Synthetic seismograms of ground motion near earthquake fault using simulated Green’s function method

Seismograms near source fault were synthesized using the hybrid empirical Green＇s function method where the discretely simulated seismic waveforms are used for Green＇s functions instead of the observed waveforms of small earthquakes. The Green＇s function seismic waveforms for small earthquake were calculated by solving wave equation using the pseudo-spectral method with the staggered grid real FFT strategy under a detailed 2-D velocity structure in Kobe region. Magnitude and seismic moment of simulated Green＇s function waveforms were firstly determined by using the relationship between fault length and corner frequency of source spectrum. The simulated Green＇s function waveforms were employed to synthesize seismograms of strong ground motion near the earthquake fault. The synthetic seismograms of the target earthquake were performed based on the model with multiple source rupture processes. The results suggest that synthesized seismograms coincide well with observed seismic waveforms of the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake. The simulated Green＇s function method is very useful for prediction of the strong ground motion in region without observed seismic waveforms. The present technique spreads application field of the empirical Green＇s function method.     

混流式水轮机内部流动的整体解析及气蚀预测

采用计算流体力学方法,将整个水轮机划分为蜗壳、固定导叶叶栅、活动导叶叶栅、转轮和尾水管等几个域,对混流式水轮机进行整体解析,并根据各个域的残差履历,以转轮残差的充分收敛作为迭代计算是否收敛的判据.最后以某水电厂的混流式水轮机作为研究对象,得到了混流式水轮机的静态压力场,并利用压力场预测了转轮叶片出口负压面气蚀的发生时刻及发生部位,所得结果与实际转轮出口负压面气蚀结果一致,表明了文中方法的有效性.     

Epigenetic inactivation of SFRP genes allows constitutive WNT signaling in colorectal cancer

Aberrant WNT pathway signaling is an early progression event in 90% of colorectal cancers. It occurs through mutations mainly of APC and less often of CTNNB1 (encoding beta-catenin) or AXIN2 (encoding axin-2, also known as conductin). These mutations allow ligand-independent WNT signaling that culminates in abnormal accumulation of free beta-catenin in the nucleus. We previously identified frequent promoter hypermethylation and gene silencing of the genes encoding secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) in colorectal cancer. SFRPs possess a domain similar to one in the WNT-receptor frizzled proteins and can inhibit WNT receptor binding to downregulate pathway signaling during development. Here we show that restoration of SFRP function in colorectal cancer cells attenuates WNT signaling even in the presence of downstream mutations. We also show that the epigenetic loss of SFRP function occurs early in colorectal cancer progression and may thus provide constitutive WNT signaling that is required to complement downstream mutations in the evolution of colorectal cancer.     

E3 ubiquitin ligase that recognizes sugar chains

N-glycosylation of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a central role in protein quality control. Here we report that N-glycan serves as a signal for degradation by the Skp1-Cullin1-Fbx2-Roc1 (SCF(Fbx2)) ubiquitin ligase complex. The F-box protein Fbx2 (ref. 4) binds specifically to proteins attached to N-linked high-mannose oligosaccharides and subsequently contributes to ubiquitination of N-glycosylated proteins. Pre-integrin beta 1 is a target of Fbx2; these two proteins interact in the cytosol after inhibition of the proteasome. In addition, expression of the mutant Fbx2 Delta F, which lacks the F-box domain that is essential for forming the SCF complex, appreciably blocks degradation of typical substrates of the ER-associated degradation pathway. Our results indicate that SCF(Fbx2) ubiquitinates N-glycosylated proteins that are translocated from the ER to the cytosol by the quality control mechanism.     

Free fatty acids regulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells through GPR40

Diabetes, a disease in which carbohydrate and lipid metabolism are regulated improperly by insulin, is a serious worldwide health issue. Insulin is secreted from pancreatic beta cells in response to elevated plasma glucose, with various factors modifying its secretion. Free fatty acids (FFAs) provide an important energy source as nutrients, and they also act as signalling molecules in various cellular processes, including insulin secretion. Although FFAs are thought to promote insulin secretion in an acute phase, this mechanism is not clearly understood. Here we show that a G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR40, which is abundantly expressed in the pancreas, functions as a receptor for long-chain FFAs. Furthermore, we show that long-chain FFAs amplify glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells by activating GPR40. Our results indicate that GPR40 agonists and/or antagonists show potential for the development of new anti-diabetic drugs.     

Monosynaptic reflex and natural sleep

Résumé Le réflexe monosynaptique (MSR) du nerf tibial ou du péronier a été observé chez le chat intact en expériences chroniques et non-anesthesié au cours des deux différentes phases du sommeil; la phase de hautvoltage ou des fuseaux et la phase paradoxale de basvoltage.Au cours de cette dernière, le MSR diminue d'amplitude, souvent même disparaît, et le seuil est toujours haut placé.     

Spin-torque diode effect in magnetic tunnel junctions

There is currently much interest in the development of 'spintronic' devices, in which harnessing the spins of electrons (rather than just their charges) is anticipated to provide new functionalities that go beyond those possible with conventional electronic devices. One widely studied example of an effect that has its roots in the electron's spin degree of freedom is the torque exerted by a spin-polarized electric current on the spin moment of a nanometre-scale magnet. This torque causes the magnetic moment to rotate at potentially useful frequencies. Here we report a very different phenomenon that is also based on the interplay between spin dynamics and spin-dependent transport, and which arises from unusual diode behaviour. We show that the application of a small radio-frequency alternating current to a nanometre-scale magnetic tunnel junction can generate a measurable direct-current (d.c.) voltage across the device when the frequency is resonant with the spin oscillations that arise from the spin-torque effect: at resonance (which can be tuned by an external magnetic field), the structure exhibits different resistance states depending on the direction of the current. This behaviour is markedly different from that of a conventional semiconductor diode, and could form the basis of a nanometre-scale radio-frequency detector in telecommunication circuits.     

Effects of repeated administration of potassium canrenoate (SC-14266) on serum gonadotrophin,prolactin, testosterone and progesterone in male rats

Summary Chronic administration of potassium canrenoate (SC-14266), a water-soluble anti-aldosterone agent, increased serum LH levels in male rats without altering serum levels of FSH, prolactin, testosterone and progesterone. The increase in serum LH may be due to the anti-androgenic effect of potassium canrenoate.Acknowledgments. The authors thank the Rat Pituitary Hormone Distribution Program, NIAMDD, NIH and Dr A.F. Parlow for radioimmunoassay materials.     

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