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PubMedDate not supplied

Nitrous oxide emissions from an ultisol of the humid tropics under maize-groundnut rotation.

Nitrous oxide (N20) contributes to global climate change and agricultural soils seem to be the major source. Lack of information led to this study on the influence of different amounts and sources of nitrogen on N2O emission from a maize (Zea mays L.)-groundnut (Arachis hypogae L.) crop rotation in an Ultisol of the humid tropics. The treatments were: inorganic N + crop residues (NC), inorganic N only (RN), and half of inorganic N + crop residues + chicken manure (NCM). The corresponding amount of N applied was 322, 180, and 400 kg ha(-1) yr(-1), respectively. The N2O emissions depended on the amounts and types of N. A maximum peak (9,889 +/- 2,106 microg N2O-N m(-2) d(-1)) was detected at 2 wk before maize sowing amended with chicken manure, showing a persistent influence on N transformations and N2O release. The mineral N from either applied source became low by 2 to 4 wk, coinciding with the small N2O fluxes or its consumption to a few isolated instances. The N2O flux significantly correlated with the mineral N and water-filled pore spaces. The direct annual N2O emission was 3.94 +/- 0.23, 1.90 +/- 0.08, and 1.41 +/- 0.07 kg N2O-N ha(-1) from the NCM, NC, and RN treatments, respectively. The corresponding N2O-N loss of the applied N plus N fixed by groundnut was 0.83, 0.49, and 0.59%. Overestimations of direct annual N2O emission using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methodology suggest a location-specific emission factor for variable N sources to be considered.

Agriculture↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sorption kinetics of toluene in humin under two different levels of relative humidity.

To identify any resistant fraction for desorption of toluene from humin and to quantify the sorption-desorption rates, the time courses of toluene sorption to compressed humin disks and to a thin humin film were investigated. The apparent diffusivity of toluene with humin disks ranges from 10(-8) to 10(-9) cm2/s and increases with temperature, based on the weight change of humin disks mounted on a microbalance and on the results simulated by use of a diffusion model. No detectable level of residual toluene was found after desorption, as revealed either by the gravimetric analysis or by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum obtained at either low or high humidity. The time scale for intrinsic vapor sorption without mass transfer hindrance is less than a few minutes with the thin film. All the results indicate that the sorption of toluene to humin is reversible and mainly diffusion controlled. This finding helps to better understand the sorption kinetics associated with humin and soil organic matter.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2004

Heat illness in athletes: the dangerous combination of heat, humidity and exercise.

In 1980, 1700 people died during a prolonged heat wave in a region under-prepared for heat illness prevention. Dramatically underreported, heat-related pathology contributes to significant morbidity as well as occasional mortality in athletic, elderly, paediatric and disabled populations. Among US high school athletes, heat illness is the third leading cause of death. Significant risk factors for heat illness include dehydration, hot and humid climate, obesity, low physical fitness, lack of acclimatisation, previous history of heat stroke, sleep deprivation, medications (especially diuretics or antidepressants), sweat gland dysfunction, and upper respiratory or gastrointestinal illness. Many of these risk factors can be addressed with education and awareness of patients at risk. Dehydration, with fluid loss occasionally as high as 6-10% of bodyweight, appears to be one of the most common risk factors for heat illness in patients exercising in the heat. Core body temperature has been shown to rise an additional 0.15-0.2 degrees C for every 1% of bodyweight lost to dehydration during exercise. Identifying athletes at risk, limiting environmental exposure, and monitoring closely for signs and symptoms are all important components of preventing heat illness. However, monitoring hydration status and early intervention may be the most important factors in preventing severe heat illness.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1993

Herbage allowance x yearling heifer phenotype interactions for the growth of Brahman-Hereford F1 first-calf females grazing humid pasture and semiarid rangeland.

