Trends in Geographic Distribution of Nursing Staff in Japan from 2000 to 2010:A Multilevel Analysis

The aim of this study was to examine trends in the geographic distribution of nursing staff in Japan from 2000 to 2010. We examined time trends in the rates of nursing staff per 100,000 population across 349 secondary health service areas. Using the Gini coefficient as a measure of inequality, we separately analyzed the data of 4 nursing staff types:public health nurses (PHN), midwives (MW), nurses (NS), and associate nurses (AN). Then, using multilevel Poisson regression models, we calculated the rate ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each type of nursing staff per 1-year change. Overall, the distribution of PHN, MW, and NS improved slightly in terms of the Gini coefficient. After adjusting for prefectural capital and population density, PHN, MW, and NS significantly increased;the RRs per 1-year increment were 1.022 (95% CI:1.020-1.023), 1.021 (95% CI:1.019-1.022), and 1.037 (95% CI:1.037-1.038), respectively. In contrast, AN significantly decreased;the RR per 1-year increment was 0.993 (95% CI:0.993-0.994). Despite the considerable increase in the absolute number of nursing staff in Japan (excluding AN), this increase did not lead to a sufficient improvement in distribution over the last decade

Broadband double-layered coplanar patch antennas with adjustable CPW feeding structure

In this paper, we have presented the double-layered coplanar patch antennas of enhanced impedance bandwidth and adjustable conductor-backed coplanar waveguide feed lines. The proposed structure retains the advantage of laying the coplanar patch and coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed line on the same surface, which makes direct integration with other devices easier. In addition, the substrate thickness of the radiating patch can be adjusted to achieve a wider impedance bandwidth while the dimensions of the CPW feed line are kept unchanged. Simulation has been done by using commercial electromagnetic (EM) simulation software. Four testing antennas, which have centre frequency at about 10 GHz, were designed. The four testing antennas had the same total thickness, but different thickness combinations. From the measured return loss, gain, and radiation patterns of the antennas, it was demonstrated that different thickness combinations do not affect the characteristics of the antennas seriously. Therefore, the dimensions of the CPW feed structure of the antennas can be adjusted individually and can be selected for different applications

Case-marking idiosyncrasy in subordination: the Japanese dative ni and beyond

This article examines Japanese idiosyncratic dative case markings, which cannot be accounted for by the semantics of verbs per se. We argue that the underlying mechanism is best described in terms of “blending of prefabricated forms in language production” (Barlow 2000), demonstrating that the relevant prefabricated structures provide a scaffold for the development of the use of dative ni in question. This study further explores some comparable non-canonical case markings observed in Korean subordinate clauses, suggesting that they can also be similarly characterized

Speech-event conceptions behind discoursepragmatic characteristics of the construction ‘do and see’ in East Asian languages

This study addresses the semantic and functional diversities of the construction literally meaning ‘do and see’ in three East Asian languages: Japanese, Korean, and Ainu. The literal sense is dominant in Ainu, the tentative sense is predominant in Japanese, and the experiential sense as well as the tentative sense is very common in Korean. The study advances a discourse-pragmatic analysis with respect to speech-event conceptions that underlie the different senses of the construction

Current status of a super-pressure balloon research of new design concept

A super-pressure balloon, which can reach the stratosphere with a heavy payload and continue to fly without ballasting, is quite useful for a long duration circum-polar flight. It has been quite difficult to develop such kind of balloons because of large pressure applied to the balloon film. The authors have investigated a new balloon design concept which reduces the film tension dramatically so as to enable the balloon to withstand high pressure. Experimental research has been proceeding to use the different size model balloons step by step. This report describes the current status of our research and development of the super-pressure balloon. The first successful flight test in the world for the balloon using this concept is also reported in this paper