Performance analysis of optimal channel estimation and multiuser detection in a randomly-spread CDMA channel

<正> This paper analyzes performance of optimal channel estimation and multiuser detection(MUD) in a block-fading code-division multiple-access (CDMA) channel on the assumptions of randomspreading and large-system limit,by using the replica method developed in statistical mechanics.The authors find that the asymptotic spectral efficiency of the linear minimum mean-squared error(LMMSE) MUD which was proposed and analyzed by Evans and Tse in 2000 is indistinguishable fromthat of the optimal MUD for small system loads.Our results imply that performance of MUD scarcelyimproves even if one spends more computational cost than that of the LMMSE MUD,i.e.,at most thecube of the number of users,on the above-described conditions.     

Structural differences between a ras oncogene protein and the normal protein

One of the most commonly found transforming ras oncogenes in human tumours has a valine codon replacing the glycine codon at position 12 of the normal c-Ha-ras gene. To understand the structural reasons behind cell transformation arising from this single amino acid substitution, we have determined the crystal structure of the GDP-bound form of the mutant protein, p21(Val-12), encoded by this oncogene. We report here the overall structure of p21(Val-12) at 2.2 A resolution and compare it with the structure of the normal c-Ha-ras protein. One of the major differences is that the loop of the transforming ras protein that binds the beta-phosphate of the guanine nucleotide is enlarged. Such a change in the 'catalytic site' conformation could explain the reduced GTPase activity of the mutant, which keeps the protein in the GTP bound 'signal on' state for a prolonged period time, ultimately causing cell transformation.     

Germline gain-of-function mutations in SOS1 cause Noonan syndrome

Noonan syndrome, the most common single-gene cause of congenital heart disease, is characterized by short stature, characteristic facies, learning problems and leukemia predisposition. Gain-of-function mutations in PTPN11, encoding the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, cause approximately 50% of Noonan syndrome cases. SHP2 is required for RAS-ERK MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade activation, and Noonan syndrome mutants enhance ERK activation ex vivo and in mice. KRAS mutations account for <5% of cases of Noonan syndrome, but the gene(s) responsible for the remainder are unknown. We identified missense mutations in SOS1, which encodes an essential RAS guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (RAS-GEF), in approximately 20% of cases of Noonan syndrome without PTPN11 mutation. The prevalence of specific cardiac defects differs in SOS1 mutation-associated Noonan syndrome. Noonan syndrome-associated SOS1 mutations are hypermorphs encoding products that enhance RAS and ERK activation. Our results identify SOS1 mutants as a major cause of Noonan syndrome, representing the first example of activating GEF mutations associated with human disease and providing new insights into RAS-GEF regulation.     

Present status and future prospect of design of Pt–cerium oxide electrodes for fuel cell applications

In the research field of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, the design of electrocatalytic activities on Pt-oxide promoter in the anode side has attracted attention for improvement of CO tolerance of Pt in anode side and a lowering of large over-potential loss of the oxygen reduction reaction on the cathode in the fuel cells. In the Pt-oxide promoter series, Pt–CeOx/C is one of the unique systems. It is because the unique behavior of CeOx such as electrochemical redox reaction between Ce3t and Ce4t in the anodic and cathodic reactions of fuel cell is observed. The present short review gives an overview of the recent works for improvement of the CO tolerance of Pt in the Pt–CeOx/C anodes and enhancement of the oxygen reduction reaction activity on Pt in the Pt–CeOx/C cathodes for fuel cell application. To show the design paradigm for fabrication of high quality Pt–CeOx/C electrodes, the authors re-introduced parts of our research results to highlight the important role of interface structure of Pt–CeOx based on the ultimate analysis results. The usefulness of the combined approach of microanalysis and the processing route design is presented.     

Relationship between lattice mismatch and ionic conduction of grain boundary in YSZ

The grain boundary plays an important role in the electrical behaviors of solid oxide electrolytes for solid state fuel cells. To reveal the relationship between the structure and the ionic conductivity of grain boundary,the conductive properties of {1 1 1} and {1 1 0} twist grain boundaries in 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia have been examined. These boundaries have a series of Σ values defined by the coincident site lattice model. It has been found that the activation energy of {1 1 1} twist grain boundary increases and then decreases with the Σ value,while that of the {1 1 0} boundary shows an opposite trend. It is suggested that the properties can reflect the balance of the effects of lattice mismatch on the diffusion ability of oxygen vacancies and the segregation of oxygen vacancies and Y3 tions. Therefore,the properties in polycrystalline electrolyte can be adjusted by controlling the grain boundary structures.     

Space‐Time Model versus VAR Model: Forecasting Electricity demand in Japan

This paper examined the forecasting performance of disaggregated data with spatial dependency and applied it to forecasting electricity demand in Japan. We compared the performance of the spatial autoregressive ARMA (SAR‐ARMA) model with that of the vector autoregressive (VAR) model from a Bayesian perspective. With regard to the log marginal likelihood and log predictive density, the VAR(1) model performed better than the SAR‐ARMA( 1,1) model. In the case of electricity demand in Japan, we can conclude that the VAR model with contemporaneous aggregation had better forecasting performance than the SAR‐ARMA model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular evidence on evolutionary switching from particle-feeding to sophisticated carnivory in the calanoid copepod family Heterorhabdidae: drastic and rapid changes in functions of homologues

The oceanic calanoid copepod family Heterorhabdidae is unique in that it comprises both particle-feeding and carnivorous genera with some intermediate taxa. Both morphological and molecular (nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA) phylogenetic analyses of the family suggest that an evolutionary switch in feeding strategy, from transitions of typical particle-feeding through some intermediate modes to sophisticated carnivory, might have occurred with the development of a specially designed ‘poison’ injection system. In view of the small amount of genetic differentiation among genera in this family, the switching of feeding modes and re-colonization from deep to shallow waters might have occurred over a short geological period since the Middle to Late Miocene.     

Genetic visualization of notch signaling in mammalian neurogenesis

Notch signaling plays crucial roles in fate determination and the differentiation of neural stem cells in embryonic and adult brains. It is now clear that the notch pathway is under more complex and dynamic regulation than previously thought. To understand the functional details of notch signaling more precisely, it is important to reveal when, where, and how notch signaling is dynamically communicated between cells, for which the visualization of notch signaling is essential. In this review, we introduce recent technical advances in the visualization of notch signaling during neural development and in the adult brain, and we discuss the physiological significance of dynamic regulation of notch signaling.