Naruto University of Education

Abstract. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) scanning is routinely conducted on board the drilling vessel Chikyu for scientific expeditions. A rapid visualization method, developed during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 405, unwraps XCT images to enable the early characterization of sediment heterogeneities and identification of geological structures at the visual core description stage.

National curricula are among the most significant variables that determine mathematics achievement. Although the number of international curriculum comparisons is increasing, studies in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. This study aims to identify similarities and differences in curricular progression, a systematic arrangement of objectives, concepts, contents, and thinking practices tailored to each grade level to meet curriculum goals by comparing the national curricula of four sub-Saharan African countries, namely Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and South Africa, from Grades 1 to 9. This comparison is based on an analytical framework of curricular progression for linear functions, as defined in this study. Mathematics curricula in sub-Saharan Africa are considered similar; however, the results revealed the opposite. Although Ghana and South Africa are relatively similar, the approaches to linear functions differ among the four countries. Moreover, curricular progression needs improvement in all four countries. Therefore, the curricular progression of the four countries may hinder students’ understanding of linear functions.

Pembelajaran matematika di perguruan tinggi masih didominasi oleh penggunaan lembar kerja siswa konvensional yang kurang interaktif dan belum secara optimal memperkuat pemahaman siswa tentang operasi bilangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan lembar kerja siswa berbasis permainan edukatif Cross Math yang terintegrasi dengan pendekatan Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) dan untuk menguji validitas, kepraktisan, dan efektivitasnya dalam meningkatkan pemahaman konseptual siswa tentang operasi bilangan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode Penelitian dan Pengembangan dengan model 4D, yang terdiri dari tahap mendefinisikan, merancang, mengembangkan, dan menyebarluaskan. Subjek penelitian adalah mahasiswa Program Studi Pendidikan Matematika di Universitas Muhammadiyah Bangka Belitung. Instrumen penelitian meliputi lembar validasi ahli, kuesioner respons siswa, dan tes pemahaman konseptual dalam bentuk pretest dan posttest. Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik deskriptif kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lembar kerja yang dikembangkan memenuhi kriteria validitas tinggi dan kepraktisan tinggi. Lebih lanjut, tes efektivitas menunjukkan peningkatan pemahaman konseptual siswa tentang operasi bilangan, dengan penguasaan klasik mencapai 83,33% dan peningkatan yang diamati di semua indikator pemahaman konseptual. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa lembar kerja berbasis permainan edukatif Cross Math yang terintegrasi dengan pendekatan RME efektif sebagai bahan pembelajaran alternatif untuk meningkatkan keterlibatan siswa dan pemahaman konseptual dalam pembelajaran matematika.

Abstract The understanding of the adaptive evolution of egg shapes has developed rapidly. In some insects, females adopt a straddling posture on substrates to guard clutches against predators. Eggs located in the peripheral area of such clutches experience high predation pressure. Thus, selection might favour compact clutches composed of longitudinally elongated eggs. Shield bugs (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae), in which maternal guarding of eggs has undergone repeated evolution, provide a good opportunity to test this hypothesis. Our phylogenetic comparative analyses revealed that eggs were more elongated in caring species than in non-caring ones, although this difference was obscured in species with large eggs. Reconstructed ancestral states of egg shape and maternal care suggested that the enhanced elongation of eggs occurred after the establishment of maternal care. These findings indicate that post-ovipositional parental care affects the evolution of egg shapes, depending on egg geometry.

Abstract Obtaining in situ samples from active subduction systems is critical for assessing the material properties and geological evolution of rocks and sediments that host plate boundary deformation, and advancing our understanding of the processes that lead to fault locking and rupture. However, accessing and coring these materials is challenging, and commonly requires riser drilling. The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) project has successfully used ultradeep riser‐drilling to collect deep crust samples via core or cuttings. This paper reviews analytical methods and challenges associated with interpreting subduction zone processes from cuttings. A key advantage of analyzing cuttings is the ability to collect real time data on the lithological, biostratigraphical, structural and geochemical properties of the drilled materials. Combining these data with logging‐while‐drilling and mud gas logging data permits the generation of depth profiles of lithological variation and deformation structures. Significant limitations of cuttings include small sample size, contamination from cement and drilling fluids, the formation of drilling‐induced cohesive aggregates (DICAs), and vertical mixing during ascent. While it is impossible to overcome all these limitations, this study provides and includes examples illustrating how these issues can impact the assessment of the geological formation. Despite these challenges, cuttings have advanced our knowledge of subduction zone stratigraphy, fault friction, fluid flow, and stress distribution. This has significantly improved our understanding of earthquake mechanics, megathrust fault processes and locking/rupture mechanisms along plate fault boundaries. Future riser‐drilling operations are therefore crucial for understanding megathrust earthquakes and fault behavior.

