Hot Dry Season Research Articles

Enteric methane emissions from zebu cattle are influenced by seasonal variations in rangeland fodder quality and intake

Rangeland fodder resources used to feed ruminants in the Sahel decline considerably in both quantity and quality from the wet to dry seasons. While it is widely assumed worldwide that this seasonality of fodder supply impacts intake levels and therefore enteric methane (eCH4) emissions, there are very few references based on in vivo measurements of eCH4 in this region. The purpose of this study was to test the assumption that the seasonality of fodder supply impacts intake levels and consequently eCH4 in ruminants. Thus, eCH4 was measured in vivo in Sudanese Fulani zebu cattle during three main seasons of the year (wet season: WS, cold dry season: CDS, and hot dry season: HDS). The experiment was carried out on 10 steers aged 32 months with an average (± SD) initial BW of 138 ± 5.8 kg (i.e. 0.55 Tropical Livestock Unit − TLU) and kept in individual pens. Animals were fed with natural rangeland fodder harvested each season following herders’ practices, i.e. green fodder in the WS and dry fodder hay in the CDS and HDS. Different levels of fodder were offered to the animals to reproduce the gradient of fodder availability on rangelands over the year (six trials): 3.3% BW during the CDS; 3.3, 2.3, and 1.4% BW successively during the HDS; and 2.3% in two sequential studies in the WS. Each trial lasted 3 weeks, split into 2 weeks of fodder adaptation and 1 week of data collection. The BW, quantity of voluntary DM intake, digestibility of DM digestibility and of OM digestibility, and eCH4 (GreenFeed® system) were measured for each animal. Fodder composition varied considerably between seasons (P < 0.05). The DM intake (g/kg BW per day) varied from 23.9 in CDS to 15.7 in HDS and 22.3 in WS (P < 0.001). The DM digestibility varied from 0.50 in CDS to 0.46 in HDS and 0.57 in WS. The eCH4 yields (g/kg DM intake per day) varied significantly from 25.2 in the CDS to 31.8 in the HDS and 20.5 in the WS. When extrapolated over a full year and irrespective of season, eCH4 emissions for steers amounted to 68.1 g/d (24.6 g/kg DM intake per day, 46.7 ± 3.34 kg of eCH4/TLU per year). Variations in the various parameters recorded in different areas and during the main seasons must therefore be accounted for in national inventories to refine eCH4 data for ruminants in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Effect of season, age and period on semen quality traits in buffalo bulls

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of season, age and period on semen traits in buffalo bulls. Data collected during the year 2010–2021 for seven semen traits viz. ejaculate volume (VOL), sperm concentration (SPC), mass activity (MA), initial motility (BFM), post-thaw motility (PTM), number of sperms per ejaculate (NSP) and number of motile sperm (NMSP) from Murrah buffalo bulls (n = 45; aged: 24–75 months). A general mixed model was applied to obtain the R2 value which was the proportion of variation in semen variable. With study period, the highest SPC was obtained during 2012; with the season, the highest VOL (ml) in hot humid and the highest SPC during the hot-dry season and with age, higher VOL, SPC, NSP and NMSP was obtained in older bulls. This study showed that factors i.e. period, season and age had a significant effect on semen traits viz. VOL, MA, SPC, BFM, PTM, NSP and NMSP in buffalo bulls.

