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'Internationalisation' in Japanese higher education (HE) is largely imagined in terms of English language acquisition. Native speakers of English are therefore desirable HE employees. However, 'native-speakerism' also reflects hierarchical notions of English language forms. In Japan, US and Anglo forms of English are privileged over others, which has uneven implications for English speakers employed in Japanese HE. In this paper, we discuss the findings of a qualitative doctoral study, conducted in 2015 and 2016, which involved interviews with 25 native English speakers working for Japanese universities. The study explored the interviewees' experiences working in Japanese HE. Interviewees revealed that as so-called native speakers of English, they experienced a range of advantages in Japanese universities, but that their positioning also seemed to preclude institutional attention to their wider professional expertise. Participants' narratives demonstrated how they sought to differentiate themselves from other native English speakers who were less qualified. We conclude the paper by considering the need for policies and practices in Japanese HE that acknowledge the diversity of 'English speakers', for example, by recruiting HE staff according to clearly defined skillsets (not just native speaker status) and developing internationalisation policies that move beyond English linguistic imperialism and native-speakerism.

Religion is a central element in global education, fundamentally affecting how students interact with diverse peoples and cultures and what they learn and experience in foreign environments. Nevertheless, the topic has received little attention for quite some time. This study investigates how students' religious backgrounds, identities, and beliefs influence and are influenced by off-campus programs. Data collected from a number of X College students attending one of four short-term courses in January 2019 reveal the variety and depth of change in religious identities, demonstrating the need for greater awareness of this facet of student diversity and development.

This article reports on how mathematics teachers connect face-to-face and virtual professional learning communities by expanding the notion of lurker and broker within both environments. Through an analysis of 18 interviews with K-12 mathematics teachers, categories of participation are presented to describe the nuances between the ways mathematics teachers connect learning experiences across learning environments. This article provides examples of the ways mathematics teachers leverage learning within one space to broker information in the other. Methodological and practical implications of this research are discussed. Methodologically, this article presents the usage of artifact-stimulated recall during interviews to promote reflection of virtual learning interactions. Practically, this article seeks to push the field of mathematics teacher's professional learning beyond traditional forms of learning to see the value of informal learning in virtual spaces.

Botanic and public gardens attract a significant number of people throughout the world who visit these spaces for a wide variety of reasons. Notwithstanding, the study of visitor experiences in such spaces is a much under-researched foci in the fields of museum education and visitor studies. This exploratory study examined the reflective experiences of expatriates, who were foreign exchange students from Japan living in Canada, after a visit to a culturally familiar public space of a traditional Japanese garden. The study reveals the considerable power of such spaces and experiences in terms of these visitors' reported mental restoration, self-reflection of their own identities, and identification of attributes of their own journeys as foreigners living abroad. These outcomes speak to the capacities of such spaces to be both emotionally transformative and learning experiences of the self for people groups who are uniquely contextually situated in time, place, and life-cycle.

This paper reports on an empirical research on the Interaction Equivalency Theorem posited by Anderson (2003a), consisting of the three elements of teacher-student-content interaction. Using an author-developed survey, the paper reports the priority order of interaction elements to assure learning quality with two parameters of learning modes and subject orientations. The inventory was tested in four universities with a total of 236 students. The results revealed that student-teacher interaction for face-to-face (F2F) and language-oriented course, and student-content for online and knowledge-oriented course were prioritized in students' perceptions to obtain higher satisfaction. In addition, the experience of increased asynchronous online written interaction with peers in the blended course design produced a change in the students' perceptions towards the necessary interaction elements. The research therefore adds empirical validity of the Theorem. Further research directions regarding the Theorem are also provided. (Contains 7 figures and 1 table.)

Individual differences are theorised as being key predictors of students' lecture attendance. Understanding students' (lack of) motivation for studying is an essential first step in supporting these individual differences and potentially increasing class/lecture attendance. The current study explored the role of students' deficits in motivations (ability/effort/task value) for studying and their predictive relationship with course attendance, while controlling for prior competence and academic self-concept. Second-year students (n = 219; Female = 40) undertaking three semester-long courses in English as a foreign language participated in the year-long study. The structural model tested included prior achievement and self-concept (Time-1; 15 weeks prior), the motivational deficits for studying in the course (Time-2; ability, effort and task value), and class attendance across the two semesters of study. Self-concept negatively predicted all motivational deficits (moderate-large effects), and positively predicted attendance. Two of the motivational deficits (ability and effort) also had strongly contrasting effects (positive and negative respectively) on attendance. The implications and practical suggestions for intervention are discussed.

