Scale In Japan Research Articles

Understanding Japan's Land-use Dynamics between 1987 and 2050 using Land Accounting and Scenario Analysis

Amidst global concerns about land use change and its far-reaching impact on biodiversity and human well-being, there is a growing need to understand how land use stock and flow changes over time through land use accounting. While existing studies on land accounting have focused on historical land changes, little attention has been paid to future transitions. This study assessed historical patterns and projected future shifts in land use dynamics from 1987 to 2050 across Japan by combining high-resolution land use and land cover datasets, land change simulations, and land accounting. In the analyses, particular attention was paid to the historical and future trends of farmland abandonment by leveraging data at 100-m resolution built on national vegetation surveys. High-resolution analysis of farmland abandonment issue with national scale in Japan is a novelty. From 1987 to 1998, the land stock analysis results showed a pronounced marked increase in residential land (10.4%) and grassland (16.9%); the flow analysis results showed that urban residential sprawl expansion was mainly formed by secondary (32.6%) and plantation (21.1%) forest areas, coinciding with increasing population and economic growth. Projections from 2010 to 2050 indicate a marked increase in abandoned farmland (67.2% per decade), a trend influenced by rapid population decline and presumably agricultural policies, especially significant in regions such as Hokkaido and Kyushu. The findings of this study are crucial for shaping policy and decision-making, underlining the need for sustainable land management strategies that effectively balance urban growth, agricultural productivity, and environmental preservation in Japan.

The Relationship between Large Wood Export and the Long-Term Large Wood Budget on an Annual Scale in Japan, Using Storage Function with the Lumped Hydrological Method

In this study, we aimed to verify the two relationships on large wood export, as follows: (1) the relationship between large wood recruitment and landslides triggered by intense rainfalls and (2) the relationship between large wood export and the long-term large wood budget on an annual scale, based on the direct export of large wood caused by an increase in large wood recruitment with extreme rainfall events, as well as the baseflow of large wood, which is mainly old large wood recruitment stored at the slopes and in the stream. To reproduce these two relationships, the model consisted of two frameworks, as follows: (1) the rainfall-induced analytical shallow landslide model, with 30 m spatial resolution for large wood recruitment and (2) the double/triple storage function, with the lumped hydrological method at a watershed scale for large wood entrainment. Application of the model to 212 dam reservoir watersheds across Japan resulted in reproducibility in the estimation of large wood export volumes in 134 of the target dam reservoir watersheds, which contribute 63.2% of the target basins. This indicated that our results verified these two relationships as primary relationships. To analyse the difference in large wood export systems, a frequency analysis was conducted using correlation analysis based on large wood export volume and the cumulative values of six patterns of large wood recruitment volumes. The results indicated that there might be differences in large wood export systems between the watersheds represented by the double storage function model and those represented by the triple storage function model.

P211: Quality of Life and participation in society of elderly people with aphasia

Objective:Aphasia is a communication disorder associated with impairments in spoken language, understanding, reading and writing that impacts upon daily activities, participation in society and the quality of life (QoL), and it is common in elderly patients in the context of vascular diseases. We aimed to investigate participation in society and the environmental factors and health-related QoL of elderly people with aphasia.Methods:People with aphasia whose age was above 65 were included in this study. QoL was assessed by the Japanese version of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39) and Life stage Aphasia Quality Of Life scale-11 (LAQOL-11), and the participation in society and the environmental factors as barriers was assessed by the Japanese version of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and the Japanese version 2 of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF), respectively. We explored predictors such as aphasia severity, communication impairment, cognitive functions, motor paralysis, activities of daily living (ADL).Results:We included 58 individuals (43 men; mean age 73.2 [SD 5.7] years) with aphasia after the mean 48 (SD 64.9) months of onset (of stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain tumor, traumatic brain injury). The median of the total score of SAQOL-39 and LAQOL-11 was 3.91 (Quartile Deviation 0.47) out of 5 and 85.0 (QD 12.5) out of 110. The QoL was not associated with aphasia severity assessed by the Standard Language Test of Aphasia (SLTA) which is the most frequently used comprehensive aphasia rating scale in Japan, but poor QoL was significantly associated (Spearman correlations) with increased severity of communication impairment assessed by Communication ADL Test (P = 0.01). Moreover, increased QoL was significantly associated with increased participation in society (P = 0.03) and decreased environmental factors (P = 0.01).Conclusion:Poor communication ADL may have a negative effect on QoL in elderly people with aphasia. Also, we show that QoL is associated with participation in society. For patients with aphasia after retirement, specific rehabilitation of communication ADL might be beneficial and should be explored in future studies.

