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PubMed1983

Differential effects of hot-humid and hot-dry environments on mental functions.

Twenty five subjects acclimatised to heat artificially were exposed to "basic effective temperatures" (BET) of 25.0 degrees, 29.6 degrees, 32.2 degrees, 33.3 degrees and 35.0 degrees C BET under conditions of both humid and dry heat. The object of the investigation was to ascertain the nature of effects of varying degrees of heat stress on mental alertness, associative learning, reasoning ability and dual-performance efficiency. A further aim was to determine the temperature levels at which impairment of psychological functions was severe enough to be of practical concern. The duration of each exposure was four hours, during which subjects performed physical exercise followed by rest every 30 min. It was found that all the psychological functions tested were adversely affected under extreme heat, and that a significant drop in various psychological functions was seen at effective temperatures of 32.2 degrees C and 33.3 degrees C in hot-humid and hot-dry conditions respectively. It is concluded that at the same effective temperatures the magnitude of the overall effect on psychological functions under humid conditions is relatively greater than that under dry conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Is reduction of intraoperative heat loss and management of hypothermic patients with anesthetic gas climate control advisable? Heat and humidity exchangers vs. active humidifiers ina functional lung model].

UNLABELLED: Heated humidifiers (HH) as well as heat and moisture exchangers (HME) are commonly used in intubated patients as air-conditioning devices to raise the moisture content of the air, thus preventing mucosal damage and heat loss resulting from ventilation with dry inspired gases. In contrary to HME, HH are able to add heat and moisture to the inspired air in surplus, which is often stressed as an advantage in warming hypothermic patients or reducing major heat losses, e.g., during long operations. The impact of air conditioning on the energy balance of man was calculated comparing HME and HH. METHODS: The efficiency of a HME (Medisize Hygrovent) and a HH (Fisher & Paykel MR 730) was evaluated in a mechanically ventilated lung model simulating the physiological heat and humidity conditions of the upper airways. The gas flow from the central supply was dry; the model temperature varied between 32 and 40 degrees C. By using a HH in the inspiratory limb, a circle system was simulated with water-saturated inspired air at room temperature. The water content of the ventilated air was determined at the tracheal tube connection using a fast, high-resolution humidity meter and was compared with the moisture return of the HME. The energy balance was calculated according to thermodynamic laws. RESULTS: Both HME and HH were able to create physiological heat and humidity conditions in the airways. With the normothermic patient model, the moisture return of the HME was equal to that of the HH set at 34 degrees C. Increasing the heating temperature resulted only in reduced water loss from the lung; heat and water input in the normothermic model was not possible. This was only effective with almost negligible amounts under hypothermic patient model conditions. DISCUSSION: The water content in the inspired and expired air is the most important parameter for estimating pulmonary heat loss in mechanically ventilated patients. In adults (minute volume approximately 71/min) the main fraction of pulmonary heat loss results from water evaporation from the airways (approximately 6 kcal/h), whereas the heat loss due to convection is negligible (approximately 1.2 kcal/h). In intubated patients ventilated with dry air, the heat loss increases to approximately 8 kcal/h due to greater water evaporation from the airways. Both HME and HH are able to reduce the pulmonary heat loss to 1-2 kcal/h. In normothermic as well as hypothermic patients, HH do not offer significant advantages in heat balance compared to effective HME. In conclusion, air conditioning in intubated patients is neither a powerful too for maintaining body temperature during long-lasting anaesthesia nor a sufficient method of warming hypothermic patients in intensive care units.

Air Conditioning↗
PubMed2002

Back-propagation-based neural network with a two sensor system for monitoring carbon dioxide and relative humidity.

The delicate problem of independently determining the concentration of carbon dioxide and relative humidity in a gas mixture is solved by recording the signals of two quartz microbalances coated with a functionalized sensitive polymer layer. The data were analysed by back-propagation-based neural networks. We tested two different architectures, a one-stage net and a two-stage net (which consist of two network structures in series) with respect to their generalisation ability. The one-stage network calculated the concentration of carbon dioxide with an error less than 12% and that of relative humidity with an error less than 5%. The two-stage network recognised in the first step seven categories of relative humidity with a success rate of 100%, while the maximal error of carbon dioxide concentration calculated in the second level of this architecture is reduced to 9%. In addition, the generalisation ability of the two-stage network is improved compared to the one-stage network.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Transepidermal water loss and skin capacitance alterations among workers in an ultra-low humidity environment.

