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Evaluation of Regeneration Potential for an Artificial Larch Forest Using Light Condition, Plant Species Diversity, and Plant Coverage and Biomass of the Forest Understory
No full textIn order to evaluate the natural forest regeneration potential of the forest understory, light environment, plant species and diversity, plant coverage and biomass and their interrelationships were examined. The clear–cut, mid–forest, and forest edge sections in the understory of an artificial larch forest in Korea were targeted. The light condition (canopy openness, relative photosynthetic photon flux density) of the clear– cut and forest edge sections was higher and the plant biomass and the plant coverage rate were larger than those in the mid–forest section, however, only a few pioneer and/or sun plant species were dominant in the former sections, resulting in a low plant diversity in the section. The plant coverage rate was smaller but the number of herbaceous species was larger in the mid–forest section than in the other sections, because of the larger number of shade tolerant species in the mid–forest section. For regenerating the natural forest, the plant biomass of native tree species should be increased in the understory without lowering of the plant diversity. The mid–forest section has a better potential for the regeneration. In the section, the regeneration can be attained by improving the light condition through a gradual thinning
Development of a new field crossing experimental subject, \u22Experimental lecture on amino acid science\u22
No full textIn order to provide new and field crossing subjects for active learners, we developed a new experimental subject focusing on amino acids. To strengthen the learners\u27 thinking power in a manner that is not limited to the confines of the existing subjects, this subject was designed to contain variety of experiments concerning chemistry, biology, nutrition, and computer science. In the second semester of 2015, we carried out the subject as a trial class. Twelve students belonging to five different undergraduate schools attended this course. To achieve the purpose of this class, we provided eight lessons incorporating lectures, basic experiments, computer simulations, and observations using analytical equipment. To evaluate this subject, we surveyed students\u27 attitudes toward the class. In the questionnaire response, we found that many students felts that the number of lectures containing experimental activities should be increased in general subjects to help them grow as active learners
The significance of regional community libraries for supporting active learning that aims toward art and cultural creation and community restoration
No full textAt present, Japanese libraries have many functions. Before the war, libraries were made under government leadership. Contributions for local residents and development of libraries’ buildings followed the storage of books. After the library law was established in 1950, the spread of free lending of books became regarded as important. The cultural activities of the library are called “interaction,” which includes creation of arts, self-expression, and self-actualization. Some play, others do volunteer activities as librarians in a city library. Moreover, university libraries came to have active learning spaces. These can function in a way that is open to the general public. While libraries be self-enclosed because of the attempt to maintain silence, it is possible to draw the interest of people through research meetings and discussions. Public libraries do not need to increase their various functions but rather should transform their concept and promote the participation of residents
Characteristics of Food Waste Composting with Various Particle Sizes of Sawdust
No full textSawdust is mainly used as a bulking agent with food waste for composting because of the advantages of absorbing water, providing porosity and adjusting C/N ratio. The objective of this study was to compare the composting properties in relation to the temperature, moisture content, nutrients and the compost maturation index (maturity) with the various particle size of sawdust. The physico–chemical properties of food waste composting shown the standards of organic compost, but there is a potential possibility of salt stress in crops due to the higher salinity of food waste. The smaller particle size showed a higher temperature and relatively easier to maintain a constant temperature. However, there was no significant temperature change on the various mixing ratios. pH, EC and moisture content in ratio of 7:3 as compared to the ratio of 6:4 showed slightly higher and till DAT 21 pH was dropped and then it was stabilized at 9.1 on DAT 56.There was no significant variation on change in pH, but the higher particle size showed the higher EC values in relation to the various mixing ratios. Therefore, there are positive effects on the standardization of the composting process for the quality control and the economics, as the food waste compost showed the higher maturity with the higher mixing ratio of sawdust and the smaller particle size
Physical activity epidemiology of chronic musculoskeletal pain in elderly adults
