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The article discusses the technology for automated neural network monitoring of the vineyard's physiological condition. Images of leaves, obtained using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), are the main indicator of the physiological vineyard's condition. The proposed solution is based on the integrated use of convolutional neural network method (CNN) and machine vision technologies. To determine the optimal neural network (NN) model, a variant analysis was carried out. In accordance with its results, the YOLOv7 model was chosen, which satisfies the introduced time limit and provides the required detection quality. The training of the YOLOv7 neural network was implemented in the Python environment using the PyTorch framework and the OpenCV computer vision library. The dataset consisting of 6320 images of grape leaves (including healthy and diseased ones) has been used for neural network training. The obtained results showed that the detection accuracy is at least 91%. Visualization of monitoring results has been carried out using heatmap, allowing to obtain information about vineyard physiological condition in dynamics. The proposed mathematical model allows to calculate the monitored vineyard's area made by one complex per day. The obtained results showed that effective monitoring area using one DJI Phantom 4 UAV per day is 2.5 hectares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, analyzing body shape changes and their application to population dynamics has allowed the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of morphological changes associated with phenotypic expression. However, the physiological conditions of organisms need to be considered in the analyses of body shape variation. We address changes in the body shape of the Pacific thread herring Opisthonema libertate (Günther, 1867) on the western coast of Baja California Sur during an annual cycle using landmark data and geometric morphometric methods. Pacific thread herrings were collected from commercial landings of small pelagic fish in Bahía Magdalena. Morphometric analyses were based on the multivariate comparison of 22 reference points that characterize fish body shape. All comparisons in the multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the monthly means (a priori groups), as indicated by the ten significant CV axes. Furthermore, the pattern of body shape variation was consistent with reproductive changes in Pacific thread herring. The most helpful shape variation for distinguishing among the groups was in the dorsal and ventral profiles of the truncal region of the body shape. These results support the hypothesis that fish physiological condition is a temporal factor that helps us discriminate intra-population units based on body shape variation and is a potential bias in inter-population comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal microbe population has a considerable impact on the physiological state of poultry. Nutritional intervention can be used to enhance the equilibrium of the gut microbiota in chickens, leading to good physiological effects. Various nutritional interventions have been implemented, including feed additives, vitamins, and fermented and functional feeds. While numerous studies have shown the efficacy of nutritional strategies, others have noted the variability of these interventions on poultry’s physiological state. Various factors can influence the effectiveness of nutritional interventions on the physiological conditions of poultry, such as the types of feed additives or active components, duration and method of administration, feed composition, environmental conditions during rearing, quality of day-old-chick, type and age of poultry, hygiene, infection, stress, and other related variables. Feed additives, when combined with nutritional components or other active chemicals, can have synergistic and complementary effects. These impacts could improve the effectiveness and reliability of the nutritional interventions on physiological parameters and poultry productivity. Furthermore, combinations can include feed additives or active components like probiotics and acidifiers, probiotics and enzymes, phytobiotics and enzymes, and plant-based materials and chitosan. The combinations show synergistic and complementary benefits, improving physiological conditions in chickens more than using feed additives or active substances alone. Overall, nutritional intervention can be used to improve the microbial balance in poultry intestines and boost their physiological state. Moreover, integrating feed additives with other active components might enhance the physiological circumstances of chickens due to the synergistic effect produced by their combination.

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Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitats are among the most pervasive impacts on species persistence. Mammals may vary in their response to these impacts, both in abundance and in physiological parameters. Herein, we verified how habitat quality influenced the small mammal nutritional status and stress levels among five semi‐deciduous forest remnants in the Brazilian Cerrado. To assess species' physiological responses, we used body condition as an indicator of nutritional status and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio as an indicator of chronic stress in Gracilinanus agilis and Rhipidomys macrurus. We sampled 264 animals belonging to the following species: G. agilis, Didelphis albiventris, Akodon montensis, Oligoryzomys spp., Rattus rattus, R. macrurus, Oecomys cleberi, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and three unidentified rodent species. We found no negative effect of reduced habitat quality on the body condition of G. agilis and R. macrurus, however, the N/L ratios of these species were lower only in high‐quality habitats, demonstrating that this parameter is an accurate indicator of chronic stress. Based on preliminary analysis, we also reported an impoverished fauna, mainly dominated by generalist species, in low‐quality habitats. Thus, we conclude that short‐term reduction in habitat quality leads to increased stress levels, which can in turn lead to future population declines and culminate in biotic homogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-weight relationship and condition factor (K) are descriptors of the biology of fish populations, providing fundamental information on growth strategies, nutritional status, and reproduction. These parameters are used to compare the condition of fish populations in aquatic systems with different degrees of anthropogenic intervention. This study aimed to explore the length-weight relationship of Pterygoplichthys sp., to observe whether the physiological condition factor reveals variation from a dammed river (Grijalva) to a free-flowing river (Usumacinta). Given the physiological characteristics of armored catfish (benthic consumer, tolerance to hydrological disturbance and aquatic pollution, and wide reproductive range), we predict that this fish will have a better welfare condition in the Grijalva River than in the Usumacinta. Highest abundance of armored catfish was obtained in the Grijalva River (282 specimens). However, the largest and heaviest fish were caught in the Usumacinta River (34.4 ± 5.31 cm and 389 ± 138 g, respectively). Length-weight ratio of armored catfish showed a negative allometric growth rate in both rivers (b>3), i.e., the fish grew more in length than in weight. However, the condition factor revealed that armored catfish have better physiological conditions in the Usumacinta River. Food availability, species population density, intra- and interspecific competition probably played an important role in fish welfare. Information generated in this study can be used as a guide to analyze more detailed the populations of armored catfish, taking into consideration sex and different bodies of water, to adequately monitor the populations of Pterygoplichthys sp., in the Mexican southeast.

