Analyzing the Relationship Between the Function of a Hero as a Social Reinforcer and the Effectiveness of aVideo Intervention Using the Hero as a Model

　本研究では，知的障害特別支援学校中学部に在籍する２名の生徒を対象として，ヒーロー（特別な興味の対象）の社会的好子としての効力とビデオヒーローモデリング（VHM）の効果との関連性について検討した。まず，担任教師への面接および質問紙調査によってそれぞれの生徒のヒーローを特定した。次に，任意の課題場面においてヒーローによる称賛を非随伴的に提示し，課題遂行率の変化を測定することでヒーローの社会的好子としての機能を確かめた。その後，日常生活場面から選定された標的行動に対してVHMを実施した。その結果，どちらの生徒についてもヒーローの社会的好子としての効力が確かめられたにもかかわらず，１名の生徒にはVHMによる行動改善が観察された一方で，もう１名の生徒の行動改善は限定的であった。ヒーローからの称賛が好子として機能するとしても，そのことが必ずしもVHMによる介入効果を予想するものではないことが示唆された

Effects of Video-Self Modeling with Hero-Instruction: A Case Analysis of Hand-Drying Behavior of an Elementary-Aged Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder

本研究では，知的障害特別支援学校小学部に在籍する１名の自閉症スペクトラム障害児を対象として，対象児にとってのヒーローが標的行動を解説するビデオセルフモデリング（VSM）を用いた介入の効果を検討した。標的行動は「トイレで手を洗った後に自発的にポケットからハンカチを出し，手を拭く行動」であり，対象児はトイレに行く直前にビデオを視聴した。その結果，ビデオ単体での効果は現れず，ハンカチの所在を可視化する透明なウエストポーチや視覚的リマインダーを併用することによって行動が若干改善された。ヒーローを活用したVSMの効果に関与する要因として，言語能力，ヒーローと自身の同一行動に対する内在的な強化力の有無を取り上げ，考察を試みた

The rice OsERF101 transcription factor regulates the NLR Xa1-mediated immunity induced by perception of TAL effectors

イネが病原菌の感染力の源を検出して免疫を誘導する仕組みを解明 --病気に強い植物の開発に期待--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-09-07.Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) initiate immune responses by recognizing pathogen effectors. The rice gene Xa1 encodes an NLR with an N-terminal BED domain, and recognizes transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Our goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling the induction of immunity by Xa1. We used yeast two-hybrid assays to screen for host factors that interact with Xa1 and identified the AP2/ERF-type transcription factor OsERF101/OsRAP2.6. Molecular complementation assays were used to confirm the interactions among Xa1, OsERF101, and two TAL effectors. We created OsERF101-overexpressing and knockout mutant lines in rice and identified genes differentially regulated in these lines, many of which are predicted to be involved in regulation of response to stimulus. Xa1 interacts in the nucleus with the TAL effectors and OsERF101 via the BED domain. Unexpectedly, both the overexpression and knockout lines of OsERF101 displayed Xa1-dependent, enhanced resistance to an incompatible Xoo strain. Different sets of genes were up- or down-regulated in the overexpression and knockout lines. Our results indicate that OsERF101 regulates the recognition of TAL effectors by Xa1, and functions as a positive regulator of Xa1-mediated immunity. Further, an additional Xa1-mediated immune pathway is negatively regulated by OsERF101

Utilizing Video Self-Modeling and Video Hero Modeling to Increase Task Engagement of an Elementary-Aged Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

　本研究では，集中して着替えに取り組むことが難しい一人の知的障害のある自閉症スペクトラム障害児に対して，３種類のビデオモデリング技法を順次適用し，どの技法がもっとも着替え従事率の上昇をもたらすかを検討した。用いられた技法は，①本人が着替えに取り組 むビデオを着替えに先立ち視聴させる技法，②本人が着替えの競争でヒーローに勝つビデオを着替えに先立ち視聴させる技法，③ヒーローが着替えに取り組むビデオを着替えの最中に視聴させる技法の３つであった。ABACADA デザインを用いてこれら３つの介入効果を比 較した結果，③の技法のみに効果が確認された

Effects of Video-Self Modeling with Hero-Instruction: A Case Analysis of Hand-Drying Behavior of an Elementary-Aged Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder

本研究では，知的障害特別支援学校小学部に在籍する１名の自閉症スペクトラム障害児を対象として，対象児にとってのヒーローが標的行動を解説するビデオセルフモデリング（VSM）を用いた介入の効果を検討した。標的行動は「トイレで手を洗った後に自発的にポケットからハンカチを出し，手を拭く行動」であり，対象児はトイレに行く直前にビデオを視聴した。その結果，ビデオ単体での効果は現れず，ハンカチの所在を可視化する透明なウエストポーチや視覚的リマインダーを併用することによって行動が若干改善された。ヒーローを活用したVSMの効果に関与する要因として，言語能力，ヒーローと自身の同一行動に対する内在的な強化力の有無を取り上げ，考察を試みた

