The K computer Operations: Experiences and Statistics

AbstractThe K computer, released on September 29, 2012, is a large-scale parallel supercomputer system consisting of 82,944 compute nodes. We have been able to resolve a significant number of operation issues since its release. Some system software components have been fixed and improved to obtain higher stability and utilization. We achieved 94% service availability because of a low hardware failure rate and approximately 80% node utilization by careful adjustment of operation parameters. We found that the K computer is an extremely stable and high utilization system

Timolol activates the enzyme activities of human carbonic anhydrase I and II.

Timolol, a beta-blocker, has been shown to be an effective ocular hypotensive agent when used alone or with carbonic anhydrase inhibitor on ocular hypertensive or open angle glaucoma patients. The effect of timolol hemihydrate on the CO(2) hydration activities of human carbonic anhydrase (HCA) I and II and their reaction mechanisms were investigated. Timolol activates the enzyme activities of HCA I and HCA II. In HCA I and II, the enzyme kinetic results clearly showed that timolol increases the value of V(max) but does not influence the value of K(m). The enzyme kinetic method showed that timolol noncompetitively activates HCA I and II activities through the formation of a ternary complex consisting of the enzyme, the substrate, and timolol. These results indicate that timolol binds apart from the narrow cavity of the active site. AutoDocking results showed that timolol binds at the entrance of the active site cavity in a region where the proton shuttle residue, His 64, of HCA I or II, is placed. The enzyme kinetic and AutoDocking results showed that timolol might weakly bind near the proton shuttle residue, His 64, to accelerate the proton transfer rate from His 64 to the buffer components. It is known that efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase possess a bulky aromatic/heterocyclic moiety and a primary/secondary amino group in their molecular structure. Timolol has a heterocyclic moiety and a secondary amino group, which are typical structures in efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase.Timolol, a beta-blocker, has been shown to be an effective ocular hypotensive agent when used alone or with carbonic anhydrase inhibitor on ocular hypertensive or open angle glaucoma patients. The effect of timolol hemihydrate on the CO(2) hydration activities of human carbonic anhydrase (HCA) I and II and their reaction mechanisms were investigated. Timolol activates the enzyme activities of HCA I and HCA II. In HCA I and II, the enzyme kinetic results clearly showed that timolol increases the value of V(max) but does not influence the value of K(m). The enzyme kinetic method showed that timolol noncompetitively activates HCA I and II activities through the formation of a ternary complex consisting of the enzyme, the substrate, and timolol. These results indicate that timolol binds apart from the narrow cavity of the active site. AutoDocking results showed that timolol binds at the entrance of the active site cavity in a region where the proton shuttle residue, His 64, of HCA I or II, is placed. The enzyme kinetic and AutoDocking results showed that timolol might weakly bind near the proton shuttle residue, His 64, to accelerate the proton transfer rate from His 64 to the buffer components. It is known that efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase possess a bulky aromatic/heterocyclic moiety and a primary/secondary amino group in their molecular structure. Timolol has a heterocyclic moiety and a secondary amino group, which are typical structures in efficient activators of carbonic anhydrase

Development of a Multifunctional Lightweight Membrane with a High Specific Power Generation Capacity

As a lighter power generation system, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Sakase Adtech Corp. are developing a demonstrator component named “Harvesting Energy with Lightweight Integrated Origami Structure” (HELIOS), which is a deployable lightweight membrane structure. HELIOS has solar arrays on its surface and demonstrates the technology which enables higher specific power generation capacity compared to the conventional solar array panels. The membrane also has communication antennas, showing the potency of lightweight membrane’s multifunctionality such as large data transmitting by 5G antennas and high-resolution observation by interferometer antennas. This paper presents the component’s concept and design, and the expected achievements

The characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from wild birds in northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2009

Due to concerns that wild birds could possibly spread H5N1 viruses, surveillance was conducted to monitor the types of avian influenza viruses circulating among the wild birds migrating to or inhabiting in northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2009. An H5N2 virus isolated from a Eurasian woodcock had a close phylogenetic relationship to H5 viruses recently isolated in South Korea and Japan, suggesting that H5N2 has been shared between Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. An H9N2 virus isolated from a Chinese Hwamei was closely related to two H9N2 viruses that were isolated from humans in Hong Kong in 2009, suggesting that an H9N2 strain relevant to the human isolates had been transmitted to and maintained among the wild bird population in Vietnam and South China. The results support the idea that wild bird species play a significant role in the spread and maintenance of avian influenza and that this also occurs in Vietnam

Trans-European Networks : The Assessment and Implications

欧州委員会は、1993年、「経済成長、競争力促進および雇用問題に関する白書」の中で、Trans-European Networks(以下、TENs)政策の概要を発表した。TENs政策は、「単一欧州市場」をさらに促進するためのあらたなインフラネットワークの整備を目的としている。この政策は、80年代以降、欧州統合が進展する過程での輸送分野を中心としたインフラ整備をエネルギー、情報通信の分野にまで拡大するものである。また、地域格差の是正や市民の福祉向上等、社会的インパクトも大きい政策として注目されている。 しかしながら、TENs政策で掲げられたプロジェクトを実際に実行に移すには、現段階でクリアしなければならない様々な課題も残されている。TENs政策に関わる問題点は、財政的問題、民間投資の活用法、行政単位の問題等に大別することができる。本研究ノートでは、おもに輸送、情報通信分野におけるTENs政策の概要を示すとともに、その問題点を指摘し、TENsの今後についての展望をおこなっている。The European Commission revealed "Trans-European Networks (TENs)" programme in White Paper on growth, competitiveness, and employment in 1993. It aims at further development of infrastructure networks in Europe. The European Community has developed infrastructure networks mainly in the field of transport networks since 1980s. Projects of TENs programme extend the fields to energy and telecommunications networks in addition to transport networks. TENs programme is expected to contribute to reducing regional disparity or promoting the welfare of citizens as well as realizing "open and competitive market" in Europe. However, the implementation of networks as a whole is progressing moderately. Our research points out three problematic aspects of TENs programme at the present stage; financial problems, practical use of private sectors, and administrative aspects. In this research, we introduce TENs programme mainly in the fields of transport and telecommunications networks, and point out its problems to be solved