Kinki Region Research Articles

Help-seeking behavior in difficult situations among long-term care facility staff: a comparison with general citizens

ABSTRACT Although help-seeking research is useful to improve the quality of dementia care and mental health of care staff, most studies have focused on family caregivers. The details of help-seeking behavior among care staff remain unclear. This study investigated the features of help-seeking behavior among staff working in long-term care facilities. Two online surveys were conducted, targeting individuals working in long-term care facilities in Kinki Region, as well as general citizens who are users of crowdsourcing services across all regions of Japan. Four hypothetical difficult caregiving situations were developed to examine staff help-seeking behavior, including older people’s going-home behavior, care resistance, apathy, and depression. When confronted with difficult situations, participants responded regarding whether they sought help from other staff, the timing of help-seeking when they chose to seek help from others, and the level of burden to deal with the situations. A total of 505 participants (273 care staff and 232 general citizens) were analyzed. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the burden in all situations experienced by general citizens was higher than that among care staff. Three-way ANOVA also showed that excessive help-seeking styles were associated with difficult care situations. Finally, care staff engaged in help-seeking behavior more quickly than general citizens. The current findings showed that, compared to general citizens, care staff exhibited more frequent help-seeking behavior, which would be helpful to support problem-solving or alleviate the burden of care. Additional research is necessary to clarify the functions of help-seeking behavior in dementia care.

Evaluation of Pharmacy Students' Understanding of Clinical Trials and Research through Questionnaires Before and After the Hospital Practical Training

A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate practical training and improve education on clinical trial and research. This survey was based on the results of questionnaire before and after the practical training undertaken by 240 pharmaceutical students (Kanto region; 1 university, Tokai region; 2 university, Kinki region; 9 university) at Mie University Hospital between 2011 and 2022. In the questionnaire before practical training, lectures in university (n=219, 91%) were the main source of information on clinical trials and research. Fifty-two students (22%) correctly answered the contents of phase 1-4 trials. As an occupation that can perform clinical research coordinator (CRC)'s work, only 7 students (3%) answered that "all medical and non-medical professionals" can perform the CRC's duties. Regarding the understanding of terms related to clinical trials and research, more than 90% of the students understood the meaning of "subjects," "informed consent," and "placebo" even before practical training. Otherwise, even after practical training, students' understanding of "reimbursement," "follow-up period," "audit," or "direct access" was less than 80%. Practical training improved the understanding of terms such as clinical trial (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.001), clinical research phase 1-4 trials (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.001), interest in clinical trials and research (McNemar-Bowker test, p<0.001), and understanding of CRC's work (McNemar-Bowker test, p<0.001). We will improve the content of practical training and bequeath the knowledge and importance of drug discovery and development to the next generation.

Investigation of transition signals from single cell to multicell thunderstorms in the Kinki region, Japan by using vertical vorticity and multi-parameter radar analysis

Investigation of transition signals from single cell to multicell thunderstorms in the Kinki region, Japan by using vertical vorticity and multi-parameter radar analysis

Between anti-gambling and masculinity: mahjong playing among Japanese gay men

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to explore the construction of gender norms in gambling through qualitative research and, specifically in relation to the behavior, spatial arrangements, and relationships with objects among gay men. Based on data collected in the Kinki region of Japan from 2021 to 2023, this paper examines gambling from the perspective of gay individuals who hold an anti-gambling stance. The paper considers gambling as a performative act that constructs masculinity and uses actor-network theory to investigate how actors in the context of mahjong parlors construct masculinity. Through this approach, the paper examines this as a dynamic and constructive process in gambling. It meticulously describes the diverse ways in which research participants perceive the relationship between gambling and masculinity, shedding light on the private spaces that are often marginalized from the public norms of gambling. Unlike existing psychological and psychopathological studies on gambling, this paper focuses on the actual practice of gambling through long-term participant observation from an anthropological perspective, fostering a more dynamic and constructive discussion.

Preface to the special issue on “Natural Environment in Historical Periods of the Kinki Region”

Preface to the special issue on “Natural Environment in Historical Periods of the Kinki Region”

The Proceedings of the 2023 Kinki Regional Post Graduate Education Meeting

The Proceedings of the 2023 Kinki Regional Post Graduate Education Meeting

The Proceedings of the 128th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

The Proceedings of the 128th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

The Proceedings of the 127th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

The Proceedings of the 127th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of pitch-accent systems based on accentual class merger: a new method applied to Japanese dialects

