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Periodontitis affects oral tissues and induces systemic inflammation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Subgingival plaque accumulation is a trigger of periodontitis. Fusobacterium nucleatum (FN) contributes to subgingival biofilm complexity by intercalating with early and late bacterial colonizers on tooth surfaces. In addition, inflammatory responses to FN are associated with the progression of periodontitis. Nigella sativa Lin. seed, which is known as black cumin (BC), has been used as a herbal medicine to treat ailments such as asthma and infectious diseases. The current study examined the inhibitory effect of BC oil and its active constituents, thymol (TM) and thymoquinone (TQ), on FN‑associated biofilm and inflammation. FN‑containing biofilms were prepared by co‑cultivation with an early dental colonizer, Actinomyces naeslundii (AN). The stability and biomass of FN/AN dual species biofilms were significantly higher compared with FN alone. This effect was retained even with prefixed cells, indicating that FN/AN co‑aggregation is mediated by physicochemical interactions with cell surface molecules. FN/AN biofilm formation was significantly inhibited by 0.1% TM or TQ. Confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that treatment of preformed FN/AN biofilm with 0.01% of BC, TM or TQ significantly reduced biofilm thickness, and TQ demonstrated a cleansing effect equivalent to that of isopropyl methylphenol. TQ dose‑dependently suppressed TNF‑α production from a human monocytic cell line, THP‑1 exposed to FN, yet showed no toxicity to THP‑1 cells. These results indicated that oral hygiene care using TQ could reduce FN‑associated biofilm and inflammation in gingival tissue.

国際トカマク物理活動（ITPA）の「高エネルギー粒子物理」、「統合運転シナリオ」、「計測」の各トピカルグループの会合が、2021年10月から11月にかけて開催された。各会合において議論した重要課題への取り組みや国際共同実験/解析の状況を、プラズマ・核融合学会誌を通して国内の研究者に報告する。

第38回プラズマ・核融合学会年会

ITERダイバータ赤外サーモグラフィでは高い放射線環境下にミラー及びレンズを配置し光を伝送する。そのため、ITERでの全運転期間を通して顕著な光学特性の劣化がない光学材料の選定及び遮蔽設計が必要不可欠となる。本研究ではITERダイバータ赤外サーモグラフィで使用可能な光学素子の選定及びその遮蔽設計の指標の決定を目的とし、レンズ材料のガンマ線及び中性子照射を実施しその前後の光学特性の計測から中赤外領域における放射線耐性を評価した。今回はその中でもSi、ZnSe、ZnS、CaF2の主要材料に絞り各材料のガンマ線及び中性子照射特性の詳細を報告する。, 第38回プラズマ核融合学会・年会

国際トカマク物理活動（ITPA）の「高エネルギー粒子物理」、「統合運転シナリオ」、「計測」、「スクレイプオフ層とダイバータ物理」、「周辺ペデスタル物理」の各トピカルグループの会合が、2021年5月から7月にかけて開催された。各会合において議論した重要課題への取り組みや国際共同実験/解析の状況を、プラズマ・核融合学会誌を通して国内の研究者に報告する。

The absolute calibration of the detection efficiency for the total neutron yield in the whole plasma is one of the most important issues in the neutron diagnostics such as a neutron flux monitor (NFM). The possibility of a partial neutron calibration is investigated based on the in-situ neutron calibration data of the Large Helical Device (LHD), JT-60U, and other tokamaks. In the case of NFM using a 235U fission chamber located outside of the vacuum vessel on the equatorial plane, more than 90% of the detector counts are contributed by neutrons in the toroidal angle range of −60° to +60°. The detection efficiency for the neutron source located at one toroidal position on the magnetic axis (called point efficiency) decreased exponentially with the absolute toroidal angle of the neutron source. We found that a partial calibration in the toroidal angle range of −60° to +60° combined with exponential extrapolations to -180° and +180°can estimate total detection efficiency within 5% uncertainty. In the case of point efficiency measurement at the limited number of the toroidal locations, the total detection efficiency for the whole plasma can be estimated within 4% uncertainty with the assistance of the MCNP simulation.

