Relationship between calving difficulty and fertility traits in first‐parity Iranian Holsteins under standard and recursive models

The main objective of this study was to estimate the genetic and phenotypic relationships between calving difficulty (CD) and fertility traits, including success at first service (SF), number of inseminations to conception (INS), interval from calving to first service (CTFS), interval between first and last service (IFL) and days open (DO), in first‐parity Iranian Holsteins under standard (SMMs) and recursive (RMMs) mixed models. The data analysed in this paper included 29 950 records on CD and fertility traits, collected in the time period from 1995 to 2014 by the Animal Breeding and Improvement Center of Iran. Under all observed SMMs and RMMs, five bivariate sire‐maternal grandsire models (ten bivariate analyses in total) were used for the analyses. Recursive models were applied with a view to consider that CD influences the fertility traits in the subsequent reproductive cycle and the genetic determination of CD and fertility traits by fitting CD as covariate for any of the fertility traits studied. The existence of such cause‐and‐effect is considered in RMMs but not in SMMs. Our results implied a statistically non‐zero magnitude of the causal relationships between CD and all the fertility traits studied, with the former influencing the latter. The causal effects of CD on SF (on the observed scale, %), INS, CTFS, IFL and DO were ?2.23%, 0.10 services, 1.93 days, 3.76 days and 5.61 days, respectively. Direct genetic correlations between CD and the fertility traits under both models were not statistically different from zero (95% HPD interval included zero), except for the correlation between CD and CTFS, which were 0.197 and 0.134 under SMM and RMM, respectively, indicating that genes associated with difficult births also increase intervals between calving and the first insemination afterwards. Comparison of both models by the deviance information criterion (DIC) demonstrated the plausibility of RMMs over SMMs.     

Investigation on the effect of titanium dioxide nano particles on camouflage properties of cotton fabrics

Cotton fabrics were dyed with three commercial vat dyes in order to provide camouflage in Vis-NIR regions and imitate reflectance profile of greenish leaves. To investigate the effect of nano particles on camouflage properties of dyed fabric, nano particles of TiO₂ were applied on dyed fabrics using pad-dry-cure method. The nano TiO₂ padded dyed fabrics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Reflectance curves of coated dyed samples with different concentrations of nano TiO₂ were measured. Results showed that in both of the standard shades, nano TiO₂ increases the reflectance value in NIR region and with increasing the concentration of nano TiO₂, the reflectance curves of samples tend to show the maximum reflection of greenish leaves (deciduous leaves) in NIR region. Chromatic values (CIE1976 L*, a*, and b*) and color difference (according to CIECMC color difference ΔE*cmc (2:1)) of each of the coated samples were measured using the reflection spectrophotometer. By considering the influence of white color of nano TiO₂ on green shade of dyed cotton fabrics and increasing the color difference (between coated samples and the standard shades of the 1948 U.S army pattern) in visible range, optimum concentrations of nano TiO₂ for development of camouflage properties on cotton fabrics in both NIR and visible region were determined. These values for NATO and forest green shades were 0.75 % and 0.5 %, respectively. Fastness results showed that both of the samples have acceptable color fastness. The effect of washing and exposure to light on camouflage properties of coated dyed fabrics in visible (in term of chromatic values) and NIR region (in term of spectral reflectance) was investigated when those were coated in optimum concentrations of nano TiO₂. The results showed that the effect of after treatments (washing and exposure to light) on surface color spectral characteristics and camouflage properties was inconsiderable.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel reactive dyes with simultaneous insect-repellent and anti-bacterial properties

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is widely used as an insect-repellent. Sulfonamides are an important class of anti-bacterial drugs. In order to combine the strength of anti-bacterial activities of sulfonamides and insect-repellent property of DEET, three azo reactive dyes were designed and synthesized. To do this, the diazoniom salts of sulfonamides viz. 4-amino-N-(4-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl) benzene sulfonamide, 4-amino-N-(4-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl) benzene sulfonamide and 4-amino-N-(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl) benzene sulfonamide were prepared using HCl and NaNO₂. The resulting diazoniom salts were then coupled to the coupling component containing N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide to produce the novel dyes. The synthesized dyes were filtered off and then purified. To investigate and analyze the dyes, analytical methods such as ¹H-NMR, FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopy, and elemental analysis were used. Consequently, the anti-bacterial activities of dyes were measured with E. coli and P. aeruginosa as a Gram-negative strain and S. aureus and S. mutans as a Gram-positive strain according to MIC method. The insect-repellent efficacy of the dyes was studied using standard methods for Anophle mosquito repellent. The results confirmed anti-bacterial and insect-repellent activity of the dyes.     