Abstract Unlike studies of the evolutionary relationship between languages, the dialect-level variation within a language has seldom been studied within the framework of a phylogenetic tree, because frequent lexical borrowing muddles the evidence of shared ancestry. The phonological history of Japanese is an exceptional case study where the phenomenon called accentual class merger enables the phylogenetic analysis of dialectal pitch-accent systems in a way that is not subject to borrowing. However, previous studies have lacked statistical analysis and failed to evaluate the relative credence of alternative hypotheses. Here we developed a novel substitution model that describes the mutation of pitch-accent systems driven by accentual class merger and integrated the model into the framework of Bayesian phylogenetic inference with geographical diffusion. Applying the method to data on the pitch-accent variation in modern Japanese dialects and historical documents collected from literature, we reconstructed the evolutionary history and spatial diffusion of pitch-accent systems. Our result supports the monophyly of each of three groups of pitch-accent systems in conventional categorization, namely Tokyo type, Keihan type, and N-kei (N-pattern) type of Kyushu, whereas the monophyly of the Tokyo type has been highly controversial in previous studies. The divergence time of the mainland pitch-accent systems was estimated to be from mid-Kofun to early Heian period. Also, it is suggested that the modern Kyoto dialect did not inherit its accent patterns from Bumoki but from an unrecorded lineage which survived from the Muromachi period. Analyses on geographical diffusion suggest that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all the taxa and that of Keihan type were located in or around the Kinki region, whereas the MRCA of N-kei type was located in northern to central Kyushu. The geographical location of the MRCA of Tokyo type remains unclear, but the Kinki and Kanto regions are the most plausible candidates.

Vegetation History Characteristics of Planted Forests in Japan: Analysis of the 1960 World Census of Agriculture and Forestry

This study aimed to clarify the vegetation history of planted forests that are still in use today by comparing the types of land afforested in 1960 with the post-war afforestation period in Japan’s Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Kinki regions. It was during that time that the majority of the planted forest in these regions was established. We calculated the afforestation ratios (afforested area of each type of land/total afforested area) for the smallest survey unit, the 1950 administrative sections, using data from the 1960 World Agriculture and Forestry Census on the afforested areas of various types of land (i.e., deforested areas resulting from natural forests, deforested areas resulting from planted forests, and areas other than forests). The afforestation ratios were then sorted into ten categories for each municipality in the three regions and mapped using GIS. The analysis results showed that the vegetation history in Kyushu, even within the same municipality, was frequently mixed in 1960; in Hokkaido, the afforestation ratio for deforested areas resulting from natural forests was extremely high, while the afforestation ratio for deforested areas resulting from planted forests was low. In contrast, the Kinki region has a low afforestation ratio for non-forest regions. This study provides useful information for ecosystem management.

Ecological niche modeling shed light on new insights of the speciation processes and historical distribution of Japanese fire-bellied newt Cynops pyrrhogaster (Amphibia: Urodela)

Environmental factors play vital roles in determining the range of organisms and application of selective pressures that drive their evolution. Investigation of how these ecological factors influence the diversification of species has long been a point of interest among ecologists. In this study, we used climate-based ecological niche models to project the suitable distributions of four main clades of Japanese fire-bellied newt Cynops pyrrhogaster at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Mid-Holocene (MH), and the present. Then we tested hypotheses regarding ecological niche diversification and the processes of diversification among these clades. The potential distribution of the Northern clade encompassed the Tohoku and Kanto districts, along with the northeastern Chubu district. The Central clade had a potential distribution across the Chubu and Kinki districts, and northeastern Chugoku district. The range of the Western clade was projected to encompass Kyushu, Shikoku, the southern Kinki region, and western Chugoku. Finally, the projected distribution of the Southern clade was limited to the southern Kyushu district. The lack of equivalent niches among the tested pairs indicated the absence of ecological interchangeability among the clades. The results of a similarity test supported significant parapatric divergence of the Northern and Central clades from the remaining clades. On the other hand, the Western and Southern clades probably underwent divergence through an allopatric process. Our paleomodels suggest that the distribution of C. pyrrhogaster may have been reduced and fragmented along the coastal regions during the LGM. The distribution models for the MH estimated a suitable area larger than for the LGM, but smaller than predicted by the current distribution. Our findings serve as a warning that the potential distributions of species could be significantly influenced by future climate change.

An update and frequency distribution of Y chromosome haplogroups in modern Japanese males.

