Experimental evolution for generalists and specialists reveals multivariate genetic constraints on thermal reaction norms

Theory predicts the emergence of generalists in variable environments and antagonistic pleiotropy to favour specialists in constant environments, but empirical data seldom support such generalist–specialist trade-offs. We selected for generalists and specialists in the dung fly Sepsis punctum (Diptera: Sepsidae) under conditions that we predicted would reveal antagonistic pleiotropy and multivariate trade-offs underlying thermal reaction norms for juvenile development. We performed replicated laboratory evolution using four treatments: adaptation at a hot (31 °C) or a cold (15 °C) temperature, or under regimes fluctuating between these temperatures, either within or between generations. After 20 generations, we assessed parental effects and genetic responses of thermal reaction norms for three correlated life-history traits: size at maturity, juvenile growth rate and juvenile survival. We find evidence for antagonistic pleiotropy for performance at hot and cold temperatures, and a temperature-mediated trade-off between juvenile survival and size at maturity, suggesting that trade-offs associated with environmental tolerance can arise via intensified evolutionary compromises between genetically correlated traits. However, despite this antagonistic pleiotropy, we found no support for the evolution of increased thermal tolerance breadth at the expense of reduced maximal performance, suggesting low genetic variance in the generalist–specialist dimension.

A study of adaptive thermal comfort in a well-controlled climate chamber

This paper aims to critically examine the application of Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) in an air-conditioned environment in the hot-humid climate region. Experimental studies have been conducted in a climate chamber in Chongqing, China, from 2008 to 2010. A total of 440 thermal responses from participants were obtained. Data analysis reveals that the PMV overestimates occupants' mean thermal sensation in the warm environment (PMV > 0) with a mean bias of 0.296 in accordance with the ASHRAE thermal sensation scales. The Bland–Altman method has been applied to assess the agreement of the PMV and Actual Mean Vote (AMV) and reveals a lack of agreement between them. It is identified that habituation due to the past thermal experience of a long-term living in a specific region could stimulate psychological adaptation. The psychological adaptation can neutralize occupants’ actual thermal sensation by moderating the thermal sensibility of the skin. A thermal sensation empirical model and a PMV-revised index are introduced for air-conditioned indoor environments in hot-humid regions. As a result of habituation, the upper limit effective thermal comfort temperature SET* can be increased by 1.6 °C in a warm season based on the existing international standard. As a result, a great potential for energy saving from the air-conditioning system in summer could be achieved.

Individual (co)variation in thermal reaction norms of standard and maximal metabolic rates in wild-caught slimy salamanders

Standard metabolic rate (SMR) and maximal metabolic rate (MMR) are fundamental measures in ecology and evolution because they set the scope within which animals can perform activities that directly affect fitness. In ectotherms, both SMR and MMR are repeatable over time when measured at a single ambient temperature (Ta). Many ectotherms encounter variable Ta from day to day and over their lifetime, yet it is currently unknown whether individual differences hold across an ecologically relevant range of Ta (i.e. thermal repeatability; RT). Moreover, it is possible that thermal sensitivity of SMR and MMR are important individual attributes, and correlated with one another, but virtually nothing is known about this at present. We measured SMR and MMR across an ecologically relevant Ta gradient (i.e. from 10 to 25 °C) in wild-caught salamanders (Plethodon albagula) and found that RT was significant in both traits. SMR and MMR were also positively correlated, resulting in a lower RT in absolute and factorial aerobic scopes (AAS and FAS). We found significant individual differences in thermal sensitivity for both SMR and MMR, but not for AAS and FAS. The intercept (at Ta = 0 °C) and the slope of the thermal reaction norms were negatively correlated; individuals with low MR at low Ta had a higher thermal sensitivity. Finally, individuals with a high thermal sensitivity for SMR also had high thermal sensitivity for MMR. Our results suggest that natural selection occurring over variable Ta may efficiently target the overall level of - and thermal sensitivity in - SMR and MMR. However, this may not be the case for metabolic scopes, as the positive correlation between SMR and MMR, in addition to their combined changes in response to Ta, yielded little individual variation in AAS and FAS. Our results support the idea that organisms with low metabolism at low Ta have a high metabolic thermal sensitivity as a compensatory mechanism to benefit in periods of warmer environmental conditions. Hence, our study reveals the importance of considering within-individual variation in metabolism, as it may represent additional sources of adaptive (co)variation.

