Effect of slide projections and tape-recorded suggestions on thermal biofeedback training

A previous experiment (Herzfeld & Taub, 1977) demonstrated that slide projections and explicit suggestions relating to thermal experiences can significantly augment temperature self-regulations training (.5 degrees F, p less than .05). however, the experimental design was thought to result in an underestimate of the magnitude of the effect, since each subject served as his own control and could therefore make use on nonsuggestion training days of material provided on training days. In this experiment, separate groups of subjects either were given feedback combined with the suggestion procedure on each of 8 training days or were given feedback alone. The mean temperature self-regulation of the suggestion group (2.01 degrees F) was significantly better than the self-regulation (.73) of the nonsuggestion group (t test, p less than 0.01), a difference of 1.28 degrees F.     

Effects of contingent versus yoked temperature feedback on voluntary temperature control and cold stress tolerance

Twenty-four male internals(locus of control) and 24 externals were instructed to increase finger temperature under one of three conditions:(1) contingent feedback(CF),(2) yoked sham feedback(YF), or(3) no feedback(NF). Five 13-min training sessions were given. Feedback was then removed and subjects tested for voluntary temperature control. Finally, the cold pressor test, a laboratory analogue of natural cold stress, was administered under no-feedback conditions. Results demonstrated voluntary control of peripheral temperature following contingent feedback training, but not after yoked feedback temperature training. Contrary to expectation, the acquisition of voluntary control did not attenuate the stress response to thermal pain. Differences between internals and externals throughout the study were generally insignificant.     

Effects of varying temperature on the reproduction and damage potential of Heterodera schachtii to Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa pekinensis)

Heterodera schachtii is a well-known, destructive pathogen of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa pekinensis) in Korea, and several studies have attempted to find a potential control measure against it. This study is the first to investigate the effects of varying temperature on the reproduction and damage potential of H. schachtii to Chinese cabbage. Chinese cabbage plants were inoculated with H. schachtii at different densities (1, 2, or 4 juveniles per gram of soil) and grown under three temperature regimes: constant (15, 20, or 25 °C), increasing (10, 14, and 18 °C), and fluctuating (positive, 16.7–22.0 °C; negative, 21.5–11.5 °C). At a constant temperature after 30 days of inoculation, both Chinese cabbage and H. schachtii performed best at 20 °C. However, after 60 days of inoculation, H. schachtii had a significantly higher population at 20 °C, whereas cabbage growth was best at 25 °C. With increasing temperature, the numbers of cysts and females did not change significantly, and reached maxima at an initial temperature of 14 °C. However, the number of leaves and weights of the Chinese cabbage plants significantly differed at 14 °C. Under fluctuating temperatures, temperature decreases reduced the H. schachtii population.     

Age and growth of Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus) and young brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a subalpine Norwegian river

Age, growth and density of Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus) and young brown trout (Salmo trutta) within two sections of River Atna; above Lake Atnsjøen [Section 1 at altitudes between 739 and 715 m] and below Lake Atnsjøen [Section 2 at altitudes between 430 and 370 m] was studied during a 6-year period (1986–91). The water temperature was considerably lower in Section 1 than in Section 2, as the number of days with a water temperature above 10?°C (T _{D ≥ 10?° C} ) from spring to August 1 ranged between 2–26 and 26–52 days, respectively. Juvenile brown trout (age 0+) attained a significantly smaller body size in Section 1 than in Section 2; mean length ±SD was 35 ± 8 mm (ranged 27–46) and 43 ± 7 mm (range 38–46), respectively. In Section 2, there was a highly positive correlation between the body length of 0+ brown trout and mean water temperature in June (p<0.005), and also to some extent in Section 1 (p=0.11). Individuals of age 1+ did not exhibit any such difference, while fish in age group 2+ were larger in Section 1 than in Section 2. By using the number of days with a water temperature between the range 5–10?°C (T _{D ≥ 5 ? 10?° C} ) as test variables, we found a highly positive correlation between the August 1 body length of 0+ brown trout and T _{D ≥ 9}?°C from spring to August 1 in Section 2 (p<0.05), as opposed to T _{D ≥ 7}?°C for trout in Section 1 (p=0.11). Young Siberian sculpin (age 0+ and 1+) also exhibited slower growth in Section 1 than in Section 2, but this was not the case among older specimens. In the year with the lowest temperature measured (1987), no 0+ Siberian sculpin were caught in any of the two sections, indicating that low temperature affects their survival. Both species exhibited large spatial and temporal variation in density. Thus, data on abundance and growth sampled on one occasion at one site can not be regarded as representative for these two fish populations.     