Growth data were collected over 4 yr from 349 Brahman-Hereford F1, first-calf, lactating females that had been allotted as weanlings to either semiarid extensive rangeland (Uvalde) or humid improved Bermudagrass pasture (Overton) and to one of four herbage allowance levels at each location as yearlings. Heifers were wintered according to systems in local practice and maintained on allotted forage levels both as yearlings and during their first lactation. Heifers were bred to Braford bulls to calve as 2-yr-olds in January to March. Herbage allowance (400 to 2,800 kg of DM/100 kg BW at Uvalde and 80 to 460 kg of DM/100 kg BW at Overton) was maintained by adjusting stocking density monthly from April to weaning (October). Herbage allowance and yearling heifer hook height, condition score, or weight (taken on April 15) were continuous independent variables in regression analyses. Final heifer weight, height, and condition responses to increased herbage allowances were related to yearling phenotypes differently (P < .01) for the two locations. At Uvalde, yearling condition score interactions were especially important in that heifers that had more condition (especially those > 5 for 1 to 10 with 10 = fattest) as yearlings retained more (P < .05) weight and condition and grew more (P < .05) in height than did those of lower yearling condition. These females also responded to increased herbage allowance by gaining advantage (P < .05) in these variables, whereas those of lower yearling condition made smaller advances. At Overton, yearling condition played little role in subsequent growth. The yearling variable that had the greatest interactive effect was height. Shorter yearling heifers (< 123 cm) responded (P < .07) to increased herbage allowance so that they had greater final condition and grew more rapidly in height than those taller as yearlings.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1998

Effect of relative humidity during tabletting on matrix formation of hydrocolloids: densification behavior of cellulose ethers.

The aim of this research was to investigate the elastic-plastic deformation behavior of the cellulose ethers hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) at relative humidities (RH) of 38, 57, and 75% and assess how the release of drugs embedded in such matrices is affected by the inner structure of the tablets formed during tabletting. Sorption and desorption isotherms and glass transition temperature were determined between 32 and 75% RH. The materials were equilibrated at 38, 57, and 75% RH and tabletted to a range of graded maximum relative densities. Pressure-time and displacement-time curves were analyzed by use of the Heckel function and a modified Weibull function (pressure-time only). After equilibration at the different RHs, all materials were in the glassy state. The respective degrees of polymerization had negligible effect on the absolute content of water, the sorption isotherms, and finally the densification behavior. At 38% RH, NaCMC contains the same amount of water as HPMC and HEMC, but deforms less plastically than the latter. This is attributed to tight binding of the water of hydration in the former. With increasing RH, NaCMC becomes only a little more plastic than both HPMC and HEMC, although it contains more than twice the amount of water. The binding strength of water and its molecular mobility, not the amount, seems to determine the readiness for volume reduction under load.

Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium↗

PubMed2004

Deacidification by Debaryomyces hansenii of smear soft cheeses ripened under controlled conditions: relative humidity and temperature influences.

Model smear soft cheeses were prepared from pasteurized milk inoculated with Debaryomyces hansenii (304, GMPA) and Brevibacterium aurantiacum (ATCC 9175) under aseptic conditions. Debaryomyces hansenii growth and curd deacidification were studied in relation to ripening chamber temperature and relative humidity (RH). A total of 9 descriptors, mainly based on kinetic data, were defined to represent D. hansenii growth (2 descriptors), cheese deacidification (5 descriptors), and cheese ripening (2 descriptors). Regardless of the temperature, when the RH was 85%, D. hansenii growth was inhibited due to limitation of carbon substrate diffusions; consequently, cheese deacidification did not take place. Debaryomyces hansenii growth was most prolific when the temperature was 16 degrees C, and the RH was 95%. Kinetic descriptors of lactate consumption and pH increase were maximal at 16 degrees C and 100% RH. Under these 2 ripening conditions, on d 14 (packaging) the creamy underrind represented a third of the cheese; however, at the end of ripening (d 42), cheese was too liquid to be sold. Statistical analysis showed that the best ripening conditions to achieve an optimum between deacidification and appearance of cheeses (thickness of the creamy underrind) were 12 degrees C and 95 +/- 1% RH.

