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Abstract Complex permittivity of Corn, Jowar, Ashoka and Banana plant leaves was measured using a Vector Network Analyzer (Anritsu Shockline Model-MS46322A) over 500 MHz to 15 GHz frequency range, at different moisture contents. The dielectric constant ( $$\varepsilon$$ ε ′) and dielectric loss ( $$\varepsilon$$ ε ″) of the leaves decrease with decrease in moisture content over this frequency range. For the leaves having moisture content less than certain critical moisture level (CML), the values of $$\varepsilon$$ ε ′ and $$\varepsilon$$ ε ” remain almost constant with frequency variation. $$\varepsilon$$ ε ″ does not increase appreciably with the increase in moisture content up to CML. CML is found to vary for different types of leaves. At higher moisture level, $$\varepsilon$$ ε ′ and $$\varepsilon$$ ε ″ exhibit frequency dependence. Above certain moisture level in the leaves, $$\varepsilon$$ ε ″ starts to increase slowly with the increase in frequency above 3 GHz approaching towards the dielectric relaxation of water. The values of $$\varepsilon$$ ε ′ and $$\varepsilon$$ ε ″ were also measured for the extract of leaves and compared with the values calculated using Stogryn equations for the same salinity, and the results agree with the calculated values. The measured values of $$\varepsilon$$ ε ′ and $$\varepsilon$$ ε ″ for the leaves were compared with the values calculated using Debye–Cole dual dispersion dielectric model and are found to match very well.

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of supplementation of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seed (CS) on the production performance, nutrient digestibility and hemato-biochemical profiles of lactating Mehsana goats. Twenty lactating Mehsana goats (7 days post-partum) were assigned randomly into two groups (10 animals in each), control (CON: fed basal diet without supplement) and treatment (CS: basal diet supplemented with 10 g/animal/d of CS) for the duration of 60 days. The final body weight was significantly higher (38.09 vs. 34.04 kg) in the animals of CS group than the CON group. Feeding of cumin seed to the lactating goats did not influence daily dry matter intake. However, cumin seed supplementation increased milk yield (985 vs. 859 g/d), 4% FCM (818 vs 623 g/d) and ECM (952 vs. 742 g/d) as compared to the CON group. The percentages of milk fat, SNF, total solids and lactose were also improved by the supplementation of cumin seed. Apparent digestibility of dry matter was comparable in CON and CS groups. However, the digestibilities of crude protein (58.19 vs. 66.97%), crude fibre (47.05 vs. 55.28%), ether extract (67.00 vs.75.82%) and nitrogen free extract (65.25 vs. 75.32%) were significantly improved in cumin supplemented group. There was no effect on haematological parameters between the CON and CS groups. The supplementation of cumin has significantly improved glucose concentration in CS group when compared to the CON group. The concentrations of other estimated blood metabolites were not affected by the cumin supplementation in lactating goats. Based on the results of the present study, it can be concluded that cumin supplementation in the diet of lactating Mehsana goats at the rate of 10 g/d improved milk yield, nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency without any adverse effect on haemato-biochemical parameters

First lactation production records of 7,825 Mehsana buffaloes, sired by 200 sires maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana over a period of 25 years (1989-2013), were utilised for estimation of breeding value of the first lactation milk yield using BLUP - Univariate sire model and animal model using WOMBAT software. The study aimed to find out the optimum number of daughters that may be sufficient for more accurate and unbiased estimate of breeding value of Mehsana buffalo bulls. The effectiveness of different models run with different daughters per sire for sire evaluation was judged on the basis of within-sire variance. The maximum and minimum estimated breeding values were 1924.04 l (BLUP-AM, 5 daughters/sire) and 1855.61 l (BLUP-SM, 30 daughters/sire), respectively. However, error variance estimated was highest when five daughters/sire were evaluated and lowest, when 30 daughters/sire were evaluated. The present study revealed that the sire evaluation with sires having minimum 5, 10 and 15 daughters are equally efficient. However, if we do evaluation with sires having daughters more than 20, 25 or 30, additional accuracy of approximately 2.5%, 3% and 5%, respectively may be obtained.

