Growth and Reproduction Performances of Chaugarkha Goat of Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand

Chaugarkha goats are small size meat purpose breed distributed in temperate Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India and the breed is identified as a unique new breed since 1992. The breeding tract of Chaugarkha goat is spread across four mountainous districts Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh of Kumaon region. The growth performance was analyzed by least squares analysis and information on reproduction parameters of Chaugarkha goats was generated. Least squares means at birth, three months, six months, nine months and twelve months were 1.83±0.03, 7.67±0.13, 11.45±0.17, 14.89±0.27 and 18.98±0.26 kg, respectively. Age at first mating (days), age at first kidding (days), kidding interval (days), service period (days) and gestation period (days) were 439.65±23.93, 583.83±32.66, 267.46±10.23, 204.30±17.57, and 148.98±0.70, respectively. The litter size was 1.23±0.04. Oestrous cycle length (days) and estrus duration (hrs) were 21.31±0.32, and 52.0±1.36, respectively. In the cluster 4 higher performances were recorded and it was carried forward from three months through six and nine months upto twelve months. But, no definite trend was observed for the effects of year. The male had higher estimates than females at all ages, which is along the expected line. The generated reproduction parameters will be helpful in the formulation and implementation of breeding plans.

GONADAL AND EXTRAGONADAL SPERM RESERVES AND TESTICULAR HISTOMETRY OF POST PUBERTAL MUTURU BULLS.

Testes and epididymides were obtained from three pubertial Muturu bulls aged 11 months and 12 post pubertal bulls aged between 13 and 17 months and weighed between 91 and 148kg. Samples of each testis and epididymal segments namely, caput, corpus and cauda, were processed for histology while samples for gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves were processed using the homogenisation technique. Paired testes weight increased from 78.99+8.74g at 11months of age to 90.10+10.86g. 110.30+5.67g and 106.34-6.52g at 13, 15 and 17 months of age, respectively. Paired testes sperm numbers were 3.00+1.50 X 10', 5.25 0.51 x 10', 10.44+2.55 x 10° and 9.14+3.08 x 10°, during the corresponding periods. Similarly, daily sperm production (DSP) increased by 77%, 250% and 207% at 13, 15 and 17 months of age, respectively. There was a 22% increase in the seminiferous tubule diameter from the time of puberty at 11 months to the time bulls were 15 months old, but the histological characteristics of the different epididymal segments did not follow any definite trend during these periods. Correlations between paired testes weight and other testicular and epididymal parameters were positive and significant (P<0.01). These results suggest that Muturu bulls may be used for breeding from the age of 15 months.

Discussion on Tourism Industry Trend under Routine Prevention and Control of Epidemic

The tourism industry is still in the recovery period after experiencing the suspension caused by the COVID-19 epidemic. At present, it seems that the epidemic prevention and control has become a routine job, in this context, some changes and new trends are taking place to the tourism industry. This paper analyzes the data based on the tourism market and discusses the major trends in the development of the tourism industry. The analysis reveals that the consumer appetite to travel was not blunted by COVID-19 even if many countries and regions are currently closed for tourists. Health and safety continue to be main concerns of tourists during their travels. In addition, there is a growing tendency toward industrial integration as the tourism demand is becoming increasingly diversified and personalized. Another definite trend in the tourism industry is the digitalization construction in tourist destinations. It is certain that the digital technology will provide travel businesses with more possibilities, and the tourism industry, guided by the innovation-driven development strategy, will have a promising future.

