Observations on the Segmentation of Earthquake Insurance in Japan

This paper investigates the advantages and disadvantages of more segmented payment standards in earthquake insurance in Japan using a simple economic model. Using this analysis, we conclude that more segmented payment standards are desirable when the targeted consumers have higher incomes because these consumers tend to need insurance money at a relatively later time, whereas more segmented payment standards are not desirable when the targeted consumers have lower incomes because their need for insurance money arises relatively quickly following the earthquake

Irradiation effect on magnetic properties of FeRh thin films with energetic C60 cluster ion beam

Effect of energetic C60 cluster ion irradiation on magnetic properties in FeRh thin films was examined by SQUID and XMCD measurements. The XMCD signal for the C60 irradiated samples is larger than that for the C1 samples in the initial stage of the irradiation. In contrast, as for the irradiation with larger ion fluence, the XMCD spectrum for the sample irradiated with C1 ion is larger than that for the sample irradiated with C60 cluster ion. Although the magnetization for the C60 irradiation samples continuously decreases with increasing in the ion fluence, the saturation magnetization for the C1 irradiation samples increases with increasing in the ion fluence. Considering these different behaviors in the irradiation induced ferromagnetism, the cluster ion can effectively deposit the apparent elastic collision energy at the surface region in the film, which effectively causes the ferromagnetic state at the surface of the films

Investigation of causes of sex-related differences in ocular blood flow in healthy eyes determined by laser speckle flowgraphy

Abstract Sex-related differences are present in the systemic and ocular blood flow. However, the cause of the sex-related differences has not been determined. We investigated the ocular blood flow, represented by the mean blur rate (MBR), on the optic nerve head (ONH) determined by laser speckle flowgraphy in 138 males (63.9 ± 8.9 years) and 194 females (63.5 ± 9.4 years). The correlations between the MBR on the ONH and the clinical data were determined. The overall ONH-MBR was significantly higher in females than males (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of the hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lower in females than in males (P < 0.001). The ONH-MBR was negatively and significantly correlated with the levels of the hemoglobin and hematocrit (both, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed that the sex (β = 0.248, P < 0.001) was an independent factor correlated with the ONH-MBR when the clinical examination data were not included in the analyses. However, when the clinical examination data were included, the hemoglobin level (β = −0.295, P < 0.001) was an independent factor that contributed to the ONH-MBR but the sex was not. We conclude that the sex-related differences in the hemoglobin level and the negative correlation between hemoglobin and the ONH-MBR are the causes of the sex-related differences in the ONH-MBR

Perioperative factors that are significantly correlated with final visual acuity in eyes after successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>To determine the perioperative factors that are significantly correlated with the final visual acuity following reattachment of a macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) by vitrectomy.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients with a successfully reattached RRD by vitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic images of the macular regions were used to measure the thicknesses of the retinal layers and the integrity of the microstructures of the photoreceptors at 2 weeks, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months following the vitrectomy. The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were evaluated at the same times.</p><p>Results</p><p>The improvement of the BCVA from the preoperative BCVA to that at postoperative Week 2 (-0.67 ± 0.69 logMAR units) was the largest change between adjacent observation periods for the entire study duration. It was significantly greater than the improvement between Week 2 and Month 12 (-0.32 ± 0.22 logMAR units; <i>P</i><0.001). The thickness of the ellipsoid zone (EZ)-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) increased significantly with time (<i>P</i><0.001). The final BCVA was significantly correlated with the BCVA at Week 2 (r = 0.61, <i>P</i><0.001), the EZ-RPE thickness at Week 2 (r = -0.40, <i>P</i> = 0.035), the integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM) (r = -0.61, <i>P</i> = 0.003), and an intact EZ (r = -0.66, <i>P</i> = 0.001) at Week 2. Multiple stepwise regression analyses of the final BCVA showed that the BCVA at Week 2 (<i>P</i> = 0.017) and the integrity of the EZ at Week 2 (<i>P</i> = 0.006) were independent predictors of the final BCVA.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The significantly better BCVA and presence of an intact EZ at 2 weeks following vitrectomy and their significant correlations with the BCVA at Month 12 indicate that these perioperative values can be used to predict the BCVA at Month 12 after a reattachment of macula-off RRD following vitrectomy.</p></div

Activity enhancement of platinum oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts using ion-beam induced defects

High activity is one of the primary requirements for the catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications. Platinum (Pt) is the best-known catalyst especially for oxygen reduction at the cathode; however, further activity improvements are still required. Previous computational studies suggested that the catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles could be enhanced by a Pt−carbon support interaction. We have recently found that an enhanced electronic interaction occurs at the interface between an argon-ion (Ar+)-irradiated glassy carbon (GC) surface and Pt nanoparticles. Here, we report a more than two-fold increase in specific activity (SA) for the Pt nanoparticles on the Ar+-irradiated GC substrate compared to that on the non-irradiated GC substrate. The mechanism of this activity enhancement was investigated by local structure analysis of the interface. Ar+ irradiation of the carbon support led to the formation of the Pt−C bonding, thus protecting the deposited Pt nanoparticles from oxidation

Activity enhancement of platinum oxygen-reduction electrocatalysts using ion-beam induced defects

High activity is one of the primary requirements for the catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications. Platinum (Pt) is the best known catalyst, especially for oxygen reduction at the cathode; however, further activity improvements are still required. Previous computational studies suggested that the catalytic activity of Pt nanoparticles could be enhanced by a Pt-carbon (C) support interaction. We have recently found that an enhanced electronic interaction occurs at the interface between an argon-ion (Ar+)-irradiated glassy carbon (GC) surface and Pt nanoparticles. Here, we report a more than twofold increase in specific activity for the Pt nanoparticles on the Ar+-irradiated GC substrate compared to that on the nonirradiated GC substrate. The mechanism of this activity enhancement was investigated by local structure analysis of the interface. Ar+ irradiation of the carbon support led to the formation of Pt-C bonding, thus protecting the deposited Pt nanoparticles from oxidation

Changes in mean EZ–RPE thickness following surgery, and the correlation between the thickness and the BCVA is shown for eyes with macula-off RRD.

<p>The mean EZ-RPE thickness increases significantly over time (<i>P</i> < 0.001), and it is especially rapid in the early postoperative period (A). The EZ-RPE thicknesses at Week 2 and Month 12 were significantly correlated with the BCVA at Week 2 (<i>r</i> = -0.48, <i>P</i> = 0.008) (B) and at Month 12 (<i>r</i> = -0.68, <i>P</i> < 0.001) (C), respectively. The EZ-RPE thickness at Week 2 was significantly correlated with the BCVA at Month 12 (<i>r</i> = -0.40, <i>P</i> = 0.036) (D). The foveal outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness at Month 12 was not correlated with the BCVA at Month 12 (E).</p

Patient clinical characteristics.

<p>Patient clinical characteristics.</p

Results of multiple stepwise regression analysis for independence of factors contributing to final BCVA.

<p>Results of multiple stepwise regression analysis for independence of factors contributing to final BCVA.</p