Hot Summer Months Research Articles

Seasonal influence on postoperative hip fracture complications: Retrospective cohort of more than 1000 patients from a tertiary-care university hospital

BackgroundHip fractures account for one of the most debilitating conditions affecting the general population amongst the developed and developing nations. Investigators aimed to study the influence of the ongoing season i.e. whether patients operated upon in summer or winter, on post-operative complications occurring within 30 days of surgical procedure for hip fractures at a tertiary care hospital and level 1 trauma center. Materials and methodsInvestigators conducted a non-funded, non-commercialized retrospective cohort of 1045 patients with hip fractures managed surgically. Primary exposure was surgical procedures undertaken during the summer months (April–September). Our primary outcome was determining post-operative complication rates from January 2010 to December 2018 and evaluating impact of the season through univariate and multivariable regression analyses using Cox Proportional Hazard Algorithm with STATA V15. The work has been reported in line with the STROCSS criteria. ResultsAge, ASA status, type of procedure, mechanism of injury and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were identified as significant associated factors with postoperative complications after hip fracture surgery. Although overall results revealed a rising rate of complications during the summer season with a relative risk (RR; 95% CI) of 1.1(0.89–1.32), univariate and multivariable analysis did not show any significant correlations. ConclusionsThe results of this study did not demonstrate a significant seasonal variability in the rate of postoperative complications for hip fracture patients operated upon during the hot months of summer. More research is required to analyze postoperative complications in order to optimize patients’ outcomes.

Ecological and biological assessment of climbing shrubs for landscaping residential areas

Promising types of climbing shrubs have important aesthetic and sanitary-hygienic importance as types of multi-purpose use in the development of urban and agroecosystems in arid regions (Volgograd region). The purpose of the research is to determine the prospects for the use of climbing shrubs in the vertical gardening of residential areas on chestnut soils based on the study of their biological potential. The object of research was climbing shrubs growing in the collections of the Federal Research Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and in the landscaping of Volgograd and Kamyshin. In collection plantings, 5 species of different geographical origin grow: Campsis radicans; Vitis amurensis; Parthenocissus quinguefolia; Celastrus orbiculata; Lonicera caprifolium. Under the conditions of introduction, all types of climbing shrubs bloom and bear fruit. The ability of climbing shrubs to self-reproduce indicates the degree of their adaptation to new environmental conditions. Plants of all studied species reached the generative phase of development. Studies on the negative effects of low temperatures on plants in the winter showed that they are mostly frost and winter hardy and suitable for vertical gardening of residential areas of Volgograd and Kamyshin. It was revealed that climbing shrubs are quite resistant to the transfer of a complex of winter factors. North American, European and Far Eastern (Vitis amurensis, Parthenocissus quinguefolia, Celastrus orbiculata) winter the best in the collections. They have a high winter hardiness score. The area of their natural distribution is located at the same geographical latitudes as the Lower Volga. Campsis radicans freezes when lowering winter temperatures to -37°C. It has been established that the climate of the region of their natural distribution is largely similar to the area of introduction, therefore, they turned out to be quite adapted to the new growing conditions. The distribution range of the Caucasian-Mediterranean and East Asian species is much to the south. Campsis radicans and Lonicera caprifolium tolerate lower freezing temperatures worse. These species should be introduced into the southern regions of the Volgograd region. In plants at a young age and with increasing temperature and falling humidity of air and soil by the end of the growing season, the water deficit increases. The greatest water deficit during drought (July, August) as a percentage is observed in Vitis amurensis at about 22%. Celastrus orbiculata rotundifolia has a water deficit of about 18%, then Campsis radicanswithin 14%, Parthenocissus quinguefolia - 12%. The lowest water deficit is observed in Lonicera caprifolium (about 10%). Studies have shown that vertical landscaping involving climbing shrubs improves the microclimate. Wall plantings of maiden grapes in the hot summer months (July, August) reduce the air temperature by an average of 3 - 4 ° C, increase air humidity to 55 - 60% and bring microclimate parameters closer to the zone of hygienic comfort. A high yield of planting material can be achieved due to the optimal harvesting time of cuttings. The economic efficiency of production, expressed as a percentage, was 186 for Campsis radicans and 212% for Lonicera caprifolium. Вьющиеся кустарники имеют важное эстетическое и санитарно-гигиеническое значение как виды многоцелевого использования при развитии городских и агроэкосистем в засушливых районах (Волгоградская область). Объекты исследования – 5 видов вьющихся кустарников(Campsis radicans; Vitis amurensis; Parthenocissus quinguefolia; Celastrus orbiculata; Lonicera Caprifolium) в коллекциях Федерального научного центра агроэкологии Российской академии наук. Выявлено, что устойчивы к переносу комплекса зимних факторов североамериканские, европейские и дальневосточные виды (Vitis amurensis, Parthenocissus quinguefolia, Celastrus orbiculata), естественный ареал которых расположен в тех же географических широтах, что и Нижнее Поволжье. Ареал кавказско-средиземноморских и восточноазиатских видов значительно южнее. Campsis radicans и Lonicera caprifoliumрекомендуются для южных районов Волгоградской области. Установлено, что с повышением температуры и падением влажности воздуха и почвы к концу вегетации наибольший дефицит наблюдается у Vitis amurensis - 22%. Celastrus orbiculata rotundifolia–18%, Campsis radicans– 14%, Parthenocissus quinguefolia - 12%. Низкий дефицит воды у Lonicera Caprifolium (около 10%). Исследования показали, что вертикальное озеленение с использованием вьющихся кустарников улучшает микроклимат в жаркие летние месяцы.

