Normal Laboratory Temperature Research Articles

Temperature-induced changes in DTPA-extractable trace elements: Predicting the potential impact of climate change on the availability of soil elements

The extraction of trace elements from soil with DTPA is a widely used protocol across laboratories. There is a possible “hidden” discrepancy regarding the results obtained from the extractions, i.e., ambient laboratory temperature and soil properties. In this study, the possible influence of these factors on the extractability of the available forms of Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn, measured with DTPA were studied. Α series of extractions was carried out on a soil sample under normal laboratory temperatures, which fluctuated throughout the year, from 15 to 33.9 °C. In other 144 soil samples, the prevailing physico-chemical properties of soil were evaluated (pH, organic C, clay, CaCO3) that affected the percentage of DTPA extractability relative to the pseudo-total determined content. A strong positive correlation of all metals versus increased ambient temperature was found. Cu had an R2 of 0.897, Fe 0.970, Mn 0.957, Ni 0.938, Pb 0.876, and, Zn 0.922, all highly significant. Extracted Mn exhibited a 6.5-fold increase at the highest temperature of 33.9 οC compared to the lowest. Similar increasing trend was observed for Fe, and Ni, and smaller for Cu, Zn, and Pb. Inherent soil properties affected the percentage of extractability relative to the total content: extractability of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni was affected negatively by pH, and the extractability of the studied metals with CaCO3 content. Other soil properties (organic C and clay/sand content) also had an effect, not as pronounced as that of pH and CaCO3. This signifies the necessity of employing standard conditions for routine extractions such as DTPA so that data may be comparable. Also these identified discrepancies may have consequences in the extractability and availability of soil micronutrients and toxic elements regarding climate change. This study aspires to play the role of an initial step towards more robust investigations that would suggest ways of correcting temperature and soil characteristics discrepancies across laboratories.

Metabolic effects of anesthetics (cold, CO2, and isoflurane) and captivity conditions in isolated honey bee (Apis mellifera) foragers under different ambient temperatures

Acclimation and anesthesia are necessary steps when manipulating live honey bees, Apis mellifera, in laboratory. Although cold and carbon dioxide exposure are commonly used to temporarily immobilize honey bees, they are known to influence the bees’ physiology and behavior in various ways. We investigated the effect of captivity conditions and anesthesia methods on the non-flight metabolic rate in honey bee foragers under different ambient temperatures (25, 30, or 35 °C) by using flow-through respirometry. Honey bees experienced a significant drop in metabolic rate as they acclimate to captivity at normal laboratory temperature (25 °C), but did not show much change at higher temperatures. We found that cold and carbon dioxide exposure greatly affected honey bees’ metabolic rates during and after recovery from the anesthesia regardless of the ambient temperatures. Compared to these traditional anesthesia methods, isoflurane at the dose tested is an alternative anesthetic with a) less effect on honey bees’ metabolic rate, b) an adjustable recovery time that depends on ambient temperature, and c) visible sign of life displayed by anesthetized honey bees.

Experimental study and theoretical prediction on shrinkage-induced restrained stresses in UHPC-RC composites under normal curing and steam curing

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has been recently developed as an innovative cementitious-based material, which exhibits excellent tensile and compressive strengths, as well as long-term durability. However, information regarding shrinkage-induced stress development in a composite system of UHPC-reinforced concrete (RC) is limited. The objective of the present research is to identify the restrained shrinkage of reinforced UHPC layer restrained by the RC substrate in UHPC-RC composites for 150 days. Free shrinkage of the UHPC layer was also measured for comparison. The UHPC layers were cured under normal laboratory (NC) temperature (5°C–35°C) and high-temperature steam (HC) at a temperature of 100°C for 48 h. Shrinkage-induced restrained stresses composite members have been evaluated based on a preexisting model used for conventional concrete. As UHPC shows different properties such as strength, shrinkage, and viscous behavior compared to conventional concrete, the development of elastic modulus of UHPC was included in the model for verification of cracking potential. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of creep coefficients of UHPC and NSC on the restrained stresses. Results showed that restrained shrinkage in UHPC overlay was decreased by 57% and 80% compared to free shrinkage under NC and HC, respectively. The five stages of UHPC shrinkage development under NC during the first three days were observed while UHPC shrinkage under HC continually and rapidly increased during the curing period. On the other hand, the same shrinkage value was obtained for both NC and HC of UHPC at the age of 150 days. The preexisting model could calculate the restrained stresses, which was compared with tensile strengths of the different ages. The parametric study indicated that increasing creep coefficients of UHPC and NSC decreased the magnitude of shrinkage-induced restrained stresses in UHPC-RC composite structures.