Parental investment is any expenditure of time or energy by parents that increases their offspring survival at the cost of future reproduction. The costs associated with parental investment can be reflected in a deterioration of their physiological condition. In insects, juvenile hormone has been identified as having a role in the control of parental care. However, its effects on parental investment remain unclear for many taxa, especially in species with exclusive paternal care. We evaluated whether juvenile hormone influences postzygotic parental investment in Abedus ovatus, a waterbug with exclusive paternal care. Males provide parental care by carrying eggs on their backs and ventilating them by generating water currents through push‐ups called brood pumping. In an experiment, we applied methoprene (an analog of juvenile hormone) to males at early and late parental care stages and quantified the frequency of brood pumping and the contents of energy reserves (lipids, carbohydrates, and glycogen) at the end of parental care as a measure of physiological condition. We found that methoprene increases the frequency of brood pumping only when the water temperature increases. However, there was no correlation between the parent's energy reserves and methoprene treatments. We found that males who cared for large egg pads had lower amounts of lipids and carbohydrates at the end of parental care, and both effects are greater as the water temperature increases. These results suggest that energy expenditure during parental care is high due to intense muscular activity during brood pumping, which depletes male energy reserves and could affect future reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After exocytosis, release sites are cleared of vesicular residues to replenish with transmitter-filled vesicles. Endocytic and scaffold proteins are thought to underlie this site-clearance mechanism. However, the physiological significance of this mechanism at diverse mammalian central synapses remains unknown. Here, we tested this in a physiologically optimized condition using action potential evoked EPSCs at fast calyx synapse and relatively slow hippocampal CA1 synapse, in post-hearing mice brain slices at 37°C and in 1.3 mM [Ca2+]. Pharmacological block of endocytosis enhanced synaptic depression at the calyx synapse, whereas it attenuated synaptic facilitation at the hippocampal synapse. Block of scaffold protein activity likewise enhanced synaptic depression at the calyx but had no effect at the hippocampal synapse. At the fast calyx synapse, block of endocytosis or scaffold protein activity significantly enhanced synaptic depression as early as 10 ms after the stimulation onset. Unlike previous reports, neither endocytic blockers nor scaffold protein inhibitors prolonged the recovery from short-term depression. We conclude that the release-site clearance by endocytosis can be a universal phenomenon supporting vesicle replenishment at both fast and slow synapses, whereas the presynaptic scaffold mechanism likely plays a specialized role in vesicle replenishment predominantly at fast synapses.

There are a wide variety of fishes that occur exclusively on coral reefs, though it is unclear to what extent these species (especially larger-bodied fisheries target species) are reliant on the specific reef habitat provided by corals. This study explored variation in the physiological condition of common coral trout (Plecropomus leopardus) on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, explicitly testing whether fish condition varied with local coral cover in the aftermath of severe mass bleaching and coral loss. Both the physiological condition (specifically, the length–weight relationships, hepatocyte vacuolation, and electrical phase angle) of P. leopardus and the live cover of habitat-forming corals varied greatly among the sites considered in this study, but there was little correspondence between these factors. Fish condition was largely influenced by fish size and varied with latitude. While there was no apparent effect of recent coral bleaching and coral loss on the physiological condition of P. leopardus, this does not mean that these key fisheries species will be unaffected by further changes to the environmental conditions and reef habitat. It is important, therefore, that fisheries managers remain vigilant to apparent effects of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on fisheries stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Regeneration, as a fascinating scientific field, refers to the ability of animals replacing lost tissue or body parts. Many metazoan organisms have been reported with the regeneration phenomena, but showing evolutionarily variable abilities. As the most diverse metazoan taxon, hundreds of insects show strong appendage regeneration ability. The regeneration process and ability are dependent on many factors, including macroscopic physiological conditions and microscopic molecular mechanisms. This article reviews research progress on the physiological conditions and internal underlying mechanisms controlling appendage regeneration in insects.

Regeneration, as a fascinating scientific field, refers to the ability of animals replacing lost tissue or body parts. Many metazoan organisms have been reported with the regeneration phenomena, but showing evolutionarily variable abilities. As the most diverse metazoan taxon, hundreds of insects show strong appendage regeneration ability. The regeneration process and ability are dependent on many factors, including macroscopic physiological conditions and microscopic molecular mechanisms. This article reviews research progress on the physiological conditions and internal underlying mechanisms controlling appendage regeneration in insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The specific role of the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in gastrointestinal motility under physiological conditions is unclear, due to a lack of subtype-selective compounds. Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the region-specific role of the M3 receptor in gastrointestinal motility. Methods: We developed a novel positive allosteric modulator (PAM) for the M3 receptor, PAM-369. The effects of PAM-369 on the carbachol-induced contractile response of porcine esophageal smooth muscle and mouse colonic smooth muscle (ex vivo) and on the transit in mouse small intestine and rat colon (in vivo) were examined. Results: PAM-369 selectively potentiated the M3 receptor under the stimulation of its orthosteric ligands without agonistic or antagonistic activity. Half-maximal effective concentrations of PAM activity for human, mouse, and rat M3 receptors were 0.253, 0.345, and 0.127 μM, respectively. PAM-369 enhanced carbachol-induced contraction in porcine esophageal smooth muscle and mouse colonic smooth muscle without causing any contractile responses by itself. The oral administration of 30 mg/kg PAM-369 increased the small intestinal transit in both normal motility and loperamide-induced intestinal dysmotility mice but had no effects on the colonic transit, although the M3 receptor mRNA expression is higher in the colon than in the small intestine. Conclusions: This study provided the first direct evidence that the M3 receptor has different region-specific roles in the motility function between the small intestine and colon in physiological and pathophysiological contexts. Selective PAMs designed for targeted subtypes of muscarinic receptors are useful for elucidating the subtype-specific function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animals, including shrikes (Laniidae), are known to store food. This behaviour ensures food availability during inclement weather, for rearing nestlings or signalling territory quality. Unlike most other shrike species, which accumulate food before breeding, Red‐backed Shrikes Lanius collurio store food in larders, mainly during the nestling and