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Thirty-two weaned male Barbari kids (av. age, 144.65 days; weight, 9.43±0.24 kg), reared under intensive system of feeding, were divided equally into four groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) to investigate the effect of supplementation of different levels of concentrate mixture on voluntary intake, growth performance, carcass traits and quality. All kids were fed with Bengal gram straw ad lib. + green fodder ad lib. as basal ration and supplemented with barley grain @ 0.7% of body weight in T1 and concentrate mixture @ 0.7, 1.4, and 2.1% of body weight in T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Dry Matter Intake (DMI, g)/kg W0.75 increased significantly in T1 and T4 than T2 and T3. Average daily weight gain (ADG) (g/d/kid) was enhanced significantly with each gradual increase in concentrate level. Slaughter weight and empty body weight were greatest in T4 compared with other treatments. Significantly greater dressing percentage and yield of separated lean meat was observed in kids under T3 and T4 than other two groups. But, meat:bone ratio and separated carcass fat yield was significantly higher only in kids under T4. Meat protein content (%) increased in T2, T3, and T4 as compared to control T1. Meat fat content increased linearly due to a gradual increase in the level of concentrate mixture supplementation to the finisher kids. Whereas, meat moisture and ash per cent remained unaltered due to different levels of concentrate supplementation to kids. Therefore, it may be concluded that supplementation of concentrate mixture @ 2.1% of the body weight in the roughage-based diet increased DMI in finisher Barbari kids with greater energy and protein values, which attributed to enhanced ADG in such kids by 408.3% over the control (supplemented with barley grain only), and also improved feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, carcass traits, and meat quality.

Environmental stressors such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, photoperiod, etc. under tropical conditions are some of the important limiting factors for optimum expression of production and reproduction in dairy cows. The present study evaluated changes in cardinal physiological responses, heat tolerance indices, and milk yield in Jersey crossbred cows due to abiotic stress. Climograph was developed using daily maximum and minimum temperatures, humidity, and rainfall at livestock farm over a period of 15 years. Seasons significantly (P < 0.01) influenced cardinal physiological responses and thermal adaptability of Jersey crossbred cows. Diurnal environmental variations between morning and afternoon of the shed caused increase in body temperature, pulse, and respiration rate by 0.59–0.91%, 4.95–7.18%, and 9.73–32.37%, respectively. Thermal adaptability of cows showed significant (P < 0.01) higher deviations from perfect state of adaptability during summer, monsoon, and post-monsoon as compared to winter and spring seasons. The responsiveness and ranking of cows were dissimilar among 3 heat tolerance indices, viz., Iberia heat tolerance index, Benezara’s coefficient of adaptability, and Dairy Search Index (DSI). Enhanced respiration rate was the most important observable bio-indicator to poor thermal adaptability. Good thermo-tolerant cows had 8.86% higher (P < 0.05) monthly milk yield per cow than poorly adapted ones. Findings of this study suggest that deviations in cardinal physiological responses across the seasons are very reliable and simple estimates for evaluating levels of thermo-tolerance in crossbred cows.

Background and Aim: Alpha-tocopherol supplementation influences milk yield, milk quality, and udder health of dairy cows, which needs to be investigated for Jersey crossbred cows at hot-humid climate. Therefore, the present study was framed with an objective to study the effect of pre and postpartum Alpha-tocopherol supplementation on milk yield, milk quality, and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at tropical climate. Materials and Methods: For this study, 19 similar parity, body condition score, and production level dairy animals were separated randomly into three groups, namely, Control, T1 and T2. Control group (no supplementation) was compared with two treatment groups, namely, T1 and T2. Supplementation of Alpha-tocopherol was done in concentrate fed to the animals (at 1 g/cow/day) 30 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum in T1 and 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum in T2 groups. Observations were taken for different parameters up to 5 months of lactation. Results: Statistically analyzed data revealed that overall significantly (p0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of Alpha-tocopherol during prepartum to initial lactation period may enhance milk yield, milk quality, and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at the tropical lower Gangetic region.

The synbiotic combination of L. rhamnosus NCDC 298 and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is known to be effective against diarrhoea by preventing the adhesion of pathogens to the gutt, hereby, preventing infection and pathology. Such synergistic effect of the combination has emerged as a favourable alternative to antibiotic use against diseases and growth promoters in the livestock industry. The present study assessed the health and growth performance of the calves supplemented fermentable synbiotic fortified milk from 4 to 90 days and observed its performance till 120th day of age. Body temperature and passive immunity (IgG) were significantly better in calves fed synbiotics with notable increase in body weight and heart girth post synbiotic feeding period. These calves had increased dry matter intake per animal/day when compared to the control animals. The populations of Lactobacillus sp. elevated with decreased pathogenic bacteria (Coliform) in faeces on feeding synbiotics and it continued even after 90 days of age indicating colonization of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, feeding of fermentable synbiotics had observable beneficial effects on health, immunity and growth of the Jersey crossbred calves. The findings encourage further verification of fermentable synbiotics fortified milk as a potential growth promoter to young dairy calves.

