Daytime Periods Research Articles

Association of Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Other Factors With Intraocular Pressure-Related 24-Hour Contact Lens Sensor Profile in Untreated Glaucoma.

PurposeTo investigate the association of diurnal blood pressure (BP) and other factors with the intraocular pressure (IOP)–related 24-hour contact lens sensor (CLS) profile of patients with untreated glaucoma.MethodsThe prospective study included 82 patients with untreated normal-tension glaucoma. CLS measurements and ambulatory BP monitoring were performed simultaneously for 24 hours. The association between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and CLS profile was examined for the daytime and nocturnal periods using linear regression analysis. The associations between other factors and the CLS profile were also examined.ResultsMultivariate analysis of data from 63 eligible patients showed that higher average MAPs were significantly associated with larger average nocturnal CLS values (β coefficient = 0.273; P = 0.023); a larger increase in the last CLS value (β coefficient = 0.366; P = 0.003); larger standard deviations (SDs) of CLS values for the daytime, nocturnal, and 24-hour periods (β coefficient = 0.407, 0.293, and 0.375; P < 0.001, P = 0.032 and 0.002, respectively); and higher average ocular pulse frequencies for the daytime, nocturnal, and 24-hour periods (β coefficient = 0.268, 0.380, and 0.403; P = 0.029, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively). Thicker subfoveal choroids and shorter axial length were significantly associated with larger SDs and larger average CLS values, respectively. Smaller anterior chamber volume and lower corneal hysteresis were associated with larger SDs or larger average ocular pulse amplitude.ConclusionsAmbulatory BP and several ocular parameters were significantly associated with various parameters of the 24-hour CLS profile.Translational RelevanceAmbulatory BP and ocular parameters may be modifiers of the 24-hour IOP-related profile of CLS.

Statistical influence of climate on the population density of culex and coquillettidia mosquitoes

We carried out this study in the area of ​​“Estação Científica Ferreira Penna” (FPSS), located in the Caxiuanã National Forest, in the state of Pará, eastern Amazon. This biome is considered one of the most important ecosystems with the greatest biodiversity of insects and plants on the planet. The climate records were obtained from the INMET meteorological database (BDMet), in addition to information from a microclimatic tower belonging to the Scientific Program “The Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere in Amazon Program (LBA)”. Mosquito specimens were sampled during the months of July, September and December 2005 and February and April 2006. During this period,»26,910 specimens were captured using the 'human attractant' method. A total of 59 species in 15 genera were captured and the genera Culex and Coquiilettidia were the focus of this study. The results show a statistical analysis of the impacts of environmental variables on the population density of mosquitoes of the Culex and Coquillettidia genera, emphasizing their eco-physiological behavior. There is a clear positive association between the concentration of atmospheric CO2 and the population density of these genera. When the rainy and dry seasons are analyzed separately, by the daytime period, the positive association is more evident.

Relating atmospheric aerosol amounts to blue to red ratio and grayscale contrast fluctuations using digitalization of routine webcam photographs taken in the urban environment of Vienna

Visibility and visual contrast depend on several factors such as aerosol concentration, fog attenuation and humidity, viewing direction relative to the sun as well as trace gas amounts. Usually, visibility is determined by observers or by measurement devices such as visiometers. Only few studies reported on the relationship between visibility and aerosol concentration using digital cameras. In the present study, we develop and test new algorithms for the determination of the amount of aerosols by using digital photography. Two years of routine webcam recordings are used for this study. The digital images are taken at the meteorological measurement platform, which is situated on the roof of a university campus building and overlooking the city of Vienna. The photographs are automatically taken as part of Multi AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements, which are continuously performed during daytime at different azimuthal and elevation angles. Two new algorithms for estimating aerosol amounts by quantifying digital images taken on cloud-free days are introduced within the scope of the present study: (1) the ratio of the blue to red (B/R) RGB channels within a vertical pixel line and (2) the grayscale contrast fluctuations (GCF) within a horizontal pixel line. Vertical B/R and horizontal GCF are compared against ground-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) and in-situ particulate matter (PM) < 10 μm (PM10) measurements. Interestingly, the comparisons show promising results for specific azimuthal directions and during certain daytime periods, e.g. for constellations when the sun is to the side or directly behind the camera. In terms of coefficients of determination (R2), B/R correlates best with AOD during summer, while GCF shows better performance in winter. R2 values of up to 0.86 and 0.73 are found between horizontal line GCF and in-situ PM10 and between vertical line B/R and AOD, respectively. For a better interpretation of the correlations, simultaneous measurements of relative humidity (RH) are included in the analyses.

