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Abstract Ophiolitic suture zones are characterized by highly deformed rocks of different types and metamorphism in small area. These characteristic conditions make each rock unit is hardly followed on the field and mapped on a small scale. Thus, the present study is suggested to map the rocks and structures of Tharwah part of the Tharwah-Bi'r Umq suture zone in western Arabian Shield using remote sensing techniques and field verification. Rock type, thickness, geometry, isotropism, metamorphism and weathering control mainly the reflectance behavior of the rocks. Thus, the remote sensing works include the spectral signature curves analysis of the present rock units; some relational behavior which led to eight characterized band ratios for distinguished the rock units; moreover four false color band ratios composite were determined to create lithological map of the investigated area which were [7/5, 6/3, 6/7], [6/7, 6/2, (6/5)*(4/5)], [6/2, 7/3, 3] and [6/7, 6/5, 4/2]. Convolution filtering process and resulted lithologic map were used as two components for developing the geologic structure mapping. Although the diversity of rock types and intense structural deformation, the rock units and their affecting structural deformation are mapped clearly on the images and show a significant précised map after field verification, on compared with the other published maps. Tectonically, the thrust sheets affecting the ophiolite sequence were developed initially by a northwestward contractional tectonic event that was followed by an east-west contractional event which induced a transpression movement on the pre-existing thrust and foliation planes. Highlights • 8 characterized band ratios based upon spectral signature curves to describe the ophiolitic rocks. • The lithological discrimination on maps created using [7/5, 6/3, 6/7], [6/7, 6/2, (6/5)*(4/5)], [6/2, 7/3, 3] and [6/7, 6/5, 4/2] composites. • Convolution filtering and image enhancement processes were executed, to produce interpretable image for geologic structures. • Field verification supported the band ratios mapping of the lithologic and structural units. • Shear zone developed first by pure compressional event that subsequent with a transpression event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatio-temporal changes of the terrestrial water mass behavior together with Enhanced models of natural water storage variation are imperative for better assessing, adapting better evaluable quantified hydrologic catchments. This study provides a reliable impact of the GRACE "gravity recovery and climate experiment" data to gain an independent water mass change on large regional scale. Using GRACE data sets, Terrestrial total Water Storage (TWS) are alternative index to investigate spatio-temporal water variation responses. This study focuses on the Nile basin and utilizes the integration of TWS extracted from GRACE data solutions and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data sets to interpret the average annual/seasonal variation of Terrestrial Total Water Mass. Terrestrial total Water Storage (TWS) was obtained from GRACE data on monthly basis over the period of January 2003–Jul 2016.156 gravity field solutions (RL06 unconstrained solutions) were analyzed and processed as follows: (1) Removing of temporal mean, destriping, smoothing with 250 km radius, (2) Generation of Trend and Standard deviation (SD) images over the entire period, (3) All mass anomalies derived from GRACE data were explicated as an indicator for water mass changes, (4) Topographic, geological and hydrological data were compared to the preformed SD GRACE spatial distribution anomalies utilizing GIS workspace data pool to recognize areas addressing major and significant temporal variations in mass considering the affecting parameters that lead to such observed rise in those variations. Generally, both the analyzed, processed GRACE and TRMM data sets as well as the resulted TWS, SD and trend images displayed a statistically increasing trend in the seasonal water mass over the entire Nile basin as an average in the investigated period (2003–2016). The results show a significant increasing trend during 2013–2016-time segment especially over the northern region. • 156 gravity field solutions (RL06 unconstrained solutions) were analyzed and processed. • Interpretation of GRACE TWS , trend images and SD images in addition to the TRMM precipitation coverage. • Monitoring and mapping of the spatio-temporal variation in the total water mass during 2003–2016. • The results were highly successful and effective for imaging the water mass variation through time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is major viral contributor to bovine respiratory disease (BRD). BRD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in all classes of cattle but particularly young beef and dairy calves. Passive antibodies not only help protect the calf against infection, but may interfere with the immune responses following vaccination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an adjuvanted modified live virus (MLV) vaccine in the presence of well-defined maternal passive immunity. Calves were vaccinated at approximately 1 month of age and challenged ~90 days later when BRSV systemic antibodies were ≤1:4. Body temperature was lower at 6 and 7 days post challenge and other clinical signs were also lower in the vaccinates. Nasal viral shed was 3–4 times lower in the vaccinated animals as measured by virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and peaked 5 days post challenge compared to the controls (who peaked at days 6 and 7). On day 8 following challenge, animals were necropsied, and lung lobes were scored and tested for virus by PCR and indirect fluorescent assay (IFA). There was a 25-fold reduction in PCR virus detection in vaccinates and two of the vaccinated calves' lungs were PCR negative. Only 29.4% of vaccinated calves were BRSV positive on IFA testing at necropsy, while 87.5% of control calves were BRSV positive. Vaccinated calves developed a mucosal BRSV IgA response with over 50% of the vaccinated calves having IgA prior to challenge and all vaccinated calves were positive following challenge. Additionally, vaccination stimulated the production of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in mononuclear cells to prime the immune system. This study established that an adjuvanted MLV vaccine could provide protection against BRSV as measured by clinical, virological, and pathological parameters while also activating both mucosal and systemic immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to assess the effect of irradiation on the shelf-life of pseudo-dairy food product consisting of different concentration levels of the structural and energy-giving caloric component macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate). Gamma irradiated products (1 kGy, 3 kGy, 5 kGy and 10 kGy) were compared to the current procedure used by the industry of non-irradiated dairy products. The study looked at the impact of different treatments on storage quality in respect to physicochemical (pH, acidity, macronutrients), and microbiological properties [total viable count (TVC)]. The products were aseptically packaged in plastic containers and analysed at regular weekly intervals up until 100 days during refrigerated storage at 4 ± 1 °C. The storage period did not bring about any significant change in physicochemical properties of the products throughout the period of study while the TVC displayed a linear regression for irradiated products stored at 4 ± 1 °C as well as the control (non-irradiated). At the end of the shelf-life trial (benchmarked at log 4.3 CFU/g), the total viable count did not exceed log 3.94 CFU/g for samples treated at 10 kGy after 100 days of analysis. These observations indicated that the product could be safely stored aerobically for > 100days (10 and 5 kGy), 56days at (3 kGy), 42 days at (1 kGy) for the irradiated samples' and 14–28 days for the non-irradiated samples without much change in physicochemical and microbiological properties using refrigerated storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main goal of optimal thawing is to minimize thawing time with least damage to the quality of frozen food products. Microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) applications have potential for their use in industrial thawing. Higher penetration depths of RF contribute to a better distribution of energy generated by the interaction between food and electromagnetic field, and thus help to improve the heating uniformity and to minimize runaway heating. Modeling is one way to design and to optimize such process where complexities due to coupling the heat transfer with phase change and the solution of electric field are faced. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to develop a computational model to determine temperature distribution in frozen lean beef during thawing and experimentally validate the model. For this purpose, a commercial software, based on finite element method, was used to solve coupled heat conduction and electric field in a 3D domain with temperature dependent thermo-physical and dielectric properties. Experimental data used to validate the model referred to a 50 Ω and a free-running oscillator RF systems with various sized samples. Comparison of simulation results agreed well with experimental data, and the mathematical model was reported to be used for designing RF systems to mitigate the effect of overheating at the surfaces of the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]