The absolute calibration of the detection efficiency for the total neutron yield in the whole plasma is one of the most important issues in the neutron diagnostics such as a neutron flux monitor (NFM). The possibility of a partial neutron calibration is investigated based on the in-situ neutron calibration data of the Large Helical Device (LHD), JT-60U, and other tokamaks. In the case of NFM using a 235U fission chamber located outside of the vacuum vessel on the equatorial plane, more than 90% of the detector counts are contributed by neutrons in the toroidal angle range of −60° to +60°. The detection efficiency for the neutron source located at one toroidal position on the magnetic axis (called point efficiency) decreased exponentially with the absolute toroidal angle of the neutron source. We found that a partial calibration in the toroidal angle range of −60° to +60° combined with exponential extrapolations to -180° and +180°can estimate total detection efficiency within 5% uncertainty. In the case of point efficiency measurement at the limited number of the toroidal locations, the total detection efficiency for the whole plasma can be estimated within 4% uncertainty with the assistance of the MCNP simulation.

日本が調達するITER計測装置の開発の進展について以下の報告を行なった．マイクロフィッションチェンバーでは, 真空容器内機器の実機製作が進んでおり, このうちMIケーブルの端部加工が完了した. ポロイダル偏光計では，開発を進める赤外レーザーのITERの放電時間に相当する時間の発振安定性（~3.6%）がITERの要求値（, 39th Meeting of the ITPA Topical Group on Diagnostics

The enzyme L-methionine-γ-lyase is commonly found in a wide range of bacteria and catalyzes the α-elimination and γ-elimination of L-methionine to produce methyl mercaptan, α-ketobutyrate and ammonia. Black cumin seed essential oil (BC oil) reportedly exhibits deodorizing activity against methyl mercaptan. Therefore, we hypothesized that BC oil may also suppress methyl mercaptan production. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of BC oil on L-methionine-γ-lyase activity in Fusobacterium nucleatum. Recombinant L-methionine-γ-lyase was incubated under appropriate conditions with BC oil and its constituent thymoquinone. To analyze L-methionine-γ-lyase activity, α-ketobutyric acid and ammonia concentrations were determined. The concentrations of α-ketobutyric acid and ammonia were significantly decreased by 10 µg mL−1 of BC oil (P

量研ITERプロジェクト部では、マイクロフィッションチェンバー(MFC)、ポロイダル偏光計(PoPola)、周辺トムソン散乱計測(ETS)、ダイバータ不純物モニター(DIM)、ダイバータ赤外線サーモグラフィー(IRTh)の５つのITER用計測装置の開発を進めている。ITERの計測装置の中で、高線量の真空容器内、真空境界と生体遮蔽の間のインタースペース(IS)と呼ばれる空間、生体遮蔽の外側のポートセル(PC)と呼ばれる部屋に設置する機器は、信頼性を担保するために、設計段階で放射線照射による動作試験等を実施し、その信頼性を示す必要がある。本研究では、2018年度より実験課題として、上記計測装置のうち放射線下で用いる光学部品等にガンマ線を照射し、その信頼性の評価を行っている。本報告では、これまでに行った実験結果、進捗状況及び今後の予定等に関して報告する。, QST高崎 サイエンスフェスタ 2020

Neutron shield for ITER Diagnostic Lower Port Integration in Vacuum Vessel consists of Diagnostic Rack that put tenant’s diagnostic on it and Backplates. This paper proposes a novel concept of Neutron shield that uses Boron carbide powder canned in a stainless-steel box. A prototype was made to demonstrate the novel concept of Neutron shield, and it confirmed the density of B4C for the prototyping reached 1915 kg/m3, 76 % of the actual density of 2520 kg/m3. Neutronics was performed by applying the density confirmed by the prototyping. As a result, 45 μSv/h of Shut Down Dose Rate (SDDR) was achieved and satisfied its target. And additionally, 9.35 ton of neutron shield weight satisfied its target.

