Wilson loop correlators at strong coupling: from matrices to bubbling geometries

We compute at strong coupling the large N correlation functions of supersymmetric Wilson loops in large representations of the gauge group with local operators of N=4 super Yang-Mills. The gauge theory computation of these correlators is performed using matrix model techniques. We show that the strong coupling correlator of the Wilson loop with the stress tensor computed using the matrix model exactly matches the semiclassical computation of the correlator of the 't Hooft loop with the stress tensor, providing a non-trivial quantitative test of electric-magnetic duality of N=4 super Yang-Mills. We then perform these calculations using the dual bulk gravitational picture, where the Wilson loop is described by a "bubbling" geometry. By applying holographic methods to these backgrounds we calculate the Wilson loop correlation functions, finding perfect agreement with our gauge theory results.Comment: 51 pages, 2 figures; v2: minor changes; v3: minor correction

An Analysis of Consistency of Scientific Concept : Based on the Actual Conditions of Undergraduate School Students

The purpose of this study is to provide some implications for curriculum and instruction of buoyancy in secondary school science. The paper-test items about buoyancy in liquids based on the research of Zeineddin & Abd-El-Khalick (2010) were administered to 159 university students. The results of 91% students who had learned physics at high school showed the difficulty of description/application of the theory of buoyancy at different contexts. Although they described the theory of buoyancy, some students can’t perform scientific reasoning well at the other context. These difficulties are caused by memorizing the formula or rules without the understanding of conception of buoyancy in liquids.本研究はJSPS科研費25242015の助成を受けたものである

A Reading Method to Understand Phylogenetic Research : Comparing Research Papers

本研究では，生物の系統分類に関する重要な２本の研究論文の読解を通して，①系統分類学における研究内容の発展を読み取る方法と研究論文の比較の視点を明らかにすること，②系統分類の単元の指導に際してどのような学習効果が期待できるのかという教材研究への示唆を導出することを目的とした。対象としてWhittaker (1969)による５界説の提唱，およびWoese et al. (1990)によるドメインの提唱に関する論文を取り上げ，「研究手法」「他領域からの影響」「背景にある流れ」について比較・検討した。その結果，情報収集技術や他の学問領域の発展といった研究基盤の変化が系統分類学の方法論や分類体系の構築に影響を与えていること，研究手法の変化と他の学問領域の発展は相互に関連しながら系統分類学に影響を与えていること，研究領域を貫く重要な流れや問題意識が存在することが明らかになった。また，対象論文が後の研究へ与えた影響を比較することで,各論文で論じられている内容の特徴をより客観的に整理し，対象論文の特徴を比較可能であることが分かった。さらに，それらの読解を教材研究へ反映することを検討した結果，研究内容の発展の読解と比較が，科学の特質の指導に有効であることや，系統分類の単元におけるより深い理解に繋がることが示唆された。This study examines two significant research papers on the biological classification system. It aims to clarify methods for comprehending the development of research content in phylogenetic systematics and the comparative view of research papers on the subject. Furthermore, it also attempts to derive the methods’ implications on the research of teaching materials in terms of the kind of expected learning effect when teachers teach phylogenetic systematics units. The study focuses on Whittaker’s (1969) proposal of the 5-kingdom system and on the paper concerning Woese et al.’s (1990) proposal of the 3 domains. It compares and examines their “research methods,” “influences from other areas,” and “background flow.” The results reveal that changes in research resources, such as the development of information gathering technology and developments in other academic areas, have influenced the methodology and classification system of phylogenetic systematics. It also indicates that changes in research methods and developments in other academic areas, whilst being interrelated, have influenced phylogenetic systematics and there exists a critical flow and awareness of the problem that was penetrating the area of research. Moreover, it shows that by comparing the target studies’ effects on subsequent research, the content discussed in each of the papers could be organized much more objectively and the target papers’ points could be much more easily comparable. Furthermore, when investigating how the reading of these papers was reflected in research on teaching materials, the results suggest that by reading and comparing the development of the research content, scientific properties could be taught more efficiently, and it led to a deeper understanding of the phylogenetic systematics unit

