The effect of saline and the improving effect of tea on the level of blood pressure, and their passage through the renal tissue were studied in rats given saline before they were allowed to drink green tea and gabaron tea. The blood pressure level in a group of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) rose from 168 to about 202 mmHg in the control group, and up to 241 mmHg in the group of rats given saline during a breeding period of 4 weeks. The rise in blood pressure due to additional saline was significantly suppressed to 219 mmHg in the group given green tea, and to 217 mmHg in the group given gabaron tea. The same results were obtained with the Dahl (S) species. Although SHRSP given saline alone died one after another, no death occurred throughout the experimental period in the group of rats given green or gabaron tea. A swollen and hyalinized renal glomerulus, as well as atrophied and reproduced images of the uriniferous tubular epithelium were observed in the Dahl (S) when given saline. However, these pathological findings were less notable in the Dahl (S) species when green or gabaron tea were administered with saline.

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The effect of parent-child communication on the mental health condition was examined by questionnaire response from 758 junior high school students. The scores indicating communication with the father were significantly lower than those for communication with the mother. Low scores were seen in the answers to the questions “I think I can tell my father how I really feel about something, ” “If I were in trouble, I could tell my father, ” and “I openly show affection to my father.” The scores for communication with the father were significantly correlated with the mental health condition of the students, with high correlation being found for the questions “I think I can tell my father how I really feel about something, ” “If I were in trouble, I could tell my father, ” and “When I ask questions, I get honest answers from my father.” Communication discrepancy, in the case of a student giving a negative answer and the father giving a positive answer to the same question, affected the mental health condition. Communication consistency, in the case of both a student and father giving a negative answer to the same question gave the lowest scores for the mental health condition. Communication discrepancy, in the case of a student giving a negative answer and the mother giving a positive answer to the same question, also affected the mental health condition; however the number of cases of this type of discrepancy with the mother was less than that discrepancy with the father.

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Methacrylic acid (MAAc) could be effectively graft-polymerized onto the surface of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by UV irradiation without any photo-initiator and degassing process. The density of grafted poly (methacrylic acid) (PMAAc) increased with irradiation time and monomer concentration. The water contact angle of the grafted surface decreased from 70 to 45° and leveled off at graft densities higher than 1.5μg/cm². High wettability of the film surface was achieved by the grafting of PMAAc. The grafted layer was found to locate on the surface region of the film, and the thickness of the layer was about 310 nm when the graft density was 14 μg/cm². There was no clear difference in the SEM between the grafted and the ungrafted PET fabrics. An antibacterial property of PET fabric was easily accomplished by immersing the grafted fabric in 2 wt% aqueous solution of copper (II) acetate. The introduction of Cu ions onto the grafted PET surface was confirmed by XPS. Bactericidal tests showed that a good antibacterial property of the Cu⁺²-treated fabrics was maintained even after washing with 0.2 wt% marseille soap aqueous solution at 100°C for 10 min.

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It could be said that no study of funeral costume itself in the Heian period has been made so far, while studies of funeral ceremonies during that time have been done to a certain extent. This paper is presented in order to reveal the real picture of funeral costume in the Heian period by focusing on the Sofuku (the most important mourning dress worn by the people for expressing their deep sorrow and condolence on a specific day chosen after the passing away of a person). In the early years of the Heian period, there was no specific funeral costume. Standard and consolidated funeral costume started to emerge show in the middle or later part of the Heian period. The Sofuku (even for the emperor and his male subjects) was standardized in the middle of the Heian period. All were made of Nibiiro (dark grey color) hemp cloth and were of Houeki design (the armpits are sewn up). Near the end of the Heian period, the color of the Sofuku was changed to black and the Houeki design was changed to Ketteki style (with unsewn open armpits), while the hemp cloth itself remained unchanged.

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“The Rice Terraces Ownership System” was investigated 1 year after it had been intorduced in Asuka Village in Nara in order to clarify the future tasks as well as the efficacy of the exchange between urban dwellers and the villagers. A survey was made by sending a questionnaire to 268 families and groups who applied for the project as well as to 86 owners of over 20 years of age, and to 146 inhabitants of Inabuchi district of also over 20 years of age. It is necessary to examine the policy and plan to link the owners' will for with actual activities of farm work; in other words, the contents of the plan should be enhanced rather than simply increase the number of events. In order to continue to help grow “The Rice Terraces Ownership System, ” it is vital to drow up an improved plan to realize the concept of interactions between urban dwellers and the villagers, and the opinions for both the users and the providers. It is necessary to overcome the existing problems for making the project long lasting.

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There are public demands for improving curriculum to give better housing education in view of the present difficult housing situation in this country. Housing education, however, is an area difficult to teach in school. In order to find out how it is taught and seek a way to improve the related curriculum, we distributed questionnaire to teachers of home management and home economics in junior and senior high schools in Kyoto, Osaka and Nara. The results show that far less time is allotted to this area than other areas of study. Furthermore, approximately 60% of teachers feel they would be better off if not assigned to teach this area. In other words, the present status of housing education is far from being adequate.

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The dietary fiber content of several potato cultivars was analyzed to investigate the effect on the cooking properties. The insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) content of Danshakuimo (Irish Cobbler) and May Queen was high in the potatoes with low starch content. The content of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) showed the reverse trend. The total dietary fiber content of May Queen was higher than that of Danshakuimo. In a comparison at the same starch content (13.5%), SDF/IDF for Danshakuimo and May Queen was 1.49 and 0.92 respectively. The relationship between SDF/IDF and the hardness of boiled potatoes showed a negative correlation.

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