Delineation of dew formation zones in Iran using long-term model simulations and cluster analysis

Dew is a non-conventional source of water that has been gaining interest over the last two decades, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, we performed a long-term (1979-2018) energy balance model simulation to estimate dew formation potential in Iran aiming to identify dew formation zones and to investigate the impacts of long-term variation in meteorological parameters on dew formation. The annual average of dew occurrence in Iran was similar to 102 d, with the lowest number of dewy days in summer (similar to 7 d) and the highest in winter (similar to 45 d). The average daily dew yield was in the range of 0.03-0.14 Lm(-2) and the maximum was in the range of 0.29-0.52 Lm(-2). Six dew formation zones were identified based on cluster analysis of the time series of the simulated dew yield. The distribution of dew formation zones in Iran was closely aligned with topography and sources of moisture. Therefore, the coastal zones in the north and south of Iran (i.e., Caspian Sea and Oman Sea), showed the highest dew formation potential, with 53 and 34 Lm(-2) yr(-2), whereas the dry interior regions (i.e., central Iran and the Lut Desert), with the average of 12-18 Lm(-2) yr(-2), had the lowest potential for dew formation. Dew yield estimation is very sensitive to the choice of the heat transfer coefficient. The uncertainty analysis of the heat transfer coefficient using eight different parameterizations revealed that the parameterization used in this study the Richards (2004) formulation - gives estimates that are similar to the average of all methods and are neither much lower nor much higher than the majority of other parameterizations and the largest differences occur for the very low values of daily dew yield. Trend analysis results revealed a significant (p < 0:05) negative trend in the yearly dew yield in most parts of Iran during the last 4 decades (1979-2018). Such a negative trend in dew formation is likely due to an increase in air temperature and a decrease in relative humidity and cloudiness over the 40 years.Peer reviewe

A Genome-Wide Association Study for Calving Interval in Holstein Dairy Cows Using Weighted Single-Step Genomic BLUP Approach

The aim of the present study was to identify genomic region(s) associated with the length of the calving interval in primiparous (n = 6866) and multiparous (n = 5071) Holstein cows. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) solutions were estimated using a weighted single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (WssGBLUP) approach and imputed high-density panel (777 k) genotypes. The effects of markers and the genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) of the animals were obtained by five iterations of WssGBLUP. The results showed that the accuracies of GEBVs with WssGBLUP improved by +5.4 to +5.7, (primiparous cows) and +9.4 to +9.7 (multiparous cows) percent points over accuracies from the pedigree-based BLUP. The most accurate genomic evaluation was provided at the second iteration of WssGBLUP, which was used to identify associated genomic regions using a windows-based GWAS procedure. The proportion of additive genetic variance explained by windows of 50 consecutive SNPs (with an average of 165 Kb) was calculated and the region(s) that accounted for equal to or more than 0.20% of the total additive genetic variance were used to search for candidate genes. Three windows of 50 consecutive SNPs (BTA3, BTA6, and BTA7) were identified to be associated with the length of the calving interval in primi- and multiparous cows, while the window with the highest percentage of explained genetic variance was located on BTA3 position 49.42 to 49.52 Mb. There were five genes including ARHGAP29, SEC24D, METTL14, SLC36A2, and SLC36A3 inside the windows associated with the length of the calving interval. The biological process terms including alanine transport, L-alanine transport, proline transport, and glycine transport were identified as the most important terms enriched by the genes inside the identified windows

Genetic relationship of conformation traits with average somatic cell score at 150 and 305 days in milk in Holstein cows of Iran.

peer reviewedGenetic, environmental, and phenotypic correlations among average somatic cell score (SCS) at different stages of lactation and conformation traits were estimated. Data consisted of the lactational average of SCS at 150 (SCS(150)) and 305 (SCS(305)) d in milk and 19 conformation traits recorded on 57,154 primiparous Holstein cows, that calved from 1996 to 2009 in 119 herds in Iran. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure based on multiple-trait animal models. Udder depth (-0.32), fore udder attachment (-0.22), and udder width (0.34) showed moderate genetic correlation with SCS(150). Heart girth (0.17), body depth (0.14), chest width (0.26), and angularity (0.19), showed modest genetic correlation with SCS(150). The estimated heritabilities for SCS(150) and SCS(305) were 0.06 and 0.08, respectively. The heritability of the conformation traits ranged from 0.09 to 0.29. Genetic and environmental correlations between SCS(150) and SCS(305) were very high (means ± SE; 0.99±0.01 and 0.89±0.01, respectively), which indicates that recording SCS over a shorter period of lactation is an alternative approach for involving many herds in SCS data collection. The low heritability of SCS indicated that indirect selection for some of udder and body traits might be helpful to reduce the SCS. Additionally, selection for udder traits may help reduce SCS in developing countries where SCS data are sparsely recorded

