Yamaguchi University recently established the ResearchCenter for Advanced Science and Innovation in 2014. We are
now cooperating with other universities/research facilities,
not only Japan but also other countries, and promoting thecreation and independence of research hubs in the center.
As of February 2016, research activities are conductedin four research hubs, including the Research Center for
Thermotolerant Microbial Resources, and three candidate
research hubs, including the East Asia VLBI Science Center.
Today, we published Yamaguchi University Research Activities

Masaaki OKA
President

Vol. 4, which is pleased to be able to introduce four researchers
working on interesting research projects in these researchhubs. Our research activities will be widely introduced to not
only Japan but also other countries through this journal, andthen I strongly believe this journal will be able to strengthen
the excellent interactions among our researchers, local
communities, and students.

Contents
Advanced Science and Innovational Research Center ─ 01
［Interview］

Birth and Death of Stars Observed by Radio-telescopes ─ 02
Director of the Research Institute for Time Studies
Kenta Fujisawa

Development of a Remote Sensing Method for Measuring
Shallow Water Depth ─ 06
Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
Assistant Professor Ariyo Kanno

Chemistry Focusing on“Movement”─ 08
Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
Associate Professor Ryo TsunashimaComputer-aided Medicine ─ 10
Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
Associate Professor Yasushi Hirano

Yamaguchi University Research Activities

Advanced Science and Innovational
Research Center
Yamaguchi University launched Research Center for Advanced Science and Innovation in 2014 withthe purpose of promoting research which utilizes strengths and characteristics of the university as
well as developing sustainable and comprehensive research activities to an advanced degree andreverting its results to the society.
The present center engages in strategic undertakings by providing support for enterprises such as
funding, publicity, and management through Industrial-Academic-Administrative Collaborative Centerand University Research Administrator Office（URA）. It also places respective faculties’
advanced
basic research and research projects which lead to innovative creations, as the university’s researchpromotion institute undertakings. It is hoped that this will lead to formation of international researchbases and creation of new industries by the university via the research institutes and centers.
The present center consists of the research groups（bases）which promote research projects selectedby the center director and the respective faculties. Research bases are certified by the university
president, selected from amongst outstanding representative research projects and embryonic but
prospective projects. They are then positioned as candidates for future research centers or institutes
affiliated with the university, as part of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Innovation.
Respective research bases will undertake the following projects within the maximum of 5 years
during the certified period:・Consolidation of researchabilities

・Formulation of research strategies with a view tocontinuous acquisition of research grants

・Development as a researchbase・Organizational improvement as a university-affiliatedresearch centerIn terms of the research projects certified as research bases, preparation is underway to assist them
to become autonomous as university-affiliated research centers in terms of research funding（maximum of 3 years）and research management.
As of December, 2016, the following four have been certified as research bases and additional three
are YU Project for Formation of the Core Research Center:Research BasesYU Project for Formationof the Core ResearchCenter・Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources
・Translational Research Center for Intractable Disease・Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell
Therapy・Center for Research and Application of Satellite Remote
Sensing（CRASS）
・Biomedical Engineering Center（YUBEC）
・East Asia VLBI Science Center・Opto-Energy Research Center

This issue introduces four researchers selected from one base and three base candidates respectively,
along with their fascinating research contents.
http://rcasi.kenkyu.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/

01Kenta Fujisawa

Birth and Death of Stars Observed by Radio-telescopes

Birth and Death of Stars Observed byRadio-telescopes
In 2011, it was discovered for the ﬁrst time in the world that inter-stellargases, which compose a star, ﬂow in whirls towards the central star in theprocess of generating with a large-mass. Professor Fujisawa, who made this
discovery, was interviewed by URA and he explained, in easy terms, thesituation where the observation was made and his projected research on
black holes.

02

Yamaguchi University Research Activities［Interview］
Director of the Research Institute for Time Studies

Kenta FUJISAWA
2016

D irector of the Research Institute for Time
StudiesProfessor of the Research Institute for Time
Studies, Yamaguchi University
March 2010 Professor of Graduate School of Science andEngineering, Yamaguchi University
2007
A ssistant professor of Graduate School of
Science and Engineering, Yamaguchi
University
1995
C OE researcher at Institute of Space andAstronautical Science
1995
P hD degree from the University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Science
April 2010

The Research Institute for Time Studies（RITS）

The Research Institute for Time Studies（RITS）at Yamaguchi
University was established in 2000 when Dr. Heisuke
Hironaka was the president of the university.“Time”is aninterdisciplinary field transcending humanities and sciences
but connecting various fields. The aim of the institute,
therefore, is to create a new academic discipline with timeas their focus.
http://www.rits.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/

