JAPANESE JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY

The meaning of symposium “biometeorology on amenity.”

M IRIKI

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 5-6
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.5

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Nowadays when the environmental conditions can be controled artificially and the environment can be created by advanced technique, the mortality and the contraction percentage are coming unsuitable as an integrated index of environments. In place of them, “amenity”could be expected as the index. Problems to discuss about amenity are if the amenity is indeed benefit for people, what factors are determining amenity, and what is the index suitable for assessing amenity.

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Amenity and its significance in biometeorology

Y. FUKUOKA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 7-9
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.7

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What is amenity? Its definition on dictionary and political convention are discussed and the significance of amenity study in biometeorology considered. Next, the summaries of papers by each biometeorologist are introduced briefly. Not only study from these symposists but also that from other branches of biometeorology, it is emphasized that the aim of amenity study is to inquire “real well-off” and “love for nature and humanity”.

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Amenity from the standpoint of acclimation and acclimatization

A. KUROSHIMA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 11-16
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.11

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Amenity, which has been defined as comfortability of environment, was discussed for reconsideration from the standpoint of physiological adaptation. On the basis of the studies about the mechanism as well as conditions for development of thermoregulatory adaptation, it was contended that amenity is to be pursued in optimal environment which could be pertinent to induce adaptability of the organism.

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Amenity from a viewpoint of acclimatization and adaptation with special reference to heat adaptation

S. HORI

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 17-20
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.17

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The average thermal neutral zone of the nude person at rest is generally considered to be between 28°C and 32°C. In this zone, the metabolic heat production is essentially equal to the rate of heat loss from the body, and the metabolic heat production and core temperature are maintained constant though the skin temperature rises or falls with the ambient temperature. The amenity related to the temperature of the surroundings, thermal comfort, is felt in the thermal neutral zone. The adaptive changes in the physiological responses of unacclimatized individuals in heat occurs when they have been exposed repeated to a environmental heat or they have been adapted to work in a hot environment. In adaptation to heat, individuals sweat more profusely, a rise in core temperature and an increase in heart rate during exposure to heat at rest or exercise in heat are lessened due to an increase in heat dissipation accompanied by an increased amount of sweat with a lower salt concentration at a given heat load. These adaptive changes to heat are considered to be favorable for individuals to tolerate heat and upper limit of thermal neutral zone of them becomes higher. Lessening in heart rate during exercise in heat induced by physical training at a work load of 50% Vo₂_max for 30 mm/day at 30°C and 60% R.H. for 13 successive days is greater than that induced by climatic heat acclimatization, while decrease in salt concentration in sweat induced by climatic heat acclimatization is greater than that observed during physical training in heat.

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Amenity considered from the urban climatological point of view

S. YAMASHITA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 21-26
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.21

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This paper aims at considering amenity from the urban climatological point of view. At first definition of climate and urban climate are explained briefly, and next change of main environmental problems is considered together with theme of environmental administration after the World War II. In 1990's main theme is creation of urban and living environment, and it is time of amenity. Thirdly urban climates and global environmental problems are explained, in particular Metutopia (meteorologically utopian city) proposed about 20 years ago by Landsberg (1973) is considered from the present urban-environmental point of view. Finally amenity is defined from urban climatological point of view. Ideally ground surface should be maintained to be remained naturally, however a city is a major premise for human civilization. Therefore, wind channel is proposed to draw fresh and rural air into urban areas. Moreover, water channel and ground road are introduced to enhance the effect of wind channel. In conclusion Fuusuido (wind·water·ground) of a city is very important to consider urban planning and urban landscape. For example, city of Maebashi is presented.

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Amenity from the standpoint of built environment

T. HORIKOSHI

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 27-28
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.27

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Invisible amenity such as space, environment and human should be considered rather than facilities. Under the artificial environment, human cannot actualize amenity for body and heart. The author thinks that amenity can exist in making environment suitable to nature with controled energy consumption.

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Amenity of thermal environment

M. SHINOHARA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 29-32
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.29

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Outdoor temperature and room temperature were measured at a dugout, a farmhouse built in the middle period of Edo, highly insulated and air tighted house and others. These measured results were analyzed by harmonic series. As the results, it was exhibited that effect of outdoor temperature into the room temperature was reduced with the progress of era. The present buildings were tried many methods to improve thermal environment, but amenity was not improved. Because, it was seen frequently that these houses have an oppressive atmosphere by airtightness and heat insulation.

