Attitudes and beliefs about exercise among persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

This study examined attitudes and beliefs about exercise among 83 persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes who had completed outpatient diabetes counseling. An adaptation of the Health Belief Model, labeled the Exercise Behavior Model, guided perceptual measures. Fifty-two percent of the subjects were exercising 3 or more days per week. Those with a greater length of time since diabetes counseling were more likely to be currently exercising. Positive and negative attitudes toward exercise characterized the group; however, only negative attitudes were related to exercise. Both exercisers and nonexercisers perceived barriers to exercise. Other people, chance happenings, physical discomfort, and perceptions of fitness, weight, and appearance played a role in whether the subjects exercised. The results indicate that providing assistance in identifying support for exercise and overcoming perceived barriers to exercise may increase compliance to this important aspect of the diabetes regimen.

Angularis oculi vein temperature variations related to man's mental activity--preliminary studies.

This preliminary study describes a noninvasive, inexpensive approach to the study of lateralization as related to mental activity. It supports the concept of a thermoregulatory role of blood in cerebral temperature control. Right and left angularis oculi vein temperatures were measured during periods of mental activity and mental rest and both temperature changes were asymmetrical. There was a consistent temperature drop during thinking, with a consistent rise after thinking ceased. Heat loss from superficial vessels of the buccal region and nasal mucosa to the ambient air was evident which caused lowering of the venous blood temperature flowing towards the cavernous sinus. This drop in blood temperature of angularis oculi veins coincided with increased brain metabolism and heat production occasioned by an increase in the level of mental activity and oxygen utilization.

A display device for biomedical signals.

The design of a 20-segment LED display device is presented. The display visually indicates peak levels of slowly changing biomedical data. Its fullscale indication is adjustable from +0.5 to +12.5 volts. The segments can be activated in either a dot or a bar mode, and upper-limit sensing can be indicated by an audio tone and/or a flashing display.

Experimental evidence of reciprocal temperature relationship between the parietofrontal region and the orbital emissary vein in the pony.

The heads of 5 ponies were embalmed and the vessels were double injected with latex. Dissection of these specimens revealed venous pathways (1) from the nasal area to the cavernous sinus and (2) from the parietofrontal region to the ventral petrosal sinus. Thermistors were chronically implanted near the orbital emissary veins of 3 additional ponies. Hot and cold packs were applied alternately to the parietofrontal regions. The temperature near the orbital emissary veins increased during the 5 trials with cold application and decreased during the 5 trials with hot application. The authors were able to influence physiologic adjustments in the heat loss in the nasal area (evidenced by temperature changes near the orbital emissary veins) by imposing nonphysiologic changes in the temperature of the venous blood draining the parietofrontal region.

Improved digital thermometer design.

A simple digital thermometer design using a self-contained 3 1/2 digit LCD meter module is presented. The Celsius-reading (Centigrade) thermometer is powered by a single 9-V battery, has very low power drain, and uses an inexpensive NPN silicon transistor for the temperature sensor. A short bibliography on temperature measurement instrumentation is included.