流域水循環を初等・中等教育で教えることは，水文学に興味を持つ学生を増やす，水災害や流域マネジメントへのリテラシーを高める，という点で重要と考えられる．カリキュラムを考慮すると流域水循環を短時間で効率的に教える必要があるが，降雨流出過程は多様な現象が相互作用する複雑なシステムであるため，記憶に残りやすい体験型教育ツールの開発は難しかった．本研究では，教育用プログラム言語Scratchを用いて視覚的に分かりやすい降雨流出モデルを構築し，地表面状態のキャリブレーションをゲームとして体験できるツールを開発した．東京大学生産技術研究所オープンキャンパスにて都市化と洪水に着目したワークショップを行い，講義形式の説明に加えて体験型ゲームに取り組むことが降雨流出プロセスの理解を深めるか分析した．その結果，都市化すると洪水が増えるという定性的な理解は講義形式でも深められるが，都市化の度合いによって流出ピークの量やタイミングが変わるという定量的な理解には自ら条件を変えた実験をするゲーム体験が効果を持つと示唆された．また，若年齢なほど講義形式よりも体験型ゲームによって理解が深まりやすいことも確認された．

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Large amounts of rice husk char (RHC) and rice husk ash (RHA) are generated in rice husk-based power plants, and development of an effective recycling method for the RHC and the RHA wastes would be desirable. The main components of RHC were carbon (37.2 mass%) and silica (47.72 mass%), while that of RHA was silica (88.59 mass%). Both RHC and RHA had a reticulate porous structure with specifi c surface areas of 207.0 and 7.9 m²/g, respectively. Their ammonia recovery capacities were evaluated by adsorption capacities of ammonia in gas phase (50 ppm) and its desorption capacities in water at 25°C and ambient pressure. The adsorption capacity of ammonia in gas phase was higher for the RHC than for the RHA.

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2023年のジェンダーギャップ指数で、日本は146か国中125位であり、管理的職業従事者の男女比は0.148（133位）であった。日本では女性活躍が推進され、女性の離職は減少したものの、女性管理職比率は極僅かな増加に留まっている。その主な理由として、女性は責任を負いたくないという後ろ向きの意識がある、という指摘がある。産業別に比較すると、IT産業は険作業、重作業は殆ど無く、資格や経験による技能が重視されるため評価の性別差は比較的少ないにもかかわらず、女性管理職比率は他の産業に比べて高くない。そこで、本研究では、IT企業における女性管理職が少ない原因について実態調査に基づき分析を行った。その結果、家事労働や家計をやりくりする女性にとって管理職業務は時間・費用対効果が低く見える、昇格し続けることと非管理職のまま計画的に時間外手当を得ることを算段する、といった構造要因を導出した。さらに、企業労働と家事労働とのバランスの最適化により生産量と生産性を高まるためのマネジメントを提示した。

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目的：研究の目的は，国外における脳卒中患者の退院支援から，わが国における脳卒中患者の退院支援に，取り入れられるケアについて示唆を得ることである。方法：文献検索には PubMedを用い，検索語は「stroke or cerebrovascular accident or cva」「discharge planning」「readmission or rehospitalization」「nurse」とし，選択基準に基づき論文選択した。結果：脳卒中患者の退院支援に関する介入研究は，６件を採択し，多様な国と地域で行われ，脳卒中の再発予防に取り組んでいた。特有な介入内容は，脳卒中再発予防教育，社会資源調整，介護者評価であった。再入院率は減少したが，ほとんどの論文で統計的有意差はなかった。結論：地域で脳卒中患者を支えるためには，介護者評価を行いコミュニケーション手段を構築することが重要である。

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目的：がんゲノム医療を受ける患者は標準治療がない，もしくは終了した状態にあり，死を意識する病を抱える状況にある。そのような患者の看護と，死を意識する病を抱える患者の看護に必要とされる「看護師の死生観」との関連を明らかにすることを目的とした。方法：がん看護に携わる看護師91人から質問紙調査を行い，「がんゲノム医療を受ける患者の看護」の探索的因子分析を行ったうえでこれらを従属変数，「看護師の死生観」を独立変数とした重回帰分析を行った。結果：「がんゲノム医療を受ける患者の看護」として５因子38項目が抽出され，これらに「看護師の死生観」が影響していることが明らかとなった。結論：「がんゲノム医療を受ける患者の看護」には死を意識する病を抱える患者を対象とした要素があり，「看護師の死生観」がこれらに影響し，看護師が死生観を確立することの必要性が示唆された。