This essay examines comparison in a double sense. Focusing on ethnographies of teachers' work in the published literature, I ask whether it is possible to compare ethnographic studies across national borders without losing the particularities of local context, and also without losing the distinctive theoretical perspective of ethnographers operating within different national traditions. Building on the volume "Comparing ethnographies," I explore as a tool an expansion of Noblit and Hare's 'meta-ethnographic' approach. Because meta-ethnography aims to remain faithful to local contexts, it works for cross-national comparison; because it is meant as an interpretation of the ethnographers' interpretations, it can allow for national differences in scholarly traditions. I illustrate with a comparison of ethnographies of practices in Danish and in Japanese preschools, identifying 'reciprocal' translations, 'refutational synthesis' and 'line-of-argument synthesis.' The essay demonstrates that meta-ethnography's interpretive approach does permit comparison across national contexts and scholarly traditions, and that it actually encourages 'theoretical generalisation,' the ability to expand our understanding, without obscuring local context.

In this action research report 4 teachers and 1 teacher educator use the Japanese lesson study model of professional development for 15 months in rural Carlinville, Illinois. In March 2001, 4 teachers identified a goal to improve their students' understanding of two step word problems in 2nd grade elementary mathematics. Teachers completed three cycles of researching, planning, teaching, evaluating and reflecting. They were motivated, empowered, and found lesson study effective professional development in their rural setting. It focused on the classroom lesson; provided an effective lesson plan and hours of focused professional development; supported attempts to put into practice best professional knowledge of reform mathematics; and developed a professional community among them.

An editorial is presented on the challenges of aging in place (AIP) for older adults in Japan and the U.S., and it emphasizes the need for cultural exchange to merge knowledge from diverse healthcare systems. It discusses workforce development for educators and clinicians, the insufficiency of support for AIP, and the underutilized approach of cross-cultural exchange. It reports on a cultural exchange program funded by the Japan Foundation of New York.

As lifestyles have shifted to favor nighttime activities, daytime sleepiness and sleep-related problems have become increasingly common in Japan. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is an adverse consequence of sleep loss and an important public health concern. EDS may cause academic difficulties, behavioral abnormalities, and psychological dysfunction; therefore, it is a particularly important issue among university students. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of EDS and its associated lifestyle factors among Japanese university students. A questionnaire was completed by 1470 first-year university students, aged 19.0 (± 1.0) years. Using the questionnaire, we collected information on (1) demographic variables, (2) lifestyle variables, and (3) sleep habits and daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness was measured using the Japanese version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a frequently used subjective scale for assessing sleepiness. The overall prevalence of EDS was 57% (53% in men and 61% in women). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors were associated with EDS: female sex, exercise habits, long commuting times, later wake-up times, and shorter sleep duration. Given that more than 50% of first-year university students reported having EDS, interventions should be considered to decrease its risk, including educational programs that provide strategies to extend sleep duration and delay wake-up time. Such strategies may also be valuable for students with other potential risk factors, such as exercise habits or long commute times, that are associated with EDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Japan has the largest aging population with 33% of the population over the age of 60 years. The number of Japanese adults with dementia is estimated to be approximately 4.6 million, comprising nearly 15% of the older adult population. It is critical to administer cognitive assessments early in the disease state that have high reliability and low user burden to detect negative cognitive changes as early as possible; however, current preclinical AD detection methods are invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. A number of traditional and digital cognitive assessments are also available, but many of these tests are time-consuming, taxing to the user, and not widely scalable. The purpose of this study was to incorporate a digital cognitive assessment battery into a standard clinical assessment performed within a Japanese-based neuropsychology clinic to assess the diagnostic accuracy and the relationship between the digital Neurotrack Cognitive Assessment Battery (N-CAB) to traditional cognitive assessments. Methods: Healthy individuals and probable Alzheimer’s patients completed the N-CAB, as well as two traditional cognitive assessments, the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and the Revised Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale (HDS-R). Results: Our results demonstrate the Image Pairs hand-response phase of the NCAB had the highest diagnostic accuracy with 95% sensitivity and 89% specificity to probable Alzheimer’s disease. This was closely followed by the Symbol Match assessment, with a 96% sensitivity and 74% specificity to probable Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, Symbol Match and Path Points used in combination resulted in a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 90%; a model with all N-CAB assessments resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. All N-CAB assessments had moderate to strong and significant correlations with the MMSE and HDS-R. Discussion: Together, this suggests that the N-CAB assessment battery may be an appropriate alternative for the clinical screening of cognition for earlier detection of Alzheimer’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In numerous Asian-Pacific tertiary contexts--students' chosen department not-with-standing-- second-language study is a requirement for both entry level and graduation. A practice by which Second Language motivation research could benefit from First Language procedures is to acknowledge instrumentality in such nonelective classes. Instrumental goals are central to the learning process and its outcomes; thus, students' lack of choice must be considered as a factor affecting both goal-setting and motivation. This study adapts Simons et al.'s inventory to a compulsory language-course context and then qualitatively validates it. First-year mixed major university students (n = 1071) taking compulsory English classes completed a 20-item inventory addressing instrumental reasons for studying within the university program. Exploratory factor analysis of the data (n = 535) suggested four clear factors: distal, social, proximal external, and personal. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 536) replicated the four-factor solution well. Students' qualitative perceptions of the importance (r[superscript 2]=0.29) and utility (r[superscript 2]=0.16) of English each explained a meaningful amount of learners' quantitative distal goals. The strong relationship between distal goals and perceptions of the importance of English suggests that teachers might support students' instrumental motivation both by stressing the importance of English and aiding students' in developing distal goals for English.

