Thermoregulatory capabilities of the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus

The woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, in common with many other small rodents, enters torpor under conditions of food deprivation and low temperatures. Its thermoregulatory capabilities under more favourable conditions, however, have not been investigated. We measured metabolism and thermoregulation in woodland dormice acclimated to long-day length, moderate temperature and abundant food over a temperature range (Ta) of approximately 5–37°C. The thermal neutral zone for this species lay between 29 and 35°C. Estimated resting metabolic rate (RMR) within this range averaged 21.10 ± 3.28 J g-1 h-1. Below 29°C energy expenditure increased with a decrease in Ta, with a maximum value of 90.76 J g-1 h-1 measured at 6°C. Both evaporative water loss (EWL) and thermal conductance (C) were minimal and independent of Tsub>a between 5 and 32°C but increased above the thermal neutral zone, maximum EWL and C being 6.7 mg g-1 h-1 (79% of metabolic heat production) and 19.74 J g-1 h-1 °C-1 respectively, at 37.3°C. Thermal conductance and RMR of G. murinus were approximately 48% and 30% below predicted for rodents of equivalent mass, respectively. This pattern is consistent with that suggested for warm-temperate arboreal rodents. Although body temperature (Tb) was labile and was significantly related to Ta over the temperature range investigated, dormice maintained Tb s between 34 and 38°C using typical thermoregulatory responses that included increased activity at low Ta and postural adjustments and salivating at high Ta. While not as impressive as some rodent species, under favourable conditions G. murinus is a competent thermoregulator and torpor in the species is facultative

The environmental context of the Neolithic monuments on the Brodgar Isthmus, Mainland, Orkney

This work was funded in part by Historic Environment Scotland.The World Heritage Sites of Orkney, Scotland contain iconic examples of Neolithic monumentality that have provided significant information about this period of British prehistory. However, currently, a complete understanding of the sites remains to be achieved. This is, in part, because the monuments lack an adequate context within the broader palaeolandscape. Recent investigations (seismic geophysical survey, microfossil analysis and 14C dating) in and around the Brodgar Isthmus, both onshore and offshore, are used to reconstruct the landscapes at a time when sea-level, climate and vegetation were different to that experienced today. Results show that in the early Neolithic the isthmus between the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness was broader with a smaller loch to the west. Furthermore this landscape contained sandstone outcrops that would have provided a potential source of stone for monument construction. Microfossil analysis and radiocarbon dates demonstrate that the Loch of Stenness was transformed from freshwater to brackish during the early Neolithic, perhaps immediately preceding construction of the major monuments. Finally, the analysis of our data suggests that sediment influx to the loch shows a tenfold increase coincident with widespread vegetation change that straddles the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition at c. 8 ka cal. B.P. These results provide, for the first time, a landscape context for the Neolithic sites on the isthmus.PostprintPeer reviewe

Evaluation report of the Design and Technology Association summer school, 11 and 12 July 2014, Loughborough Design School at Loughborough University

Evaluation report of the Design and Technology Association summer school, 11 and 12 July 2014, Loughborough Design School at Loughborough Universit

Applying laser cutting techniques through horology for teaching effective STEM in design and technology

This paper explores the pedagogy underpinning the use of laser manufacturing methods for the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at key stage 3 design and technology. Clock making (horology) has been a popular project in design and technology (D&T) found in many schools, typically it focuses on aesthetical design elements. This paper describes a new project, which has been developed to enhance the STEM content of a horology project through advanced utilisation of laser cutting machinery. It allows pupils to produce their own products from self-made mechanical timing mechanisms. The central aim is to strengthen the application of the underlying technology of mechanisms and the manufacturing capability of laser cutting technology in D&T. Trials with schools have shown success in gaining pupils’ interest in STEM and provided feedback to improve the project. It has highlighted limits when delivering the engineering and maths content with teachers from non-technology backgrounds. The paper discusses this limitation through subject pedagogy, categorisation of teacher knowledge, and teaching effectiveness through experiential and problem-based learning approaches

Clocks as a learning tool

Using horology as a learning tool in schools is a current PhD research project at Loughborough University, which is being developed with the BHI. The aim is to make horology more accessible to newcomers by providing modern resources and use it as a platform for the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in schools. The benefit of increasing interest in clock making is that it attracts all and will pull through and develop interest in STEM areas, as well as pure horology. There are two issues to overcome: most children’s experience with clock making is in schools designing a face and fixing a quartz mechanism to the back, with no further learning of horology; secondly making mechanical kits is not interesting to children in the world of computers and digital games. If we cannot get children interested in clock making with current methods then we must alter clock making to make it more accessible, as the current level of activity shows traditional tools and concepts are presented in a manner not directly available to children

Understanding 'local' opposition to wind development in the UK: How big is a backyard?

