the common biosynthetic pathway with CoQ10, but also to the increased oxidative stress found in hypogonadism and hypoadrenalism.

Continuous real-time monitoring of cationic porphyrin-induced photodynamic inactivation of bacterial membrane functions using electrochemical sensors

We analysed the porphyrin-induced photodynamic inactivation of the membrane functions of bacteria through the in situ monitoring of changes in respiration rates, membrane permeability and membrane potential, using electrochemical sensors, such as oxygen, K(+) and tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP(+)) electrodes. We used two cationic porphyrins, tetrakis(4-N,N,N-trimethylammoniumphenyl)porphyrin (TTMAPP) and tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin (TMPyP), along with an anionic porphyrin, tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TSPP), as a negative control. TTMAPP and TMPyP inhibited the respiration of bacteria within minutes of photo-irradiation at a concentration of 1 μM, where the survival of bacteria decreased, while TSPP did not affect the bacteria. The respiration of Staphylococcus aureus cells (Gram-positive bacterium) was more strongly inhibited than that of Escherichia coli cells (Gram-negative bacterium). Increasing the concentration of porphyrin strengthened the respiratory inhibition. Although TTMAPP increased the permeability to K(+) of the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria, the change was relatively slow. Cationic porphyrins, showing the strong respiratory inhibition of S. aureus cells, induced the dissipation of membrane potential within minutes of photo-irradiation, in accord with the time traces of respiratory inhibition. Such a correlation strongly supported that porphyrin-induced photo-inactivation of bacteria involved rapid damage to the energy-producing system of bacteria induced by inhibition of the respiratory chain, leading to a dissipation of membrane potential. These results are discussed in connection with the ability of porphyrins to generate singlet oxygen and bind to the bacterial cell envelope.

Effective biomass integration into existing combustion plant

Fossil fuels such as coal still dominate in current energy production plants. However, due to their large carbon footprint caused by combustion, rising prices and the unclear an increased interest in renewable and alternative fuels is observable. By 2020, renewable energy should account for 20% of the EU’s final energy consumption in order to reduce the negative impacts of the utilization of fossil fuels. Biomass-based fuels contribute to this effort. The optimization approach introduced in this article supports sustainable and financially feasible biomass integration into the existing large energy producing system with combined heat and power (CHP) production. The objective is to identify optimal conditions (optimal amount of burned fuels with respect to energy demands and energy flows through key components) with regard to maximum annual financial profit. The general mathematical model of a CHP plant utilizing more types of fuels is introduced and an optimization problem is formulated. The approach application is demonstrated on a case study involving existing CHP plant co-firing coal and biomass. The optimization problem is implemented and solved in GAMS (General Algebraic Modeling System). A sensitivity analysis of crucial parameters is performed and the results are presented and discussed.

Detection of the Genes Evolving Under Ureaplasma-Specific Selection

Mycoplasmas are parasitic bacteria with small genomes. Since parasitic bacteria need to adapt themselves to their hosts, there is a possibility that some genes evolved under species-specific constraint. We assume that Ureaplasma parvum has candidate genes that evolved in a species-specific manner in its genome. Here we examined synonymous-to-nonsynonymous substitution ratios (omega) of the 143 mycoplasma-orthologous genes of Ureaplasma and other mycoplasmas using branch models. As a result, the model allowing for Ureaplasma branch-specific omega in addition to omega of other mycoplasmas was significantly supported in 16 genes. First, the Ureaplasma-specific model was significantly supported in the genes encoding a transcription elongation factor and a transcription terminator factor, suggesting that transcription-related genes of Ureaplasma have evolved in a unique manner compared to those of other mycoplasmas. Second, the Ureaplasma-specific model was significantly supported in the gene encoding uracil-DNA glycosylase. In addition, the omega value of the gene in the Ureaplasma lineage was approximately 30-fold lower than those of other lineages, suggesting that uracil-DNA glycosylase of Ureaplasma evolved under stronger functional constraint than those of other mycoplasmas. Finally, three glycolytic genes of Ureaplasma were suggested to have evolved under relaxed selection. Among mycoplasmas, only Ureaplasma has urease and synthesizes ATPs via hydrolysis of urea. This raises the possibility that Ureaplasma does not need a glycolysis pathway for ATP synthesis. This unique energy-producing system may be related to the Ureaplasma-specific evolution of the glycolytic genes.

풍력터빈 요 베어링의 유한요소모델링 기법에 관한 연구

Recently, the interest for renewable energy producing system is increasing rapidly. Among these, the wind turbine is most highlighted. It is installed at severe environment and generated electricity for a long time to exceed twenty years. Components of wind turbine are required high reliability. Therefore, structural strength analysis for wind turbine is needed for an accurate FE model. This paper is to provide reliable fine element modeling method of yaw bearing for wind turbine.

Mitochondrial deafness

Non-syndromic deafness can be caused by mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. More than 50 nuclear genes have been shown to be involved in non-syndromic hearing loss, but mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) might also cause hearing impairment. As mitochondria are responsible for oxidative phosphorylation, the primary energy-producing system in all eukaryotic cells, mitochondrial dysfunction has pleiotropic effects. Many mutations in mtDNA can lead to multisystem disorders, such as Kearns-Sayre syndrome, NARP, MELAS, or MERRF syndromes, the presentation of which may include hearing loss. A more specific association of mitochondrially inherited deafness and diabetes known as MIDD syndrome can be caused by a limited number of specific mitochondrial mutations. In addition, several rare mutations in the mitochondrial MTTS1 and MTRNR1 genes have been found to be responsible for non-syndromic hearing loss. The most frequent form of non-syndromic deafness is presbyacusis, affecting more than 50% of the elderly. This age-related hearing loss is a paradigm for multifactorial inheritance, involving a multitude of inherited and acquired mutations in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, each with a low penetrance, in complex interplay with environmental factors, such as ototoxic medication, that accumulate with age. This study reviews the different mitochondrial mutations, leading to syndromic and especially non-syndromic deafness.