Infrared imaging and calorimetric system for assessment of thermal energetics

尽管动物可能采用不同的体温调节机制，但大多数动物都会试图保持合理的恒定体温。 恒温动物（例如“温血动物”）通过平衡代谢产生的内部热量与对核心和外周血流的精确控制来做到这一点。 这种外周血流被精确地控制到身体的自然热窗（例如，四肢、耳朵、喙、尾巴）。 事实上，研究这些结构的热量损失控制有助于了解大脑如何平衡热量产生和热量损失。 本提案中要求的设备是最先进的红外成像和量热设备，这将使我和一个由学生和合作者组成的研究团队能够对动物的热损失控制进行调查。 通过直接热量计可以精确测量从动物到环境的体热运动，并且与红外成像系统相结合，可以评估离开身体特定区域的确切热量。 大部分设备将使我能够对动物的体温调节进行非侵入性测量。 这些类型的测量将导致对动物的干扰最小，从而产生更准确和可靠的测量。 这种仪器将持久使用的许多其他问题的温度调节，代谢和血液流动，将在我的实验室进行，包括调查热适应的演变，以及作为诊断工具的神经生理疾病的影响温度调节。

Although animals may employ different thermoregulatory mechanisms, most will attempt to maintain a reasonably constant body temperature. Endotherms (e.g. "warm-blooded animals") do so by balancing internal heat production from metabolism with precise control over core and peripheral blood flow. This peripheral blood flow is precisely controlled to the body's natural thermal windows (e.g., limbs, ears, bills, tails). In fact, studying the control of heat loss from these structures sheds light on how the brain attempts to balance heat production and heat loss. The equipment requested in this proposal is state-of-the art infrared imaging and calorimetric equipment that will enable me and a research team of students and collaborators to conduct investigations into the control of heat loss in animals. Precisely measuring the movement of body heat from the animal to the environment will be made possible with direct calorimeter, and in combination with the infrared imaging system, the exact amount of heat leaving particular regions of the body is possible to assess. Much of the equipment will enable me to conduct non-invasive measurements of thermoregulation in animals. These sorts of measurements will lead to minimal disturbance to the animals, and thus generate more accurate and reliable measurements. This instrumentation will be of lasting use to many other questions regarding temperature regulation, metabolism and blood flow that will be conducted in my laboratory, including investigations into the evolution of thermal adaptations as well as operating as diagnostic tools for neurophysiological disorders that impact thermoregulation.