Nonshivering thermogenesis and adaptation to fasting in king penguin chicks

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (4) ◽  
pp. R744-R751 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Duchamp ◽  
H. Barre ◽  
D. Delage ◽  
J. L. Rouanet ◽  
F. Cohen-Adad ◽  
...  

The ability to develop nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) and the effect of fasting on thermogenic response to cold were studied in winter-acclimatized king penguin chicks. Metabolic rate (MR) and integrated electrical muscle activity were measured at different ambient temperatures. In cold-acclimatized (5 degrees C) fed chicks, shivering threshold temperature (STT) was 9.4 degrees C lower than lower critical temperature (LCT), indicating that NST (0.7 W/kg) occurs at moderate cold, whereas in control chicks fed and reared at 25 degrees C for 3 wk, LCT and STT were similar. Chicks reared in the cold and fasting for 3 wk or 4-5 mo (natural winter fast) developed an NST of 0.8 and 2.4 W/kg, respectively, despite the fast. In fasting chicks, the intercept of the metabolic curve with the abscissa at zero MR was far below body temperature, contrasting with the classic model for heat loss. Their low LCT indicates the capacity of a large reduction in convective conductance characteristic of diving animals and allows energy sparing in moderate cold. Below LCT, conductance reincreases progressively, leading to a steeper than expected slope of the metabolic curve and allowing preservation of a threshold temperature in the shell. These results show for the first time in a wild young bird the development of NST after cold acclimatization. Further, at the temperature of cold acclimatization, an energy-sparing mechanism is shown in response to long-term fast adaptation.

1982 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 1008-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hensel ◽  
M. Banet

Two groups of cats were exposed to 5 and 30 degrees C, respectively for 24 mo in climatic chambers under artificial illumination. Then the ambient temperatures were reversed for both groups for another 36 mo. The group adapted to cold for 36 mo showed an increase in fur growth (+35%), an increase in resting metabolism (+20%), and a shift in threshold of the cold-induced metabolic response to 8 degrees C lower ambient temperatures. Norepinephrine (0.4 mg . kg-1) elicited nonshivering thermogenesis (+37%) in the cold-adapted animals but was ineffective in the warm-adapted ones. Fur insulation at thermoneutrality was 55% higher in the cold-adapted cats. During acute exposure to -5 degrees C, tissue insulation decreased in both groups; fur insulation increased by 34% in the warm-adapted cats but remained nearly constant in the cold-adapted animals. At all ambient temperatures cold-adapted cats had higher (+0.4 degrees C) rectal temperatures. Body weight was not significantly different in both groups, although the cats living in the cold had a 45% higher metabolism. This was compensated by an increased food consumption.


1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
K. Choudhary ◽  
M. Singh ◽  
M. S. Rathore ◽  
N. S. Shekhawat

This long term study demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to propagate embryogenic Vigna trilobata and to subsequently initiate the differentiation of embryos into complete plantlets. Initiation of callus was possible on 2,4-D. Somatic embryos differentiated on modified MS basal nutrient medium with 1.0 mg/l  of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l  of Kn. Sustained cell division resulted in globular and heart shape stages of somatic embryos. Transfer of embryos on to a fresh modified MS basal medium with 0.5 mg/l of Kn and 0.5 mg/l of GA3 helped them to attain maturation and germination. However, the propagation of cells, as well as the differentiation of embryos, were inhibited by a continuous application of these growth regulators. For this reason, a long period on medium lacking these growth regulators was necessary before the differentiation of embryos occurred again. The consequences for improving the propagation of embryogenic cultures in Vigna species are discussed. Key words: Pasture  legume, Vigna trilobata, Globular, Heart shape, somatic embryogenesis D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4990 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 89-99, 2009 (June)


2017 ◽  
pp. 34-47
Author(s):  
Hoi Le Quoc ◽  
Nam Pham Xuan ◽  
Tuan Nguyen Anh

The study was targeted at developing a methodology for constructing a macroeconomic performance index at a provincial level for the first time in Vietnam based on 4 groups of measurements: (i) Economic indicators; (ii) oriented economic indicators; (iii) socio-economic indicators; and (iv) economic - social – institutional indicators. Applying the methodology to the 2011 - 2015 empirical data of all provinces in Vietnam, the research shows that the socio-economic development strategy implemented by those provinces did not provide balanced outcomes between growth and social objectives, sustainability and inclusiveness. Many provinces focused on economic growth at the cost of structural change, equality and institutional transformation. In contrast, many provinces were successful in improving equality but not growth. Those facts threaten the long-term development objectives of the provinces.


