Cold Region In Japan Research Articles

Characteristics of Rice Varieties for Commercial Use and Livestock Feed and Their Cultivation Technology in the Cold Region of Japan

Characteristics of Rice Varieties for Commercial Use and Livestock Feed and Their Cultivation Technology in the Cold Region of Japan

Effects of different winter paddock management of Thoroughbred weanlings and yearlings in the cold region of Japan on physiological function, endocrine function and growth.

Effects of different winter paddock management of Thoroughbred weanlings and yearlings in Hokkaido, Japan, which is extremely cold in winter, on physiological function, endocrine function and growth were investigated. They were divided into two groups; those kept outdoors for 22 hr in the paddock (22hr group) and those kept outdoors for 7 hr in daytime with walking exercise for 1 hr using the horse-walker (7hr+W group), and the changes in daily distance travelled, body temperature (BT), heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), endocrine function and growth parameters were compared between the two groups from November at the year of birth to January at 1 year of age. The 7hr+W group could travel almost the same distance as the 22hr group by using the horse-walker. The 22hr group had a lower rate of increase in body weight than the 7hr+W group in January. In addition, lower in BT and HR were observed, and HRV analysis showed an increase in high frequency power spectral density, indicating that parasympathetic nervous activity was dominant. And also, changes in circulating cortisol and thyroxine were not observed despite cold environment. On the other hand, the 7hr+W group had higher prolactin and insulin like growth factor than the 22hr group in January, and cortisol and thyroxine were also increased. Physiological and endocrinological findings from the present study indicate that the management of the 7hr+W group is effective in promoting growth and maintaining metabolism during the winter season.

Five-year vegetation conversion from pasture to C3 and C4 plants affects dynamics of SOC and TN and their natural stable C and N isotopes via mediating C input and N leaching

Understanding the effects of land-use change on stock and composition of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) is pivotal for sustainable agriculture and climate change adaption. However, previous studies have often overlooked the specific vegetation type in land-use changes. Therefore, a five-year lysimeter block experiment was conducted, involving non-vegetation, eulalia (C4 plant), and clover (C3 plant) to investigate the impacts of vegetation conversion from pasture on SOC and N dynamics and their natural stable isotopes. Non-vegetation caused 26.21 % and 25.88 % decreases in SOC and total N (TN) contents. Five-year eulalia and clover cultivation maintained stable SOC content, with clover exhibiting higher soil TN content. Eulalia-derived soil C was 1.64–7.58 g C kg−1 and SOC loss in eulalia treatment was 1.86–7.90 g C kg−1. Soil δ13C in eulalia increased at a rate of 0.90 ‰ year−1, significantly surpassing clover and non-vegetation treatments. Conversely, soil δ15N decreased over time, showing insignificant difference among all treatments. Eulalia exhibited significantly higher dry weight and δ13C but lower TN content compared with clover. However, no significant differences were observed in total C and δ15N between the two vegetation treatments. Non-vegetation exhibited higher dissolved organic C concentration than two vegetation treatments in 2017, decreasing over time. Dissolved TN and nitrate concentrations in leachate followed the order clover> non-vegetation> eulalia, with nitrate being the predominant form of N leaching from leachate. Our findings reveal that vegetation conversion affects soil C and N contents, and alters their natural isotopes as well as the leaching of labile soluble nutrients. Notably, non-vegetation consistently reduced SOC and TN contents, whereas eulalia cultivation maintained SOC content, improved C/N ratio and δ13C, and reduced N leaching compared with clover cultivation. These results highlight the potential of eulalia as a candidate plant for enhancing C sequestration and reducing N leaching in cold regions of Japan.

How climate change may shift power demand in Japan: Insights from data-driven analysis

The impact of climate change on power demand in Japan and its related CO2 emissions is a matter of concern for the Japanese authorities and power companies as it may have consequences on the power grid, but is also of global importance as Japan is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, we trained random forest models against daily power data in ten Japanese regions and for different types of power generation to project changes in future power production and its carbon intensity. We used climate variables, heat stress indices, and one variable for the level of human activities. We then used the models trained from the present-day period to estimate the future power demand, carbon intensity, and pertaining CO2 emissions over the period 2020–2100 under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585). The impact of climate change on CO2 emissions via power generation shows seasonal and regional disparities. In cold regions, a decrease in power demand during winter under future warming leads to an overall decrease in power demand over the year. In contrast, the decrease in winter power demand in hot regions can be overcompensated by an increase in summer power demand due to more frequent hot days, resulting in an overall annual increase. From our regional models, power demand is projected to increase the most in most Japanese regions in May, June, September, and October rather than in the middle of summer, as found in previous studies. This increase could result in regular power outages during those months as the power grid could become particularly tense. Overall, we observed that power demand in regions with extreme climates is more sensitive to global warming than in temperate regions. The impact of climate change on power demand induces a net annual decrease in CO2 emissions in all regions except for Okinawa, in which power demand strongly increases during the summer, resulting in a net annual increase in CO2 emissions. However, climate change's impact on carbon intensity may reverse the trend in some regions (Shikoku, Tohoku). Additionally, we assessed the relative impacts of socioeconomic factors such as population, GDP, and environmental policies on CO2 emissions. When combined with these factors, we found that the climate change effect is more important than when considered individually and significantly impacts total CO2 emissions under SSP585. The contrasting results observed in the warm and cold regions of Japan can offer valuable insight into the potential future variations in energy demand and resulting CO2 emissions on a global scale.

