PSI-8 Comparison of heat stress behaviour between different Canadian Bos taurus cattle breeds using unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract Heat stress is an emerging cause of mortality and production loss in Bos taurus beef cattle production in North America. Despite the recent occurrence of extreme heat events in Canadian pastures and feedlots, there is very little heat stress research conducted in Canadian settings. The purpose of this study was to develop a non-invasive method to compare behavioral and physiological indices of heat stress between different Canadian cattle breeds. We used thermal imagery acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to compare surface temperatures between two colour variants of Black Angus x Canadian Speckle Park calves on pasture. The mean back surface temperature for dark variants (n = 5) was 38.6 °C (SD = 4.9), whereas for light variants (n = 7) it was 31.3 °C (SD = 3.4). In the subsequent summer, we compared respiration rates between breeds varying in coat colour while in feedlot pens, including Black Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Simmental, Charolais, the new Canadian Speckle Park composite breed and their various cross breeds. We recorded 4K video of cattle with a UAV positioned at nadir directly overhead at a height of ~10–15 m; respiratory behavior was analyzed later using Observer XT software. The mean respiration rate in breaths per minute (BPM) for black coated cattle (110 BPM, SD = 19) and red coated cattle (105 BPM, SD = 20) was higher than white coated cattle (94 BPM, SD = 21). We conclude that dark-coated cattle show heightened responses to hot temperatures due to increased absorption of solar radiation at the coat; as a result, dark-coated cattle are likely more susceptible to heat-stress related production losses than light-coated cattle under temperate summer weather conditions. We further conclude that UAVs are a novel and non-invasive tool to study cattle heat stress behavior in feedlot and pasture settings.

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Uncovering the architecture of selection in two Bos taurus cattle breeds

10.1101/2021.11.11.468293 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Troy N. Rowan ◽

Robert D. Schnabel ◽

Jared E. Decker

Keyword(s):

Allele Frequency ◽

High Power ◽

Coat Color ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Cattle Breeds ◽

Red Angus ◽

Frequency Changes ◽

Genomic Regions ◽

Polygenic Selection

Selection alters the genome via hard sweeps, soft sweeps, and polygenic selection. However, mapping polygenic selection is difficult because it does not leave clear signatures on the genome like a selective sweep. In populations with temporally-stratified genotypes, the Generation Proxy Selection Mapping (GPSM) method identifies variants associated with generation number (or appropriate proxy) and thus variants undergoing directional allele frequency changes. Here, we use GPSM on two large datasets of beef cattle to detect associations between an animal's generation and 11 million imputed SNPs. Using these datasets with high power and dense mapping resolution, GPSM detected a total of 294 unique loci actively under selection in two cattle breeds. We observed that GPSM has a high power to detect selection in the very recent past (< 10 years), even when allele frequency changes are small. Variants identified by GPSM reside in genomic regions associated with known breed characteristics, such as fertility and maternal ability in Red Angus and carcass merit and coat color in Simmental. Over 60% of the selected loci reside in or near (<50 kb) annotated genes. Additionally, 36% of selected loci overlap known epigenetic marks or putative functional genomic regions. Using RAiSD and nSL, we identify hundreds of putative selective sweeps; however, these sweeps have little overlap with polygenic selected loci. This makes GPSM a complementary approach to sweep detection methods when temporal genotype data are available. The selected loci that we identify across methods demonstrate the complex architecture of selection in domesticated cattle.

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Evaporative heat loss in Bos taurus: Do different cattle breeds cope with heat stress in the same way?

Journal of Thermal Biology ◽

10.1016/j.jtherbio.2014.08.004 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 87-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira ◽

Evaldo L. Titto ◽

Paulo Infante ◽

Cristiane G. Titto ◽

Ana M. Geraldo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Heat Loss ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Evaporative Heat Loss ◽

Cattle Breeds

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Summer performance, comfort, and heat stress in structural timber buildings under moderate weather conditions

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment ◽

10.1108/sasbe-11-2018-0059 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 220-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Timothy Oluseun Adekunle

