Shaking table test study on performance and functionality of a typical telecommunication room after earthquakes

Large numbers of basic transceiver stations,where the telecommunication room is one of the main components,comprise an important part of the telecommunication system.After earthquakes,considerable economic loss from telecommunication systems is often associated with seismic damage and functional loss of the telecommunication room.However,research related to this has been limited.In this study,shaking table tests were conducted for a full-scale typical telecommunication room,including a light-steel house and the necessary communication and power supply equipment.The tests not only focused on the seismic damage to all the structures but also considered the functions of the communication and power supply of the equipment.The interactions between these facilities and their effects on communication function were also investigated.Compared with the damage to structures,the interruption of the power supply due to earthquakes is a weak link.Finally,the damage indexes,together with their threshold values of different damage states for the communication and power supply equipment,were derived from the test results.The results of this research can contribute to the literature gaps regarding seismic performance studies of telecommunication rooms,and can serve as a valuable reference for future research on its seismic fragility and economic losses evaluation.

Comparison of the Performance of Three Commonly Used Electrocardiographic Indexes for the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Black Hypertensive Patients with Reduced Kidney Function Managed at a Tertiary Healthcare Hospital: A Post-Hoc Analysis

Background: Reduced kidney function in blacks is associated with an increased frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy. Given the unavailability of echocardiography in most developing countries, the diagnostic performance of current ECG indexes needs to be evaluated. Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of 3 commonly used ECG indexes (Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell voltage and Cornell product) in black hypertensive patients. Methods: Electrocardiography and echocardiography estimated left ventricular mass of 155 consecutive hypertensive patients who participated from January 2012 to January 2013 to an echocardiographic cross-sectional study of left ventricular structure was analyzed to compare Cornell voltage and Cornell product indexes with Sokolow-Lyon voltage index as a reference. Reduced kidney function was defined as eGFR 2. ROC curves in relation to LVH diagnosis were used to estimate the sensitivities and specificities of each index. P Results: The sensitivity and specificity were 43% and 85%, 23% and 77% and 26% and 77% for Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell voltage and Cornell product indexes, respectively. However, Sokolow-Lyon index (AUC;95% CI: 0.64;0.50 - 0.78) showed better performance than Cornell voltage (0.42;0.25 - 0.59) and Cornell product (0.43;0.28 - 0.59). Sokolow-Lyon index cut-point ≥ 37 mm corresponded to the highest Youden index (39.4% of sensitivity and 92.3% of specificity). Conclusion: Although the overall performance of the 3 ECG indexes versus echocardiography was low, Sokolow-Lyon index performed better than the two other indexes in diagnosing LVH.

Safety Performance Functions for Traffic Signals:Phasing and Geometry

A significant proportion of urban crashes,especially serious and fatal crashes,occur at traffic signals.Many of the black-spots in both Australia and New Zealand cities occur at high volume and/or high-speed traffic signals.Given this,crash reduction studies often focus on the major signalised intersections.However,there is limited information that links the phasing configuration,degree of saturation and overall cycle time to crashes.While a number of analysis tools are available for assessing the efficiency of intersections,there are very few tools that can assist engineers in assessing the safety effects of intersection upgrades and new intersections.Safety performance functions have been developed to help quantify the safety impact of various traffic signal phasing configurations and level of intersection congestion at low and high-speed traffic signals in New Zealand and Australia.Data from 238 signalised intersection sites in Auckland,Wellington,Christchurch,Hamilton,Dunedin and Melbourne was used to develop crash prediction models for key crash-causing movements at traffic signals.Different variables(road features)effect each crash type.The models indicate that the safety of intersections can be improved by longer cycle times and longer lost inter-green times,especially all-red time,using fully protected right turns and by extending the length of right turn bays.The exception is at intersections with lots of pedestrians where shorter cycle times are preferred as pedestrian crashes increase with longer wait times.A number of factors have a negative impact on safety including,free left turns,more approach lanes,intersection arms operating near or over capacity in peak periods and higher speed limits.