RANCANG BANGUN JEMURAN KERUPUK OTOMATIS BERBASIS IOT UNTUK PRODUSEN KERUPUK IKAN DI SIDAYU GRESIK

Gresik Regency is one of the regencies in East Java province with a geographical location directly adjacent to the coast of the Java Sea. The amount of milkfish cultivation that can be produced from ponds located on the north coast of Gresik Regency has a high potential value to be utilized as processed fish products. One of the most widely produced processed fish products is milkfish crackers. The availability of easily obtained raw materials does not make it difficult to process fish crackers. Drying crackers by drying in the sun will run smoothly in hot weather or dry season. However, when entering the rainy season, there are often many obstacles, namely the heat of the sun that does not match what is needed, such as cloudy weather and even if it suddenly rains, which sometimes causes mold on the crackers because there is not enough time to take the crackers that are being dried. The drying process must always be supervised directly by humans, besides that there are several types of crackers with different compositions that have different drying times. This tool is enabled to recognize the weather including light intensity, air temperature, and rainfall so that it is considered more efficient to use during the rainy season. The user simply puts the fish crackers on the clothesline and when the tool recognizes rainy or cloudy conditions, the fish cracker clothesline will be pulled by an electric motor to be put into the room. When the user is away, the clothesline can also be monitored and controlled remotely. As a result, the IoT-based Automatic Cracker Clothesline System can recognize whether the weather is sunny, hot, or rainy. The system can also extend the clothesline automatically when the weather is sunny or hot, the system can pull the clothesline when it rains or cloudy automatically. The system can send notifications to the smartphone according to the weather conditions and the position of the clothesline being pulled or extended in realtime, the system can display the indicators of each sensor to the smartphone. Users can also enter the drying time and minimum temperature range into the system. As a result, the system can run well to recognize the weather around the cracker clothesline and can insert crackers when it is raining, cloudy or when the drying time has expired automatically.

Participatory Evaluation of Thirty (30) New Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Lines Developed from Anther Culture under Senegal River Valley Growing Conditions

Rice is one of the most widely used staple foods in the world. However, its production is still very limited compared to the exponentially growing demand. Senegal, with an average consumption of 90 kg/habitant, is the third largest importer of rice in Africa. Aware of the impact of imports on the population, Senegal has set itself the objective of achieving food self-sufficiency by 2022 with an average yield of 5 tonnes/ha. ISRA, through its research, contributes to the achievement of this objective by developing adapted technologies. It is within this framework that a participatory evaluation of 30 new anther culture lines was conducted at the ISRA research station in Fanaye during the hot dry season of 2020. Surveys were conducted among producers through guided tours, while observations and measurements were made to collect agro-morphological parameters and characteristics preferred by producers. The agronomic results analysed and combined with the surveys made it possible to select the 10 best performing varieties. Among these 10 best performing lines, 6 were chosen by the producers. They are KF18134, KF18040, KF18068, KF18103, KF18124, KF18048, KF18005, KF18017, KF18001, KF18024. Crop yield is the first characteristic chosen by the growers. It was followed by short cycle characteristics, panicle load, low bird damage and medium height.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CLOT-ADJUSTED AHI-8/9 AND FY-4A SOLAR RADIATION DATA FOR SOLAR PV POWER POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract. The theoretical solar photovoltaic (PV) power (PPV) potential in the Philippines has been estimated to range from 1.87 to 3.19 kWh/kWp daily and 681.80 to 1,162.58 kWh/kWp yearly using the shortwave radiation (SWR) product derived from the Advanced Himawari Imager-8 and 9 (AHI-8/9) satellite data. However, solar radiation measurements, especially for satellite-derived data, must be accurate when used to estimate the maximum solar energy available for solar PV power production. The objective of this study is to evaluate the satellite-derived measurements of AHI-8/9 SWR and Fengyun 4A surface solar irradiance (SSI) data products in the estimation of theoretical PPV output in the Philippines. Moreover, selected actual solar PV installation sites located across the Philippines, such as in the cities of Baguio, Cebu, and Tagum, are included in the analysis PV power production data. Both SWR and SSI products were adjusted using the cloud optical thickness (CLOT) product for cloud effects and consequently, obtain the maximum solar PV power potential. In this study, SWR and SSI products were analyzed to determine which factors may have contributed to the differences in the estimated values. The in-situ PV power production data was compared to the two satellite-based solar radiation data to assess the degree of correlation between the two. Diurnal trends for representative areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao show that for all sites, the SWR data agrees with the actual PV production data better than the SSI data. Results show that the range of CLOT-adjusted solar irradiance values are higher when using SSI than SWR. It was also observed that CLOT reduces the solar radiation by an average of 19.36%, 16.08% and 10.54% during the cool dry season (December to January), rainy season (June to November) and hot dry season (March to May), respectively. In future studies, the adjusted solar radiation (R') data may be used instead of the raw AHI8 SWR or FY-4A SSI to estimate the theoretical maximum solar PV power potential (PPV). Geomorphological and meteorological factors can also be considered in the estimation of effective PPV.

