ROAD-CLIMATE ZONING FOR WATER-THERMAL MODE REGULATION IN TRANSPORT STRUCTURES

The article considers the problems of road-climatic zoning of the territory of Ukraine. The shortcomings of the existing system and the need to update and improve it were justified. The purpose of work was formed and realized taking into account modern approaches to meteorological data processing and segmentation methods. The study is based on long-term observations of weather conditions throughout the country. Using the moisture-thermal regime calculation and analytical system, the collected static meteorological information was processed and tables of the initial data for further analytical processing were obtained. The paper describes the methodology of cluster analysis using as the main tool for the typification of territories and the allocation of morphologically homogeneous humid areas. The result of the work was the elaboration of a road and climatic zoning map under the wetting conditions of the road subgrade working layer.The article considers the problems of road-climatic zoning of the territory of Ukraine. The shortcomings of the existing system and the need to update and improve it were justified. The purpose of work was formed and realized taking into account modern approaches to meteorological data processing and segmentation methods. The study is based on long-term observations of weather conditions throughout the country. Using the moisture-thermal regime calculation and analytical system, the collected static meteorological information was processed and tables of the initial data for further analytical processing were obtained. The paper describes the methodology of cluster analysis using as the main tool for the typification of territories and the allocation of morphologically homogeneous humid areas. The result of the work was the elaboration of a road and climatic zoning map under the wetting conditions of the road subgrade working layer

Goal-Directed Acupuncture in Sports—Placebo or Doping?

The modern pentathlon (MP), sports discipline including fencing, swimming, steeplechase and a cross-country run, requires a rapid change of central nervous and peripheral neuromuscular activity from one sport to another in order to achieve the best possible results. We describe the case where a top MP athlete was supported by a program of acupoint stimulation, which was directed to relieve the symptoms, preventing him from effective performance. Although the fact of acupoint stimulation was associated with improvement of his results, other factors like training effect, placebo and nonspecific physiological effects and their mechanisms in sports are discussed in a literature review. The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine methods among the athletes raises the question of their potential misuse as a doping in competitive sports

The results of research of the temperature distribution fields fromlamp

Створено дослідний зразок світлодіодного світильника. Розглядається розподіл температурних полів на основі порівняльного аналізу, реального зразка і комп'ютерної симуляції. Пропонується алгоритм чисельного розрахунку профілю світильника. Представлені експериментальні результати розподілу температури в реальному світлотехнічному приладі.In this paper the prototype of an LED light has been created. The distribution of temperature fields is considered on the basis of a comparative analysis, a real sample and computer simulation. An algorithm for calculating the profile of a luminaire is proposed. The experimental results of the temperature distribution in real lighting device are presented

Methods of Administering Superimposed High-Frequency Jet Ventilation and the Associated Risk for Aspiration in a Model of Tracheal Bleeding

Background: To determine the suitability of different superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation (SHFJV) application methods during tracheal bleeding. Objective: To determine the effect of SHFJV on the aspiration of blood during tracheal bleeding. Methods: A test lung was ventilated using SHFJV via a rigid endoscope, a jet laryngoscope and a 4-lumen jet catheter. Packed red blood cells (PRBCs) were injected into the artificial trachea caudally to the rigid endoscope and jet laryngoscope ventilation, and both caudally and cranially during ventilation via the 4-lumen jet catheter, and the migration of PRBCs during ventilation was studied using continuous video recording. Results: Migration of blood into the lower respiratory tract did not occur during SHFJV via the rigid endoscope and jet laryngoscope and via the 4-lumen jet catheter with the bleeding caudal to ventilation source. If the bleeding was cranial to the 4-lumen jet catheter ventilation, migration of blood into the lower respiratory tract was seen when reflux of blood reached the entrainment area. From this area, blood is transported within the jet stream into the lower respiratory tract. Conclusions: SHFJV protects the lower respiratory tract from blood aspiration in case of tracheal bleeding. During SHFJV via the 4-lumen jet catheter, aspiration of blood only occurs if bleeding is localized cranial to the 4-lumen jet catheter ventilation. In case of heavy tracheal bleeding, the jet sources should be positioned cranial to the site of bleeding

Preliminary findings of cerebral responses on transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation on experimental heat pain.

Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (TVNS) is a promising complementary method of pain relief. However, the neural networks associated with its analgesic effects are still to be elucidated. Therefore, we conducted two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions, in a randomized order, with twenty healthy subjects who were exposed to experimental heat pain stimulation applied to the right forearm using a Contact Heat-Evoked Potential Stimulator. While in one session TVNS was administered bilaterally to the concha auriculae with maximal, non-painful intensity, the stimulation device was switched off in the other session (placebo condition). Pain thresholds were measured before and after each session. Heat stimulation elicited fMRI activation in cerebral pain processing regions. Activation magnitude in the secondary somatosensory cortex, posterior insula, anterior cingulate and caudate nucleus was associated with heat stimulation without TVNS. During TVNS, this association was only seen for the right anterior insula. TVNS decreased fMRI signals in the anterior cingulate cortex in comparison with the placebo condition; however, there was no relevant pain reducing effect over the group as a whole. In contrast, TVNS compared to the placebo condition showed an increased activation in the primary motor cortex, contralateral to the site of heat stimulation, and in the right amygdala. In conclusion, in the protocol used here, TVNS specifically modulated the cerebral response to heat pain, without having a direct effect on pain thresholds

Acupuncture for Relief of Gag Reflex in Patients Undergoing Transoesophageal Echocardiography—A Protocol for a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Gagging during transesophageal echocardiography examination (TEE) can be distressing and even dangerous for patients. The needling of acupuncture point CV24 was described to be effective in reducing the gag reflex during TEE in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Methods: We describe a proposal for a prospective, randomized, patient, practitioner and assessor-blinded, single-center trial with two arms/groups; real acupuncture will be compared to placebo acupuncture. A total of 60 (30 per group) patients scheduled for elective TEE in order to exclude a cardiac embolic source, endocarditis or for valve failure evaluation will be recruited according to patients’ selection criteria and receive either indwelling fixed intradermal needles at acupoints CV24 and bilateral PC6 or placebo needles at the same areas. Patients, the practitioners who will perform the TEE procedure, and the assessor of the outcome measures will be unaware of the group’s (real or placebo) allocation. Results: The primary outcome is the intensity of gagging, measured using verbal rating scale (VRS-11) from 0 = no gagging to 10 = intolerable gagging. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of gagging, the use of rescue medication, patients’ satisfaction with relief of unwanted side effects during TEE procedure, success of patients’ blinding (patients’ opinion to group allocation), heart rate and oxygen saturation measured by pulse oxymetry. Conclusions: To study the effects of acupuncture against gagging during TEE, we test the needling of acupoints CV24 and PC6 bilaterally. A placebo acupuncture is used for the control group. Trial registration number: NCT NCT0382142