All Data

This dissertation aims to explore the adoption of fintech to improve the efficiency, stability, and social impact of microfinance institutions (MFIs) for financial inclusion in Laos. In Chapter 2, we delve into the current state of financial inclusion in Laos and identify the primary barriers and challenges obstructing its progress. Additionally, we analyze the role of MFIs in advancing financial inclusion within the country. In Chapter 3, we examine MFI performance and credit default risk using CAMEL rating systems, allowing us to gain a comprehensive understanding of their financial health when extending loans to underserved populations. The findings highlight the importance of MFIs' risk management and financial stability in advancing greater financial inclusion. Chapter 4 concentrates on the role of fintech, exploring its potential benefits and risks for enhancing the efficiency, stability, and social impact of MFIs in promoting financial inclusion in Laos. This study establishes the groundwork for fostering more inclusive and sustainable financial practices in the country. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity of addressing fintech-related risks as well as balancing the relationship and transaction banking to fully maximize its potential for MFIs seeking to enhance their efficiency, stability, and social impact through fintech adoption. To understand the factors that affect fintech adoption in MFIs, we develop a theoretical model in Chapter 5 by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with perceived risk, government support, and regulation. Surveying managing directors from MFIs provides useful data, and the effectiveness of the extended TAM is validated through Structured Equation Modeling (SEM). This study contributes to theoretical development by enriching TAM with additional variables. Applied this extended model in the context of MFIs in Laos, it provides a more comprehensive understanding of fintech adoption, strengthening TAM's credibility, and contributing to a robust theoretical framework for fintech adoption within the scope of MFIs. Consequently, our study provides practical guidance for practitioners seeking to strengthen influential factors and overcome obstacles in the fintech adoption of MFIs. Through an examination of the situation of financial inclusion in Laos, the role of MFIs in driving financial inclusion, their performance, credit default risk, and fintech adoption, this dissertation demonstrates the potential of fintech and its role in improving the efficiency, stability, and social impact of MFIs for financial inclusion in Laos. Ultimately, it may contribute to the advancement of the country's financial ecosystem and support societal progress.

本研究では、TNF-αを含む炎症性サイトカインが音響障害による難聴に関連していることを踏まえ、TNF-αを標的とするモノクローナル抗体であるアダリムマブが、激しい音響への暴露から内耳を保護する可能性を検討した。本研究では、アダリムマブをマウスに投与し、内耳への影響を評価するとともに、アダリムマブの内耳への移行、聴器毒性、音響暴露への影響に関する実験も行った。実験結果から、アダリムマブは投与後に蝸牛に部分的に到達したが、音響暴露に対する感受性を高め、内耳での有毛細胞の損失が増加したことが示された。TNF-αは潜在的な治療標的になりうると考えられていたが、本研究結果からはTNF-αの過剰な抑制が内耳に悪影響を与える可能性があることが示唆された。本研究では、抗マウスTNF-α抗体の代わりに抗ヒトTNF-α抗体であるアダリムマブを使用したことや、内耳の保護を改善するために他のサイトカインの抑制を検討する必要性があることなど、いくつかの限界があることを認識している。結論として、アダリムマブの投与は、おそらく過度の TNF-α抑制により、音響暴露に対する内耳の感受性を高め、より重大な有毛細胞の損傷を引き起こす可能性があることが判明した。

目的：日本人のジェノタイプ1型C型慢性肝炎患者を対象に、異なる肝臓の線維化ステージで治療を開始する場合の、3 種類の直接作用型抗ウイルス薬（DAA: sofosbuvir-ledipasvir（SL）、glecaprevir-pibrentasvir（GP）、elbasvir plus grazoprevir（E/G））における費用対効果の評価を行うことを目的とした。 方法：異なる線維化ステージで適用される治療戦略の費用対効果を評価するために、線維化ステージの進行を反映した判断モデルを作成した。すなわち、線維化ステージに関係なく全ての患者を治療する戦略（TA）、肝線維化進行の4つのステージ以上の患者を治療する戦略（F1S：ステージF0 では治療を控え、ステージF1以上の患者に治療を開始、同様にF2S、F3S、F4Sではそれぞれのステージ以上の患者に治療を開始）、抗ウイルス剤治療を行わない（NoRx）の6つの治療戦略を比較した。費用対効果は、一生涯の時間水平で、日本における医療保険支払い者の視点で検討を行った。 結果：基本分析では、線維化が進行したステージF2の患者で治療開始する戦略（F2S）と比較して、全ての患者への治療を行う戦略（TA）において、SL、GP、E/G それぞれの質調整生存年（QALY）の増加分は0.32〜0.33であった。また、QALYあたりの増分費用効果費（ICER）はそれぞれ、24,320 米ドル、18,160 米ドル、17,410米ドルであった。費用対効果許容度曲線では、50,000米ドルの支払意思閾値においてTAが最も費用対効果が高く、3つのDAAともその支払意思閾値以内であった。 結論：日本人のジェノタイプ1型C型慢性肝炎患者において、線維化ステージに関係なく、すべての患者へ直接作用型抗ウイルス薬治療を行うことが、通常の条件下では費用対効果に優れていることが示唆された。

