Predicting extinction or explosion in a Galton–Watson branching process

Based on observations $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ X 1 , … , X n of successive generations of a discrete-parameter Galton–Watson branching process, one wishes to predict whether extinction or explosion will ultimately occur. This problem can be formulated as a simple hypothesis-testing problem to which the Neyman–Pearson Lemma is directly applicable if the extinction probability is known or estimable. If it is not, valid (but conservative) tests still can be obtained.     

Identification of oxidative post-translational modification of serum albumin in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary hypertension of sickle cell anemia

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in sickle cell anemia (SCA) is characterized by decreased nitric oxide bioavailability that might, in part, be related to oxidative stress. Oxidative post-translational modifications of plasma proteins may serve as hallmarks of disease severity and could result in altered protein function and structure. We hypothesized that serum albumin in patients with PH of SCA undergoes oxidative post-translational modification and that this modification may reflect important mediators of disease pathogenesis that are common to both idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and PH of SCA. To explore this hypothesis, we studied albumin purified from the plasma of patients in four subject groups: SCA and PH, SCA steady-state without PH, IPAH, and normal volunteers. Purified albumin was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Using MALDI-TOFMS, we identified that an ion corresponding to a malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified albumin peptide was differentially present in patients with IPAH and PH of SCA. These results were confirmed by dot-blotting and Western analysis. We localized the site of MDA modification to albumin residue K159 using LC/MS/MS. Thus, we have identified an MDA modification of serum albumin that appears to be a common link between PH of SCA and IPAH. This finding supports the notion that oxidative stress modulates the pathogenesis of PH of SCA and suggests that this and other post-translational modifications may be important biomarkers of disease.     

Evaluation of an on-target sample preparation system for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in conjunction with normal-flow peptide high-performance liquid chromatography for peptide mass fingerprint analyses

Large-scale mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analyses require high-throughput sample preparation techniques due to the increasing numbers of samples that make up a typical proteomics experiment. Moreover, extensive sample pre-treatment steps are necessary prior to MS acquisition for even the most rapid and robust MS-based proteomics methodology, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS followed by peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) analysis. These include sample purification and fractionation, removal of digestion buffers or solvents, and spotting of sample with matrix onto the MALDI target. These multiple steps of time-consuming sample handling can result in high overall analysis costs and the likelihood of sample contamination and loss. In order to overcome some of these limitations in sample processing, we have investigated the use of a novel, simple, inexpensive 96-well elastomeric array that affixes to a MALDI target to create an on-target 96-well plate that accommodates a high solution volume (ca. 200 microL), thereby enabling the on-target processing of samples for MALDI-TOFMS. We explored several factors that influence MALDI sample preparation: type of matrix, solution volume, solution organic composition, solution drying rates and matrix/analyte co-crystallization methods. We also investigated the use of the 96-well elastomeric device for coupling MALDI-TOFMS analysis directly to high flow rate (1 mL/min) reversed-phase (rp)-HPLC. By developing an optimized, robust sample preparation protocol, we were able to obtain mass spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio from peptide standards present at the 50-fmol level in large starting volumes of solution. PMF analyses were possible from 1-pmol and 500-fmol protein-digest standards. Coupling the device to high-flow HPLC (750 microL/min) yielded a robust and semi-automated means to obtain enhanced MALDI-TOFMS data at 500 ng of protein digest. These methodologies developed for this simple, on-target, elastomeric device show promise for streamlining the sample preparation process from HPLC to MALDI-MS.     

Effect of Pb2＋ on the Kinetic and Spectral Characterization of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase

本文利用各种光谱手段在体外研究了各种浓度的Pb2+对菠菜Rubisco活性影响的机制。 结果表明,Rubisco活性随着Pb2+处理浓度的增加而逐渐下降,低浓度Pb2+下Rubisco的动力学常数和最大反应速率分别为1.74 µM 和 0.42 µmol CO2/mg protein∙min,高浓度Pb2+下Rubisco的动力学常数和最大反应速率分别为11.82 µM and 0.28 µmol CO2/mg protein∙min。光谱学分析证实Pb2+可直接结合到Rubisco上, 其结合位点数为1.1个,结合常数分别为8.63×104 和 2.18×105 L/mol。ICP-MS和圆二色谱分析证实Pb2+取代了酶活性中心的Mg2+ 并改变了酶的构象。     

Measurement of calcium and titanium from 47sc by instrumental neutron activation analysis

A procedure is outlined for measuring calcium and titanium from ⁴⁷Sc by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Precise calcium measurements obtained from ⁴⁷Sc are compared with measurements based on ⁴⁷Ca and ⁴⁹Ca. The method is particularly suitable for low levels (ca. 1%) of calcium.     

THE STRUCTURE OF ASTERBATANOSIDE J FROM ASTER BATANGENSIS

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Covariate and Newton–Raphson adjustments for a normal correlation coefficient when the variances are known

When the maximum likelihood estimator is computationally inconvenient, covariate and Newton–Raphson adjustment often provide algebraically explicit yet still asymptotically efficient estimators. The bivariate normal correlation coefficient with known variances is used to show that these methods may produce singularities that render the adjusted estimators unstable.     

HL-1工程联调中真空室的放电清洗

HL-1托卡马克装置工程联调时,内真空系统经200℃60小时烘烤和7万次脉冲放电清洗,接着作了124次低参数托卡马克放电。在环向磁场为15kG下获得了60kA的等离子体电流,等离子体存在时达85ms,本文总结分析了HL-1工程联调期间真空系统的烘烤、真空室的放电清洗技术及效果。     

On the power of Wilks' U-test for MANOVA

Let V₁,…, V_m, W₁,…, W_n be independent p × 1 random vectors having multivariate normal distributions with common nonsingular covariance matrix Σ and with EW_α = 0, α = 1,…, n. In this canonical form of the multivariate linear model, the problem is to test H: EV_αazμ_α = 0, α = 1,…, m vs K: not H. It is shown that when the rank of the noncentrality matrix (μ₁…μ_m) Σ^?1 (μ₁…μ_m) is one, the power of Wilks' U-test (the likelihood ratio test) strictly decreases with the dimension p and the hypothesis degrees of freedom m. This generalizes results known for the noncentral F-test in the univariate case.     

Reducing shoplifting by investment in security

We consider a single retailer with a given potential revenue, who sells a product that is subject to shoplifting. In order to decrease losses due to shoplifting and to maximize his profit, the retailer can invest in security measures. In particular, we assume that the retailer purchases security services from a single security supplier. The security supplier decides which price to charge the retailer for these services, with the purpose of maximizing his own profit, and the retailer decides on the quantity of security services to purchase. We address this problem using a game theoretic approach, where the retailer competes with the supplier—the leader—who specifies first the service price. The retailer responds by deciding how much to invest in security. We study the conditions under which both players are profitable and the extent to which double marginalization affects the supply chain performance.