Apnea-hypopnea Index is Correlated with Pulse Rate in Patients with Sleep-related Breathing Disorder without Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, or Diabetes Mellitus.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the mean pulse rate (PR) and mean blood pressure (BP) between patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and those with simple snoring (SS) during a 24-hour period, and to investigate the correlation between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), PR, and BP in sleep-related breathing disorder (SRBD) patients with and without hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).MethodsNinety SRBD patients underwent full-night polysomnography, and ambulatory BP and PR were monitored for 24 hours. Participants were classified into OSA (AHI ≥ 5) and control (SS) (AHI < 5) groups, and BP and PR were compared. Participants were also divided into groups with and without hypertension, CVDs, or DM to analyze the correlation between AHI, BP, and PR in each group.ResultsMean PRs during the daytime period and during the whole 24-hour period in the OSA group were significantly higher than those in the SS group after controlling for potential confounders. No significant difference was observed in mean BP between the groups. Partial correlation analysis after controlling for confounders showed significant correlation between AHI and PR during daytime and the 24-hour period in participants without hypertension, DM, or CVDs, but not in participants with these conditions.ConclusionThe significant differences and correlations only in PR (not in BP) found in this study suggest that PR could be an early marker for SRBD in individuals without comorbidities, and that an increased sympathetic tone could be responsible for future occurrence of CVD.

Normal ambulatory blood pressure in young adults with 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency undergoing glucocorticoid replacement therapy.

Herein, we compared ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) between young adults with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase enzyme (21OHase) deficiency and a control group. Additionally, we analyzed correlations between the glucocorticoid dose and androgen levels and ABP parameters. This case-control study included 18 patients (6 males and 12 females) and 19 controls (8 males and 11 females) matched by age (18-31 years). ABP monitoring was used to estimate blood pressure (BP) over a 24-h period. No difference was noted between patients and controls in terms of systolic BP (males, 115.5 ± 5.6 vs. 117.0 ± 9.3, P = 0.733; and females, 106.4 ± 7.9 vs. 108.4 ± 7.6, P = 0.556, respectively) and diastolic BP during 24 h (males, 62.8 ± 7.5 vs. 66.2 ± 5.6, P = 0.349; and females, 62.7 ± 4.9 vs. 62.3 ± 4.9, P = 0.818, respectively). Systolic and diastolic BP and pulse pressure during daytime and nocturnal periods were similar between patients and controls. Furthermore, no differences were detected in the percentage of load and impaired nocturnal dipping of systolic and diastolic BP between patients and controls during the 24-h period. Additionally, the glucocorticoid dose (varying between r = -0.24 to 0.13, P > 0.05) and androgens levels (varying between r = 0.01 to 0.14, P > 0.05) were not associated with ABP parameters. No signs of an elevated risk for hypertension were observed based on ABP monitoring in young adults with CAH attributed to 21OHase deficiency undergoing glucocorticoid replacement therapy.

Periodicity and Spectral Composition of Light in the Regulation of Hypocotyl Elongation of Sunflower Seedlings.