500

（ Jy
）
Flux density

URA We understand your current research is about theformation of stars using a radio-telescope. How do you go
about it?
Fujisawa Stars consist of hydrogen and helium. In the space,thin clouds consisting of helium and hydrogen float here andthere, which are called interstellar clouds. Dense portions ofthese clouds attract more clouds because of their gravity, andwhen they become denser, the gravity becomes even stronger.
It is believed that repetition of this process leads to a birth of astar. The special object of our research is a heavy star whichweighs 20 or 30 times more than the sun. During the processof congregation of clouds forming a star, radiowaves calledmaser are emitted. We observe them using the radio-telescope.
URA How long is the process of the birth of a star that you
are studying?
Fujisawa Let’s just say it takes about a million years forinterstellar clouds to form a complete star. So I would say theprocess under our investigation is no more than a 20,000- to
30,000 years. But I am not sure because we are still in the
midst of our research.
URA Your articles often show graphs like Figure 1. Thisshows results of your observation using the radio-telescope,right?
Fujisawa That’s right. The first thing we obtain through aradio-telescopic observation is one numerical figure, that is, thestrength of a radio wave that is reaching us from the direction
the telescope is facing. Next, we conduct an observation called
spectrum, which gives us a wave-like figure as shown in
Figure 1. Our daily observations indicate various things suchas a sudden rise in the numerical value. Later on, we use about
10 radio-telescopes at the same time to do observation. Now,

～500Jy

400
300
200
100
0
-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

LSR Velocity（km s-1）
■Figure 1
Spectra of the 6.7GHz methanol maser obtained with
whe Yamaguchi 32-m radio telescope.

this is a very luxurious situation.
URA Do you use them to observe just one astronomical
object?
Fujisawa Yes, this observation method is called VLBI, where
we record observation data sent from a celestial body on ahard disk and we do multiplication of signals generated. What
we find from this is the shape of that body. So we first obtain
the wave strength, then the wave spectrum, followed by its
changes over time, and finally the shape. When we repeat this03

Kenta Fujisawa

Birth and Death of Stars Observed by Radio-telescopes

process over and over again, we see the changes taking placein the shape. After 1 and 2 years of repeating this process, weobserved that the gases flowed in whirls towards the central
star. That is the discovery we made for the first time inhistory（Figure 2）.

■Figure 2

Internal proper motions of methanol masers

Cones: the averaged proper motions
Dashed ellipse: corresponds to the ﬁtted elliptica structure for themethanol maser emission

URA That is quite a significant discovery. What triggered
this research?
Fujisawa Normally, researchers would have a specificpurpose and then use a radio-telescope for that purpose. But
for us, it was reverse. We already had this radio-telescope in
Yamaguchi, so we thought about what research we could dowith it. That was the beginning.
URA So the encounter with the radio-telescope was the
beginning of your inquiry. Could you tell us a little more about
this telescope?
Fujisawa When I started to work at Yamaguchi University,
my first undertaking was to turn a communication antenna
with a 32-meter diameter into a radio-telescope. This was anunprecedented project so there was no one to give me advice,
nor were there any reference materials. So I started withthinking about the question: How can a radio-telescope be
made? First, I had to come up with a device which allowed me
to observe the risings and settings of stars and to catch theirwaves. I needed software for this investigation. Thus, I gave a
lot of thought to this and created what I needed step by step.
All this led to the current research.

Introduce a bookIn 2016 Minerva Shobo presented“Curious!〈Time〉Big Encyclopedia”forchildren. It covers a lot of various
scientific subjects from the history of“Time” origin to astronomy, earthsciences,astrophysics and biology. 3
volumes in total. ［Author: Kenta
Fujisawa, Vol.3 in collaboration with
Shinichi Inoue（Former Director of The
Research Institute for Time Studies）,
Supervision: The Research Institute forTime Studies］.

04

This sort of research approach is not permissible in a large
research institution because the use of a telescope must be
clarified first in order to do research. Very fortunately,
Yamaguchi University allowed me to do the study the way I
liked, so that helped tremendously.
As far I am concerned, it is natural for an astronomer to want
to use the telescope in the way he wants to and spend plentyof time doing research. Such a research environment is almost
non-existent in the world; I am just so lucky to have thisopportunity as an astronomer.
URA How are you going to do your research on the birth ofstars from now?
Fujisawa I have observed 36 stars using the method I justdescribed. The observation itself is finished so I am in theprocess of analyzing the data right now. No one has observed
this many stars in the past, so we are definitely at the forefrontof this field on the global scale. .
URA Please tell us about your new research topic.
Fujisawa I hope to do research on black holes using theradio-telescope. A black hole is a celestial body that has anextremely strong gravity that can even suck in light. It is said
to be formed when an extremely heavy stars, for example
weighing 20 to 30 times more than the sun, finishes its life andexplodes.
URA Has there been black hole research that used VLBI?
Fujisawa Yes, it has been around for about 30 years already,so I hope to do something new. So far, the research has beenon huge black holes in far-distant galaxies. But I am interested
in smaller black holes nearby. There is no doubt that there aremany black holes in our galaxy, but actually we have notfound them yet. You see black holes themselves do not shine
and so can be observed only when they suck in gases. But
even so, they do not have dense gases nearby, so they are
hard to see, making their observation very difficult. Up to now,
much of research has been done using X-ray, so I hope totackle with my study using the radio-telescope.
Related to this is that, in addition to the 32-meter-diameterradio-telescope used in Yamaguchi since 2002, the university
borrowed a 34-meter antenna in 2016, which is located rightnext to the former; we have also been using it since. The
combined use of these two telescopes have greatly improved
the observational sensitivity, which is expected to contributetremendously to the black hole research in our galaxy.
URA So this research is being conducted at East Asia VLBI
Science Center（Note 1）, where you serve as the director. We
understand that it is essential that you be able to use theradio-telescope freely.

