Humidity Index Research Articles

A SNP of the COX4I2 gene associated with environmental adaptation in Chinese cattle

COX4I2 is an isoform of cytochrome C oxidase subunit IV (COX4), which plays an important role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This gene affects heat production and thus affects thermoregulatory capacity in mammals. A splice region variant (rs109072064, NC_037340.1:g.61202988C > T) was identified in COX4I2 by using Ensembl, which transforms the amino acid arginine into cysteine in XP_005214921.1. In this study, we sought to determine the relationship between the mutant locus and the environment in which the cattle are located. We verified that mRNA (XM_005214864.4), which translated XP_005214921.1, is expressed in bovine muscle, fat, heart, liver, kidney, lung and testis tissues. The g.61202988C > T variant was then genotyped in 569 individuals of 34 cattle breeds. Compared with the CC genotype, southern cattle carried more the CT and TT genotypes. Furthermore, the association results carried out that the frequencies of genotypes (CC, CT, TT) and the value of climate parameters (mean annual temperature (T), relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI)) were significantly correlated (P < 0.01). Hence, we speculated that the g.61202988C > T variant of COX4I2 gene was associated with the environmental adaptation trait in Chinese cattle and the locus may be considered as a molecular marker for Chinese cattle breeding.

Dietary selenium levels modulates antioxidant, cytokine and immune response and selenoproteins mRNA expression in rats under heat stress condition

BackgroundHigher environmental temperature is a major abiotic stress factor for animals and human beings. The selenium (Se) is an important trace mineral having diverse health promoting effects under stress conditions. However, studies on dietary requirement of selenium under prolonged heat stress condition are lacking. Present study discern the effect of higher dietary Se levels on antioxidant, cytokine, haemato-biochemical profile, and immune response, and the selenoproteins mRNA expression in rats under prolonged heat stress (HS) condition. MethodsWeaned Wistar rats (4 wk age; 67.6 ± 1.53 g BW; n = 72) housed under thermoneutral (TN) or HS conditions and fed with purified diets containing three graded Se levels were divided in six experimental groups. The groups were 1) TN control with 138 ppb Se (TN_CON), 2) HS control with 138 ppb Se (HS_CON), 3) TN with higher Se @ 291 ppb (TN_Se1), 4) HS with higher Se @ 291 ppb (HS_Se1) 5) TN with higher Se @ 460 ppb (TN_Se2), 6) HS with higher Se @ 460 ppb (HS_Se2). Rats in all the six groups were maintained in TN environmental conditions (57.3 ± 0.22 temperature humidity index; THI) for initial 28 days period. Subsequently, rats of HS groups were exposed to 77.0 ± 0.11 THI for 6 h/d in a psychrometric chamber for last fourteen days. ResultsHigher dietary Se (291 and 460 ppb) significantly improved the blood hemoglobin concentration and reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity of rats under HS conditions. The serum triiodothyronine and insulin levels were significantly higher in high dietary Se groups irrespective of the environmental conditions. Similarly, the serum reduced glutathione levels, and catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity were increased and malondialdehyde levels were reduced in high dietary Se groups irrespective of stress conditions. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly higher in 460 ppb dietary Se groups as compared to other groups. The serum pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)− 1 was declined, whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level was increased in high dietary Se fed rats under both HS and TN conditions with 460 ppb dietary Se groups showing pronounced effects. Further, there was heat stress- and dietary Se level dependent- up regulation in hepatic GPx and iodothyronine deiodinase-II mRNA expression and similar pattern was noticed in hepatic thioredoxin reductase mRNA expression. The selenoprotein-P mRNA expression was up regulated in 460 ppb Se fed HS group as compared to CON and Se1_C groups. High dietary Se improved the humoral immune response 7d after antigen inoculation under HS conditions whereas cell-mediated immune response was augmented in rats fed higher Se under TN condition. ConclusionIt is concluded that under prolonged heat stress conditions the dietary requirement of Se may be increased to 460 ppb for improving the antioxidant status and humoral immune response, cytokine levels, modulating the thyroid and insulin hormone, and the selenoproteins mRNA expression of rats.

