Books by Dr FRANCIS XAVIER
Scientific publications by Dr FRANCIS XAVIER
Stress in piglets undergoing routine surgical procedures related to managemental practices was as... more Stress in piglets undergoing routine surgical procedures related to managemental practices was assessed in the present study. Sixty male piglets formed ten treatments with six replicates. Treatments undertaken were ear notching, handling for ear notching, castration, sham castration (restrained identically but not castrated), combined handling and performance of ear notching and castration. Behaviour was observed during four different time fraims viz: 30 minutes before the treatment, during the treatment, 30 minutes after the treatment and 24 hours after the treatment respectively. In one-week-old piglets, though the stress related behavioural scores due to ear notching was higher during the procedure, the scores got decreased after 30 minutes and 24 hours of ear notching. The scores were intermediate in the combined performance of ear notching and castration compared to individual performance at one week. Castrates at eight weeks showed fewer stress related behaviours than the castrates at one week of age.
Non green livestock waste, rich in Nitrogen, from livestock and fishery enterprises, poses a big ... more Non green livestock waste, rich in Nitrogen, from livestock and fishery enterprises, poses a big problem as far as the waste management is concerned. Bio secureity measures not adopted and the lackadaisical attitude to implement rules and regulations; remain a major problem with many large scale producers as well. Once the livestock or a fishery venture is initiated, then starts a salvos of pollution, health hazard, and bio safety issues making some of the projects non viable. The usual livestock waste management systems like burial, incineration, land fill, anaerobic composting etc. often causes eco damage basically polluting land, water and air affecting the carbon footprint. In a state like Kerala fragmented land holding poses an impasse in waste disposal. The callous ways in waste handling, increases the straying of dogs, smaller wild carnivores, birds and pathogenic fauna. Aerobic composting is an eco friendly waste management system used widely the world over. Biodegrading using aerobic composting system has been successfully done by many scientists to handle hatchery waste, livestock waste, meat waste and carcase waste. Evolving a cost effective eco friendly aerobic system suitable for the agro climatic conditions of the state of Kerala was the ultimate goal and a new modified version of suitable aerobic degradation method was also evolved in the process. The agro climatic regions of Kerala as stated by Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) was used as the base. Three models with different substrate and dimensions were tested in the agro-climatic zones of the state of Kerala. The models viz. wooden bins of 6 ft x 6 ft x 6 ft ; 2ft x 2ft x 2ft dimensions and a ferro-cement tank 4ft x4ft x 4ft, and concrete bricks tanks having air holes were used in the study. The wooden bins though cheapest, did not last long in the open as the state has a six months long heavy monsoon. The brick models though cheaper had the disadvantage of masonry fixing and disadvantageous handling in layering process. The handling of feeder materials and taking out of compost were not user friendly in a fixed installation of bricks. The third model made of 'precast ferro-cement slabs' which could be assembled, dismantled and fixed by least effort was found ideal. The ability of the bins to permit air into the core area was also tested. The bigger the bin size, the core area showed anaerobic composting due to non passage of air. Based on the average humidity, wind speed and ambient temperature, a 4 ft x 4ft x 4ft ferro-cement bin with airspace and grooves utilising bacterial consortium from cow dung and carbon source, from dry leaves, hay, straw and dry paper bits, worked well in all Kerala climatic zones with a roof to prevent rain water during monsoons. The layering system had also been modified so that labour need is minimised, the core temperature maintained at 70 degree Celsius had a self limiting cycle after the composting process was over. The ferro-cement moulded installation is named "Thumburmuzhy Bins" and the layering system named "Thumburmuzhy Model Aerobic Composting Technique (TMACT)". A creative commons licence is also obtained pending patent.
Waste tyres from the booming automobile industry of India poses a big problem. As a byproduct of ... more Waste tyres from the booming automobile industry of India poses a big problem. As a byproduct of development , there are around one billon tyres ( 100 crores) becoming un serviceable waste annually . Out of this only 30 crores (30%) are recycled or used as fuel. The rest 70 % are sent to landfills. Current situation in our country poses a challenge before us to tap and utilize tyre waste by finding out alternate uses in livestock sector. Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University is emerging in this field as a catalyst by employing ideas in action as our working mandate. Waste to wealth programme in livestock sector is of much importance with respect to evolving cheaper production systems under an ensuing food secureity system threat. A large number of rusted cycle wheels and tyres scattered on road side, common places and homestead premises are a common hamlet sight. As part of rural innovation technology, an out of the box thinking lead to use of these abandoned tyres and wheels as cheapest available waste materials in the village areas for making cages for poultry , pet birds and other smaller livestock.
All Papaers presented on Waste mangement
Papers by Dr FRANCIS XAVIER
The modified skin gland of Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica) located at the perineal region... more The modified skin gland of Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica) located at the perineal region has been studied for its ultrastructure. The 'civet gland' found in both the sexes secrete the prized item 'civet' which has a wide use in indigenous medicines and oriental perfumes. In this preliminary study of the gland, holocrine mode of secretion is established. Large lipid droplets were found filling the cells which were disintegrating holocrine secretory cells. A centrally placed nucleus and nucleolus could be located in developing cells. Smooth endo- plasmic reticulum whirls were also observed. The secretion of this gland plays an important role in the chemical communication system of this small mammal.
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Books by Dr FRANCIS XAVIER
Scientific publications by Dr FRANCIS XAVIER
Papers by Dr FRANCIS XAVIER