Yamaguchi University Research Activities

Fujisawa There are about 10 radio-telescopes in Japan.
Normally, after you submit an observation proposal and it isapproved, you can do 20- to 30-hour observation. To be honest,
this does not work for me. I have always wanted to pursue
ideas freely that come to my mind even if they are rough ones.
I also need more time for observation.
Our environment is also advantageous to my students, who
can re-do their research even if it does not go well.
URA What kind of researchers use Yamaguchi’s radiotelescope?
Fujisawa Recently, we have added more members to ourteam; other than myself, we have Associate Professor Niinuma
and Assistant Professor Motogi, as well as two otherresearchers. So we have 5.
I talked about the new discovery regarding the birth of a starearlier. One good thing that came out of this is that theobservation was made possible through an international
collaboration between Japan, China, and Korea. The VLBI
method necessitates a number of radio-telescopes. Right now,there is an increase in the number of radio-telescopes in East
Asia, which helps us to expand international observations.
Everyone brings what they have and shares the results. We
are all scientists so we know each other very well and respect
each other’s culture; we have very good cooperative
relationships.
URA What are the advantages of having so many radiotelescopes for VLBI?
Fujisawa The image quality of celestial bodies is enhanced
and we can see more details more clearly. What may be
blurred using fewer telescopes may be sharpened. For thatmatter, we need to have telescopes close to each other as well
as apart from each other, to a certain extent.
URA So you need to meet some geographical requirements
as well.
Fujisawa When I am invited to do others’research, I try toparticipate as much as I can. For example, I am also using it
for a communication purpose, that is, to receive electric waves
sent by an inter-planetary probe called Procyon.
There are also invitations by European researchers; forexample, I participate in observation to determine the precise
location of the probes that have been sent to Mars and Venus.
So I keep my window quite open and try to join other projects
suggested to me from all kinds of places.
URA Thank you for sharing your research activities. Whatmotivated you to do research on astronomical bodies and theuniverse?

Fujisawa When I was a junior high student, a friend of mine
had a telescope and I envied him. That is when I started tolong for being an astronomer. When I actually started learning
astronomy, many people used optical telescopes. So I wanted
to do something different and decided to pursue radioo waves（VLBI）. The one in Yamaguchi is neither particularly big norof the latest model. So it is not the world’s best, not even
Japan’s best. But it can become the best telescope, depending
on how you use it. That is what counts most.

Note 1: East Asia VLBI Science Center*VLBI: very long baseline interferometerBlack Hole Research BaseThis is a research base where black holes are researched in both theory
and observation; black hole is one of the greatest research areas of
astrophysics. It is an ultimate astronomical-spatiotemporal structure that is
generated from the evolution of space, time, and matter. How did thecurrent form of the universe come to be in this evolutionary process? Whatrole did black holes play in this process? The significance of black holes isa hot topic in the cosmic evolution theory and proves to be an importantresearch theme not only in astro physics but also in time studies.
http://crasares.eng.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/

Radio telescopes

ColumnBlack Holes and a Horologe

During the Age of Navigation, there was a need toknow the location of stars and the exact time forthe purpose of determining where you were
exactly. In order to make an accurate clock that
did not lose time on a rolling ship, a newtechnological development was pursued.
Recently, an even more precise atomic clock has
been developed, which enabled us to observethat the flow of time slows down as you get closer
to a black hole.

Atomic clock（left: haydrogen maser, right: caesium）

05

Ariyo Kanno

Development of a Remote Sensing Method for Measuring Shallow
Water Depth

Development of a Remote Sensing Method
for Measuring Shallow Water Depth
In order to forecast and prevent river flood, it is important to understand the topographic information in rivers and coastal
areas. Assistant Professor Kanno developed his own unique method of the analysis for the satellite image and drone pictures.
He achieved his grate success on dramatically improving the accuracy of "method to estimate water depth from its color".

