Search

We provide two proofs that the conjecture of Artin-Tate for a fibered surface is equivalent to the conjecture of Birch-Swinnerton-Dyer for the Jacobian of the generic fibre. As a byproduct, we obtain a new proof of a theorem of Geisser relating the orders of the Brauer group and the Tate-Shafarevich group.

Background: Missed diagnosis of evolving or coexisting idiopathic (IIH) and spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is often the reason for persistent or worsening symptoms after foramen magnum decompression for Chiari malformation (CM) I. We explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI)/convolutional neural networks (CNN) in Chiari I malformation in a combinatorial role for the first time in literature, exploring both upstream and downstream magnetic resonance findings as initial screening profilers in CM-1. We have also put together a review of all existing subtypes of CM and discuss the role of upright (gravity-aided) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating equivocal tonsillar descent on a lying-down MRI. We have formulated a workflow algorithm MaChiP 1.0 (Manjila Chiari Protocol 1.0) using upstream and downstream profilers, that cause de novo or worsening Chiari I malformation, which we plan to implement using AI. Materials and Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were used for “CM and machine learning and CNN” on PubMed database articles, and four articles specific to the topic were encountered. The radiologic criteria for IIH and SIH were applied from neurosurgical literature, and they were applied between primary and secondary (acquired) Chiari I malformations. An upstream etiology such as IIH or SIH and an isolated downstream etiology in the spine were characterized using the existing body of literature. We propose the utility of using four selected criteria for IIH and SIH each, over MRI T2 images of the brain and spine, predominantly sagittal sequences in upstream etiology in the brain and multiplanar MRI in spinal lesions. Results: Using MaChiP 1.0 (patent/ copyright pending) concepts, we have proposed the upstream and downstream profilers implicated in progressive Chiari I malformation. The upstream profilers included findings of brain sagging, slope of the third ventricular floor, pontomesencephalic angle, mamillopontine distance, lateral ventricular angle, internal cerebral vein–vein of Galen angle, and displacement of iter, clivus length, tonsillar descent, etc., suggestive of SIH. The IIH features noted in upstream pathologies were posterior flattening of globe of the eye, partial empty sella, optic nerve sheath distortion, and optic nerve tortuosity in MRI. The downstream etiologies involved spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from dural tear, meningeal diverticula, CSF-venous fistulae, etc. Conclusion: AI would help offer predictive analysis along the spectrum of upstream and downstream etiologies, ensuring safety and efficacy in treating secondary (acquired) Chiari I malformation, especially with coexisting IIH and SIH. The MaChiP 1.0 algorithm can help document worsening of a previously diagnosed CM-1 and find the exact etiology of a secondary CM-I. However, the role of posterior fossa morphometry and cine-flow MRI data for intracranial CSF flow dynamics, along with advanced spinal CSF studies using dynamic myelo-CT scanning in the formation of secondary CM-I is still being evaluated.

This paper examines the website performance analysis of the Content Delivery Network (CDN) against the normal webhosting method, by using the existing resources available in an academic institute. It also compares the collected real-time data with CDN simulation software. In this experiment, ‘URL rewriting’ is the method adopted for the CDN and reverse proxy. It aims to improve the response time of access to the web site by overcoming the flash crowd and provide the content of the web site in the most efficient manner. The significance of this method is that it allows for using the existing and available local resources and it calls for no additional investment on infrastructure from the part of the organization. A detailed real-time account of both the methods and analyses, towards finding out the best suitable method is illustrated.