Comparison of the Haematological Parameters of Indigenous and Exotic ‎Dogs in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Health status of dogs may be assessed with haematological parameters, but adaptation to environmental stress can lead to adjustment of these normal parameters. This study was designed to compare the haematological parameters of indigenous and exotic dogs in Maiduguri during the hot dry season. Forty apparently healthy indigenous (n = 20) and exotic(n = 20) dogs of both sexes and aged from 3-48 months were used. Blood sample (5 ml) was collected from the cephalic vein of each dog in EDTA bottles. Parameters were determined using microhaematocrit method for packed cell volume (PCV), haemocytometery for red blood cell (RBC) count and total white blood cell (TWBC) count, cyanmethemoglobin method for haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and examination of stained blood smear for relative differential white blood cell (WBC) count. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and absolute differential WBC counts were calculated. The TWBC and neutrophil counts were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in indigenousthan exotic dogs. Exotic females had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower MCHC and neutrophil count than indigenous females and all males. Age significantly (p &lt; 0.05) affected MCV, but the highest value was recorded in young exotic dogs. Adult indigenous dogs had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher neutrophil count than young indigenous and all exotic dogs. Monocyte count was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in young than adult exotic and all indigenous dogs. However, haematologicalvalueswere within standard reference intervals for dogs.

Spatial and seasonal distribution of cyanobacteria Moorea species in coastal waters of Tanzania

This study aimed at identifying the presence of harmful cyanobacteria, detecting potential harmful algae toxins and their distribution in three seasons: December to February (hot dry season), March to May (rainy season), and June to November (cool dry season) of 2016. The samples were collected in five study sites in Tanzania: Tumbe, Chwaka, Paje, Bweleo in Zanzibar islands and Songosongo Island, mainland Tanzania, where skin irritation problems were observed in seaweed workers in an earlier study. The cyanobacteria from the Moorea genus were microscopically detected in the seawater, with highest concentrations in the months with the highest seawater temperature or hot dry season, than in the other two seasons. The concentration of Moorea species was significantly higher in Songosongo, Tanzania mainland than in Zanzibar Islands in all three seasons, corresponding to the higher level of nutrients of nutrients (PO43−, NO3− and NH4+) in the prior season. However, the concentrations were considered relatively low and thus not collected during an ongoing algal bloom. This is one of the first studies that detect Moorea sp. in Tanzanian seawater, and complementary studies including genome sequencing to characterize the species are warranted.

Screening of meat sold for human consumption in Benue State, Nigeria for antibiotic residues

The problem of veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin is of great importance in developing countries. The concerns are mostly related to food safety and the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This study was carried out during the hot dry season (March) between 2016 – 2018 to detect antibiotic presence in beef, chevon and pork sold for human consumption in abattoirs in Benue state. Thirty-nine samples each of 100-150g of kidney, liver and muscle were collected from cattle, goats and pigs making a total of 351 samples from abattoirs across the three geopolitical zones of Benue state. The samples were screened for multidrug residues using the modified agar gel diffusion method. A total of 144 were positive out of which 40.3% (58/144) were beef, while 29.2% (42/144) and 30.5% (44/144) were chevon and pork respectively. From the results of this study, it could be inferred that the meat consumed within Benue State contains residues of antibiotics possibly because of non-adherence to the withdrawal period by farmers and lack of knowledge of its consequences on the consumers.

Impact of Environmental Temperatures on Feed and Water Consumption in Broilers and Layers in Commercial and Backyard Poultry Farms, Maiduguri, Borno State

This study investigates the influence of environmental temperatures on feed intake and water consumption in broilers and layers across commercial and backyard poultry farms in Maiduguri, Borno State. Data were collected over six months from multiple farms, accounting for seasonal variations and management practices. The findings revealed significant differences in feed and water intake between commercial and backyard farms influenced by temperature fluctuations. Specifically, broilers showed higher sensitivity to temperature changes compared to layers. At temperatures below 25°C, broilers in commercial farms consumed significantly more feed (120 ± 0.5g) and less water (250 ± 0.3ml) compared to higher temperatures above 40°C where feed consumption decreased (100 ± 0.3g) and water intake increased (380 ± 0.6ml) (p &lt; 0.05). Layers followed a similar trend with higher feed intake (110 ± 0.5g) at temperatures below 25°C and increased water consumption (350 ± 0.5ml) at temperatures above 40°C (p &lt; 0.05). Comparative analysis indicated that commercial broilers had a significantly higher average feed intake during the rainy season (180 ± 0.5 g/day) compared to backyard broilers (120 ± 0.3 g/day, p &lt; 0.05), with similar patterns observed during the hot dry season. In contrast, backyard broilers consumed more water (350 ± 0.6 ml/day) than commercial broilers (300 ± 0.4 ml/day) during the hot dry season (p &lt; 0.05). These findings suggest that temperature management is crucial for optimizing poultry performance, with implications for different farming systems.

