Enhanced production of Trichoderma reesei endoglucanases and use of the new cellulase preparations in producing the stonewashed effect on denim fabric.
(33/323)
Trichoderma reesei strains were constructed for production of elevated amounts of endoglucanase II (EGII) with or without cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI). The endoglucanase activity produced by the EGII transformants correlated with the copy number of the egl2 expression cassette. One copy of the egl2 expression cassette in which the egl2 was under the cbh1 promoter increased production of endoglucanase activity 2.3-fold, and two copies increased production about 3-fold above that of the parent strain. When the enzyme with elevated EGII content was used, an improved stonewashing effect on denim fabric was achieved. A T. reesei strain producing high amounts of EGI and -II activities without CBHI and -II was constructed by replacing the cbh2 locus with the coding region of the egl2 gene in the EGI-overproducing CBHI-negative strain. Production of endoglucanase activity by the EG-transformant strain was increased fourfold above that of the host strain. The filter paper-degrading activity of the endoglucanase-overproducing strain was lowered to below detection, presumably because of the lack of cellobiohydrolases. (+info)
Influence of head position on thermal stress in newborns: simulation using a thermal mannequin.
(34/323)
The influence of head position on thermal stress was assessed by using a heavily clothed thermal mannequin in three different body positions [supine, face straight up (FSU); supine, face to the side (FTS); prone, FTS] and with or without the head covered by a bonnet. The mannequin was exposed to air temperatures of 29, 32, 34, and 36 degrees C. When the head is uncovered, body or head position has no impact on heat loss. When the head is covered, dry heat loss from the mannequin as a whole (and that from the head in particular) is lower (-0.35 to -0.40 W) in the FTS position than in the FSU position as a result of decreased heat loss from the surface area of the face in contact with the mattress. In the FTS position and with the head covered, there was no difference in heat loss between the prone and supine positions. The results suggest that in heavily clothed newborns whose head is covered by a bonnet, thermal stress depends on the head position. (+info)
Support for varicose veins.
(35/323)
A method has been devised to allow reliable comparison of different strengths and constructions of support hosiery. Five garments were evaluated for the compression they exerted on the leg and their ability to limit the distension of a model varicose vein. Stockings and tights which provide modest compression can achieve worthwhile control of vein distension. (+info)
Reduction of cholera in Bangladeshi villages by simple filtration.
(36/323)
Based on results of ecological studies demonstrating that Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent of epidemic cholera, is commensal to zooplankton, notably copepods, a simple filtration procedure was developed whereby zooplankton, most phytoplankton, and particulates >20 microm were removed from water before use. Effective deployment of this filtration procedure, from September 1999 through July 2002 in 65 villages of rural Bangladesh, of which the total population for the entire study comprised approximately 133,000 individuals, yielded a 48% reduction in cholera (P < 0.005) compared with the control. (+info)
Quantitative studies on the dispersal of skin bacteria into the air.
(37/323)
Dispersal of skin micro-organisms into the air during undressing was studied in 72 members of surgical and nursing staff. Few pathogens were found to be dispersed. Males dispersed more normal skin organisms than did females. Males were also more heavily colonised than females, and sex differences in dispersal diminished when allowance was made for the denser colonisation of males. Dispersal was correlated most strongly with the counts on the thighs and abdomen in males but on the shins in females. (+info)
Effect of wearing an ice cooling jacket on repeat sprint performance in warm/humid conditions.
(38/323)
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of cooling the skin with an ice jacket before and between exercise bouts (to simulate quarter and half time breaks) on prolonged repeat sprint exercise performance in warm/humid conditions. METHODS: After an initial familiarisation session, seven trained male hockey players performed two testing sessions (seven days apart), comprising an 80 minute intermittent, repeat sprint cycling exercise protocol inside a climate chamber set at 30 degrees C and 60% relative humidity. On one occasion a skin cooling procedure was implemented (in random counterbalanced order), with subjects wearing an ice cooling jacket both before (for five minutes) and in the recovery periods (2 x 5 min and 1 x 10 min) during the test. Measures of performance (work done and power output on each sprint), heart rates, blood lactate concentrations, core (rectal) and skin temperatures, sweat loss, perceived exertion, and ratings of thirst, thermal discomfort, and fatigue were obtained in both trials. RESULTS: In the cooling condition, chest (torso) skin temperature, thermal discomfort, and rating of thirst were all significantly lower (p<0.05), but no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between conditions for measures of work done, power output, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, core or mean skin temperature, perceived exertion, sweat loss, or ratings of fatigue. However, high effect sizes indicated trends to lowered lactate concentrations, sweat loss, and mean skin temperatures in the cooling condition. CONCLUSIONS: The intermittent use of an ice cooling jacket, both before and during a repeat sprint cycling protocol in warm/humid conditions, did not improve physical performance, although the perception of thermal load was reduced. Longer periods of cooling both before and during exercise (to lower mean skin temperature by a greater degree than observed here) may be necessary to produce such a change. (+info)
Effects of thermal underwear on thermal and subjective responses in winter.