Biofeedback-based stress management training with a population of business managers

A biofeedback-based stress management training program was experimentally evaluated using populations of middle-level managers from a large corporation. The training program, once-weekly 1-hour sessions for 6 weeks, combined frontal and other site EMG biofeedback, progressive relaxation and breathing exercises, cognitive stress management, and generalization techniques. Control groups participated in either the assessment procedures only or the assessment procedures and six once-weekly discussions of stress and the job on both an individual(two sessions) and group(four sessions) basis. Significant effects were found in self-report measures, state and trait anxiety, experience of stress; in physiological measures, basal frontal EMG and frontal EMG during recovery from stress, and finger temperature; and in ratings of overall job performance. However, no consistent advantage for the training group or either control group was found. Several possible explanations for the failure of the biofeedback-based stress management training condition to achieve a consistent advantage over the control conditions are presented.     

A COMPARISON OF THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF MODERATE EXERCISE IN THE EARLY MORNING AND LATE AFTERNOON ON CORE TEMPERATURE AND CUTANEOUS THERMOREGULATORY MECHANISMS

Twelve healthy male subjects each undertook two bouts of moderate exercise (70% VO₂max for 30 minutes) in the morning (08:00) and late afternoon (18:00) at least 4 days apart. Measurements were made of heart rate, core (rectal) temperature, sternum skin temperature, and forearm skin blood flow during baseline conditions, during the bout of exercise, and throughout a 30-minute recovery period. Comparisons were made of the changes of heart rate, temperature, and skin blood flow produced by the exercise at the two times of day. Student t tests indicated that baseline values for core temperature (37.15°C ±. 06°C vs. 36.77°C ± 0.06°C) and sternum temperature (33.60°C ± 0.29°C vs. 32.70°C ± 0.38°C) were significantly (p <. 05) higher in the late afternoon than the early morning. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the increases in core and sternum temperatures during exercise were significantly less (p =. 0039 and. 0421, respectively) during the afternoon bout of exercise compared with the morning, even though the work loads, as determined by changes in heart rate, were not significantly different (p =. 798) at the two times of testing. There were also tendencies for resting forearm skin blood flow to be higher in the afternoon than in the morning and for exercise to produce a more rapid rise in this variable in the afternoon. The possible mechanisms producing these responses to exercise are discussed in terms of those that are responsible for the normal circadian rhythm of core temperature. It is concluded that the body's ability to remove a heat load is less in the early morning, when the circadian system is in a “heat gain” mode, than in the late afternoon, when heat gain and “heat loss” modes are balanced more evenly. (Chronobiology International, 17(2), 197–207, 2000)     

Comparative biological studies on two species of predatory beetles of the genusCybocephalus [Col.: Cybocephalidae]

The development, reproduction and longevity ofCybocephalus micans Reitter andC. nigriceps nigriceps (Sahlberg) were studied under controlled laboratory conditions. The data obtained explain the distribution of the 2 predators in different climatic regions of Israel. Under constant temperatures ranging between 16° and 36° C, the duration of development of the egg. larva and pupa of the 2 species became shorter as the temperature increased. For each developmental stage, at each temperature tested, the mean duration of development ofC. n. nigriceps was higher than that ofC. micans. The average time needed for completion of a generation at 28° C was about 39 days forC. micans, as compared with 56 days forC. n. nigriceps. Progeny production of both cybocephalid species was higher and adult longevity was longer at 28° C than at 32° C.     

Response of effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 to <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> temperature in three alpine plants