Modeling Photovoltaic Performances of BTBPD-PC61BM System via Density Functional Theory Calculations

Designing and fabricating high-performance photovoltaic devices have remained a major challenge in organic solar cell technologies. In this work, the photovoltaic performances of BTBPD-PC61BM system were theoretically investigated by means of density functional theory calculations coupled with the Marcus charge transfer model in order to seek novel photovoltaic systems. Moreover, the hole-transfer properties of BTBPD thin-film were also studied by an amorphous cell with 100 BTBPD molecules. Results revealed that the BTBPD- PC61BM system possessed a middle-sized open-circuit voltage of 0.70 V, large short-circuit current density of 16.874 mA/cm2, large fill factor of 0.846, and high power conversion effi- ciency of 10%. With the Marcus model, the charge-dissociation rate constant was predicted to be as fast as 3.079×10^13 s^-1 in the BTBPD-PC61BM interface, which was as 3-5 orders of magnitude large as the decay （radiative and non-radiative） rate constant （108-10^10 s^-1）, indicating very high charge-dissociation efficiency （-100%） in the BTBPD-PC61BM system. Furthermore, by the molecular dynamics simulation, the hole mobility for BTBPD thin-film was predicted to be as high as 3.970× 10^-3 cm^2V^-1s^-1, which can be attributed to its tight packing in solid state.

Effects of Calcium Lignosulfonate(CaLS)on Growth Performance,Slaughter Performance and Antioxidant Function of Meat Duck

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of calcium lignosulfonate(CaLS)on feed processing performance,growth performance,slaughter performance and antioxidant function of cherry valley duck.[Method]A total of 48010-day-old cherry valley ducks were selected and randomly divided into four treatments,10 replicates each treatment and 12 meat ducks each replicate(half male and half female).The ducks in control group were fed with basal diet,and those in experimental groups were fed with the basal diet adding 0.2%,0.4%and 0.6%CaLS,respetively.The trial lasted 28 d.[Result](1)CaLS significantly reduced feed pulverization rate of meat duck(F<0.05),and significantly increased PDI and starch gelatinization degree(F<0.05);adding CaLS had no significant impact on the processing cost(F>0.05),but the granulation electric charge per ton feed could be reduced by 1.06 yuan.(2)CaLS had no significant effect on growth performance,slaughter performance and organ index of meat duck(Q0.05).(3)Compared with the control group,there were no significant differences in serum GSH-Px,T-SOD,T-AOC activities and MDA content of three CaLS groups(F>0.05).[Conclusion]CaLS could improve the processing quality of meat duck feed and reduce the processing cost,hut could not improve the growth performance,slaughter performance and antioxidant function of meat duck.

Effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City,Xinjiang

Objective:To discuss the effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis(G.uralensis) Fisch polysaccharide on growth performance and immunologic function in mice in Ural City,Xinjiang and to provide important data supporting the application of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide.Methods:A total of100 Kunming mice aged 3 weeks old were randomly divided into 5 groups with 20 mice in each group(10 were females and 10 were males).About 0.5 mL normal saline was given to the mice of control group every day and 0.5 mL G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide was given to the mice of other groups at the concentration of 1,20,50 and 100 mg/mL respectively.The growth performance(average body weight,average daily feed intake and feed efficiency),immune organ indexes(spleen index and thymus index) and immunologic function(serum IL-2,CD4^+/CD8^+ and the activity of NK cells) of mice in each group were detected continuously.Results:The average body weight,feed efficiency,serum IL-2,CD4^+/CD8^+ and the activity of NK cells of mice were increased with the increase of administrated time after administrating G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide and were reached up the largest level on Day 28.At the same time,each index was proportional to the given dose and was significantly higher than those of control group and reached up the largest level at the administrated dose of 100 mg/mL.After administrating G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide,the spleen index and thymus index of mice were increased with the increase of administrated dose and the spleen index and thymus index of mice administrated with the dose of 100 mg/mL were maximum which was more than 1.51 times and 1.43 times of that in control group respectively and the comparative differences showed statistical significance(P<0.05).The average daily feed intake of mice in each group was increased with the passage of lime and at the same time,the comparison of average daily feed intake of mice in each group was not significantly different(P>0.05).Conclusions:G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide can significantly improve the growth performance and immunologic function of mice and laid a research basis for the clinical application of G.uralensis Fisch polysaccharide.

