scholarly journals Evaluating the 35°C wet-bulb temperature adaptability threshold for young, healthy adults (PSU HEAT)

Author(s):  
Daniel J. Vecellio ◽  
S. Tony Wolf ◽  
Rachel M. Cottle ◽  
W. Larry Kenney

A wet-bulb temperature of 35°C has been theorized to be the limit to human adaptability to extreme heat, a growing concern in the face of continued and predicted accelerated climate change. While this theorized threshold is based in physiological principles it has not been tested using empirical data. This study examined the critical wet-bulb temperature (Twb, crit) at which heat stress becomes uncompensable in young, healthy adults performing tasks at modest metabolic rates mimicking basic activities of daily life. Across six experimentally determined environmental limits, no subject's Twb, crit reached the 35°C limit and all means were significantly lower than the theoretical 35°C threshold. Mean Twb, crit values were relatively constant across 36-40°C humid environments and averaged 30.55±0.98 °C but progressively decreased (higher deviation from 35°C) in hotter, dry ambient environments. Twb, crit was significantly associated with mean skin temperature (and a faster warming rate of the skin) due to larger increases in dry heat gain in the hot-dry environments. As sweat rates did not significantly differ among experimental environments, evaporative cooling was outpaced by dry heat gain in hot-dry conditions, causing larger deviations from the theoretical 35°C adaptability threshold. In summary, a wet-bulb temperature threshold cannot be applied to human adaptability across all climatic conditions and where appropriate (high humidity), that threshold is well below 35°C.

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
Wasiska Iyati ◽  
◽  
Eryani Nurma Yulita ◽  
Jusuf Thojib ◽  
Heru Sufianto ◽  
...  

The narrow land in big cities such as Jakarta, increases the amount of high rise building, especially multi-storey office building. Office building consumes much energy to provide air conditioning to meet the thermal comfort inside the building. On the other hand, the building shape, building envelope, and building orientation to the sun's position are the main factors in building design aspects that affect the amount of cooling load. This study aims to investigate the impact of the aspect ratio or the ratio of the longer dimension of an oblong plan to the shorter, on external heat gain of multi-storey office building. Variables examined include the transparent and solid area of building envelope, the total area of the surface of the building envelope in any orientation, and the volume of the building, as well as the influence of those proportion on the external heat gain. This study uses mathematical calculations to predict the cooling load of the building, particularly external heat gain through the walls, roof and glass, as well as comparative analysis of models studied. The study also aims to generate the design criteria of building form and proportion of multi-storey office buildings envelope with lower external heat gain. In Jakarta climatic conditions, the result on rectangular building plan with aspect ratio of 1 to 4 shows that the external heat gain did not differ significantly, and the smallest heat gain is found on the aspect ratio of 1.8. Results also showed that the greater aspect ratio, the greater reduction of external heat gain obtained by changing the orientation of the longest side facing east-west into the north-south, about 2.79% up to 42.14% on the aspect ratio of 1.1 to 4. In addition, it is known that in same building volume, changing the number of floors from 10 to 50 can improve the external heat gain almost twice.


2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. P. Cotter ◽  
James M. Bloomfield ◽  
Edward B. Evenson

ABSTRACT Glacial and glaciofluvial deposits are mapped and differentiated to develop new local, relative-age (RD) stratigraphies for the North Fork of the Big Lost River, Slate Creek and Pole Creek drainages in the White Cloud Peaks and Boulder Mountains, Idaho. This stratigraphic model expands the areal extent of the "Idaho glacial model". Volcanic ash samples collected from the study area are petrographically characterized and correlated, on the basis of mineralogy and glass geochemistry, to reference samples of identified Cascade Range tephras. Four distinct tephras are recognized including; Mount St. Helens-Set S (13,600-13,300 yr BP), Glacier Peak-Set B (11,250 yr BP), Mount Mazama (6600 yr BP) and Mount St. Helens-Set Ye (4350 yr BP). A core of lake sediments containing two tephra units was obtained from a site called "Pole Creek kettle". Pollen and sediment analyses indicate three intervals of late Pleistocene and Holocene climatic change. Cool and wet climatic conditions prevailed in the region shortly before and immediately following the deposition of the Glacier Peak-Set B ash (11,250 yr BP). Climatic warming occurred from approximately 10,500 to 6600 yr BP after which warm, dry conditions prevailed. Sediment accumulation in the kettle ceased by 4350 yr BP. The presence of Glacier Peak-Set B tephra in the base of the Pole Creek kettle core provides a minimum age of 11,250 yr BP for the retreat of valley glaciers from their Late Wisconsinan maximum position. A radiocarbon date of 8450 + 85 yr BP (SI-5181), and the presence of Mount Mazama ash (6600 yr BP) up-core support the Glacier Peak-Set B identification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Şerban Procheş ◽  
Syd Ramdhani ◽  
Alice C. Hughes ◽  
Lian Pin Koh