Developing scoring functions for soil quality to assess land suitability for irrigated wheat in Southern Algeria

Efficient land-use management could be optimized through appropriate advice regarding land suitability and achieving a reasonable yield while preserving soil and environmental conditions. The main objective of this study was to determine and define those locations capable of wheat cultivation with irrigation in the municipality of N’goussa (Southern Algeria). Expert opinion (EO) method was used for selecting minimum soil data set (MDS_-EO), where six influencing soil properties (sand, pH, salinity, organic matter, gypsum and lime) and other three key parameters (slope, land use/land cover, and proximity to roads and electricity network) were considered important for irrigated wheat cultivation in the study area. Indicators were weighted according to principal component analysis (PCA) loadings and summed. PCA revealed that the selected nine indicators are appropriate for accounting 73.63% of the total variance. Two maps of land suitability were created here (expressed as a soil quality index within a range from 0 to 1) from multivariate analysis and already known standard scoring functions (SSFs) by using two data sets (pure and scored). The distribution of soil quality index (IQI) showed that above 70% of the land was moderately (MS) to highly suitable (HS) for irrigated wheat. The estimation accuracy of soil quality classes has been evaluated using random forests (RF), having as a dependent variable the final class of land suitability used in each map. It was determined that estimation accuracy could reach 60% (pure data set) and 65% (scored data set) at 0.5 cut-off value for soil quality classes. Final prioritizing according to ranks of sensitivity index (SI) and efficiency ratio (ER) showed that IQI obtained from scored data set is the most suitable approach in soil quality assessment of arid areas. Therefore, it could be applied in southern Algeria for land management, integrated planning and environmental assessments.     

Genetic and phenotypic aspects of early reproductive performance in Raeini Cashmere goats

This study used pedigree information and data collected from 1979 to 2012 at the Raeini Cashmere goat breeding station, located in Baft City in Kerman Province in southeastern Iran. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for early reproductive traits of breeding does, including total numbers of kids born at first kidding (LSB1), total numbers of kids weaned at first kidding (LSW1), total birth weight of all kids born at first kidding (LWB1), total weaning weight of all kids weaned at first kidding (LWW1), and age at first kidding (AFK), were estimated using a Bayesian approach via Gibbs sampling. Posterior means for heritability estimates of LSB1, LSW1, LWB1, LWW1, and AFK were statistically significant, with values of 0.12, 0.23, 0.17, 0.15, and 0.46, respectively. Low-to-moderate additive genetic variation was present for the studied reproductive traits. Estimated genetic correlations among LSB1, LSW1, LWB1, and LWW1 were statistically significant and ranged from 0.12 between LWB1 and LWW1 to 0.72 between LSB1 and LSW1. Corresponding phenotypic correlation estimates were also statistically significant and ranged from 0.04 between LWB1 and LWW1 to 0.55 between LSB1 and LSW1. Posterior means of genetic and phenotypic correlations between AFK and other studied traits were statistically significant only for LSB1 and LWB1. For LSB1, LSW1, LWB1, and LWW1, we conclude that genetic and phenotypic improvement in any of these traits in Raeini Cashmere does would favorably influence all of the other traits. However, does that first kidded at younger ages have smaller litters at birth and lower litter birth weights at their first parity.

