Users In Japan Research Articles

Characteristics of older road users and their effect on road safety

This paper reports the results of several field surveys on the characteristics of older road users in Japan and of their traffic accident statistics. The results obtained are as follows: the reduced physical and mental functions with advancing age give improper driving characteristics to elderly drivers, but are not deterministic factors of quitting driving; the driving characteristics have some relation with traffic accidents; problematic drivers seem to emerge among elderly drivers; reduced functions are also related to the occurrence of accidents among elderly people in bicycle riding and walking. Further, a systematic and comprehensive approach is presented for traffic accident prevention among the elderly based upon these results.

Customer Preferences for Reliable Power Supply: Using Data on Actual Choices of Back-Up Equipment

This paper empirically examines customer preferences for the reliable sources of electricity using data obtained from a survey of back-up systems owned by large computer users in Japan. The empirical results based on probabilistic discrete choice models indicate that (1) customers face a trade-off between the price and the reliability of the power supply, and (2) customer characteristics, such as types of business and levels of electricity usage, have significant impacts on the choice of back-up apparatuses. The estimates of cost changes that would offset reliability changes imply that the financial and communications sectors are more concerned about reliability than are other sectors. Copyright 1994 by MIT Press.

Contraception by the end of the 20th century.

Despite worldwide fertility declines, global population continues to grow. Most of the decline in fertility is due to contraceptive use, accounting for 80% of the variance in the total fertility rate between countries. Yet, some countries have much higher or lower fertility levels than countries with the same contraceptive prevalence levels, indicating that other factors also influence fertility rates. These factors are generally cultural. Africa is the only area where contraceptive prevalence is still low in most countries (e.g., 13% for Sub-Saharan Africa vs. 57% for Latin America). Use of individual contraceptive methods varies from country to country. For example, most contraceptive users in Japan use the condom, while those in India depend on female sterilization (about 75% and 75%, respectively). Between the late 1970s and the late 1980s, contraceptive prevalence increased 1 percentage point annually in 64% of all countries. In those developing countries where contraceptive prevalence rates have approached those of developed countries (e.g., Columbia and Thailand), the growth in contraceptive use is slowing. Important determinants of contraceptive use include rural/urban residence, education level, and income per capita. The difference in use rates between rural and urban areas are largely due to availability of family planning services in urban areas. Since contraceptive use plays such a significant role in fertility reduction and the slowing of population growth, improved contraception is needed worldwide, regardless of socioeconomic class. Desires of the population and not those of the scientists should be considered when developing new contraceptives. An analysis of users' needs should be done before developing new contraceptives. Such an analysis would require social and behavioral research. The approach of listening to the needs and beliefs of users should result in an increase of contraceptive use, which will benefit everyone.

Switched‐capacitor circuit analysis program SCNODAL and its application to SC filter design

AbstractA general‐purpose circuit analysis software such as SPICE, and an SC‐specified circuit analysis software such as SWITCAP, are both available for analysis of SC circuits. However, the former requires additional pre‐and post‐processings because the analysis is performed by converting SC circuits into equivalent continuous‐time circuits such as active‐RC circuits. As to the latter, the present limitation on the kind of OS environments is severe for users in Japan. SCNODAL proposed in this paper is developed for the purpose of providing an SC circuit analysis tool which is easy to use and is implementable on general‐purpose or personal computers popular in Japan. Since SCNODAL has many functions, it is useful as a semi‐general‐purpose SC circuit analysis tool. SCNODAL has an input format which is best suited for an analysis of parasitic‐insensitive SC filters. Since nine‐standard building blocks are built in the program, a compact representation of the input data is possible. Furthermore, SCNODAL has many user‐oriented functions with regard to a clock‐pattern input form, an input form for a tracking pattern of elements, and an option for an output form. Thus, one can easily perform a variety of analyses such as amplitude response analysis and sensitivity analysis. In this paper, SCNODAL is described based on the formulations of the nodal equation and other equations used in each analysis to the actual usage of this software, by illustrating an SCF design.

Multibeam array antenna for data relay satellite

AbstractAs the use of space expands, the demand for data relay systems between satellites used for real time data transmission between the ground station and a satellite has increased. This paper proposes a data relay multiple‐access system between satellites which is suited for a relatively small number of users in Japan. The paper also describes the 19‐beam multibeam array antenna developed for this system. Compared to NASA's AGIPA system, the present on‐board multibeam system has a number of advantages: effective use of frequency and power; simplification; and cost effectiveness of the ground station if the number of user satellites is small. Next, a multibeam antenna system suited for this system is studied. It is found that the multibeam array is suited in the case where many beams are formed with a relatively small aperture. The configuration and design method are described. As individual elements, a newly developed broadband microstrip array and a small beam‐forming circuit with a good beam‐forming capability are described. Based on these devices, a 19‐element array antenna with 19 multibeams and one scanning beam is developed. Its technical possibility is proven as a satellite‐borne antenna.

公共図書館の利用者像

公共図書館の利用者像

Pulp and Paper Mills in Japan (35)

Tokushu Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd., founded in 1926, is presently numbered among the most unique paper makers in Japan. It has two mills, one in Mishima and the other in Gifu. Mishima Mill is located at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture and Gifu Mill introduced here is situated in Gifu Prefecture, which is one of the most famous forest arears in Japan.The mill, which has five paper making machines, produces more than one thousand variations of fine papers depending on customer's requirements. The current paper production is 1, 000 metric tons per month. These speciality papers have provided good appearance and satisfaction as artistic printing paper for users in Japan, as well as overseas'.The mill has about 25, 000m2 site and 250 skilled employees.

Correlation Between Laboratory Test & Field Part Failure Rates

In Japan, failure rates for non high-reliability electronic parts, obtained from laboratory tests, are generally about ten times those obtained in the field. The reasons for this difference have been analysed by using part failure-rate data collected from major part suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and public users in Japan. This paper numerically analyses transistor data. The two main causes of the difference between laboratory and field failure rates are 1) the difference in failure criteria between them and 2) unreasonable use of the constant failure rate without actually determining the real failure rate. By using the conversion factors, it is possible to predict electronic equipment MTBF by using laboratory failure rates with appropriate application factors pertaining to whether the units are in use on a ship board, airborne, etc. basis. Failure rates for the electronic parts with unsatisfactorily long burn-in time lapse must be treated as carefully as the rate data published in the AIST data.