Observations on Cosmic-Ray Penetrating Showers at High Altitude, Sea Level and Below Ground

1950 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 1081-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
E P George ◽  
A C Jason
1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. S825-S827
Author(s):  
M. Kodama ◽  
K. Nagashima

Two pieces of experimental evidence, which are inconsistent with the hypothesis of a one-way solar anisotropy as an interpretation of the cosmic-ray diurnal variation, are presented. The diurnal variation of the temperature-corrected meson component at Deep River was examined and compared with that of the neutron component. Both diurnal variations were averaged for each solar rotation from No. 1762 to No. 1787. If a one-way solar anisotropy is assumed, the time of maximum for neutrons should be about half an hour earlier than that for mesons at Deep River. However, the observations show that the phase difference between the two components is the reverse of that expected. Further evidence is obtained from a comparison of the diurnal variation on Mt. Norikura (2 770 m, 11.4 GeV) to that in Itabashi (20 m, 11.5 GeV). According to theoretical calculations based on a one-way solar anisotropy, the time of maximum at high altitude is earlier than or equal to that at sea level, but observations obtained during Dec. 1966 to Mar. 1967 suggest that the opposite is true.


2020 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen. R. Vaughan ◽  
Fredrick Thompson ◽  
Ramón. A. Lorca ◽  
Colleen G. Julian ◽  
Theresa L. Powell ◽  
...  

Women residing at high altitudes deliver infants of lower birth weight than at sea level. Birth weight correlates with placental system A-mediated amino acid transport capacity, and severe environmental hypoxia reduces system A activity in isolated trophoblast and the mouse placenta. However, the effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport remains unknown. We hypothesized that microvillous membrane (MVM) system A and system L amino acid transporter activity is lower in placentas of women living at high altitude compared with low-altitude controls. Placentas were collected at term from healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude (HA; >2,500 m; n = 14) or low altitude (LA; <1,700 m; n = 14) following planned, unlabored cesarean section. Birth weight, but not placenta weight, was 13% lower in HA pregnancies (2.88 ± 0.11 kg) compared with LA (3.30 ± 0.07 kg, P < 0.01). MVM erythropoietin receptor abundance, determined by immunoblot, was greater in HA than in LA placentas, consistent with lower placental oxygen levels at HA. However, there was no effect of altitude on MVM system A or L activity, determined by Na+-dependent [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]leucine uptake, respectively. MVM abundance of glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4 and basal membrane GLUT4 were also similar in LA and HA placentas. Low birth weights in the neonates of women residing at high altitude are not a consequence of reduced placental amino acid transport capacity. These observations are in general agreement with studies of IUGR babies at low altitude, in which MVM system A activity is downregulated only in growth-restricted babies with significant compromise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Babies born at high altitude are smaller than at sea level. Birth weight is dependent on growth in utero and, in turn, placental nutrient transport. We determined amino acid transport capacity in placentas collected from women resident at low and high altitude. Altitude did not affect system A amino acid transport across the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, suggesting that impaired placental amino acid transport does not contribute to reduced birth weight in this high-altitude population.


Cosmic ray measurements on mountains are limited in general to altitudes below about 4000 meters. Above this height Regener has made successful use of small balloons carrying self-recording apparatus, and occasional flights have been made with manned balloons by Piccard, Cosyns, and by American workers. Balloon experiments are, however, hardly practicable in this country, so we decided to investigate cosmic rays, and in particular the production of showers, using an aeroplane. Facilities for flying to a height of about 10 km. Were generously provided by the Air Ministry. Apparatus Two independent sets of three tube counters were used in conjunction with the usual coincidence counting circuits. The counters could be arranged in a vertical line to record vertical penetrating particles, or in a triangle to record showers. The triple coincidences were recorded by telephone counters which were photographed at intervals together with a clock and aneroid barometer. The detailed design of the apparatus required some consideration since the aeroplane available (the Vickers Vespa machine used for high altitude experiments at the Royal Aircraft Establishment) had an open observer’s cockpit in which the counting set had to be installed.


1981 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Jain ◽  
Jaya Bardhan ◽  
Y. V. Swamy ◽  
A. Grover ◽  
H. S. Nayar

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Ramesh Prasad Sah ◽  
Hari Kumar Prasai ◽  
Jiban Shrestha ◽  
Md Hasanuzzaman Talukder ◽  
AKM Anisur Rahman ◽  
...  

