bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Middle East Top Container Ports Relative Technical Efficiency
Authors: Shaheen Ahmed Atef , Elkalla Mohamed Abbas
Published: March 2021

Middle East main container ports are developing rapidly with a lot of investments. This is due to their geographical location in the main East-West trade route. Accordingly, it is important to assess their relative technical efficiency to make them visible and stand out in such a development. This research will assess the relative technical efficiency based on the infrastructure of the main container ports in the Middle East by the aid of data envelopment analysis (DEA) for the year 2017. This will be performed by using the DEA four models based on the input oriented mode CCR model, BCC model, Supper efficiency and the Slack variable analyses. Results of the research highlight that nearly 80% of the studied ports are, with an increasing return to scale approach to the study ports, suffering from a surplus in their infrastructure that should be considered in future investments.
Artificial neural network for predicting values of residuary resistance per unit weight of displacement
Authors: Baressi Šegota Sandi , Anđelić Nikola , Kudláček Jan , Čep Robert
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes the usage of an Artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the values of the residuary resistance per unit weight of displacement from the variables describing ship’s dimensions. For this purpose, a Multilayer perceptron (MLP) regressor ANN is used, with the grid search technique being applied to determine the appropriate properties of the model. After the model training, its quality is determined using R2 value and a Bland-Altman (BA) graph which shows a majority of values predicted falling within the 95% confidence interval. The best model has four hidden layers with ten, twenty, twenty and ten nodes respectively, uses a relu activation function with a constant learning rate of 0.01 and the regularization parameter L2 value of 0.001. The achieved model shows a high regression quality, lacking precision in the higher value range due to the lack of data.
Numerical Analysis of Fuel Injector Nozzle Geometry - Influence on Liquid Fuel Contraction Coefficient and Reynolds Number
Authors: Kocijel Lino , Mrzljak Vedran , Čohodar Husić Maida , Čekić Ahmet
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the influence of the fuel injector nozzle geometry on the liquid fuel contraction coefficient and Reynolds number. The main three fuel injector nozzle geometry parameters: nozzle diameter (d), nozzle length (l) and nozzle inlet radius (r) have a strong influence on the liquid fuel contraction coefficient and Reynolds number. The variation of the nozzle geometry variables at different liquid fuel pressures, temperatures and injection rates was analyzed. The liquid fuel contraction coefficient and Reynolds number increase with an increase in the nozzle diameter, regardless of the fuel injection rate. An increase in the r/d ratio causes an increase in the fuel contraction coefficient, but the increase is not significant after r/d = 0.1. A nozzle length increase causes a decrease in the fuel contraction coefficient. Increase in the nozzle length of 0.5 mm causes an approximately similar decrease in the contraction coefficient at any fuel pressure and any nozzle length. Fuel injectors should operate with minimal possible nozzle lengths in order to obtain higher fuel contraction coefficients.
Review of Modern Transportation Technologies with focus on Containerization
Authors: Pavlić Skender Helga , Adelajda Zaninović Petra , Srića Elena
Published: March 2021

Modern transportation technologies emerged in the mid-20th century and their appearance changed the current course of the transportation of goods. The use of modern transportation technologies in transport processes results in faster, more efficient and safer transport of goods from the sender/consignor, the manufacturer, to the receiver/consignee, consumer or customer. Container, i.e. containerization is one of the most important transportation technologies with significant impact on the development of international trade and globalization from the 1960s until present time. The aim of this paper is to review the role of containerization, as the most significant transportation technology. The results show an ever growing yet slower trend of containerization during past years that is likely to continue in the upcoming period . In the future, challenges can be expected in the container business especially in the field of digitalization and automation. This paper contributes to the valorization of containerization and points to the important role of infrastructure as a support to the realization of the potential of containerization in future.
Profile of gynecological malignancies after the start of gynecology oncology surgeries in Sikkim-experience from a tertiary hospital in North East India
Authors: Lucksom Pesona Grace , Thatal Annet , Tamang Zigmee Dorjee , Sharma Barun Kumar , Khalda Ezzat , Sherpa Mingma
Published: March 2021

Background: North East is the “cancer capital” of India where there is acute lack of oncologists and oncology facilities. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the trends of gynecological malignancies and to evaluate the need for oncology facility in Sikkim.Methods: This is a retrospective desk review conducted in department of obstetrics and gynecology at Sikkim Manipal institute of medical sciences, India, for a period of three years after the start of oncology surgeries. Women operated for any gynecological malignancy were taken into the study while women referred outside for alternative treatment were excluded from the study.Results: A total 29 women with gynecological malignancies were operated during the 3-year period. Of the total, 17 (58%) were women operated for carcinoma ovary, 6 (21%) for cancer cervix and 6 (21%) for carcinoma uterus. Epithelial ovarian cancer was the most common ovarian cancer. 105 women with large complex ovarian masses were operated during the three-year period, however, only 17 women were diagnosed with cancer of which 8 women had stage I disease while 9 women had advanced disease (stage III-IV). 12 women underwent primary debulking surgery while 5 women underwent interval debulking surgery. Average age for cervical cancer was 48 years, average age for ovarian cancer was 46 years while 52 years was the average age for cancer uterus. Conclusions: High number of gynecological malignancies operated in the only center offering minimum oncological surgical facility points towards the need for a specialized center providing all the needs for treating oncology cases in Sikkim
Tech Start-up Incubation Program: Business Model Evaluation on Government Based Incubator in Indonesia
Authors: Noer Amelia Tifa , Thoyib Armanu , Irianto Gugus , Rofiq Ainur
Published: March 2021

