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The caste system in India traditionally confers immense prestige to upper caste Brahmins and severely curtails the backward castes. In spite of institutional efforts to diminish caste-based discrimination, several contemporary studies underscore the invisible ways in which caste operates. The central question that this article asks is, 'How do Brahmins maintain and assert their privilege today?'. Focusing on the Brahmin residents of Deulpota (village in West Bengal) and rural Brahmin migrants in Kolkata (city), I trace their social networks to learn about how Brahmins subtly maintain their status and privilege in day-to-day life. I argue that Brahmins form and maintain social networks in ways which innocuously preserve their privileges through social capital accessed from diverse asymmetrical relations. These privileges and advantages are sustained through Brahmins' networks of the instrumental kind. Wealthy Brahmins forge these relations to preserve their social position, their family lineage and to control the subordinates while the struggling resource-poor Brahmins use their caste position to cope with impediments of their class status. As such, this study shows how being Brahmin allows for easier access to important instrumental relations (which are not merely caste-based) and resources embedded in them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though we encounter a common exchange between the categories of God and Īśvara or the Brahman in both scholarly works and faith communities, there are deeper and irreconcilable differences in these absolutes from two different cultures. A naive approach to flatten the cultural horizons has engendered more confusion than has created a cultural harmony. Any cultural acceptance based on misconceptions is destined to fail and if we seek to ground cultural understanding, we have to acknowledge their underlying differences. This paper seeks to underscore the central difference in two cultures by examining their absolutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: In tropical conditions, modeling the predictive parameters of live weight, including those at birth, pre-weaning, post-weaning, finishing, and maturing, and the average daily gain, is challenging. The heat load significantly influences the growth rate and final mature weights in the tropics. The study compared the growth rates of Kedah-Kelantan (KK), Brahman (BRAH), and Belgian Blue (BB) crossbred calves. Materials and Methods: The study conducted growth analysis using the non-linear regression growth models as it approximates the sex, breed, and growth physiology changes in beef cattle. It is supported by the utility of the most common growth functions (Brody, Logistic, von Bertalanffy, and Richard’s model) in normal-muscled tropical breeds and double-muscled crossbred beef cattle in the tropics. Results: The BB crossbreds outperformed the KK and BRAH breeds by 50%–100% in live weight gains under tropical conditions. The crossbreds display the double-muscled effect and highlight the advantages of heterosis, making them suitable for upgrading local herds. The study’s findings on the growth characteristics of BB crossbred cattle were best described by the von Bertalanffy growth model, which had a high coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.8) and yielded estimated mature weights of 527.5 kg for males and 518.5 kg for females. Conclusion: According to results, raising BB crossbreds in the tropics as a solution to ensure a sustainable beef supply could yield significant growth and economic benefits.

Abstract Background Carcass weight (HCW) and marbling (MARB) are critical for meat quality and market value in beef cattle. In composite breeds like Brangus, which meld the genetics of Angus and Brahman, SNP-based analyses have illuminated some genetic influences on these traits, but they fall short in fully capturing the nuanced effects of breed of origin alleles (BOA) on these traits. Focus on the impacts of BOA on phenotypic features within Brangus populations can result in a more profound understanding of the specific influences of Angus and Brahman genetics. Moreover, the consideration of BOA becomes particularly significant when evaluating dominance effects contributing to heterosis in crossbred populations. BOA provides a more comprehensive measure of heterosis due to its ability to differentiate the distinct genetic contributions originating from each parent breed. This detailed understanding of genetic effects is essential for making informed breeding decisions to optimize the benefits of heterosis in composite breeds like Brangus. Objective This study aims to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing HCW and MARB by utilizing SNP and BOA information, incorporating additive, dominance, and overdominance effects within a multi-generational Brangus commercial herd. Methods We analyzed phenotypic data from 1,066 genotyped Brangus steers. BOA inference was performed using LAMP-LD software using Angus and Brahman reference sets. SNP-based and BOA-based GWAS were then conducted considering additive, dominance, and overdominance models. Results The study identified numerous QTLs for HCW and MARB. A notable QTL for HCW was associated to the SGCB gene, pivotal for muscle growth, and was identified solely in the BOA GWAS. Several BOA GWAS QTLs exhibited a dominance effect underscoring their importance in estimating heterosis. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that SNP-based methods may not detect all genetic variation affecting economically important traits in composite breeds. BOA inclusion in genomic evaluations is crucial for identifying genetic regions contributing to trait variation and for understanding the dominance value underpinning heterosis. By considering BOA, we gain a deeper understanding of genetic interactions and heterosis, which is integral to advancing breeding programs. The incorporation of BOA is recommended for comprehensive genomic evaluations to optimize trait improvements in crossbred cattle populations.

