bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electricity Deregulation: Kilowatts for Nothing and Your BTUs for Free
Authors: ISSER STEVEN N. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractHistorically, the electric power industry has been viewed as a natural monopoly that could best be managed through governmental regulation. This article traces the evolution of deregulation in the electric power industry and the intellectual, political, and economic trends and forces that modified this traditional view. It concludes that, despite policy change, retail competition of electricity remains a difficult concept to implement in part because electricity is basically a commodity. Customers must be provided with sufficient incentives to shop between electricity providers and there must be supply incentives for more efficient production. Competition also requires technological advances such as affordable “smart” meters that make it possible for customers to specify tradeoffs between price and consumption, even to the extent of programming apliances to turn on or off in response to price signals. Mature wholesale markets and open access to transmission and distribution are also neede.
Wholesaling in Electricity: Inching Along
Authors: ISSER STEVEN N. , TRIBBLE MARCELA 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThis article discusses the incremental but increasingly assertive efforts by federal policy makers toward encouraging deregulation of the electric utility industry. Focusing on the efforts of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), we conclude that the federal government is involved in a sort of two‐sided experiment. On the one hand, efforts to deregulate the electric power industry attempt to establish a competitive market pose the question: Can government provide rational guidance in the formation of markets in a complex industry? On the other hand, it asks whether the democratic process can permit agencies such as FERC to impose and implement an economically rational design on a self‐interested pubic that is mostly interested in cheap, reliable power. In a sense, FERC is auditioning for a new role for regulatory agencies—as designers and overseers of markets. This is a dramatic shift from the traditional role of “regulator as policeman.” Whether regulators are up to the task remains to be seen.
The Political Economy of Electricity Deregulation: Appointed vs. Elected Utility Commissioners
Authors: CAVAZOS ROBERTO J. 
Published: May 2003

AbstractDoes the manner in which public utility commissioners are selected influence the kinds of decisions they render regarding electric rates and other factors pertaining to electricity services? This article examines the impact and implications of different methods of regulator selection and how that selection process affects protection of consumer interests as opposed to the interests of electricity suppliers (i.e., utilities).
Low‐Income Issues in Electricity Restructuring
Authors: OPPENHEIM JERROLD , MACGREGOR THEO 
Published: May 2003

AbstractLower prices. New technologies. More choices. These are benefits that competition through electric industry restructuring was supposed to bring customers. Thus far, results have been disappointing, and harmful to the most vulnerable–low‐income people. Restructuring is no longer under active consideration in any state that has not already enacted it. In several states, restructuring has been reversed. This article focuses on the few states that have retained electric industry restructuring, providing a menu of necessary protections, strategies for putting them into place, and supporting arguments to keep them there. However, low‐income protections are appropriate for anactment in all places because vulnerable low‐income families live in states with both restructured and traditional electricity regulation.
Complexity, Coupling, and the Future of European Integration
Authors: ZAHARIADIS NIKOLAOS 
Published: May 2003

AbstractWhy is there more integration in some areas of the European Union than others? Analyzing the dynamics of the integration process at the “normal politics” level, I specify two conditions, complexity and coupling, that make integration in Europe more likely in specific policy domains. Integration is more likely under conditions of low complexity and tight coupling. Using these two hypotheses, I probe tendencies toward more integration in four areas: competition policy, social policy, agriculture, and foreign and security policy. Integration need not be just a matter of conscious design or bargain, but also the perhaps unintended consequence of interaction between the various actors at the EU level. I conclude that European integration is segmented and that a more integrated Europe is necessarily a more expensive Europe.
The Making of Social Policy in Israel: The Perceived Influence of Members of the 13th Israeli Knesset
Authors: BEN‐ARIEH ASHER , DORON ABRAHAM 
Published: May 2003

AbstractThis article reports the findings of a study that explored possible connections between the perceived influence and the background variables of members of the 13th Israeli Knesset (MKs). The study involved extensive interviews with members of the 13th Israeli Knesset (1992–1996) and with a group of policy makers. It also drew on archival and quantitative data concerning the background variables and activities of the MKs. The article includes a short overview of the Israeli political system and of the 13th Israeli Knesset and its composition. The research methodology is described in the beginning of the article. The perceived influence of the MKs and their background variables are then the article. The perceived influence of the MKs and their background variables are then presented. Subsequently, possible correlations between the MKs’background variables and their influence are explored. The article ends with a discussion and a presentation of conclusions.
CANONICAL CURVES IN ℙ3
Authors: ROJAS JACQUELINE , VAINSENCHER ISRAEL 
Published: May 2003