This research evaluates business model in an incubator company using a framework that consists of 21 assessment components. It is required to examine and measure the efficiency of the incubation program. The incubation program is an intensive mentoring service for start-ups and connects them with the related support system. Analysis conducted using a qualitative approach and matrix scoring generated from N-Vivo. Bekraf Incubator is a government-based incubator in Indonesia suitable for early stages of start-up. Bekraf Incubator successfully demonstrates an effective and flexible business model by focusing on 16 sub-sectors under their incubation program.
Integrative Viewpoint for Implementing Sustainable Management Agricultural Business Excellence
Authors: Sahaidak Mykhailo , Tepliuk Mariia , Zhurylo Victoria , Rudenko Natalia , Samko Olesia
Published: March 2021

The article proves that at the present stage of economic development the agro-industrial sector of Ukraine is one of the most important sectors of the domestic economy. Taking into account the integration processes, agribusiness increases the volume of innovation, as it operates in conditions of high energy analysis methods, mysterious processing methods, small technological research methods. In the course of the study, it was determined that we observe a tendency to a gradual decline of domestic agriculture. It was found that important for agribusiness, which let’s use synergistic factors of agricultural enterprises external environment forms and use dynamic opportunities of industrial agriproduct’s in Ukraine. The proposed use of scientific and methodological tools for business excellence evaluation within agricultural enterprises on the basis key indicators of importance, with market features duality.
Compliance with Tax Laws in the Russian Federation: Trust or Control
Authors: Aliev Murat , Milovanova Ekaterina , Moiseenko Irina , Molodykh Vladimir
Published: March 2021

Tax evasion processes have been analyzed using the “slippery slope” concept, which has made it possible to assess the influence of socio-psychological and “rational” factors on the behavior of taxpayers in the context of voluntary and involuntary compliance with the tax laws. The representatives of small and medium businesses acted as the respondents, who evaluated their behavior in the framework of procedural, distributive, and punitive justice. The simulation results have shown that compliance with tax legislation, regardless of its voluntary or involuntary nature, depends on the level of trust in public authorities and the subjective perception of justice of the current tax system.
Teaching Accompaniment in Colombia's Official Educational Institutions
Authors: González-Díaz Romel Ramón , Guanilo Gómez Santos Lucio , Vegas-Ochoa Juan Carlos , Cachicatari Vargas Elena
Published: March 2021

This article presents an analysis of the quality principles for the teaching accompaniment of the official educational institutions of the city of Montería. A questionnaire with 36 reagents (Likert type scale) was applied to 341 teachers and their answers were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Additionally, the chi-square test and V Cramer were used to determine the existence of relationships and their strength. The main results refer to the existence of a relationship between the principles of quality and teacher accompaniment in the official educational institutions of the city of Montería.
Architecture of a Digital Platform for Research and Design of Innovations in Mechanical and Instrument Engineering
Authors: Belov V.F. , Gavryushin S.S. , Zankin A.I.
Published: March 2021

Platform business models for research and design of innovative products have not found widespread use in the national mechanical engineering branch yet. Meanwhile, the manufacturing process organization based on digital twin prototype and competence distribution models is a world trend in the innovative product design and implementation. The applied digital platform implemented at the Innovation Design Center of the Industrial Technopark of the Republic of Mordovia provides requirements engineering, system architecture engineering and test engineering services. These services are carried out with the support of software systems and related equipment operating in a single information environment. One of the challenges of the digital platform architectural design is the choice of methods and tools for integrating CAD / CAM / CAE systems, industrial software, test and process equipment and newly developed services into the PLM Teamcenter environment. Another task is to provide access to platform resources for geographically remote clients with maximum localization of services production within the platform. The task is solved on the basis of a powerful instrumental core, which includes the most modern computing and telecommunication systems, technological, test equipment and measuring instruments. The structure of the digital platform deployment considered in the paper reflects its current status.
Benutzungsreglement für die Bestände des «Foto- & Familienarchivs Brown» im Museum Langmatt in Baden unter Berücksichtigung des normativen Umfelds
Authors: Lutz Kiki
Published: March 2021

Die vorliegende Arbeit erstellt ein Benutzungsregelment für das private «Foto- & Familienarchiv Brown» im Museum Langmatt in Baden unter Berücksichtigung des geltenden normativen Umfelds. Dieses wird in einem ersten Teil in Bezug auf den Standort und die Rechtspersönlichkeit des Archivs ermittelt. In einem zweiten Schritt wird versucht, die Rechte und Interessen der Benutzenden, der im Archivgut mit Werken vertretenen Urheberinnen und der dokumentierten Personen soweit in Einklang zu bringen, dass innerhalb des Regelungsumfelds eine möglichst intensive und offene Nutzung stattfinden kann. Bei der Erstellung der Regelungen dienen die Benutzungsordnungen des Schweizerischen Bundesarchivs BAR und des Staatsarchivs des Kantons Aargau StAAG als Vergleichsfolien. Das resultierende Reglement kann das Ideal eines optimalen Interessensausgleichs aufgrund von faktischen Einschränkungen im Museum Langmatt letztlich nicht ganz erreichen. Die erarbeiteten Regelungen bieten zwar weitgehend Rechtssicherheit für Urheberinnen und dokumentierte Personen, jedoch nicht die grösstmögliche Freiheit bei der Nutzung des Archivguts, die unter rein rechtlichen Gesichtspunkten möglich wäre. Zwecks Implementierung des neuen Reglements im Museumsbetrieb wird ein internes Nutzungshandbuch für das Personal erstellt.
Digitalisierungsstrategien in Privatarchiven: Herausforderungen und Chancen
Authors: Huwiler Elke
Published: March 2021

