Significant Differences In Temperature Research Articles

PSVII-27 Nasal surface temperature variation before, during and after routine interventions

Abstract Routine practices such as teeth clipping (TEE), tail docking (TAI) and ear tagging (TAG) can be considered controversial due to the potential pain or stress they might cause. This study sought to evaluate how nasal surface temperature changes before, during and after each of these procedures (TEE, TAI, TAG) as performed routinely on a commercial farm. A total of 116 crossbred piglets (Landrace x Large white x Duroc Danish) from multiparous sows were used. As litters were processed, thermographic images were taken using a high-resolution handheld infrared camera FLIR T650sc (640 x 480 pixels; FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, OR) at a uniform distance of 1 m on the left side of the face. All thermal images were collected between 0900 and 1600 h. To assess procedures separately, a recovery period (12 ± 2.5 min) was allowed between procedures. Due to order differences in which procedures were implemented, the following study groups were created (procedures in brackets indicate the procedures performed prior to the procedure being assessed): TEE, (TEE+) TAI, (TEE+TAI+) TAG, TAI, (TAI+) TEE, (TAI+TEE+) TAG, TAG, (TAG+) TEE, (TAG+TEE+) TAI. Temperature values were recorded from images using FLIR Tools software 6.0 (FLIR Systems). GraphPad Prism 10.0.2 (San Diego, CA) statistical software was used to analyze the obtained data. All data were analyzed via a linear mixed model for repeated measures and Multiple comparisons were calculated using a post-hoc Tukey test (GraphPad Prism 10.0.2). There were no significant differences in Nasal surface temperature among groups at any time points (Table 1, P > 0.05). However, there was a significant reduction in temperature from before the procedure(s) to during and after the procedures in the TAG (P = 0.006) and the (TEE+) TAG (P < 0.001) groups. Changes in the surface temperature of piglets can be related to the sympathetic activity and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation during the perception of a stressor, which causes a sympathetically mediated acute vasomotor response that shifts cutaneous capillary blood flow due to transient peripheral vasoconstriction. Infrared thermography recognizes such blood flow changes as a reduction in the amount of heat radiated from the skin. Indeed, the nasal surface temperature was reduced in TAG and (TEE+) TAG piglets during and after the procedure(s) which suggests these procedure groups caused a greater degree of thermal change to the piglets. Furthermore, the results suggest that infrared thermography could be a useful tool to assess the impact of routine husbandry practices on piglet welfare. Nonetheless, further research should assess infrared thermography alongside behavioral and physiological assessments to establish the relationship between surface temperature and stress during husbandry procedures.

Registration of thermal images of dead teeth to identify odontogenic infection foci

Infrared thermal imaging (IRT) remotely and contactless maps the temperature on the examined surface, recording the distribution of infrared radiation emitted by each body whose temperature is higher than absolute zero. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of thermography in the assessment of asymptomatic infection foci in patients with high systemic infection. The 150 cases diagnosed based on roentgenograms, divided into 6 groups of diagnosed odontogenic lesions, along with a control group. Thermal imaging was performed with a FLIR Systems T1020 thermal camera. Thermal image analysis was performed using ThermaCAM Researcher Pro 2.10, MS Office Excel 2022 and Statistica 10. The periapical areas of selected dead teeth were selected as areas of interest. The Mann Whitney’s U test showed statistically significant (p < 0.001) differences in average temperature between each patient’s and healthy group. Depper’s analysis showed statistical significance also between the ZM and BZ groups (p = 0.004). Moreover, obtained results may also suggest that thermal imaging can be useful in identify odontogenic infection foci. The thermal asymmetry of periapical tissues of teeth differentiates dead from living teeth, as well as individual pathologies related to the process of gangrenous pulp decay. Thermographic mapping is a promising diagnostic technique that can detect asymptomatic inflammations that carry the risk of infection of the entire body.