Need for a Low-cost Survey Method for
Shallow Water
Topographic information in rivers and coastal areas isvery important because many people live there. For
example, river topography determines how much watercan flow without getting flooded. Japanese central andlocal governments periodically measure the topography
by spending large sums of money. Where the flow
capacity is not adequate, some countermeasures such as
digging are implemented.
The problem addressed in my research is in regards to
Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
Assistant Professor

Ariyo KANNO
April, 2010	Assistant Professor, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering in the Division of
System Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering at
Yamaguchi University
March, 2010	Ph.D（Environmental Science）, Department of Socio-Cultural Environmental
Studies at Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, Tokyo University
April, 2009	Recipient of Research fellowship for Young Scientists（DC2）, Japan Society
for the Promotion of Science
March, 2007	MS（Environmental Science）, Department of Socio-Cultural Environmental
Studies at Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, Tokyo University
March, 2005	BS, major in Environment-Energy System in Socio-Cultural Environmental
Studies, Department of Systems Innovation, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo
University[Research Summary]My research is in the field of remote sensing and I am
developing shallow-water bathymetry methods using
satellite or UAV aerial images. I have successfully
developed higher-accuracy analysis methods of such
images by combining optics and statistics.

Columnthe high costs of the traditional in-situ surveys. The aerial
survey method using laser also suffers from high costs. As
a result, currently, surveys are not done with asatisfactory temporal and spatial densities. For example,
in many rivers, surveys are done just once in five years
and only with 200-meter intervals. These limitations leadto inaccuracies in flow simulations and flood alarms incase of heavy rains. A new technique is needed which canmeasure the shallow-water topography at low costs.

A Unique Mathematical Remote Sensing
MethodI am developing shallow-water remote bathymetry
methods using satellite images and UAV-based aerial
photographs. There are two physical principles involved;
the first is that the apparent color of water seen fromabove changes with water depths. When we observe theCenter for Research and Application of Satellite Remote Sensing（CRASS）

Yamaguchi University（YU）and the National Udayana University in Indonesia（UNUD）have engaged in international collaborativeeducation and research to apply the satellite remote sensing data to disaster management and environmental issues for about 10
years. During this period, two of our projects were supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
for the fiscal years 2009-2011 and 2013-2015; these projects are titled“Fostering human resources in satellite remote sensing
through international collaboration”and“Fostering human resources in satellite remote sensing through international collaboration of
graduate schools,”respectively. Subsequently, we started 12 courses through simultaneous lectures on the basics and applicationsof the satellite remote sensing technology between YU and UNUD via the Internet. A double-degree program（DD）was also
introduced, where the students from UNUD enter the second year of the Master’s program at YU and some move on to the Doctoral
program. Thus, human resources have been cultivated through international collaborative education. Concurrently, international joint
research has been pursued in collaboration with other universities inside and outside of Indonesia as well as some national research
institutes.
In 2016, it was decided that JAXA’s research Center would come to Yamaguchi Prefecture; this decision was largely influenced
by the above-mentioned activities between YU and UNUD. JAXA’s research center will soon start in 2017 April, therefore our
CRASS will start the deep collaboration work with JAXA together. JAXA’s satellite data will be utilized to the full, and international
research on disaster management and environmental issues while using satellite data will be pursued and expanded in not only Asia
but also South America and other parts of the world.
http://crasares.eng.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/

06

Yamaguchi University Research Activities

clear-water coast from an airplane, we notice that theapplication is difficult due to the reflection and refraction

water color changes from bright to dark blue as we moveof the light at the water surface. I am developing a newfrom the coastline to the offshore. This is because thedevice and also a geometrically-based analysis method tolight entering our eyes after being reflected at the sea

remove the influence of the water surface.

bottom becomes weaker due to absorption and scatteringas the water depth gets greater. Because the red light is

If it becomes possible to measure the underwater

more quickly absorbed by water compared with green or

topography from satellite images or aerial photographs,

blue light, a shallow water with a bright white bottom

the shallow water survey will be done with less cost but

appears light blue seen from above.

greater speed and density. Modern high-resolution
satellite images can cover, for example, a 100-km2 area

On the basis of this principle, it is possible to estimate thewith a 1-meter resolution. Modern UAV can observe awater depth distribution using the color recorded in the

1-km2 area in one day with a few centimeters of resolution.

satellite or aerial images. Because the apparent color

The disadvantage of the shallow-water remotedepends on the sea bottom type and the water quality as

bathymetry technique is that the maximum measureable

well as the water depth, the analysis must be done while

depth depends on the water quality. In coral reefs withtaking into account their effects. I have been developing aclear water, a 20-meter depth can be measured. On thestatistical analysis method that allows reliable estimation

other hand, in turbid rivers, even a 1-meter depth may beover various sea bottom types and water qualities.

too great to measure. Therefore, the technique is suitablefor complementing, but not for replacing, the conventional

land

land

survey techniques.

