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Japan enacted a new teacher education curriculum in 2019, following which it became possible to include school experiences and internships within one's practicum credits. However, the contents of the practicum are not systematically arranged, and discussions on student-teachers' (STs) learning and their resulting professional development achieved through the practicum are limited. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the challenges STs faced in their initial school experience, with a particular focus on STs who began their teacher education programme. Twenty-eight STs attending the early stages of a teacher education programme participated in this qualitative case study. The findings suggest that STs have recognised their own challenges regarding understanding students, teaching skills and methods, and active communication. In addition, the results re-confirm the value of early school experience in teacher training. Particularly, the results suggest that the first school experience can help STs realise the importance of acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to know and act like a teacher, and the importance of theoretical learning at university.

A headspace-proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF/MS) system that combines PTR-TOF/MS with a dynamic and reactive flavor-release monitoring system was constructed to measure the orthonasal aroma components in beer before and after foaming. Some aroma components in the headspace of beer after foaming in real time, such as m/z 145.1150 and m/z 173.1536, are thought to be derived mainly from ethyl hexanoate and ethyl octanoate, respectively, resulting in a fruity and sweet aroma. They showed significantly higher volatilizations than those in the headspace before foaming. The ratio of the concentration of headspace m/z of beer after foaming and before foaming showed a significant correlation with the partition coefficient of each assuming the main aroma component, indicating that the volatility of beer aroma with foaming depends on the hydrophobicity. The aroma components with high partition coefficients were believed to be able to associate with isohumulones and some proteins and to move to foam during foaming. They might be more volatilized by collapsing bubbles than those with low partition coefficients. Beer foam plays a novel role as a carrier of aroma, specifically promoting the release of some characteristic aroma compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nickel phthalocyanine precursor bearing poly(ethylene glycol) as a turn-on contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging was prepared. The water-soluble polymeric chains were smoothly eliminated through thiol-mediated reductive aromatization in cancer cells, enabling the detection of endogenous biological thiols in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Information: Cancer cells acquire malignant characteristics and therapy resistance by employing the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1)‐dependent adaptive response to hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors. Since the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, difficulties are associated with establishing effective therapeutic strategies. Results: We herein identified DEAD‐box helicase 5 (DDX5) as a novel activator of HIF‐1 and found that it enhanced the heterodimer formation of HIF‐1α and HIF‐1β and facilitated the recruitment of the resulting HIF‐1 to its recognition sequence, hypoxia‐response element (HRE), leading to the expression of a subset of cancer‐related genes under hypoxia. Conclusions: This study reveals that the regulation of HIF‐1 recruitment to HRE is an important regulatory step in the control of HIF‐1 activity. Significance: The present study provides novel insights for the development of strategies to inhibit the HIF‐1‐dependent expression of cancer‐related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood, an instrument designed to measure a concept similar to "zest for living" in late childhood. A total of 1,888 elementary school students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades residing in urban and suburban areas as well as in remote islands of 3 prefectures (Okinawa, Kagoshima, and Nagasaki) were surveyed. On the basis of our analysis, 24 items and seven factors were extracted. These factors are problem-solving/synthesis, relationship with friends, personal manners, decision-making and future planning, self-learning, collecting and using information, and leadership. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients were computed for each subscale and ranged from 0.71 to 0.87. Test-retest reliability coefficient values ranged from 0.68 to 0.79. To examine the construct validity of the scales, a goodness-of-fit model was determined by confirmatory factor analysis, and satisfactory values were found (GFI = 0.952, AGFI = 0.937, CFI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.016). The validity of the goodness-of-fit model and the reliability of the scales indicate that the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood is an effective assessment tool.

Summary: Inhalation injury is a serious and potentially fatal consequence of a fire or explosion. Bronchoscopy is recommended for rapid assessment of inhalation injury in humans; however, descriptions of bronchoscopic observation of inhalation injury in horses are lacking. We describe the clinical course of inhalation injury observed by bronchoscopy, treatment, and racing performance in 26 Thoroughbred racehorses that had been exposed to a fire. On initial bronchoscopy, 11 were diagnosed with inhalation injury (3 of Grade 1 [mild]; 3 of Grade 2 [moderate]; 4 of Grade 3 [severe]; and 1 of Grade 4 [massive]); 11 had no injury (Grade 0); and 4 were found dead. Treatment was based on inhalation injury grade and mainly involved airway lavage via bronchoscopy for soot removal and exudate recovery. Of the 11 horses with inhalation injury, 10 survived and 9 returned to racing. No effects in terms of racing performance (number of starts, finishing position, and earnings) were observed. Prompt and repeated bronchoscopy may be useful for evaluating the severity of inhalation injury, and airway lavage via bronchoscopy may be an effective treatment. If diagnosed and treated early and appropriately, even severe inhalation injury will not necessarily hinder postinjury racing performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan enacted a new teacher education curriculum in 2019, following which it became possible to include school experiences and internships within one's practicum credits. However, the contents of the practicum are not systematically arranged, and discussions on student-teachers' (STs) learning and their resulting professional development achieved through the practicum are limited. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the challenges STs faced in their initial school experience, with a particular focus on STs who began their teacher education programme. Twenty-eight STs attending the early stages of a teacher education programme participated in this qualitative case study. The findings suggest that STs have recognised their own challenges regarding understanding students, teaching skills and methods, and active communication. In addition, the results re-confirm the value of early school experience in teacher training. Particularly, the results suggest that the first school experience can help STs realise the importance of acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to know and act like a teacher, and the importance of theoretical learning at university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]