Filling-dependence of the zigzag Hubbard ladder for a quasi-one-dimensional superconductor Pr_2Ba_4Cu_7O_{15-delta}

We investigate filling dependence of the zigzag Hubbard ladder, using density matrix renormalization group method. We illustrate the chemical-potential vs. electron-density and spin gap vs. electron density curves, which reflect characteristic properties of the electron state.On the basis of the obtained phase diagram, we discuss the connection to a novel quasi-one-dimensional superconductor Pr$_2$Ba$_4$Cu$_7$O$_{15-\delta}$.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, fig.4 is adde

Disorder-sensitive superconductivity in the iron silicide Lu2_2Fe3_3Si5_5 studied by the Lu-site substitutions

We studied effect of non-magnetic and magnetic impurities on superconductivity in Lu$_2$Fe$_3$Si$_5$ by small amount substitution of the Lu site, which investigated structural, magnetic, and electrical properties of non-magnetic (Lu$_{1-x}$Sc$_x$)$_2$Fe$_3$Si$_5$, (Lu$_{1-x}$Y$_x$)$_2$Fe$_3$Si$_5$, and magnetic (Lu$_{1-x}$Dy$_x$)$_2$Fe$_3$Si$_5$. The rapid depression of $T_c$ by non-magnetic impurities in accordance with the increase of residual resistivity reveals the strong pair breaking dominated by disorder. We provide compelling evidence for the sign reversal of the superconducting order parameter in Lu$_2$Fe$_3$Si$_5$.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

「知識基盤社会」における「学士課程教育」 : 基本概念の批判的検討

近年高等教育政策と関連して頻用される「学士課程」の語は、元来、大学における第一学位（学士）未取得者を意味する比較的ニュートラルな概念である。しかし、最近の政策文書では、「知識基盤社会」という概念を下敷きにして、知識生産に適した人材育成のための標語として用いられる傾向が強い。言うまでもなく、大学の組織やカリキュラムは社会構造の変化に応じてそのつど再検討・再構築を要する。とはいえ、文教施策である以上、それはやはり文化や教育の言葉で進められるべきで、政策文書の語り口はその点が少しく曖昧であるように見受けられる。そこで本論では、さらなる議論のための手掛かりとして、「学士課程教育」と「知識基盤社会」の二つの概念について歴史に遡って批判的考察を試みた。　It has been one of the crucial issues on higher education policy in Japan how the undergraduate education should be established in the knowledge-based society. According to recent reports by Councils for Education, undergraduate curriculum should be adapted to the human resource development in response to the expectations of society. However, it is doubtful whether that kind of argument is appropriate for the culture and education policy. Thus, in preparation for further discussion I here study the origins of and correlation between the two concepts, i. e. 'undergraduate' and 'knowledge-based society'

「認識─論の意義と課題」とは何だったのか : エドゥアルト・ツェラーの場合

エドゥアルト・ツェラーによる1862年の講演「認識─論の意義と課題について」は、「認識論」という哲学的ディシプリンの普及・定着に大きな寄与をもたらしたものとして、かつてしばしば言及された標準的業績である。当の語そのものに関しては、知られるところでは、1819年のテンネマン『哲学史』（第11巻）の用例が初出であり、また形而上学および論理学という他のディシプリンとの区別についても、エルンスト・ラインホルトによって遅くとも1827年には明示されている。これに対してツェラーの寄与は、先立つ大著『ギリシア人の哲学』で得られた広範な哲学史的展望のもと、認識論を近代哲学の中心問題として位置づけ、今後そこにおいて探求されるべき課題を指し示した点にある。そうした経緯を確認しておくことは、このディシプリンの現状と今後について考えるうえでも無意味ではないだろう。It had been often referred that Eduard Zeller's lecture 'On meaning and task of epistemology'（1862） contributed to the spread and fixing of the new philosophical discipline, i. e. epistemology （Erkenntnistheorie）. As it is known, the word 'Erkenntnistheorie' could be coined by Tennemann in his History of Philosophy （1819）, and its distinction between metaphysics and logic has been made clear as early as in 1827 by Ernst Reinhold. On the other hand, Zeller put the discipline at the center of philosophical problems in modern times, and indicated its issues to be explored future, on the basis of his historical perspective which has been acquired in his previous work, Philosophy of Greeks. For considering the present and future of the epistemology, it would not be meaningless to know the history

