-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Genta SAKANE
- Research Field
Inorganic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, Crystallography
- Keyword(s)
Complex, Coordination Compound, DV-Xα Method, Coordination Polymer
- Research theme
-
- Creation of Unique Complexes containing Commodity Organic Molecules
Outline of research activitiesThe overall purpose of my study is to examine the syntheses, structures, and electronic structures of unique complexes containing commodity organic molecules. The concrete target is finding novel complexes out of the combination of commodity organic molecules and commodity metal ions in the periodic table, preparing the crystals (powder or single crystal), determing the X-ray structures, calculating the electronic structures by first principle, and measuring the physical properties (spectroscopic property etc.).
- Desired cooperation
-
- Discrete Variational (DV) -Xα Calculation of Inorganic Compound.
- X-ray Structure Analysis of Inorganic Compound.
- Observation of Material Surface using the Digital Microscope.
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Jun'ichi ASANO
- Research Field
Chinese literature
- Keyword(s)
Literature, Chine, Music and drame, Lu Xun, Qu Qiubai
- Research theme
-
- Literature in Repablic of China
- Relationship of Qu Qiubai and Comintern
- Chinese classical music and theatrical music
Outline of research activitiesAs in the case of Japan, China in modern times had to “modernize” by introducing Western cultures. In Japan acceptance and chewing of Western cultures, in the field of literature, intermittently continued from the latter half of the 19th century to the thirties of the 20th century, whereas in China it was made at once in the 1920s and 1930s at the time of the Republic of China. Lu Xun is its central figure. Through the work of Lu Xun, I am studying how he fought with China’s “modern” and how he tried to get in touch with each other.
As for Lu Xun ‘s ally and the early Communist leaders’ leader Qu Qiubai, I am studying from the viewpoint that Marxism was accepted to China of what kind of form, which was one of the new ideas of the West .
Chinese classical music was developed from folk songs and dramatic music, but in the 1920s it was compiled. About this, we will introduce previous research including demonstration.- Desired cooperation
-
- Introducing of the modern China at Local society
- Study about relationship of pref.Okayama and China
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Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Kazumasa OHKUMA
- Research Field
Theoretical Physics, Educational Technology
- Keyword(s)
Elementary particle physics, Programming Education
- Research theme
-
- Probing new physics model via top quark interactions
- Development of teaching materials for programming educations
Outline of research activities(1) Probing new physics model via top quark interactions
If we understand behaviors of elementary particles based on the physics models which describes dynamics of elementary particles, we could understand the structure of space nd time (i.e. Universe). I think that top quark plays important roles to probe new physics models describing unknown nature of the elementary particle physics. Therefore, I study top quark interactions.(2) Development of teaching materials for programming educations
It is not easy for beginners to make programs without learning the grammar of programming language. Thus, we proposed teaching materials for programming educations focusing on studies of algorithms without learning the grammar of programming language. The materials are constructed a visual programming environment Scratch, actual robots and a conversion software which translates from programs made by Scratch to the control code for actual robots. Now, we are evaluating the teaching materials based on statistical analysis of the results of questionnaire gotten from the classes in which the materials are used.- Desired cooperation
-
- Development of teaching materials for introductory education for science and technology
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Koji MIKI
- Research Field
German Literature.
- Keyword(s)
German Literature. German Romanticism. Filmstudy
- Research theme
-
- German Literature of Romanticism.
- German silent film. Friedrich Murnau, Fritz Lang
- Filmstudy of modern Germany, Ireland.
- proberb
Outline of research activitiesMy main study is on German Literature, German Romanticism, and on the filmstudy about Germany and Ireland. I have studied for many years German romantic Literature, especially Novalis, Tieck and Eichendorf. In recent years I have studied German silen film, Friedrich Murnau and Fritz Lang, etc. In pararell with Filmstudy, I am making research on the probaebs of the world.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Various social problems in the Films, not only in Germany, but in the world.