Elucidation of a gene's function typically involves comparison of phenotypic traits of wild-type strains and strains in which the gene of interest has been disrupted. Loss of function following gene disruption is subsequently restored by exogenous addition of the product of the disrupted gene. This helps to determine the function of the gene. A method previously described involves generating a gtfC gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans strain. Here, an undemanding method is described for purifying the gtfC gene product from the newly generated S. mutans strain following the gene disruption. It involves the addition of a polyhistidine-coding sequence at the 3' end of the gene of interest, which allows simple purification of the gene product using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. No enzymatic reactions other than PCR are required for the genetic modification in this method. The restoration of the gene product by exogenous addition after gene disruption is an efficient method for determining gene function, which may also be adapted to different species.

Elucidation of a gene's function typically involves comparison of phenotypic traits of wild-type strains and strains in which the gene of interest has been disrupted. Loss of function following gene disruption is subsequently restored by exogenous addition of the product of the disrupted gene. This helps to determine the function of the gene. A method previously described involves generating a gtfC gene-disrupted Streptococcus mutans strain. Here, an undemanding method is described for purifying the gtfC gene product from the newly generated S. mutans strain following the gene disruption. It involves the addition of a polyhistidine-coding sequence at the 3' end of the gene of interest, which allows simple purification of the gene product using immobilized metal affinity chromatography. No enzymatic reactions other than PCR are required for the genetic modification in this method. The restoration of the gene product by exogenous addition after gene disruption is an efficient method for determining gene function, which may also be adapted to different species.

真空容器内のITER下部ポート統合機器の中性子遮蔽体は、計測機器を搭載する計測機器構造体とバックプレートで構成されている。 この論文では、ステンレス製の缶に炭化ホウ素粉末を充填した新しい中性子遮蔽体のコンセプトを提案する。 このコンセプトを実証するためにプロトタイプが製作され、プロトタイプの炭化ホウ素の密度は1915 kg / m3に達し、実際の密度2520 kg / m3の76％に達することが確認された。 核解析には、プロトタイピングによって確認された密度を適用した。その結果、45 µSv / hの運転停止後線量率（SDDR）が達成され、ITERの要求値を満足した。

Via thermal cycling and vibration tests, this study aims to demonstrate that the in-vessel components of the microfission chamber (MFC) system can withstand the extreme International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) environment. In thermal cycle tests, the signal cable of the device was bent into a smaller radius and it was given more bends than those in its actual configuration within ITER. A faster rate of temperature change than that under the typical ITER baking scenario was then imposed on in-vessel components. For the vibration tests, strong 10 G vibrational accelerations with frequencies ranging from 30 Hz to 2000 Hz were imposed to the detector and the connector of the in-vessel components to simulate various types of electromagnetic events. Soundness verification tests of the in-vessel components conducted after thermal cycling and vibration testing indicated that problems related to the signal transmission cable functioning were not found. Thus, it was demonstrated that the in-vessel components of the MFC can withstand the extreme environment within ITER.

This paper reports the gamma-ray irradiation effects on optical coatings and polarizers to be used in the ITER edge Thomson scattering system (ETS). Outside a diagnostic port-plug, in the Interspace, a total dose of the order of 1 MGy is expected through 20 years of ITER operation. In this study, gamma-ray irradiation experiments were performed up to 10 MGy. A high peak power laser beam, i.e. a pulse energy of 5 J and a pulse duration of ∼4 ns, is needed for a Thomson scattering measurement in ITER. Laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of anti-reflection (AR) and high-reflection (HR) coatings at the laser wavelengths after gamma-ray irradiation were investigated. LIDT of AR coating for 0° injections was more likely higher for the irradiated samples at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Regarding HR coatings, LIDT was not noticeably degraded by gamma-ray irradiation. Regarding polarizers, no degradation of transmission and extinction ratio was observed at visible and near infrared wavelength ranges when a wire-grid polarizer substrate is made of fused silica. Since a signal of ETS is almost linearly polarized, a wire-grid polarizer enables to improve signal to noise ratio of electron temperature and density measurements by Thomson scattering in ITER.