Physical and Mental Health Status of the Homeless in a Cold Region of Japan: Alcohol Intake, Diet and Psychosocial Distress

This study sought to clarify the lifestyle and physical and mental health status of homeless people in a cold region of Japan. 28 participants who visited a soup kitchen completed the physical health check-up and questionnaire surveys in 2017. Five were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews in 2018. Mental health was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The results revealed that a high proportion of homeless people did not consume enough food. Their meat, fish, and vegetables intake were limited, indicating that inappropriate eating habits may affect physical health. Furthermore, four people consumed meals once or less every two days, and all of them were living on the street. In addition, 18% (n = 5) answered that they often consumed alcohol in the daytime, and 68% (n = 19) had a total GHQ-28 score above the cut-off point (>5). In this regard, among those with a GHQ-28 score of >5, seven drank in the daytime even though they consumed meals once or less a day. Indeed, qualitative results revealed physical and psychosocial distress experienced, including limited access to food, anxiety for the future, lack of social support, and erosion of self-esteem. These findings suggest that restrictions on food selection due to financial insecurity, alcohol issues, and mental disorders may impact the food intake and subsequently lead to deteriorating physical health and living on the street may also significantly impact mental health among the homeless. which are helpful for health and social workers to develop necessary interventions targeted at this population.

Field investigation of lifestyle and indoor environment with COVID-19 in facilities for older adults in cold regions of Japan

The emergence of COVID-19 clusters for older adults has been increasing recently in Japan. Facility staff control cross-ventilation with open windows as the primary measure against COVID-19 in facilities for older adults. In this study, the indoor thermal environment, lifestyle, ventilation method, and other in six facilities for older adults were investigated to understand how facility operation management has changed since the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the indoor air temperature was well-managed in all facilities during both seasons. However, the wet bulb globe temperature was measured above the warning level of 25 °C due to the influence of high indoor humidity in summer. The humidity in the facilities was always controlled under low-humidity conditions during winter. In the lifestyle investigation, many votes suggested that the staff found wearing masks uncomfortable. Most older adults were not wearing masks because it made them feel stuffy. Moreover, the staff opened windows for cross-ventilation without relying on objective judgment. Thus, if effective ventilation is not performed, the ventilation efficiency in the facility deteriorates and raises further infection risks. Therefore, staff in facilities should be maintained appropriate indoor carbon dioxide concentrations by ventilation during the COVID-19 catastrophe.

Transformative Power of Stitchery: Sashiko from Cold Regions of Japan and Embroidery Work of the Nui Project

This paper seeks to reveal the transformative power of stitchery by examining textile practices in Japan and articulating how a threaded needle can be viewed as the co-agent of stitchers, infusing their materials with properties in a “processual” and relational manner that reflects the currents of their lifeworld.[1] I will contrast and compare two practices, one ancient and one modern, one responding to life’s necessities and the other simply to the act of stitching. In the ancient world, stitchery was essential for human survival, and later in rural Japan, sashiko stitchery was a medium that connected textiles with daily life, providing for functional and decorative needs. In modern Japan, the stitchery of members of the Nui Project sustains their sense of well-being, which has been observed by the facility staff as the state of “satisfaction or contentment without a goal” which will be elucidated further under the section on the Nui Project[2](Figure One). In both cases, the materials that result from the act of stitching are produced by the movement of hands, eyes, and a threaded needle on cloth. The expressions of stitchers in the two groups are very different though equally powerful in transforming their lives along with the materials they stitch. In the process, they embed cloth with threads that record their experience.