A Message for the Students

Open sea
A satellite image of a coral reefwater depth［ｍ］
0.0－0.5
0.5－1.0
1.0－2.0
2.0－3.0
opensea
3.0－5.6
Results of water depth
distribution estimates■Figure 1 An example of a topographic survey of a coral
reef using satellite images

In order to foster the students’self-confidence, I supervise
their research to help them accumulate successful
experiences. In each step of their research, I emphasize
the process and their efforts rather than results. Image
analyses are complicated, but the students can learn forthemselves and overcome the obstacles if enough time

The other principle of remote bathymetry is related toand support are provided along the way. Although mostwhy our eyes can measure the distance to the target.

students may not become researchers in the future, I

When we see something using both eyes, the direction ofbelieve that their experience in their research will givethe object from the left eye is slightly different from thatthem the ability and confidence to solve problems in theirof the right eye. The smaller the distance to the target is,future life.

the larger this difference becomes. This is why we canrecognize the 3-dimentional world using two eyes.
If we use a camera instead of our eyes and takedownward pictures from multiple points in the sky, we canmeasure the topography. This is an old technique called
photogrammetry. Recently, with the evolution ofcomputers, digital cameras, and UAVs, it has become possible
to automatically derive
centimeter-resolution
topography using alarge number of
pictures. However,their underwater■Figure 2 Automatic water-depth
mapping software developed.

■Figure 3 Example of UAV-based
Underwater Photogrammetry in
Saba River07

Ryo Tsunashima

Chemistry Focusing on“Movement”

Chemistry Focusing on“Movement”
Exploiting new potentials of compounds, taking clues from the movement of molecules and ions, which is generally
considered undesirable.

What is the target of solid materials science?
―Energetic children running around in class―

Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
Associate Professor

Ryo TSUNASHIMA
August 2014
April 2010-July 2014
April 2008-March 2010
April 2007-April 2008

Associate Professor, Yamaguchi University
Assistant Professor, Yamaguchi University
Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Glasgow, UK
Postdoctoral fellow, Hokkaido University

I specialize in solid materials science. Molecules, ions,and atoms in solids are moving by heat, which isusually regarded as a cause of structural disturbance.
Focusing on this movement, we developed an analysis
method to control the size and shape of nanomaterials.
In addition, we work on discovering unexpected
properties of compounds, and elucidating themechanisms underlying newly discovered compounds.

コラム
ColumnDifferences among solids, liquids, and gases are easy to
distinguish, even for non-specialists in chemistry. Air is agas, milk is a liquid, and salt is a solid. To be precise,
however, milk is a mixture of a liquid and a solid; the verysmall size of the solid pieces makes the milk appear
cloudy white. This is slightly different from the case of
saline water, in which molecules are ionized into sodium
ions and chloride ions. Although I will not present a
detailed definition of solid, liquid, and gas here, in generalterms, the constitutive molecules and ions movedifferently in each. I still remember the science class inelementary or junior high school, in which molecules wereexplained by analogy to children in the classroom. Solids
were compared to“during class”, in which all the children
were seated; liquids were compared to“during breaks”,
in which the children were free to move, but only near
the classroom; and gases were compared to“after school”.
Now I specialize in solid materials science, yet I think thisremains a pertinent explanation, even by my current
standards. There are no children who do not move at all,even in a solid. They are continuously moving; some dropa pencil, others look restless, probably due to hunger.
Illustrations in textbooks are drawn as if they were atrest; however, the molecules, ions, and atoms that
constitute a solid are actually not completely at rest, but
continuously moving because of heat. And with increasing
thermal energy, the picture changes to children runningaround the classroom and eventually leaving theclassroom. After a lengthy preamble, my research interest
lies in so-called problem children, who are energeticallyjumping around their desk, even in class. Actually, I
myself was such a problem child.

Taking clues from the“movement”in a solid,
which is typically considered undesirable
Some states in which molecules are moving in a solid as if
they were in a liquid are known; I chose a liquid crystal,
whose molecular state is similar to that described above,from among the terms you are familiar with. Molecules
and their aggregates in a liquid crystal are arranged
somewhat regularly, with a high degree of structural
freedom. Therefore, the molecular arrangement can vary

Outline of Opto-Energy Research Center

Yamaguchi University’s Opto-Energy Research Center aims togenerate green innovations which realize ‘smart’ creation andutilization and preservation of energies. The purpose is to solve
environmental problems such as energy depletion and carbon-dioxide
emission as well to resolve issues related to sustainable economic
growth. This is done through a fusion of the two fields of optics andenergy, transcending the limitations of the current technologies.
Opto-energy research requires unified studies of the three areas:materials, property control, and device. The present center is equippedwith the strengths of the three. In particular, advanced research ispursued on the following themes for each of the areas respectively:
functional molecules and meta-materials（materials）, photo-catalyst
and spin control（property control）, and emitting device, power device
and thermoelectric device（device）. The present center maximizes theuse of these strengths, offers a major research orientation to the world
through its synergetic effects, and creates new realms of research.