The response of effective quantum yield of photosystem 2 (ΔF/F_m’) to temperature was investigated under field conditions (1 950 m a.s.l.) in three alpine plant species with contrasting leaf temperature climates. The in situ temperature response did not follow an optimum curve but under saturating irradiances [PPFD >800 µìmol(photon) m^?2s^?1] highest ΔF/F_m’ occurred at leaf temperatures below 10°C. This was comparable to the temperature response of antarctic vascular plants. Leaf temperatures between 0 and 15°C were the most frequently (41 to 56%) experienced by the investigated species. At these temperatures, ΔF/F_m’ was highest in all species (data from all irradiation classes included) but the species differed in the temperature at which ΔF/F_m’ dropped below 50% (Soldanella pusilla >20°C, Loiseleuria procumbens >25°C, and Saxifraga paniculata >40°C). The in situ response of ΔF/F_m’ showed significantly higher ΔF/F_m’ values at saturating PPFD for the species growing in full sunlight (S. paniculata and L. procumbens) than for S. pusilla growing under more moderate PPFD. The effect of increasing PPFD on ΔF/F_m’, for a given leaf temperature, was most pronounced in S. pusilla. Despite the broad diurnal leaf temperature amplitude of alpine environments, only in S. paniculata did saturating PPFD occur over a broad range of leaf temperatures (43 K). In the other two species it was half of that (around 20 K). This indicates that the setting of environmental scenarios (leaf temperature×PPFD) in laboratory experiments often likely exceeds the actual environmental demand in the field.     

Effect of temperature on the embryonic development of the plaice, Pleuronectes Platessa L. (teleostei)

In normalyears, eggs and prolarvae of the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) in the southern North Sea develop within the temperature range 6.0–8.5 °C, although the water may at times be some degrees colder or warmer than this. The effect of temperature, t °C, on the embryonic development time, D days, has been investigated within the tolerated range 2.8–10.5 °C. Various models to express the observed curvilinear relationship between t and D have been considered, that giving the closest fit to the data being (t−t₀)(D−D₀) = k or $\text{D =}\text{k}\text{(t−t}{}_0\text{)+D}{}_0$. A method is given for the calculation of constants k, D₀, and t₀. The relationship may also be expressed by the equation D = a(t−t₀)^b where a and b are constants, but t₀ must in this case be found by iteration. At investigated temperatures in the range 4.1–10.5 °C the smallest eggs in a batch from a single source hatched first. Within the tolerated range, hatching prolarvae were substantially smaller at 10.5 °C than at the other temperatures. During the period of prolarval yolk utilization, growth is slower at the high temperatures, so that median temperatures of 6.5–8.0 °C are most efficient in terms of the relationship between growth in length and yolk utilization. Toward the end of the yolk-sac phase, the rate of yolk utilization declines unless a suitable external food source (e.g., Artemia nauplii) is provided.     

Thermal dependence of clearance and metabolic rates in slow- and fast-growing spats of manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

Thermal dependence of clearance rate (CR: l h^?1), standard (SMR: J h^?1) and routine metabolic rates (RMR: J h^?1), were analyzed in fast (F)- and slow (S)-growing juveniles of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Physiological rates were measured at the maintenance temperature (17 °C), and compared with measurements performed at 10 and 24 °C after 16 h and 14 days to analyze acute and acclimated responses, respectively. Metabolic rates (both RMR and SMR) differed significantly between F and S seeds, irrespective of temperature. Mass-specific CRs were not different for F and S seeds but were significantly higher in F clams for rates standardized according to allometric size-scaling rules. Acute thermal dependency of CR was equal for F and S clams: mean Q ₁₀ were ≈3 and 2 in temperature ranges of 10–17 and 17–24 °C, respectively. CR did not change after 2 weeks of acclimation to temperatures. Acute thermal effects on SMR were similar in both groups (Q ₁₀ ≈ 1 and 1.6 in temperature ranges of 10–17 and 17–24 °C, respectively). Large differences between groups were found in the acute thermal dependence of RMR: Q ₁₀ in F clams (≈1.2 and 1.9 at temperature ranges of 10–17 and 17–24 °C, respectively) were similar to those found for SMR (Q ₁₀ = 1.0 and 1.7). In contrast, RMR of S clams exhibited maximum thermal dependence (Q ₁₀ = 3.1) at 10–17 °C and become depressed at higher temperatures (Q ₁₀ = 0.9 at 17–24 °C). A recovery of RMR in S clams was recorded upon acclimation to 24 °C. Contrasting metabolic patterns between fast and slow growers are interpreted as a consequence of differential thermal sensitivity of the fraction of metabolism associated to food processing and assimilation.     