fledgling periods. If this is an adaptive behaviour, variation in this behaviour should affect either or both the number and condition of nestlings, which may benefit from such larders. We assessed the haematological condition of Red‐backed Shrike nestlings in east‐central Poland in 2021 using a suite of blood parameters relating to sites where shrikes did or did not store food. Haemoglobin concentrations were positively correlated with larders, being significantly higher in nestlings of pairs that stored prey compared with those whose parents did not do so. White blood cell counts were lower in nestlings whose parents kept larders. Red blood cell counts and glucose concentrations in nestlings were not related to whether parents had larders. Food storage probably ensures a more constant access to food, which results in a superior haematological condition in nestlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to study the hematological indices of Marecha dromedary camel at Camel Breeding and Research Station (CBRS) Rakh Mahni in semi-intensive management system (SIMS). About 40 animals were used in two groups viz: 1st group (G1) of twenty calves (10 ♂ and 10 ♀) and 2nd group (G2) of twenty adult animals (5 ♂ and 15 ♀). The animals were kept in semi-open pens throughout the trial and fed with concentrate, gram straw and available jungle grazing/browsing. Twice a day watering was provided. The animals were dewormed and vaccinated regularly after 3 months according to farm routine practices. Hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) counts, white blood cells (WBC) counts, granulocyte, lymphocytes, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined. The Hb concentrations were found to be 14.15±0.12, 13.94±0.12 and 14.84±0.18, 14.07±0.10 g/dl for males and females of G1 and G2 respectively. The values of all parameters differed significantly among groups. There was sexual dimorphism for hematological values in all the parameters being higher in males. It was concluded that the achieved results could be used as a primary data baseline for future studies of this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a wide variety of fishes that occur exclusively on coral reefs, though it is unclear to what extent these species (especially larger-bodied fisheries target species) are reliant on the specific reef habitat provided by corals. This study explored variation in the physiological condition of common coral trout (Plecropomus leopardus) on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, explicitly testing whether fish condition varied with local coral cover in the aftermath of severe mass bleaching and coral loss. Both the physiological condition (specifically, the length–weight relationships, hepatocyte vacuolation, and electrical phase angle) of P. leopardus and the live cover of habitat-forming corals varied greatly among the sites considered in this study, but there was little correspondence between these factors. Fish condition was largely influenced by fish size and varied with latitude. While there was no apparent effect of recent coral bleaching and coral loss on the physiological condition of P. leopardus, this does not mean that these key fisheries species will be unaffected by further changes to the environmental conditions and reef habitat. It is important, therefore, that fisheries managers remain vigilant to apparent effects of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on fisheries stocks.

Antimicrobial peptides consist mainly of membrane-active sequences, which are potentially relevant to antibiotic resistance era. In this context, a novel family of peptides isolated from the skin secretion of Cruziohyla calcarifer have been recently identified with wide and efficient antimicrobial effects. However, the mechanism underlying their antibacterial action remains unknown, as well as their activity under salt concentrations. For the primary purpose, spectrofluorometric and microscopic assays were performed using fluorescent intercalating agents. In silico study also were performed aiming to confirm the nature and energetics of the membranolytic interactions. The influence of proteolytic enzymes and salt concentrations was accessed by broth microdilution approach, mimicking physiological conditions. Cruzioseptins showed detergent-like properties, acting by a similar lytic mechanism characterized for others cationic peptides. An increase of up to three times the minimum inhibitory concentration was observed in presence of salts or serum. This represents an important challenge for the clinical use of peptide-based drugs. Overall, we ratify the antimicrobial potential of cruzioseptins and suggest paradigms that should be considered for translational medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Nesting in large aggregations provides several important advantages for colonially breeding birds. However, it also imposes certain costs, associated with facilitated pathogen transmission and social stress. The cost-benefit ratio is not similar for all the birds in a colony and it might be mediated by nest density. To investigate the influence of nest density on cell-mediated immune function and on physiological condition of nestlings, we arranged a cross-fostering experiment in three breeding colonies of black-headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus. First, we exchanged eggs between plots of high and low nest density. Afterwards, we performed phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin test and we measured blood haemoglobin concentration in nearly 350 nestlings from experimental (exchanged) and control (non-exchanged) groups. Results We found that PHA response was lowest in high nest density control group, indicating that depressed immune function of offspring, likely caused by social stress, can be considered as a cost of colonial breeding. Contrastingly, body condition of nestlings was the poorest in low density control group. Conclusion Nestlings hatched and raised in high nest density plots did not have higher blood haemoglobin concentration in comparison to other study groups. Furthermore, they were affected with depressed cell mediated immune function, which is possibly driven by combined maternal (corticosteroid hormones deposited in yolk) and environmental (elevated social stress) effects. These results indicate that breeders from high nest densities do not benefit by rising offspring in better quality, in terms of immune function and body condition, although, in the light of previous studies, high nest densities are occupied by birds of higher individual quality, than low density areas. Our study provides a novel insight into the mechanisms of density-dependence that govern fitness of colonially nesting birds.

Se evaluó durante 30 días el efecto de actinobacterias probióticas y medicamentos homeopáticos, así como su combinación, sobre la condición fisiológica de juveniles tempranos de ostra Americana Crassostrea virginica durante su preengorda en laboratorio ostrícola comercial. En el diseño experimental se incluyeron cinco tratamientos: [T1 (Streptomyces sp. RL8), T2 (ViP 7C+ViA 7C), T3 (PhA 7C+SiT 7C), T4 (ViP 7C+ViA 7C+RL8), T5 (PhA 7C+SiT 7C+RL8)] y dos controles: [T6 (Etanol) y T7 (Agua Destilada)], con tres réplicas cada uno. Como variables fisiológicas de respuesta se evaluó el Índice de Glándula Digestiva (IGD) y el Índice Muscular (IM). Al concluir el bioensayo (T30) se observó un valor mayor promedio del IGD en los juveniles que recibieron los tratamientos T3, T4 y T5, así como diferencias con relación al IM, con valores máximos en los que recibieron T3, T5, y T6. Estos resultados demuestran que el uso de actinomicetos probióticos y de medicamentos homeopáticos tienen aplicabilidad productiva para mejorar la condición fisiológica y desempeño de C. virginica, con potencial efecto positivo en su rendimiento biológico y económico durante la preengorda de semillas en laboratorio y su cultivo en mar.