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Extreme Weather ◽

Structural Timber ◽

Building Simulation ◽

Content Type ◽

Comfort Index ◽

The Mean

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the Summer performance, comfort, and heat stress in structural timber buildings. The research utilises building simulation as a tool to investigate the performance of the case study buildings under non-extreme weather conditions. Design/methodology/approach The research explores three UK sites using the test reference year (TRY) weather files for the current and future weather conditions. The study focuses on the Summer performance and heat stress in non-extreme weather conditions; therefore, the Design Summer Year (DSY) weather files are not used for the simulations. The simulation data are calibrated and validated using the measured data from the field study. Findings The results revealed the mean predicted temperatures varied from 20.2–20.8°C for the 2000s. The mean temperatures for the 2030s ranged from 23.1 to 24.2°C. Higher temperatures are predicted at the buildings in the Southeast site than the Midlands and the Northwest sites. The results revealed that there is no significant improvement in the thermal environment when the floor area and the floor-to-ceiling height are increased. However, the study showed that the integration of different design interventions can improve the future performance and resilience of the buildings in various weather conditions. Research limitations/implications By applying the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and the Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI) mathematical models to calculate the heat stress at the buildings, the study proposes the WBGT of 20.0°C and the UTCI of 24.1°C as possible heat stress indicators for occupants of the buildings in the 2030s. Practical implications On the one hand, the results revealed the maximum temperatures in some of the case study buildings exceed the comfort threshold (28°C). On the other hand, the study showed that occupants of the buildings are not prone to extreme Summertime overheating and heat stress under moderate weather conditions. However, different outcomes may be predicted if DSY weather files for the selected sites are considered. Originality/value This study is the first reported work to explore building simulation and mathematical equations to investigate Summer performance, comfort and heat stress indexes in timber buildings under moderate weather conditions in different regional sites in the UK.

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Expression of candidate genes for residual feed intake in tropically adapted Bos taurus and Bos indicus bulls under thermoneutral and heat stress environmental conditions

Journal of Thermal Biology ◽

10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102998 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102998

Author(s):

Bianca Vilela Pires ◽

Nedenia Bonvino Stafuzza ◽

Luara Afonso de Freitas ◽

Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante ◽

Ester Silveira Ramos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Residual Feed Intake

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CT perfusion in peripheral arterial disease—hemodynamic differences before and after revascularisation

European Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00330-021-07692-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Veit-Haibach ◽

Martin W. Huellner ◽

Martin Banyai ◽

Sebastian Mafeld ◽

Johannes Heverhagen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽

Ct Perfusion ◽

Arterial Disease ◽

Lower Leg ◽

Therapy Control ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Before And After ◽

Invasive Method ◽

The Mean ◽

Peripheral Arterial

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was the assessment of volumetric CT perfusion (CTP) of the lower leg musculature in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) before and after interventional revascularisation. Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD of the lower extremities requiring interventional revascularisation were assessed prospectively. All patients underwent a CTP scan of the lower leg, and hemodynamic and angiographic assessment, before and after intervention. Ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) was determined. CTP parameters were calculated with a perfusion software, acting on a no outflow assumption. A sequential two-compartment model was used. Differences in CTP parameters were assessed with non-parametric tests. Results The cohort consisted of 24 subjects with an occlusion, and five with a high-grade stenosis. The mean blood flow before/after (BFpre and BFpost, respectively) was 7.42 ± 2.66 and 10.95 ± 6.64 ml/100 ml*min−1. The mean blood volume before/after (BVpre and BVpost, respectively) was 0.71 ± 0.35 and 1.25 ± 1.07 ml/100 ml. BFpost and BVpost were significantly higher than BFpre and BVpre in the treated limb (p = 0.003 and 0.02, respectively), but not in the untreated limb (p = 0.641 and 0.719, respectively). Conclusions CTP seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences in calf muscles before and after revascularisation in patients with symptomatic PAD. We could show that CTP parameters BF and BV are significantly increased after revascularisation of the symptomatic limb. In the future, this quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method for surveillance and therapy control of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Key Points • CTP imaging of the lower limb in patients with symptomatic PAD seems feasible for assessing hemodynamic differences before and after revascularisation in PAD patients. • This quantitative method might serve as a non-invasive method, for surveillance and therapy control of patients with PAD.

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Non-Invasive Molecular Survey of Sarcoptic Mange in Wildlife: Diagnostic Performance in Wolf Faecal Samples Evaluated by Multi-Event Capture–Recapture Models

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10020243 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 243

Author(s):

Julieta Rousseau ◽

Mónia Nakamura ◽

Helena Rio-Maior ◽

Francisco Álvares ◽

Rémi Choquet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Detection ◽

High Specificity ◽

Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽

Sarcoptic Mange ◽

Diagnostic Specificity ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Capture Recapture ◽