Brevibacterium↗

PubMed1985

Effects of relative humidity, maximum and minimum temperature, pregnancy, and stage of lactation on milk composition and yield.

Composite monthly single-day milk samples from the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station dairy herd 1959 to 1974 were analyzed for composition. Data were 22, 972 observations on five dairy breeds, but major statistical analyses were limited to Jerseys and Holsteins. Minimum relative humidity and maximum and minimum temperatures on day of evening sample were associated with 1.6 to 5.6% of variability within lactation (range for two breeds) of milk and milk constituent yields and 1.1 to 16.5% of constituent percentages. Yields of milk and constituents of the Holsteins seemed more sensitive to climatic variation than did Jersey, but Jersey constituent percentages were more sensitive. Yields were affected only slightly by increasing maximum daily temperatures from 8 to 29 degrees C but declined rapidly at greater than 29 degrees C; fat and protein percentages declined from 8 to 37 degrees C, whereas chloride content increased above 21 degrees C. Stage of lactation and pregnancy effects accounted for about 50% of the variability of yields and 3 to 23% of percentages. Effects were detected also for chloride and acidity percentages, specific gravity, and ratios solids-not-fat to fat and protein to fat.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Ventilation system to minimize airborne bacteria, dust, humidity, and ammonia in calf nurseries.

We installed a ventilation system that minimizes airborne bacteria, dust, humidity, and ammonia levels; conserves animal heat during the winter months by precise control of the amount of fresh air admitted to the calf nursery; and prevents cross transfer of airborne pathogens between neighboring calves by providing uniform air distribution throughout the calf nursery. Because of the effectiveness of air filtration and uniform air distribution within the nurseries, respiratory problems of calves were reduced greatly. Airborne dust and bacteria as small as .5 mu were filtered from the air.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1994

Wet brewers grains for lactating dairy cows during hot, humid weather.

Twenty lactating Jersey cows were offered diets containing 0, 15, or 30% wet brewers grains or 30% wet brewers grains plus liquid brewers' yeast during hot, humid weather. The DMI was not different, even though diets with 30% wet brewers grains contained only 35.5% DM and approximately 50 versus 36.8% NDF for the control diet. Yields of milk and FCM did not differ for cows offered the control diet versus wet brewers grains or diets with 15 versus 30% wet brewers grains, but milk yield for diets with 30% wet brewers grains was greater with added liquid brewers' yeast than without it. Milk fat percentage was not different, but milk protein percentage was lower, for diets with wet brewers grains than for controls and for 30% wet brewers grains than for 15% wet brewers grains. Serum urea N was lower for control cows than for cows receiving the diets with wet brewers grains. Feed cost per cow was lower for wet brewers grains versus the control diet, and income over feed cost was greater for diets with 30 versus 15% wet brewers grains. Large quantities of wet brewers grains can be added to the diet during hot weather without depressing DMI.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effects of dietary fiber on intake, milk yield, and digestion by lactating dairy cows during cool or hot, humid weather.

