Strong Ultraviolet Pulse From a Newborn Type Ia Supernova

Type Ia supernovae are destructive explosions of carbon oxygen white dwarfs. Although they are used empirically to measure cosmological distances, the nature of their progenitors remains mysterious, One of the leading progenitor models, called the single degenerate channel, hypothesizes that a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion star and the resulting increase in its central pressure and temperature ignites thermonuclear explosion. Here we report observations of strong but declining ultraviolet emission from a Type Ia supernova within four days of its explosion. This emission is consistent with theoretical expectations of collision between material ejected by the supernova and a companion star, and therefore provides evidence that some Type Ia supernovae arise from the single degenerate channel.Comment: Accepted for publication on the 21 May 2015 issue of Natur

Type Ia Supernovae as Stellar Endpoints and Cosmological Tools

Empirically, Type Ia supernovae are the most useful, precise, and mature tools for determining astronomical distances. Acting as calibrated candles they revealed the presence of dark energy and are being used to measure its properties. However, the nature of the SN Ia explosion, and the progenitors involved, have remained elusive, even after seven decades of research. But now new large surveys are bringing about a paradigm shift --- we can finally compare samples of hundreds of supernovae to isolate critical variables. As a result of this, and advances in modeling, breakthroughs in understanding all aspects of SNe Ia are finally starting to happen.Comment: Invited review for Nature Communications. Final published version. Shortened, update

Clinical standards for drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: These clinical standards aim to provide guidance for diagnosis, treatment, and management of drug-susceptible TB in children and adolescents.METHODS: Fifty-two global experts in paediatric TB participated in a Delphi consensus process. After eight rounds of revisions, 51/52 (98%) participants endorsed the final document.RESULTS: Eight standards were identified: Standard 1, Age and developmental stage are critical considerations in the assessment and management of TB; Standard 2, Children and adolescents with symptoms and signs of TB disease should undergo prompt evaluation, and diagnosis and treatment initiation should not depend on microbiological confirmation; Standard 3, Treatment initiation is particularly urgent in children and adolescents with presumptive TB meningitis and disseminated (miliary) TB; Standard 4, Children and adolescents should be treated with an appropriate weight-based regimen; Standard 5, Treating TB infection (TBI) is important to prevent disease; Standard 6, Children and adolescents should receive home-based/community-based treatment support whenever possible; Standard 7, Children, adolescents, and their families should be provided age-appropriate support to optimise engagement in care and clinical outcomes; and Standard 8, Case reporting and contact tracing should be conducted for each child and adolescent.CONCLUSION: These consensus-based clinical standards, which should be adapted to local contexts, will improve the care of children and adolescents affected by TB

The rise of SN 2014J in the nearby galaxy M82

We report on the discovery of SN 2014J in the nearby galaxy M82. Given its proximity, it offers the best opportunity to date to study a thermonuclear supernova (SN) over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Optical, near-IR, and mid-IR observations on the rising light curve, orchestrated by the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory, show that SN 2014J is a spectroscopically normal Type Ia supernova (SN Ia), albeit exhibiting high-velocity features in its spectrum and heavily reddened by dust in the host galaxy. Our earliest detections start just hours after the fitted time of explosion. We use high-resolution optical spectroscopy to analyze the dense intervening material and do not detect any evolution in the resolved absorption features during the light curve rise. Similar to other highly reddened SNe Ia, a low value of total-to-selective extinction, RV ≲ 2, provides the best match to our observations. We also study pre-explosion optical and near-IR images from Hubble Space Telescope with special emphasis on the sources nearest to the SN location. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved

Feeding oil versus calcium salt of n-6 and n-3 fatty acid on feed intake, digestibility, enteric methane emission and blood metabolic profile in cattle

A study was conducted to know effects of dietary oils and calcium salts (Ca-salts) of n-6 and n-3 fatty acid (FA) on feed intake, digestibility, enteric methane and blood metabolic profiles in bull. Four rumen cannulated bulls were used in 4x4 Latin Square Designs and supplied with Napier silage and concentrate mixture. Four dietary treatments were sunflower oil (SFO; n-6), linseed oil (LSO;n-3), Ca-salt of SFO (Ca-SFO; n-6) and Ca-salt of LSO (Ca-LSO; n-3). Oils and salts were mixed with concentrate part of the ration at 3% (w/w). Data were analyzed for ANOVA in 2x2 Factorial arrangements. It was found that, intake of DM (p&lt;0.05), OM (P&lt;0.01) and ADF (p&lt;0.05) were reduced by feeding Ca-salts compared to oil sources. On the other hand, intake of CP (p&lt;0.01) and NDF (p&lt;0.05) was reduced by Ca-salts of n-3 FA only, but not of n-6 FA. The EE intake was affected by both FAs and their sources (p&lt;0.01). Digestibility of DM was found higher (p&lt;0.05) in n-3 FA and further Ca-salts reduced (p&lt;0.05) DM digestibility. The CP (p&lt;0.01) and ADF (p&lt;0.01) digestibility was reduced by Ca-salts of either FA, while NDF digestibility was increased (p&lt;0.01) by Ca-salt only in n-3 FA but not in n-6 FA. Concentrations of plasma glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol and IgF-1 were affected neither by FA types nor by its sources (p&gt;0.05). Concentrations of total cholesterol, IgG and insulin were decreased (p&lt;0.01) by Ca-salt of FA, while triglyceride was decreased (p&lt;0.05) by n-6 FA. The HDL was found to increase by n-3 FA (p&lt;0.01) as well as Ca-salts (p&lt;0.01) of both FA, but LDL was decreased by n-3 FA (p&lt;0.01) as well as Ca-salts (p&lt;0.01) of both FA. Methane production (% of total gas) were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.01) by n-3 FA at 0 and 4 h after feeding, but not at 2h, while Ca-salts irrespective of FA reduced (p&lt;0.05) methane in all different time periods. Oil sources compared to Ca-salts. In conclusion, Ca-salts of FAs hampered nutrient digestibility but helped to improve lipid profiles in plasma by reducing total cholesterol and LDL, but increasing HDL.&#x0D; Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 26 (1&amp;2), 2019: P. 34-42</jats:p

