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Aim:The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in cattle and buffaloes of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.Materials and Methods:The presence of helminths eggs and coccidial oocysts in fecal samples were detected using standard qualitative and quantitative methods. Identification of eggs or oocysts was done on the basis of morphology and size of the eggs or oocysts.Results:Out of 120 cattle and buffaloes examined, 73.33% were found positive for eggs of one or more species of GI parasite. The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in cattle (75%) as compared to that of buffaloes (70.45%), but the difference was nonsignificant (p>0.05). Sex wise prevalence of GI parasites was higher in males as compared to that of females, but the difference was nonsignificant (p>0.05). The animals above 2 years of age were more affected by GI parasites as compared to animals of 6 months - 2 years of age, but the age wise differences were nonsignificant (p>0.05). Single parasitic infections were more common than mixed infections. The monthly prevalence of GI parasites in cattle and buffaloes were highest in the month of September (81.81%) and least in December (61.11%). The eggs/oocysts per gram in most of the animals, was in the range of 201-300.Conclusion:GI parasites are problem in cattle and buffaloes of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The prevalence rate of GI parasites varied with month. The burden of parasitic infection was moderate in most animals warranting treatment.

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The electromagnetic (EM) and microwave absorption properties of (Co2+–Si4+) substituted barium hexaferrite compositions BaCox2+Fey+2Six+y4+Fe12−2x−2y+3O19 (x=0.9 and y=0.0, 0.05, and 0.2) and its polymer composites prepared from hexaferrite, polyaniline, and carbon powders dispersed in polyurethane matrix have been investigated at the microwave frequency range of the X band (8.2–12.4GHz). The hexaferrite compositions were synthesized by solid-state reaction technique, whereas polyaniline, by chemical route. The permeabilities of a ferrite are drastically reduced at higher gigahertz frequencies. The permittivities, however, can be enhanced by appropriate choice of composition and processing temperature. In the present ferrite composition, silicon content is taken in excess so as to convert some of the Fe3+ ions to Fe2+ ions. This conversion has been shown to enhance EM and absorption properties. Mössbauer spectroscopy on the samples establishes that addition of excess Si4+ converts some of the Fe3+ to Fe2+. The sintered ferrites have shown resonance phenomena, but the composites do not. The EM parameters ε′, ε″, μ′, and μ″ were measured using a vector network analyzer (Agilent, model PNA E8364B). These measured EM parameters were used to determine the absorption spectra at different sample thicknesses based on a model of a single layered plane wave absorber backed by a perfect conductor. The sintered ferrite composition (x=0.9 and y=0.05) showed the best absorption properties [a minimum reflection loss of −17.7to−14.3dB over the whole frequency range of the X band (8.2–12.4) for a sample thickness of just 0.8mm], and it is used in the composite absorbers in powder form along with other constituents. The optimized composite absorber has shown dielectric constant ε′∼11.5, dielectric loss ε″∼2.3, and a minimum reflection loss of −29dB at 10.97GHz with the −20dB bandwidth over the frequency range of 9.7–12.2GHz for a sample thickness of 2.0mm. The magnetic parameters μ′ and μ″ for the composite remained nearly 1 and 0, respectively, throughout the measured frequency range. Both sintered ferrite and composite absorbers can fruitfully be utilized for suppression of electromagnetic interference and reduction of radar signatures (stealth technology).

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The effect of canine intestinal helminths on the haematological profile of 200 dogs, of both sexes and variable age, visiting university veterinary clinics for routine examination was investigated. The dogs were assigned to parasitized (n = 39) and non-parasitized (n = 161) groups of animals. Coprological examination revealed a 19.5% prevalence of different species of the helminths. Of these animals, 10.25% had mixed infections with Ancylostoma caninum, Toxascaris spp. and Dipylidium caninum. The intensity of A. caninum infection was the highest, with mean egg counts of 951.43 (standard error 88.66), followed by Toxascaris 283.33 (standard error 116.81) and D. caninum. The parasitized animals had significantly lower levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte counts than non-parasitized animals (P < 0.01). Values of other parameters, except for lymphocytes and eosinophils, were not different between the two groups. Analyses of the haematological profile revealed normocytic hypochromic anaemia in the parasitized group of animals.