Cooler Environment Research Articles

First report of aflatoxin and ochratoxin contamination in ginger collected from different agroclimatic zones from Punjab, Pakistan

Ginger, a fresh rhizome, an economically important spice with extensive nutraceutical activities finds itself in vegetable and therapeutic market. Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) along with ochratoxin A (OTA) are the most significant and the most toxic form of mycotoxins which are produced by various fungi. This study was initiated to assess the contamination of AFs and OTA in raw and dried ginger products, collected from different agro-climatic zones in Punjab, Pakistan employing the high performance liquid chromatography. We found all (raw ginger samples commercial ginger powders) samples contaminated with AFB1 (range: 29.88-1060.12μg/kg). AFB2 contamination was much lower (range: 0 to 17.54μg/kg). Variable contamination of AFG1 was also observed (range: 0 to 170.58μg/kg) whereas AFG2 contamination was found in only three (range: 0 to 21.88 μg/kg) out of 19 raw ginger samples. OTA contamination ranged from 0.05-3.42μg/kg. Ginger samples from lower altitudes (<1000 m) were more contaminated with AFB1 sub type mycotoxin. Keeping in view that the toxicity of AFs is in the order of B1>G1> B2>G2, it was alarming to find that 100% of the samples were contaminated with AFB1 way beyond the permissible limits. Our very first report about the contamination of ginger with AFs presents a grave health issue because of wide use of ginger. We conclude that ginger production in Pakistan needs to be carefully crafted and due diligence is needed during ginger cultivation, harvest and post-harvest operations because the amount of aflatoxins detected in this study are very much above the permissible limits. In this regard, ginger storage in cooler environments such as refrigerator should be encouraged to contain the AFs proliferation.

Metabolic Compensation Associated With Digestion in Response to the Latitudinal Thermal Environment Across Populations of the Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus).

Environmental temperatures directly affect physiological rates in ectotherms by constraining the possible body temperatures they can achieve, with physiological processes slowing as temperatures decrease and accelerating as temperatures increase. As environmental constraints increase, as they do northward along the latitudinal thermal gradient, organisms must adapt to compensate for the slower physiological processes or decreased opportunity time. Evolving faster general metabolic rates is one adaptive response posited by the metabolic cold adaptation (MCA) hypothesis. Here we test the MCA hypothesis by examining metabolism of prairie lizard populations across the latitudinal thermal gradient. Our results show that populations from cooler environments have higher standard metabolic rates (SMRs), but these are explained by associated larger body sizes. However, metabolic rates of fed, postprandial individuals (MRFed) and metabolic energy allocated to digestion (MRΔ) were highest in the population from the coldest environment after accounting for the effect of body size. Our results suggest cold-adapted populations compensate for lower temperatures and shorter activity periods by increasing metabolic rates associated with physiological processes and thus support the MCA hypothesis. When examining energy expenditure, metabolic rates of individuals in a postprandial state (MRFed) may be more ecologically relevant than those in a postabsorptive state (SMR) and give a better picture of energy use in ectotherm populations.

Hierarchically Micro- and Nanostructured Polymer via Crystallinity Alteration for Sustainable Environmental Cooling.

Cooling environments are a pervasive need in our society, with conventional air conditioners being the most popular approach. However, air conditioners rely heavily on electricity and Freon, a chemical that depletes ozone and contributes to greenhouse gas effects. To address this issue, passive daytime radiative coolers (PDRCs) have been proposed to achieve cooling by simultaneously reflecting sunlight and allowing internal heat to escape without electricity. Despite their potential, most high-performance PDRCs are composed of thick polymer films, which increases material costs during PDRC preparation and limits thermal transport. In this work, we introduced an economical and scalable solvent evaporation-based method to prepare a relatively thin hierarchically micro- and nanostructured poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) via crystallinity alteration. Particularly, we find that the key to generating nanosized pores is to remove the water residual within the film without sample annealing, which significantly enhances the scattering efficiency across the solar spectrum. With our design, we demonstrate effective cooling of the outdoor environment, achieving a cooling temperature of Δ2.5 °C, with a film thickness of only 215 μm. Furthermore, our model suggested that applying this material could lead to annual energy savings of up to ∼39% in warmer climates across the country and up to 715 GJ nationwide. Developing effective PDRCs with reduced material thickness, such as the one discussed here, is imperative for implementing sustainable cooling solutions and reducing our carbon footprint.

