CARRT-Motion Capture Data for Robotic Human Upper Body Model

In recent years, researchers have focused on analyzing humans' daily living activities to study various performance metrics that humans subconsciously optimize while performing a particular task. In order to recreate these motions in robotic structures based on the human model, researchers developed a framework for robot motion planning which is able to use various optimization methods to replicate similar motions demonstrated by humans. As part of this process, it will be necessary to record the motions data of the human body and the objects involved in order to provide all the essential information for motion planning. This paper aims to provide a dataset of human motion performing activities of daily living that consists of detailed and accurate human whole-body motion data collected using a Vicon motion capture system. The data have been utilized to generate a subject-specific full-body model within OpenSim. Additionally, it facilitated the computation of joint angles within the OpenSim framework, which can subsequently be applied to the subject-specific robotic model developed MATLAB framework. The dataset comprises nine daily living activities and eight Range of Motion activities performed by ten healthy participants and with two repetitions of each variation of one action, resulting in 340 demonstrations of all the actions. A whole-body human motion database is made available to the public at the Center for Assistive, Rehabilitation, and Robotics Technologies (CARRT)-Motion Capture Data for Robotic Human Upper Body Model, which consists of raw motion data in .c3d format, motion data in .trc format for the OpenSim model, as well as post-processed motion data for the MATLAB-based model.

^{138}Ba(d,α) Study of States in ^{136}Cs: Implications for New Physics Searches with Xenon Detectors

We used the ^{138}Ba(d,α) reaction to carry out an in-depth study of states in ^{136}Cs, up to around 2.5 MeV. In this Letter, we place emphasis on hitherto unobserved states below the first 1^{+} level, which are important in the context of solar neutrino and fermionic dark matter (FDM) detection in large-scale xenon-based experiments. We identify for the first time candidate metastable states in ^{136}Cs, which would allow a real-time detection of solar neutrino and FDM events in xenon detectors, with high background suppression. Our results are also compared with shell-model calculations performed with three Hamiltonians that were previously used to evaluate the nuclear matrix element (NME) for ^{136}Xe neutrinoless double beta decay. We find that one of these Hamiltonians, which also systematically underestimates the NME compared with the others, dramatically fails to describe the observed low-energy ^{136}Cs spectrum, while the other two show reasonably good agreement.

A systematic literature review of ankle-foot orthosis and functional electrical stimulation foot-drop treatments for persons with multiple sclerosis

Foot-drop is one of the most diagnosed and physically limiting symptoms persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) experience. Clinicians prescribe ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices to help alleviate the effects of foot drop, but it is unclear how their clinical and functional gait improvements compare given the user's level of disability, type of multiple sclerosis, walking environment, or desired physical activity. The research questions explored were what is the current state of AFO and FES research for pwMS? What are the prevailing research trends? What definitive clinical and functional device comparisons exist for pwMS? eight databases were systematically searched for relevant literature published between 2009 and 2021. The American Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines for systematic literature reviews were followed. A team of 3 researchers critically evaluated 17 articles that passed eligibility criteria. This review discusses the current state and trends of research, provides evidence statements on device effects, and recommends improvements for future studies. A meta-analysis would be informative, but study variability across the literature makes directly comparing AFO and FES device effects unreliable. This review contributes new and useful information to multiple sclerosis literature that can be used by both clinicians and researchers. Clinicians can use the provided insights to prescribe more effective, customized treatments, and other researchers can use them to evaluate and design future studies.

Biomimetic Approaches for Human Arm Motion Generation: Literature Review and Future Directions

In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted to analyze how humans subconsciously optimize various performance criteria while performing a particular task, which has led to the development of robots that are capable of performing tasks with a similar level of efficiency as humans. The complexity of the human body has led researchers to create a framework for robot motion planning to recreate those motions in robotic systems using various redundancy resolution methods. This study conducts a thorough analysis of the relevant literature to provide a detailed exploration of the different redundancy resolution methodologies used in motion generation for mimicking human motion. The studies are investigated and categorized according to the study methodology and various redundancy resolution methods. An examination of the literature revealed a strong trend toward formulating intrinsic strategies that govern human movement through machine learning and artificial intelligence. Subsequently, the paper critically evaluates the existing approaches and highlights their limitations. It also identifies the potential research areas that hold promise for future investigations.

