Animal Breeding Considerations for Improved Animal Performance in Hot Environments

A variety of options are available for improved performance including altering genotype with genetic improvement of indigenous breeds through selective breeding; upgrading through crossbreeding of indigenous females with semen from genetically superior exotic males with a possible goal of developing a new breed; and introduction of new breeds through transfer of embryos from genetically superior exotic breeds into indigenous females or importation of exotic animals of the desired breeding. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. The most rapid gains mightbe possible new environment can be a problem.  In the interest of adaptation and survival, systems that utilize the maternal influences of indigenous females are advantageous. In consideration of this maternal influences along with rate of improvement and potential for extensive improvement, both crossbreeding programs that use semen from genetically superior exotic males and those that involve transfer of genetically superior embryo survival and neonatal survival will affect management of any option chosen for genetic improvement but should be of less concern in programs that utilize indigenous females

Pharmacologic targeting of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury using a normothermic machine perfusion platform.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is an emerging modality for kidney preservation prior to transplantation. NMP may allow directed pharmacomodulation of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) without the need for systemic donor/recipient therapies. Three proven anti-IRI agents not in widespread clinical use, CD47-blocking antibody (αCD47Ab), soluble complement receptor 1 (sCR1), and recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM), were compared in a murine model of kidney IRI. The most effective agent was then utilized in a custom NMP circuit for the treatment of isolated porcine kidneys, ascertaining the impact of the drug on perfusion and IRI-related parameters. αCD47Ab conferred the greatest protection against IRI in mice after 24 hours. αCD47Ab was therefore chosen as the candidate agent for addition to the NMP circuit. CD47 receptor binding was demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Renal perfusion/flow improved with CD47 blockade, with a corresponding reduction in oxidative stress and histologic damage compared to untreated NMP kidneys. Tubular and glomerular functional parameters were not significantly impacted by αCD47Ab treatment during NMP. In a murine renal IRI model, αCD47Ab was confirmed as a superior anti-IRI agent compared to therapies targeting other pathways. NMP enabled effective, direct delivery of this drug to porcine kidneys, although further efficacy needs to be proven in the transplantation setting

Transcriptomic profiles of muscle, heart, and spleen in reaction to circadian heat stress in Ethiopian highland and lowland male chicken

Temperature stress impacts both welfare and productivity of livestock. Global warming is expected to increase the impact, especially in tropical areas. We investigated the biological mechanisms regulated by temperature stress due to the circadian temperature cycle in temperature adapted and non-adapted chicken under tropical conditions. We studied transcriptome profiles of heart, breast muscle, and spleen tissues of Ethiopian lowland chicken adapted to high circadian temperatures and non-adapted Ethiopian highland chicken under lowland conditions at three points during the day: morning, noon, and evening. Functional annotations and network analyses of genes differentially expressed among the time points of the day indicate major differences in the reactions of the tissues to increasing and decreasing temperatures, and also the two chickens lines differ. However, epigenetic changes of chromatin methylation and histone (de)acetylation seemed to be central regulatory mechanisms in all tissues in both chicken lines. Finally, all tissues showed differentially expressed genes between morning and evening times indicating biological mechanisms that need to change during the night to reach morning levels again the next day.</p

Animal Breeding Considerations for Improved Animal Performance in Hot Environments

A variety of options are available for improved performance including altering genotype with genetic improvement of indigenous breeds through selective breeding; upgrading through crossbreeding of indigenous females with semen from genetically superior exotic males with a possible goal of developing a new breed; and introduction of new breeds through transfer of embryos from genetically superior exotic breeds into indigenous females or importation of exotic animals of the desired breeding. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. The most rapid gains mightbe possible new environment can be a problem.  In the interest of adaptation and survival, systems that utilize the maternal influences of indigenous females are advantageous. In consideration of this maternal influences along with rate of improvement and potential for extensive improvement, both crossbreeding programs that use semen from genetically superior exotic males and those that involve transfer of genetically superior embryo survival and neonatal survival will affect management of any option chosen for genetic improvement but should be of less concern in programs that utilize indigenous females