Dry season temperature and rainy season precipitation significantly affect the spatio-temporal pattern of rubber plantation phenology in Yunnan province.

The ongoing global warming trajectory poses extensive challenges to plant ecosystems, with rubber plantations particularly vulnerable due to their influence on not only the longevity of the growth cycle and rubber yield, but also the complex interplay of carbon, water, and energy exchanges between the forest canopy and atmosphere. However, the response mechanism of phenology in rubber plantations to climate change remains unclear. This study concentrates on sub-optimal environment rubber plantations in Yunnan province, Southwest China. Utilizing the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, multi-source remote sensing images were synthesized at 8-day intervals with a spatial resolution of 30-meters. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series was reconstructed using the Savitzky-Golay (S-G) filter, coupled with the application of the seasonal amplitude method to extract three crucial phenological indicators, namely the start of the growing season (SOS), the end of the growing season (EOS), and the length of the growing season (LOS). Linear regression method, Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to extract of the phenology trend and find the relationship between SOS, EOS and climate factors. The findings demonstrated that 1) the phenology of rubber plantations has undergone dynamic changes over the past two decades. Specifically, the SOS advanced by 9.4 days per decade (R2 = 0.42, p< 0.01), whereas the EOS was delayed by 3.8 days per decade (R2 = 0.35, p< 0.01). Additionally, the LOS was extended by 13.2 days per decade (R2 = 0.55, p< 0.01); 2) rubber phenology demonstrated a notable sensitivity to temperature fluctuations during the dry season and precipitation patterns during the rainy season. The SOS advanced 2.0 days (r =-0.19, p< 0.01) and the EOS advanced 2.8 days (r =-0.35, p< 0.01) for every 1°C increase in the cool-dry season. Whereas a 100 mm increase in rainy season precipitation caused the SOS to be delayed by 2.0 days (r = 0.24, p< 0.01), a 100 mm increase in hot-dry season precipitation caused the EOS to be advanced by 7.0 days (r =-0.28, p< 0.01); 3) rubber phenology displayed a legacy effect of preseason climate variations. Changes in temperature during the fourth preseason month and precipitation during the fourth and eleventh preseason months are predominantly responsible for the variation in SOS. Meanwhile, temperature changes during the second, fourth, and ninth preseason months are primarily responsible for the variation in EOS. The study aims to enhance our understanding of how rubber plantations respond to climate change in sub-optimal environments and provide valuable insights for sustainable rubber production management in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walpers] intercropping improves grain yield, fodder biomass, and nutritive value

Burkina Faso livestock feeding is characterized by a hot dry season fodder deficit, which affects animal performance and causes economic losses. To overcome this challenge, improving quality fodder production through the use of dual-purpose crops is a potential alternative. Hence, this study aimed at testing dual-purpose cultivars of sorghum and cowpea under monoculture and intercropping in the North Sudan zone in Burkina Faso. To do this, a “Mother and Baby trials” approach was adopted. The mother trial was designed as a randomized complete block with eight treatments (combinations of monoculture and intercropping systems for two cowpeas and two sorghum cultivars) and four replications during two cropping seasons (2019 and 2020) at the INERA research station in Saria. The on-farm “baby” trials involved 30 farmers during two cropping seasons (2019 and 2020) in four communes: Koudougou, Poa, Nandiala, and Kokologo. Data were collected on weed biomass and density, fodder biomass and grain yield, intercropping efficiency, and fodder nutritive value. The results of the mother trial showed that intercropping significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced weed density and weed biomass. Sorghum cultivar Ponta Negra had the highest fodder biomass yield (10.05 kg DM/ha) while sorghum Sariaso16 had the highest grain yield (4.42 kg/ha). Cowpea cultivar KVx745-11P had greater fodder biomass (4.72 kg DM/ha) than Tiligré (3.28 kg DM/ha) with similar grain yield (2.17 and 2.17 kg/ha). Intercropping was the most efficient land-use cropping system for fodder biomass and grain yield improvement both in mother and baby trials. For fodder nutritive value, cultivars Sariaso16 and Ponta Negra had similar crude protein concentrations (ranging from 4.1 to 5.4%), and cowpea cultivar KVx745-11P haulms had greater crude protein (ranging from 16.9 to 20.3%). The use of Ponta Negra and KVx745-11P and Sariaso16 and KVx745-11P under intercropping is likely to optimize grain and quality fodder production for crop-livestock farmers in the North Sudan zone.