Background: Carcass weight (HCW) and marbling (MARB) are critical for meat quality and market value in beef cattle. In composite breeds like Brangus, which meld the genetics of Angus and Brahman, SNP-based analyses have illuminated some genetic influences on these traits, but they fall short in fully capturing the nuanced effects of breed of origin alleles (BOA) on these traits. Focus on the impacts of BOA on phenotypic features within Brangus populations can result in a more profound understanding of the specific influences of Angus and Brahman genetics. Moreover, the consideration of BOA becomes particularly significant when evaluating dominance effects contributing to heterosis in crossbred populations. BOA provides a more comprehensive measure of heterosis due to its ability to differentiate the distinct genetic contributions originating from each parent breed. This detailed understanding of genetic effects is essential for making informed breeding decisions to optimize the benefits of heterosis in composite breeds like Brangus. Objective: This study aims to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing HCW and MARB by utilizing SNP and BOA information, incorporating additive, dominance, and overdominance effects within a multi-generational Brangus commercial herd. Methods: We analyzed phenotypic data from 1,066 genotyped Brangus steers. BOA inference was performed using LAMP-LD software using Angus and Brahman reference sets. SNP-based and BOA-based GWAS were then conducted considering additive, dominance, and overdominance models. Results: The study identified numerous QTLs for HCW and MARB. A notable QTL for HCW was associated to the SGCB gene, pivotal for muscle growth, and was identified solely in the BOA GWAS. Several BOA GWAS QTLs exhibited a dominance effect underscoring their importance in estimating heterosis. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that SNP-based methods may not detect all genetic variation affecting economically important traits in composite breeds. BOA inclusion in genomic evaluations is crucial for identifying genetic regions contributing to trait variation and for understanding the dominance value underpinning heterosis. By considering BOA, we gain a deeper understanding of genetic interactions and heterosis, which is integral to advancing breeding programs. The incorporation of BOA is recommended for comprehensive genomic evaluations to optimize trait improvements in crossbred cattle populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: There is little published information on how long it takes for the performance of phosphorus (P)-deficient mature cows to improve once they start receiving P supplements, or whether their long-term performance is impaired by P deficiency early in life. Aims: The performance of mature P-deficient and P-adequate Brahman cows was compared over 3 years to investigate the time it takes for the performance of P-deficient mature cows to improve once they are supplemented with P, and whether their long-term performance is compromised by P deficiency early in life. Methods: Cows that had been a part of a P-supplementation trial at Victoria River Research Station from weaning until they were 5.5 years old were used for this study. One treatment group had received continuous P supplement (P+) since weaning and the other treatment had never received any P supplement (P−). At the conclusion of the original trial, 42 cows were randomly selected from each treatment and then grazed together in the same paddock for 3 years, during which time they were given P supplement continuously. Performance attributes were measured and compared. Key results: This study found that P supplementation rapidly improved the liveweight, body condition, reproductive performance and survival rate of the P-deficient (P−) mature cows. Within a year of receiving P supplement, their performance improved to be similar to that of P+ cows. However, P deficiency early in life did have some residual stunting effects, resulting in lower mean hip height and liveweights of P− cows. Conclusions: The performance of P-deficient mature cows improved rapidly once they were given P supplements and matched that of cows that had always been supplemented. However, P deficiency early in life caused stunting, resulting in mature cows being shorter and lighter. Implications: Cattle producers in P-deficient country should see a rapid improvement in performance and return on investment once they start supplementing P-deficient cows. However, it is better to supplement cattle throughout their lives in P-deficient areas to avoid stunting. This study investigated how long it takes for the performance of phosphorus (P)-deficient mature cows to improve once they are supplemented with P, and whether their long-term performance is compromised by P deficiency early in life. The performance of P-deficient cows improved to be similar to that of P-adequate cows within a year of P supplementation commencing. However, P deficiency early in life did have some residual stunting effects, resulting in lower hip height and liveweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite breeds, including Brangus, are widely utilized in subtropical and tropical regions to harness the advantages of both Bos t. taurus and Bos t. indicus breeds. The formation and subsequent selection of composite breeds may result in discernible signatures of selection and shifts in genomic population structure. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess genomic inbreeding, 2) identify signatures of selection, 3) assign functional roles to these signatures in a commercial Brangus herd, and 4) contrast signatures of selection between selected and non-selected cattle from the same year. A total of 4035 commercial Brangus cattle were genotyped using the GGP-F250K array. Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) were used to identify signatures of selection and calculate genomic inbreeding. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) enrichment analysis and literature search identified phenotypic traits linked to ROH islands. Genomic inbreeding averaged 5%, primarily stemming from ancestors five or more generations back. A total of nine ROH islands were identified, QTL enrichment analysis revealed traits related to growth, milk composition, carcass, reproductive, and meat quality traits. Notably, the ROH island on BTA14 encompasses the pleiomorphic adenoma (PLAG1) gene, which has been linked to growth, carcass, and reproductive traits. Moreover, ROH islands associated with milk yield and composition were more pronounced in selected replacement heifers of the population, underscoring the importance of milk traits in cow-calf production. In summary, our research sheds light on the changing genetic landscape of the Brangus breed due to selection pressures and reveals key genomic regions impacting production traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se ofrece la traducción al español del texto Laghu-Vākya-Vṛtti (Abreviación de la exposición de las sentencias de identidad), atribuido a Śaṅkara. Consta de 18 versos que se centran exclusivamente en la exposición de la sentencia de identidad “Yo soy brahman”. Lo más relevante es que, junto con este texto, nos ha llegado un comentario anónimo autodenominado Puṣpāñjali (Ofrenda de flores), que también se traduce al español y que permite echar un vistazo al arte de la interpretación sánscrita en su evolución posmedieval y premoderna.