Lactating cows were offered diets with increasing neutral detergent fiber concentrations to determine the effects on intake, milk yield and composition, blood hormones, and nutrient digestion during cool or hot weather conditions. Tifton 85 bermudagrass hay was substituted for corn silage so that the forage portion of diets were: 1) 40% corn silage (control), 2) 32.4% corn silage, 7.6% bermudagrass, 3) 24.8% corn silage, 15.2% bermudagrass, or 4) 17.2% corn silage, 22.8% bermudagrass (dry basis). Dietary neutral detergent fiber concentrations (% dry matter) were 30.2, 33.8, 37.7, and 42.0, respectively. Intake of dry matter declined with increasing dietary neutral detergent fiber during cool and hot periods, but intake adjusted for cool weather treatment differences did not change further during hot weather. Milk yield declined linearly with increasing neutral detergent fiber during cool weather and changed quadratically during hot weather. Milk temperature declined with increasing dietary neutral detergent fiber for the p.m. milking during the cool period and declined with increasing dietary neutral detergent fiber for the a.m. and p.m. milkings during the hot period. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber improved and ruminal turnover of particulate digesta was increased with greater dietary neutral detergent fiber content. No dietary fiber level by hot weather interaction was observed, suggesting that total energy intake may have and a greater effect on milk yield than dietary fiber content during hot, humid weather.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Effects of ambient temperature and relative humidity on serum prolactin and growth in heifers.

Twelve heifers were exposed to 21 degrees ambient temperature for 10 days, and then subjected to 4.5, 21, or 32 degrees for 9 days in controlled environmental chambers. Serum prolactin (PRL) decreased linearly (P less than 0.01; 0.6 ng/ml/degrees) as the temperature was reduced during the first day from 21 to 4.5 degrees; serum PRL increased linearly (P less than 0.05; 1.17 ng/ml/degrees) as the temperature was increased from 21 to 32 degrees. Between Days 2 and 9 serum PRL averaged 2.6, 13.0, and 27.7 ng/ml (P less than 0.05) at 4.5, 21, and 32 degrees, respectively. Injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) caused serum PRL to increase within 5 min from 20.4 to 109.8 ng/ml at 32 degrees, at 21 degrees serum PRL increased from 15.7 to 62.8 ng/ml, whereas at 4.5 degrees serum PRL did not respond to TRH. Serum growth hormone (GH) averaged 4.0, 6.3, and 9.4 ng/ml at 4.5, 21, and 32 degrees, respectively, but these means were not different (P greater than 0.10). TRH released GH at all temperatures tested, but the quantity released was unaffected by ambient temperature. Relative humidities of 50 and 90% did not significantly alter (P greater than 0.05) serum PRL or GH. We conclude that ambient temperature affects basal and TRH-stimulated concentrations of serum PRL but not GH in heifers.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Hatching performance of Cryovac enclosed hatching eggs stored in a high humidity environment.

Two trials were performed to assess hatching success of enclosing White Leghorn hatching eggs in Cryovac for 3 to 4 weeks in a storage environment in excess of 90% relative humidity. Three treatments in each trial were carried out: trial 1, no Cryovac and Cryovac packing 1 and 4 days after lay; trial 2, Cryovac packing 1, 4, and 7 days after lay. No significant differences were detected for hatching performance between either non-Cryovac packed eggs or the time they were Cryovac packed after lay. As storage time increased from 22 to 28 days, the average hatch of fertile eggs for all treatments in both trials declined linearly (P less than .01) from 81.7 to 71.0%. This decline was mainly due to the linear increase (P less than .01) in early embryo mortality (1 to 7 days) from 11.0 to 21.0%.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Manure pit temperatures and relative humidity of Pennsylvania high-rise poultry houses and their relationship to arthropod population development.

Air temperature and relative humidity (RH) in the manure pits of five central Pennsylvania high-rise poultry houses were measured for at least one year to evaluate the role of the pit environment in the development of manure breeding flies and litter beetles. Pit air temperatures had weekly means ranging between 18.1 and 22.2 C. Seasonal temperature trends were similar at all farms, decreasing in winter and rising in summer. Maximum pit temperatures ranged from 31.7 to 33.3 C and minimum temperatures from .6 to 5.6 C, but these extremes were rare. Three houses had weekly mean RH ca 65%, one ca 61%, and one ca 72%. No seasonal RH trends were evident. Daily temperature fluctuations were lowest at ca 0600 to 0700 h, peaked ca 1700 h, and varied inversely with RH. Pit air temperatures dropped below house fly reproductive thresholds for several weeks during the winter, but were adequate for their survival all year around. Manure temperatures were affected by the shape of the manure pile, depth of the manure, and seasonal air temperature patterns. Manure temperatures differed significantly between houses with either shallow (without scraper boards, mean ca 16 to 19 C) or deep (with scraper boards, mean ca 30 to 40 C) manure profiles. Shallow manure profile temperatures severely limit fly larvae and litter beetle development.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

The effect of different levels of relative humidity and air movement on litter conditions, ammonia levels, growth, and carcass quality for broiler chickens.