The ITER poloidal polarimeter will install optical components, corner cube retro-reflectors, into the slot of the first wall (FW) panels. The issues of designing the retro-reflector were (i) to achieve good thermal contact between the retro-reflector assembly and the FW and (ii) to accommodate the different thermal expansion of the retro-reflector made of tungsten and the FW made of stainless steel. In order to solve the issues, the CuCrZr filler was employed. A coupled mechanical-thermal analysis was carried out to confirm that the required contact pressure of 60 MPa persists during plasma operation. The highest predicted temperature of the retro-reflector was 673 °C, which is acceptable for tungsten. Electromagnetic analysis was carried out to confirm that the retro-reflector assembly will not move during plasma disruption. A maximum force of 3.06 kN is predicted on the retro-reflector during disruption and is much less than the static friction of 136 kN. In addition, the manufacturability of the retro-reflector assembly was successfully demonstrated. The roughness (Ra) and the flatness (root mean square) achieved for the mirror surface were 0.43 nm and 0.068 μm, respectively. The angle between the assembled mirrors was 90 ± 0.03°, better than the requirement of 90 ± 0.05°.

The ITER poloidal polarimeter will install optical components, corner cube retro-reflectors, into the slot of the first wall (FW) panels. The issues of designing the retro-reflector were (i) to achieve good thermal contact between the retro-reflector assembly and the FW and (ii) to accommodate the different thermal expansion of the retro-reflector made of tungsten and the FW made of stainless steel. In order to solve the issues, the CuCrZr filler was employed. A coupled mechanical-thermal analysis was carried out to confirm that the required contact pressure of 60 MPa persists during plasma operation. The highest predicted temperature of the retro-reflector was 673 °C, which is acceptable for tungsten. Electromagnetic analysis was carried out to confirm that the retro-reflector assembly will not move during plasma disruption. A maximum force of 3.06 kN is predicted on the retro-reflector during disruption and is much less than the static friction of 136 kN. In addition, the manufacturability of the retro-reflector assembly was successfully demonstrated. The roughness (Ra) and the flatness (root mean square) achieved for the mirror surface were 0.43 nm and 0.068 μm, respectively. The angle between the assembled mirrors was 90 ± 0.03°, better than the requirement of 90 ± 0.05°.

Typical methods for elucidating the function of a particular gene involve comparative phenotypic analysis of the wild-type strain and a strain in which the gene of interest has been disrupted. We previously described a simple method for the generation of a gene-disrupted strain in Streptococcus mutans by replacing the gene of interest with an antibiotic resistance marker gene. It is also crucial that the function lost following the gene disruption is restored by exogenous addition of the gene product, but purification of this product can be difficult and involve a complex series of steps. In this study, we describe a simple method for the purification of gene products following gene disruption in S. mutans. The method involves the expression of an additional polyhistidine tag at the C-terminus of the gene product. The target protein can be simply purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography and applied to a restoration assay. This method utilizes the genomes of both the wild-type strain and the gene-disrupted strain as PCR templates to generate the DNA construct. Therefore, generation of the gene-disrupted strain is a prerequisite for the present procedure. The combination of gene disruption and gene product purification results in an efficient method for the analysis of gene function that could be further adapted to various other bacterial species.