Endogenous FLOWERING LOCUS T homolog MeFT1 was transgenically overexpressed under control of a strong constitutive promoter in cassava cultivar 60444 to determine its role in regulation of flowering and as a potential tool to accelerate cassava breeding. Early profuse flowering was recorded in-vitro in all ten transgenic plant lines recovered, causing eight lines to die within 21 days of culture. The two surviving transgenic plant lines flowered early and profusely commencing as soon as 14 days after establishment in soil in the greenhouse. Both transgenic lines sustained early flowering across the vegetative propagation cycle, with first flowering recorded 30-50 days after planting stakes compared to 90 days for non-transgenic controls. Transgenic plant lines completed five flowering cycles within 200 days in the greenhouse as opposed to twice flowering event in the controls. Constitutive overexpression of MeFT1 generated fully mature male and female flowers and produced a bushy phenotype due to significantly increased flowering-induced branching. Flower induction by MeFT1 overexpression was not graft-transmissible and negatively affected storage root development. Accelerated flowering in transgenic plants was associated with significantly increased mRNA levels of MeFT1 and the three floral meristem identity genes MeAP1, MeLFY and MeSOC1 in shoot apical tissues. These findings imply that MeFT1 encodes flower induction and triggers flowering by recruiting downstream floral meristem identity genes.

Abstract This study models a joint pricing, inventory, and preservation decision-making problem for deteriorating items subject to stochastic demand and promotional effort. The generalized price-dependent stochastic demand, time proportional deterioration, and partial backlogging rates are used to model the inventory system. The objective is to find the optimal pricing, replenishment, and preservation technology investment strategies while maximizing the total profit per unit time. Based on the partial backlogging and lost sale cases, we first deduce the criterion for optimal replenishment schedules for any given price and technology investment cost. Second, we show that, respectively, total profit per time unit is concave function of price and preservation technology cost. At the end, some numerical examples and the results of a sensitivity analysis are used to illustrate the features of the proposed model.

First lactation data on 7,782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 sires maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana over a period of 24 years (1989–2012) were used to estimate least-squares means (LSM) and breeding value of the first lactation fat yield (FLFY) and average fat percentage (AFP) using univariate and bivariate models with the help of WOMBAT software. The effectiveness of different sire evaluation models using FLFY and AFP were compared on the basis of error variance, coefficient of determination (CV%), R2-value, AIC, BIC and Spearman’s rank correlation. The average estimate of FLFY and AFP was 135.04±0.57 kg and 7.11±0.11% in Mehsana buffaloes. These estimates were significantly affected by period and season of calving, and age at first calving group. The average expected breeding value of Mehsana buffalo bulls for FLFY and AFP were 133.24 kg and 7.14% using sire model (BLUP-SM), 135.71 kg and 7.22% using univariate animal model (BLUP-U-AM) and 133.23 kg and 7.14% from bivariate animal model (BLUP-B-AM), respectively for FLFY and AFP. The spearman’s rank correlation indicated similarity of rankings by BLUP-U-AM and BLUPB- AM. Animal model had a wider range of breeding values indicating the greater differentiating ability of the model. Based on error variance, AIC, BIC, R2 and CV; animal model was found to be superior in comparison to sire model.

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a safe, effective, and controlled method of healing of chronic wounds by debridement and disinfection. In this therapy live, sterile maggots of green bottle fly, Lucilia (Phaenicia) sericata are used, as they prefer necrotic tissues over healthy for feeding. Since centuries, MDT is used in human beings to treat chronic wounds. Lately, MDT came out as a potent medical aid in animals. In animals, although, this therapy is still limited and clinical studies are few. However, with the increasing antibiotic resistance and chronic wound infections in veterinary medicine, maggot therapy may even become the first line of treatment for some infections. This paper will present a brief discussion of MDT and its role in veterinary medicine that may add one more treatment method to utilize in non-healing wounds of animals and overcome the use of amputation and euthanasia. The objective of this review paper is to assemble relevant literature on maggot therapy to form a theoretical foundation from which further steps toward clinical use of maggot therapy in animals for chronic wounds can be taken.