Author(s):  
O. D. Golyaeva ◽  
O. V. Kurashev ◽  
S. D. Knyazev ◽  
А. Yu. Bakhotskaya

The main goal of the scientific institution was and remains to improve the assortment of fruit and berry crops for the development of domestic horticulture. Black currant breeding at VNIISPK was started by A.F Tamarova and continued by the doctor of agricultural Sciences T.P.Ogoltsova and doctor of agricultural Sciences S.D. Knyazev. A long-term breeding program has been developed. The main goals of the program are to create black currant cultivars with continuous resistance to diseases, first of all powdery mildew, as wells resistance to pests, i.e. bud mite. As a result of the long-term work, over 40 black currant cultivars have been developed, 14 of them are zoned. Red currant breeding was led by the candidate of agricultural Sciences L.V. Bayanova; since 2001 the work has been continued by the candidate of agricultural Sciences O.D. Golyaeva. ‘Heinemanns Rote Spӓtlese’, the descendant of R. multiflorum Kit., was involved in the red currant breeding for the first time in Russia. On its genetic basis, a series of late maturing cultivars with long and dense racemes was created. At the Institute, in total 21cultivars of red currants have been developed, 13 of them are zoned. At present, red currant cultivars make up 25.5% of the zoned assortment in Russia. The first research on gooseberries was stated by V.P. Semakin and A.F Tamarova; since 1992 the systematic gooseberry breeding has been carried out by the candidate of agricultural Sciences O.V. Kurashev. On the basis of Grossularia robusta, we have created gooseberry forms that are resistant to powdery mildew and leaf spots. These forms are highly productive, weakly thorned, having bush habit suitable for mechanized harvest. The result of breeding activities was the transfer of 6 gooseberry cultivars to State agricultural testing: ‘Solnechny Zaychik’, ‘Nekrasovsky’, ‘Yupiter’, ‘Zemlianichny’, ‘Moryachok’ and ‘Discovery’.


Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Marta Kubiak ◽  
Janine Mayer ◽  
Ingo Kampen ◽  
Carsten Schilde ◽  
Rebekka Biedendieck

In biocatalytic processes, the use of free enzymes is often limited due to the lack of long-term stability and reusability. To counteract this, enzymes can be crystallized and then immobilized, generating cross-linked enzyme crystals (CLECs). As mechanical stability and activity of CLECs are crucial, different penicillin G acylases (PGAs) from Gram-positive organisms have proven to be promising candidates for industrial production of new semisynthetic antibiotics, which can be crystallized and cross-linked to characterize the resulting CLECs regarding their mechanical and catalytic properties. The greatest hardness and Young’s modulus determined by indentation with an atomic force microscope were observed for CLECs of Bacillus species FJAT-PGA CLECs (26 MPa/1450 MPa), followed by BmPGA (Priestia megaterium PGA, 23 MPa/1170 MPa) and BtPGA CLECs (Bacillus thermotolerans PGA, 11 MPa/614 MPa). In addition, FJAT- and BtPGA CLECs showed up to 20-fold higher volumetric activities compared to BmPGA CLECs. Correlation to structural characteristics indicated that a high solvent content and low number of cross-linking residues might lead to reduced stability. Furthermore, activity seems to be restricted by small water channels due to severe diffusion limitations. To the best of our knowledge, we show for the first time in this study that the entire process chain for the characterization of diverse industrially relevant enzymes can be performed at the microliter scale to discover the most important relationships and limitations.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 401
Author(s):  
Martin Boros ◽  
Andrej Velas ◽  
Viktor Soltes ◽  
Jacek Dworzecki

Magnetic contacts are one of the basic components of an alarm system, providing access to buildings, especially windows and doors. From long-term reliability tests, it can be concluded that magnetic contacts show sufficient reliability. Due to global warming, we can measure high as well as low ambient temperatures in the vicinity of magnetic contacts, which can directly affect their reliability. As part of partial tests, research into the reliability of magnetic contacts, we created a test device with which their reaction distance was examined under extreme conditions simulated in a thermal chamber. The results of the practical tests have yielded surprising results.


