English Language Challenges Faced by Licensed Guide Interpreters in Japan

This study investigates the challenges licensed guide interpreters in Japan encounter related to using the English language by examining foreign language tour guides’ use of English through interviews and surveys. The findings reveal that guides prioritise effectively conveying information and cautionary points to guests. They adjust their speaking speed, pronunciation, volume, vocabulary, and sentence structures to ensure easy understanding. Approximately 80% of the vocabulary used is at or below B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), indicating the issues which non-native speakings guides face. Moreover, they use various methods to confirm understanding, such as repeating information and asking the guests for feedback. All of the participants consistently use polite English expressions, and they also make efforts to explain manners, rules, and their reasons to promote cultural understanding. Guides are considerate of guests’ unfamiliarity in a new cultural environment and strive to address any issues that arise. Despite the abundance of English reference materials on Japan, few studies have examined the specific language-related concerns of guides and the adjustments they make. The results of this study suggest the need for an increased focus on guest-related issues and practical speaking style adjustments in guide education. Overall, the study emphasises the importance of clear communication, consideration for non-native speakers, and cultural awareness in providing a positive tour experience

Activin stimulated follicular growth

As the follicular environment transits from being activin dominant to inhibin dominant during folliculogenesis, it is assumed that activin plays an important role in the early stage of follicular growth. We examined the effects of activin on morphological, biochemical and molecular changes in isolated preantral follicles. Preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from 14-day old female C57BL/6 mice. Each follicle was cultured and observed for 14 days using an in vitro follicle culture system containing FSH, FSH + activin A and FSH + inhibin in the culture medium. We subsequently examined FSH receptor (FSH-R) mRNA expression in isolated follicle cultures with or without activin on days 0 and 2. Activin was observed to significantly stimulate follicle enlargement on days 2, 4, 6 and 8, accelerate morphological changes and increase estradiollevels in culture medium on days 4, 12 and 14. In contrast, inhibin did not alter follicular growth. Additionally, activin stimulated the expression of FSH-R mRNA in isolated granulosa cells. It was demonstrated that activin stimulated the growth of preantral follicles, mainly during the early stage of folliculogenesis, by inducing FSH-R expression, in an isolated follicle culture system

Structure of the RNA 3′-Phosphate Cyclase-Adenylate Intermediate Illuminates Nucleotide Specificity and Covalent Nucleotidyl Transfer

SummaryRNA 3′-phosphate cyclase (RtcA) synthesizes RNA 2′,3′ cyclic phosphate ends via three steps: reaction with ATP to form a covalent RtcA-AMP intermediate; transfer of adenylate to an RNA 3′-phosphate to form RNA(3′)pp(5′)A; and attack of the vicinal O2′ on the 3′-phosphorus to form a 2′,3′ cyclic phosphate. Here we report the 1.7 Å crystal structure of the RtcA-AMP intermediate, which reveals the mechanism of nucleotidyl transfer. Adenylate is linked via a phosphoamide bond to the His309 Nɛ atom. A network of hydrogen bonds to the ribose O2′ and O3′ accounts for the stringent ribonucleotide preference. Adenine is sandwiched in a hydrophobic pocket between Tyr284 and Pro131 and the preference for adenine is enforced by Phe135, which packs against the purine C2 edge. Two sulfates bound near the adenylate plausibly mimic the 3′-terminal and penultimate phosphates of RNA. The structure illuminates how the four α2/β4 domains contribute to substrate binding and catalysis

Spatial distribution of cryoconite granules and microorganisms on Qaanaaq Glacier, Greenland

第6回極域科学シンポジウム分野横断セッション：[IB2] 地球環境変動の解析と地球生命システム学の構築11月19日（木）　統計数理研究所 セミナー室1（D305

Molecular cloning of haploid germ cell-specific tektin cDNA and analysis of the protein in mouse testis

AbstractTektins are a class of proteins that form filamentous polymers in the walls of ciliary and flagellar microtubules. We report here the molecular cloning of a new member of the tektin family, tektin-t, identified from a mouse haploid germ cell-specific cDNA library. Tektin-t mRNA encodes a protein of 430 deduced amino acids possessing RSNVELCRD, the conserved sequence of tektin family proteins. Western blotting showed a single band having a molecular weight of 86 kDa in the mouse testis. Immunohistochemistry of the testis showed that tektin-t is localized in the flagella of elongating spermatids from developmental step 15 to maturity