La producción de embriones bovinos se ha incrementado exponencialmente en los ultimos años. El número de gestaciones depende de múltiples factores siendo el manejo reproductivo de las receptoras uno de los más importantes. El objetivo fue evaluar el desempeño reproductivo de vacas F1 cebú x suizo europeo utilizadas unicamente para receptoras en un programa de transferencia de embriones. La investigación se realizó en una unidad de producción pecuaria (UPP) en el municipio de Tamiahua, Veracruz. El estudio fue retrospectivo (Abril 2009-Noviembre 2023) y se utilizo la información de 116 receptoras. Los embriones y ovocitos fueron colectados de las donadoras Brahman de la UPP y los embriones fueron producidos in vitro por la empresa ABS en Torreón, Coahuila. El análisis estadístico se realizo utilizando el programa STATISTICA 7. El primer parto fue a los 42.2±9.1 meses de edad. Posteriormente las receptoras tuvieron parámetros reproductivos similares (P>0.05) en los diferentes partos con una media de 1.58±0.80 servicios por concepción (SPC), 193.3±122.5 días abiertos (DA) y 16.0±5.4 meses de intervalo entre partos (IEP) con un total de 4.0±1.6 partos y una estancia en la UPP de 7.9.±1.9 años. El porcentaje de desecho incrementó significativamente (P

The effect of frame score (EC) in Brahman heifers on follicular development and body growth at puberty was evaluated. Ten prepubertal heifers were grouped according to their EC, categorized as small and large. Follicular ovarian development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation were monitored through ultrasound. Measurements of body growth characteristics were taken every 14 days. Correlation and variance analyses were conducted using SAS (9.6) correlation and GLM procedures. The EC of large heifers was 10% higher than that of small heifers (P<0.0001). EC was significant for the total number of follicles (NTF) at puberty; small heifers had an average of 15.65 follicles versus 12.69 follicles in large heifers at puberty (P<0.0001). Furthermore, a negative correlation (P<0.0001) was observed between days to puberty and the weight of the animals and EC (-0.33 and -0.35, respectively). EC in Brahman heifers only had an effect on NTF; however, animals in each group maintained a similar EC throughout the study and were different between groups at puberty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultimate aim of both Eckhart's philosophy and Vedānta philosophy is to attain oneness with God/Brahman. Nevertheless, their different philosophical starting points and the conflict between the sublime ideal of the theory and reality means that their philosophies present a structural symmetry. They both have to face two dilemmas: "How can we claim that humans are already one with God?" and "Why is it that humans are not already one with God?". Eckhart's inherited tradition emphasizes the distinction between humans and God, while the Vedānta philosophical tradition emphasizes that "I am Brahman". Each of them starts from one pole of the seesaw of the dilemma and encounters the other's issue at the other pole. Eventually, they converge at the point of balance, with unity with God/Brahman realized in all human activities. Here, this worldly life becomes significant, all human work expresses the Divinity, and the importance of God is replaced by an impersonal Divinity that combines being and nothingness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La producción de embriones bovinos se ha incrementado exponencialmente en los ultimos años. El número de gestaciones depende de múltiples factores siendo el manejo reproductivo de las receptoras uno de los más importantes. El objetivo fue evaluar el desempeño reproductivo de vacas F1 cebú x suizo europeo utilizadas unicamente para receptoras en un programa de transferencia de embriones. La investigación se realizó en una unidad de producción pecuaria (UPP) en el municipio de Tamiahua, Veracruz. El estudio fue retrospectivo (Abril 2009-Noviembre 2023) y se utilizo la información de 116 receptoras. Los embriones y ovocitos fueron colectados de las donadoras Brahman de la UPP y los embriones fueron producidos in vitro por la empresa ABS en Torreón, Coahuila. El análisis estadístico se realizo utilizando el programa STATISTICA 7. El primer parto fue a los 42.2±9.1 meses de edad. Posteriormente las receptoras tuvieron parámetros reproductivos similares (P>0.05) en los diferentes partos con una media de 1.58±0.80 servicios por concepción (SPC), 193.3±122.5 días abiertos (DA) y 16.0±5.4 meses de intervalo entre partos (IEP) con un total de 4.0±1.6 partos y una estancia en la UPP de 7.9.±1.9 años. El porcentaje de desecho incrementó significativamente (P

