Activity In July Research Articles

Analysing 23 years of warm-season derechos in France: a climatology and investigation of synoptic and environmental changes

Abstract. Derechos are severe convective storms known for producing widespread damaging winds. While less frequent than in the United States of America (USA), derechos also occur in Europe. The notable European event on 18 August 2022 exhibited gusts exceeding 200 km h−1, spanning 1500 km in 12 h. This study presents a first climatology of warm-season derechos in France, identifying 38 events between 2000 and 2022. Typically associated with a southwesterly mid-level circulation, warm-season derechos in France generally initiate in the afternoon and exhibit peak activity in July, with comparable frequencies in June and August. Predominantly impacting the northeast of France, these events exhibit a maximum observed frequency of 0.65 events per year, on average, within a 200 km by 200 km square region. These characteristics are similar to those observed in Germany, with notable differences seen in the USA, where frequencies can attain significantly higher values. The study also examines synoptic and environmental changes linked with analogues of the 500 hPa geopotential height patterns associated with past warm-season derechos, comparing analogues from a relatively distant past (1950–1980) with a recent period (1992–2022). For most events, a notable increase in convective available potential energy (CAPE) is observed, aligning with trends identified in previous studies for southern Europe. However, no consistent change in 0–6 km vertical wind shear is observed in the recent period. These environmental shifts align with higher near-surface temperatures, altered mid-level atmospheric flow patterns and often increased rainfall. The role of anthropogenic climate change in these changes remains uncertain, given potential influences of natural variability factors such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) or the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).

Pemantauan Status Gizi Balita Melalui Peningkatan Kegiatan Posyandu Harapan Ibu 6, Kelurahan Mata Air Kota Padang

Stunting is a major nutritional problem in Indonesia because it will have a long-term impact on the quality of human resources. Stunting impacts intelligence levels' susceptibility to disease and reduces productivity, hampering economic growth and increasing poverty and inequality in the future. This community service activity was carried out in the form of active involvement in Integrated Healthcare Center activities in July 2023. The method used monitoring, counselling, and intervention methods for toddlers. Respondents were taken by total sampling: all toddlers in the working area of ​​Posyandu Harapan Ibu 6. Based on the results of monitoring the nutritional status of the 64 toddlers, about 62.5% have had standard nutritional status, and 37.5% have nutritional problems. There are seven toddlers (10.9%) experienced stunting, two toddlers (3.1%) had poor nutritional status, 15 toddlers (23.4%) experienced malnutrition, eight toddlers (12.5%) experienced underweight, and two toddlers (3.1%) experienced the most underweight. All cadres of health care and the local government welcomed this community service activity. It was recommended that cadres consistently innovate in implementing and monitoring toddlers' nutritional status to increase mothers' awareness about stunting impacts.

Assessment of dental ergonomics among dental students: A retrospective study.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders account for 11%-98% of occupational health issues for dental professionals, with an onset as early as in dental school. Dental ergonomics is among the risk factors; thus, a prompt assessment is crucial in preventing future MSK pain. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess dental ergonomics of second-year dental students after dedicated lectures were introduced in the predoctoral curriculum. Three cohorts of second-year dental students were evaluated during preclinical activity in July 2019, January 2022, and December 2022 by an Occupational Therapy (OT) faculty and calibrated OT students. Dental ergonomics was assessed with the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Dental student cohorts were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The average RULA final score of 409 participants was 5.1±0.9, with no difference between the three cohorts (p=0.676). The January 2022 cohort scored significantly lower in wrist-arm score than that of 2019 (p=0.001) and December 2022 (p=0.046). Neck and lower limb posture were significantly higher in January 2022 cohort than in 2019 (p=0.001 and 0.013) and December 2022 (p=0.001 and 0.005) cohorts. The December 2022 cohort revealed a medium, high and extremely high risk of developing MSK of 40.2%, 37.1%, and 21.6%, respectively, with no difference between sexes. The risk of developing MSK pain was medium-high in predoctoral dental students and was not related to sex. The overall dental ergonomics required attention and rapid change. Further implementation of varied forms of teaching and monitoring of dental ergonomics from the early years of education is recommended to prevent development of MSK pain at young age and foster better postural habits.

Social deprivation and SARS-CoV-2 testing: a population-based analysis in a highly contrasted southern France region.