The plight of Southeast Asia’s animals, plants and ecosystems in the face of unsustainable exploitation and habitat destruction has been illustrated in several recent studies, despite often falling outside the global discourse on global conservation priorities. Here, we collate biogeographic and phylogenetic information to argue that this beleaguered region is one of world’s primary macrorefugia, and possibly its best chance of regaining its natural biodiversity distribution patterns after the current Anthropocene upheaval. The region uniquely combines top diversity values in (a) ancient lineage diversity and (b) cosmopolitan lineage diversity, suggesting that it has acted in the past as a biodiversity museum and source of global colonization. This is at least partly due to the interplay between latitudinal diversity gradients and continental connectivity patterns. However, the peak values in South China/North Indochina for cosmopolitan tetrapods and their sister lineages suggest that a key feature is also the availability of diverse climatic conditions. In particular, the north-south orientation of the mountain ranges here has allowed for rapid recolonization within the region following past climatic changes, resulting in high survival values and overall exceptional relict lineage diversity. From this starting point, global colonization occurred on multiple occasions. It is hoped that, with urgent action, the region can once again fulfill this function.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112
Author(s):  
T. M. Kolombar

Annually in the world, insect pests kill 10–15 % of the crop yield, which in the face of increasing humanity creates a global problem for food security. For the territory of Ukraine in some years, the loss of wheat yields reach 25 % and, in the face of this tendency, real risks to the security of the state are created. Considering that the agrarian trend of the state development has been increasing in recent years, the development of grain-adapted to the ecological and climatic conditions of Ukraine is a priority direction of the development of domestic agriculture. And the development of new environmentally friendly methods of controlling pests of wheat using parasitic organisms will become a fundamentally new and pressing issue in the development of organic production in the country. The general list of pest species that can cause serious wheat yield and forage reduction in Ukraine includes more than 230 names, but only 18 species are able toentail the biggest losses. Among them belong to the order Coleoptera. One insect species is usually a host of several species of mites, nematodes and up to ten species of gregarines and microsporidia. Unfortunately, the taxonomic composition of parasites of phytophagous pets of wheat in Ukraine has not been thoroughly investigated. We studied the interrelation between parasites of 4 phytophagous insects of wheat as well as of 14 insect species found in granaries. The study of the species composition of parasitic organisms of wheat and grain pests is based on the study of the elementary part of the consortium ecosystem, where they act as second order consortia. Phytophagous parasites of wheat and collar pests of cereals, as second-order consorts, have been fragmented worldwide. The purpose of this work is to determine the species composition of gregarine as a component of wheat consortium for their further use in the creation of integrated methods of protection of wheat and products of its processing. As a result, 28 species of gregarines were registered, which belong to seven families (Didymophyidae, Ophryocystidae, Hirmocystidae, Lipotrophidae, Stylocephalidae, Actinocephalidae and Gregarinidae). On the average, 1–2 species of gregarines parasitize in one pest species. 7–10 species of parasites were identified in some insects of the family Tenebrionidae (Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, 1863). Each presented parasite is characteristic of 1–2 species of pests, but there are species of gregarines that infect up to four species of model species, such as Gregarina cuneata Stein, 1848. The largest number of individuals who are infested with gregarines belong to such families as Tenebrionidae and Dermestidae (38,6 % and 36,0 % of the total number of species, respectively). On pests – phytophages parasitizes about 8 species of gregarine families Stylocephalidae, Gregarinidae, Actinocephalidae. For barns pests are recorded barnacles of all 7 families.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Thoyyib ◽  
Roshni Menon ◽  
Brinda G. David

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Facial melanosis (FM) which refers to brown, black or blue pigmentation over the face is a common cosmetic concern in Indian patients. This increased incidence could be due to remarkable diversity of Indian ethinic population. Pigmentary disorders of the face are a great cosmetic and psychological concern for the patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This is an extensive descriptive clinico epidemiological study comprising of 1024 patients, conducted at Sri Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, for a period of one and a half years. A detailed clinical history and examination was done, and all the clinical photographs and data were recorded. Necessary investigations like skin biopsy and patch testing was done wherever required.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The maximum number of patients belong to the age group of 21-35 years with a female predominance (67.2%). Among patients of FM, post inflammatory pigmentation (35.3%) was the most common comprising of 362 patients, followed by melasma (17.2%), periorbital melanosis (15.7%), seborrheic melanosis (7.5%) followed by other causes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> FM is common in Indian skin, several of which have overlapping features, and some have defined clinical classification. Additionally, climatic conditions, cosmetic usage and social parameters predispose to the increased incidence of FM.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Ghodbane Mokhtar

