Assessing Minerals Status of Dairy Animals in South-West Zone of Punjab

A study was carried out to assess dietary macro and micro-minerals status of milch buffaloes in Firozpur, Mansa and Muktsar districts, under South-West Zone of Punjab. Feeds and fodder samples were collected at random from various locations, following standard sampling procedure. The average calcium (Ca) content in straws was low (0.28%). Green fodders such as berseem (1.88%), chikori (1.26%), oat (0.45%), rye grass (0.56%) and mustard (1.34%) were found to be rich source of Ca. Concentrate feed ingredients such as mustard cake (0.68%), cottonseed cake (0.23%), rice polish (0.11%) and wheat flour (0.053%) were high to low in Ca. The phosphorus (P) content in crop residues and green fodders was 0.08 and 0.47 per cent, respectively. Concentrate feed ingredients were high (0.78%) in P. The magnesium content in roughages and concentrate feed ingredients was 0.31 and 0.41 per cent, respectively. The sodium content was low in concentrate ingredients (0.043%) and dry fodder (0.065%), but high in green fodder (0.63%). The sulphur content was adequate in green fodder (0.32%), whereas, crop residues (0.16%) and concentrate ingredients (0.18%), except mustard cake (0.33%) were deficient in sulphur; hence, its supplementation was necessary in the ration of milch animals. The cobalt was deficient in the diet of animals to the extent of 45 per cent; however, iron (average level > 500 ppm) and manganese (average level > 60 ppm) in most of the feed ingredients were adequate, with traditional feeding system. The average copper content was very low in straws (2.94 ppm) and moderate in green fodders (11.93 ppm). Concentrate ingredients were again low in copper (9.19 ppm). Zinc was deficient in most of the feedstuffs (average level<38 ppm) and needed to be supplemented for proper productive and reproductive functions. From the present study, it was apparent that the levels of certain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, zinc, copper and cobalt were inadequate, as per the prevailing feeding practices and requirement of buffalo yielding 10 kg milk (6% fat) per day. However, the levels of some other mineral elements such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese and selenium were found to be adequate in the South-West Zone of Punjab

Karakterizacija gena ICP4 patogenoga virusa Marekove bolesti dokazanoga u peradi u Gujaratu u Indiji lančanom reakcijom polimerazom i sekvenciranjem

A total of 34 clinical samples were collected for detection of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) by polymerase chain reaction assays using primers M1.1/M1.8 to amplify a region of the ICP4 gene in layer birds of poultry. Primer set M1.1/M1.8 amplified a 318 bp product as against the expected 247 bp product in 30 samples out of 34 samples tested. To confirm the result, this primer was subjected to NCBI BLAST, and it was found that the primer specific segment of 318 bp does exist in the published sequence of Md5 and Md11BAC. The PCR product was sequenced and resulted in 273bp by direct sequencing. The sequence was analysed using NCBI blast and Clustal W with the published sequence of Gallid herpes virus-2 giving a matching score of 97, 96 and 90% indicating a highly conserved region. This shows that the MDV is prevalent in Gujarat.Prikupljena su 34 uzorka kliničkoga materijala nesilica za dokaz virusa Marekove bolesti lančanom reakcijom polimerazom uporabom početnica M1.1/M1.8 za umnažanje područja gena ICP4. Uporabom seta početnica M1.1/M1.8 umnožen je proizvod od 318 bp u odnosu na očekivani od 247 bp u 30 od 34 pretražena uzorka. Za potvrdu rezultata početnica je bila analizirana pomoću programa NCBI BLAST, te je ustanovljeno da početnica za specifičan odsječak od 318 bp postoji u objavljenoj sekvenci Md5 i Md11BAC. Proizvod PCR-a bio je izravno sekvenciran te je ustanovljeno da sadrži 273 bp. Slijed je bio analiziran uporabom programa NCBI BLAST i Clustal W i uspoređen s objavljenim slijedom za kokošji herpesvirus 2 te je ustanovljena podudarnost od 97, 96 i 90% što upućuje na genski jako očuvano područje. To pokazuje da je virus Marekove bolesti proširen u Gujaratu

Karakterizacija gena ICP4 patogenoga virusa Marekove bolesti dokazanoga u peradi u Gujaratu u Indiji lančanom reakcijom polimerazom i sekvenciranjem

A total of 34 clinical samples were collected for detection of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) by polymerase chain reaction assays using primers M1.1/M1.8 to amplify a region of the ICP4 gene in layer birds of poultry. Primer set M1.1/M1.8 amplified a 318 bp product as against the expected 247 bp product in 30 samples out of 34 samples tested. To confirm the result, this primer was subjected to NCBI BLAST, and it was found that the primer specific segment of 318 bp does exist in the published sequence of Md5 and Md11BAC. The PCR product was sequenced and resulted in 273bp by direct sequencing. The sequence was analysed using NCBI blast and Clustal W with the published sequence of Gallid herpes virus-2 giving a matching score of 97, 96 and 90% indicating a highly conserved region. This shows that the MDV is prevalent in Gujarat.Prikupljena su 34 uzorka kliničkoga materijala nesilica za dokaz virusa Marekove bolesti lančanom reakcijom polimerazom uporabom početnica M1.1/M1.8 za umnažanje područja gena ICP4. Uporabom seta početnica M1.1/M1.8 umnožen je proizvod od 318 bp u odnosu na očekivani od 247 bp u 30 od 34 pretražena uzorka. Za potvrdu rezultata početnica je bila analizirana pomoću programa NCBI BLAST, te je ustanovljeno da početnica za specifičan odsječak od 318 bp postoji u objavljenoj sekvenci Md5 i Md11BAC. Proizvod PCR-a bio je izravno sekvenciran te je ustanovljeno da sadrži 273 bp. Slijed je bio analiziran uporabom programa NCBI BLAST i Clustal W i uspoređen s objavljenim slijedom za kokošji herpesvirus 2 te je ustanovljena podudarnost od 97, 96 i 90% što upućuje na genski jako očuvano područje. To pokazuje da je virus Marekove bolesti proširen u Gujaratu

Spring cleaning as a safety risk: results of a population-based study in two consecutive years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spring cleaning is a popular tradition in Iran as well as in many other countries. The purpose of our study was to determine the pattern and compare the incidence of spring cleaning related injuries in Tehran, in the years 2007 and 2008.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the year 2007, a household survey was performed in Tehran by random cluster sampling. The survey was repeated in May 2008 with the same clusters and starting points, but different households. The incidence of spring cleaning related injuries, the age and sex of injured person(s), the mechanism, type and cost of injuries were recorded through semi-structured interviews. The incidence rates of injuries and injuries leading to health visits (severe) according to sex and age groups were calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS and STATA statistical softwares.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The incidence of all and severe spring cleaning related injuries were 3.8 (3.0 - 4.8) and 1.6 (1.1-2.3) per 1000, respectively. The most common mechanisms of injuries were falls, followed by cutting and lifting heavy objects or overexertion. Falls were also the main mechanism of severe injuries. The most common injuries were open wounds, followed by superficial injuries (including contusions) and sprain and strain. Among severe injuries, the most frequent injuries were open wounds and contusions, followed by dislocations. The injuries were most common among women with an incidence of about 8.4 per 1000 in women older than 18 years of age (severe injuries: 3.4 per 1000 (2.2-5.1)).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The incidence of spring cleaning related injuries is high enough to raise concern in health system authorities. It could be estimated that about 23,927 to 38,283 persons get injured during the spring cleaning in Tehran at the beginning of every Persian new year. In addition, about 8,773-18,344 of these cases are expected to be severe enough to lead to medical attention (considering 7,975,679 as the population of Tehran at the time of study). Improving awareness of families, especially young women, regarding the scope and importance of spring cleaning safety can be suggested as the first population-based strategy to decrease the incidence of these injuries.</p

Calibration of the charge and energy loss per unit length of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber using muons and protons

We describe a method used to calibrate the position- and time-dependent response of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber anode wires to ionization particle energy loss. The method makes use of crossing cosmic-ray muons to partially correct anode wire signals for multiple effects as a function of time and position, including cross-connected TPC wires, space charge effects, electron attachment to impurities, diffusion, and recombination. The overall energy scale is then determined using fully-contained beam-induced muons originating and stopping in the active region of the detector. Using this method, we obtain an absolute energy scale uncertainty of 2% in data. We use stopping protons to further refine the relation between the measured charge and the energy loss for highly-ionizing particles. This data-driven detector calibration improves both the measurement of total deposited energy and particle identification based on energy loss per unit length as a function of residual range. As an example, the proton selection efficiency is increased by 2% after detector calibration