Insect-repelling behavior in goitered gazelles: responses to biting fly attack

Ungulates suffer greatly from a variety of biting flies, the results of which decrease their feeding and resting time and force them to move to lower-quality habitats and unvegetated areas. This in turn leads to weight loss in adults, lower milk production in mothers, and growth retardation in young. An ungulate’s first line of defense against blood-sucking flies is its insect-repelling behaviors that include head waving, ear flapping, tail flicking, and foot stamping. Ungulates also can respond to a biting fly attack by gathering into larger groups to lessen the number of flies per individual (dilution effect) and by finding microhabitats with lower temperatures and stronger winds, where fewer biting flies are found. In this paper, I considered the insect-repelling behaviors of goitered gazelles to better understand the protection strategies of wild ungulates against fly attacks to enhance the management of domestic animals. I found that (a) goitered gazelles demonstrated the highest rate of insect-repelling behavior during the hot and windless summer months, which was the most favorable time of year for biting fly activity; (b) smaller body-sized fawns and sub-adults performed fly defensive behaviors significantly less often than adults, while there were no differences in repelling behavior rates between adult males and females in spite of the discrepancy in their body sizes; (c) goitered gazelles increased their group sizes through the summer months of high biting fly activity; and (d) during summer, the gazelles used landscape features to find elevated and unvegetated sites with lower temperatures and higher wind speeds to lower fly activity. Blood-sucking fly activity is very likely a powerful environmental factor under which ungulate hosts significantly modify their behaviors in order to escape the pain and harassment—and lessen the costs—from biting fly attacks.

Dendroclimatic analysis of Pinus peuce Griseb. at subalpine and treeline locations in Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria

Tree rings are a natural archive containing valuable information about environmental changes. Among the most sensitive ecosystems to such changes are high-mountain forests. Tree-ring series from such locations are exceptionally valuable both for climate reconstructions and for studying the effects of climate changes on forest ecosystems.The objective of our study is to present new long tree-ring width chronologies of Pinus peuce Griseb. from several locations at Pirin Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria, to explore their correlation with monthly temperatures and precipitation in the research area and to assess their potential for climate reconstruction.We built three long-term index chronologies for the radial increment of P. peuce from treeline locations in the study region. The longest chronology spans 675 years. We studied the impact of monthly air temperature and precipitation on its growth for the past 86 years using multiple regression analysis. Our analysis shows that P. peuce growth is positively influenced by high temperatures at the end of the previous growing season, especially at the two sites in Banderitsa valley until the middle of the 1970s, and negatively affected by cold winters. In some of the sample plots its growth was also positively correlated with high summer temperatures. However, even at these high altitudes in some of the locations on steep slopes P. peuce showed signs of negative impact of drought during the hottest summer months (especially in August).Our chronologies contribute to the paleoclimatic record for southwestern Bulgaria, which could provide baseline information about past climate variability and improve our understanding of current and future environmental changes.