An Attempt to Utilize a Regional Dew Formation Model in Kenya

Model evaluation against experimental data is an important step towards accurate model predictions and simulations. Here, we evaluated an energy-balance model to predict dew formation occurrence and estimate its amount for East-African arid-climate conditions against 13 months of experimental dew harvesting data in Maktau, Kenya. The model was capable of predicting the dew formation occurrence effectively. However, it overestimated the harvestable dew amount by about a ratio of 1.7. As such, a factor of 0.6 was applied for a long-term period (1979–2018) to investigate the spatial and temporal variation of the dew formation in Kenya. The annual average of dew occurrence in Kenya was ~130 days with dew yield > 0.1 L/m2/day. The dew formation showed a seasonal cycle with the maximum yield in winter and minimum in summer. Three major dew formation zones were identified after cluster analysis: arid and semi-arid regions; mountain regions; and coastal regions. The average daily and yearly maximum dew yield were 0.05 and 18; 0.9 and 25; and 0.15 and 40 L/m2/day; respectively. A precise prediction of dew occurrence and dew yield is very challenging due to inherent limitations in numerical models and meteorological input parameters

An Attempt to Utilize a Regional Dew Formation Model in Kenya

Model evaluation against experimental data is an important step towards accurate model predictions and simulations. Here, we evaluated an energy-balance model to predict dew formation occurrence and estimate its amount for East-African arid-climate conditions against 13 months of experimental dew harvesting data in Maktau, Kenya. The model was capable of predicting the dew formation occurrence effectively. However, it overestimated the harvestable dew amount by about a ratio of 1.7. As such, a factor of 0.6 was applied for a long-term period (1979–2018) to investigate the spatial and temporal variation of the dew formation in Kenya. The annual average of dew occurrence in Kenya was ~130 days with dew yield > 0.1 L/m2/day. The dew formation showed a seasonal cycle with the maximum yield in winter and minimum in summer. Three major dew formation zones were identified after cluster analysis: arid and semi-arid regions; mountain regions; and coastal regions. The average daily and yearly maximum dew yield were 0.05 and 18; 0.9 and 25; and 0.15 and 40 L/m2/day; respectively. A precise prediction of dew occurrence and dew yield is very challenging due to inherent limitations in numerical models and meteorological input parameters

Antibacterial activity of some Lamiaceae species against Staphylococcus aureus in yoghurt-based drink (Doogh)

Doogh is a dairy drinkable fermented product, whose shelf-life and quality is mostly affected by bacteria such as Staphylococcus spp. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) from Thymus vulgaris L., Mentha piperita L. and Ziziphora tenuior L., alone or in combination, against Staphylococcus aureus in industrial doogh. A three-level and three-variable face centered central composite design experiment was used. Results showed that EOs significantly inhibited S. aureus growth after 1 and 7 days of storage. According to the model, the maximum inhibition was obtained in the presence of 0.2% of EO, independently of the type, and no synergistic or additive effects were observed. Slightly lower S. aureus survivals were observed at the maximum concentration of Z. tenuior EO. In spite of the antimicrobial activity of these EOs, further research is needed to assess their performance in food matrix and, in particular, in dairy product

Does preincubational in ovo injection of buffers or antioxidants improve the quality and hatchability in long-term stored eggs?

peer reviewedA hypothesis was tested that providing buffer solutions or antioxidants during egg storage may help embryos in combating the harmful effect of longer holding periods. Hatching eggs were obtained from a breeder flock (35 wk) and stored for 13 d before setting. In experiment 1, the eggs were injected (d 4) with bicarbonate buffer solution (BBS) or PBS. For experiment 2, l-carnitine (LC), vitamin E (VE), and vitamin C (VC) were injected (d 7) at 3 different doses. The egg internal quality characteristics were evaluated at 2-d intervals after injection and the remaining eggs were incubated for 21 d under standard conditions. At 21 d, hatchability was recorded and unhatched eggs were broken open to assess the fertility and stage of embryonic mortality. No differences were noted in albumen pH due to using buffer solutions or antioxidants except for a decreased pH at 2 d postinjection of the high dose of VC (75 mg). In ovo injection of BBS increased the albumen index and Haugh unit at d 6 postinjection; however, the response to PBS was not different from that in the control group. In ovo injection of antioxidants did not influence the albumen index, Haugh unit, and yolk index; however, the yolk percentage was partly affected. Irrespective of the dosage, hatchability was greatly decreased following in ovo injection of buffers or antioxidants (as low as 4.3 vs. 87.5% in control), with the highest mortality percentage recorded at early embryonic stages (d 0 to 6). Data suggested that, despite improvement in certain egg internal qualities, preincubational in ovo injection of BBS, PBS, LC, VE, or VC was associated with a profoundly decreased hatchability for which the underlying mechanism(s) remain(s) to be clarified