The current study was planned to know the effect of breeding season on blood biochemicals of dromedary male camel in Pakistan. The clinically healthy male Marecha camels (n=5) from five to ten years old were investigated in non-breeding "August" and breeding "February" months. They were housed in half-opened pens, TMR, 6-8 hours browsing and twice-watering was performed. Blood biochemicals were studied by using standard kits through biochemistry analyzer. The glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride values (P<0.05) were found to be 136.68±5.46, 57.12±4.44, 35.18±3.26 and 142.62±4.38, 59.32±4.26, 36.97±3.63 mg/dl respectively in August and February, being elevated in rut-camels. The total protein, urea and creatinine concentrations varied non-significantly among animals. While the calcium and phosphorus concentration (P<0.05) was found to be 9.88±1.16, 4.77±0.8 and 9.06±1.18, 4.06±0.9 mg/dl respectively in August and February, lower in rut-camels. Such biochemical investigations are evident of the importance of serum bio-gram which has pronounced effect on sexual behavior and may be used for detection of rutting and non-rutting males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological conditions of small animals are an essential component to be considered when acquiring images for pre-clinical studies, and they play a vital role in the overall results of a study. However, several previous studies did not consider these conditions. In this study, a new animal cradle that can be modified and adjusted to suit multiple imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was developed. Unlike previous cradles where only one mouse can be imaged at a time, a total of four mice can be imaged simultaneously using this new cradle. Additionally, fusion images with high-throughput multiple-mouse imaging (MMI) of PET/MRI and PET/CT images can be acquired using this newly developed cradle. The dynamic brain images were also acquired simultaneously by applying PET dynamic imaging technology to high-throughput MMI methods. The results of this study suggest that the newly developed small animal cradle can be widely used in pre-clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-years-old Sequoia sempervirens seedlings were foliar sprayed once and twice with chlorocholine chloride (CCC) at 0, 100, 500, 1 000, 1 500 and 2 000 mg.l-1. The purpose was to investigate the effect of CCC on the growth and photosynthetic activity of S. sempervirens seedlings under natural cooling and drought in autumn and winter. The findings showed that the increments of plant height and crown diameter were significantly decreased with the increase of chlorocholine chloride concentration, and the increment of root collar diameter, net photosynthetic rate, actual photochemical quantum yield and photosynthetic electron transport rate showed the trend of increasing first and then decreasing, and reached the maximum at concentrations of 1 000~2 000 mg.l-1. There was not a significant difference between two applications and single application. It suggests that 1 000~2 000 mg.l-1 chlorocholine chloride can protect the photosynthetic activity of S. sempervirens seedlings and alleviate the stress induced by low temperatures and drought in autumn and winter.

After exocytosis, release sites are cleared of vesicular residues to replenish with transmitter-filled vesicles. Endocytic and scaffold proteins are thought to underlie this site-clearance mechanism. However, the physiological significance of this mechanism at diverse mammalian central synapses remains unknown. Here, we tested this in a physiologically optimized condition using action potential evoked EPSCs at fast calyx synapse and relatively slow hippocampal CA1 synapse, in post-hearing mice brain slices at 37°C and in 1.3 mM [Ca 2+ ]. Pharmacological block of endocytosis enhanced synaptic depression at the calyx synapse, whereas it attenuated synaptic facilitation at the hippocampal synapse. Block of scaffold protein activity likewise enhanced synaptic depression at the calyx but had no effect at the hippocampal synapse. At the fast calyx synapse, block of endocytosis or scaffold protein activity significantly enhanced synaptic depression as early as 10 ms after the stimulation onset. Unlike previous reports, neither endocytic blockers nor scaffold protein inhibitors prolonged the recovery from short-term depression. We conclude that the release-site clearance by endocytosis can be a universal phenomenon supporting vesicle replenishment at both fast and slow synapses, whereas the presynaptic scaffold mechanism likely plays a specialized role in vesicle replenishment predominantly at fast synapses., Competing Interests: SM, TT No competing interests declared, (© 2023, Mahapatra and Takahashi.)

This study, which aims to predict the outbreaks of sunn pest; was carried out in two overwintering sites for six life cycles in 2013-2019. Three critical periods in each life cycle during the study; at the beginning of the estivation, hibernation and active life periods, the densities of the overwintering population, the fat ratios, weights, and the relationships between them were determined. It has been determined that the winter population of sunn pest varies in terms of both weight and fat depending on gender, life cycles and critical periods, and there is a positive relationship between body mass and fat ratios. Lipids ratio is an important indicator that we can use in estimates of sunn pest epidemic with appropriate climatic conditions and nutrient abundance. Especially in female individuals 27% and above, suitable for climatic conditions during active life; It has been demonstrated that in conditions where there is high temperature, low proportion humidity, wind speed and precipitation and proper nutrient abundance for 2 consecutive years, there is a significant increase in population size and pest can cause an epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a crucial component of vertebrate innate immune response. Despite their importance, associations of TLR diversity with fitness-related traits have rarely been examined in wild animal populations. Here, we tested for associations of TLR polymorphism with physiological condition in a colonial waterbird, the Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Physiological condition and polymorphism at 4 TLR loci were assessed in 60 gulls from a breeding colony in northern Poland. We found that blood hemoglobin and plasma albumin concentrations were positively associated with TLR diversity across all genotyped loci. Plasma concentrations of albumin and triglycerides were also associated with the presence of specific TLR variants and locus-specific diversity. All significant associations between physiological condition and TLRs were primarily apparent at the level of nucleotide, rather than amino acid allelic variants. Although the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for these associations require further investigation, our study provides strong correlational support for links between TLR diversity and physiological condition in a wild avian population, and it adds to the growing, but still modest, body of evidence for the fitness-related consequences of individual TLR repertoire in wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in food-chain length may influence a predator's trophic position. In aquatic food webs, the energy value of prey typically increases with its trophic rank; hence a higher trophic-level diet is often assumed to indicate better habitat quality. We related the body and health condition of pre-fledged Red-necked Grebes Podiceps grisegena to their dietary trophic level (estimated using stable nitrogen isotope signals of feathers) in two managed pond habitats with contrasting prey availability due to different fish population structures. Ponds stocked with young, small common carp Cyprinus carpio provided abundant fish and non-fish (insects and amphibians) resources for chicks. In ponds stocked with large carp, which also supported populations of small predatory fish, the breeding success of grebes was comparatively poor, because carp exceeded the size suitable for