We have shown that a xylan-degrading bacterium, W-61, excretes multiple xylanases, including xylanase 5 with a molecular mass of 140 kDa. Here, we emend the previously used classification of the bacterium (i.e., Aeromonas caviae W-61) to Paenibacillus sp. strain W-61 on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, and we clone and express the xyn5 gene encoding xylanase 5 (Xyn5) in Escherichia coli and study the subcellular localization of Xyn5. xyn5 encodes 1,326 amino acid residues, including a 27-amino-acid signal sequence. Sequence analysis indicated that Xyn5 comprises two family 22 carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM), a family 10 catalytic domain of glycosyl hydrolases, a family 9 CBM, a domain similar to the lysine-rich region of Clostridium thermocellum SdbA, and three S-layer-homologous (SLH) domains. Recombinant Xyn5 bound to a crystalline cellulose, Avicel PH-101, while an N-terminal 90-kDa fragment of Xyn5, which lacks the C-terminal half of the family 9 CBM, did not bind to Avicel PH-101. Xyn5 was cell bound, and the cell-bound protein was digested by exogenous trypsin to produce immunoreactive and xylanolytic fragments with molecular masses of 80 and 60 kDa. Xyn5 was exclusively distributed in the cell envelope fraction consisting of a peptidoglycan-containing layer and an associated S layer. Thus, Paenibacillus sp. strain W-61 Xyn5 is a cell surface-anchored modular xylanase possessing a functional cellulose-binding module and SLH domains. Possible cooperative action of multiple xylanases produced by strain W-61 is discussed on the basis of the modular structure of Xyn5.
Programmable Blobs is an attempt of actuated shape display using fluid material. We have developed an environment where we can program the shape of gel geometrically and topologically using our unique magnetic fluid called pBlob. This enables us to experience organic shape changes in real space, like a metaball in the CG world. The control hardware is composed of electromagnets arranged in the honeycomb structure and their control circuits. On/off control and PWM control vary the blob shapes and realize animations. We describe the method of blob creation, details of the mechanism and the language for transformation control, and propose some applications we are developing at present.
There is presently a shortage of nurses in Japan, with a further shortage of 3,000–130,000 nurses expected. There is also shortage of scrub nurses. Scrub nurses are nurses who work in the operating room. The main job of scrub nurses is to assist surgeons. Scrub nurses are a high turnover rate, because it is a difficult job. Therefore, system for assisting scrub nurses are needed. The purpose of this study was to develop a robotic scrub nurse. As a first step, a detection system for surgical instruments was developed using the “Faster Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network” (Faster R-CNN). In experiments, computer graphics (CG) model images and 3D-printed model images were evaluated, and the system showed high accuracy. Consequently, the Faster R-CNN system can be considered as suitable for detecting surgical instruments.
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