O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho físico-mecânico e de durabilidade de chapas homogêneas de partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e resina poliuretana à base de óleo de mamona; avaliação do comportamento mecânico de painéis modulares de chapas de partículas e madeira de reflorestamento, por meio de simulação numérica, pelo teste de impacto de corpo mole e aplicado em curral para manejo de bovinos; estudo de parâmetros de comportamento de bovinos manejados na instalação edificada com painéis modulares, por meio da mensuração da temperatura de superfície corporal e da reatividade dos animais. Foram determinadas as propriedades físico-químicas e microestruturais das partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. Para as chapas homogêneas de partículas sem e com revestimento superficial foram avaliadas as propriedades físico-mecânicas antes e após o envelhecimento natural. A avaliação do desempenho mecânico dos painéis modulares foi realizada por meio de uma simulação numérica, em laboratório pelo teste de impacto de corpo mole e, em loco, aplicado em seringa de um curral para manejo de bovinos. Os animais manejados tiveram sua temperatura de superfície corporal aferida por meio método da termografia de infravermelho e a reatividade mensurada por meio dos parâmetros de tempo de saída da seringa e do escore de comportamento na seringa. As chapas homogêneas de partículas de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar atenderam aos requisitos normativos para aplicação do material como componente estrutural. Os painéis modulares apresentaram deslocamento transversal experimental inferior aos valores aferidos pelo modelo numérico. Os animais manejados na seringa de painéis modulares e convencional, de tábuas de madeira, não apresentaram diferença nos parâmetros de reatividade, mas as temperaturas corporais superficiais média e máxima foram inferiores nos animais manejados na seringa com painéis modulares. / This study aimed to evaluate the physical-mechanical performance and durability of homogeneous sugarcane bagasse particleboards and polyurethane resin based on castor oil; to evaluation of the mechanical behavior of both modular panels of particleboards and reforestation wood by numerical simulation, soft body impact test and application in cattle handling facilities; to study bovine behavior parameters managed in the facility built with modular panels, by measuring body surface temperature and the reactivity of animals. The physicochemical properties and microstructure of the particles of sugarcane bagasse were determined. For homogeneous particleboards both without and with surface coating, the physical and mechanical properties were evaluated before and after natural aging. The evaluation of the mechanical performance of modular panels was performed by means of a numerical simulation, under laboratory conditions by soft body impact test and, in situ, applied to a crowding pen of corral for cattle management. The handled animals had their body surface temperature measured by infrared thermography and their reactivity was measured by the parameters of flight time in crowding pen and behavior score in crowding pen. The homogeneous particleboards of sugarcane bagasse met the regulatory requirements for applications as a structural component. The modular panels showed lower experimental transverse displacement values when measured by the numerical model. The animals handled in the crowding pen of modular panels and conventional wooden boards showed no difference in reactivity parameters, but the average and maximum superficial body temperatures were lower in animals handled the crowding pen with modular panels.

Tuatara (Sphenodon spp.) were once widespread over both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand approximately 1000 years ago but are now restricted to offshore islands due to introduced predators and habitat destruction. The survival of tuatara is now threatened by climate change because of isolation on islands that prevent them from migrating to cooler regions, and by their limited capacity to adapt due to their long life span and low genetic diversity. The thermal suitability of cooler regions for future translocations could be the key for tuatara conservation. The overall aim of the study was to determine the effect of cool temperature on the physiology, behaviour and egg incubation of Cook Strait tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). As well answering specific questions about tuatara and their adaptation to cool temperature this study aimed at answering general questions about the behavioural and evolutionary ecology of reptiles. I first compared the preferred body temperature, feeding responses and tolerance to cold temperature of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) with three lizard species that inhabit the Otago region of southern New Zealand: Hoplodactylus maculatus, Naultinus gemmeus and Oligosoma maccanni. As well as testing the co-adaptation hypothesis between preferred body temperature and physiological performance of reptiles, I wanted to determine whether tuatara (which are planned to be reintroduced from a warmer site to the Otago region) have similar responses to cool temperature as do Otago lizard species. I found that tuatara show responses to cold temperatures similar to those of lizards from southern New Zealand, suggesting that if tuatara are translocated outside of their geographical range, they are likely to survive. I then tested if tuatara were capable of modifying their thermoregulatory behaviour if translocated to a cooler region. To do so, I conducted a laboratory experiment in which tuatara were provided with three thermal treatments corresponding to the thermal environments they would experience in their current habitat and the proposed reintroduction site. Contrary to the prediction of the cost-benefit model of thermoregulation, tuatara became active thermoregulators when the thermal quality of the habitat decreased. The results suggest that the model is less applicable to cold-adapted species and that if translocated to cooler regions, tuatara will be able to adjust their thermoregulatory behaviour to their thermal environment. Tuatara are temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) reptiles and their translocation to cooler regions could have an dramatic impact on the sex ratio of new populations. To determine if potentially lower incubation temperature would be a limiting factor for the reintroduction of tuatara, I translocated eggs to the proposed reintroduction site. Some tuatara embryos developed at the site (and later hatched in the laboratory), but incubation lasted longer than in natural nests and all hatchlings were female. This trend observed in biased sex ratio might change in the context of climate change as an increase of soil temperature by 3�C would allow the production of males at the proposed site. The present study demonstrates that the translocation of tuatara further south, outside of their current geographical range, is possible and recommended. Tuatara show similar responses to cool temperatures compared with lizards that live in southern New Zealand, they can also adjust their thermoregulatory behaviour if translocated to cooler habitats, and tuatara embryos could potentially develop successfully in cooler regions. The greatest chance for the future survival of tuatara and TSD species in general, lies in translocation to other locations that are thermally suitable.