chicks and adversely affected non-fish prey. Pre-fledged grebes were in better condition (greater body mass, lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) in the food-rich small-fish ponds than in the food-poor ponds dominated by large fish. Values for δ15N suggested shorter food chains and a lower trophic-level diet for grebes in the food-rich ponds. Bayesian carbon and nitrogen isotope mixing models demonstrated the dietary prominence of small fish, both carp and predatory species. Between-habitat differences in food-chain length and grebe trophic position resulted from the higher trophic rank of small predatory fish in the food-poor ponds compared to the omnivorous carp in the food-rich ponds. Our results suggest that in aquatic food webs, feeding at higher trophic levels by strongly size-limited generalist avian predators can be associated with overall food scarcity due to the impact of fish, and thus trophic status cannot be used uncritically as a proxy for aquatic habitat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In marine organisms, pelagic larval dispersal often results in genetic panmixis among widely separated populations; however, local conditions may produce populations of marine organisms that differ in key life history traits. Here, we assess spatial differences in growth, body condition, survivorship and movement over a decade for lemon damselfish Pomacentrus moluccensis. Newly recruited fish were tagged on the southern (One Tree Island, 23°S), and northern Great Barrier Reef (Lizard Island, 15°S), 1200 km apart, and monitored for over a decade to provide direct data on growth and survivorship. New recruit physiological condition (lipid content) had a weak positive influence on early survival, but not on long-term persistence or growth, and the larval supply signal was lost after 2 years, suggesting post-settlement processes were key in long-term population persistence. Fish exhibited extreme site fidelity, with older/larger fish moving most (all less than 7 m). At Lizard Island, under 5% of individuals remained after 3 years, none after 4 years, while at One Tree Island 5% of individuals survived over 5 years, with 1% remaining after a decade, suggesting Lizard Island populations may require more frequent replenishment to persist. Among-site (within location) variation in mortality was high, and not related to density, suggesting local conditions such as wave exposure and predators were important. Surprisingly, mean growth at the two locations, which differ by around 2 °C on average in sea temperature, was practically identical, levelling off after 3 years, but with high variation among nearby sites within each location, which would affect size-based fecundity and time of first reproduction at these smaller spatial scales. Neither early post-settlement growth nor mortality were density-dependent, and early growth was not related to overall longevity. These small reef fishes are highly sedentary and some demographic parameters, but not others, differ at a range of scales, with post-settlement populations likely driven largely by mortality patterns at the larger spatial scale. Latitudinal and smaller-spatial scale differences in performance (growth, survival) of this species, leading to offsets in expected time to maturity an fecundity, are contrasted by evidence of stability of adult populations over two decades at One Tree Island, which suggests that resilience to environmental change/climate change and other externalities differ considerably across this species' distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of our understanding of the effects of climate change on coral reef fishes are currently based on studies of small-bodied species such as damselfishes. By contrast, we know little about the potential impacts of ocean warming on larger species of herbivorous and detritivorous reef fish, despite them being a critical functional group and an essential source of food protein for millions of people. In addition, we know little of the role of habitat in determining species' thermal sensitivity and the legitimacy of extrapolating thermal performance across closely-related species from different habitat types. Here we test the effect of exposure to increased water temperature during juvenile development on key physiological and behavioral traits of two species of rabbitfish typically associated with different habitats: Siganus doliatus (reef-associated) and S. lineatus (estuarine). Wild-caught juveniles were reared for 14 weeks at temperatures representing present-day ambient conditions (28.0 °C), late-summer ambient conditions (30.0 °C), or those projected on reefs under future global warming scenarios (31.5 °C). We then measured the somatic (growth, condition, immune response) and behavioral (feeding rate, latency to feed and activity level) traits of individuals within each treatment to determine the sensitivity of each species to elevated water temperatures. Overall, both species showed comparatively robust levels of thermal tolerance, based on previously-documented responses of small-bodied reef fishes. However, two very different patterns emerged. The reef-associated S. doliatus showed a greater physiological response to temperature, with negative effects on hepatosomatic condition and immune function observed in individuals exposed to the 31.5 °C treatment. By contrast, there were no negative physiological effects of temperature observed in S. lineatus and instead we recorded behavioral changes, with individuals at 30 °C and 31.5 °C displaying altered feeding behavior (increased feeding rate and decreased latency to feed). These distinct responses observed between congeners are likely due to their evolutionary history and flag the potential inaccuracies that could arise from extrapolating effects of ocean warming across even closely-related species adapted to different habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn is one of the essential elements to maintain normal fish metabolic process (including growth, development and reproduction), which have different chemical status in nature including inorganic, organic and nano‐sized. In this work, the efficacy of gluconic acid zinc (Glu‐Zn), nano zinc oxide (Nano ZnO), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) on the growth performance, tissue mineral elements deposition, antioxidant activity and immune response of the tilapia fish Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was evaluated. Three experimental diets were prepared by adding different forms of Zn sources (ZnSO4 as a control group) with same Zn concentration (40 mg/kg) and used to feed fish for 60 days. The biological trial results displayed that the growth performance of Nile tilapia has not obviously affected by different Zn form source supplement. However, Glu‐Zn and Nano ZnO supplements have significantly stimulated the Zn and Cu absorption deposition efficiency in the fish tissues as compared to ZnSO4 group. Besides, there was a significant increase in Cu‐Zn superoxide dismutase (35.03 U/mgprot), alkaline phosphatase (79.34 U/mgprot), aspartate aminotransferase (23.42 U/L), alanine aminotransferase (18.45 U/L), glutathione peroxidase (171.24 U/mgprot) and fatty acid synthase (11.55 ng/mL) content in Glu‐Zn treatment. Additionally, Glu‐Zn supply significantly increased serum lysozyme (9.91 U/mL), immunoglobulin M (0.48 g/L), complement 3 (0.74 g/L) and complement 4 (0.95 g/L) activity of Nile tilapia. Also, compared to ZnSO4 diet, lysozyme (11.44 U/mL) and complement 4 (0.63 g/L) content were obviously higher in fish fed Nano Zn diet. These findings revealed that supplementation with Glu‐Zn as a Zn source in feed is better than ZnSO4 for improving tissue mineralization, antioxidant stress, alleviate lipid peroxidation and immunity response of Nile tilapia. Meantime, Nano ZnO also played a positive role in the tissue mineralization and immunity response of Nile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Energy landscapes provide an approach to the mechanistic basis of spatial ecology and decision-making in animals. This is based on the quantification of the variation in the energy costs of movements through