Reconstruction and measurement of (100) MeV energy electromagnetic activity from π0 arrow γγ decays in the MicroBooNE LArTPC

We present results on the reconstruction of electromagnetic (EM) activity from photons produced in charged current νμ interactions with final state π0s. We employ a fully-automated reconstruction chain capable of identifying EM showers of (100) MeV energy, relying on a combination of traditional reconstruction techniques together with novel machine-learning approaches. These studies demonstrate good energy resolution, and good agreement between data and simulation, relying on the reconstructed invariant π0 mass and other photon distributions for validation. The reconstruction techniques developed are applied to a selection of νμ + Ar → μ + π0 + X candidate events to demonstrate the potential for calorimetric separation of photons from electrons and reconstruction of π0 kinematics

Measurement of nuclear effects in neutrino-argon interactions using generalized kinematic imbalance variables with the MicroBooNE detector

We present a set of new generalized kinematic imbalance variables that can be measured in neutrino scattering. These variables extend previous measurements of kinematic imbalance on the transverse plane and are more sensitive to modeling of nuclear effects. We demonstrate the enhanced power of these variables using simulation and then use the MicroBooNE detector to measure them for the first time. We report flux-integrated single- and double-differential measurements of charged-current muon neutrino scattering on argon using a topology with one muon and one proton in the final state as a function of these novel kinematic imbalance variables. These measurements allow us to demonstrate that the treatment of charged current quasielastic interactions in genie version 2 is inadequate to describe data. Further, they reveal tensions with more modern generator predictions particularly in regions of phase space where final state interactions are important

Identification of priority health conditions for field-based screening in urban slums in Bangalore, India

BACKGROUND: Urban slums are characterised by unique challenging living conditions, which increase their inhabitants' vulnerability to specific health conditions. The identification and prioritization of the key health issues occurring in these settings is essential for the development of programmes that aim to enhance the health of local slum communities effectively. As such, the present study sought to identify and prioritise the key health issues occurring in urban slums, with a focus on the perceptions of health professionals and community workers, in the rapidly growing city of Bangalore, India. METHODS: The study followed a two-phased mixed methods design. During Phase I of the study, a total of 60 health conditions belonging to four major categories: - 1) non-communicable diseases; 2) infectious diseases; 3) maternal and women's reproductive health; and 4) child health - were identified through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with health professionals and other relevant stakeholders with experience working with urban slum communities in Bangalore. In Phase II, the health issues were prioritised based on four criteria through a consensus workshop conducted in Bangalore. RESULTS: The top health issues prioritized during the workshop were: diabetes and hypertension (non-communicable diseases category), dengue fever (infectious diseases category), malnutrition and anaemia (child health, and maternal and women's reproductive health categories). Diarrhoea was also selected as a top priority in children. These health issues were in line with national and international reports that listed them as top causes of mortality and major contributors to the burden of diseases in India. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will be used to inform the development of technologies and the design of interventions to improve the health outcomes of local communities. Identification of priority health issues in the slums of other regions of India, and in other low and lower middle-income countries, is recommended

Effect of Body Mass Index on work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational stress of computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Work urgency, accuracy and demands compel the computer professionals to spend longer hours before computers without giving importance to their health, especially body weight. Increase of body weight leads to improper Body Mass Index (BMI) may aggravate work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational-psychosocial stress. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of BMI on work related musculoskeletal discomforts and occupational stress of computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A descriptive inferential study has been taken to analyze the effect of BMI on work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational-psychosocial stress. A total of 100 computer workers, aged 25-35 years randomly selected on convenience from software and BPO companies in Bangalore city, India for the participation in this study. BMI was calculated by taking the ratio of the subject's height (in meter) and weight (in kilogram). Work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational stress of the subjects was assessed by Cornell University's musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire (CMDQ) and occupational stress index (OSI) respectively as well as a relationship was checked with their BMI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A significant association (p < 0.001) was seen among high BMI subjects with their increase scores of musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational stress.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From this study, it has been concluded that, there is a significant effect of BMI in increasing of work related musculoskeletal discomfort and occupational-psychosocial stress among computer workers in a developed ergonomic setup.</p