Min In Summer Research Articles

Granularity Optimization for Efficient Energy Consumption Monitoring in Subway Stations for Enhanced Energy Management

Efficient energy data management forms a critical foundation for unlocking the carbon reduction potential of subway systems, holding significant importance in advancing urban processes towards lowcarbon and clean environments. Low-precision sampling is difficult to reflect the actual energy consumption of the station, and high-precision sampling has high requirements for the data storage and transmission capacity of the monitoring system. In order to determine the appropriate sampling accuracy, this study analyses the power load fluctuation characteristics of stations on a subway line in the North China Plain and optimizes the sampling granularity for achieving minimal data storage requirements while effectively capturing energy consumption fluctuation information. The findings indicate that a higher sampling granularity for power load monitoring is advisable during the summer to capture the frequent fluctuation characteristics of ventilation and air-conditioning system energy consumption. For a typical underground station, it is recommended to use a sampling interval of 5 min in summer and 15 min or longer in other seasons. For a typical elevated station, a sampling interval of 10 min is recommended in summer, and 20 min or longer in other seasons.

Use of sunglasses in everyday life, at work, and during outdoor sports: current results from nationwide surveys

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can increase the risk of eye damage. Therefore, wearing sunglasses is recommended to protect the eyes from UV rays. To report the latest data on the use of sunglasses in everyday life in adults, children, at work, and during outdoor sports. We used data from waves 2020 and 2021 from the representative National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM). The use of sunglasses in everyday life was assessed in 4000 participants aged 16-65years. Data on use during outdoor work were obtained from 486 outdoor workers and the use of sunglasses during outdoor sports from 2081 participants. Additionally, 554 adults living in ahousehold with at least 1 child aged 1-10years reported the use of sunglasses by children. Descriptive results and associations with demographic characteristics are reported. Overall, 50.6% of the general population, 31.0% of outdoor workers, 44.3% of those who reported being engaged in outdoor sports and 12.5% of children wore sunglasses always or often while being outside for more than 10 min in summer. The infrequent use of sunglasses was associated with ayounger age, male sex, and lower school education. Because of the relatively low use of sunglasses further education in various settings (e.g., at the workplace, kindergartens, and schools) seems necessary. The general public should also be made aware of the risks of UV radiation for the eyes, especially against the background of climate change.

Cardiovascular physiological effects of balneotherapy: focused on seasonal differences.

Hot water bathing has been demonstrated to be an effective way to improve people's cardiovascular health in many studies. This study focused on seasonal physiological changes to provide suggestions on bathing methods based on season for hot spring bathing. Volunteers were recruited to the program of hot spring bathing at 38-40 °C in New Taipei City. Cardiovascular function, blood oxygen, and ear temperature were observed. There were five assessments for each participant during the study process: baseline, bathing for 20 min and 2 cycles *20 (2*20) min, resting for 20 min and 2*20 min after bathing, respectively. Lower blood pressure (p < 0.001), pulse pressure (p < 0.001), left ventricular dP/dt Max (p < 0.001), and cardiac output (p < 0.05) were identified after bathing then rested for 2*20 min in four seasons, compared to baseline by paired T test. However, in multivariate linear regression model, potential risk for bathing in summer was assumed by higher heart rate (+28.4%, p < 0.001), cardiac output (+54.9%, p < 0.001) and left ventricular dP/dt Max (+27.6%, p < 0.05) during bathing at 2*20 min in summer. Potential risk for bathing in winter was postulated by blood pressure lowering (cSBP -10.0%; cDBP -22.1%, p < 0.001) during bathing at 2*20 min in winter. Hot spring bathing is shown to potentially improve cardiovascular function via reducing cardiac workload and vasodilation effects. Prolonged hot spring bathing in summer is not suggested due to significantly increased cardiac stress. In winter, prominent drop of blood pressure should be concerned. We demonstrated the study enrollment, the hot-spring contents and location, and physiological changes of general trends or seasonal variations, which may indicate potential benefits and risks during and after bathing. (Abbreviations: BP, blood pressure; PP, pulse pressure; LV, left ventricular; CO, cardiac output; HR, heart rate; cSBP, central systolic blood pressure; cDBP, central diastolic blood pressure).