This study presents the hypocotyl elongation of sunflower seedlings germinated under different light conditions. Elongation was rhythmic under diurnal (LD) photoperiods but uniform (arrhythmic) under free-running conditions of white light (LL) or darkness (DD). On the sixth day after the onset of germination, seedlings were entrained in all diurnal photoperiods. Their hypocotyl elongation was dual, showing different kinetics in daytime and nighttime periods. The daytime elongation peak was around midday and 1–2 h after dusk in the nighttime. Plantlets compensated for the differences in the daytime and nighttime durations and exhibited similar overall elongation rates, centered around the uniform elongation in LL conditions. Thus, plants from diurnal photoperiods and LL could be grouped together as white-light treatments that suppressed hypocotyl elongation. Hypocotyl elongation was significantly higher under DD than under white-light photoperiods. In continuous monochromatic blue, yellow, green, or red light, hypocotyl elongation was also uniform and very high. The treatments with monochromatic light and DD had similar overall elongation rates; thus, they could be grouped together. Compared with white light, monochromatic light promoted hypocotyl elongation. Suppression of hypocotyl elongation and rhythmicity reappeared in some combination with two or more monochromatic light colors. The presence of red light was obligatory for this suppression. Plantlets entrained in diurnal photoperiods readily slipped from rhythmic into uniform elongation if they encountered any kind of free-running conditions. These transitions occurred whenever the anticipated duration of daytime or nighttime was extended more than expected, or when plantlets were exposed to constant monochromatic light. This study revealed significant differences in the development of sunflower plantlets illuminated with monochromatic or white light.

Sea-air transfer of a tracer dye observed during the Tracer Release Experiment with implications for airborne contaminant exposure

Rhodamine water tracer (RWT) released during the 2021 Tracer Release Experiment in the St. Lawrence Estuary provides a proxy for the water-soluble fractions of contaminant spills. Measurements of total and size-resolved aerosols were taken onboard a research vessel throughout the experiment. Size-resolved aerosol measurements show airborne transmission of water-soluble RWT in a bimodal distribution peaking at 5.2 μm and 0.9 μm. Highest aerosol RWT (30.5 pg m−3) was observed in the 12-hour daytime period following the first dye release (Sept. 5), while the lowest (8.8 pg m−3) was observed in the subsequent nighttime sample. Available wind and RWT patch information were used to identify factors contributing to the factor-of-three variation in aerosol RWT concentrations. Negligible correlations were found between aerosol RWT and wind speed and sample time-of-day. Wind direction is isolated as the key variable for consideration in identifying the impact of contaminant spills on coastal and inland communities.

Parameter Uncertainty Analysis for Streamflow Simulation Using SWAT Model in Nashe Watershed, Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia

The hydrological model is an important tool in water resource management, allocation, and prediction. However, the hydrological models are subject to the uncertainty resulting from different sources of errors involved in the large number of parameters. The hydrological models in the management of water resources play a very significant role in quantifying uncertainty. Therefore, uncertainty analysis implementation is essential to advance confidence in modeling before performing the hydrological simulation. The purpose of the study was to assess the uncertainty parameters for the streamflow using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model integrated sequential uncertainty fitting (SUFI-2) algorithm to Nashe watershed located in the Northwestern, Upper Blue Nile River Basin. The required input data for this study were digital elevation model, land use, soil map and data, meteorological data (precipitation, minimum and maximum temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, and relative humidity), and streamflow data. The calibration and validation model was computed to simulate the observed streamflow data from 1985 to 2008 including two years of warm-up periods. Model calibration, validation, and analysis of parameter uncertainty were conducted for both daily and monthly observed streamflows at the gauging stations through SUFI-2, which is one of the algorithms of the SWAT-Calibration and Uncertainty Program (SWAT_CUP). The results show that CN_2, GW_DELAY, ALPHA_BNK, CH_N2, and SOL_AWC were the most sensitive parameter for the monthly period and had a great impact on the streamflow simulation. Modeling results indicated that the method provides better results for the monthly time period than the daily time period for both calibration and validation. The result indicated that R2 and NSE were 0.89 and 0.85 and 0.82 and 0.79, respectively, monthly and daily during the calibration. The validation likewise demonstrated a good performance with R2 and NSE results of 0.88 and 0.78 and 0.85 and 0.76, respectively, for monthly and daily time periods. The results of this study provide a scientific reference based on uncertainty analysis to decision-makers to improve the decision support process in river basin management.

Nighttime mean arterial pressure is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in white-coat hypertension.

