Noise characterization of “effective quiet” areas on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize noise levels in spaces designated as “effective quiet” areas on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Noise dosimetry samples were collected in 15 designated spaces, representing 15 noise measurements, while at-sea during airwing carrier qualifications. Equivalent sound level (L_eq) measurements were collected during flight operations (L_{eq (flt ops)}), non-flight operations (L_{eq (non-flt ops)}), and over 24-hr periods (L_{eq (24-hr)}). These data were compared to the 70 dBA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH^®) Threshold Limit Value (TLV^®) for “effective quiet” areas intended for temporary threshold shift recovery when personnel live and work in a potentially noise hazardous environment for periods greater than 24?hr. The monitored areas were selected based on personnel occupancy/use during off-duty time periods. Areas were classified by either (1) leisure areas that included mess (eating areas), gyms, lounges, an internet cafe, and the fantail social area or (2) berthing (sleeping) areas. The L_eq measurements in decibels “A” weighted (dBA) were compared to determine significant differences between L_{eq (flt ops)}, L_{eq (non-flt ops)}, and L_{eq (24-hr)} and were compared between leisure area and berthing area. Measured noise levels according to time period ranged as follows: (1) L_{eq (24-hr)}: 70.8–105.4 dBA; (2) L_{eq (flt ops)}: 70–101.2 dBA; and (3) L_{eq (non-flt ops)}: 39.4–104.6 dBA. All area measurements over the 24-hr period and during flight operations and 46.7% of the areas during the non-flight operation time period exceeded the “effective quiet” 70 dBA ACGIH TLV. Mean L_eqs were 15 dBA higher during flight operations compared to non-flight operations in “effective quiet” areas (p?=?0.001). The L_eqs in leisure areas were significantly higher than berthing areas by approximately 21 dBA during non-flight operation periods (p?=?0.001). Results suggest noise levels in “effective quiet” areas frequented by aircraft carrier personnel during off-duty hours when at-sea may inhibit auditory recovery from occupational noise exposures that occur on-duty.     

21 d-6°头低位卧床期间运动训练对动态姿态平衡的影响

目的探讨21 d-6°头低位卧床和卧床运动训练对动态姿态平衡和控制功能的影响. 方法 10名健康男性青年被试者分为卧床对照组和卧床训练组,每组5人,卧床期间训练组每天进行2次、每次30 min逐级增加负荷的头低位功率自行车训练;分别于卧床前和卧床后21 d进行了动态姿态平衡和双膝等速肌力的测试. 结果与卧床前相比,对照组动态本体感觉得分和运动控制适应能力明显降低,双膝相对峰力矩明显降低,同时伴有腘绳肌与股四头肌峰力矩屈/伸比值的明显增加;训练组动态本体感觉得分和运动控制适应能力明显高于对照组,而腘绳肌与股四头肌峰力矩屈/伸比值无明显改变. 结论 21 d-6°头低位卧床运动训练能够明显改善卧床后动态姿态平衡及其动态运动适应功能.     

Olfaction in essential tremor patients with and without isolated rest tremor.

An olfactory deficit is present in patients with essential tremor (ET), but it is often milder than that in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). In both, the deficit occurs early in the disease. Isolated rest tremor without other signs of parkinsonism can occur in patients with ET. If the rest tremor in these patients represents a manifestation of ET rather than early PD, we hypothesized that their University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) scores would be similar to those of ET patients without rest tremor. The mean UPSIT score in 13 ET patients with isolated rest tremor did not differ from that of 58 ET patients without rest tremor (29.3 +/- 4.3 vs. 29.4 +/- 6.4; P = 0.69). Several ET patients with rest tremor had UPSIT scores that fell outside of the range that is seen in 95% of patients with PD. These data raise the possibility that some ET patients with isolated rest tremor may not have early PD and that the pathological process that is responsible for their ET is also involving the basal ganglia.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病呼吸驱动影响因素分析

目的:探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)病人呼吸驱动与肺功能、血气及静息能量代谢之间的关系.方法:26例COPD和21例正常对照者分别测定口腔阻断压P0.1、呼吸肌功能[最大吸气压(PIMAX)、最大呼气压(P EMAX)]、肺通气功能[努力肺活量(FVC)、一秒率(FEV,%)]、残气(RV/TLC)、弥散功能(DLCO)、静息能量代谢(REE)、呼吸商(RQ)、血气分析及Borg分级等.结果:COPD组P0.1和P0.1/PIMAX高于对照组(P＜0.01).相关分析COPD组P0.1与PaO2、SaO2负相关(r分别为-0.62,-0.53,P均＜0.05),而与PaCO2相关性不明显.Borg分级与P0.1正相关(r=0.63,P＜0.05),P0.1与FVC、FEV1%、RV/TLC、DLCO以及RQ无相关性,P0.1/PIMAX与REE有正相关关系(r=0.41,P＜0.05).结论:COPD呼吸驱动增高,不仅与PaO2,SaO2相关,还与静息能量代谢及Borg分级等相关.     