In order to observe the effect of synbiotic feeding to neonatal calves (treatment group) for 42 days, the fecal score ranged from 1 to 3 with weekly variation (p

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season at Crop Research Farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi in 2017 to observe the effect of different levels of potassium on yield and economics of Kharif maize. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with four replications and nine treatments at a different level of potassium (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1) in which three treatments T7, T8 and T9 were along with 5 tons of FYM. There were no marked effect of different treatments on the number of cob plant-1, length of cob, the girth of cob and test weight. However, the number of grains cob-1 was found significantly higher in treatment T9 (T4 + 5 t FYM ha-1). Grain yield, stover yield and stone yield were significantly influenced by different treatments. The maximum grain yield (63.19 q ha-1), stover yield (101.61 q ha-1) and stone yield (14.61 q ha-1) were recorded under treatment T9 (T4 + 5 t FYM ha-1). Economics of different treatments indicated that by higher grain yield, treatment T9 (T4 + 5 t FYM ha-1) exhibited maximum gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio of Rs 90,046 ha-1, Rs 47,987 ha-1 and 1.14, respectively.

To find out the effect of reducing energy intake during dry period on milk production, udder health, and body condition, the experiment was conducted on 14 Jersey crossbred cows during whole dry period and continued up to 120 days of lactation. Reduction in energy intake was done during far-off period for each dry cow of treatment group as compared to control group. Statistically analyzed data revealed that overall significantly (P

Mastitis in dairy cattle is the most common management disorder that causes higher economic losses by lowering production and quality of milk leads to substantial economical loss. The aim of this article was to review worldwide important advances in strategies to control mastitis for production augmentation in dairy cattle. Many scientists worked to identify effective strategies to control mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. It is necessary to identify mechanisms of infection, define clinical and subclinical states of disease, determine exposure time, and identify pathogen-specific characteristics. Evolvement of management strategies that incorporated hygienic procedures (animal, floor, and milkman), post milking standing period of animal and strategic use of antibiotic or herbal therapy at dry-off, nutritional supplementation, fly control, body condition score optimization, etc., resulted in widespread control of mastitis. The udder, teat of animal, scientific management of milking, automatic milking procedure, genetic selection are considered as important factors to control mastitis. As farm management changed, scientists were directed to redefine control of mastitis caused by opportunistic pathogens of environmental sources and have sought to explore management strategies which will maintain animal well-being in a judicial way. Although significant advances in mastitis management have been made changing herd structure, changing climatic scenario and more rigorous milk processing standards ensure that mastitis will remain important issue for future research.

The Scaps-1d simulator was used to simulate a lead-free perovskite CH3NH3SnI3 based solar cell devices fabricated from different hole transport materials (HTM). This research looks at two organic and two inorganic HTM layers. The cell structure used in this study is FTO/TiO2/ CH3NH3SnI3/HTM(variable)/Au(variable). Spiro-OMeTAD, PEDOT:PSS, CuO and Cu2O are the HTM materials used. The results show that utilizing CuO as an HTM produces better outcomes than other HTMs, with an efficiency of 28.45%. The thickness, acceptor concentration (NA), and defect density (Nt) of the perovskite layer on optoelectronic properties of the solar cell are focus of simulation studies. According to this study, an perovskite layer thickness of 1000 nm is suitable for a decent photovoltaic cell. Furthermore, by adjusting the HTM thickness and the defect density of HTM and absorber layer, promising findings of Jsc of 34.38 mAcm− 2, Voc of 1.011 V, FF of 80.85% and PCE of 28.10% were obtained for Spiro-OMeTAD based PSC. Finally, in order to improve the device's performance, an anode material with high work function is required. Our findings reveal that using a thin absorber layer results in low photo generated charge carriers due to less absorption, but high carrier extraction. Although more carriers are created in the cell due to increased absorption, decreased collection efficiency is related to recombination, which decreases Voc for thick perovskite layers. Device efficiency is improved by increasing the doping density up to 1018 cm− 3 in the perovskite layer due to built-in electric field across the solar cell. Again a very thin or thick HTL is not ideal for high PCE. For low recombination and a high fill factor, an HTM (Spiro-OMeTAD) of 1–100 nm is necessary. The great power conversion efficiency of organic HTM based lead-free PSC brings up the new possibilities for obtaining renewable energy.