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Masachika TSUJI
- Research Field
Road Ecology
- Keyword(s)
Roadkill,Railkill
- Research theme
-
- Research on using low and high frequencies to keep wildlife and humans at a distance
- Roadkill Countermeasures
- Bird strike countermeasures
Outline of research activitiesWe are conducting research to return the relationship between both animals and humans to a more natural state by using low and high frequencies to deter roadkill and railkill as well as beast damage control. The low-frequency “InoDon kumaDon” uses sensors to drive away wild boars, bears, etc. trapped there, and the high-frequency “Hyper Deer Sonic” uses a timer to run for a certain time and is used on deer, birds, etc., with great results. There is no effect on other animals or humans. The high-frequency type is available in vehicle-mounted and installed types, while the low-frequency type is only available in the installed type due to the large diameter of the speaker. However, a portable type, Hyper Deer Sonic, is currently under development and is highly anticipated by people in the forestry and mountaineering industries.
- Desired cooperation
-
- No sound habituation reset due to bear hibernation
- study of animal behavior
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Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Misae ISHIDA
- Research Field
English literature of the early 20th century, English language education
- Keyword(s)
English literature, Modernism, Virginia Woolf, Language learning, EFL, learning materials
- Research theme
-
- Virginia Woolf’s works and psychoanalysis
- English learning materials and motivation
Outline of research activities(1)I have been conducting research on Virginia Woolf, who is one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. I have been studying her representative works from the viewpoint of psychoanalysis, especially Carl Gustav Jung’s analytical psychology. In addition, my recent research interests include history, society and culture described in her works.
(2)I am interested in English language education. I have been working on the use of films (including anime), graded readers and literary works in EFL classrooms. My research focuses on students’ motivation in language learning.- Desired cooperation
-
- Virginia Woolf's works
- English language education
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Shigekazu NAKAGAWA
- Research Field
Statistical Science
- Keyword(s)
Multivariate distribution theorey, Test for normality, Kernel method
- Research theme
-
- Multivariate distribution theorey based on the asymptotic expansion
- Development of testing for normality
- Kernel method
Outline of research activitiesIn statistical inference, testing for normality is one of the most fundamental problems traditionally. The below left figure is the probability density function of the normal distribution. We have obtained a grahical method of testing for multivariate normality based on the pricipal component score and an approximate joint distribution of sample skewness and kurtosis. We illustrate our method for Fisher’s iris data in the below right figure.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Data analysis
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Shoji SUGIYAMA
- Research Field
English Linguistics, Functional Syntax
- Keyword(s)
Focus movement, Information structure, Balance
- Research theme
-
- The triggar of focus movements, the system of predicting the grammatical gradience
Outline of research activitiesIn my thesis, I proposed “Balance Theory” from the viewpoint of both formalism and functionalism. I am mainly interested in the following leading questions:What causes focus movements?, which elements can be moved?, where is the landing site?, why is the movement operation is restricted in a certain environment?, and how do we explain the grammatical gradience? In my assumption, natural languages are required to have well-balanced structutres. When the structure in question is imbalanced, a focal element is triggered in order to make the structure balanced. In the case of English, the landing site should be the edge of the sentence, that is, the end poistion or the top position, depending on the kinds of sentences. I hope we can explain as many phenomema as possible by using this simple idea.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Effective teaching methods of English grammar
- Comparative study of English and Japanese
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Shuichi TAKAHARA
- Research Field
Science Education
- Keyword(s)
Development of teaching materials, Science communication
- Research theme
-
- Development of teaching materials for science education
- Investigation of science literacy of university students
- Human resource development for science communication activities
Outline of research activitiesI am developing the teaching materials for the science education. The university students who do not understand contents of the science studied at elementary and junior high school exist in a considerable ratio. Therefore I survey the actual situation of the science literacy of students, analyze the weak point and develop the teaching materials based on this analysis. In addition, I have carried out many scientific events and lectures for children and citizens in local community with students. I am studying the teaching materials and human resource development for such a science communication activities.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Joint development of the teaching materials for the science education
- Survey of the science literacy of students
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Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Toshinobu SHIGEMATSU
- Research Field
Low Temperature Physics, Science Education, Enviromental Science
- Keyword(s)
Superfluid, Superconducting, IoT, Science class
- Research theme
-
- Development of underwater communication system
- Deveropment of Cryogen-Free Superconducting Magnet
- Field research of the solar power generation systems
- Simple Viscosity Measurement of Oils under Low Temperature Condition
Outline of research activitiesVarious studies of solid state physics are researched using cryogenic technology, liquid-helium and liquid-nitrogen.