Archivbestände digitalisiert im Netz zu finden wird aus Nutzersicht heutzutage immer selbstverständlicher. Doch nicht nur um diesen Nutzungsbedürfnissen zu entsprechen, sondern auch aus Gründen der Erhöhung der Sichtbarkeit als Archiv gegen aussen, aus konservatorischen Gründen sowie aus Gründen der Bereitstellung des digitalisierten Materials für Forschung oder zu musealen Zwecken digitalisieren immer mehr Archive ihre Bestände.Um solche Digitalisierungsprojekte durchführen zu können, formulieren Archive Digitalisierungsstrategien, die unter den Aspekten Ziele, Ressourcen, Juristische Grundlagen, Auswahlkriterien, Standards, Erschliessung, Bereitstellung und Langzeitarchivierung die Handhabung des Archivs im Digitalisierungsprozess regeln.Die Arbeit untersucht die Digitalisierungsstrategien der beiden Gedächtnisinstitutionen Deutsches Literaturarchiv (Marbach) und Schweizerisches Literaturarchiv (Bern), die unterschiedlich mit dem Bereich der Digitalisierung umgehen: Während das Deutsche Literaturarchiv bisher kaum sichtbar Material digitalisiert und bereitgestellt hat, nun aber zu diesem Zweck ein Digitalisierungszentrum errichtet hat und die Koordination der entsprechenden Projekte „top-down“ regeln will, hat das Schweizerische Literaturarchiv schon mehrere Digitalisierungsprojekte durchgeführt, allerdings ohne selber formulierte Digitalisierungsstrategie; es orientiert sich für die Rahmenbedingungen an der Digitalisierungsleitlinie der Schweizerischen Nationalbibliothek und führt eigene Projekte nach einer „bottom-up“-Handhabung mit variierenden Regelungen je nach Projekt durch.Der Vergleich der beiden Strategien zeigt unter anderem, dass sich die beiden Literaturarchive zwar in der digitalisierten Erschliessung und Bereitstellung von Metadaten sehr fortschrittlich positionieren, bei der eigentlichen Digitalisierung von Archivgut jedoch sehr zurückhaltend vorgehen. Die Gründe dafür werden in der Untersuchung analysiert, und es werden Optimierungsvorschläge formuliert. Ein deutliches Fazit der Arbeit ist, dass die Digitalisierung von Archivgut und die Bereitstellung der Digitalisate im Semantic Web enorme Chancen für die Literaturarchive bietet und dieser Prozess somit vorangetrieben und optimiert werden sollte.
Wissensmanagement in der Bundesverwaltung.
Authors: Generelli Simona
Published: March 2021

Die DEZA weiss nicht, was die DEZA weiss. Mit dieser Arbeit wollte ich untersuchen, wie viel Wahr-heit in dieser Redewendung steckt. Dafür habe ich zunächst definiert, was unter Wissens- und Infor-mationsmanagement verstanden wird. Besonders habe ich die Geschichte dieser Disziplin geschildert und die wichtigsten Begriffe, Modelle und Methoden vorgestellt. Dabei wurde auch klar, dass eine Bewertung des Wissensmanagements eine schwierige Aufgabe ist149. Für diese Analyse habe ich mich entschieden, die Wissensstrategie der DEZA und die implementierten Tools zu überprüfen. Die Resultate haben klar gezeigt, dass die Situation weniger gravierend ist, als erwartet. In den letzten Jahren wurde schon viel gemacht, auch wenn nicht immer alles gut funktioniert hat. Neben einigen technischen Aspekten (wie zum Beispiel dem Intranet), besteht das Problem vor allem darin, dass in den letzten Jahren zu wenig Aktualisierung, Promotion und Nutzung stattgefunden hat. Das hat dazu geführt, dass die Mitarbeitenden nicht nur ungenügend involviert sind, sondern auch die verschiede-nen Angebote und Möglichkeiten nur unzureichend kennen. Sie unterschätzen zudem die existentielle Rolle des Wissensmanagements für eine Organisation und beteiligen sich zu wenig. Es ist auch er-staunlich, dass sie sich einerseits darüber beschweren, dass die DEZA nicht weiss, was die DEZA weiss, andererseits auch nichts machen, um diese Situation zu verbessern. Wie am Anfang dieser Arbeit als Hypothese angenommen wurde, steht die Wahrheit in der Mitte. Der Informationsfluss und das Wissensmanagement haben Aktualisierungsbedarf und können verbessert werden, die Dimension Mensch darf aber nicht vernachlässigt werden. Dabei geht es nicht nur um die Mitarbeitenden, son-dern auch um die Vorgesetzten, welche ihre führende Rolle wieder übernehmen sollten.Mit dieser Arbeit habe ich nicht das ganze Wissensmanagementsystem der DEZA untersucht, son-dern nur einige Aspekte. Hoffentlich wird sie jedoch helfen, die ersten Schritte in Richtung Aktuali-sierung zu machen. Das Thema Wissensmanagement sollte innerhalb der DEZA bald wieder ange-sprochen und die Leute mehr involviert werden. Idealerweise sollte am Ende dieses Prozesses die Redewendung angepasst werden: die DEZA weiss, wo das Wissen zu finden ist und benutzt es konse-quent.
Spontaneous Mammary Tumor with Concurrent Cavernous Hemangioma in Albino Mice- A Rare Case Report from Mizoram, India
Authors: Singh Y. Damodar , Arya Rahul Singh , Ravindran R. , Rajkhowa Tridib Kumar
Published: March 2021