White‐coat hypertension (WCH) is associated with increased cardiovascular risks. To investigate the relationship between WCH and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the authors recruited 706 participants who underwent anthropometric measurements, blood laboratory analysis, 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and echocardiography. The authors defined WCH as elevated office BP but normal ABPM over 24h, daytime, and nighttime periods. The authors compared the proportion of LVH between the true normotension (NT) and the WCH population, and further assessed the associations between BP indexes and LVH in the two groups, respectively. The proportion of LVH was significantly higher in the WCH group than in NT participants (19.70% vs. 13.12%, P = .036). In the NT group, 24h SBP, 24h PP, daytime SBP, daytime PP and SD of nighttime SBP were associated with LVH after adjustment for demographic and blood biochemical data (all P < .05). In the WCH population, LVH was associated with 24h SBP, nighttime SBP, nighttime MAP, and office SBP after adjustment (all P < .05). However, on forward logistic regression analysis with all the BP indexes listed above, only 24h SBP (OR = 1.057, 1.017–1.098, P < .001) in the NT group, and nighttime MAP (OR = 1.114, 1.005–1.235, P < .05) and office SBP (OR = 1.067, 1.019–1.117, P < .001) in the WCH group were still significantly associated with LVH. Our study suggests that the proportion of LVH is higher in WCH patients than in the NT population. Furthermore, elevated nighttime MAP and office SBP may play critical roles in the development of LVH in the WCH population.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-Style Dietary Pattern and 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Elderly Chinese with or without Hypertension

ABSTRACTBackgroundIt is unknown whether the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern is associated with other blood pressure (BP) variables, beyond mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).ObjectivesThe study aimed to study the associations between the DASH dietary pattern and daytime and nighttime mean BPs and BP variance independent of the mean (VIM).MethodsA sample of 324 Chinese adults aged ≥ 60 y who were not on BP-lowering medications were included in the analysis. The DASH score was calculated using data collected by a validated FFQ. The 24-h ambulatory BP was measured and the mean and VIM SBP and DBP were calculated for both the daytime (06:00–21:59) and nighttime periods (22:00–05:59). Multivariable linear models were constructed to assess associations between the DASH dietary pattern and daytime and nighttime BP outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, BMI, and hypertension (clinic SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg), and sleep parameters (only for nighttime BP outcomes). An interaction term between DASH score and hypertension status was added to explore the potential differential association in normotensive and hypertensive individuals.ResultsEvery 1-unit increase in the DASH score was associated with a 0.18-unit (95% CI: −0.34, −0.01 unit) and a 0.22-unit (95% CI: −0.36, −0.09 unit) decrease in nighttime VIM SBP and nighttime VIM DBP, respectively. DASH score was not associated with any daytime BP outcomes, nighttime mean SBP, or nighttime mean DBP. A significant interaction (DASH score × hypertension status) was detected for VIM SBP (P-interaction = 0.04), indicating a differential association between DASH score and nighttime VIM SBP by hypertension status.ConclusionsIndependently of sleep parameters and other factors, the DASH dietary pattern is associated with lower nighttime BP variability in elderly adults.

Behavior segmentation of electricity consumption patterns: A cluster analytical approach

