Little Conformal Symmetry

We explore a new class of natural models which ensure the one-loop divergences in the Higgs mass are cancelled. The top-partners that cancel the top loop are new gauge bosons, and the symmetry relation that ensures the cancellation arises at an infrared fixed point. Such a cancellation mechanism can, a la Little Higgs models, push the scale of new physics that completely solves the hierarchy problem up to 5-10 TeV. When embedded in a supersymmetric model, the stop and gaugino masses provide the cutoffs for the loops, and the mechanism ensures a cancellation between the stop and gaugino mass dependence of the Higgs mass parameter.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

The Agricultural Footprints on the Environment

Industrialized agricultural systems have given America a convenient and affordable means to supply a surplus of food products to its citizens. Transgenic technology, synthesized fertilizers, advanced pesticides, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), and the use of farm machinery have all contributed to humanity’s ability to feed the world’s rapidly growing population. However, the energy-intensive food operation of today may not be as ideal as we assume. Fossil fuels are burned to meet the energy requirements for the continual production of large quantities of fertilizer and to keep farm machines operational. Fertilizer and pesticide runoff from farmland ultimately drains into rivers that empty into estuaries and the oceans, where they contribute to hypoxia and weakening of competitive ability in aquatic animals. Indeed, there is some debate as to the necessity of industrial agricultural practices in light of the risks that have become associated with them after greater scrutiny. This article presents and analyzes information related to the consequences of agriculture on the long-term well-being of the global ecosystem, and addresses the sharp duality that has developed over this issue

Isolated Spinach Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Large Subunit \u3csup\u3eε\u3c/sup\u3eN-Methyltransferase and Method of Inactivating Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphatase Carboxylase/Oxygenase Large Subunit \u3csup\u3eε\u3c/sup\u3eN-Methyltransferase Activity

The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS) .sup.ε N-methyltransferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) from a plant which has a des(methyl) lysyl residue in the LS is disclosed. In addition, the full-length cDNA clones for Rubisco LSMT are disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of inactivating the enzymatic activity of Rubisco LSMT are also disclosed

Isolated Spinach Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxgenase Large Subunit ε N-Methyltransferase and Method of Inactivating Ribulose-1,5-Bishosphatase ε N-Methyltransferase Activity

The gene sequence for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) large subunit (LS)εN-methyltansferase (protein methylase III or Rubisco LSMT) from a plant which has a des(methyl) lysyl residue in the LS is disclosed. In addition, the full-length cDNA clones for Rubisco LSMT are disclosed. Transgenic plants and methods of producing same which have the Rubisco LSMT gene inserted into the DNA are also provided. Further, methods of inactivating the enzymatic activity of Rubisco LSMT are also disclosed