Scavenging by fishers in relation to season and other scavengers

AbstractCarrion is an energy‐rich resource that benefits many organisms, but scavenging involves both profits and risks. Fishers (Pekania pennanti) are forest‐specialists that scavenge large carcasses but quantitative assessments of their scavenging are lacking. We quantified three characteristics of scavenging behavior by fishers: (a) whether fishers visited a carcass; (b) the time to first visitation of a carcass by fishers; and (c) how long fishers fed at a carcass. We then evaluated the importance of habitat characteristics, cues from other scavenger species, and season on the scavenging behaviors of fishers. Fishers scavenged 25 of the 89 deer carcasses we monitored, and visited carcasses more frequently in winter (n = 22, 34%) than in summer (n = 3, 12%). Time to the first fisher visit to a carcass averaged 4.7 (±1.1 SE) days. On average fishers made 26 (±9 SE) repeat visits to each carcass they found and fed for 118.1 min (±42.3 SE) over an average of 6 days; season also influenced their feeding times (120.3 ± 46.0 SE min in winter versus 63.7 ± 44.7 SE min in summer). Fishers had a crepuscular activity pattern while scavenging, but initial visits peaked mid‐day in addition to a peak near sunset. Our results suggested that fishers may use cues from other scavengers to detect carrion, but that habitat characteristics did not affect exploitation of carrion more than other variables. These results highlight the potential importance of carrion for the foraging ecology of fishers, particularly during times of resource scarcity. Further research based on identifiable individuals is needed to quantify fitness consequences of scavenging for fishers, including possible negative effects of intraguild predation at carrion.

Vitamin D Status in Japanese Adults: Relationship of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Simultaneously Measured Dietary Vitamin D Intake and Ultraviolet Ray Exposure.

Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency is prevalent worldwide. We investigated the effect of vitamin D intake and ultraviolet ray (UV) exposure on serum vitamin D concentration in Japan. A total of 107 healthy adult participants were recruited from Hokkaido (43° N) and Kumamoto (33° N) prefectures. All participants undertook surveys in both summer and winter. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) was examined, and vitamin D intake was assessed with a diet history questionnaire. UV exposure was measured with a wearable UV dosimeter. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between these factors, with covariates such as sun avoidance behavior. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D3; 12 ng/mL (30 nmol/L) ≤ and <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L))/deficiency (<12 ng/mL) was 47.7% in summer and 82.2% in winter. UV exposure time was short in Kumamoto (the urban area), at 11.6 min in summer and 14.9 min in winter. In Hokkaido (the rural area), UV exposure time was 58.3 min in summer and 22.5 min in winter. Vitamin D intake was significantly associated with serum 25(OH)D3, and a 1 μg/1000kcal increase in intake was necessary to increase 25(OH)D3 by 0.88 ng/mL in summer and by 1.7 ng/mL in winter. UV exposure time was significantly associated with serum 25(OH)D3 in summer, and a 10 min increase in UV exposure time was necessary to increase 25(OH)D3 by 0.47 ng/mL. Although consideration of personal occupation and lifestyle is necessary, most Japanese may need to increase both vitamin D intake and UV exposure.

The impact of environmental temperature on the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

To investigate a probable impact of seasons on the diagnosis of GDM, as well as the specific effect of the environmental temperature on the diagnosis of this clinical entity. Two observational studies, one retrospective and one prospective, were conducted in a referral center. Study A included retrospectively 7618 pregnant women who underwent a 3-h 100 g OGTT during the 3rd trimester of gestation. Study B prospectively included 768 pregnant women tested in the 3rd trimester of gestation with a 75 g OGTT. Temperature was recorded every day at 09:00 h. Retrospective Study A: GDM prevalence differed significantly by season: winter = 28.1%, summer = 39.2%, spring = 32.4% and autumn = 32.4% (P < 0.0001). The odds ratio for being diagnosed with GDM was much higher during summer 1.65 (95% CI: 1.43-1.90), with spring and autumn following with 1.23 (95% CI: 1.08-1.39) compared to winter. Glucose levels during OGTT were measured: significantly increased blood glucose values were observed at 60, 120 and 180 min in summer, which remained significant after adjustment for age, gestational age, BMI, weight gain during pregnancy and blood pressure. Prospective Study B: At temperatures above 25°C, the average glucose 60-min and 120-min levels were increased. The relative risk for abnormal glucose values at 60 min, when the environmental temperature increased over 25°C, was 2.2 (1.5-3.3). GDM prevalence in Greece presents seasonal variation, with higher risk during summer due to post glucose load level variations. These variations could be attributed to differences in environmental temperature.

Calculation of Optimum time Exposure of Ultraviolet Radiation for Different Seasons at Baghdad City

Aims this study is focused to calculate exposure times which cause to skin damage (one minimum erythemal dose) and the optimal time for exposure to sunlight that is needed to receive adequate UV for vitamin D production, without inducing erythema at Baghdad city. In this study calculated the annual and seasonal optimal time for exposure of Ultraviolet radiation and Maximum exposure time for causes skin burns in Baghdad depending on the Fitzberk classifcation assuming normal ozone conditions throughout the year by using Ultraviolet radiation data received from French site for Solar radiation data(SODA) in the period 1/1/2005 to 31/12/2017. The greatest time for exposure to solar radiation to create vitamin D without skin burns was 16 min in winter, 6 min in spring, 5 min in summer and 9 min in autumn, While the greatest exposure time to solar radiation that causes burns is 80 min in winter, 32 min in spring, 22 min in summer, and 46min in autumn. It was fnd the number of days per UV Index level was found in one year (2015) were low level 8 days, Medium level 74 days, High level 68 days, Very High level 93 days.

Seasonal Differences in Light Exposure and the Associations With Health and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Exploratory Study.

Objective:This article reports summer verses winter seasonal variations across a suite of blue light, illuminance levels and health and well-being indicators.Background:The quality of lighting in care homes has been assessed previously, yet seasonal comparisons and the associations with sleep quality are limited. This exploratory study investigates light exposure in two seasons to determine the changes over time and the associations with health and well-being.Methods:In a repeated measures design, 16 older people (aged 72–99 years) living in a care home had their personal light exposure and sleep/wake patterns monitored for 4 days. Cognitive ability, mental well-being, daytime physical activity, and visual function were assessed. Mean light levels at preset times across the day, duration in light exposure over 1,000 lux, and sleep parameters were computed. Statistical investigations included correlations exploring associations and paired means tests to detect the changes between seasons.Results:The mean morning illuminance level in summer was 466 lux and 65 lux in winter. Duration in bright light over 1,000 lux was 46 min in summer and 3 min in winter. Light measures were significantly higher in summer. There was no statistical difference in sleep quality parameters between seasons, but there were significant difference in daytime physical activity level (i.e., this was higher in summer).Conclusion:The findings indicate low level of light exposures experienced in both seasons, with exposure levels being particularly low in winter. This provides new insights into the limited amount of light older people receive independent of season and the possible impacts on sleep and daytime physical activity level.

