Developing new markets and uses for mushrooms are important to the mushroom growers and industry. We conducted an attitude and awareness survey among consumers towards mushrooms in order to identify their possible new uses. The initial results suggested that many consumers had high interest in using medicated cosmetics made from mushrooms. We therefore studied the effects of mushrooms on platelet aggregation and chemokine gene expression which are both indicators of the state of lifestyle diseases and rough skin. The results indicated that several species of mushroom had high inhibition effects on these indicators, and suggested that these species would have strong potential as raw materials in such medicated cosmetics products as those for whitening, and for treating skin against rough surfaces and wrinkles.

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The effect of wind velocity on the heat transfer coefficient of the air gap between pieces of cloth and a glass bottle surface around a bottle side was measured as a model of an air gap within clothes. Resistance of air flow through a sheet of cloth was also measured for the cloths used in the above measurements. When cloth having large air flow resistance R_F> 400Pa･s/m is put on the bottle, the heat transfer resistance of the air gap, which is in inverse proportion to the heat transfer coefficient, is not affected by the wind velocity and agrees with the theoretical value. For R_F> 240 Pa･s/m, the heat transfer resistance decreases with an increase in wind velocity, and the decreasing rate is promoted by a decrease in air flow resistance of the cloth. The following results were obtained by using the parameter u*(=u²/R_F) of wind penetration through a sheet of cloth : the heat transfer resistance of the air gap is not affected by the wind velocity for u* < 0.012 m³/(s³Pa), and decreases in proportion to u ^*-35 for large value of u^*. As the air flow resistance of cloth decreases below 18 Pa･s/m, the heat transfer resistance of the air gap becomes smaller than the theoretical value even when there is no wind. This is due to air flow through the cloth by the natural convection. An empirical equation to estimate the effect of wind velocity on heat transfer resistance of the air gap was obtained.

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In order to enable frail elderly people to maintain a lifestyle that they are comfortable with, it is important that they maintain the interpersonal relationships which they have formed in their community throughout their life. This study examines the role of small nursing homes in maintaining the relationship between the elderly and the community. For the most part, elderly people would like to remain at home for the duration of their life. When this is no longer possible, however, small nursing homes are able to meet the needs of the elderly by allowing them to maintain personal relationships with family and friends and creating a home-like atmosphere. Such nursing homes recognize the importance of interaction between the elderly residents and the community. Hence, a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation can be achieved.

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We investigated dietary life from the standpoint of living conditions and dwelling space in the suburban residential area of Gakuenmae in Nara Prefecture. The aim of this study is to analyze the dietary life of residents, including the food supply, the amount and type of cooking done at home, and the frequency of receiving catered meals or eating out at restaurants. Nearly all residents, especially housewives, go shopping to buy cooking ingredients, and the demand for delivery services will only increase. Many elderly people prefer side dishes; therefore, outsourcing meal preparation will also increase. In the suburbs, cooking should be more important for each member of the family in a “gender-equal society." Regarding the issues related to meal service and space, residents prefer high quality meals made with carefully selected local ingredients, and affordable restaurants within walking distance from their home. We maintain that it is important to consider the development of a residential support system that coincides with the dwelling style of residents, including their dietary life and dwelling space, when planning suburban areas.

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This paper first identifies the different security measures and parental restrictions on children's playing activity in a number of elementary school districts. It then clarifies the cause of the difference by analyzing the environmental factors of each district. In districts which are crowded with high-rise condominiums and highways, and in which the alternative places for children to play are few, control is found to be stricter. It is also found that the increasing level of crime and the excessive information about it often makes the parents control the children's activities very carefully and their playing area very small and within a five-minutes walk from their homes.

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This study examined the relationship between the actions of piercing, cosplay, and self-mutilation, and self-image. The subjects were 157 female university students majoring in the field of clothing and fashion. The data was analyzed by factor analysis, a t test, and ANOVA. It was hypothesized that there would be differences between different groups of subjects:(1)those with piercings and those without;(2)those who had experienced cosplay and those who hadn't; and(3)those who had performed self-mutilation and those who hadn't, not only on the impressions others had of them, but on the impressions they had of themselves. The results showed that the hypotheses were valid and that the three actions of piercing, cosplay, and self-mutilation were related to one's self-image. Furthermore, the results revealed that there were differences among the three actions. Having piercings or not may have a “reverse impression" effect; that is to say, the impression one has of herself may be the opposite of the impression others have of her. Having experienced cosplay may result in having both a positive impression of oneself and being looked upon positively by others. Those who experienced self-mutilation tend to be seen negatively by others and have a poor self-image. As a result, it was clarified that these three alterations to one's appearance related to the way students saw and evaluated themselves and how they saw and evaluated others.

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