Thermal comfort of multiple user groups in indoor aquatic centres

Aquatic centres are popular recreational facilities in Australia and other developed countries. These buildings have experienced exponential demand over the past few decades. The growing desire for better indoor environmental quality in aquatic centres has resulted in a marked increase in energy consumption in this sector. With the existence of multiple user groups, achieving thermal comfort has always been challenging. Even though several thermal comfort studies are conducted in other building types, such studies are very limited with respect to aquatic centres. This paper analyses the thermal comfort conditions of various user groups in seven aquatic centres in Australia. Comfort measurements are performed through monitoring environmental parameters and surveying swimmers, staff and spectators. The results revealed the variation of air temperatures among the buildings, resulting in high level of thermal discomfort for the spectators and staff in some of the buildings. The thermal sensation of the staff and spectators had good correlation with the indoor temperatures and PMVs. Altering temperature settings according to the seasons will help to improve the comfort with respect to the adaptation and expectation of the occupants.

THE EFFECT of IMMEDIATE DENTIN SEALING on THE MARGINAL ADAPTATION and BOND STRENGTHS of TOTAL-ETCH and SELF-ETCH ADHESIVES

Statement of problem. Sealing ability and bond strengths of total-etch and self-etch dentin adhesives used for immediate dentin sealing have not been assessed and established.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) using total-etch or self-etch dentin adhesives on microleakage and microtensile bond strength.Material and methods. Twenty recently extracted molars were selected, and standard MOD inlay preparations were made with the gingival margins located below the cemento-enamel unction. The teeth were assigned to 4 experimental groups (n=5) according to the indirect composite restoration cementation technique used: (1) immediate dentin sealing with Adper Single Bond (TEBI); (2) conventional adhesive cementation technique using Adper Single Bond (TEAI); (3) immediate dentin sealing using Adper Prompt L-Pop (SEBI); or (4) conventional adhesive cementation technique using Adper Prompt L-Pop (SEAI). The restored teeth were thermal cycled 1,000 times between 5 degrees and 55 degrees C and then immersed in 50% ammoniacal silver nitrate. Three specimens per restoration were evaluated for microleakage, according to predefined scores, and submitted to Friedman's test (alpha-.05). The specimens were then sectioned to obtain 0.8 +/- 0.2-mm-thick sticks (with n ranging from 32 to 57 specimens) and submitted to microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) testing. The obtained data were submitted to 2-way ANOVA test (alpha=.05).Results. None of the experimental groups demonstrated complete elimination of marginal microleakage. There were significant differences in microleakage of the tested adhesives (P>.001). IDS microleakage scores were similar to those obtained using the conventional cementation technique (CCT) for both adhesives. The highest mean bond strengths were obtained with TEBI (51.1 MPa), whereas SEAI showed the lowest mean bond strengths (1.7 MPa). IDS resulted in significantly higher bond strengths than CCT (P<.001).Conclusions. Total-etch and self-etch adhesives have a significant effect on IDS. IDS resulted in high bond strengths for both adhesives; however, the microleakage was similar to that obtained with CCT (J Prosthet Dent 2009;102:1-9)