Wildflower-pollinator interactions: Which phytochemicals are involved?

The intensification of agricultural practices contributes to the decline of many taxa, such as insects and weeds. Wildflower species have an important environmental impact on rural biodiversity since plant-pollinator networks play a key role in both landscape aesthetics and environmental functionality. Due to their scarcity and/or disappearance in conventional agroecosystems, wildflowers are now being used in strips to restore the agro-environment.In this study, fifteen wildflower species were sown in order to verify their ecological performance in terms of a plant-pollinator interaction while in laboratory the several chemicals emitted by the flowers were identified. Flowering periods were concentrated in the spring, although flowering periods extended to the hot and dry summer months in some species. An extreme variability was found in terms of quantitative and qualitative pollinator-attractiveness (i.e., bees, bumblebees, hoverfly, bee flies and butterflies). Most wildflower species emit a volatiles belonging above all to one of the several chemical classes. A hierarchical cluster analysis of the different volatile emissions did not fully correlate with the botanical taxa of the respectives wildflowers. Often, single chemical compounds prevailed, such as β-ocimene and limonene among monoterpenes hydrocarbons, santolina alcohol in the case of oxygenated monoterpenes, or (Z)- or (E)-3-hexenol acetate for non-terpenes derivatives. It is believed that these chemical compounds can play an ecological role in plant-pollinator food webs. The hypothesis that the chemistry of the volatiles implies a specialized plant-pollinator co-evolution was confirmed by a significant regression (p < 0.05), which showed an inverse relationship between chemical diversity (H’) and pollinator dominance (D) indexes. The chemical specificity indicates the specificity of pollinators and vice versa.

Wound infection with Vibrio harveyi following a traumatic leg amputation after a motorboat propeller injury in Mallorca, Spain: a case report and review of literature

BackgroundVibrio spp. are aquatic bacteria that are ubiquitous in warm estuarine and marine environments, of which 12 species are currently known to cause infections in humans. So far, only five human infections with V. harveyi have been reported.Case presentationA 26-year old patient was transferred to our center by inter-hospital air transfer from Mallorca, Spain. Seven days before, he had suffered a complete amputation injury of his left lower leg combined with an open, multi-fragment, distal femur fracture after he had been struck by the propeller of a passing motorboat while snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea. On admission he was febrile; laboratory studies showed markedly elevated inflammatory parameters and antibiotic treatment with ampicillin/sulbactam was initiated. Physical examination showed a tender and erythematous amputation stump, so surgical revision was performed and confirmed a putrid infection with necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and the muscles. Tissue cultures subsequently grew V. harveyi with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 mg/L for ampicillin, and antibiotic treatment was switched to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Throughout the following days, the patient repeatedly had to undergo surgical debridement but eventually the infection could be controlled, and he was discharged.ConclusionsWe report the first human infection with V. harveyi acquired in Spain and the second infection acquired in the Mediterranean Sea. This case suggests that physicians and microbiologists should be aware of the possibility of wound infections caused by Vibrio spp. acquired in the ocean environment, especially during hot summer months. Since Vibrio spp. preferentially grow at water temperatures above 18 °C, global warming is responsible for an abundance of these bacteria in coastal waters. This will likely lead to a worldwide increase in reports of Vibrio-associated diseases in the future.

Energy Saving through Connection of Sunken Garden with Nature and Passive Cooling in Traditional Buildings of Hot and Dry Climate of Iran

Sunken garden is one of the elements of traditional Iranian architecture, formed with the attitude of conservation of environment and organizing a meaningful relationship with its surroundings. Many studies have been conducted to identify this element of traditional architecture and its functions, endorsing its valuable and considerable properties in respect for nature, harmony with the aims of sustainable development and energy conservation. One of the most important functions of this elements is providing cooling needs for residents in the hot summer months of desert areas of Iran without the need of fossil fuels consuming. The current article, as a descriptive-analytic study, aimed at a more comprehensive knowledge of passive cooling in sunken garden. To reach this goal, passive cooling and its types and sunken garden were first introduced. Then, their relationship with natural elements and the role of each element in achieving passive cooling in sunken garden were evaluated. The results revealed that sunken garden has been linked with natural elements in a way which cools this underground space of traditional buildings of hot and dry climate of Iran through heat prevention, heat modulation and heat dissipation.