Development of a time of flight spectrometer based on position sensitive multi-wire proportional counters for fission fragment mass distribution studies

Characteristics and performance of a time of flight (TOF) spectrometer developed for performing fission mass distribution studies are presented. The spectrometer contains two TOF arms based on multi-wire proportional counters (MWPCs). Each arm has two MWPCs to form a start-stop detection system for TOF measurements. The start detector has an active area of 4 × 4 cm². The stop detector is a two-dimensional position sensitive MWPC with an active area of 16 × 11 cm². Salient features of the MWPCs are the use of reduced sub-millimeter wire pitches of 0.635 and 0.317 mm in the electrodes along with the use of gold plated tungsten wires of diameters 10 and 20 µm. A delay line for position electrodes is prepared using chip inductors and capacitors. Ten different configurations of MWPC were investigated for the start detector, which involved the use of three and four electrode geometries, use of different wire pitches, and use of aluminized mylar for timing electrodes. Performance results close to micro-channel plate detectors have been observed with some designs of MWPC, displaying rise times better than 2 ns with an estimated inherent time resolution of ∼100 ps FWHM. A position resolution of ∼1 mm (FWHM) has been observed. Design features of the MWPCs and their test performance results are described in this article.

Assessment of awareness and barriers to clubfoot treatment in the Indian scenario

Background:

We undertook this study to evaluate the awareness of the Primary Caregivers of children with clubfoot aka Congenital Talipes Equino Varus (CTEV) and their familiarity with the disease, their beliefs, knowledge and compliance to treatment, and barriers encountered during the treatment process.

Settings and design:

Cross-sectional, analytical study.

Materials and methods:

A standard questionnaire in the local vernacular language was prepared, on which 108 respondents were interviewed. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software program, version 21.0. Chi-square test was applied wherever suitable as a parametric test.

Results:

Approximately 57.40% of participants had no prior knowledge of clubfoot at all, till they had a child born of the deformity in the family. Superstitions like lunar eclipse (37.96%), punishment from God (37.03%), solar eclipse (34.26%) and black magic (26.85%) were widely prevalent as the perceived cause of the deformity. Only 25% of the participants believed that any kind of treatment should be started immediately after birth and 20.37% of the study population felt the first line of treatment should be a visit to a spiritual healer or to a shrine of a saint. Approximately 68.52% of the study participants were satisfied with the explanation of the disease process and treatment plan offered by the treating doctor. Approximately 52.77% perceived social stigma as an obstacle to treatment, whereas 58.33% had difficulties adjusting to change of home or workplace routines.

Conclusion:

The awareness level regarding clubfoot in the primary caregivers in the Indian scenario is low and has an implication on successful treatment and compliance.

Changes in lower limb alignment and their effect on the functional outcome after treatment of varus degenerative OA knee by hemicallotasis using modular dynamic HTO fixator

OBJECTIVE

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an established procedure to treat medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) knee associated with varus deformity. It is well documented that precise correction of deformity and maintenance of correction achieved is important to ensure long term good results. This study was undertaken to record changes in radiological parameters and its effect on the functional outcomes in first two years following HTO done for varus degenerative OA kneeby hemicallotasis technique using HTO fixator.

METHODS

31 patients meeting our inclusion-exclusion criteria who underwent HTO by hemicallotasis method using self-adjusting unilateral HTO fixator were included in the study. Their femoro tibial angle (FTA), mechanical axis %, Insall- Salvati ratio, proximal tibial antero-posterior slope and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome Score (KOOS) were recorded preoperatively, postoperatively at the time of removal of fixator, at 1 year and at 2 years.

RESULTS

The FTA and mechanical axis significantly improved from a mean of 183.12⁰ and -3.26% respectively preoperatively to 173.38⁰ and 61.81% at the time of removal of fixator but subsequently showed significant deterioration to 176.06⁰ and 57.96% at 1 year and further insignificant deterioration to 176.16⁰ and 57.74 at 2 years. The KOOS improved from mean 56.61 preoperatively to 70.48 at the time of fixator removal and further improved significantly to 85.68 at 1 year but significantly deteriorated to 84.54 at 2 years. The Insall-Salvati ratio, tibial slope showed no significant change throughout the study. Conclusion: Though desired alignment can be achieved by using the fixator, we found a significant deterioration in achieved radiological parameters after removal of fixator adversely affecting the functional outcome which is a matter of concern.

