金融稳定性与生态稳定性

亚洲金融危机以后,世界各国评估和诊断金融体系稳健程度的实务性研究取得了很大进展,但金融稳定性问题的理论研究仍相对滞后.本文讨论了用生态稳定性思想方法研究金融稳定性问题.文章先比较了金融稳定性的概念和生态学中有关稳定性的概念的异同,把生态稳定性概念移植、引申到金融系统中,建立了金融群落数学模型,给出了金融群落金融稳定的定义,论证了金融种群确定模型和随机模型的稳定性,介绍了金融群落随机模型的稳定性,最后分析了金融群落等级结构的稳定性.     

Stability of biocatalysts

Despite their many favorable qualities, the marginal stability of biocatalysts in many types of reaction media often has prevented or delayed their implementation for industrial-scale synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, there is great interest in understanding effects of solution conditions on protein stability, as well as in developing strategies to improve protein stability in desired reaction media. Recent methods include novel chemical modifications of protein, lyophilization in the presence of additives, and physical immobilization on novel supports. Rational and combinatorial protein engineering techniques have been used to yield unmodified proteins with exceptionally improved stability. Both have been aided by the development of computational tools and structure-guided heuristics aimed at reducing library sizes that must be generated and screened to identify improved mutants. The number of parameters used to indicate protein stability can complicate discussions and investigations, and care should be taken to identify whether thermodynamic or kinetic stability limits the observed stability of proteins. Although the useful lifetime of a biocatalyst is dictated by its kinetic stability, only 6% of protein stability studies use kinetic stability measures. Clearly, more effort is needed to study how solution conditions impact protein kinetic stability.     

Stability in legged locomotion

Stability is a key element in a gait synthesis. Static stability margins are widely adopted in crawlers, while no similar approach has been developed for dynamically stable systems. Utilizing an analytical approach, we developed a set of easy-to-calculate stability indices to describe instantaneous static and dynamic (In)stability for a certain group of walking systems. The analysis is based on a thorough analysis of the interaction between ground reaction forces and the walking system. The indices are applicable to walking systems regardless of the number of legs or mechanical/biological design. We show that static and dynamic stability are independent of each other. We suggest a possible categorization of gait modes based on stability. Stability characteristics are analyzed in a healthy and highly pathological human gait. Finally, we discuss the applicability of the proposed methods.     

Stability of macromolecular complexes

Macromolecular interactions are crucial in numerous biologic processes, yet few general principles are available that establish firm expectations for the strength of these interactions or the expected contribution of specific forces. The simplest principle would be a monotonic increase in interactions as the size of the interface grows. The exact relationship might be linear or nonlinear depending on the nature of the forces involved. Simple "linear-free energy" relationships based on atomic properties have been well documented, for example, additivity for the interaction of small molecules with solvent, and, recently, have been explored for ligand-receptor interactions. Horton and Lewis propose such additivity based on buried surface area for protein-protein complexes. We investigated macromolecular interactions and found that the highest-affinity complexes do not fulfill this simple expectation. Instead, binding free energies of the tightest macromolecular complexes are roughly constant, independent of interface size, with the notable exception of DNA duplexes. By comparing these results to an earlier study of protein-ligand interactions we find that: (1) The maximum affinity is approximately 1.5 kcal/mol per nonhydrogen atom or 120 cal/mol A(2) of buried surface area, comparable to results of our earlier work; (2) the lack of an increase in affinity with interface size is likely due to nonthermodynamic factors, such as functional and evolutionary constraints rather than some fundamental physical limitation. The implication of these results have some importance for molecular design because they suggest that: (1) The stability of any given complex can be increased significantly if desired; (2) small molecule inhibitors of macromolecular interactions are feasible; and (3) different functional classes of protein-protein complexes exhibit differences in maximal stability, perhaps in response to differing evolutionary pressures. These results are consistent with the widespread observation that proteins have not evolved to maximize thermodynamic stability, but are only marginally stable.     

Additives and Enzyme Stability

The polypeptide chain of an enzyme is folded so that the necessary functional groups are brought together in the active site. Conformational changes may disrupt this arrangement and cause loss of enzymic activity. The effect of soluble additives on the unfolding process is discussed. Additives may be classified as substrates and similar ligands, small uncharged organic molecules, specific and non-specific ionic species, and polymers.     

Additives and Enzyme Stability

The polypeptide chain of an enzyme is folded so that the necessary functional groups are brought together in the active site. Conformational changes may disrupt this arrangement and cause loss of enzymic activity. The effect of soluble additives on the unfolding process is discussed. Additives may be classified as substrates and similar ligands, small uncharged organic molecules, specific and non-specific ionic species, and polymers.     