No studies have been performed evaluating skin barrier alterations in humans exposed to ultra-low humidity (ULH) in spite of several lines of evidence from animal experiments suggesting that the skin barrier is altered on exposure to ULH. The objectives of this study were to assess barrier function changes in workers occupationally exposed to ULH (relative humidity 1.5%), and to evaluate whether the exposure duration shows a dose-response relationship with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin capacitance. A total of 49 male workers exposed to ULH for 12 h per working day were classified into five subgroups based on their ULH exposure duration (<0.5 months, 0.5-1.0 month, 1.1-10.0 months, 10.1-20.0 months, and >20.0 months). A group of 12 age-matched male laboratory workers from a normal humidity environment were recruited as a control group. TEWL and skin capacitance were measured to evaluate their skin barrier function. TEWL measurements showed a significant decline (8.3+/-0.4 vs 10.0+/-0.4 g m(-2) h(-1), P < 0.05) but no differences were found in skin capacitance (39.7+/-1.3 a.u. vs 45.0+/-2.4 a.u., P = 0.68) between the whole ULH exposure group and the control group. Maximum decreases in TEWL and skin capacitance were seen in the subgroups exposed for <0.5 months and 0.5-1.0 month, respectively. Almost completely natural recovery occurred in skin capacitance after 20 months ULH exposure, in contrast to less than 90% recovery in TEWL. Three stages were defined according to the pattern of alterations in TEWL and skin capacitance in relation to ULH exposure duration. A positive association between TEWL and skin capacitance occurred in the control group and stage I but a negative correlation in stage II. No correlation was found in stage III. Our study demonstrated that workers exposed to a ULH environment could exhibit skin barrier alterations. Both TEWL and skin capacitance decreased within 2 weeks of ULH exposure. The maximum alterations in TEWL and skin capacitance occurred during 0.5-1.0 months and 2 weeks, respectively. TEWL recovered partially and more slowly than skin capacitance which recovered earlier and almost completely.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The influence of either no fluid or carbohydrate-electrolyte fluid ingestion and the environment (thermoneutral versus hot and humid) on running economy after prolonged, high-intensity exercise.

This study investigated the effects on running economy (RE) of ingesting either no fluid or an electrolyte solution with or without 6% carbohydrate (counterbalanced design) during 60-min running bouts at 80% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Tests were undertaken in either a thermoneutral (22-23 degrees C; 56-62% relative humidity, RH) or a hot and humid natural environment (Singapore: 25-35 degrees C; 66-77% RH). The subjects were 15 young adult male Singaporeans [VO2max=55.5 (4.4 SD) ml kg(-1) min(-1)]. The RE was measured at 3 m s(-1) [65 (6)% VO2max] before (RE1) and after each prolonged run (RE2). Fluids were administered every 2 min, at an individual rate determined from prior tests, to maintain body mass (group mean=17.4 ml min(-1)). The VO2 during RE2 was higher (P < 0.05) than that during the RE1 test for all treatments, with no differences between treatments (ANOVA). The mean increase in VO2 from RE1 to RE2 ranged from 3.4 to 4.7 ml kg(-1) min(-1) across treatments. In conclusion, the deterioration in RE at 3 m s(-1) (65% VO2max) after 60 min of running at 80% VO2max appears to occur independently of whether fluid is ingested and regardless of whether the fluid contains carbohydrates or electrolytes, in both a thermoneutral and in a hot, humid environment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The influence of temperature, relative humidity and rainfall on the occurrence of pollen allergens (Betula, Poaceae, Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in the atmosphere of Bratislava (Slovakia).

The occurrence of pollen grains in the atmosphere markedly relates to meteorological factors. In the study we have evaluated a correlation between the concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere of Bratislava and temperature, relative humidity and rainfall during the vegetation period of 1995 and 1997. For our analysis we have selected one representative of each phytoallergen group (trees, grasses, weeds). We have chosen the Betula genus of trees, the whole Poaceae family of grasses and ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. to represent weeds. The taxons mentioned represent the most significant allergens in Slovakia. The concentration of pollen grains has been monitored by a Lanzoni volumetric pollen trap. The data obtained, the average daily concentration in 1 m(3), have been included in the statistical analysis together with values for the average daily temperature, relative humidity and total rainfall in 24 h. The correlation between the concentration of pollen grains in the atmosphere and selected meteorological variables from daily monitoring has been studied with the help of linear regression and correlation coefficients. We have found the average daily temperature and relative humidity (less than temperature) to be significant factors influencing the occurrence of pollen grains in the atmosphere of Bratislava. The total daily rainfall does not seem to be significant from the statistical point of view.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Assessing temperature and humidity conditions for dairy cattle in Córdoba, Argentina.