Developing effective energy use and management strategies requires the knowledge of determinants and patterns of the electricity usage behavior of different consumers. This paper examines data-driven unsupervised learning schemes to partition the smart meter users into different clusters such that the users in the same cluster have similar consumption patterns represented by their similar daily routines and peak demand time periods. However, it is critical to resolve the problem of high dimensional space in long time series of smart meter data to make the clustering practical. This problem is resolved by time series data mining based on meaningful statistics and behavioral characteristics to emphasize the essential features for reducing the dimensionality and noisiness of the data. Our work involves rigorous data analysis of smart meter data to identify the essential behavioral characteristics and the source of variability in the behavior and analysis of these behavioral characteristics to select the clustering algorithm and its parameters appropriately. These behavioral features will be extracted from each time-series and then used for clustering using a Gaussian mixture modeling​ algorithm. The clustering algorithm is executed on a real-world electricity consumption dataset of 5038 consumers in Slovenia. The classifications obtained with the algorithm are effective when tested visually and by scoring methods of internal indices. The results indicate that the time of day, day of the week, day-to-day variability and seasonality differences that exist in different clusters can be used to formulate new energy management and grid planning strategies.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE SCALE SCORES CORRELATED WITH THE WINTER INCREASE OF AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective: The aim of study was to define correlations between winter blood pressure (BP) increase and psychological, quality of life (QL), demographic factors in patients with arterial hypertension (AH) (Moscow region). Design and method: We assessed 980 ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data AH patients without serious concomitant diseases. ABPM monitor (Spacelabs 90207) was applied after the washout period (at 8.30–12.00 am). We defined daytime period as 8.00–22.00, nighttime – 0.00–6.00, evening – 21.00–23.00, morning – 6.00–8.00 and workplace period as 11.00–19.00. After ABPM session patients completed the QL questionnaire. (J.Siegrist et all.). The systolic and diastolic (SBP and DBP) winter increase BP was assessed for: daytime (BPd), nighttime (BPn), evening (BPe), morning (BPm), workplace (BPw) and 24-hours period (BP24). We used General Linear Model (GLM) Procedure for statistical analysis adjustment for age, sex and duration of AH and Fisher’s (F) test. Results: We have identified the following QL factors that were significantly associated with the SBP winter increase: 1) VI scale scores of QL questionnaire (reflects the level of social support of family, friends, colleagues) with SBPn (F = -6,62 p &lt; 0,01), SBPd (F = -11,12, p &lt; 0,001), SBPw (F = -9,33, p &lt; 0,003), SBPm (F = -10,59 p &lt; 0,001), SBPe (F = -5,4, p &lt; 0,02); 2) IV scale scores (negative psychological well-being) with SBPw (F = 9,33, p &lt; 0,003). The following factors were significantly associated with the DBP winter increase: 1) VI scale scores with DBPd (F = 4,06, p &lt; 0,04), SBPm (F = 4,29 p &lt; 0,004). Thus, such QL components as the social support from family, friends, colleagues, (VI scale scores) and the negative emotions (IV scale scores) have been associated with the winter BP increase (negative and positive correlation respectively). Conclusions: The new preventive strategy for reducing winter BP may include the increase communication with family and friends and to reduce the impact of negative emotions in the workplace in Moscow region patients with AH.

Comparative study on the performance of solar still equipped with local clay as an energy storage material

The paucity of freshwater is very dangerous in the coming years. Many coastal countries suffer from a scarcity of freshwater. Solar desalination is the cheapest way to produce freshwater from any type of non-drinkable water (brackish water and seawater). In this work, single-slope single-basin solar still for seawater desalination was examined under Upper Egyptian weather conditions of Qena City (latitude 26.16°, longitude 32.71°). The main goal of the work is to compare the performance of conventional solar still, solar still supported with PCM, and solar still supported with local clay material to augment the solar still yield during both daytime and nighttime periods of operation. The results demonstrated that the total production of desalinated water from the simple conventional solar still, the solar still with PCM, and the solar still with local clay reached about 3885, 4704, and 5388.6 ml/m2, respectively. Moreover, compared to the conventional solar still, the yield was increased by about 21% when using the PCM, and about 38.7% when using the local clay material. Furthermore, it can be observed that the daytime productivity in the case of solar still supported with local clay was higher than that for the solar still supported with PCM, while the nighttime productivity was higher in the case of solar still supported with PCM compared with solar still supported with local clay. Moreover, the average daily efficiency of conventional solar still, solar still with PCM, and solar still with local clay reached about 34, 41.2, and 47%, respectively. Therefore, it is recommended to use the solar still with local clay for seawater desalination in such arid and hot climate of Qena City.