Let ${\rm Hilb}^{6t-3}(\mathbb{P}^3)$ be the Hilbert scheme of closed 1-dimensional subschemes of degree 6 and arithmetic genus 4 in $\mathbb{P}^3$. Let $H$ be the component of ${\rm Hilb}^{6t-3}(\mathbb{P}^3)$ whose generic point corresponds to a canonical curve, that is, a complete intersection of a quadric and a cubic surface in $\mathbb{P}^3$. Let $F$ be the vector space of linear forms in the variables $z_1, z_2, z_3, z_4$. Denote by $F_d$ the vector space of homogeneous forms of degree $d$. Set $X = \{(f_2,f_3)\}$ where $f_2 \in \mathbb{P}(F_2)$ is a quadric surface, and $f_3 \in \mathbb{P}(F_3/f_2 \cdot F)$ is a cubic modulo $f_2$. We have a rational map, $\sigma : X \cdots \rightarrow H$ defined by $(f_2,f_3) \mapsto f_2 \cap f_3$. It fails to be regular along the locus where $f_2$ and $f_3$ acquire a common linear component. Our main result gives an explicit resolution of the indeterminacies of $\sigma$ as well as of the singularities of $H$.
2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 14C05, 14N05, 14N10, 14N15.
ABSOLUTE, RELATIVE, AND TATE COHOMOLOGY OF MODULES OF FINITE GORENSTEIN DIMENSION
Authors: AVRAMOV LUCHEZAR L. , MARTSINKOVSKY ALEX 
Published: May 2003

We study finitely generated modules $M$ over a ring $R$, noetherian on both sides. If $M$ has finite Gorenstein dimension $\mbox{G-dim}_RM$ in the sense of Auslander and Bridger, then it determines two other cohomology theories besides the one given by the absolute cohomology functors ${\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ )$. Relative cohomology functors ${\rm Ext}^n_{\mathcal G}(M,\ )$ are defined for all non-negative integers $n$; they treat the modules of Gorenstein dimension $0$ as projectives and vanish for $n > \mbox{G-dim}_RM$. Tate cohomology functors $\widehat{\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ )$ are defined for all integers $n$; all groups $\widehat{\rm Ext}^n_R(M,N)$ vanish if $M$ or $N$ has finite projective dimension. Comparison morphisms

$\varepsilon_{\mathcal G}^n \colon {\rm Ext}^n_{\mathcal G}(M,\ ) \to {\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ )$

and

$\varepsilon_R^n \colon {\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ ) \to \widehat{\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ )$

link these functors. We give a self-contained treatment of modules of finite G-dimension, establish basic properties of relative and Tate cohomology, and embed the comparison morphisms into a canonical long exact sequence

$0 \to {\rm Ext}^1_{\mathcal G}(M,\ ) \to \cdots \to {\rm Ext}^n_{\mathcal G}(M,\ ) \to {\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ ) \to \widehat{\rm Ext}^n_R(M,\ ) \to {\rm Ext}^{n+1}_{\mathcal G}(M,\ ) \to \cdots$.

We show that these results provide efficient tools for computing old and new numerical invariants of modules over commutative local rings.
2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 16E05, 13H10, 18G25.
COURBES ALGÉBRIQUES RÉELLES ET COURBES FLEXIBLES SUR LES SURFACES RÉGLÉES DE BASE [Copf ]P1
Authors: WELSCHINGER JEAN-YVES 
Published: May 2003

A first aim of this paper is to answer, in the case of real ruled surfaces $X_l$ of base $\mathbb{C}P^1$, with $l \geq 2$, a question of V. A. Rokhlin: is it true that the equivariant isotopy class does not suffice to distinguish the connected components of the space of smooth real algebraic curves of $X_l$? A second aim is to prove that there exist in these surfaces some real schemes realized by real flexible curves but not by smooth real algebraic curves. These two results of real algebraic geometry are deduced from the following comparison theorem: when $m = l + 2k$, with $k > 0$, the discriminants of the surface $X_m$ are deduced from those of the surface $X_l$ via weighted homotheties. All these results are obtained from a study of a deformation of ruled surfaces.The paper is written in French.2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 14H10, 14J26, 14P25.
IS WAVE PROPAGATION COMPUTABLE OR CAN WAVE COMPUTERS BEAT THE TURING MACHINE?
Authors: WEIHRAUCH KLAUS , ZHONG NING 
Published: May 2003