An experiment using 4,800 commercial broiler males (Ross x Ross) was conducted in 12 climatic chambers. Three levels of relative humidity (RH) (45, 40, to 80, and 75%) and two levels of internal air circulation (7.7 to 9.9 and 17.8 to 24.5 cm/s), with each level replicated and, therefore, forming a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, arrangement of treatments, were imposed as the main effects. Broilers were group weighed and feed efficiencies calculated at 14, 28, and 42 days of age. Percentage dry matter of the litter and a subjective evaluation of general litter conditions (moisture and caking) were scored weekly, with the percentage nitrogen and total quality of litter produced in each chamber measured at the conclusion of the study. Ammonia levels were measured in each chamber every second day. A sample of birds (36) from each chamber was processed at 42 days and scored for litter spots and ammonia burns on the breast and for the incidence and severity of twisted legs, crooked toes, and infected and calloused hocks and foot pads. Mean body weight was significantly greater (32 g) at 42 days of age in birds exposed to 45% RH compared with the two higher regimens of RH. Both the incidence and severity of ammonia burns on the breast and infected foot pads were significantly higher with 75 versus 45% RH. Increases in RH significantly increased caking and litter moisture and reduced the percentage of dry matter and the percentage of nitrogen found in the litter. Ammonia levels were more variable but generally increased with increases in RH. The two levels of air movement within the chambers produced less influence on the environment than RH, although the scores for both litter moisture and caking were significantly lower with increased levels of internal air circulation.

Air Movements↗

PubMed1991

Effects of air humidity during incubation and age after hatch on heat tolerance of neonatal male and female chicks.

Effects of incubation 45 versus 55% relative humidity (RH) and early versus late hatching time on heat tolerance of neonatal male and female chicks were studied. Chicks were exposed for 48 h to temperatures of 35 (Experiment 1), 37 (Experiment 2), or 39 C (Experiment 3). Chicks that hatched from eggs incubated at 45% RH were lighter at hatch than chicks that hatched from eggs incubated at 55% RH. Chicks that hatched from eggs incubated at 55% RH lost more body weight and water during heat exposure than those that hatched from eggs incubated at 45% RH. Body weight and water loss during heat exposure of chicks that hatched early and late was similar. However, chicks that hatched late maintained their initial heat production and respiratory quotient better during heat exposure than chicks that hatched early. Body weight and water loss of male and female chicks was similar. At 37 and 39 C, heat production of chicks fell to lower values during the 2nd day of exposure compared with the 1st day. It was concluded that chicks that hatched late, i.e., with a short holding period in the hatcher, and coming from eggs incubated at 45% RH had increased heat tolerance in comparison with the other chicks.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1991

Effects of incubation humidity and hatching time on heat tolerance of neonatal chicks: growth performance after heat exposure.