Author(s):  
Kendrick Lee ◽  
Steven R. Laviolette ◽  
Daniel B. Hardy

Abstract Background Cannabis use in pregnancy leads to fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the long-term effects on cardiac function in the offspring are unknown, despite the fact that fetal growth deficits are associated with an increased risk of developing postnatal cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that maternal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) during pregnancy will impair fetal development, leading to cardiac dysfunction in the offspring. Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly selected and administered 3 mg/kg of Δ9-THC or saline as a vehicle daily via intraperitoneal injection from gestational days 6 to 22, followed by echocardiogram analysis of cardiac function on offspring at postnatal days 1 and 21. Heart tissue was harvested from the offspring at 3 weeks for molecular analysis of cardiac remodelling. Results Exposure to Δ9-THC during pregnancy led to FGR with a significant decrease in heart-to-body weight ratios at birth. By 3 weeks, pups exhibited catch-up growth associated with significantly greater left ventricle anterior wall thickness with a decrease in cardiac output. Moreover, these Δ9-THC-exposed offsprings exhibited increased expression of collagen I and III, decreased matrix metallopeptidase-2 expression, and increased inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, all associated with cardiac remodelling. Conclusions Collectively, these data suggest that Δ9-THC-exposed FGR offspring undergo postnatal catch-up growth concomitant with cardiac remodelling and impaired cardiac function early in life. Impact To date, the long-term effects of perinatal Δ9-THC (the main psychoactive component) exposure on the cardiac function in the offspring remain unknown. We demonstrated, for the first time, that exposure to Δ9-THC alone during rat pregnancy results in significantly smaller hearts relative to body weight. These Δ9-THC-exposed offsprings exhibited postnatal catch-up growth concomitant with cardiac remodelling and impaired cardiac function. Given the increased popularity of cannabis use in pregnancy along with rising Δ9-THC concentrations, this study, for the first time, identifies the risk of perinatal Δ9-THC exposure on early postnatal cardiovascular health.


2021 ◽  
pp. 227853372110083
Author(s):  
Smita Mukherjee ◽  
Zubin R. Mulla

We examine the cost of leaders changing between empowering and directive leadership styles on team outcomes. In a laboratory experiment, we collected data from 240 participants in 80 teams. Confederates enacted different leadership styles and led teams of participants in performing a series of tasks. When leaders changed their style from directive to empowering, teams took time to respond in terms of higher satisfaction with leader and affective commitment. However, when leaders changed their style from empowering to directive, the deterioration of satisfaction with leader and reduction in affective commitment were immediate. Moreover, teams of leaders who had been consistently directive showed higher affective commitment as compared to teams of leaders who had a history of being empowering but later shifted to being directive. First time managers can get inputs on how they should enact their leadership style and be aware that switching between styles may impose long-term costs on the team’s affective commitment and satisfaction with the leader.


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Justyna Topolska ◽  
Bartosz Puzio ◽  
Olaf Borkiewicz ◽  
Julia Sordyl ◽  
Maciej Manecki

Although vanadinite (Pb5(VO4)3Cl) occurs in abundance in various terrestrial geochemical systems of natural and anthropogenic origin and is seriously considered as a potential nuclear waste sequestering agent, its actual application is severely limited by a lack of understanding of its basic thermodynamic parameters. In this regard, the greatest challenge is posed by its incongruent dissolution, which is a pivotal hurdle for effective geochemical modeling. Our paper presents an universal approach for geochemical computing of systems undergoing incongruent dissolution which, along with unique, long-term experiments on vanadinites’ stability, allowed us to determine the mineral solubility constant. The dissolution experiments were carried out at pH = 3.5 for 12 years. Vanadinite has dissolved incongruently, continuously re-precipitating into chervetite (Pb2V2O7) with the two minerals remaining in mutual equilibrium until termination of the experiments. The empirically derived solubility constant Ksp,V,298 = 10–91.89 ± 0.05 of vanadinite was determined for the first time. The proposed modeling method is versatile and can be adopted to other mineral systems undergoing incongruent dissolution.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5887
Author(s):  
Thandiwe Sithole ◽  
Nelson Tsotetsi ◽  
Tebogo Mashifana

Utilisation of industrial waste-based material to develop a novel binding material as an alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has attracted growing attention recently to reduce or eliminate the environmental footprint associated with OPC. This paper presents an experimental study on the synthesis and evaluation of alkali activated Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) composite using a NaOH solution as an alkaline activator without addition of silicate solution. Different NaOH concentrations were used to produce varied GGBFS based alkali activated composites that were evaluated for Uncofined Compressive Strength (UCS), durability, leachability, and microstructural performance. Alkali activated GGBFS composite prepared with 15 M NaOH solution at 15% L/S ratio achieved a UCS of 61.43 MPa cured for 90 days at ambient temperatures. The microstructural results revealed the formation of zeolites, with dense and non-porous morphology. Alkali activated GGBFS based composites can be synthesized using a sole alkaline activator with potential to reduce CO2 emission. The metal leaching tests revealed that there are no potential environmental pollution threats posed by the synthesized alkali activated GGBFS composites for long-term use.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document