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression during key developmental processes, including fetal development. Brahman (Bos taurus indicus) and Angus (Bos taurus taurus) cattle breeds represent two major cattle subspecies with strikingly different phenotypes.Methods: We analyzed miRNA expression in liver samples of purebred and reciprocal crosses of Angus and Brahman to investigate breed and parent-of-origin effects at the onset of accelerated fetal growth.Results: We identified eight novel miRNAs in fetal liver samples and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between purebred samples. Correlation of gene expression modules and miRNAs by breed and parent-of-origin effects revealed an enrichment of genes associated with breed-specific differences in traits such as heat tolerance (Brahman) and fat deposition (Angus). We demonstrate that genes predicted to be targets of DEMs were more likely to be differentially expressed than non-targets (p-value < 0.05). We identified several miRNAs (bta-miR-187, bta-miR-216b, bta-miR-2284c, bta-miR-2285c, bta-miR-2285cp, bta-miR-2419-3p, bta-miR-2419-5p, and bta-miR-11984) that showed similar correlation patterns as bta-miR-2355-3p, which has been associated with the glutamatergic synapse pathway, a key facilitator of heat tolerance. Furthermore, we report Angus-breed-specific miRNAs (bta-miR-2313-5p, btamiR-490, bta-miR-2316, and bta-miR-11990) that may be involved in fat deposition. Finally, we showed that the DEMs identified in fetal liver are involved in Rap1, MAPK, and Ras signalling pathways, which are important for fetal development, muscle development and metabolic traits such as fat metabolism.Conclusion: Our work sheds light on the miRNA expression patterns that contribute to gene expression differences driving phenotypic differences in indicine and taurine cattle.

The expression of interferon (IFN) stimulated genes (ISGs) in lymphocytes has been used for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. However, among-cow variability has yielded sub-optimal predictive accuracy. We hypothesized that the expression of ISGs (ISG15 , OAS1 , RSAD2 , CLEC3B , and AKR1B1) in early pregnancy varies according to the proportion of Bos indicus (B. indicus) genetics on females. Multiparous cows were classified in three genetic groups, High Angus (HA; n = 45 [0–33% Brahman influence]), Angus-Brahman (AB; n = 30 [34–67%]), and High Brahman (HB; n = 19 [68–100%]) and submitted to a Select-Synch + CIDR protocol. Cows that displayed estrus (n = 94) were artificially inseminated (Day0; D0). On D19, blood samples were collected to obtain peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and measure progesterone (P4) concentrations. On D30, pregnancy diagnosis was performed. The expression of RSAD2 in PBMC of pregnant cows was positively related to the proportion of B. indicus genetics of the groups, but not the expression of ISG15 and OAS1. In pregnant cows, the proportion of B. indicus genetics was negatively associated to circulating levels of P4 concentrations. The P4 concentrations were related positively with RSAD2 expression. ROC curve results determined that for cattle with B. indicus genetics lower than 67%, the CLEC3B and AKR1B1 combination was the most accurate option to predict the outcome of pregnancy. In cows with more than 68% of B. indicus genetics, RSAD2 provided the best accuracy. In conclusion, there is a relationship between the proportion of B. indicus genetics and the ISGs gene expression in PBMC during pregnancy. [Display omitted] • Expression of classical interferon-stimulated genes was not affected by the proportion of B. indicus genetics in pregnant cattle. • RSAD2 expression was influenced negatively by the plasmatic concentration of progesterone. • RSAD2 was the best predictor of pregnancy for cows with greater proportion of B. indicus genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the insights from classical Advaita Vedanta philosophy to address issues regarding the existence of consciousness in the empirical world, emphasizing the role of Brahman as the ground of all existence. Topics include the relationship between Advaita Vedanta and cosmopsychism, the derivation problem, and decombination problem related to cosmic consciousness, and the ontological status of the empirical world in Advaita Vedanta.