According to the Church-Turing Thesis a number function is computable by the mathematically defined Turing machine if and only if it is computable by a physical machine. In 1983 Pour-El and Richards defined a three-dimensional wave $u(t,x)$ such that the amplitude $u(0,x)$ at time 0 is computable and the amplitude $u(1,x)$ at time 1 is continuous but not computable. Therefore, there might be some kind of wave computer beating the Turing machine. By applying the framework of Type 2 Theory of Effectivity (TTE), in this paper we analyze computability of wave propagation. In particular, we prove that the wave propagator is computable on continuously differentiable waves, where one derivative is lost, and on waves from Sobolev spaces. Finally, we explain why the Pour-El-Richards result probably does not help to design a wave computer which beats the Turing machine.2000 Mathematical Subject Classification: 03D80, 03F60, 35L05, 68Q05.
Quantitative Detection of Methanotrophs in Soil by Novel
pmoA
-Targeted Real-Time PCR Assays
Authors: Kolb Steffen , Knief Claudia , Stubner Stephan , Conrad Ralf 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

Methane oxidation in soils is mostly accomplished by methanotrophic bacteria. Little is known about the abundance of methanotrophs in soils, since quantification by cultivation and microscopic techniques is cumbersome. Comparison of 16S ribosomal DNA and
pmoA
(α subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase) phylogenetic trees showed good correlation and revealed five distinct groups of methanotrophs within the α and γ subclasses of
Proteobacteria
: the
Methylococcus
group, the
Methylobacter/Methylosarcina
group, the
Methylosinus
group, the
Methylocapsa
group, and the forest clones group (a cluster of
pmoA
sequences retrieved from forest soils). We developed quantitative real-time PCR assays with SybrGreen for each of these five groups and for all methanotrophic bacteria by targeting the
pmoA
gene. Detection limits were between 10
1
and 10
2
target molecules per reaction for all assays. Real-time PCR analysis of soil samples spiked with cells of
Methylococcus capsulatus
,
Methylomicrobium album
, and
Methylosinus trichosporium
recovered almost all the added bacteria. Only the
Methylosinus
-specific assay recovered only 20% of added cells, possibly due to a lower lysis efficiency of type II methanotrophs. Analysis of the methanotrophic community structure in a flooded rice field soil showed (5.0 ± 1.4) × 10
6
pmoA
molecules g
−1
for all methanotrophs. The
Methylosinus
group was predominant (2.7 × 10
6
± 1.1 × 10
6
target molecules g
−1
). In addition, bacteria of the
Methylobacter/Methylosarcina
group were abundant (2.0 × 10
6
± 0.9 × 10
6
target molecules g of soil
−1
). On the other hand,
pmoA
affiliated with the forest clones and the
Methylocapsa
group was below the detection limit of 1.9 × 10
4
target molecules g of soil
−1
. Our results showed that
pmoA
-targeted real-time PCR allowed fast and sensitive quantification of the five major groups of methanotrophs in soil. This approach will thus be useful for quantitative analysis of the community structure of methanotrophs in nature.
Clade-Specific 16S Ribosomal DNA Oligonucleotides Reveal the Predominance of a Single Marine
Synechococcus
Clade throughout a Stratified Water Column in the Red Sea
Authors: Fuller Nicholas J. , Marie Dominique , Partensky Frédéric , Vaulot Daniel , Post Anton F. , Scanlan David J. 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

Phylogenetic relationships among members of the marine
Synechococcus
genus were determined following sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) from 31 novel cultured isolates from the Red Sea and several other oceanic environments. This revealed a large genetic diversity within the marine
Synechococcus
cluster consistent with earlier work but also identified three novel clades not previously recognized. Phylogenetic analyses showed one clade, containing halotolerant isolates lacking phycoerythrin (PE) and including strains capable, or not, of utilizing nitrate as the sole N source, which clustered within the MC-A (
Synechococcus
subcluster 5.1) lineage. Two copies of the 16S rRNA gene are present in marine
Synechococcus
genomes, and cloning and sequencing of these copies from
Synechococcus
sp. strain WH 7803 and genomic information from
Synechococcus
sp. strain WH 8102 reveal these to be identical. Based on the 16S rDNA sequence information, clade-specific oligonucleotides for the marine
Synechococcus
genus were designed and their specificity was optimized. Using dot blot hybridization technology, these probes were used to determine the in situ community structure of marine
Synechococcus
populations in the Red Sea at the time of a
Synechococcus
maximum during April 1999. A predominance of genotypes representative of a single clade was found, and these genotypes were common among strains isolated into culture. Conversely, strains lacking PE, which were also relatively easily isolated into culture, represented only a minor component of the
Synechococcus
population. Genotypes corresponding to well-studied laboratory strains also appeared to be poorly represented in this stratified water column in the Red Sea.
Concentration and Prevalence of
Escherichia coli
O157 in Cattle Feces at Slaughter
Authors: Omisakin F. , MacRae M. , Ogden I. D. , Strachan N. J. C. 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