Water-spraying forced ventilation during holding improves the water holding capacity, impedance, and microstructure of breast meat from summer-transported broiler chickens

Heat stress is a broiler welfare issue and economic deficit to the broiler industry. Water atomizing with three-dimensional forced ventilation, a holding treatment after summer transport for broiler, has been proved to significantly improve water holding capacity of fresh meat. However, effectiveness of this treatment on water retention after freeze-thaw needs to be conducted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess whether water atomizing with forced ventilation could increase freeze-thaw meat quality after birds slaughtering. Arbor Acres broiler (n = 105), undergoing 32°C ambient temperature transport, was randomly categorized into 3 treatments: 1) T group, which underwent 45-min transport without rest; 2) TR group, which underwent 45-min transport with 1-h rest; and the 3) TWFR group, which underwent 45-min transport followed by 15-min water atomizing with three-dimensional forced ventilation and 45-min rest. All birds were hot-deboned within 30-min postmortem. A total of 105 breast fillets were collected and split into halves, which left part fillets were kept in 4°C and for meat analysis, the other part fillets, marked with T-F, TR-F, and TWFR-F, were frozen (−18°C) for 1 mo and then thawed overnight for meat quality analysis. Regardless of fresh or frozen treatment among 3 groups, TWFR has the highest pH which was more than 6.01 (P < 0.05). The L* value, drip loss, and cooking loss of TWFR were significantly lower compared to T and TR groups in both fresh and frozen breast fillets (P < 0.05). Compared with the T group, the TWFR meat shows closely microscopic structure which means less water loss channel. The impedance amplitude of the fresh meat was significantly higher than that of the frozen-thawing meat (P < 0.05). TWFR-treated meat has significantly higher impedance module than T and TR meat at 50 Hz frequency region, for both fresh or thawed meat. Among 6 treatments, TWFR fresh meat has significantly highest Q (modulus change ratio) value (P < 0.05). These results indicate that TWFR treatment for 15 min after transport can improve meat quality, which may be due to the improved welfare of broilers transported in hot summer months.

A novel holistic EPC related retrofit approach for residential apartment building renovation in Norway

This paper presents a novel Energy Performance Certification (EPC) related holistic building retrofit approach for a Norwegian apartment block built in 1980s. Based on the pre-combination principles of “Fabric priority”, “Renewable in supplement”, “Avoid complicated installation”, 11 energy retrofit measures (ERMs) were defined and combined into 18 typical retrofit combination packages (COMBs). Targeted simulations with the aim to explore the interconnected and coupled impacts of selected ERMs are performed in a dynamic simulation tool IES Virtual Environment (VE). A novel Energy Limiting Difference (ELD) assessment factor has been defined, which only considers the difference between primary and renewable energy consumption in the extreme cold winter and hot summer months. The post retrofit EPC standard for each COMBs are then linked with these ELD assessment factors respectively. The relationship between ELD assessment factors and the relevant EPC grades for the 18 COMBs is plotted and verified against the obtained EPC results. Without performing the simulation for each month in conventional retrofit approaches, this approach leads to at least 78 % reduced simulation efforts. This ELD-EPC related approach could therefore be used as useful guidelines for similar apartment building retrofits incorporating renewable energy measures in high-density areas in the cold climate region.

An empirical investigation of water consumption forecasting methods

Many regions on earth face daily limitations in the quantity and quality of the water resources available. As a result, it is necessary to implement reliable methodologies for water consumption forecasting that will enable the better management and planning of water resources. This research analyses, for the first time, a large database containing data from 2 million water meters in 274 unique postal codes, in one of the most densely populated areas of Europe, which faces issues of droughts and overconsumption in the hot summer months. Using the R programming language, we built and tested three alternative forecasting methodologies, employing univariate forecasting techniques including a machine-learning algorithm, with very promising results.