Meta-analytic procedures were used to test the effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, empathy/desensitization, and prosocial behavior. Unique features of this meta-analytic review include (a) more restrictive methodological quality inclusion criteria than in past meta-analyses; (b) cross-cultural comparisons; (c) longitudinal studies for all outcomes except physiological arousal; (d) conservative statistical controls; (e) multiple moderator analyses; and (f) sensitivity analyses. Social-cognitive models and cultural differences between Japan and Western countries were used to generate theory-based predictions. Meta-analyses yielded significant effects for all 6 outcome variables. The pattern of results for different outcomes and research designs (experimental, cross-sectional, longitudinal) fit theoretical predictions well. The evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior. Moderator analyses revealed significant research design effects, weak evidence of cultural differences in susceptibility and type of measurement effects, and no evidence of sex differences in susceptibility. Results of various sensitivity analyses revealed these effects to be robust, with little evidence of selection (publication) bias. (Contains 12 footnotes, 10 tables, and 1 figure.)

In this article we reply to C. J. Ferguson and J. Kilburn's (2010) critique of our meta-analysis on violent video game effects (C. A. Anderson et al., 2010). We rely on well-established methodological and statistical theory and on empirical data to show that claims of bias and misinterpretation on our part are simply wrong. One should not systematically exclude unpublished studies from meta-analytic reviews. There is no evidence of publication or selection bias in our data. We did not purposely exclude certain studies; we included all studies that met our inclusion criteria. Although C. J. Ferguson and J. Kilburn believe that the effects we obtained are trivial in size, they are larger than many effects that are deemed sufficiently large to warrant action in medical and violence domains. The claim that we (and other media violence scholars) are attempting to create a false crisis is a red herring. (Contains 3 footnotes.)

This paper examines the key issues regarding The Interaction Equivalency Theorem posited by Anderson (2003a), which consists of the three interaction elements found in formal education courses among teacher, student, and content. It first examines the core concepts of the theorem and argues that two theses of different dimensions can be articulated in the theorem, namely, value and amount (or quality and quantity). Prior studies in distance education and blended learning that have tested the validity of the theorem concepts are also examined: all research results support the first thesis; however, further research is required to examine the second thesis. The paper highlights the key issues for further exploration as research schemes. (Contains 2 tables and 5 figures.)

Two studies investigated the role of locomotor experience on visual proprioception in 8-month-old infants. "Visual proprioception" refers to the sense of self-motion induced in a static person by patterns of optic flow. A moving room apparatus permitted displacement of an entire enclosure (except for the floor) or the side walls and ceiling. In Study 1, creeping infants and prelocomotor/walker infants showed significantly greater postural compensation and emotional responses to side wall movement than did same-age prelocomotor infants. Study 2 used true random assignment of prelocomotor infants to locomotor-training (via a powered-mobility device) and no-training conditions. Experimental infants showed powerful effects of locomotor training. These results imply that locomotor experience is playing a causal role in the ontogeny of visual proprioception.

