This study reveals the basic properties of various grain flours (wheat, non-glutinous rice, glutinous rice, barley, buckwheat and job's tears) and the preparation method for tempura batter. In this analysis, we focused on the particle size and gelatinization characteristics of each grain flour, and the viscosity and color of the batters.

  The color difference between millet flour and wheat flour was more noticeable in the batters, and millet flour was darker. Buckwheat flour was particularly dark and was gray-brown in color. As for gelatinization characteristics, all grain flours excluding barley flour were harder to gelatinize than wheat flour. Millet flour required a larger amount of water in order for the batter to have the same viscosity as wheat flour. The viscosity of glutinous rice, barley and job's tears flour varied depending on the particle size. When preparing tempura batters, different amounts of water needed to be added and, after stirring, left to sit for 30 minutes, with the exception of wheat and barley flour. We surmise that the frying conditions are affected by the gelatinization characteristics of the grains and the amount of water used in the batter.

  This paper analyzed discourse on women's clothing through articles published between 1930 and 1943 in “Clothing,” magazine published by the Japan Clothing Association, and their historical significance. The main findings are as follows.

  1. It was significant that awareness of Japanese and Western dress was raised through discourse on clothing, with Japanese dress regarded as a cultural and traditional asset, while Western dress was portrayed as a universally functional form of clothing.

  2. It was significant that there was no aim to reform clothing in a temporary or mandatory way; rather, there was a long-term view of moving toward the creation of a new Japanese style of clothing. The reality of living through the war severed people from their culture and customs, with day-to-day experiences encouraging demands for the development of new things rather than for replication and emulation, leading to debates over suitable attire for Japanese people.

  3. It was significant that discussions on women's clothing were conducted in various fields from diverse perspectives. In contrast to a state policy that demanded unification and simplification, arguments and proposals both for and against were developed in the magazine in a multi-layered and versatile way. It could be argued that debates allowing for many viewpoints under the national unity policy became a driving force after the war.

  To establish a convenient procedure for analyzing protein soil, we investigated a method for visually evaluating proteins using a bicinchoninic acid assay performed on a solid surface (filter paper). On the filter paper, the color change proceeded in the assay, allowing detection through measurement of surface reflectivity at 560 nm. The assay was performed over ranges of 4℃ to 37℃ and 0 to 100 min to determine optimal assay conditions, which, for a 30 μL sample, were a wavelength for measuring surface reflectivity of 560 nm, a time of 30 min, and a temperature of 25℃. The standard curve showed good linearity at y＝－13.65 logx＋64.05 (R²＝ 0.976) over an albumin concentration range of 7.5 to 600 μg. Color differences were observed over an albumin concentration range of 0 to 300 μg. Since the color change proceeded at other temperatures and durations, the assay can be conducted under conditions suited to the environment and purpose.

  The purpose of this research was to examine changes and problems in the concept of independence in the study of home economics through an investigation of research papers about independence in home economics. We also aimed to present perspectives to overcome these problems. The following points became clear.

  1. In the first period, research aimed to foster independence with regard to everyday life and to show that independence can be achieved by yourself.

  2. In the second period, research was focused on not only independence in everyday life, but on psychological independence, economic independence, and social independence. However, the concept of independence did not change from that in the first period.

  3. In the third period, research was focused on independence as the premise of dependence. However, in the study of consumption life, independence was regarded as how an independent individual can consider how to build a better society.

  4. Based on the results, it is necessary to understand that the concept of independence in the study of home economics is the creation of a relationship of interdependence.

  We investigated what variety of blue used in patterns on Sometsuke plates most increases one's appetite. We adopted the color designated 2.0 PB 4.2/6.7 in the Munsell color system (HV/C) as our standard blue color, 1.4 PB 5.0/6.7 as blue-green, and 7.1 PB 3.6/4.8 as a low-chroma color. The plates were baked with the same design but in the 3 different colors mentioned above. A solid white plate was added. Twenty items frequently served in industrial cafeterias, hospitals, nursing homes, and the like were shown to subjects on these plates, and then a questionnaire survey was conducted about changes in their appetite. All of the blue-patterned plates increased the subjects' appetite more than the white plate did. While there were some items that matched well with the blue-green or the low-chroma color, no significant differences from the standard color were found in rating or rank. Therefore, among the three colors, the standard color of blue was found to be most effective in increasing one's appetite.