Study on the foundation of "the Country Farm" focused on children's field education at a local community

本研究は，広島大学東広島キャンパス近隣に住む地域住民の一部が中心となって子供達のためのフィールド教育を目的として企画した「ふれあいカントリーファーム」の設立過程を調査したものである．本研究では，「ふれあいカントリーファーム」の地域における位置づけや存在意義，課題などを考察することを目的とした．調査はファームのスタッフや地域住民に対するインタビューを中心とし，その解析にはM-GTA を用いた．研究の結果，一部のスタッフの間にはファーム設立に対する意識の相違が認められた．また，スタッフ以外の地域住民のファームに対する意識は概ね否定的で，ファームにおける動物管理に対する不安や，活動に際しての衛生面に対する不安，活動の安全面を疑問視する声などが挙がった．本ファームを地域の教育拠点の一つとして位置づけるには，地域住民に対する丁寧な説明が必要であることが示唆された．This study investigated the process of the foundation of “the Country Farm,” a educational facility that is focused on children’s agricultural field education at a local community. The study discussed not only the significance of the farm for local residents but also problems at issue for the foundation of the farm. We interviewed the farm’s employees and locals about “the Country Farm” and analyzed the data with M-GTA. The results showed that employees’ perception of the farm varied. On one hand, the local residents’ perception of the farm was mostly negative, especially on points such as the management of animals raised at the farm, sanitation related to keeping the animals, and children’s safety during educational activities. These results suggest that the farm should actively keep local residents informed so as to become a local center for the field education of children

The teaching effectiveness of the food and agricultural education classes for the students belonging to other universities held in the farm attached to Hiroshima University (the educational center of joint credits)

広島大学附属農場は，平成22年度から文部科学省の「教育関係共同利用拠点」に認定され，現在，他大学の学生に対する３つの食農フィールド演習を提供している．そこで本研究では，平成29年の夏に他大学向けに実施された演習の教育効果を検証するために，受講生にアンケート調査を実施した．３つの演習にはそれぞれ教育効果が認められたが，その一方で教育方法の改善の余地のあることが示唆された．Since 2010, the Ministry of Education has authorized the farm attached to Hiroshima University to operate as an educational center for joint credits. The university farm currently offers three classes in food and agriculture education to students belonging to other universities. Questionnaires were conducted to study the effectiveness of teaching on the students who attended the three classes held in summer 2017. We found that the classes had an educational effect on the students who attended them; however, there was still room for improvement in the education technique.本論文はJSPS科研費JP16H03025の助成を受けたものである

Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) exploit food sources across anaerobic decomposition- and primary photosynthetic production-based food chains

Dietary information from aquatic organisms is instrumental in predicting biological interactions and understanding ecosystem functionality. In freshwater habitats, generalist fish species can access a diverse array of food sources from multiple food chains. These may include primary photosynthetic production and detritus derived from both oxic and anoxic decomposition. However, the exploitation of anoxic decomposition products by fish remains insufficiently explored. This study examines feeding habits of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) at both adult and juvenile stages within a tropical reservoir, using stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope ratios (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S, respectively) and fatty acid (FA) analyses. The adult catfish exhibited higher δ¹⁵N values compared to primary consumers that feed on primary photosynthetic producers, which suggests ingestion of food sources originating from primary photosynthetic production-based food chains. On the other hand, juvenile catfish demonstrated lower δ¹⁵N values than primary consumers, correlating with low δ³⁴S value and large proportions of bacterial FA but contained small proportions of polyunsaturated FA. This implies that juveniles utilize food sources from both anoxic decomposition and primary photosynthetic production-based food chains. Our results indicate that food chains based on anoxic decomposition can indeed contribute to the dietary sources of tropical fish species

Animal-Assisted Education in Kindergarten : Mental growth through a relationship between an aged rabbit and children

本研究は,附属三原幼稚園の高齢化したウサギと幼児のかかわりについて,保育学・動物介在教育学・人間動物関係学の観点から観察・考察することで,幼児の心を育む支援のあり方を明らかにすることを目的とした。今回の研究を通して,高齢化したウサギとの関わりを通した心の育みについて次の4点が明らかになった。① ウサギの状況を感じることができるように,子どもたち自身の過去の経験や現在と関連づけながら言葉がけをする。②飼育方法を習得する際には,具体的なかかわり方を知ること,人間に置き換えながら理解できるようにすること,かかわり方の根拠になる理由や適切な情報を添えることが大事である。③子どもたちのウサギに対する思いが実現できるような環境構成を配慮する。④ 子どもたちの個人差に応じるとともに,丁寧にかかわろうとする教師の姿勢やみんなで話し合う時間や場が必要である。The purpose of this study is to let an old rabbit's and a child's relationship develop and to increase empathy. The method of research accumulated session records. The study found four points. (1) A teacher's assistance is required to relate a child's past experience to the present. (2) The child needs to develop an understanding of the suitable basis of a method, when developing. (3) The environment where a child can make a rabbit important is required. (4) The teacher's gentle assistance appropriate to the child's individual differences is required