Comparison of sensitivity to beam collimation of the holographic shearing interferometer with the wedge plate shearing interferometer and the Talbot shearing interferometer

High sensitivity of collimation testing equipment is desirable where collimated beams are used for precise and accurate measurements. Precision in the setting of collimation depends on the sensitivity of the testing equipment. In the present work, sensitivity to beam collimation of the recently reported holographic shearing interferometer (HSI) [J. Opt.20, 055603 (2018)JOOPDB0150-536X10.1088/2040-8986/aab6dc] is measured and compared with sensitivities of other collimation testing techniques based on the wedge plate shearing interferometer and the Talbot shearing interferometer. For a test beam of diameter 25 mm from an He-Ne laser and displacement of the collimating lens by 1 mm from the collimation position, the Talbot shearing interferometer shows a rotation of interference fringes from the horizontal direction by 2°, the wedge plate shearing interferometer shows 20°, and the HSI shows 25°. Sensitivity is also presented in terms of measured slopes of phase maps of the recorded interferograms for a 1 mm displacement of the collimating lens and is obtained as 0.98 mrad, 15 mrad, and 19 mrad corresponding to the Talbot shearing interferometer, the wedge plate shearing interferometer, and HSI, respectively. The effect of decollimation of the laser beam on the interference fringes of diffraction of the Lloyd mirror interferometer is also demonstrated. Theoretical concepts and experimental results are presented and discussed for the above-mentioned beam collimation testing techniques.

Enhanced Control to Improve Navigation and Manipulation of Power Wheelchairs

Our team developed a mobile wheelchair control kit designed to allow power wheelchair users the ability to maneuver their wheelchair without the need to manipulate a joystick with their hands. A smartphone and its internal accelerometer sensor was used to detect the vector of gravity, and thus detecting the pitch and roll. The wheelchair control system was tested with the phone attached in three mounting positions: hand held, hat and arm band and compared to the manipulation using the wheelchair joystick. To determine the viability of the commercialization of this kit as well as which features to further develop, a customer discovery was completed. Over a hundred interviews of power wheelchairs users, therapists, care takers, manufacturers, dealers, and assistive technology professionals were conducted at clinics, tradeshows, disabilities support groups, and rehabilitation organizations. After discovering the needs of the customers, collision avoidance was implemented into the control kit and back up cameras were added into the smart phone app to allow for the camera view to be seen without additional screens attached to the wheelchair. Future work will test these new design features and will concentrate on removing excess weight from the control kit. Improving the ease of installation of the kit to any power wheelchair will also be a focus.

Prevalence of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis in Canine Population Across India

Canine ehrlichiosis is a very important emerging disease in India. This study is the first attempt screening a large number of canines in India for the detection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. In the present study, 510 blood samples of dogs were screened for the presence of Ehrlichia canis and other variants of Anaplasmataceae family by serological and molecular methods.Out of the 510 serum samples, 293 (57.5%) cases were found positive for the presence of E. canis antibodies through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, and 45 (8.8%) and 1 (0.2%) specimens were positive for E. canis and A. platys, respectively, based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the clinical samples of E. canis, the minimum detection limit for PCR was9 ng. In the immunofluorescence assay (IFA), the positive blood samples showed comparable results with those obtained from the commercially available dot ELISA kit (giving equivalent IFA titer). The results of sequencing were compared with other reported isolates in various regions of the world, and a phylogenetic relationship was established. The 16S rRNA region that was amplified and sequenced for E. canis and A. platys was highly conserved and so was another Vir B9 region.

Pure tethered cervical cord and review of literature

Tethering of the spinal cord in the lumbosacral region with myelomeningocele is a well-known phenomenon. Only sporadic cases of tethering along the rest of the neuraxis, including the hindbrain, cervical, and thoracic spinal cord have been documented, always along with some associated congenital malformations (hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, myelomeningocele, meningocele, hamartomatous stalk, spina bifida occulta, intramedullary lipoma, intradural fibrous adhesions, the fusion of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae, split cord malformation, or low-lying cord). In this report, 14-year-old male developed symptoms related to tethering of the cervical spinal cord, but without any associated congenital malformations, that is the pure tethered cervical cord. This causes his moribund status and makes the manuscript unique and contributes to the hitherto literature. The authors discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative course of this entity. The uniqueness in treatment is that we have operated the case without the help of intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials and motor evoked potential from posterolateral approach under local anesthesia.