Multi-objective framework for a home energy management system with the integration of solar energy and an electric vehicle using an augmented ε-constraint method and lexicographic optimization

Recent innovations in smart grid technology have increased the utilization of advanced techniques and control methods, enabling consumers to purchase and sell electricity more flexibly. Accordingly, the development of a home energy management system (HEMS) is urgently required to support residential consumers in consuming energy efficiently, achieving high satisfaction levels, and meeting grid specifications. Previous studies have only suggested simple HEMS models with one or two optimized objectives. Therefore, we propose a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming paradigm for a comprehensive HEMS model which fully utilizes the vehicle-to-home and home-to-grid capabilities, while optimizing the energy cost, peak-to-average ratio (PAR), and discomfort index (DI). Also, an integration method of the augmented ɛ-constraint with lexicographic optimization is presented for effectively addressing any multi-objective HEMS problems. The proposed approach is validated across different simulations using both deterministic and stochastic models. The simulation results reveal that the energy costs and PAR can be reduced by 47.96% and 55.24%, respectively, whereas the DI is maintained at a minimum value. Extensive simulations related to the storage capacity, solar photovoltaic sizing, and uncertainty parameters are also analyzed. The proposed HEMS framework is confirmed to be a viable approach for optimally coordinating different home devices.

Grain-Size End-Members of Anguli-Nuur Lake Core Sediments: Evidence for Moisture Variability in Northern China since the Last Deglaciation

The common methods used for grain-size analysis have their own deficiencies and limitations in terms of explaining the genesis of grain-size components. In this study, the end-member modeling analysis method is applied to multi-mode grain-size distributions of core sediment from Anguli-nuur lake to help to understand the sediment provenance, transport processes and sedimentary environment. Four optimal end-members are unmixed, and three transport-deposition processes are revealed, including the runoff, wave and aeolian processes. The humidity index synthesized by the runoff and aeolian end-members in the core sediment is used to reconstruct the humidity variability in the East Asian monsoonal domain since the last deglaciation. Our record shows that the patterns of humidity variability are coincidentally linked with the monsoonal precipitation index from the same core and stalagmite record in southern China. The Holocene optimum is identified in early and middle Holocene. In addition, a series of millennial- and multi-centennial-scale dry events documented in our record are well correlated with the ice-rafted debris events in the North Atlantic. The results reveal that the grain-size record from Anguli-nuur lake is sensitive in response to moisture variability in northern China.

English

Sweat is important in thermoregulation, helping to dissipate heat in the body by evaporation in hot conditions in dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variation of sweat fatty acid compositions in summer conditions in Jersey and Holstein dairy cattle for their potential thermoregulatory roles in animal health protection. Temperature, relative humidity and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) values were calculated for the intensity of stress in the indoor environment. The chemical compounds of sweat were determined by gas chromatography device and inter-breeds differences were revealed. As a result of analyzes, a total of 23 fatty acids were detected in both breeds. It was understood that there were 15 fatty acids in the Jersey breed. Palmitic acid was detected at a rate of 27.72 % in Holstein cows and 25.16 % in jersey cows that may be due to a higher rate of fatty acid release from muscle tissue, so that it may be less resistant than the jersey breed in heat stress conditions. It can be said that palmitic acid can be an indicator for heat stress conditions. ∑SFA and ∑PUFA contents of the sweat of Holstein cows were lower than those of Jersey breeds while ∑MUFA content was higher than those of Jersey breeds. The high expulsion of ∑SFA and ∑PUFA in the sweat of the Jersey cows can provide the function of delaying the body's dehydration by forming a hydrolipid film on the skin surface in hot conditions

Economic values for sustainable dairy cattle breeding in the tropics: A focus on climate change responsive traits

