Similarity between class A and class B G-protein-coupled receptors exemplified through calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor modelling and mutagenesis studies

Modelling class B G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) using class A GPCR structural templates is difficult due to lack of homology. The plant GPCR, GCR1, has homology to both class A and class B GPCRs. We have used this to generate a class A–class B alignment, and by incorporating maximum lagged correlation of entropy and hydrophobicity into a consensus score, we have been able to align receptor transmembrane regions. We have applied this analysis to generate active and inactive homology models of the class B calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor, and have supported it with site-directed mutagenesis data using 122 CGRP receptor residues and 144 published mutagenesis results on other class B GPCRs. The variation of sequence variability with structure, the analysis of polarity violations, the alignment of group-conserved residues and the mutagenesis results at 27 key positions were particularly informative in distinguishing between the proposed and plausible alternative alignments. Furthermore, we have been able to associate the key molecular features of the class B GPCR signalling machinery with their class A counterparts for the first time. These include the [K/R]KLH motif in intracellular loop 1, [I/L]xxxL and KxxK at the intracellular end of TM5 and TM6, the NPXXY/VAVLY motif on TM7 and small group-conserved residues in TM1, TM2, TM3 and TM7. The equivalent of the class A DRY motif is proposed to involve Arg^2.39, His^2.43 and Glu^3.46, which makes a polar lock with T^6.37. These alignments and models provide useful tools for understanding class B GPCR function.     

低剂量X射线全身照射对小鼠脾细胞糖皮质激素受体表？…

采用放射性配体结合法，观察了不同低剂量Ｘ射线全身照射对小鼠脾细胞糖皮质激素受体（ＧＣＲ）表达的影响及７５ｍＧｙ全身照射后ＧＣＲ表达的时程变化。结果显示，２５、５０、７５ｍＧｙＸ射线全身照射后８ｈ小鼠脾细胞ＧＣＲ表达明显下降；７５ｍＧｙＸ射线全身照射后４ｈＧＣＲ表达开始下降，８ｈＧＣＲ表达显著低于对照组。低剂量Ｘ射线全身照射可降低小鼠脾细胞ＧＣＲ的表达，提示ＧＣＲ表达下调可能在低剂量辐射免疫增强效应     

Gas-cooled reactor thermal hydraulic analyses with MELCOR

Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) has been selected as the reference design for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP). Stemming from a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) HTGR research initiative, a need was identified for validation of systems-level computer code modeling capabilities in anticipation of the eventual need to perform licensing analyses. Because the NRC has used MELCOR for light water reactors (LWR) in the past and because MELCOR was recently updated to include gas-cooled reactor (GCR) physics models, MELCOR is among the system codes of interest to the NRC. This paper describes MELCOR modeling of the General Atomics' Modular High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (MHTGR). The MHGTR is a suitable design for demonstration of MELCOR GCR modeling competency for two reasons: 1) the MHTGR is a predecessor to the more advanced General Atomics’ Gas-Turbine Modular High Temperature Reactor (GTMHR), and 2) experimental data useful for benchmark calculations may soon become available. Using the most complete literature references available for the MHTGR design, researchers at Texas A&M University (TAMU) constructed a MELCOR input deck for the MHTGR to partially validate MELCOR GCR modeling capabilities. Normal and off-normal system operating conditions were modeled with appropriate boundary and initial conditions. MELCOR predictions of system response were obtained for steady-state, pressurized conduction cool-down (PCC), and depressurized conduction cool-down (DCC) scenarios. Code results were checked against nominal MHTGR design parameters, physical intuition, and anticipated GCR thermal hydraulic response. No inherent deficiencies in MELCOR modeling capability were observed, suggesting that the newly-implemented GCR models are adequate for systems-level analysis. If and when experimental benchmark data becomes available, further validation activities may proceed given the modeling efforts discussed herein.     

动态设备关联特性文件颜色模式转换精度评价

为评估和比较最新的基于动态设备关联特性文件的“动态黑成分最大化” (Dynamic K)与基于设备关联特性文件的“最大灰成分替代”(Max GCR)、基于ICC设备特性文件的“参考颜色空间(PCS)转换”在颜色模式转换中的效果,通过实验模拟的方法来测试这3种转换方法的颜色模式转换精度、印刷墨量以及印刷的稳定性.结果表明基于动态设备关联特性文件的“动态黑成分最大化”在颜色模式转换方面,不仅能与其他两种方法达到相同的转换精度,节省更多彩色油墨,且提高了印刷稳定性,是值得推广的在两种CMYK模式设备间进行颜色模式转换的好方法.     

栅极电荷保持技术在有源箝位同步整流正激变换器中的应用

介绍了一种应用于有源箝位同步整流的驱动电路,它适用于输出电流和功率密度较高的场合。该驱动电路采用栅极电荷保持技术,解决了副边同步整流管的死区问题,降低了同步整流管的损耗,提高了变换器的效率。详细分析了变压器副边的工作原理,并在原理样机上进行了实验验证,在满载时效率可达到89%,实验效果比较理想。     

求解矩阵方程AX=B几种算法的比较

探究了求解矩阵方程AX=B的广义共轭残量法（GCR）、正交极小化法（ORTHOMIN）、重开始的广义共轭残量法（GCR（k））、重开始的正交极小化法（ORTHOMIN（k））等四种算法的迭代思想,讨论了算法的收敛性和收敛速度;用数值实验比较四种算法的性能,得出了重开始的广义共轭残量法能更好地求解大规模矩阵方程的结论。     

Fast frequency sweep computations using a multi‐point Padé‐based reconstruction method and an efficient iterative solver

Problems of the form Z (σ) u (σ)= f (σ), where Z is a given matrix, f is a given vector, and σ is a circular frequency or circular frequency‐related parameter arise in many applications including computational structural and fluid dynamics, and computational acoustics and electromagnetics. The straightforward solution of such problems for fine increments of σ is computationally prohibitive, particularly when Z is a large‐scale matrix. This paper discusses an alternative solution approach based on the efficient computation of u and its successive derivatives with respect to σ at a few sample values of this parameter, and the reconstruction of the solution u (σ) in the frequency band of interest using multi‐point Padé approximants. This computational methodology is illustrated with applications from structural dynamics and underwater acoustic scattering. In each case, it is shown to reduce the CPU time required by the straightforward approach to frequency sweep computations by two orders of magnitude. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isolation of GCR1, a major transcription factor of glycolytic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, from Kluyveromyces lactis

To study the function of GCR1, a gene involved in the expression of glycolytic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a Kluyveromyces lactis gene that complements the growth defect of a S. cerevisiae Deltagcr1 mutant was isolated. Introduction of this gene into the Deltagcr1 mutant also restored the activities of glycolytic enzymes. DNA sequencing of KlGCR1 predicted an open reading frame of a 767 amino acid protein with an overall identity of 33% and similarity of 48% to Gcr1p from S. cerevisiae. Its DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank Accession No. is AB046391.