Experimental demonstration of critical coupling of whispering gallery mode cavities on a Bloch surface wave platform

We experimentally demonstrate critical coupling of whispering gallery mode (WGM) disk resonators implemented on a Bloch surface wave platform using scanning near-field optical microscopy. The studied structure is a 60 nm thick TiO₂ WGM disk cavity (radius of 100 μm) operating within the C-band telecommunication wavelength. An extinction ratio of 26 dB and a quality factor of 2200 are measured. Such a high extinction ratio verifies the critical coupling of the WGM resonator. This result paves the way to planar optical signal processing devices based on the proposed geometry, for which a critical coupling condition is a guarantee of optimum performance.

Robotic assistance for performing vocational rehabilitation activities using BaxBot

Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) refer to tasks that people do on a daily basis, such as self-feeding, cleaning the house, or bathing. These activities often require a degree of functional mobility that may be outside the ability of a person suffering from cognitive or physical impairment. This work describes methods of performing ADL's with a mobile robotic system. We examined the needs of potential users and caregivers through surveys to determine the most needed applications for robotic assistance. Using this information, we extended the functionality of our BaxBot mobile robotic system to provide meaningful, autonomous assistance in performing three specific ADL's with minimal user interaction.

Semi-autonomous mobility assistance for power wheelchair users navigating crowded environments

Power wheelchair users suffering from cognitive or physical impairment often face difficulties in maneuvering their wheelchairs through crowded environments. Currently, users need to be continuously aware of all traffic around them to actively avoid all collisions. This is an especially difficult task since many wheelchair users are unable to accurately view or perceive their surroundings. Additionally, imprecise joystick control, slowed reaction time, or imperfect interpretation of the environment can lead to unintended collisions with objects in the environment. This work looks to augment user's input with data gathered from an ultrasonic sensor ring to prevent accidental collisions. Using data gathered from the sensors, we detect objects within a certain radius of the chair. This sensor information is combined with the user input from a joystick to generate a potential field description for the intended motion of the wheelchair. An optimal motion vector is calculated which works to avoid collision with obstacles. Ultimately, this control method reduces the cognitive load on the user and enables them to navigate complex environments by providing simple and/or imprecise input to the system.

Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Virtual Reality

In this article, a virtual reality system for vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities (VR4VR) is presented. VR4VR uses immersive virtual environments to assess and train individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. This article focuses on the system modules that were designed and developed for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) population. The system offers training on six vocational skills that were identified as transferrable to and useful in many common jobs. These six transferable skills are cleaning, loading the back of a truck, money management, shelving, environmental awareness, and social skills. This article presents the VR4VR system, the design considerations for the ASD population, and the findings with a cohort of nine neurotypical individuals (control group) and nine high-functioning individuals with ASD (experiment group) who used the system. Good design practices gathered throughout the study are also shared for future virtual reality applications targeting individuals with ASD. Research questions focused on the effectiveness of the virtual reality system on vocational training of high-functioning individuals with ASD and the effect of distracters on task performance of high-functioning individuals with ASD. Follow-up survey results indicated that for individuals with ASD, there was improvement in all of the trained skills. No negative effects of the distracters were observed on the score of individuals with ASD. The proposed VR4VR system was found by professional job trainers to provide effective vocational training for individuals with ASD. The system turned out to be promising in terms of providing an alternative practical training tool for individuals with ASD.

Near-field characterization of a Bloch-surface-wave-based 2D disk resonator

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimental investigation of a two-dimensional disk resonator on a dielectric multilayer platform sustaining Bloch surface waves. The disk resonator has been patterned into a few tens of nanometer thin (∼λ/25) titanium dioxide layer deposited on the top of the platform. We characterize the disk resonator by multi-heterodyne scanning near-field optical microscopy. The low loss characteristics of Bloch surface waves allowed us to reach a measured quality factor of 2×10³ for a disk radius of 100 μm.

