No abstract

We report the results of optical polarimetric observations of a Bok globule CB34 to study magnetic field structure on large scales (10 5 − 10 6 AU), which is combined with archival sub-mm observations to characterize the magnetic field structure of CB34 on small scales (10 4 −10 5 AU). The optical polarization measurements indicate that the magnetic field in the globule is constrained to a maximum radius of 10 5 AU around the core, out to densities not smaller than 10 4 cm −3 . Our study is mainly concentrated on two submillimeter cores C1 and C2 of CB34. The direction of magnetic field of core C2 is found to be nearly perpendicular to the CO outflow direction of the globule. The magnetic field of core C1 is almost aligned with the minor axis of the core which is typical for magnetically dominated star formation models. The mean value of offset between the minor axis of core C2 and the outflow direction is found to be 14• which suggests that the direction of the outflow is almost aligned with the minor axis of core C2. The magnetic field strength in the plane-ofsky for cores C1 and C2 is estimated to be ≈ 34µG and ≈ 70µG.

The present investigation envisaged to assess genetic variability in immunocompetence and performance traits in three pure strains of Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken, viz. RIR S , RIR C & RIR W , and its two crosses, viz. CARI-Sonali and CARI-Debendra. A total of 3232, 1263, 346, 1278 and 1258 eggs of RIR S , RIR C , RIR W , CARI-Sonali and CARI-Debendra, were set in three hatches for performance evaluation. Single hatched out 74, 74, 72, 82 and 81 chicks of corresponding genotypes were investigated for immunocompetence status assessed through haemagglutination (HA) test, Lysoplate Assay and Single Radial Immunodiffusion assay. The data on various immunocompetence and performance traits was recorded and analyzed by least squares analysis of variance. The investigation summarized that pure strains demonstrated better immunocompetence than crosses. RIR W demonstrated highest percent fertility followed by RIR C , RIR S , CARI-Sonali and CARI-Debendra. Highest percent hatchability on total egg set basis was observed in RIR C , whereas CARI-Debendra demonstrated highest percent hatchability on fertile egg set basis. CARI-Debendra demonstrated higher body weights than CARI-Sonali followed by RIR S , RIR W and RIR C strains. CARI-Sonali pullets demonstrated (p<0.05) least AFE than RIR S preceded by RIR W , CARI-Debendra and RIR C . Pullets of crosses had (p<0.05) higher EW28 and EW40 than pure strains. CARI-Sonali pullets had (p<0.05) higher EP40 than RIR S >RIR W =CARI-Debendra>RIR C . There had been significant genotype×sex interaction effect on body weights at 2 nd , 8 th week and onwards. At 2 nd week of age, CARI-Debendra-female showed highest body weight but subsequently CARI-Debendra-males were the heaviest. Effects of hatch, sex and chick weightregression on growth traits as well as of hatch and housing weight-regression on layer production traits were significant. Crosses demonstrated least percent mortality than pure strains during brooding but reverse in laying stage.

This investigation aimed to evaluate genetics of body conformation and feed efficiency characteristics in a selected line of Rhode Island Red chicken taking 100 numbers of single hatched out pedigreed chicks at Central Avian Research Institute (India). Data was analyzed by least squares analysis of variance. Least squares means of body weight, shank length, keel length, breast angle, body Weight Gain (WG), Feed Consumption (FC) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were estimated at various weeks of age. Sires of the chicks significantly (p<0.05) influenced the estimates of all the traits throughout the ages with a few exceptions. Chicks' sex also affected (p<0.05) the estimates of all the traits excepting 4th week body conformation traits, FC at 6th week onwards and 6th week FCR only. Male birds demonstrated better estimates than females throughout the ages. The FC and 16th week FCR also varied (p<0.05) among different feeding groups. All the traits excluding FC were heritable at variable magnitude. The estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations coefficients were positive in trends with high magnitude among the intra-week body conformation traits and least to high magnitude among various feed efficiency traits. Only WG and FCR were invariably negatively correlated with a range of low to high genetic correlation coefficients. These research-outcomes may serve as base information to the breeders and academicians.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious complication of scrub typhus. Only a few cases of scrub typhus complicated by ARDS have been discussed in the literature to date. Herein we report the case of a patient who presented with scrub typhus complicated by ARDS and acute liver failure (ALF) and who was successfully treated in our institute. Due to the non-specificity and diversity of the initial presenting symptoms, a lack of awareness about the disease amongst physicians, and the lack of accessibility to facilities for serodiagnosis in developing countries, there is a chance of misdiagnosis during the early stage. At the same time, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Our patient was initially misdiagnosed with a common cold and then malaria. By the time a correct diagnosis was made, complications had already developed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of scrub typhus complicated by ARDS and ALF to be reported from the northeastern region of India.

The distance determination of small Bok globules is often difficult because of its small size and opaqueness. In this work, we determine the distances to six small Bok globules CB 17, CB 24, CB 188, CB 224, CB 230 and CB 240 using near infra red photometry (2MASS JHK S colors). The distances to these clouds are estimated to be 478 ± 88, 293 ± 54, 262 ± 49, 378 ± 70, 293 ± 54 and 429 ± 79 parsec respectively.

A total of 1207 pedigreed progenies of 50 sires and 177 dams of a selected line of Rhode Island Red chicken were investigated in two hatches at ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute for genetic analysis of their body weights. The genetic and non-genetic parameters of chick weight at day-old age and body weight at different ages were estimated using least squares analysis of variance. The heritability and correlation coefficients were estimated for different traits using paternal half-sibs. The mean sum of squares for sex component of variance was significant for body weights at third week of age onwards, males being heavier throughout the ages. Sire component of variance was also significant for chick weight and different body weights except the estimates at 6th and 16th week of age. Hatch component of variance was highly significant for chick weight and body weights upto 12th week of age. Regression effect of chick weight on subsequent body weights was found significant specifically for body weights from 1st week onwards to 20th week of age. The heritability estimates were 0.775±0.151 for chick weight, 0.303±0.09 to 0.44±0.142 for body weights from 1st week to 12th week of age, and 0.258 to 0.248 for body weights from 16th week to 20th week of age. The estimates at lower age could be used in selection programme based on the flock's own performance to improve those traits. The genetic and phenotypic correlation coefficients were positive and highly significant in most of the cases. The corresponding estimates ranged from 0.044 to 0.990 and 0.020 to 0.788, and these coefficients could be combined in construct of standard selection indices for optimum growth in body weight that might be adopted in future breeding strategy for this RIR chicken genotype.

The reaction between fly ash (FA) and lime is extensively exploited for the manufacture of building bricks, blocks and aggregates. To get a better idea of this reaction, FA from different sources were mixed in different ratios with lime and compacted. The compacts were treated both by ordinary water and hydrothermal curing to promote lime bearing hydrate bond formation e.g. CaO-SiO 2-H 2 O (C-S-H), CaO-Al 2 O 3-H 2 O (C-A-H) etc. The decrease in free lime content in these compacts was measured as a function of curing time and curing process. This drop in this content was correlated to the chemical composition of the fly ashes. The mathematical relationships between free lime remaining in the compacts after its maximum decrease in concentration and lime binding modulus (a ratio between the amount of added lime and the total amount of lime binding constituents present in FA) for both types of curing were developed. Further, the rate of decrease in free CaO content under both types of curing conditions was compared from kinetic study. From this study the orders of the reactions and rate constants were found out.