Quantum critical phenomena of unconventional superconductors: U(1) gauge model of link Cooper pair

In this paper we shall study quantum critical behavior of lattice model of unconventional superconductors (SC) that was proposed in the previous papers. In this model, the Cooper-pair (CP) field is defined on lattice links in order to describe d-wave SC. The CP field can be regarded as a U(1) lattice gauge field, and the SC phase transition takes place as a result of the phase coherence of the CP field. Effects of the long-range Coulomb interactions between the CP's and fluctuations of the electromagnetic field are taken into account. We investigate the phase structure of the model and the critical behavior by means of the Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the parameter, which controls the fluxes (vortices) of the CP, strongly influences the phase structure. In three-dimensional case, the model has rich phase structure. In particular there is a "monopole proliferation" phase transition besides the SC phase transition. Depending on the parameters, this transition exists within the SC phase or takes place simultaneously with the SC transition. This new type of transition is relevant for unconventional SC's with strong spatial three-dimensionality and to be observed by experiments.Comment: 13pages,25figure

A Study on Lessons Integrating Reading with Speaking: Focused on the Effects of Collaborative Learning

本研究の目的は，リーディングやスピーキング活動をグループやペアで行う際の生徒に与える内的な影響について，アンケート結果をもとに把握し，その効果を検証することである。 思考力・判断力・表現力の育成や4技能を統合的に育成する指導が重要視されているが，本単元においてもそのように授業を構成し，最終活動のスピーチに向けたリーディング活動を試みた。学習形態としてペア活動を取り入れ，その効果を生徒によるアンケートを分析し検証した。その結果，多くの生徒は協働的に内容理解の活動をしたり，スピーチの準備や発表をしたりすることに好意的であった。しかし，なかには課題ととらえられる回答もあり，改善点と捉えていきたい。The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of pair or group work in reading activities and speaking activities among students by conducting questionnaire, and to discuss the effect. In English education, it is strongly emphasized the importance of fostering the ability to think, make decisions and express and that of integrating four skills in teaching practice. The teaching practice followed these components, and the researcher put reading activities throughout the lessons and had students give a speech as the final activity. While they were studying, the author had them work in pairs, and the effect was examined by the questionnaire. As a result, many students liked working interactively for reading comprehension and for preparing for and exhibiting a speech. However, there were some answers implied to be improved

The effect on mouse immune systems of cow's colostrum produced 6 to 7 days after parturition

Five-week-old male mice were divided into 2 groups in which they were orally given sterile saline solution (control solution) or cow's colostrum powder prepared from milk produced 6 to 7 days after parturition in sterile saline solution (colostrum solution). The mice were given the solution once a day for 5 weeks. The level of intestinal total IgG was significantly lower in the mice given the colostrum solution than in the mice given the control solution, and the intestinal IgA and serum IgG levels tended to be lower in the mice given the colostrum solution. The numbers of spleen CD11b(+), CD19(+), and IFN-gamma(+)CD4(+) cells were also significantly lower in mice given the colostrum solution. DNA microarray analysis of mRNAs extracted from Peyer's patch cells showed that the gene expression of proteins relating to T cell activation of acquired immune responses or Fc epsilon-mediated mast cell activation was obviously lower in the mice given the colostrum solution than in the mice given the control solution, whereas that of proteins relating to T regulatory cells or intestinal innate immune system was noticeably higher in mice given the colostrum solution. These results suggest that the oral ingestion of cow's colostrum suppresses the acquired immune system and type I allergic reactions, and enhances the innate immune system.ArticleMILCHWISSENSCHAFT-MILK SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL. 65(1):11-15 (2010)journal articl

A Single-institution Study on Predictors of Short-term Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease to Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia

Background: Patients with non-demented Parkinson’s disease (PD) sometime have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI) may convert to Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) within several years. Cognitive impairment also occurs in the early stages of the disease, gradually progressing to lower quality of life and instrumental activities of daily living. It is important to elucidate the predictors of progression from PD-MCI to PDD via longitudinal studies. Methods: This was a single center, case-control study. We analysed data from 49 patients with PD-MCI diagnosed as level I using the Movement Disorder Society PD-MCI criteria at baseline who had completed 1.5 years of follow-up. We defined patients who progressed to PDD as patients with progressive PD-MCI and patients who did not progress to PDD as patients with non-progressive PD-MCI. Depression, apathy, sleep disorders, constipation, light-headedness, hallucinations, impulse control disorders (ICDs) and impulsive-compulsive behaviors (ICBs) at baseline were statistically analysed as predictors of progression. Results: Of the 49 PD-MCI patients, 33 did not convert to PDD (non-progressive PD-MCI), and 16 converted to PDD (progressive PD-MCI). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, light-headedness and ICDs were elucidated as predictors of progressive PD-MCI via a multivariate logistic regression model. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each item were MMSE score, OR 0.324, 95% CI 0.119-0.882, P = 0.027; light-headedness, OR 27.665, 95% CI 2.263-338.185, P= 0.009; and ICDs, OR 53.451, 95% CI 2.298-291.085, P = 0.010. Conclusion: Cognitive function, ICDs and light-headedness may be risk factors for the development of PDD in PD-MCI patients