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disease causing severe skin itching. Data on patient–physician disconnect on treatment satisfaction in patients with AD in Japan are limited. We investigated patient–physician disconnect on treatment satisfaction in AD and if it influences treatment patterns, clinical characteristics, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods: Data were drawn from the Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programme (DSP), a real-world, point-in-time survey of physicians and patients with AD conducted in Japan from April to July 2019. Patients and physicians were grouped according to level of treatment satisfaction ("extremely satisfied" to "extremely dissatisfied"); with any level of dissatisfaction recorded as "less than satisfied." Data were collected on treatment patterns, clinical characteristics, and PROs including the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. Results: Data were provided by 184 patients with AD and 56 physicians; 72.8% of patient–physician pairs reported a fair (kappa coefficient: 0.40) level of agreement on treatment satisfaction, 51.6% of patient–physician pairs were both satisfied, and 21.2% were both less than satisfied. Satisfied physicians prescribed a mean 1.2 fewer treatments than dissatisfied physicians (p < 0.05). Cases where both physician and patient were less than satisfied or where patients were less satisfied than their physicians reported the worst PROs, DLQI (both less than satisfied: mean 10.7 versus patient less satisfied than physician: 10.6 versus overall: 7.9), POEM (19.5 versus 17.3 versus 17.0), EQ-5D-3L (0.82 versus 0.81 versus 0.87) (all, p < 0.05). Work impairment was highest when both patient and physician were less than satisfied (p < 0.05). Physicians cited treatment efficacy and patients cited efficacy and usability as main reasons for dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Overall, 12.0% of patients were less satisfied with their AD treatment than the physician, demonstrating some of the worst PROs, suggesting unmet need that could be improved by better patient–physician communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), members of the Heiminsha, the nascent socialist group based in Tokyo, created and promoted a program 'evangelizing' socialism in the Japanese countryside. Based on a careful reading of the group's primary publication the Heimin shinbun, as well as other complementary contemporary publications, this article explores the intellectual influences and social networks that these socialists relied upon to send their message into the countryside, the idealized images that drove them, and the realities that constrained their work. This article also examines the brief but significant overlap of leading socialists and Christians during this period, and the ways their respective adherence to international/supernational belief and intellectual systems drove their opposition to the war. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Itch is a common symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), however, there is limited evidence of the frequency and association of skin pain alongside itch. This study assessed the incremental dual burden and impact of itch and skin pain on satisfaction, quality of life and work productivity in patients with AD in Japan.Methods: Data were drawn from the 2020 Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programme, a point-in-time survey of dermatologists (n = 56) and their patients with history of moderate/severe AD (n = 265). Patients were grouped accordingly: no itch/skin pain (No I/SP, reference group, n = 89), itch/no skin pain (I-only, n = 71), and itch and skin pain (I + SP, n = 26). Descriptive analyses were performed alongside a range of regression models, dependent on outcome variables.Results: I + SP patients had a 4.97-point worse POEM score (p = .005) and 14.5% more overall work impairment (p = .034) versus the reference group. I-only and I + SP patients were 8.92 and 23.5 times more likely, respectively, to experience sleep disruption on a day-to-day basis (both p < .001). I + SP patients were 4.6 times more likely to be bothered by their symptoms (p = .034), had a mean EASI score 6.7 points higher (p = .008) and had 1.39 more areas affected (p = .001). I + SP patients were 7.26 times more likely to express dissatisfaction with lack of improvement in their condition and 8 times more likely to be dissatisfied with convenience of treatment (both p < .05).Conclusion: This dissatisfaction, alongside variations in reported symptomatic burdens, suggests that physicians could consider alternative and/or novel therapeutic approaches for the management of both itch and skin pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on "Teachers' Work: Institutional Isomorphism and Cultural Variation in the U.S., Germany and Japan" (LeTendre, Baker, Akiba, Goesling, and Wiseman, 2001), applauding the blend of global culture and national culture perspectives, proposing a more systematic synthesis, discussing what it means to take both transnational parallels and cultural variation seriously, and noting implications for research and reform. (SM)