Although the presence of zero has been traced to many ancient civilizations including India, the question of its origin is still a moot point among historians and mathematicians. As such, in the present chapter a humble attempt will be made to gather data from the Vedic and post-Vedic Sanskrit literature to understand the origin of zero; the philosophy behind its origin; various denominations of zero used in various phases of Indian civilization; and the philosophy and epistemology behind the symbolic representation of zero (0) in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dehorning is the process of physically removing horns to protect animals and humans from injury, but the process is costly, unpleasant, and faces increasing public scrutiny. Genetic selection for polled (hornless), which is genetically dominant to horned, is a long-term solution to eliminate the need for dehorning. However, due to the limited number of polled Australian Brahman bulls, the northern Australian beef cattle population remains predominantly horned. The potential to use gene editing to produce high-genetic-merit polled cattle was recently demonstrated. To further explore the concept, this study simulated introgression of the POLLED allele into a tropically adapted Australian beef cattle population via conventional breeding or gene editing (top 1% or 10% of seedstock bulls/year) for 3 polled mating schemes and compared results to baseline selection on genetic merit (Japan Ox selection index, $JapOx) alone, over the course of 20 years. The baseline scenario did not significantly decrease the 20-year HORNED allele frequency (80%), but resulted in one of the fastest rates of genetic gain ($8.00/year). Compared to the baseline, the conventional breeding scenarios where polled bulls were preferentially used for breeding, regardless of their genetic merit, significantly decreased the 20-year HORNED allele frequency (30%), but resulted in a significantly slower rate of genetic gain ($6.70/year, P ≤ 0.05). The mating scheme that required the exclusive use of homozygous polled bulls, resulted in the lowest 20-year HORNED allele frequency (8%), but this conventional breeding scenario resulted in the slowest rate of genetic gain ($5.50/year). The addition of gene editing the top 1% or 10% of seedstock bull calves/year to each conventional breeding scenario resulted in significantly faster rates of genetic gain (up to $8.10/year, P ≤ 0.05). Overall, our study demonstrates that, due to the limited number of polled Australian Brahman bulls, strong selection pressure on polled will be necessary to meaningfully increase the number of polled animals in this population. Moreover, these scenarios illustrate how gene editing could be a tool for accelerating the development of high-genetic-merit homozygous polled sires to mitigate the current trade-off of slower genetic gain associated with decreasing HORNED allele frequency in the Australian Brahman population.

Simple Summary: The productive longevity of cattle is a difficult trait to quantify, but it is believed to be influenced by genetic factors, which, in turn, may be influenced by environmental stressors. One potential biological marker for cow longevity is the length of the telomere (TL), which is the highly plastic nucleic sequence responsible for protecting the chromosomes' integrity. Stressors negatively affect the TL in many vertebrate species. Stressors are encountered in all segments of beef production, from breeding and calf production through the finishing phase. We assessed whether the number of parities, duration of labor, and raising a calf were related to the TL in age-matched Brahman females that were pregnant for the first or second time. The parity was negatively associated with peripheral blood leukocyte TL in Brahman cows. In addition to its appeal as a selection criterion for longevity, the TL may be an indicator of welfare due to its susceptibility to stress. The mechanisms subserving the bovine telomere dynamics between birth and culling (or survival) constitute a worthy topic for further exploration, particularly in consideration of stressors that are associated with a changing climate. Physiological and psychological stressors have been associated with the attrition of telomeres, which are the protective caps of chromosomes. This study compares the telomere length (TL) in 4-year-old Brahman cows grouped by the first parity (n = 8) and the second parity (n = 11). The cows were bled via jugular venipuncture, weighed, and had their body condition scores recorded at Day −28 prior to calving and at Day + 7 and Day + 28 post-calving. The duration of labor (Dlabor) and parturition ease were recorded. The peripheral leukocytes were isolated, the leukocyte blood count with differential was recorded, and the genomic DNA was extracted. The relative quantity of telomere products, which is proportional to the average TL, was determined via multiplex quantitative PCR using the ratio (T/S ratio) of bovine telomere and β-globulin DNA. Standards of the bovine telomere (1012–107 dilution series) and β-globulin (109–104 dilution series) genes were utilized to produce relative copy numbers. The samples were assayed in triplicate and were included if the triplicate Cq difference was less than 0.25 cycles. The parity was the fixed effect, and the random effects included the sire and day repeated with the cow as the subject. Statistical significance was not observed in the leukocyte number or type (p > 0.1). A reduction in the TL of approximately 9225 telomeric copies was found between Parity 1 and Parity 2 (p = 0.02). A trend was found between the TL and Dlabor (p = 0.06). The stress of parturition and raising the first calf of a cow's life may be responsible for TL attenuation. Parity may be considered a stressor of cow longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "nondual states" has gained some currency as applied to states of mind in which the sense of self is softened, expanded, or shifted from conventional experience. Nonduality is a metaphysical concept about the nature of reality, commonly associated with the Advaita Vedanta school of Indian religion. New Age religious thought has applied the term "nondual" to states of consciousness that are believed to contact or apprehend this speculated metaphysical ideal. However, this use is incompatible with lineage-based teachings of Advaita Vedanta, inadequately