NASDA's earth observation satellite data archive policy for the earth observation data and information system (EOIS)

NASDA's new Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) is scheduled for launch in August, 1996. ADEOS carries 8 sensors to observe earth environmental phenomena and sends their data to NASDA, NASA, and other foreign ground stations around the world. The downlink data bit rate for ADEOS is 126 MB/s and the total volume of data is about 100 GB per day. To archive and manage such a large quantity of data with high reliability and easy accessibility it was necessary to develop a new mass storage system with a catalogue information database using advanced database management technology. The data will be archived and maintained in the Master Data Storage Subsystem (MDSS) which is one subsystem in NASDA's new Earth Observation data and Information System (EOIS). The MDSS is based on a SONY ID1 digital tape robotics system. This paper provides an overview of the EOIS system, with a focus on the Master Data Storage Subsystem and the NASDA Earth Observation Center (EOC) archive policy for earth observation satellite data

A cell factory of Bacillus subtilis engineered for the simple bioconversion of myo-inositol to scyllo-inositol, a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A stereoisomer of inositol, <it>scyllo</it>-inositol, is known as a promising therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease, since it prevents the accumulation of beta-amyloid deposits, a hallmark of the disease. However, this compound is relatively rare in nature, whereas another stereoisomer of inositol, <it>myo</it>-inositol, is abundantly available.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Bacillus subtilis </it>possesses a unique inositol metabolism involving both stereoisomers. We manipulated the inositol metabolism in <it>B. subtilis </it>to permit the possible bioconversion from <it>myo</it>-inositol to <it>scyllo</it>-inositol. Within 48 h of cultivation, the engineered strain was able to convert almost half of 10 g/L <it>myo</it>-inositol to <it>scyllo</it>-inositol that accumulated in the culture medium.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The engineered <it>B. subtilis </it>serves as a prototype of cell factory enabling a novel and inexpensive supply of <it>scyllo</it>-inositol.</p

Development and single‐particle analysis of hybrid extracellular vesicles fused with liposomes using viral fusogenic proteins

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have potential biomedical applications, particularly as a means of transport for therapeutic agents. There is a need for rapid and efficient EV-liposome membrane fusion that maintains the integrity of hybrid EVs. We recently described Sf9 insect cell-derived EVs on which functional membrane proteins were presented using a baculovirus-expression system. Here, we developed hybrid EVs by membrane fusion of small liposomes and EVs equipped with baculoviral fusogenic proteins. Single-particle analysis of EV-liposome complexes revealed controlled introduction of liposome components into EVs. Our findings and methodology will support further applications of EV engineering in biomedicine

Forensic casework of personal identification using a mixture of body fluids from more than one person by Y-STRs analysis

We applied Y-STRs (DYS385/DYS19/YCAII) to an adhesive plaster left at a crime scene. This plaster may have included body fluids from more than one person. Firstly, we performed preliminary examinations, ABO-blood type examinations, and commonly used DNA examinations (D1S80, HLADQα, TH01, and PM) on these specimens. As a result of these examinations, we could evidence that suspect A did not contacted with the plaster, but could not confirm the presence of perspiration from suspect B. As the next step, we applied Y-STR examination to the plaster. Using this examination, we detected alleles that coincided to those of suspect B. We also concluded that the fluid from an unidentified person was vaginal fluid based on crime scene investigation. Y-STRs examination data obtained from 124 persons in Tokushima prefecture showed that 1.613% of individuals demonstrated haplotypes 10-18/ 15/19-23, which was detected from the plaster and from suspect B. Therefore, we considered that there was a high probability that the persiration detected in the plaster was that of suspect B. Based on these studies, we concluded that Y-STR examination of trace evidence was very useful to screen suspects using materials that contained body fluid from more than one person