Obesity is America’s fastest growing health threat. Although a primary health risk factor, obesity increases the probability of secondary health consequences such as stroke, diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Siberian hamsters offer a convenient model to study obesity, as they exhibit a photoperiod-driven reversal of obesity during the fall-winter months (i.e., short-days-SD). SD responses in the Siberian hamster, amongst others, include decreased adiposity and gonadal regression. The duration of the dark period is faithfully transmitted into a neuroendocrine melatonin (MEL) signal; that codes seasonal information. The brain communicates with body fat (white adipose tissue- WAT) via the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The central MEL binding sites, however, necessary for the body fat/lipid mobilization responses during SDs are not precisely known, although melatonin receptor (MEL 1aR) mRNA has been co-localized with sympathetic outflow neurons of WAT in several forebrain areas. This dissertation aims to identify and to characterize the contribution of central sites that are important in seasonal responses in Siberian hamsters. Thus, I asked: Which specific brain sites are both sufficient and necessary to stimulate SD-like decreases in body, WAT and testes mass? Furthermore, I tested if SD-induced decreases in body fat mass are accompanied by increased energy expenditure, specifically brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. It is hoped that the identification of brain sites and mechanisms involved in the effortless reversal of obesity in these animals can be applied to treatment opportunities of human obesity.

Animals in the Southern African sub-region are faced with unpredictable seasonal rainfall patterns and unpredictably low resource availability due to the influence of the El Nino Southern Oscillation System. This has led to conservative energetic traits in animals that offset the costs of maintaining homeostasis in the unpredictable environments they inhabit. One of these animals is the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). Past research has looked at the thermoregulation of rock hyrax in the laboratory. Results indicated that rock hyrax had labile body temperatures that reached lethal levels at ambient temperatures above 39°C. Laboratory studies separate endogenous thermoregulation from behavioural thermoregulation and do not reflect the overall thermoregulatory potential of the rock hyrax in maintaining body temperatures. This study looked at the thermoregulation of rock hyrax in their natural environment. Body temperatures were measured in the field using Thermochron iButtons inserted into the intraperitonial cavity of the animals. Behavioural observations were also recorded on subgroups and individually marked animals. Rock hyraxes were exposed to large fluctuations in ambient temperatures and food availability during the course of this study. In winter, ambient temperatures ranged between 5-25°C and in summer between 18-42°C. Our results show that rock hyrax seasonally and daily altered both their physiological and behavioural thermoregulation to control body temperature efficiently. The physiological alterations observed in rock hyrax differed between winter and summer. During winter, when food availability was low, rock hyrax maintained body temperatures at a lowered level relative to summer. Body temperatures fluctuated to a greater extent during winter as a result of reduced body temperatures at night and increased body temperatures due to basking during the diurnal hours. During summer, rock hyrax displayed high body temperatures, which reached hyperthermic levels. This enabled rock hyrax to forage during midday hours since heat loads could be easily dissipated through passive conduction in the cooler rock crevices. Rock hyrax employed different behavioural patterns in winter and summer. It is proposed that rock hyraxes are unable to meet energetic demands on a low quality and patchy food resource under low ambient temperatures. Predation is also a cost to foraging and becomes increasingly important when rock hyraxes have to move large distances away from crevices to find food. The most frequent behaviour recorded in rock hyrax during winter was basking. Basking enabled rock hyrax to maintain body temperatures with very little thermoregulatory cost. Differences were also recorded in behavioural patterns in rock hyrax of different sizes. Juveniles, due to their small body size and high energetic demands foraged more frequently than adult rock hyrax. During summer, rock hyrax spent considerable time in the rock crevices. This was because ambient temperatures exceeded the upper limit of the thermoneutral zone of the rock hyrax throughout most of the day. Rock hyrax therefore escaped the excessive temperatures by utilizing the cooler rock crevices, which remained at temperatures within the rock hyraxes thermoneutral zone. The most frequent behaviour recorded in rock hyrax aboveground was foraging. Since forage was abundant around the rock crevices