Weaned male Barbari kids (24) were divided equally into three groups (T1, T2 and T3) to investigate the effect of supplementation of herbal feed additives in the complete pelleted feed on intake of nutrients, rumen fermentation, availability of nutrients and energetic efficiency under stall-fed condition during an eight months feeding trial. Treatments were T1, Concentrate mixture (40%) plus arhar (Cajanus cajan) straw (60%) in Total Mixed Ration (TMR) form fed ad lib.; T2, Concentrate mixture (40%) plus arhar straw (60%) in Complete Feed Pellets form fed ad lib.; T3, Concentrate mixture (40%) plus arhar straw (60%) in Complete Feed Pellets form supplemented with herbal mixture (four herbs; Tulsi: Haldi: Amla: Arni, ratio 1:1:1:1 on DM basis) @ 0.5% in complete feed fed ad lib. Rumen fermentation pattern was studied at 3rd and 25th weeks of experimental feeding. A metabolism trial was conducted at the last phase of the experiment. During metabolism trial, DMI (g)/kg W0.75 and CPI (g)/kg W0.75 was greater in kids under T3 and T2 than T1. Pelleted complete feed supplemented with phytogenic feed additives resulted greater total VFA (mmol/dl SRL) concentration in rumen liquor of kids under T3 than TMR fed kids (T1) at three weeks of experimental feeding. The concentration of NH3-N (mg/dl SRL) was depressed significantly in T3 at 3rd and 25th weeks of feeding; T1 showed highest values during both periods. TDN intake (g)/kg W0.75 and Digestible Energy intake (MJ)/kg W0.75 were increased significantly in T3 and T2 than T1. DCP intake (g)/kg W0.75 was also higher in T2 and T3 than T1. Similarly, N-balance (g)/kg W0.75 increased significantly in T3 and T2 than T1. Therefore, it may be concluded that densification of feeds in the form of complete pelleted feed (T2) and further supplementation (@ 0.5% in the complete feed) with herbal mixture (Amla, Haldi, Arni and Tulsi=1:1:1:1 on DM basis) (T3) increased the intakes of DM, TDN, digestible energy and protein; enhanced rumen fermentation pattern, and increased N-balance in finisher Barbari kids.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been announced as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and further identified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Considering the unprecedented spread of the disease across the world, the development of noncontact and unobtrusive methods for quick screening of potential carriers is the need of the hour. The chapter describes a multimodal approach for rapid screening of potential COVID-19 carriers based on symptomatic sensing using a combination of sensors, followed by generation of a metric to indicate the severity of symptoms. The proposed system is likely to be a significant addition to the present body of systems to scan COVID-19 carriers.

This study reports on important management factors that have impacts on semen characteristics, sperm production ability and cryo-preservability in dairy bulls. Except volume, bull types (FSD i.e. frozen semen dose producer vs Non-FSD bulls) differentiated most of the semen traits (P

A field experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Aurangabad and in farmers’ field during rainy seasons of 2013, 2014 and 2015, to Performance of drought tolerant rice varieties under various methods of stand establishment in rainfed drought-prone condition of Bihar. Experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 methods of establishment i.e. broad coasting, direct seeded rice (DSR), and transplanted rice (TPR), and two varieties viz. Sahbhagiedhan, SushkeSamrat in a total of 5 replications including four at KVK, Aurangabad and one at farmers’ field during three years. Direct seeding of rice (DSR) with ZTD machine produced significantly higher plant height, number of tillers/m2, panicles/m2, grains/panicle, filled grains/panicle. However panicle length and Panicle weight were recorded maximum with to transplanting method over Direct seeded rice with ZTD machine and broad coasting. 1000grain weight was recorded significantly maximum with Direct seeded rice with ZTD machine and transplantinh over broad coasting. Direct seed produced 7.60% and 30.95% more yield in 2014, 7.88% and 32.10% more yield in 2014 and 12.00% and 30.23% more yield in 2016 over transplanted and broad coasting rice, respectively. Net return and benefit-cost ratio were also significantly higher in direct seeded rice with ZTD machine than transplanted rice and broad coasting of rice. Amongst the varieties of rice, Sushk Samrat produced significantly higher yield attributes viz., tillers/m2, panicles/m2, grains/panicle, filled grains/panicle and 1000-grain weight, and subsequently produced grain yield higher by 13.42 in 2014, 10.10% in 2015 and by 7.03% in 2016 over Sahbhagie dhan. Net return and benefit-cost ratio were also recorded significantly higher with Sushk Samrat than Sahbhagiedhan.