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary addition of Emblica officinalis (Amla) fruit powder as a growth promoter in commercial broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted on 135 commercial broiler chicks (Ven-Cobb 400 strain) divided into three groups with three replicates of 15 chicks each. Three treatment groups were as follows – T1: Basal diet as per BIS standards; T2: Basal diet supplemented with 0.4% of E. officinalis fruit powder; and T3: Basal diet supplemented with 0.8% of E. officinalis fruit powder. Results: The average body weights at the end of the 6th week were significantly higher (p

Background: HIV transmission from mother to child continues to be the major source of HIV infection in young children. This study assessed utilization and uptake of PPTCT services among HIV positive antenatal women registered at PPTCT centres of the Surat city. Materials and Methods: This Retro-prospective Cohort study en- rolled a sample of 282 HIV positive antenatal women registered for HIV testing and counseling during January 2007 to Dec 2008 in 5 PPTCT centres of Surat city and conducted from Dec 2008 to Nov 2010. Of these 127 (45%) antenatal women who came to collect their reports were included in the study and given post test coun- seling. Result: There was 55% loss to follow up among the HIV positive antenatal women and out of 127 (45%) women, 98(77%) had been registered in ART centres, from which only 45% started ART, 9% opted for abortion,105 (91%) were institutional delivery, among them only 38% underwent caesarean section,.101 (91%) mother- baby pairs received nevirapine prophylaxis at the time of labour and out of these, only 84 exposed babies were tested at 18 months of age and 5 (5.95%) were found to be positive among them. Conclusion: Utilization and uptake of PPTCT services among the HIV positive antenatal women has remained low even after avail- abilities of 5 PPTCT centres in the study area. Just like mothers, drop out in service utilization was observed among exposed children also.

Aim: This study was undertaken to derive the prevalence rate of Fasciolosis in buffaloes by a collection of fecal and liver samples from Anand and Ahmedabad districts’ local slaughter houses. Materials and Methods: Fecal and liver samples were collected during ante- and post-mortem examination, respectively, and brought to the department laboratory preserved in 10% formalin for further processing. Fecal samples were processed with qualitative examination viz.; sedimentation technique for identification of the ova. Liver samples were also examined for the presence of gross parasites. Results: The highest prevalence rate was observed in the month of December (25.97% fecal and 33.33% liver samples) and lowest in the month of May (10.71% fecal and 11.76% liver samples) at Anand district. In the area of Ahmedabad district, the highest prevalence rate was recorded in the month of October and February (26.98%) and lowest in the month of May (10.34%) for the fecal and highest prevalence was observed in the month of February (26.98%) and lowest in May (11.11%) for the liver samples. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the heavy infection is present in Anand and Ahmedabad districts, especially in the month of winter followed by monsoon and the least in summer.

Aim: The study was undertaken to compare the alterations in the hematological parameters in buffaloes suffering from Amphistomosis with normal buffaloes and to correlate it with the subclinical infection that is hard to diagnose. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 50 amphistomes infected as well as 50 non-infected buffaloes from slaughter houses were taken into vacutainer tubes containing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid for estimation of various hematological parameters by Automatic Analyzer Hema-2062 manufactured by Analytical Technologies Ltd. Result: There was a significant reduction in the mean hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume and significant increase in the neutrophils count and eosinophil count of infected buffaloes as compared to the non-infected buffaloes respectively. Conclusion: Amphistomosis is characterized by severe neutrophilia, eosinophilia, and anemia. Anemia of high intensity along with hepatic damage can lead to the death of the animal in severe cases. Alterations in the Hematological parameters can be used as an indicator to diagnose and check the severity of amphistomosis especially in young ones and in subclinical infection.

Aim: This study was undertaken to identify Paramphistomum cervi on the basis of its morphology and histology to be the common cause of paramphistomosis in infected sheep and its differentiation from other similar Paramphistomes in Gujarat. Materials and Methods: Adult rumen flukes were recovered from the rumen of naturally infected sheep slaughtered in various abattoirs in Gujarat. Some adult flukes were flattened and stained in Borax carmine, and some were sectioned in the median sagittal plane and histological slides of the flukes were prepared for detailed morphological and histological studies. Result: Microscopic pictures of the parasite used in identification define the similarity in the morphology and histology of the anterior sucker, pharynx, esophagus, genital atrium, posterior sucker (acetabulum) and testes to the P. cervi. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the most common species found in sheep infected with Paramphistomosis is P. cervi on the basis of its histo-morphological appearance in Gujarat.