Biology and Thermal Requirements of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fopius arisanus</Emphasis> (Sonan, 1932) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Reared on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratitis capitata</Emphasis> Eggs (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Fopius arisanus (Sonan) is a solitary parasitoid of eggs and the first instar larvae of Tephritidae. Due to the occurrence of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) in various regions and under several climatic conditions, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different temperatures on the embryonic development (egg–adult) and determine thermal requirements and the number of annual generations F. arisanus on eggs of C. capitata. In the laboratory, eggs of C. capitata (24 h) were submitted to parasitism of F. arisanus during 6 h. Later, the eggs were placed in plastic containers (50 mL) (50 eggs/container) on a layer of artificial diet and packed in chambers at temperatures 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, and 32 ± 1°C, RH 70 ± 10%, and a photophase of 12 h. The largest number of offspring, emergence rate, and weight of adults of F. arisanus were observed at 25°C. The highest sex ratios (sr > 0.75) were recorded at 15 and 18°C, being statistically higher than the temperatures 20°C (0.65), 22°C (0.64), 25°C (0.65), 28°C (0.49), and 30°C (0.47). At 32°C, there was no embryonic development of F. arisanus. The egg–adult period was inversely proportional to temperature. Based on the development of the biological cycle (egg–adult), the temperature threshold (T _t) was 10.3°C and thermal constant (K) of 488.34 degree-days, being the number of generations/year directly proportional to the temperature increase. The data show the ability of F. arisanus to adapt to different thermal conditions, which is important for biological control programs of C. capitata.     

Purification and properties of esterase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

An enzyme, which hydrolyzes p-nitrophenyl and m-carboxyphenyl esters of n-fatty acids, is purified from Bacillus stearothermophilus. The enzyme reaction obeys the Michaelis-Menten theory. The Michaelis constant (K_m) decreases with increasing the length of carbon number of the acids, but the maximum velocity (V) is maximum for n-caproate. The enzyme is inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP),² and 1 mole of DFP reacts with 1 mole of the enzyme of the molecular weight of 42,000–47,000. The enzyme is considered to be carboxylic ester hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.1). The effects of temperature on K_m or V for p-nitrophenyl n-caproate and on the inhibitor constant (K_i) for n-laurate suggest a thermal transition in the conformation of the enzyme protein at 55 °C. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents such as p-chloromercuribenzoate and 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) at 65 °C, but less at 30 °C. The relationship between the inhibition of the activity by p-chloromercuribenzoate and temperature may suggest that a thermal transition of the enzyme protein accompanies some structural change around sulfhydryl group.     

Incentives to enhance the effects of electromyographic Feedback Training in stroke patients

The use of monetary incentives to enhance the effects of electromyographic(EMG) feedback training was studied in five stabilized stroke patients with hemiplegia. The study was divided into Baseline, EMG Feedback Training, Feedback Training Plus Incentives, and Follow-Up treatment conditions. Integrated EMG activity was recorded simultaneously from the anterior tibialis and medial gastrocnemius muscles during relaxation and dorsiflexion of the affected foot. Patients were instructed to try to increase anterior tibialis EMG activity while decreasing EMG activity in the medial gastrocnemius. Range of motion was measured both prior to and immediately following the Baseline and Feedback Training conditions. Results suggested that(a) EMG feedback training produced greater EMG control and range of motion than did unassisted practice, and(b) the addition of monetary incentives may enhance the effects of feedback training, possibly through its effect on patient motivation.     

Changes in searching responses with temperature ofCyrtorhinus lividipennis reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) on the eggs of the brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

The functional response ofCyrtorhinus lividipennis Reuter attacking the brown planthopper(Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.), BPH) eggs on rice was determined at six constant temperatures of 20°C, 23°C, 26°C, 29°C, 32°C and 35°C. Rogers’ (1972) random predator equations were fitted to the data for each temperature separately. The equation model adequately described a Holling’s Type II functional response forC. lividipennis and produced biologically realistic estimates of attack rates and handling times at five experimental temperatures between 20°C and 32°C. However, at 35°C, a negative handling time(Th = - 0.0029) was produced. The effect of temperature was incorporated in to Rogers’ equation by making the attack rate(a) and handling time(Th) functions of temperature within the range 20°C to 32°C. The attack rate and handling time were fitted as hyperbola and reciprocal hyperbola functions of temperature respectively. The temperature incorporating fourparameter composite model fitted the combined data as well as did separate Rogers’ equations based on the parameter estimates.     

