The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the marital relatedness status and the loneliness in the old age. A questionnaire of the loneliness scale (LSO), P.G.C. Morale Scale, and the marital relatedness status SCT were administered to 166 elderly people (86 males and 80 females). LSO consists of two subscales, U-scale (to measure mutual sympathy), and E-scale (to measure awareness of individuality). Subjects were classified into six statuses (by Utsunomiya, 1996), and Relatedness Achiever and Superficial Relatedness were compared in terms of dyadic adjustment. On the above scales, the pattern of correlation between self and spouse varied by status. Based on this result, the meaning of loneliness in marital life was discussed.

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To compare the effects of storage and thawing methods on the quality of high-pressure-frozen tofu, momen-tofu (soybean curd) was frozen at ca. -20°C under 100, 200, 340, 400, 500 or 600 MPa of pressure and then thawed at atmospheric pressure (A, 90 min frozen; B, 90 min frozen and then stored 2 days at -30°C; C, 160 min frozen) or thawed at a high pressure (D, 90 min frozen). The texture and structure (cryo-SEM observations) of the tofu were investigated under each condition.
The rupture stress, strain and pore size of A-D frozen at 100 or 600 MPa all increased. However, the textural quality of tofu frozen at 200-400 MPa was better than of tofu frozen at 100 or 600 MPa regardless of the thawing method used. When tofu was frozen at 200-500 MPa, the ice crystal size was (largest to smallest) B>A and C>D; the pore size and texture of D were the same as those of untreated tofu.
These results show that ice crystals did not grow when tofu was frozen at 200-500 MPa. However, ice crystal growth under reduced pressure at ca.-20°C and growth while thawing at atmospheric pressure due to phase transition were noted.

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The effect of moisture absorption on the textural properties of baked wheat flour products was studied for eighteen kinds of baked products incorporating different quantities of ingredient : i.e. 100 g of wheat flour, 0-100 g of butter and 0-60 g of water.
The baked products became either harder or softer after moisture absorption : the samples with low butter and high water contents became harder, while the samples with high butter and low water contents became softer. Changes in texture began at around R.H. 56.5 %, and the textural characteristics of the test samples could classified into two groups within R.H. 68-88%; one group became softer and the other became harde.
A positive correlation was obtained between the textural properties (i.e., maximum force and cutting energy) after moisture absorption and the starch gelatinization characteristics of swelling capacity and amylose solubility. It is suggested that starch-gel formation was one of the most important factors to strengthen the tissue.

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The tensile and thermal properties of two series of miscible polymer blends based on poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) were investigated. The elongation at break (ε_b) for once-melted blend with polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) in which PVAc fraction is 0.5-0.8 increased remarkably while that for as-cast blend with polyethylene oxide (PEO) in which PEO fraction is 0.2-0.4 increased slightly. These results were compared with those of DSC measurement. It was found that E b for the miscible blends was higher than for the immiscible blends and this εb can be increased as far as PHB remains in its amorphous state. In addition to the above, PHB and PEO were immiscible in the blends prepared in the present study.

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We confirmed in our former study the advantage of the rucksack by way of testing the burden of load-carrying using two methods, one bearing the load on the back and the other holding it by hand, with young women as carriers. In this study we conducted further research into the rucksack to ascertain its utility for aged women, again by using the two testing methods.
Twenty women ranging from 54 to 84 years of age took part in the tests prepared with two types of rucksacks, A and B (usual type). While wearing either type A or type B rucksack on their back, the women walked a fixed course to undergo examination of their walking posture, how they felt while carrying the load, and their physiological changes throughout the testing. In addition, measurements were taken to determine the effects of the burden on the center and back portions of the shoulders, the lumbar area and the side of the chest.
As a result, larger numerical values of burden upon the center of the shoulders and the side of the chest were observed in the B-type rucksack-bearing walk, indicating that the smaller the Rohrer index, the greater the pressure imposed on the center of the shoulders as shown by the figure χ 279g/cm². In the case of the A-type rucksack, the load imposed more pressure upon the back of the carriers' shoulders as the loads rested flat on their backs. Blood pressure after the testing rose in proportion to the degree of load pressure on the side of their chests, suggesting how they are vulnerable to the burden. The type-difference of the rucksacks caused a difference in their walking posture. As a whole, an irregular walking style peculiar to aged people was seen in their walk, such as an insufficiency in tiptoe lifting resulting in a tendency to drag their feet as they walked, and falling. This fact suggests the advantage of on-the-back carrying also for aged women, as their hands would be freed to protect them against falls. The necessity for designing a rucksack to fit the physical form and living style of aged people came to light.