Bovine Myoblast Differentiation

Satellite cells are involved in postnatal myogenesis and in muscle hypertrophy. A better understanding of the mechanisms of myogenesis is useful to improve the muscle production in farm animals. Herein, we show the cytokine effects on the myogenesis in bovine myoblast cultures. Acidic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) stimulated the cell proliferation, and insulin-1ike growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulated to form multinucleated myotubes. Thus, it was possible to regulate the bovine myoblast differentiation by aFGF, IL-1 and/or IGF-I. Using the culture system, the expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms was detailed in bovine myoblasts during the differentiation. It was immunohistochemically confirmed that bovine myoblasts expressed β/slow-type MyHC (MyHC-slow), fast-type MyHC (MyHC-fast) and developmental-type MyHC (MyHC-dev) isoforms. Furthermore, the expression of fast 2a and β/slow MyHC mRNA was recognized in the cultures of bovine myoblasts. The results support the existence of bovine myoblast phenotypes that express differentially MyHC isoforms

Requirement of Gαq/Gα11 Signaling in the Preservation of Mouse Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis

Background & AimsProliferation, differentiation, and morphogenesis of the intestinal epithelium are tightly regulated by a number of molecular pathways. Coordinated action of intestine is achieved by gastrointestinal hormones, most of which exert these actions through G-protein–coupled receptors. We herein investigated the role of Gαq/11-mediated signaling in intestinal homeostasis.MethodsIntestinal tissues from control (Gnaqflox/floxGna11+/+), Int-Gq knock-out (KO) (VilCre+/-Gnaqflox/floxGna11+/+), G11 KO (Gnaqflox/floxGna11-/-), and Int-Gq/G11 double knock-out (DKO) (VilCre+/-Gnaqflox/floxGna11-/-) mice were examined by microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. The effect of Gαq/11-mediated signaling was studied in the cell lineage, proliferation, and apoptosis. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis was induced to study the role of Gαq/11 in colon.ResultsPaneth cells were enlarged, increased in number, and mislocalized in Int-Gq/G11 DKO small intestine. Paneth cells also reacted with PAS and Muc2 antibody, indicating an intermediate character of Paneth and goblet cells. The nuclear β-catenin, T-cell factor 1, and Sox9 expression were reduced severely in the crypt base of Int-Gq/G11 DKO intestine. Proliferation was activated in the crypt base and apoptosis was enhanced along the crypt. Int-Gq/G11 DKO mice were susceptible to DSS colitis. Proliferation was inhibited in the crypt of unaffected and regenerative areas. Cystic crypts, periodic acid–Schiff–positive cells, and Muc2-positive cells were unusually observed in the ulcerative region.ConclusionsThe Gαq/11-mediated pathway plays a pivotal role in the preservation of intestinal homeostasis, especially in Paneth cell maturation and positioning. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was reduced significantly in the crypt base in Gαq/G11-deficient mice, resulting in the defective maturation of Paneth cells, induction of differentiation toward goblet cells, and susceptibility to DSS colitis

Mechanical loss of a multilayer tantala/silica coating on a sapphire disk at cryogenic temperatures: toward the KAGRA gravitational wave detector

We report the results of a new experimental setup to measure the mechanical loss of coating layers on a thin sapphire disk at cryogenic temperatures. Some of the authors previously reported that there was no temperature dependence of the mechanical loss from a multilayer tantala/silica coating on a sapphire disk, both before and after heat treatment, although some reports indicate that Ta<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> layers annealed at 600 °C have loss peaks near 20 K. Since KAGRA—the Japanese gravitational-wave detector, currently under construction—will be operated at 20 K and have coated sapphire mirrors, it is very important to clarify the mechanical loss behavior of tantala/silica coatings around this temperature. We carefully investigate a tantala/silica-coated sapphire disk with the new setup, anneal the disk, and then investigate the annealed disk. We find that there is no distinct loss peak both before and after annealing under particular conditions. The mechanical loss for the unannealed disk at 20 K is about 5×10<sup>−4</sup>, as previously reported, while that for the annealed disk is approximately 6.4×10<sup>−4</sup>

Usefulness of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy with operative cholangiography for severe cholecystitis

PURPOSE: Cholecystectomy can become hazardous when inflammation develops, leading to anatomical changes in Calot’s triangle. We attempted to study the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) to decrease the incidence of complications and the rate of conversion to open surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent LSC between January 2005 and December 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. The operations were performed laparoscopically irrespective of the grade of inflammation estimated preoperatively. However, patients with severe inflammation of the gallbladder underwent LSC involving resection of the anterior wall of the gallbladder, removal of all stones and placement of an infrahepatic drainage tube. To prevent intraoperative complications, including bile duct injury, intraoperative cholangiography was performed. RESULTS: LSC was performed in 26 elective procedures among 26 patients (eight females, 18 males). The median patient age was 69 years (range 43–82 years). The median operative time was 125 min (range 60–215 min) and the median postoperative inpatient stay was 6 days (range 3–21 days). Cholangiography was performed during surgery in 24 patients. One patient underwent postoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy for a retained common bile duct stone that was found on cholangiography during surgery. Neither complications nor conversion to open surgery were encountered in this study. CONCLUSIONS: LSC with the aid of intraoperative cholangiography is a safe and effective treatment for severe cholecystitis