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Trypanosoma evansi is definitely one of the most common pathogenic trypanosomes in all over the world, obviously infecting domestic and wild animals. Before it contributes to even more economic losses, a fast and confirmatory early diagnosis is a must to curb the spread and development of the disease. The current study was aimed to identify Trypanosoma spp. in buffalo blood by blood smear analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as comparison of these two methods. This investigation was performed on 475 buffaloes with anaemia, recurrent fever, muscular weakness and loss of appetite. Out of 475 blood samples, 57 were found anaemic (Hb

Respiratory disease complex is a serious disease affecting to poultry and causes heavy economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. A metagenomic approach was used to investigate bacterial abundance and diversity using Whole genome shotgun sequencing of clinically diseased and healthy broiler affected with respiratory disease complex. The data were analyzed using best hit approach through MG-RAST. Sequences predominantly aligned with the phyla Proteobacteria followed by Bacteroidetes in samples from clinically diseased broiler affected with respiratory disease complex, whereas Chlamydiae followed by Proteobacteria in sample from apparently healthy broiler birds. At the species level Escherichia coli, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and Pseudomonas aruginosa were predominant in diseased birds, Chlamydia psittaci, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Lactobacillus agilis and Gallibacterium anatis were predominated bacterial species found in the apparently healthy birds. Higher alpha diversity indices and richness values were found for the bacterial communities in clinically diseased broiler birds as compared to healthy birds. The present study findings may help in formulating strategies for the prevention, control and treatment of respiratory infections in birds and consequently also reducing economic losses in poultry industries.

Groundnut crop in Saurashtra region of Gujarat is predominantly grown as rainfed crop in Kharif season. The year to year fluctuation in the crop yields are mainly attributable to the variation in rainfall and its distribution. In order to study inter-relationships between rainfall distribution and groundnut yield in Bhavnagar and Junagadh districts of Gujarat state, correlation and regression analysis techniques were employed. The district-wise average yield data of groundnut and daily rainfall data were used over a period of 44 years i.e . from 1970-2014. Five broad approaches were tried to study the inter-relationships between rainfall distribution and groundnut yield. They were (1) aggregate rainfall, (2) monthly rainfall (3) fortnightly rainfall (4) week-wise rainfall and (5) crop phase-wise rainfall. In general it could be inferred that that the quantum of rainfall during different phenophases of the groundnut had appreciable influence on groundnut productivity.

In the investigation of finding and analyzing leaf diseases by computer vision interestingly in the field of agriculture, attribute collection and shape categorization is main difficulty in pattern recognition and affects the propose and concert of the classifier. Leaf dots can be analytic of crop diseases there leaf spots are typically examined physically and subjected to connoisseur opinion. In this article leaf disease uncovering and diagnosis system is urbanized to mechanize the examination of exaggerated leaves and helps finding the disease type and so give remedial action. The urbanized system consists of number of stages which includes HSI alteration, histogram investigation and concentration adjustment. The other stage is segmentation which has alteration of fuzzy feature algorithm parameter to fit the submission in concern. Attribute extraction is the next coming stage which deals with number of features. Citrus plants such as lemon, orange and grapes are mainly affected by various diseases which affect the fruit production to these plants. Citrus disease identification and solution is important for increasing the quality and quantity of the production of these plants.

Aim: The present study has been carried out to detect non-parasitic dermatoses in canines brought at the Nandini Veterinary Hospital, Surat. Materials and Methods: The current investigation was carried out on skin scrapping, skin biopsy specimens, blood, and serum samples of 210 freshly registered cases of dogs with dermatological afflictions. Dogs found healthy on clinical examination were used as control animals (n=15). The incidence of non-parasitic dermatoses has been recorded as per age, breed, and sex of dogs. For bacterial isolation, the pus/exudates samples were collected from 40 cases of pyoderma and streaked onto brain-heart infusion agar while 13 skin scrapping samples were inoculated on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar with chloramphenicol for isolation of fungi. The organisms were identified on the basis of gross and microscopic observation of cultural growth on media. The blood and sera samples were also collected to note alteration in hematology and biochemical parameters, respectively. Tissue samples from lesions were collected and subsequently preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathology. Results: Out of 210 cases of dermatoses, 60 cases were of non-parasitic dermatoses, i.e., 28.57%. Of these, bacterial skin infections (pyoderma) were found to be the predominant at 80.00%, followed by other non-parasitic dermatological disorders, i.e., 11.67% and fungal skin infection, i.e., 8.33%. The dogs belonging to age group 1-3 years showed greater susceptibility to non-parasitic dermatological conditions. Breed wise incidence of pyoderma was found more in the Pomeranian breed (20.83%), whereas fungal skin affections were found to be higher in mongrel breed (60.00% and 42.86%, respectively). Male dogs showed greater involvement in bacterial, fungal, and other non-parasitic dermatoses. Bacteriological culture examination of 40 pus swabs resulted in the growth of 39 bacterial isolates. Mycological culture of skin scrapings from 13 suspected cases of fungal dermatoses resulted in the recovery of five fungal isolates. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters revealed a significant difference in all cases of non-parasitic dermatoses. Histopathological study revealed characteristic changes like infiltration of neutrophils with perifolliculitis, hyperkeratosis, and rafts of acantholytic cells. Histochemical staining revealed purple or magenta color fungal elements. Conclusion: Based on current experiment it has been concluded that among non-parasitic dermatoses bacterial and fungal skin infections are the main ailments, followed by nutritional and other causes in adult and male dogs which can be diagnosed by cultural inoculation, microscopic examination of skin scrapings, and dermatohistopathology along with hematology and biochemistry.