Background: Mouse mammary tumor is a common neoplasm of the species. Mice is an established model for human breast cancer studies and in recent times for transgenic studies. Hemangiomas are tumors of blood vascular system. Hemangioma with breast cancer is reported in human beings. Presented study describes an unusual case of concurrent mouse mammary tumor and cavernous hemangioma from Mizoram, India. Methods: A mortality of 8 out of a colony of 25 female albino mice was observed due to mammary tumors. Dead mice were thoroughly necropsied and tissue samples were collected from different parts of each tumor mass and fixed in neutral buffered formalin. The fixed tissues were processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining by routine paraffin embedding, microtomy and staining protocol. Result: Gross examination revealed variable sized tumors on abdomen of affected mice. Histopathology revealed two different forms of mammary tumor viz, acinar and solid mammary carcinoma. Most peculiar finding was remarkable presence of large, endothelial lined cavernous spaces with presence of stagnant blood. These were diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma. Perusal of available literature did not reveal any report of cavernous hemangioma occurring with mouse mammary tumor, while it is found in other species including human beings.
Response of Blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) Varieties to Weed Competition and to Pre and Post Emergence Herbicide Application during Rabi
Authors: Rani B. Pramila , Srinivasulu K. , Venkateswarlu E.
Published: March 2021

Background: Blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.), a major pulse crop of Andhra Pradesh grown in an area of 3.52 lakh ha with a production of 2.93 lakh tons during rabi season (Anonymous, 2019). One of the major characteristics for selection of blackgram varieties for rabi season under conditions of receding soil moisture in black soils is their early vigour and good weed smothering capability. Early varieties due to their early growth habit can cover the land and thus can smother weeds better than late maturing varieties. Further some variations are observed to be more tolerant to post emergence herbicide application. Hence, there is need to evaluate the promising blackgram varieties for their weed competitiveness and tolerance to pre and post emergence herbicidal application. Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, with an objective to find out the competitive ability of blackgram varieties to smother weeds during rabi season of 2015-16 and 2016-17 under upland conditions. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments consisted of five methods of weed control as main plots, viz., pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 PE, imazethapyr 50 g ha-1 PoE, pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 PE fb imazethapyr 50 g ha-1, PoE, manual weeding at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) along with inter cultivation at 30 DAS and unweeded; four blackgram varieties, viz., GBG 1, PU 31, LBG 787, LBG 752, as sub treatments which were replicated thrice. Result: Weed dry matter recorded at 45 days was lower and weed control efficiency (WCE) was higher with pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 PE fb imazethapyr 50 g ha-1 PoE and was on par with manual weeding with inter cultivation. All the varieties were comparable and equally effective in controlling weed dry matter. Yield of variety GBG 1 was higher due to higher yield attributes viz., no. of pods per plant and 100 seed weight. Among the weed control methods manual weeding treatment with inter cultivation recorded significantly higher yield followed by a combination of pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 PE fb imazethapyr 50 g ha-1 PoE. Further, varieties GBG 1 and PU 31 performed better in manual weeding treatment with intercultivation and without any herbicide use.
Frost Stress Tolerances and Cut Roses: A Review
Authors: Khaskheli A.J. , Khaskheli M.I. , Zhang L. , Khaskheli A.A. , Qing L.H.
Published: March 2021

In order to meet the challenges of providing food to the ever increasing population of the world, there is an insistent need to boost crop yield. Unfortunately, the production of agriculture decreasing due to various environmental factors including frost and cold are very important, especially in winter. Indeed, frost is the most important abiotic problem and one of the doctrine limiting factors affecting plant growth and development in winter. Despite various obvious symptoms under frost stress, the yellowing of leaves, weak germination, curling of leaves, decreased rate of cell swelling and wilting, reduced flower opening, curling of petals leads to the cells death. This severe damage is largely due to the sensitive drying associated with freezing during frost. In addition, signal transduction is to switch on frost response genes and transcription factors to mediating stress tolerance, thus underline mechanism of frost stress and genes involve in the frost/cold stress signal network is very important for plant growth and development. In present review, plant significances in daily life and issues related to abiotic stresses such as frost and cold tolerance mechanisms are discussed.
Water Management for Improving Pearl Millet Production under Irrigated Environment: A Review
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Kumar Amit
Published: March 2021