Factors controlling available soil nitrogen in Japanese paddy fields

ABSTRACT Available soil nitrogen (Av-N) is an important indicator for understanding the soil fertility in paddy fields. Previous studies have reported a decline in Av-N resulting from paddy-upland rotation at a regional scale in Japan, while the factors influencing this phenomenon on a national scale are not well understood. This study aims to assess the effects of soil temperature, land use, soil type and soil texture on Av-N in paddy fields across Japan. Soil surveys were conducted in 13 prefectures in 2020 and 2021, involving the collection of soil samples from the plow layer in a total of 2,600 paddy fields. Our results revealed that soil temperature had the most significant influence on Av-N, followed by land use and soil type. Av-N exhibited a negative correlation with soil temperature, whereby the average Av-N in the thermic soil temperature regime (>15°C, Av-N: 107 ± 48 mg kg−1) significantly lower than that in the mesic soil temperature regime (≤15°C, Av-N: 166 ± 74 mg kg−1). Increased upland frequency in paddy fields led to a decrease in Av-N, particularly pronounced in the thermic soil temperature regime, while partially mitigated in the mesic soil temperature regime. In the thermic soil temperature regime, paddy fields with long-term upland usage (upland frequency of paddy fields was more than 50%) had an average Av-N of 50 mg kg−1, necessitating additional organic matter application. Furthermore, the results concerning soil type and soil texture indicated that Av-N was higher in wet soil compared to semi-wet soil, and fine-textured soil had higher Av-N than medium-course textured soil. These findings underscore the negative effect of accelerated drying in paddy fields due to the expanding practice of paddy-upland rotation, leading to decreased Av-N. In conclusion, our study proposes the importance of organic matter management practices, with a primary emphasis on soil temperature, further refined by considering land use and soil type, to ensure the maintenance of adequate Av-N levels in paddy fields in Japan.

Predicting changes in the carbon stocks of bamboo forests in Japan from 1985 to 2005

ABSTRACT Bamboo forests are expected to play an important role in mitigating climate change. However, the capacity of bamboo forests to sequester and store carbon has not been assessed on a national scale in Japan. This study estimates the changes in the carbon stock of bamboo forests (CSbamboo) in Japan from 1985 to 2005. We compiled two data sets: (1) administrative statistical data on bamboo stand area (BSA) and (2) published data on stand-level aboveground biomass for Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houz. (n = 44) and Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. et Zucc. (n = 13). The BSA expanded from 147 kha in 1985 to 158 kha in 2005. The average carbon density (CD) of managed and abandoned stands were 84.9 Mg C ha−1 and 115.1 Mg C ha−1 for P. pubescens and 24.1 Mg C ha−1 and 46.4 Mg C ha−1 for P. bambusoides, respectively. The CD of P. pubescens stands in Japan was higher than that in other Asian countries and regions and was comparable to the CD of other forests in Japan. The area-based method indicated that the CSbamboo increased from 10.1 ± 2.6 Tg C to 13.9 ± 1.7 Tg C during the 20-year period, representing less than 1% of the total carbon pool of the forested area. The increase in CSbamboo was primarily caused by the synergistic effect of the abandonment and range expansion of P. pubescens forests. Our results suggest that P. pubescens forests are overstocked, and the increase in the CSbamboo is undesirable.

