Fabrication of a 64-Pixel TES Microcalorimeter Array with Iron Absorbers Uniquely Designed for 14.4-keV Solar Axion Search

If a hypothetical elementary particle called an axion exists, to solve the strong CP problem, a 57Fe nucleus in the solar core could emit a 14.4-keV monochromatic axion through the M1 transition. If such axions are once more transformed into photons by a 57Fe absorber, a transition edge sensor (TES) X-ray microcalorimeter should be able to detect them efficiently. We have designed and fabricated a dedicated 64-pixel TES array with iron absorbers for the solar axion search. In order to decrease the effect of iron magnetization on spectroscopic performance, the iron absorber is placed next to the TES while maintaining a certain distance. A gold thermal transfer strap connects them. We have accomplished the electroplating of gold straps with high thermal conductivity. The residual resistivity ratio (RRR) was over 23, more than eight times higher than a previous evaporated strap. In addition, we successfully electroplated pure-iron films of more than a few micrometers in thickness for absorbers and a fabricated 64-pixel TES calorimeter structure.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, published in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity on 8 March 202

The Conservability of Old Wood at the Contact with Metallic Structural Components from Artifacts

The paper presents the impact of metallic pieces being in contact with wood, as structural elements, used in obtaining artifacts. The paper studies, based on old samples, the reciprocal effect obtained at the wood-metal interface, the diffusion and segregation area of metallic cations in wood and the protective role of some wood volatile components on metal

The Study of Metal-Old Wood Interactions Under the Influence of Pedological Factors

In the manufacture of wood objects, for binding and strengthening were used nails, cramps and other metallic elements, which in the archaeological site suffered degradation and deterioration processes, specific to metal-wood interface. The chemical and physical-structural characteristics of the products resulted from metal-old wood interactions can set up a database that can be used in authentication. For the study were taken wood samples from the Roman and Byzantine era, from Dobrogea and Moldova areas, resulted from the archaeological excavations, after year 2000, which presented in their structure metallic elements. The samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersion X-ray (SEM-EDX)

Toward understanding transcriptional regulatory networks in abiotic stress responses and tolerance in rice

長崎大学学位論文 [学位記番号]博（医歯薬）甲第1168号 [学位授与年月日]令和元年6月5

ターゲットエクソーム解析および染色体マイクロアレイ解析を用いた母斑性基底細胞癌症候群の遺伝子診断

Background: Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder mainly caused by heterozygous mutations of PTCH1. In addition to characteristic clinical features, detection of a mutation in causative genes is reliable for the diagnosis of NBCCS; however, no mutations have been identified in some patients using conventional methods. Objective: To improve the method for the molecular diagnosis of NBCCS. Methods: We performed targeted exome sequencing (TES) analysis using a multi-gene panel, including PTCH1, PTCH2, SUFU, and other sonic hedgehog signaling pathway-related genes, based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in 8 cases in whom possible causative mutations were not detected by previously performed conventional analysis and 2 recent cases of NBCCS. Subsequent analysis of gross deletion within or around PTCH1 detected by TES was performed using chromosomal microarray (CMA). Results: Through TES analysis, specific single nucleotide variants or small indels of PTCH1 causing inferred amino acid changes were identified in 2 novel cases and 2 undiagnosed cases, whereas gross deletions within or around PTCH1, which are validated by CMA, were found in 3 undiagnosed cases. However, no mutations were detected even by TES in 3 cases. Among 3 cases with gross deletions of PTCH1, deletions containing the entire PTCH1 and additional neighboring genes were detected in 2 cases, one of which exhibited atypical clinical features, such as severe mental retardation, likely associated with genes located within the 4.3 Mb deleted region, especially. Conclusion: TES-based simultaneous evaluation of sequences and copy number status in all targeted coding exons by NGS is likely to be more useful for the molecular diagnosis of NBCCS than conventional methods. CMA is recommended as a subsequent analysis for validation and detailedmapping of deleted regions, which may explain the atypical clinical features of NBCCS cases

Radiation exposure and circulatory disease risk: Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor data, 1950-2003

Objective To investigate the degree to which ionising radiation confers risk of mortality from heart disease and stroke