Pearl millet also called “poor man food” is known for its drought resistance, well adaptation to harsh conditions like soils with poor water holding capacity, low nutrient status, problematic soils, etc. Irrigation has been recognized as a basic necessity for sustaining high productivity of various crops. Moreover, it affects the crop yield directly as well as indirectly by increasing their response to other inputs including fertilizers and various management practices. It is well known that water deficit is one of the major abiotic factors limiting crop productivity in the semi-arid tropics. Out of the various production constraints; low productivity of pearl millet is mainly attributed to its cultivation under dry land conditions and improper water management under irrigated conditions. So application of irrigation water offers the scope for improving the quality as well as productivity of pearl millet. Therefore, to augment the productivity of the poor’s man crop, review of the research work related to irrigation scheduling and moisture conservation practices of pearl millet has been presented here for directing the future research.
Plasma Treatment and Seed Quality Advancement: A Review
Authors: Thakur Neha , Vasudevan S.N.
Published: March 2021

Plasma also called as ‘fourth state of matter’ encompasses ionized gas, atoms, free molecules, radicals and free electrons. Considering its discovery in late 19th century plasma is extensively used as low pressure or high pressure plasmas in many applications commercially such as microelectronic technology, textile industry, organic waste management etc. When a gas is passed through an electric field in a plasma chamber, three types of collisions are known to take place in it particularly, excitation, ionization and deposition that provide plasma its characteristic glow, ion-electron pair, reactive species respectively. Plasma treatment of different object can change their chemical and physical properties. In Seed Science and Research, many seed quality enhancement techniques are used to improve seed quality in crop plants such as, seed priming, fortification, solid matrix priming, chemical treatment, hardening etc. Plasma treatment of seeds is a unique tool that utilizes an ionized gas to modify the physical and chemical properties seed viz., wettability, porosity, water absorption, activity of antioxidant enzymes. It can also decontaminate the seed surface off micro flora and convert hydrophobic seeds to hydrophilic. It also enhances soluble sugar content, protein content and causes a reduction in lipid peroxidation. Thus plasma treatment in turn improves seed germination rate, seedling characteristics, seed physical quality and seed health.
Bio-irrigation: A Drought Alleviation Strategy through Induced Hydro-parasitization under Bi-cropping Practices of Rainfed Agro-ecosystem: A Review
Authors: Kumar R. Mohan , . Yamanura , Boraiah B.
Published: March 2021

Exploring ecosystem services for environment sustainability is the trending area of research in the field of natural resource management (NRM). Water is an important entity of agro-ecosystem, dryland agriculture greatly suffers due to want of moisture. Bi-cropping is one practice where different crops are grown in proximity to realize various benefits under uncertainties of dryland agriculture. Literacy among multifarious benefits of bi-cropping over monoculture is fairly rich among the researchers as well as growers. However, bio-irrigation is one such co-benefits which address about drought alleviating strategies under bi-cropping practice. In this technique, deep rooted plants suck up water from deep moist sub-soil and deposit part of that sucked water in the upper dry soil layers due to water potential gradient, during this hydraulic lift and redistribution shallow rooted neighboring crops in close proximity gets due benefits of this lifted water in alleviating drought. This is high time to device cropping systems of water limited environment to unlock the potentiality of dryland production units. Based on the published studies Piliostigma reticulatum, Guiera senegalensis, Panicum maximum, Festuca arundinacea and Cajanus cajan were identified as potential bio-irrigator arid agro-ecosystem.
Evaluation of Reproductive Performance of Jersey Cattle Raised under Semi-intensive Management in Ethiopia
Authors: Beneberu Nibo , Alemayehu Kefyalew , Mebratie Wossenie , Getahun Kefale , Tesema Zeleke
Published: March 2021

Background: The productivity and profitability of dairy cattle depend largely on reproductive performance. Thus, this study was intended to evaluate the reproductive performance of Jersey cattle raised under semi-intensive management system. Methods: A retrospective analysis consisted of data collected for the last 33 years was conducted. The fixed effects fitted were birth period, calving period, service period, birth season, calving season, service season, parity and genetic group. The general linear model procedure of SAS was used for the statistical analysis of data. Result: The overall least-square means for age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and the number of services per conception (NSPC) were 22.93±0.22 months, 32.95±0.22 months, 494.16±3.68 days, 221.09±3.73 days and 1.99±0.03, respectively. Year, season and parity had a significant effect on most of the investigated reproductive traits. Imported Jersey cows had an extended CI and DO than farm-bred cows. Besides, the inconsistency of management and variability of climatic variables across year and season seems to have a considerable influence on the reproductive efficiency of cows. Therefore, the improvement in the level of management and selection of parents based on their breeding value would be improve the reproductive performance of Jersey cows.
Studies on Diagnosis of Bovine Brucellosis by Immunocyto-chemistry and Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Lakshmikanth K.S. , Sharma N.S. , Pathak D. , Kaur Paviter
Published: March 2021

