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Supply-Side Barriers to the Use of Public Healthcare Facilities for Childhood Illness Care in Rural Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study Linking Data from a Healthcare Facility Census to a Household Survey
Get PDFAbstract: Child mortality due to malaria and diarrheal diseases can be reduced if proper treatment is received timely at healthcare facilities, but various factors hinder this. The present study assessed the associations between the use of public healthcare facilities among febrile/diarrheal children in rural Zambia and supply-side factors (i.e., the distance from the village to the nearest facility and the availability of essential human resources and medical equipment at the facility). Data from the Demographic and Health Survey 2018 and the Health Facility Census 2017 were linked. Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess the associations, controlling for clustering and other variables. The median distances to the nearest facility were 4.5 km among 854 febrile children and 4.6 km among 813 diarrheal children. Children who were over 10 km away from the facility were significantly less likely to use it, compared to those within 5 km (fever group: odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.20-0.66; diarrhea group: OR= 0.30, 95% CI= 0.18—0.51). The availability of human resources and equipment was, however, not significantly associated with facility use. Poor geographic access could be a critical barrier to facility use among children in rural Zambia.博士(保健学)琉球大
呼吸器検体におけるペニシリン低感受性B群連鎖球菌の臨床的・細菌学的特徴： 症例対照研究
Get PDFinfants, elderly adults, and immunosuppressed patients. Generally, GBS is susceptible to penicillin; however, GBS withreduced penicillin susceptibility (PRGBS) has been reported. PRGBS are commonly isolated from respiratory specimens,but clinical features of patients with PRGBS remain unclear. In this case–control study, clinical features of patients withPRGBS and bacterial characteristics of these isolates from respiratory specimens were investigated. Patients with GBS atthe University of the Ryukyus Hospital between January 2017 and June 2018 were retrospectively investigated. GBS werefurther classified into penicillin-susceptible GBS (PSGBS) and PRGBS using a drug susceptibility test. Moreover, serotypes,genotypes, and drug resistance genes of PRGBS isolates were determined. In total, 362 GBS were isolated, of which 46 werecollected from respiratory specimens, which had the highest rate of PRGBS (24%). Compared to patients with PSGBS, thosewith PRGBS were more likely to have neuromuscular disease, poor performance status, risk of multidrug-resistant pathogeninfection, prior pneumonia history within 1 year, and prior penicillin use within 1 year. Among eight PRGBS isolates, multilocussequence typing revealed that five isolates were sequence type (ST) 358, two were ST3 and ST10, respectively, and oneisolate was ST1404. All PRGBS isolates belonged to the ST1/ST19/ST10 group. This study reveals clinical characteristicsof patients with PRGBS from respiratory specimens. Because invasive GBS infection cases are increasing, especially in theelderly, more attention should be paid to this infection.博士(医学)琉球大
第15回琉球大学びぶりお文学賞受賞作品集
Get PDFかわく肌 / 葬ヤマメ邂逅 ｓｉｎｃｅ１９７２． / 二藤電照菊と「闇」 / 羽影憂胎児の唄 / 前川真美獣 / 葬ヤマメカルテ / 綱取汐音盲目の巨人 / 天海薫友達と僕 / 宮里うつ図
沖縄県在住祖母の育児支援，身体活動およびHRQOLとの関連
Get PDFAppropriate physical activity (PA) enhances health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the elderly. However, few studies have focused on the physical activity required during grandparenting activities. We investigated the levels of PA and HRQOL in 48 Japanese grandmothers and determined the association between child-rearing assistance and PA and between PA and HRQOL. The study revealed that the grandmothers mainly provided nondaily care, and they showed an appropriate level of PA and good physical and mental HRQOL. These findings suggest that involvement in non-routine care has benefits for grandparents’ health.博士(保健学)琉球大
Research on mango production using ICT
Get PDF沖縄におけるマンゴー生産は日本国内で最も盛んであり、特に夏の果実として非常に人気が高い。県内の主要産地は「宮古島市、豊見城市、石垣市」等で、2018年の生産量も全国シェアは55％を誇り、売り上げは25億円であった。沖縄県はマンゴーを戦略的な農作物としてとらえており、ブランド化へ向けて生産振興を奨励している。しかしながら、マンゴーの生育過程は日光、温度およびその他の要因の変化による影響を受けやすく、育成において品質管理は個人の目視や経験によるカンが頼りとなっている。 現状のままでは、マンゴーを高品質で安定供給し続けることは困難であり、品質を保証するためには栽培管理を可視化し、簡便にする必要がある。
このような状況の中、近年では農業分野でもICT、IoT技術を導入し、センサー技術で環境パラメーターを取得して栽培管理を行う農家も増えてきた。また、企業農家ではパラメータの解析や、画像診断による特徴量解析で病気の特定する研究も盛んになっており、目覚ましい飛躍と遂げている。
そこで、本研究ではICTセンサー技術を用いて環境の測定と制御を行い、天候不純等の自然環境に影響されにくいマンゴー生産の生産システムの開発を試みた。具体的には、CO_2施用技術と、LED補光システムを導入し、マンゴーの 光合成を活性化させ、果実の収穫時期の調整と品質の向上を図った。
また、沖縄県産マンゴーが付加価値のある農産物としてブランドを確立していくには、マンゴーが適正な等級で消費者に販売することが求められ、現在はJA (日本農業協同組合) おきなわが等級判別用に簡易基準表を用意し、果実の色合いに基づいて等級を決定している。しかし、現場の判別は人間が目視で行っているために主観的になり、品質が均一ではないことが問題になっている。
そこで本研究では、マンゴーの等級を客観的に評価するために、コンピュータビジョンによる判別法を導入し、マンゴーの果皮における色情報を用いた等級判別法を提案した。取得した画像データからマンゴーを分類する指標を明らかにするために、果皮のヒストグラムを特徴量として作成し、閾値を決定するアルゴリズムを構築した。さらに機械学習を用い、判別誤差を考慮した判別メソッドとしてB-kNN法を用い、精度の高い判別を実現した。The production of mangoes in Okinawa is the most active successful in Japan and is especially popular as a summer fruit. The main production areas in the prefecture are Miyakojima City, Tomigusuku City, Ishigaki City etc. The production volume in 2018 boasted a 55% share of the national market with sales of 2.5 billion yen. Okinawa Prefecture considers mangoes to be a strategic agricultural crop and is encouraging the promotion of its production toward branding. However, the growth process of mangoes is susceptible to changes in sunlight, temperature and other factors. Moreover, the quality control in cultivation relies on personal observation and experience. As it is difficult to maintain a stable supply of high-quality mangoes, the cultivation management must be visualized and simplified in order to guarantee quality.