Background: In vitro embryo production is a valuable tool for understanding early mammalian development, therapeutic applications, excellent source for research in the field of developmental biology and production of valuable animals. The purpose of this study is to improve the production of in vitro cattle embryos using fibroblast and platelet derived growth factor as media supplement. Methods: Ovaries were collected from local abattoir in 0.9% saline (30-35°C) supplemented with antibiotics. Cumulus oocyte complexes were aspirated, washed 5-6 times and placed in maturation media supplemented with growth factors and cultured in 5% CO2 incubator at 38.5°C with maximum humidity. After 24 h oocytes were co-incubated with in vitro capacitated sperms for fertilization for 15-18 h and then presumptive zygotes were cultured for embryo development. Cleavage was observed after 40-42 h and embryos were co-cultured with oviductal cells for 7-9 days. Result: The highest cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were 55.93 ± 4.75, 57.06 ± 4.78, 51.24 ± 4.12 and 3.26 ±1.53, 2.42 ± 1.02, 2.70 ± 1.17 in FGF (1ng ml-1), PDGF (10 ng ml-1) and in combination of FGF and PDGF (1ng ml-1 each) respectively. It can be concluded that PDGF (10 ng ml-1) enhanced cleavage rate and FGF (1ng ml-1) enhanced blastocyst formation rate.

The present study was conducted to assess the impacts of loose house roofing designs and materials on modulation of micro-climate of the cow shed and its influences on production and reproduction performance of lactating crossbred Jersey cows. The control group (T0) was kept in a traditional single-slope asbestos roof shed and treatment group (T1) at a specially designed open-ridge ventilated, double-slope thatch roof shed. Lactation stage, average daily milk yield, and average parity at the beginning of the experiment were kept similar between T0 and T1 cows. The specifically designed T1 shed had significantly (P 0.05) differences in reproductive traits such as service period, break period, calving interval, pregnancy rate, and other cow fertility parameters. Post-partum body condition score and body weight loss did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two groups; however, more loss occurred in T0 than T1. The estimated net profit from housing of cows (N = 20) in a comfortable shed was 2200 kg milk per annum, i.e., 110 kg/cow/annum. The study concluded that a central open-ridge ventilated, double-slope thatched roof design created a favorable micro-environment and it significantly affected cows’ comfort index; thermo-comfortable housing significantly reduced the heat stress–oriented drop in milk yield and decline in milk composition, and improved udder health and other milk production traits; however, its impact was non-significant on reproduction and fertility traits in Jersey crossbred cows.

Here we report switching of nonlinear absorption in few layer ReS2 using single-color ultrafast pump-probe nonlinear spectroscopy. The remarkable experimental investigation addresses the insight mechanism of pulse-width dependent change from saturable to excited state absorption.

We demonstrate the ultrafast dynamics of light-induced indirect-excitons (IDEs) in CsPbBr3/MoS2 heterostructure using transient absorption spectroscopy. Our investigations describe the charge-transfer from CsPbBr3 to MoS2 as a dominant mechanism of IDEs formation with picoseconds lifetime.

Background: Dry period duration of dairy cow is considered as an important factor to maintain udder health and milk production. Methods: To investigate the effect of dry period duration (DPD) on udder health, milk production and body condition of dairy cows at lower Gangetic tropics, observations were taken from 25 Jersey crossbred cows which were divided into 2 comparable group viz: 1st group (11 cows), having 50 to 60 days DPD and 2nd group (14 cows), having more than 60 days DPD. Result: Statistically analyzed data revealed that milk somatic cell count, MCMT, milk pH and EC were significantly (P less than 0.01) varied between two group from second month onwards and continue up to 4th months of lactation. Critical analysis of battery tests clearly confirmed the diagnosis for occurring of subclinical mastitis with poor udder health status in 2nd group. Total milk production/day/cow were almost similar in both group in first month but second month onwards significantly (P less than 0.01) higher milk production was recorded in 1st than 2nd group. The milk composition parameters revealed non-significant difference between groups whereas milk quality parameter significantly (P less than 0.01) better in 1st than 2nd group. Initial BCS of dry cow of both groups were similar. But BCS at calving was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in 2nd than 1st group with higher negative changes in BCS % in 2nd group as compared to 1st group. It can be concluded that dry period duration of 50-60 days is better over to prolonged dry period (>60 days). Suitable changes in BCS from dry period to calving is beneficial to get higher milk production, quality, better maintenance of body condition and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at tropical lower Gangetic region.