Background: Brucellosis is a major threat to livestock economy and an important zoonotic disease. A rapid and accurate diagnosis is a necessity to curb the spread and progress of the disease. The current study aimed to evaluate sensitivity of Immunocytochemistry and Immunohistochemistry methods for detection of Brucella spp. Methods: A total of 50 samples comprising of fetal stomach content, vaginal discharges and placenta were collected from cattle and buffaloes suffering from abortions and other reproductive disorders in and around Ludhiana, Punjab during the period 2017-2018. All the samples were processed for isolation and confirmed with biochemical analysis and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The isolates obtained and 43 clinical samples excluding placental samples were subjected to Immunocytochemistry (ICC). Immunohistochemistry (ICH) was performed on placental samples. Result: A total of four isolates were recovered from the screened samples. The four isolates also yielded positive results in Immunocytochemistry. Among the 43 clinical samples screened by Immunocytochemistry, five were positive, however only 3 isolates were recovered on isolation. A total of seven placental tissue samples were processed and subjected to immunohistochemistry. Of the three placental samples positive by immunohistochemistry, only one sample was isolated on culture. The results suggest that both immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry are sensitive diagnostic techniques in comparison to isolation.
Induction of Oestrus and Fertility Response using Bromocriptine, Cabergoline and eCG Plus hCG Treatment Protocols in Female Dogs
Authors: Bisen Abhisek , Shukla S.N. , Baghel R.P.S. , Mishra Aditya
Published: March 2021

Background: Reproductive pattern of dog is quite different from other mammalian species. A major difference between canine and other mammalian species is that in dog oestrus period is followed by long inter-oestrus interval (period of sexual quiescence), described as monocyclic animal. There are several reproductive problems encountered by the dog breeders and pet owners causing prolonged whelping interval. Anoestrus is thought to be one of the undiagnosed ovarian disorders responsible for prolonged oestrus interval in canine. Anoestrus of variable duration (2 to 10 months) following each oestrus cycle in female dogs is frequently observed. The approaches for the management of reproductive problems due to ovarian disorders encountered by the dog breeders and pet owners needs to be explored to optimize whelping interval. Hence, the current study aimed to study the Induction of oestrus and fertility response using bromocriptine, cabergoline and eCG plus hCG treatment protocols in female dogs. Methods: The study was conducted in 28 apparently healthy female dogs at TVCC college of veterinary science and Animal Husbandry Jabalpur and at door step of pet owners or dog breeders during the period of 2018-19. Dogs used in the study were divided into small, medium and large breeds. Pomeranian and Pug breeds included under small breeds; German shepherd, Labrador, Siberian husky, Dalmatian, ND and Doberman under medium breeds whereas Great dane, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff and Saint Bernard included under large breeds. The animals were selected irrespective of breeds with the history of anoestrus up to two month or more after whelping. The selection of anoestrus dog was made based on the ratio of cells in vaginal cytology and serum progesterone estimation. Result: Our results shows that the oestrus and fertility response following hormonal treatments in anestrous female dogs was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than the oestrus induction in all treatment groups (71.48% in Group-I, 85.70% in Group-II and 71.48% in Group-III) as compared to control (14.28%).The breeding was recorded in 83.33% of dogs in cabergoline treatment followed by 100% in eCG plus hCG and 80% in bromocriptine with the conception rates of 100%, 80% and 75%, respectively in three groups. Serum progesterone (P4) profile were statistically significant (P less than 0.05) in all the treatment groups (I, II and III), but not in control group and the exflotive veginal cytology were found significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in induced than the non-induced animals of same group.
Comparative Study on Distribution of Sebaceous and Sweat Glands in Skin of Different Domestic Animals
Authors: Raghav Shweta , Uppal Varinder , Gupta Anuradha
Published: March 2021

Background: Skin is the largest organ of the body, accounting for 15-20% of the total body weight and acts as a barrier between the external and internal environment and maintain homeostasis.The sweat and sebaceous glands in dermis of skin play vital role in developing the adaptive ability to the heat stress. Besides this, the distribution pattern and number of these glands vary in different animals that may aid in identification of different species. Methods: The study was conducted on abdominal skin of 36 adult cattle, buffalo, horse, goat, pig and dog (six sample of each) collected from abattoir, Veterinary clinics and post-mortem hall of GADVASU, Ludhiana. After collection, the tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed for paraffin block preparation. The paraffin sections of 5-6 µm were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Result: The study revealed that the sebaceous glands were multilobular, alveolar glands comprised of several layers of epithelial cells and were associated with hair follicles in all species studied. The number of sebaceous glands/mm2 was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in goat (1.60± 0.11) than in pig (0.44±0.06) whereas sebaceous gland diameter was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in buffalo (109.83±6.14 µm) than in goat (61.16 ±2.42 µm).The sweat glands were of saccular and simple coiled tubular type and most of them were associated with hair follicles. The number of sweat glands/mm2 was the highest in horse (3.10 ± 0.24) and the least in buffalo (0.76 ±0.05). Sweat gland diameter was significantly higher (p≤0.05) maximum in buffalo (123±3.15 µm) and minimum in goat (50.33 ±2.85 µm) and the difference.
Epidemiology of Canine Haemoprotozoan Diseases in Chennai, India
Authors: Senthil N.R. , Chakravarthi R.
Published: March 2021