Seminal characteristics, sperm fatty acids, and blood biochemical attributes in breeder roosters orally administered with sage (Salvia officinalis) extract

peer reviewedSeminal characteristics and blood biochemical attributes were studied in breeder roosters orally administered with sage extract (SG), an herbal extract well known to have potent antioxidant activities. Sixty roosters (34 weeks old) were randomly allotted to five treatment groups to receive no SG, or orally administered with 110, 210, 320, or 420 mg SG/kg liveweight for 8 weeks. Semen samples were evaluated weekly. Blood samples were taken fortnightly and a total of 21 biochemical indices were measured to unmask the effects of SG (especially the adverse ones) on the clinical profile. Excluding the sperm concentration and seminal content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (sperm membrane lipid peroxidation index), other seminal traits exhibited one of the linear, quadratic, or cubic responses to the various levels of SG. The most improvements in total live sperm number and sperm membrane integrity (as determined by the hypoosmotic swelling test) were observed in birds receiving 210 and 320 mg SG/kg liveweight, respectively. Serum testosterone level was generally higher (cubically, P ≤ 0.015), but serum copper was lower (linearly, P ≤ 0.014) in SG-administered birds. Birds receiving 320 and 420 mg SG showed a decreased content of C18:2(n-6) in sperm plasma membrane. Other biochemical attributes or sperm fatty acids were not affected. It seems that most improvement in the seminal characteristics could be achieved 5-6 weeks following the administration of 210 and 320 mg SG/kg liveweight without any apparent adverse effect on the blood biochemical indices. The improvements, however, could not be attributed to the antioxidative effect of SG. Although it is hypothesised that an increased serum testosterone might have been involved, the underlying mechanism(s) remain(s) to be clarified. © CSIRO 2013

Human unrestricted somatic stem cells ameliorate sepsis-related acute lung injury in mice

Background Aims: Sepsis and related disorders, especially acute lung injury (ALI), are the most challenging life-threatening diseases in the hospital intensive care unit. Complex pathophysiology, unbalanced immune condition, and high rate of mortality complicate the treatment of sepsis. Recently, cell therapy has been introduced as a promising option to recover the sepsis symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of human unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) isolated from human umbilical cord blood in the mouse model of ALI. USSCs significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice suffering from ALI and suppressed concentrations of proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, and interleukin (IL)-6, and the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. ALI mice injected by USSCs showed notable reduction in lung and liver injury, pulmonary edema, and hepatic enzymes, compared with the control group. These results determined the in vivo immunomodulatory effect of USSCs for recovery of immune balance and reduction of tissue injury in the mouse model of ALI. Therefore, USSCs can be a suitable therapeutic approach to manage sepsis disease through the anti-inflammatory potentia

Prediction of first test day milk yield using historical records in dairy cows

The transition between two lactations remains one of the most critical periods during the productive life of dairy cows. In this study, we aimed to develop a model that predicts the milk yield of dairy cows from test day milk yield data collected in the previous lactation. In the past, data routinely collected in the context of herd improvement programmes on dairy farms have been used to provide insights in the health status of animals or for genetic evaluations. Typically, only data from the current lactation is used, comparing expected (i.e., unperturbed) with realised milk yields. This approach cannot be used to monitor the transition period due to the lack of unperturbed milk yields at the start of a lactation. For multiparous cows, an opportunity lies in the use of data from the previous lactation to predict the expected production of the next one. We developed a methodology to predict the first test day milk yield after calving using information from the previous lactation. To this end, three random forest models (nextMILKFULL, nextMILKPH, and nextMILKP) were trained with three different feature sets to forecast the milk yield on the first test day of the next lactation. To evaluate the added value of using a machine-learning approach against simple models based on contemporary animals or production in the previous lactation, we compared the nextMILK models with four benchmark models. The nextMILK models had an RMSE ranging from 6.08 to 6.24 kg of milk. In conclusion, the nextMILK models had a better prediction performance compared to the benchmark models. Application-wise, the proposed methodology could be part of a monitoring tool tailored towards the transition period. Future research should focus on validation of the developed methodology within such tool