Urban heat island impact on state residential energy cost and CO2 emissions in the United States

Urban heat island (UHI) is a climate effect that magnifies air temperature in cities. In the US it affects over 80% of the population and in general is considered an adverse phenomenon with externalities ranging from increased air pollution to higher energy demand and deteriorated human comfort. Therefore, UHI and its mitigation strategies have been studied extensively to focus on hot summer months and demand for cooling energy. However, current approaches fail to recognize that for regions in cold climates UHI may be a positive phenomenon with benefits from decreased heating energy demand exceeding downsides of higher cooling energy demand. Here, for the period of 12 years we analyze for 48 US states the cost that UHI imposes on the $120B residential market with CO2 emissions that exceed 550 M tons each year. While for states situated in warm climates UHI significantly increases the energy bill, due to varying heating and cooling costs and emissions associated with generation of energy, for some regions located in cold climates, UHI significantly reduces energy demand and carbon emissions. This information will help legislators and policy makers understand better energy demand of buildings and subsequently reduce their carbon footprint at city and state levels.

A household’s power load response to a change in the electricity pricing scheme: An expanded microeconomic-physical approach

Energy economists are interested in how changes in electricity prices prompt a response in end-user electricity demand. If historical prices are low or seldom change, it becomes difficult to estimate price elasticities statistically, especially in the short-run. Thus, a framework that merges the physical equations that govern how electricity is consumed, and a utility-maximizing household the responds to varying expenditures on electricity, is used.We have parameterized the physical component to a house in Saudi Arabia. Three electricity pricing schemes are analyzed: progressive tariffs, time-of-use prices, and real-time prices. We show that for a household with a low preference for electricity, slight price increases do warrant adjustment in indoor temperature in the hot summer months and lower consumer electronics use. Since we adopt a dwelling in Saudi Arabia, the response measure that is most exercised is the thermostat set-point adjustment. A subdued response is found for households that have adopted higher energy efficiency, or have high preference for electricity.

Evaluating water application efficiency of low and mid elevation spray application under changing weather conditions

Over half of the irrigated land in the US, 11.5 million ha, is irrigated with center pivot and linear move systems. Because of this, minor changes in the operation efficiency of these systems can have large impact on overall water conservation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the water application efficiency (WAE) of low and of mid elevation spray application (LESA and MESA) using catch can test and drainage lysimeters, and develop governing equations based on the weather variables. A three-year (2015–2017) field study was conducted at the Washington State University Research and Extension Center, near Prosser. Catch cans were used to collect the fraction of total irrigation-water applied that reached the ground surface as WAE and drainage lysimeters to measure the overall water loss (OAWL) and wind drift and evaporation losses (WDEL), (WDEL = 100-WAE). Air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), short-wave global irradiance (Rg), wind speed (WS), and calculated vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were used as the input weather variables to mixed modeling technique. Results showed that on average 21% more irrigation-water reached the ground with LESA than with MESA systems. Lysimetric measurements showed on average a 16% efficiency difference between MESA and LESA. The monthly WAE differences between MESA and LESA increased from 12 to 30% during the hot summer months and thereafter decreased, from 30 to 9%. The warmer and drier year of 2015 had the highest annual average values of WDEL of 17% for LESA and 19% for MESA. Results indicated a relatively constant WAE for LESA regardless of weather conditions. Mixed modelling showed that VPD was the only significant predictor (P < 0.05) of WAE for LESA, while VPD and WS for MESA. Our results might be used to adjust center pivot travel speed (% settings) to compensate for variations in WAE as the weather changes.

Effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on milk production, insulin sensitivity and immune response in transition dairy cows during hot season

The objectives were to determine effects of feeding a live yeast supplement on the productive performance, blood metabolic profile, the immune function, and insulin sensitivity traits of transition dairy cows under the hot months of summer. From 21 d before expected date of calving until d 60 postpartum, two groups of multiparous Holstein cows (6 cows per treatment) were fed a diet without or with live yeast supplement (4 g yeast/d/head). Blood was collected on d −14, 0, 14, 28, and 60 d relative to parturition and analyzed for nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, creatinine, urea-N, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine. Plasma concentrations of histamine and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) were also determined on d –21, 14, 28, and 49 relative to parturition. An intravenous glucose challenge was made on d 14 postpartum. The cell-mediated immune and humoral responses were established through phytohemagglutinin challenge and ovalbumin immunization, respectively. Prepartum DM intake was greater in yeast-fed cows; however, this difference disappeared after parturition. Cows receiving yeast supplement produced more milk (+1.40 kg/d) and had greater concentrations of milk fat and total solid than those receiving no yeast. Loss of body condition score from calving to d 21 postpartum tended to be lower in yeast-fed cows than control cows. Yeast supplementation had no effect on the response variables to the glucose tolerance test. Plasma concentration of Hsp70 was also lower on d 14 and 28 after parturition in yeast-fed cows. Yeast supplementation enhanced cellular immune function; however, it had no effect on immunoglobulin G secretion against ovalbumin immunization. Overall, live yeast supplementation benefited milk production and milk composition, lowered plasma level of Hsp70, and enhanced the lymphocyte proliferative response in transition dairy cows, which may suggest an immunomodulatory effect of yeast supplement.

