Free volume was quantified using the positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) technique and gas permeabilities were measured for O2 and H2 as functions of temperature and relative humidity.
The concentration of floral nectar was measured immediately after collection using a temperature compensated refractometer (ATAGO N-10E refractometer, Leo Kübler GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany) and the nectar volume was quantified using 5 µl micro-capillaries as described in [33].
For each mouse brain the spectrum of the relative amount of metabolites inside the experimental PRESS volume was quantified using the QUEST (quantitation based on quantum estimation) module [124] available inside the Java Magnetic Resonance User Interface (JMRUI) package [125].
The visceral fat volume was quantified using CT imaging [ 17, 18].
ER volume was quantified using ImageJ (NIH freeware, http://rsb.info.nih.gov/nih-image).
The paw volume was quantified using digital plethysmometer before and at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th h after carrageenan administration.
Arm volume was quantified using the previously validated relative volume change (RVC) equation, which calculates change in volume compared to a pre-operative measurement [ 47].
Tumor volume was quantified using calipers twice per week and calculated using the following formula: π × short axis × long axis × height/6.
The relative amount for each protein spot (percentage of total spots volume) was quantified using ImageMaster II software (GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden).