In our previous works, a relationship between Hermite's two approximation problems and Schlesinger transformations of linear differential equations has been clarified. In this paper, we study tau-functions associated with holonomic deformations of linear differential equations by using Hermite's two approximation problems. As a result, we present a determinant formula for the ratio of tau-functions (tau-quotient)., 24 pages

Neutronic analysis is performed for in situ calibration of the microfission chamber (MFC), which is the in-vessel neutron-flux monitor at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). We present the design of the transfer system for a neutron generator, which consists of two toroidal rings and a neutron-generator holder, and estimate the effect of the system on MFC detection efficiency through neutronic analysis with the Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code. The result indicates that the designed transfer system does not affect MFC detection efficiency. In situ calibrations by the point-by-point method and by the rotation method are also simulated and compared by neutronic analysis. The results indicate that the rotation method is appropriate for full calibration because the calibration time is shorter (all neutron-flux monitors can be calibrated simultaneously). However, the rotation method makes it difficult to compare the results with neutronic analysis, so the point-by-point method should be performed prior to full calibration to check the accuracy of the MCNP model.

The nuclear heating rates of the optical mirrors of the poloidal polarimeter installed in the equatorial port plug of ITER are calculated. Since the system cannot have a sufficiently labyrinthine structure and the second mirrors are located closer to the plasma than the first mirrors due to limited space, the nuclear heating rate of the second mirrors is as high as that of the first mirrors. However, it is possible to reduce the nuclear heating rates more than 1 order if the blanket shield module provides a sufficient degree of neutron shielding. The effect of the neutron shield on the peripheral region of the upper port plug, in which the optical system of the poloidal polarimeter is installed, is also evaluated. The gamma-ray dose rate 10 6 s after shutdown of operations in the back flange region has been estimated to be ∼60 μSv/h when the neutron shield is filled in the port plug, which is below the design threshold for the ITER maintenance phase. Further, the nuclear heating rate of the Poloidal field coil near the same upper port has been evaluated to be more than 2 orders lower than the allowable value of 1 mW/cc.

ITER has diagnostics with machine protection, basic and advanced control, and physics roles. Several are distributed on the inner and outer periphery of the vacuum vessel. They have reduced maintainability compared to diagnostics in ports. They also endure some of the highest nuclear and EM loads of any diagnostic for the longest time. They include

A Micro-fission Chamber (MFC) provides time-resolved measurements of global neutron source strength and fusion power in ITER. The MFC is a pencil-sized gas counter containing the fissile material, 235 U. MFCs will be installed behind blanket modules at upper and lower outboard positions due to interface considerations with other equipmen t and the vacuum vessel. Measurements of the neutron source strength could be affected by cooling water in branch pipes, which will be installed near the MFC. The effect of the branch pipes upon the MFC is assessed by neutron transport calculation using MCNP 5. Results indicate a significant increase in the MFC response rate (up to ~ 40% higher) due to the branch pipe. The increase in the MFC response is caused by the slowing down of the neutrons due to the cooling water in the branch pipes. The effect of the thermal neutrons on the MFC response is especially significant. One possible solution to reduce the effect is to cover the MFC with a material that absorbs thermal neutrons such as cadmium. The ways in which the absorbent material may affect MFC response is analyzed through neutron transport calculation. Results indicate that the increase in the MFC response can be reduced to < 10 % through cadmium coating.

The challenges facing back-end-of-line (BEOL) etch are becoming increasingly difficult as shrinking dimensions are compounded by new materials integration. As critical dimensions decrease, key dimension-related etch challenges include CD control, trench litho stack aspect ratios, RIE lag, and LER. The move to low k and ultra low k dielectrics requires the etch to consider the sensitivity of the films to compositional modification, polymer interactions with the pores, and diffusion effects possible with porous materials. As the minimum pitch reaches sub-100nm, new interactions of the materials with the critical dimensions need to be considered. The ability of low k materials to be patterned at the required aspect ratios without losing structural integrity will be the key challenge for future technologies' success. This paper will review the key etch challenges as a function of dimensions vs. materials and highlight where their interactions which will drive future work.