Animal-Assisted Education in Kindergarten : Mental growth through the relationship between a rabbit and the children

本研究は幼児の心の育みとなる飼育動物を介在した教育の指針を策定することを目的とする。幼稚園で飼育している高齢ウサギに子どもたちはどのように思いを寄せ，その過程で子どもの心がどう育まれるのか，ということを子どもの姿から見とり，そのためにどのような教師のかかわりが大切であるのかを明らかにしていく。研究の方法は，年長児が職員室で飼育しているキララにかかわっている様子や，当番活動の様子，日々キララについて話題にしているときの子どもたちの様子を参与観察しエピソードとして記録し，キララとのかかわりを通して子どもたちの心がどのように育まれているか考察していくこととした。この研究により，飼育動物の様子を知り，思いを寄せるための小さな積み重ねを支える教師のかかわりや場の設定・身近なモデルとしての教師の存在・子どもの思いや行動を価値づける教師の援助・飼育動物のためを考えてできることをやってみる姿を支える教師のかかわり・子どもの思いを丁寧にみとり，飼育動物とかかわる過程を大切にする教師のかかわり・自分の思いに向き合えるような場の設定や教師のかかわりといった教師の環境・援助が大切であることが明らかになった。This study aims to formulate Animal-Assisted Education guidelines. It was hypothesized that children would experience mental growth through formulating a relationship with a rabbit. We examined the process of mental growth and the ways in which teachers should assist pupils’ development. The method of this study involved conducting participatory fieldwork and recording the behavior of children who were interacting with an elderly rabbit (performing certain duties, communicating with the rabbit, and so on). The results of the research regarding teachers’ involvement in this process revealed five key points: (1) teachers should talk to children about the breeding of animals, (2) teachers serve as role models for children, (3) teachers characterize worth a child’s thoughts, (4) teachers should carefully comprehend what the children think, and 5) teachers should help with the process of shaping children’s behavior. The results of the research into environment configuration for young children raised two important points: (1) Children can become interested in an elderly rabbit and (2) children’s thoughts enable one to face their own thoughts

シンチレーティングGlass GEMを用いた炭素線の線量分布測定に関する研究（3）

[Purpose] In the dose distribution measurement for QA / QC in high-precision radiation therapy such as particle therapy, high accuracy and high spatial resolution is required. This research group has been developing a detector for high-spatial resolution two-dimensional dose distribution measurement using glass GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier) and scintillation gas. Based on the measurement results so far, it is known that this detector has small LET dependence, and it is expected to be applied to dose distribution measurement of particle therapy. In this study, a test QA plan for heavy particle radiation therapy was prepared and two-dimensional distribution measurement using this detector was carried out. [Methods] In this detector, the ionization distribution in the scintillation gas is electronically amplified by a glass GEM. Then, the distribution of the generated light is captured from the back side of the ITO (Tin-doped Indium Oxide) transparent electrode of the Anode portion by using a cooled CCD camera. Irradiation experiments were carried out using 290 MeV/u carbon ion beam at NIRS-HIMAC. A geometric dose distribution was formed using a bolus collimator, and the dose distribution of the treatment planning device was compared with the light quantity distribution measured by this detector. [Results] The light quantity distribution obtained by this detector corresponded to the dose distribution of the treatment plan relatively, but the accuracy of the low dose area was reduced. And, it was found that it is necessary to investigate the stability, such as discharge occurred in the high dose area when the gain was increased. It is considered that optimization such as explication of the cause of deterioration in accuracy of the low dose region and adjustment of the GEM gain is necessary. [Conclusion] Although the light quantity distribution corresponding to the dose distribution of carbon beam was obtained from this detector, in order to use it for QA etc., improvement in accuracy and stability is necessary.第117回日本医学物理学会学術大

Emerging Roles of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Stimulated Gene-6 in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) is a 35-kDa glycoprotein that has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models of arthritis, acute myocardial infarction, and acute cerebral infarction. Several lines of evidence have shed light on the pathophysiological roles of TSG-6 in atherosclerosis. TSG-6 suppresses inflammatory responses of endothelial cells, neutrophils, and macrophages as well as macrophage foam cell formation and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation. Exogenous TSG-6 infusion and endogenous TSG-6 attenuation with a neutralizing antibody for four weeks retards and accelerates, respectively, the development of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-deficient mice. TSG-6 also decreases the macrophage/VSMC ratio (a marker of plaque instability) and promotes collagen fibers in atheromatous plaques. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), plasma TSG-6 levels are increased and TSG-6 is abundantly expressed in the fibrous cap within coronary atheromatous plaques, indicating that TSG-6 increases to counteract the progression of atherosclerosis and stabilize the plaque. These findings indicate that endogenous TSG-6 enhancement and exogenous TSG-6 replacement treatments are expected to emerge as new lines of therapy against atherosclerosis and related CAD. Therefore, this review provides support for the clinical utility of TSG-6 in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases