Showing papers in "International Journal of Biometeorology in 1968"
TL;DR: In this paper, a mathematical equation is suggested which relates rate of development of a wheat crop to photoperiod and to day and night temperatures, taking into consideration lower and upper critical limits and the optimum value of each of these three environmental factors.
Abstract: A mathematical equation is suggested which relates rate of development of a wheat crop to photoperiod and to day and night temperatures. The model takes into consideration lower and upper critical limits and the optimum value of each of these three environmental factors. Coefficients in the model were evaluated by a special iterative regression technique using a set of crop data gathered at several stations across Canada over a 5-year period. Reproducibility of results was demonstrated by using a second of test data from the same stations for a second 5-year period as well as by using a third set of completely independent data from the Argentine.This model (called a triquadratic model)was compared with three others: model 1 based on the average rate of development, model 2 based on the simple heat unit concept and model 3 based on the photothermal concept.It was found to be superior to these three models as an estimator of the influence of the environmental factors on the rate of development of a wheat crop for all three sets of data. Integration of the equation on a day by day basis gives an indication of the daily rate of progress towards maturity as influenced by the environment thus resulting in a biometeorological time scale.
232 citations
TL;DR: A previously developed Comfort Index based on subjective reactions of man was applied to the entire earth as mentioned in this paper, which was calculated for every month and showed that areas associated with coolcurrent littorals and low latitude highlands show conditions most desirable to man.
Abstract: A previously developed Comfort Index based on subjective reactions of man was applied to the entire earth. It was calculated for every month. A preliminary attempt was made to show some of the aspects of the annual regime of the monthly Comfort Index. The maps presented do not generally conform to patterns established by climatic classifications which utilize non-physiological parameters.Amarked zonal character is apparent on the maps. The northern hemisphere Afro-Eurasian region exhibits greatest physioclimatic extremes. In contrast, areas associated with coolcurrent littorals and low latitude highlands show conditions most desirable to man.
43 citations
TL;DR: Results confirmed that under stringently controlled environmental conditions in which only the small air ion content of the ambient air was varied, positive ions raised blood levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the mouse and negative ions depressed them, and led to the hypothesis that the ions H+(H2O) and(H3O)+ (H2 O)n were the physiologically active constituents of positively ionized air.
Abstract: Under stringently controlled environmental conditions in which only the small air ion content of the ambient air was varied, positive ions raised blood levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the mouse and negative ions depressed them. Examination of the experimental evidence in terms of the modern physical theory of air ion formation and composition led to the hypothesis that the ions H+(H2O) and(H3O)+ (H2O)n were the physiologically active constituents of positively ionized air,while O2−(H2O)n and OH−(H2O)n were the active agents in negatively ionized air. Further tests were conducted with positive molecular ions of CO2, O2 and N2, and with negative molecular ions of CO2 and O2 emitted separately into pure air containing water vapor. The effedts on the blood level of 5-HT in mice supported our initial hypothesis and were in accord with physical theory.
42 citations
TL;DR: The eye enlargement was not related to an increase release rate of thyroidal131I or oxygen consumption, and some lenticular contribution to the myopia was inferred by reason of an increase in size of the lens.
Abstract: Week-old White Leghorn chicks were randomly divided into two light control chambers. One chamber was equipped with clear incandescent light with a maximum intensity of 0.66µW cm−2 mµ−1 and the remaining chamber was equipped with blue light with a maximum intensity of 0.015µW cm−2 mµ−1. Both groups received a daily photoperiod of 14 hours' light and 10 hours' dark. Low intensity blue light caused a definite eye enlargement after 7 weeks of exposure.The eye enlargement was not related to an increase release rate of thyroidal131I or oxygen consumption. Intraocular pressure was no greater in the enlarged eyes than in control eyes.Length of exposure to light and dark cycles caused a daily rhythm in intraocular pressure which was not different in the two light treatments. Associated with the eye enlargement was an exophthalmic condition during the developmental stages, a slight flattening of the cornea, and definite alterations in visual parameters resulting in an axial length myopia. Some lenticular contribution to the myopia was inferred by reason of an increase in size of the lens.
40 citations
TL;DR: The behavior of caribou to changing conditions of weather and the snow cover in northwestern Alaska signified their capacity to efficiently exploit the physical environment as mentioned in this paper, and they conserved energy by occupying wind-shadowed locations during storms and by changing territories and feeding intensively during calm periods.
Abstract: Behavioural responses of wintering caribou to changing conditions of weather and the snow cover in northwestern Alaska signified their capacity to efficiently exploit the physical environment.The animals conserved energy by occupying wind-shadowed locations during storms and by changing territories and feeding intensively during calm periods. It is postulated that the numbers of caribou may be controlled by the morphology of the snow cover since they exhibited strong selection against snow criteria inappropriate to specific activities essential to their viability, and in particular, they would not dig for food where the snow cover was more than 70 cm thick.
31 citations
TL;DR: During the period 10 to 14 July 1966, weather conditions in Illinois led to a 36% increase in deaths for the month over those that had occurred in July 1965, and a sufficiently large Negro population has been observed under heat stress to warrant an analysis by age, sex and race.
Abstract: During the period 10 to 14 July 1966, weather conditions in Illinois led to a 36% increase in deaths for the month over those that had occurred in July 1965. At Springfield, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri,Thom's temperature-humidity index (T H I) exceeded 29°C for several hours on each of these days, with a 24-hr average of 27°C or greater. There was a significant increase in deaths from cardiovascular disease, particularly cerebral hemorrhage and arteriosclerosis,among persons 65 years and older. In contrast, the working age group,45 to 64 years, showed practically no excess mortality. Deaths from malignant neoplasm were below their expected numbers for all ages. For the first time,a sufficiently large Negro population has been observed under heat stress to warrant an analysis by age, sex and race.The Comparative Mortality Figure (C M F) was used to make the comparisons. Both sexes of the white race in the age range 25 to 54 years and the Negro females ages 55 years and over were seriously affected.
30 citations
TL;DR: This classification is based on the isolines of mean air enthalpy for January and July and on Brazol's sensation scale representing climatic types, représentant divers types of climats.
Abstract: Maps showing the distribution of thermal sensations and bioclimatic regions over the earth in relation to human comfort are presented.This classification is based on the isolines of mean air enthalpy for January and July and on Brazol's sensation scale representing climatic types.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of experiments was carried out to test for alterations in the respiration of various types of plant material on exposure to artificial electrostatic fields in the range 5-10 kv/m.
Abstract: A series of experiments was carried out to test for alterations in the respiration of various types of plant material on exposure to artificial electrostatic fields in the range 5–10 kv/m.Respiration was measured both by constant volume manometry and by continuous flow Infra-Red gas analysis. Under conditions where the plant material was in contact with a liquid medium,considerable increases in 02 uptake were noted. These observations could be explained on the basis of electrolytic dissociation effects in the external medium; similar effects would be expected to occur in plants growing under natural conditions.A definite electrostatic influence on respiration was also observed, however, in the absence of any external liquid medium; this may be a direct response to the presence of the electric field. Both "fine weather" positive and "reversed" negative fields were effective, the negative fields having perhaps a greater tendency to stimulate respiration than the positive. Field reversals frequently altered the rate of respiration and it is therefore unlikely that the observations were due solely to the action of gaseous by-products of the electric discharge.
21 citations
TL;DR: On the basis of published results of measurements of electrical properties of nerves and synapses a mechanism is discussed of how atmospherics may be absorbed in the nervous system and there is a threshold of electrical field strength of a few mv/m that will influence specific nerves.
Abstract: On the basis of published results of measurements of electrical properties of nerves and synapses a mechanism is discussed of how atmospherics(electromagnetic pulses from atmospheric discharges in the very low frequency range) may be absorbed in the nervous system.According to this hypothesis there is a threshold of electrical field strength of a few mv/m that will influence specific nerves.The absorbed power per synapse in general is smaller than 10−13 watts.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the evaporation rates of water, heptane, ethyl alcohol, and physiological saline were investigated as a function of atmospheric ion density, and the results were qualitatively explained on the basis of surface charging.
Abstract: The evaporation rates of water, heptane, ethyl alcohol and physiological saline were investigated as a function of atmospheric ion density.Ion concentrations up to about 106 ions/cm3 were employed. In general evaporation rates decreased with increasing ion density (of either sign)to a minimum after which evaporation increased steadily. For water a reduction of about 15% occurred.The different liquids exhibited some deviations from this general pattern. The effects are specific to the type of gas ion, being exceptionally great for ionized oxygen. They also seem to be associated with the polar nature of the liquid molecules. The results are qualitatively explained on the basis of surface charging.The modification of evaporation may be a mechanism by which biological effects are produced by air ions.
17 citations
TL;DR: It was found that for all the diseases considered there is a monthly change in frequency distribution which led to the elaboration of a seasonal disease calendar for Japan, and it was noted that the mortality peak has gradually moved from summer to winter for most diseases.
Abstract: The results of previously published statistical evaluations of morbidity and mortality statistics from 1900 to 1960 for various diseases in Japan,the United States, Egypt and several European countries are summarized. It was found that for all the diseases considered there is a monthly change in frequency distribution which led to the elaboration of a seasonal disease calendar. For Japan it was noted that the mortality peak has gradually moved from summer to winter for most diseases.This pattern has been found to exist in the highly industrialized European countries and the USA for some time, while a high summer mortality and typical seasonal disease distribution is still found in little industrialized countries such as Egypt. The deseasonality of diseases seems to be typical of industrialized countries with highly developed public health and medical services.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of gaseous ions on isolated chloroplasts maintained in a physiologically active state were investigated and it was shown that exposure to unipolar ionized air of either charge at 4°C in the dark increases their s-s and ATPase activities.
Abstract: Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of gaseous ions on isolated chloroplasts maintained in a physiologically active state. Chloroplasts shrink when stored in the dark for 48 hr at 4°C and swell again when illuminated. The rates of swelling and shrinking (s-s) determined by the light-scattering method are increased by exposure to air ions of either charge. If chloroplasts are preilluminated for 30 min, the rate of shrinking of air-ion-treated chloroplasts is increased. When the chloroplasts are illuminated again, the rate of swelling of airion-treated chloroplasts is lower than that of controls. If 2.5 mM of ATP is added to the system upon the reillumination,the swelling rate of ion-treated chloroplasts is markedly increased. However, ADP,p-nitrophenyl phosphate and inorganic phosphates are shown without effect. Prolonged illumination (5,000 ft-c for 48 hr) or the addition of NaF inhibits the s-s phenomenon. Exposure of the chloroplasts in the presence of ATP to unipolar ionized air of either charge at 4°C in the dark increases their s-s and ATPase activities. These data suggest that air ions stimulate ATP metabolism of isolated chloroplasts.
TL;DR: In this paper, alternating electromagnetic and electrical fields, applied to colloidal systems or to their suspending media, result in increases in sedimentation rate, electrophoretic mobility, resistivity, viscosity, and shock-freezing temperature.
Abstract: Alternating electromagnetic and electrical fields, applied to colloidal systems or to their suspending media, result in increases in sedimentation rate, electrophoretic mobility, resistivity, viscosity, and shock-freezing temperature, while magnetic fields and static electrical fields result in decreasing sedimentation rates.
TL;DR: The Weibull function is shown to provide a particularly good fit for published data demonstrating the variation between individuals with respect to their susceptibility to decompression sickness, including the distributions of minimum bends depths for men and for goats breathing air and that of resting pilots for aerial decompression.
Abstract: The Weibull function is shown to provide a particularly good fit for published data demonstrating the variation between individuals with respect to their susceptibility to decompression sickness. These data include the distributions of minimum bends depths for men and for goats breathing air,and that of resting pilots for aerial decompression.The correlations are shown to hold only if the vital parameter for estimating the imminence of symptoms is taken as the volume fraction of gas predicted to have separated from solution in unit volume of tissue.
TL;DR: The Jamaicans had fewer complaints and had less incapacity from musculo-skeletal disorders than the Wensleydale populations, and it is suggested that the low prevalence of rheumatic complaints in Jamaicans is due to an influence of increased radiation and diminished cooling on pain threshold.
Abstract: The prevalence of rheumatic complaints has been compared in populations living in Jamaica and Wensleydale. The Jamaicans had fewer complaints and had less incapacity from musculo-skeletal disorders than the Wensleydale populations. Radiological evidence of disc degeneration, both cervical and lumbar, was more frequent and severs in the Jamaican population, but the symptoms were less frequent for each grade of severity in the Jamaicans.Generalized osteo-arthrosis was found with about the same frequency in the two areas but was seldom associated with Heberden's nodes in Jamaica. Symptoms were less frequent in relation to all sites of osteoarthrosis except the cervical spine. The mean air temperature is 14°C higher in Jamaica than in Wensleydale and the radiant heat is more than twice as great.It is estimated that a farmer in Jamaica receives 90 kcal cm−2/year compared with 44 kcal cm−2/year in Wensleydale. The cooling index was three times as great in Wensleydale as in Jamaica. It is suggested that the low prevalence of rheumatic complaints in Jamaicans is due to an influence of increased radiation and diminished cooling on pain threshold.
TL;DR: Five albino female rats which had been trained to run a maze were exposed to 3 nanosecond pulses of electromagnetic energy which had a density of 600,000 v/m2, and the effect was found to be reversible within a period of 30 min.
Abstract: Five albino female rats which had been trained to run a maze were exposed to 3 nanosecond pulses of electromagnetic energy which had a density of 600,000 v/m2. A disturbance of the ability of the animals to perform this recently learned task was observed.The effect was found to be reversible within a period of 30 min. Possible mechanisms by which the decision making strategy of the animals was temporarily disrupted are considered. The parallelism between the conditions of this experiment and those attending the exposure of animals to lightning bolts during electrical storms is pointed out.
TL;DR: The lactational performance and fertility of high yielding Friesan dairy cows in a hot desert climate were analysed for summer and winter differences and it was suggested that the cows had been acclimatized and that their thermoneutral zone has been raised.
Abstract: The lactational performance and fertility of high yielding Friesan dairy cows in a hot desert climate were analysed for summer and winter differences. The herd is situated in the Negev desert of Israel.Contrary to all previous reports,milk yield was significantly higher in summer than in winter; furthermore fertility was not lower in the hot months. The daily range in summer temperature was from 22° to 40°C and in winter from 8° to 22°C.The results are discussed in terms of the management and feeding practice of the farm. It was suggested that the cows had been acclimatized and that their thermoneutral zone has been raised.
TL;DR: In both control and hotroom groups the age of the ewes had no apparent influence on the rate of embryonic mortality experienced, although heat stress gave rise to a highly significant (p < 0.001) increase in the overall embryonic mortality rate.
Abstract: Maiden and mature Merino ewes were subjected to continuous heat stress for the first 20 days of gestation.In both control and hotroom groups the age of the ewes had no apparent influence on the rate of embryonic mortality experienced, although heat stress gave rise to a highly significant (p < 0.001) increase in the overall embryonic mortality rate.
TL;DR: Experiments enabled the development of a formula for the prediction of the elevation of body(rectal) temperature after 30 min of work at known metabolic rates in given thermal environments.
Abstract: Experiments were performed on 9 volunteers in which the changes in rectal temperature and sweat rate were recorded under different levels of metabolic rate (100, 306 and 560 kcal/hr), air temperatures (30° and 40°C), vapor pressure (15, 22 and 31 mm Hg) and air velocity (50, 200 and 400 cm/sec)Analysis of the results enabled the development of a formula for the prediction of the elevation of body(rectal) temperature after 30 min of work at known metabolic rates in given thermal environments The elevation in body temperature is considered to express both the amount of heat dissipated through the heat dissipating mechanism,as well as the heat which has not been dissipated and is stored in the bodyWith the aid of the proposed formula, the permissible metabolic rate of work at various external heat loads can be calculated
TL;DR: In this article, the EDTA-bleaching effect is quantitated in terms of the tissue content of chlorophylls a and b, which is shown to be significantly augmented by either negative or positive air ions.
Abstract: If green intact barley leaves are floated on the surface of a solution of EDTA (0.05 M, pH 7.0) and exposed to light, a severe chlorosis or bleaching is observed in the leaf tissues. This EDTA-bleaching effect can be quantitated in terms of the tissue content of chlorophylls a and b.The EDTA-bleaching effect is weakened by exposing to either negative or positive air ions. The addition of casein hydrolysate (2%) also protects intact green leaves against EDTA-bleaching.This protective effect of casein hydrolysate is significantly augmented by either negative or positive air ions. The leaf tissue content of protochlorophyll is not uniformly affected by EDTA or air ions.A hypothetical mechanism involved in the phenomena described has been proposed.
TL;DR: Data from 4 sequentially programmed light traps indicate that flight behavior of insects is timed for the period of optimum reception by insect sensors, and indicates an inverse relationship between 03 and insect activity.
Abstract: Detection of moths and plants by infrared radiation (IR) is possible by night-flying moths. The thermal radiation emissivity of green plants is high (0.96) and that of a plowed field low (0.28). Four elements of the biosphere, temperature, atmospheric moisture, CO2 and O3 could hinder transmission.Corn earworm flight temperatures rise 3°C above ambient and at 25°C it would be broadcasting a chopped IR frequency of approximately 31 tetracycles. Water vapor is the principal attenuator of IR radiation. Data shows that moth activity decreases sharply with increases in actual water content of the air. Optimum temperatures and humidity are most likely to occur in spring and early summer between 21:00 and 04:00 hr. This coincides with the period of maximum corn earworm activity. Data indicates an inverse relationship between 03 and insect activity. Data from 4 sequentially programmed light traps indicate that flight behavior of insects is timed for the period of optimum reception by insect sensors.
TL;DR: It was found that more cancer cases were born during winter than the summer months, and the observation was confirmed in other countries of the northern hemisphere.
Abstract: The author reviews his investigations in The Netherlands on the relationship between the incidence of cancer and birth months, based on large samples. He found that more cancer cases were born during winter than the summer months. These seasonal differences were statistically highly significant.The observation was confirmed in other countries of the northern hemisphere.In the southern hemisphere the same seasonal incidence was observed.
TL;DR: A transect study of microclimate over the College Farm, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, showed that the erection and maintenance of an auto-recording anemometer TRANsect over a period of two years was justified when data collected served multiple requirements in a series of parallel studies as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A transect study of microclimate over the College Farm, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, showed that the erection and maintenance of an auto-recording anemometer transect over a period of two years was justified when data collected served multiple requirements in a series of parallel studies. In recording effects of weather on the behaviour of livestock, time-lapse photography provided an inexpensive medium for sampling, recording, duplicating and presenting data.
TL;DR: In cattle the water content of the skin was determined after a 3-day period of water deprivation (dehydration), one hour after the water deprived animals had resumed drinking (rehydration) and one hours after the beginning of infusion of water into the rumen of normal animals (overhydration).