Physiological Responses in Broiler Chickens Administered Lycopene During the Hot-Dry Season

Abstract This study evaluates the effects of lycopene administration on body weight, mortality, cloacal temperature, and haematological responses, in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. 40 day-old broiler chicks were divided into control and lycopene groups, 20 chickens each. Each bird in the control group received olive oil (1 ml.kg−1), and lycopene at 10 mg.kg−1 mixed with olive oil was given to each bird in the lycopene group by oral gavage once daily for 28 days. The dry- and wet-bulb temperature of the broiler chickens’ pen was recorded three times daily from days 8 to 28. The body weights were measured weekly. The incidence of mortality was recorded. The cloacal temperatures were measured on days 14, 21 and 28. The blood samples were collected for haematological analyses, on day 28. The results indicated a high overall temperature-humidity index (31.24 ± 0.43 oC) of the thermal micro-environment of the broiler chickens. There was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in body weight. The percentage mortality in the control group was relatively higher compared to the lycopene group. Lycopene reduced the cloacal temperature responses and the daily fluctuations in broiler chickens. The decreased (P &lt; 0.05) heterophil:lymphocyte ratio and percentage erythrocytes haemolysis were recorded in the lycopene group. In conclusion, lycopene administration reduced mortality and improved cloacal temperature and haematological responses without exerting any significant beneficial or negative effects on the body weight in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress.

African striped mice have relatively smaller brains in the food deprived dry season than in the wet season

The ability to alter the mass of energetically consumptive organs in response to seasonal variation in nutritional access has been demonstrated in several species from temperate climates, but less so from other climate zones. We predicted that adult striped mice (Rhabdomys pumilio) from the Succulent Karoo semi-desert in South Africa have lower organ masses during the hot summer dry season with low food availability (n = 28) when compared to the food-rich wet season (n = 25) as a possible adaptation to reduced energy expenditure. Food availability in the wet season was more than twice than that of the dry season. Body mass was positively correlated with most organ masses considered, except for the spleen. Mandible length, as a non-plastic measure of body size, was positively correlated with the mass of heart and stomach. Relative to body mass and to mandible length, kidneys and the small intestine were heavier in the wet season than during the dry season in both sexes. Liver masses were greater in females (but smaller in males) during the wet season, possibly due to increased female reproductive investment during this season. Both sexes had relatively heavier brains (by 9.6% on average) during the wet season than during the dry season, which is the first indication of the Dehnel phenomenon in a rodent, in a subtropical climate, and in the southern hemisphere. Future studies will have to test whether this change in brain size is reversible. Having relatively smaller brains during the dry season could be a mechanism to reduce energy consumption. In conclusion, our study indicates that striped mice may save energy during the food restricted dry season by reducing energetically expensive organ masses, including brain mass.

Accuracy assessment of satellite-based and reanalysis solar irradiance data for solar PV output forecasting using SARIMAX

Forecasting models are often constrained by data availability, and in forecasting solar photovoltaic (PV) output, the literature suggests that solar irradiance contributes the most to solar PV output. The objective of this study is to identify which between the satellite-based and reanalysis solar irradiance data, namely, short wave radiation (SWR) and surface solar radiation downward (SSRD), respectively, is a better alternative to in situ solar irradiance in forecasting solar PV output should the latter become unavailable. Nine seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (SARIMAX) models were presented in this study to assess the forecasting performance of each solar irradiance data together with weather parameters. Using only historical data to forecast solar PV output, three seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) models were run to forecast solar PV output and to compare and validate the efficacy of the SARIMAX models. The analysis was divided into seasons as defined by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration: hot dry, rainy, and cool dry. Results show that the use of SSRD is a better alternative than SWR when forecasting solar PV output for the hot dry season and cool dry season. For the hot dry season, SSRD has an root mean square error (RMSE) value of 0.411 kW while SWR has 0.416 kW. For the cool dry season, SSRD has an RMSE value of 0.457 kW while SWR has 0.471 kW. Meanwhile, SWR outperforms SSRD when forecasting solar PV output during the rainy season, with RMSE values at 0.375 and 0.401 kW, respectively.