Marginal adaptation of Class 2 adhesive restorations

Objective: Control of microleakage represents a challenge for posterior composite restorations. The technique for composite placement may reduce microleakage. The null hypothesis of this in vitro study was that centripetal incremental insertion of composite resin would result in less microleakage than that obtained with the oblique incremental technique or bulk technique. Method and Materials: Standardized Class 2 preparations were made in 60 caries-free extracted third molars and randomly assigned to 3 groups ( n = 20): ( 1) oblique incremental insertion technique ( control), ( 2) centripetal incremental insertion technique, and ( 3) bulk insertion. The teeth were restored with a total-etch adhesive and micro-hybrid composite resin. The specimens were isolated with nail varnish except for a 2-mm-wide area around the restoration and then thermocycled ( 1,000 thermal cycles, 5 degrees C/ 55 degrees C; 30-second dwell time). The specimens were immersed in an aqueous solution of 50% silver nitrate for 24 hours, followed by 8 hours of immersion in a photo-developing solution and subsequently evaluated for leakage. The microleakage scores ( 0 to 4) obtained from the occlusal and cervical walls were analyzed with median nonparametric tests ( P <.05). Results: The null hypothesis was rejected. All techniques attained statistically similar dentin microleakage scores ( P =.15). The centripetal insertion technique displayed significantly less microleakage than the oblique technique at the enamel margins ( P =.04). Conclusion: None of the techniques eliminated marginal microleakage in Class 2 preparations. However, in occlusal areas, the centripetal technique performed significantly better than the other techniques.

Heat Exchange from the Toucan Bill Reveals a Controllable Vascular Thermal Radiator

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of thermal conditioning during embryonic development on aspects of physiological responses of broilers to heat stress

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of thermal conditioning, (through exposure to heat stress), during pre-hatch development on some physiological responses of post-hatch broilers to a post-natal heat stress challenge. Exposure to heat stress at this stage, we hope, may possibly induce epigenetic heat adaptation. Incubating eggs were exposed to temperature of 39.0degreesC for 2 h from Day 13 to 17 of incubation. At 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 d of age, the broilers hatched from these eggs were housed individually in open-circuit respiration cells. The climatic chambers were set to 22degreesC and increased to 30degreesC for 4 h. O-2 consumption and CO2 production of each chicken was monitored continuously in order to calculate the heat production. Blood samples were obtained before and during the 4 h heat stress. Thermal conditioning during incubation did not affect the plasma T-4, corticosterone, glucose, uric acid and CK concentrations. Temperature challenge, decreased plasma T-3 of broilers of both groups but the decrease was greater in pre-conditioned broilers compared with controls. A similar trend was observed for triglycerides. These changes did not affect total heat production. Since decreased T3 and triglyceride levels are part of the mechanisms for thermoregulation, these suggest that thermal conditioning during incubation can improve the broiler chicken capability for thermotolerance at later post-hatch age. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of timing of thermal conditioning during incubation on embryo physiological parameters and its relationship to thermotolerance in adult broiler chickens

Previously, we reported that thermal conditioning at 39degreesC on days 13-17 of incubation of broiler eggs enabled thermotolerance during post-hatch growth (J. Therm. Biol. 28 (2003) 133). Tolerance to a temperature of 30degreesC was accompanied by changes in thyroid hormones and metabolic parameters. In the current study, we determined the mechanism of epigenetic heat adaptation during embryonic age by measuring blood physiological parameters that may be associated with the ultimate effects of thermal conditioning. Hatching eggs from Ross breeders were subjected to heat treatment of 39degreesC at days 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of incubation for 2 h per day. Control eggs were incubated at 37.6degreesC. Samples of eggs were withdrawn on each day of thermal conditioning and at internal pipping (IP) to obtain blood samples from embryos. The remaining eggs were weighed at day 18 and transferred to hatchers. The timing of IP, external pipping (EP) and hatching were monitored every 2 h. At hatch, chicks were weighed and hatchability was determined. Blood samples were obtained from samples of day-old chicks. T3, T4, corticosterone, pCO(2), pO(2) levels were determined in the blood. Blood pH was measured and T3/T4 ratios were calculated. Heat conditioning significantly increased corticosterone and pO(2) levels and blood pH but depressed pCO(2) at day 14. These were followed by a significant depression of T4 level on day 15. Remarkably, at day 16, all these parameters were back to normal as in the control embryos. Hatching was delayed by thermal conditioning probably as a result of the depressed corticosterone levels at IP. Hatchability was also lower in the heat-treated group but 1-day old chick weights were comparable to those of the controls. The result suggests that epigenetic thermal conditioning involves changes in these physiological parameters and probably serve as a method for epigenetic temperature adaptation since the same mechanisms are employed for coping with heat during post-embryonic growth. It also suggests that days 14-15 may be the optimal and most sensitive timing for evoking this mechanism during embryonic development. The adverse effects of heat treatment observed in this study may have been due to the continued exposure to heat until day 17. Fine-tuning thermal conditioning to days 14-15 only may improve these production parameters. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of artificial aging in marginal adaptation of mixed class V cavities

