Pressure-Induced Variations of Aggregation Structures in Colorless and Transparent Polyimide Films Analyzed by Optical Microscopy, UV-Vis Absorption, and Fluorescence Spectroscopy.

Pressure-induced variations in the main chain and aggregation structures of colorless and transparent semialiphatic polyimide (PI) films were investigated by optical microscopy, UV-vis absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy up to 8 GPa. Upon application of pressures up to 2 GPa, a gradual volumetric compression was clearly observed by microscopy, and definite bathochromic shifts of locally excited (LE) absorption bands were detected, which was attributed to the compression of interchain free volume and enhanced intermolecular interactions. In addition, a significant reduction in fluorescence intensity was observed for PIs with quasilinear structures below 2 GPa due to enhanced energy transfer in the excited states caused by the densification of PI chain packing.

[Surveillance of Chromium(VI) Concentrations in Mineral Water Products].

We developed and evaluated a method of quantifying chromium(VI) in mineral water (MW). After a performance evaluation, we performed a surveillance of chromium(VI) concentrations in 150 kinds of MW products purchased from markets in 2016. Recovery rates, as examined by using 150 spiked samples prepared from the purchased MW products, ranged from 93 to 107%.

[Development and Applicability of Analytical Methods for Quantifying Cyanide and Bromic Acid in Mineral Waters].

We developed and evaluated methods of quantifying cyanide (cyanide ion and cyanogen chloride) and bromic acid in mineral waters (MW). After performance evaluation, recovery studies were performed on 110 kinds of MW products to examine the applicability of the methods. The approximate proportion of the MW samples, in which the recovery rate of these anionic compounds was within 90 to 110%, was 95% in the cyanide ion and bromic acid analysis and 45% in the cyanogen chloride analysis.

Coffee and beverages are the major contributors to polyphenol consumption from food and beverages in Japanese middle-aged women.

Food and beverages rich in polyphenols have been shown to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. The present study estimated polyphenol levels and consumption from food and beverages in Japanese women. Randomly recruited housewives living in the area around Tokyo (n 109; aged 21-56 years; Group 1) recorded all beverages and foods they ingested for 7 d, and the total polyphenol (TP) consumption was estimated based on the TP content of each item measured with a modified Folin-Ciocalteu method.