Testing was the cornerstone of the COVID-19 epidemic response in most countries until vaccination became available for the general population. Social inequalities generally affect access to healthcare and health behaviors, and COVID-19 was rapidly shown to impact deprived population more drastically. In support of the regional health agency in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) in South-Eastern France, we analyzed the relationship between testing rate and socio-demographic characteristics of the population, to identify gaps in testing coverage and improve targeting of response strategies. We conducted an ecological analysis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 testing rate in the PACA region, based on data aggregated at the finest spatial resolution available in France (IRIS) and by periods defined by public health implemented measures and major epidemiological changes. Using general census data, population density, and specific deprivation indices, we used principal component analysis followed by hierarchical clustering to define profiles describing local socio-demographic characteristics. We analyzed the association between these profiles and testing rates in a generalized additive multilevel model, adjusting for access to healthcare, presence of a retirement home, and the age profile of the population. We identified 6 socio-demographic profiles across the 2,306 analyzed IRIS spatial units: privileged, remote, intermediate, downtown, deprived, and very deprived (ordered by increasing social deprivation index). Profiles also ranged from rural (remote) to high density urban areas (downtown, very deprived). From July 2020 to December 2021, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 testing rate over 10 periods. Testing rates fluctuated strongly but were highest in privileged and downtown areas, and lowest in very deprived ones. The lowest adjusted testing rate ratios (aTRR) between privileged (reference) and other profiles occurred after implementation of a mandatory healthpass for many leisure activities in July 2021. Periods of contextual testing near Christmas displayed the largest aTRR, especially during the last periods of 2021 after the end of free convenience testing for unvaccinated individuals. We characterized in-depth local heterogeneity and temporal trends in testing rates and identified areas and circumstances associated with low testing rates, which the regional health agency targeted specifically for the deployment of health mediation activities.

Pre- and post-harvest evapotranspiration, carbon exchange and water use efficiency of a mature peach orchard in semi-arid climate

Better knowledge of the evapotranspiration and carbon exchange of fruit trees is needed to optimize the trade-off between water use and carbon assimilation and to better understand the role of agriculture in the biogeochemical cycles. In this work, we measured water and carbon fluxes with eddy covariance and transpiration with sap flow in a drip-irrigated peach orchard of 70% ground cover located in southern Spain for 2 years. The empirically measured crop coefficient (Kc) under good watering conditions in the summer ranged from 1 to 1.1. The daytime net ecosystem exchange (NEE) flux of the orchard averaged 30 g CO2 m2 day−1 during the period of maximum activity in July. The daytime ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) of the orchard reached a minimum in late June, flattened around 4 g CO2 L−1 throughout the summer, and increased in autumn, but was unaffected by fruit removal or post-harvest irrigation reduction imposed by the farm (30% reduction). The response of instantaneous peach ecosystem WUE to VPD was also investigated. Both Kc, NEE, leaf water potential and stomatal conductance decreased sharply after harvest. Transpiration data from some purposely over-irrigated experimental trees demonstrated that the post-harvest alterations we found were not caused by fruit removal, but are result of mild water stress originated by the irrigation reduction. Hence, the often-observed alterations in water relations after harvest in well-watered trees were not observed in this experiment. This work adds insight on peach irrigation efficiency and on the contribution of orchards to agricultural carbon budgets.

Marine heatwave events near Weizhou Island, Beibu Gulf in 2020 and their possible relations to coral bleaching

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are events of anomalously high sea surface temperatures lasting for five days or more and have recently been linked to widespread environmental stress on marine organisms, though there are few studies in the Beibu Gulf. This study characterizes MHWs near Weizhou Island (21°00′–21°10′ N, 109°00′–109°15′ E) using a recently developed detection algorithm on a high-resolution satellite sea surface temperature (SST) product and considers their potential influence on coral bleaching events. Reanalysis data are used to investigate atmospheric factors in MHWs occurrences. Results showed that among a total of 112 MHWs having occurred from 1983 to 2020, eight discrete MHWs occurring throughout 2020 in Weizhou Island. Interestingly, although not the most intense in 2020, the June 3rd–August 2nd event lasted for an enormous 61 days with mean and maximum intensities of 2.68 °C and 1.73 °C above climatology, respectively. The reasons for the occurrence and severity of MHWs in 2020 the intensification of Northwest Pacific subtropical high and its extension leading to increased shortwave radiation reaching the sea surface during the summer, reduced typhoon activity in July, weakened wind fields north of 20.5°N, and an enhancement in sea level anomalies. These act in concert to prevent heat transport away from the Beibu Gulf and thus, more intense MHWs. A massive coral bleaching event occurred in 2020 and is highly likely to be linked to MHWs activity.