Opioid prescriptions at the point of surgery, bone metastasis, or death among patients with breast cancer in Japanese acute care hospitals: a claims-based, retrospective, longitudinal study

PurposeBreast cancer is the most common cancer among Japanese women and often yields a better prognosis than other cancers. However, few studies have been conducted on pain control using opioids in Japan. In this study, we aimed to examine actual opioid use among breast cancer patients.MethodsBreast cancer patients were defined as female patients with a first breast cancer diagnosis during the observational period in an acute care hospital database (April 2008 − February 2020). We examined the percentage of patients prescribed opioids, the opioid amount per patient, and the opioid dosage per day around surgery, bone metastasis diagnosis, or death.ResultsOverall, 217,722 breast cancer patients were identified. The percentage of patients prescribed opioids and the average amount of opioids per patient were highest in the month of surgery, 78% and 27 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), respectively. The average opioid dosage increased with time after surgery from 19 to 28 MMEs. Around bone metastasis, the percentage of patients prescribed opioids and the average opioid amount per patient peaked one month after the diagnosis, 31% and 371 MMEs, respectively. The average opioid dosage gradually increased from 22 to 35 MMEs in succeeding days after a bone metastasis diagnosis. The percentage of patients prescribed opioids and the average opioid amount per patient increased as the month of death approached.ConclusionWe investigated opioid prescription trends around clinical events in breast cancer patients on a large scale in Japan. These results may be useful to control cancer pain among breast cancer patients.

0260 Establishment of a polysomnography databank for sleep disorders in Japan

Abstract Introduction Polysomnography (PSG) has been suggested to be useful as an objective indicator (biomarker) that contributes to the diagnosis and severity evaluation of various sleep disorders. However, its regular use is still limited to the specialized institutions for sleep disorders. Therefore, PSG is essential for clinical diagnosis of only some sleep disorders, and further application of PSG in conjunction with biomarker development of disorders including such as insomnia, and psychiatric disorders with comorbid sleep disorders is expected. The aim of this project is to establish a PSG databank for sleep disorders in collaboration with major PSG laboratories in Japan. Methods This project is collaborated with medical and research institutions that conduct PSG on a large scale in Japan. The National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) serves as the core institution. The initial collaborating institution is the Tokyo Medical University, which is in cooperation with the Yoyogi Sleep Disorder Center, the largest PSG facility in the Kanto region. We also collaborate with three other core PSG facilities in the Kanto, Tohoku and Kyushu regions: the Nihon University, the Akita University (in cooperation with the Akita Sleep Clinic), and the Kurume University. This project has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the NCNP. Results We have stored about 3,000 PSG data evaluated by the standard of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline or the traditional Rechtschaffen & Kales standard with adjunct clinical metadata for the past 9 years at the NCNP, about 17,900 at the Tokyo Medical University, about 1,900 at the Nihon University, about 500 at the Akita University, and about 3,000 at the Kurume University. We are continuously collecting and banking data for enhancing research availability of the PSG databank for sleep disorders. Conclusion The collected data will be used for research on the development of objective indices for sleep disorders or neuropsychiatric disorders, for which objective indices are lacking in diagnosis and pathological evaluation. Support (if any) This work was supported by the Intramural Research Grant (#2-1) for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders of NCNP.

Evaluating the definition of severely injured patients: a Japanese nationwide 5-year retrospective study

ObjectivesThe definition of severely injured patients lacks universal consensus based on quantitative measures. The most widely used definition of severe injury is based on the Injury Severity Score (ISS), which...

Assessing Continued Employability among People with Mental Illnesses: Development of a Scale in Japan.

Continued employment enables people with mental illnesses to maintain and improve their mental health, and its mutual understanding between them and their workplaces can help provide specific support and improve the work environment. Hence, this study developed a Continued Employability Scale to provide people with mental illnesses solutions for achieving continued employment and examined the scale's reliability and validity. It is based on a conceptual analysis of the skills necessary for continued employment and comprises items related to continued employability and the consequences of continued employment. We performed conceptual analyses to prepare the item list, conducted the study using a questionnaire survey, and examined its content validity and reliability using factor analyses. The results showed that the developed scale, which can determine self-management, dedication to work, environmental adjustments, and expression of sincerity necessary for continued employment, was reliable and valid. This can be a potentially helpful tool for assessing the ability to continue working and help people with mental illnesses visualise their continued employability, clarify what is being assessed, and improve the self-management ability necessary for continued employment. Further, it can help people who support them at work and enable existing support and programs to function effectively.

