A Gauge-Mediation Model with a Light Gravitino of Mass O(10) eV and the Messenger Dark Matter

In the light of recent experimental data on gaugino searches, we revisit the direct-transmission model of dynamical supersymmery breaking with the gravitino mass m_{\tilde{G}}\leq 16 eV, which does not have any cosmological or astrophysical problems. We find that in the consistent regions of parameter space, the model predicts not only upper bounds on superparticle masses (1.1 TeV, 320 GeV, 160 GeV, 5 TeV, 1.5 TeV and 700 GeV for gluino, Wino, Bino, squarks, left-handed sleptons and right-handed sleptons, respectively), but also a mass of the lightest messenger particle in the range of 10-50 TeV. The lightest messenger particle can naturally be a messenger sneutrino. Therefore, this may suggest that the messenger sneutrino could be the dark matter, as proposed recently by Hooper and March-Russel to account for the gamma-ray spectrum from the galactic center observed by HESS experiment.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Neutrino-induced lepton flavor violation in gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking

Gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking is known to greatly suppress flavor changing neutral current effects. However, we show that gauge mediation in the context of leptogenesis implies potentially large lepton flavor violating signals. If the heavy right-handed neutrinos that participate in leptogenesis are lighter than the messenger scale of gauge mediation, they will induce flavor off-diagonal masses to the sleptons which in turn can induce large effects in mu to e gamma, tau to mu gamma, and mu-e conversion in nuclei. We demonstrate this result and compute numerically the lepton-flavor violating decay and conversion rates in scenarios of direct gauge mediation.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure

Neutrino masses, muon g-2, and lepton-flavour violation in the supersymmetric see-saw model

In the light of the recent muon (g_mu-2) result by the E821 experiment at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, we study the event rates of the charged lepton-flavour-violating (LFV) processes in the supersymmetric standard model (SUSY SM) with the heavy right-handed neutrinos (SUSY see-saw model). Since the left-handed sleptons get the LFV masses via the neutrino Yukawa interaction in this model, the event rate of mu->e gamma and the SUSY-SM correction to (g_mu-2)/2 (\delta a_mu^{SUSY}) are strongly correlated. When the left-handed sleptons have a LFV mass between the first and second generations ((m^2_L)_{12}) in the mass matrix, it should be suppressed by \sim 10^{-3} ({10^-9}/\delta a_mu^{SUSY}) compared with the diagonal components (m_{SUSY}^2), from the current experimental bound on mu-> e gamma. The recent (g_mu-2) result indicates {\delta a_mu^{SUSY}}\sim 10^{-9}. The future charged LFV experiments could cover (m^2_L)_{12}/m_{SUSY}^2\gsim 10^{-(5-6)}. These experiments will give a significant impact on the flavour models and the SUSY-breaking models. In the SUSY see-saw model (m^2_L)_{12} is proportional to square of the tau-neutrino Yukawa-coupling constant. In the typical models where the neutrino-oscillation results are explained and the top-quark and tau-neutrino Yukawa couplings are unified at the GUT scale, a large LFV mass of (m^2_L)_{12}/m_{SUSY}^2\gsim 10^{-4} is generated, and the large LFV event rates are predicted. We impose a so-called no-scale condition for the SUSY-breaking parameters at the GUT scale, which suppresses the FCNC processes, and derive the conservative lower bound on mu-> egamma. The predicted Br(mu-> e gamma) could be covered at the future LFV experiments.Comment: 16 pages including 3 figures. Minor changes mad

Taeniasis and cysticercosis due to Taenia solium in Japan

Taenia solium is a zoonotic cestode that causes taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans. The parasite is traditionally found in developing countries where undercooked pork is consumed under poor sanitary conditions and/or as part of traditional food cultures. However, the recent increase in international tourism and immigration is spreading the disease into non-endemic developed countries such as the United States. Although there has been concern that the number of cysticercosis cases is increasing in Japan, the current situation is not clear. This is largely because taeniasis and cysticercosis are not notifiable conditions in Japan and because there have been no comprehensive reviews of T. solium infections in Japan conducted in the last 15 years. Herein, we provide an overview of the status of T. solium infection in Japan over the past 35 years and point out the potential risks to Japanese society