Spatio-Temporal Lightning Analysis Over North Sulawesi in 2019 - 2020

This study aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal lightning distribution in North Sulawesi. The general meteorological condition of North Sulawesi has also been considered to identify the cause of the lightning occurrence. Lightning activity over North Sulawesi has been investigated using lightning data from Winangun Geophysical Station during 2019-2020. The result shows that in the land area of North Sulawesi, the highest lightning density occurred in the Tomohon regions due to its topographical features. Overall, the flash density over the land area is higher than the sea area due to its high atmospheric instability. The maximum flash density does not occur during the wet periods, but it occurs during September - October – November, which has a high surface temperature over this region. It is also known that shearline and low-pressure areas contribute to the high lightning occurrence in October 2019, while La Nina in the Pacific Ocean influences lightning activity in July 2020

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions.

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-sucking insects commonly associated with cattle production systems worldwide and are known to cause severe irritation to cattle due to painful bites. Cattle react to biting stable flies with an aggregating behavior known as bunching. Bunching behavior reduces grazing or feed consumption and thus reduces cattle productivity and welfare. Cattle’s fly-repelling behaviors include foot stomping, head tossing, tail switching and skin twitching. A longitudinal study was conducted in 2017 on 20 California dairies (average lactating herd size = 2,466 (SE±28.392)) during the stable fly season from April to July. The study objectives were to estimate the association between environmental factors and dairy characteristics including facility design, feed and manure management, total mixed ration (TMR) components fed to cattle, and operational pest management procedures and the outcome stable fly activity on California dairies. Stable fly activity was measured by counting stable flies on cow forelimbs (leg count) and on Alsynite traps (trap count) over the 13-week study period. Weekly leg counts were performed for cattle in lactating cow pens (31 pens from 10 study dairies) with counts made during the morning (AM) and again during the afternoon (PM). Trap counts were performed on all 20 study dairies. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models which revealed temporal variation in the average leg and trap counts with stable fly activity increasing from May to June and then decreasing to the lowest activity in July. Leg counts were higher during the afternoon compared to morning. Ambient temperatures ≤30⁰C and relative humidity (RH) measurements <50% were associated with higher leg and trap counts. Traps located at the periphery of study dairies had higher stable fly counts compared to traps located in the interior of the dairy. Cow pens with trees on the periphery had higher leg counts in comparison to pens away from trees. Specific TMR components were associated with both leg and trap counts. Dairies feeding by-products including almond hulls, wet distillers’ grain, fruits, and vegetables had higher trap counts compared to dairies that did not feed these ingredients. At the pen level, pens with rations that contained straw had lower average leg counts compared to pens fed with rations that did not contain straw. A similar association was observed for pens with rations that contained wheat silage when ambient temperatures were ≤30⁰C. In contrast, pens with water added to the TMR while the RH was ≥50% had higher average leg counts compared to pens without water added to the TMR. Dairies that applied insecticides for fly control to their entire facility had lower trap counts compared to dairies that did not apply insecticides. Stable fly activity measured on California dairies using leg and trap counts varied according to the month, environmental factors, pen surroundings, trap location, TMR components, and insecticide use.

Summertime stationary waves integrate tropical and extratropical impacts on tropical cyclone activity

Tropical cyclones (TC) are one of the most severe storm systems on Earth and cause significant loss of life and property upon landfall in coastal areas. A better understanding of their variability mechanisms will help improve the TC seasonal prediction skill and mitigate the destructive impacts of the storms. Early studies focused primarily on tropical processes in regulating the variability of TC activity, while recent studies suggest also some long-range impacts of extratropical processes, such as lateral transport of dry air and potential vorticity by large-scale waves. Here we show that stationary waves in the Northern Hemisphere integrate tropical and extratropical impacts on TC activity in July through October. In particular, tropical upper-tropospheric troughs (TUTTs), as part of the summertime stationary waves, are associated with the variability of large-scale environmental conditions in the tropical North Atlantic and North Pacific and significantly correlated to the variability of TC activity in these basins. TUTTs are subject to the modulation of diabatic heating in various regions and are the preferred locations for extratropical Rossby wave breaking (RWB). A strong TUTT in a basin is associated with enhanced RWB and tropical-extratropical stirring in that basin, and the resultant changes in the tropical atmospheric conditions modulate TC activity. In addition, the anticorrelation of TUTTs between the North Atlantic and North Pacific makes the TC activity indices over the two basins compensate each other, rendering the global TC activity less variable than otherwise would be the case if TUTTs were independent.

