Contemporary outbreaks of different avipoxviruses in Humboldt penguins of wild animal park Planckendael and in chickens of commercial poultry farms in Belgium

In the present study, the first outbreak of a penguinpox virus (PPV) in Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldd) and four outbreaks of fowlpox virus (FPV) in layer chickens are reported. Clinically, cutaneous wart-like growths were observed around the eyes in four juvenile Humboldt penguins and cutaneous nodular lesions in the comb, wattles, around the eyes and other unfeathered skin parts of layer chickens. Histopathology (FPV and PPV), electron microscopy (PPV), virus isolation (FPV) and PCR amplification (FPV and PPV) confirmed that both isolates were avipoxviruses (APVs). According to the phylogenetic analysis of the partial P4b core protein gene, the Belgian Humboldt PPV clustered with sequences of free-range (domestic and synanthrope bird species) and wild bird species of the United States and Europe (99-100% homology), and all four Belgian FPV isolates clustered with FPV isolates of chickens, turkeys, canary and FPV attenuated live vaccines from all over the world (100% homology)

Design analysis of potential grid connected floating photovoltaic system in UTHM

Every month Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM) management pays around RM 1 million for electricity bills. The aim of this project is to explore the feasibility of implementing a grid connected Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) system at the campus of UTHM. There are multiple unutilized water bodies (ponds/lakes) within the campus premises covering a total area of more than 50,000 m2. A 4000 m2 located at the lake near faculty of technical and vocational education (FPTV) is considered of the total available area for the feasibility study. A total of 1372.6 kW can be generated by deploying 335W mono crystalline PV modules with 21% efficiency on a floating mechanism (floaters) on the selected area. The FPV system is then simulated using MATLAB Simulink to observe the performance parameters of the FPV system such as total harmonic distortion (THD), current and voltage waveforms. Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) software has been used to obtain results such as the net present cost (NPC), cost of operation (COE), CO2 emissions impact and the payback period of the grid connected FPV system. The FPV system provides the lowest cost of energy (LCOE) RM0.418 kWh and a total net present cost (NPC) of RM 52.3 million. This system can decrease CO2 emissions by about 1241 t/yr

Foam-Based Floatovoltaics: A Potential Solution To Disappearing Terminal Natural Lakes

Terminal lakes are disappearing worldwide because of direct and indirect human activities. Floating photovoltaics (FPV) are a synergistic system with increased energy output because of water cooling, while the FPV reduces water evaporation. This study explores how low-cost foam-based floatovoltaic systems can mitigate the disappearance of natural lakes. A case study is performed on 10%–50% FPV coverage of terminal and disappearing Walker Lake. Water conservation is investigated with a modified Penman-Monteith evapotranspiration method and energy generation is calculated with an operating temperature model experimentally determined from foam-based FPV. Results show FPV saves 52,000,000 m3/year of water and US$6,000,000 at 50% FPV coverage. The FPV generates 20 TWh/year of renewable energy, which is enough to offset all coal-fired power plants in Nevada thus reducing carbon-emission based climate forcing partially responsible for a greater rate of disappearance of the lake. The results of this study, which is the first of its kind, indicate foam-based FPV has potential to play a crucial role in mitigation efforts to prevent the disappearing of natural lakes worldwide