Organizing Active Learning Models in Science Classes (2)

The purpose of this study is to organize active learning models in science classes. Through classroom practice from elementary school to upper secondary school, we observed the followings: 1) the "reciprocal of internalization and externalization," which means collaborative and cooperative learning, is the key to active learning in science lessons; 2) by creating a "subject skeleton," teachers can gain clarity regarding the promotion of deep learning and organize active learning models in science classes

Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam Survey for An Optical Counterpart of GW170817

We perform a $z$-band survey for an optical counterpart of a binary neutron star coalescence GW170817 with Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam. Our untargeted transient search covers $23.6$ deg$^2$ corresponding to the $56.6\%$ credible region of GW170817 and reaches the $50\%$ completeness magnitude of $20.6$ mag on average. As a result, we find 60 candidates of extragalactic transients, including J-GEM17btc (a.k.a. SSS17a/DLT17ck). While J-GEM17btc is associated with NGC 4993 that is firmly located inside the 3D skymap of GW170817, the other 59 candidates do not have distance information in the GLADE v2 catalog or NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED). Among 59 candidates, 58 are located at the center of extended objects in the Pan-STARRS1 catalog, while one candidate has an offset. We present location, $z$-band apparent magnitude, and time variability of the candidates and evaluate the probabilities that they are located inside of the 3D skymap of GW170817. The probability for J-GEM17btc is $64\%$ being much higher than those for the other 59 candidates ($9.3\times10^{-3}-2.1\times10^{-1}\%$). Furthermore, the possibility, that at least one of the other 59 candidates is located within the 3D skymap, is only $3.2\%$. Therefore, we conclude that J-GEM17btc is the most-likely and distinguished candidate as the optical counterpart of GW170817.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in PASJ (Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan

Organizing of Active Learning Models in Science Classes (2)

The purpose of this study is to organize active learning models in science classes. Through classroom practice from elementary school to upper secondary school, we observed the following: 1) the "reciprocal of internalization and externalization," which means collaborative and cooperative learning, is the key to active learning in science lessons; 2) by creating a "subject skeleton," teachers can gain clarity regarding the promotion of deep learning and organize active learning models in science classes

Changes in Pediatric Patient Trends in Eating and Swallowing Disorders: A Comparison between the First and Fifth Year after Establishment of the Special Needs Dental Center

A Special Needs Dental Center （hereafter referred to as the Center） was established at Showa University Dental Hospital in April 2012 to treat patients who need special care. In cooperation with the Division of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Hygiene and Oral Health is mainly engaged in the treatment of patients with eating and swallowing disorders. It has been five years since the establishment of the Center. The present study was aimed to establish an effective medical support method through a comparative study of changes in patient trends. A total of 65 patients who visited the Center from April 2017 to March 2018 were examined and their statistics were compared with those of 60 previously reported patients who initially visited the Center for medical examination in 2012. In 2012, many visits occurred during the nursing period; however, in 2017, the number of patients who visited after the weaning period increased. Other noted trends were increased diversity in primary disease, more patient referrals, fewer patients with severe swallowing dysfunction, and more patients with oral dysfunction. The necessity of eating and swallowing practice is thought to increase when lifestyle and oral environment change. The treatment of eating and swallowing disorders is important in the dental profession. Due to the introduction of insurance coverage in Japan in 2018 for developmental insufficiency of oral function, more pediatric patients with eating and swallowing disorders will likely be treated in the future

Real-world management of treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema : 2-year visual outcome focusing on the starting year of intervention from STREAT-DMO study

Background/aims To investigate the yearly change of real-world outcomes for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 2-year clinical intervention for treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Methods Retrospective analysis of aggregated, longitudinal medical records obtained from 27 retina specialised institutions in Japan from Survey of Treatment for DMO database. A total of 2049 treatment-naïve centre involving DMO eyes of which the initial intervention started between 2010 and 2015, and had been followed for 2 years, were eligible. As interventions, antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, local corticosteroids, macular photocoagulation and vitrectomy were defined. In each eye, baseline and final BCVA, the number of each intervention for 2 years was extracted. Each eye was classified by starting year of interventional treatment. Results Although baseline BCVA did not change by year, 2-year improvement of BCVA had been increased, and reached to +6.5 letters in the latest term. There is little difference among starting year about proportions of eyes which BCVA gained >15 letters, in contrast to those which lost >15 letters were decreased by year. The proportion of eyes receiving anti-VEGF therapy was dramatically increased, while those receiving the other therapies were gradually decreased. The proportion of eyes which maintained socially good vision of BCVA>20/40 has been increased and reached to 59.0% in the latest term. Conclusion For recent years, treatment patterns for DMO have been gradually but certainly changed; as a result, better visual gain, suppression of worsened eyes and better final BCVA have been obtained. Anti-VEGF therapy has become the first-line therapy and its injection frequency has been increasing

