Wayo Women's University

Gender differences in childhood play have long been recognized, yet few studies have examined how these early play tendencies relate to autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)-related traits later in life, particularly from a developmental perspective that links early experiences with adult cognitive characteristics. The present study explored gender differences in play styles and their associations with ASD-related cognitive characteristics using both quantitative and text-mining approaches. Participants were 135 young adults (52 males and 83 females, aged 18-29 years) who completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Empathy Quotient (EQ), and Systemizing Quotient (SQ), and provided open-ended descriptions of memorable play experiences from early childhood. Quantitative analyses showed that males scored significantly higher on the AQ and SQ, whereas females scored higher on the EQ and reported more frequent engagement in social and cooperative play. Regression analyses further indicated that stronger systemizing tendencies and lower levels of social play were associated with higher ASD-related traits, particularly among males. Text-mining analyses of a subsample (19 males, 23 females) yielded consistent results: males most often recalled competitive and rule-based play (e.g., games, competition, sports), while females described imaginative, cooperative, and socially interactive play (e.g., friends, pretend play, drawing). Together, these findings suggest that gender differences in play reflect underlying empathizing-systemizing cognitive orientations, highlighting the developmental significance of childhood play experiences in relation to ASD-related traits.

This study examined the influence of the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-bust ratio (WBR) on the attractiveness of the Japanese female body. To assess attractiveness, we used silhouette figures to evaluate the WHR and WBR, which were created based on objective measurements of actual women. A total of 398 men aged 20-59 years (mean age 39.79 years, SD = 10.69 years) participated in this study and rated the aesthetic attractiveness ("aesthetic attractiveness") and sexual attractiveness ("sexual attractiveness") of the silhouette figures. The analysis revealed that WHR was not related to aesthetics or sexual attractiveness. In contrast, the WBR was significantly related to both aesthetic and sexual attractiveness. The differences in the results of previous studies may be due to differences in the stimuli used, body shape between ethnic groups, and criteria for evaluating attractiveness.

Featured Application Wild yeast 10-2 provides strong leavening in enriched dough, preserves crumb softness, and yields uniform gas cells, supporting naturally fermented, additive-free sweets such as kouglof.Abstract Two wild Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, 9-3 and 10-2, isolated from nectarine and apple leaves, show high fermentation performance in standard breadmaking but their utility in enriched-dough products remained untested. This study evaluated their performance in kouglof production against a commercial baker's yeast as a control. Fermentation was monitored by weight loss (reflecting CO2 production) and pH changes. Finished loaves were evaluated for macroscopic traits (weight, height, appearance), crust/crumb color, texture, and microstructure via 3D/2D analysis of gas-cell morphology. Sensory acceptance was also assessed. While size-related traits were similar across all samples, strain 10-2 significantly outperformed 9-3. Kouglof made with 10-2 exhibited commercial-grade softness, characterized by lower hardness and gumminess, lower residual sugar content, and a finer, more uniform gas-cell structure with a darker, well-developed crust, whereas 9-3 yielded a firmer crumb with fewer, larger gas cells. Sensory acceptance was comparable across variants, with all samples rated as highly acceptable. Strain 10-2 demonstrated high sucrose tolerance and performed comparably to or better than the control across multiple product-quality metrics in enriched-dough kouglof. These findings support the potential of wild yeast 10-2 for sweet bread production with high-sucrose and high-fat formulations, though further optimization is warranted.

People with disabilities face disproportionate risks during disasters, yet their everyday capacities for preparedness remain underexplored within community-based care research. This study examined how individuals with physical and sensory disabilities in Japan prepare for disasters in their home environments, using the Disaster Preparedness Checklist Kit-a participatory tool co-developed with people with disabilities. A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 67 participants across seven prefectures, and semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 individuals who contributed to the kit's development. The checklist assessed preparedness across six domains: (1) General Preparations, (2) Human Services and Relationship Building, (3) Communication and Information Gathering, (4) Mobility and Transportation, (5) Food, Health and Elimination and (6) Shelters and Public Facilities. Thematic analysis of interview data complemented statistical findings. Results indicated that overall preparedness levels were low, particularly in Human Services and Relationship Building, Mobility and Transportation, and Shelters and Public Facilities. Five recurring action patterns were identified: checking and trying, consultation and discussion, forming habits and organising, substituting, and obtaining and implementing. Participants demonstrated creative self-management and mutual support strategies but faced persistent barriers related to mobility, communication accessibility and economic constraints. These findings highlight that disaster preparedness for people with disabilities is not solely an individual responsibility but a shared outcome of social inclusion, welfare systems and accessible community infrastructure. Strengthening preparedness requires policies and practices that integrate disability perspectives into local disaster planning and support everyday capability-building within community care settings. By recognising people with disabilities as active agents of resilience rather than passive recipients of aid, this study contributes to the development of inclusive disaster-preparedness approaches aligned with the principles of community-based health and social care.