Incubating birds must balance the needs of their developing embryos with their own physiological needs, and many birds accomplish this by taking periodic breaks from incubation. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (Mareca strepera) hens typically take incubation recesses in the early morning and late afternoon, but recesses can also take place at night.
We examined nocturnal incubation recess behavior for mallard and gadwall hens nesting in Suisun Marsh, California, USA, using iButton temperature dataloggers and continuous video monitoring at nests. Fourteen percent of all detected incubation recesses (N = 13,708) were nocturnal and took place on 20% of nest-days (N = 8,668). Video monitoring showed that hens covered their eggs with down feathers when they initiated a nocturnal recess themselves as they would a diurnal recess, but they left the eggs uncovered in 94% of the nocturnal recesses in which predators appeared at nests.
Thus, determining whether or not eggs were left uncovered during a recess can provide strong indication whether the recess was initiated by the hen (eggs covered) or a predator (eggs uncovered). Because nest temperature decreased more rapidly when eggs were left uncovered versus covered, we were able to characterize eggs during nocturnal incubation recesses as covered or uncovered using nest temperature data. Overall, we predicted that 75% of nocturnal recesses were hen-initiated recesses (eggs covered) whereas 25% of nocturnal recesses were predator-initiated recesses (eggs uncovered). Of the predator-initiated nocturnal recesses, 56% were accompanied by evidence of depredation at the nest during the subsequent nest monitoring visit.
Hen-initiated nocturnal recesses began later in the night (closer to morning) and were shorter than predator-initiated nocturnal recesses. Our results indicate that nocturnal incubation recesses occur Gentaur Bluetooth Datalogger Temperature Monitoringregularly (14% of all recesses) and, similar to diurnal recesses, most nocturnal recesses (75%) are initiated by the hen rather than an approaching predator.
Field Physiology: Studying Organismal Function in the Natural Environment
Continuous physiological measurements collected in field settings are essential to understand baseline, free-ranging physiology, physiological range and variability, and the physiological responses of organisms to disturbances. This article presents a current summary of the available technologies to continuously measure the direct physiological parameters in the field at high-resolution/instantaneous timescales from freely behaving animals. There is a particular focus on advantages versus disadvantages of available methods as well as emerging technologies “on the horizon” that may have been validated in captive or laboratory-based scenarios but have yet to be applied in the wild. Systems to record physiological variables from free-ranging animals are reviewed, including radio (VHF/UFH) telemetry, acoustic telemetry, and dataloggers.
Physiological parameters that have been continuously measured in the field are addressed in seven sections including heart rate and electrocardiography (ECG); electromyography (EMG); electroencephalography (EEG); body temperature; respiratory, blood, and muscle oxygen; gastric pH and motility; and blood pressure and flow. The primary focal sections are heart rate and temperature as these can be, and have been, extensively studied in free-ranging organisms. Predicted aspects of future innovation in physiological monitoring are also discussed. The article concludes with an overview of best practices and points to consider regarding experimental designs, cautions, and effects on animals. American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:1979-2015, 2021.
Flexible Hybrid Electrodes for Continuous Measurement of the Local Temperature in Long-Term Wounds
Long-term wounds need a continuous assessment of different biophysical parameters for their treatment, and there is a lack of affordable biocompatible devices capable of obtaining that uninterrupted flow of data. A portable prototype that allows caregivers to know the local temperature behavior of a long-term wound over time and compare it with different reference zones has been developed. Alternative flexible substrates, screen-printing techniques, polymeric inks, and an embedded system have been tested to achieve potential indicators of the status and evolution of chronic wounds.
The final system is formed by temperature sensors attached to a flexible and stretchable medical-grade substrate, where silver conductive tracks have been printed as interconnections with the data-acquisition unit. In addition, a specific datalogger has been developed for this system. The whole set will enable health personnel to acquire the temperature of the wound and its surroundings in order to make decisions regarding the state and evolution of the wound.
Spatiotemporal variations on infrared temperature as a thermal comfort indicator for cattle under agroforestry systems
With the expanding use of thermal assessment techniques in beef cattle, infrared thermography has become a promising tool for assessing the environment for animal thermal comfort. Goals of this study were: (1) to evaluate cattle thermal comfort in agroforestry systems with different shade availability (2) to verify the spatiotemporal variations of infrared temperature inside agroforestry systems, and; (3) to test infrared thermography as a potential tool to assess animal thermal comfort indices in agroforestry systems.
- A trial was carried out between June 2015 and February 2016, covering Central Brazil’s dry winter and rainy summer seasons, respectively.
- The experimental area of Embrapa Beef Cattle is located in Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul), coordinates 20°24’53″ S, 54°42’26″ W and 558 m altitude. The 12 ha plot has two agroforestry systems varying shade availability.
- Traditional Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index, Heat Load Index and Radiation Thermal Load were determined, from measurements using digital thermo-hygrometers, with datalogger.
- The surface temperature and humidity of tree canopies and pasture were determined using an infrared thermographic camera. Results show spatiotemporal variations in infrared temperature.
- This means that the environment inside agroforestry systems is not homogeneously comfortable for cattle, and the system with the lowest shade availability has the greatest heat accumulation area.
- Weak to strong associations were identified between infrared variables and thermal comfort indices (0.08 = r ≤ 0.75).
- Positive relationships were also obtained and equally well explained by the Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index and Heat Load Index (0.55 = R2 ≤ 0.94).
- We conclude that infrared thermography can be used as a tool to assess thermal comfort indices in agroforestry systems and to determine onset of animal thermal stress from the environment and heat body accumulation.
Temperature integrity and exposure of vaccines to suboptimal temperatures in cold chain devices at different levels in three states of India
A total of 213 health facilities including 196 facilities (district and sub-district levels) from 27 select districts and 17 division or state level vaccine stores in three states were included. At these facilities, temperature in 223 vaccine storage devices was recorded for at least 7 consecutive days using electronic temperature datalogger.
Results: During the observation period, overall the vaccines were exposed to temperature < 0 °C for 14.8% of the storage time with 8.6, 6.7 and 18% at state/division, district and sub-district vaccine stores, respectively.
The vaccines were also exposed to temperature > 8 °C for 6.6% of the storage time including 1.3, 13 and 5.1% at state/division, district and sub-district vaccine stores, respectively. Continuous episodes of temperature deviation for 45 min or longer to < 0 °C and > 8 °C was observed in 7.2 and 6.4% of the observation period, respectively. These temperature deviations were not captured by the routine temperature monitoring practice.
Conclusion: The vaccines were exposed to freezing temperature for a considerable period at all level stores, which was more than the exposure to higher temperature. To ensure vaccine potency and immunogenicity, stringent temperature integrity maintenance is needed at all levels.
Temperature Datalogger(EBI 300) |
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External Temperature Probe |
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pt1000 temperature compensator |
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pt1000 temperature compensator |
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Temperature Adjustment Set |
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Temperature Probe 400oc |
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pH/Temperature Electrode |
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Lightwave 3 with Printer and Bluetooth |
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