Swiprosin-1 modulates actin dynamics by regulating the F-actin accessibility to cofilin

Membrane protrusions, like lamellipodia, and cell movement are dependent on actin dynamics, which are regulated by a variety of actin-binding proteins acting cooperatively to reorganize actin filaments. Here, we provide evidence that Swiprosin-1, a newly identified actin-binding protein, modulates lamellipodial dynamics by regulating the accessibility of F-actin to cofilin. Overexpression of Swiprosin-1 increased lamellipodia formation in B16F10 melanoma cells, whereas knockdown of Swiprosin-1 inhibited EGF-induced lamellipodia formation, and led to a loss of actin stress fibers at the leading edges of cells but not in the cell cortex. Swiprosin-1 strongly facilitated the formation of entangled or clustered F-actin, which remodeled the structural organization of actin filaments making them inaccessible to cofilin. EGF-induced phosphorylation of Swiprosin-1 at Ser183, a phosphorylation site newly identified using mass spectrometry, effectively inhibited clustering of actin filaments and permitted cofilin access to F-actin, resulting in actin depolymerization. Cells overexpressing a Swiprosin-1 phosphorylation-mimicking mutant or a phosphorylation-deficient mutant exhibited irregular membrane dynamics during the protrusion and retraction cycles of lamellipodia. Taken together, these findings suggest that dynamic exchange of Swiprosin-1 phosphorylation and dephosphorylation is a novel mechanism that regulates actin dynamics by modulating the pattern of cofilin activity at the leading edges of cells.     

Bone morphogenetic protein signaling by hemojuvelin regulates hepcidin expression

Hepcidin is a key regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. Hepcidin deficiency induces iron overload, whereas hepcidin excess induces anemia. Mutations in the gene encoding hemojuvelin (HFE2, also known as HJV) cause severe iron overload and correlate with low hepcidin levels, suggesting that hemojuvelin positively regulates hepcidin expression. Hemojuvelin is a member of the repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) family, which also includes the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) coreceptors RGMA and DRAGON (RGMB). Here, we report that hemojuvelin is a BMP coreceptor and that hemojuvelin mutants associated with hemochromatosis have impaired BMP signaling ability. Furthermore, BMP upregulates hepatocyte hepcidin expression, a process enhanced by hemojuvelin and blunted in Hfe2-/- hepatocytes. Our data suggest a mechanism by which HFE2 mutations cause hemochromatosis: hemojuvelin dysfunction decreases BMP signaling, thereby lowering hepcidin expression.     

高分子土壤改良剂对种籽萌芽之影响研究

以高分子材料为土壤改良剂可使土壤团粒化，增加水份人渗效率，减少土壤冲蚀，为研究环境问题之重要课题。但此类土壤改良剂可能抑制植物种籽萌芽，为使用此种材料的一大问题。以压克力与聚乙烯醇对Bahia种籽做一系列萌芽实验探讨。实验结果发现，压克力对种籽萌芽率与萌芽势能有严重之抑制作用。但适量之聚乙烯醇添加可克服此问题。     

设计直动从动件盘形凸轮的新方法

提出了一种利用凸轮与从动件相对运动设计凸轮的新方法（简称相对运动法）,该方法利用凸与从动件的相对速度确定盘形凸轮的压力角和轮廓,相对加速度确定凸轮曲率半径,基于从动件和支承绕凸轮轴线反转的模型,将从动件滚子轴线对凸轮的相对速度和相对加速度转变为绝对速度和绝对加速度,应用矢量法和从动件坐标系中的分量表达法,导出了滚子摆杆盘形凸轮机构的凸轮压力角,轮廓线方程和曲率半径的解析表达式,并通过CAD方法给出了设计实例。     

溅射气压对ZnO薄膜的影响

采用射频磁控溅射的方法,通过改变溅射气压,在玻璃衬底上沉积出具有C轴择优取向的ZnO薄膜。用X射线衍射仪（xRD）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和原子力显微镜（AFM）对不同溅射气压下ZnO薄膜的结构、断面和表面形貌进行研究分析。结果表明,随着溅射气压的降低,ZnO薄膜的（002）取向增强,薄膜的厚度增加,沉积速率加快,氧化锌薄膜的沉积速率从4nm／min升高到21nm／min。在溅射压强为2．5Pa时制备的ZnO薄膜粗糙度最小,大小为5．45nm。     

Advanced Credit-Assignment CMAC Algorithm for Robust Self-Learning and Self-Maintenance Machine

Smart machine necessitates self-learning capabilities to assess its own performance and predict its behavior. To achieve self-maintenance intelligence, robust and fast learning algorithms need to be embedded in machine for real-time decision. This paper presents a credit-assignment cerebellar model articulation controller (CA-CMAC) algorithm to reduce learning interference in machine learning. The developed algorithms on credit matrix and the credit correlation matrix are presented. The error of the training sample distributed to the activated memory cell is proportional to the cell‘s credibility, which is determined by its activated times. The convergence processes of CA-CMAC in cyclic learning are further analyzed with two convergence theorems. In addition, simulation results on the inverse kinematics of 2degree-of-freedom planar robot arm are used to prove the convergence theorems and show that CA-CMAC converges faster than conventional machine learning.     

A simple interspike interval analyzer for study of neuronal spike trains

Summary A simple, low cost interspike interval analyzer for the analysis of trains of nerve impulses is described. The analyzer is built with readily available integrated circuits and has been used to analyze spike trains in the lateral vestibular nucleus of cats.Acknowledgment. This research is supported in part by Higher Degrees and Research Grant No. 158/363 to J.C.H. from the University of Hong Kong.