Time-course for onset and decay of physiological adaptations in endurance trained athletes undertaking prolonged heat acclimation training

ABSTRACT Short-term heat acclimation (HA) appears adequate for maximizing sudomotor adaptations and enhancing thermal resilience in trained athletes. However, for enhanced erythropoiesis and transfer effects to exercise capacity in cooler environments, prolonged HA appears necessary. To establish the time-course for physiological adaptations and performance effects, 20 male elite cyclists were divided into an intervention group (HEAT; n = 10) completing 5 weeks of HA (six one-hour HA-training sessions per week) and control (n = 10) tested pre and post in hot (40°C) and cool conditions (20°C). HEAT completed tests at 40°C every week during HA with measures of sweat rate and [Na+] and a decay test 2 weeks after termination of HA. HEAT improved time for exhaustion by 15 min (p < 0.001) in the 40°C test, increased sweat rate by 0.44 L/hour (p < 0.001), and lowered sweat sodium concentration [Na+] by 14.1 mmol/L (p = 0.006) from pre- to post-HA, with performance returning to pre-HA levels in the 2-week decay test. Total hemoglobin mass (tHbmass) was increased by 30 grams (+3%, p = 0.048) after 3 weeks and 40 grams (+4%, p = 0.038) after 5 weeks in HEAT but returned to pre-HA levels at the 2-week decay test. HEAT improved incremental peak power output (+12 W, p = 0.001) without significant changes in maximal oxygen uptake (p = 0.094). In conclusion, improvements in heat exercise tolerance and sudomotor adaptations materialized during the first ~3 weeks and the entire 5 weeks of HA augmented both cool exercise capacity and tHbmass. However, the 2-week post-HA evaluation demonstrated a rapid decay of physiological adaptations and exercise capacity in the heat.

Energy- efficient cementitious mortar containing clay based shape-stable phase change material: Development, characterization and temperature controlling performance

The need for buildings to ensure a comfortable thermal environment is increasing, leading to a surge in energy consumption. This study proposes an innovative approach to tackle thermal energy storage challenges in buildings by formulating a unique cementitious mortar containing a shape-stable composite of Saudi Arabian natural clay and methyl stearate phase change material (PCM). The inclusion of natural clay, chosen for its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, addresses the issue of methyl stearate leakage—a common concern with PCM usage. Despite PCM incorporation, the mixture maintains desirable fluidity and consistency, albeit with a slightly reduced dry unit weight and compressive strength. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis defines key characteristics of the resulting shape-stable NC/MS composite PCM, including a melting point of 33.81°C and a latent heat storage capacity of 56.15 J/g. Empirical testing demonstrates the efficacy of the natural clay/PCM composite in temperature moderation. During periods of elevated external temperatures, the NC/PCM specimen effectively lowers room-center temperatures by up to 4°C and sustains a cooler environment compared to the control room for almost 8 hours. Additionally, the composite PCM limits the maximum increase in room center temperature post-sunset to only 2.49°C, showcasing its capability in stabilizing indoor temperatures. This innovative PCM composite responds dynamically to ambient temperature variations, transitioning between solid and liquid states to release stored latent heat, consequently reducing building heating and cooling loads, enhancing energy efficiency. The natural clay/PCM composite presents a promising solution for advancing building thermal energy storage systems, aligning with energy efficiency and sustainable design objectives.

Cooler break areas: Reducing heat stress among construction workers in Japan

This study explores the break environment conditions provided to construction workers in hot and humid climates and assesses the impact of the thermal conditions in rest areas on the physiological and psychological responses of the workers. It was conducted during summer in Japan with 26 male rebar workers across five construction sites by monitoring variables such as ambient temperature, humidity, step count, pulse rate, blood pressure, forehead skin temperature, and fatigue level. Workers worked for approximately 8–9 h per day, with scheduled 15–30-min short breaks at 10:00 and 15:00, in addition to a 1-h break at lunchtime. While the work sites exhibited temperatures ranging from 30.0 to 38.4 °C and relative humidity between 47.0 and 87.2 %, the thermal conditions in the rest areas varied, with temperatures from 26.9 to 35.8 °C and relative humidity from 45.4 to 83.4 %. We found that break periods in cooler areas led to lower pulse rates and prevented excessive pulse pressure decreases after exercise. Additionally, the combination of a cooler environment during breaks with a cooling jacket led to lower maximum forehead skin temperatures during the subsequent work periods. However, workers tended to report higher tiredness levels when break areas were cooler. Therefore, while providing cool rest areas is beneficial for worker recovery and preventing heat-related illnesses, the potential negative effects on workers’ perception of tiredness should be considered.