Isolation of Polygalacturonase-Producing Bacterial Strain from Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).

Background Polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) enzyme aids in microbial spoilage of fruits and vegetables. It is very important to find economical ways to producing the enzyme so as to achieve maximum yield in industries due to its use at different areas of production process. Methods Isolation of polygalacturonase-producing bacterial strain from tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was studied. Polygalacturonase-producing bacterial strains were isolated and screened from tomatoes stored at normal laboratory temperature (25 ± 2°C). They were identified based on their morphological, biochemical, and molecular characteristics. The enzyme produced was partially purified by the ammonium sulphate precipitation method. Molecular weights and optimum conditions for best enzyme activity were obtained by SDS PAGE technique. Results Five bacterial isolates resulted after screening. Bacterial strain code B5 showed highest polygalacturonase activity. Optimum conditions for polygalacturonase PEC B5 were maintained at pH 4.5; temperature 35°C; substrate concentration 0.3 mg/ml, and best activity at less than 5 min of heating. The enzyme PEC B5 was found to weigh 65 kDa and 50 kDa for crude and partially purified aliquots, respectively. The result of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed bacterial strain code B5 as Enterobacter tabaci NR146667 having 79% similarity with the NCBI GenBank. Conclusion Microorganisms should be developed for large-scale production of enzymes in developing countries.

Study of degradation behaviour of montelukast sodium and its marketed formulation in oxidative and accelerated test conditions and prediction of physicochemical and ADMET properties of its degradation products using ADMET Predictor™

Study of oxidative stability of pharmaceutical actives and formulations is important as oxidation pathway is the second most significant route for the decay of pharmaceuticals. Montelukast sodium, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is prone to oxidation reactions owing to sensitive moieties in its structure. It is also known to be light sensitive. This study was aimed to understand the degradation behaviour of the drug in different oxidative media containing hydrogen peroxide, AIBN, Fe3+, Fenton’s reagent and O2 environment under normal laboratory light conditions. The degradation behaviour of the drug was also evaluated in solid sate under ICH recommended accelerated stability condition of 40 °C/75% RH to correlate with the degradation products (DPs) formed in a solid oral formulation. A total of nine DPs (MTK 1 to MTK 9) were formed from both the drug substance and the marketed tablet formulation on storage under controlled oxygen environment in normal laboratory light and temperature conditions. These DPs were well separated on a C-18 column using a gradient HPLC method. The characterization of DPs was done based on HRMS and multi-stage tandem mass spectrometric (MSn) data. The knowledge of the structure of DPs helped in laying down degradation pathway of the drug. Also, mechanism for the formation of each DP was postulated. Finally, physicochemical as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties of the DPs were predicted by ADMET Predictor™ software.

Changes in ambient temperature elicit divergent control of metabolic and cardiovascular actions by leptin.