Integrating artificial intelligence for optimal thermal comfort: A design approach for electric heating textiles aligned with user preferences

Human thermal comfort, crucial for well-being and productivity, is often improved by personal comfort systems that offer tailored control over environmental conditions while promoting energy efficiency. Previous studies have explored various textile technologies in thermoregulation systems according to user preferences. However, limited research has focused on temperature prediction by artificial intelligence to maximize thermal comfort for varied users. This study proposes a design approach to optimize thermal comfort in electric heating textiles using artificial intelligence, considering user preferences related to age and gender differences. A fuzzy logic model is established as a proof of concept for temperature regulation by varying ambient temperature, followed by developing an artificial neural network model to predict the optimal temperature for maximum comfort. Subsequently, a smart electric heating jacket is fabricated to assess preferred heating temperatures among 50 subjects with varying ages and genders. Results from the artificial neural network model show promising temperature prediction, while subject tests reveal significant differences in skin temperatures based on gender. This emphasizes the need for artificial intelligence-based heating e-textiles to accommodate diverse user needs. The study’s findings are expected to contribute to intelligent temperature regulation in thermal textiles and wearables, benefitting both the industry and consumers through customized heating products.

Small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based detection of seasonal micro-urban heat islands for diverse land uses

ABSTRACT Metropolitan areas have diverse land uses (LUs), which can also cause significant differences in land surface temperature (LST), leading to the formation of micro-urban heat islands (MUHIs). Measuring the MUHIs is significant for heat mitiga-tion and adaptation measures and requires high spatial-temporal resolution, which is not feasible through coarser satellite observations (CSOs). Thermal cameras onboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can detect such MUHIs because of their high spatial and desired temporal resolution. This study used the Zenmuse H20T onboard a UAV providing LST at ∼8 cm resolution to evaluate MUHIs in an area with diverse and contiguous LUs including three urban built-up LUs: 1) residential high cost (RHC), 2) residential low cost (RLC), 3) industrial area (IA) and one natural area (i.e. park area (PA)). The LST and MUHI were estimated in two seasons: fall (October 2022) and summer (June-July 2023). In each season, six flights were conducted at similar times of day. The findings were compared with Landsat in each season to examine the loss of information between coarser and finer spatial resolution. Using UAV, a maximum MUHI of 25.54 ◦ C and 15.85 ◦ C was identified in the summer and fall seasons, respectively, between 15:30 and 16:20. The maximum LST was observed in RHC, and PA showed the minimum LST in both seasons. Notably, dark-coloured roofs with asphalt shingle coating reported up to 25.78 ◦ C and 27.37 ◦ C higher LST (UAV-estimated) than light-coloured roofs in the fall and summer, respectively. Landsat significantly underestimated MUHI hotspots in the summer and fall seasons. The on-ground validation of the UAV showed better results in the summer season. The study shows the pragmatic use of UAVs to detect localized MUHIs. The findings are useful to devise strategies to mitigate MUHIs utilizing UAVs in the face of climatic and environmental changes.

Predictors of treatment failure following early antibiotic discontinuation in culture-negative, ventilator-associated pneumonia: an observational study.

Early antibiotic discontinuation in clinically suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) may lead to infection relapse/recurrence and increase mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and potential predictors of treatment failure with this approach. A retrospective observational study was conducted between September 2014 and November 2016 in a mixed intensive care unit. We included clinically suspected VAP patients whose quantitative sputum cultures from endotracheal aspirate were negative, allowing antibiotic discontinuation within 24 hours. Patients were monitored for signs and symptoms of recurrent VAP. Incidence and risk factors for treatment failure, defined as pneumonia recurrence, were determined using univariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Forty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of treatment failure among culture-negative VAP following early antibiotic discontinuation was 27.9% (12 patients). There were no significant differences in procalcitonin levels, leukocyte counts or body temperature between the two groups, except for the modified clinical pulmonary infection score (mCPIS) (5.42 ± 2.19 versus 3.9 ± 1.54, p = 0.014). Procalcitonin levels at VAP diagnosis and antibiotic cessation both showed low predictive capacity for treatment failure (AUC 0.56, CI 95% 0.36-0.76 and AUC 0.57, CI 95% 0.37-0.76, respectively). However, combining mCPIS with procalcitonin improved the predictive value for treatment failure (AUC 0.765, CI 95% 0.56-0.96). Early antibiotic discontinuation may lead to a high incidence of treatment failure among culture-negative VAP patients. Procalcitonin alone should not guide antibiotic discontinuation decisions while combining mCPIS and procalcitonin enhances predictive accuracy for treatment failure.

