  The integrable su(4)-invariant spin-ladder model with boundary defect is
studied using the Bethe ansatz method. The exact phase diagram for the ground
state is given and the boundary quantum critical behavior is discussed. It
consists of a gapped phase in which the rungs of the ladder form singlet states
and a gapless Luttinger liquid phase. It is found that in the gapped phase the
boundary bound state corresponds to an unscreened local moment, while in the
Luttinger liquid phase the local moment is screened at low temperatures in
analogy to the Kondo effect.