Study on comparative biomass yield, nutritional quality and economics of hydroponic sprout produced from different grains

This study was conducted to know the biomass yield, nutritional qualities and production costs of hydroponic sprout of maize, wheat and oats compared to their whole grains as feed. Weighed amount of seeds were soaked in water for 12, 24 and 2 hours, respectively followed by wrapping in cotton cloths for 48 h for maize and wheat, and 24 h for oats to germinate.Then germinated seeds were spread on plastic trays fitted in hydroponic racks for 7 days. At harvest, fresh yield was found 2.74, 3.5 and 2.5 kg for maize, wheat and oats, respectively from each kilogram of respective seed (p&lt;0.01). The DM concentrations in maize (857.0 vs 764.6 g/kg; p&lt;0.05) and oat sprout (911.5 vs 453.0 g/kg; P&lt;0.01) were decreased, while not changed (P&gt;0.05) in wheat sprout (900.7 vs 872.0 g/kg) compared to their respective grain. In contrary, concentration of CP was significantly increased in wheat (126.1 vs 183.3 g/kg DM; P&lt;0.05) and oat sprout (158.8 vs 201.7 g/kg DM; P&lt;0.01) and numerically in maize sprout (61.2 vs 81.3 g/kg DM) compared to respective grain. Similarly, concentrations of ADF and NDF was increased (P&lt;0.01) in all sprouts from their respective grains. Contents of Vitamin E and soluble sugar (SS) both were increased in wheat (1.1 vs 2.3 &amp; 443.7 vs 477.0 mg/100g, respectively in grain vs sprout; P&lt;0.01) and oat sprout (11.0 vs 13.4 &amp; 351.5 vs 356.2 mg/100g, respectively in grain vs sprout; P&lt;0.01), while in maizeonly vitamin-E was increased (3.51 vs 8.1 mg/100g, respectively in grain vssprout; P&lt;0.01), but SS was decreased (489.4 vs 462.5 mg/100g, respectively in grain vssprout; P&lt;0.01). Maize sprout was found yeast and mold-free, but both of them (7.16 &amp; 7.0 log10 CFU/g) were grown in wheat sprout, while only yeast in low concentration (5.74 log10 CFU/g) was found in oat sprout. The production cost of DM was found 1.5, 1.7 and 2.6 times higher in maize, wheat and oat sprout, respectively compared to grain. Further study including animal feeding trial is needed to confirm the benefits of producing hydroponic sprout instead of using grain as concentrate.&#x0D; Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 26 (1&amp;2), 2019: P. 51-60</jats:p

Isolation, identification and biochemical characterization of lactic acid bacteria from selected yogurt samples

This research was conducted to study the types of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in selected yogurts available in the local market of Bangladesh. For this purpose, nine different yogurt samples were collected (viz. MV, Mw, Pst, Psr, Bik, Bog, WF, Kw and Nab) and cultured in the selective MRS agar media for enumerating LAB colony. Out of 9 samples, colony forming LAB were found in 6 samples and the population ranged from 1.0×104 to 9.5×105 cfu/ml. Catalase negative and Gram’s positive colonies were initially identified as LAB. Then the isolates were purified by subsequent culturing in MRS broth and MRS agar media. Biochemical properties of selected colonies were evaluated by performing gas production from glucose, growth at different temperatures (10ºC, 15ºC and 45ºC), growth at different NaCl concentrations (2, 4 and 6.5% NaCl) and sugar fermentation tests (lactose, sorbitol, salicin, trehalose, melibiose, sucrose, mannitol, melezitose, maltose, galactose, glucose, arabinose, raffinose and ribose). According to the tests stated above, a total of five different species of LAB were identified from 6 samples. The isolate Lactobacillus lactis was identified in MV, PSr and Bog yogurt, while Lactobacillus bulgaricus was found in MV and Bik yogurt. The species Leuconostoc cremoris, a avor producing bacteria, was found in six yogurt samples. On the other hand, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus was found only in Pst and Psr samples, respectively. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 27 (1&amp;2), 2020: P. 64-72</jats:p