Background: Haemoprotozoan infections are common in canine in tropical countries. The present work was based on retrospective study of 11,000 blood smears of dogs received over a period of nine years (2010 to 2019) in and around Chennai at Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital. Methods: The year-wise incidence, percentage increase year-wise, season-wise, breed-wise and age-wise prevalence and spatial distribution were recorded from the case reports. Diagnosis was made by whole blood and buffy coat smear examination using Geimsa’s stain, wet film examination was done for cases suspected for Trypanosoma sp. and PCR for ruling out Babesia, E.canis and Trypanosoma sp. The collected data were entered into Excel sheets, which were imported and analyzed using Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage). Result: On blood smear examination 3,844 blood smears were found to be positive for various Haemoprotozoan diseases. Among the recorded positive Haemoprotozoan diseases, the highest incidence was of Ehrlichia canis of 2167 cases (56.37%) followed by Babesia gibsoni with 837 cases (21.77%), Hepatozoan canis with 399 cases (10.37%), Babesia canis with 350 cases (9.10%), Trypanosoma sp. With 46 cases (1.19%), Microfilaria with 45 cases (1.12%). The prevalence of Canine Haemoprotozoan diseases were highest in Non-descript Dogs (ND) with 1948 cases (50.67%), Labrador retriever 1665 cases (43.31%), Spitz 909 cases (23.64%), German Shepherd 543 cases (14.12%) and others 219 cases (5.69%) respectively. Maximum number of cases reported were 43.7% in the age group of 2-6 years followed by 38% cases in 0-2 years, 10.58% cases in 6-10 years and 7.51% cases above 10 years of age. Maximum number of cases were recorded during Monsoon season (June to September) with 1337 cases (34.78%) followed by 1001 cases (26.04%) during Summer season (March to May), 838 cases (21.80%) during winter season (December to February) and 668 cases (17.37%) Autumn season (October and November). The percentage change in occurrence of Canine Haemoprotozoan diseases follow the pattern of 2012 (-31.9%), 2013 (-23.11%), 2014 (+19.3%), 2015 (+39.06%), 2016 (+12.05%), 2017 (+104.11%), 2018 (+22.64%) and 2019 (+16.81%). The spatial distribution of the same diseases was plotted in Chennai geographical map. The epidemiological study would help the veterinary physician to identify the trends in occurrence of disease and clinical pattern followed by the protozoa, which helps in treatment and control of haemoprotozoan diseases in dogs.
A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of the Female Reproductive Tract in White Leghorn Hens
Authors: Mahajan Tanvi , Joshi Sanjeev , Thanvi Pankaj Kumar , Choudhary Om Prakash
Published: March 2021

Background: The present study was designed to provide the scanning electron microscopic features of female reproductive tract (ovary and oviduct) of the White Leghorn hen. Methods: The present investigation was conducted on twenty-five mature White Leghorn hens procured from Poultry Farm of College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner. The collected ovary and oviduct samples were processed as per the standard protocol for scanning electron microscopy and viewed under the scanning electron microscope. Result: The surface of the left ovary had an irregular appearance with an outer cortex and inner medulla, surrounded by numerous small rounded lacunae. The mucosa of different oviduct segments was thrown into longitudinal folds with various glandular openings on the surface. Small secondary folds were present on the mucosal surface at the infundibulum-magnum and magnum-isthmus junction. At the uterovaginal junction, the mucosal surface presented a parallel arrangement of folds with narrow furrows between them. The mucosal folds of the vagina appeared as narrow longitudinal folds and divided into secondary folds.
Time Dependent Impact of Reactive Oxidants on Seminal Attributes of Murrah Bull during Cryopreservation and Storage
Authors: Upadhyay V.R. , Roy A.K. , Pandita Sujata , Dewry Raju Kr. , Yadav Hanuman P. , Raval Kathan , Patoliya Priyanka
Published: March 2021

Background: Cryopreservation is an invaluable technique yet it is also known to be detrimental to sperm function and fertility due to cryo-injury and concomitant generation of reactive oxidants. During laboratory manipulation for the cryopreservation and freeze-thaw process, spermatozoa undergo osmotic stress, ionic imbalance, metabolic decoupling, membrane phase transition, destabilization of the cytoskeleton and antioxidant depletion which communally hampers the semen quality. Methods: With the aim of determining implications of cryopreservation and storage, semen samples were collected by artificial vagina technique from 12 Murrah bulls and subsequently examined at 0 hour (before cryopreservation) and at 24 hour, 1 month and 2 month of storage for various seminal attributes. Simultaneously seminal plasma was separated and preserved at -20oC till the analysis of biochemical indicators of semen quality viz., nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant quantity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation status (TBARS). Result: A sharp reduction (p less than 0.01) in the semen quality was observed only at 24 h after cryopreservation except for viability. Significant reduction (p less than 0.05) in viable counts was observed up to 1 month interval. The capacitated sperm percentage was greater (p less than 0.01) in the cryopreserved semen as compared to fresh ejaculate. The mean±SE levels of NO (μmol/L), TAC and TBARS (Units/ml) was 2.31±0.27, 0.73±0.04 and 1.11±0.16 respectively in seminal plasma of neat semen stored at -20oC, while the values in the extended seminal plasma after cryopreservation was 2.37±0.31, 0.44±0.03 and 0.65±0.03 respectively. So it can be inferred that most of the damage encountered by spermatozoa is during the initial period of freezing, but the damage associated by various stressors cannot be ignored.
Assessment of Crop Water Productivity in an Intensively Cultivated Watershed of Peninsular India
Authors: Kumar K. Avil , Devi M. Uma , Reddy M.D. , Mani A. , Mahalaxmi D.V. , Bhavani O.
Published: March 2021

