Yamanashi Prefectural University

IntroductionSocial robots are increasingly explored as non-pharmacological support for older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, yet their day-to-day integration remains limited. This study centers on designing an affective care model that empowers caregivers to deploy a commercial humanoid robot.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study comprised four observation sessions and ten in-depth, open-ended interviews. A two-phase observational protocol was conducted in a day-care center: Phase 1 mapped everyday activities and baseline interaction patterns; Phase 2 documented two robot-assisted sessions. Detailed descriptions underwent iterative thematic analysis to extract themes and construct a care model grounded in caregivers' practices.ResultsIntroducing the robot added care practices that reshaped group dynamics. Two overarching themes emerged: (1) stimulation, engagement, and reciprocity and (2) shared experience and resonance. Together they embody a person-centered, affect-oriented approach that guides caregivers in meeting residents' emotional needs. These themes were synthesized into a structured three-step model, triggering, imagining, responding, that shows how interaction unfolds and how learning is refined through continuous feedback.DiscussionThe proposed care model sequence offers an actionable framework enabling caregivers to transform robotic interaction into a practical, intuitive tool. It provides a new method for training staff to integrate and adapt off-the-shelf robots within routine care, enhancing human-to-human engagement by capturing attention and stimulating memories. Given the global shortage of caregivers, empowering them to run structured robot-assisted sessions offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for health and care organizations working with people living with MCI and dementia.

Grasslands, known for their high biodiversity, have significantly declined globally. Semi-natural grasslands, maintained by human activities such as burning, mowing, and grazing, are also decreasing due to the cessation of these practices. Recently, i

This study explores the integration of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles into the development of companion robots for elderly trauma survivors, particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The psychological effects of trauma, especially in aging populations, can complicate mental and physical health, highlighting the need for tailored technological solutions. The research involved two focus groups with Holocaust survivors (N = 12) who engaged directly with a social robot. Discussions explored their needs, barriers, and coping strategies based on their longitudinal experiences of trauma, resilience, and aging. Transcripts were thematically analyzed, identifying key TIC-related themes-safety, trust, self-compassion, and self-efficacy-in relation to engagement with companion robots. Findings revealed that trauma survivors face significant challenges in communication and technology use. Safe and trusting environments were fundamental for meaningful engagement with robots. Self-compassion and self-efficacy emerged as essential to overcoming initial barriers, indicating that TIC-informed design features could facilitate better uptake and acceptance. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating TIC principles to ensure these robots meet the complex needs of trauma survivors. Findings also underscore the personal histories, ongoing changes in recollecting the trauma, and the need for stable, empathetic interactions highlights the complexity of designing assistive robots for profoundly affected populations. This study contributes to digital mental health and aging technologies by emphasizing stability, empathy, and user-centered design in developing assistive robotics as a universal, scalable solution.

Abstract IntroductionWearable activity trackers are widely available for promoting physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behavior (SB). However, studies assessing their validity for PA and SB measurement in free-living conditions in school-age children remain limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the criterion validity and wear compliance of the Fitbit Ace, a wrist-worn wearable activity tracker designed for children, in measuring PA and SB under free-living conditions.MethodsA total of 102 children (mean age: 10.2 years; 44.1% girls) simultaneously wore a waist-worn accelerometer (Omron Active Style Pro HJA-750c; ASP HJA-750c) and a Fitbit Ace for 11 consecutive days. Step count and time spent in SB, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), and vigorous PA (VPA) were collected from both devices. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlations assessed criterion validity, while Bland–Altman plots, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate agreement. Wear compliance was compared between the two devices.ResultsThe Fitbit Ace showed a very strong correlation with step count and strong correlations with SB, LPA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). However, significant differences were observed for all PA variables. The Fitbit Ace overestimated step count, SB, VPA, and MVPA, whereas it underestimated LPA and MPA. Agreement between devices was low, with proportional errors in step count, LPA, VPA, and MVPA. MAPE exceeded 20% for all variables, including step count (21.7%), SB (31.2%), LPA (30.3%), and MVPA (120.7%). The proportion of children meeting the criterion of ≥10 h/day wear criterion was higher for the Fitbit Ace (83.2%) than for the ASP HJA-750c (57.8%), as was adherence to ≥4 days (97.0% vs. 62.2%).ConclusionWhile caution is needed when using the Fitbit Ace for precise measurement of individual PA, it is a useful tool for assessing overall patterns of step count, SB, and LPA in school-aged children.