The goal of this study was to estimate economic values for feed efficiency (FE), resilience (RE), adaptability (AD), and disease resistance (DR). The indicator traits that were used to measure; FE, RE, AD and DR were residual feed intake (RFI), variance deviations in milk yield, heat stress using milk reduction due to an increase in temperature humidity index (THI) by 1 and brucellosis disease resistance, respectively. A bio-economic model was developed in python using both simple profit functions and risk-rated profit models and was used to compute economic values for FE, RE, AD, and revise economic values for traits in the existing breeding goal, which included milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), protein yield (PY), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), pre-weaning daily gain (DG), post-weaning daily gain (PDG), mature live weight (LW), pre-weaning survival rate (PSR), post-weaning survival rate (PWR), and productive lifetime (PLT). The economic value for brucellosis disease resistance was derived using selection index methodology. The risk-rated economic values for the climate change responsive traits were; KES -15.54, KES 47.37, KES 175.48, and KES -58.71 for FE, RE, AD, and DR respectively. The revised risk-rated economic values for the other traits were; KES 47.6, KES 132.8, KES 136.1, KES -334.9, KES -171.9, 8.3 g/day, 3.4 g/day, KES -30.8, 7.49%, 7.66%, and KES 63.9 for MY, PY, FY, AFC, CI, DG, PDG, LW, SR, PSR, and PLT respectively. The profits realised per year were; KES 705.71, and 77,473.70 for the current breeding goal (CBG) and climate change responsive breeding goal (CCRBG) respectively. These economic values indicate that inclusion of climate change responsive traits in breeding goal would increase response to selection of dairy cattle in the tropics.

Differential expression and regulation of HSP70 gene during growth phase in ruminants in response to heat stress

Heat shock proteins regulate the physiological mechanism of heat stress adaptation at cellular level. The present investigation was carried out to analyse the HSP70 gene regulation in various growth stage in ruminants in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The relationship between HSP gene expression and thermotolerance in age-specific manner in ruminants has not been analysed. Therefore m-RNA HSP70 expression level was examined in different age groups of Jamunpari goat during hot climatic conditions. The experiment was carried out in 32 animals of Jamunapari goat belonging to the age groups of 3-months, 9-months, 12-months, and adults (2–3 year). Total RNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The physiological response such as rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) was used as indicator to heat stress. Temperature Humidity Index (THI) was used as an indicator of severity of environmental stress. The THI range varied from 82.00–92.08 during experimental period. The m-RNA HSP70 expression level at 9-month age of animals was up-regulated and significantly higher than other age groups. It was observed that the level of HSP70 transcripts in PBMCs was highest at 9-month age group, and age-related decline in HSP70 expression was observed in adult age. Based on the physiological response, the contrasting heat-stress phenotypes were recognised as heat stress susceptible (HSS) and heat stress tolerant (HST) individuals and the expression of m-RNA HSP70 was analysed at different ages in response to chronic heat stress. The differential mRNA expression of HSS individuals at 3 and 9-month of age showed the highest fold expression than HST. Age and phenotype had significant effect (p < 0.01) on the crossing point (CP) value. The m-RNA HSP70 gene expression in different age groups was correlated with heat stress tolerance and this could be used as biomarker for breeders to analyse the HSP response in -vivo in ruminants.

Has the soybean oil supplementation effect on milk production, feed efficiency, and grazing behavior of Girolando cows under moderate heat stress in western Amazonia?

The effect of soybean oil supplementation in the diet of early lactating Girolando cows under moderate heat stress were studied in a grazing trial. Dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, feed efficiency, and grazing behavior (during daytime and nighttime) were evaluated in two groups of eight crossbred Girolando (Holstein × Gyr) cows grazing palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha syn. Brachiaria brizantha) with initial means of 53±33 days in lactation and 22.6±3 kg of milk day-1. They were arranged in a 2×2 crossover trial with two supplements (with or without soybean oil), two genetic groups and two periods. During the experimental period, the mean of temperature and humidity index (THI) was 75.11, suggesting moderate heat stress. Total DMI was based on fecal production estimated by LIPE® and the diet in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD). Grazing behavior was assessed for 48 hours by acoustic data collected with MP3 recorders. Soybean oil supplementation had no significant effects on all variables evaluated in this study. Averages of individual milk yield and total DMI were 19.26 kg day-1 and 15.32 kg DM day-1, respectively. Under moderate heat stress, oil supplementation did not change grazing behavior, dry matter intake, or milk yield in early lactating Girolando cows.

Factors Associated with Farrowing Duration in Hyperprolific Sows in a Free Farrowing System under Tropical Conditions.