Therapeutic effectiveness of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy for acute appendicitis of different severities in children

Objective: To investigate the effects of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (mERAT) on the treatment of children with different severities of acute appendicitis. Methods: This study was a case-control study. A total of 586 children with acute appendicitis, who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University between January 2019 and November 2023, were selected as the research subjects. According to the severity of the disease, the patients were divided into simple appendicitis group, suppurative appendicitis group and perforated appendicitis group. The baseline data, hospitalization treatment and costs, outcomes, and recurrence in each group were analyzed, and the difference in the effectiveness of mERAT between the groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ2 test. Results: Among 586 children, there were 338 males and 248 females. The age at onset was 7.0 (4.6, 9.4) years. There were 475 cases of simple appendicitis, 78 cases of suppurative appendicitis, and 33 cases of perforated appendicitis. There were no significant differences in age and gender among the three groups (F=0.59, χ2=3.31, both P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in body temperature, white blood cell counts, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, nausea or vomiting, right lower abdominal pain, umbilical pain, right lower abdominal tenderness, and right lower abdominal rebound pain (H=7.56, 161.52, 169.11, and 169.61, χ2=12.05, 13.82, 12.05, 7.74, 20.35, and 94.61, all P<0.05). Also, the treatment time, postoperative hospital stay, total hospital stay, and cost showed statistically significant differences (H=4.70, 33.66, 34.99, 30.37, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the initial treatment success rate (98.1% (466/475) vs. 98.7% (77/78) vs. 90.9% (30/33), P=0.057). During the 30 (23, 36) months of follow-up, the recurrence rate was 7.9% (35/433) in the simple appendicitis group, 20.8% (15/72) in the suppurative appendicitis group, and 30.0% (9/30) in the perforated appendicitis group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=23.56, P<0.001). Among the children with recurrent appendicitis, 15 cases still chose mERAT, of them 11 cases (31.2%) had simple appendicitis, 2 cases (2/15) had suppurative appendicitis, and 2 cases (2/9) had perforated appendicitis.The latest time to recurrence in the 3 groups was 32, 35 and 10 months, respectively. Conclusion: Treatment with mERAT has a good effect in pediatric simple appendicitis, but has a higher recurrence rate despite a better initial treatment success rate in suppurative appendicitis and perforated appendicitis.

Effects of fan cooling with an air-perfused rucksack on physiological and perceptual strains in young men while running in uncompensable hot environment.

Cooling devices reduce thermal strain during pre-, between-, and postexercise. However, their efficacy during moderate/intensity runs in hot conditions with airflow equivalent to the running speed remains unclear. This study assessed physiological and perceptual responses to neck and upper back fan-cooling through an air-perfused rucksack under such conditions. Ten young men ran at 60% V̇O<inf>2peak</inf> for 30 min in 35 °C, 50% relative humidity with (FAN) and without (CON) air-perfused rucksacks with a hood in a randomized order. Headwind equal to running speed was provided in both conditions. The fan-cooling trial consisted of upper back and neck fan cooling with airflow at 4-5 m/s via two fans attached on either side of the rucksack. Rectal and skin temperatures, whole-body thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and changes in body mass were measured. Upper back skin temperature and thermal sensation were significantly lower throughout the exercise in the FAN than in the CON, whereas thermal comfort was significantly higher at 15-40 min in the FAN (all P≤0.05). Heart rate elevation during 30 min of running was attenuated in the FAN compared to that in the CON (P≤0.05). No significant differences in rectal and mean skin temperatures, or total body mass loss were observed between the two trials. These results indicate that additional fan-cooling on the upper back and neck during running in uncompensable hot conditions with a headwind had limited physiological benefits. However, whole-body-based thermal sensation and comfort are partially improved with the use of an air-perfused rucksack.

Establishment of urinary catheter materials antibacterial efficacy evaluation platform in pigs