A better characterisation of the optical properties of biomass burning aerosol as a function of the burning conditions is required in order to quantify their effects on climate and atmospheric chemistry. Controlled laboratory combustion experiments with different fuel types were carried out at the combustion facility of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (Mainz, Germany) as part of the "Impact of Vegetation Fires on the Composition and Circulation of the Atmosphere" (EFEU) project. The combustion conditions were monitored with concomitant CO2 and CO measurements. The mass scattering efficiencies of 8.9±0.2 m2 g−1 and 9.3±0.3 m2 g−1 obtained for aerosol particles from the combustion of savanna grass and an African hardwood (musasa), respectively, are larger than typically reported mainly due to differences in particle size distribution. The photoacoustically measured mass absorption efficiencies of 0.51±0.02 m2 g−1 and 0.50±0.02 m2 g−1 were at the lower end of the literature values. Using the measured size distributions as well as the mass scattering and absorption efficiencies, Mie calculations provided effective refractive indices of 1.60−0.010i (savanna grass) and 1.56−0.010i (musasa) (λ=0.55 μm). The apparent discrepancy between the low imaginary part of the refractive index and the high apparent elemental carbon (ECa) fractions (8 to 15%) obtained from the thermographic analysis of impactor samples can be explained by a positive bias in the elemental carbon data due to the presence of high molecular weight organic substances. Potential artefacts in optical properties due to instrument bias, non-natural burning conditions and unrealistic dilution history of the laboratory smoke cannot be ruled out and are also discussed in this study.

A field experiment was conducted on wheat crop during rabi seasons of 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 to study the spectral response of wheat crop (between 490 to 1080 nm) under water and nutrient stress condition. An indigenously developed ground truth radiometer having narrow band in visible and near infrared region (490 – 1080 nm) was used. Vegetation indices derived using different band combinations and related to crop growth parameters. The near infrared spectral region of 710 – 1025 nm was found most important for monitoring stress condition. Relationship has been developed between crop growth parameters and vegetation indices. Leaf Area Index (LAI) and chlorophyll could be predicted by knowing different reflectance ratios at milking stage of crop with R2 value of 0.78 and 0.89, respectively. Dry biomass (DBM), Plant Water Content (PWC) and grain yield are also significantly related with reflectance ratios at flowering stage of crop with R2 value of 0.90, 0.98 and 0.74, respectively.

Simultaneous measurements of ammonia and nitric acid in ambient air were conducted at Dayalbagh, Agra using the mist chamber technique. The sampling site is located near a cattle shed. A total of 120 samples were collected during the period July–September and November–February (1997–1998). Sampling was performed during six different times a day. Gas-phase HNO3 was estimated as NO3− using ion chromatographic technique while ammonia was determined colorimetrically as NH4+ using indophenol blue method. The mean levels of NH3 and HNO3 for the entire data set were 16.3±2.8 and 1.6±1.4 ppbv, respectively. In the monsoon, mean values for NH3 and HNO3 averaged to 16.4±3.5 and 0.9±0.7 ppbv while the winter means were 11.8±4.4 and 2.1±1.2 ppbv, respectively. Concentration of both the species (NH3 and HNO3) did not show any significant diurnal behaviour in both the seasons. However, concentration of both NH3 and HNO3 were lower at dawn than the previous night's value. This has been ascribed to their removal through dew. Concentrations of HNO3 are observed to increase during the daytime, consistent with its formation by photochemical reactions. Nitric acid and ammonia concentrations show a significant seasonal variation. Levels of HNO3 are higher in winter but lower in monsoon, while ammonia shows a reverse trend with higher monsoon and lower winter values. Observed trends in nitric acid and ammonia concentration are due to seasonal variation in emission sources, chemistry and meteorology. Gaseous ammonia and nitric acid are in equilibrium with NH4NO3 (solid or aqueous) in the atmosphere. The existence of this equilibrium was examined from simultaneous measurements of NH3 and HNO3 in the ambient air. It is found that for the monsoon data, measured concentrations are qualitatively below the predicted equilibrium value, while in the winter, concentration product ([NH3] [HNO3]) lies consistently above the predicted values. These deviations may be explained due to local sources of both [NH3] and [HNO3], presence of coarse nitrate particles and low-temperature and high-humidity conditions.