For example, very strong electromagnet is constructed by myself using superconductive technology. This equipment will be used for a microorganism study.-Patent-
JAPANESE PATENT
Pub. No.4975154
EUROPEAN PATENT
SPECI- FICATION, Inter.
Pub. Number:WO 2012/039429
[Water-Mixed fuel and method for producing same]- Desired cooperation
-
- Technical deverlopment for preparing fields
- Cryogenic technology
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Professor
- Yoichiro YAGI
- Research Field
Condensed Matter Theory, Computational life science, Computational chemistry
- Keyword(s)
Protein, Drug discovery, Device, Computer simulation
- Research theme
-
- Drug discovery using HPCI
- Functional analysis of proteins by biomolecular chemical calculations
- Electronic state calculation of proteins
- Computer simulations for nano-biodevice
Outline of research activities◆Research◆
The purpose of our study is the elucidation of the function of biomolecules by the computer simulation. We have carried out large-scale biomolecular quantum chemical computations, fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculation and first-principles calculation, using the supercomputer FUGAKU. Our present works are (1) to explore the relationship between drug effects and side effects by analyzing the interaction of drugs and proteins, (2) to elucidate the function of proteins by analyzing of electrionic states of proteins and to develop new materials, (3) to elucidate the enantioselectivity and reactivity of the enzyme in organic synthesis by the biomolecular computational simulations of the complexes of lipases with organic compounds.
◆Social activity◆
・Group sub-leader of Enzyme WG of FMO Drug Design Consortium- Desired cooperation
-
- Development of new drugs and new material
- Manufacturing by computer simulations
- Functional analysis of new materials and new electronic devices
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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
-
- English instruction caltivating active learning
- English instruction that is required in business and society
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Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- David Richard NEILL
- Research Field
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- Keyword(s)
EFL, Motivation, Communciation
- Research theme
-
- My research involves how to get the students to communicate in English. This also involves understanding how motivation plays a role in communicating in English.
Outline of research activitiesIn my classes I use a textbook but also have the students communicate in English. Listening practice is also focused on. If a student is unable to listen he or she will not be able to communicate. The goal of the class is to get the students to be comfortable communicating in English.
- Desired cooperation
-
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Hiroo NASU
- Research Field
Archaeobotany, Environmental Archaeology, Paleobotany
- Keyword(s)
Plant remains, Seed, Fruits, Paleoenvironment, Agriculture, Domestication, Ancient civilization
- Research theme
-
- Domestication of plants and origin of agriculture
- Environmental change and civilization
- History of human-plant interactions
Outline of research activitiesArchaeobotany is the study of plant remains (seeds, fruits, etc.) from archaeological sites to understand the human-plant interactions in the past. I am particularly interested in the beginning of farming. Agriculture started in the Japanese archipelago in the Yayoi period, but there is a possibility that soybean and azuki were domesticated independently in the Japanese archipelago during the Jomon period. I am also studying the rize and fall of Maya Civilization in Central America in relation to the development of maize farming and environmental changes.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Seed identification from archaeological sites
- Ecosystem restoration using buried seeds
- Education program, exhibition, or desigh using seeds
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Hiroyuki AOKI
- Research Field
Dynamic property of Biomembrane, Morphology of self-assembly
- Keyword(s)
Phospholipid, Phase separation, Biomimetics
- Research theme
-
- Biomimetic microstructure formed by self-spreading behavior of phospholipid molecular assembly
Outline of research activitiesWe are concerned with biomimetic microstructure formed by self-spreading behavior of phospholipid molecular assembly in nanotechnology fields. Especially, a pollen like structure formed by egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine myelin figures has been studied by use of an optical microscopy. Budding of giant liposomes (GUV ~ 50µm) from the tip of spore like structure were observed. The size of GUV and the forming behavior were discussed using a geometric packing shape and a phase separation phenomenon of phospholipid molecules.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Pure research of hydrophilic surface processing of a micro-capsule using Drug Delivery System
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Jane O`HALLORAN