Urinary catheters are one of the common invasive medical catheters, mostly composed of high-polymer materials such as polyurethanes. During clinical use, the high friction between the catheter material surface and tissues can lead to tissue damage, patient discomfort, and pain during insertion or removal. Moreover, due to the hydrophobic nature of the polymer material surface, there is a risk of urinary tract infections (CTIs) caused by problems such as protein adsorption and bacterial infection upon insertion into the body. Prolonged indwelling time of urinary catheters in the body increases the probability of other complications, potentially leading to life-threatening consequences and imposing medical burdens. Therefore, the purpose of this study was focused on the insertion of the Escherichia coli (E. coli, 1 × 105 CFU/mL)-coated urinary catheter to implant into a female pig’s urethra for establishing the urinary catheter materials antibacterial efficacy evaluation platform in pigs. Results were shown that during the experimental period, the week 1 and week 2 average pig’ body temperature were 39.4 ± 0.6°C and 39.1 ± 0.2°C, respectively. The average pig’s body temperature was normal and there was no significant differences in body temperature at week 1 and week 2 urinary catheter implanted-experiment period. Moreover, the clinical observation of the pigs showed that their vitality, appetite, and excretion were all normal, and they survived until the end of the experiment without presenting any abnormal clinical symptoms. In addition, E. coli in urine culture respectively showed 0.95 ± 0.03 × 105 CFU/mL, 1.23 ± 0.03 × 105 CFU/mL, 1.43 ± 0.04 × 105 CFU/mL, 1.75 ± 0.08 × 105 CFU/mL, and 1.91 ± 0.09 × 105 CFU/mL on day 0, 3, 7, 10, and 14 of urinary catheter implantation. As time progressed after urinary catheter implantation, there was an increasing trend in E. coli counts. Staining with crystal violet for urinary catheter showed that the urinary catheter wall was positive for crystal violet staining. E. coli isolation and counts from biofilm on inside and outside of urinary catheter respectively showed 5.10 ± 0.10 × 105 CFU/mL and 7.50 ± 1.08 × 105 CFU/mL on day 14 of urinary catheter implantation. As time progressed after urinary catheter implantation, there was an increasing trend in E. coli counts. Finally, the pathological interpretation of the urinary tract indicates that in the tissue morphology of the bladder, there is observed a localized mild shedding of superficial and intermediate layer cells in the transitional epithelium of the ureteral stent group, with only basal cells remaining connected to its submucosa. There are no significant pathological changes observed in the tissue morphology of the urethra and kidneys. According to the results of this study, a urinary catheter materials antibacterial efficacy evaluation platform in pigs has successfully established, which can be provided for R&amp;D of urinary catheter antibacterial materials.

Practitioner dashboard feedback improves glycemic but not temperature compliance during cardiac surgery: A single center retrospective analysis

Study ObjectiveTo determine the association of practitioner dashboard feedback of intraoperative glycemic and temperature control on maintenance of normoglycemia and normothermia. DesignRetrospective review. SettingSingle tertiary care institution. PatientsPatients over the age of 18 undergoing cardiac surgery from February 17, 2021 through February 16, 2023. During the study interval, 15 anesthesiologists providing care during 2255 procedures were analyzed: 1114 prior to the individual faculty dashboard distribution and 1141 after commencement of dashboard distribution. InterventionsOn February 17, 2022, anesthesia faculty members began receiving monthly individualized dashboards indicating their personal intraoperative glycemic and temperature compliance rates. MeasurementsBaseline patient demographic characteristics, surgical and cardiopulmonary bypass times, perioperative temperature and glucose concentrations, and the incidence of sternal wound infections. Glycemic compliance was defined as final serum glucose between 80 and 180 mg/dL. Temperature compliance was defined as an average temperature during the final 30 min of the surgical procedure between 35 and 37.3 °C inclusive. Main resultsDashboard distribution was associated with a significant decrease in the average glucose concentration (median location shift by −6 mg% (95% confidence interval (CI) -8, −4), p < 0.001) from 157 mg/dL to 152 mg/dL and final glucose concentration (median location shift by −17 mg/dL (95% CI -19, −14, p < 0.001) from 161 mg/dL to 145 mg/dL. The intervention was associated with an improvement in glycemic compliance from 71.4% to 87.1% (odds ratio (OR): 2.71(95% CI 2.19, 3.37, p < 0.001)). There were no significant differences in final temperature (36.3 °C [Q1, Q3: 36.0, 36.6] vs. 36.3 °C [Q1, Q3: 36.0, 36.7] (p = 0.232)) with the intervention nor were there any statistically significant differences in temperature compliance (93.9% vs. 92.9%, OR: 0.79 (95% CI 0.55–1.14, p = 0.25). There were no statistically significant changes in the incidence of superficial, deep, or any wound infections with the intervention. ConclusionsIndividualized practitioner dashboard distribution may be an effective tool to increase intraoperative glycemic control.