08

Research Topic Group of the Opto-Energy ResearchCenter: Four Pillars of Social Contribution
Environmental Coexistence and Sustainable Economic Growth
Coexistence with

Advancement ofEnvironment

Information Network

Creation ofCreation of

New Materials

Energy-Saving Devices

http://opto-energy-rc.eng.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/

Yamaguchi University Research Activities

depending on the external electric field, and a liquid
crystal display uses such a property. This is an example
of using the high molecular freedom in a solid; however,such freedom is generally undesirable because it causes
structural disturbance. For example, the presence of such
structural disturbance in diamonds makes them appear
dull, reducing their value and functionality. We have thus
taken clues from the movement of molecules and ions,which is typically undesirable, and have developed new
ideas.

Analyzing the formation process ofnanomaterials

Nanomaterials form an important substance group that is
drawing attention as next-generation material in mostscientific fields, including devices, medicine, and theenvironment. Among them, polyoxometalate has uniqueproperties: it is employed as a catalyst for oxidation andreduction, and is likely to include other molecules.
However, extensive analysis was required, due to lack ofa simple separation and purification method. In light of
this, we employed gel electrophoresis, which is widelyused in the fields of biology and biotechnology, to separate
and purify nanomaterials. Electrophoresis is aphenomenon in which, when an electric field is applied tomolecules and ions in a solution, the molecules begin to
move, and positively charged molecules begin to movetoward the cathode. The speed at which molecules moveis determined by the size and electrical properties of themolecules. Analyzing the formation process ofnanomaterials, using electrophoresis, enables us toinvestigate impurities and reaction intermediates fromvarious perspectives; and this has enabled us to findchemical reaction conditions to arbitrarily control the sizeand shape of nanomaterials, which had hitherto been too
small to control.
In addition, changing the target from molecules to smaller
protons and electrons, we attempted to move them
actively, and this resulted in an unexpected new
discovery. Conceiving the idea of a mechanism for moving
electrons has enabled us to improve the conductivity of acompound which had been thought of as a non-conductive
glass-like compound, equivalent to that of semiconductor
Si.
Furthermore, we recently discovered a mysterious
compound whose color changes depending on various
conditions. This compound was created by mixing
multiple molecules that were likely to move in solids（molecules with high symmetry）. A fresh compoundappears pink, but changes its color depending on theconditions, turning blue with increasing temperature, andgreen when water is applied. We are currently working
on research whose goal is to elucidate the mechanisms
behind such reactions.

■ Figure 1 Mysterious compound
After a few days, the state of the test tube depicted on theleft changes to the state depicted on the right, and a pinksingle crystal forms.
If this pink single crystal is heated, the color changes toblue. If we add alcohol, it reverts back to its original pinkcolor without breaking.

Thoughts as a faculty member
I am a person who lives one day at a time, and I am
positively enjoying my research life without being
distracted by minute details. I would like to take thisopportunity to express my appreciation for giving mesuch a wonderful opportunity, and to thank all those whohave listened to and supported me, including students,
teachers in the fields and faculties, helpful teachers atother universities, and my family.

From among the papers I’ve published after transferring to this university, this one
was selected for the cover of academic journals.
For the cover on the left they used a picture of my daughter’s Shichi-Go-San
celebration.

From left
New J. Chem., 2015, 39（Cover picture）
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2014, 42（inside back cover）
Chem. Sci., 2012, 3（cover picture）
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012,（cover picture）

09

Yasushi Hirano

Computer-aided Medicine

Computer-aided Medicine
Associate Professor Hirano specializes in the fields of medical image processing and pattern recognition. He has beendeveloping the medical information technology through collaborative research with medical schools and hospitals.

Objective and Quantitative Decision
Support by Using Computers

Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation
Associate Professor

Yasushi HIRANO
2016	Associate Professor at Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for
Innovation, Yamaguchi University
2010

Associate Professor at Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University

2004

Associate Professor at Information Technology Center, Nagoya University

2002

Assistant Professor at Information Technology Center, Nagoya University

2000

Assistant Professor at Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University

The purpose of our research is to provide useful
information for diagnosis to patients and medical
doctors through computerized analysis of medical
images and health records. The topics we are
currently working on are a computer-aided diagnosisof lung tumors, a computational simulation based on
medical images and a development of a secondary use
system for electronic health records.

