The integer programing extreme value (IPEV) model: An application for estimation of the leisure trip demand

Natural Resource Economics Discussion Papers are preliminary research reports by members of the GSA-NRE Kyoto University circulated for comments and suggestions. They have not been externally peer-reviewed or been subject to the review by the editorial board.We developed an integer programing extreme value (IPEV) model that accounts the integer property of trip data and has the same advantages as the multiple discrete–continuous extreme value choice (MDCEV) model. The proposed model is consistent with utility theory and provides a single structural framework for simultaneously modeling the choice of alternatives and quantity decisions with the constraint of the integer value of consumption. We demonstrate that the proposed model has a closed-form probability expression. Finally, we apply the proposed model to the recreation demand for national parks in Japan. The empirical results suggest that the proposed model provides a better fit for the data than the previous model and that ignoring the integer property of demand might cause an underestimation of the welfare loss

The influence of decision-making rules on individual preference for ecological restoration: Evidence from an experimental survey

We conduct an experimental survey to analyze how rules for collective decision-making influence individual preferences concerning nature restoration projects. Our study compares two decision-making rules - a consensus rule and a majority rule - wherein participants decide on a plan concerning nature restoration in the Kushiro Wetland, Japan. Our main finding is that the difference between the individual preferences and collective decision-making is less significant under the consensus rule than the majority rule. Furthermore, there is a larger disparity with regard to the marginal willingness to pay between collective and individual decisions when participants are unsatisfied with the results of collective choice.

A Dynamic Analysis of the Green Electricity Fund:Threshold Models Revisited

This study applies a threshold model proposed by Granovetter (1978) to analyze the dynamic diffusion process of donating behavior for renewable energy. Using data on people's willingness to donate for renewable energy under various predicted participation rates, we simulate how herd behavior spreads and the participation rate reaches the equilibrium. The participation rate at the equilibrium is estimated as 66.46% when the suggested donation is 500 yen, while it is 25.88% when the suggested amount is 1,000 yen. The influence of environmentalism and altruism is also examined, and we find that these motivations increase the participation rate 43.38% on average.Green electricity fund; Dynamic analysis; Contingent Valuation; Threshold model

Roles of Oxidative Injury and Nitric Oxide System Derangements in Kawasaki Disease Pathogenesis: A Systematic Review

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitis that occurs mostly in children younger than five years. KD involves multiple intricately connected inflammatory reactions activated by a cytokine cascade. Despite therapeutic advances, coronary artery damage may develop in some patients, who will be at risk of clinical cardiovascular events and even sudden death. The etiology of KD remains unclear; however, it may involve both genetic and environmental factors leading to aberrant inflammatory responses. Given the young age of onset, prenatal or perinatal exposure may be etiologically relevant. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, a post-infectious hyper-inflammatory disorder associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has features that overlap with those of KD. Available evidence indicates that vascular endothelial dysfunction is a critical step in the sequence of events leading to the development of cardiovascular lesions in KD. Oxidative stress and the dysregulation of the nitric oxide (NO) system contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses related to this disease. This review provides current evidence and concepts highlighting the adverse effects of oxidative injury and NO system derangements on the initiation and progression of KD and potential therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular pathologies in affected children

Introduction of triage. An experience of a triage nurse in a tertiary centre in Japan

Emergency medical treatment in Japan is subject to jurisdiction by the Fire Department. Triage, by definition, is a dynamic process, as the patient's status can change rapidly. Triage is very important for Japan, where emergency patients are on the rise. The role of triage nurse is also important. That will improve the life-saving rate of emergency patients and improve the reversion to society

Misleading presentations in functional food trials led by contract research organizations were frequently observed in Japan : meta-epidemiological study

機能性食品の臨床試験を元にした広告への問題提起 --優良と誤認させる要素が多く含まれる--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-03-01.[Objectives] The functional food market has experienced significant growth, leading to an uptick in clinical trials conducted by contract research organizations (CROs). Research focusing on CRO-managed trials and the communication of trial outcomes to the consumer market remains underexplored. This metaepidemiological study aims to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) facilitated by prominent CROs in Japan and to examine the quality of the representations used to convey their results to consumers. [Study Design and Setting] This study focused on the food trials that were registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry or the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform by the top 5 CROs. Press releases of study results or advertisements of food products based on the study results were identified by conducting a Google search. The risk of bias in the RCT publications was independently assessed by 2 reviewers, who also evaluated the presence of “spin” in the abstracts and full texts. An assessment of “spin” in press releases/advertisements was undertaken. [Results] A total of 76 RCT registrations, 32 RCT publications, and 11 press releases/advertisements were included. Approximately 72% of the RCT publications exhibited a high risk of bias due to selective outcome reporting. “Spin” was present in the results of the abstract (72%), abstract conclusion (81%), full-text results (44%), and full-text conclusion (84%). “Spin” appeared in 73% of press releases/advertisements due to the selective outcome reporting. [Conclusion] Functional food presentations in Japan frequently contained “spin.” The Japanese government should more rigorously check whether food manufacturers report outcomes selectively

ベスト・ワースト・スケーリングによる知床国立公園の魅力の定量評価

知床国立公園を訪問したいと考える人々が, どのような理由からそのように考えるかを, ベスト・ワースト・スケーリング(BWS) により把握した。その結果, 人々は知床の原生的な自然環境や日本の最北東端に位置するという地理的な特徴に最も魅力を感じており, 次いで, 知床の豊かで固有性の高い地域資源に魅力を感じていることがわかった。また, ランダムパラメータモデルによる推定の結果, アウトドア体験やエコツアーへの参加, 野生動物との遭遇については, 選好の多様性が大きいことがわかった