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目的：中年期以降の慢性心不全患者のセルフマネジメントにおける困難を明らかにする。方法：入院中の患者を対象に，半構造化面接で得られたデータを質的帰納的に分析した。結果：対象者は男性９名，女性８名の計17名であった。中高年期の慢性心不全患者のセルフマネジメントにおける困難は，【心不全について判断ができない】【自己管理の効果を実感できない】【自己管理を生活に織り込めない】【自分なりに心不全に向き合っている】【辛い思いのまま生活に喜びや楽しみがない】【仕事の調整ができない】【社会的リソースが活用できない】【心不全の自分に価値が持てない】【心機能の低下により失ったものが多い】の９つのカテゴリが抽出された。結論：中年期以降の慢性心不全患者のセルフマネジメントの困難には，身体的，精神的，社会的，スピリチュアルな側面に対応する支援が必要であることが示唆された。

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目的：臨床現場における看護師の自己教育力と他者から受けている支援との関連について検討した。方法：看護師255名の基本的属性と，自己教育力測定尺度，他者支援尺度を用い，ロジスティック回帰分析を行った。結果：看護師長・副看護師長からの内省支援（OR＝1.28）が「成長・発展への志向」に，看護師長・副看護師長からの精神支援（OR＝1.11）と先輩からの精神支援（OR＝0.91）が「自己の対象化と統制」に，年代（OR＝0.61），クリニカルラダー（OR＝1.97），看護師長・副看護師長からの精神支援（OR＝1.11）が「学習の技能と基盤」に，同期からの内省支援（OR＝0.83）が「自信・プライド・安定性」に関連していた。結論：看護師の自己教育力の向上には，看護師長・副看護師長からの自己の看護実践に対する内省支援，成長を確信できるような精神支援，職場の互酬性を高めることが重要であると考えられた。

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The evolutionarily conserved Hippo pathway plays a pivotal role in governing a variety of biological processes. Heart failure (HF) is a major global health problem with a significant risk of mortality. This review provides a contemporary understanding of the Hippo pathway in regulating different cell types during HF. Through a systematic analysis of each component’s regulatory mechanisms within the Hippo pathway, we elucidate their specific effects on cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages in response to various cardiac injuries. Insights gleaned from both in vitro and in vivo studies highlight the therapeutic promise of targeting the Hippo pathway to address cardiovascular diseases, particularly HF.

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Preparation of drug metabolites at the milligram scale is essential for determining the structure and toxicity of drug metabolites. However, their preparation using recombinant proteins and human liver microsomes (HLM) is often difficult because of technical and ethical issues. Reproducing human drug metabolism in food-derived microorganisms may be useful for overcoming these challenges. In this study, we identified an unknown metabolite of the anaesthetic drug lidocaine, which is metabolised by HLM. By screening for lidocaine metabolic activity in five types of foods (blue cheese, shiitake mushroom, natto, yoghurt, and dry yeast), we found that bacteria isolated from natto reproduced the lidocaine metabolic reaction that occurs in HLM. A fraction containing the unknown lidocaine metabolite was prepared through mass cultivation of a Bacillus subtilis standard strain, ethyl acetate extraction, open column chromatography, and HPLC purification. We identified the unknown metabolite as 3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-1-ethyl-2-methyl-4-imidazolidinone using NMR. Our results showed that food-derived microorganisms can produce large amounts of human drug metabolites via large-scale cultivation. Additionally, food microorganisms that can reproduce drug metabolism in humans can be used to examine drug metabolites at a low cost and without ethical issues.

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In recent years, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the agricultural sector has fundamentally transformed traditional agricultural practices, particularly in soil management. This article explores various applications of AI in soil management and its role in driving smart agriculture. By analyzing existing literature and case studies, this article elucidates the potential of AI technologies such as machine learning, remote sensing, and robotics in optimizing soil health, increasing crop yields, and reducing environmental risks. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges and opportunities faced in the widespread application of AI in soil management and proposes strategies to maximize its advantages in agriculture. This article aims to provide more scientific and intelligent solutions for agricultural production, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development.

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This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research on the enrichment characteristics of terrestrial shale oil. Firstly, it explores the mechanisms of organic matter enrichment, pore structure, reservoir characteristics, and the influence of water and gas on shale oil enrichment. Subsequently, it discusses the characteristics of source rocks, diagenesis, reservoir features, and the relationship between stratigraphic structure and shale oil enrichment. Furthermore, it summarizes the progress made in the research on terrestrial shale oil. In conclusion, the paper discusses the limitations of existing studies and proposes future research directions and prospects. The content of this paper not only comprehensively understands the enrichment characteristics of terrestrial shale oil but also lays the foundation and provides directions for further exploration in related fields.