The Mean ◽

Event Capture

Sarcoptic mange is globally enzootic, and non-invasive methods with high diagnostic specificity for its surveillance in wildlife are lacking. We describe the molecular detection of Sarcoptes scabiei in non-invasively collected faecal samples, targeting the 16S rDNA gene. We applied this method to 843 Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus faecal samples collected in north-western Portugal (2006–2018). We further integrated this with serological data (61 samples from wolf and 20 from red fox Vulpes vulpes, 1997–2019) in multi-event capture–recapture models. The mean predicted prevalence by the molecular analysis of wolf faecal samples from 2006–2018 was 7.2% (CI95 5.0–9.4%; range: 2.6–11.7%), highest in 2009. The mean predicted seroprevalence in wolves was 24.5% (CI95 18.5–30.6%; range: 13.0–55.0%), peaking in 2006–2009. Multi-event capture–recapture models estimated 100% diagnostic specificity and moderate diagnostic sensitivity (30.0%, CI95 14.0–53.0%) for the molecular method. Mange-infected individually identified wolves showed a tendency for higher mortality versus uninfected wolves (ΔMortality 0.150, CI95 −0.165–0.458). Long-term serology data highlights the endemicity of sarcoptic mange in wild canids but uncovers multi-year epidemics. This study developed and evaluated a novel method for surveying sarcoptic mange in wildlife populations by the molecular detection of S. scabiei in faecal samples, which stands out for its high specificity and non-invasive character.

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Point-of-Care Testing Using Invasive and Non-Invasive Hemoglobinometers: Reliable and Valid Method for Estimation of Hemoglobin among Children 6–59 Months

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics ◽

10.1093/tropej/fmaa111 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gomathi Ramaswamy ◽

Kashish Vohra ◽

Kapil Yadav ◽

Ravneet Kaur ◽

Tripti Rai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Point Of Care ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Outpatient Department ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Hematology Analyzer ◽

The Mean ◽

Study Participants

Abstract Introduction Globally around 47.4% of children and in India, 58% of children aged 6–59 months are anemic. Diagnosis of anemia in children using accurate technologies and providing adequate treatment is essential to reduce the burden of anemia. Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices is a potential option for estimation of hemoglobin in peripheral and field settings were the hematology analyzer and laboratory services are not available. Objectives To access the validity of the POCTs (invasive and non-invasive devices) for estimation of hemoglobin among children aged 6–59 months compared with hematology analyzer. Methods The study participants were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department in Haryana, India, from November 2019 to January 2020. Hemoglobin levels of the study participants were estimated in Sahli’s hemoglobinometer and invasive digital hemoglobinometers (DHs) using capillary blood samples. Hemoglobin levels in non-invasive DH were assessed from the finger/toe of the children. Hemoglobin levels measured in POCTs were compared against the venous blood hemoglobin estimated in the hematology analyzer. Results A total of 120 children were enrolled. The mean (SD) of hemoglobin (g/dl) estimated in auto-analyzer was 9.4 (1.8), Sahli’s hemoglobinometer was 9.2 (1.9), invasive DH was 9.7 (1.9), and non-invasive DH was 11.9 (1.5). Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (95.5%) and invasive DH (92.2%) had high sensitivity for the diagnosis of anemia compared with non-invasive DH (24.4%). In contrast, non-invasive DH had higher specificity (96.7%) compared with invasive DH (83.3%) and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (70%). Invasive DH took the least time (2–3 min) for estimation of hemoglobin per participant, followed by Sahli’s (4–5 min) and non-invasive DH (5–7 min). Conclusion All three POCT devices used in this study are reasonable and feasible for estimating hemoglobin in under-5 children. Invasive DHs are potential POCT devices for diagnosis of anemia among under-5 children, while Sahli’s can be considered as a possible option, where trained and skilled technicians are available. Further research and development are required in non-invasive DH to improve accuracy. Lay summary In India, anemia is a serious public health problem, where 58% of the children aged 6–59 months are anemic. Point-of-care testing (POCT) using digital hemoglobinometers (DHs) has been recommended as one of the key interventions by the Anemia Mukt Bharat program since 2018 in India. These POCT devices are easy to use, less invasive, can be carried to field, require minimal training and results are available immediately. Therefore this study assessed the validity of POCT devices—invasive DH, non-invasive DH and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer among 6–59 months children in facility setting compared with the gold standard hematology analyzer. A total of 120 children under 6–59 months of age were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient department in Haryana, India, from November 2019 to January 2020. The (mean hemoglobin in g/dl) invasive (9.7) and non-invasive DH (11.9) overestimated hemoglobin value, while Sahli’s (9.2) underestimated hemoglobin compared with hematology analyzer (9.4). Invasive DH (92.2%) and Sahli’s hemoglobinometer (95.5%) reported high ability to correctly identify those with anemia compared with non-invasive DH (24.4%). In contrast, non-invasive DH (96.73%) had higher ability to correctly identify those without the anemia compared with invasive DH (83.3%) and Sahli’s (70%).

