CIRCULAR GEOMETRY AND THE SCHWARZIAN

Special Volume(2000), Part III (Geometry and Topology

Public views of health insurance in Japan during the era of attaining universal health coverage: a secondary analysis of an opinion poll on health insurance in 1967

While Japan’s success in achieving universal health insurance over a short period with controlled healthcare costs has been studied from various perspectives, that of beneficiaries have been overlooked. We conducted a secondary analysis of an opinion poll on health insurance in 1967, immediately after reaching universal coverage. We found that people continued to face a slight barrier to healthcare access (26.8% felt medical expenses were a heavy burden) and had high expectations for health insurance (60.5% were satisfied with insured medical services and 82.4% were willing to pay a premium). In our study, younger age, having children before school age, lower living standards, and the health insurance scheme were factors that were associated with a willingness to pay premiums. Involving high-income groups in public insurance is considered to be the key to ensuring universal coverage of social insurance

L-Arginine treatment may prevent tubulointerstitial nephropathy caused by germanium dioxide

L-Arginine treatment may prevent tubulointerstitial nephropathy caused by germanium dioxide.BackgroundLong-term oral ingestion of germanium dioxide (GeO2) causes progressive renal failure derived from tubulointerstitial nephropathy in humans and animals. The characteristic of GeO2-induced nephropathy is the renal tissue injury persisting for a long time, even after cessation of GeO2 ingestion. However, a treatment that can suppress the long-lasting renal tissue injury has not yet been established.MethodsUsing the methods of immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we examined the expression of ED1-positive cells (macrophages/monocytes), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mRNA and protein and collagen type IV mRNA and protein in the kidneys of rats with GeO2-induced nephropathy. Concomitantly, the effects of L-arginine treatment on their expression was explored in the kidneys of rats with GeO2-induced nephropathy.ResultsChronic administration of GeO2 caused tubulointerstitial nephropathy characterized by leukocyte invasion into the enlarged tubulointerstitial space in rats. The expression of ED1-positive cells, TGF-β1 protein and collagen type IV protein was markedly increased in the tubulointerstitium of the renal cortex from rats with GeO2-induced nephropathy. Similarly, TGF-β1 and collagen type IV mRNA were significantly enhanced in the renal cortex of rats with GeO2-induced nephropathy. A small number of tubulointerstitial cells expressing TGF-β1 protein were also observed in the renal cortex of rats with GeO2-induced nephropathy. However, L-arginine treatment led to a parallel decrease in the expression of ED1-positive cells, TGF-β1 mRNA and collagen type IV mRNA and protein in rats with GeO2-induced nephropathy.ConclusionsIn general, collagen synthesis is driven by TGF-β1 in the fibrotic process associated with a variety of renal disorders. TGF-β1 is secreted by TGF-β1 producing cells such as macrophages, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Thus, the present study indicates that the expression of collagen type IV may be mediated by TGF-β1 released from invading macrophages and, to a lesser extent, released from tubulointerstitial cells, presumably fibroblasts and/or myofibroblasts in GeO2-induced nephropathy. L-Arginine treatment inhibits collagen type IV synthesis possibly by suppressing macrophage invasion and the resultant TGF-β1 expression in this nephropathy. L-Arginine treatment may be beneficial in the prevention of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is considered to be the terminal stage of GeO2-induced nephropathy

High-speed simulation of PCB emission and immunity with frequency-domain IC/LSI source models

Some recent results from research conducted in the EMC group at Okayama University are reviewed. A scheme for power-bus modeling with an analytical method is introduced. A linear macro-model for ICs/LSIs, called the LECCS model, has been developed for EMI and EMS simulation. This model has a very simple structure and is sufficiently accurate. Combining the LECCS model with analytical simulation techniques for power-bus resonance simulation provides a method for high-speed EMI simulation and decoupling evaluation related to PCB and LSI design. A useful explanation of the common-mode excitation mechanism, which utilizes the imbalance factor of a transmission line, is also presented. Some of the results were investigated by implementing prototypes of a high-speed EMI simulator, HISES. </p

Application of Transfer Matrix Method with Signal Flow-Chart to Analyze Optical Multi-Path Ring-Resonator

A multi-path ring-resonator (MPRR) was proposed to extend FSR of ring resonator. However, it is complicated to analyze the MPRR by using well-known analysis techniques such as scattering matrix or other numerical methods. This paper describes procedure for deriving transfer matrix by means of signal flow-chart to analyze the MPRR. We do not need complicated calculation for steady state analysis because transfer matrix elements are formulated clearly. As a result, The calcultaion time in this method can be reduced 1/3 to 1/20 times compared with using scattering matirx method. Furthermore, a transmittance characteristics of the MPRR at FSR extension-factor of 10 will also be shown. This suggests that analysis of other types of the MPRR by using this method can be performed simply and take a shorter time

Application of Transfer Matrix Method with Signal Flow-Chart to Analyze Optical Multi-Path Ring-Resonator

A multi-path ring-resonator (MPRR) was proposed to extend FSR of ring resonator. However, it is complicated to analyze the MPRR by using well-known analysis techniques such as scattering matrix or other numerical methods. This paper describes procedure for deriving transfer matrix by means of signal flow-chart to analyze the MPRR. We do not need complicated calculation for steady state analysis because transfer matrix elements are formulated clearly. As a result, The calcultaion time in this method can be reduced 1/3 to 1/20 times compared with using scattering matirx method. Furthermore, a transmittance characteristics of the MPRR at FSR extension-factor of 10 will also be shown. This suggests that analysis of other types of the MPRR by using this method can be performed simply and take a shorter time

Transmission Dynamics of Dirofilaria immitis in a Southwestern Part of Japan

The transmission dynamics of Dirofilaria immitis were studied by using reported data in Nagasaki City and Omura City, Japan. The catalytic model was applied to the age distribution of positive rate for microfilariae of D. immitis in dogs. Using the force of infection obtained by applying the catalytic model, the critical vector density for the disappearance of D. immitis was estimated. Transmission frequencies of D. immitis in the two places were calculated by densities and infective rates of the principal vector, Culex pipiens pallens, and numbers of infective larvae of D. immitis in the vector. Roles of some factors influencing the transmission frequency of D. immitis were also evaluated with a simple mathematical model, and it was concluded that the continuation of extensive infection with D. immitis in dogs in spite of the presumed decrease of the vector density in recent years is ascribable to the increase of dog density and the increased protection of humans from mosquito bites