0572 Sleep Quality Prior to Admission May Be Linked to Length of Stay in Older Intensive Care Unit Survivors

Abstract Introduction Older adults who are admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) often experience daytime sleepiness and inactivity during hospitalization, yet it remains unclear how pre-hospital sleep may influence hospital outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore trends between pre-hospital self-reported nighttime sleep duration, post-ICU daytime sleep duration, and hospital length of stay (LOS) among older ICU survivors. Methods Thirty older ICU survivors who were functionally independent prior to hospitalization and were mechanically ventilated while in ICU were enrolled in the present pilot study. Actigraphy was used to estimate post-ICU daytime total sleep time (TST) for a daytime period (06:00-22:00) within 24-48 hours post-ICU discharge. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to estimate self-reported nighttime sleep duration prior to hospital admission, and participants were grouped into three categories: short sleep (5.5-7.5 hours), moderate sleep (7.5-9 hours), and long sleep (9-10.5 hours). Total hospital LOS in days was obtained via chart review. Descriptive statistics were used to explore trends between pre-hospital sleep duration, post-ICU daytime sleep duration, and hospital LOS. Results Of the 30 enrolled participants, 29 completed the post-ICU actigraphy observation period; one participant was transferred back to ICU for surgical complications. The mean post-ICU daytime TST among participants who reported short pre-hospital sleep was 6.54 hours, while the means for those who reported moderate and long pre-hospital sleep durations were 7.83 and 8.39 hours, respectively. Participants who reported short pre-hospital sleep had a mean hospital LOS of 14.1 days, while participants who reported moderate and long pre-hospital sleep durations had a mean LOS of 29.1 days and 29.2 days, respectively. Conclusion Older ICU survivors who reported shorter sleep at home prior to hospital admission tended to also sleep less during the daytime hours immediately following transition out of ICU, compared to those who reported longer sleep at home. In addition, older ICU survivors who reported shorter sleep at home tended to have shorter LOS, compared to those who reported longer sleep at home. Potential interventions may focus on increasing daytime activity in older ICU survivors who endorse frequent daytime sleepiness and long nighttime sleep at home. Support (If Any)

Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Objective: Screen-based media (e.g. television, computer, cell phone, tablet) has become an increasingly important part of our life. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to be interested in limited subjects and highly attracted to screens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the time of screen use in newly diagnosed children with ASD and the association between screen time and symptom severity of ASD. Methods: The symptom severity of ASD was determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, and frequency and duration of children’s screen exposure since birth were collected during clinical interviews from the primary caregivers. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the associated factors on symptom severity of ASD. Results: In our study, it was found that children with ASD use screens at an earlier age and for a longer period of time when compared to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also, our results indicated that longer daily screen time and longer periods of no interaction during screen time &lt;24 months, &gt;1 h ⁄ day were associated with the symptom severity of ASD. Discussion: This study suggests that longer daily screen time in early childhood might increase the symptom severity of ASD. These results support that appropriate guidance and education for parents on how to optimize the benefits and potential harms of screen use may be a substantial preventive mental and public health service to support the socio-emotional development for early childhood.

Sleep dependent consolidation of gross motor sequence learning with motor imagery

Acquisition of gross motor sequence learning with physical and mental training elicits gains in performance. However, the effects of sleep or daytime consolidation after both types of practice remain unclear, especially the effects upon the goal- and movement-based components of a gross motor sequential task. The main purpose of this study was to test the effect of physical practice (PP) and motor imagery practice (MIP) on the acquisition and consolidation processes of gross motor sequence learning.Seventy-six participants were tested before and after PP or MIP on a whole-body sequential paradigm, following either a night of sleep (PPsleep and MIPsleep groups) or an equivalent daytime period (PPday and MIPday groups). Control groups without training were tested following similar timespans (CTRLsleep and CTRLday groups). The number of sequential movements and the centre of mass displacement – corresponding to goal and movement-based components, respectively – were assessed.Results showed that relative to the CTRL groups, the PP and MIP groups improved performance during acquisition. Importantly, only the MIPsleep group further improved performance after a night of sleep; participants of other groups stabilised their performance after consolidation. Additionally, the number of sequential movements and the centre of mass displacement evolved conjointly without being influenced by the type of training or the nature of the consolidation.To conclude, these results confirm that sleep contributes to the consolidation of gross motor sequence learning acquired with MIP but not PP. The relationship between the goal- and movement-based components of a gross motor sequential task is discussed.