Under these circumstances, in recent years, ICT and IoT technologies have been introduced in the agricultural sector. Many farmers are using sensor technology to acquire environmental parameters for cultivation management. In addition, corporate farmers have made a remarkable leap forward in their research to identify diseases by analyzing parameters and feature analysis through image diagnosis.
In this study, we attempted to develop a production system for mango production that is not easily affected by the natural environment, such as impure weather, by measuring and controlling the environment using IoT sensor technology. Specifically, CO_2 application technology and an LED supplementary lighting system were introduced to activate photosynthesis in mangoes, adjust the fruit harvest time, and improve quality.
In addition, in order to Okinawa mangoes to establish a brand as a value-added agricultural product, they must be sold to consumers in the proper grade. Currently, JA Okinawa (Japan Agricultural Cooperative) preparing a simple standard chart for grade determination and the grade is determined based on the color of the fruit.
However, since the identification is done manually by humans, it is subjective and the quality is not uniform, which is a problem.
In this study, we introduced a computer vision-based discrimination method to objectively evaluate the grade of mangoes and proposed a grading method using color information in mango skins. In order to clarify the index for classify mangoes from the acquired image data, a histogram of the rind was created as a feature and an algorithm to determine the threshold was constructed. Furthermore, using machine learning, the B-kNN method was used as a discriminant method considering the discrimination error and highly accurate discrimination was achieved.博士（工学）琉球大
Distribution patterns and life-history traits of non-native freshwater fish in Ryukyu Archipelago: towards effective management of freshwater fish invasions in island's aquatic ecosystems
Get PDFIn the thesis, I explored distribution patterns, changes in biodiversity, life-history traits and its variability, and factors affecting establishment and dispersal success of non-native freshwater fish in Ryukyu Archipelago.
In chapter 1, I studied distribution patterns of non-native freshwater fish in islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago and examined changes in biodiversity by biological invasions. Distribution patterns of non-native freshwater fish can be explained by introduction reason and species richness of non-native freshwater fish correlated with population density rather than environmental variables. Analyses of beta diversity showed introductions of various ornamental aquarium fish in Okinawa-jima Island likely decrease total beta diversity of the most invaded island. Species contribution to beta diversities of native species were larger than that of non-native freshwater fish.
In chapter 2, I explored current status and distribution of non-native freshwater fish on Okinawa-jima Island, which is the most invaded island in Ryukyu Archipelago. I revealed currently at least 22 non-native freshwater fish are reproducing on Okinawa-jima Island. Distribution patterns and rates of range expansion of each species were clarified.
In chapter 3, I examined introduction history and establishment rates of non-native freshwater fish in Okinawa-jima Island. From the results obtained in this chapter, I predicted dumping of ornamental pet fish will continue in the future and recommended strict rules and measures to prevent future invasions via this most important pathway.
In chapter 4, I studied life history traits of non-native freshwater fish established on islands in Ryukyu Archipelago. First, I studied non-native fish in Haebaru Reservoir, on Okinawa-jima Island and targeted Coptodon zillii, Amatitlania nigrofaciata, Parambassis ranga, and clarified life history parameters such as growth, age composition, maturity and spawning season. Second, I explored life history variability of globally invasive freshwater fish, Oreochromis niloticus and Micropterus salmoides. I sampled O. niloticus in Yonaguni-jima Island, and compared life history with populations across the global distribution to clarify geographical variability of life history traits. Oreochromis niloticus showed greater life span compared to populations in other regions, and longer life span likely due to that O. niloticus are not exploited in Ryukyu Archipelago. Furthermore, I studied resource polymorphism (life history variability in a single population) of M. salmoides and reported sympatric occurrence of "dwarf" and "normal" forms of M. salmoides and causes and consequences of this novel resource polymorphism are discussed
Finally, in chapter 5, I explored factors affecting establishment and dispersal success of non-native freshwater fish.博士（理学）琉球大学University of the Ryukyu
