University of Warwick

About: University of Warwick is a education organization based out in Coventry, Warwickshire, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & White dwarf. The organization has 26212 authors who have published 77127 publications receiving 2666552 citations. The organization is also known as: Warwick University & The University of Warwick.

Suprathreshold stochastic resonance in multilevel threshold systems

Abstract: A new form of stochastic resonance (SR) that occurs in multilevel threshold signal detectors is reported. In contrast to classical SR, which extends the dynamic range of threshold detectors to subthreshold signal levels, this new form of SR extends the dynamic range to suprathreshold signal strengths. The effect is most dominant, and can outperform networks based on standard engineering design, when all thresholds adapt to the dc level of the signal. This has an interesting analogy to dc adaptation in neurons. The possible connection between these two effects is discussed.

Synthesis and transport of the small subunit of chloroplast ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase

Abstract: The small subunit of the chloroplast enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase is synthesised as a precursor of higher molecular weight when poly A–mRNA from pea cytoplasmic polysomes is translated by wheat-germ ribosomes. This precursor is taken up into intact isolated chloroplasts, and cleaved to its final size in the absence of protein synthesis. It is deduced that the signal hypothesis does not apply to chloroplasts; an envelope carrier mechanism is proposed.

Interactions between selenium and sulphur nutrition in Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential plant micronutrient, but is toxic at high tissue concentrations. It is chemically similar to sulphur (S), an essential plant macronutrient. The interactions between Se and S nutrition were investigated in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Arabidopsis plants were grown on agar containing a complete mineral complement and various concentrations of selenate and sulphate. The Se/S concentration ratio in the shoot ([Se](shoot)/[S](shoot)) showed a complex dependence on the ratio of selenate to sulphate concentration in the agar ([Se](agar)/[S](agar)). Increasing [S](agar) increased shoot fresh weight (FW) and [S](shoot), but decreased [Se](shoot). Increasing [Se](agar) increased both [Se](shoot) and [S](shoot), but reduced shoot FW. The reduction in shoot FW in the presence of Se was linearly related to the shoot Se/S concentration ratio. These data suggest (i) that Se and S enter Arabidopsis through multiple transport pathways with contrasting sulphate/selenate selectivities, whose activities vary between plants of contrasting nutritional status, (ii) that rhizosphere sulphate inhibits selenate uptake, (iii) that rhizosphere selenate promotes sulphate uptake, possibly by preventing the reduction in the abundance and/or activity of sulphate transporters by sulphate and/or its metabolites, and (iv) that Se toxicity occurs because Se and S compete for a biochemical process, such as assimilation into amino acids of essential proteins.

The temporal binding deficit hypothesis of autism

Abstract: Frith has argued that people with autism show “weak central coherence,” an unusual bias toward piecemeal rather than configurational processing and a reduction in the normal tendency to process information in context. However, the precise cognitive and neurological mechanisms underlying weak central coherence are still unknown. We propose the hypothesis that the features of autism associated with weak central coherence result from a reduction in the integration of specialized local neural networks in the brain caused by a deficit in temporal binding. The visuoperceptual anomalies associated with weak central coherence may be attributed to a reduction in synchronization of high-frequency gamma activity between local networks processing local features. The failure to utilize context in language processing in autism can be explained in similar terms. Temporal binding deficits could also contribute to executive dysfunction in autism and to some of the deficits in socialization and communication.