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People's subjective response to any thermal environment is commonly investigated by using rating scales describing the degree of thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability. Subsequent analyses of results collected in this way rely on the assumption that specific distances between verbal anchors placed on the scale exist and that relationships between verbal anchors from different dimensions that are assessed (e.g. thermal sensation and comfort) do not change. Another inherent assumption is that such scales are independent of the context in which they are used (climate zone, season, etc.). Despite their use worldwide, there is indication that contextual differences influence the way the scales are perceived and therefore question the reliability of the scales’ interpretation. To address this issue, a large international collaborative questionnaire study was conducted in 26 countries, using 21 different languages, which led to a dataset of 8225 questionnaires. Results, analysed by means of robust statistical techniques, revealed that only a subset of the responses are in accordance with the mentioned assumptions. Significant differences appeared between groups of participants in their perception of the scales, both in relation to distances of the anchors and relationships between scales. It was also found that respondents’ interpretations of scales changed with contextual factors, such as climate, season, and language. These findings highlight the need to carefully consider context-dependent factors in interpreting and reporting results from thermal comfort studies or post-occupancy evaluations, as well as to revisit the use of rating scales and the analysis methods used in thermal comfort studies to improve their reliability.

Humans are consuming roughly 40 per cent of the biomass that the land and the coastal seas produce is an alarming phase. The rate at which the population is increasing and demand of food reserves to provide nutritional food from the conventional protein production sources i.e. livestock, poultry and fish unable to keep up the supply. A concept behind edible insect farming has its roots from some of character i.e. high feed conversion efficiency, much less water and land requirement and less proven to diseases and higher portion to be utilizable (lack of bones) make insects a suitable source. Rearing and harvesting of the insect is a low tech, low-capital investment option even to poorest section of society, such as women and landless workers. Insects farming provide proteins at lowest cost of 40-75 g per 100 g of dry weight of insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small non‐coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) control the expression of genes post‐transcriptionally. Their correlation with commercial economic traits including milk, meat and egg production, as well as their effective role in animal productivity, fertility, embryo survival and disease resistance, make them significant in livestock research. The miRNAs exhibit distinct spatial and temporal expression patterns, offering insights into their functional roles within cells and tissues. Aberrant miRNA production can disrupt vital cellular processes and genetic networks, contributing to conditions like metabolic disorders and viral diseases. These short RNA molecules are present in extracellular fluids, displaying remarkable stability against RNA degradation enzymes and extreme environmental conditions. miRNAs preservation is facilitated through packaging in lipid vesicles or complex formation with RNA‐binding proteins. Numerous studies have illuminated the roles of miRNAs in diverse physiological processes, including embryonic stem cell differentiation, haematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation and the coordinated development of organ systems. The integration of miRNA profiling, next‐generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis paves the way for transformative advancements in livestock research and industry. The present review underscores the applications of miRNAs in livestock, showcasing their potential to improve breeding strategies, diagnose diseases and enhance our understanding of fundamental biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genesis, dynamics, and impacts of a severe dust storm over the central Himalaya during June 13–17, 2018 have been investigated using in situ measurements, satellite data, and model reanalysis. A low‐pressure system over northern India and prevalence of strong winds (∼20 ms−1) triggered the dust storm leading to poor visibility conditions and five‐fold enhancement in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over the central Himalaya. Enhancements in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) were observed to be stronger over the Himalayan foothills site (Lumbini) than that over the Indo‐Gangetic Plain (IGP) site‐Gandhi College. The sharp reductions in