This study was performed to examine the effects of tablets containing an extract of Capparis masaikai Levl. (M-tablets) on enhancing oral moisture.The moistening effect of M-tablets was examined in 21 healthy subjects aged 25.1+/-2.4 (mean+/-S.D.) years in comparison with control tablets. After sucking tablets, the oral moisture was measured using a saliva wetness tester and a moisture checker. To evaluate the effects of the M-tablets on oral conditions, additional 50 subjects aged 30.6+/-7.5 years were examined. The subjects recorded changes in refreshment, oral moisture, ease in speaking, and taste of water using a visual analog scale (VAS).The L-SALIVO value of the M-tablet increased significantly from 1.83+/-0.17 (mean+/-S.E.M.) at baseline to 3.02+/-0.21 at 15 min (P0.01). The Mucus((R)) value of the M-tablet also increased from 37.50+/-0.22 at baseline to 38.30+/-0.26 at 15 min (P0.01). The VAS value for oral moisture increased significantly from 47.4+/-2.0 to 69.6+/-2.2 after taking the M-tablet (P0.01). The VAS value for taste of water also increased from 50.0+/-1.1 to 66.7+/-3.2 (P0.01).These results suggest that M-tablets are useful for enhancing oral moisture, which leads to improvement of oral conditions.

Physico-chemical properties in the brine and under-ice water were measured in Saroma-ko Lagoon on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan, which is connected to the Sea of Okhotsk, during the period from mid-February through mid-March 2006. The brine within brine channels of the sea ice was collected with a new sampling method examined in this study. Salinity, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity (TA), dissolved oxygen (DO), nutrients and oxygen isotopic ratio (δ 18 O) contained in the brine within brine channels of the sea ice and in the under-ice water varied largely in both time and space during the ice melt period, when discharge from Saromabetsu River located on the southeast of the lagoon increased markedly due to the onset of snow melting. The under-ice plume expands as far as 4.5 km from the river mouth at mid-March 2006, transporting chemical components supplied from the river into the lagoon. The under-ice river water was likely transported into the sea ice through well-developed brine channels in the sea ice due to upward flushing of water through brine channels occurred by loading of snowfalls deposited over the sea ice. These results suggest that the river water plume plays an important role in supplying chemical components into the sea ice, which may be a key process influencing the biogeochemical cycle in the seasonally ice-covered Saroma-ko Lagoon.

In the open problem session of the FPSAC’03, R.P. Stanley gave an open problem about a certain sum of the Schur functions. The purpose of this paper is to give a proof of this open problem. The proof consists of three steps. At the first step we express the sum by a Pfaffian as an application of our minor summation formula (Ishikawa and Wakayama in Linear Multilinear Algebra 39:285–305, 1995). In the second step we prove a Pfaffian analogue of a Cauchy type identity which generalizes Sundquist’s Pfaffian identities (J. Algebr. Comb. 5:135–148, 1996). Then we give a proof of Stanley’s open problem in Sect. 4. At the end of this paper we present certain corollaries obtained from this identity involving the Big Schur functions and some polynomials arising from the Macdonald polynomials, which generalize Stanley’s open problem.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Capparis masaikai Levl. extract on enhancing oral moisture. Solutions of Capparis masaikai extract, citric acid, sodium chloride, and sucrose were dropped on the tongue dorsum of 20 healthy subjects aged 23-34 years. After swallowing each solution, the oral moisture was measured for 60 min using a saliva wetness tester and a moisture checker. The subjects recorded the degree of taste using a visual analog scale to examine the stimulating effect of each solution on salivation. The Capparis masaikai extract had a long-lasting moistening effect on both the tongue dorsum and buccal mucosa for up to 60 min. The weakly bittersweet taste of the extract was perceived stronger than the other taste elements. The results suggest that the Capparis masaikai extract is useful for enhancing oral moisture.