Friction stir spot welding of recycled scrap thermoplastics

There is a real demand for sustainable lightweight structures because of the growing environmental concerns. One important solution is developing structures through recycled scrap/waste thermoplastic materials. The current work studies the friction stir spot weldability of recycled thermoplastics, which will help to analyze the potential of friction stir-based welding techniques towards developing these sustainable structures. The combined behavior of recycling-welding procedures is investigated, as they may cause degradations; to ensure that the base thermoplastic polymer's chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties are retained. Scrapped milk bottles made from HDPE material are used as a case study. The highest lap-shear load of 1528 N was achieved at the optimum welding conditions of 1600 rpm rotational speed, 1 mm plunge depth, and 60 s dwell time. Fractographic studies (macroscopic and SEM-based) suggested four types of fracture morphologies depending on welding conditions used. The DSC results showed no significant differences in melting temperature and crystalline content of the polymeric material. The TGA tests showed no significant thermal degradations. The FTIR analysis of all the samples (bottle, recycled sheet, weld material) exhibited characteristic HDPE peaks. All these results suggest combined-welding recycling had a minimal impact on the polymeric structure. Thus, friction stir spot welding (FSSW) technique joins recycled thermoplastic scrap/waste materials with high lap-shear load and without any significant polymer degradations.

Benefits of calorie restriction in mice are mediated via energy imbalance, not absolute energy or protein intake

Caloric restriction (CR) results in reduced energy and protein intake, raising questions about protein restriction’s contribution to CR longevity benefits. We kept ad libitum (AL)–fed male C57BL/6J mice at 27°C (AL27) and pair-fed (PF) mice at 22°C (22(PF27)). The 22(PF27) group was fed to match AL27 while restricted for calories due to cold-induced metabolism. The 22(PF27) mice had significantly lower body weight, lean mass, fat mass, leptin, IGF-1, and TNF-α levels than AL27 mice (p<0.001 for all). Manipulations over ~11 weeks resulted in significant differences in body temperature, physical activity, and expression of key genes linked to hunger in the hypothalamus. Survival was significantly greater in 22(PF27) compared to AL27 overall (p<0.001). CR in the context of equivalent energy and protein intake resulted in hormonal, metabolic, and physiological benefits and extended longevity. Hence, energy imbalance, rather than low energy or protein intake per se, mediates the benefits of CR.

Investigation on the edge cooling threshold of the density limit in the J-TEXT tokamak with limiter and divertor configurations

Cooling of the plasma edge is widely considered to be a key element in the density limit (DL) of tokamaks. This paper investigates the critical edge cooling threshold of the DL by exploring various plasma configurations in the joint-Texas experimental tokamak. Notably, significant differences in the edge electron temperature in the vicinity of the last closed flux surface were observed between the limiter and divertor configurations. However, the electron temperature drops to a similar level in the vicinity of q= 3 surface close to DL, independent of the magnetic field configuration. In addition, to evaluate the reliability of the critical edge cooling threshold, experiments were conducted by increasing the carbon impurity content to enhance the edge cooling rate. These experiments involved two approaches to increase the carbon impurity content: methane injection and penetration of a graphite solid source. Results from these experiments indicate that the temperature threshold of the q = 3 surfaces remains consistent even with a stronger edge cooling rate. The consistency observed in the electron temperature threshold near the q = 3 surface, regardless of magnetic configuration or edge cooling rate, could help refine existing theoretical and simulation works and improve the prediction accuracy of the DL disruption.

Facial and ocular thermal mapping in black-and-gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) by infrared thermography: An ex situ study.

This study used infrared thermography (IRT) for mapping the facial and ocular temperatures of howler monkeys, to determine parameters for the diagnosis of febrile processes. There are no published IRT study in this species. Were evaluated images of a group of monkeys kept under human care at Sorocaba Zoo (São Paulo, Brazil). The images were recorded during 1 year, in all seasons. Face and eye temperatures were evaluated. There are statistically significant differences in face and eye temperatures. Mean values and standard deviations for facial and ocular temperature were respectively: 33.0°C (2.1) and 36.5°C (1.9) in the summer; 31.5°C (4.5) and 35.3°C (3.6) in the autumn; 30.0°C (4.3) and 35.6°C (3.9) in the winter; 30.8°C (2.9) and 35.5°C (2.1) in the spring. The IRT was effective to establish a parameter for facial and ocular temperatures of black-and-gold howler monkeys kept under human care.