Ejaculates (6) from adult Marwari bucks maintained at CIRG Makhdoom under semi intensive management system during October to November 2007 were utilized for the present study to find out the viability and motility of buck semen at different levels of egg yolk during different hours of preservation at refrigeration temperature. The ejaculates were collected at weekly intervals using artificial vagina and were extended at the rate of 1:10 with tris-citric acid-fructose (TCF) diluents having 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% and 10% egg yolk by volume and preserved up to 72 h in refrigerator.  Analysis of data revealed that sperm motility differed significantly at different levels of egg yolk up to 72 h of preservation. The mean sperm motility recorded at 0,24,48,72 h of preservation in 7.5% egg yolk level were 85.00±1.29, 63.33±1.05, 50.00±1.82 and 44.17±1.54%, Respectively, with the overall motility of 60.62±3.34%. The corresponding figures in 10% egg yolk were 85.00±1.29, 69.17±1.54, 61.67±1.67, 55.00±2.24 and 67.71±2.46%. Neither egg yolk levels nor the storage periods had any significant effect on sperm viability. The live sperm count were 89.00±1.53, 86.17±2.75, 84.67±1.87 and 83.17±1.01% at 0, 24, 48, 72 h of preservation in 10% egg yolk level at refrigeration temperature. The percentage of sperm motility was more than 50% in 10% egg yolk level even at 72 h of preservation. Overview of the results in the present study indicated that Marwari buck semen extended in the diluents having 10% egg yolk levels could be stored up to 72 h at refrigeration temperature for further use as liquid semen for Artificial Insemination.

Present study investigated the use of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) sheet roof as alternate roofing material in goat shelters. Twenty lactating goats, 10 each, housed under pen having cemented sheet roof (CR) and FRP sheet roof (PR) were managed uniformly during winter. Analysis of data revealed that microclimate and physiological responses of does were similar and does were equally comfortable. The milk yield was significantly lower up to 30 days, recorded lower trend up to 60 and 90 days of lactation in does housed under PR than does under CR. The overall mean weekly test day milk yield and body weight of does recorded under PR was significantly lower than does under CR. Results indicated that the provision of FRP roof as alternate roofing material in goat shelters in semi-arid areas may not be beneficial in increasing production of lactating goats during winter.

Plasticulture refers to use of plastics in agriculture in a scientific manner which not only improves the productivity but also optimizes the input resources. The plastic use in livestock farms is also becoming important, particularly for livestock products, for improving its keeping quality; livestock farm operations like storage of feed, feeding and watering devices; animal identification; milking machines and its tubings; milk cans; semen straws and AI sheaths, etc. Recently, the research work has been initiated for the usefulness of plastics in livestock shelter components like floor, wall partitions, protection panels, etc. under AICRP on PET project with ICAR-CIRG, Makhdoom and ICAR-NRCY, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh for goats and Yaks, respectively as its animal science components. The main plastic products that are utilized on livestock farms are low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP). This review paper discusses in brief about the plastic use in various stages of livestock production to marketing of its products.

Male kids (36) at 6 months age, 12 each of Jamunapari, Jakhrana, Barbari breed were equally divided and allotted randomly in plastic and soil floor and reared up to 12 of age through April to September months, fed ad lib. roughage, green fodder and concentrate to meet nutrient requirements for optimum growth. Body weight was recorded fortnightly, physiological responses were recorded twice and blood sampling at 60th and 120th day of trial. The weight gain and ADG on plastic floor was similar as compared to soil floor. Kids were equally comfortable on both floors except RR; however, increased RR on plastic floor did not affect the weight gain in kids. Plasma AST and ALT enzymes, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides level differed non-significantly in kids reared on both plastic and soil floor indicating the suitability of plastic floor in goat shelters in semi-arid conditions.

Artificial Insemination (AI) has great potential to multiply superior quality of goat with faster rate in spite of lower conception rate. This technique will spread elite genetic material throughout a population and is also important for breed conservation and has paved the way for other reproductive biotechnologies. Ejaculates from bucks aged between 2–4 years old from Jamunapari, Barbari, Sirohi and Jakhrana were collected using artificial vagina, twice a week. Immediately after collection, the volume, colour, consistency, and mass motility of ejaculate were assessed and were extended with Tris -Egg yolk- Fructose diluent having 10% (v/v) egg yolk and glycerol 6% (v/v). Sperm concentrations were adjusted to 1×108/ml and diluted semen was equilibrated at 5°C for 4 h before being frozen. The post thaw motility in Jamunapari and Barbari was significantly higher then Jakhrana and Sirohi. In two major breeding seasons (May–June and October–November), 181 goats of different breeds (Barbari, Jakhrana, Jamunapari and Sirohi) including 35 goats in villages were intra-cervical inseminated with frozen semen in natural estrous condition. The kidding percentage in Barbari, Jamunapari, Jakhrana and Sirohi were 53.12±2.40%, 34.61±1.96%, 26.53±2.12% and 28.57±2.32% respectively. Overall, a success rate of 37.57% was recorded on the basis of actual kidding rate irrespective of goat breed maintained at this institute under semi-intensive management system. The best post thaw quality of buck semen and comparative deeper cervical insemination in Barbari and Jamunapri breeds results in higher conception and kidding percent compared to other breeds (Sirohi and Jakhrana).

