Chronobiologic Factors in Experimental Stress Ulcer

The available literature on chronobiologic factors in experimental stress ulcer is extremely small and thematically limited. It focuses almost exclusively on circadian rhythms and, within that, on rhythms related to light-dark cycles, activity and body temperature. Among these, only differences in ulcer induction related to circadian activity patterns have been adequately demonstrated. Other circadian patterns and other temporal phase relationships might be profitably explored, including those related to postnatal development. It is also likely that the important relationships between biorhythms and stress ulcer are not limited to ulcer induction. Future studies should address chronobiologic factors in predisposition, severity of illness, the probability of recovery and response to various therapeutic interventions.     

Spatial and temporal habitat partitioning by calliphorid blowflies

Calliphorid blowflies perform an essential ecosystem service in the consumption, recycling and dispersion of carrion nutrients and are considered amongst the most important functional groups in an ecosystem. Some species are of economic importance as facultative agents of livestock myiasis. The interspecific ecological differences that facilitate coexistence within the blowfly community are not fully understood. The aim of this work was to quantify differences in habitat use by calliphorid species. Thirty traps were distributed among three habitats at two sites in southwest England for collections made during March–August 2016. A total of 17 246 specimens were caught, of which 2427 were Lucilia sericata, 51 Lucilia richardsi, 6580 Lucilia caesar, 307 Lucilia ampullacea, 4881 Calliphora vicina and 2959 Calliphora vomitoria (all: Diptera: Calliphoridae). Lucilia sericata was the dominant species in open habitats, whereas L. caesar was the most abundant species in shaded habitats. Calliphora specimens were more abundant in the cooler months. These findings suggest that Calliphora and Lucilia species show strong temporal segregation mediated by temperature, and that species of the genus Lucilia show differences in the use of habitats that are likely to be driven by differences in humidity tolerance and light intensity. These factors in combination result in effective niche partitioning.     

Geometric morphometric analysis of the effect of temperature on wing size and shape in Aedes albopictus

Wing geometry helps to identify mosquito species, even cryptic ones. On the other hand, temperature has a well‐known effect on insect metric properties. Can such effects blur the taxonomic signal embedded in the wing? Two strains of Aedes albopictus (laboratory and field strain) were examined under three different rearing temperatures (26, 30 and 33 °C) using landmark‐ and outline‐based morphometric approaches. The wings of each experimental line were compared with Aedes aegypti. Both approaches indicated similar associations between wing size and temperature. For the laboratory strain, the wing size significantly decreased as the temperature increased. For the field strain, the largest wings were observed at the intermediate temperature. The two morphometric approaches describing shape showed different sensibilities to temperature. For both strains and sexes, the landmark‐based approach disclosed significant wing shape changes with temperature changes. The outline‐based approach showed lesser effects, detecting significant changes only in laboratory females and in field males. Despite the size and shape changes induced by temperature, the two strains of Ae. albopictus were always distinguished from Ae. aegypti. The present study confirms the lability of size. However, it also suggests that, despite environmentally‐induced variation, the architecture of the wing still provides a strong taxonomic signal.     

Changes in the biochemical composition of tissues in Juvenile Sea bass during forced starvation

The effects of starvation on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fingerlings (initial average weight 9.5 g) at 19° in sea water were studied. Fish start to die on day 19. Proximate analysis shows that water content increases with starvation time whereas protein and lipid contents decrease. After an initial decline, nitrogen excretion remains stable from day 2 to day 14. Starvation resulted in a reduction of liver, muscle and digestive tract lipids, mainly the triglycerides which are significantly reduced within the first week of starvation. The influence of water temperature on these changes is discussed.     

Temperature dependence of the membrane resistance in Characeae cells

Changes in the electrical resistance of internodal cells of Nitellopsis obtusa (Desv. in Lois) J. Gr. and Lychnothamnus barbatus (Meyen) Leonh., produced by short-lasting temperature changes (3-min intervals) in the range of 4⇌48°C were measured. In the whole temperature range examined the electrical resistance of the cell membranes underwent from 5 to 9 distinct changes; the overall changes were approximately hyperbolic, while in certain narrow temperature ranges they were non-monotonic, and in others linear. Arrhenius plots of these dependencies provide data which suggest a specific, stepwise character of changes in the permeability to ions, produced by temperature alterations and probably connected with corresponding modifications of cell membrane fluidity. This seems to support the view that the cell membranes of the examined plant species may exist in different, discrete, physiological states characteristic of certain temperature ranges.     

Relations between elevated temperatures and fermentation behaviour of Kloeckera apiculata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae associated with winemaking in mixed cultures

One of the important factors affecting wine fermentation is temperature. The influence of elevated temperatures from 10 to 25 °C at 5 °C intervals on yeast growth and fermentation products were studied in mixed cultures of Kloeckera apiculata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in grape juice. In the experiments carried out at 10 and 15 °C, K. apiculata grew and survived longer compared to trials conducted above 20 °C. In most cases, higher temperatures stimulated the production of higher alcohols but lowered the formation of esters and acetaldehyde. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Resource utilization conditions as biochar of an invasive plant Spartina alterniflora in coastal wetlands of China

Converting feedstocks of invasive plants into biochar is a new and cost‐effective measure for their control, and benefits for the sustainable development of native ecosystems. Spartina alterniflora, an invasive plant widely distributed in coastal wetlands of China, was used to produce biochar. We aimed to analyze how S. alterniflora biochar properties changed with desalination of feedstocks, pyrolysis temperature, and residence time. Results showed that desalting feedstocks increased biochar pH, stability, porosity, and surface area, but diminished biochar yield and polarity. Pyrolysis temperature positively affected biochar pH, surface area, and pore volume, while it had negative effects on biochar yield, oxygen and hydrogen contents, hydrogen/carbon and oxygen/carbon ratios, pore size, and function groups. However, residence time of pyrolysis had slight effects on biochar properties. The results are valuable for optimizing pyrolysis temperature and pretreatment measure of feedstocks, to tune S. alterniflora biochar properties for specific environmental usage.     

Development of Four Populations of Meloidogyne hapla on Two Cultivars,of Cucumber at Different Temperatures

The infectivity and development of four populations of Meloidogyne hapla were compared, at three temperatures, on tomato and two varieties of cucumber. A population from Canada produced few root-galls on cucumber and, except at 24 C, no larvae developed into adult females and produced egg masses. In contrast, a population with 45 chromosomes from America produced many galls on cucumber and small proportions of larvae became females and produced egg masses at 20 and 24 C. At 18 C this population produced no egg masses on cucumber, but a population from Britain and one from America with 17 chromosomes produced more egg masses at this temperature than at 20 or 24 C. Dissection of the galls showed that on cucumber many larvae died or their growth and development was slowed.