Thermoregulation of Feet in Cold Environments: A Study on Alpinism

Thermal comfort plays a crucial role in the performance and well-being of mountaineers, especially in extreme environments. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable protocol to assess the thermal comfort of mountaineering boots, with a specific focus on temperature variations in different regions of the foot and their correlation with physiological factors. Two different models of mountaineering boots were tested at two different environmental temperature (-15°C and -30°C). The mean skin temperature, measured according to International Standards BS EN ISO 9886:2004, was used as an indicator of overall thermal comfort. Physiological factors such as heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were also measured to understand their relationship to thermoregulation. Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's ProductMoment correlation tests were performed to investigate whether there was a statistically significant relationship.The results showed significant differences in foot temperature among the Testers, indicating variations in the perception of thermal comfort. The correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between mean skin temperature and HR, highlighting the influence of physiological factors on thermal comfort.In addition, the analysis showed that the dorsum and hallux areas had the largest temperature variations, suggesting the occurrence of vasoconstriction and potential discomfort.This study represents a preliminary approach to establishing a reliable protocol for assessing the thermal performance of cold protective footwear.

Rock Glacier Inventory of the Southwestern Pamirs Supported by InSAR Kinematics

Although rock glaciers (RGs) are prevalent in the southwestern Pamirs, systematic studies on them are scarce. This article introduces the first inventory of RGs in the southwestern Pamirs, situated at the western edge of the High Mountain Asia region. The inventory, established through a combination of Google Earth optical imagery and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) techniques, encompasses details on the locations, geomorphological parameters, and kinematic attributes of RGs. A total of 275 RGs were cataloged in an area of 55.52 km2 from 3620 to 5210 m in altitude. Our inventory shows that most RGs in this region are talus-connected (213 landforms), with the highest frequency facing northeast (23%). The distribution of RGs thins from west to east and is more abundant in higher altitudes. The Shakhdara range to the south hosts a denser and more active population of RGs than the Shughnon range to the north, highlighting the influence of topography and precipitation. Overall, RGs in the southwestern Pamirs exhibit high activity levels, with active RGs predominating (58%). A comparison between active and transitional RGs showed no significant differences in elevation, temperature, and slope. Glacier-connected and glacier forefield-connected RGs demonstrated higher line-of-sight (LOS) velocities than talus-connected and debris-mantled slope-connected RGs, underscoring the significant impact of precipitation and meltwater on their activity.

Comparison of RegCM4.7.1 Simulation with the Station Observation Data of Georgia, 1985–2008

The global climate change, driven by natural processes and increasing human activities, is especially significant for Georgia. The region is experiencing increases in temperature, desertification, redistribution of precipitation, and a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Georgia’s complex topography and its proximity to the Black and Caspian seas make it essential to employ high-resolution regional climate models to evaluate future climate change risks. In this study, we examine the results of a high-resolution simulation of mean and extreme precipitation and temperature using the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics Regional Climate Model version 4.7.1 for the period 1985–2008, providing an initial evaluation of the model’s performance for the territory of Georgia. The model domain (1524 km; 2388 km) encompasses the entirety of Georgia’s territory and surrounding regions. The simulation, conducted at a 12 km horizontal grid spacing using ERA5 data as boundary conditions, indicates that the least discrepancy between observed and modeled average annual temperatures and precipitation, falling within a −1 to 1 °C and −200 to 200 mm range, respectively, was observed at most stations of eastern Georgia. The largest disparities between the model and observed average annual precipitation totals were noted along the Black Sea coast, in the Kolkheti Lowland, and in some high mountain stations in western Georgia. The most significant differences in average annual temperatures between the model and observations were observed in Ambrolauri, Mt. Sabueti, and Dedoplistskaro. For Georgia territory, such a long run with such a high resolution using ERA5 as boundary conditions was conducted for the first time. Overall, the modeling results are quite satisfactory, providing a solid basis for the successful utilization of the regional climate model RegCM4.7.1 with the selected parameterization for modeling monthly mean and extreme temperatures and precipitation in Georgia.

