Development of a New Geomaterial for Base Isolation Foundations

Design method of rational composite foundation capable of reducing seismic response of structures was studied. Analysis of the effects of damping materials on the reduction of seismic response of a full-scale structure was performed. Shaking experiment and seismic observation for model foundations confirming the damping effects were conducted and development of new damping material are described

Identifying Life-History Processes behind the Abundant-Center Distribution of a Forest Herb along a Latitudinal Gradient

Oral Presentaion

Issues and Practices of Career Guidance for Students Who Have Developmental Disorders at Special Schools

This study aims to clarify the structure of the process and issues surrounding career guidance for students with developmental disorders, who are learning through a high school equivalent curriculum at upper secondary divisions of special schools for students with health impairments. Semi-structured interviews involving seven teachers from upper secondary divisions of special schools were conducted to collect data for qualitative data analysis. Consequently, three categories of issues that affect students’ career decisions were identified: student issues, school system issues, and family and social resources issues. In addition, three categories for practices were generated: guidance policies, guidance and support for realizing their career paths, and building and maintaining connections with local communities. One category for achievement points after graduation was also generated: career paths of upper secondary divisions graduates. Based on these results, this study concluded that the characteristic issues are effects of school refusal, maladaptation on career learning, and the narrowing of career choices due to lack of support from family. Moreover, maintaining a receptive approach and connections that were established during school also identified as characteristic practices

Comparison of Macular Thickness in Diabetic Macular Edema Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Time-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose. To compare the macular thicknesses in diabetic macular edema (DME) measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and time-domain (TD) OCT. Patients and Methods. The average macular thicknesses of 50 eyes of 29 patients with DME were measured using SD-OCT and TD-OCT. Results. The mean macular thicknesses measured with TD-OCT and SD-OCT were 401.5 ± 117.8 μm (mean ± SD) and 446.2 ± 123.5 μm, respectively. The macular thicknesses measured with the two devices were well correlated (Pearson's product moment correlation, r = 0.977, P < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between the best-corrected visual acuity and the retinal thickness measured by TD-OCT and SD-OCT (Pearson's product moment correlation, TD-OCT, r = 0.34; P < 0.05; SD-OCT, r = 0.32; P < 0.05). Discussion. The mean macular thickness measured with SD-OCT was about 45 μm thicker than that measured with TD-OCT. Attention should be paid when comparing data obtained using different OCT machines