Buffalo is the most important livestock commodities for milk, meat production and several other multipurpose uses distributed densely from southern tarai to northern mid-hills in Nepal. Among several internal parasitic diseases fascioliasis is highly economic one caused by Fasciola in buffaloes. However, there are only few studies carried on prevalence of fascioliasis emphasizing buffaloes in relation to seasonal (summer and rainy, and winter) and altitudinal variations. Therefore, we examined prevalence of fascioliasis seasonally and vertically. For the purpose, we selected two districts of eastern Nepal and sampled from low altitude area known as Madhesha ranging from 175-200, Dhankuta from 800-1200 m, and Murtidhunga from 1800-2200 m elevation from the sea level, representing tarai, mid hills and high hills, respectively. Altogether from February 2013 to January 2014 at every two months interval we collected 798 fecal samples from buffaloes; 282 from Murtidhunga, 239 from Dhankuta and 277 from Madhesha. The samples were examined microscopically for the presence of Fasciola eggs using sedimentation technique. Results showed that overall prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was 39.9% (319/798), ranging highest 42.6%in Madhesha followed by 39.7% in Murtidhunga and 37.2% in Dhankuta, respectively. The prevalence of fascioliasis was found to be significantly (p <0.05) high in winter (44.9%) comparing to rainy season (34.4%). The prevalence of fascioliasis in buffaloes was relatively higher in low altitude than high altitude, although it was not statistically significant (p <0.05). In our findings the female buffaloes showed higher prevalence for fascioliasis than in male. Since the fascioliasis in buffaloes is highly endemic, thus strategic deworming in high risk period is recommended along with measure to prevent pasture contamination with buffalo feces.


1963 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. B. MACKINNON ◽  
M. E. MONK-JONES ◽  
K. FOTHERBY

SUMMARY 1. Four men and three women ascended by télépherique and helicopter from 1000 to 4333 m. where they remained for 23 days. 2. Measurements of urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, 17-oxosteroids, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol and circulating eosinophils were made at sea level and at high altitude. 3. An attempt was also made to measure changes in emotional activity by means of the palmar sweat index (PSI). This index was assessed at intervals throughout the day at sea level and at high altitude, and in response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and a self-imposed stress. 4. Within 24 hr. of acute exposure to high altitude urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids increased whilst circulating eosinophils decreased; by the 5th day both were returning to sea-level values. The output of 17-oxosteroids was lower by the 5th day at high altitude and subsequently increased; pregnanediol and pregnanetriol levels remained unchanged. 5. PSIs throughout the day become progressively lower as the length of stay at altitude increased. The response to ACTH at sea level and high altitude appeared to be similar but the response to a self-imposed stress was longer in duration at high altitude than at sea level.


2012 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire de Bisschop ◽  
Jean-Benoit Martinot ◽  
Gil Leurquin-Sterk ◽  
Vitalie Faoro ◽  
Hervé Guénard ◽  
...  

Lung diffusing capacity has been reported variably in high-altitude newcomers and may be in relation to different pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Twenty-two healthy volunteers were investigated at sea level and at 5,050 m before and after random double-blind intake of the endothelin A receptor blocker sitaxsentan (100 mg/day) vs. a placebo during 1 wk. PVR was estimated by Doppler echocardiography, and exercise capacity by maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2 max). The diffusing capacities for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO) were measured using a single-breath method before and 30 min after maximal exercise. The membrane component of DLCO (Dm) and capillary volume (Vc) was calculated with corrections for hemoglobin, alveolar volume, and barometric pressure. Altitude exposure was associated with unchanged DLCO, DLNO, and Dm but a slight decrease in Vc. Exercise at altitude decreased DLNO and Dm. Sitaxsentan intake improved V̇o2 max together with an increase in resting and postexercise DLNO and Dm. Sitaxsentan-induced decrease in PVR was inversely correlated to DLNO. Both DLCO and DLNO were correlated to V̇o2 max at sea level ( r = 0.41–0.42, P < 0.1) and more so at altitude ( r = 0.56–0.59, P < 0.05). Pharmacological pulmonary vasodilation improves the membrane component of lung diffusion in high-altitude newcomers, which may contribute to exercise capacity.


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