Regional variations in electricity demand elasticities: The situation in the Central United States

Within the sizable literature on electricity demand relatively little attention is given to regional variations in electricity demand elasticities. This paper investigates 39 electric utility companies having a total of 93 separate operating regions in order to assess the nature of regional electricity demand elasticity variations. Residential, commercial, and industrial demand functions are estimated for each operating region using a flow adjustment model of demand. The resulting electricity price, measure of economic activity, and natural gas price elasticities vary regionally, but not in a systematic manner. The demand elasticities found in each sector range from highly inelastic to highly elastic with the pattern of elasticity variations exhibiting few spatial trends or relationships. Comparisons between operating region results and more aggregated statewide results indicate that statewide and national analysis of electricity demand masks much regional detail — a result which has important implications for energy policy making.     

Untersuchungen mit der Elektronen-Mikrosonde an zonargebauten Mineralen der Pyromorphitgruppe

Zusammenfassung Natürliche Glieder der Pyromorphitgruppe wurden mit einer Elektronen-Mikrosonde untersucht. Bei allen untersuchten Proben tritt gegenseitige isomorphe Ersetzung des Phosphors, Arsens oder Vanadins auf. Die fast reinen Endglieder zeigen dabei einen ziemlich gleichmäßigen, geringfügigen Einbau der Nebenkomponente unabhängig vom optischen Zonarbau, während für die Mischglieder starke zonare Schwankungen in der chemischen Zusammensetzung in Abhängigkeit von den optisch erkennbaren Zonen typisch sind.In einem Falle wird zonar Blei isomorph durch Kalzium ersetzt. Der Chlorgehalt scheint von keiner der übrigen Komponenten abhängig zu sein und unterliegt nur z.T. zonaren Schwankungen. Zonarbau durch Farbänderungen und Einbau von Fremdpartikeln, fast nur bei den Mischgliedern zu finden, bedingt zumeist entsprechende zonare chemische Veränderungen der Phosphor-, Arsen- oder Vanadingehalte. Zonarbau infolge unterschiedlicher optischer Orientierung kann sowohl ohne chemische Zonen vorkommen (bei den Endgliedern), als auch mit gleichlaufenden Veränderungen der Komponenten bei den Mischgliedern.Zonarbau als Folge unterschiedlicher optischer Orientierung, Felderteilung und Zweiachsigkeit haben nach den vorliegenden Untersuchungen nicht isomorphen Ersatz als Ursache; Veränderungen der physikalischen Bedingungen während oder Sekundärvorgänge nach Beendigung des Wachstums der Kristalle könnten eine Rolle gespielt haben. In Frage kommt auch eine Abweichung von der hexagonalen Symmetrie; eine kürzlich von U. Keppler (Karlsruhe) durchgeführte Einkristall-Untersuchung einer Mimetesit-Zone ergab für diese eine monokline Symmetrie (im Druck).Das Auftreten von diffusen Reflexen oder Doppellinien in den Röntgendiagrammen der Mischglieder kann zwanglos durch die gegenläufigen Schwankungen der Phosphor-, Arsen- oder Vanadin-Gehalte gedeutet werden.

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Electron microprobe investigation of members of the pyromorphite group with zoned structure

Natural members of the pyromorphite group, pyromorphite Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl, mimetite Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl, kampylite Pb₅(PO₄, AsO₄)₃Cl, and vanadinite Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl were investigated by the electron microprobe method. Mutual isomorphic replacement of P, V and As was observed even in the purest available end members occurring in nature. The frequently appearing zoned structure, observed in thin sections, may or may not coincide with corresponding chemical changes with respect to the V, As or P contents, mainly for the intermediate members, while for the rather pure end members nearly no connection was found between optical zones and chemical composition (also as to the division of basal sections into six triangular areas).

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Den Herren Prof. Dr. F. Laves, Zürich, und Prof. Dr. H. Wondratschek, Karlsruhe, danken wir für die Ermöglichung dieser Arbeit und für das fördernde Interesse. Der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft danken wir für die finanzielle Unterstützung dieser Arbeit durch eine Beihilfe.     

The structural and textural features of felsic volcanics of the Sarbai Formation (Southern Urals)

The results of a microscope study of samples of felsic volcanic rocks from the upper horizons of the Sarbai Formation (O₂–S₁ sb) in the Southern Urals that compose the formation are presented. A detailed study of the samples and an evaluation of the results of a silicate analysis of these rocks showed their volcanogenic genesis. The rocks have been classified as volcanic glass that underwent several stages of transformation. Three newly-formed structural and textural types of mineralization were defined: spherulitic (felsophyric), axiolitic, and felsitic.     