Phosphorus but not nitrogen addition significantly changes diazotroph diversity and community composition in typical karst grassland soil

Diazotrophs have a vital role in nitrogen (N) supply to ecosystems. Yet, response of diazotroph community profiles and N2-fixation to N deposition and phosphorus (P) addition remains poorly understood. Two-year nutrient addition experiments (control, N, P, and a combination of N plus P) were conducted in a karst grassland. The relative abundances of diazotroph orders Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales were higher in July, while those of Nostocales and Burkholderiales were higher in December. Diazotroph abundances and N2-fixation activity in July were significantly higher compared with December under control, while an opposite pattern was observed for diazotroph richness and Shannon diversity index. N, P, and N plus P plots showed no significant changes between July and December in terms of diazotroph abundance and diversity. Diazotroph abundances and N2-fixation activity in N and NP plots were significantly reduced compared with control plots in July. P addition plots in July showed a significant increase in diazotroph diversity and stronger interaction patterns among diazotroph taxa compared with control plots. Diazotroph diversity and community compositions were primarily affected by P availability. Overall, our findings suggested diazotroph diversity and community compositions were more sensitive to P addition than to N addition, and P availability played an important role in regulating N2 fixation by increasing diazotroph diversity in karst ecosystems. N and P addition may alter the dry-cold and wet-hot seasonal dynamics of diazotroph communities, while sampling months also affect diazotroph community changes among treatments (no difference between treatments in December).

Antioxidant enzyme activities in male and female plants of Hippophae salicifolia D. Don in different pheno-phases

Changing seasons or environmental condition of a region and various life phases of the yearly cycle of plants can cause the production of reactive oxygen species in plant tissues. The antioxidative system plays a vital role in acclimations in such stress-full conditions, either enzymes or non-enzymatic molecules. Hippophae salicifolia D. Don. is a dioecious and deciduous tree species growing in temperate to the subalpine region of Indian Himalayas in Lahul Spiti (Himachal Pradesh), Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. As a dioecious species, variation in male and female was observed in many aspects in both sexual-morph in a range of studies. A hypothesis was made in this study, that male and female plant of H. salicifolia has a different antioxidant potential for quenching the reactive oxygen species in the various growing season of the year, and the antioxidant enzyme activities of male and female also vary with pheno-phases. For this purpose, 10-year-old male and female plants were selected, and leaves and buds were collected from them according to the growing season. Enzymatic extraction was carried out according to the standardized method and enzyme assays were carried out for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). Results showed the variation in SOD and POD enzyme activities in leaves and buds of male and female plants of H. salicifolia in different pheno-phases. Female leaves showed highest enzymatic antioxidant activities in the fruit maturation period (September) and lowest during leaf senescence period (November), whereas male leaves showed highest SOD activity in September but highest POD activity in July. Buds showed higher SOD activity, but lower POD activity than the leaves and differences in activity was not significant in dormant buds at gender basis, active buds showed lower SOD activity but higher POD activity in both male and female.

&lt;p class="Body"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Description and population dynamics of a new eriophyoid mite (Acari: Prostigmata) on &lt;em&gt;Euonymus maackii &lt;/em&gt;(Celastraceae)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Eriophyoid mites are highly specific to host plants. In this study we identified a new species (Phyllocoptes maackis sp. nov.) from Euonymus maackii Rupr. (Celastraceae) and explored its population dynamics and relationship with abiotic factors (i.e., temperature and rainfall). We determined that P. maackis sp. nov. is vagrant on lower leaf surface and does not damage the host plant. Additionally, it was first detected in June. Its population peaked in July and decreased in August. The mites were undetectable on leaves in September. Thus, P. maackis sp. nov. was active in the summer when conditions were suitable (e.g., most of the leaves were young and full of moisture), with peak activity in July under high-temperature conditions. Its activity decreased under suboptimal conditions, such as low temperatures and heavy rainfall. The abundance of eriophyoid mites varied over time. The increase and decrease in the number of eriophyoid mites during the study period was basically consistent with the temperature changes.