Interactions of hypothalamic signaling pathways that control body temperature (BT), blood pressure (BP), and energy balance are poorly understood. We investigated whether the chronic BP and metabolic actions of leptin are differentially modulated by changes in ambient temperature (TA ). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), BT, motor activity (MA), and oxygen consumption (Vo2) were measured 24 h/d at normal laboratory TA (23°C), at thermoneutral zone (TNZ, 30°C) for mice or during cold exposure (15°C) in male wild-type mice. After control measurements, leptin (4 μg/kg/min) or saline vehicle was infused for 7 d. At TNZ, leptin reduced food intake (-11.0 ± 0.5 g cumulative deficit) and body weight by 6% but caused no changes in MAP or HR. At 15°C, leptin infusion did not alter food intake but increased MAP and HR (8 ± 1 mmHg and 33 ± 7 bpm), while Vo2 increased by ∼10%. Leptin reduced plasma glucose and insulin levels at 15°C but not at 30°C. These results demonstrate that the chronic anorexic effects of leptin are enhanced at TNZ, while its effects on insulin and glucose levels are attenuated and its effects on BP and HR are abolished. Conversely, cold TA caused resistance to leptin's anorexic effects but amplified its effects to raise BP and reduce insulin and glucose levels. Thus, the brain circuits by which leptin regulates food intake and cardiovascular function are differentially influenced by changes in TA -Do Carmo, J. M., da Silva, A. A., Romero, D. G., Hall, J. E. Changes in ambient temperature elicit divergent control of metabolic and cardiovascular actions by leptin.

Degradation of methyl orange using Fenton catalytic reaction

Oxidation by Fenton reactions a proven and economically feasible process for destruction of a variety of hazardous pollutants in wastewater. We report herein the oxidation of methyl orange using a Fenton reaction at normal laboratory temperature and at atmospheric pressure. The effects of different parameters like the dosages of H2O2 and Fe2+, initial concentration of dye and pH of the solution, on the oxidation of the dye present in dilute aqueous solutions are found. The results indicate that the dye can be most effectively oxidized in aqueous solution at dye: Fe2+:H2O2 molar ratio of 1:3.5:54.2. It was found that more than 97.8% removal of the dye could be achieved in 15min in the pH 2.79 at room temperature. The results will be useful for designing the treatment systems of the various dyes containing wastewater.

Development of a non-damaging high-intensity intermittent running protocol.

The aim of the present study was to devise a non-damaging high-intensity intermittent running protocol. Ten healthy active men completed high-intensity interval running (8× 3-min bouts at 90% of maximal oxygen uptake interspersed with 3-min recovery) on a motorized treadmill under normal laboratory temperatures. Mean heart rate and rating of perceived exertion significantly increased during the intermittent protocol (the first bout, 15.3± 1.2; the final bout, 18.6± 0.9; P< 0.001). Blood lactate concentrations were significantly elevated following bout 1 compared with resting values (1.2± 0.3 mmol/L vs 5.4± 2.4 mmol/L; P = 0.03). However, no significant reduction in maximal voluntary contraction was observed immediately after completing the last exercise bout (623.9± 143.6 N) or during the subsequent 7-d period compared to pre-exercise values (P = 0.59). Creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were not significantly increased following exercise or during the subsequent 7-d period (P = 0.96). Myoglobin (Mb) content was significantly increased following exercise (P = 0.01), however, values returned towards pre-exercise concentrations after 24 h. These results indicate that the high-intensity intermittent running protocol induced changes in physiological and subjective indices that are consistent with the effects of acute fatigue as opposed to those changes normally associated with exercise-induced muscle damage. This exercise protocol can therefore be used to investigate the influence of high-intensity exercise from physiological responses to molecular adaptation.

Changing folding and binding stability in a viral coat protein: a comparison between substitutions accessible through mutation and those fixed by natural selection.

Previous studies have shown that most random amino acid substitutions destabilize protein folding (i.e. increase the folding free energy). No analogous studies have been carried out for protein-protein binding. Here we use a structure-based model of the major coat protein in a simple virus, bacteriophage φX174, to estimate the free energy of folding of a single coat protein and binding of five coat proteins within a pentameric unit. We confirm and extend previous work in finding that most accessible substitutions destabilize both protein folding and protein-protein binding. We compare the pool of accessible substitutions with those observed among the φX174-like wild phage and in experimental evolution with φX174. We find that observed substitutions have smaller effects on stability than expected by chance. An analysis of adaptations at high temperatures suggests that selection favors either substitutions with no effect on stability or those that simultaneously stabilize protein folding and slightly destabilize protein binding. We speculate that these mutations might involve adjusting the rate of capsid assembly. At normal laboratory temperature there is little evidence of directional selection. Finally, we show that cumulative changes in stability are highly variable; sometimes they are well beyond the bounds of single substitution changes and sometimes they are not. The variation leads us to conclude that phenotype selection acts on more than just stability. Instances of larger cumulative stability change (never via a single substitution despite their availability) lead us to conclude that selection views stability at a local, not a global, level.