a given environment, as well as how these costs vary in time and for different animal populations. Organisms as diverse as fish, mammals, and birds will move in areas of the energy landscape that result in minimised costs and maximised energy gain. Recently, energy landscapes have been used to link energy gain and variable energy costs of foraging to breeding success, revealing their potential use for understanding demographic changes. Methods: Using GPS-temperature-depth and tri-axial accelerometer loggers, stable isotope and molecular analyses of the diet, and leucocyte counts, we studied the response of gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) and chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) penguins to different energy landscapes and resources. We compared species and gentoo penguin populations with contrasting population trends. Results: Between populations, gentoo penguins from Livingston Island (Antarctica), a site with positive population trends, foraged in energy landscape sectors that implied lower foraging costs per energy gained compared with those around New Island (Falkland/Malvinas Islands; sub-Antarctic), a breeding site with fluctuating energy costs of foraging, breeding success and populations. Between species, chinstrap penguins foraged in sectors of the energy landscape with lower foraging costs per bottom time, a proxy for energy gain. They also showed lower physiological stress, as revealed by leucocyte counts, and higher breeding success than gentoo penguins. In terms of diet, we found a flexible foraging ecology in gentoo penguins but a narrow foraging niche for chinstraps. Conclusions: The lower foraging costs incurred by the gentoo penguins from Livingston, may favour a higher breeding success that would explain the species' positive population trend in the Antarctic Peninsula. The lower foraging costs in chinstrap penguins may also explain their higher breeding success, compared to gentoos from Antarctica but not their negative population trend. Altogether, our results suggest a link between energy landscapes and breeding success mediated by the physiological condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services relies on several insects that provide fundamental functions. Despite the quality of these ecosystem services depends on insect diversity, abundance and biomass, little is known about the effects that individual body condition has over such services. One prediction is that starving or sick animals may provide a reduced service. Dung beetles bury dung in forests and cattle farms, contributing to soil fertilization and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. However, some species are highly sensitive to habitat disturbance and this leads to important losses of ecosystem services in disturbed areas. Here we experimentally tested the effect of diet quality and parasite pressure impact on dung removal rate using three species of dung beetles from contrasting habitats. We exposed wild beetles to an immune challenge combined with experimental diets that varied in protein content. We predicted that dung removal would be better carried out by healthy and well-fed individuals. However, if a species incurs in compensatory feeding or terminal investment in reproduction, ill individuals will still exhibit intense dung removal and reproductive activity but with a physiological cost. For Euoniticellus intermedius beetles, the immune challenge reduced dung removal rates, and this was because the challenge reduced the weight, although not the number of built brood masses. This suggests that implanted individuals made an intense reproductive effort. Therefore, a strategy of terminal investment in reproduction might be occurring. In the same species, couples fed low-protein diets increased dung removal rates compared to control-fed animals, probably as a compensatory feeding strategy that increased energetic condition. Conversely, Onthophagus incensus and O. rhinolophus beetles did not change dung removal rates despite suffering changes in energetic condition resulting from treatment. This is the first evidence that ecosystem services provided by dung beetles depend on individual health and nutritional status that drive reproductive and feeding behavior. Understanding the environmental factors that affect individual physiology and behavior is fundamental to guarantee conditions not only for the survival of key species but also for the maintenance of ecosystem services.

Background: Nesting in large aggregations provides several important advantages for colonially breeding birds. However, it also imposes certain costs, associated with facilitated pathogen transmission and social stress. The cost-benefit ratio is not similar for all the birds in a colony and it might be mediated by nest density. To investigate the influence of nest density on cell-mediated immune function and on physiological condition of nestlings, we arranged a cross-fostering experiment in three breeding colonies of black-headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus. First, we exchanged eggs between plots of high and low nest density. Afterwards, we performed phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin test and we measured blood haemoglobin concentration in nearly 350 nestlings from experimental (exchanged) and control (non-exchanged) groups. Results: We found that PHA response was lowest in high nest density control group, indicating that depressed immune function of offspring, likely caused by social stress, can be considered as a cost of colonial breeding. Contrastingly, body condition of nestlings was the poorest in low density control group. Conclusion: Nestlings hatched and raised in high nest density plots did not have higher blood haemoglobin concentration in comparison to other study groups. Furthermore, they were affected with depressed cell mediated immune function, which is possibly driven by combined maternal (corticosteroid hormones deposited in yolk) and environmental (elevated social stress) effects. These results indicate that breeders from high nest densities do not benefit by rising offspring in better quality, in terms of immune function and body condition, although, in the light of previous studies, high nest densities are occupied by birds of higher individual quality, than low density areas. Our study provides a novel insight into the mechanisms of density-dependence that govern fitness of colonially nesting birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane tethering is an important communication method for membrane-packaged organelles. Mitochondria are organelles with a bilayer membrane, and the membrane contact between mitochondria and other organelles is indispensable for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Increased levels of molecular determinants that mediate the membrane contact between mitochondria and other organelles, and their functions, have been revealed in recent years. In this review article, we aim to summarize the findings on the tethering between mitochondria and other organelles in physiological or pathological conditions, and discuss their roles in cellular homeostasis, neural activity, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Membrane tethering is an important communication method for membrane-packaged organelles. Mitochondria are organelles with a bilayer membrane, and the membrane contact between mitochondria and other organelles is indispensable for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Increased levels of molecular determinants that mediate the membrane contact between mitochondria and other organelles, and their functions, have been revealed in recent years. In this review article, we aim to summarize the findings on the tethering between mitochondria and other organelles in physiological or pathological conditions, and discuss their roles in cellular homeostasis, neural activity, and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haematology parameters are important indicators for the status of both individuals and populations of wild small mammals that are affected by toxicants, diseases and other natural or anthropogenic harmful