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Faculty of Science, Department of Applied Mathematics
- Associate professor
- Masakazu ONITSUKA
- Research Field
Qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations
- Keyword(s)
Ordinary differential equations, Qualitative theory, Stability
- Research theme
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- On the stability of nonautonomous ordinary differential equations
Outline of research activitiesThe field of my research is part of the qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations. In this research, we focus on the behavior of all solutions of nonautonomous ordinary differential equations. How does the variable coefficients of ODE influence the stability of the solutions? The main purpose of this research is to answer this question. In particular, we deal with the problem on the stability in the Lyapunov sense. For example, we treat asymptotic stability, uniform asymptotic stability and exponential stability. By understanding these essence, we aim to contribute to the development of ODE.
- Desired cooperation
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- Applications to control theory
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Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology
- Professor
- Takahiro MURAKAMI
- Research Field
Evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology
- Keyword(s)
Leaf-cutting ants, acoustic communication, anatomy, evolution, ecology, behavior
- Research theme
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- Evolution of acoustic communication in ants
- Pest control and management of invasive alien species, such as fire ants
- FISH mapping of regeneration-related genes in amphibians and planarians
- A new fabric material development using ants and silkworms
Outline of research activitiesThe final goal of our research is to converse with ants. Ants have long been thought to engage in detailed communication using chemical substances such as pheromones. However, our researchis revealing that acoustic signals are also important toos of communication.We conducte detailed analyses of organs such as “ears” and “sound-producing organs”. It will be able to control the behavior of ants like leaf-cutting ants, which are significant damage against human society.
We have been collaborating with various stakeholders such as the Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and the Ministry of the Environment to control invasive alien ant species such as the red imported fire ant, the yellow crazy ant, and Argentine ant. In Okayama Prefcture, there have been reported of the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) at Mizushima Port, and we will continue to control and manage these ants.
By using silk produced by silworms, which domesticated in China 6,000 years ago, and the silks spun by black Japanese weaver ant in Okinawa, we conduct research to create new fabric sheets. We hope that as this research progresses, the black Japanese weaver ant can be a symbolic relationship with humans as the fourth demesticated insect.
- Desired cooperation
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- Control and management of invasive alien ants
- Behavioral research of ants and other insects
- Development of communication device with ants using acoustic signals
- Domestication research of the black Japanese weaver ants
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Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering
- Professor
- Masaji TANAKA
- Research Field
Design, Mechanical Drawing, Manufacturing System
- Keyword(s)
Mechanical Drawing, Sketch, Solid Model, Automation System, CAD, CAM, i-Construction
- Research theme
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- Automatic conversion of sketches into 3D models
- Automatic conversion of constraction drawings into 3D models
Outline of research activitiesMechanisms that allow humans to recognize and understand 2D drawings in 3D have long been actively studied in the fields of artificial intelligence and mechanical engineering. However, there is no real system until now. In our research, its automation methods have developed. Currently, the main themes are: (1) Sketches are often used to draw new ideas such as mechanical parts. We have developed a method to automatically convert them into 3D models. (2) In the civil engineering and construction industry, IT techniques are being promoted, but it is difficult until now. We have developed a system to automatically convert its 2D drawings into 3D models.
- Desired cooperation
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- Research and development of new software related to CAD or applying CAD
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Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, Department of Information Science and Engineering
- Professor
- Tetsuya AKAGI
- Research Field
Mechatronics, Pneumatic control device, Mechanical control
- Keyword(s)
Soft actuator, Wearable control system, Embedded controller
- Research theme
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- Development of Low-cost Flexible Pneumatic Actuator and Its Application for Home-based Rehabilitation Devices
- Development of Low-cost Wearable Fluid Control Valve and Its Application
- Development of Various Flexible Robots Using Flexible Pneumatic Actuators
Outline of research activitiesBy taking advantage of pneumatic actuators that have features of higher force / mass ratio, lightweight and flexibility based on compressibility, we have developed low-cost wearable actuators and low-cost home-based rehabilitation devices that can be disposable after using it. Specifically, we developed a flexible pneumatic cylinder that can be used even if the cylinder bends. A spherical actuator that consists of two flexible pneumatic cylinders have been also developed as an application for portable rehabilitation device. We have also developed a low-cost wearable servo valve using buckled tubes, an artificial muscle with built-in displacement sensor and a pipe inspection robot using extension type flexible pneumatic actuators. In addition, aiming at globalization for students, all graduate students in our laboratory have presentation in international conferences.