during summer, predation risk was less of a factor influencing foraging behaviour. Since basking is an essential component of the rock hyraxes thermal biology during winter we examined basking behaviour in more detail. Basking in the morning was not used to increase body temperatures from hypothermic levels as otherwise thought. Instead, it was used to maintain body temperatures at low ambient temperatures by altering posture, orientation to the sun and basking bout lengths. During the early morning, when heating rates were greatest, rock hyrax orientated their bodies exposing the greatest surface area to solar radiation. During midday, reduced basking bout lengths and the reduction of surface areas exposed to the sun reduced the heat loads during the hottest parts of the day. Rock hyrax appeared to utilize the warm rock surfaces during the late afternoon when the sun was setting to maintain body temperatures before entering the crevices for the night. The combination of physiological and behavioural thermoregulation therefore enables rock hyrax to maintain homeostasis with very little energetic costs in an environment that displays variability in both ambient temperatures and resource availability. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Tuatara (Sphenodon spp.) were once widespread over both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand approximately 1000 years ago but are now restricted to offshore islands due to introduced predators and habitat destruction. The survival of tuatara is now threatened by climate change because of isolation on islands that prevent them from migrating to cooler regions, and by their limited capacity to adapt due to their long life span and low genetic diversity. The thermal suitability of cooler regions for future translocations could be the key for tuatara conservation. The overall aim of the study was to determine the effect of cool temperature on the physiology, behaviour and egg incubation of Cook Strait tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). As well answering specific questions about tuatara and their adaptation to cool temperature this study aimed at answering general questions about the behavioural and evolutionary ecology of reptiles. I first compared the preferred body temperature, feeding responses and tolerance to cold temperature of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) with three lizard species that inhabit the Otago region of southern New Zealand: Hoplodactylus maculatus, Naultinus gemmeus and Oligosoma maccanni. As well as testing the co-adaptation hypothesis between preferred body temperature and physiological performance of reptiles, I wanted to determine whether tuatara (which are planned to be reintroduced from a warmer site to the Otago region) have similar responses to cool temperature as do Otago lizard species. I found that tuatara show responses to cold temperatures similar to those of lizards from southern New Zealand, suggesting that if tuatara are translocated outside of their geographical range, they are likely to survive. I then tested if tuatara were capable of modifying their thermoregulatory behaviour if translocated to a cooler region. To do so, I conducted a laboratory experiment in which tuatara were provided with three thermal treatments corresponding to the thermal environments they would experience in their current habitat and the proposed reintroduction site. Contrary to the prediction of the cost-benefit model of thermoregulation, tuatara became active thermoregulators when the thermal quality of the habitat decreased. The results suggest that the model is less applicable to cold-adapted species and that if translocated to cooler regions, tuatara will be able to adjust their thermoregulatory behaviour to their thermal environment. Tuatara are temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) reptiles and their translocation to cooler regions could have an dramatic impact on the sex ratio of new populations. To determine if potentially lower incubation temperature would be a limiting factor for the reintroduction of tuatara, I translocated eggs to the proposed reintroduction site. Some tuatara embryos developed at the site (and later hatched in the laboratory), but incubation lasted longer than in natural nests and all hatchlings were female. This trend observed in biased sex ratio might change in the context of climate change as an increase of soil temperature by 3�C would allow the production of males at the proposed site. The present study demonstrates that the translocation of tuatara further south, outside of their current geographical range, is possible and recommended. Tuatara show similar responses to cool temperatures compared with lizards that live in southern New Zealand, they can also adjust their thermoregulatory behaviour if translocated to cooler habitats, and tuatara embryos could potentially develop successfully in cooler regions. The greatest chance for the future survival of tuatara and TSD species in general, lies in translocation to other locations that are thermally suitable.

