Air conditioning is widely used as a cooling system and is mainly dependent on convection. The aim of this study is to investigate the physiological and subjective responses of humans while their feet are in contact with cooled floors, and to discuss the possibility of using a floor cooling system as a practical cooling method. Subjects were exposed to four thermal conditions for 90 minutes in a sitting position. The thermal conditions consisted of combinations of air (Ta) and floor (Tf) temperatures: 1:Ta 26℃ with Tf 24℃, 2:Ta 28℃ with Tf 26℃, 3:Ta 30℃ with Tf 28℃, 4:Ta 30℃ with Tf 26℃. Tympanic temperature and skin temperatures at 15 sites, heart rate and blood pressure were measured as physiological parameters. Thermal and comfort sensations, and preference for thermal conditions were recorded. There were no significant differences among the conditions in tympanic temperatures before and after exposure. Skin temperatures were higher under higher air temperature conditions, however, those were not affected significantly by floor temperatures. There were no significant differences in heart rate and blood pressure among the thermal conditions. Thermal comfort and/or thermal neutrality were obtained in the conditions of Ta 26℃ with Tf 24℃ and Ta 28℃ with Tf 26℃, but not in 30℃ Ta conditions even with floors cooled to 26.℃.

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The possibility of the malfunction is not completely excluded as for the alarm equipment that supports recognition and judgment of the operator. In this research, it aimed to clarify that the influence of malfunction of a warning sound (a lack and a false of alarm) on a performance of a compound cognitive task (a stick control task and a 2 back task). Reaction times of stick control task and 2 back task and correct answer rate of 2 back task were analyzed as performance indices. Reaction time of stick control task was significantly longer in a false of alarm than in a lack of alarm. Although reaction time of 2 back task showed no significant differences between a false and a lack of alarm, a correct answer rate was significantly lower in a false of alarm than in a lack of alarm. The correct answer rate was the lowest immediately after the onset of malfunction operation. In the case of a false of alarm, the timing of a false alarm sounds was not able to expect, and the alarm sound becomes an interference sound and causes the performance to be decreased.

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The objective of this paper is to clarify the contribution of specific spaces and devices in the residential houses by Hugo Haring, an organic architect, on the organic unity in his architectural theory. Almost all projects by Haring were collected and analyzed. Ambiguity-space (A-space), conservatory space (C-space) and the associated devices including vegetation were selected from the plans, perspectives and photographs. Those data were classified and the characteristics of each space were found. Consequently, A-space indicated the core of the organic unity and the other space and devices assisted the forming of organic architecture.

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To clarify the present status and problems of the home restroom environment of the elderly, we performed a home restroom survey in 197 elderly subjects, analyzed the association between the restroom environment and the household composition, body height, or ages. Many subjects were in poor physical condition, being treated on an outpatient basis or receiving oral medication. The frequency of the use of the restroom varied from 4 to 24 times/day. Concerning the restroom environment, many restrooms did not fulfill the recommended standard size. In terms of fixtures, the installation rates of air-conditioners, safety devices, and handrails were low. In particular, the elderly who were living alone had more problems. Concerning the association between height and restroom size, the subjects taller than the mean height often had complaints. To prevent accidents, improvement in the restroom size and facilities is necessary with consideration of all aspects such as not only the body height and age of elderly people but also physical and physiological functions. More rapid improvement is necessary in elderly who are living alone.

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