How to control stock markets

This paper provides a different approach to the analysis of imperfect stock markets. The model we are concerned with is described by the interaction of three institutional classes of agents (the specialist trader, the professional trader and the non-professional trader), sharing different information. The dynamical discrete-time system obtained can be changed into a second-order linear difference equation forced by the fundamental value of the specialist trader. Using typical tools of control theory, we study the behaviour of the professional trader's fundamental value influenced by the specialist's one,     

AN ATM-LIKE SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDING ON-BOARD SWITCHING

In this paper, an ATM system architecture for satellite communications is described. The proposed architecture includes an on-board switch and implements the adaptation of real-time services (e.g. voice and video) and non-real-time services (e.g. data) to the satellite communication link, while achieving statistical advantage. To this end, the ATM traffic categories defined in recent specifications^1,2 are utilized. Real-time and non-real-time traffic components are simultaneously supported by a TDMA/TDM on the satellite uplink/downlink, respectively. By exploiting the burstiness of real-time traffic, the proposed satellite system architecture achieves a significant increase of the overall system throughput. After describing the satellite system architecture and addressing scheme, we derive analytical models, by using sophisticated queueing models that allow a very accurate performance evaluation and an easy dimensioning of the data buffers. The proposed model is validated with simulations. The main result is the assessed feasibility of on-board buffers with current technology, even under very strict performance requirements on cell loss ratio and for quite high load values (e.g. 80 per cent of the downlink capacity). Finally, a congestion control scheme, based on a combination of preventive and reactive strategies, is proposed and analysed.     

Investigation of the effects of mechanical post‐processing with a colloid mill on the texture properties of stirred yogurt

Texture properties of stirred low‐fat yogurt were investigated in terms of processing after fermentation. The yogurt gel was pumped through a colloid mill at two gap widths and various peripheral velocities of the rotor. The storage modulus and yield stress were measured after 1 day and after 3 weeks, and the occurrence of syneresis was noted. The main factor for the structural degradation in the shear gap was the mean peripheral velocity of the rotor, rather than the apparent shear rate. Syneresis is related to a certain level of the storage modulus. The yield stress correlated with the storage modulus.     

Survival and Growth of Salmonella hadar on Minimally Processed Cabbage as Influenced by Storage Abuse Conditions

Shredded, washed and centrifuged cabbage was packaged in monooriented polypropylene (OPP) bags, inoculated with Salmonella hadar and stored 10 days at 4°C, 12°C and 20°C. Microbiological, appearance, odor and headspace gas analysis were evaluated throughout storage. S. hadar and mesophilic aerobic and psychrotrophic microorganism growth was affected by storage time and temperature. S. hadar counts were lower (p<0.05) at 4°C than at 12°C and 20°C. The score ratings for general appearance, wilting, browning and off-odor showed that all samples were commercially acceptable. Results indicated that S. hadar could survive and proliferate on minimally processed cabbage, thereby posing a potential hazard to consumers.     

The Lamar Underpass

For a proposal for Austin Art in Public Places, two photovoltaic-powered lightbox structures, each measuring 3 feet in height and 90 feet in length, are mounted on the concrete retaining walls of a roadway underpass in Austin, Texas.¹     

Influence of the microenvironment on gene and protein expression of odontogenic-like and osteogenic-like cells

Progenitor cells play an important biological role in tooth and bone formation, and previous analyses during bone and dentine induction have indicated that they may be a good alternative for tissue engineering. Thus, to clarify the influence of the microenvironment on protein and gene expression, MDPC23 cells (mouse dental papilla cell line) and KUSA/A1 cells (bone marrow stromal cell line) were used, both in vitro cell culture and in intra-abdominal diffusion chambers implanted in 4-week-old male immunodefficient mice (SCID mice). Our results indicate that KUSA/A1 cells differentiated into osteoblast-like cells and induced bone tissue inside the chamber, whereas, MDPC-23 showed odontoblast-like characteristics but with a low ability to induce dentin formation. This study shows that MDPC-23 cells are especial cells, which possess morphological and functional characteristics of odontoblast-like cells expressing dentin sialophosphoprotein in vivo. In contrast, dentin sialophosphoprotein gene and protein expression was not detected in both cell lines in vitro. The intra-abdominal diffusion chamber appears as an interesting experimental model for studying phenotypic expression of dental pulp cells in vivo.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF STOMACH AND PYLORIC CAECA PROTEINASES OF TAMBAQUI (COLOSSOMA MACROPOMUM)

The effects of pH, temperature, inhibitors, and substrates on proteolytic activities of crude extracts from the stomach, liver, pyloric caeca, and intestines of Colossoma macropomum were investigated. The highest acid and alkaline proteolytic activities were found in stomach and pyloric caeca, respectively. The optimum pH for the acid and alkaline proteases were 1.8 and 7.0–9.0, respectively, while the optimum temperatures were 35C and 65C. This alkaline protease thermal stability remained unaltered after 90 min incubation at 55C. A pepsin‐like protease was responsible for most of the acidic proteolytic activity (Pepstatin A inhibited approximately 90%), whereas PMSF inhibited about 40% of the alkaline protease. The alkaline proteolytic activity has attractive thermal properties for industrial applications.     

Characterisation of three temperate phages released from the same Lactobacillus paracasei commercial strain

Lysogeny entails more economical and technological risks in probiotic Lactobacillus casei/paracasei bacteria than in other lactic acid bacteria, due to economic value. Lysogeny is widely spread among L. casei/paracasei strains. Siphophages C_L1 and C_L2, isolated from noninfected lysed‐cultures of commercial L. paracasei A, are thermoresistant, have identical host spectrum, latent and burst times, whereas burst sizes are 148 and 85, respectively. Mitomycin C induction of L. paracasei A yielded prophage iA2, whose presence was confirmed on the strain genome and whose restriction patterns differed from phages C_L1 and C_L2. The latter shared several restriction fragments, probably indicating a common origin.     

DIGESTION OF MYOFIBRILLAR AND SARCOPLASMIC FRACTIONS FROM MENHADEN MUSCLE BY THE ACTION OF MENHADEN (Brevoortia spp.) AND WHITE CROAKER (Micropogonias furnieri) TRYPSINS

Trypsins from the pyloric caeca of menhaden (Brevoortia spp.) and croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) were used for hydrolysis of both myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic fractions from menhaden muscle. Digestion of muscle proteins was carried out at 37C for 20 min with the pH maintained at either 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9; or for 60 min at the pH's of 5, 7, 8 or 9 at 30C and 37C. The hydrolytic action was evaluated based on the concentration of peptides solubilized. Solubility after digestion of myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic fraction and hemoglobin was optimum at basic pH. The sarcoplasmic fraction was solubilized more than the myofibrillar fraction by both fish trypsins. Similar results were obtained with both crude pyloric extracts and purified trypsins from menhaden and white croaker. Thus, the preparation of the crude pyloric caeca may be preferentially used, because of its low cost as well as the simplicity of the preparative procedure .