本研究は，小学校理科第5学年「ふりこの運動」を事例に，考察の説明活動における全体的協働が小規模協働と比較して考察の記述力の向上に寄与することを明らかにすることを目的とした。各クラス30人からなる2クラスを対象に，1クラスは考察の説明活動時に自由に立ち歩きクラス内全体での協働を許された全体的協働条件，別の1クラスは説明の範囲をグループ内に限定された小規模協働条件に割り当て，同一教師により7単位時間の実践を実施した。考察の記述力を測定する事前・事後テストの得点を分析した結果，全体的協働条件の得点の上昇が小規模協働条件に比べて大きかった。また，事後テストにおいて，全体的協働条件の「仮説についての記述」「仮説の妥当性を判断する記述」の正答者数が小規模協働条件に比べて多かった。さらに，授業中の発話内容とその回数を分析した結果，全体的協働条件では「仮説についての発話」「仮説の妥当性を判断する発話」に分類される発話が多く現れた。加えて，事後の意識アンケートを分析した結果，全体的協働条件の方が振り返る意識が高かった。これらの結果から，考察の説明活動における全体的協働が小規模協働と比較して，「仮説」「仮説の妥当性の判断」に関する議論の機会を増加させ，これらの観点の考察の記述力の向上を通して，総合的な考察の記述力の向上に寄与することが示唆された。

目的：急性期医療を担う病院における認知症看護実践に関する組織風土尺度を開発し信頼性と妥当性を検討することを目的とした．

The testimony of the Fukushima daiichi nuclear accident was used to analyze the factors that led to insufficient safety measures for nuclear power plants in Japan, focusing on the relationship between people in nuclear safety and local citizens. Analysis results revealed that not only were there issues concerning people in nuclear safety themselves, but the complex interaction between them and local citizens was also an important factor. Furthermore, the fact that safety measures for nuclear power plants had improved very little until after the accident is consistent with the Drift into Failure Model. In this model, when some elements of a system are modified to respond to problems, the entire system drifts into failure (such as accidents) because of the unexpected interactions among those modified elements. Although the legislation on Periodic Safety Review (PSR) in 2003 partially improved nuclear power plant safety, it interacted with other elements and led to inadequate safety measures in Japan.

The black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (Robinieae, Fabaceae) is a common invasive riparian tree in Japan. There are less effective management strategies to remove the tree from the riparian area because of its quickly established high population. We investigated the expansion patterns of R. pseudoacacia through sympatric (i.e. between high- and low-water channel (HWC/LWC) within a study site) and allopatric (i.e. along river corridor) dispersal in the Tama River (Tokyo, Japan). Four microsatellites were used to examine the effects of gene flow on six populations in three sites. These subpopulations showed small genetic distance (i.e. no barrier or slightly limited) and genetically mixed population structure. It indicated that both sympatric and allopatric dispersals were active. Many migrants were younger individuals (i.e. <5 years old) and were found in the LWC area. Thus, the LWC could receive more migrants than the HWC through both types of dispersals. In addition, our age and genetic structure analyses reveal that recruited individuals likely settled immediately after the clearing project of R. pseudoacacia through sympatric dispersal. It appears that the migration by allopatric dispersal occurred following this. For the effective management of R. pseudoacacia, migrants should be removed regularly following initial removal of invaders during site restoration.

: BackgroundWe previously reported the nutritional characteristics and effects of the DASH-JUMP diet, which is a WASHOKU-modified DASH diet, in Japanese participants with untreated high-normal blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension. The dietary adherence of the DASH diet in Japanese participants has never been evaluated before.ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the relationships between dietary adherence, self-efficacy, and health behavior change among study participants who received the DASH-JUMP diet by home delivery.MethodsParticipants were treated with the DASH-JUMP diet for 2 months and consumed their usual diets for the next 4 months. We conducted surveys using the stage of behavior change model questionnaire and the modified perceived health competence scale Japanese version questionnaire at baseline and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months to assess dietary adherence.ResultsForty-three participants (25 men, 18 women; mean age 53.6 ± 8.2 years) returned completed questionnaires, which we analyzed. Health behavior change was motivated by previous behavioral changes and improved biomarkers. The improvement and maintenance of self-efficacy were deeply related to health behavior change and previous self-efficacy. The experience of the DASH-JUMP study for participants included three processes to improve lifestyle habits: Phase 1, reflecting on previous lifestyle habits; Phase 2, learning through new experiences and the acquisition of knowledge; and Phase 3, desiring to maintain their own health.ConclusionIt indicated that the DASH-JUMP diet significantly increased self-efficacy and promoted health behavior change.