Association of polymorphisms of Nramp1 gene with immune function and production performance of large white pig

The present research was designed to study the association of polymorphism of natural resistance-associated macrophage proteinl （Nrampl） with some immune function and the production performance in Large White pig. The PCR-RFLP technique was applied to analyze the correlation between the polymorphisms of Nrampl gene and immune function [value of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes （PMN） obtained by Nitroblue Tetrazolium （NBT） Reduction and effect of Cytotoxin in Monocyte] and production performance in 165 Large White pigs. The results showed that there was one Nde I restriction locus in Large White pig, and both values of PMN by NBT Reduction and effect of Cytotoxin in Monocyte in genotype BB were higher than those in genotype AB （P〈0.05）. Simultaneously, the weight of 180-day-old pigs with genotype BB was higher than that with genotype AB （P〈0.05）. The results indicated that there was a significant correlation between different genotypes of Nrampl gene and Immune function and production performance, and it can be regarded as a candidate gene of disease resistance. All these results provide valuable reference to further studies of pig disease resistance.

Soya saponin improves egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens

Background:Soya saponin(SS),an active compound in soybean meals,has been widely studied in the medical field.However,it was considered as an anti-nutritional factor in poultry diets.The objective of this experiment was to measure the effects of dietary SS using three dietary treatments on egg-laying performance and immune function of laying hens.Birds were fed a low soybean meal basal diet(CON),a low-SS diet(50 SS)containing 50mg/kg SS,or a high-SS diet(500 SS)containing 500 mg/kg SS for 10 weeks.At the end of the 5th and 10th week of the trial,samples were collected for analysis.Results:Results showed that with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation,the egg production rate,feed conversion ratio(FCR),and eggshell quality tended to be improved.Serum follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and Interleukin-4(IL-4)levels were also elevated as well as the peripheral blood LPS stimulation index,the proportion of B lymphocytes,and antibody titer of bovine serum albumin(BSA).We also found that mRNA levels of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)in ovarian,nuclear transcription factor kappa B(NF-κB),Transforming growth factor(TGF-β)and interferonγ(IFN-γ)in spleen were up-regulated at the end of the trial.Additionally,dietary 50 mg/kg SS improved the ileal flora via up-regulating the relative abundance of Lactobacillus,Romboutsia and Lactobacillus delbrueckii.Although the immune related indicators were improved with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented,it seemed to have a negative influence on the laying-performance.Specifically,serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and the ratio of IFN-γto IL-4 were increased in the 500 SS group at the end of the trial.The m RNA levels of gonadotropin releasing hormone 1(GnRH1)in Hypothalamus,the estrogen related receptor(ERR)in ovaries were downregulated as well as the egg production rate during the trial with 500 mg/kg SS supplemented.Conclusions:The egg production performance was improved by dietary supplemented with 50 mg/kg SS via increasing ovarian FSHR transcription level and serum estrogen level.A beneficial shift in intestinal microflora was recorded,and the immune function of laying hens was also improved with 50 mg/kg SS supplementation.Surprisingly,the long-term supplementation of 500 mg/kg SS exerted a negative impact on the laying performance and physiological functions of the liver of laying hens.

Usefulness of myocardial performance index for assessing right ventricular function after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect

Objective Assessment of right ventricular function in patients with atrial septal defect(ASD)is difficult.The Doppler myocardial performance index(MPI)may provide a method of assessing function in these patients.The purposes of this study were to evaluate the right ventricular function and its changes in patients with ASD after transcatheter closure of ASD.Methods MPI,defined as the sum of isovolumic relaxation time and isovolumic contraction time derived by ejection time,was measured from tricuspid inflow and right ventricular outflow;Doppler velocity profiles recorded during routine echocardiography.Twenty nine patients(13 men,16 women;mean age 25.28±12.69,range 6 to 57 years)were diagnosed to secundum ASD[the stretched diameters of ASD were from 9 To 36(24.91±7.98)mm],and had a successfully placed Amplatzer septal occluder(ASO)(the sizes of ASO were from 11 to 40 mm);there were 81 sex-matched,age-matched healthy people(control group 41men,40 women;mean age 29.02±14.22,range 4 to 45 years).MPI was measured again on 3 days and 1 month after closure of ASD.Change in the study group was assessed and compared to the control subjects with structurally normal hearts.A complete 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination was performed in all study groups.Results 1)The isovolumic relaxation and isovolumic contraction times[respectively(77.59±14.39)ms vs(60.93±12.94)ms,P<0.0001;(28.28±10.88)ms vs(23.64±9.01)ms,P=0.027]were prolonged,and ejection time[(260.65±21.86)ms vs(271.85±21.92)ms,P=0.033]was shortened in patients with ASD compared with that in control subjects,resulting in a marked increase in the MPI(0.40±0.07 vs 0.31±0.05,P<0.0001)from normal values;2)by Pearson's correlations,the MPI had no correlation with heart rate and blood pressure in control subjects and patients with ASD,but it correlated positively with age in patients with ASD;3)by Pearson's correlations,the MPI correlated positively with the diameter of ASD and pulmonary artery pressure;4)after transcatheter closure of ASD,the MPI decreased markedly.Conclusions 1)MPI is a conceptually new,simple,and reproducible Doppler index in patients with ASD;2)MPI is free from the effect of age,heart rate and blood pressure;(3)MPI appears to be relatively dependent on changes in the diameter of ASD and pulmonary artery pressure;4)the right ventricular function was improved after transcatheter closure of ASD.