Research on the effect of exercise behavior on thermal comfort and heating degree days in sports buildings

The exercise behavior has a significant impact on thermal comfort and energy consumption in heating buildings. It is crucial to strike a balance between building energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort. In this study, we assessed thermal comfort during exercise under indoor conditions in winter by testing the exercise routine of 60 subjects and calculating the number of heating degree days and optimizing the heating cycle. The results showed that exercise behavior significantly affects thermal comfort, with the thermal sensory zone corresponding to thermal comfort shifting and expanding towards the neutral and cooler side. The actual thermal comfort range of the subjects expanded (14.5–17.1 °C) compared to the thermal comfort criterion, suggesting that exercise behavior enhanced the subjects' adaptive capacity. Specifically, at temperatures below thermal neutral (15.8 °C), subjects exhibited a high level of environmental satisfaction, reaching at least 80 %. Additionally, subjects demonstrated thermal 'superconductivity,' with preferred and comfort temperatures approximately 0.8 °C and 0.5 °C lower than the thermal neutral temperature, respectively, indicating a preference for neutral or slightly cooler environments in winter. Furthermore, the base temperature (15.7 °C) was 2.3 °C lower, indicating that heating degree days 18 significantly overestimated heating demand by a factor of at least 1.4. The upper and lower indoor heating set point temperatures (15–17 °C) are about 1–7 °C and 1–3 °C lower than the Chinese building energy efficiency standards, respectively, demonstrating superior energy efficiency in the context of exercise behavior.

Climate change and population persistence in a hibernating marsupial.

Climate change has physiological consequences on organisms, ecosystems and human societies, surpassing the pace of organismal adaptation. Hibernating mammals are particularly vulnerable as winter survival is determined by short-term physiological changes triggered by temperature. In these animals, winter temperatures cannot surpass a certain threshold, above which hibernators arouse from torpor, increasing several fold their energy needs when food is unavailable. Here, we parameterized a numerical model predicting energy consumption in heterothermic species and modelled winter survival at different climate change scenarios. As a model species, we used the arboreal marsupial monito del monte (genus Dromiciops), which is recognized as one of the few South American hibernators. We modelled four climate change scenarios (from optimistic to pessimistic) based on IPCC projections, predicting that northern and coastal populations (Dromiciops bozinovici) will decline because the minimum number of cold days needed to survive the winter will not be attained. These populations are also the most affected by habitat fragmentation and changes in land use. Conversely, Andean and other highland populations, in cooler environments, are predicted to persist and thrive. Given the widespread presence of hibernating mammals around the world, models based on simple physiological parameters, such as this one, are becoming essential for predicting species responses to warming in the short term.

Thermal comfort in university classrooms in humid subtropical climate: Field study during all seasons

Ensuring students thermal comfort has complex implications involving student performance and energy consumption costs. Existing models may not be suitable for predicting the thermal comfort of university students. This study aimed to compare the thermal comfort responses of university students in air-conditioned and naturally ventilated classrooms located in a humid Brazilian subtropical climate with the analytical and adaptive models. The study was conducted in 28 classrooms of two universities located in a humid subtropical climate in southern Brazil. Environmental variables were measured using a microclimatic station, while personal variables were obtained through student responses in electronic questionnaires between September 2022 and July 2023. In classrooms operating with natural ventilation, the mean thermal neutrality temperatures were 19.8 °C and 21.4 °C in Joinville and São José, respectively. When operating with air-conditioning, the mean thermal neutrality temperatures were 21.8 °C and 22.1 °C in Joinville and São José, respectively. Even when they answered “neutral” on the thermal sensation questionnaire, students reported that they preferred the cooler environment. Classroom occupant densities less than 1.00 did not influence the students’ thermal sensation. In general, the PMV/PPD model was not able to predict the thermal comfort of university students. The adaptive comfort model proved adequate to predict the thermal comfort of students when classrooms were naturally ventilated.

Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptor Activation Increases Resting Energy Expenditure and Brown Adipose Tissue Activity in a Cool Environment

Purpose: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is highly thermogenic and contributes to non-shivering thermogenesis. Acute mirabegron (MIRA) ingestion, ranging in doses from 50-200 mg, stimulates beta-3-adrenergic receptors in BAT. This increases resting energy expenditure (REE) and elevates supraclavicular skin temperature (Tsc, marker of BAT activation) in thermoneutral environments for up to 4 h. However, it is not known if the thermogenic effects of different MIRA doses are also observed during exposure to a cool environment. We tested the hypotheses that EE and markers of BAT activity during a 6 h cool environmental exposure would be greater following each dose of MIRA (100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg) versus a placebo (PLA). Methods: 11 healthy adults (age: 22±2 y; BMI: 26±4 kg/m2; 5 women) completed four, double-blind, randomized study visits involving the acute ingestion of 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg of MIRA (Myrbetriq; Astellas Pharma US) or PLA. 30 min following ingestion, subjects rested in a semi-recumbent position for 6 h in a whole-body indirect calorimeter (20°C, 50% RH). REE was calculated for each study visit. O2 consumption (VO2; ml/kg/min), CO2 production (VCO2; ml/kg/min), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were averaged over the last 10 min of each 30 min block. BAT activity was estimated using Tsc assessed via infrared thermography every 30 min and expressed relative to sternal skin temperature and as the area under the curve (AUC) for relative Tsc for each study visit. Mean skin temperature (Tsk; 12 sites), and rectal temperature (Tc) were measured every 30 min. Thermal comfort (1=comfortable, 4=very uncomfortable) and sensation (1=cold, 7=hot) were measured every 30 min. Values are reported as mean ± SD. Results: REE during the 6 h intervention was greater following ingestion of 100 mg (494±75 kcal; p &lt; 0.001), 150 mg (481±67 kcal; p = 0.017), and 200 mg (492±69 kcal; p = 0.001) of MIRA vs. PLA (456±67 kcal). However, there were no differences in REE between doses ( p &gt; 0.05 for all comparisons). There was a main effect of drug dose for VO2 ( p = 0.010), which was greater following ingestion of 100 mg (3.88±0.19 ml/kg/min; p = 0.007) and 150 mg (3.82±0.22 ml/kg/min; p = 0.046) of MIRA vs. PLA (3.59±0.11 ml/kg/min). There was a main effect of drug dose for VCO2 ( p = 0.019), which was greater following ingestion of 100 mg of MIRA vs. PLA (3.03±0.10 vs. 2.84±0.05 ml/kg/min; p = 0.004). There were no dose x time interactions or main effects of dose ( p = 0.421) for RER or BAT activity indexed via relative Tsc ( p &gt; 0.237). However, the AUC for Tsc was greater following ingestion of 100 mg (12.54±7.51°C x min; p = 0.011), 150 mg (10.01±6.05°C x min; p = 0.021), and 200 mg (9.17±5.95°C x min; p = 0.028) of MIRA vs. PLA (4.74±3.86°C x min). There was a main effect of drug dose for Tsk ( p = 0.040) but there was no dose x time interaction ( p = 0.608) and there was no main effect of dose ( p = 0.155) for Tc. There was a main effect of dose for thermal sensation ( p = 0.040), which was greater following ingestion of 100 mg (2.9±0.3; p = 0.011) of MIRA vs. PLA (2.4±0.4). There was no dose x time interaction ( p = 0.528) or main effect of dose ( p = 0.080) for thermal comfort. Conclusions: Our data indicate that acute doses of MIRA (100 mg, 150 mg and 200 mg) elicit greater REE and BAT activity vs. PLA during a 6 h of exposure to a cool environment. However, REE and BAT activity was not different between the MIRA doses. This suggests that beta-3 adrenergic receptor activation in BAT appears to be a physiologically effective method to enhance thermogenesis in cool environments. Funded by: Offce of Naval Research N00014-21-1-2276. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effects of machining parameters, ultrasonic vibrations and cooling conditions on cutting forces and tool wear in meso scale ultrasonic vibrations assisted end-milling (UVAEM) of Ti–6Al–4V under dry, flooded, MQL and cryogenic environments – A statistical analysis