Japanese males belong to the Y chromosome C1a1, C2, D1a2a, D1a2a-12f2b, O1b2, O1b2a1a1, O2a2b1, and O2a1b haplogroups. Notably, the regional frequency of each haplogroup is homogeneous. Owing to recent developments in genome sequencing technology, the phylogenetic tree of Y chromosome haplogroups is updated annually. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to provide an update on the Y chromosome haplogroups of modern Japanese males and examine their regional distributions. Using 1,640 samples of Japanese males from seven Japanese cities (Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Tokushima, Osaka, Kanazawa, Kawasaki, and Sapporo), haplogroups C1a1, C2, D1a2a, D1a2a-12f2b, O1b2, and O1b2a1a1 were updated based on the latest phylogenetic tree. Haplogroup C1a1 was mainly classified into C1a1a1a and C1a1a1b subgroups; C1a1a1b was more common in Tokushima and Osaka than in the other regions. Haplogroup C2 was mainly classified into C2a, C2b1a1a, C2b1a1b, C2b1a2, and C2b1b subgroups and exhibited frequency differences in Osaka. Haplogroup D1a2a was classified into D1a2a1c1 and D1a2a2 subgroups, and its frequency varied between Tokushima and Osaka. Haplogroup D1a2a-12f2b was classified into D1a2a1a2b1a1a and D1a2a1a3 subgroups; however, no significant frequency differences were observed. Haplogroup O1b2 was classified into O1b2a1a2a1a, O1b2a1a2a1b, and O1b2a1a3 subgroups, with frequency differences between Nagasaki and Kanazawa. Haplogroup O1b2a1a1 was mainly classified into O1b2a1a1a, O1b2a1a1b, and O1b2a1a1c subgroups; however, no significant frequency differences were observed. Our findings suggest that gene flow in the Kinki region is caused by human migration.

Autonomic function measurements for evaluating fatigue and quality of life in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy: a prospective longitudinal study

BackgroundFatigue during radiation therapy in women with breast cancer can decrease quality of life (QOL), yet it is often underestimated and needs to be evaluated objectively. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate fatigue and QOL of women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy with a simple autonomic function measurement.MethodsWomen with breast cancer who underwent postoperative radiotherapy in eight cancer care hospitals in Chubu and Kinki regions in Japan were recruited between October 2021 and June 2022. The women underwent a self-administered questionnaire that included the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) and the Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8) and an autonomic nervous function measurement using a simple, non-invasive device before (T0, baseline), mid (T1), and at the end (T2) of treatment.ResultsThe 57 women showed similar trends, with CFS scores and log LF/HF ratio being the highest at T0 and significantly decreasing at T1 (both p < 0.05). The log LF/HF trends differed between those with high and low baseline log LF/HF values. Women with mental component summary (MCS) score improvement (T0 to T2) had the highest log LF/HF ratio at T0 and had significantly lower log LF/HF values at T1 and T2 than at T0 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). The change of (⊿) MCS from T0 to T1 was negatively correlated with ⊿log LF/HF from T0 to T1 (r = − 0.36, p < 0.01).ConclusionsMeasurement of autonomic nerve function with a simple device is useful for objective fatigue assessment during radiotherapy. Psychological support is important as improvement in mental health helps improve autonomic nerve function and, in turn, fatigue.

An online survey on differences in knowledge and stigma about epilepsy among the Tokyo metropolitan area and non-urban areas in Japan, a post-hoc study

PurposeExtant research elucidating the domains of knowledge and bias on epilepsy has consistently underscored a deficiency in cognizance and an inclination toward bias within non-urban areas. Investigations into geographical disparities concerning epilepsy awareness and prejudice within the Japanese context remain conspicuously absent. To address this lacuna in the literature, we undertook a post-hoc analysis to elucidate the discernible regional differentials in epilepsy awareness and the associated stigma. MethodsFrom July to August 2021, we conducted an internet questionnaire survey for 310 people with epilepsy (PWE) and 213 ordinary people without epilepsy who registered on the database of the Japanese Research Company. We inquired PWE to answer the Epilepsy Self-Stigma Scale (ESSS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Epilepsy Knowledge Scale (EKS). We inquired to answer ordinary people without epilepsy EKS. We analyzed residential addresses separately for Greater Tokyo and non-urban areas by comparing the degree of knowledge of people with epilepsy and people without epilepsy. ResultsThe average knowledge of people with and without epilepsy in the Greater Tokyo area was 39.60 and 28.43 points, although in non-urban areas (nine regions from all over Japan except for the Greater Tokyo, Tokai region, and Kinki region), the knowledge averages were 38.44 and 28.66 points of 100. In addition, self-stigma was highest in the Greater Tokyo area: 22.99 and in non-urban areas: 22.77. An two-way ANOVA with knowledge as the dependent variable and epilepsy diagnosis status and region (Greater Tokyo area/non-urban areas) as the independent variables revealed no interaction between diagnosis and region (F(1,346) = 1.48, η2 = 0.003). Knowledge was significantly higher in PWE than in people without epilepsy, but we could not identify any significant difference between ESSS (t = 0.24, d = 0.03) and RSES (t = 1.16, d = 0.16) in the Greater Tokyo/non-urban areas. ConclusionsWe obtained specific information about regional differences in the level of knowledge and stigma about epilepsy in Japan. Because Japan underwent educational reforms after World War II and more than 90% of the population received equally advanced education, the results found no regional differences in knowledge and stigma about epilepsy. We believe collecting information about the respondents' birth and upbringing environment and conducting a thorough investigation is necessary in the future.