No full textEpidemiological studies have a great potential to contribute to the control of chronic pain, but in practice this potential has yet to be fully realized. In part this is because the epidemiology of pain has been less well studied than have diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Many theoretical and methodological barriers impede research into the epidemiology of pain. Chronic pain may result in a reduced level of daily physical activity and an increased sedentary time. Therefore, promoting levels of physical activity is key point of non-pharmacological management strategies. However the harmful or beneficial role of physical activity remains difficult to define with any degree of precision. Self-efficacy acts as a determinant of physical activity behaviors for older adults, and participation in physical activity can change one’s self-efficacy for exercise. However, physical activity causes both hypoalgesic and hyperalgesic responses in chronic pain patients. Accordingly, we need to construct physical activity program depending on the dominant chronic pain models (i.e. the end-organ dysfunction model and altered nervous system processing model) and to understand that an important aim of exercise or physical activity is to train the brain, along with the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, future epidemiological research of chronic pain should prioritize the use of objective measurement of physical activity due to construct effective physical activity program of chronic musculoskeletal pain among older adults
Dramatic experiences in sport and psychological well-being in elite athletes with acquired physical disability
No full textWe examined the association between different aspects of psychological well-being and the level of sport competition in athletes with acquired physical disability. Specifically, we evaluated the associations between psychological well-being and age, duration of sport participation, and number of dramatic sport experiences in this population. Ninety-three elite Japanese athletes with acquired physical disability completed the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) and the Inventory of Dramatic Experience for Sport (IDES). A correlational analysis demonstrated moderate to weak relationships between all of the PWBS subscales. One-way ANOVAs revealed no differences between paralympians and non-paralympians on every factor. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the duration of sport involvement had a negative effect on purpose in life, personal growth, and environmental mastery, while dramatic sport experiences significantly predicted purpose in life, environmental mastery, positive relations with others, and self-acceptance. Thus, it appears that in some cases, dramatic sport experiences can enhance aspects of psychological well-being
The Influence of Land Use and Rainfall on Shallow Landslides in Tanralili Sub–watershed, Indonesia
No full textLand cover is an important factor affecting the occurrence of shallow landslides triggered by high intensity rainfall. The objectives of this study are the analyses of the influences of land use and rainfall on shallow landslides using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and antecedent rainfall threshold. This research was conducted in Tanralili sub–watershed, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The analysis of NDVI using Landsat time series data of 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2013. The result indicated that in the course of 14 years high vegetation density land cover (81% to 100%) has lost around 24.21% or 6219 ha. The vegetation density decrease is caused mainly by land use change, especially the conversion of shrubs and forests into mixed dryland farming. 76.67% of shallow landslides occurred are concentrated in mixed dryland farming on the low vegetation density (0 to 40%). The analysis of the absolute and calibrated antecedent rainfall associated with each major shallow landslide event showed that shallow landslides occurred in short duration (1 day) with a high intensity 225 mm/day and longer duration (1 month) with a lower intensity 13 mm/day. The rainfall threshold for shallow landslides in the study area are ruled by the function I = 25.5D^–1.10, where I is the average rainfall intensity in mm/day and D is duration of rainfall in day
Influence of Root Reinforcement of Forest Species on the Slope Stability of Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico
No full textSoil erosion and sediment related disasters are one of the most serious environmental problem in Mexico, mainly product of deforestation practices, land use changes and hydro–meteorological events like heavy rainfalls and hurricanes. The application of vegetative measures to restore affected sites should be a priority on mountainous countries like Mexico. The objectives of this study are to estimate the soil reinforcement by roots and to analyze the increment of Factor of safety (Fs) of a studied slope on Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico from two different scenarios: rainfall and no–rainfall. The estimation of the additional soil reinforcement provided by roots (ΔS) of the four species analyzed ranged from 0.01 to 0.22 kN/m^2 (Quercus rysopylla), from 0.006 to 0.08 kN/m^2 (Pinus pseudostrobus), from 0.01 to 0.46 kN/m^2 (Acacia berlandieri) and from 0.01 to 0.05 kN/m^2 (Ligustrum lucidum). The results of the finite element method (FEM) analysis in the different scenarios indicate that the slope is in a stable condition. However, the presence of roots on the slope have a bigger positive effect during rainfall conditions, the Fs increment is especially notable in Acacia berlendieri (6.36%) and Quercus rysopylla (3.63%). In other hand, in no–rainfall conditions the Fs increment for the same species is Acacia berlendieri (4%) and Quercus rysopylla (1.71%). The species that contributed the best to the stability of the studied slope was Acacia berlendieri followed by Quercus rysopylla, Pinus pseudostrobus and Ligustrum lucidum. The Fs improvement due the roots of the species living in Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico is a very important contribution to understand and to clarify the forest species potential contribution to slope stabilization in the study area