Locomotor activity of dairy cows in relation to season and lactation

All systems recording activity of cattle measure it independently of environmental and animal factors. Such recordings may hide differences in activity caused by extraneous interferences or may be inaccurately interpreted. The information produced by sensors could be more accurate, if behaviour pattern is put against other factors affecting activity. The objective of the study was to verify, if information obtained from activity sensors could be improved, by including additional factors such as parity, stage of lactation and season of year. Activity of 132 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows was continuously monitored between April 2011 and August 2012 using IceQube Sensors. Generalized linear models were used to analyse activity parameters of dairy cows. The results showed that parity, stage of lactation and season had a significant impact (P<0.01) on cows activity. Total lying time decreased with consecutive lactations, whereas older cows preferred longer and less frequent lying bouts. Decreased lying time, higher number of steps and less number of lying bouts during the first 30 days after calving were observed. Including this fact of restlessness behaviour after calving in data from sensors would prevent false conclusions. In winter cows spent more time lying down than in other seasons. Therefore lying time increased over 650min in summer provided different information (for example may be a sign of a lameness) than in winter (which is the normal occurrence). The results of the study represent the activity of cows from commercial dairy herd. Activity parameters were highly affected by the stage of lactation, parity and season of year, therefore data obtained from activity sensors should be put against these factors. It is highly recommended to exclude these biasing factors from software analysing activity parameters, to improve the information obtained from sensors used in herd management.

Effects of seasonal and climate variations on calves’ thermal comfort and behaviour

The aim of this study was to measure the effect of season and climate variations on thermal comfort and behaviour of 6-month-old dairy calves housed in a semi-opened shelter to develop animal-based indicators for assessing animal thermal comfort. The ultimate purpose was to further exploit the use of those indicators to prevent thermal stress by providing appropriate care to the animals. Measurements were taken for winter and summer seasons. Results showed that season significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.01) the lying down behaviour of calves by reducing the time spent lying, from 679.9 min in winter to 554.1 min in summer. Moreover, season had a significant influence (P ≤ 0.01) on feeding behaviour. In detail, the total length of feeding periods was shorter in winter, 442.1 min in comparison to 543.5 min in summer. Time spent drinking increased significantly (P ≤ 0.001), from 11.9 min in winter to 26.9 min in summer. Furthermore, season had a significant influence (P ≤ 0.001) on self grooming behaviour which was 5.5 times longer in duration in winter than in summer (1,336 s vs 244 s). It was concluded that calves' thermal comfort is affected by seasonal and climate variations and that this can be assessed by measuring behaviour with animal-based indicators, such as lying down, resting, standing up, feeding, rumination, drinking and self grooming. The indicators developed may be a useful tool to prevent animal thermal stress by providing appropriate housing and handling to calves under seasonal and climate challenge.

Variability in leptin and adrenal response in juvenile Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus) to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in different seasons

Eight free-ranging juvenile Steller sea lions (SSL; 6 males, 2 females; 14–20 months) temporarily held under ambient conditions at the Alaska SeaLife Center were physiologically challenged through exogenous administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Four individuals (3 males, 1 female) underwent ACTH challenge in each of two seasons, summer and winter. Following ACTH injection serial blood and fecal samples were collected for up to 3 and 96 h, respectively. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) was validated for leptin, and using a previously validated RIA for cortisol, collected sera were analyzed for both cortisol and leptin. ACTH injection resulted in a 2.9-fold increase ( P = 0.164) in leptin which preceded a 3.2-fold increase ( P = 0.0290) in cortisol by 105 min in summer. In winter, a 1.7-fold increase in leptin ( P = 0.020) preceded a 2.1-fold increase ( P = 0.001) in serum cortisol by 45 min. Mean fecal corticosteroid maxima were 10.4 and 16.7-fold above baseline 28 and 12 h post-injection and returned to baseline 52 and 32 h post-injection, in summer and winter, respectively. Data indicate acute activity in juvenile adrenal glands is detectable in feces approximately 12–24 h post-stimulus in either season, with a duration of approximately 40 h in summer and 20 h in winter. Changes in serum cortisol proved statistically significant both seasons and elevated concentrations were detected by 30 min post-stimulus (baseline 64.8 ± 4.2; peak 209.5 ± 18.3 ng/ml: summer; baseline 87.0 ± 15.7; peak 237.6 ± 10.0 ng/ml: winter), whereas the changes that occurred in serum leptin proved to be significant only in winter (baseline 6.4 ± 0.6; peak 18.7 ± 7.0 ng/ml: summer; baseline 4.2 ± 0.5; peak 7.5 ± 0.6 ng/ml: winter). Changes in fecal corticosteroids proved significant only in summer (baseline 117.8 ± 36.7; peak 1219.3 ± 298.4 ng/g, P = 0.038: summer; baseline 71.8 ± 13.7; peak 1198.6 ± 369.9 ng/g, P = 0.053: winter) due to a high degree of individual variability in winter months. The data indicate that ACTH stimulates leptin production earlier than cortisol in both summer and winter, and that while the leptin response appears most variable in summer, fecal corticosteroids are most variable in winter.