Alteration during far off dry period feeding management was done to see its effect on body weight and body measurements of Jersey cross bred cows. This study was conducted on 14 healthy dairy animals which were separated into two comparable groups on the basis of almost similar age groups, parity, body weight, and body condition score. Statistically analyzed data revealed that there was significantly higher (p 0.05) difference was reported in body weight and heart girth among control and treatment group animals. The coefficients of correlation indicated high and significant (P

The present study was carried out to find out the resistance of commonly used on-farm antimicrobials on commensally available E.coli isolates from faeces of young calves by the most simplified antibiogram study. Highest number of E coli isolates were sensitive to cefriaxone/ tazobactum (36.17%) followed by the resistant sulphadiazine (16.31%) and ofloxacin (13.47%), respectively. Around 11.23% isolates were also found to be resistant to cefotaxime. Therefore, even the most common antibiotics used to tackle common infections in calves are slowly becoming resistant. Such problems of disease occurrence and routine antibiotic use should be addressed by suitable managemental practices followed by appropriate vaccination schedules hence, reducing the dependence of farm animals on antibiotics.

The histology and surface ultra-structures of the gill epithelium of Labeo bata has been examined through light and electron microscopy. Gill arches bear double rows of primary lamellae and each primary lamella is provided with two rows of delicate rectangular secondary lamellae on its upper and lower surfaces. Gill arches and filaments are lined by thick stratified epithelium while the epithelium of secondary lamella is made up of thin single layered pavement cells. The thin epithelium is supported and kept apart from each other by the pillar cells. The pavement cells are polygonal with well-defined cell boundary and microridges on its apical surface. The epithelial cells are interspersed by large chloride cells located at the base of secondary lamellae and PAS positive mucous cells. Mucous cells are found abundant at the base and tip of the primary lamellae. Taste buds are found on the concave anterior faces of gill arches. The short and soft gill rakers are covered with stratified epithelium. This finding demonstrated that the fish has well developed respiratory system matching to its active life.

Nutritional evaluation as tree fodder as well as a rumen manipulator of six multipurpose Himalayan forest tree leaves, viz. Kadam (Anthocephalus cadamba), Kaew (Costus speciosus), Karoi (Albizia procera), Bakful (Sasbania grandiflora), Gamar (Gmelina arborea), and Barhar (Artocarpus lakoocha), were evaluated by in vitro gas production test. The mean content of OM, CP, EE, T-CHO, NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin of these tested tree leaves were 91.4, 14.6, 3.9, 72.8, 42.7, 31.2, 19.8, and 11.1% on DM basis, respectively. The gas production per g digested dry matter varied from 111.1 ml/g DDM/24h in Bakful (Sasbania grandiflora) to 612.3 ml/g DDM/24h in Barhar (Artocarpus lakoocha) tree leaves while methane production per gram digested dry matter varied from 14.7 ml/g DDM/24h in Kadam (Anthocephalus cadamba) to 102.2 ml/g DDM/24h in Bahar (Artocarpus lakoocha) tree leaves. TVFA and propionate production were higher due to inclusion of Karoi (Albizia procera) tree leaves in the incubation media. However, lowest NH3-N concentration and rumen protozoal population were observed due to incubation of Kadam (Anthocephalus cadamba) tree leave. Similarly, activity of polysaccharide degrading enzyme like carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and β-glucoidase enzymes were lower due to incubation of Kadam (Anthocephalus cadamba) in comparison to other tested tree leaves. However, activity of amylase enzyme was similar among all the tested tree leaves. Highest IVTDMD (52.3%) was observed for the Karoi (Albizia procera) tree leaves followed by Kaew (Costus speciosus) (47.9%) and Kadam (Anthocephalus cadamba) (43.8%) tree leaves. Similarly, TDN and ME content were also highest for Karoi (Albizia procera) tree leaves. The results indicated that among the tested tree leaves, Karoi (Albizia procera) was best tree fodder for feeding to the animals and Kadam (Anthocephalus cadamba) can be used as rumen manipulator to reduce ruminal methanogenesis and protozoal population for improving animal productivity.

A three-dimensional numerical simulation is carried out in a straight horizontal pipe to predict the impact of particle size on fluid flow and heat transfer of ash water slurry. Steady turbulent equations are solved by using commercial code Fluent. Eulerian Method is incorporated considering ash as granular material. Fly-ash particle diameter is varied with 12, 20, 28 and 34 µm suspended in water for a flow velocity 4m/s and solid concentration of 40%. The temperature of pipe wall is kept at 400K and the granular temp i.e. slurry temp is taken as 300K. Present study finds asymmetric velocity distribution at higher particle size. Pumping power increases with particle size. Granular pressure and heat transfer increases with particle size. Granular pressure is maximum at bottom of the wall.

Solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is a promising unit of power generation from renewable energy source in near future. Apart from climatic conditions, the performance of the unit depends on design parameters of plant. To understand the performance of the unit, fluid flow and heat transfer study is essential throughout the unit. In present work, a numerical study has been conducted to see the effect of inlet area on the performance of the unit through fluid flow and heat transfer. Numerical solutions of the steady turbulent flow are carried out by commercial software Fluent. A finite volume method has been employed to solve the governing equations. It is revealed that the considered plant having inlet height of 5cm performs better than that of having the inlet height10cm.

The present investigation was carried out to study the status of major micronutrients in sunflower growing soils of Nagpur district during the year 2009-2010. For this purpose in 6 profile 32 soil samples were collected from two tehsils (2 villages from each tehsil) of sunflower growing soils of Nagpur district. From each village soil sample was collected and subjected to laboratory for analyzing for some chemical properties and status of available micronutrients viz ., Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu. The correlation co-efficient between chemical properties and available nutrients were worked out. The study revealed that the soils are neutral to alkaline in reaction, safe in limit of electrical conductivity low to high in content of organic carbon and noncalcareous to calcareous in nature. The soil samples were deficient in available Zn, medium to sufficient in available Mn and sufficient in available Fe and Cu. The data showed that available Zn had significant negative relationship with pH (-0.125 * ) and CaCO 3 (-0.97 * ) and significant positive with EC (0.149 ** ). Available Fe had significant and positive correlation with EC (0.135 ** ) and O.C. (0.106 * ) and significant negative with CaCO 3 (-0.141 * ). Available Mn had negative and significant correlation with EC (-0.130 ** ) while Cu had positive significant relation with EC (0.101 * ) and O.C. (0.170 ** ).

The surface expression of CD9 (cluster-of-differentiation antigen-9) in sperms of certain mammalian species has been attributed to its fusion with the egg and thereby dictating the fertility of species. In the present study, we investigated the association of CD9 with crossbred bull sperm quality and quantity trait was analyzed using a total of 96 Frieswal (HF × Sahiwal) crossbred. A single nucleotide polymorphism (g.358A > T) in intron 6 was significantly associated with sperm concentration (P 50%) and motility impaired (progressive motility, Highlights • A single nucleotide polymorphism (g.358A > T) in intron 6 was significantly associated with sperm concentration. • The mRNA expression and seminal plasma protein concentration of CD9 was significantly higher among good quality bull semen than motility impaired ones. • Seminal plasma protein concentration of CD9 was higher in good quality semen.

Summary The sunflower growing soils of eastern Vidarbha region have been investigated for assessing the agro environmental suitability. Six pedons from high intensity area of Bhiwapur and Umred of Nagpur district were selected for study. Crop yield data were collected during field survey and other physical and chemical properties were studied in the laboratory and yields were correlated with soil properties. The investigation revealed that high intensity sunflower growing soils belonged to Typic Haplusterts, alkaline in reaction (pH 8.2 to 8.7) and low to medium in organic carbon content (0.24 to 0.79 %) and high cation exchange capacity (47.91 to 58.71 %), calcium carbonate were < 5 per cent, Ca : Mg ratio varied from 1.8 to 2.6 indicating moderate drainability and base saturation (85 to 89 %). Among the DTPA- extractable micronutrients, zinc was low while the soils were medium to high in manganese and iron and low to high in copper content. The sunflower yield when correlated with agro edaphic parameters it was found that rainfall and major soil physical and chemical characteristics influenced the crop yield. The stepwise regression analysis of sunflower yield with agroenvironment properties reveal that Typic Haplusterts distributed over four villages of Bhiwapur and Umred tahsils of Nagpur district that pH, Ca, Na, sum of cations, CEC, ESP, Mn, sand, clay and water retention at 1500 kPa had positive correlation. The high correlation co-efficient obtained with water retention at 33 kPa (0.91), post Kharif rainfall (0.90), clay (0.87) and water retention at 1500 kPa (0.72) indicating yield influencing factors.

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of milking temperament on milk yield; milkability and udder health in Jersey crossbred cows. The experiment was conducted on Jersey crossbred cows (N=94) maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal. Temperament score (TS) of cows was assessed in 5 points scale(1-docile, 5-aggressive). Calmer cows (TS-1&2) comprised of relatively higher(75.24%)proportions and none for TS-5.Milk yield (kg)/day of TS-1 cows was significantly (P

Although some of the studies earlier reported that bovine semen parameters are associated with some candidate markers genes, but scanty of reports available regarding the effect of allelic variation in Y specific microsatellite markers on semen quality parameters in bulls. In the present study we have targeted three Y specific microsatellite markers (INRA126, INRA 189 and BM861) for their association ship analysis with some semen quality parameters among Frieswal (HF × Sahiwal) crossbred bulls of Indian origin. The polymorphic loci of INRA 126, bulls with 182 and 184 alleles had significantly (P

