Akita University

School absenteeism (futōkō) has increased substantially in Japan over the past decade, yet empirical research based on students who are actually experiencing prolonged school absence remains limited. This study aimed to (a) classify types of school absenteeism based on students’ self-reported reasons for absence, (b) identify factors associated with students’ willingness to maintain contact with teachers during home visits, and (c) examine the consequences of school absenteeism for parents, with particular attention to gender differences. Questionnaire data were collected from 211 student–parent pairs in a large urban municipality in Japan. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three subtypes of school absenteeism: the Unclear-Reason Type, the Outside-Interest Type, and the Interpersonal-Conflict Type, with the Unclear-Reason Type constituting the largest proportion across both elementary and junior high school levels. Multiple regression analyses revealed developmental differences in factors associated with students’ willingness to meet teachers during home visits. Among elementary school students, the overall model was significant, but only communication mediated through parents showed a marginal positive association with willingness to meet teachers, whereas no trust-related teacher behaviors demonstrated unique effects when controlling for other variables. In contrast, among junior high school students, advance notification prior to home visits emerged as the strongest predictor of willingness to meet teachers, highlighting the importance of predictability and autonomy-respecting practices during early adolescence. In addition, school absenteeism was associated with substantial changes in parents’ daily lives and social participation, and, for some families, aspects of employment. Mothers reported higher levels of impact than fathers in social and school-related domains, while many parents also reported increased time spent interacting with their child. Together, these findings highlight the heterogeneity of school absenteeism in Japan and underscore the importance of developmentally sensitive school–student contact practices, as well as the need to address school absenteeism as a family-level issue that can intersect with gendered roles.

Characterization of intracellular synapse heterogeneity aids in understanding the intricate computational logic of neuronal circuits. Despite recent advances in connectomics, the spatial patterns of synapses and their inter-individual variability remain largely unknown. Using directed split-GFP reconstitution, we achieved visualization of endogenous Bruchpilot (Brp), a presynaptic active zone (AZ) scaffold protein, in a cell-type-specific manner. By developing a high-throughput quantification pipeline, we profiled AZ structures in identified neurons of the mushroom body circuit, where intracellular synaptic patterns are crucial due to compartmentalized connectivity. Quantitative characterization of the pattern of Brp clusters across multiple individuals revealed cell-type-dependent synaptic heterogeneity and stereotypy. Furthermore, we discovered previously unidentified sub-compartmental synapse configuration and its transient structural plasticity triggered by associative learning. These profiles reveal multilayered spatial configurations of AZs, from stereotyped overall AZ distribution patterns to local arrangements of neighboring synapses.

Subaerial land today is mainly formed by continental crust, but before the stabilization of the first cratons, at ca. 3 Ga, volcanic structures (e.g., oceanic islands) may have been the first subaerial regions of the early Earth. Understanding the onset of felsic magmatism is crucial for constraining the formation of both continental crust and hypothetical early volcanic islands. Studies of ancient zircons suggest that subaerial land likely emerged at least by 3.5 Ga, but how long before that it began remains unknown. Our work examines circa 3.5 Ga old felsic volcanic rocks, the oldest known in the Kaapvaal (South Africa) and Singhbhum (India) cratons. We analyzed oxygen and Lu-Hf isotopes in zircon as they are effective proxies for distinguishing the melt source between mantle-derived and crustal (remelting of altered rocks and sediments). Oxygen isotopes ratios (δ18O) were measured by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) in coeval felsic units of the Kaapvaal Craton (i.e. Theespruit, Sandspruit, and Toggekry formations), and of the Singhbhum Craton (Daitari and Gorumahisani greenstone belts). This new data was compared with a newly compiled global Archean δ18O dataset (ca. 13,000 data points). Our felsic volcanic rocks display the averaged δ18O values ranging between 5.1 and 5.8 ± 0.24 ‰ (2 sd), which are purely mantle-like values. The only exception is a Toggekry formation sample (δ18O 3.9 ± 0.24 ‰), which reflects remelting of hydrothermally altered rocks. Published εHf values for the same rocks fall between CHUR and Depleted Mantle trends, implying juvenile melt signatures. In this context, we highlight the significance of the early Earth's first felsic rocks, whose formation is usually attributed to partial melting of a hydrated basaltic oceanic crust. In contrast, our data emphasizes the importance of purely mantle-derived felsic melts in the Archean. These felsic melts can be a result of extensive fractional crystallization (ca. 80%) of a stalled basaltic melt. Such relatively dry melting (possessing only juvenile water) requires elevated heat flow, and thick lithosphere. During the Archean, these conditions may have prevailed in a thick basaltic oceanic plateau setting. Reworking (i.e., melting) of such ancient oceanic plateaus could have led to the renewed generation of felsic melts producing buoyant silicic rocks and ultimately result in the consolidation and emergence of the earliest continental crust. The global Archean δ18O values compilation suggests that the mantle and seawater-altered rocks are both important sources of felsic melts during the Archean. This highlights the significance of global Archaean tectonic regimes that may have led to the formation of the first subaerial landmass in brief stints.

To examine the impact of socioenvironmental factors on the severity of menopausal symptoms among perimenopausal Japanese women from a life-course perspective. This cross-sectional study was conducted using an internet panel survey in August 2023 among 1,980 Japanese women aged 45-56 years. Women hospitalized for depression or gynecologic disorders at the time of the study were excluded. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and employment details were collected using Japanese-validated versions, including the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire and Kupperman Menopause Index. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with moderate or severe menopausal symptoms. Over half of the participants reported mild (26.8%), moderate (16.1%), or severe menopausal symptoms (7.8%). The median absolute presenteeism, where lower scores reflect greater performance impairment and consequently poorer job performance, was 60% in severe cases, 70% in moderate cases, and 80% in mild cases. After adjusting for age and body mass index, caregiving for an elderly family member, and those experiencing absolute presenteeism were associated with increased odds of moderate or severe symptoms. Conversely, women who received social support from their surrounding community were less likely to experience severe symptoms. Socioenvironmental factors significantly impact the severity of menopausal symptoms. Supportive workplace policies and community may help mitigate these symptoms.

Accurate clinical staging of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains challenging, and discrepancies between clinical and pathological T stages may result in missed opportunities for appropriate treatment. This study aimed to elucidate real-world discrepancies between clinical and pathological T staging in UTUC, emphasizing the diagnostic uncertainty associated with clinical T2 (cT2) disease. A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 739 patients with cTa–4N0M0 UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) at multiple institutions. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy or had missing pathological T stage data were excluded. Discrepancies between clinical and pathological staging, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes were evaluated. Among 739 patients, substantial discrepancies between clinical and pathological T stages were observed, with an overall diagnostic concordance rate of 44.7%. Only 16% of cT2 cases were pathologically confirmed as pathological T2 (pT2), whereas most were either down-staged to ≤pT1 or up-staged to ≥pT3, indicating marked diagnostic uncertainty. Clinical heterogeneity within the cT2 group resulted in marked survival differences based on pathological stage, as pT3 patients had significantly worse outcomes than pT2 patients. Within the pT3 subgroup, lymphovascular invasion independently correlated with poor prognosis, whereas adjuvant therapy improved survival. However, only approximately one-third of patients with pT3 disease received adjuvant therapy, indicating a treatment gap in this high-risk population. This multicenter study identified real-world discrepancies between clinical and pathological staging in UTUC. cT2 disease represents a heterogeneous and diagnostically uncertain category, requiring careful interpretation for appropriate treatment planning.