Background: Muga is an exclusive golden-colored silk produced by the Antheraea Assamensis silkworm species in North-east India. In the silk processing stage, drying of Muga silkworm cocoon is essential to prevent the pupa from emerging from the shell and to preserve the cocoons for a longer period (3-6 months). It is necessary to reduce the potentially harmful high moisture level in the cocoon shell and pupa body to an optimum or safe level of moisture content (6-12%). In India, the natural sun drying method is the most common method to preserve Muga cocoons for a longer period. Considerably losses may occur using the sun-drying method due to various effects such as rodents, insects, rain, microorganisms, excessive temperature, etc. To address this issue the study was conducted to improve the quality of Muga silk yield using a comparative study between Convection and IR heating methods for cocoon drying.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this study, Muga cocoons were dried properly at optimum temperature (50-100&deg;C) to obtain a safe moisture level for getting quality Muga silk. The drying of the Muga cocoon is processed using convection (1 kw) and Infrared (650 watts) modes of heating for the same duration of time. Muga cocoons were placed in a drying chamber initially at a high temperature (100&plusmn;5&deg;C) using both convection and Infrared heating methods separately to maintain the moisture content to an optimum level. It took approximately 75 minutes to obtain the temperature 100 from room temperature and every 15 minutes temperature measure was recorded for both methods and compared. The parameters studied were temperature, time, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio and moisture content. These parameters were examined, evaluated and compared for both the Convection and IR heating methods.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The comparative study results indicated that the performance of the studied cocoon parameters namely temperature, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio and moisture content are approximately similar for both convection and IR heating methods. Moisture content was maintained at the optimum range (6-12%) for both the convection and IR methods. The study provided a better performance using the IR heating method as compared to convection heating concerning energy consumption and safety for the same duration of time. Energy consumed by a 1 kW convection heater is 1.25 kWh, whereas energy consumption in a 650-watt IR heater is 0.8125 kWh.&nbsp;

A Comparative Study of Drying of Muga Cocoons using Convection and Infra-red Heating Method

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study was intended to investigate the sensitivity of different tissues of tumorous and non-tumorous birds to the polymerize chain reaction-baseddiagnosis of Marek&rsquo;s disease. Tissue samples were collected from spleen, sciatic nerve, feather follicles and tumour parts (if any)of chickens during the routine necropsy examination. The presence of Marek&rsquo;s disease virus was examined using primers for 132 bp repeats of BamHI-H regionand positive samples were sequenced for 132 bp repeats and Meq gene. In the birds showing tumours, various samples such as the spleen, feather pulp, sciatic nerve and tumour tissue yielded positive results in &nbsp;92.31%, 88.46%, 100% and 100% cases respectively. Amongst non-tumorous birds, 11.53% spleen, 23.07% feather pulp and 11.53% sciatic nerve were found positive. This is the first comparative study between nerve and other organs samples for molecular diagnosis of Marek&rsquo;s disease. Data generated shows that the probability of false negative in tumorous birds and false positive in non-tumorous birds was comparatively low while employing nerve tissue than spleen and feather follicles. Thus, it may be concluded from our study that nerves are a more reliable and robust diagnostic organ in comparison to the other organs used for conventional diagnosis.</div>

Comparative study on biological material for molecular diagnosis of Gallid herpesvirus 2

Background: Durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] is one of the most essential cereal species and is cultivated worldwide over almost 17 million ha, with a global production of 38.1 million tonnes in 2019 (Ioannis et al., 2020). Cereal grains have always been the main source of food for humans and domestic animals. In Algeria, cereal products, mainly wheat, play a strategic role in the food system and the national economy. Knowledge of the phenomena governing their preservation and mastery of storage techniques are crucial to the survival of the world&rsquo;s population. The world human population is increasing day by day and estimated to reach 8.0 billion by 2025 and 8.9 billion by 2050.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The ideal of this work was to study the effect of natural aging on the viability and technological quality of four kinds of durum wheat, saved for two years under two storage conditions, favorable conditions in the cold room, temperature (-04&deg;C); moisture (12%) and inimical conditions (medium), temperature estimated between 11 and 37&deg;C and relative moisture of 30 to 85 83%. To do this, a study of morphological, physiological, biochemical and technological parameters was initiated on the seed and on the whole factory. 
 
