Regional variations in labor force behavior of women in Japan

This study uses cross-sectional data to investigate the regional differences in women's participation in the labor market. Women's participation is high in the northern coastal region of Japan. Their high rate of participation is caused by the fact that married women with children participate as regular full-time eployees. A possible explanation for the high participation in the northern coastal region is a combination of (1) a high degree of manufacturing in the northern coastal region and (2) supply side factors that motivate women to work.Regional differences, regular employment, part-time employment, Japan

The 1.03 million yen ceiling and earnings inequality among married women in Japan

In this paper, we examine the impact of the `1.03 million yen ceiling,' a means-tested transfer scheme for secondary earners in Japan, on earnings inequality of married women. We find that the decline in earnings inequality among married women between 1993 and 2003 is attributable to the increase in the number of wives with low earnings and the decrease in the number of wives with zero earnings.Coefficient of variation, 1.03 million yen ceiling, Japan

The Context of the Development of Peer Programs and Student Learning Assessment in Higher Education in the United States

This study explores of the development process of peer programs and student learning assessment higher education student affairs in the United States. Peer programs are gaining popularity on college campuses. Peer activities began in a resident halls in colonial universities, and organized as resident assistants (RAs) in the 1900’s. And after the 1970s it grew to variety areas in student affairs such as student mentors, student tutors, orientation assistants and peer educators. The student learning and learning outcomes assessment are new challenge for peer programs in the spread of an assessment culture in student affairs. Learning outcomes have become an indispensable element for student assessment cycles. Development learning outcomes on peer programs are achieved through the leadership of professional standards by professional associations. And learning outcomes are characterized by consisting of not only competency as a peer leader like a leadership, community development, communication, but also program management skills. The next tasks of this research are further case studies of peer programs assessment with learning outcomes, for understanding the whole process of a student affairs assessment cycle and holistic student learning outcomes in peer programs. It will be contributory to explore how the shift to a learner-centered higher education through the growing of an assessment culture of student affairs.本研究はJSPS科研費: 30553416 の助成を受けたものである

Combination of high-resolution cone beam computed tomography and metal artefact reduction software: a new image fusion technique for evaluating intracranial stent apposition after aneurysm treatment.

We introduce a new imaging technique to improve visualisation of stent apposition after endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms employing high-resolution cone beam CT and three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography. After performing a stent-assisted coil embolisation of brain aneurysm, the image datasets were processed with a metal artefact reduction software followed by the automated image fusion programmes. Two patients who underwent aneurysm coiling using a Neuroform stent were evaluated. The reconstructed 3D images showed a detailed structure of the stent struts and identified malappositions of the deployed stents. Case 1 showed good apposition on the outer curvature side of the carotid siphon, while the inner curvature side showed prominent malapposition. Case 2, with multiple aneurysms, showed good apposition on both outer and inner curvature sides, although inward prolapse of the struts was observed. This new imaging technique may help evaluate stent apposition after the endovascular aneurysm treatment

Risk Management for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Elderly Patients: Questionnaire for Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

More elderly patients now undergo gastrointestinal endoscopy following recent advances in endoscopic techniques. In this study, we conducted a high-risk survey of endoscopies in Japan, using a questionnaire administered prior to upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy (UGITE), and identified anticholinergic agents and glucagon preparations as high-risk premedication. We also evaluated the cardiovascular effects of anticholinergic agents and glucagon through measurements of plasma levels of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP). The subjects were 1480 patients who underwent UGITE. Nurses administered a pre-endoscopy questionnaire, questioning subjects regarding heart disease, hypertension, glaucoma, and urinary difficulties as risk factors for anticholinergic agents, and Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for glucagon preparations. Evaluation of subjects divided into under 65 and over 65 age groups revealed that in subjects aged 65 and over, risk factors for anticholinergic agents were significantly more high than those for glucagon. Analysis of the cardiovascular effects of anticholinergic agents and glucagon, in the elderly patients showed that hANP levels were significantly higher following administration of anticholinergic agents, but the change was not significant for glucagon premedication. Taking a detailed history before UGITE with the aid of a questionnaire at the same time as informed consent is obtained, is extremely useful in terms of risk management and selection of the appropriate premedication

Spontaneous Remission of Solitary-Type Infantile Myofibromatosis

Infantile myofibromatosis is a rare fibrous tumor of infancy. The cutaneous solitary type has typically an excellent prognosis. However, histologically, it is important to rule out leiomyosarcoma, which has a poor prognosis. The low frequency of mitosis was definitive for a diagnosis of infantile myofibromatosis. We present a cutaneous solitary-type case of infantile myofibromatosis. Following incisional biopsy, the tumor remitted spontaneously

Conversion of airborne nerolidol to DMNT emission requires additional signals in Achyranthes bidentata

AbstractDMNT biosynthesis was proposed to proceed via (E)-nerolidol in plants a decade ago. However, (E)-nerolidol function as airborne signal/substrate for in-vivo biosynthesis of DMNT remains to be investigated and the regulation of DMNT production and emission is largely unknown. We address both of these aspects using Achyranthes bidentata model plant in conjunction with deuterium-labeled d5-(E)-nerolidol, headspace, GC-FID, and GC/MS-based absolute quantification approaches. We demonstrate that airborne (E)-nerolidol is specifically metabolized in-vivo into DMNT emission, but requires airborne VOC MeJA or predator herbivore as additional environmental signal. In addition, we provide new insight into the complex regulation underlying DMNT emission, and highlight the importance of studying multiple environmental factors on emission patterns of plant VOCs and their mechanistic regulation