GDP/GTP exchange reaction-stimulating activity of Rabphilin-3A for Rab3A small GTP-binding protein

AbstractRabphilin-3A is a putative target protein for Rab3A, a small GTP-binding protein particularly implicated in neurotransmitter release. Rabphilin-3A interacts more preferentially with GTP-Rab3A than with GDP-Rab3A. Moreover, Rabphilin-3A shows a weak activity to stimulate the GTPase activity of Rab3A and a strong activity to inhibit the Rab3A GTPase-activating protein (GAP)-stimulated GTPase activity of Rab3A. Here, we show that Rabphilin-3A has another activity to stimulate the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of Rab3A. Rabphifin-3A may keep Rab3A continuously in the GTP-bound form by converting again GDP-Rab3A, which may be converted from GTP-Rab3A by Rab3A GAP, to GTP-Rab3A, until the function of Rab3A is accomplished

A survey on recognition of the "bryophytes" targeting university students

The aim of the present study was to grasp the current situation of university students' understanding about the bryophytes. The survey was conducted on 49 students of National University "A", Faculty of Education. The contents of the questionnaire were (1) ability to distinguish the bryophytes, (2) knowledge about bryophytes, and (3) attitudes toward the bryophytes and science classes, nature experiences. The results were as follows. In the question (1), it was difficult to distinguish the bryophytes from the lichens or the algae. In the question (2), many students did not understand the classification and reproduction of the bryophytes. Factor analysis was conducted on the result of the question (3), and calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficient with the question (1) or (2). As the results, weak correlations (.227, .235) were observed between the total score of question (1) and the factors "interests in the bryophytes" or "interests in science (biology)". Weak correlation (.246) was also observed between "knowledge on reproduction of bryophytes" and "positive nature experiences". These results suggested that there are relevance between distinguishing or understanding and attitude of the bryophytes. However, more detailed examination is required.本研究の一部は，JSPS科研費17H01980および16K00966の助成を受けて行った

Organizing Active Learning Models in Science Classes (2)

The purpose of this study is to organize active learning models in science classes. Through classroom practice from elementary school to upper secondary school, we observed the followings: 1) the "reciprocal of internalization and externalization," which means collaborative and cooperative learning, is the key to active learning in science lessons; 2) by creating a "subject skeleton," teachers can gain clarity regarding the promotion of deep learning and organize active learning models in science classes

Diagnosis and Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis with Cytomegalovirus Infection: Importance of Controlling Mucosal Inflammation to Prevent Cytomegalovirus Reactivation

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the herpesvirus family. HCMV infection persists throughout the host lifespan in a latent state following primary infection. The ability of HCMV to escape control by the host immune system and its resulting reactivation suggests the importance of ongoing immune surveillance in the prevention of HCMV reactivation. HCMV is a common cause of opportunistic infection that causes severe and fatal disease in immune-compromised individuals. In inflammatory bowel disease patients, particularly those with ulcerative colitis (UC), HCMV is often reactivated because these patients are frequently treated with immunosuppressive agents. This reactivation exacerbates colitis. Additionally, HCMV infection can induce severe colitis, even in patients with UC who have never been treated with immunosuppressive agents. However, the role of HCMV in colonic inflammation in patients with UC remains unclear. Here, we present previous and current clinical data on the diagnosis and treatment of HCMV infection in UC. Additionally, our experimental data from a newly established mouse model mimicking UC with concomitant CMV infection clearly demonstrate that inflammation could result in the exacerbation of UC disease activity with induction of HCMV reactivation. In summary, optimal control of colonic inflammation should be achieved in UC patients who are refractory to conventional immunosuppressive therapies and are positive for HCMV

SR-PSOX/CXCL16 plays a critical role in the progression of colonic inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is initiated and perpetuated by a dysregulated immune response to unknown environmental antigens such as luminal bacteria in genetically susceptible hosts. SR-PSOX/CXCL16, a scavenger receptor that binds phosphatidylserine and oxidised lipoprotein, has both phagocytic activity and chemotactic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SR-PSOX/CXCL16 in patients with IBD and experimental murine colitis