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the artificial aging by thermal cycling had influenced the marginal adaptation of class V restorations with/without chlorhexidine application in the bond process. Twelve intact human third molars were used. Class V cavity preparations were performed on the buccal surface and the teeth received 35% phosphoric acid-etching procedure (Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, Utah, USA). Subsequently, the samples were divided in two groups: Untreated acid-etched dentin and chlorhexidine application as an adjunct in the bond process. The adhesive Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) was used after 2% chlorhexidine application, and the restorations were performed with FiltekTM Z350 XT (3M ESPE) composite resin. The specimens were submitted to artificial aging by thermal cycling with 3,000 cycles. Analyzes were performed on scanning electron microscopy using replicas of marginal adaptation in percentage of continuous margin before and after the artificial aging. The data were analyzed by paired test and the results showed statistically significant differences in the percentage of continuous margin with/without chlorhexidine treatment before and after thermal cycling. This study concluded that the artificial aging by thermal cycling influenced the marginal adaptation of mixed class V composite restorations.

Study of the thermal resistance of alpha-phase aluminum oxide (alpha-Al2O3) films deposited on the paper substrate

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Marginal adaptation of class II cavities restored with bulk-fill composites

Objectives: To determine the marginal adaptation of bulk-fill composites in class II MO cavities.Methods: Standardized class II MO cavities with bevelled enamel margins were prepared in 40 extracted human molars. The teeth were randomly assigned to one of the five experimental groups (n = 8). The teeth were restored with two horizontal increments of composite (4 mm and 2 mm thickness). The experimental groups were (1st/2nd increment): Gr. A - Venus Bulk-Fill/Venus Diamond; Gr. B - Tetric EvoCeram BulkFill/Tetric EvoCeram; Gr. C - Surefil SDR/Ceram-X; Gr. D - SonicFill; Gr. E - Ceram-X/Ceram-X (control). After finishing procedures, impressions were made using a polyvinyl siloxane and epoxy resin replicas were obtained. Thermo-mechanical stressing was carried out 24 h after the restorative procedure. All specimens were submitted to 240,000 occlusal loading and simultaneous 600 thermal cycles in water at 5 degrees C and 50 degrees C. After loading, a new set of epoxy resin replicas was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy was carried out at 200x magnification. Results for the marginal adaptation were expressed as percentages of continuity relative to the exposed interface and analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan post hoc test (p < 0.05).Results: In enamel, no significant differences were detected before and after thermo-mechanical loading between groups. In dentine, the worst results were observed in Gr. A.Conclusion: By applying simple layering techniques, bulk-fill materials do not allow better marginal adaptation than a standard composite. Clinical significance: A new class of resin-base composite (bulk-fill) was recently launched on the market. The bulk-fill composites exhibited adequate marginal adaptation and similar to the results of the standard composite. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser on external adaptation of healthy and decayed cavities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of chlorhexidine and Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on the bond strength and external adaptation in mixed healthy and caries-affected class V cavities before and after thermal cycling. Thirty-six cavity preparations were made in mixed class V buccal human molars, half of them being artificially caries-induced. Any remaining affected dentin was removed from the cavity with a round burr at low speed. The teeth were divided into six groups, according to cleaning agent for both healthy and caries-induced dentin: no treatment, chlorhexidine and erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation. A Filtek P90 (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, USA) silorane adhesive restorative system was used. The specimens were subjected to 5000 thermal cycles (5-55 degrees C 60 min). Epoxy replicas were obtained to characterize the external adaptation under scanning electron microscopy. The average percentages of non-continuous margins were 5.41% and 6.49% in enamel dentin before thermal cycling and 25% and 33.7% after thermal cycling, respectively. The caries-affected and laser irradiated cavities showed higher non-continuous margins. Thermal cycling was able to raise the percentage of non-continuous margin for all groups. Chlorhexidine did not affect the marginal adaptation results, and the Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation showed significantly worse results compared with the control group.

