Creating Lessons That Foster Students` Self-presence: Through Activities That Emphasize `Safety" and "Connection" in English Lessons

http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_650

ヘラートとカンダハールの旧市街地の構成の比較

Afghanistan, situated at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, spans approximately 652,860square kilometers with a population of around 40.5 million. Its prominent cities---:-Kabul, Kandahar,and Herat— are known for their rich historical and cultural legacies. The urban structures of thesecities reflect their historical, cultural, and socio-political evolution. This research compares Heratand Kandahar Old City 's urban structures, focusing on dalans, water supply, and drainage systems. Herat, an industrial and cultural hub, had 59 dalans identified via aerial imagery in 2016,reflecting a sharp decline over recent decades. The number of dalans in Herat decreased by 27%from 1977-78 to 2005-06 and 54% between 2005-06 and 2019-20. Of the remaining dalans, 16require immediate repairs. Meanwhile, Kandahar, a city with critical historical importance, saw asignificant increase in dalan construction, rising from 26 in 1966 to 121 by 2023. These newerdalans, though often located on dead-end streets, overlap with historical areas (northwest quarter)containing houses over 150 years old, raising concerns about preservation. The total length of dalansin Kandahar (1,118 meters) surpasses Herat's (829 meters), contributing to a more enclosed, compacturban space where the dalans are shorter and narrower. This study also examines Herat's water supply and drainage systems. The historical water supplynetwork, branching from the Enjil Canal, was essential in providing water to critical public facilities.At the same time, the drainage system, though less well-documented, relied on a natural slope tomanage rainwater and wastewater. Since 2005, with the support of AKTC and the Herat Municipality,modem drainage systems have replaced the traditional ditches, transforming old urban spaces intomore structured areas, such as plazas. Kandahar's increasing number of dalans contrasts with Herat's decline, but both cities facechallenges in preserving their architectural heritage amidst modernization. The findings emphasizethe need for integrated conservation strategies that balance urban development with protectinghistorical and cultural landmarks.博士（工学）http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06琉球大学University of the Ryukyu

Book Review: Gill Perry. 2024. Islands and Contemporary Art

http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_650

A variant in HMMR/HMMR-AS1 is associated with serum alanine aminotransferase levels in the Ryukyu population

The Ryukyu archipelago is located southwest of the Japanese islands, and people originally from this region, the Ryukyu population, have a unique genetic background distinct from that of other populations, including people from mainland Japan. However, few genetic studies have focused on the Ryukyu population. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT, n = 15,224), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, n = 15,203), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT, n = 14,496) in the Ryukyu population. We found 13 loci with a genome-wide significant association (P < 5 × 10⁻⁸), three for ALT, four for AST, and six for GGT, including one novel locus associated with ALT: rs117595134-A in HMMR/HMMR-AS1, ß =  − 0.131, standard error = 0.024, P = 4.90 × 10⁻⁸. Rs117595134-A is common in the Japanese population but is not observed in other ethnic populations in the 1000 genomes database. Additionally, 77 of 80 loci derived from Korean GWAS and 541 of 716 loci from European GWAS showed the same directions of effect (P = 1.41 × 10⁻¹⁹, P = 2.50 × 10⁻⁴⁴, binomial test), indicating that most of susceptibility loci are shared between the Ryukyu population and other ethnic populations.http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_650

The Start of Bicycle Parts Standardization Through Transformations of Local Supply Chain

Despite the fact that much of the existing literature on Global Value Chains (GVCs) notes that bicycle parts are modular, it has thus far largely failed to identify exactly how bicycle parts were standardized in international markets. This paper uses national statistics, contemporary dissertations, and descriptions provided in both Japanese and German trade publications in order to focus on how bicycles became a modular product by the middle of 1930s. Analysis of that key question reveals that the transformation of local supply base triggered the technological upgrading of the Japanese bicycle parts industry and this transformation was supported by the Japanese export-oriented regime.http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_184