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Background: Reduced exercise capacity is a prognostic indicator of adverse outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in this population. This study aimed to clarify the efficacy of comprehensive CR in patients with AMI and reduced exercise capacity.

Methods and Results: This cohort study included 610 patients with AMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were compared between patients who participated in comprehensive outpatient CR for 150 days (CR group; n=430) and those who did not (non-CR group; n=180). During the mean (±SD) follow-up period of 6.1±4.0 years, the CR group exhibited a lower incidence of MACE (log-rank P=0.002). Multivariable analysis revealed that Killip classification, diuretics at discharge, and participation in comprehensive CR were independently associated with MACE. The CR group was further divided into 2 groups, namely reduced exercise capacity (% predicted peak V̇O₂<80%; n=241) and preserved exercise capacity (≥80%; n=147), based on the initial cardiopulmonary exercise test. Despite distinct exercise capacities, the incidence of MACE was comparable and physical parameters improved similarly after comprehensive CR in both groups.

Conclusions: Comprehensive CR in patients with AMI effectively reduced the incidence of MACE regardless of initial exercise capacity. Cardiologists should actively encourage patients with low exercise capacity to participate in comprehensive CR.

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The C3 carbon of glucose molecules becomes the C1 carbon of pyruvate molecules during glycolysis, and the C1 and C2 carbons of glucose molecules are metabolized in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Utilizing this position-dependent metabolism of C atoms in glucose molecules, [1-¹³C], [2-¹³C], and [3-¹³C]glucose breath tests are used to evaluate glucose metabolism. However, the effects of chronic ethanol consumption remain incompletely understood. Therefore, we evaluated glucose metabolism in ethanol-fed rats using [1-¹³C], [2-¹³C], and [3-¹³C]glucose breath tests. Ethanol-fed (ERs) and control rats (CRs) (n = 8 each) were used in this study, and ERs were prepared by replacing drinking water with a 16% ethanol solution. We administered 100 mg/kg of [1-¹³C], [2-¹³C], or [3-¹³C]glucose to rats and collected expired air (at 10-min intervals for 180 min). We compared the ¹³CO₂ levels (Δ¹³CO₂, ‰) of breath measured by IR isotope ratio spectrometry and area under the curve (AUC) values of the ¹³CO₂ levels-time curve between ERs and CRs. ¹³CO₂ levels and AUCs after administration of [1-¹³C]glucose and [2-¹³C]glucose were lower in ERs than in CRs. Conversely, the AUC for the [3-¹³C]glucose breath test showed no significant differences between ERs and CRs, although ¹³CO₂ levels during the 110–120 min interval were significantly high in ERs. These findings indicate that chronic ethanol consumption diminishes glucose oxidation without concomitantly reducing glycolysis. Our study demonstrates the utility of ¹³C-labeled glucose breath tests as noninvasive and repeatable methods for evaluating glucose metabolism in various subjects, including those with alcoholism or diabetes.

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本研究の目的は，青森県内の中学校英語科教員を対象に，スピーキングとライティングのパフォーマンステストと小学校英語教科化後の生徒の実態に関するアンケート調査を行い，新学習指導要領実施後の中学校英語の課題を明らかにすることである。調査の結果，両方のパフォーマンステストで，ルーブリックの作成率が低いこと，場面設定が難しいこと，評価者が1人のため評価の信頼性が低いこと，テストを設定する時間や採点の時間が足りないこと，評価への自信がないこと等が課題として挙げられた。またスピーキング単独では，評価の観点としてプロソディや発音が軽視されていること，ライティング単独では重視する評価の観点について，内容に続き，文法，語彙，綴り，語数等，ローカルな観点が重視されていることが明らかになった。小学校英語教科化後の生徒の実態については，4技能5領域の能力やコミュニケーション能力，言語活動への積極性は以前より高くなっている可能性が示された一方で，英語嫌いが助長されている可能性も示され，英語力や英語学習への意欲の二極化が潜在的に進行している懸念が示唆された。以上のように，パフォーマンステストの改善と中学校入学時の個に応じた指導が大きな課題であり，新学習指導要領実施以前に比べ，それらが深刻化している現状が明らかになった。そして，これらの解決策として，教員の資質・能力を向上させる演習型研修の設定，デジタル機器の活用による授業の効率化や個別最適な学びの推進，英語力や学習意欲に焦点化したシームレスな移行を目指す小中連携等が必要であることが提案された。