Marginal adaptation of Class V restorations with current generation dentin-bonding agents: effect of different dentin surface treatments.

This study sought to assess the use of chlorhexidine with several excipients as a dentin surface treatment and its effect on marginal adaptation of class V restorations with current-generation dentin bonding agents. A total of 120 human third molars were selected and allocated into 12 groups, with standardized buccal class V restorations randomly divided into preconditioned dentin rinsed with: water; water + chlorhexidine; ethanol; or ethanol + chlorhexidine. After rinsing of dentin (previously conditioned with 35% phosphoric acid) with the test solutions, the Adper single bond 2, prime and bond 2.1, and Excite bonding systems were applied randomly. Restorations were performed with FiltekTM Z350 XT composite resin. The resulting specimens were subjected to thermal and mechanical load cycling. Quantitative analysis of marginal adaptation was performed on epoxy replicas by means of scanning electron microscopy. Results were assessed by means of the Kruskal-Wallis test (percentages of continuous margins) and Wilcoxon test (differences between percentages of continuous margins before and after thermal cycling and mechanical loading), at a significance level of p < 0.05. Outcomes in the chlorhexidine-treated groups were not superior to those obtained with other treatments.

Effects of Global Warming on Berry Composition of cv. Sangiovese: Biochemical and Molecular Aspects and Agronomical Adaptation Approaches

Wine grape must deal with serious problems due to the unfavorable climatic conditions resulted from global warming. High temperatures result in oxidative damages to grape vines. The excessive elevated temperatures are critical for grapevine productivity and survival and contribute to degradation of grape and wine quality and yield. Elevated temperature can negatively affect anthocyanin accumulation in red grape. Particularly, cv. Sangiovese was identified to be very sensitive to such condition. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that flavonoid biosynthetic genes were slightly repressed by high temperature. Also, the heat stress repressed the expression of the transcription factor “VvMYBA1” that activates the expression of UFGT. Moreover, high temperatures had repressing effects on the activity of the flavonoids biosynthetic enzymes “PAL” and “UFGT”.Anthocyanin accumulation in berry skin is due to the balance between its synthesis and oxidation. In grape cv. Sangiovese, the gene transcription and activity of peroxidases enzyme was elevated by heat stress as a defensive mechanism of ROS-scavenging. Among many isoforms of peroxidases genes, one gene (POD 1) was induced in Sangiovese under thermal stress condition. This gene was isolated and evaluated via the technique of genes transformation from grape to Petunia. Reduction in anthocyanins concentration and higher enzymatic activity of peroxidase was observed in POD 1 transformed Petunia after heat shock compared to untrasformed control. Moreover, in wine producing regions, it is inevitable for the grape growers to adopt some adaptive strategies to alleviate grape damages to abiotic stresses. Therefore, in this thesis, the technique of post veraison trimming was done to improve the coupling of phenolic and sugar ripening in Vitis vinifera L. cultivar Sangiovese. Trimming after veraison showed to be executable to slow down the rate of sugar accumulation in grape (to decrease the alcohol potential in wines) without evolution of the main berry flavonoids compounds.