Angstrom exponent (α) from about 1.2 to 0.3 indicated the dominance of coarse‐mode aerosols during the dust episode. Model results show an enhancement in the dust from 1.5 to 2.5 Tg (∼70%) over the northern Indian subcontinent, with about half of the contribution from the regional source (Thar Desert). Interestingly, dust storm also had significant impacts on turbulent kinetic energy (2.9–9.6 m2 s−2), vertical momentum flux (0.9–3.3 Nm−2), and sensible heat flux (34.8 to −33.9 Wm−2), suggesting turbulent mixing of aerosols and cooling near the surface over the Himalayas. Our study highlights that the large‐scale dust storms exposed to additional dust and pollution from regional sources can profoundly impact the air quality, heat fluxes, and radiative balance over the northern Indian subcontinent. The study would also help in evaluating the results of climate models and to assess the impacts of dust on the hydrological processes and melting Himalayan glaciers. Key Points: A detailed investigation on the genesis, dynamics, and impacts of a severe dust storm over northern Indian subcontinent has been conductedAnalysis on the relative effects of long‐range transport and regional dust emissions affecting northern Indian subcontinent regionThe impacts of dust storm on characteristics of aerosols and the surface layer have been analyzed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hand hygiene of the people working plays an important role in the infection prevention practices of any Institute. Objective: To study the efficacy of liquid soap in comparison to alcohol based hand sanitizer in reducing the bacterial count following the handwash among sanitation workers. Methodology: This Randomized Controlled Trial was carried out in various facilities of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, in 2017-18 The population comprised of sanitation workers attached to the college and study hospitals. They were divided equally across both the intervention arms. The method of EL Larson et al with minor modifications was used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbial flora of the test subjects. Results: The baseline measurement of intervention 1 (liquid soap) was 2400 cfu and post post-intervention bacterial count for the same was 245cfu. The change score was 1825 cfu in the intervention- liquid soap. The baseline measurement of intervention arm 2 (hand sanitizer) was 1250 cfu and the post-intervention median bacterial count was 8.5 cfu. The change score was 1245 cfu in the intervention- hand sanitizer. The extent of decrease was higher in the hand sanitizer arm than hand washing arm however this difference was not high. Conclusion: The extent of decrease was higher in the hand sanitizer arm than hand washing arm however this difference was not significant and results nearly equal.

Efficacy of different novel insecticides as foliar application was studied against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt) and their effect on the predator of aphids Coccinella septumpunctata was also recorded at Pilibhit during 2017-18 and 2018-19. The insecticides thiamethoxam 12.6 + lambda cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC (100 g/ha), acephate 75 SP (625 g/ha), acetamiprid 20 SP (125 g/ha), thiamethoxam 25 WDG (250 g/ha), clothianidin 50 WDG (40 g/ha), imidacloprid 17.8 SL (150 ml/ha), and dinotefuran 20 SG (150 g/ha) were sprayed at normal recommended doses and a control plot was also maintained for comparison. Efficacy was assessed by counting the aphids and predators population and mortality in rapeseed mustard field plots. All tested insecticides performed better against aphid as compared to untreated plots. Dinotefuran proved as the best with 100 percent aphid population reduction followed by clothianidin, thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, acephate, thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid with 100, 100, 100, 97.41, 97.14 and 97.16 percent reduction, respectively. In terms of safety for the predator, Coccinella septempunctata, the thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin was found best as the coccinelids were increased by 14.13 percent in treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a total solar eclipse (TSE) on 22 July 2009, atmospheric perturbations were monitored from the surface to thermosphere to understand TSE's impact on the meteorological (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and wind direction) and chemical (O3 and NOx) parameters around Kadapa (14.28°N, 78.42°E), a tropical semi-arid region of India. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted at Yogi Vemana University Campus, Kadapa, India, to measure the temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and concentrations of ozone (O3), NO, NO2, and NOx by using the automatic weather station (AWS) and O3 analyzer. On the eclipse day (22 July 2009), the surface observations at Kadapa showed a reduction in temperature (about 1.1°C) because of the solar insulation. Comparison of the thermal, dynamical (wind), and chemical parameters on the TSE day with control days [preceding (21 July 2009) and succeeding (23 July 2009) the TSE] illustrated the influence of solar eclipse. During the eclipse period, the O3 mixing ratio decreased, while NO2 and NOx increased; however, NO remained unchanged. In addition, radio occultation (RO) temperature profiles from Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC)/Formosat Satellite Mission (FORMOSAT-3) and Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) satellites were utilized to understand the impact of TSE on dynamics of the middle and upper atmosphere from tropopause to the thermosphere. High vertical resolution COSMIC observations revealed that during the solar eclipse, tropopause was cooler with twin peaks (double tropopause). The lower thermosphere between 110 and 130 km became warmer during the TSE, which might be caused by the dynamical response of the atmosphere in this region to the solar eclipse. The experimental data have provided very fine-scale variations of the atmospheric parameters both in time and height and also constituted a new set of results on TSE for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality parameters measured over Rishikesh city of Uttarakhand, where a large number of visitors and pilgrimage stay and pass by throughout the year are analyzed and studied. Such intensive human activities lead to the impacts and its manifestation on regional scale environment. Due to consistent infrastructure development and the increased vehicular emission due to transport, a large amount of particulate matters is added to the ambient environment and affects the air quality adversely. Here an attempt is made to understand the growth in level of ambient air pollutants through available measurement. In this study particulate matter (PM10), suspended particulate matters (SPMs) and the concentration of gaseous pollutants (SO2 and NO2) from 2011 to 2014 are measured and analyzed. It is observed that concentrations of the pollutants increase during pre-monsoon season as compared to the winter and monsoon seasons. In addition, PM10 and SPM concentrations are found about two times higher than the prescribed national standard. SO2 and NO2 levels are found within the limits as proposed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) New Delhi, India. A detailed statistical analysis is carried out on the basis of monthly mean values of the observed pollutants. The PM10 exhibits a significant positive correlation with SO2 and NO2 concentrations. In addition, back trajectories show partly long-term transport from North Africa, Saudi Arabia and central Asian region in contributing over the region with local emission that is considered to be the main and direct cause of increasing trend of the pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data for early and lifetime performance traits were collected from history cum pedigree sheets of 479 Murrah buffaloes progeny of 101 sires maintained at BRC, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar over a period of 24 years from 1990 to 2013. Genetic correlations of FLMY with all lifetime traits were low and positive ranging from 0.02 to 0.13 except moderate positive relationship with MY/PL (0.23±0.21). FPY had high positive genetic correlation with lifetime traits under study except moderate correlations with HL (0.33±0.27). Therefore, selection of sires based on FLMY and FPY would be desirable for improving the lifetime traits also. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was conducted on records of 345 Murrah buffaloes maintained at Buffalo Research Centre (BRC), Hisar distributed over 20 years (1993-2012) to compare progeny of 61 sires. Three sire evaluation procedures [ordinary least squares (OLS), regressed least squares (RLS), and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP)] based on estimated breeding value of phase traits such as ascending phase milk yield (APY), peak phase milk yield (PPY),descending phase milk yield (DPY)and stayablity trait such as stayablity life (STAYAB) in Murrah buffalo. The results indicated that sire number 26 had the highest merit computed by OLS, RLS and sire number 2 had the highest merit computed by BLUP method for APY. Product-moment correlations were comparatively lower than those of rank correlations barring a few exceptions. When comparison was made on the basis of coefficient of skewness, BLUP was found superior for APY, PPY, and DPY. When comparison was made on the basis of coefficient of kurtosis, OLS was better for APY and DPY whereas RLS was found superior for PPY and STAYAB. When coefficient of Determination, was considered OLS was found to be more accurate followed by RLS method for all the traits, whereas RLS method was most appropriate when coefficient of variation was considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on 397 Murrah buffaloes maintained at Buffalo Research Center, LLR