2017年９月に公認心理師法が施行され，2018年４月より，大学における公認心理師養成のためのさまざまな取り組みが行われている（鈴木，2018）。公認心理師養成のための科目は，「心理学基礎科目」「心理学発展科目」「心理実践科目／実習科目」に大別され，大学では25科目，大学院では10科目の単位を修得する必要がある。所定の科目には，実習が含まれており，養成大学および実習施設では，公認心理師として必要な知識と技能を獲得するための実習の工夫が必要であることは言及するまでもない。

This study explores the implementation and understanding of authentic assessment within Nepal’s integrated curriculum for grades 1-3, which emphasizes the development of soft skills alongside academic learning—utilizing a convergent mixed-methods design, including quantitative surveys of 280 teachers and qualitative interviews with eight teachers, conducted in December 2023. The findings identify significant gaps between the theoretical principles of authentic assessment and its practical application. While approximately two-thirds of teachers report familiarity with authentic assessment, many continue to rely on traditional methods such as rote memorization and paper-pencil tests. Key challenges include resource constraints, inadequate professional development, and time limitations. The findings underscore the need for enhanced teacher training, clear policy guidelines, and improved resources to better align assessment practices with the goals of the integrated curriculum, thereby fostering a more holistic educational experience that effectively nurtures academic competencies and soft skills in early-grade learners. Keywords: authentic assessment, integrated curriculum, soft skills, early grade education, Nepal

This study aimed to clarify preference factors for digital game genres and explore how these preferences differed depending on the duration of game playing. We surveyed 356 high school and college students regarding their usual duration of game playing (per day) and how much they liked each of the 19 digital game genres. As a result, five factors were extracted as preference factors for digital game genres: “thinking and process-oriented,” “role fulfillment,” “competitiveness and results-oriented,” “instantaneous decision making,” and “story emersion.” The results revealed differences in preferences for digital game genres among non-gamers, light gamers, and heavy gamers based on their usual duration of game playing. Furthermore, differences among the groups in “role fulfillment,” “competitiveness and results-oriented,” “instantaneous decision making,” “story immersion,” “rhythm action,” and “strategy simulation” were revealed.

In order to extract intense ion beams with good beam optics from hydrogen negative ion sources, it is important to control the shape of the plasma meniscus (i.e. beam emission surface). Recently, it is suggested experimentally that the degradation of beam optics in the RF negative ion sources may be due to the fluctuation of the distance d eff between the meniscus and the extraction grid caused by the fluctuation of the plasma density np . The purpose of this study is to make clear the dependence of d eff on np in the presence of a large amount of surface produced H- ions in order to understand such fluctuation of beam optics in RF sources For the purpose, 3D electrostatic PIC simulation was conducted taking the bulk plasma density as a parameter, investigating the extraction region of a H- ion source. A large amount of the surface H- production on the PG has been taken into account under the assumption that the H- production rate is proportional to the bulk plasma density. The result shows that the effective distance d eff is proportional to np -1/2 even for a large amount of surface H- production. This dependence suggests that the bulk plasma density np is the key parameters to control d eff and the resultant beam optics extracted from the negative ion source.

In recent years, the recycling of waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel has gained worldwide attention. Recycling WCO into biodiesel has great significance because it not only reduces waste, but also curbs the use of fossil fuels. Here, we aim at suggesting measures to increase the number of people who participate in the separate collection of WCO. To this end, we analyzed the effects of differences in the awareness of the facts that the respective municipality collects WCO and that the collected WCO is utilized within the municipality on participation in WCO collection. We targeted 4,160 households in Japan that fry their own food at home in areas with different collection methods. The results indicated that more people participated in the collection of WCO in areas where station collection was used than in areas where base collection was used. In addition, regardless of whether the collection method of WCO was station or base collection, participants were more likely to participate in the collection of WCO in the order in which they were aware of the following information: (1) that their municipality collects WCO and utilizes the collected WCO, (2) that their municipality collects WCO, and (3) that the collected WCO is utilized within the municipality. This phenomenon was more pronounced in areas where WCO was collected in stations. Because the collection method is important to increase the participation rate in separate collection of waste, reviewing the collection methods and conducting awareness-raising activities for separate collection of waste is necessary.