Development of techniques for mitigate methane emission from rice paddies and improve rice growth in a cold region of Japan

Development of techniques for mitigate methane emission from rice paddies and improve rice growth in a cold region of Japan

Airborne Algal growth on roofs of membrane-structured residences in cold area of Japan

The discoloration of building facades due to airborne algae is observed in our surroundings. The growth conditions of these algae are not yet fully understood, and efficient measures for preventing the growth of the algae are not presently available. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the ambient environment and building structure on algal growth. A residential building in a cold region of Japan was surveyed. The roof was a multi-layered structure comprising a semi-transparent film, an air layer, and a layer of insulation from the outside, supported by rafters. The soiled state was visually observed by taking photographs. On the northeast (NE) and northwest (NW) roofs, several black stripes appeared 4 months after cleaning. The soiling increased in the spring and autumn. The soiling first appeared on the film backed by the rafter and then extended to the film backed by the air layer. The condensation time during the day in the rafter part was longer than that in the air-layer part. Condensation occurred during the night, but its frequency exhibited no dependence on the orientation of the roof. Algae tend to die when exposed to an environment with a temperature higher than 45°C. The NE roof had the shortest period with a surface temperature of >45°C. These measurements agreed well with the survey results, which indicated that the soiling mainly occurred on the NE and NW sides of the roofs. The time for algal growth was estimated under the assumption that algae can grow at surface temperatures ranging from 0 to 45°C, in agreement with the observed soiling. The observed soiling changes were well explained by the algal population calculated via a growth predictive model according to the algal temperature and relative humidity.

Effect of soil pH change induced by soil conditioners on rice straw decomposition and methane emission from paddy fields in cold regions of Japan

Effect of soil pH change induced by soil conditioners on rice straw decomposition and methane emission from paddy fields in cold regions of Japan

Population abundance gradient of Inurois punctigera along altitude

AbstractA winter geometrid moth, Inurois punctigera, shows sympatric and genetically isolated seasonal populations (i.e. early‐ and late‐winter populations) in the cold regions of Japan, whereas it shows only mid‐winter populations in the warm regions. Variation in adult flight phenology on a large geographic scale along latitudinal environmental gradients has been described, but the phenological variation on a more local scale along altitudinal environmental gradients has not yet been characterized. In the present study, we assessed the flight phenology at high‐ and low‐elevation areas in Mt. Rokko, Hyogo, Japan. First, we revealed that flight period was not disrupted in mid‐winter, even at high‐elevation areas (>660 m) but the population abundance was much lower in high‐elevation areas than in low‐elevation areas. Then, in the following two seasons, we investigated I. punctigera abundance, winter harshness (i.e. winter temperature) and their host plant abundance in nine closely located stations in Mt. Rokko. A generalized linear mixed model analysis indicated a greater effect of winter temperature on I. punctigera abundance compared to available food resources, suggesting that differences in winter harshness among elevation shapes the gradient of I. punctigera abundance along altitude. Our findings suggest that harsh conditions during winter function as selective agents on mid‐winter types of I. punctigera, and this could be involved in the divergence between sympatric early‐ and late‐winter populations of I. punctigera.

Effect of initial curing conditions on air permeability and de- icing salt scaling resistance of surface concrete

Enhancing the surface quality of concrete is a key to improve the durability of reinforced concrete. Surface concrete can protect steel bars from corrosion due to the migration of gas, water and ion from the surrounding environment. Therefore, the influence of the initial curing on air permeability and the de-icing salt scaling resistance of surface concrete were investigated in this paper. Firstly, existing bridge structures in the cold region of Japan were surveyed with visual rating and non-destructive test (NDT) for the surface quality of concrete. Secondly, the concrete specimens were prepared for different curing conditions and methods including cold weather concreting, heat or non-heat-supply curing, ex- tending demold period and water-retention sheet. These results showed that concrete curing with sheet or permeability formwork was better than curing in air. Especially, utilizing permeability formwork is greatly effective for the attainment of high surface quality of concrete. Simultaneously, focus on cold weather concreting, could evaluate the appropriate curing period combining with the surface air perme- ability and the de-icing salt scaling resistance of concrete. The surface concrete has better de-icing salt frost resistance, when the surface air permeability coefficient is below 1×10-16m2 or the initial curing period is more than three weeks.

日本海側積雪寒冷地の稲わら施用水田におけるメタン発生量の年次変動と中干し期間の延長によるメタン発生量の低減効果 第1報 同一試験地における17年間21事例のメタン発生量の年次変動に及ぼす気温，土壌Ehの影響

日本海側積雪寒冷地の稲わら施用水田におけるメタン発生量の年次変動と中干し期間の延長によるメタン発生量の低減効果 第1報 同一試験地における17年間21事例のメタン発生量の年次変動に及ぼす気温，土壌Ehの影響

日本海側積雪寒冷地の稲わら施用水田におけるメタン発生量の年次変動と中干し期間の延長によるメタン発生量の低減効果 第2報 中干し期間の延長によるメタン発生量の低減効果と水稲生育への影響

日本海側積雪寒冷地の稲わら施用水田におけるメタン発生量の年次変動と中干し期間の延長によるメタン発生量の低減効果 第2報 中干し期間の延長によるメタン発生量の低減効果と水稲生育への影響

Effect of Temperature on Behavior of Oxygen Transport through Solution Layer Formed on Metal

To clarify relatively fast corrosion rate observed by exposer tests in snowy and cold region in Japan, the effects of electrode temperature and thickness of electrolyte formed on zinc sheets on oxygen transport were investigated by electrochemically at room temperature and open to the air. A clear oxygen limiting current was observed independent of chloride ion concentration, electrode temperature and electrolyte thickness. As the electrolyte thickness became thinner than 0.6 mm, the oxygen limiting current increased with increasing inverse of electrolyte thickness in 1 kmol m-3 NaCl solution. In the case of thin electrolyte, the effect of electrode temperature on oxygen limiting current became significant.