Effect of Nano-Silica on Consolidation and Permeability Properties of Lateritic Soil

A reddish-brown lateritic soil obtained from Zaria; Nigeria was treated with up to 2.5% nano-silica. Consolidation properties (i.e. Pre-consolidation pressure, compression index, coefficient of volume compressibility and coefficient of consolidation) of treated specimens were assessed using one dimensional consolidation test. The permeability property of treated soil was also evaluated. The results obtained showed that the pre-consolidation pressure generally increased with increasing percentage of nano-silica content and curing time. The compression index (Cc) increased steadily with higher percentage of nano-silica contents up to 2.5% treatment for 7 and 14 days of curing, but decreased after 28 days curing period. The recompression index (Cr) on the other hand generally increased with increase percentage of nano-silica content and curing period. The coefficient of volume compressibility (Mv) did not follow any definite trend, but at 2.5% nano-silica content, the Mv decreased for all curing periods considered. The coefficient of consolidation (Cv) also, did not give a definite trend with increase in nano-silica content, suggesting that increasing the amount of nano-silica content in the soil has little or no impact on the time rate of settlement. The coefficient of permeability (k) decreased as the soil was treated with nano-silica especially beyond loading pressure of 40kN/m2. This study showed that nano-silica (up to 2.5%) can be used to stabilize lateritic soil to improve its consolidation properties.

Variation among Different Growth Stages on Mineral Nutrient Content in Guava Fruits

Guava is one of the most promising fruit crops of India and is considered to be one of the exquisite nutritionally valuable and remunerative crops. We are unaware of any report describing macro and micronutrient dynamics in fruit at different growth stages of guava. For conducting this experiment fruit of variety Allahabad Safeda, L-49, Lalit, Shweta, Arka Kiran, Salithong, Kimchu were collected at different stages like marble, seed hardening and harvest stage for estimation of primary nutrient (N, P, K), secondary nutrient (Ca, Mg) and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu). As regards the availability of mineral nutrient contents of varieties did not follow definite trend. The nutrient content particularly N, and K were recorded highest at marble stage while as Mg and Ca was accumulated maximum in stone hardening stage and P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mg and Mn was in harvesting stage. There was least variation was observed in Mg content. Finally, it may be concluded that for the improvement of yields and quality requirement of specific mineral and nutrients is required at different growth stages.

Stages of Organic Matter Addition vs. N Transformation in Soil

FYM and mustard cake, the two variable source of organic matter, were used as amendments and N sources in a typic ustifluvent soil. Organic matters were added at two modes i.e 21 days’ before and on the day of actual start of the experiment. Inorganic N as urea was added as treatment material. Results of the experiment reveal that comparatively higher amount of inorganic N was accumulated in soil incubated at 21 days compared to soils amended with organic matter upto 90 days period. Compared to the sources of organic matters, it was observed that the amount of inorganic N was recorded much higher in mustard cake amended soil than that of the soil amended with FYM. However, the amount of organic N content did not vary much and also did not show any definite trend of changes. The overall result showed that mustard cake proved superior results over that of FYM with regard to accumulation of inorganic N in soil. Addition of organic matters 21 days before the start of the experiment showed better results with regards to availability of N in soils.

