Estrus Synchronization and Artificial Insemination in Goats during Low Breeding Season-A Preliminary Study

A pilot project was initiated to introduce artificial insemination (AI) in goats at farmer level with chilled semen. Does (n=18) were synchronized with progesterone impregnated vaginal sponges (60 mg Medroxyprogesterone acetate; MAP) for 11 days. At 48 hrs prior to removal of the sponges, intramuscular injection of 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and cloprostenol (0.075 mg) was given. Fixed time vaginal insemination (43-45 hrs after sponge removal) was done twice (at 12 hrs interval) in 17 does with chilled Beetal buck semen (4°C) extended with Tris-citric acid (TCA) or skimmed milk (SM) based extender (75 x 106 sperm/ml). Pregnancy test was performed at 45 days post insemination through ultrasonography. An overall 94.5% (17/18) of does showed heat signs and 78% of them were detected in heat between 12 - 24 hrs after sponge removal. An overall 29.4% (5/17) pregnancy rate was recorded. Higher pregnancy rate (44.4%) was obtained in does inseminated with SM extended semen as compared to 12.5% for TCA extended semen. Results were encouraging in the sense that to the best of our knowledge it was the first report of kidding through AI in heat induced does in Pakistan. Moreover, it indicated the feasibility of using synchronization and fixed time AI during low breeding season to enhance the reproductive efficiency in local goats

An improved search ability of particle swarm optimization algorithm for tracking maximum power point under shading conditions

Introduction. Extracting maximum possible power from solar energy is a hot topic of the day as other sources have become costly and lead to pollution. Problem. Dependency on sunlight for power generation makes it unfeasible to extract maximum power. Environmental conditions like shading, partial shading and weak shading are the major aspect due to which the output of photovoltaic systems is greatly affected. Partial shading is the most known issue. Goal. There have been many proposed techniques and algorithms to extract maximum output from solar resources by use of photovoltaic arrays but every technique has had some shortcomings that couldn’t serve the complete purpose. Methodology. Nature inspired algorithms have proven to be good to search global maximum in a partially shaded multipeak curve which includes particle swarm optimization, artificial bee colony algorithm, and flower pollination algorithm. Methods. Particle swarm optimization algorithm is best among these in finding global peaks with less oscillation around maximum power point, less complexity, and easy to implement nature. Particle swarm optimization algorithm has the disadvantage of having a long computational time and converging speed, particularly under strong shading conditions. Originality. In this paper, an improved opposition based particle swarm optimization algorithm is proposed to track the global maximum power point of a solar photovoltaic module. Simulation studies have been carried out in MATLAB/Simulink R2018a. Practical value. Simulation studies have proved that opposition based particle swarm optimization algorithm is more efficient, less complex, more robust, and more flexible and has better convergence speed than particle swarm optimization algorithm, perturb and observe algorithm, hill climbing algorithm, and incremental conductance algorithm.Вступ. Отримання максимально можливої потужності із сонячної енергії є надзвичайно актуальним наразі, оскільки інші джерела енергії стали коштовними та призводять до забруднення. Проблема. Залежність від сонячного світла для вироблення електроенергії унеможливлює отримання максимальної потужності. Умови навколишнього середовища, такі як затінення, часткове затінення і слабке затінення, є основним аспектом, від якого сильно залежить потужність фотоелектричних систем. Часткове затінення – найвідоміша проблема. Мета. Було запропоновано багато методів та алгоритмів для отримання максимальної віддачі від сонячних ресурсів за допомогою фотоелектричних батарей, але кожен метод мав деякі недоліки, які не могли служити досягненню повної мети. Методологія. Алгоритми, натхненні природою, виявилися хорошими для пошуку глобального максимуму на частково затіненій кривій з багатьма піками, включаючи оптимізацію рою частинок, алгоритм штучної бджолиної колонії та алгоритм запилення квітів. Методи. Алгоритм оптимізації рою частинок найкраще підходить для пошуку глобальних піків з меншими коливаннями навколо точки максимальної потужності, меншою складністю та простотою реалізації. Алгоритм оптимізації рою частинок має недолік, що полягає у тривалому часі обчислень та швидкості збіжності, особливо в умовах сильного затінення. Оригінальність. У цій статті пропонується покращений алгоритм оптимізації рою частинок на основі протилежності для відстеження глобальної точки максимальної потужності сонячного фотоелектричного модуля. Розрахункові моделювання проводились у MATLAB/Simulink R2018a. Практична цінність. Дослідження за допомогою моделювання довели, що алгоритм оптимізації рою частинок на основі протилежності є більш ефективним, менш складним, надійнішим і гнучкішим і має кращу швидкість збіжності, ніж алгоритм оптимізації рою частинок, алгоритм збурення та спостереження, алгоритм сходження на пагорб та алгоритм інкрементальної провідності