Stability of Collagen During Denaturation

The stability of calf skin collagen (CSC) type I during thermal and chemical denaturation in the presence of glycerol was investigated. Thermal denaturation of type I collagen was performed in the presence of glycerol or in combination with urea and sodium chloride. The denaturation curves obtained in the presence of urea or sodium chloride retained their original shape without glycerol. These curves were shifted upward proportionally to the glycerol concentration in the reaction medium. This means that glycerol and the denaturants act independently. The explanation is based on the difference in the mechanism of their action on the collagen molecule.     

Thermodynamic Studies of RNA Stability

Abstract

Enthalpies and entropies of helix stabilization due to addition of 3′ terminal unpaired nucleotides to a CCGG or GGCC core double helix are derived from UV melting studies. The results suggest stacking provides a significant fraction of the free energy of a terminal base pair.

The effects of temperature, aggregation, and ionic strength on the determination of thermodynamic parameters are considered. Helix propagation parameters are revised and extended based on recent additions to the data set.     

Stability in N-species coevolutionary systems

Stability criteria have recently been developed for coevolutionary Lotka-Volterra systems where individual fitness functions are assumed to be linear in the population state. We extend these criteria as part of a general theory of coevolution (that combines effects of ecology and evolution) based on arbitrary (i.e. nonlinear) fitness functions and a finite number of individual phenotypes. The central role of the stationary density surface where species' densities are at equilibrium is emphasized. In particular, for monomorphic resident systems, it is shown coevolutionary stability is equivalent to ecological stability combined with evolutionary stability on the stationary density surface. Also discussed is how our theory relates to recent treatments of phenotypic coevolution via adaptive dynamics when there is a continuum of individual phenotypes.     

S-adenosylmethionine: Stability and stabilization

With a developed HPLC technique for the separation of both (+)- and (−)-S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and ¹H NMR analysis of the epimeric S-CH₃ chemical shifts, a kinetic study on the stability of (−)-AdoMet in solution to decomposition and epimerization is described. The results obtained from the effects of pH, temperature, and sulfonium counterions on the stability of AdoMet indicate that the epimerization appears to proceed through pyramidal inversion of the sulfonium pole. The optimal conditions for AdoMet to be stable in solution to decomposition and epimerization is to keep the compound at pH 3–5, containing an excess of large-size, nonnucleophilic counterions such as tosylate or sulfate.     

Stability of vitamins in premixes

The stability of Vitamins A, E, and K₃ in premixes during storage in controlled conditions was studied over a period of one year. Analysis on vitamins content was performed at the beginning of the study and after 3, 6, and 12 months. The effect of the added choline chloride on the vitamin stability was also examined. All vitamins were more stable in a premix containing no choline chloride than in a premix containing choline chloride. During storage for 12 months, the concentrations of Vitamins A, E, and K₃ in the sample without choline chloride decreased to 53%, 59%, and 80% of their initial values, respectively. In the sample containing choline chloride, the concentrations of these vitamins decreased to 39%, 50%, and 9% of their initial values, respectively.     

大青沟植物群落稳定性研究

大青沟森林植物群落是经过长期环境变迁后残留下来的森林群落类型,具有适应环境的特殊机制,运用群落演替与相关分析相结合的方法分析了群落的稳定性,在大青沟地区以水曲国主的群落在长期的自然演替过程中已达到与生境条件相互适应的动态平衡过程,它仅仅是一种小生境条件作用下稳域性稳定植被系统,以蒙古栎为主的群落在当地处于稳定状态,并与当地的大气候条件相适应,其它群落类型则处于相对不稳定的状态     

Stability and degradation of mRNA

Differential mRNA stability plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Several recent advances have helped to define the general pathways by which mRNA is degraded in prokaryotic cells, although many details remain to be elucidated. Much less is known about the pathways of degradation in eukaryotic cells, but recent studies on specific systems have highlighted both differences from and similarities to prokaryotic pathways.     