Effects of Chinese Herbal Additive on Immunologic Functions and Productive Performance of Dairy Cows during Heat Stress

[Objective] To study effects of Chinese herbal additive on immunologic functions and productive performance of dairy cows, [Method] A total of 20 healthy dairy cows were randomly divided into control group and experimental group. They were respectively fed a common basal diet and the basal diet containing 100 g Chinese herbal additives. The trial lasted for 49 d. [ Result] The 4% fat corrected milk yield （FCM） production, milk yield after weight correction, quantity of solid-not-fat and ash content in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group （ P 〈 0.01 ）. The total lymphocytes （LYM） number of peripheral blood, the percentage of lymphocytes, and IgG concentration in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group on Day 14, 28 and 42 （ P 〈 0.01 ）. [ Conclusion] The Chinese herbal additive can enhance the lactation performance and immunologic function of dairy cows.

Development of quality function development matrix to measure the quality management performance of contractor

Quality function development (QFD) matrix was introduced as a tool to measure the quality management performance of contractors. Engineering quality, quality management system components, and their relationship were defined. An integrated engineering quality system was decomposed into seven factors and the quality management system was composed of eight factors. Importance weights of all factors and their relationship point were acquired by questionnaires and interviews. Then, QFD matrix was formulated and the calculating process was proposed. This model was verified on a case study. The result shows that it is useful for contractor in benchmarking themselves and invaluable for owners in the process of deciding contractor.

Effects of Macleaya cordata Extracts on Growth Performance and Immune Function of Immunosuppressed Laying Chicks

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of Macleaya cordata extracts on growth performance and immune function of immunosuppressed laying chicks. [Method] A total of 120 1-day-old laying chicks with the body weight of (38.76±1.12) g were randomly divided into 3 groups with 40 replicates per treatment and 1 chick per replicate according to the principle of consistent body weight and half male and half female,namely control group, cyclophosphamide (CTX) group and M. cordata group. The trial lasted 21 d. The chicks in control group and CTX group were fed with basal diet, and those in M. cordata group were fed with the basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg M. cordata extract. On the 8^(th), 9^(th), 10^(th) and 17^(th) day of the trial, the chicks in CTX group and M. cordata group were intraperitoneally injected with 80 mg/kg BW CTX, and those in control group were intraperitoneally injected with equal dose of normal saline. [Result] (1) Compared with control group, the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of chicks in CTX group reduced significantly;the feed gain ratio (F/G) increased significantly;the white blood cell count (WBC) decreased significantly;the alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspertate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood increased significant -ly;the total protein (TP) and globulin (GLOB) content in the blood decreased significantly;the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased significantly;and the contents of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the serum decreased significantly. (2)Compared with CTX group, the ADG and ADFI of chicks in M. cordata group increased significantly;the F/G decreased significantly;the WBC, red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematokrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) increased sig -nificantly;the contents of ALT, AST and MDA in the serum decreased significantly;the contents of TP, GLOB, IgG, Ig M, IL -1β, interleukin-6(IL-6) and IL-10 in the serum increased significantly;and the bursa of fabricius index increased significantly. (3) Compared with control group, the ADG and ADFI of chicks in M. cordata group increased significantly, and the contents of HGB and HCT in the blood increased significantly. [Conclusion] CTX injection will reduce the growth performance, antioxidant and immune function of laying chicks. The addition of M. cordata extract could restore the growth performance, immune function and antioxidant function impaired by CTX.

