Arctic medical research
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Arctic medical research · Jan 1995
Heat production during cold water immersion: the role of shivering and exercise in the development of hypothermia.
Immersed in cold water, the body loses heat to the external environment. Heat production rises in order to compensate for heat loss by shivering or exercise. The aim of this study was to determine whether heat production is more successfully maintained over a long period of time by physical activity than by shivering when a human being is wearing an insulated survival suit and is immersed in cold water, and whether increased insulation of those parts of the suit exposed to water improves protection against heat loss with all-around standard insulation of the suit. ⋯ The results showed that periods of work give better chances of survival than continuous heat production by shivering in a well insulated suit. Furthermore, an extra layer of insulation in the back region significantly improved the thermal status of the subjects. When both rectal and skin temperature change at the same time in the same direction, there is a stronger influence on thermoregulation than when rectal temperature alone changes.
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Arctic medical research · Oct 1994
Home care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: impact of the Iqaluit program.
The Iqaluit home care program, which began in February 1987, has a five year history. Data about hospitalization of five elderly persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are available for the five years before and the five years after the program. ⋯ Home care in Iqaluit was evaluated by interviews with clients and care givers, by analyzing the trend in admission to hospital and hospitalization days for each client. The study showed that home care 1) improved health and reduced the economic impact of COPD by reducing the average number of days in hospital for each episode of hospitalization; 2) allowed clients with COPD to experience a better quality of life than they would if in hospital or institutional long term care; 3) allowed people to live in their homes, with their families, taking part in their usual age and role-appropriate cultural activities, language and daily life.
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Arctic medical research · Jul 1991
Personality profiles of Iditarod mushers as compared by finish group.
This study uses a personality profile questionnaire to determine what it is about a person's character that makes them unique to their finish place in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race using data collected from 1988 and 1989. It is the purpose of this study to determine differences in personality that make a musher a top ten finisher as opposed to those who finished in other groups. Mushers were divided into five groups: 1) top ten, 2) 11 to 20, 3) 21 to 30, 4) 31 to last, and 5) scratches. ⋯ Top mushers are more suspicious and hard to fool (whereas those who finish last are more trusting [Factor L]). Top ten finishers are more group-oriented than the rest of the mushers, inferring that they get along with others and are more helping (Factor Q2). These data suggest that to place in the top ten pack of Iditarod mushers, one must be aggressive, enthusiastic, and calculating.