Endocannabinoid Signaling Regulates Sleep Stability

The hypnogenic properties of cannabis have been recognized for centuries, but endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) regulation of vigilance states is poorly characterized. We report findings from a series of experiments in mice measuring sleep with polysomnography after various systemic pharmacological manipulations of the endocannabinoid system. Rapid, unbiased scoring of vigilance states was achieved using an automated algorithm that we devised and validated. Increasing endocannabinoid tone with a selective inhibitor of monoacyglycerol lipase (JZL184) or fatty acid amide hydrolase (AM3506) produced a transient increase in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep due to an augmentation of the length of NREM bouts (NREM stability). Similarly, direct activation of type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptors with CP47,497 increased NREM stability, but both CP47,497 and JZL184 had a secondary effect that reduced NREM sleep time and stability. This secondary response to these drugs was similar to the early effect of CB1 blockade with the antagonist/inverse agonist AM281, which fragmented NREM sleep. The magnitude of the effects produced by JZL184 and AM281 were dependent on the time of day this drug was administered. While activation of CB1 resulted in only a slight reduction in gamma power, CB1 blockade had dramatic effects on broadband power in the EEG, particularly at low frequencies. However, CB1 blockade did not significantly reduce the rebound in NREM sleep following total sleep deprivation. These results support the hypothesis that endocannabinoid signaling through CB1 is necessary for NREM stability but it is not necessary for sleep homeostasis.     

Stability of IgG isotypes in serum

Drug development from early discovery to late stage commercialization is a long arduous process where a number of factors are taken into consideration when deciding on a particular immunoglobulin isotype for a therapeutic purpose. There are no general rules for which isotype is selected; however, prior experiences, effector function and the specific therapy targeted, as well as extensive testing early in development help in paring the number of candidates. Over 20 monoclonal antibodies are FDA-approved, and most are IgG1 isotype, although a number of non-IgG1 molecules have been approved recently and the number in development is on the rise. Analytical techniques that examine the physicochemical properties of a molecule provide vital information on the stability and efficacy of candidate antibody therapeutics, but most of these studies are conducted using standard buffers and under well defined storage conditions. It has recently become apparent that analysis of antibody therapeutics recovered after circulation in blood show altered physicochemical characteristics, and in many instances therapeutic molecules recovered from serum show lower potency. This review examines some of these studies, with a focus on the physicochemical changes observed in the molecules. Technologies that can facilitate rapid screening of candidate antibody therapeutics directly from blood are highlighted. The facts indicate that antibody therapeutic development programs must incorporate understanding of the basic biology of the isotype and its stability in serum, which is the intended environment of the therapeutic.     

Stability of IgG isotypes in serum

Drug development from early discovery to late stage commercialization is a long arduous process where a number of factors are taken into consideration when deciding on a particular immunoglobulin isotype for a therapeutic purpose. There are no general rules for which isotype is selected; however, prior experiences, effector function and the specific therapy targeted, as well as extensive testing early in development help in paring the number of candidates. Over 20 monoclonal antibodies are FDA-approved, and most are IgG1 isotype, although a number of non-IgG1 molecules have been approved recently and the number in development is on the rise. Analytical techniques that examine the physicochemical properties of a molecule provide vital information on the stability and efficacy of candidate antibody therapeutics, but most of these studies are conducted using standard buffers and under well defined storage conditions.It has recently become apparent that analysis of antibody therapeutics recovered after circulation in blood show altered physicochemical characteristics, and in many instances therapeutic molecules recovered from serum show lower potency. This review examines some of these studies, with a focus on the physicochemical changes observed in the molecules. Technologies that can facilitate rapid screening of candidate antibody therapeutics directly from blood are highlighted. The facts indicate that antibody therapeutic development programs must incorporate understanding of the basic biology of the isotype and its stability in serum, which is the intended environment of the therapeutic.Key words: serum, IgG isotypes, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, stability, primary, secondary, tertiary, Fab exchange, disulfide     

Stability and lawlikeness

There appear to be no biological regularities that have the properties traditionally associated with laws, such as an unlimited scope or holding in all or many possible background conditions. Mitchell, Lange, and others have therefore suggested redefining laws to redeem the lawlike status of biological regularities. These authors suggest that biological regularities are lawlike because they are pragmatically or paradigmatically similar to laws or stable regularities. I will review these re-definitions by arguing both that there are difficulties in applying their accounts to biology and difficulties in the accounts themselves, which suggests that the accounts are not adequate to redeem the lawlike status of biological regularities. Finally, I will suggest a new account of laws that also shows how non-laws might function in some of the roles of laws.     

几个具有隔离项的传染病模型的局部稳定性和全局稳定性

首先建立了一类具常恢复率,有效接触率依赖于总人数的SIQS传染病模型,并得到了阈值参数σ的表达式.如果σ≤1,则疾病消除平衡点全局稳定;如果σ>1,则存在唯一的传染病平衡点且是局部渐近稳定的。对于带有双线性传染率和标准传染率的两个相应模型,我们进一步证明了当σ>1时传染病平衡点的全局稳定性。其次对于带隔离项修正的传染率的相应模型,我们同样证明了传染病平衡点只要存在唯一就一定全局稳定的结论。上述结果均推广和改进了Hethcote et al.(2002)的相应工作。