A Household’s Power Load Response to a Change in the Electricity Pricing Scheme: A Microeconomic-Physical Approach

Energy economists are interested in how a change in electricity prices prompt a response by way of end-user power demand. If historical prices are low and infrequently-changing, it becomes difficult to estimate price elasticities statistically, especially in the short-run. This paper extends on a previous analysis by incorporating more demand-reducing measures within a utility maximization framework for households. The framework is informed the physical equations that govern how electricity is consumed. The measures considered are: 1. independently adjusting the thermostat set-point across seasons, 2. turning off lights, and 3. switching off consumer electronics. We have calibrated the physical component for a dwelling in Saudi Arabia. Domestic electricity tariffs in the progressive pricing structure were partially raised in 2018. In addition to those raises, the response to other electricity pricing schemes is analyzed: time-of-use and real-time prices. We show that for a household with a low preference for electricity, the 2018 price increases do warrant adjustment in indoor temperature in the hot summer months and lower electricity use for consumer electronics. Since we adopt a dwelling in Saudi Arabia, the response measure that is most exercised is thermostat set-point adjustments. A subdued response is found for households that have adopted higher energy efficiency, or have high preference for electricity.

Five years following first detection of Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae) in Djibouti, Horn of Africa: populations established-malaria emerging.

The Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, is a well-known and important vector of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. Until 2013, its geographical distribution was confined to central and southern Asia including the Arabian Peninsula. In the Horn of Africa (HoA) Region, An. stephensi was first recorded from Djibouti in 2012, when it was linked geographically and temporally with an unusual outbreak of urban P. falciparum malaria. In 2016, An. stephensi was detected in the neighbouring Somali Region of Ethiopia. In order to determine whether An. stephensi populations have become established in Djibouti and contributed to the unusual rise in local malaria cases there, we carried out continuous vector surveillance from January 2013 to December 2017, investigated seasonal changes in An. stephensi population densities and bionomics, analysed available literature describing malaria in Djibouti since 2013, and investigated whether An. stephensi may have contributed to local malaria transmission by detecting circumsporozoite antigen of P. falciparum and P. vivax in female anophelines. From 2013 to 2016, seasonal activity of An. stephensi in urban Djibouti City primarily occurred during the colder, wetter season between September and May, with either no or rare trap catches from June to August. Unlike past years, this species was detected year-round, including the extremely hot summer months of June to August 2017. This change in seasonal occurrence may indicate that An. stephensi populations are adapting to their new environment in sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating their spread within Djibouti City. Among the 96 female An. stephensi investigated for malaria infectivity, three (3.1%) were positive for P. falciparum circumsporozoite antigen, including one P. falciparum/P. vivax VK 210 double infection. Subsequent to the unusual resurgence of local malaria in 2013, with 1684 confirmed cased reported for that year, malaria case numbers increased continuously, peaking at 14,810 in 2017. Prior to 2016, only P. falciparum malaria cases had been reported, but in 2016, autochthonously acquired P. vivax malaria cases occurred for the first time at a rate of 16.7% among all malaria cases recorded that year. This number increased to 36.7% in 2017. Our data indicate that the dynamics of malaria species in Djibouti is currently changing rapidly, and that An. stephensi can be involved in the transmission of both P. falciparum and P. vivax, simultaneously. Considering the extremely high potential impact of urban malaria on public health, the timely deployment of optimal multinational vector surveillance and control programs against An. stephensi is strongly recommended, not only for the HoA Region, but for the entire African continent.