The ongoing selection for increased litter size has had significant impacts on sow husbandry practice. The present study investigated factors associated with farrowing duration and the proportion of sows that had prolonged farrowing in modern hyperprolific sows kept in a free farrowing system in a tropical environment. Farrowing data from 2493 Landrace x Yorkshire cross-bred sows in a commercial swine herd in Thailand were included in the study. The time of farrowing, parity number, litter size, and the birth status of each piglet were recorded. Farrowing duration was analysed using multiple analyses of variance. Total number of piglets born per litter (TB), parity, and time onset of farrowing were included in the statistical models. On average, TB, piglets born alive, and farrowing duration were 13.7, 12.1, and 221.0 min, respectively. Of these sows, 26.4% had TB ≥ 16 and 21.7% had a prolonged farrowing duration (≥300 min). Farrowing duration was positively correlated with TB (r = 0.141, p &lt; 0.001), percentage of stillborn (SB) piglets per litter (r = 0.259, p &lt; 0.001), percentage of mummified foetuses (MF) per litter (r = 0.049, p = 0.015), piglet birth weight (r = 0.068, p &lt; 0.001), and litter birth weight (r = 0.041, p = 0.043). The proportion of SB per litter was higher and piglet birth weight lower in litters that had ≥16 TB than those with 8-12 TB (p &lt; 0.05). The farrowing duration of sows with parity numbers 5-7 (247.7 ± 5.1 min) and 8-10 (237.1 ± 5.1 min) was longer than that of sows with parity numbers 1 (188.3 ± 5.2 min) and 2-4 (214.3 ± 3.9 min) (p &lt; 0.05). Sows that had started farrowing during working hours had longer farrowing durations (229.3 ± 3.6 min) than those that had started farrowing during non-working hours (217.6 ± 3.4 min, p = 0.017). In multiparous sows, the duration of farrowing was positively correlated with the maximum temperature (r = 0.056, p = 0.012) and the maximum temperature-humidity index (r = 0.059, p = 0.008) in the 7 days before farrowing. The present data confirm that TB, sow parity, and time of onset of farrowing are significant risk factors for a prolonged farrowing.

TINGKAT KENYAMANAN PADA BEBERAPA TAMAN KOTA DI KOTA MATARAM

Mataram city on Lombok Island as a local and foreign tourist destination has several cityparks as part of a green open space in urban areas that serves to support the comfort oftourism in the Mataram city. Analysis of the level of comfort in several city parks withthe function of tourism and sports in the Mataram city is important. The data taken inthis study consisted of primary data in the form of temperature and humidity data.Temperature and humidity measurements at each city park are measured using athermometer and hygrometer. Based on the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) value orthe Comfort Index value, Udayana Park, Selagalas Park and Sangkareang Park areincluded in the medium comfort category with THI values less than 27, while TamanMayura is included in the uncomfortable category with THI values more than 27.Keywords: Comfort levels, city parks, temperature and humidity

An assessment of the impact of passive design variations of the building envelope using thermal discomfort index and energy savings in warm and humid climate

Over the years, the commercial buildings sector has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing sector and the commercial space is expected to grow four fold between 2015 and 2030. Due to the absence of thermal comfort regulations in India, designers frequently overdesign cooling systems in accordance with international norms, leading to unsustainable practises and energy wastage. The conventional building construction in India’s warm and humid climate make people uncomfortable due to heat gains, forcing the use of cooling equipment that require a lot of energy. Use of passive design options in the building envelope is thought to be a viable strategy for lowering energy usage. The different effects of building exterior components and passive design solutions on the indoor thermal environment can be effectively integrated using the criterion of thermal comfort. A new thermal discomfort index based on adaptive comfort using the numerical method and trapezoidal rule is established and used as a basis of comparison to assess the relative performance of building envelopes. In comparison to the reference building envelope in warm, humid climate, the research shows that careful attention to building envelope design with consideration of various passive options can improve the indoor thermal environment by 5.82 °C, reduce thermal discomfort by 80.75 percent and save energy up to 77 percent.

