Probing Models of Dirac Neutrino Masses via the Flavor Structure of the Mass Matrix

We classify models of the Dirac neutrino mass by concentrating on flavor structures of the mass matrix. The advantage of our classification is that we do not need to specify detail of models except for Yukawa interactions because flavor structures can be given only by products of Yukawa matrices. All possible Yukawa interactions between leptons (including the right-handed neutrino) are taken into account by introducing appropriate scalar fields. We also take into account the case with Yukawa interactions of leptons with the dark matter candidate. Then, we see that flavor structures can be classified into seven groups. The result is useful for the efficient test of models of the neutrino mass. One of seven groups can be tested by measuring the absolute neutrino mass. Other two can be tested by probing the violation of the lepton universality in $\ell \to \ell^\prime \nu \overline{\nu}$. In order to test the other four groups, we can rely on searches for new scalar particles at collider experiments.Comment: 21 pages, 20 eps files, published in PL

New model for radiatively generated Dirac neutrino masses and lepton flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson

We propose a new mechanism to explain neutrino masses with lepton number conservation, in which the Dirac neutrino masses are generated at the two-loop level involving a dark matter candidate. In this model, branching ratios of lepton flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson can be much larger than those of lepton flavor violating decays of charged leptons. If lepton flavor violating decays of the Higgs boson are observed at future collider experiments without detecting lepton flavor violating decays of charged leptons, most of the models previously proposed for tiny neutrino masses are excluded while our model can still survive. We show that the model can be viable under constraints from current data for neutrino experiments, searches for lepton flavor violating decays of charged leptons and dark matter experiments.Comment: 26 pages, 9 eps file

Testing neutrino mass generation mechanisms from the lepton flavor violating decay of the Higgs boson

We investigate how observations of the lepton flavor violating decay of the Higgs boson ($h \to \ell\ell^\prime$) can narrow down models of neutrino mass generation mechanisms, which were systematically studied in Refs. [1,2] by focusing on the combination of new Yukawa coupling matrices with leptons. We find that a wide class of models for neutrino masses can be excluded if evidence for $h \to \ell\ell^\prime$ is really obtained in the current or future collider experiments. In particular, simple models of Majorana neutrino masses cannot be compatible with the observation of $h \to \ell\ell^\prime$. It is also found that some of the simple models to generate masses of Dirac neutrinos radiatively can be compatible with a significant rate of the $h \to \ell\ell^\prime$ process.Comment: 16 pages, 7 eps files, published in PL

Does Foreign Aid Cause "Dutch Disease"?: Case of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam

This paper examined the economic impacts of foreign aid from the Dutch-Disease perspective, focusing on the economies of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (so-called CLMV). The CLMV were targeted in this study since they have rarely been studied in the literature in this field although their economies have still depended highly on foreign aid. We found no evidence that they have suffered from the Dutch Disease, or rather identified a positive production effect of foreign aid. We speculate that the major use of foreign aid in the CLMV has focused on economic infrastructure, which has given little room for raising consumption and contributed directly to capital accumulation there

Reversible quantum measurement with arbitrary spins

We propose a physically reversible quantum measurement of an arbitrary spin-s system using a spin-j probe via an Ising interaction. In the case of a spin-1/2 system (s=1/2), we explicitly construct a reversing measurement and evaluate the degree of reversibility in terms of fidelity. The recovery of the measured state is pronounced when the probe has a high spin (j>1/2), because the fidelity changes drastically during the reversible measurement and the reversing measurement. We also show that the reversing measurement scheme for a spin-1/2 system can serve as an experimentally feasible approximate reversing measurement for a high-spin system (s>1/2). If the interaction is sufficiently weak, the reversing measurement can recover a cat state almost deterministically in spite of there being a large fidelity change.Comment: 35 pages, 11 figures, Sec. 3.2 is adde

Influence of Years of Experience on Clinical Competence of Novice Physical and Occupational Therapists in Japan

Purpose: To increase the clinical competence of novice physical and occupational therapists, an accurate assessment of their clinical competence is necessary. However, no previous study has objectively analyzed the changes in novice therapists’ clinical competence in Japan. Hence, this study investigated and evaluated the changes in the clinical competence of such therapists using an objective analysis. Method: The study included 34 novice therapists with 1–3 years of experience in clinical practice. Participants were divided into groups according to their years of experience. The clinical competence of the novice therapists was evaluated twice using a clinical competency evaluation scale. For comparison among the 3 groups, the scores of the first evaluation were used. For comparison within each experience-year, the scores from both evaluations were used. Results: A comparison of the 3 groups showed that therapists with 3 years of clinical experience had significantly higher clinical competence than therapists with 1 year of clinical experience. Between the first and second evaluations, all therapists with 1 year of clinical experience demonstrated increased scores, whereas scores decreased by approximately 50% for therapists with 2–3 years of clinical experience. Conclusion: These findings suggest that it is necessary to increase educational opportunities for therapists with 2−3 years of clinical experience and re-examine the content of their education and training

Treatment of Mesh Skin Grafted Scars Using a Plasma Skin Regeneration System

Objectives. Several modalities have been advocated to treat traumatic scars, including surgical techniques and laser resurfacing. Recently, a plasma skin regeneration (PSR) system has been investigated. There are no reports on plasma treatment of mesh skin grafted scars. The objective of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of plasma treatment of mesh skin grafted scars in Asian patients. Materials and Methods. Four Asian patients with mesh skin grafted scars were enrolled in the study. The plasma treatments were performed at monthly intervals with PSR, using energy settings of 3 to 4 J. Improvement was determined by patient questionnaires and physician evaluation of digital photographs taken prior to treatment and at 3 months post treatment. The patients were also evaluated for any side effects from the treatment. Results. All patients showed more than 50% improvement. The average pain score on a 10-point scale was 6.9 +/− 1.2 SD and all patients tolerated the treatments. Temporary, localized hypopigmentation was observed in two patients. Hyperpigmentation and worsening of scarring were not observed. Conclusions. Plasma treatment is clinically effective and is associated with minimal complications when used to treat mesh skin grafted scars in Asian patients