A trial study of brief medication adherence scale for schizophrenia inpatients to psychiatric hospital

統合失調症患者の治療と再発予防には，長期間にわたる服薬の継続が必要であり，そのためには入院中の服薬アドヒアランスの獲得と維持が重要となる。本研究は，再発で精神科病院に再入院した統合失調症患者を評価対象として新たに作成した簡易的な服薬アドヒアランス評価尺度Brief Medication Adherence Scale（BMAS）による評価を試み，既存の服薬アドヒアランスに関する評価尺度との関連性について検討することを目的とした。研究の対象者は，ICD-10によりF2（統合失調症，統合失調感情障害）と診断され，再発により精神科病院に再入院した61名であった。既存の評価尺度としては，薬に対する構えの調査票短縮版（DAI-10），疾病・薬物知識度調査（KIDI）を用いた。相関分析の結果，BMASとDAI-10総合得点の間に有意な相関が認められた。既存の評価尺度比べ被検者の負担が少ないBMASは，臨床上有用な評価法である可能性が示唆された。Patients with schizophrenia must continue long-term taking medication for treatment and prevention of recurrence, and maintenance of medication adherence from hospitalization are important for preventing recurrence. The purpose of this study was to attempt to evaluate by Brief Medication Adherence Scale (BMAS), which was newly prepared to evaluate schizophrenia patients re-admitted to psychiatric hospital with relapses, and compare to existing medication adherence scales by consider the relevance. Subjects were 61patients who re-admitted to psychiatric hospital, had been diagnosed as F2 (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder) according the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10). Existing evaluation scale used for comparison were Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), and Knowledge of Illness and Drugs Inventory (KIDI). The correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between BMAS and DAI-10 overall score. This study suggested that BMAS may be a clinically useful evaluation scale with less burden on the subject compared to the existing evaluation scale.departmental bulletin pape

Parenting stress in mothers of children with developmental disorders: A survey analysis at child development support center

本研究の目的は、発達障害児を持つ母親の育児ストレスの状態、および育児ストレスの程度と関連する諸要因との関係を明らかにすることである。児童発達支援事業所に通う子供の母親132名を対象に、母親の育児ストレス、対処行動、母親役割、子どもの問題行動、ソーシャル・サポートについて調査した。その結果、育児そのものへの否定的な感情はあまり抱いていないが、社会的活動の制限や子供の問題行動に対してストレスを感じていた。また。育児ストレスの程度（高ストレス・低ストレス群）と関連要因との関係では、その影響の度合いが要因によって異なることが明らかになった。つまり、育児ストレスには子どもの問題行動の状態および母親役割達成感が関与しており、適切なサポートが必要であることが示唆された。This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the state of parenting stress, and various factors associated with stress in mothers of children with developmental disorders. A total of 132 mothers whose children attended child development support center participated and were surveyed regarding their parenting stress, coping behavior, and maternal role; the child's problem behavior; and social support. The mothers expressed few negative emotions associated with parenting itself, but felt stressed due to social activity restrictions and the child's problem behavior. Furthermore, in the relationship between the level of parenting stress (low and high groups) and the various factors associated with such stress, the degree of influence varied depending on the factor. This suggests that, since parenting stress results mainly from the child's problem behavior and perceived sense of accomplishment in the maternal role, appropriate support to address these areas is necessary.departmental bulletin pape

Social Reintegration of Schizophrenia Inpatients Following Evacuation Because of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster: An Oral History Interview Study