Introduction: Open fractures are fairly common in developing countries. Causes of open fractures vary widely including road traffic accident, fall from height, gunshot, assault, machine injuries and others. Infection is a common complication of open fractures. Chronic osteomyelitis, nonunion, loss of function or even limb loss are some serious outcome of deep fracture site infections. Primary goal in management of open fractures is prevention of infection of bone and soft tissue by early debridement, irrigation of wound and administration of broad spectrum antibiotics with stabilization of fractures. Aim: The aim of the study is to elucidate pattern of microbial isolates in open fractures so as to form rationale antibiotic regimen for treating open fractures. Methods: 70 patients were taken into study of all ages, both the sexes with open fracture classified according to Gustilo Anderson classification. Primarily wound was examined and description of the wound was recorded with 1st culture swab taken at that time followed by 2nd culture swab on 1st dressing after debridement and 3rd culture swab if infection continues further. Culture and sensitivity reports were collected for studying pattern of bacterial isolate and their sensitivity. Results: Pre-debridement cultures are of no importance. Post-debridement cultures are important in formulating an antibiotic regime. Gram negative organisms are the most probable cause of infection. Aminoglycosides are the most sensitive group of drugs in both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Cephalosporins or quinolones should be used in combination with aminoglycosides in all cases of open fracture in our vicinity. Conclusion: All institutions and hospitals should find out the most common infecting pathogen in their environment and formulate an antibiotic policy accordingly.

Among the rare bone tumors, the osteoblastoma is a fascinating tumor. The rarity, the predisposition to occur in any bone and the diagnostic dilemma makes this infrequent tumor interesting. It is sporadically reported in the literature and what is rarer is its occurrence in the pelvis. The unusual location and inconclusive radiographic findings with diffused diagnostic evidences delays the management of benign osteoblastoma. We encountered a patient with benign osteoblastoma of the pubic ramus of right side. An excisional biopsy was performed. Peroperatively, the tumor appeared as oval, reddish brown, bony hard mass lying just over the cortex of the right pubic ramus and not breaching the cortex. Histopathological study revealed an osteoid rich lesion. Its presence in pubis must not be ignored and periosteal osteoblastoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

An articulated and partially preserved skeleton of an ichthyosaur was found in the Upper Jurassic (Upper Kimmeridgian) Katrol Formation exposed at a site south of the village Lodai in Kachchh district, Gujarat (western India). Here we present a detailed description and inferred taxonomic relationship of the specimen. The present study revealed that the articulated skeleton belongs to the family Ophthalmosauridae. The new discovery from India further improves the depauperate fossil record of ichthyosaurs from the former Gondwanan continents. Based on the preserved length of the axial skeleton and anterior part of the snout and taking into account the missing parts of the skull and postflexural region, it is suggested that the specimen may represent an adult possibly reaching a length of 5.0-5.5 m. The widespread occurrence of ophthalmosaurids in the Upper Jurassic deposits of western Tethys, Madagascar, South America and India points to possible faunal exchanges between the western Tethys and Gondwanan continents through a southern seaway.

SNO+ is a large liquid scintillator-based experiment located 2 km underground at SNOLAB, Sudbury, Canada. It reuses the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory detector, consisting of a 12 m diameter acrylic vessel which will be filled with about 780 tonnes of ultra-pure liquid scintillator. Designed as a multipurpose neutrino experiment, the primary goal of SNO+ is a search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) of 130Te. In Phase I, the detector will be loaded with 0.3% natural tellurium, corresponding to nearly 800 kg of 130Te, with an expected effective Majorana neutrino mass sensitivity in the region of 55–133 meV, just above the inverted mass hierarchy. Recently, the possibility of deploying up to ten times more natural tellurium has been investigated, which would enable SNO+ to achieve sensitivity deep into the parameter space for the inverted neutrino mass hierarchy in the future. Additionally, SNO+ aims to measure reactor antineutrino oscillations, low energy solar neutrinos, and geoneutrinos, to be sensitive to supernova neutrinos, and to search for exotic physics. A first phase with the detector filled with water will begin soon, with the scintillator phase expected to start after a few months of water data taking. The 0νββ Phase I is foreseen for 2017.