Temperature and humidity conditions affect livestock production in Central Argentina. This study evaluates the risk of thermal stress affecting dairy production. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was used to analyze the regional and seasonal effects of temperature and humidity. Statistically, the THI was found to be normally distributed. The probability of occurrence of a daily THI higher than 72 was 40% for Río Cuarto during January. Regional variability of THI indicates a low risk of harmful extreme thermal stress conditions. The probability of THI being 78 or above ranges between 4% and 10% for the main dairy region of Córdoba during January. Also, in January and February, dairy production losses between 3 and 4 l cow(-1) day(-1) could be expected with a frequency of 5% in Río Cuarto and 15% in Villa de María de Río Seco.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2006

Effect of air humidity on the egg viability of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae) common on rubber trees in Brazil.

Rubber pest mites, Calacarus heveae and Tenuipalpus heveae, reach economic damage levels at the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season in Brazil. Therefore, low humidity adaptation might be an important characteristic for predatory mites to successfully control pest organisms. This study determined the effect of the relative humidity (RH) levels of 30-100% on the hatching of larvae of Amblyseius acalyphus, Euseius citrifolius, Iphiseiodes zuluagai, Metaseiulus camelliae, Agistemus floridanus and Zetzellia malvinae at 25 +/- 0.5 degrees C. These predatory mites are common on rubber trees in the state of São Paulo and might be used for introduction in the major rubber tree production regions in the state of Mato Grosso. At 70% RH or higher, viability was 70% or higher for all species, indicating that their performance might be higher during the rainy season than during the dry season. Eggs of E. citrifolius and M. camelliae presented higher viability at the lower relative humidity levels than those of other species, indicating that these species might have higher chance to persist in the dry season. It is suggested that M. camelliae should be further evaluated for introduction in the state of Mato Grosso, considering that this mite is not yet present in that area.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effects of environmental temperature, relative humidity and vaccination on Pasteurella haemolytica in lungs of mice.

Groups of mice were kept in four combinations of environmental temperature (8 and 20 degrees C) and humidity [50 per cent and 90 per cent relative humidity (RH)]. The mice were anaesthetized and inoculated intranasally with Pasteurella haemolytica growing logarithmically. Groups of 11 mice were killed at 0.5 h intervals for 6 h after inoculation and the number of colony-forming-units (CFU) of Pasteurella haemolytica in the lungs was determined. The CFU in the lungs of mice were affected by a significant interaction of temperature, relative humidity and time after inoculation (P less than 0.01). From 0.05 to 5.0 h after inoculation, fewer CFU were found in the lungs of mice kept in 8 degrees C 50 per cent RH than in mice kept in 8 degrees C 90 per cent RH, 20 degrees C 50 per cent RH and 20 degrees C 90 per cent RH. In each environment, CFU in the lungs of mice increased from inoculation to approximately 3.5 h after inoculation and then decreased (P less than 0.01). In a similar experiment in an environment of approximately 20 degrees C and 50 per cent RH, there were significantly fewer CFU in the lungs of mice vaccinated intranasally 21 days earlier with live P. haemolytica than in the lungs of mice either vaccinated intranasally with formalized P. haemolytica or not vaccinated with P. haemolytica (P less than 0.01).

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The influences of temperature and humidity upon the isolated surfactant film of the dog.

A model of the gas-liquid barrier (surfactant film) of the lung was used to investigate the influence of temperature and of humidification of the gas upon the behaviour of films during rhythmic compression and expansion of their surface. Film behaviour was studied at room temperature or 37 degrees C, and at ambient humidity or high relative humidity. Changes of minimal surface tension (gamma min) and maximal surface tension (gamma max) were followed up to 1000 cycles. At 37 degrees C we measured higher values for gamma min and lower values for gamma max. At room temperature complete humidification does not influence surface tension, but at 37 degrees C gamma min increases. Thus both high temperature and high relative humidity result in sharp rise of gamma min, whereas high temperature alone is responsible for the temporary drop of gamma max. Considering these effects, investigations to study influences of foreign gases and of air pollution upon the surfactant film should be performed under conditions which approach those of the lung as close as possible. The possible influence of CO2 is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Airway blood flow responses to temperature and humidity of inhaled air.