The July/August 2019 Lava Flows at the Sciara del Fuoco, Stromboli–Analysis from Multi-Sensor Infrared Satellite Imagery

On 3 July 2019 a rapid sequence of paroxysmal explosions at the summit craters of Stromboli (Aeolian-Islands, Italy) occurred, followed by a period of intense Strombolian and effusive activity in July, and continuing until the end of August 2019. We present a joint analysis of multi-sensor infrared satellite imagery to investigate this eruption episode. Data from the Spinning-Enhanced-Visible-and-InfraRed-Imager (SEVIRI) was used in combination with those from the Multispectral-Instrument (MSI), the Operational-Land-Imager (OLI), the Advanced-Very High-Resolution-Radiometer (AVHRR), and the Visible-Infrared-Imaging-Radiometer-Suite (VIIRS). The analysis of infrared SEVIRI-data allowed us to detect eruption onset and to investigate short-term variations of thermal volcanic activity, providing information in agreement with that inferred by nighttime-AVHRR-observations. By using Sentinel-2-MSI and Landsat-8-OLI imagery, we better localized the active lava-flows. The latter were quantitatively characterized using infrared VIIRS-data, estimating an erupted lava volume of 6.33 × 10 6 ± 3.17 × 10 6 m3 and a mean output rate of 1.26 ± 0.63 m3/s for the July/August 2019 eruption period. The estimated mean-output-rate was higher than the ones in the 2002–2003 and 2014 Stromboli effusive eruptions, but was lower than in the 2007-eruption. These results confirmed that a multi-sensor-approach might provide a relevant contribution to investigate, monitor and characterize thermal volcanic activity in high-risk areas.

SEGURANÇA HÍDRICA PARA O CAPITAL E DESPOJO MÚLTIPLE EM CONTEXTOS DE ESCASSEZ: ANÁLISE CRÍTICA SOBRE O NOVO CAMINHO DAS ÁGUAS NO ESTADO DA PARAÍBA, BRASIL

Neste artigo analisa-se novos processos de (re)territorialização ligados à construção de obras hídricas no Nordeste do Brasil, chamado “Canal Acauã-Araçagi”, situado no Estado da Paraíba (Região Nordeste). Para tal reflexão, busca-se apresentar o território estudado e seu novo contexto, caracterizado por um novo momento de intervenções estatais justificadas pela necessidade de resolver problemas históricos de escassez naquela região e as modificações que a própria pesquisa sofreu neste processo dinâmico de investigar a realidade social. Em segundo lugar apresentamos alguns pressupostos da investigação ancorados na teoria crítica e na ecologia política e o conceito de despojo multiple, para depois discutir criticamente alguns dados coletados nas atividades de campo realizadas no mês de Julho de 2018 na Paraíba, que chamamos de “novo caminho das águas”. Ao final, recorremos ao termo “segurança hídrica para o capital” para caracterizar os objetivos da obra, que contradiz o discurso oficial sobre sua necessidade/importância para o abastecimento humano em uma região com problemas de acesso e uso da água, apontando para um cenário de ampliação de conflitos territoriais naquela região.

Tropical cyclones act to intensify El Ni\xf1o

Tropical cyclones (TCs), some of the most influential weather events across the globe, are modulated by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, little is known about the feedback of TCs on ENSO. Here, observational and modelling evidence shows that TC activity in the southeastern western North Pacific can affect the Niño-3.4 index 3 months later. Increased TC activity in July–September can significantly contribute to the intensity of ENSO in October–December by weakening the Walker circulation and enhancing eastward-propagating oceanic Kelvin waves in the tropical Pacific. Thus, the greater the accumulated cyclone energy, the stronger (weaker) the El Niño (La Niña). A new physics-based empirical model for ENSO is constructed that significantly outperforms current models in predicting ENSO intensity from July to December and addressing the problem about the target period slippage of ENSO. Results suggest that TCs may provide significant cross-scale feedback to ENSO.

