Decompression Sickness After Air Break in Prebreathe Described with a Survival Model

Data from Brooks City-Base show the decompression sickness (DCS) and venous gas emboli (VGE) consequences of air breaks in a resting 100% O2 prebreathe (PB) prior to a hypobaric exposure. METHODS: DCS and VGE survival times from 95 controls for a 60 min PB prior to 2-hr or 4-hr exposures to 4.37 psia are statistically compared to 3 break in PB conditions: a 10 min (n=40), 20 min (n=40), or 60 min break (n=32) 30 min into the PB followed by 30 min of PB. Ascent rate was 1,524 meters / min and all exposures included light exercise and 4 min of VGE monitoring of heart chambers at 16 min intervals. DCS survival time for combined control and air breaks were described with an accelerated log logistic model where exponential N2 washin during air break was described with a 10 min half-time and washout during PB with a 60 min half-time. RESULTS: There was no difference in VGE or DCS survival times among 3 different air breaks, or when air breaks were compared to control VGE times. However, 10, 20, and 60 min air breaks had significantly earlier survival times compared to control DCS times, certainly early in the exposures. CONCLUSION: Air breaks of 10, 20, and 60 min after 30 min of a 60 min PB reduced DCS survival time. The survival model combined discrete comparisons into a global description mechanistically linked to asymmetrical N2 washin and washout kinetics based on inspired pN2. Our unvalidated regression is used to compute additional PB time needed to compensate for an air break in PB within the range of tested conditions

Exercise with prebreathe appears to increase protection from decompression sickness: Preliminary findings

Extravehicular activity (EVA) from the Space Shuttle involves one hour of prebreath with 100% oxygen, decompression of the entire Shuttle to 10.2 psia for at least 12 hours, and another prebreath for 40 minutes before decompression to the 4.3 psia suit pressure. We are investigating the use of a one-hour prebreathe with 100% oxygen beginning with a ten-minute strenuous exercise period as an alternative for the staged decompression schedule described above. The 10-minute exercise consists of dual-cycle ergometry performed at 75% of the subject's peak oxygen uptake to increase denitrogenation efficiency by increasing ventilation and perfusion. The control exposures were preceded by a one-hour prebreathe with 100% oxygen while resting in a supine position. The twenty-two male subjects were exposed to 4.3 psia for 4 hours while performing light to moderate exercise. Preliminary results from 22 of the planned 26 subjects indicate 76% DCS following supine, resting prebreathe and 38% following prebreathe with exercise. The staged decompression schedule has been shown to result in 23% DCS which is not significantly different from the exercise-enhanced prebreathe results. Prebreathe including exercise appears to be comparable to the protection afforded by the more lengthy staged decompression schedule. Completion of the study later this year will enable planned statistical analysis of the results

2014 Decompression Sickness/Extravehicular Activity Risks Standing Review Panel

The 2014 Decompression Sickness (DCS)/Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Risks Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on November 4 - 5, 2014. The SRP reviewed the Research Plans for The Risk of Decompression Sickness and the Risk of Injury and Compromised Performance due to EVA Operations, as well as the Evidence Reports for both of these Risks. The SRP found that the NASA DCS/EVA team did an excellent job of presenting their research plans. The SRP considers it critical that NASA proceeds with the high priority tasks identified in this report (DCS1, DCS3, DCS5). The highest priority is to determine the acceptable DCS and hypoxia risk associated with the planned human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The risk of DCS is highly dependent upon the pressure within the exploration vehicle. If slightly more hypoxia is permitted then (even with the same percentage of oxygen) the pressure within the exploration vehicle can be lowered thus further mitigating the risk of DCS. The second highest priority is to test and validate the recommended 8.2psi/34% O2 atmosphere. Development of procedures and equipment for human exploration missions are very limited until the results of this testing are completed. The SRP also suggests that DCS7 be separated into two Gaps. Gap DCS7 should deal with DCS treatment while a new Gap should be created to deal with the long-term effects of DCS. The SRP also encourages NASA to increase collaboration with other organizations and pool resources where possible. The current NASA DCS/EVA team has the extensive expertise and a wealth of knowledge in this area. The SRP suggests that increased manpower for this team would be highly productive