Measurements on size distribution of atmospheric aerosol were made at Dayalbagh, Agra during July to September 1998. A 4-stage cascade particle sampler (CPS - 105) which fractionates particles in sizes ranging between 0.7 and >10.9 μm, was used. Samples were collected on Whatman 41 filters. The filters were analyzed for the major water-soluble ions. The anions (F, Cl, NO 3 and SO 4 ) were analyzed by Dionex DX-500 ion chromatograph while atomic absorption and colorimetric techniques were used for the analysis of cations (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and NH 4 , respectively. The average mass of aerosol was found to be 131.6 μg m −3 and aerosol composition was found to be influenced by terrigeneous sources. The mass size distribution of total aerosol and the ions NH 4 , Cl, NO 3 , K, Ca, Mg, SO 4 and Na was bimodal while that of F was unimodal. SO 4 , F, K and NH 4 dominated in the fine mode while Ca, Mg, Cl and NO 3 were in abundance in coarse fraction. Na was found in both coarse as well as fine mode. Coarse mode SO 4 and NO 3 have been ascribed to contribution from re-suspension of soil and formation by heterogeneous oxidation on soil derived particles. Preponderance of K in fine mode is attributed to emissions from vegetation and from burning of plant materials. Ca, Mg, Cl and NO 3 are largely soil derived and hence dominate in coarse fraction. Equivalent ratios of NH 4 /(SO 4 +NO 3 ) were calculated for both fine and coarse aerosols. The coarse mode ratio varied between 0.7 and 1.4 while in fine mode it ranged between 1.4 and 1.9. It shows that aerosol is basic, the basicity of coarse mode is due to higher concentration of soil-derived alkaline components while the basicity in fine mode is due to neutralization of acidity by NH 3 .

An attempt has been made to study the variation in daily mean temperatures obtained from maximum and minimum temperatures and that obtained from hourly temperatures recorded by the automatic weather station at the Agrometeorological Observatory, Anand (Gujarat). The mean temperatures obtained from the records of daily maximum and minimum temperatures were higher and fluctuated from -1.5 to 1.5 °C during the months of September to May as compared to the respective values obtained from hourly temperatures recorded by the automatic weather station. However, during May to September, these daily mean temperatures were found to be higher than mean temperatures obtained from the automatic weather station. Different coefficients were deduced from the records of the automatic weather station to estimate the hourly temperatures and a model was developed similar to that of William and Logan (1981). The hourly temperatures and the daily mean temperatures so estimated were in good agreement with the respective actual hourly and daily temperatures record by the automatic weather station. Therefore, by using this model one could estimate the true daily mean temperature from the records of maximum and minimum temperatures.

Computer simulation and genetic algorithms were used to optimize peanut farm machinery selection. The objective of optimization was to maximize net returns above machinery costs. A computer simulation model was used to determine net returns above machinery costs. The simulation model determined net returns above machinery costs for a given machinery set, but did not find an optimum machinery set. The optimum machinery set was determined using two search schemes—an exhaustive search and an artificially intelligent search. The exhaustive search scheme involved running the simulation model with all possible machinery sets, and then selecting the machinery set that produced the highest returns. Alternatively, genetic algorithms were used as an intelligent search scheme to generate machinery sets for the simulation model. A genetic algorithm found a near-optimal solution in 10% of the total time required by the exhaustive search. Modifications in the genetic algorithm not only reduced the search time by half, but also improved the quality of the solutions.

