Planck early results III : First assessment of the Low Frequency Instrument in-flight performance

Peer reviewe

Cooking Eggs with Chemicals Lowers its Fat-Soluble Vitamins, Proteins, Fats and Cholesterol Contents

The effects of cooking eggs with chemicals on its nutrient contents were studied in eggs from four bird species (Gallus gallus): quail (Corturnix delegorgei), guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), local chicken (Gallus varius) and high-breed chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). A total of 60 eggs, consisting of 15 eggs from each bird specie were studied. Eggs from each bird species were divided into groups A, B, C, D and E, of three eggs per group. Eggs in groups A, B, C and D were boiled with omo, klin, table salt and alum, respectively while group E eggs were boiled with water only and served as the control. Vitamins were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC, AKAPTA), while protein, fat and cholesterol were determined using standard methods. Our results showed that quail egg was superior in fat-soluble vitamins content in comparison to the other eggs species. While the chemicals prevented cracking of the shell during boiling and enhanced peeling of the shell after cooking, significantly (p<0.05) lower concentrations of vitamins, proteins, fat and cholesterol were observed in eggs cooked with these chemicals in comparison to the control, with the detergents having more devastating effects than table salt and alum. Keywords: Chemical additives, nutrient composition, food processing, denaturation, biomolecule

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) attenuates alterations in testicular biochemistry and histology against Bisphenol a-induced toxicity in male Wister albino rats

From Elsevier via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2022-03-18, epub 2022-03-25, issued 2022-03-31Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedBackground Male reproductive health has deteriorated in recent years as a result of industrialization, which has led to the use of desirable chemicals, like Bisphenol A (BPA), of underlying toxicity. Cucumeropsis mannii seed is a common soup thickener that produces vegetable oil as well as essential nutrients making it a source of nutraceuticals enlisted with a wide range of therapeutic effects. Methods A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (120 ± 200g) were used in this study. They were completely randomized and divided into six groups: A (1ml olive oil) irrespective of the weight, B [BPA 100 mg/kg body weight (bw)], C (CMSO 7.5 ml/kg bw), D (CMSO 7.5 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw), E (CMSO 5.0 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw), and E (CMSO 2.5 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw). At the end of the administration via oral routes, rats were sacrificed and testes were collected for biochemistry and histological analysis. Results BPA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased total testicular protein, epididymal sperm parameters (count, volume, and motility), Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP), body weight, testicular volume; and significantly (P < 0.05) increased testicular enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase), testicular index; plus histological damages. Interestingly, co-administration of BPA and CMSO significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the biochemical and histological changes. Conclusions CMSO prevented the biochemistry and histological alterations hence reducing the testicular toxicity. Therefore, CMSO has the potential to be a promising novel nutraceutical for the treatment and management of BPA-induced testicular toxicity

PLANCK pre-launch status: design and description of the Low Frequency Instrument

Abstract In this paper we present the Low Frequency Instrument (LFI), designed and developed as part of the Planck space mission, the ESA programme dedicated to precision imaging of the cosmic microwave background (CMB)

Planck-LFI: Instrument Design and Ground Calibration Strategy

The ESA Planck satellite is designed to achieve precision imaging of the Cosmic Microwave Background with an unprecedented combination of angular resolution, sensitivity, spectral range and sky coverage. The Low Frequency Instrument is one of two complementary instruments, and covers 30, 44, and 70 GHz with an array of wideband pseudo-correlation, cryogenic radiometers. Advanced qualification models of the radiometer chains and of the instrument electronics have been manufactured, tested and integrated into the LFI Qualification Model. The main radiometer calibration, RF tuning and performance characterization is carried out at a single radiometer chain level, and then verified at instrument integrated level in dedicated cryofacilities. Here we describe the main requirements and instrument design, and we summarize the radiometer calibration strategy optimised during the qualification activity in view of the LFI Flight Model campaign