Reproductive biology of Charybdis (Goniohellenus) longicollis Leene, 1938 (Brachyura: Portunidae), in the north-eastern Mediterranean Sea, Turkey

The swimming crab, Charybdis (Goniohellenus) longicollis Leene, 1938, is a Lessepsian migrant into the Mediterranean and little is known about its biology in Iskenderun Bay, north-eastern Mediterranean, Turkey. The size of crabs, sex-ratio and spawning period of this species was defined from 951 specimens in order to understand their reproduction and development in the NE Mediterranean Sea. The crabs were found to occur throughout the year. Carapace width (CW) ranged between 7.22 to 100.60 mm and total weight ranged from 1.34 to 164.09 g. Male-female sex ratio was 0.6:1. Highest gonado-somatic index (GSI) was seen in March and September for females and in May for males. Ovigerous females were present throughout the year, with peak spawning activity in July and September. The CW of the ovigerous female crabs ranged between 23.71 and 95.93 mm. In winter months, GSI of males and females decreased. However, spawning season of C. (G.) longicolis in Yumurtalık Cove was observed throughout the year.

Ambient Particulate Matter (PM) Evaluation in Gasabo District, Rwanda

Industries, and Vehicles emit air pollutants; all among these pollutants Particulate Matter (PM) has the greatest effects on human health like respiratory diseases and effects on environment like global warming and climate change. To find the levels of ambient PM air pollutants in commercial and bus-stations areas of Gasabo-district, one of the three districts of Kigali the capital city Rwanda was the main purpose of this research. The Air Visual Nodes instruments were used to measure values of PM concentration in microgram per cubic-meter (µg/m3). Questionnaire method was used where the total of 125 respondents for all sites was randomly selected to respond some questions before starting sampling activity in July, 2018. Sampling showed that; In both Batsinda and Kinamba commercial areas, level of PM is between (20-60)µg/m3 for PM2.5 and (80-130)µg/m3 for PM10. While in both Kagugu and Gakinjiro (Gisozi) commercial areas level of PM is between (15-45)µg/m3 for PM2.5 and (50-110)µg/m3 for PM10. In Batsinda bus-station level of PM is between (25-60) µg/m3 for PM2.5 and (80-130)µg/m3 for PM10. While in Kakiru bus-station, level of PM is between (15-40)µg/m3 for PM2.5 and (80-120)µg/m3 for PM10. Interview showed vehicle and decomposition of waste materials emissions as source of air pollutants. World Health Organization Guideline indicate that 10µg/m3 for PM2.5 and 20µg/m3 for PM10 are adequate, these above findings are high compared to these guidelines that is why education for all toward good air quality would be the best option in reducing air pollutants in Kigali city.

Effects of photoperiod on nutrient digestibility, hair follicle activity and cashmere quality in Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats.

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of photoperiod on nutrient digestibility, hair follicle (HF) activity and cashmere quality in Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats.MethodsTwenty-four female (non-pregnant) Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats aged 1 to 1.5 years old with similar live weights (mean, 20.36±2.63 kg) were randomly allocated into two groups: a natural daily photoperiod group (NDPP group:10 to 16 h light, n = 12) and a short daily photoperiod group (SDPP group: 7 h light:17 h dark, n = 12). All the goats were housed in individual pens and fed the same diets from May 15 to October 15, 2015. The digestibility of crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were measured in different months, along with secondary hair follicle (SHF) activity, concentration of melatonin (MEL), and cashmere quality.ResultsAlthough there was no significant difference in the live weights of goats between the SDPP and NDPP groups (p>0.05), the CP digestibility of goats in the SDPP group was significantly increased compared to the NDPP group in July, September, and October (p<0.05). For the DM and NDF digestibility of goats, a significant increase (p<0.05) was found during in September in the SDPP group. Furthermore, compared to the NDPP group, the SHF activity in July, the MEL concentration in July, and the cashmere fiber length and fiber weight in October were significantly increased in the SDPP group (p<0.05).ConclusionThe cashmere production of Inner Mongolia white cashmere goats was increased without obvious deleterious effects on the cashmere fibers in the SDPP group (metabolizable energy, 8.34 MJ/kg; CP, 11.16%; short daily photoperiod, 7 h light:17 h dark).