A computer simulation model was developed to aid peanut producers in selecting machinery complements to achieve preferred operation schedules and increase profit margins. The model incorporates the PNUTGRO crop growth simulation model to determine crop maturity date, average yield on maturity date, and daily soil water content for user-supplied agronomic and weather conditions. The model simulates field operations from land preparation to combining using equipment capacities. Field operation delays due to high soil water conditions have been included in the model. A relationship was developed based on peanut crop yield data from field experiments to adjust the crop yield for early or late harvesting. Fixed costs of each machinery unit are calculated using the user-supplied purchase price and fractional use of the machinery unit for peanut production. The model also calculates operation hours of each machinery unit to determine variable costs. The model outputs include operation schedules, harvested yield, machinery costs, and net returns above machinery costs.

A model was developed to simulate germination of loblolly pine in nurseries. The model inputs included sowing depth, mulch type, amount of mulch, daily mean temperature, length of seed stratification period, seed quality (germination determined by a seed testing laboratory), and temperature used by the seed testing laboratory to determine seed quality. The model simulated daily germination as percent of the total number of seeds sown. Germination data observed by Boyer et al. (1987) in 1984 at Jake Stauffer Alabama Forestry Commission nursery near Opelika, Alabama, was used to test the model. The cumulative germination curve predicted by the model closely followed the observed data. An analysis of the model indicated that the predicted germination rate was more sensitive to the input values of sowing depth, length of seed stratification period, laboratory determined germination, and amount of mulch than to the other model input parameters.

[1] We carried out a detailed size-resolved chemical characterization of particle emissions from the combustion of European conifer species, savanna grass, African hardwood, and German and Indonesian peat. Combustion particles were sampled using two sets of five-stage Berner-type cascade impactors after a buffer volume and a dilution tunnel. We determined the emission factors of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC, 46–6700 mg kg−1, sum of five stages), water-insoluble organic carbon (WISOC, 1300–6100 mg kg−1), (apparent) elemental carbon (ECa, 490–1800 mg kg−1), inorganic ions (68–400 mg kg−1), n-alkanes (0.38–910 mg kg−1), n-alkenes (0.45–180 mg kg−1), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (1.4–28 mg kg−1), oxy-PAHs (0.08-1.0 mg kg−1), lignin decomposition products (59–620 mg kg−1), nitrophenols (1.4–31 mg kg−1), resin acids (0–110 mg kg−1), and cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition products (540–5900 mg kg−1). The combustion and particle emission characteristics of both of peat were significantly different from those of the other biofuels. Peat burning yielded significantly higher emission factors of total fine particles in comparison to the other biofuels. Very high emission factors of n-alkanes and n-alkenes were observed from peat combustion, which may be connected to the concurrently observed “missing” CCN in peat smoke. A high level of monosaccharide anhydrides, especially levoglucosan, was detected from all types of biofuel combustion. The fractions of monosaccharide anhydrides in the emitted total carbon were higher in smaller particles (aerodynamic diameter, Dpa < 0.42 μm).

[1] We present the first results on optical properties (λ ∼ 540 nm) of fresh aerosols from the combustion of Indonesian peat, German peat and other types of biomass, measured under controlled laboratory conditions. The mass scattering and mass absorption efficiencies for Indonesian and German peat aerosols are in the range of 6.0–8.1 and 0.04–0.06 m2 g−1, respectively. A very high single scattering albedo (0.99) is observed for the peat smoke aerosols, reflecting the smoldering burning conditions (emission ratio, ΔCO/ΔCO2 = 19–50%). The relative increase in light scattering (f(RH)) due to an increase in relative humidity (RH) from 15% to 90% is very low (i.e., f(90) = 1.05) for both Indonesian and German peat aerosols. This value is considerably smaller than for aged Indonesian peat smoke particles (f(80) = 1.65) [Gras et al., 1999]. This suggests that atmospheric aging processes may be an important factor for aerosol hygroscopicity.

Corn starch has been dextrinized at a bath temperature of 125°–213°C. In certain cases, the moisture content of the starch was reduced to 2% before it was subjected to dextrinization. Under the various conditions of dextrinization, the changes that take place in the properties of starch such as solubility, reducing power, alkali lability, intrinsic viscosity and β-amylolysis have been recorded. These results show that at lower temperatures of 125° and 150°C hardly any reaction is perceptible, the dextrinization reaction taking place at 200°C or thereabouts. Decreasing the moisture content of starch increases the rate of dextrinization reaction. Various theories of pyrodextrinization of starch are discussed.

Almost all fabrications are now a days done by the use of welding and the allied processes which include soldering, brazing, braze welding, and adhesive bonding. The selection of process in a given situation depends upon the material to be joined, its thickness and the joint strength required.