- Research Field
Language and motivation
- Keyword(s)
Language acquisition, English and culture, Content-based learning
- Research theme
-
- Opportunities for students living in Japan to use English
- Motivation through content
- Language and culture
Outline of research activitiesJapanese students spend a many years studying English but do not have many opportunities to use it in their daily lives. I am very interested in the connections between culture and language-learning and what chances can be created for students to utilise English in their university life and after. I believe that using content in the classroom is a valuable means to advance their abilities.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Content in the classroom
- Okayama International villas and student opportunities
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Kazumasa AOKI
- Research Field
Geology, Petrology, Geochronology
- Keyword(s)
Orogeny, Plate tectonics, Geologic time scale
- Research theme
-
- Tectonics
- Age of strata/rocks
- Formation process of strata/rocks
- etc
Outline of research activitiesThe purpose of my study is to clarify metamorhic P-T conditons, supply system of terrigenous clastics, tectonic erosion process and so on from rocks related to ancient subduction and collsion zones, based on field geology, petrology and geochronology. I have worked on the researches with external reserchers.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Geology, Petrology
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Kazuyoshi HOTTA
- Research Field
Indian Philosophy, Indian Classics, Death and Life Studies
- Keyword(s)
Jainism, codes of conduct, ethics
- Research theme
-
- Jain codes of conduct for the laity
- Classical Indian thought
- Views of life and death in ancient Indian religion
Outline of research activitiesJainism is an Indian religion that was established approximately 2,500 years ago, almost at the same time and in the same region as Buddhism. Although it may seem that Jainism is completely unrelated to our lives today, it actually contains many ideas and views on life and death which are also relevant for modern people. In my research, I investigate Jain thought based on both texts written in ancient Indian languages and field work conducted in India. In addition, in recent years I am also focusing on examining the thinking expressed in the doxography as well as the thought of a variety of academic fields during the Indian classical period, and translating these into Japanese.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Contemporary India as seen from sociological and area studies perspectives.
- Classical studies.
- Investigations of the ethics of religious views of life and death.
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Mika MATSUO
- Research Field
Education and career education
- Keyword(s)
active learning,adventure education,educational effects
- Research theme
-
- A study of lesson design and related support for students who adapt poorly to active learning
- Cultivating resilience in outdoor education courses that link the subjects of physical and career education
Outline of research activities【Study on students who can not adapt to Active Learning (AL)】
There are students who can not adapt to AL, such as students who avoid AL courses or remain silent during group activities. Therefore, I have been working on research focusing on the formation of an environment that facilitates collaboration between such students and other students, learning and supporting each other. I have also been conducting research on organizational support methods for such students.【Research on Hope】
I have been doing research from the viewpoint of career education about a method of human resource training that enables students to find hope, keep it, and move forward under any difficult circumstances.【Performance appraisal of nature experience and physical activity】
Although it is empirically known that nature experiences and physical activities nurture resilience, there are a few systematic studies on this. Therefore, in order to know the situation and the background of students. I have conducted performance appraisal.- Desired cooperation
-
- Collaboration with the education industry
- Measurement of educational effect
- Response to multifaceted evaluation
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Fundamental Education
- Associate professor
- Motoharu SATOH
- Research Field
Criminal Justice
- Keyword(s)
Confession, Police custody, Interrogation, Prisoner
- Research theme
-
- Problems of Criminal Justice System in Japan
Outline of research activities[Criminal Process]
· Wrongful Convictions and Miscarriages of Justice ― Causes and Remedies in Japanese Criminal Justice System
· Abolition of the Police Detention System (Daiyo-Kangoku)
· Limitations on police Interrogations (including the presence of Lawyer)[Penal Policy]
· Abolition of the Death Penalty
· Reform of the Treatment of Prisoners- Desired cooperation
-
- Prevention against Wrongful Convictions and Miscarriages of Justice
- Prison Reform