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Amenity and circadian rhythm

S. YAMAOKA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 33-37
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.33

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Circadian rhythm is an acquired endogenous phenomenon in all organisms, but that is not a fixed phenomenon and is affected by various environment. In this review, we reported 1) the relationship between lighting schedule and the disturbances of circadian rhythm such as shift-works, jet-lag and seasonal affective disorder, 2) the effect of spa treatment for rhythm disorders, and 3) the animal and human experiment for the effect of α-pinen, which is a volatile matter of forest, on various physiological phenomena. From the experiment, we suggested that α-pinen exposure inhibited the stress-induced increment of ACTH and hypothalamic catecholamines, reduced the stress-induced inhibition of immune reaction, increased the amplitude of circadian sleep and activity rhythm in the animal, and increased the appearance of α-wave in EEG, the CV_R-R in ECG. Then, it can be supposed that the forest bath may enhance the good amenity and maintain the good circadian rhythm.

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The recreational activities in the forest

M. UEDA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 39-42
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.39

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Recreation in a comfortable forest environment is effective for the recovery of health and release from stress. This is because such environment has a power to moderately stimulate the senses of human body.

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A consideration to significance of forest bathing for amenity

M. KAGAMI

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 43-45
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: December 10, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.43

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In Japan, as regards forest bathing, the utility for medical treatment of a biochemical material “phytoncide” has been enphasized exclusively. But it is doubtful whether forest bathing has been effective introduced only with its biochemical aspect. The author considered the significance of forest bathing from the side of behavior of visiters in health resort. Forest bathing must be discussed not only from biochemical viewpoint, but also from geographical one that would grasp man-environment system as a unity.

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Bathing temperature and platelet glutathione metabolism

Y OHTSUKA, N YABUNAKA, H NORO, I WATANABE, Y AGISHI

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 47-51
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.47

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Effect of bathing temperature on platelet glutathione metabolism was investigated by water immersion at 25°C, 36°C and 42°C. Levels of platelet lipid peroxides (LPO) increased at 25°C and 42°C, which indicated the presence of oxidative stress at these temperatures. At 36°C, LPO levels also increased though it was a transient phenomenon. Consequently, induction of antioxidative defense system was observed at 25°C and 42°C. Platelet glutatione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased. It is suggested that accumulation of LPO in platelets by repetition of heat or cold stress would stimulate platelet aggregability.

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Effects of three kinds of boots on thermoregulatory responses in the subjects wearing protective clothing for pesticide

C HAYASHI, H TOKURA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 53-61
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.53

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The present experiments were carried out to make clear the effects of three different kinds of boots on thermophysiological responses and clothing microclimates inside the boots in five subjects wearing protective clothing for pesticide at an ambient temperature of 28±0.5°C and relative humidity of 50±5%. Three kinds of boots used were as follows: First one was rubber boots (A, weight 1, 440 g), the second was special boots being composed of two parts of rubber (around foot and ankle) and fabric laminated with nylon taffta, Goretex and nylon tricot (around leg) (B, weight 750 g) and the third was boots having same weight as A and same materials as B (C) . After five healthy female students wore the protective clothing ensemble, they repeated three work / rest cycles of 15 min exercise consisting of stepping up and down on footstool (height 22 cm) and 5 min rest. Rectal and skin temperatures, heart rate and local sweat rate from the forearm area were measured during the experimental periods. The amount of sweat adhered to the clothing ensemble was calculated by weight difference of the clothing before and after the experiments. Main results were summarized as follows: 1) An increase of rectal temperature was significantly lower in B than in A, while there did not exist any differences in rectal temperature between B and C. 2) Leg skin temperature inside the boots was significantly lower in B and C than in A. The present findings suggest that the boots materials are of importance in reducing physiological and psychological strain under hot environmental conditions.

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Death rate caused by cerebrovascular disease and outdoor temperature in summer in 4 regions of Japan

S YAMANAKA, Y NAKAMURA

1995 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 63-70
Published: April 01, 1995
Released on J-STAGE: October 13, 2010

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11227/seikisho1966.32.63

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The relationship between monthly death rates caused by cerebrovascular disease (C. V. D.) and monthly means of outdoor temperatures in summer were observed comparatively in the regions, Hokkaido, Tokyo, Wakayama prefecture and Kyoto city. We introduced a new variable, “Excess death index” which is defined as the difference between the death rate calculated with descending curve of annual death rate during these two decades and the observed actual death rate. The results are as follows: In July, in Kyoto and Wakayama, the death index rised with rising monthly mean temperature over ca. 23°C, and on the other hand in Hokkaido, the death index declined with rising temperature under ca. 23°C. In August, however, such relationships were not found anywhere. In Kyoto, the relationship mentioned above was found in July in the former 10 years (1972-1981), but in the latter (1982-1991) the death index was independent of temperature.

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