Structural, Optical And Magnetic Properties Of (Fe, Ag) Co-doped ZnO Nanostructures

The (Fe, Ag) co-doped ZnO nanostructures are developed through chemical precipitation method at various percentages of Fe. The X-ray diffraction studies suggest that all the as-synthesized (Fe, Ag) doped ZnO nanopowders have single phase wurtzite structure with no secondary phases. However, the positions of diffracted peaks slightly shifted towards lower (2θ) angles. Photoluminescence studies reveal that 1 mol% of Fe doped ZnO sample has the best ultra violet (UV) emission properties than the other samples. On the other hand, 5 mol% of Fe doped ZnO nanopowders consists of strong green emission band, which belongs to oxygen interstitial defect states. Magnetization analysis shows that 5 mol% of Fe doped ZnO nanopowders have highest room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) than the RTFM of other samples. The observed RTFM in co-doped ZnO nanopowders is discussed with the help of structural and emission studies. The results strongly suggest the future development of efficient luminescence and magnetic materials at normal laboratory temperatures with (Fe, Ag) co-doped ZnO nanostructures.

Letter-to-the-editor on “Not so hot: Optimal housing temperatures for mice to mimic the thermal environment of humans”

Letter-to-the-editor on “Not so hot: Optimal housing temperatures for mice to mimic the thermal environment of humans”

Heat or Insulation: Behavioral Titration of Mouse Preference for Warmth or Access to a Nest

In laboratories, mice are housed at 20–24°C, which is below their lower critical temperature (≈30°C). This increased thermal stress has the potential to alter scientific outcomes. Nesting material should allow for improved behavioral thermoregulation and thus alleviate this thermal stress. Nesting behavior should change with temperature and material, and the choice between nesting or thermotaxis (movement in response to temperature) should also depend on the balance of these factors, such that mice titrate nesting material against temperature. Naïve CD-1, BALB/c, and C57BL/6 mice (36 male and 36 female/strain in groups of 3) were housed in a set of 2 connected cages, each maintained at a different temperature using a water bath. One cage in each set was 20°C (Nesting cage; NC) while the other was one of 6 temperatures (Temperature cage; TC: 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, or 35°C). The NC contained one of 6 nesting provisions (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10g), changed daily. Food intake and nest scores were measured in both cages. As the difference in temperature between paired cages increased, feed consumption in NC increased. Nesting provision altered differences in nest scores between the 2 paired temperatures. Nest scores in NC increased with increasing provision. In addition, temperature pairings altered the difference in nest scores with the smallest difference between locations at 26°C and 29°C. Mice transferred material from NC to TC but the likelihood of transfer decreased with increasing provision. Overall, mice of different strains and sexes prefer temperatures between 26–29°C and the shift from thermotaxis to nest building is seen between 6 and 10 g of material. Our results suggest that under normal laboratory temperatures, mice should be provided with no less than 6 grams of nesting material, but up to 10 grams may be needed to alleviate thermal distress under typical temperatures.

