Phosphorus is one of the important minerals related to bone metabolism. In this study, we explored the influences of dietary phosphorus intake on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone metabolism. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four dietary groups: 0.3％ phosphorus control group (P 0.3), 0.15％ phosphorus diet group (P 0.15), 0.5％ phosphorus diet group (P 0.5), and 1.0％ phosphorus diet group (P 1.0) (10 animals/group). Fourteen days after the beginning of the experimental diet, there were no significant differences in ALP-specific activities in the small intestine, liver, or kidney. However, in the P 0.15 group, the levels of ALP activity and cortical bone mineral contents in of the femur had decreased significantly compared with the P 0.3 control group. Furthermore, in the P 0.5 and P 1.0 groups, the cancellous bone mineral density of the femur had decreased significantly compared with the P 0.3 control group. These results suggest that the short-term (14 days) experimental diet of phosphorus restriction or phosphorus loading influenced ALP activity and bone metabolism.

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  The effect on elasticity and taste of adding glucomannan to rice bread was investigated. Elasticity factor 1, indicating the hardness of bread, was significantly lower in bread containing glucomannan (glucomannan bread) than in bread made only with rice flour (control bread) 24h after baking. The ratio of elasticity 2 and 1, indicating the degree of glutinousness, was significantly higher in glucomannan bread than in control bread. Elasticity factor 1 was significantly increased 48h after baking in both glucomannan bread and control bread, while it was still significantly lower in glucomannan bread than in cotorol bread. These results suggest that adding of glucomannan to rice bread prevented staling of the bread. Sensory testing of glucomannan bread both 24h and 48h after baking revealed higher scores in softness, moistness, glutinousness and total preference than those for control bread.

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  The purpose of this study is to investigate how the experience of putting on and taking off clothes influences the growth of children. The subjects of questionnaire surveys were child care workers.
  It was found that: (1) Children in kindergartens and nurseries have a habit of putting on and taking off clothes regularly. Children learned the fine movements such as buttoning and putting away their clothes, and the configuration of clothes between the ages of 3 and 5. (2) Child care workers at kindergartens felt a stronger need for assistance than those at nurseries in having children put on and take off clothes by themselves. Educational effects gained from the experience of putting on and taking off clothes were children's mental development and their becoming independent in their clothing habits. (3) About 60％ of the child care workers felt that children's skillfulness in using their fingers and hands has decreased compared to before, giving specific examples mostly of basic living habits such as buttoning. It can be speculated that one of the causes is modern living, in which only easy movements are required. About 70％ were conducting activities to improve finger and hand dexterity in kindergartens and nurseries, mainly through play.

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  Eisei-boros mixed with each of three dried mushrooms (Coprinus comatus, Grifola gargal and Agaricus blazei) were investigated to determine their physical properties and sensory attributes. The shape of starch granules observed using a scanning electron microscope and the molecular structure observed by iodine color reaction indicated that the starches of Eisei-boros mixed with mushrooms were not different from those of the control Eisei-boros without mushrooms. A sensory evaluation showed that palatability and functionality varied from person to person. The overall evaluation by the ranking test showed the following order of preference: Coprinus comatus 2.5％＞Grifola gargal 5.0％＞Agaricus blazei 10.0％ .

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  For the effective utilization of color in universal design, it was thought that commonality exists in color symbolism tacitly felt by most people. Therefore, a study was conducted on the symbolism of colors and words in younger people's daily activities. A total of 100 males and females in their teens or twenties were used as subjects. A total of 200 test words including nouns, verbs, and adjectives relating to daily activities were chosen and presented to the subjects. Participants were asked to choose a color from a 71-color chart and associate it with the respective words.
  For 61 of 200 words tested, 20％ or more subjects chose the same color and word association. The most frequently chosen associated color was blue, followed by red and orange. The general tendency was for men to choose yellow and women to choose red. These vivid tones were selected by one-third of subjects and their selectivity was high for high-chroma colors. For antonyms, a combination of red and blue, not complementary colors on the hue circle, was most frequently chosen. This demonstrated a remarkably high rank correlation coefficient between men and women, and the respective colors associated with many words were generally the same among young people.

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  This research focuses on families with children and their use of air conditioning in the living environment. Questionnaire-based surveys were distributed to the families to ascertain the reasons behind their choice to use air conditioning, and to understand if there is a cause and effect relationship behind their choices. The findings of this survey are as follows:
  ・Of the families surveyed, 98％ had air conditioning, whereas only 74％ had fans in their homes.
  ・Over 50％ of the families surveyed said that they would open a window first as a way to reduce heat in the living environment.
  ・One of the main reasons for reducing the use of air conditioning was consideration for the children's health. This finding was widely cited by the families surveyed.
  ・In terms of the reasons for reducing air conditioner use, saving on energy and environmental considerations were less important than health considerations for both children and adults.
  These findings and trends are similar to the results of previous studies conducted by the researchers. What was significant in this study was that adults chose the health of their children as a priority when deciding whether or not to use air conditioning in their living environment.

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