Active Learning Models in Science Classes

研究の第１年次に当たる本年は，理科におけるアクティブラーニング型授業の構造化に向けて，内化と外化の往還を取り入れた授業デザインとその実践に取り組み，具体的実践の蓄積を行った。小学校，中学校，高等学校それぞれで実践を行ったところ，１）学習内容の定着が図られる，２）発展的な内容や未習内容を生徒が主体的に理解することが可能である，３）協働的な学びの場面を加えることで理解の深化が図られる，４）どのような課題に取り組ませるのかといった課題の設定がカギである，５）アクティブラーニングであるか否かを判断するための要素を明らかにする必要がある，などの一定の成果と課題が明らかになった。The purpose of this study is to create active learning models in science classes. As the first-year research, the authors designed the classes which would include a round trip between externalization and internalization, and put them into practice. The designed models were adopted in elementary, junior high and senior high school classes. What have become clear are as the following; 1) Students’ acquisition of the learning contents can be promoted, 2) Students can understand advanced contents proactively, 3) Students’ learning can be deepened by adding collaborative activities, 4) The success or failure to active learning may depend on the quality of the tasks which students work on, 5) It is necessary to clarify the factors to determine active learning

Clinical Statistics for Dysphagia Patients ≦ 18 Years of Age in the Center of Special Needs Dentistry, April 2012-March 2013

In April 2012, the Center of Special Needs Dentistry (SND) was established at Showa University Dental Hospital to provide function training for children with eating and swallowing disorders. A statistical clinical assessment was performed on new patients ≤18 years of age who visited the Center over a 1-year period (April 2012–March 2013) to assess the conditions present at the initial visit. In all, 60 patients (29 boys, 31 girls, mean (± SD) age 4.2±4.1 years, range 0-18 years of age) were included in the study. Most patients were <1 year of age (32%) and most came from one of four cities in the Johnan area (Shinagawa City, Meguro City, Ota City and Setagaya City). The most common primary diseases at the initial visit were cerebral palsy and cleft lip and palate. The third largest patient group was of healthy children with oral function problem. Over 60% of patients attended the Center of SND because of an eating-related complaint. More than 50% of patients were obtaining nutrients via oral intake; the remaining patients were obtaining nutrients via non-oral or a combination of oral and non-oral intake. Because of the young age of the patients and the fact that most were from neighboring areas, it can be inferred that effective community health care is being provided. It is necessary for the Center of SND to continue to provide professional treatment for dysphagia and to contribute to community medicine

The Role of Science Education in the Construction of a Knowledge-Based Society

知識基盤社会における理科の役割は，科学的に探究する活動を通して得られた結果（情報）を活用し，それらの情報から導き出した自らの考えを表現する能力を高めることである。これまでに明らかになったことは，授業者が実験結果に対して関連付けることができる事項を明確にし，分析・解釈する視点を与えることが重要であるということである。今年度は，小学校，中学校，高等学校の理科で，パフォーマンス課題を取り入れた探究活動を行い，多くの授業者が共有できる方向性を考えた。実践の結果，以下のことが明らかになった。１）小集団での話し合いの質を高めるためには，話し合いの目的と方法を明示することが重要であること。２）そのために授業者の関わり方を引き続き検討する必要があること。３）パフォーマンス課題の設計には授業者がよりメタ認知を働かせることが必要であること。今後は，このような実践経験を広く共有すべきであると考えている。Science education should help students to utilize results and information through activities, to investigate scientifically, and to develop their abilities to express ideas they have derived from those results. We have learned that it is important for instructors to clarify which results from experiments relate to each other and to give students some clear perspectives for analyzing and interpreting them. This academic year, we investigated performance tasks at elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels. Through our research we have learned that to improve the quality of discussion in small groups, it is important to make the purpose and method clear. We also showed that instructors should monitor how they engage with students in the course of discussion and that they need to function meta-cognitive abilities more to design performance tasks

Environmental Consciouness in Japan on Materials and Products -Analysis of Eco-MCPS, a Web-database for Ecomaterials

Eco-MCPS database is a web-based database system that contains data of environment-conscious materials,components, products, and services. The text data compiled in the Eco-MCPS and the access log data of Eco-MCPS were subjected to data mining. Word-frequency analysis and dependency parsing analysis were applied tothe data to obtain the frequently used terms and their situations of use. By analyzing the access log, the interestof the visitors accessed to the web-site can be understood. The results showed that eco-products\u27 environmental performances are realized by the use of environment-friendly components or materials. The page views, which represent the visitors\u27 interest, were related with the frequently used term in the comments of Eco-MCPS to showthe social consciousness on environment-friendly products. By further analyzing the access log, it was found thatthe word search rank followed the Zipf\u27s Law