ColumnIf you want to have an examination by a medical doctor,
which would you want to visit, a novice or a veteran? It isvery likely that you would choose the latter. Next, whenis the“best”time to visit the doctor? Doctors might bevery tired by the end of their consultation hours. As aresult, they might make an error in their diagnosis.
Diagnostic skills may be improved over time as they gain
more experience, but their fatigue might lead to a
misdiagnosis. Basically, diagnoses are largely subjective.
Different medical doctors might make different diagnoses
for the same disease based on their own judgment andexperience.
The academic discipline called Computer-Aided Diagnosis（CAD）is intended for supporting medical doctors byproviding objective and quantitative information extracted
through analysis of medical images and medical records
using computers. We have been collaborating withmedical schools and hospitals to do research on
development of practical computer programs.
There is another advantage of analyzing medical
information using computers. The performance level of
medical imaging devices has been substantially improved
and the information contained in such images is abundant.
Although this is beneficial for diagnosis, the amount of
information can be too much for doctors to process,making it difficult to extract what is truly useful. But
computers can process information much faster thanhumans; if the computing speed is not fast enough, atechnology called parallel processing can speed up thetask.

Yamaguchi University Biomedical
Engineering Center（YUBEC）

Population aging and the spread of communicable diseases areserious problems in the world. Collaboration between medicine andengineering called“medical engineering”is expected to play animportant role for the development of drugs and medical devices, aswell as improving information technology on personalized medicine.
We have started a new research center of excellence named YUBEC(Yamaguchi University Biomedical Engineering Center). YUBEC willcontribute greatly to our prosperous future through the research anddevelopment in biomedical engineering.
http://bio-med.eng.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/

Main Research Achievements

Application of mechano-electrochemical simulation to dynamics analysis of articular cartilage
Simulational modeling of cardiovascular system for developing medical device for cardiac diseases
Application of statistical pattern recognition methods to predicting metastasis and recurrence ofcancers
Use of membrane-permeable nano-assemblies to develop next-generation vaccines
Analysis of insemination and developmental mechanisms in vertebrates for the reproductive
technology
Development of protein drug purification design models
Development of systems for mass production of vaccines in yeast

10

Life and Medical Sciences Research
Division
Chemistry Unit
conducts basic research in chemistry and biochemicalengineering related to synthesis of biomedical materials,
bioseparation, drug delivery system, and the artiﬁcial cell
membrane systems.

Biology Unit
focuses on human functions such as reproduction,
regeneration, and brain functions. It also conducts drug
development and analyzes the causes of diseases using
model organisms and cultured cells.

Clinical Medical Science Unit
conducts etiological and pathological analyses anddevelops diagnostic methods and treatments based on
fundamental and clinical research.

Yamaguchi University Research Activities

Analysis of Medical Images and Medical
Records

Computational simulation based on medical images is oneof the studies of our greatest interest（Figure 1）. In thecomputer simulation for industrial products, objects for
simulation are defined using CAD （Computer-Aided
Design）software. In the computer simulation for medical
images, organ regions extracted by clinical medical
images by the using image processing technology areused. For instance, if we predict deformation of airways
after an operation of lung tumors using computer
simulation and perform a fluid simulation using thedeformed airways, we might be able to predict the stateof the respiratory functioning after the operation. In the
future, it may become possible to propose a surgicalmethod that prevents a decline in respiratory functions ora method that improves respiratory functions. Because
the physical properties of each patient can be used in the
medical image-based simulation, the simulation is expected
to contribute to personalized medicine. One of theadvantages of the image-based simulation is that thesimulation can be done any number of times whilevarying the conditions of simulations. Patients need tobear a burden for actual examinations such as a
respiratory function test. On the other hand, once themedical image for the patient is taken, additional burden
is unnecessary for new image-based simulation. The
results obtained by the simulations can be used not only
for doctors to make decisions on therapeutic strategies,
but also for patients to understand their own condition
and to decide on what treatment to receive.
The other research using medical images is on the CAD
for diagnosing lesions in medical images. Some decadesago, the technology named Artificial Neural Network wasdeveloped. Today, a new technology called Deep Learning,based on artificial neural network, is extensively used inacademic and industrial fields such as AI in games,
automatic driving, and CAD. We have also beendeveloping a Deep-Learning-based CAD system, which

Mechanical Informatics and Medical
Engineering Research Division
Mechanical Engineering Unit
physically analyzes human body and tissue functions anddevelops medical equipment utilizing physical factors suchas X-rays and ultrasound.