Duel-acting subcutaneous microemulsion formulation for improved migraine treatment with zolmitriptan and diclofenac: formulation and in vitro-in vivo characterization

Subcutaneous triptan provides immediate analgesia in migraine and cluster headache but is limited by high pain recurrence due to rapid drug elimination. A dual-acting subcutaneous formulation providing immediate release of a triptan and slow but sustained release of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug may provide a longer duration of relief. A microemulsion-based technology has various advantages over other technically complex dosage forms. Oil-in-water microemulsions of zolmitriptan and diclofenac acid using Labrafac Lipophile, Tween 80, Capryol 90 and water were prepared. One formulation was characterised in vitro and found to have uniformly dispersed nanosized globules. The formulation provided differential release of zolmitriptan and diclofenac acid both in vitro as well as in vivo that may be potentially beneficial to migraine patients.

Intervention program in college instrumental musicians, with kinematics analysis of cello and flute playing: a combined program of yogic breathing and muscle strengthening-flexibility exercises

College musicians encounter health risks not dissimilar to those of professional musicians. Fifteen collegiate instrumental musicians participated in the intervention program of yogic-breathing and muscle-strengthening and flexibility exercises for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention data from the Health-Pain-Injury Inventory (HPI) and the Physical & Musical-Performance Efficacy Assessment Survey (PME) were analyzed for the effects of the program on the musicians' physical and musical-performance efficacy. HPI results showed that the majority of our sample had healthy lifestyles and minimal pain and injuries but irregular eating and exercise habits. The pre-intervention PME data showed a high level of musical efficacy (i.e., awareness of music technique, tone, and flow) but a low-level of physical efficacy (i.e., awareness of posture, tension, and movement flexibility). Post-intervention data showed that the program improved physical efficacy by increased awareness of posture and tension. In 2 volunteer musicians, kinematics motion analysis was conducted for exploratory purposes. Our cellist played the scale using a larger range of motion (ROM) in right shoulder flexion and abduction and slightly increased rotation while keeping decreased right elbow ROM after the intervention program. The flutist shifted the body weight from one foot to the other more in the second playing post-intervention. These changes can be attributed to the increased physical efficacy that allowed freedom to express musicality. Findings from these case scenarios provide empirically based hypotheses for further study. We share our experience so that others may use our model and instruments to develop studies with larger samples.

Task-oriented control of a 9-DoF WMRA system for opening a spring-loaded door task

A 9-Dof wheelchair mounted robotic arm system (WMRA) has been developed to assist wheelchair-bound persons with upper limb motion limitations to perform activities of daily living (ADL) tasks. In this paper, we utilize mobile manipulation control to keep the end-effector stationary while moving the base and vice versa. This allows easier execution of a group of pre-set ADL tasks including opening and holding a spring loaded door passing through by locking the end-effector position and orientation. Redundancy resolution is achieved by optimizing the manipulability measure while the ADL task is being performed. Combined mobility and manipulation is expanded in this work to turn the USF WMRA into a task-oriented robotic system.

Probability density based gradient projection method for inverse kinematics of a robotic human body model

This paper presents the probability density based gradient projection (GP) of the null space of the Jacobian for a 25 degree of freedom bilateral robotic human body model (RHBM). This method was used to predict the inverse kinematics of the RHBM and maximize the similarity between predicted inverse kinematic poses and recorded data of 10 subjects performing activities of daily living. The density function was created for discrete increments of the workspace. The number of increments in each direction (x, y, and z) was varied from 1 to 20. Performance of the method was evaluated by finding the root mean squared (RMS) of the difference between the predicted joint angles relative to the joint angles recorded from motion capture. The amount of data included in the creation of the probability density function was varied from 1 to 10 subjects, creating sets of for subjects included and excluded from the density function. The performance of the GP method for subjects included and excluded from the density function was evaluated to test the robustness of the method. Accuracy of the GP method varied with amount of incremental division of the workspace, increasing the number of increments decreased the RMS error of the method, with the error of average RMS error of included subjects ranging from 7.7° to 3.7°. However increasing the number of increments also decreased the robustness of the method.