本研究では、日本のレストランのメニューにはイメージが多い理由を探るために、未知の食事の内容を映像的に知らせるため・映像のなさで高級であることを発信するためという情報伝達仮説と、来客の行動を客体化し欲望を高めるという「マッサージ」（McLuhan、1957）仮説を検証した。情報伝達仮説はいずれも支持されなかったが、マッサージ仮説が有意に支持されたので、既知且つ高級な料理の場合でも、メニューに映像を掲載することを推薦した。

This study uses the International Input-Output Table to estimate the impact on Japan of China's ban on the import of waste plastics implemented at the end of 2017. Initially, by employing an econometric model, it was estimated that Japan's total waste plastic emissions decreased by an average of 39,000 tons from 2018 to 2022 due to China's ban on waste plastic imports. This reduction corresponds to 0.46% of the average annual total waste plastic emissions. Assuming a proportional relationship between Japan's total waste plastic emissions and domestic production, it was projected that the domestic production would decrease by an average of 0.46% annually. Furthermore, due to the anticipated decrease in Japan's production leading to a reduction in the import of intermediate goods from China and other countries, the study used the modified Leontief inverse matrix derived from the International Input-Output Table to calculate the negative economic multiplier effects （decrease in production） on China and other countries resulting from the decrease in Japan's production. As a result, we showed that, on average, from 2018 to 2022, China's ban on waste plastic imports had a negative economic multiplier effect of 4.2 trillion yen in Japan, 119.5 billion yen in China, and 5.0 trillion yen in the world.

In IS-LM model, it seems difficult to intuitively understand the concept of money market. Therefore, in Umada（2024） we discussed the determination of loan interest rate, deposit interest rate, and government bond yield without using the concept of money market. In addition to these three, we will also discuss GDP and price determination, adding the concept of goods market to the discussion.

Understanding of central nervous system mechanisms underlying age-related infertility remains limited. Fibril α-synuclein, distinct from its monomeric form, is implicated in age-related diseases. Notably, fibril α-synuclein spreads among neurons, similar to prions, from damaged old neurons in cortex and hippocampus to healthy neurons. However, less is known whether α-synuclein propagates into oxytocin neurons, which play crucial roles in reproduction. We compared α-synuclein expression in the oxytocin neurons in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN), and posterior pituitary (PP) gland of healthy heifers and aged cows to determine its role in age-related infertility. We analyzed mRNA and protein expression, along with Congo red histochemistry and fluorescent immunohistochemistry for oxytocin and α-synuclein, followed by confocal microscopy with Congo red staining. Both mRNA and protein expressions of α-synuclein were confirmed in the bovine cortex, hippocampus, SCN, SON, PVN, and PP tissues. Significant differences in α-synuclein mRNA expressions were observed in the cortex and hippocampus between young heifers and old cows. Western blots showed five bands of α-synuclein, probably reflecting monomers, dimers, and oligomers, in the cortex, hippocampus, SCN, SON, PVN, and PP tissues, and there were significant differences in some bands between the young heifers and old cows. Bright-field and polarized light microscopy did not detect obvious amyloid deposition in the aged hypothalami; however, higher-sensitive confocal microscopy unveiled strong positive signals for Congo red and α-synuclein in oxytocin neurons in the aged hypothalami. α-synuclein was expressed in oxytocin neurons, and some differences were observed between young and old hypothalami.