precise to serve as a psychological construct, and improper as an insertion of New Age metaphysical notions into a psychological context. The paper draws on the author's personal engagement with doctrines of Advaita Vedanta received from a scholar and lineage-holding teacher, Carol Whitfield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When we talk about the caste system today, among other things, we talk about the wily, crafty and the boasting Brahmins who founded and maintained a set of self-serving rules that effectively took the form of the caste system. How do social scientists know about these Brahmins? As a set of new scholars are demonstrating today, the ancient Indian texts - such as the Vedas or the Mahabharata - do not talk about the caste system or the rule-setting priestly class of Brahmins. These texts do not even exhibit an impulse to put into place a system that even remotely resembles the so-called caste system. Whence is this idea of Brahmin then? Ever since Wilhelm Halbfass’s Imagining India (1990), a growing but a small number of Indologists talk about the 11th century Al-Bīrūnī as one of “the greatest scholars ever” to speak about the Indian caste system. There is, however, neither a comprehensive study to show what his contributions measure up to nor any attempt to dig into the Islamic culture that culminates in Al-Biruni’s quite detailed picture of the Brahmin and the caste system. This paper sifts through the earliest available Islamic writings on India, from the early 8th century to Al-Biruni’s time, to chart a genealogy of the figure of the law-making crafty Brahmin that we confront by the 11th century in Muslim writings. Cuando se habla hoy del sistema de castas, se habla, entre otras cosas, de los astutos, taimados y ostentosos brahmanes que fundaron y mantuvieron un conjunto de normas de interés propio que adoptaron efectivamente la forma del sistema de castas. ¿Qué saben las ciencias sociales sobre estos brahmanes? Como están demostrando hoy un conjunto de nuevos estudiosos, los antiguos textos indios –como los Vedas o el Mahabharata– no hablan del sistema de castas ni de la clase sacerdotal dominante de los brahmanes. Dichos textos ni siquiera muestran un impulso para poner en marcha un sistema que se asemeje siquiera remotamente al llamado sistema de castas. ¿De dónde surge, entonces, esta idea del brahmán? Este artículo examina los primeros escritos islámicos disponibles sobre la India, desde principios del siglo VIII hasta la época de Al-Biruni, para trazar una genealogía de la figura del brahmán legislador y astuto que surge en los escritos musulmanes del siglo XI. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1318

Cattle lose heat predominantly through cutaneous evaporation at the skin-hair coat interface when experiencing heat stress. Sweating ability, sweat gland properties, and hair coat properties are a few of the many variables determining the efficacy of evaporative cooling. Sweating is a significant heat dissipation mechanism responsible for 85% of body heat loss when temperatures rise above 86°F. The purpose of this study was to characterize skin morphological parameters in Angus, Brahman, and their crossbred cattle. Skin samples were taken during the summer of 2017 and 2018 from a total of 319 heifers from six breed groups ranging from 100% Angus to 100% Brahman. Epidermis thickness decreased as the percentage of Brahman genetics increased where the 100% Angus group had a significantly thicker epidermis compared to the 100% Brahman animals. A more extended epidermis layer was identified in Brahman animals due to more pronounced undulations in this skin layer. Breed groups with 75% and 100% Brahman genes were similar and had the largest sweat gland area, indicative of superior resilience to heat stress, compared to breed groups with 50% or lower Brahman genetics. There was a significant linear breed group effect on sweat gland area indicating an increase of 862.0 µm2 for every 25% increase in Brahman genetics. Sweat gland length increased as the Brahman percentage increased, while the sweat gland depth showed an opposite trend, decreasing from 100% Angus to 100% Brahman. The number of sebaceous glands was highest in 100% Brahman animals which had about 1.77 more sebaceous glands (p < 0.05) per 4.6 mm2area. Conversely, the sebaceous gland area was greatest in the 100% Angus group. This study identified significant differences in skin properties related to heat exchange ability between Brahman and Angus cattle. Equally important, these differences are also accompanied by significant levels of variation within each breed, which is indicative that selection for these skin traits would improve the heat exchange ability in beef cattle. Further, selecting beef cattle for these skin traits would lead to increased resilience to heat stress without disrupting production traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a survey of various philosophical schools, focusing primarily on South Asian ones, and how they address the problem of being and nonbeing. The early Greek poet Parmenides stated that nonbeing is something that we cannot actually conceptualize and, thus, cannot speak of meaningfully. Plato and Aristotle are two examples of Western philosophers who came up with different ways of resolving the issue. As we turn to Indic schools of philosophy, we encounter a colorful array of different approaches. The Upanishads gave rise to a variety of points of view, though the Advaita Vedānta school of Adi Śaṅkara has dominated the discussion over the last few centuries. Other schools represented in this survey are Sāṃkhya, Buddhism (Therāvada, Sarvāstivāda, Sautantrika, Yogācāra, and Mādhyamaka), Vaiśeṣika, and Nyāya. Unsurprisingly, each comes up with different constructs that are frequently mutually exclusive, despite efforts by some writers to look past some obvious differences that are not reconcilable. There are also some conceptual similarities with Western philosophy, but the different cultural backdrops limit the ability to easily transfer ideas from one context to the other. My method is to quote short passages from the central writings (usually the "official" sutras) and show how they fit into their particular systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: There is a paucity of information on the responses to phosphorus (P) supplementation of breeder herds grazing P-deficient