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In this work, the extended isogeometric analysis (XIGA) is presented for the analysis of cracks in elastic material subjected to thermal, mechanical, and thermo-mechanical loading. The comparative study on the effect of mechanical and combined thermo-mechanical load on stress intensity factors (SIFs) is performed. Two types of cracks, i.e., isothermal and adiabatic crack, is considered for the simulation. The crack is modeled using suitable enrichment functions. A modified domain-based interaction integral approach is used to extract the SIFs. Several simulations are performed to validate the accuracy of the results. Moreover, the effect of discontinuities (e.g., voids) on SIFs is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a feedforward control strategy for suppressing the contact bounces in electrostatically driven microswitches. The mathematical model is first developed, including the effects of mid-plane stretching, fringing field capacitance, squeeze-film damping together with the effect of elastic contact with the stationary dielectric substrate. The contact between the movable and the stationary electrodes is modeled as a foundation made by a combination of nonlinear springs and dampers. To discretize the system of partial differential equations of the electrostatic switch into ordinary differential equations, the Galerkin’s method is employed. Both fixed–fixed and fixed–free configurations of the switch are investigated. A parametric study is presented to establish the robustness and efficacy of the proposed technique to mitigate the contact bounces. Additionally, the effect of variation in the extent of damping, stretching parameter and input voltage on switching time is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Status of deltamethrin resistance was evaluated in Rhipicephalus microplus collected from six districts of Jammu and Kashmir using larval packet test (LPT). Regression graphs of probit mortality of larval ticks plotted against log values of concentration of drug were utilised for the determination of slope of mortality, lethal concentration for 50% (LC50), 95% (LC95) and resistance factor (RF). Out of six isolates, resistance to deltamethrin at level I was detected in two isolates (RF = 2.41-3.60) and at level II in one isolate (RF = 8.08). The resistance level in Doda, Kishtwar and Kulgam isolates could not be detected as all larvae in all the concentrations were died. Data generated on deltamethrin resistance status of ticks in north-western Himalayan region will provide new insights in acaricidal resistance particularly from remote areas of this region and will help in formulating suitable control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cryptosporidial infection, very scarce literature is available about periparturient pattern of oocyst excretion in goats and its implications in the epidemiology of disease in kids; thus the present investigation was done. Faecal samples (160) were examined from 20 pregnant goats, collected at weekly interval, commencing from 4 weeks before kidding up to 3 weeks after kidding. Faecal sample examination by Sheather's floatation sedimentation technique followed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique revealed an overall positivity of 26.25% for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Prevalence of oocysts excretion was high around parturition and the number of oocysts shed oscillated between 20-400 oocysts/g (OPG) of faeces. Examination of 60 faecal samples of 20 kids born to studied goats from 1 to 3 weeks of age revealed 40% samples positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts and 65% kids became infected by the end of the 3 weeks. The OPG of kids ranged from 100 to 1,560. Molecular characterization by PCR-RFLP of 18S small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene showed that 73.80% and 26.19% goat samples, and 87.5% and 12.5% kids samples were positive for C. parvum and C. ubiquitum, respectively. The study indicated periparturient transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. from pregnant goats to their new born kids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feeding trial of three months duration was conducted on 12 male Gir calves (10-16 months age;111.20 kg average b.wt.), divided into two equal groups based on their body weight. Group-1 (G-I) was unsupplemented control, whereas group-2 (G-II) was supplemented with mineral mixture containing all important deficient trace minerals including Ca, P, Na, Cl, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, K and I. Animals of both the groups were fed with similar basal ration containing ad lib wheat straw and measured quantity of concentrate mixture according to body weight as per requirement. Haematological parameters and trace mineral status of blood of animals of both groups were estimated at monthly interval. Results revealed that mineral supplementation significantly (Pd"0.05) increased blood urea, phosphorus and zinc; whereas increase in haemoglobin, glucose, total serum proteins, albumin, globulin, magnesium and copper was highly significant (P<0.01). Status of creatinine, SGPT, SGOT and ALP activity, calcium, manganese and iron in serum remained unaffected in both the groups. It was concluded that mineral supplementation is inevitable for ruminant animals in arid and semi-arid regions to maintain the blood biochemical constituents and serum mineral status under field as well as under farm condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with a study which evaluated the status of resistance against deltamethrin in Rhipicephalus microplus (R. microplus) of India's Jammu region. Topics discussed include the dose response curves for egg masses, reproductive index and inhibition of oviposition, and the economic impact of tick infestation in domestic animals.