We determined the effect of breathing cold dry air (-39 degrees C, 0.1% relative humidity, RH) and warm humid air (43 degrees C, 100% RH) on airway mucosal blood flow (Qaw) in normal human subjects (n = 8, age 25-53 years) at rest. Qaw was measured with a dimethylether uptake technique which reflects blood flow in the mucosa of large airways corresponding to a 50 ml anatomical dead-space segment extending distally from the trachea. Mean Qaw was 10.1 +/- 1.9 ml min-1 (mean +/- S.D.) during room air breathing (25 degrees C, 70% RH) and decreased to 4.7 +/- 2.1 ml min-1 during cold dry air breathing (p < 0.05). Within 20 min of resuming room air breathing, mean Qaw had returned to baseline. Breathing warm humid air had no significant effect on mean Qaw (8.2 +/- 1.4 ml min-1). These results indicate that quiet breathing of frigid air causes vasoconstriction in central airways.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The effect of humidity on the transmission of Brugia pahangi infective larvae to mammalian hosts by Aedes aegypti.

The transmission of Brugia pahangi by Aedes aegypti to the mammalian host was compared at low and high humidity. There was no statistical difference between the number of infected mosquitoes feeding or the egress of infective larvae from these mosquitoes at high or low humidity. The penetration of the host by the infective larvae was however significantly greater (p less than 0.05) at high than at a low humidity.

Aedes↗
PubMed1994

Relationship of air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, photoperiod, wind speed and solar radiation with serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration in Angus beef cattle.

Eight paternal half-sib Angus calves born in late April and early May, 1988 were used to investigate the potential relationship of serum IGF-I concentration with photoperiod and various weather variables including minimum, maximum and average air temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and solar radiation. To determine IGF-I concentration, blood samples were obtained at birth and then weekly until the calves reached 1 mo of age and bi-weekly thereafter. Blood sampling continued until the calves reached puberty as determined by progesterone and testosterone assays. Photoperiod and each weather variable were averaged over the 3 d prior to and including the day of blood sampling (4-d average). Data were divided into two periods: (1) birth through the end of the postweaning period and (2) postweaning period only. Serum IGF-I concentrations were analyzed using a model which included the fixed effects of sex and sample number, the random effect of calf nested within sex and the fixed interaction of sex x sample number, in addition to covariates for weight, photoperiod and weather variables. From birth through the end of the postweaning test, none of the weather variables or photoperiod had significant effects on serum IGF-I concentrations when each was fitted separately. For the postweaning period only, cubic regression coefficients for minimum and average temperatures were .0962 +/- .0325 ng/ml/degrees C3 and .0976 +/- .0272 ng/ml/degrees C3, respectively (P < .01). The quadratic regression coefficient for relative humidity during the postweaning period was -.2991 +/- .1142 ng/ml/%2 (P < .05). The quartic regression coefficient for wind speed during the postweaning period was -36.435 +/- 13.00 ng/ml/(km/hr)4 (P < .01). Maximum temperature, precipitation, solar radiation and photoperiod did not have significant effects on postweaning serum IGF-I concentrations. Based on these data, we conclude that temperature, humidity and wind speed were contributing factors to variation in serum IGF-I concentrations in postweaned beef calves.

Aging↗
PubMed2005

De- and rehydration behavior of alpha,alpha-trehalose dihydrate under humidity-controlled atmospheres.

Effects of humidity were investigated on de- and rehydration behavior of alpha,alpha-trehalose dihydrate (T(h)) throughout simultaneous measurements of differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry (DSC-XRD) and simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). When T(h) was heated from room temperature under dry nitrogen atmosphere, a metastable anhydrous crystal (T(alpha)) was formed at 105 degrees C after dehydration of T(h). The resulting T(alpha) melted at 125 degrees C and became amorphous, followed by cold crystallization from 150 degrees C giving rise to a stable anhydrous crystal T(beta). Under a highly humid atmosphere, on the other hand, T(beta) was formed at 90 degrees C directly as a result of T(h) dehydration. T(alpha) was readily rehydrated and turned back to T(h) when nitrogen gas with low water vapor pressure of 2.1kPa was admitted, whereas high water vapor pressure up to 7.4kPa was required for rehydration of T(beta) into T(h). This study provided a picture of pathways that link various solid forms of trehalose, taking into account the effects of a humid environment.

Atmosphere↗
PubMed2004

Adsorption-oxidation of hydrogen sulfide on activated carbon fibers: effect of the composition and the relative humidity of the gas phase.