The concentration and prevalence of
Escherichia coli
O157 in cattle feces at the time of slaughter was studied over a 9-week period from May to July 2002. Fecal samples (
n
= 589) were collected from the rectums of slaughtered cattle, and the animal-level prevalence rate was estimated to be 7.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 9.6%) while the group prevalence was 40.4% (95% CI, 27.7 to 53.2%). Of the 44 infected animals detected, 9% were high shedders that contained
E. coli
O157 at concentrations of >10
4
CFU g
−1
. These 9% represented >96% of the total
E. coli
O157 produced by all animals tested. All isolates possessed the
vt
2
gene, 39 had the
eaeA
gene, and a further five had the
vt
1
gene also. The presence of high-shedding animals at the abattoir increases the potential risk of meat contamination during the slaughtering process and stresses the need for correctly implemented hazard analysis and critical control point procedures.
Prokaryotic Metabolic Activity and Community Structure in Antarctic Continental Shelf Sediments
Authors: Bowman J. P. , McCammon S. A. , Gibson J. A. E. , Robertson L. , Nichols P. D. 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

The prokaryote community activity and structural characteristics within marine sediment sampled across a continental shelf area located off eastern Antarctica (66°S, 143°E; depth range, 709 to 964 m) were studied. Correlations were found between microbial biomass and aminopeptidase and chitinase rates, which were used as proxies for microbial activity. Biomass and activity were maximal within the 0- to 3-cm depth range and declined rapidly with sediment depths below 5 cm. Most-probable-number counting using a dilute carbohydrate-containing medium recovered 1.7 to 3.8% of the sediment total bacterial count, with mostly facultatively anaerobic psychrophiles cultured. The median optimal growth temperature for the sediment isolates was 15°C. Many of the isolates identified belonged to genera characteristic of deep-sea habitats, although most appear to be novel species. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether analyses indicated that the samples contained lipid components typical of marine sediments, with profiles varying little between samples at the same depth; however, significant differences in PLFA profiles were found between depths of 0 to 1 cm and 13 to 15 cm, reflecting the presence of a different microbial community. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of amplified bacterial 16S rRNA genes revealed that between samples and across sediment core depths of 1 to 4 cm, the community structure appeared homogenous; however, principal-component analysis of DGGE patterns revealed that at greater sediment depths, successional shifts in community structure were evident. Sequencing of DGGE bands and rRNA probe hybridization analysis revealed that the major community members belonged to delta proteobacteria, putative sulfide oxidizers of the gamma proteobacteria,
Flavobacteria
,
Planctomycetales
, and
Archaea
. rRNA hybridization analyses also indicated that these groups were present at similar levels in the top layer across the shelf region.
Biodiversity, Community Structural Shifts, and Biogeography of Prokaryotes within Antarctic Continental Shelf Sediment
Authors: Bowman John P. , McCuaig Robert D. 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) clone library analysis was conducted to assess prokaryotic diversity and community structural changes within a surficial sediment core obtained from an Antarctic continental shelf area (depth, 761 m) within the Mertz Glacier Polynya (MGP) region. Libraries were created from three separate horizons of the core (0- to 0.4-cm, 1.5- to 2.5-cm, and 20- to 21-cm depth positions). The results indicated that at the oxic sediment surface (depth, 0 to 0.4 cm) the microbial community appeared to be dominated by a small subset of potentially
r
-strategist (fast-growing, opportunistic) species, resulting in a lower-than-expected species richness of 442 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). At a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, the species richness (1,128 OTUs) was much higher, with the community dominated by numerous gamma and delta proteobacterial phylotypes. At a depth of 20 to 21 cm, a clear decline in species richness (541 OTUs) occurred, accompanied by a larger number of more phylogenetically divergent phylotypes and a decline in the predominance of
Proteobacteria
. Based on rRNA and clonal abundance as well as sequence comparisons, syntrophic cycling of oxidized and reduced sulfur compounds appeared to be the dominant process in surficial MGP sediment, as phylotype groups putatively linked to these processes made up a large proportion of clones throughout the core. Between 18 and 65% of 16S rDNA phylotypes detected in a wide range of coastal and open ocean sediments possessed high levels of sequence similarity (>95%) with the MGP sediment phylotypes, indicating that many sediment prokaryote phylotype groups defined in this study are ubiquitous in marine sediment.
Virus Succession Observed during an
Emiliania huxleyi
Bloom
Authors: Schroeder Declan C. , Oke Joanne , Hall Matthew , Malin Gillian , Wilson William H. 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used as a molecular tool to determine the diversity and to monitor population dynamics of viruses that infect the globally important coccolithophorid
Emiliania huxleyi
. We exploited variations in the major capsid protein gene from
E. huxleyi
-specific viruses to monitor their genetic diversity during an
E. huxleyi
bloom in a mesocosm experiment off western Norway. We reveal that, despite the presence of several virus genotypes at the start of an
E. huxleyi
bloom, only a few virus genotypes eventually go on to kill the bloom.
Characterization of Poly-γ-Glutamate Hydrolase Encoded by a Bacteriophage Genome: Possible Role in Phage Infection of
Bacillus subtilis
Encapsulated with Poly-γ-Glutamate
Authors: Kimura Keitarou , Itoh Yoshifumi 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