目的：震災発生まで精神科病院での長期入院生活を行っていた患者が、震災による福島第一原発事故後の避難行動、避難生活、そして意図せぬ退院からの社会復帰したことの語り内容を分析し、その促進要因を明らかにすることを目的としている。 方法：震災後の福島原発事故時に被災し，入院中の病院から避難指示によって避難した対象へのオーラルヒストリー法によるデータの収集を行った。 結果：対象は、若年期に統合失調症を発病し、約40年の長期入院による自信喪失が退院の障壁となっていた。ところが、福島第一原発事故により、大きな被害を受け、全町避難となった入院中の医療機関も避難の対象となった。対象はケースワーカーの助言を受けて、必要最低限のアイテムを持ち逃げたが、複数の病院を転々とした。最終的にK 病院で1年半を過ごすこととなるが、状態が安定し、地域への移行が進められる国の施策により、退院の機会が訪れた。対象は、病状の安定や経済的なサポート、関係者の支援を受け、グループホームへの退院を決意した。その後、アパートに暮らすようになり、社会活動に参加し、多くの人々と交流し、ピアサポーターとして活躍している。 結論：本研究の成功事例を通して、災害時の支援活動や長期入院後の地域への移行を促す際の支援策として有益である。事例からは、どうようの状況にある他の患者や支援者にも適応可能であり、より効果的な支援策の策定に役立つことが期待される。Objective: This study sought to analyze the narratives of a patient who had lived in a psychiatric hospital for an extended period up to the earthquake, their evacuation behavior and subsequent life after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, and their unplanned return to society post-hospitalization. The goal was to understand the content of these narratives and identify factors that facilitated their reintegration. Method: We gathered data using the oral history method from individuals who had been impacted by the Fukushima nuclear disaster following the earthquake and were evacuated from their hospitals because of official evacuation directives. Results: The participant was diagnosed with schizophrenia during their youth. Nearly 40 years of hospitalization had resulted in a significant loss of self-confidence, which acted as a barrier to their discharge. Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the entire town was mandated to evacuate, which included medical institutions hosting inpatients. On the basis of a caseworker’s advice, the participant evacuated with only the most essential items and was subsequently relocated to several different hospitals. Ultimately, the participant spent 1.5 years at Bungosho Hospital. Once their condition stabilized and national policies encouraging community transition were enacted, they had an opportunity for discharge. Because of their stable health condition and financial backing and assistance from related entities, the participant chose to move to a group home. Currently, they reside in an apartment, are actively involved in social activities, have fostered relationships with numerous individuals, and serve as a peer supporter. Conclusion: The success story shared in this research highlight its utility as a guiding strategy for assistance during disasters and promoting community reintegration post-prolonged hospital stays. The findings can be adapted to cater to other patients and supporters under varied circumstances and offer promise for the development of more efficient support initiatives.departmental bulletin pape

The first workshop towards the control of cestode zoonoses in Asia and Africa

Abstract The first workshop towards the control of cestode zoonoses in Asia and Africa was held in Asahikawa Medical University, Japan on 15 and 16 Feb 2011. This meeting was fully supported by the Asian Science and Technology Strategic Cooperation Promotion Programs sponsored by the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education Japan (MEXT) for 3 years from 2010 to Akira Ito. A total of 24 researchers from 9 countries joined together and discussed the present situation and problems towards the control of cestode zoonoses. As the meeting was simultaneously for the establishment of joint international, either bilateral or multilateral collaboration projects, the main purposes were directed to 1) how to detect taeniasis/cysticercosis infected patients, 2) how to differentiate Taenia solium from two other human Taenia species, T. saginata and T. asiatica, 3) how to evaluate T. asiatica based on the evidence of hybrid and hybrid-derived adult tapeworms from Thailand and China, 4) how to evaluate T. solium and T. hyaenae and other Taenia species from the wild animals in Ethiopia, and 5) how to detect echinococcosis patients and 6) how to differentiate Echinococcus species worldwide. Such important topics are summarized in this meeting report