Modification of physical properties of poly(L-lactic acid) by addition of methyl-β-cyclodextrin

Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable plastic and one of the most famous plastics made from biobased materials. However, its physical strength is insufficient compared to general-purpose plastics. In this study, the effect of methylcyclodextrin (MeCD) addition on the structure and physical properties, especially the drawing behavior, of PLLA was investigated. Through thermal analysis, it was found that MeCD addition lowers the crystallinity and enhances the mobility of PLLA. The sample containing approximately 17% MeCD was drawn to more than 1000% at 60 °C, although PLLA fractured at a strain of less than 100%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)-Raman in situ measurements also revealed decreases in the glass transition temperature (Tg), cold crystallization temperature (Tc), and melting point (Tm), and improvement in structural distribution with temperature. DSC-Raman measurements simultaneously supplied information about crystallinity and thermal properties. Thus, it was concluded that MeCD had high affinity for PLLA, and the addition of MeCD increased the amorphous component of PLLA and enhanced the drawability

Anti‐fibrotic activity of Euglena gracilis and paramylon in a mouse model of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis

Progression to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) manifests as hepatitis, fibrosis, and sometimes carcinoma, resulting in liver failure. Various clinical trials have indicated that several pharmacological agents, including angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists, are effective in NASH treatment. In addition, functional foods are expected to be important alternatives for treating or preventing NASH. Recently, focus has been directed toward microalgae as dietary supplements, mainly for lifestyle‐related diseases, because they contain various nutrients and functional ingredients. Specifically, a unicellular microalga Euglena gracilis stores a unique β‐1,3‐glucan particle called paramylon that stimulates the immune system. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Euglena and paramylon on NASH in Stelic Animal Model (STAM) mice using Sirius red staining and confirmed that oral administration of Euglena or paramylon inhibits the process of liver fibrosis. Moreover, compared with controls, paramylon decreased non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity scores related to inflammation. These results indicate that the oral administration of Euglena and paramylon inhibits fibrosis and ameliorates NASH

Clonal Structure, Seed Set, and Self-Pollination Rate in Mass-Flowering Bamboo Species during Off-Year Flowering Events

<div><p>Bamboos are typical examples of highly synchronized semelparous species. Their mass-flowering events occur at supra-annual intervals but they sometimes flower on a small scale in off-years. If some bamboo ramets (culms) of a genet flower and die in off-years, whereas other culms of the same genet do not flower synchronously, the genet can still survive blooming in an off-year and could participate in the next mass-flowering event. At genet level, the effect might be similar to that achieved by synchronously reproducing iteroparous plants. In addition, if multiple genets flower simultaneously in off-years, cross-pollination will be promoted. However, it is not known whether all the culms in a genet flower synchronously and whether multiple genets flower in off-years. We determined the clonal structure of three temperate dwarf bamboo species, i.e., <i>Sasa senanensis</i>, <i>S. kurilensis</i>, and <i>S. palmata</i>, at 24 off-year flowering sites and the surrounding areas in northern Japan using seven microsatellite markers. We also estimated seed set at seven of the sites and self-pollination rates at five sites to determine off-year reproductive success. Next, we investigated whether seed sets at the culm level were related to flowering area and/or number of flowering genets, using generalized linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs). Multiple genets flowered at 9/24 flowering sites. We found that 40/96 of the genets identified had some flowering culms. Non-flowering culms were present in 24/40 flowering genets. Seed set was in the range 2.2%–12.5% and the self-pollination rate was 96.3%. In the best GLMM, seed set increased with flowering area. Seeds were produced in off-years, but cross-pollination was rare in off-years. We suggest that some dwarf bamboos may exhibit iteroparity or imperfectly synchronized semelparity at the genet level, a characteristic similar to that of other reproductively synchronous plants. We also found synchronous flowering of a few genets even in off-years.</p></div

Site characteristics and clonal structure at the off-year flowering sites.

<p>Fl: flowering, Non-fl: non-flowering. Mix: both flowering and non-flowering culms were found. At sites ODT and ARA, some of the non-flowering leaves were lost in the field, so only six and seven samples, respectively, were obtained from these sites.</p

Seed set and self-pollination ratios for the dwarf bamboo species at the off-year flowering sites.

<p>Seed set and self-pollination ratios for the dwarf bamboo species at the off-year flowering sites.</p