Vegetation dynamics over 18 years in response to seasonal climatic conditions and land use in the Kamiesberg mountains of the succulent Karoo, South Africa

Projections of vegetation change in response to future global change conditions are challenged by the lack of long-term, empirical data on how vegetation responds to the variability in climatic conditions. This is particularly true for biodiverse systems that are threatened by climate change such as the winter-rainfall Succulent Karoo biome of southern Africa. In this study we analyse long-term data (2002–2019) of two biodiversity observatories from the Kamiesberg Mountains in the Succulent Karoo. We employed the R package GLMMtmb to analyse counts of abundance and estimated cover values of vegetation as response variables and seasonal Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), annual livestock density, topography and soil surface structure as predictors for the interannual change of life forms under low and high land use intensity. We compared the life form composition at the two contrasting land use types and found the cover and abundance of leaf succulents to be higher under low grazing intensity and that of stem succulents to be higher under high grazing intensity. The cover and abundance of herbaceous life forms varied over the years depending on the seasonal weather conditions. Our GLMM results reveal counts of abundance to be a sensitive predictor for population dynamics in various herbaceous and shrub life form types. Estimated cover values showed less of a response to interannual differences in the environmental drivers. All life forms responded strongly to high humid and cool conditions in the second half of the winter rainfall period, when the temperatures increase again. The abundance of leaf-succulent and non-succulent shrubs also responded positively to moderate conditions towards the end of the dry season. The extensive and hot dry summer season in turn had a significant negative effect on the survival of particularly young plants with low cover. Cover values showed no response to the conditions of the late dry season and were generally less sensitive to the variance in seasonal climatic conditions. Our results suggest that future changes in interannual patterns in climatic conditions will affect life form composition of the vegetation.

Influence of building attributes on thermal comfort in naturally ventilated hospital wards in the hot-humid tropics of southeast Nigeria

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the influence of building design on the thermal comfort of occupants of naturally ventilated hospital (NVH) wards to identify the aspects with the most significant influence on the thermal comfort of hospital buildings during the hot-dry season in the hot-humid tropics of Southeast Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachField measurements, physical observations and a questionnaire survey of 60 occupants of the wards of the Joint Presbyterian Hospital, Uburu in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were undertaken. The data were analysed using Humphreys' neutral temperature formula, descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results revealed that the neutral temperature for the wards ranges from 26.2 °C to 29.9 °C, the thermal condition in the wards was not comfortable because it failed to meet the ASHRAE Standard 55 as only 65% of the occupants said the thermal condition was acceptable. The number and sizes of windows, building orientation, the presence of high-level windows and higher headroom significantly influenced the occupants' thermal comfort vote.Practical implicationsThis research is valuable in estimating comfort temperature and identifying aspects that require attention in enhancing the capacity of NVH wards to effectively meet the thermal comfort needs of occupants in the hot-humid tropics of Southeast Nigeria and other regions that share similar climatic conditions.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of this nature that provides valuable feedback for building design professionals on the performance of existing hospital buildings in meeting users' thermal comfort needs in the hot-dry season of the hot-humid tropics in Southeast Nigeria.

Abundance, Distribution, and Diversity of Freshwater Snail and Prevalences of Their Infection by Cercaria of Fasciola gigantica and Schistosoma spp at Mayo-Vreck River, Far North Region of Cameroon.

Malacological and parasitological studies were conducted from April 2020 to March 2021 to determine the abundance and distribution of molluscs and cercariae of Schistosoma spp and Fasciola gigantica. Collected molluscs are exposed to strong light to induce cercarial release. Mollusc densities were higher at station 1 (Gamak) than in station 8 (Patakai), with Bellamya unicolor and Biomphalaria pfeifferi more abundant and Bulinus truncatus, B. tropicus, and B. globosus less abundant. The overall prevalence of cercariae (19.87%) is higher in station 3 (Yaye orchard), station 9 (Gougni), station 4 (Madiogo), station 5 (Madiogo pasture), and station 6 (Ziam 3). It varies significantly between 15.76% in station 8 and 25.77% in station 3, between 8.48% in B. truncatus and 25.53% in B. globosus, and between 19.27% for cercariae of Schistosoma spp and 21.60% for those of F. gigantica. Cercarial emissions in L. natalensis and B. pfeifferi were higher in hot and cold dry seasons; on the other hand, cercarial emissions in B. globosus were higher in hot dry seasons (31.48%) and rainy seasons (23.38%). Emissions of cercariae from S. haematobium are related to areas of human activity and defecation, while those of F. gigantica in L. natalensis, Schistosoma haematobium in B. tropicus, and S. mansoni in B. pfeifferi are related to grazing areas. Mayo-Vreck is a site that favors the endemicity of fascioliasis and human schistosomiasis.

