Effect of a simulated heat wave on stress parameters of broiler chicken housed at two different stocking densities

 A. Villagrá1, I. Olivas1, N. Fernández2, M. Lainez1, V. Fitas3, A. G. Torres2(1. Centro de Tecnología Animal. Polígono La Esperanza nº 100, 12400, Segorbe, Castellón, Spain;2. Instituto de Cienciay Tecnología Animal, E.T.S.I. Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain;3. ICAAM, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 94, 7002-554, Évora, Portugal) Abstract: High temperatures and relative humidities are common in certain areas in summer (for example in the Mediterranean area), and can raise the indoor temperature of the farms.  The aim of this paper was to assess the possible differences in the response to this situation of broilers housed at two different stocking densities (15 and 20 birds/m2).  On day 29 until day 36, the indoor temperature increased to 32℃ from 10:00 to 14:00 and maintained at 28℃ for the rest of the day and the relative humidity was maintained at 75%.  Measured variables before and after this treatment were weight, plasma corticosterone, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), glucose (GLU), heterophil lymphocyte ratio and rectal temperature.  Results showed that no differences were found between the animals housed at 15 birds/m2 and those at  20 birds/m2, so stocking density had no significant effect on the measured parameters.  In addition, corticosterone concentration and alanine transferase appeared as not useful parameters to study this situation.Keywords: broiler, stocking density, enzymes activity, heat wave, hot conditions Citation: A. Villagrá, I. Olivas, N. Fernández, M. Lainez, V. Fitas, and A. G. Torres.  Effect of a simulated heat wave on stress parameters of broiler chicken housed at two different stocking densities.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(3): 82-86.   &nbsp

DEVELOPMENT OF A SCADA SYSTEM FOR ACCESS, PROCESSING AND SUPERVISION OF DATA COMING FROM A WIRELESS SENSORS NETWORK IN AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS

Wireless sensors networks appeared in the 1970’s for military and industrial use. They have since undergone a major evolution, particularly since the 90’s, thanks to the improvements in wireless communications. These changes have allowed them to participate in a wide variety of applications in different sectors such as agriculture and environment. This paper shows the development of a SCADA application programmed with LabVIEW® 8.6 (National Instruments), which allows management of data received by wireless sensors networks through a friendly interface for users. For the application shown in this paper we have worked with a MEP 510 sensors network (Crossbow). The functionalities implemented are the following: Network configuration; Data storage into database; Statistical processing of historical data with polynomial adjustment and spline interpolation; Visualization by data graphics in real time and historical data; Visualization of 2D intensity diagrams from the spatial distribution of sensors; and Creation of a users registry system that allows, depending on the category assigned, receiving or not access privileges in the application. As a complement we have developed the possibility of remote access. Sensors network implemented and the applications developed have been checked by operational tests for each functionality, as well as sensors joining and leaving the network situations, range of variables and working modes. The results obtained show the robustness of the SCADA application and the limitations of wireless sensors networks operating on field conditions

DEFINICIÓN DE UN PROTOCOLO PARA LA REALIZACIÓN DE AUDITORÍAS ENERGÉTICAS EN INSTALACIONES GANADERAS: APLICACIÓN EN PEQUEÑAS Y MEDIANAS EXPLOTACIONES

En el presente trabajo se muestran los resultados de un proyecto desarrollado en España bajo los auspicios del Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía (IDAE), el Ente Regional de la Energía de Castilla y León (EREN) y la Unión de Pequeños Agricultores (UPA), y aplicado en la región de Castilla y León, zona con un perfil productivo eminentemente agrícola y ganadero, cuyo objetivo fue la definición de un protocolo para la realización de auditorías energéticas en instalaciones ganaderas, focalizando aquellas de tamaño pequeño y mediano. En el protocolo se desarrolló la metodología para la caracterización y la formulación de mejoras de los siguientes elementos: Características constructivas, suministros energéticos, iluminación, motores eléctricos, calefacción, refrigeración y ventilación, energías renovables, equipamientos de aprovechamiento energético de residuos y equipamientos de control. El protocolo fue validado con la realización de auditorías energéticas en 15 explotaciones: 5 de vacuno lechero, 5 de ovino lechero, 3 de porcino de engorde y 2 de pollos de carne. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que con las medidas de eficiencia energética propuestas se consiguen ahorros medios en los consumos energéticos del 18 %, lo cual significa una disminución media del coste económico del 24,28 %

Which are the best practices for MSc programmes in Sustainable Agriculture?

Programmes of education for sustainable development are important to reformulate and revise educa tional programmes in Sustainable Agriculture. Higher education institutes emerge as learning places to integrate sustainable development into the educational system, through graduation and MSc pro grammes, to provide a more effective response to the higher environmental and agriculture concerns. The aim of this study was to identify the best practices to be included in a MSc programme of education for sustainable development in agriculture based on a questionnaire prepared and distributed to agrarian sciences experts. The questionnaires were developed in order to define the fundamental competences/ expertise, to identify the best practices and the methods of training/learning that should be taken in consideration in a MSc programme in Sustainable Agriculture. The results showed that the fundamental expertise of MSc programmes should be based on knowledge transfer of agricultural measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural systems. MSc programmes in Sustainable Agri culture should include interdisciplinary courses related to sustainability and agro-environmental tech nologies, such as Precision Agriculture, and incorporate adaptive and mitigate practices as those used in the Circular Economy strategy. Traditional face-to-face training methods are considered the most important forms of training/learning in a MSc programme in Sustainable Agriculture. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, online learning methods, traditionally considered not suitable for MSc programme in Sustainable Agriculture, became important by providing online education. Information and commu nication technology and technological tools showed to be important skills to effectively implement online learning and to improve the efficient access and use of up-to-date information of the agricultural sector