Seasonal dependence of peroxy radical concentrations at a Northern hemisphere marine boundary layer site during summer and winter: evidence for radical activity in winter

Abstract. Peroxy radicals (HO2+Σ RO2) were measured at the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory (52° N, 1° E), Norfolk using a PEroxy Radical Chemical Amplifier (PERCA) during the winter and summer of 2002. The peroxy radical diurnal cycles showed a marked difference between the winter and summer campaigns with maximum concentrations of 12 pptv at midday in the summer and maximum concentrations as high as 30 pptv (10 min averages) in winter at night. The corresponding nighttime peroxy radical concentrations were not as high in summer (3 pptv). The peroxy radical concentration shows a distinct anti-correlation with increasing NOx during the daylight hours. At night, peroxy radicals increase with increasing NOx indicative of the role of NO3 chemistry. The average diurnal cycles for net ozone production, N(O3) show a large variability in ozone production, P(O3), and a large ozone loss, L(O3) in summer relative to winter. For a daylight average, net ozone production in summer was higher than winter (1.51±0.5 ppbv h−1 and 1.11±0.47 ppbv h−1, respectively). The variability in NO concentration has a much larger effect on N(O3) than the peroxy radical concentrations. Photostationary state (PSS) calculations show an NO2 lifetime of 5 min in summer and 21 minutes in the winter, implying that steady-state NO-NO2 ratios are not always attained during the winter months. The results show an active peroxy radical chemistry at night and that significant oxidant levels are sustained in winter. The net effect of this with respect to production of ozone in winter is unclear owing to the breakdown in the photostationary state.

Seasonal changes in glycogen content and Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the brain of crucian carp

Changes in the number of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha-subunits, Na+-K+-ATPase activity and glycogen content of the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) brain were examined to elucidate relative roles of energy demand and supply in adaptation to seasonal anoxia. Fish were collected monthly around the year from the wild for immediate laboratory assays. Equilibrium dissociation constant and Hill coefficient of [3H]ouabain binding to brain homogenates were 12.87+/-2.86 nM and -1.18+/-0.07 in June and 11.93+/-2.81 nM and -1.17+/-0.06 in February (P>0.05), respectively, suggesting little changes in Na+-K+-ATPase alpha-subunit composition of the brain between summer and winter. The number of [3H]ouabain binding sites and Na-K-ATPase activity varied seasonally (P<0.001) but did not show clear connection to seasonal changes in oxygen content of the fish habitat. Six weeks' exposure of fish to anoxia in the laboratory did not affect Na+-K+-ATPase activity (P>0.05) confirming the anoxia resistance of the carp brain Na pump. Although anoxia did not suppress the Na pump, direct Q10 effect on Na+-K+-ATPase at low temperatures resulted in 10 times lower catalytic activity in winter than in summer. Brain glycogen content showed clear seasonal cycling with the peak value of 203.7+/-16.1 microM/g in February and a 15 times lower minimum (12.9+/-1.2) in July. In winter glycogen stores are 15 times larger and ATP requirements of Na+-K+-ATPase at least 10 times less than in summer. Accordingly, brain glycogen stores are sufficient to fuel brain function for about 8 min in summer and 16 h in winter, meaning about 150-fold extension of brain anoxia tolerance by seasonal changes in energy supply-demand ratio.