Three experiments were performed with 300 neonatal Hisex Brown layer chicks in each. The chicks hatched from eggs incubated at a relative humidity (RH) of 55 or 45%. Within each RH group, two groups were separated based on hatching time (early and late hatch groups). After hatch, 60 chicks served as controls. The other chicks were exposed to 35, 37, or 39 C for 48 h. After exposure, a 4-wk experimental growing period started at Day 2 of age. Chicks exposed to the experimental temperature regimens for 2 days had lower body weights at the end of exposure and grew less than controls during the 1st wk afterwards. At Day 2 of age, chicks hatched from eggs incubated at 45% RH had higher body weights than chicks hatched from eggs incubated at 55% RH. These chicks also had higher body weight gain in the 1st and 2nd wk following exposure to 39 C than chicks hatched from eggs incubated at 55% RH. Chicks hatching late were heavier at Day 2 than early-hatching ones, but body weight gain was similar. Chicks exposed to the experimental temperature regimens had lower rectal temperatures than controls at the end of the 1st and 2nd wk. Incubation RH, hatching time, and sex did not affect feed intake, feed conversion, or rectal temperature. After exposure to 39 C, fewer chicks that had hatched from eggs incubated at low RH died compared with chicks that had hatched from the 55% RH group. Early-hatching chicks had a significantly higher risk of dying than late-hatching ones.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Clinical, cardiopulmonary and haemocytological effects of xylazine in goats after acute exposure to different environmental temperature and humidity conditions.

This study was carried out to assess the influence of xylazine administration on clinical, cardiopulmonary and haemocytological variables after acute exposure to different environmental conditions. Xylazine hydrochloride was administered intravenously at 0.1 mg/kg body mass to 6 clinically healthy, castrated male goats. All animals were exposed for 60 min to 3 sets of climatic conditions: 14 degrees C, 33% relative humidity; 24 degrees C, 55% RH, and 34 degrees C, 65% RH. The variables that were measured for a period of 60 min after xylazine administration were sedation, analgesia, salivation, urination, ventilation rate, heart-rate, mean arterial blood pressure, oesophageal temperature, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Xylazine induced sedation, analgesia, salivation and urination independently of the 3 environmental conditions. Environment had no influence on the onset, duration and recovery from sedation. In the 14 degrees C environment, xylazine resulted in a significant decrease in ventilation and heart-rate from baseline values. Significant changes in mean arterial blood pressure, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, haematocrit and red cell count were observed in the 3 environments. Total plasma protein was significantly altered at 24 degrees C and 34 degrees C. Acute exposure of goats to different environmental conditions had no significant influence on the clinical, cardiopulmonary and haemocytological variables. Physiological changes induced by xylazine were therefore independent of the environment.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed1996

Resistance to aflatoxin contamination in corn as influenced by relative humidity and kernel germination.

Kernels of corn population GT-MAS:gk, resistant to aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus, and susceptible Pioneer hybrid 3154 were tested for aflatoxin when incubated under different relative humidities (RH). High aflatoxin levels were not detected in either genotype at RH < 91%. Resistance in GT-MAS:gk was consistent across all RH levels (91 to 100%) at which significant aflatoxin accumulation was detected. Aflatoxin levels in GT-MAS:gk averaged about 98% less than those in susceptible Pioneer 3154, which suggests that storage of this or other genotypes with similar resistance mechanisms may be possible under moisture conditions less exacting than are required with susceptible hybrids. Results for fungus growth and sporulation ratings on kernel surfaces were similar to those for aflatoxin levels. When kernels of both genotypes were preincubated 3 days at 100% RH prior to inoculation with A. flavus, germination percentages increased to very high levels compared to those of kernels that were not preincubated. In preincubated kernels aflatoxin levels remained consistently low in GT-MAS:gk but decreased markedly (61%) in Pioneer 3154. When eight susceptible hybrids were evaluated for aflatoxin accumulation in preincubated kernels, seven of these supported significantly lower toxin levels than kernels not subjected to preincubation. Average reduction across hybrids was 83%, and reductions within hybrids ranged from 68 to 96%. Preincubated kernels of one susceptible hybrid (Deltapine G-4666) supported aflatoxin levels comparable to those in resistant GT-MAS: gk. Data suggest that an inhibitor of aflatoxin biosynthesis may be induced during kernel germination. Possible mechanisms for embryo effects on resistance to aflatoxin accumulation are discussed.

Aflatoxins↗