Hypervelocity capture of particles in aerogel: Dependence on aerogel properties

Capture of high-speed (hypervelocity) particles in aerogel at ambient temperatures of 175–763 K is reported. This extends previous work which has mostly focussed on conducting experiments at ambient laboratory temperatures, even though aerogels are intended for use in cosmic dust capture cells in space environments which may experience a range of temperatures (e.g., the NASA Stardust mission which collected dust at 1.81 AU and putative Mars atmospheric sampling missions). No significant change in track length (normalised to impactor size) was found over the range 175–600 K, although at 763 K a significant reduction (30%) was found. By contrast, entrance hole diameter remained constant only up to 400 K, above this sudden changes of up to 50% were observed. Experiments were also carried out at normal laboratory temperature using a wide range of aerogel densities and particle sizes. It was found that track length normalised to particle size varies inversely with aerogel density. This is a power law dependence and not linear as previously reported, with longer tracks at lower densities. Glass projectiles (up to 100 μm size) were found to undergo a variety of degrees of damage during capture. In addition to the well known acquisition of a coating (partial or complete) of molten aerogel the mechanical damage includes pitting and meridian fractures. Larger (500 μm diameter) stainless steel spheres also showed damage during capture. In this case melting and ablation occurs, suggesting surficial temperatures during impact in excess of 1400 °C. The response of the aerogel itself to passage of particles through it is reported. The presence of fan-like fractures around the tracks is attributed to cone cracking similar to that in glasses of normal density, with the difference that here it is a repetitive process as the particles pass through the aerogel.

Immobilization of Toxic Metals in Solidified Systems of Siloxo‐Sial Networks

The environmental contamination caused by waste toxic metals and their acidic solution could be inhibited in solidified systems of activated kaolinitic clays. Low‐temperature synthesis of alkali‐activated clay generates a siloxo‐sial amorphous polymer network, which excels in its behavior of netting the toxic metals in it. The setting of inorganic polymers occurs at normal laboratory temperature and pressure. The obtained solid matter locks waste metals (copper, nickel, and cobalt) in the formatted network. Natural kaolinitic clay is also a waste product of clay mining, owing to its higher content of coloring metals—iron and titanium.

Heat increases 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine self-administration and social effects in rats

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) is a drug frequently used under hot conditions in nightclubs. In rats tested in the social interaction paradigm, greater prosocial effects of MDMA (5.0 mg/kg) were seen at a hot temperature (30 °C) relative to normal laboratory temperature (21 °C). In the intravenous drug self-administration paradigm, hot temperature (30 °C) increased the number of MDMA infusions (0.1, 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg/infusion) self-administered by rats. Hot temperatures thus appear to affect both the social and reinforcing effects of MDMA.

Chemical oxidation of methylene blue using a Fenton-like reaction

Oxidation by Fenton-like reactions is proven and economically feasible process for destruction of a variety of hazardous pollutants in wastewater. We report herein the oxidation of methylene blue, a basic dye of thiazine series using a Fenton-like reaction at normal laboratory temperature and at atmospheric pressure. The effects of different parameters like the initial concentrations of dye, Fe 2+, and H 2O 2, pH of the solution, reaction temperature, and added electrolytes on the oxidation of the dye present in dilute aqueous solution in the concentration range (3.13–9.39)×10 −5 mol dm −3 (10–30 mg l −1) have been assessed. The results indicate that the dye can be most effectively oxidized in aqueous solution at dye:Fe 2+:H 2O 2 molar ratio of 1:1.15:14.1. More than 98% removal of the dye could be achieved in 1 h in the pH range 2.2–2.6 at 299 K which corresponds to about 81% reduction of the initial COD. The results will be useful for designing the treatment systems of various dye-containing wastewaters.

MERIDIC DIET FOR ENDOPIZA VITEANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

The grape beny moth, Endopiza viteana (Clemens), is the key pest of cultivated grapes in the eastern United States and Canada (Gleissner 1943; Ker 1990). Laboratory techniques have been developed for large-scale rearing of this tortricid (Taschenberg 1951, 1969) using grape berries of Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) and locally grown varieties. The use of grape berries is unsatisfactory because berries attract fruit flies, develop mold, and rot rapidly at normal laboratory temperatures (Taschenberg 1969). In this paper, we describe a diet for rearing E. viteana and the process that was undertaken in its development.

