On Effects of the Hyogo Earthquake on Household Consumption : A Note

Consumption Insurance, Japanese Households, Earthquake Shocks

A Test of the Full Insurance Hypothesis: The Case of Japan

Exploiting the panel data structure of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey, compiled from 1989 to 1997 by the Japanese Bureau of Statistics, this paper explores how effectively idiosyncratic shocks are shared among consumers in Japan. Tests are conducted for the total consumption, together with each category of consumption expenditures. In addition, the empirical analysis of the paper accounts for the disaster shock caused by the Hyogo Earthquake that took place in January 1995. While the overall empirical results indicate that the full insurance hypothesis is strongly rejected, they suggest that idiosyncratic shocks are insured at least partially. With respect to the effect of the earthquake shock, the residents in the earthquake area indeed bore more shocks than those in other regions. The paper also points out that the extent of risk-sharing among households in Japan is fairly similar to that in the US.

Bio-mimetic Control of Mobile Robots Based on a Model of Bacterial Chemotaxis

This paper proposes a new control method of mobile robots based on a model of bacterial chemotaxis including not only intracellular information processing but also motor control on the basis of the molecular evidence. E. coli is chosen as a target bacterium, which has a simple molecular structure and is amenable to biochemical and genetic analysis. First, a computer model of the chmotaxis is developed to simulate its emergence. Parameters included in the model are regulated using the genetic algorithm in such a way that a fitness representing the chemotactic ability is maximized. Then, using a mobile robot incorporated this chemotactic model, experiments of trajectory generation are preformed, and it is confirmed that the mobile robot can be controlled based on the bacterial model

ACTN1 Mutations Cause Congenital Macrothrombocytopenia

Congenital macrothrombocytopenia (CMTP) is a heterogeneous group of rare platelet disorders characterized by a congenital reduction of platelet counts and abnormally large platelets, for which CMTP-causing mutations are only found in approximately half the cases. We herein performed whole-exome sequencing and targeted Sanger sequencing to identify mutations that cause CMTP, in which a dominant mode of transmission had been suspected but for which no known responsible mutations have been documented. In 13 Japanese CMTP-affected pedigrees, we identified six (46%) affected by ACTN1 variants cosegregating with CMTP. In the entire cohort, ACNT1 variants accounted for 5.5% of the dominant forms of CMTP cases and represented the fourth most common cause in Japanese individuals. Individuals with ACTN1 variants presented with moderate macrothrombocytopenia with anisocytosis but were either asymptomatic or had only a modest bleeding tendency. ACTN1 encodes α-actinin-1, a member of the actin-crosslinking protein superfamily that participates in the organization of the cytoskeleton. In vitro transfection experiments in Chinese hamster ovary cells demonstrated that altered α-actinin-1 disrupted the normal actin-based cytoskeletal structure. Moreover, transduction of mouse fetal liver-derived megakaryocytes with disease-associated ACTN1 variants caused a disorganized actin-based cytoskeleton in megakaryocytes, resulting in the production of abnormally large proplatelet tips, which were reduced in number. Our findings provide an insight into the pathogenesis of CMTP

三尖弁閉鎖症術後に発症した WPW 症候群の1治験例

The occurrence of both tricuspid atresia and WPW syndrome is quite rare. To our knowledge, only two operated cases have been reported. In this report, a 8-year-old boy with this combination was reported. Tachycardia via the right side accessory pathway was for the first time pointed out after Kreutzer\u27s operation. Epicardial mapping showed the earliest excitation at the right free wall. When fatty tissue around this area was removed by CUSA, a large cardiac vein appeared. By holding this vein with a forceps, the delta wave disappeared temporarily. ACP seemed to be present near this vein. Permanent disappearance of the delta wave was obtained after ligation and division. Four months after surgery, he is free from tachycardia attacks

アンスロンチューブを用いて大動脈合併切除術を施行した肺癌の1例

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系A 63-year-old male had squamous cell carcinoma in the left upper lobe. CT scan suggested the invasion of the tumor into the vertebral body and the descending aorta. Left pneumonectomy and combined aortic resection under the temporary bypass using Anthron tube was performed. The bypass using Anthron tube provides us no systemic heparinization and the procedure is easy. So the danger of massive bleeding during and after the operation can be decreased and the operative time can also be shortened. This procedure may be a great help for carrying out the operation with combined aortic resection more safely and speedily

T4肺癌に対する一時バイパス法による大動脈合併切除術

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Radical operation for T4 lung cancer is technically difficult. We report here 3 cases of T4N0M0 lung cancer involving aorta or left subclavian artery which was successfully operated on. We could carry out combined aortic resection more safely and speedy under the assistant devices, such as Anthrontube and Biomedicus Centrifugal Pump. Even T4 lung cancer having aortic invasion with N0 disease can be operated on and be expected long-term survival using these assistant devices.1