University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar from 1992 to 2011 was utilised. Average value in kg/ day for different ten test-days were 4.50±0.08, 7.27±0.09, 8.11±0.09, 8.06±0.10, 7.83±0.10, 7.51±0.09, 7.10±0.11, 6.38±0.10, 5.77±0.10 and 5.06±0.11, respectively. Period of calving had significant effect on TDl to TD8. Season of calving had significant effect on TD2 only. High estimates of heritability for TD2 to TD5 and good estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations among these test day milk records offer ample scope of genetic improvement in these traits through selection and correlated response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data pertinent to lactational performance traits on Murrah buffaloes calved during period 1987 to 2002, progeny of 52 sires maintained at Buffalo Research Centre, LLR University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar were considered. The estimates of heritability were obtained low to moderate for almost all lactational performance traits. All the first lactation traits viz., AC1, SP, CI, MY, LL, PY, DAPY and MY/LL had moderate to high positive genetic correlations among themselves except PY with CI and DAPY with AC1, which is negative. Age at calving (AC2) had moderate positive genetic correlation with second lactational performance traits like SP, MY, LL, PY, MY/LL and MY/CI and had negative correlations with DAPY and DP. Moreover, third lactational traits like milk yield, LL, PY, DAPY, MY/LL and MY/CI had high positive genetic correlations among themselves. However, age at calving during fourth lactation had positive genetic correlations with all the traits except CI, DAPY and DP which had negative genetic correlations with it. It is inferred that information on sip performance and other relatives coupled with better husbandry practices would be required to bring desirable improvement in these lactational performance traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on first lactation production records of 815 Sahiwal cows from Government Livestock Farm (GLF), Hisar distributed over 36 years (1975 to 2010) were analyzed. The period of calving was significant (P<0.01) on all the traits except for DAPY. The season of calving had significant effect on all the traits under study except FLY, DAPY and MSC. The winter calvers were excellent in production efficiency traits. The estimates of heritability were low to high. Correlations among production efficiency traits were high and positive. Selection on the basis of FPY would be effective for improvement of production efficiency traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was undertaken on reproductive records of 815 Sahiwal cows from Government Livestock Farm (GLF), Hisar distributed over 36 years (1975 to 2010). The period of calving were significant (P<0.01) on all the traits under study except for FDP. The season of calving had significant effect on all the traits under study. The effect of age at first calving (Linear) was significant on ASC only. Autumn calvers were better for different reproductive traits. The estimates of heritability were medium to high. All genetic and phenotypic correlations among different reproduction traits were high except for AFC and FDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve the objective, data pertaining to 171 Murrah buffaloes, progeny of 49 sires maintained at Buffalo Research Centre, Hisar were considered for the prediction of lifetime traits from early lactation traits over a period of 24 years from 1990 to 2013. The prediction of phenotypic values of lifetime performance traits viz. Life time milk yield (LTMY), Production life (PL), Milk yield per day of productive life (MY/PL), herd life (HL) and milk yield per day of herd life (MY/HL) were obtained. The equation having the combination of first five lactation traits is recommended for the prediction of phenotypic value of lifetime traits in Murrah buffalo. Accuracy of direct selection for LTMY, PL, MY/PL, HL and MY/HL was 0.42, 0.51, 0.33, 0.51 and 0.54, respectively. The index involving independent variables of first lactation early performance traits had an accuracy of 0.40, 0.39, 0.37, 0.19 and 0.37 for LTMY, PL, MY/PL, HL and MY/HL, respectively. Generally the first lactation milk yield, first peak milk yield and first calving intervals of all lactations contributed maximum to R2 value for all lifetime traits. Therefore, it may be concluded that selection on the basis of first lactation milk yield, first peak yield and first calving interval would also improve the lifetime performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve the objective, the data pertinent to lifetime traits on 762 Hariana cows, progeny of 23 sires maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar were considered for the prediction of lifetime traits from early lactation traits. The prediction of phenotypic values for Number of lactation completed, Life time milk yield, Production life and Milk yield