Legal Framework of Social Assistance

Maģistra darbā „Sociālās palīdzības tiesiskais regulējums” autors ir pētījis sociālās palīdzības tiesisko regulējumu Latvijas Republikā, sociālās palīdzības mērķi un vēsturisko attīstību. Maģistra darba mērķis ir izpētīt sociālās palīdzības tiesisko regulējumu un ar to saistītās problēmas, padziļināti izpētot, vai sociālā palīdzība ir pieejama personām (ģimenēm), kurām tā ir visvairāk nepieciešama, un vai normatīvie akti, kas nosaka sociālās palīdzības sniegšanu, atbilst sociālās palīdzības mērķim un veido vienotu sociālās palīdzības sistēmu Maģistra darba rezultātā autors secina, ka ne visām personām (ģimenēm), kurām ir nepieciešama sociālā palīdzība, tā ir pieejama, kā arī, neskatoties uz labi attīstīto pašvaldību sociālās palīdzības sistēmu, ir nepieciešams veikt grozījumus normatīvajos aktos, kā arī sniedzis savus priekšlikumus normatīvo aktu uzlabošanai. Atslēgvārdi: sociālā palīdzība, pašvaldību sociālais dienests, trūcīga persona (ģimene), maznodrošināta persona (ģimene), pabalsti.The theme of the master thesis is “Legal Framework of Social Assistance”. An author has studied the legal framework of social assistance in the Republic of Latvia, purpose of social assistance, and historical development. The purpose of the thesis is to explore the legal framework of social assistance and problems related with it by studying in depth following. Is social assistance available for persons (families) whom it is necessary the most, and does local legislation that determines providing of social assistance meets objective of social assistance and build up a network of social assistance? By working out master thesis author has made following conclusions. Social assistance is not available for every person (family) who needs it, as well as it is necessary to make amendments in local legislation, nevertheless on well developed system of social assistance of local governments. In addition author has made his own proposals in order to improve local legislation. Key words: social assistance, social service office of municipalities, needy person (family), low income person (family), benefits

Altitude Decompression Sickness Symptom Resolution during Descent to Ground Level

INTRODUCTION: Altitude decompression sickness (DCS) is a health risk associated with the conduct of high altitude airdrop operations, high altitude reconnaissance, future fighter operations, hypobaric chamber training, unpressurized flight, and extravehicular activity (EVA) in space. The treatment for DCS includes the provision of 100% oxygen (O2) at ground level (GLO) and/or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). In this paper we examine the effect of repressurization to ground level from hypobaric conditions on DCS symptoms. Timely recompression (descent at first recognition of any DCS symptom) may be a safe, effective treatment for the large majority of DCS symptoms. METHODS: Data from altitude chamber exposures recorded in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Altitude DCS Database were reviewed to determine the level of recompression required for complete resolution of 1,699 observed symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 1,699 DCS symptoms reviewed, 66 (3.9%) resolved at altitude, 117 (6.9%) resolved at ground level, and 1,433 (84.3%) resolved during descent. Increasing the pressure by 138 mmHg from the altitude of exposure where symptoms occurred resolved roughly 50% of symptoms. Little resolution of symptoms was noted with recompressions of \u3c 50 mmHg. The greatest rate of symptom resolution occurred with recompressions of 50–250 mmHg. CONCLUSION: These findings support the concept that descent and postflight, ground-level oxygen may be sufficient to relieve the majority of altitude DCS symptoms. HBO may be reserved for serious, recurring, delayed, or refractory symptoms. The findings also suggest a need for further study of DCS symptom resolution

ABC katalogs

ABC katalogā sniegta informācija par būvniecības procesu reglamentējošiem materiāliem, kārtību un atbilstoši būvniecības procesa nozarēm speciālistiem nepieciešamu kvalifikāciju. Tiek sniegtas ziņas par licencētiem uzņēmumiem un kvalificētiem speciālistiem attiecīgās būvniecības procesa nozarēs

ABC katalogs

ABC katalogā sniegta informācija par būvniecības procesu reglamentējošiem materiāliem, kārtību un atbilstoši būvniecības procesa nozarēm speciālistiem nepieciešamu kvalifikāciju. Tiek sniegtas ziņas par licencētiem uzņēmumiem un kvalificētiem speciālistiem attiecīgās būvniecības procesa nozarēs