Development of the Japanese Parenting Style Scale and examination of its validity and reliability

Parenting is an essential factor affecting child development. Therefore, several studies have focused on individual differences in parenting (i.e., parenting styles). However, there exist only a few useful scales in Japan, especially for parents who have preschool children. Therefore, a new scale for assessing parenting styles in Japan, based on the traditional theoretical framework, was developed, and examined for its validity and reliability. In Study 1, 82 original items were constructed and 1236 parents with preschool children completed these items. Next, 28 items for the Japanese Parenting Style Scale (JPSS) were selected based on factor analysis and the analyses of the graded response model. The JPSS included four factors: warmth, hostility, permissiveness, and harsh control. The results showed that each sub-scale had sufficient conceptual validity and internal consistency. In Study 2, the criterion-related validity of the JPSS was examined. A total of 1236 parents, non-participants in Study 1, completed the JPSS and other scales. The results showed sufficient criterion-related validity for the scale.

Dynamic and Thermodynamic Factors Involved in Future Changes in Extreme Summertime Precipitation in Japan Projected by Convection-Permitting Regional Climate Model Simulations

Abstract Dynamic and thermodynamic factors involved in future changes in local-scale short-term extreme summertime precipitation on the mesoscale and hourly time scale in Japan were examined using convection-permitting regional climate model simulations under the representative concentration pathway 8.5 scenario. The change in the dynamic component primarily contributes to the total change in vertically integrated moisture flux convergence over the analysis domain that is located off Okinawa Island, whereas the thermodynamic component is dominant over the analysis domain that is located off Kyushu Island. Differences in the amount of the dynamic and thermodynamic components are noticeable in these two domains. These results are explained by the difference in the vertical profiles of the convergence term, and hence the convergence itself between the two specific domains. A mesoscale low pressure system on the seasonal rain front—termed the baiu front—is a key factor underlying the difference in the magnitudes and vertical profiles of convergence between the two specific domains. In the vicinity of the domain off Okinawa Island, a mesoscale low pressure system on the baiu front enhances low-level convergence in the future climate when compared with the present climate. This atmospheric state is attributable to the location of the baiu front itself, which is located relatively southward in the future climate and is affected by the domain off Okinawa Island. In the domain where the dynamic component is dominant such as the domain off Okinawa Island, the total moisture flux convergence follows a super–Clausius–Clapeyron scaling.

The Japanese version of the Material Values Scale: construct assessment and relationship with age, personality, and subjective well-being

BackgroundMaterialism indicates the extent to which an individual’s life is focused on consumerism, or the acquisition of money and possessions. The Material Values Scale (MVS), comprising the factors “success,” “centrality,” and “happiness,” is a well-known rating scale for materialism. However, a Japanese version of the materialism scale has not yet been established, and the details of the factors and effects related to materialism have not yet been clarified in Japan. The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the Japanese version of the MVS (J-MVS).MethodsWe developed the translated J-MVS using a back-translation process. To validate and evaluate the scale based on an online survey, we recruited 500 people, with 100 participants (50 men, 50 women) in five age groups, from 20 to 69 years. We compared and evaluated several factor structure models based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To evaluate the external criterion-referenced validity of the developed J-MVS scale, we examined the relationship between age, personality, and well-being, which have shown stable relationships with materialism in previous studies.ResultsWe developed two six-item dual-factor models. Both models showed significant positive correlations with social comparison orientation and neuroticism, and had significant negative correlations with various subjective well-being indices, suggesting sufficient external criterion-referenced validity. The J-MVS comprising six positive-worded items (J-MVS-P6; without any reverse-worded items) showed a higher correlation with other indicators than the version comprising six items representing all item types and was considered to have higher external criterion-referenced validity.ConclusionsWe propose the J-MVS-P6 for use as a materialism scale in Japan. Compared with the findings from other countries, materialism in Japan may be more closely related to subjective well-being. This scale may be used to examine the effectiveness of various intervention methods for improving individuals’ happiness, based on changes in factors closely related to materialism in Japan.

