I'hirty-two male subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Groups A and B were pre-loaded with glucose, Groups C and D were not. Groups A and D carried out a pursuit rotor task under 50 dBA (non-stressful), white noise. Groups B and C carried out the same task under SOdBA (stressful) white noise. Blood samples were taken from eeoh subject, and blood glucose levels as well as time on target were measured.Statistical analysis of the results showed that noise stress impaired performance and that pre-loading with glucose attenuated the impairment. This change in performance was accompanied by 6 reduction in the high blood glucose level caused by pre-loading. Pre-loading in the non-stressful condition impaired performance without an associated faU in the high blood glucose level. A suggestion is made that blood glucose levels may be used as an indicant of stress.

This paper considers the idea that for many products there is a particular length of lifespan for which the environmental impact of the item is at a minimum. It is suggested that for some types of product this ideal lifespan is not, as is often believed,`as long as possible' but until the performance of a new product justi®es replacing the existing one. Electrical household appliances are identi®ed as a product group for which this issue is particularly relevant. It is proposed that the improvement over time of use-phase energy consumption shown by many products in this group means that at a certain point it is environmentally bene®cial for the customer to replace their existing machine with the latest model. The paper suggests that it is possible to calculate this point in the life of the product when replacement is most bene®cial from information about new and existing machines. The development of a method for calculating this optimum lifespan from energy consumption data is described, using a dishwasher to demonstrate the technique. Using the equation devised, the environmentally optimum lifespan of a dishwasher is found to be 8.1 years in 2003. Keywords: product lifespan, environmentally sensitive design, domestic appliances NOTATION A, B constants from the equation of the energy consumption graph b build energy (kW h) E energy consumption (kW h/year) m gradient of the energy consumption graph (kW h/year 2 ) n length of lifespan (years) t time from the beginning of the energy consumption graph (years) T start year (years) V variable energy (kW h/year)

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Physiological and psychological instruments were used in the measurement of stress in an occupational training situation. The physiological instrument, the measurement of capilliary blood glucose levels, showed a progressive increase throughout the period of the exercise being observed. The psychological instrument, a stress and arousal adjective checklist (SACL), showed no significant changes in arousal but did show a significant drop in the level of reported stress across the task period. Correlational analysis permits the construction of a model which describes the relationship between the measures and also the results obtained. Changes in the training course are suggested which may alleviate some of the stressfulness perceived by the trainees.

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