Skinfold thickness versus isotope dilution for body fat assessment during simulated microgravity: results from three bed-rest campaigns in men and women with and without countermeasures

Because body composition is altered during head-down bed rest (HDBR), body mass can not be used as an index of energy balance. Consequently diet allowances should not be based on body mass evolution but on fat mass changes. Though criticized, skinfold thickness (ST) is the costless, easiest and fastest method to use for such an objective. The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of body fat (%BF) estimated by ST with the isotope dilution of H₂¹⁸O. We compiled data from three HDBR campaigns, one on women (n=8) in November 1998 and two on the same men (n=8) in December 1997 (without countermeasure) and January 1998 (with thigh-cuffs countermeasure), according to a crossover design. Body composition was assessed before and after 6 days of HDBR. %BF was derived from the biceps, triceps, sub-scapular and sup-iliac ST according to Durnin and Wormersly (1974). Fat-free mass was measured on the same day by H₂¹⁸O dilution and fat mass was calculated by the difference with body mass and expressed as a percentage. Based on precision tests, the minimum measurable change by ST was 1.1%BF for single measurement point. Both intercepts (F _4,30=0.89, P=0.45) and slopes (F _4,30=0.74; P=0.57) of the ST versus dilution relationships were not affected by the periods (December vs January), experimental conditions (control vs HDBR vs HDBR + thigh cuffs) or sex allowing the derivation of a common relationship %BF_st=0.94 × %BF_dil (F _1,47=97.9, P<0.0001; non-significant intercept excluded) with a bias between methods of −1.7±2.0 %BF (95% CI: −5.8, 2.4 %BF). ST can be used to measure %BF during HDBR provided great care is placed on training and changes are higher than 1.1 %BF. If the method can be applied for in-flight energy balance monitoring given the high observed energy deficit, a tight monitoring of the individual nutritional status as needed during simulation appears, however, dubious based on this solely method.     

"Fatigue on rest" and associated symptoms (headache, vertigo, blurred vision, nausea, tension and irritability) due to locally asymptomatic, unerupted, impacted teeth.

"Fatigue on Rest", headache, vertigo and the feeling of loss of balance, blurred vision, nausea, tension and irritability, were found to be prevalent amongst patients who had locally asymptomatic, unerupted impacted teeth. A comparative pressure sign was developed, which, when positive, confirmed the relationship between the impacted teeth and the medical symptoms. Removal of the impactions resulted in the alleviation of the symptoms. Stress and psychogenic factors are considered as trigger mechanisms, rather than as basic causes of the symptoms.     

中药复方对卧床模拟失重引起"血淤"的对抗效果

目的观察中药对卧床模拟失重引起血淤证改善的效果。方法１０名被试者随机分为中药组和对照组。两组均头低位－６°卧床７ｄ,中药组卧床中服中药复方,对照组服安慰剂。结果中药组的血淤证较对照组有明显减轻,某些生理指标维持卧床前状态,即血压平稳;心功能（每搏量、心肌收缩力、每搏功指数等）、尿量,与卧床前比较基本保持不变,而对照组比中药组血淤证较重。结论提示中医药可能成为防治短期航天失重时对机体影响的的一种选择措施     

Neurophysiological adaptations to spaceflight and simulated microgravity

Changes in physiological functions after spaceflight and simulated spaceflight involve several mechanisms. Microgravity is one of them and it can be partially reproduced with models, such as head down bed rest (HDBR). Yet, only a few studies have investigated in detail the complexity of neurophysiological systems and their integration to maintain homeostasis. Central nervous system changes have been studied both in their structural and functional component with advanced techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance (fMRI), showing the main involvement of the cerebellum, cortical sensorimotor, and somatosensory areas, as well as vestibular-related pathways. Analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) led to contrasting results, mainly due to the different factors affecting brain activity. The study of corticospinal excitability may enable a deeper understanding of countermeasures' effect, since greater excitability has been shown being correlated with better preservation of functions. Less is known about somatosensory evoked potentials and peripheral nerve function, yet they may be involved in a homeostatic mechanism fundamental to thermoregulation. Extending the knowledge of such alterations during simulated microgravity may be useful not only for space exploration, but for its application in clinical conditions and for life on Earth, as well.