Optimization of Production Methods for Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) in Burkina Faso.

Larvae of Hermetia illucens are a valuable source of protein for animal feed that can be produced by exposing animal and agro-industrial wastes to naturally occurring flies. The objective of this study was to improve techniques for obtaining H. illucens larvae to feed livestock in Burkina Faso. An experiment was conducted to determine the most favourable substrates and seasons for larval production. The substrates used were poultry manure, local beer waste, local beer waste mixed with poultry manure, cottonseed cake, and industrial brewery waste mixed with poultry manure. The production of larvae was carried out in four different seasons. The effect of the container's oviposition area (0.07 m2, 0.09 m2, and 0.11 m2) and the type of container (terracotta, plastic, and iron) on larval production was also assessed. The produced larval biomass was high during, or just after, the rainy season but very low during the cool dry and hot dry seasons. Yields were higher with local beer waste mixed with poultry manure followed by local beer waste and cottonseed cake. The average mass of H. illucens larvae increased slightly with the oviposition area for the same amount of substrate. Iron and terracotta containers provided better results than plastic containers. The suitability of this production method for H. illucens larvae production is discussed.

Evaluation of Four Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes Using Drought Tolerance Indices

Drought tolerance is not often considered as an independent trait by breeders. The objective of this study was to evaluate and identify drought tolerant genotypes using eight drought tolerance indices namely the Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI), the YSI, the YR (Yr), yield index (YI), tolerance index (TOL), average productivity (MP), mean geometric productivity (GMP) and stress tolerance index (STI) of maize genotypes (Zea mays L.). A field trial was conducted to evaluate four genotypes during the hot dry season of 2016 and 2017 at the irrigated perimeter of Djirataoua. Drought tolerance indices were calculated on the basis of yield under optimal and stressed conditions. The comparison of the means of drought tolerance demonstrated the effects of drought on yield and showed significant differences between genotypes. The correlation coefficient and principal component analysis showed that the GMP, MP and STI indices were able to discriminate drought-sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Two genotypes CZH131001 and CZH142013 produced high grain yield under both optimal and stressed conditions. Overall, GMP, MP, and STI indices can be used as effectively drought tolerance screening indices and able to identify better genotypes, suitable for both optimal and stress conditions.

Prolongation of Compound Dry–Hot Seasons Over Europe Under Climate Change Scenarios

AbstractCompound effects of drought and heat are regarded as one of the greatest hazards in relation to climate change. We study characteristics of dry–hot seasons in Europe in an ensemble of CORDEX regional climate models (RCMs). Evaluation against the E‐OBS gridded data set for 1976–2005 showed that the RCMs were able to reproduce the spatial pattern of the dry–hot season length but the simulated seasons tended to start later and interannual variability of their length was underestimated. Bias was larger (smaller) in the case of maximum (minimum) length over the 30‐year period compared to the median length. Changes in the dry–hot seasons were then analyzed for three time slices (2006–2035, 2036–2065, and 2066–2095) and low and high greenhouse gas concentration pathways. Distinct prolongation (compared to the 1976–2005 simulated climate) was projected for 2036–2065 in the Mediterranean and Western Europe (10–30 days), regardless of the concentration pathway. The dry–hot seasons length was similar in the 2036–2065 and 2066–2095 time slices under the low concentration pathway but major extensions were found under the high concentration scenario over large parts of Europe (20–50 days). The projected spatial patterns of changes in the dry–hot seasons length depend primarily on the driving global climate model. Although the extensions are predominantly driven by increasing temperature, simulated precipitation changes modulate the resulting pattern by amplifying (reducing) the dry–hot seasons length in Southern (Northern) Europe.