Thermal plasticity of mitochondria: A latitudinal comparison between Southern Ocean molluscs

Mitochondrial volume density (Vv_(mt,f)), cristae surface density (Sv_(im,mt)), cristae surface area (Sv_(im,f)) and citrate synthase (CS) activity were analysed as indicators of thermal acclimation in foot muscle of the limpet, Nacella concinna, and the clam, Laternula elliptica, collected from 4 locations within the Southern Ocean, South Georgia (54°S, N. concinna only), Signy (60°S), Jubany (L. elliptica only ? 62°S) and Rothera (67°S). Animals were acclimated to 0.0 °C whilst a sub-set of N. concinna (South Georgia, Signy and Rothera) and L. elliptica (Rothera) were acclimated to 3.0 °C. At 0.0 °C N. concinna had higher Vv_(mt,f), Sv_(im,mt), Sv_(im,f) and muscle fibre specific CS activity than L. elliptica which correlated with the more active life style of N. concinna. However, mitochondrial density was very low, 1–2% in both species, suggesting that low temperature compensation of mitochondrial density is not a universal evolutionary response of Antarctic marine ectotherms. Both Sv_(im,mt) and Sv_(im,f) were reduced by warm acclimation of N. concinna. South Georgia N. concinna maintained muscle fibre specific CS activity after acclimation, in contrast to N. concinna from Rothera and Signy and L. elliptica from Rothera, indicating that they have the physiological plasticity to respond to their warmer, more variable thermal environment.     

Effects of High Dietary Fluorine on Erythrocytes and Erythrocyte Immune Adherence Function in Broiler Chickens

Fluoride can exert toxic effects on soft tissues, giving rise to a broad array of symptoms and pathological changes. The aim of this study was to investigate on erythrocytes and erythrocyte immune adherence function in broiler chickens fed with high fluorine (F) diets by measuring the total erythrocyte count (TEC), the contents of hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volumn (PCV), erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF), erythrocyte C_3b receptor rosette rate (E-C_3bRR), and erythrocyte immune complex rosette rate (E-ICRR). A total of 280 1-day-old healthy avian broiler chickens were randomly allotted into four equal groups of 70 birds each and fed with a corn–soybean basal diet containing 22.6 mg F/kg (control group) or same basal diets supplemented with 400, 800, and 1,200 mg F/kg (high F groups I, II, and III) in the form of sodium fluoride for 42 days. Blood samples were collected for the abovementioned parameters analysis at 14, 28, and 42 days of age during the experiment. The experimental results indicated that TEC, Hb, and PCV were significantly lower (p?<?0.05 or p?<?0.01), and EOF was higher (p?<?0.05 or p?<?0.01) in the high F groups II and III than that in the control group from 14 to 42 days of age. The E-C_3bRR was significantly decreased (p?<?0.01) in the three high F groups, whereas the E-ICRR was markedly increased (p?<?0.01) in the high F groups II and III from 14 to 42 days of age. It was concluded that dietary F in the range of 800 to 1, 200 mg/kg could significantly cause anemia and impair the integrity of erythrocyte membrane, the transport capacity of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and erythrocyte immune adherence function in broiler chickens.     

Effect of temperature on life table parameters of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on two brassicaceous host plants

Life table parameters of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were studied at seven constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, and 35 °C) on two brassicaceous host plants, cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Survival, longevity and reproduction were examined and used to construct a life table. The survival at immature stages varied from 53.0 to 84.1% on cauliflower and from 58.3 to 86.2% on cabbage at 10–30 °C. P. xylostella did not survive at 35 °C. The female adult longevity ranged from 12.9 days at 30 °C to 30.4 days at 10 °C on cauliflower and 9.7 days at 30 °C to 40.0 days at 15 °C on cabbage. The net reproductive rate (R₀) increased with increasing temperature, while generation time (T) decreased. This caused the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) to increase from 0.038 to 0.340 on cauliflower and 0.033 to 0.315 on cabbage from 10 to 28 °C. The significant decrease in R₀ caused a decrease in r_m at 30 °C. The r_m values on cauliflower were significantly higher than cabbage at 15, 20, 28 and 30 °C.     