Development of the quality of life of family caregivers of advanced cancer patients scale in Japan: Psychometric properties

ObjectiveWe aimed to develop a new scale for use in Japan, called the “Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Advanced Cancer Patients Scale (QFCS)” and to examine its psychometric properties. MethodsA draft scale was extracted based on qualitative inductive and deductive analyses, and its content validity and surface validity were investigated. Its psychometric properties were examined. ResultsThe QFCS consists of 30 items comprising four factors. Cronbach's α was 0.92 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90. Correlation coefficients between the total QFCS score and eight subscale scores of the revised Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short Form Survey Instrument were rs ​= ​0.22–0.65 (P ​< ​0.01–0.05). The Physical Component Summary was r ​= ​0.29 (P ​< ​0.01), and the Mental Component Summary was r ​= ​0.67 (P ​< ​0.01). Correlation coefficients between the QFCS total score and four subscale scores of the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) were r ​= ​0.27–0.59 (P ​<0 ​.01) and the CQOLC total score was r ​= ​0.65 (P ​<0 ​.01). ConclusionsOur results suggest that the QFCS exhibited acceptable psychometric properties in measuring the quality of life of family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and quality of family support using the QFCS.

‘Let's eat Fukushima’: communicating risk and restoring ‘safe food’ after the Fukushima disaster (2011-2020)

The Fukushima nuclear disaster posed food safety risks on an unprecedented scale in Japan. In its immediate aftermath, information on the scale and the extent of the contamination of the food chain was scarce. Facing an anxious public, the government was tasked with defining and ensuring food safety amidst uncertainty. Via three case studies spanning from 2011 to 2020, this article draws on risk communication theory to analyze the Japanese government’s response to food safety risks after Fukushima and its development over time. It finds that initial responses did not take the food-related risks facing consumers seriously. Instead, the response was aimed at mitigating the economic risks faced by producers. This increased both public confusion and uncertainty, and consumer avoidance. Over time, the government’s response has improved, and elements of the policy have shifted towards more inclusive and interactive practices. Still, the article finds that ten years after Fukushima, the governmental risk communication is primarily aimed at correcting and dismissing consumer concerns while expressing certain fatigue with ongoing consumer avoidance. The article shows how the goal of risk communication changes from reassuring to correcting, and finally to closure. While the risk communication’s main message remains consistent and simple – local produce is safe, eat local produce -, its target audience also differs. The article demonstrates that on top of ongoing shortcomings in terms of participation, the actual content of the government’s risk communication also fails to assist in informed decision-making. Instead, the government makes the decision for the citizen.

Comparison of the return period for landslide‐triggering rainfall events in Japan based on standardization of the rainfall period

AbstractThe intensity of rainfall events with potential to cause landslides has varying temporal characteristics. In this study, the time at which the 72‐h accumulated rainfall reached its maximum was used to standardize the period of rainfall measurement. The proposed standardization of the rainfall period was used in conjunction with the return level of rainfall intensity, obtained from intensity–duration–frequency curves, to investigate rainfall intensity anomalies associated with 10 hazardous rainfall events that triggered numerous landslides at the regional scale in Japan. These landslides included shallow landslides in volcanic and non‐volcanic areas, as well as deep‐seated landslides. The rainfall events that triggered the shallow landslides were divided into two types: downpours that repeatedly reached close to the 100‐year return level within approximately 3–4 h, and accumulated rainfall that reached close to 200–400 mm over longer time intervals but within 72 h. Lithological differences seemed unrelated to the differences between the two types of shallow‐landslide‐triggering rainfall; however, precipitation &gt;1000 mm was necessary to trigger deep‐seated landslides. Although the characteristics of the hyetographs differed markedly among the landslide‐triggering rainfall events, all the landslides could have been triggered when the mean rainfall intensity reached the 100‐year rainfall level during the standardized period. Thus, the landslide trigger can be evaluated indirectly based on the increase in the return level of the mean rainfall intensity, which could provide a means for estimating the time of landslide occurrence.