A Real-time Web Tool for Safe Aerial Application to Avoid Off-target Movement of Spray Induced by Stable Atmospheric Conditions in the Mississippi Delta

Abstract. Susceptible crops can be injured far downwind if proper application spray procedure is not followed. Avoidance of stable atmospheric conditions while spraying is important to prevent surface temperature inversion-induced off-target drift of crop protection materials. Our previous studies consistently indicated high likelihood (&amp;gt;90%) of stable atmospheric conditions (unfavorable for spraying) primarily between the hours of 6:00 pm and 6:00 am during clear conditions in the hot summer months at the Mississippi Delta. With the requirement of timely farm operations, a web application has been developed to provide real-time determination of atmospheric stability and to recommend whether aerial applications are appropriate for a particular location and time. An algorithm was developed to determine atmospheric conditions likely for occurrence of a temperature inversion. This algorithm was programmed using the Python programming language and uploaded to an internet-cloud application platform for publication via HTML. The algorithm calculates the potential of a temperature inversion every hour based on air temperature and wind speed data measured at weather stations deployed over the Mississippi Delta and surrounding areas. The web application is adapted for mobile terminals, such as smartphones and tablets, and can provide timely guidance for aerial applicators and producers to avoid crop damage and air quality issues long distances downwind. Keywords: Aerial application, Spray drift, Temperature inversion, Atmospheric stability, Crop protection, Web application, Mobile terminal.

Comparative transcriptome analysis provides comprehensive insights into the heat stress response of Marsupenaeus japonicus

The kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus is an economically important crustacean that is widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific. However, M. japonicus exhibits relatively poor thermotolerance properties and frequently suffers from mass mortality during the hot summer months in aquaculture systems. Herein, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of M. japonicus in response to heat stress, focusing on immune responses, heat shock proteins, antioxidant systems and metabolism alterations under heat stress. The results revealed that M. japonicus generated adaptive responses to maintain physiological homeostasis under heat stress via the transcriptional up-regulation of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes, enhancement of fatty acid metabolism. However, acute and prolonged exposure to heat stress resulted in the continually decreased expression of immune molecules and led to the repression of glycometabolism, the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the respiratory chain. This study provides a systematic overview of the M. japonicus heat stress response and elucidates potential molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and summer mortality syndrome in this species, which is beneficial for proposing effective strategies to address summer mortality syndrome and promote kuruma shrimp production.

Net-zero Nation: HVAC and PV Systems for Residential Net-Zero Energy Buildings across the United States

This study compared the energy performance and initial cost of photovoltaic (PV) and heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment for a residential net-zero energy building (NZEB) in different climate zones across the United States. We used an experimentally validated building simulation model to evaluate various electrically-powered and commercially-available HVAC technologies. The HVAC accounted for 23.8 % to 72.9 % of the total building energy depending on the HVAC option and climate zone. Each HVAC configuration was paired with a PV system sized to exactly reach the net-zero energy target, so the economics were compared based on the initial PV + HVAC cost. Mechanical ventilation was considered with and without heat recovery; the heat recovery ventilator (HRV) saved a significant amount of energy in cold winter months and hot summer months, and the energy recovery ventilator (ERV) provided additional benefit for humid zones. The HRV was cost-effective in the cold northern latitudes of Chicago, Minneapolis, Helena, and Duluth, where energy savings reached 17.3 % to 19.7 %. In other climates, ventilation without recovery was more cost effective, by 1 % to 9 %, and sometimes even more energy efficient. The ERV was never the lowest cost option. A ground-source heat pump (GSHP) and an air-source heat pump (ASHP) were compared, with the GSHP providing significant energy savings, 24.3 % to 39.2 %, in heating-dominated climates (Chicago through Duluth). In warmer climates, the GSHP saved little energy or used more energy than the ASHP. The PV + HVAC cost was lower everywhere with the ASHP, though it is possible for colder climates that a carefully sized GSHP and ground loop could be cost-competitive. The energy and cost data as well as the required PV capacity could guide HVAC and PV designs for residential NZEBs in different climate zones.

Водоспоживання та продуктивність сої залежно від ширини міжрядь та густоти стояння у Правобережному Лісостепу України

Водоспоживання та продуктивність сої залежно від ширини міжрядь та густоти стояння у Правобережному Лісостепу України