Information Science Unit

has a higher diagnostic ability than that of medical
doctors.
The last research introduced here is about an electronic
health record system. It mainly consists of open-source
software and a computer system which is shared withmultiple clinics to build the system inexpensively. Thissystem has been developed for small clinics which are ona strict budget. The other purpose of this research is todevelop a method to reuse aggregated health records.
This research is in progress in collaboration with core
hospitals and rural clinics. We are working on developing
new medical information applications by analyzing
aggregated health records.
In the research mentioned above, it is most important todevelop efficient and useful computer programs. All thedata, including medical images and health records, areanalyzed by computer programs, and the results areprovided to both patients and medical doctors.

Computerprogram
Medical images

Health records

Computer system
for analyzing medical data
Result analysis
Medical condition
Informed consent

Diagnostic Support
Treatment Support

Patients

Medical doctors■Figure 1 Picture of Computer-Aided Diagnosis System

Thoughts as an Academic
Although I am now specialized in analysis of medical data,
this has not always been the subject of my study. During
my undergraduate years, I studied a video compression
algorithm, and my graduate research was on a CAD
system. I had studied a user-authentication system andhigh performance computing as well as CAD for 8 years
after being employed as an academic. Although thesestudies are not necessarily related to medical data
analysis, the human network I have built so far and theknowledge gained hitherto have been helpful for thecurrent research. It is good to master one specialized field,
but gaining a wide variety of experiences can broaden
your horizon.

develops new diagnostic technologies based on statisticalanalysis of big data.

Clinical Medical Engineering Unit
unit aims to develop new non-invasive cancer treatments bydeveloping new image analysis methods and imageguided
irradiation systems and also intends to develop a learning
system using an extensive radiography database.

11

Contact［As of July, 2017］

Graduate Schools

URL

Graduate School of Humanities

h t t p ://www.h m t .y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /?lan g =en

Graduate School of Educationh t t p ://www.ed u .y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /en g lish

Graduate School of Economics

h t t p ://www.econ o.y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /g s_e.h t m l

Graduate School of Medicine

h t t p ://www.m ed .y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /g rad u at e/

Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovationh t t p ://www.g st i.y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /Graduate School of East Asian Studies

h t t p ://www.eas.y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Managementh t t p ://m ot .y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /United Graduate School of Veterinary Scienceh t t p ://d s22.cc.y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /~ren ju /e.h t m l

The United Graduate School of Agricultural
Science, Tottori University（Japanese）（Japanese）（Japanese）

h t t p ://ren d ai.m u ses.t ot t ori-u .ac.jp /en g lish /in d ex .h t m l

Research Institute

URL

The Research Institute for Time Studies

h t t p ://www.rit s.y am ag u ch i-u .ac.jp /?p ag e_id =33※The United Graduate School of Veterinary Science was established through the cooperation of Tottori University, Kagoshima University and Yamaguchi University.
※The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science was established through the cooperation of Tottori University, Shimane University and Yamaguchi University.

1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi 753-8511
http://www.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/english.html■ For Research enquiries:

Organization for Research Initiatives
http://kenkyu.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/index.html （Japanese）■ For International Exchange enquiries:

Oﬃce for International Aﬀairs Strategy
http://www.iassc.jimu.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/en/index.html■ For Studying at Yamaguchi University

International Student Center
http://www.isc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp/english/top.htm

Yamaguchi University Research Activities

LocationTokyo

Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi
Ube Airport

Yamaguchi
Yudaonsen

Tokyo International
Airport

1hr.30min to Yamaguchi Ube Airport
by airplane

Yamaguchi

Shin-Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi
Ube Airport

Kogushi Campus

Yoshida Campus

Tokiwa Campus

Yoshida Campus

1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi, 753-8511
Graduate School of Humanities, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Economics, Graduate School of Medicine（Science, Agriculture）, Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation（Science, Agriculture）, Graduate School of East Asian Studies, United
Graduate School of Veterinary Science, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tottori University, The Research Institute forTime Studies

Kogushi Campus

Tokiwa Campus

Graduate School of Medicine（Medicine）,Graduate Schoolof Sciences and Technology for Innovation（Medicine）

Graduate School of Medicine（Engineering）, Graduate School of Sciences
and Technology for Innovation（Engineering）, Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Management

1-1 Minami-Kogushi 1-chome, Ube-shi, Yamaguchi, 755-8505

16-1 Tokiwadai 2-chome, Ube-shi, Yamaguchi, 755-8611

2016 vol.4

Published by the Organization for Research Initiatives, Yamaguchi University, July 2017
Edited by the working group for Yamaguchi University Research Activities
and Yamaguchi University Support Oﬃce for Female Researchers“Program for Supporting Reseach Activities of Female Researchers（Organization）”

Cover design and art

supported by the Funds for the Development of Human Resources in Sciense and Technol-

The pictures show some of theogy from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

famous sights of Yamaguchi
Prefecture and present its long
history and rich natural beauty.
The vivid color along the bottom
is a symbol color of Yamaguchi
Prefecture.