The airflow velocity in clothing (AVC) was measured by using the bi-directional airflow sensor in order to observe the chimney effect and the pumping effect. Eight female participants were asked to wear a separate type raincoat and they kept themselves in a stationary state or performed the rhythmic work. The climatic chamber was controlled at 23℃ or 18℃ (RH50％ ). The AVC caused by chimney effect was higher at 18℃ than at 23℃ significantly. The highest value (0.43m/sec) was observed at the chest area. The pumping effect triggered by the rhythmic work caused the air in clothing flowed from the trunk towards the cuff or the hem of a raincoat and overwhelmed the chimney effect.

View full abstract

The response of melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) to light exposure is slow and lasts even after termination of light exposure. In this study, we evaluated changes in pupil diameter with flicker light stimuli of different duty ratios. Eight subjects were in dim light for 5 min. Subsequently, they were exposed to light of different duty ratios for 5 min, and their pupil diameters were measured. Light conditions with duty ratios of 70％ and 90％ showed significantly higher tendency to contract pupil diameter than light condition of 100％ duty ratio. In conclusion, the response of mRGCs to higher duty ratio flicker light may not be equal to their response to non-flicker light.

View full abstract

In order to examine sex- and age-related differences in thermal environment during daily life in summer, we recorded the surrounding air temperature and humidity indoors and outdoors of men and women in their 20s, 70s and 80s, individual microclimates inside clothing and daily activities for three days from the end of July to the middle of August. No sex differences were observed in the thermal environment during daily life in summer. The indoor air temperatures and humidity of people in their 70s and 80s were higher than those of the young people due to the shorter operating time of air conditioning. The results suggest that for preventing heat disorders in home during summer elderly men and women aged at least over 70 yrs should not overly rely on their own perceptions of temperature but keep nearby and frequently check a thermometer at home, so that the appropriate room temperature should be kept by sufficient use of air conditioning.

View full abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the brain responses to dangerous stimuli in mothers of infants. Eventrelated potentials (ERPs) were measured in 9 mothers with infants aged from 1 to 3 years and 9 non-mothers when they observed dangerous and non-dangerous pictures. Although the P2 amplitudes and late positive potentials (LPPs) of the dangerous pictures were significantly larger than those of the non-dangerous pictures in both groups, differences between the P2 amplitudes of the dangerous and non-dangerous pictures were significantly smaller in mothers than in non-mothers. These results suggest that early attentional processes of mothers might be activated by not only dangerous but also non-dangerous pictures.

View full abstract

The aims of this study were to extract the stress biomarkers from human hair samples and explore the optimal procedure for this extraction. The investigation included a methodological variation related to the extraction time and pulverization method in the procedure for the determination of stress biomarkers. Consequently, the three stress biomarkers, cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone were successfully extracted from the hair sample. Moreover, the pulverization method had no impact on the determination procedure. Additionally, the extraction time significantly affected the amount of the target substances. An optimal procedure based on the results of this study was proposed.

View full abstract