Ti–6Al–4V, an alloy of titanium has recently gained focus of research to overcome its machinability challenges. Miniaturization in devices has forced a shift towards micro and meso-scale machining. Sustainability and green manufacturing concepts have shifted focus in machining from cutting fluids towards modern cooling approaches to minimize or eliminate them. In present research, cutting forces & tool wear in Ultrasonic Vibrations Assisted End Milling of Ti–6Al–4V at meso-scale under Dry, Flooded, Minimum Quantity Lubrication & Cryogenic cooling have been analyzed to develop optimum machining parameters. Taguchi L16 orthogonal array was designed to perform experiments keeping Cutting Speed, Feed per tooth, Depth of cut, Ultrasonic vibrations amplitude & Cooling environment as inputs. ANOVA was used to analyze contribution ratios by these parameters towards cutting forces & tool wear. Results indicated that machining conditions, cooling environment and Ultrasonic Vibrations influence cutting forces & tool wear. Depth of cut had the highest influence with 63.41% contribution towards cutting forces while cutting speed remained the highest influencing factor with 39.86% contribution towards tool wear. Cutting forces were reduced by 33.49%, 16.93% and 4.91% while tool wear was reduced by 26.43%, 9.48% and 5.17% under Minimum Quantity Lubrication environment compared to dry, flooded and cryogenic cooling respectively. Cutting forces and tool wear under ultrasonic vibrations were reduced by 24.52% and 13.16% respectively as compared to Conventional Machining (CM). For optimum results, Minimum Quantity Lubrication with low Cutting Speed, Depth of cut, Feed per tooth and high amplitude of ultrasonic vibrations is recommended to machine Ti–6Al–4V.

Estimating the effects of temperature on transmission of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

Despite concern that climate change could increase the human risk to malaria in certain areas, the temperature dependency of malaria transmission is poorly characterized. Here, we use a mechanistic model fitted to experimental data to describe how Plasmodium falciparum infection of the African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae, is modulated by temperature, including its influences on parasite establishment, conversion efficiency through parasite developmental stages, parasite development rate, and overall vector competence. We use these data, together with estimates of the survival of infected blood-fed mosquitoes, to explore the theoretical influence of temperature on transmission in four locations in Kenya, considering recent conditions and future climate change. Results provide insights into factors limiting transmission in cooler environments and indicate that increases in malaria transmission due to climate warming in areas like the Kenyan Highlands, might be less than previously predicted.

A Field Investigation to Quantify the Correlation between Local and Overall Thermal Comfort in Cool Environments

The thermal comfort of local body parts is the essential factor that affects people’s health and comfort as well as a buildings’ energy. This study aims to (1) investigate the characteristics of the local thermal comfort of different body parts of occupants in real buildings in winter, (2) quantify the correlation between the amount of local body parts with coolness or discomfort and the overall subjective thermal responses, and (3) validate an easy-to-use local–overall thermal comfort model. A field investigation in the office and study rooms of a university was conducted in winter. The results indicate that the top five percentages of local coolness appeared in the feet (41.02%), the hands (26.58%), the calves (25.18%), the thighs (13.99%), and the head (9.72%) and that the top five percentages of local discomfort appeared in the feet (44.99%), the palms (28.2%), the calves (24.74%), the head (19.66%), and the thighs (16.35%). Moreover, when the whole body felt cool, at least four local body parts had cool sensations; when the whole body felt thermally uncomfortable, at least three local body parts had cool sensations; and when the whole body felt that the ambient environment was thermally unacceptable, at least seven local body parts had cool sensations. Meanwhile, the correlation between local discomfort and whole-body responses was different: when the whole body felt thermal uncomfortable, at least three local body parts had discomfort; and when the whole body felt that the ambient environment was thermally unacceptable, at least four local body parts had discomfort. Further, the local–overall thermal comfort model proposed by the authors exerted high accuracy in predicting overall thermal comfort.

Production and assessment of UV-cured resin coated stearyl alcohol/expanded graphite as novel shape-stable composite phase change material for thermal energy storage

Expanded graphite-phase change materials (PCM) structures are reinforced to polymers with various methods to fabricate advanced thermal energy storage materials. However, these methods still suffer from processing time and product efficiency challenges. In this study, the UV-curing method was used to produce shape-stable EG-PCM-reinforced resin composites with fast curing and low process temperature of the resin. The composite material, comprising UV-curable resin (30 %), stearyl alcohol (65 %), and Expanded graphite (5 %), was synthesized. This synthesis aimed to address the limitations of traditional PCMs, such as low thermal conductivity and leakage. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the materials' phase change behavior and thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were conducted to elucidate the microstructure and crystallinity of composite materials. The composites, exhibiting near-perfect impermeability with leakage as minimal as 0.89 %, not only enable the attainment of cooler environments by 2–3 °C under hot air conditions but also demonstrate exceptional thermal stability up to 207 °C, as evidenced by TGA results. Additionally, they offer a remarkable melting enthalpy value of 153.1 J/g. These composites, with their shape-retention ability during phase transitions and high thermal energy storage capacity, are a versatile and efficient option for sustainable energy management. This research contributes to the development of innovative materials for renewable energy integration and reducing carbon emissions.