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This paper reports on the results of an investigation by questionnaire which was conducted to clarify the residents' required level of safety in consideration of their consciousness and economic feasibility.
Following the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu Earthquake, the authors sent questionnaire to the residents in Kyushu three times (1 year, 2 years, and 2 and a half years after the disaster). Expecting to find some regional difference, the authors conducted a similar investigation also in the vicinity of Tokyo when the last investigation was conducted in Kyushu.
The results are as follows :
1) Many respondents gave priority to prices as well as the size of their residence as long as minimum safety was secured.
2) The extent of minimum safety differed depending on respective respondents.
3) Minimum safety tended to be determined by seismic intensity and economy.
4) The respondents' safety consciousness seems to be affected by their interpretation of safety; how they evaluate status quotation, how they value their property, and whether or not they give priority to economy.
It is further to be noted that their consciousness has undergone change by how much information is made available as well as by the occurrence of disasters. Education on housing is also considered to increase their safety consciousness.
Such being the case, to satisfy the residents' demands, it is considered important to develop informational programs on the basis of the results obtained.

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The brewing conditions for green tea bags in cold water were investigated.
Seven different samples were each soaked for 5 min, 30 min, 2 h or 10 h in 100 ml of cold water. Then each infused solution was subjected to an organoleptic test and chemical analyses for tannin, amino acids and caffeine.
The solutions infused for 30 min and 2 h were generally evaluated most highly for taste, flavor and color, although some panelists evaluated most highly the flavor and color with infusion times of 2 h and 10 h. Low evaluation was given for the 5 min infusions because of their low concentration of extractable constituents, and for the 10 h infusions because of their high concentration of astringent tannin. The infusion of tannin was very slow, the amino acids were quickly extractable, while caffeine was intermediate in its extractability. The most preferable taste balance for the infusions resulted from brewing for 30 min to 2 h.

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“Keizaishogaku Kaseiyoshi” is the translation of books on home management which spread most widely in the early Meiji Era. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the role of the publisher, i.e., what role Naito Den'emon played in the process of spread as well as the circumstances on publication of “Kaseiyoshi.”
The conclusions are as follows :
1) Ten editions of “Kaseiyoshi Zenpen (the first part)” and three editions of “Kaseiyoshi Kohen (the latter part)” were confirmed. 2) The popular edition published by Naito Den'emon in which kana phonetic syllabary was provided alongside Chinese characters for easy reading contributed a great deal to the spread of “Kaseiyoshi.” Also contributed were Naito Den'emon's energetic sales activities coupled with excellent translation by Nagamine Hideki. It goes without saying that the excellent quality of the original played a major role in the wide spread of the popular edition. 3) In order to increase funds for his newspaper business, Naito Den'emon energetically continued to publish varieties of textbooks. 4) It is evident that he contributed to the enhancement of school education through the publication and sales of textbooks.
In this paper, it is clarified that the Naito Den'emon as publisher endowed with enterprising spirit contributed to the spread of “Kaseiyoshi” along with Western concept of household management.

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Akiko Yosano played an important role as a poetess and a critic for about 40 years from 1901. This study aims at making clear her view of costume.
She was forced to wear boy's clothes in her infancy. This peculiar experience was the origin of her fondness for bright costumes throughout her life. Costume was an important medium when she gave expression to her feelings of “love, ” “youthfulness” and “motherhood.” She had an idea of praise for physical beauty. She thought that costume should bring out the beauty of the human body and not simply cover. This idea and her experience of visiting Europe led her to advise Japanese women to wear Western style clothes. But it was not simply a matter of copying Western style clothes. She recommended them to make their dresses using fabrics for Japanese clothes, because it was an economical and easy way. Her opinion originated from her daily life and she had foreseen the new era.

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