Effects of a basketball unit in a physical education class on junior high school students’ physical fitness

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a basketball unit in a junior high school physical education class on participating students’ physical fitness. The subjects were 26 male students who were in first year of junior high school. Over six physical-education classes, the participants played mini-basketball games. We measured objective outcomes using a pre- and post-unit skill test (30-second free-throw shooting test) and a pre- and post-unit fitness test (150-meter sprint, comprising six 25-meter sprints with changes of direction, and with 30-second rests in between). At the end of each session, we administered subjective questionnaire surveys to the students regarding technique and tactics technical skills, physical fitness, and psychological aspects. After completing the program, another questionnaire was conducted regarding performance skill, attitude, and knowledge and decision-making. The main results were as follows: 1. The average of scores and shots in the skill test did not significantly differ between the pre- and post-unit tests. 2. Average performance in the fitness test was significantly higher in the post-unit test. Based on our findings, we conclude that this basketball-teaching program is effective for enhancing physical fitness levels; however, no improvements in technique were observed

Good Movement in Rhythmic Dance: Time, Space, and Weight

This study focused on time, space, and weight from the perspective of good movement in rhythmic dance. The effect of guidance was verified. Specifically, the following two research subjects are presented: i.e., (1) we examine the change in rhythmic dance skills after an explanation about the three perspectives of good movement; (2) we examine the change in rhythmic dance skills using the breath (e.g., onomatopoeia). As a result, the following three points were clarified: (1) dance skills were improved by explaining good movement from the perspectives of time, space, and weight; (2) in being conscious of breathing (onomatopoeia) during rhythmic dance, it is easy to express rhythm with the body and it is effective in improving timing skills; and (3) dancing while sounding onomatopoeia has the potential of improving emotional aspects, predictive/judgmental abilities, and memory

Qualitative research on the transformative capabilities of a captain’s remarks and his leadership with a university baseball club

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of a baseball captain’s remarks and examine the transformation of his leadership capabilities with a university baseball club. The investigation methods in this research included analyzing the captain’s remarks during a team meeting, interviewing the captain, and conducting a questionnaire about leadership. The following results were revealed. 1. The captain’s primary remarks concerned providing feedback to members of the team. At the onset, the captain’s remarks were aimed at creating and developing a new team. However, the captain’s remarks gradually increased to be more about improving motivation and having players be “conscious” of the game as the actual game approached. 2. The captain had an ideal concept of what a team should be and he displayed his leadership based on this ideal. As a result, the team gradually got closer to his ideal because of the captain’s consistent display of leadership that emphasized his policy

A Fundamental Study on the Current Situation of Physical Education in Zambia: Focusing on School Physical Education and Physical Education Teacher Training

This study aims to clarify the current condition of physical education in Zambia, focusing on school physical education and its teacher training. The specific research goals are as follows: (1) To clarify the characteristics of school physical education based on the educational system and curriculum contents in Zambia. (2) To clarify the actual state and issues of school physical education by reviewing observed learning topics and cases of school physical education lessons in Zambia. (3) To clarify the actual state of and issues for pre-service teaching, based on the teacher training system and interview research from physical education staff from colleges of education and other universities in Zambia. (4) To develop suggestions for Zambia, based on the above three points, for physical education and sports cooperation as concerning its future. The current study shows that there are not enough exercise facilities and physical education materials for school physical education in Zambia and that physical education teachers in primary and secondary school and physical education teacher educators have insufficient practical teaching skills.本研究は平成27年~29年度科学研究費補助金・基盤研究(C)〔課題番号 : 15K01522〕（研究代表者：齊藤一彦）の補助を受けて行われた

Roosting ecology of endangered plant‐roosting bats on Okinawa Island: Implications for bat‐friendly forestry practices