Crossed four-bar mechanism for improved prosthetic grasp

Passive linkages were developed to improve grasp functionality and minimize a prosthetic terminal device's number of user-controlled inputs. The linkages act to stabilize grasped objects and substitute for the palp of normal anatomical fingers. The Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure was used to compare the normal anatomical hand, this prototype, and a commercially available (Hosmer) hook. In testing, prosthetic terminal devices took three times as long as the normal anatomical hand to perform tasks. Nevertheless, heavyweight power and spherical grasps were improved with the use of the new mechanism compared with the commercial hook. Conversely, precision grasps were worsened because of the lack of a high-friction surface on the distal end of the prototype.

Design and implementation of visual-haptic assistive control system for virtual rehabilitation exercise and teleoperation manipulation

This paper describes the design and implementation of a control system that integrates visual and haptic information to give assistive force feedback through a haptic controller (Omni Phantom) to the user. A sensor-based assistive function and velocity scaling program provides force feedback that helps the user complete trajectory following exercises for rehabilitation purposes. This system also incorporates a PUMA robot for teleoperation, which implements a camera and a laser range finder, controlled in real time by a PC, were implemented into the system to help the user to define the intended path to the selected target. The real-time force feedback from the remote robot to the haptic controller is made possible by using effective multithreading programming strategies in the control system design and by novel sensor integration. The sensor-based assistant function concept applied to teleoperation as well as shared control enhances the motion range and manipulation capabilities of the users executing rehabilitation exercises such as trajectory following along a sensor-based defined path. The system is modularly designed to allow for integration of different master devices and sensors. Furthermore, because this real-time system is versatile the haptic component can be used separately from the telerobotic component; in other words, one can use the haptic device for rehabilitation purposes for cases in which assistance is needed to perform tasks (e.g., stroke rehab) and also for teleoperation with force feedback and sensor assistance in either supervisory or automatic modes.

Identification of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 in yaks (Bos poephagus grunniens) in the Himalayan region

Since cattle are widely infected by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in India, we searched for pestivirus infection in yaks. Of 71 pure and crossbred yaks from Himalayan region, pestivirus antigen was detected by Ag-ELISA in three animals. Pestivirus in leukocyte and cell culture isolated virus samples originating from positive yaks was also confirmed by RT-PCR using panpestivirus specific primers selected from 5'-untranslated region (5' UTR). The 5' UTR, N(pro) and E2 regions were sequenced and used for genetic typing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that pestiviruses detected in three Himalayan yaks were similar genetically, belonging to BVDV-1. Antigenic characterisation of yak pestivirus also confirmed the typing as BVDV-1. This is the first report on the identification of BVDV type 1 in yaks.

Genetic and antigenic characterization of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 2 isolated from Indian goats (Capra hircus)

Recent studies have shown that bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type 1 is widely prevalent in Indian cattle. In a surveillance of randomly collected 562 blood samples from seven states during 2004-2006, BVDV type 2 was detected in two native Indian goats by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The virus isolated from them was classified antigenically as BVDV 2 on the basis of virus neutralization test and reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. Phylogenetic analysis of three different genomic regions, 5' un-translated region (5' UTR), E(rns) structural coding region and NS5B nonstructural coding region typed Indian goat isolate as BVDV 2a having close similarity with strains from North America and Europe suggesting its probable introduction through trade. It was placed in a separate clade within the 2a branch having unique mutations in E(rns) and NS5B region. This is the first report of BVDV 2 in India and only second time recorded in goat species. The isolation of BVDV 2 from goat warrants intensive surveillance in cattle and sheep.

Pathogenicity of an Indian isolate of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1b in experimentally infected calves

The aim of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of an Indian bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) 1b isolate in 7-9-months-old male calves. Infected (four) and control (two) calves were bled at three days interval for hematological, virological and serological studies until day 27. All infected calves developed respiratory illness, biphasic pyrexia, mild diarrhea, leucopenia and mild thrombocytopenia. Viraemia was demonstrated between 3 and 15dpi and the infected calves seroconverted by 15dpi. Prominent kidney lesions were endothelial cell swelling, proliferation of mesangial cells and podocytes leading to glomerular space obliteration. Degeneration and desquamation of cells lining seminiferous tubules were observed in two infected calves. Consolidation of lungs with interstitial pneumonia, mild gastroenteritis and systemic spread were also evident. It was concluded that Indian BVDV isolate induced moderate clinical disease in calves and glomerulonephritis resulting from acute BVDV infection was observed for the first time.