Result: The protein content values recorded are low compared to the control under both conditions (favorable, inimical) of natural aging; the differences are veritably largely significant. A significant increase in proline situations in seeds subordinated to natural aging compared to the control. Under good natural aging conditions, we notice that the different genotypes tested record low answerable sugar contents compared to the control; whereas under inimical NA conditions, we note a significant increase in answerable sugar content; the differences are veritably largely significant. The results attained show that, in general, the kinds are more sensitive to inimical conditions of natural aging, while without favorable conditions, the effect is less drastic.

Comparative Study of the Technological Potential of Durum Wheat Varieties after Natural Aging

Background: Madhya Pradesh is rich in biodiversity having diversified flora and fauna. But now a days, apart from various threat like loss of habitat poisoning, accident, disease facing wildlife today and poaching remain one of the important causes for fauna declination. poaching remains one of important cause for fauna declination. Poaching of wild animals particularly chital and sambar deer is more for the meat, ornamental and trophy purposes. In forensic laboratory where there is lack of molecular facilities, comparative gross morphological study plays an important role in solving wildlife crime cases. skull is a best material to compare the closely relative species. hence, the study was conducted on comparative gross morphology of 4 male chital and sambar deer skull.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was conducted 4 male adult skulls each of chital and sambar deer. The skulls were de-skinned and kept under maceration for a period of one month. The gross morphological differentiating features of dorsal surface, lateral surface, basal surface and nuchal surface were observed and recorded with the help of digital camera. 
 
Result: In this study, unique differentiating features were sufficient to distinguish among the skull of male chital and sambar. The facial tuberosity was present caudal to infraorbital foramen, dorsal to the superior third premolar tooth in chital deer, whereas; it was present dorsally the superior first molar tooth in sambar deer. Rostral extremities of nasal bones in skull of male chital deer were notched; however, these were blunt and without notch in the skull of male sambar deer. Incisive (Premaxilla) bone was directed upward in chital deer; whereas, it was directed caudally in case of sambar deer. The present comparative study will provide reliable information for identification of these closely related species specially needed for wildlife forensic cases.

Comparative Gross Architectural Studies on the Skull of Male Chital Deer (Axis axis) and Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) as an Aid in Wildlife Forensics

Background: The agriculture sector is moving towards ecofriendly fertilizers to promote quality food products and to reduce the pollution caused on the environment by chemical fertilizer producing industries such as air pollution by releasing toxic gas and water pollution by discharging the untreated water from the chemical fertilizer industry. Though chemical fertilizer yield high productivity in short time, they reduces the soil fertility gradually, reduces the quality of the agricultural products and also implies toxic effects toward the human population. To rule out the above mentioned disadvantages and to maintain the sustainable environment, current study aims in utilizing the biochar as biofertilizer to replace the existing chemical fertilizer. 
 
Methods: In this present study the biochar obtained as the byproduct of Hydrothermal liquefaction process from various wastes like groundnut shell, sewage waste, citrus fruit peel, food waste and rice husk were mixed in equal ratio and used as a biofertilizer on three different plants (Tomato, Chilly and Lady&rsquo;s finger) in the field environment. Since the biochar is rich in carbon and holds a good amount of moisture content, this acted as a promising alternate to the existing chemical fertilizer.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The yield % of all the plants treated with biochar were recorded and found to be 84%, 30% and 93% for tomato, chilly and lady&rsquo;s finger, respectively during the period of the study. Whereas the yield % of the plants treated with chemical fertilizer were 81%, 23% and 84% for Tomato, Chilly and Lady&rsquo;s finger respectively. Existing commercial biofertilizer gave a mild rise in efficiency when compared with biochar. So a future plan is proposed to treat the biochar with the agro based fertilizer industry effluent to adsorb the nutrients present in it, there by the efficiency of biochar can compete well with the existing biofertilizer.

A Comparative Study on Hydrothermal Liquefied Biochar as Biofertilizer for Increased Plant Yield

<div>Background: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an economically important disease of birds which is controlled largerly by vaccination with live attenuated vaccine. The virus is more pathogenic in birds above three &nbsp;weeks of age. The problem of immuno-suppression in birds is one of the leading cause of increase in incidences and intensity of already existing diseases and also of new emerging diseases. Vaccination being one of the important preventive measure for IBD has been implicated as a cause of immunosuppression in many instances. This study was designed to compare the haemato-biochemical and gross-histopathological observations after infection with field and vaccine strain in birds below and above three weeks of age. 
 
