Mott insulating state in a quarter-filled two-orbital Hubbard chain with different bandwidths

We investigate the ground-state properties of the one-dimensional two-band Hubbard model with different bandwidths. The density-matrix renormalization group method is applied to calculate the averaged electron occupancies $n$ as a function of the chemical potential $\mu$. Both at quarter and half fillings, "charge plateaux" appear in the $n$-$\mu$ plot, where $d\mu/dn$ diverges and the Mott insulating states are realized. To see how the orbital polarization in the one-quarter charge plateau develops, we apply the second-order perturbation theory from the strong-coupling limit at quarter filling. The resultant Kugel-Khomskii spin-orbital model includes a $magnetic$ field coupled to orbital pseudo-spins. This field originates from the discrepancy between the two bandwidths and leads to a finite orbital pseudo-spin magnetization.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of LT2

Ameliorative effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids against palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance in L6 skeletal muscle cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fatty acid-induced insulin resistance and impaired glucose uptake activity in muscle cells are fundamental events in the development of type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia. There is an increasing demand for compounds including drugs and functional foods that can prevent myocellular insulin resistance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we established a high-throughput assay to screen for compounds that can improve myocellular insulin resistance, which was based on a previously reported non-radioisotope 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) uptake assay. Insulin-resistant muscle cells were prepared by treating rat L6 skeletal muscle cells with 750 μM palmitic acid for 14 h. Using the established assay, the impacts of several fatty acids on myocellular insulin resistance were determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In normal L6 cells, treatment with saturated palmitic or stearic acid alone decreased 2DG uptake, whereas unsaturated fatty acids did not. Moreover, co-treatment with oleic acid canceled the palmitic acid-induced decrease in 2DG uptake activity. Using the developed assay with palmitic acid-induced insulin-resistant L6 cells, we determined the effects of other unsaturated fatty acids. We found that arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids improved palmitic acid-decreased 2DG uptake at lower concentrations than the other unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid, as 10 μM arachidonic acid showed similar effects to 750 μM oleic acid.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We have found that polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids prevent palmitic acid-induced myocellular insulin resistance.</p

Comparison of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hospital and community-based Japanese patients with schizophrenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lifestyle factors, such as an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity, may affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients among schizophrenic population in Japan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited inpatients (n = 759) and outpatients (n = 427) with a <it>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</it>, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from 7 psychiatric hospitals using a cross-sectional design. MetS prevalence was assessed using three different definitions, including the adapted National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III-A).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall MetS prevalences based on the ATP III-A definition were 15.8% in inpatients and 48.1% in outpatients. In a logistic regression model with age and body mass index as covariates, being a schizophrenic outpatient, compared to being a schizophrenic inpatient, was a significant independent factor (odds ratio = 3.66 for males, 2.48 for females) in the development of MetS under the ATP III-A definition. The difference in MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients was observed for all age groups in males and for females over 40 years of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Japan had a high prevalence of MetS compared to inpatients. MetS in schizophrenic outpatients should be carefully monitored to minimize the risks. A change of lifestyle might improve MetS in schizophrenic patients.</p

静電誘導給電型モータの構造と駆動特性に関する研究

学位の種別:論文博士University of Tokyo(東京大学

Deep Neural Networks for Dental Implant System Classification

In this study, we used panoramic X-ray images to classify and clarify the accuracy of different dental implant brands via deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with transfer-learning strategies. For objective labeling, 8859 implant images of 11 implant systems were used from digital panoramic radiographs obtained from patients who underwent dental implant treatment at Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan, between 2005 and 2019. Five deep CNN models (specifically, a basic CNN with three convolutional layers, VGG16 and VGG19 transfer-learning models, and finely tuned VGG16 and VGG19) were evaluated for implant classification. Among the five models, the finely tuned VGG16 model exhibited the highest implant classification performance. The finely tuned VGG19 was second best, followed by the normal transfer-learning VGG16. We confirmed that the finely tuned VGG16 and VGG19 CNNs could accurately classify dental implant systems from 11 types of panoramic X-ray images

