Genome structure of the Lactobacillus temperate phage Φg1e: the whole genome sequence and the putative promoter/repressor system

The complete genome sequence of a Lactobacillus temperate phage Φg1e was established. The double-stranded DNA is composed of 42 259 bp, and encodes for sixty-two possible open reading frames (ORF) as well as several potential regulatory sequences. Based on comparative analysis with other related proteins of the Lactobacillus and Lactococcus phages as well as the Escherichia coli phages (such as lambda), functions were putatively assigned to several Φg1e ORFs: cng and cpg (encoding for repressors), hel (helicase), ntp (NTPase), and several ORFs (e.g., minor capsid proteins). An about 1000-bp DNA region of Φg1e containing cpg and cng was inferred to function as a promoter/repressor system for the Φg1e lysogenic and lytic pathway

Solar Array Membrane Prototype for the OPENS-0 Small Saturn Probe

The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is actively engaged in the research and development of a cutting-edge lightweight deployable solar array paddle, called solar array membrane. This technology is specifically designed for small satellites, with a particular focus on the OPENS-0 small probe for the Saturn flyby engineering demonstration. This paper provides the current status of the development of the full-scale prototype for the 9 m2 solar array membrane

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

Detection of Tuberculosis Infection Hotspots Using Activity Spaces Based Spatial Approach in an Urban Tokyo, from 2003 to 2011

Background: Identifying ongoing tuberculosis infection sites is crucial for breaking chains of transmission in tuberculosis-prevalent urban areas. Previous studies have pointed out that detection of local accumulation of tuberculosis patients based on their residential addresses may be limited by a lack of matching between residences and tuberculosis infection sites. This study aimed to identify possible tuberculosis hotspots using TB genotype clustering statuses and a concept of "activity space", a place where patients spend most of their waking hours. We further compared the spatial distribution by different residential statuses and describe urban environmental features of the detected hotspots. Methods: Culture-positive tuberculosis patients notified to Shinjuku city from 2003 to 2011 were enrolled in this case-based cross-sectional study, and their demographic and clinical information, TB genotype clustering statuses, and activity space were collected. Spatial statistics (Global Moran\u27s I and Getis-Ord Gi? statistics) identified significant hotspots in 152 census tracts, and urban environmental features and tuberculosis patients\u27 characteristics in these hotspots were assessed. Results: Of the enrolled 643 culture-positive tuberculosis patients, 416 (64.2%) were general inhabitants, 42 (6.5%) were foreign-born people, and 184 were homeless people (28.6%). The percentage of overall genotype clustering was 43.7%. Genotype-clustered general inhabitants and homeless people formed significant hotspots around a major railway station, whereas the non-clustered general inhabitants formed no hotspots. This suggested the detected hotspots of activity spaces may reflect ongoing tuberculosis transmission sites and were characterized by smaller residential floor size and a higher proportion of nonworking households. Conclusions: Activity space-based spatial analysis suggested possible TB transmission sites around the major railway station and it can assist in further comprehension of TB transmission dynamics in an urban setting in Japan

ブラウアーフレンドリー加群とスラッシュ関手の性質に関する研究

東京理科大学202