Female-induced sexual arousal in male mice and rats: behavioral and testosterone response

Exposure of a male mouse to a female mouse separated from it by a holed partition induced specific behavior and an increase in blood testosterone in the male. The male made more approaches to the partition and spent more time at it. The time spent by the male mouse over the first 10 min at the partition, behind which an estrus female was placed, was increased sixfold compared to the time spent by a male mouse exposed to the vacant neighboring compartment; and 1.5-fold compared to that spent by a male mouse exposed to a nonreceptive female or a male. Increased blood testosterone level was detected at 20 min of exposure to a receptive female in winter and at 40 min in summer. No variation in blood testosterone levels in the male mouse exposed to a nonreceptive female or a male was observed. Similar response to a receptive female placed in the neighboring compartment was shown in a male rat. The time spent by the male rat at the partition was 12 times higher when there was an estrus female behind it than in control. Blood testosterone in the male rat increased in response to a female rat and did not change in response to a male rat indicating female-induced motivation. It was concluded that the partition time might serve as a quantitative measure of sexual motivation in the males and that the model of female-induced sexual arousal used was suitable for studying both motivational and hormonal components of sexual arousal in male mice and rats.

A Study on the Seasonal Comparison of Dry Matter Intake, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance and Feeding Behavior in Spotted Deer (Cervus nippon) Fed Forest By-products Silage and Corn Silage

The purpose of this experiment was to assess seasonal variation of feed utilization by feed sources and to obtain information on the use of feed resources by comparing seasonal changes of dry matter intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and feeding behavior in spotted deer (Cervus nippon) fed forest by-product silage (FBS) and corn silage (CS). Dry matter intake (DMI) of FBS was higher than that of CS in both winter and summer. While DMI of both diets was higher in summer, this was not significant at the 5% level. In contrast to DMI, digestible dry matter intake (DDMI) was higher for CS than for FBS in both seasons, but the difference was not significant. Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was significantly higher (p 0.05) was found between the two seasons and diets for nitrogen intake (NI), 18.7 g/d in summer and 19.4 g/d in winter for FBS, 17.7 g/d in summer and 17.7 g/d in winter for CS. Fecal nitrogen was higher (p<0.01) for FBS than for CS and varied little seasonally. There was significant difference (p<0.01) between two seasons in urinary nitrogen, which was little difference between two diets. Retained nitrogen (RN) was different significantly (p<0.01) between two diets in both seasons, but there was little difference between seasons. Deer usually spent longer time on eating FBS than eating CS. Eating FBS took 221 min in summer and 187 min in winter, whereas eating CS took 113 min in summer and 109 min in winter. Deer spent less time on eating food in winter than in summer. Time spent on rumination was longer for FBS than for CS: for FBS, 504 min in summer and 456 min in winter, for CS, 423 min in summer and 279 min in winter. Time varied seasonally with both diets. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 1 : 80-85)

