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The status of gender equity at universities is often evaluated via statistical data such as the proportions of women faculty members and students. However, given that women are still a minority in decision-making positions while gender parity has been achieved in most countries for students, simply increasing the proportion of women alone is not enough to ensure a truly gender-neutral (gender bias-free) academic climate on campuses, i.e., continuous efforts are required to create an environment that promotes the active participation of women. In particular, when the environment for cutting-edge advanced research in STEM fields is considered, despite the necessity for a gender perspective in science and technology innovation, the establishment of a gender-neutral academic climate has yet to be achieved. To solve this problem, a new indicator that accurately and quantitatively reflects the status of the gender-neutral academic climate on campuses is urgently needed.On the basis of this idea, this paper proposes a new method for quantitatively assessing the gender-neutral academic climate at each school/division/department of a university by analyzing scholarly output by gender. We created a bubble chart called the Academic Gender Equity Index (Academic_GEI), which consists of scholarly output and the proportion and absolute number of women faculty members, and used it as an indicator of human resource initiatives for gender equality within disciplines. We conducted a survey using this methodology in several countries (Japan/USA/EU). The Academic_GEI, along with other existing indicators, can be used to foster a gender-neutral academic climate for the next generation.

The effect of introducing oxalic acid into the mother gel of TS-1 zeolite on the crystallization behavior and physiochemical properties was investigated. The addition of oxalic acid with a buffering action significantly accelerated the crystallization process of TS-1 while simultaneously inhibiting the formation of anatase. The resultant TS-1 zeolites displayed enhanced performance in catalyzing the epoxidation of 1-hexene with H2O2 as an oxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystallization of an amorphous inorganic network of mesoporous metal oxides is achieved while maintaining the original ordered mesoporous structure. The methodology utilizes reinforcement (carbon or silica) to strengthen the periodic structure so that the original ordered mesoporous structure is preserved during thermal treatment for crystallization. The reinforcement is removed after crystallization to provide crystalline mesoporous metal oxide with the original ordered structure. Enhancement of photocatalytic activity for the total decomposition of water over mesoporous Ta 2O 5after crystallization is shown as an example of the advantages of crystalline mesoporous metal oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of the solid--liquid reaction between titanium dioxide (TiO2) and H--siloxane was investigated. The solid--liquid reaction involved two dehydrogenation condensations; one between free Ti--OH groups and Si--H groups, and another between hydrated Ti-OH groups and Si--H groups. The reactivity of the Ti--OH group is considered to be restricted by hydrogen bonding with a molecule containing an OH group, such as water or alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of the solid--liquid reaction between titanium dioxide (TiO2) and H--siloxane was investigated. The solid--liquid reaction involved two dehydrogenation condensations; one between free Ti--OH groups and Si--H groups, and another between hydrated Ti-OH groups and Si--H groups. The reactivity of the Ti--OH group is considered to be restricted by hydrogen bonding with a molecule containing an OH group, such as water or alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of methylation of ethene with methanol to propene over MFI zeolites with different heteroatoms has found that an efficient catalyst with weak acidities prevented the side reactions related with the formation of ethene oligomers from occurring, as evidenced by in situ IR spectroscopy, leading to superior propene selectivity in the product distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]