A note on the behavior of stack gases

The ability of the atmosphere to disperse and diffuse smoke and gases varies widely with weather conditions. The rate of diffusion is governed mainly by the degree of atmospheric turbulence present. The latter is in itself an extremely complex air motion which acts as the mixing agent in diffusion. This turbulence, which is so fundamental in the diffusion process, depends on such quantities as wind speed, rate of change of wind speed or wind direction with height, and rate of change of air temperature with height. Since these conditions differ widely from hour to hour and day to day, there is a corresponding variation in the diffusing capacity of the atmosphere. The rate of change of temperature with height and the wind speed have the most pronounced effect on the physical appearance of smoke plumes, which in itself provides a clue to the diffusing power of the atmosphere during various atmospheric conditions. The purpose of this note is to present, in semi-technical terms, some of the basic physical concepts related to the behavior of gaseous stack effluents after release into the atmosphere, and to describe certain visible geometrical features of effluent plumes that are directly related to the physical state of the atmosphere

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF THE HANFORD WINDSTORMS OF JANUARY 11, 1972 AND JANUARY 21, 1972

The windstorm of January 11 caused a minor amount of damage to the Hanford Reservation and Hanford vicinity. Damage sustained to Hanford Reservation structures (roofing, flashing, fences, windows) was approximately $20,000. One building did receive structural damage to roof members. Evidence that wind pressures did not reach 30 lb/ft{sup 2} during the January 11 windstorm was provided in the fact that specially designed exterior wall panels did not fail. These panels were designed and carefully proof-tested to insure that they would fail at a loading of 30 lb/ft{sup 2} as a requirement of structural safety in the original design-construction program in 1952-1954. There was one power outage on the Hanford Reservation due to the January 11 windstorm (Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory). Damage to power lines and electrical facilities amounted to about$1600. Damage to structures in the Hanford vicinity (excluding the Hanford Reservation) from the January 11 windstorm was estimated to cost $13,000. This does not include damage to private residences, etc., which has been estimated by others to be near$250,000. Power line damage in the Hanford vicinity amounted to about $80,000, of which$60,000 was accounted for in the loss of four transmission towers in the tie-line between Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams. The January 21 windstorm, which struck Toppenish, Washington, was a straight-wind of the catabatic foehn type and not a tornado-type wind as described in newspaper accounts. No funnel cloud was associated with this windstorm. The maximum gust was about 85 mph at 30 ft above the ground. Cost estimates of damage in Toppenish were not available. There were no power outages or structural damage on the Hanford Reservation from the January 21 windstorm. Total damage to the Hanford Reservation from the two windstorms was estimated to be about $22,500

Hazard Analysis for Cesium Shipments

The rail shipment of large quantities of radiocesium involves a potential accidental release of this material in a readily available form to the biosphere. The magnitude of the associated potential damage to man and his environment is evaluated in this report. The evaluation of the consequences of an accidental release of Cs-137 from the Shielded Transfer Tank, Model II (STT) assumes loss of Cs-137 to the atmosphere or to surface-water. Release to the atmosphere could result from a collision followed by fire or explosion. In the event of a fire, a small fraction of the Cs-137 vould be volatilized. An explosion would disperse the Cs-137 still adsorbed to Decalso as particulates. In either case, the material is assumed to be dispersed by atmospheric mechanisms which can be described by modified Sutton equations. The accident involving a fire or explosion assumes that 1 percent or 10 percent, respectively, of 90,000 curies of Cs-137 is dispersed in a metropolitan area. Contamination of the surrounding suburban area is also involved. Damage estimates amount to about 60 million dollars and 400 million dollars, corresponding to a 1 percent and a 10 percent release respectively. Another possible type of accident involves the release of the Decalso (an inorganic ion exchange carrier for the cesium) into a river. However, the release of Cs-137 by elution into the river results in minor damage compared to the atmospheric release cases