Apiculture knowledge transmission in a changing world: Can family-owned knowledge be opened?

Yuta Uchiyama,Hikaru Matsuoka,Ryo Kohsaka 한국식품연구원 2017 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.4 No.4

Background Ecosystem services of pollinators have been gaining importance, as mentioned in the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services thematic report on pollination in 2016. Apart from wild bees, human interventions including apiculture can contribute to management of ecosystem services. Ecological and local knowledge of management is transmitted through various processes, varying in content and quality. Methods We analyzed the processes of knowledge transmission, beekeeping productivity, and their interactions with each other. The study was conducted in the Nagano Prefecture, Japan, where the largest quantity of bee honey is produced nationally. Beekeeping knowledge in Nagano is transmitted through different information channels, including families, friends, and books. We categorized the beekeepers based on their information channels. The relationship between productivity of beekeeping and information channels was also analyzed. Results It was identified that beekeepers who obtained their knowledge from their parents had relatively large number of bee colonies. Furthermore, we observed by interviews with them that they tended to understand the importance of ecological conditions for sustainable beekeeping. Conclusion The results implied a challenge to open the knowledge transmission channels beyond families, potentially transforming the knowledge from tacit knowledge among limited members to an explicit manualized knowledge in an aging society.

Public recognition of traditional vegetables at the municipal level: Implications for transgenerational knowledge transmission

Yuta Uchiyama,Hikaru Matsuoka,Ryo Kohsaka 한국식품연구원 2017 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.4 No.2

Capturing the relationships between local foods and residents: A case in the Noto region, Japan

Ryo Kohsaka,Hikaru Matsuoka,Yuta Uchiyama 한국식품연구원 2016 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.3 No.2

Background: Under the influence of global trends, most regions are at risk of losing their local-food knowledge. In this context, analyzing the transmission of the knowledge, understanding the context of transmission, and implementing precise activities and policies are required. Noto is known for its unique ethnic fermented food products. Methods: Through our questionnaire survey and analysis of the Noto peninsula, we explore the relationships between the attributes of local food producers and the variety of foods they produce, attempting to identify the key attributes related to making diverse local foods and the transmission of local food knowledge. Results: Our analysis showed a correlation between the diversity of local foods made by residents and the number of years they had lived in the municipality. Conclusion: The results implied that adequate management of social networks by local residents, who depend on the local environment, is required in transmitting the knowledge of local foods.

Development of a prognostic prediction support system for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia using artificial intelligence-based diagnosis

Takayuki Takahashi,Hikaru Matsuoka,Rieko Sakurai,Jun Akatsuka,Yusuke Kobayashi,Masaru Nakamura,Takashi Iwata,Kouji Banno,Motomichi Matsuzaki,Jun Takayama,Daisuke Aoki,Yoichiro Yamamoto,Gen Tamiya 대한부인종양학회 2022 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.33 No.5

Objective: Human papillomavirus subtypes are predictive indicators of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) progression. While colposcopy is also an essential part of cervical cancer prevention, its accuracy and reproducibility are limited because of subjective evaluation. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that can accurately detect the optimal lesion associated with prognosis using colposcopic images of CIN2 patients by utilizing objective AI diagnosis. Methods: We identified colposcopic findings associated with the prognosis of patients with CIN2. We developed a convolutional neural network that can automatically detect the rate of high-grade lesions in the uterovaginal area in 12 segments. We finally evaluated the detection accuracy of our AI algorithm compared with the scores by multiple gynecologic oncologists. Results: High-grade lesion occupancy in the uterovaginal area detected by senior colposcopists was significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with CIN2. The detection rate for high-grade lesions in 12 segments of the uterovaginal area by the AI system was 62.1% for recall, and the overall correct response rate was 89.7%. Moreover, the percentage of high-grade lesions detected by the AI system was significantly correlated with the rate detected by multiple gynecologic senior oncologists (r=0.61). Conclusion: Our novel AI algorithm can accurately determine high-grade lesions associated with prognosis on colposcopic images, and these results provide an insight into the additional utility of colposcopy for the management of patients with CIN2.

Expectations of residents and tourists of agriculture-related certification systems: analysis of public perceptions

Yuta Uchiyama,Yushi Tanaka,Hikaru Matsuoka,Ryo Kohsaka 한국식품연구원 2017 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.4 No.2

Background: To reveal the level of recognition of regional and product certifications related to agriculture, an analysis of the official minutes of assemblies and the perceptions of tourists was conducted. This is one of the first attempts to combine analysis of residents and tourists at the product level (Geographical Indications, trademarks) and landscape level (registration under Food and Agricultural Organization [FAO] or United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO]-related certification systems). Methods: The research sites were Itoigawa and Sado, two municipalities in Niigata prefecture. The former is certified as a Global Geopark, and the latter as a National Geopark and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). The text-mining approach was conducted to analyze the official minutes of the municipal assemblies, and the questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the recognition of tourists on the certifications. Results: The results of the analysis of assemblies and tourists provide issues and possibilities of the certification systems. Tourists' recognition of the GIAHS and its weighting in the assemblies are relatively low. Residents and tourists have different expectations for regional certification. Residents expect education, while tourists expect tourism. Conclusion: It is necessary to evaluate the GIAHS's contribution to tourism and industry when municipalities and international organizations manage the GIAHS sites. Considering the gaps between residents and tourists and taking measures to resolve them can contribute to managing certificated areas by collaboration of stakeholders. Regarding products aimed at branding, consumers need to be informed about the GIAHS as a regional certification in addition to product certification to share the historical and environmental characteristics of agricultural products.

Tradition and Japanese vegetables: history, locality, geography, and discursive ambiguity

Yuta Uchiyama,Yoshinori Fujihira,Hikaru Matsuoka,Ryo Kohsaka 한국식품연구원 2017 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.4 No.3

Background: Traditional vegetables are produced and consumed throughout Japan. Individual vegetables, including Kyo vegetables and Kaga vegetables, are individually defined with their own criteria for history and quality standards and are registered in their respective regions. Several traditional vegetables are utilized as symbols of regional revitalization. For example, Kaga vegetables are tourist attractions, and Noto vegetables are promoted in the Noto region and were registered under the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Methods: We will review the distribution, public standards, and definitions of dento-yasai, traditional Japanese vegetables. Quantitative analysis on the status of the branding of traditional vegetables will be conducted. Results: First, the ambiguity and distribution of traditional vegetables are demonstrated. Next, as a case study, the results of a quantitative analysis of Kaga vegetables and Noto vegetables are provided. Kaga vegetables have their own quality standards and definition, and producers have acknowledged the positive impact of the regional certification, GIAHS, on the amount sold. However, a social conflict has been caused by their standards and definition. On the other hand, Noto vegetables do not have a strict quality standard, and they were registered relatively recently. Because of their comparatively lax standard, producers could not acknowledge the positive impacts of GIAHS certification. Conclusion: Origins of traditional Japanese vegetables and relationships with their regions have innumerable ambiguous points. The results of the analysis of two types of traditional vegetables show that quality standards and definitions strongly influence branding and brand management.