System Frequency Control Method Driven by Deep Reinforcement Learning and Customer Satisfaction for Thermostatically Controlled Load

The intermittence and fluctuation of renewable energy aggravate the power fluctuation of the power grid and pose a severe challenge to the frequency stability of the power system. Thermostatically controlled loads can participate in the frequency regulation of the power grid due to their flexibility. Aiming to solve the problem of the traditional control methods, which have limited adjustment ability, and to have a positive influence on customers, a deep reinforcement learning control strategy based on the framework of soft actor–critic is proposed, considering customer satisfaction. Firstly, the energy storage index and the discomfort index of different users are defined. Secondly, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is applied to evaluate customer satisfaction. Then, the multi-agent models of thermostatically controlled loads are established based on the soft actor–critic algorithm. The models are trained by using the local information of thermostatically controlled loads, and the comprehensive evaluation index fed back by users and the frequency deviation. After training, each agent can realize the cooperative response of thermostatically controlled loads to the system frequency only by relying on the local information. The simulation results show that the proposed strategy can not only reduce the frequency fluctuation, but also improve customer satisfaction.

Redesain Alun-alun Kota Pati Berdasarkan Performa Kenyamanan Termal

: Open space for an urban area is a very important element because its existence is needed by a city environment that is increasingly crowded with buildings and pavements. One form of open space that is often found in urban areas is the square. This research was conducted to find out how the thermal comfort performance of Pati Square in a state of increasing air temperature. Then do a redesign based on the thermal comfort performance that has been analyzed. This research was conducted using a field survey method. While the data analysis method uses the Thermal Humidity Index (THI) method. The results showed that Pati square was included in the thermally uncomfortable category.

Impact of road transportation on physiological and oxidative stress biomarkers in puppies: Beneficial effect of melatonin

Transportation stress is complex and can affect the welfare and health of animals. The study was aimed at investigating the impact of road transportation on puppies and the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation. Fourteen (14) apparently healthy Nigerian indigenous breed of dogs (puppies) divided into two groups, group I (control) and group II (pretreated with Melatonin at 10 mg/kg) were transported by road during the hot-dry season. Vital parameters; respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR) and rectal temperature (RT) were taken before, during and immediately after commencement of the journey. Blood sample was also collected from each puppy before and immediately after the journey, part of which was used to analyzed for some hematological parameters and oxidative biomarkers such as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The result revealed that road transportation caused moderate to severe stress on the puppies as observed with the discomfort index (DI) (27.75–34.64 oC). The dry-bulb temperature during the study period was 33.23 ± 0.13 oC, while the relative humidity was 73.85 ± 0.60%. The RT, PR and RR also increased significantly (p < 0.05) during and immediately after the transportation compared to before commencement of the transportation. The result further revealed that total leucocyte counts and Neutrophil:Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were elevated immediately after the transportation. The MDA concentration was also significantly (P < 0.05) elevated immediately after the transportation compared to before commencement in the control group. The activities of SOD and CAT and the concentration of GSH was lowered immediately after the transportation compared to before commencement. Supplementation with melatonin before the transportation ameliorated the stress posed by road transportation on the puppies as can be observed in the lowering of the elevated RT, PR and RR, total leucocyte count, NLR and MDA concentration. Pretreated with melatonin also increased the depleted activities of SOD and CAT, and the concentration of GSH immediately after the transportation. The results showed that road transportation is stressful for puppies and supplementation with melatonin mitigated the stress posed on the puppies, probably through the ability of melatonin to scavenge reactive oxygen species generated during the transportation. The results further showed that melatonin may be used to enhance the welfare of puppies subjected to road transportation under adverse thermal conditions.

Dry Eye Following Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

This study investigates the dry eye effect after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and also compares the risk of postoperative dry eye between FLACS and manual cataract surgery (MCS). We searched various databases between 1 January 2000 and 15 October 2022 and included peer-reviewed clinical studies in our review. Dry eye parameters were extracted at baseline and postoperative day one, week one, one month, and three months. Parameters included were the ocular surface discomfort index (OSDI), tear secretion (tear meniscus height, Schirmer's test), microscopic ocular surface damage (fluorescein staining), and tear stability (first and average tear breakup time). Additionally, the differences of each parameter at each time point were compared between FLACS and MCS. In total, six studies of 611 eyes were included. On postoperative day one, increased, pooled standardised mean differences (SMDs) were noted in the OSDI, tear secretion, tear film instability, and microscopic damage. During postoperative week one, dry eye worsened. Fortunately, dry eye achieved resolution afterwards and nearly returned to the baseline level at postoperative three months. When the parameters were compared between FLACS and MCS, those of FLACS had higher severities, but most were not statistically significant. Dry eye impact was approximately the same in FLACS and MCS at postoperative three months.