Cryopreservation is one of the most important aspects of frozen semen technology and livestock breeding. Uses of candidate molecular markers in selection strategies for male fertility are well recognized. The present investigation targeted two microsatellite markers (BM1500 and UMN 2008) for association with semen quality variables and freezing capacity in Frieswal (HF×Sahiwal) crossbred bulls of Indian origin. Of the different alleles at the polymorphic locus BM1500, the 136bp allele was associated with greater (P0.05) post-thaw motility percentage (PTM) while the 134 allele was associated with less (P0.05) PTM. The 134/134 genotype at the polymorphic locus, UMN2008 was associated with greater (P0.05) post-thaw motility while there was no allele effect on PTM. When combined genotypes UMN2008/BM1500 were analyzed, the 134/134-136/136genotype had the greatest (P0.05) association with PTM. The present study is an initial report on the potential use of these markers as male reproductive biomarkers for improving semen freezing capacity in bulls.

Irrigation management in vertisols is one of the major challenges to increase agricultural productivity in India and many developing countries. Unfortunately, information on hydraulic properties of these soils is very sparse. In an attempt to understand these soils for better management, 10 different functions were evaluated for their efficacy to describe soil-water retention characteristics (SWRC) of vertisols of India, and point pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were developed by using a nearest neighbor (k-NN) algorithm as an alternative to widely used artificial neural networks (ANN) for prediction of available water capacity (AWC). Soil profile information of 26 representative sites comprising 157 soil samples was used for analysis. The Campbell model fit to measured SWRC data better than any other model, with relatively lower root mean square error (RMSE) (0.0199), higher degree of agreement (0.9867), and lower absolute error on an average (0.0134). Three other functions, namely, modified Cass-Hutson, B...

Agro-Ecological Sub-Regions (AESRs) of the country were conceptualized using limited soil data and accordingly a map was generated way back in 1994. The present paper revisits the AESR concept to revise this map with the help of georeferenced soil information system (GeoSIS) recently developed at the sub-country levels of the Black Soil Region (BSR) and the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). GeoSIS has been proved to be an excellent tool in successful application of Agro- Ecological Sub Regions (AESRs) at the regional and national levels. This novel approach could narrow the knowledge gap in revising the soil and agro-management technologies, used in dry land agriculture for productivity enhancement with special reference to the BSR dominated by cotton and soybean cropping systems. For the IGP, similar approach was used for the rice-wheat cropping systems. Revised AESR map identifies the areas under different level of productivity of these four important crops of two major food-growing regions of the country. The identified areas in the form of thematic maps shall help the planners and land resource managers to prioritize areas for resource management.

Protamines are short and highly basic sperm-specific nuclear proteins. Though the expression profile of protamines 1 and 2 is well known, but there is little knowledge of protamine 3 expression in bovine semen. In this study, Frieswal (HF x Sahiwal) crossbred bulls were categorized into two groups (good and poor quality) based on the initial progressive motility of semen and other seminal parameters. The mRNA expression of PRM3 gene among two groups was evaluated by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan chemistry, where peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) was used as an internal control. Our finding revealed that expression of PRM3 was down regulated in poor quality semen producers as compared to good quality semen producing group, but unfortunately no significant difference of transcript abundance was observed between the groups. To shed light on present findings, it can thus assume that PRM3 may not be a prognostic marker to differentiate good and poor quality bull semen in Frieswal cattle. Keywords: Protamine 3, Frieswal, semen, expression African Journal of Bioitechnoloy , Vol 13(19), 1999-2003

Selection of high fertility crossbred bulls is a prerequisite for the cost-effective frozen semen production and dissemination of superior germplasm. Promoting faster genetic improvement in sire herd and quality parameters of bull semen have tremendous importance, as the success of artificial insemination depends to a great extent on the good semen quality which in turn are affected by environment, management, physiological status and genetic factors (Mathevon et al. 1998). Many studies have been carried out to disclose the genetic basis of semen quality traits in different farms and laboratory animals (Huhtaniemi and Alevizaki 2007; Druet et al. 2009; Xing et al. 2009; Wang et al. 2011; Deb et al. 2013; Ganguly et al. 2013). Due to their low heritability, the direct selection of semen quality traits is challenging (Mathevon et al. 1998). However, the candidate genes having major effect on semen quality traits may be beneficial as a marker towards selection of semen quality traits. Aquaporins (AQPs) were first detected as plasma membrane channel proteins participating in water transport driven by osmotic gradients. There are totally 13 members in the AQP family (AQP0–AQP12), the expression of one or more of these is ubiquitous in mammalian cells (Ishibashi et al. 2009). Among them, four (AQP3, AQP7, AQP9 and AQP10) are ‘aquaglyceroporins’, that allow passage of glycerol, two (AQP11 and AQP12) are ‘superaquaporins’ and the remaining seven are largely water-selective AQPs. It is well reported that the germ cells express AQP7 both at mRNA as well as at protein levels. AQP7 was first cloned from the testis (Ishibashi et al. 1997) and is expressed initially in the round spermatids (Kageyama et al. 2001), is also localized