Reformulation of the Used Model to Estimate Soil Temperature

The Earth is permanently surrounded by cloud cover that, particularly, is an essential component in the planet’s energy balance. In turn, cloud cover intervenes in the main conditioning factor for soil temperature: solar radiation. In particular, the soil thermal amplitude should be dampened with the attenuation of solar radiation. However, the scientific community rarely analyzes this relationship, neglecting the model that is used to estimate the soil temperature. In this context, the present study seeks to reformulate the model by inserting a variable referent to cloud cover. Thus, to achieve this objective, a physical-mathematical review of the heat flow in the vertical profile of soil is performed. The reformulated model indicates the influence of cloud cover, intervening for both the soil’s heating (nighttime period) and cooling (daytime period). Finally, the reformulated model should be employed to estimate the soil thermal behavior (in particular, on “overcast sky” days).

CHARACTER OF THE ACTIVITY CHANGES IN THE LARGE CELL NUCLEI OF THE RAT HYPOTHALAMUS AT PHOTOPERIOD MODIFICATION

One of the important links of the hypothalamus neuroendocrine system is the largecell supraorbital nuclei, the neurons of which synthesize vasopressin and oxytocin,transport them to the neurohypophysis. Supraorbital nuclei also take part in theprovision of neuroendocrine response to various types of stress – light, immobilization,traumatic, emotional, painful, hypoxic and stresses of other etiologies.The mechanisms of the circadian pacemaker activity of the neural systems of thesupraorbital hypothalamus nuclei are currently under intensive investigation. Atthe same time, knowledge concerning the effects of photoperiod modifications (inparticular, constant lighting) on the activity of the most vulnerable hypothalamicstructures (supraorbital nuclei), which provide a sequence of neuroendocrine changesunder stress and stress-reactivity of the body, remains relatively limited.The purpose – to determine the influence of photoperiod modifications on the morphofunctional state of the supraorbital nuclei of the rat hypothalamus.Material and methods. The experiments were conducted on 40 nonlinear male whiterats, divided into 2 series of studies. Biomaterial sampling was carried out at 14.00and 02.00 using morphometry, densitometry and statistics research methods.Results. The circadian rhythm of the neurons’ morpho-functional activity of thehypothalamus supraorbital nuclei with maximum activity at a day time (up to 14.00) isregistered in rats under the standard light regime. In animals, subjected to a prolonged light exposure, pronounced changes in morphofunctional state of the neurons of the hypothalamus supraorbital nuclei wereestablished. In particular, at 02.00 h the area of the neuron nucleus was 94.08 ± 9.55μm2 and was probably larger than that in the intact animals. The nuclear-cytoplasmicratio of the neurons in the hypothalamus supraorbital nuclei at 02.00 h was lowerthan that in the intact animals due to a decrease in the specific volume of the nucleus.In comparison with the daytime period (14.00 h), the decrease in the neurons’ bodyarea of the hypothalamus supraorbital nuclei, caused by the probable decrease in thearea of the nucleus and nucleolus of cells, was detected by 02.00 h. This caused anincrease of the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio in the neurons under study, which made 2.51± 0.023 units. Constant light regime does not cause inversion of the rhythm of morphofunctional activity of the neurons under study.Conclusions. 1. Photoperiod duration significantly influences upon the daily activityof the hypothalamus supraorbital nuclei, and constant light regime does not cause therhythm inversion of morpho-functional activity of the studied neurons.2. Light stress causes a probable increase in the area of the nucleus and nucleolusof neurons in the night interval of observation. At the same time, a decrease in thenuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, an increase in the concentration of RNA in the nucleolusand cytoplasm of the neuron of the supraorbital nuclei of the rat hypothalamus areobserved in the day time period.

What Drives Caterpillar Guilds on a Tree: Enemy Pressure, Leaf or Tree Growth, Genetic Traits, or Phylogenetic Neighbourhood?

