Tunneling Spectra of Skutterudite PrOs_4Sb_{12}

The tunnel conductance in normal-metal / insulator / PrOs$_4$Sb$_{12}$ junctions is theoretically studied, where skutterudite PrOs$_4$Sb$_{12}$ is considered to be an unconventional superconductor. The conductance are calculated for several pair potentials which have been proposed in recent works. The results show that the conductance is sensitive to the relation between the direction of electric currents and the position of point nodes. We also show that the conductance spectra often deviate from the shape of the bulk density of states and that the sub gap spectra have peak structures in the case of the spin-triplet pair potentials. The results indicate that the tunnel conductance is a useful tool to obtain an information of the pairing symmetry.Comment: 9 page

Clinical safety and efficacy of implantation of octacalcium phosphate collagen composites in tooth extraction sockets and cyst holes

It was demonstrated that octacalcium phosphate collagen composite achieved notable bone regeneration in bone defects in preclinical studies. On the basis of the research results, an investigator-initiated exploratory clinical trial was conducted after approval from a local Institutional Review Board. This clinical study was performed as a single-arm non-randomized intervention study. Octacalcium phosphate collagen composite was implanted into a total of 10 cases of alveolar bone defects after tooth extractions and cystectomy. Safety assessment was performed in terms of the clinical course and several consecutive laboratory examinations, and sequential radiographs were used for efficacy assessment. All participants uneventfully completed the clinical trial without major problems in their general condition. Postoperative wound swelling was observed, as also commonly seen in tooth extraction or cystectomy. Although no serious liver dysfunction, renal dysfunction, electrolyte imbalance, or abnormal urinalysis results were recognized, the number of white blood cells and C-reactive protein level temporarily increased after the operation. An increase in radiopacity in the octacalcium phosphate collagen composite–implanted site was observed in all cases. Finally, the border between the original bone and the octacalcium phosphate collagen composite–implanted site became indistinguishable. These results suggest that octacalcium phosphate collagen composite could be utilized safely in clinical situations in the future