This research project examined the role of environmental time cues and circadian rhythms in mediating seasonal adjustments in the body temperature and locomotoractivity patterns in the Australian sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa (Gray 1827). The first component of this study investigated whether daily rhythms of behavioural thermoregulation and locomotor activity that T. rugosa displays in the field are endogenous circadian rhythms. In each season, there was significant variation in each of these rhythms in lizards released on laboratory thermal gradients under prevailing light-dark (LD) cycles. Both rhythms persisted when lizards were released in constant darkness (DD) and exhibited the same free-running period suggesting a single circadian pacemaker drives both rhythms. The first component of this study revealed that seasonal changes in the expression of daily behavioural thermoregulatory and locomotor activity rhythms are mediated by the circadian system in T. rugosa. The second component of this project comprised three experiments that determined the relative importance of 24 h LD and temperature cycles (TCs) in entraining the locomotor activity rhythm. In the first experiment, lizards were held under LD 12:12 and were subjected to either a TC of 33:15C in phase with the LD cycle or a reversed TC. Following LD 12:12, lizards were maintained under the same TCs but were subjected to DD. Activity was restricted to the thermophase in LD irrespective of the lighting regime and during the period of DD that followed, suggesting entrainment by the TC. In the second experiment, lizards were held under LD 12.5:11.5 and were subjected to one of three treatments; (1) constant 30C, (2) normal TC (30:20C), or (3) reversed TC. Following LD, all lizards were subjected to DD and constant 30C. Post-entrainment free-run records revealed that LD cycles and TCs both entrain locomotor activity rhythms of T. rugosa. Although there was large variation in the phasing of the rhythm in relation to the LD cycle in reversed TC lizards, TCs presented in phase with the LD cycle most accurately synchronised the rhythm to the photocycle. In the third experiment, lizards were held in DD at constant 30C before being subjected to a further period of DD and one of four treatments; (1) normal TC (06:00 h to 18:00 h thermophase), (2) delayed TC (12:00 h to 00:00 h thermophase), (3) advanced TC (00:00 h to 12:00 h thermophase) or (4) control (no TC, constant 30C). While control lizards continued to free-run in DD at constant temperature, locomotor rhythms of lizards subjected to TCs rapidly entrained to TCs irrespective of whether TCs were phase advanced or delayed by 6 h. The results of this experiment excluded the possibility that masking effects were responsible for locomotor responses of lizards to TCs. This study demonstrated that seasonal changes in the expression of this species‟ daily behavioural thermoregulatory and locomotor rhythms are mediated by a circadian system that is sensitive to both light and temperature. The sensitivity of the circadian system to temperature, in particular, may allow T. rugosa to restrict its activity to times of the year that are thermally favourable. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1521959 / Thesis(Ph.D.)-- University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2010

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2006. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 107 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This study compared biofeedback assisted cue-controlled skin temperature training with skin temperature biofeedback training in subjects attempting to raise the digital skin temperature of their dominant hand. In addition to classification according to training, the subjects were also divided into two diagnostic groups. One group was composed of subjects with cold hands and Raynaud's disease while the other group consisted of nonRaynaud's disease cold handed subjects. The treatment and diagnostic groups were compared along the dimensions of amount of posttreatment digital skin temperature change and degree of generalization of digital skin temperature control to a cold room challenge task.