Roosting information is crucial to guiding bat conservation and bat-friendly forestry practices. The Ryukyu tube-nosed bat Murina ryukyuana (Endangered) and Yanbaru whiskered bat Myotis yanbarensis (Critically Endangered) are forest-dwelling bats endemic to the central Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. Despite their threatened status, little is known about the roosting ecology of these species and the characteristics of natural maternity roosts are unknown. To inform sustainable forestry practices and conservation management, we radio-tracked day roosts of both species in the subtropical forests of Okinawa's Kunigami Village District. We compared roost and roost site characteristics statistically between M. ryukyuana nonmaternity roosts (males or nonreproductive females), maternity roosts, and all M. yanbarensis roosts. Generalized linear models were used to investigate roost site selection by M. ryukyuana irrespective of sex and age class. Lastly, we compiled data on phenology from this and prior studies. Nonreproductive M. ryukyuana roosted alone and primarily in understory foliage. Murina ryukyuana maternity roosts were limited to stands >50 years old, and ~60% were in foliage. Myotis yanbarensis roosted almost entirely in cavities along gulch bottoms and only in stands >70 years old (~1/3 of Kunigami's total forest area). Murina ryukyuana maternity roosts were higher (4.3 ± 0.6 m) than conspecific nonmaternity roosts (2.3 ± 0.5 m; p <.001) and M. yanbarensis roosts (2.7 ± 0.5 m; not significant). Model results were inconclusive. Both species appear to be obligate plant roosters throughout their life cycle, but the less flexible roosting preferences of M. yanbarensis may explain its striking rarity. To conserve these threatened bats, we recommend the following forestry practices: (a) reduce clearing of understory vegetation, (b) refrain from removing trees along streams, (c) promote greater tree cavity densities by protecting old-growth forests and retaining snags, and (d) refrain from removing trees or understory between April and July, while bats are pupping.コウモリのねぐらに関する生態学的な情報はコウモリの保全とそれを考慮する森林の施業のために重要である。リュウキュウテングコウモリMurina ryukyuana（絶滅危惧）とヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリMyotis yanbarensis（絶滅寸前）は森林性コウモリで、日本の琉球列島中部における固有種である。絶滅の恐れがある種にもかかわらず、これらの種のねぐらに関する生態については情報が不足しており、自然条件下における母子集団のねぐらの特徴は明らかになっていない。持続可能な森林施業と保全に関わる情報を提供するために、沖縄島国頭村における亜熱帯林で両種の昼間のねぐらの場所や特徴を、ラジオテレメトリー法によって個体を追跡することによって調査した。リュウキュウテングコウモリの非母子集団ねぐら（雄または非繁殖雌）、母子集団ねぐら、及び全てのヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリのねぐらの間で、ねぐらとねぐらの場所の特徴を統計的に比較した。一般化線形モデルを用いて、性別や年齢階級を考慮しない条件でリュウキュウテングコウモリによるねぐら場所の選好性を調査した。最後に、本研究と先行研究から、ねぐらに関わるフェノロジーに関するデータを収集・整理した。非生殖のリュウキュウテングコウモリは単独で、主に下層植生の葉をねぐらとして利用した。リュウキュウテングコウモリの母子集団のねぐらとしての利用は林齢50年以上の林分に限定され、約60％が葉であった。ヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリはほぼ完全に谷底の樹洞をねぐらとして利用し、ねぐらの形成は林齢70年以上の林分に限られていた（国頭村における森林面積の約1／3）。リュウキュウテングコウモリの母子集団ねぐらは同種の非母子集団ねぐら（2.3 ± 0.5 m; p < .001）とヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリのねぐら（2.7 ± 0.5 m; not significant）より高い位置にあった（4.3 ± 0.6 m）。モデルによる推定結果は決定的ではなかった。両種はライフサイクルの間ずっと偏性的な植物性コウモリであるようだが、ヤンバルホオヒゲコウモリの選好は柔軟性が低く、このことが本種の際だった希少性を説明する可能性がある。これらの絶滅危惧種であるコウモリを保全するためには、以下の森林施業が提案できる：（a）下層植生の除去を少なくすること、（b）渓流沿いの樹木の伐採を控えること、（c）高林齢の森林を保存し、枯死木も除去せず、樹洞の密度を確保すること、（d）コウモリが子育てしている時期である4月〜7月の間に、樹木と下層植生の除去を控えることである

Eisenhart Lift of 22--Dimensional Mechanics

The Eisenhart lift is a variant of geometrization of classical mechanics with $d$ degrees of freedom in which the equations of motion are embedded into the geodesic equations of a Brinkmann-type metric defined on $(d+2)$-dimensional spacetime of Lorentzian signature. In this work, the Eisenhart lift of $2$-dimensional mechanics on curved background is studied. The corresponding $4$-dimensional metric is governed by two scalar functions which are just the conformal factor and the potential of the original dynamical system. We derive a conformal symmetry and a corresponding quadratic integral, associated with the Eisenhart lift. The energy--momentum tensor is constructed which, along with the metric, provides a solution to the Einstein equations. Uplifts of $2$-dimensional superintegrable models are discussed with a particular emphasis on the issue of hidden symmetries. It is shown that for the $2$-dimensional Darboux--Koenigs metrics, only type I can result in Eisenhart lifts which satisfy the weak energy condition. However, some physically viable metrics with hidden symmetries are presented.Comment: 20 page

Electron microscopic and infrared spectral studies on the structure of alumina phases

Alumina produced by oxidation of aluminum in air was studied by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Infrared spectra of both alumina particles and alumina film oxidized in air showed an absorption peak at 10.8μm, though that of γ-Al_2O_3 particles showed a broad 13μm peak. On the basis of the infrared spectra and electron diffraction pattern, it was concluded that alumina produced by the oxidation of aluminum in air is η-Al_2O_3. The phase transition from η-phase to γ-phase and to α-phase took place at 900℃ and 1100℃, respectively. The relationships between infrared spectra and crystal structure of some alumina phases are discussed

Evaluating outcomes of the child and adolescent psychiatric unit: A prospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aims of this prospective study are to clarify the outcomes of child psychiatric inpatient treatment and to identify factors associated with patient improvement.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The attending psychiatrist used the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) to assess youths at admission to and discharge from a child and adolescent psychiatric unit in Japan(N = 126, mean age = 12.8, SD = 1.9). Hospital records gathered sociodemographic and clinical variables. In addition, youths and their primary caregivers assessed themselves using the Youth Self Report (YSR) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively. Longitudinal analyses compared each scales' baseline and discharge scores. We also examined factors associated with changes in functioning (CGAS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Longitudinal comparisons revealed that CGAS, CBCL and YSR scores showed improvement over time (CGAS: t = -14.40, p = 0.00; CBCL: t = 3.80, p = 0.00; YSR: t = 2.40, p = 0.02). Linear regressions determined that the factors associated with improvement in CGAS included age, lower CGAS scores at admission, frequency of group therapy and psychiatric diagnosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This evaluation of children and adolescents in an inpatient unit demonstrated clinical improvement over time and identified factors associated with said improvement.</p