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AbstractRajkumar, R., Singh, S.K., Agarwal, S.K., Mahmood, S. and Shankar, U. 2010. Effect of selective COX- 2 inhibitor on conception rate, progesterone and PGFM profile in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). J. Appl. Anim. Res, 38: 209–212.To determine the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor (Meloxicam) on conception rate, progesterone and 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α(PGFM) profile, buffaloes in estrus were inseminated and divided into two equal groups. Meloxicam was injected @ 0.5 mg/kg body weight in tramuscularly on d 13, 14 and 15 post-insemination to treatment group and normal saline into control group. Conception rate was higher (20%) in the meloxicam treated buffaloes. Serum progesterone concentration did not differ (P>0.05) between the two groups. However, it was higher (P<0.05) on day 18, 21 and 24 post-insemination in pregnant animals indicating maintenance of CL and thus pregnancy. The serum PGFM concentration was (P<0.01) lower on d 15 in meloxicam treated pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes indicating decrease in PGF2αsecretion following administration of a selective COX-2 inhibitor. The results demonstrated beneficial effect of selective COX-2 inhibitor on conception rate in buffalo.

Locally applicable information about climate and soil properties can help farmers identify opportunities and reduce risks associated with changing to new land uses. This article describes techniques for preparing high‐resolution regional maps and GIS surfaces of agriculturally relevant climate parameters. Ways of combining these climate surfaces with soil data and information about the physical requirements of crops to identify areas likely to be the most suitable for new high‐value crops are then outlined. Innovative features include methods for merging observations from temporary climate stations installed for one to two years in conjunction with longer‐term climate station observations to improve input data for the maps, and techniques for mapping quantiles of climatic factors that may constrain agricultural operations. Examples are the expected ‘one‐in‐five year’ first and last frost dates, and the ‘one‐in‐five year’ lowest and highest seasonal rainfalls. The use of night‐time satellite infrared observations to improve spatial resolution of frost hazard maps is also described. Typical standard errors of these climate mapping techniques are summarised. The benefits of ongoing consultation with local farmers and local government staff during the design and implementation of climate/soil/crop potential studies are described. These include optimising products to meet local needs, quality control of the resulting maps and GIS surfaces through local knowledge, and improved uptake of information by users. Further applications of techniques described in this paper include products useful to the energy sector, preparation of daily gridded climate data estimates for use in water quality and plant growth modelling, and development of regional climate change scenarios. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Locally applicable information about climate and soil properties can help farmers identify opportunities and reduce risks associated with changing to new land uses. This article describes techniques for preparing high-resolution regional maps and GIS surfaces of agriculturally relevant climate parameters. Ways of combining these climate surfaces with soil data and information about the physical requirements of crops to identify areas likely to be the most suitable for new high-value crops are then outlined. Innovative features include methods for merging observations from temporary climate stations installed for one to two years in conjunction with longer-term climate station observations to improve input data for the maps, and techniques for mapping quantiles of climatic factors that may constrain agricultural operations. Examples are the expected ‘one-in-five year’ first and last frost dates, and the ‘one-in-five year’ lowest and highest seasonal rainfalls. The use of night-time satellite infrared observations to improve spatial resolution of frost hazard maps is also described. Typical standard errors of these climate mapping techniques are summarised. The benefits of ongoing consultation with local farmers and local government staff during the design and implementation of climate/soil/crop potential studies are described. These include optimising products to meet local needs, quality control of the resulting maps and GIS surfaces through local knowledge, and improved uptake of information by users. Further applications of techniques described in this paper include products useful to the energy sector, preparation of daily gridded climate data estimates for use in water quality and plant growth modelling, and development of regional climate change scenarios.

The sensitivity of an important aquatic macrophyte, duckweed (Lemna major), to UV-B radiation was studied under experimental conditions at three different doses designated as no, mild, and severe injury dose by observing visible injury symptoms and estimating levels of chlorophyll, pheophytin, carotenoids, protein, starch, free sugar, and peroxidase activity. Laboratory-grown duckweed plants were exposed to UV-B radiation at 0.4 mW/cm2 intensity for different time periods. Mild and severe injury were developed at 6.48 and 8.64 J, respectively. Peroxidase activity increased at all the exposure levels. Dose-dependent decrease in chlorophyll and starch with drastic depletion in protein and free sugar content were observed. Pheophytin and carotenoids content increased at no injury level, but decreased at higher exposure level. The results indicate that ambient UV-B radiation at the indicated level acts as a physiological stress in Lemna major.

Exact solutions are presented for the load‐deflection behavior of a free‐free beam on an elastic (Winkler type) foundation, which is subjected to a concentrated load at midlength. Two constitutive models are considered: Rigid‐perfectly‐plastic and elastic‐perfectly‐plastic (ideal section), and in each case the problem is reduced to the solution of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation with associated initial conditions. The initial value problems are solved numerically using the fourth order Runge‐Kutta method. For loads greater than the threshold value at which the three‐hinge mechanism forms, both exact solutions produce practically identical results for long beams. This leads to the conclusion that elastic effects are insignificant in a long elastic plastic floating beam, after the three‐hinge mechanism is formed. The second iteration solution of an approximate method of analysis for the rigid‐plastic beam is also presented. Good agreement is found between the approximate and the exact rigid‐plastic results.

Androgen replacement therapy is usually indicated for testicular and hypothalamopituitary disease. A decision to initiate testosterone treatment should be based on clinical symptoms supported by levels of total testosterone consistently in the hypogonadal (rather than low-normal) range. Free testosterone may be useful in situations in which sex hormone-binding globulin levels are altered. However, the usefulness of free testosterone measurement in the diagnosis of androgen deficiency remains unproven. Carcinoma of the prostate or breast is the main contraindication for androgen therapy. The efficacy and safety of androgen replacement for classical hypogonadism are well proven from extensive clinical experience. The choice of preparation depends on age, convenience, cost, availability and patient preference. Parenteral preparations are the mainstay of androgen replacement therapy. Newer formulations include transdermal patches and gels, depot intramuscular injections and buccal tablets; though more expensive, these offer the advantage of ease of administration, while avoiding the supraphysiological levels commonly seen with parenteral preparations. Short-acting preparations are preferred when rapid discontinuation is advantageous, as in older men. In recent years, there is increasing interest in the possible benefits of androgens in non-classical situations (e.g. ageing, erectile dysfunction, wasting disease such as HIV in men, female hypoactive sexual disorders). Translation of these areas of research into routine clinical practice will require more support from clinical trial data.