Colour-odour correspondences in women during the menstrual cycle: Comparative analysis between the menstrual and ovulation phases

Women might experience modulation in their perception and cognition of colours and odours during the menstrual cycle, but how women's impressions of and correspondence between colours and odours differ according to the cycle changes remains unknown. Here, we experimentally examined women's performance of several tasks, including evaluation of impressions of colours and odours, matching/nonmatching of colours with odours, and identification of odours, comparing two phases: the beginning of menstruation and ovulation. The results showed that participants had similar impressions of colours and odours and made similar colour choices for odours in both the menstrual and ovulation phases, while “pleasant-unpleasant” impressions of colour and odour might vary according to the menstrual cycle. We found no significant differences in odour identification between the phases. The findings imply that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle might affect “pleasant-unpleasant” impressions of colour and odour but not other features regarding impressions or crossmodal correspondence. In future studies, examination with a large number of participants is necessary.     

Performance Evaluation of Magnetostrictive Small Wind Turbines Using Fe–Co Alloy–Based Clad Sheets

In this study, the Fe–Co alloy is combined with cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) and nickel (Ni) to form Fe–Co/CoFe₂O₄ and Fe–Co/Ni clad sheets and their energy-harvesting performance is evaluated. The Fe–Co/CoFe₂O₄ clad sheet exhibits an output voltage of 4.229 mV and an output power of 6.89 nW at a wind speed of 10 m s⁻¹. The energy-harvesting performance of both these clad sheets cannot be quantitatively compared owing to their different thicknesses, which result in varying volume and distance from the neutral plane. Nevertheless, the values of output voltage and power for Fe–Co/CoFe₂O₄ are higher than those for Fe–Co/Ni (2.107 mV and 0.294 nW).     

Fine-tuned,molecular-composite,organosilica membranes for highly efficient propylene/propane separation via suitable pore size

Fine-tuned, molecular-composite, organosilica membranes were fabricated via the co-condensation of organosilica precursors bis(triethoxysilyl)acetylene (BTESA) and bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (BTESB). Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis spectra confirmed the co-condensation behaviors of BTESA and BTESB. The evolution of the network structure indicated that the incorporated BTESB decreased the membrane pore size, which was determined by a modified gas translation model according to the steric effect of the phenyl groups. The incorporation of BTESB to BTESA finely tuned the membrane structure and endowed the resultant composite membrane with improved separation properties. The BTESAB 9:1 membrane (molar ratio of BTESA/BTESB was 9:1) exhibited high C₃H₆ permeance at 4.5 × 10⁻⁸ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ and a C₃H₆/C₃H₈ permeance ratio of 33 at 50°C. One of the most important developments of this study involved clearly defining the relationship between membrane pore size and C₃H₆/C₃H₈ separation performance for organosilica membranes in single and binary separation systems.     

Metastatic Voyage of Ovarian Cancer Cells in Ascites with the Assistance of Various Cellular Components

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and has a unique metastatic route using ascites, known as the transcoelomic root. However, studies on ascites and contained cellular components have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In this review, we focus on the significance of accumulating ascites, contained EOC cells in the form of spheroids, and interaction with non-malignant host cells. To become resistant against anoikis, EOC cells form spheroids in ascites, where epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition stimulated by transforming growth factor-β can be a key pathway. As spheroids form, EOC cells are also gaining the ability to attach and invade the peritoneum to induce intraperitoneal metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that EOC spheroids in ascites are composed of not only cancer cells, but also non-malignant cells existing with higher abundance than EOC cells in ascites, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, and lymphocytes. Moreover, hetero-cellular spheroids are demonstrated to form more aggregated spheroids and have higher adhesion ability for the mesothelial layer. To improve the poor prognosis, we need to elucidate the mechanisms of spheroid formation and interactions with non-malignant cells in ascites that are a unique tumor microenvironment for EOC.     

Correlations of Hepatic Hemodynamics,Liver Function,and Fibrosis Markers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Comparison with Chronic Hepatitis Related to Hepatitis C Virus

The progression of chronic liver disease differs by etiology. The aim of this study was to elucidate the difference in disease progression between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by means of fibrosis markers, liver function, and hepatic tissue blood flow (TBF). Xenon computed tomography (Xe-CT) was performed in 139 patients with NAFLD and 152 patients with CHC (including liver cirrhosis (LC)). The cutoff values for fibrosis markers were compared between NAFLD and CHC, and correlations between hepatic TBF and liver function tests were examined at each fibrosis stage. The cutoff values for detection of the advanced fibrosis stage were lower in NAFLD than in CHC. Although portal venous TBF (PVTBF) correlated with liver function tests, PVTBF in initial LC caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH-LC) was significantly lower than that in hepatitis C virus (C-LC) (p = 0.014). Conversely, the liver function tests in NASH-LC were higher than those in C-LC (p < 0.05). It is important to recognize the difference between NAFLD and CHC. We concluded that changes in hepatic blood flow occurred during the earliest stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD; therefore, patients with NAFLD need to be followed carefully.     