Administration of fenfluramine at different ambient temperatures produces different core temperature and 5-HT neurotoxicity profiles

This study investigated the effect of two different ambient temperatures on fenfluramine-induced 5-HT neurotoxicity. Fenfluramine (FEN) (12.5 mg/kg×4; injections made hourly) or saline (SAL) was administered to rats in either a normal laboratory temperature of 24°C or a warm environment of 30°C. Animals were kept at that ambient temperature for 20 h after FEN administration. Ambient temperature was controlled to ±0.5°C and rat core temperature was continually measured using a non-invasive apparatus. FEN-treated rats at 24°C displayed a core temperature hypothermia with a peak low of 33.8°C, and this core temperature hypothermia lasted for 20 h after FEN administration. Rats treated with FEN at 30°C displayed a significant core temperature hyperthermia for 4 h after the first drug injection compared to SAL-treated groups, with a peak core temperature of 38.6°C. 2 weeks after FEN injections, brain regions were analyzed by HPLC. Both groups of FEN-treated rats showed decreases in 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, striatum, hypothalamus and septum. However, FEN rats treated at 30°C had significantly greater decreases (26–35%) in 5-HT compared to FEN-treated rats at 24°C in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum and somatosensory cortex and significantly greater decreases (26–50%) in 5-HIAA in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and somatosensory cortex. This study indicates fenfluramine can produce neurotoxicity in rats that display either a core temperature hypothermia or hyperthermia, although hyperthermic rats have greater 5-HT and 5-HIAA depletions than the hypothermic rats.

Infrared Intensities of Liquids XX: The Intensity of the OH Stretching Band of Liquid Water Revisited, and the Best Current Values of the Optical Constants of H2O(l) at 25°C between 15,000 and 1 cm−1

The previously reported nonreproducibility of the intensity of the OH stretching band of liquid water has been explored. It was found that it can be eliminated in measurements with the Circle® multiple ATR cell by ensuring that the ATR rod is coaxial with the glass liquid holder. It was also found that normal laboratory temperature variations of a few degrees change the intensity by ⩽∼1% of the peak height. A new imaginary refractive index spectrum of water has been determined between 4000 and 700 cm1 as the average of spectra calculated from ATR spectra recorded by four workers in our laboratory over the past seven years. It was obtained under experimental and computational conditions superior to those used previously, but is only marginally different from the spectra reported in 1989. In particular, the integrated intensities of the fundamentals are not changed significantly from those reported in 1989. The available imaginary refractive index, k, values between 15,000 and 1 cm−1 have been compared. The values that are judged to be the most reliable have been combined into a recommended k spectrum of H2O(l) at 25 °C between 15,000 and 1 cm−1, from which the real refractive index spectrum has been calculated by Kramers–Kronig transformation. The recommended values of the real and imaginary refractive indices and molar absorption coefficients of liquid water at 25 ± 1 °C are presented in graphs and tables. The real and imaginary dielectric constants and the real and imaginary molar polarizabilities in this wavenumber range can be calculated from the tables. Conservatively estimated probable errors of the recommended k values are given. The precision with which the values can be measured in one laboratory and the relative errors between regions are, of course, far smaller than these probable errors. The recommended k values should be of considerable value as interim standard intensities of liquid water, which will facilitate the transfer of intensities between laboratories.

Alcohol solutions of triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride as high-dose radiochromic dosimeters

The radiolytic reduction of colorless tetrazolium salts in aqueous solution to the highly colored formazan dye is a well-known acid-forming radiation chemical reaction. Radiochromic thin films and three-dimensional hydrocolloid gels have been used for imaging and mapping absorbed dose distributions. The high solubility of 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) in alcohols provides a useful liquid dosimeter (45 mM TTC in aerated ethanol) and shows a linear response of absorbance increase (λmax = 480 nm) with dose over the range 1–16 kGy. The linear molar absorption coefficient (ɛm) for the formazan at the absorption peak is 1.5 × 103 m2 mol−1, and the radiation chemical yield for the above solution is G (formazan) = 0.014 μmol J−1. The irradiation temperature coefficient is about 0.8 percent per degree Celsius rise in temperature over the temperature range 0–30 °C but is much larger between 30° and 60 °C. The unirradiated and irradiated solutions are stable over at least five days storage at normal laboratory temperature in the dark, but when stored in daylight at elevated temperature, the unirradiated solution in sealed amber glass ampoules undergoes slow photolytic dye formation, and the irradiated solution experiences initial fading and subsequent reversal (photochromism) when exposed to direct sunlight.