factors. We report for the first time the values of the following haematological parameters: number of erythrocytes [1012/l]; HGB - haemoglobin [g/l]; HCT - haematocrit [%]; MCV - mean corpuscular volume of erythrocytes [fl]; MCH - mean corpuscular haemoglobin of erythrocytes [pg]; MCHC - mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration [g/l]; WBC - number of leukocytes [109/l]; LYM - number of lymphocytes [109/l]; MID - number of middle cells [109/l]; GRA - number of granulocytes [109/l]; LY - lymphocytes, measured as percentage of total leukocytes [%]; MI - middle cells, measured as percentage of total leukocytes [%]; GR - granulocytes, measured as percentage of total leukocytes [%]; PLT - number of platelets [109/l]; MPV - platelet volume [fl]. These parameters were obtained from adult male and female individuals of striped mouse Apodemus agrarius. The mice were collected from the Strandzha Mts. in Bulgaria. The statistical analysis of the established haematological parameters has defined the baseline norm of variation of values described by ±95% confidence interval. They can be used for the evaluation of the physiological condition of the individuals of the striped mouse as bioindicative markers for evaluating the quality of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limitation to sustain the Patagonian red octopus Enteroctopus megalocyathus aquaculture is the lack of an efficient diet to obtain high survival during the paralarvae stage. This work has studied the performance of paralarvae under different combinations of feeds and temperatures using a factorial design. The diets were based on various Artemia enrichments: (a) Nannochloropsis sp, (b) Ori‐gold (Skretting) and (c) LC60 (Phosphotek). The temperatures chosen were in accordance with those found in their environment: 10°C (winter), 12°C (spring–autumn) and 14°C (summer), by triplicate. The factorial combinations were tested in two experiments with paralarvae of different age: Exp 1, from newly hatched to 14 days after hatching (DAH), and Exp 2, from that point to 42 DAH. It was concluded that temperature was the primary variable affecting mortality, feed intake, relative weight condition index, morphometric variables and trypsin activity. The enriched Artemia diets had the main impact on the leucine‐aminopeptidase activity, and on the fatty acid contents, mainly 20:5n‐3 (EPA) and 22:6n‐3 (DHA). Paralarval growth was increased by temperature with only one diet and at a certain age. Nutritional requirements varied between early and late paralarvae, and the possibility of changing the diets according to the development age is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is one of a few known passerine birds that incorporate fresh fragments of aromatic plants in their nest during the nesting period. In this study, we experimentally tested whether aromatic plants in blue tit nests affect physiological condition of nestlings as indicated by hemoglobin and glucose in the blood. Nestlings in nests supplemented with fresh, aromatic plants had elevated blood hemoglobin, and therefore improved physiological condition, as compared with control nestlings. There was no difference between nestlings in two contrasting habitats (urban parkland and forest). Although mean levels of blood glucose did not differ between treatment and control nestlings, the blood of forest nestlings contained more glucose than the blood of parkland nestlings, which indicates poorer health for forest nestlings. In general, knowledge of the effects of incorporating fresh green, aromatic plant material into avian nests on physiological condition of nestlings is still fragmentary and more experimental studies are needed. Significance statement: The blue tit is one of a few known passerine birds that incorporate fresh fragments of aromatic plants in their nest during the nesting period. Little is known about the impact of this material on nestling body condition, and there is a need to understand this behavior and its effects. We tested whether nestlings in nests supplemented with fresh, aromatic plants improved their physiological condition in comparison with control nestlings. The experiment showed that nestlings from supplemented nests improved their physiological condition by exhibiting elevated hemoglobin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A design scheme of physiological data acquisition and processing system for underground personnel was proposed. Hardware design of data acquisition terminal, data acquisition and processing method and ZigBee data transmission design of the system were introduced. The system can acquire the data of oxygen saturation of blood, pulse and body motion of underground personnel real-timely, and get physiological condition of the personnel by processing the acquired data, which displays on monitoring interface of upper computer. The test results show that the accuracy of data acquisition of the system is over 90%, and data transmission is reliable without data packet loss.

Brown trout Salmo trutta is endemic to Europe, western Asia and north‐western Africa; it is a prominent member of freshwater and coastal marine fish faunas. The species shows two resident (river‐resident, lake‐resident) and three main facultative migratory life histories (downstream–upstream within a river system, fluvial–adfluvial potamodromous; to and from a lake, lacustrine–adfluvial (inlet) or allacustrine (outlet) potamodromous; to and from the sea, anadromous). River‐residency v. migration is a balance between enhanced feeding and thus growth advantages of migration to a particular habitat v. the costs of potentially greater mortality and energy expenditure. Fluvial–adfluvial migration usually has less feeding improvement, but less mortality risk, than lacustrine–adfluvial or allacustrine and anadromous, but the latter vary among catchments as to which is favoured. Indirect evidence suggests that around 50% of the variability in S. trutta migration v. residency, among individuals within a population, is due to genetic variance. This dichotomous decision can best be explained by the threshold‐trait model of quantitative genetics. Thus, an individual's physiological condition (e.g., energy status) as regulated by environmental factors, genes and non‐genetic parental effects, acts as the cue. The magnitude of this cue relative to a genetically predetermined individual threshold, governs whether it will migrate or sexually mature as a river‐resident. This decision threshold occurs early in life and, if the choice is to migrate, a second threshold probably follows determining the age and timing of migration. Migration destination (mainstem river, lake, or sea) also appears to be genetically programmed. Decisions to migrate and ultimate destination result in a number of subsequent consequential changes such as parr–smolt transformation, sexual maturity and return migration. Strong associations with one or a few genes have been found for most aspects of the migratory syndrome and indirect evidence supports genetic involvement in all parts. Thus, migratory and resident life histories potentially evolve as a result of natural and anthropogenic environmental changes, which alter relative survival and reproduction. Knowledge of genetic determinants of the various components of migration in S. trutta lags substantially behind that of Oncorhynchus mykiss and other salmonines. Identification of genetic markers linked to migration components and especially to the migration–residency decision, is a prerequisite for facilitating detailed empirical studies. In order to predict effectively, through modelling, the effects of environmental changes, quantification of the relative fitness of different migratory traits and of their heritabilities, across a range of environmental conditions, is also urgently required in the face of the increasing pace of such changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant based drugs are being popularized in recent past owing to their longterm benefits without causing side effects. Medicinal and aromatic plants are major sources of these drugs, whose quality is largely dependent on active ingredients present