Phase separation and dewetting in polystyrene/poly(vinyl methyl ether) blend thin films in a wide thickness range

Phase separation and dewetting processes of blend thin films of polystyrene (PS) and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) in two phase region have been studied in a wide film thickness range from 65 μm to 42 nm (∼2.5R_g, R_g being radius of gyration of a polymer) using optical microscope (OM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and small-angle light scattering (LS). It was found that both phase separation and dewetting processes depend on the film thickness and were classified into four thickness regions. In the first region above ∼15 μm the spinodal decomposition (SD) type phase separation occurs in a similar manner to bulk and no dewetting is observed. This region can be regarded as bulk. In the second region between ∼15 and ∼1 μm, the SD type phase separation proceeds in the early stage while the characteristic wavelength of the SD decreases with the film thickness. In the late stage dewetting is induced by the phase separation. In the third region between ∼1 μm and ∼200 nm the dewetting is observed even in the early stage. The dewetting morphology is very irregular and no definite characteristic wavelength is observed. It is expected that the irregular morphology is induced by mixing up the characteristic wavelengths of the phase separation and the dewetting. In the fourth region below ∼200 nm the dewetting occurs after a long incubation time with a characteristic wavelength, which decreases with the film thickness. It is considered that the layered structure is formed in the thin film during the incubation period and triggers the dewetting through the capillary fluctuation mechanism or the composition fluctuation one.     

Piezoelectric properties of langasite group based on the ionic size of cation

As langasite A₃BC₃D₂O₁₄ compounds group with piezoelectric properties has no phase transition up to the melting point of 1400–1500 °C, they have been applied for the combustion pressure sensor. As they also have a larger electromechanical coupling factor compared to quartz and nearly the same temperature stability as quartz, the surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters are expected based on the digital transformation of wider bandwidth and higher-bit rates. In the case of three-element compounds such as [R₃]_A[Ga]_B[Ga₃]_C[GaSi]_DO₁₄ (R=La, Pr and Nd), the piezoelectric constant increases with the ionic radius R. In the case of four-element compounds such as [A₃]_A[B]_B[Ga₃]_C[Si₂]_DO₁₄ (A=Ca or Sr, B=Ta or Nb), |d₁₁| and k₁₂ values as a function of A_L/B_L ratio showed a linear relationship completely. There are two effects for the substitutions of A- and B-site cations: the substitution of Sr for Ca brings expansion toward [100] and enlargement in |d₁₁| and k₁₂. On the other hand, as the substitution of Ta for Nb brings not much change, the properties are similar. In this study, five-element compounds such as La_3?xSr_xTa_yGa_5?x+ySi_1+x?2yO₁₄ (0≤x≤3, 0≤y≤1) solid solutions analysed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction are compared with the three- and four-element compounds on the coordinates of oxygen ions. As the coordinates positions are located on the extended line of coordinate positions on the three-element compounds as increasing ionic radius of R-ions in A-site, the piezoelectric properties |d₁₁| and k₁₂ are expected become large.     

Preparation and electrooptical properties of liquid crystal dispersed film by electron-beam irradiation

Polymer films consisting of nematic liquid crystal (LC) droplets and polymer networks were prepared by using a low-energy electron beam to irradiate a homogeneous mixture of nematic LC and bifunctional methacrylate monomer. Influences of such polymerization conditions as polymerization temperature, monomer concentration, and radiation energy on electrooptical properties of the compound films were examined. The polymer yield, affecting to a large extent the film properties, depended on the monomer concentration and the radiation energy. Compound films, which have a switching function from the scattering state to transparency by applying approximately 20–30 V between the two sides of the film, were obtained. In addition, it was found that a compound film with excellent electrooptical properties was prepared by changing impure LC in the droplets into pure LC. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:1675–1681, 1997     

Methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation for hydrogen production via a bimodal catalytic membrane reactor

The dehydrogenation of methylcyclohexane (MCH) to toluene (TOL) for hydrogen production was theoretically and experimentally investigated in a bimodal catalytic membrane reactor (CMR), that combined Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts with a hydrogen‐selective organosilica membrane prepared via sol‐gel processing using bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTESE). Effects of operating conditions on the membrane reactor performance were systematically investigated, and the experimental results were in good agreement with those calculated by a simulation model with a fitted catalyst loading. With H₂ extraction from the reaction stream to the permeate stream, MCH conversion at 250°C was significantly increased beyond the equilibrium conversion of 0.44–0.86. Because of the high H₂ selectivity and permeance of BTESE‐derived membranes, a H₂ flow with purity higher than 99.8% was obtained in the permeate stream, and the H₂ recovery ratio reached 0.99 in a pressurized reactor. A system that combined the CMR with a fixed‐bed prereactor was proposed for MCH dehydrogenation. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1628–1638, 2015     

Boronic acid‐based thin films that show saccharide‐responsive multicolor changes

A novel saccharide sensor that displays a distinct color change resembling a “traffic signal” was developed. By copolymerizing boronic acid and amine monomers on a glass plate, a boronic acid‐containing thin film was obtained. Anionic blue and yellow dyes were adsorbed on the thin film, and the film was immersed in aqueous saccharide solutions containing a cationic red dye. With increase in the saccharide concentration in the solution, the thin film changes color from green to red via yellow. The observed distinct changes in color were attributed to a stepwise release and binding of dyes. The sensitivity of the saccharide sensor was dependent on the monomer composition of the thin film and increased with increasing the boronic acid content. The pH of the saccharide solution was another key factor affecting the sensing behavior, and glucose‐responsive color changes were significantly enhanced at pH 7.8. By optimizing these conditions, significant color changes in response to glucose were achieved. Saccharide selectivity was found to be in the following order: fructose > glucose > galactose = mannose > sucrose. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42679.