Mitsubishi

About: Mitsubishi is a company organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Signal & Layer (electronics). The organization has 53115 authors who have published 54821 publications receiving 870150 citations. The organization is also known as: Mitsubishi Group of Companies & Mitsubishi Companies.

Method and apparatus for monitoring the surroundings of a vehicle and for detecting failure of the monitoring apparatus

Abstract: A camera and a beam-scan type laser radar whose optical axes are coincident are mounted on a vehicle. A lane detector detects the vehicle's own lane on a display image by processing an image picked up by the camera. A coordinate transforming device transforms the coordinates of positional information of an object, most likely a vehicle, detected by the laser radar in conformity with coordinates on the image of the camera. Another detector compares a position of the vehicle's own lane with a position of the detected object, judges whether or not the detected object is within the vehicle's own lane, and separates the detected object within the vehicle's own lane from objects detected outside the vehicle's own lane. A failure detection method and a corresponding apparatus are provided to determine whether the optical axes of the camera and the laser radar are coincident.

Structure and function of a membrane component SecDF that enhances protein export

Abstract: Protein translocation across the bacterial cell membrane is mediated by the SecYEG translocon and is enhanced by a membrane protein called SecDF, the function of which was unknown. In this study, Osamu Nureki and colleagues present a structural and functional analysis of SecDF. They show that it has 12 transmembrane domains and two major periplasmic domains (P1 and P4), and propose that SecDF functions as a membrane-integrated chaperone, powered by the proton motive force to perform protein translocation. Protein translocation across the bacterial membrane, mediated by the secretory translocon SecYEG and the SecA ATPase1,2,3,4, is enhanced by proton motive force5,6 and membrane-integrated SecDF7,8,9, which associates with SecYEG. The role of SecDF has remained unclear, although it is proposed to function in later stages of translocation as well as in membrane protein biogenesis4,10,11,12,13. Here, we determined the crystal structure of Thermus thermophilus SecDF at 3.3 A resolution, revealing a pseudo-symmetrical, 12-helix transmembrane domain belonging to the RND superfamily and two major periplasmic domains, P1 and P4. Higher-resolution analysis of the periplasmic domains suggested that P1, which binds an unfolded protein, undergoes functionally important conformational changes. In vitro analyses identified an ATP-independent step of protein translocation that requires both SecDF and proton motive force. Electrophysiological analyses revealed that SecDF conducts protons in a manner dependent on pH and the presence of an unfolded protein, with conserved Asp and Arg residues at the transmembrane interface between SecD and SecF playing essential roles in the movements of protons and preproteins. Therefore, we propose that SecDF functions as a membrane-integrated chaperone, powered by proton motive force, to achieve ATP-independent protein translocation.

Biosynthesis and Hydrolysis of Poly(γ-glutamic acid) from Bacillus subtilis IF03335

Abstract: Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) production in Bacillus subtilis IF03335 was studied. When citric acid as a carbon source was added to a glutamic acid medium containing L-glutamic acid and ammonium sulfate, a large amount of pure PGA was produced. On the other hand, when glucose was added to the glutamic acid medium, a by-product was produced, which seemed to be a polysaccharide. Moreover, the mode of hydrolysis was investigated with PGA in aqueous solutions at 80, 100, and 120°C by monitoring the time-dependent changes in the molecular weights. Hydrolytic degradation of PGA was found to proceed through a random chain scission.

Route bus service controlling system

Abstract: The route bus operation controlling system of this invention includes mobile radio units, ground radio unit and central processor, wherein the central processor is provided with a memory for storing the actual running time of buses in specific section of each bus service route and other service information and a processing unit which reads out the service information stored in the memory to calculate coefficient data which allows comparison among delays in each bus route, applies a weight to the calculated result basing on the old and new actual values, calculated as sample values the average movement values of buses which have run in the specified section, calculates as sample values the expected values of the bus under forecast, and cumulates the expected running time for each specified section, and wherein the mobile radio units and ground radio units are provided with display units for displaying service information of a specific section of route and the entire route.