Air conditioning is one of the indispensable conditions of well-being in human life, so the face of this research to provide this basic necessity in remote areas and in desert places far from power grids. To achieve this goal, solar air conditioning has been adopted, where the compressor was replaced by an ejector, a parabolic trough solar collector and a small pump; this means that the solar air conditioner does not need a huge amount of electrical energy to operate. This paper is studding the thermodynamic cycles of this air conditioner as a function of changing the climatic conditions of Bouzaréah region in Algeria under several practical conditions of heat exchangers (Condenser, Evaporator and Generator). This study will allow the determination of the optical and thermal efficiency of the solar collector used as a solar thermal generator, refrigeration subsystem performance (COPEje) and system thermal ratio of the air conditioner, where the cooling load is estimated at 18 kW.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela M. Perez ◽  
Janet L. Gardner ◽  
Iliana Medina

Avian nests are critical for successful reproduction in birds. Nest microclimate can affect egg development, chick growth and fledgling success, suggesting that nest building behavior should be under strong selective pressure to nesting conditions. Given that the internal microclimate of the nest is critical for avian fitness, it is expected that nest morphology is shaped by the local environment. Here we review the relationship between nest morphology and climate across species’ distributions. We collate growing evidence that supports a link between environmental conditions and particular nest traits, within species and across species. We discuss the degree to which phenotypic plasticity in nesting behavior can contribute to observed variation in nest traits, the role of phylogenetic history in determining nest morphology, and which nest traits are likely to be influenced by climatic conditions. Finally, we identify gaps in our understanding of the evolution of nest morphology and suggest topics for future research. Overall, we argue that nests are part of the extended phenotype of a bird, they play a crucial role in their reproductive success, and may be an important factor in determining which species will be able to persist in the face of ongoing climate change.


2020 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 07028
Author(s):  
Anastasia Vasilieva ◽  
Raisa Belaya

Significant heterogeneity of the level of development of the Russian border, including in the field of recreation, imposes requirements for differentiation in the regional policy. Definition of the types of territories helps to solve applied management tasks more effectively. In this context, the factors by which these types were formed are important. To solve this problem, the authors conducted a factor analysis through the principal component method using oblique factor rotation. Three blocks of variables were analyzed that characterize the subjects of the Russian Federation that have land borders on the mainland (including river and lake borders) and sea borders with neighboring countries located on the map clockwise from Norway to the United States (border regions of Russia) for the period from 2010 to 2018. As a result, five factors were identified: the factor of the demand for the services of the recreational system, the factor of the development of the infrastructure of the recreational system in climatic conditions, the environmental safety factor, the factor of investment in the development of the recreational system infrastructure, the factor of the location at the border. The results of the study can be used as a practical tool for developing recommendations in the field of regional policy aimed at development of a recreational system, taking into account the factors determined for each identified group. The results of the study were obtained in the framework of the state task of the IE KarRC RAS on the topic “Institutions and social inequality in the face of global challenges and regional restrictions”.


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
Helena Viric Gasparic ◽  
Mirela Grubelic ◽  
Verica Dragovic Uzelac ◽  
Renata Bazok ◽  
Maja Cacija ◽  
...  

European sugar beet was mostly grown from seeds treated by neonicotinoids which provided efficient control of some important sugar beet pests (aphids and flea beetles). The EU commission regulation from 2018 to ultimately restrict the outdoor application of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin could significantly affect European sugar beet production. Although alternative insecticides (spinosad, chlorantraniliprole, neem) are shown to have certain effects on particular pests when applied as seed treatment, it is not likely that in near future any insecticide will be identified as a good candidate for neonicotinoids’ substitution. The aim of this research is to evaluate residue levels (LC-MS/MS method) of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam applied as seed dressing in sugar beet plants during two growing seasons in fields located in different agro-climatic regions and in greenhouse trials. In 2015, 25 to 27 days post planting (PP) maximum of 0.028% of imidacloprid and 0.077% of thiamethoxam were recovered from the emerged plants, respectively. In 2016, the recovery rate from the emerged plants 40 days PP was 0.003% for imidacloprid and 50 days PP was up to 0.022% for thiamethoxam. There were no neonicotinoid residues above the maximum residue level in roots at the time of harvesting, except in case of samples from thiamethoxam variant collected from greenhouse trials in 2016 (0.053 mg/kg). The results of this research lead to the conclusion that the seed treatment of sugar beet leaves minimal trace in plants because of the complete degradation while different behavior has been observed in the two fields and a glasshouse trial regarding the residues in soil. Dry conditions, leaching incapacity, or irregular flushing can result in higher concentrations in soil which can present potential risk for the succeeding crops. The results of our study could provide additional arguments about possible risk assessment for seed treatment in sugar beet.


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