- Desired cooperation
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- Development of wearable pneumatic controlled devices using embedded controllers and its application
- Implementation of low-cost, small-sized and light-weight pneumatic control valves
- Development and application for flexible actuator and flexible sensors
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Faculty of Education, Department of Secondary Education
- Associate professor
- Kaori SASAI
- Research Field
Japanese linguistics, Grammar, Sentences which express emotions in modern Japanese
- Keyword(s)
Non-predicate sentences with Noun Phrases, Sentences which express emotions
- Research theme
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- Comprehensive concept of non-predicate sentences
- Sentences which express emotions as a kind of sentence of its own
Outline of research activitiesThis study is about sentences which express emotions in modern Japanese. Modern Japanese studies verse mainly on predicate sentences. Such sentences aim to convey information about “things”. As such, there are scarce studies about sentences which express emotions being treated as a kind of sentence of its own. These sentences do not aim to convey information of the “thing”. An example would be “Beautiful flower!”, which is uttered unconsciously upon being moved by the beauty of any given flower. This type of exclamatory sentences are uttered by speakers to express their emotions and they employ the structure of Noun Phrases. Other kinds of sentences which express emotions are Labeling Sentences like the insult “Bakayaro!”. Since systematic studies of sentences which express emotions are scarce, I would like to attempt to describe and classify them, considering Labeling and Exclamatory sentences as separate sub-groups.I am also attempting to grasp the structure of modern Japanese sentences, not leaning on the structure of predicate sentences.
- Desired cooperation
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- Studies of sentences which express emotions in classical Japanese
- Studies of sentences which express emotions in languages other than Japanese
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Faculty of Management, Department of Management
- Professor
- Hitomi YOKOYAMA
- Research Field
Social Psychology
- Keyword(s)
Interpersonal Communication, Social Influence, Data Analysis
- Research theme
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- Verbal and nonverbal behavior in face-to-face communication
- Relationship between communication skills and interpersonal communication channels
Outline of research activitiesSatisfactory communication with others enables us to reduce interpersonal relationship stress and to enhance well-being.
Towards providing communication training that can help people communicate well, I have been studying verbal and nonverbal behavior of dyad, triad or small group in face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. For example, I examined what verbal and nonverbal channels were used by senders, and their channels had effectives on receivers in interpersonal persuasion.
I am currently studying communication behaviors and psychological safety during consensus building.- Desired cooperation
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- Quantitative and qualitative analysis of communication behaviors
- Communication skill research
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Faculty of Management, Department of Management
- Professor
- Makoto UCHIDA
- Research Field
International Business Management, Video Game Development, Project Management
- Keyword(s)
Entertainment, Video Games, Global Business Management
- Research theme
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- International Business Management in the IT Industry
- Transition of Video Game Development Tools
- Skills Required for Video Game Developers
Outline of research activitiesThe world is home to an estimated 11.1 million game developers, and this number continues to grow annually. The skills demanded of these professionals are constantly evolving due to the emergence of new platforms, the diversification of game genres, and the rapid advancement of technology. While some areas require highly specialized knowledge that drives the IT industry, the advent of sophisticated development tools has made it possible for even complete novices to create popular games, and those who utilize these tools can also thrive as accomplished developers. Our laboratory analyzes these shifts in the skills required of video game developers and their future prospects by investigating and analyzing global video game market trends and the progress of digital technology.
Simultaneously, by surveying the current situations and challenges faced by developers both in Japan and abroad, we delve into strategies for sustainable corporate growth in the rapidly changing game industry and the ideal approaches to human resource development within this context.