Some
Bacillus subtilis
strains, including natto (fermented soybeans) starter strains, produce a capsular polypeptide of glutamate with a γ-linkage, called poly-γ-glutamate (γ-PGA). We identified and purified a monomeric 25-kDa degradation enzyme for γ-PGA (designated γ-PGA hydrolase, PghP) from bacteriophage ΦNIT1 in
B. subtilis
host cells. The monomeric PghP internally hydrolyzed γ-PGA to oligopeptides, which were then specifically converted to tri-, tetra-, and penta-γ-glutamates. Monoiodoacetate and EDTA both inhibited the PghP activity, but Zn
2+
or Mn
2+
ions fully restored the enzyme activity inhibited by the chelator, suggesting that a cysteine residue(s) and these metal ions participate in the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. The corresponding
pghP
gene was cloned and sequenced from the phage genome. The deduced PghP sequence (208 amino acids) with a calculated
M
r
of 22,939 was not significantly similar to any known enzyme. Thus, PghP is a novel γ-glutamyl hydrolase. Whereas phage ΦNIT1 proliferated in
B. subtilis
cells encapsulated with γ-PGA, phage BS5 lacking PghP did not survive well on such cells. Moreover, all nine phages that contaminated natto during fermentation produced PghP, supporting the notion that PghP is important in the infection of natto starters that produce γ-PGA. Analogous to polysaccharide capsules, γ-PGA appears to serve as a physical barrier to phage absorption. Phages break down the γ-PGA barrier via PghP so that phage progenies can easily establish infection in encapsulated cells.
Cloning and Sequencing of a Poly(
dl
-Lactic Acid) Depolymerase Gene from
Paenibacillus amylolyticus
Strain TB-13 and Its Functional Expression in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Akutsu-Shigeno Yukie , Teeraphatpornchai Teerawat , Teamtisong Kamonluck , Nomura Nobuhiko , Uchiyama Hiroo , Nakahara Tadaatsu , Nakajima-Kambe Toshiaki 
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT

The gene encoding a poly(
dl-
lactic acid) (PLA) depolymerase from
Paenibacillus amylolyticus
strain TB-13 was cloned and overexpressed in
Escherichia coli
. The purified recombinant PLA depolymerase, PlaA, exhibited degradation activities toward various biodegradable polyesters, such as poly(butylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate-
co
-adipate), poly(ethylene succinate), and poly(ε-caprolactone), as well as PLA. The monomeric lactic acid was detected as the degradation product of PLA. The substrate specificity toward triglycerides and
p
-nitrophenyl esters indicated that PlaA is a type of lipase. The gene encoded 201 amino acid residues, including the conserved pentapeptide Ala-His-Ser-Met-Gly, present in the lipases of mesophilic
Bacillus
species. The identity of the amino acid sequence of PlaA with
Bacillus
lipases was no more than 45 to 50%, and some of its properties were different from those of these lipases.