Simple SummaryThe number of insects that feed on an individual tree can be influenced by the growth of leaves during the season, the size of the tree, genetic traits that affect leaf quality, and by the tree species that surround it. To estimate the relative importance of these processes, we determined the date on which leaves start unfolding in spring, trunk diameter, genotype, and neighbourhood of sessile oak trees, and sampled their caterpillar communities. We found that free-living caterpillars were less abundant on older leaves. Caterpillars were less diverse and experienced higher parasitism on larger trees. Leaf-mining casebearers were more abundant on trees that were genetically more homozygous. However, genome size was not important for any guild. In contrast to most previous studies, oaks surrounded by distantly related tree species tended to have higher caterpillar densities. Neighbourhoods were also related to species composition and diversity, but not to the average wingspans or specialization of species. Common species were less abundant on trees with high parasitism rates. Our results suggest that trees are not always better off in diverse forests, as large trees surrounded by distantly related species might actually suffer more insect damage.Communities of herbivorous insects on individual host trees may be driven by processes ranging from ongoing development via recent microevolution to ancient phylogeny, but the relative importance of these processes and whether they operate via trophic interactions or herbivore movement remains unknown. We determined the leaf phenology, trunk diameter, genotype, and neighbourhood of sessile oak trees (Quercus petraea), and sampled their caterpillar communities. We found that leaf development across a time period of days related to free-living caterpillars, which disappeared with leaf age. Tree growth across decades is related to increased parasitism rate and diversity of herbivores. The microevolution of oak trees across millennia is related to the abundance of leaf-mining casebearers, which is higher on more homozygous oaks. However, oak genome size was not important for any guild. In contrast to most previous studies, the phylogenetic distance of oaks from their neighbours measured in millions of years was associated with higher abundances of entire caterpillar guilds. Furthermore, on trees surrounded by only distantly related tree species, parasitism tended to be lower. Lower parasitism, in turn, was associated with higher abundances of codominant caterpillar species. Neighbourhoods and traits of trees were also related to community composition and diversity, but not to the average wingspans or specialization of species, consistent with the assembly of herbivore communities being driven by leaf traits and parasitism pressure on trees rather than by insect movement among trees. However, movement in rarer species may be responsible for concentration effects in more phylogenetically distant neighbourhoods. Overall, we suggest that the assembly of insects on a tree is mostly driven by trophic interactions controlled by a mosaic of processes playing out over very different time scales. Comparisons with the literature further suggest that, for oak trees, the consequences of growing amongst distantly related tree species may depend on factors such as geographic region and tree age.

Trypsin‐chymotrypsin as an adjuvant to diclofenac potassium on the postoperative sequelae following mandibular third molar impactions—A comparative study

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of Chymotrypsin‐trypsin with Diclofenac versus Diclofenac alone on the postoperative sequelae of lower third molar disimpactions.MethodsA total of 60 patients to undergo lower third molar surgery were divided randomly into 2 equal groups. Group 1 (30 patients) received Chymotrypsin‐trypsin with Diclofenac tablets and conventional treatment whilst Group 2 (30 patients) received Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg and conventional treatment. Pain, facial swelling, and Interincisal opening were measured for each patient on the 1st, 3rd and 7th days postoperatively.ResultsIn GROUP 1, the mean reduction of VAS Score for postoperative pain was 4.33 to 0.76, whereas GROUP 2 reported a decrease in score from 3.06 to 0.93. During the time period of Day 1 to Day 7, GROUP 1 reported a mean reduction of swelling score to 0.26 on Day 7, whilst GROUP 2 reported a swelling score of 0.80 on Day 7. For the Interincisal Opening and Trismus, GROUP 1 had mean scores from 0.40 (Day 1) to 1.10 (Day 3) and 0.26 on Day 7, whilst GROUP 2 had mean scores from 0.63 (Day 1) to 1.20 (day 3) and 0.73 at Day 7. GROUP 1 reported no Adverse symptoms, whereas GROUP 2 showed symptoms on Day 1 and Day 3.ConclusionTrypsin‐Chymotrypsin in combination with Diclofenac is an effective and superior analgesic when compared to Diclofenac alone in the treatment of postoperative sequelae of lower third molar surgery with good anti‐inflammatory activity.