Heat wave exposure impairs reproductive performance in primiparous sows and gilts in a tropical environment.

We studied the effects of heat waves (HW), defined as three consecutive days with an ambient temperature ≥ 25°C and a temperature and humidity index (THI) > 74, on the reproductive performance of sows. Meteorological data were obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology and reproductive data from a commercial farm with 51,578 inseminations and 49,103 pregnancies from September 5, 2013, to July 12, 2019. Sows were divided into the following groups according to the parity order: group 1 (sows that did not experience HW on the day of insemination) and group 2 (sows exposed to HW on the day of insemination). The percentage of days that pregnant sows were exposed to HW was calculated as 0 to 25% (1), 26 to 50% (2), 51 to 75% (3), and > 75% (4). Out of a total of 2137days, there were 160 HW and more than 10 HW per month, except in May, June, and July. Gilts in group 2 showed a decrease in the percentage of gestation (98.21% and 98.78%, respectively, P = 0.0267) and the percentage of births compared with those in group 1 (95.53% and 96.61, respectively, P = 0.0065). Primiparous sows in group 2 had a higher percentage of abortions than gilts in group 1 (3.20% and 2.42%, respectively; P = 0.0334). Sows exposed to more than 50% HW during gestation produced more mummified piglets than sows exposed to less than 50% HW. The number of stillborn piglets was higher in sows exposed to temperatures above 25% HW during gestation. The occurrence of heat waves in gilts and primiparous sows impairs reproductive performance.

Prediction of rectal temperature in Holstein heifers using infrared thermography, respiration frequency, and climatic variables.

The objective of this study was to develop an equation to predict rectal temperature (RT) using body surface temperatures (BSTs), physiological and climatic variables in pubertal Holstein heifers in an arid region. Two hundred Holstein heifers were used from July to September during two consecutive summers (2019 and 2020). Respiratory frequency (RF) was used as a physiological variable and ambient temperature, relative humidity and temperature-humidity index as climatic variables. For the body surface temperatures, infrared thermography was used considering the following anatomical regions: shoulder, belly, rump, leg, neck, head, forehead, nose, loin, leg, vulva, eye, flank, and lateral area (right side). Initially, a Pearson correlation analysis examined the relationship among variables, and then multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop the prediction equation. Physiological parameters RT and RF were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.73; P˂0.0001), while all BST presented from low to moderate correlations with RT and RF. BST forehead temperature (FH) showed the highest (r = 0.58) correlation with RT. The equation RT = 35.55 + 0.033 (RF) + 0.030 (FH) + ei is considered the best regression equation model to predict RT in Holstein heifers in arid zones. This decision was made on the indicators R2 = 60%, RMSE = 0.25, and AIC = 0.25, which were considered adequate variability indicators.

Seismological footprint of an anomalous atmospheric activity registered in March 2021, in Baja California, Mexico

On 11 March 2021, a quite short strong signal was recorded by seismic stations of the CICESE Seismic Network, which cannot be associated with any regional or global earthquake. At the CICESE Campus and all along the city of Ensenada, in Baja California, Mexico, people reported vibration of the windows and even a short strong rumbling. Fortunately, houses and buildings did not report any damage. Due to the interaction between the atmosphere and the shallow earth surface, this anomalous atmospheric activity produced a special seismological footprint, with frequencies between 1 and 10 Hz. In this manuscript, we report on the observations of a multiparameter dataset, including seismic data along with wind velocity, wind density, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and THSW index. The atmospheric perturbation wave was strong enough to be clearly recorded by seismic stations within an area of almost 80 km and to produce some changes in the recorded meteorological parameters. The results from an FK analysis show that the atmospheric activity occurred to the south of Ensenada City and travelled to the north, as shown in the seismic records. We discuss the characteristics of the seismic signals in the frequency domain and the relation to the changes in the atmospheric parameters that could be related to this anomalous atmospheric activity.