Filgotinib, an oral Janus kinase‐1 preferential inhibitor, is approved in Europe and Japan for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity/mortality; thus, it is important to understand potential drug‐drug interactions of filgotinib with lipid‐lowering agents. This open‐label, randomized, 2‐way crossover study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin, pravastatin, and rosuvastatin with and without filgotinib coadministration. Healthy participants (N = 27) received single doses of atorvastatin (40 mg) and of a pravastatin (40 mg)/rosuvastatin (10 mg) cocktail—alone or with filgotinib (200 mg once daily for 11 days)—on 2 different occasions with washout in between. Serial pharmacokinetic blood samples were collected, and safety was assessed. Pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated using 90% confidence intervals (CI) of the geometric least‐squares mean (GLSM) ratio of the test treatment (statin coadministration with filgotinib) vs statin alone, with prespecified lack‐of‐interaction bounds of 0.70 to 1.43. Coadministration of filgotinib did not affect atorvastatin area under the plasma concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf; [GLSM ratios (90% CI): 0.91 (0.84‐0.99)]), but maximum concentration [Cmax] was slightly lower [0.82 (0.69‐0.99)]. The exposure of 2‐hydroxy‐atorvastatin was unaffected (GLSM ratios [90% CI], 0.98 [0.81‐1.19] for Cmax; 1.11 [1.02‐1.22] for AUCinf). Pravastatin AUCinf was also unaffected (GLSM ratios, 1.22 [1.05‐1.41], but Cmax was slightly higher 1.25 [1.01‐1.54]). Rosuvastatin exposure was moderately higher with filgotinib coadministration—GLSM ratios (90% CI), 1.68 (1.43‐1.97) for Cmax; 1.42 (1.30‐1.57) for AUCinf—but this was not considered clinically relevant. These results indicate that filgotinib has no clinically meaningful effect on exposure of atorvastatin, pravastatin, or rosuvastatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filgotinib, a preferential Janus Kinase‐1 inhibitor, is approved in Europe and Japan for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is being developed for treatment of other chronic inflammatory diseases. Three drug‐drug interactions studies were conducted in healthy subjects to evaluate the effect of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) modulation (study 1: P‐gp inhibition by itraconazole and study 2: P‐gp induction by rifampin) on filgotinib pharmacokinetics and the potential of filgotinib to impact exposure of metformin, an organic cation transporter (OCT) 2 and multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) 1/2K substrate (study 3). Co‐administration of filgotinib with itraconazole increased filgotinib exposure (maximum concentration [Cmax] by 64% and area under the curve to infinity [AUCinf] by 45%) but had no effect on the exposure of GS‐829845, filgotinib's primary metabolite. Rifampin moderately reduced exposures of filgotinib and GS‐829845 (Cmax by 26% and AUCinf by 27% for filgotinib; Cmax by 19% and AUCinf by 38% for GS‐829845). The data confirmed that filgotinib is a P‐gp substrate. However, the magnitude of change in filgotinib/GS‐829845 exposure by P‐gp modulators is not deemed to be clinically relevant based on filgotinib exposure‐response analyses in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. Filgotinib did not alter metformin exposures, indicating that filgotinib and GS‐829845 do not inhibit OCT2 and MATE1/2K at the clinical doses. Filgotinib was generally well‐tolerated when administered alone or with the co‐administered drugs in the studies. Results from these studies were the basis to enable the use of P‐gp modulators and substrates of OCT2, MATE1, and MATE2K with filgotinib without the need for dose modifications in the current approved rheumatoid arthritis population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the "Z" type training methods used in Japan. This training emphasizes interpersonal relations, long-term development, participative relationships, ability to perform several jobs, and individual patience and tolerance. (CT)