In vitro efficacy of ethanolic extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Ageratum conyzoides and Artemisia absinthium was assessed on Rhipicephalus microplus using adult immersion test (AIT). Five concentrations of the extract (1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) with three replications for each concentration were used in the bioassay. In AIT, the maximum mortality was recorded as 40% and 66.7% at 20% concentration for A. conyzoides and A. absinthium, respectively. Acaricidal activity was found to be higher in the extract of A. absinthium with LC50 and LC95 values of 11.2% and 61.7%, respectively. Egg mass weight of the live ticks treated with different concentrations of the extracts was significantly (?? < 0.05) lower than that of control ticks; consequently, the reproductive index and oviposition values of the treated ticks were reduced significantly (?? < 0.05). The A. conyzoides inhibited 90% hatching of eggs at the 20% concentration, whereas A. absinthium showed 100% inhibition at 5%, 10%, and 20% concentrations.The results show that A. absinthium has better acaricidal properties than A. conyzoides and could be useful in controlling R. microplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro efficacy of methanolic extract of Atropa belladonna and its components scopolamine and atropine was assessed against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Five concentrations of the extract (1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 20%) were used whereas scopolamine and atropine were each tested at 0.1%. In adult immersion test, the extract was lethal to ticks at 20% concentration.The LC50 and LC95 values were determined as 6.875% and 17.306%, respectively.The extract caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in egg mass production at 10% concentration. In larval packet test, the extract was lethal to larvae in the concentrations of 10% and 20% after 24 h, with LC50 and LC95 values of 1.321% and 4.935%, respectively. Scopolamine and atropine showed 93.3% and 60.0% mortality of adult ticks, respectively, but they caused complete (100%) blocking of hatching as well as 100% larval mortality. Scopolamine and atropine were observed to be more potent than the crude extract at an equivalent concentration in both the bioassays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study aimed at establishing the epidemiology of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodosis in sheep of two regions of Uttarakhand over a six year period. The study area is comprised of two zones namely tarai and hills. From January 2001 to December 2006, faecal samples of sheep were randomly collected on a monthly basis and they were brought to the laboratory for examination to determine the presence or absence of eggs of GI nematodes. A table that shows the prevalence of GI nematodes in sheep of Uttarakhand State is provided.

Occurrence of haemoprotozoan diseases in 72 young bovine calves was investigated from January, 2008 to June, 2009 in semi arid Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was observed that 25% of the animals were infected with one or other haemoprotozoan parasites. However species wise prevalence data revealed that Theileria annulata predominated (12.5%), followed by Anaplasma spp. (11.1%) and Babesia spp (4.2%). Concurrent infections with T. annulata and Anaplasma spp. were witnessed in two (2.8%) calves. The parasitaemia however, predominated with Anaplasma spp. (50-65%) followed by Theileria spp. (30-40%) and Babesia spp. (20-30%). Interestingly, transplacental fatal theileriosis in a three day old calf, analogous to human malaria has been pioneering documentation for further systematic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the prevalence of ixodid ticks, 1660 cattle were examined from organised and unorganised cattle farms from eight districts of Jammu region during July 2016 to June 2017. Out of these, 667 animals (40.18%) were found to be positive for ixodid tick infestation. Among the ixodid ticks, only one species i.e. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was recorded. Among the various agro-climatic zones, the highest prevalence was recorded in low altitude sub-tropical zone. A significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence was recorded in monsoon season as compared to other seasons. Agewise, the animals aged <6 months had the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment was carried out for six weeks at Government poultry farm, Khatipura, Jaipur. A total of 135 day-old Giriraja chicks were divided into three treatment groups of 45 chicks which were further subdivided into three equal replicates of 15 chicks each. The ascorbic acid and herbal vitamin C (Ayucee) were supplemented through drinking water at the rate of 250 mg/l and 2 ml/l for starter, 3 ml/l for finisher, respectively. Various treatment groups and their designation used in this study were T1 control group, vitamin C incorporated T2 and Ayucee incorporated T3 group. The average body weight and weight gain revealed significant effect of both source of vitamin C throughout the experimental period. Both sources of vitamin C had no significant effect on feed consumption. The effect of both vitamin C sources on feed conversion efficiency was significant (P<0.05) at starter (week I-III) and finisher stage (week IV-VI), and over all feed conversion ratio (FCR). The mortality revealed no significant differences due to any treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses an Indian study which determined the comparative efficacy of pour-on preparations of eprinomecin and ivermectin against natural infection of Toxocara vitolorum in 18 buffalo calves of R.S. Pura in Jammu, India. The researchers found that a single treatment significantly reduced the gastrointestinal nematode's egg counts on day 21 post-treatment (PT). The study also showed that eprinomectin was more effective against ascariosis than ivermectin.

The article focuses on the efficiency of pour-on preparations of eprinomectin and ivermectin against strongylosis in buffaloes. A total of 18 buffaloes from the village Chak-siyan, R.S.A Paru was selected by the authors for their study and according to their coproculture study, larvae of Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus spp was identified. They conclude that ivermectin at 0.2 milligram per kilogram is best against strongylosis.

The article discusses research on the comparative efficacy of drugs spectrum anthelmintics albendazole, pyrantel pamoate and ivermectin in treating strongylosis in horses. It describes the selection of horses from various locations in the Indian state of Rajasthan and the drug dosages administered to the animals. The notable efficacy of the oral preparation of ivermectin against strongyle infection and the absence of any adverse reactions to the drug are reported.