Assessing heat tolerance through productive vs physiological indicators. Data from dairy sheep under on-farm conditions

The search for criteria that allow the quantification of the level of thermotolerance of an animal is a major challenge in animal production. Different criteria have been proposed to date, mainly the use of routine milk recording and weather information or the collection of physiological measures related with heat stress. This study aimed at quantifying the association between indicators of heat tolerance derived from productive and physiological traits. For this purpose, two physiological traits, rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR), and nine productive traits (milk yield, fat, protein and lactose yields and contents, casein and urea contents) were measured from June to September of 2018 in three flocks of Manchega sheep. A total of 462 lactating ewes participated in the study. Air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH) and associated temperature and humidity index (THI) were recorded inside the barn and also obtained from the closest weather station from the national meteorological network, and used to produce several measurements of heat load on animals. Based on the results of fits for quadratic and cubic regressions on the alternative heat load measures, the cubic regression on Ta and THI obtained inside the barn at time of recording yielded the best fit for physiological and productive parameters. The use of weather information taken from the official weather station closest to the farm also produced similar estimates and could be considered as a good alternative when on-farm meteorological data are not available. Two-trait random regression models that involved individual intercept and slope of response to heat load were used to obtain correlations between basal levels and heat tolerance within and across traits. Estimated correlations showed that animals with smaller vs larger basal levels of RT and RR tend to be more vs less heat tolerant (correlations up to 0.46) and that slopes of increase for RR and RT under heat stress were highly correlated (0.82). Estimated correlations between tolerance criteria from production vs physiology were up to −0.5 (between milk yield and RT), indicating that animals that show less increase in body temperature also tend to show a smaller decrease in production under heat stress. However, because of the non-unity correlation between the two types of indicators of heat tolerance, both sources of information, productive and physiological ought to be taken into account to ensure the long-term sustainability of selection programmes aiming at improving productive levels when heat stress is a concerning issue.

The Role of Housing Conditions on the Success of Artificial Insemination in Intensively Reared Dairy Ewes in Greece.

Simple SummaryArtificial insemination (AI) is a powerful tool for animals’ genetic improvement. However, its application in sheep remains relatively limited due to inconsistent results, since the success of the method is dependent on many factors. In our study, we investigated the impact of housing conditions during the summer period on the fertility of dairy sheep in Greece, after cervical AI with cooled semen. The pregnancy rate was found to be negatively affected by the ambient temperature and Temperature-Humidity Index inside the shed, space availability, frequency of bedding renewal, and outdoor access. Appropriate housing conditions could help to increase pregnancy rates following AI during the summer months.The objective was to assess the effect of housing conditions during the summer months on the success rates of cervical artificial insemination (AI) with cooled semen, in intensively reared dairy ewes in Greece. The study involved 2083 Lacaune ewes from 23 flocks that were serviced during May to September. An estrous synchronization protocol with the insertion of progestogen sponges for 14 days and eCG administration at sponge removal, was used. All ewes were inseminated 54–57 h after sponge removal with cooled semen (15 °C) from 10 Lacaune rams. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via trans-dermal ultrasonography at 35–40 days after AI. Data recording started the day after sponge placement (15 days prior to AI), and lasted up to 14 days after AI. Daily records included temperature, relative humidity, and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) inside the shed. Available space and volume per animal, frequency of bedding renewal, access to a yard, and indoor light were also recorded in each farm. Binary logistic regression of data records showed that temperature and THI increases at days −15 to +4 around AI (day 0) had a negative effect on pregnancy rates (reducing the likelihood of pregnancy by 3–6% and 7%, respectively). The latter also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in farms with high stocking density, non-frequent bedding renewal, and outdoor access by ewes (by 30%, 34%, and 44%, respectively). Overall, the results indicate that appropriate housing conditions are warranted to increase the success of AI in dairy ewes during the summer months.