Dynamics of protection antioxidant system of representatives of Amelanchier Medik. genus during ontogenesis under Steppe Pridniprov’e conditions

Antioxidant reaction in leaves of the representatives of Amelanchier Medik. genus introduced in Steppe Pridniprov’e during vegetative period is studied. Activity of bensidin-peroxidase (BPOD), guaiacol-peroxidase (GPOD) and catalase (CAT) in leaves of four kinds Amelanchier Medik is analysed. Specific features of dynamics of enzymes activity in leaves of representatives of Amelanchier Medik. genus are defined according to phases of seasonal development and in reply to action of hydrothermal stress. On the basis of the received results the wide range of interspecific variability of enzymes activity in leaves of Amelanchier kinds, introduced in new conditions of existance is shown. The studied kinds were characterised by high activity ВРОD in all vegetative season. The greatest activity in leaves of all kinds was shown in a phase of secondary growth, in the most adverse hydrothermal mode that testified to passage of adaptive processes in plants. It is established, that unlike A. ovalis in which leaves level of activity BPOD was equal enough, other kinds in process of ontogenesis have shown sharper differences in activity of enzyme. The difference was essential, especially at A. canadensis in which leaves in May and June sharp falling of activity in 4,0 and 2,9 times accordingly in comparison with April was noticed, and in July and August – sharp increase that testified to a stressful condition of plants. The opposite tendency is found out in dynamics of activity GPOD i CAT. In the beginning phases of active growth (April) at all kinds the highest activity of enzymes, but, since May and till the end of the supervision period was observed, activity sharply went down at all kinds Amelanchier. Essential activation GPOD in a phase of active growth can be connected with processes of lignification to an greater degree, rather than with protection against oxidative stress. Thus in leaves of A. ovalis and A. canadensis higher activity gvaiacol-peroxidase, than at A. spicata and A. florida was observed. Small increase of activity was observed in June and to an greater measure in three kinds: A. ovalis, A. florida і A. spicata. In leaves of A. canadensis activity increase was marked in August in comparison with the period from May till July. The analysis of dynamics of catalase activity in leaves of representatives Amelanchier Medik. has shown similitude as well as at gvaiacol-peroxidase: the highest level was observed in April, and further there was an essential recession of enzyme activity. Dynamics of catalase activity during vegetation has appeared the most similar at kinds of A. ovalis and A. canadensis. In leaves of A. florida unlike last kinds the small peak of activity in July was marked, and in August activity again went down on 21,8 % in comparison with July. A. spicata has shown essential increase of activity САТ in August in comparison with July in 6,4 times. Thus, found out different directions of activity changes of oxidoreductases specify in participation antioxidant systems in realisation of different ways of adaptation of kinds-introducents of Amelanchier Medik. genus in ontogenesis process in the conditions of Pridneprov’e Steppe. Variability of enzymes activity level in leaves of Amelanchier Medik. in the course of vegetation means the adaptation to conditions of environment and as a whole displays adaptive ability of the investigated kinds at the expense of high antioxidant potential to counteract development of oxidative stress at action adverse of abiotic factors.

Climatological Aspects of Convective Parameters over Europe: A Comparison of ERA-Interim and Sounding Data

Abstract We compare over 1 million sounding measurements with ERA-Interim reanalysis for the 38-yr period from 1979 to 2016. The large dataset allows us to provide an improved insight into the spatial and temporal distributions of the prerequisites of deep moist convection across Europe. In addition, ERA-Interim is also evaluated. ERA-Interim estimates parameters describing boundary layer moisture and midtropospheric lapse rates well, with correlation coefficients of 0.94. Mixed-layer CAPE is, on average, underestimated by the reanalysis while the most unstable CAPE is overestimated. Vertical shear parameters in the reanalysis are better correlated with observations than CAPE, but are underestimated by approximately 1–2 m s−1. The underestimation decreases as the depth of the shear layer increases. Compared to radiosonde observations, instability in ERA-Interim is overestimated in southern Europe and underestimated over eastern Europe. High values of instability are observed from May to September, out of phase with the climatological pattern of wind shear, which peaks in winter. From September to April, favorable conditions for thunderstorms occur mainly over southern and western Europe with the peak location and higher frequency shifting to central and eastern Europe from May to August. For southern Europe, the annual cycle peaks in September with high values of inhibition suppressing thunderstorm activity in July and August. The area with the highest annual number of days with environmental conditions favorable for thunderstorms extends from Italy and Austria eastward through the Carpathians and Balkans.