Development of Instructional Materials and Teaching Plan Regarding Polygraphs

Instructional materials and teaching plans related to polygraphs, which many students vaguely know in real life, were developed to experimentally learn both energy conversion technology and information technology. The purpose of the materials is 1) to understand how to convert a resistance value into a voltage value using a resistance voltage divider, 2) to understand the procedure for digitizing information and AD conversion, and 3) to solve problems by programming. A trial lesson was conducted for 12 university students to verify the developed instructional materials and teaching planning. A questionnaire survey after the lessons showed that the difficulty in making the material was appropriate and it is suitable for understanding electrical circuits and information digitization, and for learning programming.http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_650

A new record of Hypera (Hypera) postica (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from Ishigaki-jima Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan: Extracted from the stomach contents of two anuran species, Fejervarya sakishimensis Matsui, Toda & Ota and Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Amphibia)

ゾウムシ科の外来種アルファルファタコゾウムシ(タコゾウムシ亜科)を石垣島から初めて記録した.本種の成虫3個体が,在来のサキシマヌマガエルおよび外来のオオヒキガエルの胃内容物として検出された.A non-native curculionid weevil species, Hypera (Hypera) postica (Gyllenhal, 1813) (Hyperinae), was recorded for the first time from Ishigaki-jima Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Three individuals of H. (H.) postica were extracted from the stomach contents of two anuran species (Amphibia): a native frog species, Fejervarya sakishimensis Matsui, Toda & Ota, 2007 (Dicroglossidae), and an invasive toad species, Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bufonidae).http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_650

好酸球性副鼻腔炎における酪酸による2型炎症の抑制

Butyrate and other Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites from Bacteroides and Clostridium species that may suppress type 2 inflammation. However, the mechanisms of SCFAs in the nasal sinuses are not fully understood. We aimed to clarify the in vitro and in vivo roles of SCFAs in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) pathophysiology. We investigated whether SCFAs induced changes in type 2 cytokines, IgE, and apoptosis and the roles of GPR41, GPR43, and histone deacetylase. Analysis of the control subjects demonstrated that butyrate of SCFAs effectively inhibited type 2 cytokine production in PBMCs, ILC2s, and CD4+ T cells and IgE production in CD19+ B cells. In annexin V analysis, butyrate also induced late apoptosis of PBMCs. The butyrateinduced inhibition of type 2 cytokines appeared involved in histone deacetylase inhibition but not in GPR41 or GPR43. In an analysis of ECRS in humans, butyrate inhibited type 2 cytokine production in PBMCs and nasal polyp-derived cells. The butyrate concentration in nasal lavage fluid was significantly decreased in ECRS patients compared to controls and non-ECRS patients. Our findings confirm that butyrate can inhibit type 2 inflammation and may be a potential therapeutic target for ECRS.博士（医学）http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06琉球大学University of the Ryukyu

腐食した鋼桁端部のせん断耐力評価および補修に関する研究

Steel girders are vulnerable to corrosion due to prolonged exposure to deicing agents, humidity, and inadequate ventilation, particularly at girder ends. These regions are crucial for resisting shear forces, and corrosion can significantly reduce shear strength and load-carrying capacity. This study investigates the impact of corrosion-induced web thinning on shear strength through a numerical approach, considering several levels of corrosion damage· and the damage height. Eigenvalue analysis evaluates buckling modes and shear buckling coefficients, showing that as corrosion progresses between the web. and. lower flange, boundary conditions change, leadin to a gradual decline in buckling strength. Increasing corrosion height further accelerates reductions in both buckling and post-buckling strength. To assess more severe corrosion, a model was developed for web panels with through-thickness cracks between the web and lower flange, accounting for boundary continuity loss and its effect on shear resistance. Numerical and experimental results indicate that when corrosion affects more than half of the web's length, shear strength deteriorates significantly due to shifts in buckling modes and tension field action. Advanced corrosion patterns, such as web detachment from the lower flange, further reduce post-buckling strength by altering the tension field and plastic hinge locations. Furthermore, a study on real bridge conditions with even heavier corrosion damage reveals severe shear strength decline when both the web and lower flange sustain damage. Corrosion spreading transversely across the flange, combined with web panel deterioration, leads to web-flange disconnection, causing local yielding and a sudden reduction in post-buckling shear strength. After evaluating corrosion-induced shear strength loss, this study explores CFRP as a strengthening solution with cost-effectiveness as a main parameter. CFRP's high tensile strength and lightweight properties enhance shear buckling strength, with no notable difference between full and partial.coverage for web panels without severe localized damage. The study further identifies optimal CFRP fiber orientation for restoring post-buckling shear strength. While CFRP has been applied to repair damaged girders, this study extends the analysis to severe corrosion cases involving web detachment and lower flange damage. Results demonstrate that CFRP reinforcement effectively mitigates shear strength loss, even in extreme cases, by restoring structural capacity and preventing excessive shear deterioration when strategically applied. Overall, this study provides insights into corrosion-induced shear strength deterioration in steel girder ends, evaluating the limitations of the average web thickness approach and severe corrosion effects. Findings highlight the progressive decline in shear strength and web detachment effects while demonstrating CFRP's effectiveness in restoring shear resistance.博士（工学）http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06琉球大学University of the Ryukyu