高齢者における視機能と認知機能障害の関連 : 藤原京アイスタディより

Both visual impairment and cognitive impairment are essential factors that determine the quality of life in the aged population. The aim of this study was to determine if a correlation existed between visual acuity and cognitive impairment in an elderly Japanese population. The Fujiwara-kyo Eye Study was a cross-sectional study of individuals aged ≥68 years who lived in Nara Prefecture of Japan. Participants underwent ophthalmological examinations and cognitive function test. A mild visual impairment was defined as having a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) >0.2 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units in the better eye. Cognitive impairment was defined as having a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≤23 points. A total to 2818 individuals completed the examinations. The mean age of the participants was 76.3 ± 4.8 years (mean ± standard deviation). The mean BCVA of the better eye was -0.02 ± 0.13 logMAR units and 6.6% subjects were classified as being mildly visually impaired. The mean MMSE score was 27.3 ± 2.3 and 5.7% subjects were classified as being cognitively impaired. The proportion of subjects with cognitive or moderate visual impairment increased with age, and there was a significant correlation between the visual acuity and MMSE score (r = -0.10, p < 0.0001). Subjects with mild visual impairments had 2.4 times higher odds of having cognitive impairment than those without visual impairment (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.8, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, and length of education. We conclude that it may be important to maintain good visual acuity to reduce the risk of having cognitive impairment.博士（医学）・乙第1396号・平成29年3月15日© Masashi Mine et al. 2016; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. This Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited

Risk assessment for hepatitis E virus infection from domestic pigs introduced into an experimental animal facility in a medical school

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is known to cause zoonotic infections from pigs, wild boars and deer. Domestic pigs have been used as an experimental animal model in medical research and training; however, the risks of HEV infection from pigs during animal experiments are largely unknown. Here, we retrospectively investigated the seroprevalence and detection rates of viral RNA in 73 domestic pigs (average 34.5 kg) introduced into an animal experimental facility in a medical school during 2012-2016. We detected anti-HEV immunoglobulin G antibodies in 24 of 73 plasma samples (32.9%), though none of the samples were positive for viral RNA. Plasma samples of 18 pigs were sequentially monitored and were classified into four patterns: sustained positive (5 pigs), sustained negative (5 pigs), conversion to positive (6 pigs) and conversion to negative (2 pigs). HEV genomes were detected in 2 of 4 liver samples from pigs that were transported from the same farm during 2016-2017. Two viral sequences of the overlapping open reading frame (ORF) 2/3 region (97 bp) were identical and phylogenetically fell into genotype 3. A 459-bp length of the ORF2 region of an amplified fragment from a pig transported in 2017 was clustered with the wbJYG1 isolate (subgenotype 3b) with 91.5% (420/459 bp) nucleotide identity. Based on our results, we suggest that domestic pigs introduced into animal facilities carry a potential risk of HEV infection to researchers, trainees and facility staff. Continuous surveillance and precautions are important to prevent HEV infection in animal facilities

Optimal Entry Point for Lateral Mass Screwing

Study Design: Retrospective study of 37 consecutive female patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent reconstructed computed tomography (CT) scanning of the cervical spine. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the vertebral lateral notch of the cervical spine is an effective landmark to determine the entry point for lateral mass screwing. A modified Roy-Camille technique was used to determine the entry point associated with the lateral notch of the cervical spine. Overview of Literature: The Roy-Camille technique has been a popular technique for the posterior fixation of the cervical spine. A problem with this technique is determining the entry point on the lateral mass via visual inspection, such as in cases with degenerative or destructive cervical facet joints. Methods: Thirty-three female patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent reconstructed CT scanning of the cervical spine. Overall, 132 vertebrae from C3 to C6 were reviewed using reconstructed CT. The probable trajectory using a modified Roy-Camille technique was determined using reconstructed CT scans, and the optimal entry point was identified. Horizontal and vertical distances from the vertebral lateral notch were measured. Results: The entry point determined using the modified Roy-Camille technique was significantly superior and medial compared with that determined using the conventional Roy-Camille technique. At C3 and C4 levels, the entry point using the modified technique was 1.4 mm below and 4.4 mm medial to the lateral notch, and at C5 and C6 levels, it was 2.3 mm below and 4.9 mm medial to the lateral notch. Conclusions: The vertebral lateral notch of the cervical spine was an effective landmark to determine the entry point for lateral mass screwing. The modified Roy-Camille technique proposed here may prevent surgical complications and poor outcomes