Do auditors perform governance functions？ A research on the change of performance notice

Whether auditors provide high-quality audit services has been a concern of academics for a long time, but it has not clear answer. In this paper the author studies this problem from the real basis of audit activities, in view of an endless stream of the performance of listed companies notice ＂change＂ phenomenon. The author finds that auditing is the important reasons of listed companies notice ＂change＂, auditor can improve disclosure quality, is the gatekeeper to accounting information. The author also finds that there may be exist collusion of listed company with auditor, SEC should enhance inspection of the implementation of listed companies notice of earnings.

Impact of Arsenic Related Defects on Electronic Performance of ZrO2/GaAs:Density Functional Theory Calculations

Arsenic can diffuse into high-κ dielectrics during OaAs-based metal oxide semiconductor transistor process, which causes the degradation of gate dielectrics. To explore the origins of the degradation, we employ nonlocal B3LYP hybrid functional to study arsenic related defects in ZrO2. Via band alignments between the OaAs and ZrO2, we are able to determine the defect formation energy in the GaAs relative to the ZrO2 band gap and assess how they will affect the device performance. Arsenic at the interstitial site serves as a source of positive fixed charge while at the oxygen or zirconium substitutional site changes its charge state within the band gap of GaAs. Moreover, it is found that arsenic related defects produce conduction band offset reduction and gap states, which will increase the gate leakage current.

Relationship Between Thermal Shock Behavior and Cutting Performance of a Functionally Gradient Ceramic Tool

Based on the deep understanding of the requirements of cutting conditions on ceramic tools, a design model for functionally gradient ceramic tool materials with symmetrical composition distribution was presented in this paper, according to which an Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool material FG-1 was synthesized by powder-laminating and uniaxially hot-pressing technique. The thermal shock resistance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramics FG-1 was evaluated by water quenching and subsequent three-point bending tests of flexural strength diminution. Comparisons were made with results from parallel experiments conducted using a homogeneous Al 2O 3-TiC ceramics. Functionally gradient ceramics exhibited higher retained strength under all thermal shock temperature differences compared to homogeneous ceramics, indicating the higher thermal shock resistance. The experimental results were supported by the calculation of transient thermal stress field. The cutting performance of the Al 2O 3-TiC functionally gradient ceramic tool FG-1 was also investigated in rough turning the cylindrical surface of exhaust valve of diesel engine in comparison with that of a common Al 2O 3-TiC ceramic tool LT55. The results indicated that the tool life of FG-1 increased by 50 percent over that of LT55. Tool life of LT55 was mainly controlled by thermal shock cracking which was accompanied by mechanical shock. While tool life of FG-1 was mainly controlled by mechanical fatigue crack extension rather than thermal shock cracking, revealing the less thermal shock susceptibility of functionally gradient ceramics than that of common ceramics.

Effective of exercise therapy on functional balance, physical performance and quality of life among patients undergoing hemodialysis: randomized controlled trial

Background:Patients undergoing hemodialysis suffer from deteriorating physical health,impaired physical function,and have a low quality of life,that explained by insufficient metabolic clearance.To overcome these obstacles,cost-effective strategies must be developed,including exercise as a complement to hemodialysis therapy.Objective:To determine the effectiveness of exercise therapy on functional balance,physical performance,and quality of life among patients undergoing hemodialysis:a randomized controlled trial.Methods:This randomized controlled trial study was carried out on 68 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis for at least six months and had a medically stable condition who were randomly divided into training(n=32)exercise therapy and(n=31)control,groups.The training group participated in 8-week(3 sessions per week)resistance exercise therapy in three sets of 10 repetitions of knee extension,hip flexion,and hip abduction with the use of an elastic band under the supervision of a training physiotherapist and researcher during the first hour of the three routine hemodialysis treatment session per week.But the control group did not experience any intervention.To analyze the data,two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni statistical tests were used at the significant level of(P=0.05).Results:6 Minute-Walk Test(6MWT)(0.013),and in the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly(PASE)(0.014),and Short Survey Form 36(SF-36)questionnaires and health-related quality of life(HRQOL)(0.001)had significant improvements in the training group in comparison to the control group from pre to post-test,also physical performance(0.001)was improving as compared with control group(0.89)at(P=0.05).Conclusion:Resistance exercise therapy interventions for eight weeks effectively improve the physical function and performance,activity levels,and health-related quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease and undergoing regular hemodialysis compared with a control group.