rangelands in northern Australia. Aims: A study examined the production and economic benefits of P supplementation of Brahman females grazing P-deficient pastures in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. Methods: Two treatment groups (initially n ~ 90) grazed two similar P-deficient paddocks for 5 years after weaning (at approximately 6 months of age). Management was the same except that the loose lick mineral supplement either contained P (+P) or did not contain P (−P). Performance attributes were measured from commencement until after the cows had the opportunity to calve during three successive annual cycles. Key results: The cows in the +P treatment were overall heavier (P < 0.001), taller (P < 0.001) and had higher plasma inorganic P (PiP) concentrations (P < 0.001) than did those in the −P treatment at every measurement date after the first wet season. Pregnancy rates in lactating cows were 25%, 39% and 63% units higher (P < 0.01) in +P in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively and overall average weaner weight was 33 kg heavier (P < 0.001) in +P. Due to higher weaning rates and heavier weaning weights, +P produced about AU$39 365 more value of weaners per 100 heifers allocated to each treatment than did −P over the first three calf crops. The cumulative mortality rate was 12% higher in the −P over the 5 years (14.8% vs 2.2%, P < 0.01), and would have been even higher if at-risk −P cows had not been fed additional supplements. Return on investment calculations indicated that each AU$1 spent on P supplement returned AU$4.98 in value of extra calves weaned and AU$7.88 in extra total liveweight increase over the 5 years of the study. Conclusions: The large production and financial benefits from P supplementation observed in this study are relevant to most northern Australian properties where soils are P deficient, although the magnitude of response is likely to vary depending on the level of P deficiency. Implications: The large production and economic benefits from P supplementation in this study demonstrated the importance of P supplementation for breeder herds grazing P-deficient pastures. A study was conducted over 5 years at Victoria River Research Station, Northern Territory, Australia, to determine the effects of phosphorus (P) supplementation on the growth and reproductive performance of Brahman females grazing P-deficient pastures and to evaluate the return on investment in P supplementation. P supplementation resulted in large improvements in growth, pregnancy rate, weaning rate, average weaner weight, weaner production, mortality rate and gave an excellent return on investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vedānta is one of the oldest philosophical systems. While there are many detailed commentaries on Vedānta, there are very few mathematical descriptions of the different concepts developed there. This article shows how ideas from theoretical computer science can be used to explain Vedānta. The standard ideas of transition systems and modal logic are used to develop a formal description for the different ideas in Vedānta. The generality of the formalism is illustrated via a number of examples including saṃsāra, Patañjali's Yogasūtras, karma, the three avasthās from the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad and the key difference between advaita and dvaita in relation to mokṣa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In cattle, prenatal transportation stress has been associated with differential methylation of genes related to metabolism, but the effects of prenatal transportation stress on skeletal muscle mitochondria and oxidative stress have not been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that prenatally stressed calves would exhibit increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial function resulting in greater oxidative stress than calves from non-stressed dams. Serum and longissimus thoracis muscle samples were collected from yearling Brahman calves whose mothers were stressed by transportation at five time points during gestation [i.e., prenatally stressed (PNS); eight bulls and six heifers] and control calves (CON; four bulls and six heifers). Serum was evaluated for concentration of the stress hormone, cortisol and for a marker of muscle perturbation, creatine kinase activity. Muscle samples were analyzed for concentration of a by-product of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, and activity of the antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, muscle mitochondrial volume density and function were estimated by citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activities, respectively. Data were analyzed using mixed linear models with sex, treatment, and the sex × treatment interaction as fixed effects. No investigated variable differed between CON and PNS calves (p ≥ 0.3). These data suggest that prenatal transportation stress does not have an impact on skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism or markers of stress or muscle damage in Brahman yearling calves at rest. However, previously reported negative impacts of prenatal stress on inflammatory responses suggest that PNS calves may be differentially equipped to handle an acute stressor. Future research should investigate the energetic and inflammatory implications of acute stressors in animals subjected to prenatal stress.

The ultimate aim of both Eckhart’s philosophy and Vedānta philosophy is to attain oneness with God/Brahman. Nevertheless, their different philosophical starting points and the conflict between the sublime ideal of the theory and reality means that their philosophies present a structural symmetry. They both have to face two dilemmas: “How can we claim that humans are already one with God?” and “Why is it that humans are not already one with God?”. Eckhart’s inherited tradition emphasizes the distinction between humans and God, while the Vedānta philosophical tradition emphasizes that “I am Brahman”. Each of them starts from one pole of the seesaw of the dilemma and encounters the other’s issue at the other pole. Eventually, they converge at the point of balance, with unity with God/Brahman realized in all human activities. Here, this worldly life becomes significant, all human work expresses the Divinity, and the importance of God is replaced by an impersonal Divinity that combines being and nothingness.