琉球列島サンゴ礁域に生息するアワモチ科(軟体動物:腹側綱)の多様性、分布および食用利用に関する研究

Family Onchiiidae consists of air-breathing sea slug that lack internal or external shell. They are mostly found in intertidal areas across globe, except in the polar regions, and inhabit marine habitats. Although they are known to be commonly distributed in tropical to temperate of Indo-West Pacific region, information about the diversity of family Onchidiidae in the Ryukyu Islands is greatly lacking. Particularly, genus Peronia serves as an important traditional food source on many islands of the Ryukyus, but due to extremely similar gross morphology among the species, frequent misidentification of this family occurred in guidebooks and literatures. Accurate species identification requires detailed taxonomic analyses that incorporate molecular and morphological datasets, and literature reviews. Thus, in this thesis, I focused on three genera of family Onchidiidae; Peronia, Wallaconchis and Onchidella inhabit intertidal coral reef environments, and aimed to accomplish three goals. Firstly, I investigated the species diversity and distribution ranges of three genera across 40 intertidal areas in 11 islands of the Ryukyu Islands, with Chapter 1 focused specifically on genus Peronia and Chapter 2 adressed genera Wallaconchis and Onchidella. As a results of mitochondrial DNA barcoding using COI and 16S regions, the Ryukyu Islands harbor at least eight species from three genera; four species of Peronia (P. verruculata, P. peronii, P. okinawensis, and P. setoensis), three species of Wallaconchis (W. ater, W. nangkauriensis, and Wallaconchis sp.) and one species of Onchidella (Onchidella sp.). Species of Peronia distributed Iriomote-jima to Yakushima islands, and Wallaconchis and Onchidella are distributed in Okinawa-jima to Kikai-jima. Alive photographs of each species are also provided as potential identification tools, as well as to understand the colour variations observed within the species. Secondly, to enhance the molecular datasets of family Onchidiidae in public repositories, I aimed to provide the complete mitochondrial genomes of genus Peronia. The characteristics of mitogenomes of four species of Peronia are described in Chapter 4, with the first records of P. okinawensis and P. setoensis. It revealed that all species shared the same gene orientation and arrangement as previously described mitogenomes in family Onchidiidae. Thirdly, I aimed to explore the traditional Peronia fishery across eight islands through in-person interview with locals in Chapter 5. The Peronia fishery was observed from eight islands, either as active practice or one that has diminished over time. While locals recognized Peronia as a food source by locals, but familiarity with them varied slightly across eight islands. Overall, this thesis has revealed that currently the Ryukyu Islands hold the highest species diversity of genus Peronia, with four species coinhabit the same intertidal areas, as well as five species from three genera sympatrically existed. Although species of Onchidiidae can be currently considered as “common” in the Ryukyu Islands, more studies are needed to investigate the relationships between their diversity and the impacts of artificial disturbances, coastal developments, and overexploitations in intertidal areas to protect this unique biodiversity.博士（理学）http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_db06琉球大学University of the Ryukyu