Semen was collected from six adult (3.5-7-year-old) Murrah buffalo bulls at weekly intervals for 1 year and evaluated for routine parameters, motion characteristics, reactivity in hypoosmotic solution, and acrosomal and other morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa. The overall motility (MOT), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), linearity (LIN), lateral head displacement (ALH) and average path velocity (VAP) were 66.85+/-2.79%, 26.58+/-0.24 and 107.07+/-1.47 microm/s, 26.91+/-0.01%, 11.19+/-0.09 and 61.78+/-2.79 microm/s, respectively. Significant seasonal variation was observed in sperm kinematics and hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) reactivity. Except for LIN, the mean values of sperm dynamics were higher during summer and rainy season and significantly lower in winter season. Sperm kinematics showed significant (P0.01) positive correlation (r=0.25-0.60) with plasmallemal integrity. Ejaculates with less than 50% HOS-reactive spermatozoa had significantly lowered MOT, VSL, VCL and VAP as compared to the ejaculates with50% HOS-positive spermatozoa. No significant difference was observed in sperm kinematics among the ejaculates having 50-70% and70% HOS-reactive spermatozoa. The trend of motion dynamics of the spermatozoa with respect to HOS reactivity was similar in all the three seasons (summer, rainy and winter). The results indicate that ejaculates having more than 50% of HOS-reactive sperm show a higher magnitude of sperm kinematics compared to ejaculates having less than 50% HOS-positive spermatozoa.

Purpose.To correlate treatment results of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with their computed tomographic (CT) classification.Methods.36 men and 4 women with 48 intra-articular calcaneal fractures (8 bilateral) underwent open reduction and internal fixation with bone grafting via an extensile lateral approach. Based on 2-dimensional CT scans, the fractures were categorised using the Sanders classification. There were 16 type-II, 20 type-III, and 12 type-IV fractures. Radiographs and Maryland foot scores were used for evaluation of the results at a mean of 38 (range, 26–66) months.Results.Anatomic reduction of the posterior calcaneal facet was achieved in 38 of 48 fractures. The Bohler and Gissane angles were restored to between 92 and 99% of normal, respectively. Despite this, the mean functional scores were 84 in type-II, 83 in type-III and 67 in type-IV fractures.Conclusion.Surgical results were superior in type-II and -III fractures. Type-IV fractures fared poorly, despite excellent restoration of calcaneal anatomy; subtalar arthrodesis should have been considered.

The present research work deals with the expression profile of CATSPER-1 gene as it plays an important role in sperm function, specifically sperm motility, capacitating and acrosomal reaction. For this purpose, ejaculates were obtained from crossbred Frieswal bulls and assessed for normal semen quality parameters and thereafter categorized into Good and Poor quality semen groups based on initial progressive motility. Eosin nigrosin (EN) vital stain and hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) were performed for evaluation of the sperm plasma-lemma integrity. After sperm recovery by Percoll gradient centrifugation, total RNA extraction was done by TRI reagent method. Real-time qPCR was used to elucidate the differential expression of can-didate gene CATSPER 1. One-way ANOVA using SPSS program and Student t-test were performed to determine the significant differences of CATSPER 1 expression profile and comparison of means be-tween good and poor quality semen producers, re-spectively. The present study although revealed slightly lower expression of CATSPER1 in the sper-matozoa of normal group compared to the motility impaired group of crossbred Frieswal bulls, howev-er, no significant difference (P> 0.05) in transcript abundance was observed between the groups.

2,5,8,11-Tetramethyl-5,6,11,12-tetrahydro dibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine, C 18 H 22 H 2 , M r =266, monoclinic, P2 1 /c, a=10.130 (2), b=7.390 (8), c=20.770 (3) A, β=105.42 (1) o , V=1498.9 A 3 , Z=4, D x =1.17 g cm -3 , λ(Mo Kα)=0.71069 A, μ=0.37 cm -1 , F(000)=576, final R=0.077 for 1962 reflections with I>3σ(I) out of 2105 unique reflections measured. The molecule has a twisted boat configuration with the planes of the two phenyl rings at an angle of 49.2 o to each other

At present, about 100 countries are considered malarious, almost half of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. Urban and periurban malaria are on the increase in South Asia and in many areas of Africa. Unfavourable ecological changes have greatly contributed to malaria epidemics.(1)