     

Thermo-regulating nanofibers based on nylon 6,6/polyethylene glycol blend

Renewable energies as well as saving energy in suitable forms are of great challenges in the field of energy storage. Phase change materials (PCM) are one of the latent heat storage materials. They can produce high density of energy storage during phase change. However, there is a risk of material leakage during their phase change. Electrospinning could lead to thermo-regulating nanofibers of leakage free form-stable PCMs. For this purpose, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 as a PCM together with nylon 6,6 as supporting material was electrospun in different blend ratios. Morphology and diameter of the produced nanofibers were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The average nanofibers diameter was in the range of 178 to 507 nm for different blend ratios. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the composite samples have high heat capacity and good energy saving properties. As-spun nanofibers were successfully changed to a formstable thermo-regulating nanocomposite using a suitable cross-linking agent.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel monoazo disperse dyes derived from N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimide on poly(ethylene terphthalate)

A series of novel monoazo disperse dyes based on N-carboxylic acid-1,8-naphthalimides have been synthesized via 4-(4-amino-1,8-naphthalimido) butanoic acid as diazo components and various couplers. The synthesized dyes were characterized with elemental analysis, differential scanning colorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV-visible spectroscopic techniques. The molar extinction coefficient, wavelength maxima, and solvatochromism effect were obtained using chloroform, acetone, and N,N-dimethyl formamide as solvent. The results showed that the synthesized dyes had molar extinction coefficient of 20908 to 38939 l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, wavelength maxima of 409–549 nm, and positive solvatochromism by changing solvent from chloroform to N,N-dimethyl formamide. The synthesized dyes were applied on poly(ethylene terephthalate) using high temperature method. Dyes 1 and 2 showed high build-up properties on poly(ethylene terephthalate), whereas dyes 3 and 4 offered medium build-up. All the dyes offered excellent heat fastness, good wash and rubbing fastnesses on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics. The hydrolysis of the synthesized dyes in alkali media indicated that the presence of a carboxylic acid group within the dye molecules provides alkali-clearable potential.     

Fattening performance of purebred and crossbred lambs from fat-tailed Kurdi ewes mated to four Iranian native ram breeds

A crossbreeding experiment was carried out to determine the sire breed effects on fattening performance of fat-tailed lambs. Rams from four Iranian fat-tailed sheep breeds, namely Kurdi (K), Afshari (A), Chaal (C) and Sanjabi (S) were mated to Kurdi ewes producing 454 progeny of four genotype groups (KK, AK, CK and SK). A total of 80 lambs comprising ten female and ten male lambs from each genotype group were used in a fattening experiment during a period of 88 days. Genotype of the lamb had significant effect on average dry matter intake (ADMI) (P < 0.05). SK lambs had the lowest ADMI. Average daily gain (ADG) and food conversion ratio (FCR) were not influenced by genotype of the lamb. Sex of the lamb had significant effect on both ADG and FCR (P < 0.01). Slaughter weight (SLW), hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW) and daily carcass gain (DCG) were not affected by lamb's genotype. However, genotype had significant effect on dressing percentage, carcass loss percentage (P < 0.01), carcass length (CL), leg circumference (LC), carcass compactness (CC) (P < 0.01) and carcass density (CD) (P < 0.05). Carcass width (CW) and leg length (LL) were not affected by lamb's genotype. Sex of the lamb had significant effects on CL, CW, LC, CC, CD (P < 0.01) and LL (P < 0.05). The results indicated the existence of sire breed difference for daily dry matter intake and carcass conformation in the fat-tailed sheep.     

Possibility of modifying the growth trajectory in Raeini Cashmere goat

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of modifying the growth trajectory in Raeini Cashmere goat breed. In total, 13,193 records on live body weight collected from 4788 Raeini Cashmere goats were used. According to Akanke’s information criterion (AIC), the sing-trait random regression model included fourth-order Legendre polynomial for direct and maternal genetic effect; maternal and individual permanent environmental effect was the best model for estimating (co)variance components. The matrices of eigenvectors for (co)variances between random regression coefficients of direct additive genetic were used to calculate eigenfunctions, and different eigenvector indices were also constructed. The obtained results showed that the first eigenvalue explained 79.90% of total genetic variance. Therefore, changing the body weights applying the first eigenfunction will be obtained rapidly. Selection based on the first eigenvector will cause favorable positive genetic gains for all body weight considered from birth to 12 months of age. For modifying the growth trajectory in Raeini Cashmere goat, the selection should be based on the second eigenfunction. The second eigenvalue accounted for 14.41% of total genetic variance for body weights that is low in comparison with genetic variance explained by the first eigenvalue. The complex patterns of genetic change in growth trajectory observed under the third and fourth eigenfunction and low amount of genetic variance explained by the third and fourth eigenvalues.