A FAST FOURIER TRANSFORM METHOD FOR RAPID COMPUTATION OF GRAVITY AND MAGNETIC ANOMALIES DUE TO ARBITRARY BODIES*

The spectrum of a magnetic or a gravity anomaly due to a body of a given shape with either homogeneous magnetization or uniform density distribution can be expressed as a product of the Fourier transforms of the source geometry and the Green's function. The transform of the source geometry for any irregularly-shaped body can be accurately determined by representing the body as closely as possible by a number of prismatic bodies. The Green's function is not dependent upon the source geometry. So the analytical expression for its transform remains the same for all causative bodies. It is, therefore, not difficult to obtain the spectrum of an anomaly by multiplying the transform of the source geometry by that of the Green's function. Then the inverse of this spectrum, which yields the anomaly in the space domain, is calculated by using the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm. Many examples show the reliability and accuracy of the method for calculating potential field anomalies.     

Rock salt mass in the Paleoproterozoic sequence of the Onega trough in Karelia (from the Onega parametric well data)

A thick (200 m) rock salt mass covering Late Archean granitoids was exposed for the first time in the Early Proterozoic volcanogenic-sedimentary formations in the Onega trough of the east Baltic Shield by the Onega parametric well. The mineral composition of salts, their geochemical features, and the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon and oxygen have been studied. After fluid inclusions present in salts, their metamorphism temperature and isotopic composition of helium and argon were determined. The obtained results give evidence of the fact that rock salts and magnesites associated with them were formed in an evaporate basin with participation of deep crustal processes. The age of the underlying granitoids (2.716 ± 9 Ma) is determined using the Pb—Pb method.     

Metal accumulation in mussels of the Kuril Islands, north-west Pacific Ocean

Concentrations of cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc were investigated in two species of mussel from the Kuril Islands in the north-western Pacific Ocean: the short-lived mussel Mytilus trossulus and the much larger and longer-lived Crenomytilus grayanus. The concentrations of most elements were low, and these reported levels are believed to reflect background values for pristine locations. However, both iron and zinc concentrations were elevated in some samples taken from areas of hydrothermal vent activity, and these are believed to reflect the enrichment of the two metals in solution at such sites. Furthermore, the concentrations of cadmium were unusually elevated in both species of mussel, especially in the longer-lived C. grayanus. The high accumulation of cadmium in mussels from the Kuril Islands is believed to reflect regional upwelling, but it is also postulated that filtration rates of the mussels are high due to low levels of suspended matter, and this leads to a high assimilation efficiency for cadmium. The distribution of cadmium amongst the tissues of C. grayanus is also reported, and the need for further ecotoxicological studies in the area is proposed.     

Seed biology of Australian arid zone species: Germination of 18 species used for rehabilitation

Revegetation of disturbed land, particularly in arid environments, is often hindered by low seedling establishment. Information on seed biology and germination cues of keystone species is lacking, particularly in arid Australia; a major zone for mining developments. This study investigated seed characteristics and germination of 18 common species required for rehabilitation of disturbed areas at Shark Bay Salt in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Western Australia. Untreated seeds of seven species (Aphanopetalum clematideum, Atriplex bunburyana, Austrostipa elegantissima, Melaleuca cardiophylla, Pembertonia latisquamea, Rhagodia baccata, Salsola tragus) exhibited high germination percentages. Seeds of two species (Acacia tetragonophylla, Stylobasium spathulatum) had low imbibition, which increased with hot-water treatment, hence require scarification for germination. Gibberellic acid, smoke water and karrikinolide (a butenolide isolated from smoke) substantially increased germination percentages of three species (Anthocercis littorea, Diplolaena grandiflora, Solanum orbiculatum). Seeds of the remaining six species (Dioscorea hastifolia, Eremophila oldfieldii, Nitraria billardierei, Ptilotus exaltatus, Thryptomene baeckeacea, Zygophyllum fruticulosum) had low germination percentages regardless of treatment. Most species germinated equally well at 26/13 °C and 33/18 °C, however seven species had improved performance at 26/13 °C. This study is significant to land managers and conservation agencies with an interest in optimising germination of arid zone seeds for restoration.