Children's experiences of mask-wearing: a systemic review and narrative synthesis.

Masks have been widely used as a preventative tool during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the use of masks by children has been controversial, with international guidelines recommending a risk-based approach to national policymakers. We aimed to conduct a systematic review that explores children's experiences of mask-wearing, drawing on an evidence base that describes mask-wearing in different contexts including air pollution, and to prevent the spread of infectious disease. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO in June 2021, with repeat searches in August 2022 and January 2024, for primary research studies exploring children's experiences of masks. Included studies reported on participants between 4 and 14 years (inclusive), with no restrictions on language where an English translation was available. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and reviewed full texts, with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool for quality appraisal and narrative synthesis to identify key findings. We also conducted stakeholder consultation (Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)) with nine children, where they submitted annotated drawings of their preferred masks to complement our review findings. We screened 982 titles and abstracts and reviewed 94 full texts. 45 studies were included in the synthesis. Children's experiences of mask-wearing were influenced by their perceived necessity, social norms around their use and parental attitudes. Challenges related to mask-wearing were described, including difficulty reading facial expressions and physical discomfort. Children found it easier to wear masks when sitting and in cooler environments, and they benefited from unmasking during outdoor break time at school. As part of the PPI consultation, children highlighted the importance of mask design and the environmental impact of masks. Children's experiences of mask-wearing were varied and context-dependent, with several mask-design challenges raised. Future policy on mask-wearing needs to consider the context in which mask-wearing would be most beneficial, and how local adaptations to policy can respond to children's needs.

Are day-flying moths more specialized in larval dietary breadth?-a test of the "Salient Aroma Hypothesis" in a predominantly nocturnal clade.

Although diurnality is widespread across Lepidoptera and has evolved many times independently, its causes and ecological implications are yet poorly understood. The "Salient Aroma Hypothesis" (SAH) postulates that diurnal insect herbivores are overall more specialized in dietary breadth than species active at night. It is furthermore assumed that diurnality evolved more frequently in species that live in cooler environments. Using European geometrid moths as a model group, we tested whether diurnal activity in adults is associated with an increased larval dietary breadth as predicted by the SAH. We further investigated whether species that exclusively occur in colder regions or whose flight period is restricted to cool seasons are more likely to exhibit a diurnal flight activity. Contrary to expectation, we found no consistent differences in larval dietary breadth between diurnal and nocturnal species, and thus no support for the SAH. Diurnal activity occurred more frequently in species restricted to cold regions but not in species restricted to cool seasons. We conclude that diurnality could serve as an advantageous adaptation in cold environments, depending on further factors such as resource availability or predation pressure, but has no immediate consequences for larval dietary breadth.

Experimental study on thermo-physiological differences between children and adults during indoor sedentary conditions

Previous research has shown that children prefer cooler environments and have lower thermal sensitivity than adults. This disparity may be attributed to physiological differences between these age groups. However, studies are scarce that specifically measure children's physiological parameters. In this study, we measured the physiological parameters of children aged 6–9 years and their parents, concurrently collecting their thermal comfort votes. Measured physiological parameters include metabolic rate, blood flow, body composition, core temperature, blood oxygen, heart rate, skinfold thickness, and skin temperature.We found that the average metabolic rate of the measured children was 1.20 met, 39% higher than the measured adults who had their average metabolic rate as 0.86 met. Children consistently exhibited higher metabolic rates than their own parents. Children were observed to have less body fat and thinner skin folds compared to adults. Additionally, children exhibited higher skin temperatures in core areas, elevated heart rates, and quicker recovery of skin blood flow and local skin temperature after experiencing cold exposure on hand compared to adults. These characteristics reveal children's superior thermoregulatory abilities, explaining their preference for cooler environments and reduced thermal sensitivity. Besides, no gender difference was observed in the thermal physiology of the measured children.All of the distinctive thermal physiological traits of children underscore the necessity of specific criteria for evaluating the thermal comfort of children.