per day of productive life were obtained. The equation having the combination of first three lactation traits is recommended for the prediction of phenotypic value of lifetime traits in Hariana cows. Generally the peak yield of all lactations contributed maximum to R2 value for all lifetime traits. Therefore, it may be concluded that selection on the basis of peak yield would also improve the lifetime performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyses of hourly radiosonde data of temperature, wind, and relative humidity during four days (two with convection and two with no convection) as a part of an intensive observation period in CPEA-2 campaign over Koto Tabang (100.32°E, 0.20°S), Indonesia, are presented. Characteristics of gravity waves in terms of dominant wave frequencies at different heights and their vertical wavelengths are shown in the lower stratosphere during a convective and non-convective period. Gravity waves with periods ∼10 h and ∼4-5 h were found dominant near tropopause (a region of high stability) on all days of observation. Vertical propagation of gravity waves were seen modified near heights of the three identified strong wind shears (at ∼16, 20, and 25 km heights) due to wave-mean flow interaction. Between 17 and 21 km heights, meridional wind fluctuations dominated over zonal wind, whereas from 22 to 30 km heights, wave fluctuations with periods ∼3-5 h and ∼8- 10 h in zonal wind and temperature were highly associated, suggesting zonal orientation of wave propagation. Gravity waves from tropopause region to 30 km heights were analyzed. In general, vertical wavelength of 2-5 km dominated in all the mean-removed (∼weekly mean) wind and temperature hourly profiles. Computed vertical wavelength spectra are similar, in most of the cases, to the source spectra (1- 16 km height) except that of zonal wind spectra, which is broad during active convection. Interestingly, during and after convection, gravity waves with short vertical wavelength (∼2 km) and short period (∼2-3 h) emerged, which were confined in the close vicinity of tropopause, and were not identified on non-convective days, suggesting convection to be the source for them. Some wave features near strong wind shear (at 25 km height) were also observed with short vertical wavelengths in both convective and non-convective days, suggesting wind shear to be the sole cause of generation and seemingly not associated with deep convection below. A drop in the temperature up to ∼4-5K (after removal of diurnal component) was observed at ∼16 km height near a strong wind shear (∼45-55ms-1 km-1) during active period of convection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on genetic studies about milk production efficiency traits in Murrah buffaloes. Various tangible factors on different traits under study were estimated using the least-squares and maximum likelihood computer program of Harvey using Henderson's method III. Estimates were categorized in terms of heritability and genotypic correlations. Findings revealed that first lactation peak yield persistency can be used as a selection criterion.

This article analyzes the genetic traits on 305 days and test day milk yield records in Murrah buffaloes. The experiments showed that period of calving had significant effect on test day milk yield while season of calving had nonsignificant effect on all the traits. It also observes that estimates of heritability of various traits were not different from zero as standard errors of estimates were higher.

The article presents a study which analyzes the impact of non-genetic and genetic factors on milk production efficiency traits and life time milk production traits in Murrah buffaloes.

In order to predict the breeding value, the data pertaining to lifetime traits on 762 Hariana cows, progeny of 23 sires maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar for a period of 35 years were analyzed which showed that the index including MY1, PY1, MY2 and PY2 showed an increase of at least 19.21 per cent in accuracy compared to the index having only MY1 and PY1 and thereafter, there was trivial increase in accuracy by adding third and fourth lactation traits in the index compared to a large increment in generation interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic and phenotypic trends were estimated for first lactation milk yield (FLY), first lactation peak yield (FPY), average yield per day of lactation (AYL), lactation milk yield per day of first calving interval (MCI) and lactation milk yield per day of age at second calving (MSC). Genetic trends for different traits were estimated by taking the regression of weighted average of sire's estimated breeding value (WAEBV) for each year on year. Phenotypic trends for each trait were calculated as linear regression of performance of population on year. Negative genetic and phenotypic trends were obtained over the years. But, the values were non-significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]