Relationship Between Protein Denaturation and Water Holding Capacity of Pork During Postmortem Ageing

This study investigated water holding capacity (WHC), water distribution, and protein denaturation of pork loin chops (longissimus lumborum) packaged in polyethylene bags throughout display at 4?±?1 °C for up to 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 days. The drip loss of pork eventually increased following a decrease during the first 5 days of storage. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis revealed an increase in population of immobilized water P₂₂ from day 1 to day 5, meanwhile a sharp decrease after 9 days was noticed. However, an opposite trend was observed for the population of free water P₂₃. Correlation analysis indicated that myofibrillar protein solubility was negatively correlated with drip loss (p?<?0.05), whereas sarcoplasmic protein measurement were not related to drip loss (p?>?0.05). Furthermore, the content of α-helices increased during the first 5 days of storage (p?<?0.05), which suggested increased WHC during the earlier period of postmortem storage. During the subsequent postmortem storage, the content of α-helices decreased significantly (p?<?0.05), while the β-sheets and β-turns increased. The maximum temperatures (T_max) of three endothermic peaks were found to be 53.6 °C, 65.2 °C, and 77.6 °C at 1 day postmortem. A significant decrease were observed for T_{max peakI},T_{max peakII},T_{max peakIII} at 9 d when compared to 1 d postmortem (p?<?0.05), suggesting loss of thermal stability and protein denaturation.     

Effect of egg storage duration and brooding temperatures on chick growth,intestine morphology and nutrient transporters

The effects of egg storage duration (ESD) and brooding temperature (BT) on BW, intestine development and nutrient transporters of broiler chicks were investigated. A total of 396 chicks obtained from eggs stored at 18°C for 3 days (ESD3-18°C) or at 14°C for 14 days (ESD14-14°C) before incubation were exposed to three BTs. Temperatures were initially set at 32°C, 34°C and 30°C for control (BT-Cont), high (BT-High) and low (BT-Low) BTs, respectively. Brooding temperatures were decreased by 2°C each at days 2, 7, 14 and 21. Body weight was measured at the day of hatch, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42. Cloacal temperatures of broilers were recorded from 1 to 14 days. Intestinal morphology and gene expression levels of H⁺-dependent peptide transporter (PepT1) and Na-dependent glucose (SGLT1) were evaluated on the day of hatch and 14. Cloacal temperatures of chicks were affected by BTs from days 1 to 8, being the lowest for BT-Low chicks. BT-High resulted in the heaviest BWs at 7 days, especially for ESD14-14°C chicks. This result was consistent with longer villus and larger villus area of ESD14-14°C chicks at BT-High conditions. From 14 days to slaughter age, BT had no effect on broiler weight. ESD3-18°C chicks were heavier than ESD14-14°C chicks up to 28 days. The PepT1 and SGLT1 expression levels were significantly higher in ESD3-18°C chicks than ESD14-14°C on the day of hatch. There was significant egg storage by BT interaction for PepT1 and SGLT1 transporters at day 14. ESD14-14°C chicks had significantly higher expression of PepT1 and SGLT1 at BT-Low than those at BT-Cont. ESD14-14°C chicks upregulated PepT1 gene expression 1.15 and 1.57-fold at BT-High and BT-Low, respectively, compared with BT-Cont, whereas PepT1 expression was downregulated 0.67 and 0.62-fold in ESD3-18°C chicks at BT-High and BT-Low. These results indicated that pre-incubation egg storage conditions and BTs affected intestine morphology and PepT1 and SGLT1 nutrient transporters expression in broiler chicks.     

Temperature and rate of seed consumption by ground beetles (Carabidae)

Predation is a key source of seed mortality in many weed species and thus is a part of natural control. In the field, the intensity of seed predation by invertebrates varies during the course of a year. One source of this variation is fluctuations in ambient temperature. Here, the effect of temperature on seed consumption is investigated for the first time, using two abundant carabid seed predators, Pseudoophonus rufipes and Harpalus affinis (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a model system. Field collected individuals were sexed, kept at one of six constant temperatures between 10 and 28 °C and provided with a surplus of seed. Seed consumption was recorded over a period of 4 days. Averaged over all the temperatures, the smaller H. affinis consumed 12.2 seeds day^?1 and larger P. rufipes 29 seeds day^?1. On average, females consumed more seeds than males. Seed consumption by both species increased with temperature. In H. affinis the increase was linear and different for males and females. In P. rufipes the consumption was similar in both sexes but curvilinear because there was no further increase in consumption above 20 °C. Assuming a linear relationship between temperature and consumption at up to 20 °C we calculated the temperature at which seed consumption ceased (?0.1 to 0.3 °C in H. affinis and 6.3–6.9 °C in P. rufipes) and the increment in seed consumption per 1 °C increase in temperature above this threshold (0.4–1.0 and 1.5–4.2 seeds individual^?1 day^?1, respectively) for the two species. Thus, it is possible to calculate the average daily consumption of each species over a range of temperatures up to 20 °C.