Constitution of Hamiltonian Function and Solution of Optimal Control of a Sort of Performance Index

Hamiltonian function is firstly constituted for solving optimal control. When character of controlled object is known,Hamiltonian function is determined by performance index. In this paper,by constituting Hamiltonian function and solving optimal control of a sort of performance index,we can understand optimal control theory and apply optimal control method better.

Study on Influence of Functional Composition Distribution on Combustion Performance of a Modified Single Base Propellant

The modified single base propellant samples were prepared by impregnating blasting oil into single base grains and deactivating deterrent in water medium. The concentration distribution of functional compositions in this propellant was determined by using FTIR micro-spectroscopy. Its combustion performance was investigated by means of closed-bomb and interior ballistic tests. The results show that the concentration of NG distributes parabolically along the radius and the concentration of NA decreases from the surface to the centre exponentially. The deeper the NG impregnates, the slower the NA concentration decreases, the stronger the progressive combustion is and the better the interior ballistic performance is. When the depth corresponding to maximum NG concentration is about 1/2 of the web and the NA decreases slowly, the progressive combustion is the strongest and the interior ballistic performance is the best.

The Effect of Functional Training on the Performance of Female Handball Players’Shooting Skills

A randomized grouping experiment was conducted to study the effect of 8-week functional training on shooting performance of Beijing female handball players.According to the athletes’FMS(functional movement screening)scoring results,they were randomly divided into 2 groups.The experimental group adopted an 8-week functional training,aiming at strengthening their core strength,joint stability,and the power chain of shooting techniques.The control group adopted the traditional strength training mode.ANOVA(analysis of variance)was adopted to analyze the different performance of the athletes from two groups on their FMS scores,distances of throwing,and 7-meter shooting speed before and after the experiment.The results show that:(1)the total FMS scores of the experimental group athletes have been increased more significantly than those of the control group,and the injuries per capita has been significantly reduced;(2)the athletes in the experimental group have more significantly improved performance in handball throwing and 7-meter shooting speed than those in the control group.It shows that 8 weeks of functional training may effectively improve the physical function of Beijing female handball players and their performance in two special skills of handball throwing and shooting speed.

Investigation of the usefulness of zaleplon at two doses to induce afternoon-sleep under noise interference and its effects on psychomotor performance and vestibular function

Background:Military operation personnel often suffer from sleep difficulty because of their work requirements.In this study,we investigated the efficacy of zaleplon at two doses to induce afternoon-sleep under noise interference and its effects on psychomotor performance and vestibular function; we subsequently established the optimal dosage regimen for military operation personnel.Methods:Twenty-two healthy young male volunteers were recruited for the study.Eight subjects took 10 mg or 15 mg of zaleplon and placebo alternately and then were exposed to noise.Changes in polysomnography(PSG) indices,including sleep latency(SL),sleep efficiency(SE) and sleep structure,were recorded after drug administration.After awakening,the volunteers' subjective judgments of sleep quality and sleepiness were measured.Eight volunteers underwent 3 psychomotor performance tests at a one-week interval,and the psychomotor performance tests were conducted before and after taking zaleplon and placebo.Six volunteers participated in the vestibular function test session,and parameters,including optokinetic nystagmus(OKN),vestibular ocular reflex(VOR),visualvestibular ocular reflex(VVOR) and vestibular ocular reflex fixation suppression(VOR-Fix),were detected by the same experimental design as described above.The data of sleep observations were subjected to one-way variance analysis.Results:Compared with the placebo group,SL was shortened significantly,and the scores of subjective sleep quality and sleep depth were clearly increased in the zaleplon 10 mg group(P<0.05).Moreover,the SE and the percent of REM(rapid eye movement) sleep were increased remarkably in the zaleplon 15 mg group(P<0.01).Furthermore,the SE,percent of REM sleep and scores of subjective sleep depth in the zaleplon 15 mg group were significantly higher than in the zaleplon 10 mg group(P<0.05).The psychomotor performance did not change significantly after ingestion of 10 mg or 15 mg of zaleplon,whereas the OKN and VOR gains were lower in the two dose groups of zaleplon(P<0.05) and restored to normal 3h after drug ingestion.Conclusion:Zaleplon is an ideal hypnotic for military personnel,and its hypnotic efficiency is dose-related under noise interference; a 15 mg dose of zaleplon could provide significantly better sleep than a 10 mg dose of zaleplon.