Measurements of %Fat, nutrient intake and maximal aerobic power (MAP) were carried out on Nepaiese to clarify the cause of obesity attended with modernization. One hundred thirty-two males (KV) who have a natural living style, 20-84 years of age, in rural district and 237 males vvho have a living style affected by the rapid urbanization, in surburban district were selected as subjects. The subjects of surburban district were divided into two groups. One of them included 147 farmers (BF) who engage in not mechanized farming, 20-73 years of age. Another group included 90 students and wage laborers (BNF) who go to and from Kathmandu (the capital of Nepal), 20-57 years of age.

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Visual hemifield differences in recognition of kanji and hiragana were studied on forty male right handers. A Ietter of kanji or hiragana was presented unilaterally to the right or left visual hemifield on a CRT display for 123 msec. A hundred and twenty recognition trials were performed for each subject using 20 well-acquainted harzji, 20 unfamiliar kanji and 20 hiragana. Kanji was more accurately recognized in the left visual hemifield than in the right hemifield. This tendency was more prominent in unfamiliar kanji compared with well-ac-quainted kanji. There were no visual hemifield differences in recognition of hiragana. Learning effects were observed for the right hemifield on kanji and both hemifields on hiragana. The results were discussed in relation to cerebral asymmetries of function. Kanji might be processed in the right cerebral hemisphere as geometric forms. The results on hiragana may be explained by mental set. It is suggested that modes of processing may be different between kanji and hiragana.

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Using an electro-pedometer which is commercially available, energy expenditure during walking andfor jogging was assessed, and was compared with that obtained by oxygen uptake (VO₂). Thirteen male students and 12 female students exercised on 6 minutes duration tread-mill tests which velocities were 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120m/min for walking and 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180m/min for jogging, respectively. During e\ercise, energy expenditure was calculated by VO₂ Value and respiratory exchange ratio, and was estimated by an electro-pedometer. There was a significant linear relationship between energy expenditures estimated by the pedometer and calculated by VO₂ during walking and jogging. To predict energy expenditure more precisely by the electro-pedometer, it is svggested that more precise value of stride should be inputted into the pedometer. In conclusion, the present study showed that commer-cially available electro-pedometer is able to us.e for the estimation of energy expenditure with precise validity during walking and/or jogging.

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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the way of probe application on the values of subcutaneous fat thickness by use of A-mode ultrasonoscope. Subjects were six healthy male adults ranging in age from 19 to 35 years. Scapular, triceps, suprailiac, abdomen, and thigh were chosen for the measurement sites. Observed values of subcutaneous fat decreased with the increase of pressure at scapular, suprailiac, and abdomen for relatively fatty subjects, but not for lean subjects. However, the values showed little change at triceps and thigh for all subjects. There was no relation between the pressure of probe and the stability of the value. The values were also influenced by the displacement of the probe on skin. Moreover, it was shown that the difference of the angle between probe and skin influen-ced the values of subcutaneous fat thickness. A-mode ultrasonoscope has many advantages, if it is properly operated considering the above problems.

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Nippon Sanso K.K developed a compact semi-closed underwater breathing apparatus, the eOBA. It consists of a mouthpiece, manifold with a purge valve, two spring-loaded flexible tubes, a small CO₂ absorbent canister (net wt.= 190g), and two compact high pressure bottles (50ccx2 : 190kglcm² : 80%O₂, 20%N₂) with a regulator which supplies the gas at the constant flow rate of 1.5 l/min and lasts for 10 min. Thus, a counterlung is not incorporated. However, spring-loaded tubes act as a counterlung since its volume increases to 3.5 1 when fully inflated. Dives to a depth of 5m are also recommended because of no bypass valve. This new eOBA was tested using the mechanical breathing machine and CO₂ suppiy system to the circuit. For the various combinations of tidal volumes (0.5-2.51) and respiratory rates (l0-20 breaths/min), the pressure at the mouthpiece, respiratory volume and the CO₂ level were continuously monitored. The CO₂ absorption rates were then calculated. The thin sloping P-V loops demonstrate that the eOBA is a flow dependent type of apparatus. It was found that the extemal work of breathing (0.1 kg.m/l at 30 g/min) were allowbale. The CO₂ absorption rates were sufficient when minute ventilation increased to 30l/min. Thus, results show that the eOBA must be suitable for shallow and short dives.

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Semi-closed underwater breathing apparatus has commonly been used among military and commercial divers, but never available for recreational divers because of complicated operations, difficulties of maintenance, and expensiveness. Nippon Sanso K. K. has newly deployed a semi-closed circuit underwater breathing apparatus called the "eOBA". It is especially designed for divers to enjoy shallow (max. 5 m) and short (10 min.) dives. This eOBA was evaluated from manned testing based on physiological requirements for the apparatus. Four male and four female subjects partlcipated in the three test trials. Subjects maintained their position at the depths of 2 m and 4 m for 10 min. and exercised on the underwater ergometer at the depth of 2.4 m. The pressure at the mouthpiece, tidal volume, breathing rate, the inspired 02 level, CO₂ level were monitored on breath-by-breath basis. The inspired 02 level ranged from 45% (at exercise) to 60% (at rest) and the inspired CO₂ level were kept less than 1.0% in the most cases. The P-V loop indicated relatively little extemal work of breathing (<0, lkg.m/l) and allowable peak pressures (<25cmH₂0). Results show that the eOBA meets the standards sufficiently under the test conditions and is a safe apparatus for recreational divers if it is properly used.

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