(39/323)
This study was conducted to obtain basic data in improving the health of Koreans, saving energy and protecting environments. This study investigated the effects of wearing thermal underwear for keeping warm in the office in winter where temperature is not as low as affecting work efficiency, on thermoregulatory responses and subjective sensations. In order to create an environment where every subject feels the same thermal sensation, two experimental conditions were selected through preliminary experiments: wearing thermal underwear in 18 degrees C air (18-condition) and not wearing thermal underwear in 23 degrees C air (23-condition). Six healthy male students participated in this study as experiment subjects. Measurement items included rectal temperature (T(re)), skin temperature (T(sk)), clothing microclimate temperature (T(cm)), thermal sensation and thermal comfort. The results are as follows: (1) T(re) of all subjects was maintained constant at 37.1 degrees C under both conditions, indicating no significant differences. (2) (T)(sk) under the 18-condition and the 23-condition were 32.9 degrees C and 33.7 degrees C, respectively, indicating a significant level of difference (p<0.05). (3) Among local skin temperature, trunk part (forehead and abdomen) did not show significant differences. After 90-min exposure, the skin temperature of hands and feet under the 18-condition was significantly lower than that under the 23-condition (p<0.001). (4) More than 80% of all the respondents felt comfortable under both conditions. It was found (T)(sk) decreased due to a drop in the skin temperature of hands and feet, and the subjects felt cooler wearing only one layer of normal thermal underwear at 18 degrees C. Yet, the thermal comfort level, T(re) and T(cm) of chest part under the 18-condition were the same as those under the 23-condition. These results show that the same level of comfort, T(re) and T(cm) can be maintained as that of an environment about 5 degrees C higher in the office in winter, by wearing one layer of thermal underwear. In this regard, this study suggests that lowering indoor temperature by wearing thermal underwear in winter can contribute to saving energy and improving health. (+info)
Efficacy of intermittent, regional microclimate cooling.
(40/323)
The vasomotor response to cold may compromise the capacity for microclimate cooling (MCC) to reduce thermoregulatory strain. This study examined the hypothesis that intermittent, regional MCC (IRC) would abate this response and improve heat loss when compared with constant MCC (CC) during exercise heat stress. In addition, the relative effectiveness of four different IRC regimens was compared. Five heat-acclimated men attempted six experimental trials of treadmill walking ( approximately 225 W/m(2)) in a warm climate (dry bulb temperature = 30 degrees C, dewpoint temperature = 11 degrees C) while wearing chemical protective clothing (insulation = 2.1; moisture permeability = 0.32) with a water-perfused (21 degrees C) cooling undergarment. The six trials conducted were CC (continuous perfusion) of 72% body surface area (BSA), two IRC regimens cooling 36% BSA by using 2:2 (IRC(1)) or 4:4 (IRC(2)) min on-off perfusion ratios, two IRC regimens cooling 18% BSA by using 1:3 (IRC(3)) or 2:6 (IRC(4)) min on-off perfusion ratios, and a no cooling (NC) control. Compared with NC, CC significantly reduced changes in rectal temperature ( approximately 1.2 degrees C) and heart rate ( approximately 60 beats/min) (P < 0.05). The four IRC regimens all provided a similar reduction in exercise heat strain and were 164-215% more efficient than CC because of greater heat flux over a smaller BSA. These findings indicate that the IRC approach to MCC is a more efficient means of cooling when compared with CC paradigms and can improve MCC capacity by reducing power requirements. (+info)