This case study focuses on addressing the question, "How do non-state actors address the predicament of the irregular migrants' precarious status?" The study reveals that an unwanted irregular migrant will certainly seek recognition, not necessarily from mainstream society but from peers, networks, and most of the time from compatriots - establishing links, and building contacts - and thus negotiated their status with the host society. This research also generated an alternative hypothesis which states, "As migration control becomes much stricter, more irregular migrants are seeking assistance from non-state actors and the migration industry." This paper finds that the collaborative effort of migrant and non-migrant organizations between Filipino-run and Japaneserun NGOs at the local level (including church and non-church based groups) play an immensely indispensable role in sending a message across national boundaries that transnational migration agency (actors forming as collectivities) inadvertently reshapes a new world order for the global migration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of nostalgia on museum visitors' memories of life episodes from the distant past following their encounters with museum objects they remembered from earlier stages of their lives. The study sought to understand how the vividness of these memories and the affect of such memories in the present day were related to nostalgia and other psychological factors. A total of 87 participants who had visited one of three different social history museums located in Japan were recruited for the study. A total of 253 separate memory episodes were obtained from the participants, who were asked to rate the strength of several psychological factors associated with the memories triggered by the museum exhibits. A conceptual model in which nostalgia mediated psychological factors was tested through structural equation modeling. The results revealed that the nostalgia evoked by life episodes completely mediated the effects of the vividness of one's memory of those episodes recalled in the present. Furthermore, there was also some evidence of a similar mediation on one's emotional affect associated with life episodes in the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to East Asia but has invaded many countries in the world. BMSB is a polyphagous insect pest and causes significant economic losses to agriculture worldwide. Knowledge on the genetic diversity among BMSB populations is scarce but is essential to understand the patterns of colonization and invasion history of local populations. Efforts have been made to assess the genetic diversity of BMSB using partial mitochondrial DNA sequences but genetic divergence on mitochondria is not high enough to precisely accurately identify and distinguish various BMSB populations. Therefore, in this study, we applied a ddRAD (double digest restriction-site associated DNA) sequencing approach to ascertain the genetic diversity of BMSB populations collected from 12 countries (2 native and 10 invaded) across four continents with the ultimate aim to trace the origin of BMSBs intercepted during border inspections and post-border surveillance. Result: A total of 1775 high confidence single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from ddRAD sequencing data collected from 389 adult BMSB individuals. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the identified SNPs indicated the existence of two main distinct genetic clusters representing individuals sampled from regions where BMSB is native to, China and Japan, respectively, and one broad cluster comprised individuals sampled from countries which have been invaded by BMSB. The population genetic structure analysis further discriminated the genetic diversity among the BMSB populations at a higher resolution and distinguished them into five potential genetic clusters. Conclusion: The study revealed hidden genetic diversity among the studied BMSB populations across the continents. The BMSB populations from Japan were genetically distant from the other studied populations. Similarly, the BMSB populations from China were also genetically differentiated from the Japanese and other populations. Further genetic structure analysis revealed the presence of at least three genetic clusters of BMSB in the invaded countries, possibly originating via multiple invasions. Furthermore, this study has produced novel set of SNP markers to enhance the knowledge of genetic diversity among BMSB populations and demonstrates the potential to trace the origin of BMSB individuals for future invasion events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The globe skimmer dragonfly, Pantala flavescens Fabricius (Odonata: Libellulidae), is a long-distance migrant, well adapted to exploiting ephemeral waterbodies. This species occurs in Japan every summer, but overwintering has only been recorded on subtropical Ishigaki Island. It is not known from where the summer immigrants originate, nor what proportion of the globe skimmers seen in Japan are of local origin. We analyzed stable hydrogen isotope (δ 2H) composition of wings of 189 P. flavescens captured at six sites in Japan from August to September in 2016 (n = 57) and from April to November in 2017 (n = 132). We determined that the majority of individuals were immigrants. Individuals of probable Japanese origin occurred only later in the year and were of lower mass on average than immigrants. Immigrants potentially originated from a broad area as far west as northern India and the Tibetan Plateau and, especially late in the season, as near as northcentral China and the Korean peninsula. However, for April samples, the most parsimonious interpretation suggested southern origins, in northern Myanmar to southern China, or possibly Borneo-Sulawesi. Our investigation underlines the power of combining stable isotope data with other information such as wind speed and direction, arrival dates, and body mass to estimate origins and to understand the life history of this and other insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on the studies and opinions around issues of transition from the BPharm to the PharmD degree in the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Pakistan