Methods: In birds below and above three weeks of age, field and vaccine strain of IBD virus was inoculated with subsequent study of haemato-biochemical and gross-histopathological changes.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results indicated that vaccine strain used in this study (IV-95 strain) caused a comparable damage with field strain. The bursal body weight index was not a good indicator for IBD pathogenicity. However, the clinical signs were dependent and could be correlated to aspects such as haemato-biochemical alterations, gross and histopathological lesions in organs other than bursa of Fabricius (BF). Bursal changes could not be correlated to clinical signs as the birds lacking frank clinical signs were equally suffering from bursal damage and depletion of lymphocytes. Hence attenuated intermediate invasive strain of vaccine was capable of damaging BF and may be responsible for immunosuppression.</div>

<div>Comparative Haemato-biochemical and Histopathological Studies in Birds Inoculated with Vaccine and Field Strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: The demand and cost of domestic energy in Nigeria are on the increase, primarily due to the increasing human population and demand. This is compounded by desertification, increasing the cost of electricity, industrialization, lack of alternative such as solar, wind and nuclear energy.This study was conducted to compare the potential of biogas produced from anaerobic co-digestion of coconut fibre, cocoa pods, maize husk, orange peels, pineapple peels and yeast and to determine the effect of pH and retention time on biogas yield.&nbsp; Methods: During the experiment, five batch reactors/digesters were used. The digesters were labeled A,B,C,D, E and each replicated three times. Digester A consist of 2g of yeast, 4g of coconut fibre, digester B consist of 2g of yeast, 4g of cocoa pods, digester C consist of 2g of yeast, 4g of maize husk, digester D consist of 2g of yeast, 4g of orange peels and digester E consist of 2g of yeast, 4g of pineapple peels. The pH was determined before corking the reactors.&nbsp; Result: The results showed significant differences among the different substrate for biogas yield and methane component. Biodegradability of the different substrate, quality and retention time significantly affected the biogas yield in the five digesters. Digester loaded with maize husk produced significantly higher volume of biogas and methane component compared with other substrate. Increase in biogas yield for maize husk of 4g was 23.33ml with methane component of 61.78% for the 10 days hydraulic retention time. The retention time of 4, 5, 6 and 8 days significantly produced the highest volume of biogas in the other digesters. Based on the findings, maize husk and yeast blend could be a rich source of renewable energy option and would help arrest ecological disaster in addition to control of deforestation.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Comparative Study of Biogas Production from Cocoa Pod, Maize Husk, Orange Peels, Pineapple Peels and Coconut Fiber Co-Digested with Yeast</div>

<div>Background: The diversity of different climatic conditions and altitudes of UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (erstwhile J&amp;K state) has given rise to differential adaptive mechanisms that enable goats to cope effectively with a variety of stressful environmental conditions. Jammu city (with an altitude of 327m to 412 m), like the rest of north-western India, features a&nbsp;humid subtropical climate. Ladakh is the dry temperate region and the highest plateau in the state of&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir&nbsp;with much of it ranging from 3,000&nbsp;m (9,800&nbsp;ft) to 5,000&ndash;5,500&nbsp;m (16,000&ndash;18,050&nbsp;ft). There has been no systemic study on the probable comparative variation in micrometry of lungs in high altitude Pashmina goats of Ladakh and migratory Bakerwali and non-descript goats of Jammu and Kashmir, which live in regions with varied altitudes. Respiratory system plays a vital role in exchange of oxygen, olfaction, phonation and thermoregulation of the body. No literature on the comparative micrometry of the lungs in these three goat populations was found and such paucity of available literature prompted this present study. 
 
Methods: The work was done in the lung samples of adult Pashmina, Bakerwali and non-descript goats (N=10 each) collected from slaughter houses of UT of Ladakh and in and around Jammu city of UT of J&amp;K. The representative tissue samples from lungs of all the goats were preserved in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF) solution, processed for paraffin block preparation, tissue sections of 5 mm thickness were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin to record various micrometrical parameters. 
 
