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International student exchange is integral to internationalization at higher education institutions and global human resource development in Japan. However, border closures and restrictions on physical mobility since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced universities to adopt virtual mobility models to deliver international exchange programs. This study explores students' experiences of taking virtual exchange programs and their pedagogical implications for future virtual exchange programs. In this paper, we present one case of virtual student mobility implemented at one national university in Japan. Analysis of multiple data sets, including student surveys (n=789), reflection papers (n=420), and interviews with a program administrator and a faculty member, revealed that this type of virtual student mobility program has strong merits in promoting internationalization activities. Students were satisfied with the diverse interdisciplinary academic content, flexibility in taking the course, and opportunity to engage with the host university faculty members and international students. Many have expressed their interest in studying at the host university in person.

This paper elaborates on recent trends in Japanese higher education partnerships through three cases of collaboration between Japanese universities and higher education institutions in China, Mongolia, and the Southeast Asia (hereinafter referred to as ASEAN). Our analysis shows that partnerships were shaped by both top-down government policies and bottom-up activities based on institutional visions and past relations. Japan's educational quality and reputation, particularly in science and technology, is highly regarded by higher education institutions (HEIs) interested in developing competitive international programs. On one hand, Japan is striving to deepen and expand its partnerships with HEIs, particularly within Asia. A number of domestic and international factors - such as Japan's population decline; increasing competition among HEIs both on the domestic and international front; an ambition to remain competitive in a twenty-first century, knowledge-based economy; and Japan's strategy to strengthen its influence in Asia - drive the partnerships. On the other hand, while earlier partnerships were limited to student and faculty exchange or joint research projects, institutions increasingly prioritize more comprehensive strategic partnerships. Such strategic partnerships are important to overcome barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic that limit physical movement and interaction, and they may drive even greater collaboration and integration among Asian higher education institutions.

Summary: Secondary xylem and phloem originate from a lateral meristem called the vascular cambium that consists of one to several layers of meristematic cells. Recent lineage tracing studies have shown that only one of the cambial cells in each radial cell file functions as the stem cell, capable of producing both secondary xylem and phloem. Here, we first review how phytohormones and signalling peptides regulate vascular cambium formation and activity. We then propose how the stem cell concept, familiar from apical meristems, could be applied to cambium studies. Finally, we discuss how this concept could set the basis for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low capacity and poor cycle stability greatly inhibit the development of zinc‐iodine batteries. Herein, a high‐performance Zn‐iodine battery has been reached by designing and optimizing both electrode and electrolyte. The Br− is introduced as the activator to trigger I+, and coupled with I+ forming interhalogen to stabilize I+ to achieve a four‐electron reaction, which greatly promotes the capacity. And the Ni−Fe−I LDH nanoflowers serve as the confinement host to enable the reactions of I−/I+ occurring in the layer due to the spacious and stable interlayer spacing of Ni−Fe−I LDH, which effectively suppresses the iodine‐species shuttle ensuring high cycling stability. As a result, the electrochemical performance is greatly enhanced, especially in specific capacity (as high as 350 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 far higher than two‐electron transfer Zn‐iodine batteries) and cycling performance (94.6 % capacity retention after 10000 cycles). This strategy provides a new way to realize high capacity and long‐term stability of Zn‐iodine batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]