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The present study aimed to investigate Japanese university students’ repertoires of request strategies and explore the relationship between their positive affective evaluation regarding the learning of the subjunctive mood and their well-being as language learners. The participants were 59 Japanese first-year students from a national university in Japan. The data were collected by using a written discourse completion test and two types of questionnaires about their affective aspects and well-being in language learning. The results revealed the participants’ limited knowledge in making polite requests and showed that the participants’ affective evaluation regarding the learning of the subjunctive mood was positively associated with their well-being in language learning. These findings provide us with two pedagogical implications: (1) instruction could be effective and necessary in helping learners create appropriate form-meaning-function associations about target grammatical forms; and (2) second language pragmatic instruction that is designed to inform learners of the value and usefulness of the English subjunctive mood could enhance positive affect or emotions (e.g., a sense of joy, meaningfulness, relevance, and self-efficacy) in second language grammar learning, further promoting the well-being of language learners.

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The sake yeast strain “KODO” was isolated from the soil of Kumano Kodō, a world heritage site, and has been used in sake fermentation. In this study, we bred the strain to enhance the productivity of ethyl caproate, which is one of the important flavor compounds of ginjo-shu. The concentrations of ethyl caproate of test brewing sake fermented by bred yeasts were 8–10 fold higher than that of the parental KODO strain. Furthermore, the concentrations of acetic acid of test brewing sake fermented by bred yeasts were 1/3–1/5 fold lower than that of the parental KODO strain. “KODO.ec 162”, one of the bred yeasts, has been used for sake fermentation since 2021.

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Magnetic and optical functionalities ascribable to nanostructure and sub-nanostructure of elemental metals and metal oxides are described. It is known that localized surface plasmon resonance takes place in a nano-structured metal and induces enhanced electric fields around the metal, which can interact strongly with incident light. This phenomenon can be applied to a random laser system comprising metal nanoparticles and fluorescent species. It is demonstrated that the threshold of laser oscillation can be controlled by tuning the separation between a metal nanoparticle and a fluorescent molecule. Also, a drastic change of magnetic and magneto-optical properties based on the modification of sub-nanostructure of metal oxides is exemplified. ZnFe₂O₄, the stable phase of which adopts the normal spinel structure and is antiferromagnetic with a Néel temperature as low as 10 K, can be ferrimagnetic with large magnetization and transition temperature higher than room temperature when a random spinel structure is achieved. EuTiO₃, the stable phase of which is antiferromagnetic, can be converted to a ferromagnet by lattice volume expansion or amorphization of the crystalline compound. The mechanism is explained in terms of the sub-nanostructure.

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In this study, to develop steel with high strength and ductility, steels are designed based on JIS-SUJ2 hypereutectoid steel by controlling the contents of the alloying elements Cr and Mn. The steels are subjected to two types of specially designed heat treatment, i.e., “grain boundary amelioration (GBA)” treatment, with and without rolling. The effects of the alloy type and rolling on the microstructure and impact properties are investigated. High impact values over 50 J/cm² were achieved compared to those of conventional steels by the significant refinement of γ grains with GBA treatment. All the steels exhibit transgranular fracture, and no intergranular fracture was observed. This indicates that the proposed heat treatment achieved the suppression of intergranular fracture by inhibiting the formation of θ particles on the grain boundaries and by refining the prior γ grains. Moreover, it has been suggested that the impact values were strongly affected by the C content in the matrix which is controlled by the alloying element and by the heat treatment. As the C content increases, hardness and fraction of the retained γ phase increase, which leads to the decrease in impact value. In samples where prior γ grains were extremely fine and θ particles were fine, area fraction and circularity of the θ particles did not have a significant effect on the impact values.

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Although fluorspar has been widely used as a flux for steelmaking slag, there is a strong incentive to explore alternatives. As one of the candidates for such substances, “nepheline syenite” has been investigated in terms of slag fluidity and lime dissolution rate. The present study aimed at clarifying the homogeneous liquid region and Fe_xO activities in the CaO–Fe_xO slags with nepheline syenite added at 1673 K. When the molar ratio of nepheline syenite/CaO was below 0.658, the substitution of CaO with nepheline syenite raised the Fe_xO activity as well as CaF₂. The effect of the nepheline syenite addition on slag basicity was discussed by means of the reduction-oxidation reaction of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺.

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