A new approach to estimate fine root production, mortality, and decomposition using litter bag experiments and soil core techniques

[Aims] A new approach is proposed to estimate fine root production, mortality, and decomposition that occur simultaneously in terrestrial ecosystems utilizing sequential soil core sampling or ingrowth core techniques. [Methods] The calculation assumes knowledge of the decomposition rate of dead fine roots during a given time period from a litter bag experiment. A mass balance model of organic matter derived from live fine roots is applied with an assumption about fine root mortality and decomposition to estimate decomposed dead fine roots from variables that can be quantified. [Results] Comparison of the estimated fine root dynamics with the decision matrix method and three new methods (forward estimate, continuous inflow estimate, and backward estimate) in a ca. 80-year-old Chamaecyparis obtusa plantation in central Japan showed that the decision matrix nearly always underestimated production, mortality, and decomposition by underscoring the values of the forward estimate, which theoretically underestimates the true value. The fine root production and mortality obtained by the decision matrix were on average 14% and 38% lower than those calculated by the continuous inflow estimate method. In addition, the values by the continuous inflow estimate method were always between those calculated by the forward estimate and backward estimate methods. The latter is known to overestimate the true value. [Conclusions] Therefore, we consider that the continuous inflow estimate method provides the best estimates of fine root production, mortality, and decomposition among the four approaches compared

Glycolate is a Novel Marker of Vitamin B2 Deficiency Involved in Gut Microbe Metabolism in Mice

Microbes in the human gut play a role in the production of bioactive compounds, including some vitamins. Although several studies attempted to identify definitive markers for certain vitamin deficiencies, the role of gut microbiota in these deficiencies is unclear. To investigate the role of gut microbiota in deficiencies of four vitamins, B2, B6, folate, and B12, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of metabolites in mice treated and untreated with antibiotics. We identified glycolate (GA) as a novel marker of vitamin B2 (VB2) deficiency, and show that gut microbiota sense dietary VB2 deficiency and accumulate GA in response. The plasma GA concentration responded to reduced VB2 supply from both the gut microbiota and the diet. These results suggest that GA is a novel marker that can be used to assess whether or not the net supply of VB2 from dietary sources and gut microbiota is sufficient. We also found that gut microbiota can provide short-term compensation for host VB2 deficiency when dietary VB2 is withheld

教職を志望する大学生の特別支援教育に関する知識や指導上の不安 : 通常の学級の担当教員を志す学部生を対象として

通常の学級の担当教員を志望する大学生を対象として、特別支援教育に関する基礎的知識、ならびに特別な教育的支援を必要とする児童生徒の指導を担当することの不安等についてアンケート調査を行った。特別支援教育に関する基礎的知識に関しては、特別支援学校のセンター的機能や特別支援教育コーディネーターについての定着度が低かった。特別な教育的支援を必要とする児童生徒の指導を担当することの不安等に関しては、「学習指導」においては「適切な指導ができるか」「知識不足」、「学習環境の整備」においては「知識不足」「適切な整備ができるか」、「生徒指導と学級経営」においては「周囲の児童生徒に対する障害理解教育」「知識不足」「経験不足」「児童生徒どうしの関係づくり」、「保護者や校内外の関係機関との連携」においては、「保護者と良好な関係を築くことができるか」「保護者にむけた障害理解教育」、「その他」においては「漠然とした不安がある」「全般的な知識不足」という回答の数が上位にのぼった。A questionnaire survey was conducted on basic knowledge and concerns about teaching students with special educational needs among undergraduate students who wish to become regular classroom teachers. Regarding basic knowledge of special needs education, the level of familiarity with the central functions of special needs schools and special needs education coordinators was low. Regarding concerns about teaching students with special educational needs, respondents answered as follows: 1) “Insufficient knowledge” and “Can I provide appropriate guidance?” in “Guidance for learning”; 2) “Insufficient knowledge” and “Can I provide appropriate improvement of learning environment?” in “Maintenance of learning environment”; 3) “Education to understand disabilities for surrounding students,” “Insufficient knowledge,” “Lack of experience,” “Building relationships among students” in “Student guidance and classroom management”; 4) “Can I built a good relationship with students’ parents?” and “Education to understand disabilities for students’ parents” in “Cooperation with parents and related organizations inside and outside the school”; 5) “Vague sense of anxiety” and “Overall poor knowledge” in the “others” category.本稿は、日本特殊教育学会第60回大会において発表した内容に加筆・修正を加えたものである