The Upanishads incorporate different interpretations of the relation between Brahman and the world, a difference that gives some people a reason to deny the existence of a unique philosophical doctrine in these texts. This article aims to note the internal consistency in the Upanishads with a view to analyzing their content in the words of Ibn ʿArabi and his commentators concerning the doctrine of the nondelimited oneness of being. For him, being is endowed with nondelimited oneness, and the world and multiple existing things limit this absolute reality, and this unique truth manifests itself within their framework, and therefore, it acquires multiplicity at the level of manifestation. In mystical experiences, when a mystic unites himself with God, he would either witness the oneness of being and have an acquaintance with the world as God, or consider the multiplicity within oneness, and hence, find the world distinct from Him. If we consider various Upanishadic phrases as expressions of such dual perspectives, then we will find a more precise understanding of, and we will have sufficient reasons to accept, their internal consistency.

Cattle lose heat predominantly through cutaneous evaporation at the skin-hair coat interface when experiencing heat stress. Sweating ability, sweat gland properties, and hair coat properties are a few of the many variables determining the efficacy of evaporative cooling. Sweating is a significant heat dissipation mechanism responsible for 85% of body heat loss when temperatures rise above 86⁰F. The purpose of this study was to characterize skin morphological parameters in Angus, Brahman, and their crossbred cattle. Skin samples were taken during the summer of 2017 and 2018 from a total of 319 heifers from six breed groups ranging from 100% Angus to 100% Brahman. Epidermis thickness decreased as the percentage of Brahman genetics increased where the 100% Angus group had a significantly thicker epidermis compared to the 100% Brahman animals. A more extended epidermis layer was identified in Brahman animals due to more pronounced undulations in this skin layer. Breed groups with 75% and 100% Brahman genes were similar and had the largest sweat gland area, indicative of superior resilience to heat stress, compared to breed groups with 50% or lower Brahman genetics. There was a significant linear breed group effect on sweat gland area indicating an increase of 862.0 µm2 for every 25% increase in Brahman genetics. Sweat gland length increased as the Brahman percentage increased, while the sweat gland depth showed an opposite trend, decreasing from 100% Angus to 100% Brahman. The number of sebaceous glands was highest in 100% Brahman animals which had about 1.77 more sebaceous glands (p < 0.05) per 4.6 mm2area. Conversely, the sebaceous gland area was greatest in the 100% Angus group. This study identified significant differences in skin properties related to heat exchange ability between Brahman and Angus cattle. Equally important, these differences are also accompanied by significant levels of variation within each breed, which is indicative that selection for these skin traits would improve the heat exchange ability in beef cattle. Further, selecting beef cattle for these skin traits would lead to increased resilience to heat stress without disrupting production traits.

Simple Summary: Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation can influence gene expression and phenotype. Variation in DNA methylation patterns between individuals may contribute to phenotypic variation. The object of this study was to quantify the inter-individual variation in DNA methylation patterns of the anterior pituitary, amygdala and leukocytes harvested from two groups of Brahman females, one prenatally stressed and one control. There was little overlap between the sites and areas that exhibited high inter-individual variation between the two groups. The interaction between the prenatal environment and cow genotype could be responsible for the differences in location of the variation. The variation also appeared to be tissue specific, providing support for DNA methylation's role in tissue specific gene expression. Genes that displayed high variation in methylation are active in biological pathways important to immune response, hormone production and behavior. This was the first characterization of the inter-individual variation of DNA methylation in somatic cells of beef cattle. Further research characterizing how methylated regions interact with gene expression and the environment may give useful insight into how cow performance is affected. Quantifying the natural inter-individual variation in DNA methylation patterns is important for identifying its contribution to phenotypic variation, but also for understanding how the environment affects variability, and for incorporation into statistical analyses. The inter-individual variation in DNA methylation patterns in female cattle and the effect that a prenatal stressor has on such variability have yet to be quantified. Thus, the objective of this study was to utilize methylation data from mature Brahman females to quantify the inter-individual variation in DNA methylation. Pregnant Brahman cows were transported for 2 h durations at days 60 ± 5; 80 ± 5; 100 ± 5; 120 ± 5; and 140 ± 5 of gestation. A non-transport group was maintained as a control. Leukocytes, amygdala, and anterior pituitary glands were harvested from eight cows born from the non-transport group (Control) and six from the transport group (PNS) at 5 years of age. The DNA harvested from the anterior pituitary contained the greatest variability in DNA methylation of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (mCpG) sites from both the PNS and Control groups, and the amygdala had the least. Numerous variable mCpG sites were associated with retrotransposable elements and highly repetitive regions of the genome. Some of the genomic features that had high variation in DNA methylation are involved in immune responses, signaling, responses to stimuli, and metabolic processes. The small overlap of highly variable CpG sites and features between tissues and leukocytes supports the role of variable DNA methylation in regulating tissue-specific gene expression. Many of the CpG sites that exhibited high variability in DNA methylation were common between the PNS and Control groups within a tissue, but there was little overlap in genomic features with high variability. The interaction between the prenatal environment and the genome could be responsible for the differences in location of the variable DNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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