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Vocabulary knowledge is of paramount importance when learning a second language. It requires effective and practical classroom vocabulary learning methods for long-term acquisition. Specific learning aspects helping the learner remember vocabulary such as spaced repetition and retrieval practice have shown efficacy but are often disconnected from practical in-class methods that can be used repeatedly. This study looked at data from 74 university students in Japan studying English vocabulary with the GoldList Notebook Method, which incorporates spaced learning and retrieval practice. The study was conducted over a nine-week period and consisted of a pre-test of target L2 idioms, a lesson teaching the idioms, the implementation of the GoldList Notebook Method, and a post-test on the target idioms. The data collected were analyzed through fixed effects with a generalized linear model in R version 4.0.3 and R Studio 1.2.5. In addition to quantitative data collected through the pre- and posttests, qualitative observational data was compiled on the use of the GoldList Notebook Method in the classroom. The findings showed efficacy in using the method and found particular merit to spaced learning over two-week intervals. The study further addresses problems teachers may face implementing the method in the classroom and possible ways to alleviate the issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We used airborne topo-bathymetric LiDAR to obtain both vegetation and bed data. • A LiDAR point cloud was used to assess flow resistance in vegetated flooded rivers. • The proposed method was checked using Asahi River flooding simulations. • Results demonstrate that the method estimates the distributed flow resistance well. • These reported findings can support flood control work design for vegetated rivers. This paper describes application of airborne LiDAR bathymetry (ALB) with near-infrared and green pulsed lasers for gathering distributed vegetation conditions and topo-bathymetric data for rivers. For the lower Asahi River of Okayama Prefecture in Japan, the ALB data validity was verified using field observation data. This study also examined the applicability of ALB data for numerical simulations of the lower Asahi River flooding in early July 2018 in Japan, comparing simulated and observed data. Results demonstrated that the methodology for this study works well for parameterization of distributed vegetation on a reach scale. This study also applied numerical tests to investigate the effects of vegetation establishment on flood control plans for the lower Asahi River using parameters validated for flood flow simulations. Results demonstrate that the predicted water level markedly exceeds the high water level because of thick vegetation presently established along few-kilometer-long upstream sections of the targeted river reach. Therefore, we conclude that the present findings can support cost-effective management tasks for vegetated rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass mortality of 0-year-old pearl oysters, Pinctada fucata (Gould), and anomalies in adults were observed in Japan’s major pearl farming areas in the summer of 2019 and 2020. Although adult oyster mortality was low, both adult and juvenile oysters underwent atrophy of the soft body, detachment of the mantle from nacre (the shiny inner surface of the valves), deposition of brownish material on the nacre, and loss of nacre luster. Infection trials were conducted to verify the involvement of pathogens in this phenomenon. Healthy adult pearl oysters were obtained from areas where this disease had not occurred to use as the recipients. The sources of infection were either affected adult oysters with atrophied soft bodies or batches of juveniles in which mortality had reached conspicuous levels. Transmission of the disease to the healthy oysters were tested either by cohabitation with affected oysters or by injections of the hemolymph of affected animals. The injection infection test examined the effects of filtration and chloroform exposure on the pathogen. Occurrence of the disease was confirmed by the appearance of brown deposits on the nacre and loss of nacre luster. The abnormalities of nacre were clearly reproduced in recipient shells in three out of four cohabitation trials with affected oysters. The disease was also reproduced in six out of six injection trails either with hemolymph filtered through 100 nm filter or with hemolymph treated with chloroform. In a serial passage with hemolymph injections, the disease was successfully transmitted through eight passages. These results suggest that the etiology of the disease is a non-enveloped virus with a diameter ≤100 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, there are many flood and tsunami disasters caused by typhoons, heavy rains and earthquakes. In this case, the residents have an evacuation time to evacuate to shelters after evacuation alerts from a governmental office. However, some people don't try to evacuate soon. As a result, it is problem that some victims of disasters are caused because without or late evacuation and supporting. In order to prevent such a damage, we developed Regional Information Sharing System (RISS) for disaster risk reduction. The RISS includes daily required life information from regional government and regional shops, as well as disaster information, shelters' condition and the information of support required people and support teams. In this paper, we introduce the concept of RISS and its evaluation results on a field test and the effects in a regional disaster case by multi-agent simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]