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Potential Fertilization Capacity of Two Grapevine Varieties: Effects on Agricultural Production in Designation of Origin Areas in the Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10070961 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 961

Author(s):

J. Antonio Cortiñas Rodríguez ◽

María Fernández-González ◽

Estefanía González-Fernández ◽

Rosa A. Vázquez-Ruiz ◽

F. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Airborne Pollen ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Pollen Viability ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride ◽

Tetrazolium Chloride ◽

The Mean ◽

Study Sites ◽

Fertilization Capacity

In the present study, we analyzed the main parameters related with the potential fertilization ability of two grapevine varieties, Godello and Mencía, during the years 2017 and 2018. The research was carried out in two vineyards of the Galician winegrowing Designation of Origin areas of Ribeiro and Ribeira Sacra. Ten vines of each variety were selected for bunch and flower counting, pollen calculations, pollen viability studies by means of aceto-carmine (AC) stain and 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) methods, and the determination of their germination rate. In all vineyards the 50% fruitset was reached, except for Godello in Cenlle during 2017. The mean coulure value was higher for Godello (40.5%) than for Mencía (31%). Analyzing the pollen production per plant and airborne pollen levels, we observed important discordances between them, which can be due to the influence of weather conditions and be related with self-pollination processes. We found important differences on pollen viability depending on the applied method and variety, with higher values for the AC method than the TTC for both varieties in all study plots, and higher values for Mencía variety than Godello. Regarding germination rates, we observed a marked reduction in 2017 with respect to 2018, in all study sites and for both varieties. The analyzed parameters were useful to explain the different productive abilities of Godello and Mencía varieties in the two studied bioclimatic regions of Ribeiro and Ribeira Sacra.

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An Estimation Method of Continuous Non-Invasive Arterial Blood Pressure Waveform Using Photoplethysmography: A U-Net Architecture-Based Approach

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21051867 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 1867

Author(s):

Tasbiraha Athaya ◽

Sunwoong Choi

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Estimation Method ◽

Absolute Error ◽

British Hypertension Society ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Blood Pressure Waveform ◽

The Mean ◽

Mimic Iii

Blood pressure (BP) monitoring has significant importance in the treatment of hypertension and different cardiovascular health diseases. As photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals can be recorded non-invasively, research has been highly conducted to measure BP using PPG recently. In this paper, we propose a U-net deep learning architecture that uses fingertip PPG signal as input to estimate arterial BP (ABP) waveform non-invasively. From this waveform, we have also measured systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The proposed method was evaluated on a subset of 100 subjects from two publicly available databases: MIMIC and MIMIC-III. The predicted ABP waveforms correlated highly with the reference waveforms and we have obtained an average Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.993. The mean absolute error is 3.68 ± 4.42 mmHg for SBP, 1.97 ± 2.92 mmHg for DBP, and 2.17 ± 3.06 mmHg for MAP which satisfy the requirements of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standard and obtain grade A according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) standard. The results show that the proposed method is an efficient process to estimate ABP waveform directly using fingertip PPG.

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Evaluating the Effects of Façade Greening on Human Bioclimate in a Complex Urban Environment

Advances in Meteorology ◽

10.1155/2015/747259 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Britta Jänicke ◽

Fred Meier ◽

Marie-Therese Hoelscher ◽

Dieter Scherer

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Short Wave ◽

Wave Radiation ◽

Short Wave Radiation ◽

Long Wave ◽

Building Facades ◽

Urban Heat ◽

The Mean ◽

Human Bioclimate ◽

Radiant Temperature

The evaluation of the effectiveness of countermeasures for a reduction of urban heat stress, such as façade greening, is challenging due to lacking transferability of results from one location to another. Furthermore, complex variables such as the mean radiant temperature(Tmrt)are necessary to assess outdoor human bioclimate. We observedTmrtin front of a building façade in Berlin, Germany, which is half-greened while the other part is bare.Tmrtwas reduced (mean 2 K) in front of the greened compared to the bare façade. To overcome observational shortcomings, we applied the microscale models ENVI-met, RayMan, and SOLWEIG. We evaluated these models based on observations. Our results show thatTmrt(MD = −1.93 K) and downward short-wave radiation (MD = 14.39 W/m2) were sufficiently simulated in contrast to upward short-wave and long-wave radiation. Finally, we compare the simulated reduction ofTmrtwith the observed one in front of the façade greening, showing that the models were not able to simulate the effects of façade greening with the applied settings. Our results reveal that façade greening contributes only slightly to a reduction of heat stress in front of building façades.

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