In recognition of the environmental and economic threats posed by climate change; decisive steps are now being taken to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions. One sector receiving particular attention within the UK is that of electricity generation. As such, the government has introduced ambitious targets for increasing renewable generating capacity within the country. Wind turbines are expected to play a significant role in meeting these targets; however, despite high levels of support for the technology in principle, specific projects are often delayed or rejected on account of local opposition. This study aimed to establish how attitudes towards development might vary with respect to increasing distance from the identified sites. Participants were required to register their opinion towards development at a number of on- and off-shore locations in the UK. The results indicated that participants were most favourable to offshore development and least favourable to development at the identified sites. Attitudes to onshore development indicated that so long as a proposed location was anticipated to be ‘out of sight’ it was considered in relatively general terms. The results are discussed with reference to site visibility and landscape concerns and clearly support calls for a shift towards community-focussed development strategies

Precision characterization of gyrotron window materials. Final report, September 1, 1995--April 30, 1997

An optical resonator has been constructed to measure dielectric properties of materials at millimeter wavelengths. The objectives are the identification and loss measurements of window materials for high power gyrotrons. The source of radiation is from a backward wave oscillator (BWO) with enhanced power, good stability, and spectral purity. The measurement technique is based on the application of a high Q Fabry-Perot resonator which provides a means of determining the difference in the reciprocal Q-factors with high accuracy. Initial loss measurements at 150 GHz at room temperature are performed on sapphire. Preliminary loss tangent results on sapphire is found to be around 10{sup {minus}4} and are reported here. Work is in progress to develop a system which will scan the resonance rapidly to produce a measurement in less than a minute and to measure the loss as a function of temperature

Mysid crustaceans as potential test organisms for the evaluation of environmental endocrine disruption: a review

Anthropogenic chemicals that disrupt the hormonal systems (endocrine disruptors) of wildlife species recently have become a widely investigated and politically charged issue. Invertebrates account for roughly 95% of all animals, yet surprisingly little effort has been made to understand their value in signaling potential environmental endocrine disruption. This omission largely can be attributed to the high diversity of invertebrates and the shortage of fundamental knowledge of their endocrine systems. Insects and crustaceans are exceptions and, as such, appear to be excellent candidates for evaluating the environmental consequences of chemically induced endocrine disruption. Mysid shrimp (Crustacea: Mysidacea) may serve as a viable surrogate for many crustaceans and have been put forward as suitable test organisms for the evaluation of endocrine disruption by several researchers and regulatory bodies (e.g., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Despite the long-standing use of mysids in toxicity testing, little information exists on their endocrinology, and few studies have focused on the potential of these animals for evaluating the effects of hormone-disrupting compounds. Therefore, the question remains as to whether the current standardized mysid endpoints can be used or adapted to detect endocrine disruption, or if new procedures must be developed, specifically directed at evaluating hormone-regulated endpoints in these animals. This review summarizes the ecological importance of mysids in estuarine and marine ecosystems, their use in toxicity testing and environmental monitoring, and their endocrinology and important hormone-regulated processes to highlight their potential use in assessing environmental endocrine disruption

Empowering householders: Identifying predictors of intentions to use a home energy management system in the United Kingdom

Trials of technologies designed to promote residential demand-side energy management (DSM) have found aggregate levels of load-shifting behaviour and curtailment in energy use. These aggregate data, however, mask considerable differences in people's engagement in DSM at an individual household level. We present the findings of a quantitative exploration of people's intentions to use a home energy management system (HEMS) for residential DSM in the United Kingdom. The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used in conjunction with constructs measuring psychological empowerment and environmental attitudes to explore participants' acceptance of a HEMS to facilitate load-shifting. Findings from a mediation analysis showed perceptions of the usefulness of the HEMS and its ease of use were important predictors of people's intentions to use one. They also highlight a potential conflict between an individual's home energy consumption goals and national DSM goals. The implications of these findings for understanding end-user acceptance of HEMS are discussed. We conclude that seeking opportunities to promote shared, internalised goals for residential DSM may be an avenue for increasing the uptake and use of technologies designed to enable load-shifting (and other energy conservation behaviours) among end-users