Principal component analysis and singular spectrum analysis of ULF geomagnetic data associated with earthquakes

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Anomalous geoelectrical and geomagnetic signals observed at Southern Boso Peninsula, Japan

Geoelectrical and geomagnetic fluctuations are considered the end product of several geophysical phenomena. In particular these signals measured in seismically active areas can be attributed to stress and strain changes associated with earthquakes. The complexity of this problem has suggested the development of advanced sophysticated methods to investigate the heterogeneous nature of these fluctuations. In this paper, we analyzed the time dynamics of short-term variability of geoelectrical potential differences and geomagnetic fields obsereved at Kiyosumi (KYS), Uchiura (UCU), and Fudago (FDG) stations, located in the southern part of Boso Peninsula, one of the most seismically active areas in Japan. Anomalous changes in electric and magnetic fields are obeserved in mid-night on October 6, 2002. the anomalous signals observed on October 6, 2002 are different from those originated from the train and other cultural noises according to the investigation on preferred directions of geoelectric field. The investigation of simaltaneous geomagnetic field changes suggest that the source of the electromagnetic change might be generated by underground current because of the polarity pattern oberved at KYS, UCU and FDG. Therefore, electrokinetic assumption under the ground seems one of the possible solutions for the generation of anomalous signals. It is important to understand the ULF electromagnetic environment for the study on the preparation process of crustal activity and systematic understanding both electromagnetic and seismic phenomena

Principal component analysis and singular spectrum analysis of ULF geomagnetic data associated with earthquakes

International audienceIn order to extract any ULF signature associated with earthquakes, the principal component analysis (PCA) and singular spectral analysis (SSA) have been performed to investigate the possibility of discrimination of signals from different sources (geomagnetic variation, artificial noise, and the other sources (earthquake-related ULF emissions)). We adopt PCA to the time series data observed at closely separated stations, Seikoshi (SKS), Mochikoshi (MCK), and Kamo (KAM). In order to remove the most intense signal like the first principal component, we make the differential data sets of filtered 0.01Hz SKS-KAM and MCK-KAM in NS component and 0.01 Hz band. The major findings are as follows. (1) It is important to apply principal component analysis and singular spectral analysis simultaneously. SSA gives the structure of signals and the number of sensors for PCA is estimated. This makes the results convincing. (2) There is a significant advantage using PCA with differential data sets of filtered (0.01 Hz band) SKS-KAM and MCK-KAM in NS component for removing the most intense signal like global variation (solar-terrestrial interaction). This provides that the anomalous changes in the second principal component appeared more sharply. And the contribution of the second principal component is 20?40%. It is large enough to prove mathematical accuracy of the signal. Further application is required to accumulate events. These facts demonstrate the possibility of monitoring the crustal activity by using the PCA and SSA

Anomalous geoelectrical and geomagnetic signals observed at Southern Boso Peninsula, Japan

Geoelectrical and geomagnetic fluctuations are considered the end product of several geophysical phenomena. In particular these signals measured in seismically active areas can be attributed to stress and strain changes associated with earthquakes. The complexity of this problem has suggested the development of advanced sophysticated methods to investigate the heterogeneous nature of these fluctuations. In this paper, we analyzed the time dynamics of short-term variability of geoelectrical potential differences and geomagnetic fields obsereved at Kiyosumi (KYS), Uchiura (UCU), and Fudago (FDG) stations, located in the southern part of Boso Peninsula, one of the most seismically active areas in Japan. Anomalous changes in electric and magnetic fields are obeserved in mid-night on October 6, 2002. the anomalous signals observed on October 6, 2002 are different from those originated from the train and other cultural noises according to the investigation on preferred directions of geoelectric field. The investigation of simaltaneous geomagnetic field changes suggest that the source of the electromagnetic change might be generated by underground current because of the polarity pattern oberved at KYS, UCU and FDG. Therefore, electrokinetic assumption under the ground seems one of the possible solutions for the generation of anomalous signals. It is important to understand the ULF electromagnetic environment for the study on the preparation process of crustal activity and systematic understanding both electromagnetic and seismic phenomena

Identification and functional analysis of ferritin 2 from the Taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schulze

Ferritin 2 (FER2) is an iron storage protein, which has been shown to be critical for iron homeostasis during blood feeding and reproduction in ticks and is therefore suitable as a component for anti-tick vaccines. In this study, we identified the FER2 of Ixodes persulcatus, a major vector for zoonotic diseases such as Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne relapsing fever in Japan, and investigated its functions. Ixodes persulcatus-derived ferritin 2 (Ip-FER2) showed concentration-dependent iron-binding ability and high amino acid conservation, consistent with FER2s of other tick species. Vaccines containing the recombinant Ip-FER2 elicited a significant reduction of the engorgement weight of adult I. persulcatus. Interestingly, the reduction of engorgement weight was also observed in Ixodes ovatus, a sympatric species of I. persulcatus. In silico analyses of FER2 sequences of I. persulcatus and other ticks showed a greater similarity with I. scapularis and I. ricinus and lesser similarity with Hyalomma anatolicum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus microplus, and R. appendiculatus. Moreover, it was observed that the tick FER2 sequences possess conserved regions within the primary structures, and in silico epitope mapping analysis revealed that antigenic regions were also conserved, particularly among Ixodes spp ticks. In conclusion, the data support further protective tick vaccination applications using the Ip-FER2 antigens identified herein

Immunosuppressive effects of sialostatin L1 and L2 isolated from the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schulze

Tick saliva contains immunosuppressants which are important to obtain a blood meal and enhance the infectivity of tick-borne pathogens. In Japan, Ixodes persulcatus is a major vector for Lyme borreliosis pathogens, such as Borrelia garinii, as well as for those causing relapsing fever, such as B. miyamotoi. To date, little information is available on bioactive salivary molecules, produced by this tick. Thus, in this study, we identified two proteins, I. persulcatus derived sialostatin L1 (Ip-sL1) and sL2 (Ip-sL2), as orthologs of I. scapularis derived sL1 and sL2. cDNA clones of Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 shared a high identity with sequences of sL1 and sL2 isolated from the salivary glands of I. scapularis. Semi-quantitative PCR revealed that Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 were expressed in the salivary glands throughout the life of the tick. In addition, Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 were expressed even before the ticks started feeding, and their expression continued during blood feeding. Recombinant Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 were developed to characterize the proteins via biological and immunological analyses. These analyses revealed that both Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 had inhibitory effects on cathepsins L and S. Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 inhibited the production of IP-10, TNFα, and IL-6 by LPS-stimulated bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Additionally, Ip-sL1 significantly impaired BMDC maturation. Taken together, these results suggest that Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 confer immunosuppressive functions and appear to be involved in the transmission of pathogens by suppressing host immune responses, such as cytokine production and dendritic cell maturation. Therefore, further studies are warranted to investigate the immunosuppressive functions of Ip-sL1 and Ip-sL2 in detail to clarify their involvement in pathogen transmission via I. persulcatus