The removal of hydrogen sulfide by oxidation-adsorption on two type carbon fibers, Actitex FC1201 and RS1301, was studied. Two kinetic steps where identified. During the first step, the degradation appears to be limited by the oxidation reaction. In the second kinetic step, the by-products inhibit the hydrogen sulfide degradation. This leads to a limitation in the carbon site's accessibility and to a lower kinetic. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood model was used to correlate the experimental results and to estimate the kinetic (k) and the Langmuir adsorption (K) constants. For FC1201 fibers, the kinetic constant (k) is five time higher and the adsorption constant is five time lower compared to the RS1301 fibers. The role of the humidity was found to be highly beneficial for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. Especially in the second kinetic step, where it removes the by-product formed and therefore delays the occurrence of this low kinetic step. The kinetic constant (k) is strongly influenced by humidity while the Langmuir adsorption constant (K) seems independent. The effect of the nature of the gas phase on the reaction kinetic was also studied. Under a dry atmosphere, we note that the oxidation-reaction occurs even if the gaseous oxygen is not present. This oxidation is due to the oxygen surface function of the carbon fibers. Moreover, the degradation kinetic is faster under a dry nitrogen atmosphere. The presence of water traces leads to the acidification of the carbon surface, under oxygen or carbon dioxide atmospheres, and hence limits the hydrogen sulfide dissociation. In a humid atmosphere, the oxygen or carbon dioxide leads to a faster reaction kinetic. The acidification of the carbon surface is largely counterbalanced by the dissolution of the by-products.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Application of activated charcoal radon collectors in high humidity environments.

Most commercially based activated charcoal radon collectors were designed for use in indoor environments. However, at present, they are often used for research in radon surveys in unique environments, such as in the bathrooms, underground areas, mines, caves and tunnels. In these environments, the relative humidity would be around 100%, and a change in the sensitivity of cpm(Bq m(-3))(-1)(radon) would occur. For this study, the reduction in the sensitivity of activated charcoal radon collector due to environmental humidity was investigated, and the data correction was discussed. Here, ST-100 (Pico-Rad) was selected as an example of a familiar activated charcoal radon collector. According to our performance test, the humidity of 90% (20 degrees C) resulted in a 15% reduction of the sensitivity for 24 h collection. The ST-100 user should discuss the necessity of data correction by comparing the change of sensitivity with other levels of estimation errors.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed2005

Saturated salt solutions for humidity control and the survival of dry powder and oil formulations of Beauveria bassiana conidia.

Oil-based formulated conidia sprayed on steel plates and conidia powder (control) of Beauveria bassiana isolate IMI 386243 were stored at temperatures from 10 to 40 degrees C in desiccators over saturated salt solutions providing relative humidities from 32 to 88%, or in hermetic storage at 40 degrees C, and moisture contents in equilibrium with 33 or 77% relative humidity. The negative semi-logarithmic relation (P<0.005) between conidia longevity (at 40 degrees C) and equilibrium relative humidity did not differ (P>0.25) between formulated conidia and conidia powder. Despite this, certain saturated salts provided consistently greater longevity (NaCl) and others consistently shorter longevity (KCl) for formulated conidia compared to conidia powder. These results, analysis of previous data, and comparison with hermetic storage, indicate that storage of conidia over saturated salt solutions provides inconsistent responses to environment and so may be problematic for bio-pesticide research. In hermetic storage, oil formulation was not deleterious to longevity and in the more moist environment enhanced survival periods.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the cellular defense response of Ephestia kuehniella larvae fed Bacillus thuringiensis.

While maintained under all combinations of three temperatures and two RH, fifth instar larvae of the Mediterranean flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella were fed wheat treated with spores and crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki. Larvae that had fed on wheat with the bacterial preparation contained higher concentrations of nodules in their haemocoel than did larvae fed on wheat without bacteria. Nodule concentrations in larvae fed untreated wheat were unaffected by temperature or relative humidity. Larvae fed treated wheat had higher nodule concentrations at 32 degrees C than at 15 and 23 degrees C, and higher nodule concentrations at a relative humidity of 85% than at 43%. The percentage of larvae that pupated was lower when larvae were fed the bacterial preparation, and was significantly higher at 23 degrees C than at 15 and 32 degrees C, regardless of whether larvae were fed bacteria or not. Less time was required for larvae to develop to pupation at higher temperatures and at higher humidity. Mean time to pupation was lower for bacteria-fed larvae than for those fed untreated wheat, and this appeared to be a result of truncation of the distribution of times to pupation because only rapidly developing larvae survived to pupation.

Animal Feed↗