O choque séptico é a complicação mais comum da sepse e responsável por um grande número de casos de morte em unidades de terapia intensiva. Em pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse, a febre é um dos sinais mais comuns, entretanto a hipotermia pode ocorrer e geralmente está associada a infecções severas, prognóstico pior e alta mortalidade. A confluência de vários fatores contribui para a deterioração da condição clínica do paciente que evolui para choque séptico. Um dos principais fatores é a aumentada síntese de óxido nítrico, que pode mediar alterações na função cardiovascular e termorregulatória. O enfermeiro é capaz de detectar o início dos sinais clínicos desses quadros, que incluem: complicação do quadro pulmonar (com presença de taquipnéia), sudorese fria, confusão mental, oligúria, taquicardia, hipotensão arterial e alteração da temperatura corporal. A detecção desses sinais pode ser facilmente realizada com instrumentos apropriados e exame físico. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi correlacionar os valores de temperatura e as concentrações plasmáticas de óxido nítrico em pacientes com diagnóstico de sepse, sepse grave e choque séptico. Nossos dados mostram que existe uma correlação negativa (p<0.0037; r2=0,1593; Coeficiente de Pearson -0,3991) entre os valores de temperatura corporal e os valores de concentração plasmática de nitrato em pacientes com diagnóstico de choque séptico. Estes dados mostram que quanto mais baixa a temperatura corporal, mais altas são as concentrações plasmáticas de nitrato. / Septic shock is the most common complication of sepsis and responsible for a large number of cases of death in intensive care units. In patients with sepsis, fever is one of the most common signs, but hypothermia can occur and is usually associated with severe infections, worse prognosis and high mortality. The confluence of several factors contributing to the deterioration of the clinical condition of patients who progress to septic shock. A key factor is the increased synthesis of nitric oxide may mediate changes in cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function. The nurse is able to detect the onset of clinical signs in these tables, which include: a complication of pulmonary symptoms (presence of tachypnea), cold sweating, mental confusion, oliguria, tachycardia, hypotension, and changes in body temperature. The detection of these signals can be easily accomplished with appropriate instruments and physical examination. In this study, we aimed to correlate the temperature and plasma concentrations of nitric oxide in patients with sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. Our data show that there is a negative correlation (p <0.0037, r2 = 0.1593, Pearson´s coefficient of -0.3991) between the values of body temperature and the values of plasma nitrate in patients with septic shock. These data show that the lower body temperature, the higher plasma concentrations of nitrate.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-07-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:08:52Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 bovo_rp_me_sjrp.pdf: 510815 bytes, checksum: bcd7a1e15ce55c75992debce1daffe04 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Dada a importância da temperatura na maior parte dos processos biológicos, estudos sobre a termorregulação têm desempenhado importante papel no entendimento sobre a ecologia dos vertebrados ectotérmicos. Em serpentes, como em outros ectotérmicos, o controle da temperatura corpórea (Tc) é dependente da utilização de fontes externas de calor e principalmente de ajustes comportamentais, embora ajustes fisiológicos e morfológicos também ocorram. Em geral, esse controle é alcançado por meio da escolha de ambientes quentes ou frios, cuja disponibilidade pode variar ao longo do dia e das estações do ano. A termorregulação, portanto, constitui aspecto central da biologia das serpentes, as quais dedicam porção considerável de seu tempo e energia a essa atividade. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram documentar a variação sazonal e circadiana da temperatura corpórea da jararaca-ilhoa, Bothrops insularis, em seu ambiente natural, a Ilha da Queimada Grande (IQG), a fim de prover análise descritiva da Tc e do comportamento termorregulatório destes animais à luz dos custos e benefícios da regulação da Tc na região tropical; e entender como estes parâmetros são ditados/influenciados por fatores ambientais (temperatura local e de microhábitats, umidade relativa, precipitação, radiação solar, vento, características do substrato) e bióticos (tamanho dos indivíduos, sexo, estágio reprodutivo, estado digestivo). (1) As jararacas-ilhoa são usualmente termoconformadoras, embora consigam atingir a temperatura corpórea preferida em todas as estações do ano; (2) as temperaturas ambientais indicam que a IQG é um ambiente termicamente favorável para essas serpentes; (3) a Tc destes animais sofre forte influência da variação sazonal e circadiana da temperatura ambientel... / Given the pervasive effects of temperature on most biological processes, studies focusing on thermoregulation are pivotal to the understanding of ectotherm’s vertebrate ecology. In snakes, like other ectotherms, body temperature (Tb) control is dependent of external heat sources and based mainly on behavioral adjustments, although physiological and/or morphological adjustments can also occur. In general, such control is achieved through the choice of warm or cold environments, whose availability may vary along the days and/or seasons. Thus, thermoregulation can be regarded as a central aspect of snake biology, and these animals invest considerable time and energy into this activity. The aims of the present study were to document the seasonal and circadian variation in the Tb’s of the golden lancehead, Bothrops insularis, in its natural habitat, the Queimada Grande Island (QGI). We then used such database to provide a descriptive analysis of Tb variation and thermoregulatory behavior for this species in the light of the costs-benefits theory applied to a tropical region. Our second goal was to understand how body temperature is dictated/influenced by environmental (local and microhabitat temperatures, relative humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, wind, substrate characteristics) and biotic factors (individual size, sex, reproductive stage, digestive state). The main findings of the present study were: (1) Golden lanceheads can be regarded as being thermoconformers, although they do reach their preferred body temperature in all seasons; (2) environmental temperatures indicate that QGI has a high thermal quality, i.e., it is thermically suitable for the snakes; (3) Tb is strongly influenced by seasonal and diel variation of the environmental temperature; (4) B. insularis selected... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)