Thermographic Profiles in Livestock Systems under Full Sun and Shaded Pastures during an Extreme Climate Event in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil: El Niño of 2023.

The El Niño represents a substantial threat to pastures, affecting the availability of water, forage and compromising the sustainability of grazing areas, especially in the northern region of Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the thermographic profile of three production systems in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil. The study was conducted on a rural cattle farm in Mojuí dos Campos, Pará, Brazil, between August and November 2023. The experiment involved livestock production systems, including traditional, silvopastoral and integrated, with different conditions of shade and access to the bathing area. An infrared thermographic (IRT) camera was used, recording temperatures in different zones, such as areas with trees, pastures with forage and exposed pastures. The highest mean temperatures (p = 0.02) were observed in pastures with full sun from August to November. On the other hand, the lowest average temperatures were recorded in areas shaded by chestnut trees (Bertholletia excelsa). The highest temperature ranges were found in sunny areas and the lowest were recorded in shaded areas. The highest temperatures were observed in the pasture in full sun, while the lowest were recorded in areas shaded by chestnut trees (p < 0.0001). The interaction between the systems and treatments revealed significant temperature differences (p < 0.0001), with the native trees showing an average temperature of 35.9 °C, lower than the grasses and soil, which reached 61.2 °C. This research concludes that, under El Niño in the Eastern Amazon, areas shaded by Brazil nut trees had lower temperatures, demonstrating the effectiveness of shade. Native trees, compared to grasses and soil, showed the ability to create cooler environments, highlighting the positive influence on different species such as sheep, goats and cattle.

Novel integration of recycled-hemihydrate phosphogypsum and ethyl palmitate in composite phase change material for building thermal regulation

This study investigates the properties of novel heat storage gypsum composites composed of waste Hemihydrate phosphogypsum (HP) incorporated with Ethyl Palmitate (EP) Phase Change Material (PCM) at varying concentrations of 25 wt %, 50 wt %, and 75 wt %. The focus of the research revolves around evaluating key characteristics, including leakage properties, chemical stability, microstructural analysis, heat storage characteristics, mechanical properties, and the thermal regulation performance of these novel composites. The investigation of leakage properties aimed to find the optimum EP ratio within the composite structure without causing any potential EP leakage, and it was determined to be 25 wt %. Furthermore, thermal regulation tests are conducted to assess the heat storage and release capabilities of the composites with varying HP/EP content. The latent heat storage of the HP/EP composite was determined as 46.12 J/g, even after the 750th cycle, the value only decreased to 46.03 J/g. With the porosity filling effect of EP additive in HP, as the EP additive increased, the amount of porosity decreased, and the compressive strength values increased by almost 10 %. In hot weather conditions, the EP additive provided a cooler environment between 2 and 4 °C according to thermoregulation results. This study not only holds promise in the context of developing novel heat storage composites for applications in energy-efficient building materials, thermal energy storage systems, and related sustainable technologies but also in harnessing industrial waste byproducts. It particularly highlights the value of HP as a waste material, which has a high potential for evaluation in the production of gypsum and other building materials.

Association between diurnal temperature range and sperm quality: Evidence from a prospective cohort in Central China

Inter-day temperature variability has been reported to be associated with sperm quality in a city-level exposure assessment study. However, studies exploring the impact of temperature variability within a single day on sperm quality at individual level are still lacking. The present study aims to bridge this research gap by analyzing the linear and non-linear associations between diurnal temperature range (DTR) exposure and sperm quality, utilizing data from the Anhui Prospective Assisted Reproduction Cohort. The study included 15,112 males (totaling 28,267 tests) and assessed individual exposure to various environmental factors (residential greenness, ambient particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, relative humidity, ambient temperature, and DTR) during the 0–90 day period before semen analysis. A combination of a linear mixed model, natural cubic splines, and subgroup analysis was employed. Significant “U”-shaped non-linear associations were observed between DTR exposure and total motility, sperm concentration, sperm count, total motile sperm count, and progressive motile sperm count. Lower DTR levels negatively impacted these parameters, whereas higher DTR levels showed a positive effect. Notably, these associations were more pronounced at ambient temperatures below 16.5 °C, while absent in warmer conditions. Sperm quality demonstrates increased sensitivity to DTR exposure in cooler environments. Therefore, implementing effective individual temperature management strategies is crucial for mitigating decreased sperm quality associated with DTR exposure, highlighting the potential benefits of government policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality to enhance overall sperm quality in the general population.