- Desired cooperation
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- IT Business Strategies in International Corporations
- Development of Human Resources for Video Game Development
- International Marketing Information on the Digital Game Market
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Faculty of Management, Department of Management
- Professor
- Tetsuo WASHIMI
- Research Field
Tourism Studies
- Keyword(s)
Regional promotion, Tourism industry
- Research theme
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- Comunity development through tourism
- Locally-led travel planning
- Inbound Traverers Behavior
Outline of research activitiesNow that Covid19 has settled down, the diversification of inbound customers will progress. Japan’s tourist areas will be required to be tourist areas that respond to diverse values such as religious diversity such as Halal, veganism, and LGBTQ. It means that each tourist area is required to select the value that is sought and to work on regional development that makes use of the strengths of the area.
Tourism has a broad base and a huge and growing market all over the world. In addition, it is an attractive industry that can realize tourism that benefits all people involved in tourism, including the industry, the business operators, and tourists.
I am interested in researching ways to help realize such a tourist area.- Desired cooperation
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- To be involved in concrete studies and research on community development related to local tourism
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Faculty of Management, Department of Management
- Associate professor
- Ryohei TAKAHASHI
- Research Field
Rural Development, Social Innovation
- Keyword(s)
Rural management, Rural innovation, Destination Management/Marketing Organization(DMO)
- Research theme
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- Sustainability of rural development through a destination management organisation.
- Building a rural development marketing database.
- Role of innovators in regional innovation
Outline of research activitiesIn response to the crisis of social, cultural, and economic sustainability in rural areas caused by declining birthrates and aging populations, the regional management movement, in which industry, academia, government, and the private sector collaborate to solve problems, has attracted attention.
In this laboratory, we support the construction of marketing databases for tourism marketing organizations that practice regional management, while analyzing the information obtained from these databases and examining effective regional management strategies.
There are two topics in this laboratory,
(1) Research on the relationships and roles among entities in effectively functioning regional management,
(2) Research on the construction of a marketing database that contributes to the formulation of regional management strategies and on evaluation indices for regional management.- Desired cooperation
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- Developing a marketing database for strategic rural management planning
- Analysis of economic ripple effects of events, etc.
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Faculty of Management, Department of Management
- Associate professor
- Shinji HONGE
- Research Field
Global management, Sales & Marketing Strategy
- Keyword(s)
Value creation, Business transformation, Experiential learning
- Research theme
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- EIgyo as a value-creating entity
- Eigyo-driven business transformation
- Eigyo person's growth through experiential learning
Outline of research activitiesIn Japan, Eigyo is often confused with sales and treated as a subordinate concept of marketing. However, in reality, Eigyo in a company plays a broad role in “connecting” the company with its customers, each department within the company, each department within the customer’s company, partner companies, domestic and overseas, and even society. Our research focuses on Eigyo as a process of business transformation and social problem solving, rather than simply selling products and services, and as a value-creating entity.
- Desired cooperation
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- Development of Eigyo persons capable of creating value
- Creation of new businesses that solve social issues
- International comparison of Eigyo and sales activities, etc.
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Professor
- Masumi ETO
- Research Field
Professor of Veterinary Medicine
- Keyword(s)
Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
- Research theme
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- Smooth muscle, artery, digestive tract, cell signaling, CPI-17
- Establishing veterinary medical engineering field
- Coordinating Himepet, a pet-related industrial cluster
Outline of research activitiesSmooth muscle cells are major components of the organ walls of organs, such as artery, gastrointestinal tract, bladder and trachea. Smooth muscle cell motility is highly regulated by nerve and hormonal stimuli. Accumulating lines of evidence suggest that impaired smooth muscle motility is involved in a variety of diseases, such as hypertension, digestive dysfunction, asthma, and dysuria. To elucidate the molecular basis of smooth muscle diseases, and to develop their effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, we have been studying the mechanisms that regulate smooth muscle motor function. Meanwhile, we have discovered a protein that regulates smooth muscle contractile function and have elucidated the underlying mechanism by which the protein mediates regulation of smooth muscle motility. We now study the signals in smooth muscle disease.