Regional Variation in the Clinical Practice and Prognosis in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction in Japan - A Report From the Japanese Registry of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (JROADHF).

The present study aimed to clarify the regional variations in clinical practice and the prognosis of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in Japan using the Japanese Registry of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (JROADHF). We recruited data of hospitalized patients with HFrEF (n=4,329) from the JROADHF. The patients were divided into 6 groups based on the region of Japan where they were hospitalized: Hokkaido-Tohoku (n=504), Kanto (n=958), Chubu (n=779), Kinki (n=902), Chugoku-Shikoku (n=446), and Kyushu (n=740). We compared the patients' characteristics, including etiology of HF and prognosis after discharge. The age of the patients was lowest in the Kanto and Kinki regions. In contrast, there were no differences in the prevalence of comorbidities, levels of B-type natriuretic peptide, or left ventricular EF among the 6 groups. Post-discharge cardiospecific prognosis, specifically, the composite of cardiac death or HF hospitalization, cardiac death, and HF hospitalization, was comparable among the 6 regions. There were no differences in cardiospecific prognosis in patients with HFrEF among the 6 regions in Japan.

Using the ANPS Typology to Unearth the Relationship Between Japanese Sign Language (JSL) Endonymic Toponym Distribution and Regional Identity

This study examines Japanese Sign Language (JSL) toponym distribution by categorizing 184 JSL endonymic toponyms via the Blair &amp; Tent (2020) Australian National Placename Survey (ANPS) typology. Toponyms from the National Sign Language Toponym Map (Japan Federation of the Deaf et al. 2009) were collected and sorted by categories into a spreadsheet, which maintained token counts. Topographical category distribution shows that the Kinki region, which has a strong historical connection to Japan's national identity, has a disproportionately large number of signs related to commemorative eponyms. Past work on sign language toponyms has demonstrated the salience of social and structural factors on toponym spread and production. This study contributes to the understanding of toponym etiology by revealing how the incorporation of regional identity indices might support the preservation of particular kinds of toponyms.

High-resolution three-dimensional azimuthal velocity anisotropy of S-waves in southern-central Japan, based on ambient noise tomography

To investigate the dominant deformational patterns and stress conditions in the upper crustal structure of the Kinki region, southern-central Japan, we constructed a high-resolution 3D azimuthal anisotropy model to a depth of ~ 11 km. We used 6-month-long ambient noise data recorded by the densely distributed permanent and temporary stations. From this dataset, cross-correlations were retrieved. We then obtained a 3D isotropic velocity model by inverting Rayleigh wave dispersion data, followed by a direct joint inversion for both 3D azimuthal anisotropy and additional isotropic velocity perturbation. The resolved 3D azimuthal anisotropy reveals significant contrasts of anisotropy across the Kinki region. The predominant fast axes observed in the northwestern Kinki region align with the direction of the maximum horizontal compressional stress and the principal strain rate axes, suggesting that the observed anisotropy is mainly stress-induced. In the southern part of the study area, furthermore, the predominant fast axes trend NE–SW and near E–W, also indicating the presence of stress-induced anisotropy. On the depth profile of the anisotropy, we found depth-dependent variation of azimuthal anisotropy. There exists a significant consistency between the anisotropy observed beneath 3 km depth and the dense distribution of earthquake hypocenters. This interrelationship between anisotropy and seismicity demonstrates that the observed anisotropy could be linked to local crustal stress or fractures relevant to earthquake ruptures. Our 3D anisotropy model therefore contributes towards understanding the locations and features of the seismicity region.Graphical

The Proceedings of the 124th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

The Proceedings of the 124th Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

Causal Relationships between Stream NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; Concentrations at Baseflow Conditions and Key Regulating Factors in the Kinki Region of Japan, Including the Japan-sea Side Area and Encompassing a Climatic Gradient

Causal Relationships between Stream NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;−&lt;/sup&gt; Concentrations at Baseflow Conditions and Key Regulating Factors in the Kinki Region of Japan, Including the Japan-sea Side Area and Encompassing a Climatic Gradient

The Proceedings of the 122nd Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology

The Proceedings of the 122nd Kinki Regional Meeting of the Japanese Society of Neurology