in them. Today a large number of species are on the verge of extinction due to unscientific management practices, overexploitation, destructive harvesting, poor seed set, low seed viability, pest and disease incidence etc. Hence, there is a great need for their conservation through cultivation for which standardization of propagation methodologies is of prime importance. Multiplication of these species clonally through cuttings can make their cultivation economic by providing true to type plants that are known to have optimum levels of active ingredients. Rooting of stem cuttings is a crucial step in plant propagation and there is great variability in the rooting ability of different species. Even though propagation through cuttings appears to be the simplest of all methods, its success depends on a number of factors and the present review concerned highlighting their importance in the context of medicinal and aromatic plants multiplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To clarify the bivalve fishing situation in Myeik Coast, which is a well-known centre of coastal fishing in Southern Myanmar, an investigation on the physiological conditions of wild bivalves, hard clam Meretrix casta var. ovum (Hanley, 1845), soft clam Paphia undulata (Born, 1778), green mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758), oyster Crassostrea belcheri (Sowerby, 1871), and pen shell Atrina pectinata (Linnaeus, 1767) landed in the City was done in December 2014, and March and September 2015. The bivalves were purchased at some local markets and a seafood restaurant, and their physiological conditions, including sexual maturation, food availability, and ability of nutritional absorption, were investigated through histological observations. Additionally, the concentration of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins was examined in the soft tissues of the bivalve samples with an enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. The results showed that hard clam Meretrix casta var. ovum was the stable landing species through dry and wet seasons. Its spawning season was a long period extending from dry to wet seasons, ensuring good food availability and nutritional absorption. The concentrations of PSP toxins were low (<1 nM) in all bivalves, making them safe for human consumption. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Myeik Coast is suitable for hard clam fishing for the time being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • High temperatures negatively affect the growth rate and the digestive gland index of male O. maya. • High temperatures induced an increment in haemocytes and a decreased in oxygen consumption. • At histological level, temperature affects the testis organization and provokes inflammatory processes. • High spermatophores production were induced by temperature. • A reduction of the parental contribution was observed when the temperature increased. Abstract Observations of wild male O. maya suggest that temperatures below 27 °C favour their reproductive performance. From these observations we hypothesize that, as in females, the temperature modulates the reproductive performance of adult O. maya males. The study aimed to evaluate the physiological condition, reproductive success, and histological damage in testis of male O. maya exposed to thermal stress, to determine the implications of ocean warming over their reproductive performance. High temperatures (28–30 °C) negatively affect the growth and health of male O. maya. In octopuses maintained at 30 °C, as a consequence of the thermal stress we observed an increment in the haemocytes number, a reduction in the oxygen consumption rate, and an inflammatory process in the testis. The number of spermatozoa per spermatophore was not affected by temperature, but higher spermatophores production was observed at 30 °C. The paternity analysis showed that the offspring had multiple paternity with an average of 10 males contributing in a single spawn. The paternal contribution was affected by temperature with high, medium, or no paternal contribution in animals maintained at 24 °C (control group), 28 °C and 30 °C, respectively. The temperatures from 28 °C to 30 °C deeply affected the reproductive performance of Octopus maya males, suggesting that, as embryos, reproductive performance of adult males of this octopus species can be used as a tool for monitoring thermal changes in Yucatán Peninsula, located at the entrance of Gulf of Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Posterior dynamic stabilization systems are developed to maintain the healthy biomechanics of the spine while providing stabilization. Numerous dynamic systems incorporate polycarbonate urethane with temperature- and moisture-dependent material properties. In the underlying study, a novel test rig is used to evaluate the biomechanical performance of a system containing polycarbonate urethane. Methods The test rig is composed of two hydraulic actuators. An environmental chamber, filled with water vapor at body temperature, is included in the set up. The translational and rotational degrees of freedom of vertebrae and pedicle screws are measured using a magnetic tracking system. The Transition® device is tested in five lumbar spines (L2–L5) of human cadavers. Pure moment tests are performed for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Three test conditions are compared: 1. native specimens, 2. dynamic instrumentation at L4–L5, 3. dynamic instrumentation with decompression at L4–L5. Findings The ranges of motion, the centers of rotation, and the pedicle screw loosening are calculated and evaluated. During daily motions such as walking, the loads on the lumbar spine differ from the standardized test protocols. To allow a reproducible data evaluation for smaller deformations, all moment-rotation curves are parameterized using sigmoid functions. Interpretation In flexion-extension, the Transition® device provides the highest stiffening of the segment and the largest shift of the center of rotation. No shift in the center of rotation, and the smallest supporting effect on the segment is observed for axial rotation. In lateral bending, a mediate reduction of the range of motion is observed. Highlights • Spine test rig with environmental chamber to assess the kinematics of multiple spinal segments • Significant reduction of the range of motion after instrumentation for all loading directions • The centre of rotation was shifted after instrumentation • The area and initial stiffness of the range of motion curves increase after instrumentation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here on a light addressable potassium (K+) sensor where light illumination of a semiconducting silicon electrode substrate results in a localized activation of the faradaic electrochemistry at the illuminated spot. This allows one, by electrochemical control, to oxidize surface bound ferrocene moieties that in turn trigger K+ transfer from the overlaid K+‐selective film to the solution phase. The resulting voltammetric response is shown to be K+‐selective, where peak position is a direct function of K+ activity at the surface of electrode. This concept was used to measure extracellular K+ concentration changes by stimulating living breast cancer cells. The associated decrease of intracellular K+ level was confirmed with a fluorescent K+ indicator. In contrast to light addressable potentiometry, the approach introduced here relies on dynamic electrochemistry and may be performed in tandem with other electrochemical analysis when studying biological events on the electrode. K+ sensing: A light‐addressable electrochemical K+ sensor is introduced that consists of a thin polymer film containing an ionophore deposited on a semiconducting silicon electrode. Ferrocene is covalently attached to oxide‐free silicon and the electrode exhibits surface confined electrochemistry under light illumination. The sensor exhibits a Nernstian response to [K+] in a light‐defined spatial region. Changes in extracellular [K+] associated with living cells upon stimulation are monitored electrochemically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]