Exploring the needs and resources of children in a haematology-oncology unit

Too often a child’s body is restored to health in the hospital, but the child is sent home with emotional wounds. This study explored the needs of children in a haematology-oncology unit as well as the resources that could be mobilised in order to address these needs by firstly carrying out a literature review. A field study was then conducted in order to prioritise the resources according to their importance for children in a haematology-oncology unit. A definite trend could be found in the way that the children responded to the request to prioritise the resources. The first three resources, as chosen by the children, all concerned the external social environment of the child. It could therefore be concluded that support from parents and other people of significance are most important to the child and should be taken into account when facilitating support for children in a haematology-oncology unit. It could also be concluded that these children do not experience sufficient control in their situation and it could therefore be suggested that children in a haematology-oncology unit should experience more control and power in their situation.OpsommingSo dikwels word ‘n kind se liggaam genees in die hospitaal, maar hierdie selfde kind gaan huis toe met emosionele wonde. Die behoeftes van kinders in ‘n hematologie-onkologie eenheid is ondersoek asook die hulpbronne wat gemobiliseer kan word om hierdie behoeftes aan te spreek deur gebruik te maak van ‘n literatuurstudie. Daarna is ‘n veldstudie gedoen om hierdie hulpbronne te prioritiseer volgens die belangrikheid daarvan vir kinders in ‘n hematologieonkologie eenheid. Die manier waarop die kinders die hulpbronne geprioritiseer het, het ‘n definitiewe tendens getoon. Die eerste drie hulpbronne wat deur die kinders gekies is, is al drie hulpbronne wat die eksterne sosiale omgewing van die kind behels. Die gevolgtrekking kan dus gemaak word dat die ondersteuning van ouers en ander persone wat belangrik is vir die kind, van uiterste belang is en in aanmerking geneem behoort te word in die fasilitering van ondersteuning van kinders in ‘n hematologie-onkologie eenheid. Die gevolgtrekking wat gemaak kan word is dat hierdie kinders nie genoeg beheer ervaar in hulle situasie nie en daarom word voorgestel dat kinders in ‘n hematologie-onkologie eenheid meer bemagtig behoort te word gegewe hulle omstandighede.

Pink Rupees or Gay Icons?

Discussions of contemporary films and publications now illustrate the problematic terminology of terms like ‘gay’ or ‘camp’ in India, coupled with increasing speculation and reference to homosexuality. This article analyses media representations of Hindi cinema stars and highlights the emergence of some male stars as icons for gay communities within India and in the diaspora. Analysis of the way Bollywood celebrities are represented in India’s press in-dicates that the media has been crucial for this emergence to occur. Focussing on Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood’s most recognisable and influential star today, the article argues that while a cult of interpretation surrounds Bollywood icons, there is a definite trend of stars confronting and negotiating sexually ambiguous spaces, both on screen and off. Media ‘gossip’ and specific public responses thus serve a variety of commercial as well as socio-cultural and wider political purposes.

Presuppositions in Literary Translation: A Corpus-Based Approach

This paper investigates the use of existential presuppositions in a corpus of literary translations from Romanian into English (novels and short stories). In particular, we are interested in ascertaining whether there are any differences between the ways in which definiteness and indefiniteness are used in translations compared to source texts, and whether any pattern can be found to be in operation; the aim is to explore presuppositions in terms of what they can tell us about translators’ assumptions about their readers. The main finding is the presence of a [- definite] trend in the corpus, whereby definite references tend to be translated by indefinite references. The study suggests that this is linked to distancing; i.e., target readers are presented with texts which position them as distant observers, rather than in-the-know in-group members.

Urinary excretion and blood plasma allantoin in lambs and young goats starved and refed with a purine-free diet

An experiment was carried out to determine endogenous excretion of allantoin (AN) in lambs and kids fasted and fed on a purine-free diet (milk replacer: MR). After weaning (40–50 days after birth), the animals were reared by feeding on MR until they were 120 days old. At 8 months of age, they were fasted for 8 days, and then re-fed on MR for 13 days. After weaning, AN excretion gradually decreased almost to a constant level at 80–120 days after birth (mean 0·14 mmol/kgW0·75/day). In goat kids, there was variation but no definite trend in urinary AN excretion in the period 40–120 days (mean 0·35 mmol/kgW0·75/day). Urinary AN excretion was very low after fasting for 8 days, mean values (per kgW0·75/day) being 0·13 mmoles for lambs and 0·17 mmoles for goat kids. In lambs, urinary AN excretion did not increase following subsequent re-feeding of MR, and for goat kids the increase was small. Changes in plasma AN concentration after fasting and re-feeding showed a similar response to that of urinary AN excretion for both sheep and goats so that there was a high positive correlation between the plasma AN and urinary AN excretion (r=0·881 for lambs and r=0·853 for kids). It is concluded that, in these young animals, urinary AN excretion rapidly responds to changes in plasma AN and is therefore likely to be a useful practical indication of endogenous PD excretion.