and Thailand. The transition to the clinically orientated PharmD degree in many countries was seen to be a means of developing the profession. However, some countries have both clinically-oriented and pharmaceutical sciences-oriented PharmD programme that are designed to meet the needs of their countries. Each country created a different process to handle the transition to an all-PharmD programme, but mostly had the process of school accreditation mandated by the regulatory bodies. The main barrier to the transition in most of the countries was the issue of educational quality. A set of indicators is needed to measure and monitor the impact/outcome of the PharmD degree. Each country has different needs due to the different contexts of health care systems and the scope of pharmacy practice. In order to increase their chances of benefiting from the new programme, academic leaders should critically assess their countries' needs before deciding to adopt a PharmD programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) is a short-chain, six-carbon PFAA and is a primary impurity, degradant, and metabolite associated with the short-chain fluorotelomer-based chemistry used in the United States, Europe and Japan today. With the shift towards short-chain PFAA chemistry, uncertainties remain regarding human health risks associated with current exposure levels. Here, we present a critical review and assessment of data relevant to human health risk assessment to today's short-chain PFAA chemistry. Human biomonitoring surveys indicate that PFHxA is infrequently detected in the environment as well as in human serum and urine; however, human health concerns may persist in locations where PFHxA is detected. In a companion paper (Luz et al., 2019) we comprehensively evaluate the available toxicity data for PFHxA, and derive a chronic human health-based reference dose (RfD) for PFHxA of 0.25 mg/kg-day based on benchmark dose modeling of renal papillary necrosis in chronically exposed female rats. In this paper, we apply this RfD in human health-based screening levels calculations, and derive a drinking water lifetime health advisory of 1400 μg/L and a residential groundwater screening level for children of 4000 μg/L. Compared to environmental concentration data, even sites with more elevated concentrations of PFHxA in the environment are at least an order of magnitude lower than these screening levels. Available PFHxA human serum and urine biomonitoring data, used as a biomarker for general population exposure, demonstrates that the general human population exposures to PFHxA are low. Previous estimates of daily intake rates for infants exposed to PFHxA through breast milk, formula, and baby foods (Lorenzo et al., 2016) combined with the most conservative PFHxA peer-reviewed toxicity value (Luz et al., 2019) demonstrate that the margin of safety for PFHxA is high. Therefore, PFHxA and related fluorotelomer precursors currently appear to present negligible human health risk to the general population and are not likely to drive or substantially contribute to risk at sites contaminated with PFAS mixtures. PFHxA may also represent a suitable marker for the safety of fluorotelomer replacement chemistry used today. Highlights • Human exposure to PFHxA is low and infrequent and PFHxA does not bioaccumulate. • Drinking and ground water screening levels for PFHxA are 1400 and 4000 ppb, respectively. • The highest reported drinking water level of PFHxA is 25,000-fold below the screening level. • The highest reported groundwater level of PFHxA is 33 times lower than the screening level. • For the general population, the margin of safety for PFHxA appears to be high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores communication and miscommunication in Japanese university settings, in English‐medium classroom situations where the students are Japanese and the instructor is a 'native', generally Inner Circle, speaker of English. The focus of the analysis is on two aspects of classroom style that are affected by teacher's and students' divergent norms of interaction and interpretation: (1) turn‐taking behavior, especially student non‐responsiveness represented by an abundance of silence; and (2) forms of address, particularly the names, with or without a title, that students use in calling their teachers. The article is influenced by, and seen as an extension of, Larry E. Smith's work on English for cross‐cultural communication and discourse across cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japan Sea is directly influenced by the Asian monsoon, a system that transports moisture and heat across southeast Asia during the boreal summer, and is a major driver of the Earth's ocean‐atmospheric circulation. Foraminiferal and facies analyses of a 460‐kyr record from Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 346 Site U1427 in the Japan Sea reveal a record of nutrient flux and oxygenation that varied due to sea level and East Asian monsoon intensity. The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) was most intense during marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e, MIS 7e, MIS 9e, and MIS 11c when the Tsushima Warm Current flowed into an unrestricted well‐mixed normal salinity Japan Sea, whereas East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) conditions dominated MIS 2, MIS 4, MIS 6, and MIS 8 when sea level minima restricted the Japan Sea resulting in low‐salinity and oxygen conditions in the absence of Tsushima flow. Reduced oxygen stratified, low‐salinity, and higher productivity oceanic conditions characterize Terminations TV, TIII, TII, and TI when East China Sea coastal waters breached the Tsushima Strait. Chinese loess, cave, and Lake Biwa (Japan) and U1427 proxy records suggest EASM intensification during low to high insolation transitions, whereas the strongest EAWM prevailed during lowest insolation periods or high to low insolation transitions. Ice sheet/CO2 forcing leads to the strongest EAWM events in glacials and enhanced EASM in interglacials. Mismatches between proxy patterns suggest that latitudinal and land/sea thermal contrasts played a role in East Asian monsoon variability, suggesting that a complex interplay between ice sheet dynamics, insolation, and thermal gradients controls monsoonal intensity. Key Points: East Asian summer monsoon intensified in MIS 5, MIS 7, MIS 9, and MIS 11 when the Tsushima Current flowed into an unrestricted normal marine Japan SeaEast Asian winter monsoon dominated MIS 2, MIS 4, MIS 6, and MIS 8 when sea level lows restricted the Japan Sea causing low‐salinity and oxygen conditionsReduced oxygen stratified, low‐salinity, and higher productivity oceanic conditions characterize Terminations TV, TIII, TII, and TI [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background It is axiomatic that the diameter of the virtual basal ring of the aortic root, which is elliptical rather than circular, will differ when assessed using between bisecting as opposed to off-center cuts. Such differences, however, which pertain directly to echocardiographic assessments of the so-called valvar annulus, have yet to be systematically explored. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients undergoing coronary computed tomographic angiography, measuring the virtual basal ring diameter using routine multiplanar reconstructions. We made orthogonal bisecting cuts from the nadir of the hinge of the right coronary aortic leaflet to the center of the opposite inter-leaflet fibrous triangle between the noncoronary and left coronary aortic leaflets. We compared these measurements with orthogonal off-center cuts made through the nadirs of the hinges of the adjacent leaflets. Results The measured diameter of the virtual basal ring was significantly longer when measured using the bisecting cut as opposed to all off-center cuts (mean difference: 1.35±1.34 mm, P<.0001; 0.77±0.95 mm, P=.0001, respectively). The measured diameters of the sinuses of Valsalva, in contrast, were significantly shorter when measured using the bisecting cut (mean difference: −3.24±1.38 mm, P<.0001; −2.86±1.61 mm, P<.0001). Conclusions There are significant differences in the diameters of the aortic root, which represent the echocardiographic annulus, when measured using bisecting as opposed to off-center cuts. Account should be taken of these differences when using cross-sectional echocardiographic measurements to assess the dimensions of the aortic root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What explains Japan's security behavior? As an economically powerful state without commensurate military capabilities, Japan has long puzzled theorists of international relations. To explain this puzzle, many scholars have put forth arguments focusing on Japanese domestic institutions and anti-militarist ideas. In contrast, I argue that Japan's security 'production' is primarily driven by two key variables: the regional threat environment and the strength of security commitment from its ally and great power patron, the United States. These two factors vary and interact in ways that determine Japan's level of security, which drives its security policy. These arguments are illustrated through a longitudinal analysis of Japan's security behavior, comprised four temporal 'cases' running from 1960 to the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to and during World War II, thousands of girls and young women were abducted from Korea and forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese government. Termedcomfort women, these girls and young women suffered extreme sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and trauma. Research on this group is not well-developed and people know little of the impact of this early life trauma on the lives of these women who are now in later life. Using snowball sampling, 16 older adult survivors of the comfort women system participated in semistructured qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted to gain an understanding of the trauma that these women suffered and how it impacted their lives. Results revealed the depths of the abuse these women suffered, including repeated rapes, physical beatings, humiliation, forced surgery and sterilization, and social exclusion. These early traumatic experiences appeared to reverberate throughout their lives in their family relations, their inability to marry and to conceive children, and their emotional and physical well-being throughout the life course and into later life. The experiences of these survivors illustrate the lasting impact of early-life trauma and can guide interventions with current survivors of sexual abuse or trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we develop statistical models to predict the number and geographic distribution of fires caused by earthquake ground motion and tsunami inundation in Japan. Using new, uniquely large, and consistent data sets from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, we fitted three types of models-generalized linear models (GLMs), generalized additive models (GAMs), and boosted regression trees (BRTs). This is the first time the latter two have been used in this application. A simple conceptual framework guided identification of candidate covariates. Models were then compared based on their out-of-sample predictive power, goodness of fit to the data, ease of implementation, and relative importance of the framework concepts. For the ground motion data set, we recommend a Poisson GAM; for the tsunami data set, a negative binomial (NB) GLM or NB GAM. The best models generate out-of-sample predictions of the total number of ignitions in the region within one or two. Prefecture-level prediction errors average approximately three. All models demonstrate predictive power far superior to four from the literature that were also tested. A nonlinear relationship is apparent between ignitions and ground motion, so for GLMs, which assume a linear response-covariate relationship, instrumental intensity was the preferred ground motion covariate because it captures part of that nonlinearity. Measures of commercial exposure were preferred over measures of residential exposure for both ground motion and tsunami ignition models. This may vary in other regions, but nevertheless highlights the value of testing alternative measures for each concept. Models with the best predictive power included two or three covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]