Training and Learning Needs for MSc Programs in Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is urgently needed to promote conservation and sustainable resources use in an equitable manner through integrated management of land, water, energy and biodiversity. In this way, education in agriculture emerges as a crucial tool for preparing agricultural technicians, researchers and farmers for productive contributions. Higher education institutions arise with an important mission of education in the context of social transformation and to integrate sustainable development into the educational system as a scientific subject. The aim of this study was to identify the training and learning needs to be included in a MSc program in sustainable agriculture. It was based on a questionnaire prepared and distributed to academics’ experts in Agrarian Sciences in Greece, Italy and Portugal. Technologies, legislation, management and business, local community leadership and marketing were the training needs considered very important expertise’s in sustainable agriculture. Traditional face-to-face learning, experienced farmers as mentors and knowledge sharing mechanisms were rated as very applicable and important. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, online learning methods, which were not considered suitable for a MSc program in sustainable agriculture, became important by providing online education. Information and communication technology and technological tools showed to be important skills for sustainable agricultural practices to effectively implement online learning and to improve the efficient access, exposure and use of up-to-date information of the agricultural sector and awareness of sustainable agricultural practices

Animal housing in hot climates : a multidisciplinary view

Since energy balance, thermoregulation and environmental aspects of "high producingdairy cows" were thoroughly studied (Brody, 1945; Flatt et al., 1969; Berman et al., 1985),the high producing dairy cow more than doubled production with a body weight increase of about 10-20% which imposed a three fold increase of heat increment (Kadzer et al., 2002).There is an apparent world wide lack of realization that changes in the physical and geneticconstitution of cows may have affected their thermoregulatory capability in hot climate forexample, blood plasma fluctuation in volume and constituents (Maltz et al, 1994); as wellas how they cope with heat stress (Kadzer et al., 2002). As a result, research inthermoregulation in relation to housing facilities and cooling management falls behind(except for few exceptions seen below) the aggressive selection for increased productionthat livestock undergoes as well as changes in technology and housing materials. Therefore,most of the improvements in this area are farmers and designers initiatives based oncommon sense and experience.peer-reviewe

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Mosaic Trisomy 18 in a Five-Month-Old Infant - Case Report

Individuals with mosaic trisomy 18, only approximately 5% of all trisomy 18 cases, carry both a trisomy 18 and an euploid cell line. Their clinical findings are highly variable, from the absence of dysmorphic features to the complete trisomy 18 syndrome. A five month old daughter of a 38-year-old mother, with vomiting and feeding problems, was referred to our department. She was undernourished and had axial hypotony and developmental delay, an irregular pattern of hypopigmentation on the right side of the abdomen, and moderate sagittal body asymmetry with left-side muscular hemihypotrophy.Mild craniofacial dysmorphy included dolichocephaly, frontal bossing, prominent occiput, long downslanting palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, and retrognathia. A complex heart defect with atrial and ventricular septal defects, pulmonary artery stenosis, and bicuspid aortic valve was identified. Cytogenetic analysis revealedmosaic trisomy 18with trisomy in 90%of peripheral lymphocytes and 17%of skin fibroblasts.This case adds to our knowledge of the phenotypic spectrum and the natural history of mosaic trisomy 18 by adding a dysmorphic feature and a cardiac abnormality that, to the best of our knowledge, had not been previously described

Which are the best practices for MSc programmes in sustainable agriculture?

Programmes of education for sustainable development are important to reformulate and revise educational programmes in Sustainable Agriculture. Higher education institutes emerge as learning places to integrate sustainable development into the educational system, through graduation and MSc programmes, to provide a more effective response to the higher environmental and agriculture concerns. The aim of this study was to identify the best practices to be included in a MSc programme of education for sustainable development in agriculture based on a questionnaire prepared and distributed to agrarian sciences experts. The questionnaires were developed in order to define the fundamental competences/ expertise, to identify the best practices and the methods of training/learning that should be taken in consideration in a MSc programme in Sustainable Agriculture. The results showed that the fundamental expertise of MSc programmes should be based on knowledge transfer of agricultural measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural systems. MSc programmes in Sustainable Agriculture should include interdisciplinary courses related to sustainability and agro-environmental technologies, such as Precision Agriculture, and incorporate adaptive and mitigate practices as those used in the Circular Economy strategy. Traditional face-to-face training methods are considered the most important forms of training/learning in a MSc programme in Sustainable Agriculture. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, online learning methods, traditionally considered not suitable for MSc programme in Sustainable Agriculture, became important by providing online education. Information and communication technology and technological tools showed to be important skills to effectively implement online learning and to improve the efficient access and use of up-to-date information of the agricultural sector

Training farmers on Circular economy implementation: the TANGO-Circular Project

The volume of waste produced by agricultural activities is constantly rising, due to the continuous increase of crop and livestock production, aimed to cover the nutritional needs of the accreting population of the planet. This enormous mass of wastes has a significant environmental impact. A very promising way to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture, passes through the valorization of agricultural co-products, by-products, residues and waste, as well as other materials - such as plastics – widely used for crop cultivation and animal production, after the end of their working life. In order to involve farmers to play an active role on this issue, contributing to transform what they currently consider as a “waste” into a new resource, under the perspective of a circular economy and for a more sustainable agriculture, the Project TANGO-Circular has been financed by the EU Erasmus+ Programme. Aim of this Project is to contribute to the development of regional ecosystems, directly providing valuable economical inputs by integrating, through a Quadruple- Helix approach, innovative solutions, with a work-based learning. Core of the Project is the design, implementation and validation of some “Rural Labs”, in which farmers and other relevant stakeholders will be trained through a “knowledge-driven” approach. There, new ways of training will be explored, for the sake of a larger audience of trained people, working in the Project Countries as well as in the rest of Europe