Potential of internet-delivered PCIT for ASD in the COVID-19 era: A pilot study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core deficits in social interaction and communication. ASD occurs in 0.8–2.0% of school-aged children, some experiencing comorbid disruptive behaviors.1 Parent-Child Interaction Therapy2 (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for disruptive behavior disorders in children aged 2 to 7 years and provides support for caregivers. Multiple clinical studies on using PCIT for children with ASD and their caregivers have reported positive effects.3 PCIT aims to strengthen the relationship between the caregiver and child and to improve child compliance. Clinic-based PCIT reduces child problem behaviors through live coaching of caregiver-child interactions using a one-way mirror with a microphone and earphones. In western countries, PCIT is provided in various settings, including homes and hospitals (clinic-based), but also online, depending on the needs of patients. While clinic-based PCIT started in Japan about 10 years ago, Internet-delivered PCIT (I-PCIT) was implemented in 2020 because of contact limitations created by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, there has been only one case report (a maltreatment case) on the efficacy of I-PCIT in Japan,4 therefore an accumulation of data from more studies is needed. This study compared the efficacy of three, clinic-based PCIT cases and one I-PCIT case in children with ASD. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the International University of Health and Welfare. Three parent–child dyads were classified as clinic-based PCIT and one dyad as I-PCIT. The four male children for the study from the International University of Health and Welfare (Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan), ranged in age from 3 to 5 years (mean 3.6 years, median 3.0 years) and were diagnosed with ASD, based on the DSM-5 criteria. While clinic-based PCIT provides live parent coaching in a clinic, I-PCIT uses a webcam to stream parent-child interactions in real-time from their home. PCIT is an evaluation-oriented treatment. Assessments were conducted before and after treatment using observation and standardized questionnaires, mainly the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI). The ECBI was used to assess the children's problematic behaviors. The scale includes 36 items and comprises an intensity scale and a problem scale. The intensity scale measures the frequency of various behaviors on a 7-point scale and the problem scale classifies behavior as either problematic or not (yes or no). The Japanese version of the ECBI was standardized by Kamo and the cutoff scores are 124 for the intensity scale and 13 for the problem scale in Japan.5 The parents completed the ECBI at each session. Initially, pre- and posttreatment ECBI intensity and problem scores were compared using a t-test to verify the effect of the whole PCIT treatment session, which included two phases: child-directed interaction (CDI) and parent-directed interaction (PDI) for all four cases (Fig. 1a). Second, we compared the rate of improvement in ECBI intensity-scores before and after each intervention for clinical-based PCIT and I-PCIT (Fig. 1b). Figure 1a shows the pre- and postintervention scores. The average of the ECBI intensity scores before treatment was 130.5 and after treatment was 66.0. The average of ECBI problem scores before treatment was 16.0 and after treatment was 1.7. There were significant differences before and after the entire course of PCIT treatment for both clinic-based and I-PCIT treatments (n = 4, ECBI intensity scores: P = 0.0002, effect size(r) = 0.97; ECBI problem scores: P = 0.018, effect size(r) = 0.90; Fig. 1a). Although the number of subjects was limited, Fig. 1b shows that both clinic-based PCIT and I-PCIT exhibited robust effectiveness in statistical validation. All dyads showed improvement in ECBI intensity and problem scores which ranged from 36.8– 54.8% (mean 45.6, SD 7.3) to 78.5–91.3% (mean 84.8, SD 5.2), respectively, for clinic-based PCIT (n = 3) and were 62.6 % and 100%, respectively for I-PCIT (n = 1; Fig. 1b). PCIT was effective in improving behavioral problems in all cases, regardless of the PCIT type. Using either type of PCIT effectively, seamless PCIT treatment is feasible in the COVID-19 era. As our previous study,4 the current PCIT study may improve the ecological validity of treatment by encouraging the adoption of PCIT at home where therapists can observe the most problematic behaviors. In clinic-based PCIT, children are sometimes calm and obedient compared to when they are at home, making it difficult for the therapist to intervene. However, for I-PCIT, advanced preparation, such as Wi-Fi and video settings in the home, is required. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. M.M. and Y.M. drafted the initial manuscript and approved the final manuscript. M.K. conceptualized the study and K.K. and T.K. supported the implementation of the PCIT therapy. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

The ectomycorrhizal fungal communities react differently to climatic, edaphic and spatial variables depending on their host species

AbstractAimEctomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community structures can vary across sites at a regional scale (&gt;1,000 km), affected by abiotic and biotic environments, dispersal abilities of the fungi, or ecological drift, even among forests of the same host tree species. The spatial patterns of such variation may differ among associated host species and their growth environments, but our knowledge about this remains limited. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the ECM fungal community structures (i.e. species richness and species composition) at the regional scale and their driving factors vary across hosts.LocationJapan.TaxonECM fungi associated with Fagus crenata and Castanopsis sieboldii.MethodsUsing DNA metabarcoding of fine roots, the ECM fungal communities of 15 Fagus crenata forests across their distribution range were characterised. The resultant community structure of ECM fungi, as well as the relative effects of edaphic, climatic and spatial factors on community composition were compared with those of 12 Castanopsis sieboldii forests investigated in a previous study.ResultsECM fungal community composition differed between the two Fagaceae hosts. The spatial pattern of ECM fungal community composition also differed between hosts. Specifically, the spatial variation in community composition across sites was smaller in F. crenata forests than in C. sieboldii forests. The spatial pattern of ECM fungal communities of F. crenata forests was explained by climatic and edaphic factors, while that of C. sieboldii forests was explained by spatial and edaphic factors.Main conclusionsOn a regional scale in Japan, the spatial pattern of ECM fungal communities and its driving factors varied between two Fagaceae host species. Our results provide an example that the difference in associated host leads to the difference in environmental response among ECM fungal communities.

Assessment of Land-Use Scenarios at a National Scale Using Intensity Analysis and Figure of Merit Components

To address the impacts of future land changes on biodiversity and ecosystem services, land-use scenarios have been developed at the national scale in Japan. However, the validation of land-use scenarios remains a challenge owing to the lack of an appropriate validation method. This research developed land-use maps for 10 land-use categories to calibrate a land-change model for the 1987–1998 period, simulate changes during the 1998–2014 period, and validate the simulation for the 1998–2014 period. Following an established method, this study assessed the three types of land change: (1) reference change during the calibration time interval, (2) simulation change during the validation time interval, and (3) reference change during the validation time interval, using intensity analysis and figure of merit components (hits, misses, and false alarms). The results revealed the cause of the low accuracy of the national scale land-use scenarios as well as priority solutions, such as aligning the underlying spatial vegetation maps and improving the model to reduce two types of disagreement between the simulation and reference maps. These findings should help to improve the accuracy of model predictions and help to better inform policymakers during the decision-making process.

Evaluating plant genetic diversity maintained by local farmers and residents:: A comphrehensive assessment of continuous vegetable cultivation and seed-saving activities on a regional scale in Japan

The practice of saving seeds from local varieties of crops and vegetables is integral for preserving agricultural biodiversity. After reviewing the current (1) seed saving activities practiced worldwide, (2) agricultural industry and farmer behaviour in Japan, and (3) seed system used in Japan, we conducted a survey to determine methods for the cultivation of homegrown seeds on a regional scale. Questionnaires were mailed to 7,068 families (including full-time and part-time farmers and home gardeners) in the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and 1,662 responses were obtained. We found that a majority of the respondents purchased seeds; however, some seeds were grown locally, and were mostly homegrown. Contrary to general expectations, the economic incentive (“good market price”) played an insignificant role in crop cultivation continuity. Cluster analysis resulted in four groups of crops, according to the rate of on-farm seed saving and changes in cultivation over a 30-year period. Certain crops, such as soybean and azuki bean, were frequently grown using on-farm produced seeds. Different conservation strategies were required for crops in each cluster due to their unique characteristics. Our data form the basis for promoting diversity and local crop cultivation by farmers in industrialized countries.

Application of the 18-Item Dementia Elderly Odayaka Scale in Japan: Evaluation before and after Intervention

Introduction: We have developed the Dementia Elderly Odayaka Scale (DEOS) to evaluate psychosocial aspects in older people. The DEOS can be used to assess well-being, such as personhood and social interaction. Objective: The aim of this study was to apply the 18-item DEOS in participants with dementia and to examine the characteristics and usefulness of this scale. Methods: Facility staff provided care for the participants while taking into consideration each participant’s individuality and strong points. The DEOS was applied at the beginning of the interventions and at 1 and 2 months after the start of the interventions. The changes in the participants’ behaviors and their DEOS scores were then evaluated over time. Results: We examined 13 participants (2 men, 11 women) between the ages of 68 and 91 years. In 60% of the participants the DEOS score increased over time. When care interventions were tailored toward communication and leadership for the 2 men, according to each of their individualities, we observed increases in their scores for “social interaction” at 1 and 2 months thereafter. We also observed increases in the scores for “Expression of emotions” category in 2 of the 5 cases who received an aromatherapy massage. Discussion/Conclusion: The changes in the scores over time and the contents of the field notes were consistent with each other, suggesting that the DEOS can be used both to evaluate the effects of interventions and to plan care that takes advantage of each participant’s positive aspects.