Shallow autumn tillage does not reduce CH<SUB>4</SUB> emission from an Andisol paddy field in Morioka, a cold region in Japan

Shallow autumn tillage does not reduce CH<SUB>4</SUB> emission from an Andisol paddy field in Morioka, a cold region in Japan

Field measurement of indoor air quality and airborne microbes in a near-zero energy house with an earth tube in the cold region of Japan

This study was conducted to evaluate the level of microbial contamination of indoor air during 3 years for two residences in one building equipped with heat recovery ventilation devices and located in Kimobetsu town of Hokkaido, Japan. This article documents a case study aimed at monitoring the microbes contaminations indoors for a safe use of energy saving ventilation devices and sanitary indoor air. This articles describes an investigative approach with three components. First, the authors evaluated the indoor air quality and microbial concentration by comparing the concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon dioxide, and airborne bacteria and fungi of indoor air and outdoor air during spring, summer and winter. Second, the microbial concentration inside an earth tube and a fixed sensible heat exchanger was evaluated by measuring the airborne microbial concentration of the supply air. Third, the authors assessed the possibility of microbial contamination inside the earth tube using the fungal index and by measuring temperature and relative humidity at the tube's outlet airflow. The results showed that the total concentration of airborne fungi was higher in summer than in spring or winter and that the fungal genera Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp. were dominant in the samples. Additionally, it was found that the environment inside the earth tube allowed easy growth of fungi from May to September with the highest fungal index measured in August. It was also confirmed that the earth tube did not affect the supply air for a building constructed 4 years ago.

A study of the energy consumption and airborne microbe concentration in the Sapporo underground walkway, in a cold region of Japan

The present study sought to evaluate the energy consumption, indoor air quality and concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi in the Sapporo underground walkway, which is in a cold region of Japan. The energy consumption, temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentrations of the underground walkway were investigated for 4 years from its opening in 2011 (until 2014). The temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentrations were automatically detected using sensors and data from Sapporo city hall. To evaluate the microbial contamination in the ventilation system and indoors, the concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were measured on 2 days (a weekday and a weekend day) during opening hours in both summer and winter. The concentration of airborne microbes in the supply air, indoor air, and outside air was compared. Species of airborne bacteria were identified using 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The energy use intensities were decreased in 2013, when the walkway temperature was changed during both winter and summer. The carbon dioxide concentration in the walkway was maintained below 1000 ppm. The number of airborne bacteria and fungi in the supply air from the ceiling diffuser was lower than those in the outdoor and indoor air. These results indicate that both energy consumption and indoor air quality were maintained in the walkway throughout the 4-year period. This study could be helpful for developing the related standards for indoor air quality and for developing control strategies to properly operate air conditioning and ventilation systems in underground spaces.

Relation between seeding times and stem yield of sorghum in cold region in Japan

The seeding time is an important factor affecting the process of stem yield. Nevertheless, details related to the optimum seeding time to maximize the stem yield of sweet sorghum have not been studied. This study elucidated information necessary to ascertain the optimum seeding time to obtain the maximum stem yield. We conducted an examination with three seeding times at intervals of two weeks, ranging from late May to mid-June for four years during 2009–2012, and we analyzed the relation between seeding times and stem yield based on internode characteristics of stems using two sorghum cultivars with different maturity: ‘Kazetachi’ and ‘Wray’. Differences were observed in the respective relations between the seeding times and the stem yields. For Kazetachi, the dry matter yield increased with the earlier seeding time. Thus, to expand the growing period, an earlier seeding time with good establishment is better. For Wray, a cultivar that can grow to heading in the Tohoku region, the stem dry weight was greater by seeding in early June. For cultivars such as Wray with a sufficient growing period in a given region, the optimum seeding time to obtain stable higher stem yield existed and the cultivars should be seeded when they could grow under good weather conditions at the critical time strongly influences growth.

Shallow tillage in autumn reduced methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a paddy field with incorporated rice straw in a cold region of Japan

Shallow tillage in autumn reduced methane and nitrous oxide emissions from a paddy field with incorporated rice straw in a cold region of Japan