Transparent conductive oxide films for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells

In this paper, atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin films of various thicknesses and dopant levels is reported. The deposited coatings are used to fabricate dye-sensitized solar cells, which exhibited reproducible power conversion efficiencies in excess of 10%. No surface texturing of FTOs or any additional treatment of dye-covered films is applied. In comparison, the use of commercial FTOs showed a lower cell efficiency of 7.11%. Detailed analysis showed that the cell efficiencies do not simply depend on the resistivity of FTOs but instead rely on a combination of carrier concentration, thickness, and surface roughness properties

Lowering virus attack with improved yield and fiber quality in different cotton genotypes by early sown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A three year study with the objective of exploring the possible role of different sowing dates and cotton genotypes on seed cotton yield, fiber quality and virus attack was conducted at the Cotton Research Station (CRS), Multan, Pakistan during three consecutive years (2006, 2007 and 2008). Two cotton genotypes namely: MNH-6070 and CIM-496 were sown on five different sowing dates (15th April, 1st May, 15th May, 1st June and 15th June) during the three consecutive years (2006, 2007 and 2008). The analyzed data indicated that early sown cotton (15th April) resulted in low virus attack (21.06%) and enhanced seed cotton yield (1575%), together with yield components (number of bolls per plant and boll weight), and improved fiber quality (staple length and micronaire) during all the three years as compared with late sown crop (15th June). Likewise, MNH-6070 also resulted in low virus attack (45.79%) and higher seed cotton yield (117.19%), as well as yield components. Regarding fiber quality, MNH-6070 resulted in higher micronarie, while CIM-496 resulted in higher staple length. Early sowing and cotton genotype MNH-6070 also resulted in maximum ginning out turn (GOT). Nonetheless, seed cotton yield and fiber quality were both negatively affected due to late sowing (1st and 15th of June) in both cotton genotypes. In crux, early sowing enhanced seed cotton yield due to increased number of bolls per plant, boll weight and low virus attack. Similarly, cotton genotype MNH-6070 also resulted to higher seed cotton yield, GOT and more resistance against virus attack due to its better genetic makeup. In summary, cotton genotype MNH-6070 should be sown on 15th April in order to obtain maximum seed cotton yield under agro-climatic conditions of Multan, Pakistan.Key words: Sowing time, seed cotton yield, staple length, micronaire

Kinetic and thermodynamic study of oxidative degradation of acid yellow 17 dye by Fenton-like process: Effect of HCO3−, CO32−, Cl− and SO42− on dye degradation

We report here the degradation of AY-17 dye using Fenton-like process (H2O2/Fe3+). The maximum degradation (83%) of AY17 dye is achieved at pH 3 in 60 min, with optimum concentrations of AY 17 (0.06 mM), H2O2 (0.9 mM), and Fe2+ (0.06 mM). The scavenging effects of HCO3−, CO32−, Cl− and SO42− on dye degradation are also examined. The activation energy (Ea), activation enthalpy (rH*), and activation entropy (rS*) are calculated for the dye degradation using pseudo-first-order kinetics at various temperature.               KEY WORDS: Acid Yellow 17, H2O2/Fe3+, Fenton-like process, Oxidative degradation, Scavenging effects Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019, 33(2), 243-254.DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i2.