妊娠後期女性の自律神経活動が温泉入浴を含む ヘルスツーリズムにおいて改善を示した１例

2016年度からメンタルヘルス対策として，成人を対象に日帰りのヘルスツーリズムを企画・実施し，効果の検証を重ねてきた。今回，屋内型日帰りヘルスツーリズム（講話，食事，陶芸，温泉入浴の体験）を企画した。参加申し込みがあった妊娠後期女性において自律神経機能が改善したので報告する。分析対象者は，屋内型日帰りヘルスツーリズム（以後：ヘルスツーリズム）に家族とともに参加した現在産前産後休暇中の妊娠37週女性１名である。ヘルスツーリズム前の自律神経活動反応は安静CVRR 6.94％，着席 ccvHF 3.80％と過剰であり，安静 ccvL/H0.09％，⊿CVRR -1.41，⊿ccvL/H -0.01は低値を示していた。ヘルスツーリズム後は安静CVRR3.75％，⊿CVRR 1.89，⊿ccvL/H 0.08は標準に修正していた。安静ccvL/H 0.07％と着席ccvHF 3.87％に変化はみられなかった。平均心拍および瞬時心拍は測定においてヘルスツーリズム前後で大きな変化は見られなかった。CVRR はヘルスツーリズム前の安静座位で過剰であったが，起立・立位・着席には変化はみられなかった。本調査における１症例の結果，屋内型日帰りヘルスツーリズム（講話，食事，陶芸，温泉入浴の体験）は，妊娠後期女性の自律神経機能を改善に導く可能性が示唆された

Overexpression of a Minimal Domain of Calpastatin Suppresses IL-6 Production and Th17 Development via Reduced NF-κB and Increased STAT5 Signals

Calpain, a calcium-dependent cysteine protease, is reportedly involved in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, autoantibodies against calpastatin, a natural and specific inhibitor of calpain, are widely observed in RA. We previously reported that E-64-d, a membrane-permeable cysteine protease inhibitor, is effective in treating experimental arthritis. However, the exact role of the calpastatin-calpain balance in primary inflammatory cells remains unclear. Here we investigated the effect of calpain-specific inhibition by overexpressing a minimal functional domain of calpastatin in primary helper T (Th) cells, primary fibroblasts from RA patients, and fibroblast cell lines. We found that the calpastatin-calpain balance varied during Th1, Th2, and Th17 development, and that overexpression of a minimal domain of calpastatin (by retroviral gene transduction) or the inhibition of calpain by E-64-d suppressed the production of IL-6 and IL-17 by Th cells and the production of IL-6 by fibroblasts. These suppressions were associated with reductions in RORγt expression and STAT3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, inhibiting calpain by silencing its small regulatory subunit (CPNS) suppressed Th17 development. We also confirmed that overexpressing a minimal domain of calpastatin suppressed IL-6 by reducing NF-κB signaling via the stabilization of IκBα, without affecting the upstream signal. Moreover, our findings indicated that calpastatin overexpression suppressed IL-17 production by Th cells by up-regulating the STAT5 signal. Finally, overexpression of a minimal domain of calpastatin suppressed IL-6 production efficiently in primary fibroblasts derived from the RA synovium. These findings suggest that inhibiting calpain by overexpressing a minimal domain of calpastatin could coordinately suppress proinflammatory activities, not only those of Th cells but also of synovial fibroblasts. Thus, this strategy may prove viable as a candidate treatment for inflammatory diseases such as RA

住民による高齢者サロン運営の課題と対策

一般高齢者の介護予防推進事業である高齢者サロン運営の課題と対策を検討する目的で島根県出雲市C地区の高齢者サロンに参加して実態把握をするとともに、サロンの世話役・福祉委員・参加者等に実施したインタビュー結果をサロン活動の継続の困難さに視点を当て分析した。課題は①独居高齢者等の不参加②参加意欲維持の困難さ③働き盛り男性福祉委員の活動の困難性④世話役の高齢化と人材不足による活動の困難性⑤企画内容の工夫の困難性⑥活動記録等の保存と活用の不徹底⑦社会資源等の情報伝達と周知不足⑧予算確保の困難性・助成金の使途制限による使用の困難性⑨実施場所と回数の不足⑩実施場所の環境整備不足であった。対策として社会福祉協議会、自治協会・保健師などがサロン運営の課題を共有する機会を持ち、サロンを運営する世話役や福祉委員への情報提供や必要な支援することが重要である。また、高齢者が主体的に参加できるよう協力を求めながら実施していく必要がある

島根県立大学がA市と共同で行う介護予防教室プログラムの課題

本学ではA市との共同事業として2007年度から認知症一次予防を目的とした介護予防教室を11年間実施してきた。2016年度からは大学の担当者が変更となり，2年が経過した。今回，2015年度まで実施していた介護予防教室と，担当者変更後の2年間の教室を概観し，課題を検討した。その結果，どの年の教室参加者も認知機能や精神機能が維持できていたことが確認できたが，2016年度から運動を強化した結果は出ていなかった。効果的な介護予防教室のために，高齢者の自己効力感を高める地域回想法プログラムの見直し，自宅でできる高齢者にやさしい運動の提案，1年間の取り組みを正確に評価できる評価時期の検討が課題と考えられた