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of slatted floor (SLF) over soil floor (SOF) on performance of lactating goats reared under group feeding conditions up to 120 days postpartum. Fortnightly live weight and weekly test day milk yield was recorded and milk yield was calculated for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days postpartum. Worm load of goats were assessed. Milk yield was significantly lower at 30 days, showed lower trend at 60 days and at 90 days postpartum in SLF than SOF. The overall milk yield in SLF and SOF were 1.114±0.12 and 1.358±0.12 l/goat/day, respectively. The coccidial oocysts in SLF goats were non-significantly lower, tapeworms and roundworms were similar than that of SOF goats.

Four months old 24 Barbari kids were allotted randomly to ad lib. feeding up to 12 months age, 20% (mild) and 40% (moderate) feed restriction at 5th and 6th months (MMFR) and 20, 40, 60% (severe) feed restriction (MMSFR) each of 20 days duration during 5th and 6th months followed by realimentation up to 12 months age. At the end of realimentation, 4 kids from three groups were slaughtered and carcass traits evaluated along with its economics. The kids did not differ significantly in growth and carcass traits. Body weight change indicated that the occurrence of compensatory growth in feed restricted kids proportional to body weight loss occurred during restriction. The feed cost/kg gain was lowest in MMSFR kids followed by ad lib. fed and MMFR kids. Therefore, stallfed Barbari kids shall easily be maintained up to 60% lower feed for 60 days thereby increasing the profit of stallfed kid rearing.

The present study assessed the semen freezability of Jamunapari bucks reared under 23 rearing systems for 3 consecutive seasons. Bucks (20) were randomly allotted equally to stall feeding (SF) and grazing plus supplementation (GS) systems. Lignin ratio technique was used for nutrients intake determination and indirect indicator method for estimation of total faecal output. Proximate analysis of feeds, forages and faecal samples was done. Semen was collected using artificial vagina twice a week, evaluated and diluted by 2 step method using Tris– eggyolk-citrate-fructose-glycerol diluents having 10% (v/v) egg yolk and 6% (v/v) glycerol. The samples were frozen as per protocol developed at this Institute. The data were analyzed by standard statistical method. The overall dry matter intake, digestible crude protein intake and metabolizable energy intake of GS bucks were significantly higher than the SF bucks. The bucks consumed significantly higher nutrients in winter followed by summer and rainy season. The initial progressive motility varied significantly between rearing systems and among seasons. The overall pre-freeze and post-thaw progressive motility was similar between rearing systems and seasons. Post-thaw progressive motility was significantly lower in summer than the other seasons studied.

Ejaculates (35) from adult Sirohi bucks (2–4 years old) were utilized for the present study to find out the freezability of buck semen at different levels of chelating agent used (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid - EDTA: 0, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1%) by conventional method of freezing. The ejaculates were collected twice at weekly intervals using artificial vagina and were extended to maintain sperms concentration approximately 100 million / dose (0.25 ml) with tris- citric acid- fructose (TCF) diluent having 10% (v/v) egg yolk and 6% (v/v) glycerol as cryo protecting agent. Filling and sealing of straws were done at 5ºC in cold handing cabinet after 4 h of equilibration period then straws were vapor frozen for 10 min above 2 cm of liquid nitrogen and finally put in to liquid nitrogen. Post thaw motility, live sperm count, abnormalities, acrosomal integrity and hypo osmotic swelling test had been conducted to know freezability. Analysis of data using SPSS 16 revealed that post thaw motility, live sperm count, abnormalities, acrosomal integrity and hypo osmotic swelling positive spermatozoa differed significantly at different levels of EDTA. The post thaw motility, live sperm count, acrosomal integrity and hypo osmotic swelling positive spermatozoa were significantly highest in 0.1% of EDTA used in the present study. So, 0.01% EDTA can be used as an additive in semen dilutor in routine freezing process for better post thaw recovery of buck semen.