Factors influencing autonomic nervous function during cold-water immersion test in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Factors influencing autonomic nervous function in patients with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in response to cold-water immersion test with different water temperatures and immersion times were investigated in the summer and winter seasons. Fourteen HAVS patients with vibration-induced white finger (VWF) and 14 healthy control subjects individually age-matched to the patients consented in writing and participated in this study. Patients and controls immersed their left hands in water at 10 degrees C for 10 min and at 15 degrees C for 3 min in summer and in winter in a room with temperature maintained at 21+/-1 degrees C. Electrocardiographic (ECG) data were recorded during the test period and the R-R intervals were analyzed with a fast Fourier transformation (FFT) program. Percentage of very low frequency (VLF%; indicator of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous function, and function of rennin-angiotensin system), low frequency (LF%; indicator of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous function), high frequency (HF%; indicator of parasympathetic nervous function), and LF/HF ratio (indicator of sympathetic nervous function) were calculated. The results by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were reported elsewhere. In the present study, repeated measures ANOVA was used to re-analyze the factors of data measurement time (time factor) and group (group factor), and their interaction for each test method (water at 10 degrees C for 10-min immersion time; water at 15 degrees C for 3-min immersion time) in summer and winter. The HF% of HAVS patients tended to be lower than that of healthy controls throughout the cold-water immersion tests except for during tests involving water at 10 degrees C for 10-min immersion in summer. The group factor for HF% was statistically significant with an exception during the test involving water at 10 degrees C and 10-min immersion time in summer. The time factor for HF% was statistically significant with an exception during the test involving water at 15 degrees C and 3-min immersion time in winter. The findings of the present study indicated lower cardiac parasympathetic activity in HAVS patients than in healthy controls, especially in winter. The response of the autonomic nervous system to cold stimulation was to some extent more clearly observed during the immersion test with water at 10 degrees C and 10-min immersion time than during the immersion test with water at 15 degrees C and 3-min immersion time. The results revealed by three-way analysis in a previous study were similar to those in the present study with data analysis by repeated measures ANOVA.

Light environment and carbon gain of understory herbs associated with sunflecks in a warm temperate deciduous forest in Japan

AbstractSeasonal variation in the light environment on the forest floor of a deciduous forest was investigated with special reference to sunflecks. Diurnal variations and seasonal changes in frequency and irradiation period of the sunflecks (sunfleck duration) were measured. The hourly total sunfleck duration varied seasonally; that is, 30–40 min in spring and autumn and about 15–20 min in summer. There was no large variation in the hourly sunfleck duration during daytime hours (from 9.00 to 15.00 h). The emergence frequency of sunflecks was 1.3–4.8 per h with two peaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The mean duration of a sunfleck, however, showed a characteristic daily pattern with a peak around noon. Sunfleck duration was long around noon, ranging from 12 to 18 min, and short around 10.00 and 14.00 h, ranging from 6 to 10 min. Using the light photosynthesis curves of Pyrola japonica and Syneilesis palmata (Koizumi &amp; Oshima 1985), the contribution of sunflecks to the dry matter production of these understory species was evaluated. It was shown that the sunflecks contributed 7–10% of the carbon gain in S. palmata, but only 2–3% of that in P. japonica.

Energetics of wet-suit diving in Korean women breath-hold divers.

Contemporary Korean women divers wear wet suits during diving work to avoid the cold water stress. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of wearing wet suits on the daily thermal balance of divers and on the duration of diving work. Rectal (TR) and skin temperatures and O2 consumption (VO2) were measured in four divers before and during diving work in summer (22.5 degrees C water) and winter (10 degrees C water). Subjects wore either wet suits (protected) or cotton suits (unprotected) for comparison. TR decreased 0.4 degrees C in summer and 0.6 degrees C in winter after 2 h of diving work in protected divers, while it decreased to 35 degrees C in 60 min in summer and in 30 min in winter in unprotected divers. Mean skin temperature of protected divers decreased to 31 degrees C in summer and 28 degrees C in winter, while that of unprotected divers decreased to 24 degrees C in summer and 13 degrees C in winter. VO2 toward the end of the diving work period increased by 80 (summer) and 140% (winter) in protected divers and by 160 (summer) and 250% (winter) in unprotected divers. From these values total thermal cost of diving work was estimated to be 260 and 370 kcal . day-1 in summer and winter, respectively.

Variations in absolute humidity as influencing atmospheric infrared transmission

One year of routine meteorological registrations of relative humidity and temperature have been used to calculate absolute humidity as one of the main parameters contributing to atmospheric IR-transmission. Statistics on absolute humidity for a meteorological station in Southern Germany are presented. Special synoptic situations are discussed. Surprisingly high humidity jumps of 3–5 g m 3 per 30 min in winter and 9–14 g m 3 per 30 min in summer are obtained. The influence of extreme jumps on atmospheric transmission of CO 2-laser radiation (10.6 μm) is estimated.