Differences in physiology and behavior between male winner and loser mice in the tube test

Social hierarchy is a crucial element for survival, reproduction, fitness, and the maintenance of a stable social group in social animals. This study aimed to investigate the physiological indicators, nociception, unfamiliar female mice preference, spatial learning memory, and contextual fear memory of male mice with different social status in the same cage. Our findings revealed significant differences in the trunk temperature and contextual fear memory between winner and loser mice. However, there were no major discrepancies in body weight, random and fasting blood glucose levels, whisker number, frontal and perianal temperature, spleen size, mechanical and thermal pain thresholds, preference for unfamiliar female mice, and spatial memory. In conclusion, social status can affect mice in multiple ways, and, therefore, its influence should be considered when conducting studies using these animals.

Early Predictors of Fistula Formation Following Head and Neck Reconstruction.

Salivary fistula formation is a common and serious complication following head and neck reconstruction. Because it can cause delayed wound healing and infection and carotid artery rupture in severe cases, hence, early detection and treatment are crucial. This study was designed to identify early predictors of postoperative fistula formation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction between 2015 and 2022. Body temperature, serum white blood cell (WBC) count, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed until postoperative day (POD) 14 and compared between patients with and without fistula. In this study, 200 patients were included. No significant differences in body temperature and WBC count were observed between the two groups during the entire study period. CRP levels after POD2 were higher in the fistula group than in the without fistula group. From the receiver operating characteristic curves comparing the two groups, the best cutoff level for CRP was 6.27 mg/dL from POD7 to POD8, with 77.1% sensitivity, 69.8% specificity, and 90.1% negative predictive value. CRP is a valuable predictor of fistula formation following head and neck reconstruction. The course of CRP levels in patients with fistulas remains consistently elevated compared to patients without fistulas, and it is particularly useful for the exclusion diagnosis of fistula.

The Effect of a Synthetic-Grass Sport Surface on Physiology and Perception During Intermittent Exercise in Hot Conditions.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of a synthetic-grass sport surface on core body temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)during intermittent exercise in hot conditions. Using a randomized crossover design, 13 trained/developmental team-sport athletes completed two 50-minute standardized intermittent running protocols on a synthetic and anatural-grass surface, on separate days (control-condition air temperature 32.6 °C [1.3 °C], relative humidity 43.2% [5.3%]). Final skin temperature was significantly higher on synthetic compared with natural grass at the calf (40.1 °C [2.5 °C] vs 33.4 °C [0.6 °C]; P < .001), shoulder (36.6 °C [1.7 °C] vs 33.7 °C [0.7 °C]; P < .001), and chest (33.2 °C [1.1 °C] vs 31.8 °C [1.2 °C]; P = .02). Thermal sensation (median: 2.3; interquartile range [0.5] vs 2.2 [0.5], P = .03) and sweat rate (1.5 [0.4]L·h-1 vs 1.2 [0.3]L·h-1; P = .02) were also significantly higher on synthetic grass. While final core body temperature was significantly higher on the natural than synthetic grass (38.4 °C [0.3 °C] vs 38.2 °C [0.4 °C]),there were no significant differences in delta core temperature, as well as heart rate, thermal comfort, or RPE. Higher skin temperatures, thermal sensation, and sweat rates suggest that exercising on synthetic grass in hot conditions may increase some markers of heat strain during exercise. However, delta core body temperature, heart rate, thermal comfort, and RPE remained unaffected.

Can a new cooling method be used in dental implant drilling? An in vitro pilot study

Aims: The aim of this in vitro pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the CryoKB cooling method in increasing the heat-induced temperature during implant drilling in bovine femur bone and to determine its potential usefulness for future in vivo studies. Methods: The study included four groups defined as follows: the G1 group, in which stainless steel materials were cooled using the CryoKB method (n = 13); the G2 group, in which bone was cooled using the CryoKB method (n=13); the K1 group, in which stainless steel materials were cooled using an external irrigation solution (n=13); and the K2 group, in which bone was cooled using an external irrigation solution (n=13). The temperature was measured by creating a 5-mm-deep socket in the bone. The measurements were made every 5 minutes from 0 minutes to 1 hour, using a thermometer device with a type K probe. Results: The temperature changes in 52 samples were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in temperature change were found between the G1 and G2 groups. Statistically significant differences in temperature were found between the G2 and K1 groups and between the G2 and K2 groups. Conclusion: The newly developed cooling method provided more effective and long-lasting cooling than the traditional irrigation method.