Abstract: In cattle the water content of the skin was determined (1) in the normal animals; (2) after a 3-day period of water deprivation (dehydration); (3) one hour after the water deprived animals had resumed drinking (rehydration)and (4) one hour after the beginning of infusion of water into the rumen of normal animals (overhydration). Dehydration reduced the water content of the skin from 70.6 to 65.8% on average. Rehydration led to a partial restoration of the water content of the skin. Overhydration did not have a measurable effect on the water content of the skin. A rough estimation of the total amount of water lost during dehydration from the total skin of each animal indicated that on average the calves lost 315 ml,the oxen 1,336 ml of water from their skins.
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TL;DR: A 25-kg pig died after being acutely exposed to an environmental temperature of 38°C for 5 1/4 hr, and Rectal temperature rose from 39.1° to 42.8°C in 4 1/2 hr, then declined slightly before the animal died 20 min later.
Abstract: A 25-kg pig died after being acutely exposed to an environmental temperature of 38°C for 5 1/4 hr. Rectal temperature rose from 39.1° to 42.8°C in 4 1/2 hr, and to 44.8° in the next 30 min, then declined slightly before the animal died 20 min later. Blood samples collected 5 min prior to heat death showed values of: pH, 7.37; plasma CO2, 30.6 vol. %; blood pyruvic acid, 16.0 mg/100 ml; and lactic acid,99 mg/100 ml. Normal values for these traits obtained at 21°C were; pH, 7.46; plasma CO2, 64.4 vol. %; pyruvic acid, 4.1 mg/100 ml; and lactic acid, 11 mg/100 ml. These profound changes suggest a complete disruption of the oxidative processes of the body.
TL;DR: V Virtually no evidence was obtained to support the existence of any meteorotropic relationship between atmospheric pressure fluctuations and variation in domestic swine gestation length.
Abstract: The relation between atmospheric pressure fluctuations and variation in the length of gestation in domestic swine was studied empirically using factor analysis. Atmospheric pressure's time-rate-of-change was used as a gross indicator of weather changes. Virtually no evidence was obtained to support the existence of any meteorotropic relationship between atmospheric pressure fluctuations and variation in domestic swine gestation length.
TL;DR: The influence of simulated altitude of 500 mm Hg for 5 hr on the daily urinary excretion of acid mucopolysaccharides was investigated in 10 male adult rats and a statistically significant increase was observed on the day of the experiment.
Abstract: The influence of simulated altitude of 500 mm Hg for 5 hr on the daily urinary excretion of acid mucopolysaccharides was investigated in 10 male adult rats. The simulated altitude applied for the first time caused a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the excretion of acid mucopolysaccharides on the day of the experiment. The same trend was observed when simulated altitude was applied for the second and third time but the values were not statistically different from the control values, probably due to the small number of investigated animals. On the day following that of exposure to simulated altitude the excretion decreased to approximately control levels.
TL;DR: The 17-ketosteroid excretion of 11 students from the University of Mainz was investigated during September 1964 in Oberstdorf/Allgäu and in September 1965 on the North Sea island Norderney, where all subjects had an increased 17-Ketosteroide excretion which was higher at the sea than in the mountains.
Abstract: Bei 11 Studenten aus Mainz wurde im September 1964 in Oberstdorf/Allgau (843 m) und im September 1965 auf der Nordseeinsel Norderney taglich die Ausscheidung der 17-Ketosteroide untersucht, um den Adaptationsverlauf zu prufen. Alle Versuchspersonen hatten eine erhohte 17-KS-Ausscheidung,die an der Nordsee hoher war als im Gebirge. Der Hohepunkt der Ausscheidung lag um den 10. Tag. Es bestanden individuelle Unterschiede in der 17-KS-Ausscheidung. Je niedriger diese vorher war, desto hoher war die relative Steigerung im Gebirge und an der See.Wahrend der Beobachtungsperiode waren wetterbedingte Abweichungen von den periodischen Schwankungen nachweisbar.