Results: Our study revealed that significantly largest alveolar diameter and thinnest inter alveolar septal thickness was recorded in Pashmina goats followed by Bakerwali and non-descript goats. This might be due to the adaptive morphological phenomenon of the Pashmina goats which are natural habitants of high altitudes of the Himalayan regions for better utilization of the oxygen in hypoxic conditions.</div>

<div>Comparative Micrometrical Studies on the Lungs of Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-descript Goats of the Union Territories of Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh</div>

Background: Drought stress poses a significant threat to global crop productivity and quality, with climate variability exacerbating its intensity in recent decades. This susceptibility underscores the urgent need to address the impact of water scarcity on agricultural systems. 
 
Methods: Study was carried out to investigate the effects of drought on mustard (TS 67) and wheat (HD 3086) cultivars popularly grown in north eastern part of India. Drought was imposed at three distinct stages of crop growth (vegetative, flowering and pod filing) for 15 days to study the variability in response mechanisms if any. 
 
Result: Drought significantly (p&le;0.05) reduced plant height and leaf number in both the crops. It had a significant (p&le;0.05) inhibitory impact on leaf chlorophyll content in the tested wheat and mustard cultivars. Drought lowers the rate of photosynthesis and this decline was more distinct when stress was applied during flowering stage of both the crops. Plant height stress tolerance index (PHSI) and dry matter stress tolerance index (DMSI) values indicated mustard (TS 67) as more tolerant crop to the imposed drought compared to wheat (HD 3086).&nbsp;

Drought Induced Impact on Growth and Yield of Wheat and Mustard: A Comparative Study

<div>Background: The Indian dairy industry has progress consistently ever since the White revolution of the 1970s, making India, the world&rsquo;s largest and fastest producer of milk with 17 per cent global share. The Indian dairy market is expected to double within the next 10 years, primarily driven by over 16-20 per cent growth in value added dairy segment. To catch this high growth potential and to meet the rising demand, a sustainable and strong dairy production system will be critical.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2019 at four different dairy farms. The farms were identified based on rearing systems practiced. The farms were divided into two groups where the first one (n=10 dairy cattle) utilized automatic rearing systems (the ARS farms), while the second group (n=10) had conventional rearing systems (the CRS farms). 
 
Result: Based on the results, the effect of different rearing systems on the average lactation yield in the fourth lactation was significantly higher (P&le;0.05) in automatic rearing system. The lactation yield of both the treatment groups was not significant till third lactation. There was no significant difference observed in persistency of milk production in both the rearing systems. Reproductive performance of the ARS houses had better age at first calving and service period as compared to conventional house type with significant difference. By using an ARS it is possible to save time and achieve greater flexibility. The experiment indicates less man power minutes required for routine daily work like feeding, watering and milking in automatic rearing system as compare to conventional rearing system. A significant (P&le;0.01) reduction in working time by comparison with a different feeding, watering and management system however can only be expected in the case of sizeable herds. It appears that not much time can be saved with herds numbering 60 animals, but flexibility for the farm manager becomes significantly greater. In view of the relatively high amount invested in ARS, the profitability of such a system must be decided on a farm by farm basis. In principle an ARS can be a good opportunity for optimizing working time and workload in dairy farming.&nbsp;</div>

A Comparative Study of Drying of Muga Cocoons using Convection and Infra-red Heating Method

Comparative study on biological material for molecular diagnosis of Gallid herpesvirus 2

Comparative Study of the Technological Potential of Durum Wheat Varieties after Natural Aging

Comparative Gross Architectural Studies on the Skull of Male Chital Deer (Axis axis) and Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) as an Aid in Wildlife Forensics

A Comparative Study on Hydrothermal Liquefied Biochar as Biofertilizer for Increased Plant Yield

Comparative Haemato-biochemical and Histopathological Studies in Birds Inoculated with Vaccine and Field Strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

Comparative Study of Biogas Production from Cocoa Pod, Maize Husk, Orange Peels, Pineapple Peels and Coconut Fiber Co-Digested with Yeast

Comparative Micrometrical Studies on the Lungs of Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-descript Goats of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh

Drought Induced Impact on Growth and Yield of Wheat and Mustard: A Comparative Study

Comparative Study of Automation and Conventional System on Production Performance in Dairy Farms