In parallel with our research on smooth muscle disease, we are assisting in the development of devices and products to improve the quality of life of animals, including pets, and their owners through collaborative research.- Desired cooperation
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- Translational research in organ failures
- R&D in pet-related devices and products
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer
- Kei HAYASHI
- Research Field
Parasitology, Veterinary Parasitology, Phylogeny
- Keyword(s)
Parasite, Trematode, Cestode, Nematode, Helminth
- Research theme
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- Relationship between the parasite evolution and their host.
- Parasite dynamics, pathogenesis and morphological and molecular characters.
- More usuful diagnosis and identification methods for parasites.
Outline of research activitiesI analyze influences of biogeographic phenomena such as evolution and migration of host animals on parasite distribution or population using molecular phylogenetic analyses. I’m also conducting research on the mechanisms of migration and pathology of helminths in their host.
- Desired cooperation
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- Experimental biological research of parasitic helminths.
- Biogeographic study of host livestocks and wild animals.
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Isshu KOJIMA
- Research Field
Virology, Microbiology, Infection control
- Keyword(s)
Rhabdovirus, Bunyavirus, Programmed cell death, Stress granule
- Research theme
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- Mechanism of viral pathogenesis
- Elucidation of anti-viral mechanisms
- Investigation of emerging infectious diseases
Outline of research activitiesTo protect from viruses, animals including humans have acquired various innate immunity. However, viruses have also gotten the abilities to evade the host immune responses in order to efficiently propagate.
In the relation between viruses and host immune responses, I focus on the “programmed cell death”, which is the cell suicide to inhibit the infection to other cells, and “stress granule”, which is recently identified as the new host immune response. In the future, I’d like to investigate emerging infectious disease viruses to elucidate the viral survival-strategy against the host.- Desired cooperation
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- New mechanism of viral pathogenesis
- Innovative detection using the host immune responses
- Epidemiology of emerging infectious viruses
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Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Yoko MAEKAWA
- Research Field
Foreign Language Education, Educational Psychology
- Keyword(s)
Language Learning Motivation, Ideal-self, SDT, WTC, CLIL, ESP
- Research theme
-
- Changes of language learning motivation through CLIL class
- Peer communication in active learning classrooms
- Effective English Instruction for Science and Engineering Students
Outline of research activitiesIn this globalized world, English is crucial as international language. Students majoirng in science and engineering field expecially need to learn English related to their major and future career actively.
Therefore, I study and practice Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) class, which aims to let students visualize necessary English in their own major or future career, caltivate their cognitive skills, and raise their motivation. I also research effective Egnlish instruction that science and engineering students can learn English logically.- Desired cooperation
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- English instruction caltivating active learning
- English instruction that is required in business and society
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Student Support Division, Career Support Center
- Professor
- Naofumi SAKAMOTO
- Research Field
Global Career Education. Support for Employment at Global Companies.
- Keyword(s)
Global Companies, Career Development, Leadership, Job Offers.
- Research theme
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- Offering personalized and detailed career guidance to
- of Okayama University of Science both domestic and
- international o help them secure job offers from top-tier
- global companies such as GAFAM, leading general trading companies, and major consulting firms.
Outline of research activitiesIn the 2025 academic year, the “Global Elite Class” will be launched on a trial basis (with full implementation starting in 2026). The goal of the Global Elite Class is to prepare students to pass the recruitment examinations of GAFAM, general trading companies (sōgō shōsha), consulting firms, and other world-class global corporations.
Eligible departments: All faculties and departments across the university. Target year level:Primarily first-year students in the initial year, but students from other year levels who demonstrate strong motivation will also be allowed to participate. Nationality:Open to students of all nationalities. Main areas of instruction include:
1. Career design with a global perspective. 2. Leadership in multinational teams. 3. Designing business models for success in international markets. 4. Intercultural understanding and communication skills. 5. Presentation skills with strong persuasive power and audience engagement. 6. Collaborative problem-solving workshops with students from top universities in Kanto, Kansai, and overseas. 7. Strategies to raise TOEIC scores to the level required by major global companies. 8. Methods to improve scores on written exams such as SPI to meet the hiring standards of leading global firms- Desired cooperation
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- Developing a Career in Global Corporations