The potential role of temperate Japanese regions as refugia for the coral Acropora hyacinthus in the face of climate change

As corals in tropical regions are threatened by increasing water temperatures, poleward range expansion of reef-building corals has been observed, and temperate regions are expected to serve as refugia in the face of climate change. To elucidate the important indicators of the sustainability of coral populations, we examined the genetic diversity and connectivity of the common reef-building coral Acropora hyacinthus along the Kuroshio Current, including recently expanded (<50 years) populations. Among the three cryptic lineages found, only one was distributed in temperate regions, which could indicate the presence of Kuroshio-associated larval dispersal barriers between temperate and subtropical regions, as shown by oceanographic simulations as well as differences in environmental factors. The level of genetic diversity gradually decreased towards the edge of the species distribution. This study provides an example of the reduced genetic diversity in recently expanded marginal populations, thus indicating the possible vulnerability of these populations to environmental changes. This finding underpins the importance of assessing the genetic diversity of newly colonized populations associated with climate change for conservation purposes. In addition, this study highlights the importance of pre-existing temperate regions as coral refugia, which has been rather underappreciated in local coastal management

"Matkalla jo jutellaan, mitähän mielenkiintoista taas saa kuulla" : Äänikirjalukupiiri Vaasan kaupunginkirjastossa

Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää kvalitatiivisten menetelmien avulla lukupiiriläisten kokemuksellisuutta. Opinnäytetyössäni painotettiin äänikirjojen lukemisen kokemuksellisuutta. Vertailututkimuksessa käytettiin perinteisempää, painettuja teoksia lukevaa kirjallisuuspiiriä. Tutkimusongelmaan pyrittiin hakemaan vastauksia seuraavien kysymysten kautta: miksi halutaan kuulua lukupiirin, mitä luetaan, millaisista aiheista keskustellaan, kuinka lukupiirissä lukeminen eroaa yksinlukemisesta, mikä merkitys lukupiirin kuulumisella ja siihen liittyvällä kanssakäymisellä on, ja miten äänikirjalukeminen koetaan. Lisäksi selvitettiin, kuinka äänikirjalukupiirissä lukeminen eroaa niin sanotussa perinteisessä lukupiirissä lukemisesta. Kvalitatiivisina tutkimusmetodeina käytettiin havainnointia ja haastatteluja. Äänikirjalukupiirissä havainnointitapaamisia oli kaksi ja vertailulukupiirissä yksi kerta. Molemmista lukupiireistä haastattelin kuutta piiriläistä, eli yhteensä 12 jäsentä. Lukupiiriin kuulumisen perusteluja käsiteltiin seuraavien ulottuvuuksien kautta: lukemisen merkitys, kokemus lukijana, keskustelut lukukokemuksista ja muiden aiheiden merkitys, lukupiirin jäsenten välinen sosiaalinen kanssakäyminen sekä lukija yhteisöllisen lukupiirin jäsenenä. Tutkimustulosten mukaan lukupiireihin hakeuduttiin laajemman kirjallisuudentuntemuksen saamiseksi, yhteisen keskustelun ja lukukokemusten jakamisen vuoksi. Äänikirjalukupiiriin kuulumisessa korostettiin laajemman mahdollisuuden saamista kirjallisuuden harrastamiseen, aineiston tärkeää ja helppoa saamista kerhon kautta. Celian rinkiin pääsy kerhon kautta oli osa koettua merkitystä. Lukupiirien sosiaalisissa kontakteissa pyrittiin ” helppouteen perustuvaan ystävyyteen”, jossa ryhmään hakeudutaan viihtymään ja nauttimaan yhdessäolosta. Lukupiirien sosiaaliset suhteet koettiin työelämän suhteiden korvaajina. Koettiin oppimisen iloa, itsetuntemuksen lisääntymistä, antamisen ja auttamisen iloa. Muutostoiveet liitettiin keskustelun parantamiseen, tietoisuuden lisääntymiseen ja omaan oppimiseen.The aim of the study was to examine, through qualitative methods, experience among the literature circle. The thesis study emphasized experience during the reading of audio books. In addition, differences between an audio book circle and a traditional literature circle were studied. The research questions were the following: why the members want to participate in literature circles; what books are read; what kinds of issues are discussed; how reading in a literature circle differs from reading alone; what participating in a literature circle means to the participants, and what the participants thought about the listening of audio books. In addition, it was examined how the reading of audio books differs from reading in a traditional literature circle. I used qualitative methods, observation and interviews. I interviewed six members of an audio books circle and six members of the literature circle. Arguments for membership in a reading circle were analysed thought the following dimensions: the significance of reading, experience as a reader, discussions about reading experiences others methods meaning of the reading, experience as reader, discussions from read experiences and the significance of others topics, interaction between the members of the literature circles, and the reader as a member in a communal reading circle. According to the results, the interviewees joined the literature circles in order to improve their knowledge of literature, to have common discussions, and to share reading experiences. The members of the audio book circle emphasized the opportunity to take an interest in literature and easy access to materials through the club. Becoming a customer of Celia through the circle was part of its perceived significance. In the social contacts in the reading circles, “friendship based on easiness” was sought. The social relationships within the group were perceived as a substitute to relationships in working life

Inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks—incidence, effect, and implications for driver licensing

PurposePatients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have an ongoing risk of sudden incapacitation that may cause traffic accidents. However, there are limited data on the magnitude of this risk after inappropriate ICD therapies. We studied the rate of syncope associated with inappropriate ICD therapies to provide a scientific basis for formulating driving restrictions.MethodsInappropriate ICD therapy event data between 1997 and 2014 from 50 Japanese institutions were analyzed retrospectively. The annual risk of harm (RH) to others posed by a driver with an ICD was calculated for private driving habits. We used a commonly employed annual RH to others of 5 in 100,000 (0.005%) as an acceptable risk threshold.ResultsOf the 4089 patients, 772 inappropriate ICD therapies occurred in 417 patients (age 61 ± 15 years, 74% male, and 65% secondary prevention). Patients experiencing inappropriate therapies had a mean number of 1.8 ± 1.5 therapy episodes during a median follow-up period of 3.9 years. No significant differences were found in the age, sex, or number of inappropriate therapies between patients receiving ICDs for primary or secondary prevention. Only three patients (0.7%) experienced syncope associated with inappropriate therapies. The maximum annual RH to others after the first therapy in primary and secondary prevention patients was calculated to be 0.11 in 100,000 and 0.12 in 100,000, respectively.ConclusionsWe found that the annual RH from driving was far below the commonly cited acceptable risk threshold. Our data provide useful information to supplement current recommendations on driving restrictions in ICD patients with private driving habits

A Role for KLF4 in Promoting the Metabolic Shift via TCL1 during Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation

Reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is accompanied by morphological, functional, and metabolic alterations before acquisition of full pluripotency. Although the genome-wide effects of the reprogramming factors on gene expression are well documented, precise mechanisms by which gene expression changes evoke phenotypic responses remain to be determined. We used a Sendai virus-based system that permits reprogramming to progress in a strictly KLF4-dependent manner to screen for KLF4 target genes that are critical for the progression of reprogramming. The screening identified Tcl1 as a critical target gene that directs the metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. KLF4-induced TCL1 employs a two-pronged mechanism, whereby TCL1 activates AKT to enhance glycolysis and counteracts PnPase to diminish oxidative phosphorylation. These regulatory mechanisms described here highlight a central role for a reprogramming factor in orchestrating the metabolic shift toward the acquisition of pluripotency during iPSC generation