Background: India is facing high water stress and it is amongst those with the most fragile and uncertain water resource countries in the world. Crop productivity depends on quality of input supply including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and supported by irrigation facilities. In India, ground water irrigates more than 61% of net cropped area and much of water being used for irrigating rice crop. The disproportionate water uses for crop production results in poor water productivity. The planning of water resources could be achieved by knowing the crop water requirements in different seasons and productivity of water. Hence, study was taken up to assess the water use and productivity of crops under intensively ground water irrigated watershed. Methods: A study conducted to assess the water use and productivity of different crops grown in Kothakunta sub watershed (having 206 working bore wells with cultivated area of 203.5 ha) in Siddipet district of Telangana, India during kharif and rabi season of 2008 to 2012, data were collected from 147 farmers on rice, maize, cotton, potato, flora beans and tomato crops grown under irrigation. The water applied to crops was measured by fixing water meters at the end of water delivery pipe and recorded the quantity of water applied each time. For rice crop four plots were taken and for other crops two plots were taken for measuring the water. The water use and productivity were assessed by using standard procedure. Result: The water productivity was found to be higher to vegetables, which ranged between 2.43 kg of potato, 1.57 kg of beans and 1.26 kg of tomato than cereals (0.79 kg for maize and 0.39 kg for rabi rice) per cubic meter of irrigation water consumed. Water productivity in terms of monetary return (₹) per cubic meter of water consumed was higher with beans (₹ 17.20) in contrast to potato (₹ 16.12). Rice equivalent yield (REY) calculated per cubic meter of irrigation water consumption was very similar to economic return (₹ per cubic meter of water).
Genetic Diversity Analysis and Validation of Microsatellite Markers Linked with Tolerance to Powdery Mildew Disease in Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]
Authors: Pavithra B.S. , Behera Laxmipreeya , Samal K.C.
Published: March 2021

Background: Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is a self-pollinated diploid grain legume (2n=2x=22) crop and has a genome size of 560 Mb. The present study was concentrate to portray the nature and extent of genotypic variation exists among mungbean collections for a range of traits of potential agronomic and adaptive interests. Many diseases affect mungbean, causes the major constraint in the increasing production among which Powdery mildew disease caused by Erisyphepolygoni is economically significant because it reduces photosynthetic activity and physiological changes which results in 20-40 per cent reduction in yield. Some gene-specific marker were analysed and found associated with powdery mildew resistance in mungbean genotypes.
Methods: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate thirty-one mungbean genotypes (including four checks) collected from the different parts of India. The genotypes were sown in an incomplete augmented bock design along with four checks varieties. viz. ‘Kamdev’, ‘OBBGG-52’, ‘IPM-02-14’ and ‘IPM-02-3’. All the mungbean genotypes were evaluated for different phenotypic traits and their tolerance to powdery mildew disease at two cropping seasons as well as at two different locations in Odisha. In this investigation, seven molecular markers viz., VrCSSTS1, VrCSSTS2, VrCSSSR3, CEDG191, MB-SSR238, CEDG166, CEDG282 were analysed.
Result: SSR marker such as VrCSSSR and VrCSSTS linked with powdery mildew resistance gene were tested in different genotypes with known powdery mildew reaction and the results showed a consistent association of the marker in all the powdery mildew resistant genotypes and absent in all the powdery mildew susceptible genotypes. The results confirmed the validation of these markers with the powdery mildew resistance gene in different genetic backgrounds. Similarly, CEDG191, CEDG166, CEDG282 markers, reported to be linked to powdery mildew resistance, amplified the respective marker fragment of 100 to 300 bp in mungbean genotypes and were polymorphic. The above PCR-based and locus-specific markers could be employed for marker-assisted breeding (MAB) program as well as genotype conservation. These linked markers will boost the efficiency and precision of powdery mildew resistance breeding in mungbean.
Diversity Assessment of Indian Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) Accessions for Enhanced Biomass and Fibre Yield using Geographic Information System Approach
Authors: Maruthi R.T. , Kumar A. Anil , Choudhary S.B. , Sharma H.K. , Mitra J.
Published: March 2021

Background: Sunnhemp, a rapid growing, high biomass yielding bast fibre crop has a tremendous potentiality in biofuels sector as a lignocellulosic substrate. In order to capitalize the new found area there is a need to identify high biomass and fibre yielding sunnhemp genotypes. The present study provides details of morphological diversity and geographical distribution pattern of Indian sunnhemp accessions. Methods: A total of 42 germplasm accessions collected from ten different states were evaluated for fibre yield and attributing traits in April-June cropping season. Based on phenotypic data agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. Geographical coordinates of germplasm collection site were utilized to derive the spatial genetic diversity pattern for green biomass yield and fibre yield. Result: Phenotypic evaluation revealed significant genetic variability among the genotypes for biomass and fibre yield leading to identification of several promising accessions. Cluster analysis and PCA grouped the 42 sunnhemp accessions into three clusters. Cluster II and III are highly divergent harboring contrasting phenotypes. DIVA-GIS approach identified eastern Rajasthan, western Jharkhand and border area between Bihar and Jharkhand as sites of highest sunnhemp diversity.