Gas rich galaxies from the FIGGS survey

The FIGGS (Faint Irregular Galaxy GMRT Survey) is aimed at creating a multi-wavelength observational data base for a volume limited sample of the faintest gas rich galaxies. In this paper we discuss two very gas rich galaxies that were observed as part of the FIGGS survey, viz. NGC 3741 and And IV. These galaxies are unusual in that they have extremely extended gas disks and very high ratios of dark to luminous matter. The very extended HI disks provide an unique opportunity to trace the extended distribution of dark matter around faint galaxies. We compare the baryon fraction of these galaxies with a sample of galaxies with well measured rotation curves and discuss whether extremely gas rich dwarf galaxies have abnormally small baryon fractions.Comment: 5 Pages, 4 Figures. To be published in the proceedings of "Galaxies in the Local Volume", ed. B. Koribalski, H. Jerje

Development of sustainable aquaculture project (DSAP): mid-term review report

Aquaculture, Fish culture, Pond Culture, Rice field aquaculture, Farmers, Bangladesh,

The Use of Dietary Supplements Among African and Caribbean Women Living in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Study

Previous studies have shown that the use of dietary supplements is associated with the prevention of birth defects, negative pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular diseases. However, there might be some ethnic disparities in supplement usage suggesting that women who could benefit from it are not frequent users. This study aimed to characterise the use of dietary supplement among Black African and Black Caribbean women living in the United Kingdom (UK). Furthermore, it evaluated possible associations between the use of dietary supplements and health and diet awareness. A total of 262 women self-ascribed as Black African and Black Caribbean living in the UK completed a comprehensive questionnaire on socio-demographic factors, diet, use of supplements and cultural factors. The main outcome variable was the regular use of any type of dietary supplement. Use of vitamin D and/or calcium was also explored. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of regular use of dietary supplements. A total of 33.2% of women reported regular use of any dietary supplements and 16.8% reported use of vitamin D and/or calcium. There were no significant ethnic differences in the use of dietary supplements. Reporting use of the back of food packaging label (odds ratio (OR) 2.21; 95% CI 1.07–4.55); a self-rated healthy diet (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.19–6.91) and having cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension and/or high cholesterol (OR 3.81; 95% CI 1.53–9.49) increased the likelihood of using any dietary supplement. However, having poorer awareness decreased the likelihood (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88–0.99) of using any dietary supplement. For the use of vitamin D and/or calcium supplements, the main predictor was having CVD, hypertension and/or high cholesterol (OR 4.43; 95% CI 1.90–10.35). The prevalence of dietary supplement use was low among African and Caribbean women. Thus, awareness of potential benefits of some dietary supplements (e.g., vitamin D) among the Black population should be promoted

Near-infrared light increases ATP, extends lifespan and improves mobility in aged Drosophila melanogaster.

Ageing is an irreversible cellular decline partly driven by failing mitochondrial integrity. Mitochondria accumulate DNA mutations and reduce ATP production necessary for cellular metabolism. This is associated with inflammation. Near-infrared exposure increases retinal ATP in old mice via cytochrome c oxidase absorption and reduces inflammation. Here, we expose fruitflies daily to 670 nm radiation, revealing elevated ATP and reduced inflammation with age. Critically, there was a significant increase in average lifespan: 100-175% more flies survived into old age following 670 nm exposure and these had significantly improved mobility. This may be a simple route to extending lifespan and improving function in old age

Dynamics of Nutritional Indices in Fifth Instar Silkworm Bombyx Mori L. Parasitized with Beauveria Bassiana

Silkworm Bombyx mori is a small economically significant insect. Due to domestication for centuries, silkworms have become very gentle and subtle to the environmental conditions and   micro-pathological agents which affect its metabolism, the food intake, dietary utilization, dietary efficiency, morpho-nutritional parameters such as olfactory organs and gene expression in the silkworm. Hence, the present research was focused to comprehend the dynamic changes in the nutritional parameters amalgamating the effects of infection of Beauveria bassiana in 5th instar silkworm compared to untreated silkworms. For the current investigation, the popular silkworm race bivoltine double hybrid (CSR2 X CSR27) X (CSR6 X CSR 26) was chosen. Various nutritional parameters such as ingestion of mulberry leaf, digestion, excretion, approximate digestibility, consumption index and reference ratio were estimated based on the dry weight of mulberry. The results indicated that food consumption, digestion of food ingested and excreta decreased in Beauveria bassiana parasitized silkworms. No significant variation was noticed in approximate digestibility and reference ratio from the first day to the fifth day of the instar, but on the sixth day, a significant drop in these two parameters was noticed compared to unparasitized worms. The consumption index was recorded higher in the experimental batch.     

Modulations of Haemolymph Parameters in Fifth Instar Silkworm Bombyx Mori L. Parasitized with Beauveria Bassiana

The study focused on understanding the impact of Beauveria bassiana infection on the haemotological parameters such as pH, specific gravity and rate of pulsation of the economically significant silkworm, Bombyx mori. Silkworms, due to centuries of domestication, have developed sensitivity to environmental conditions and various micro-pathogens affecting their nutrition, metabolism, and physiological aspects of haemolymph. The researchers used the bivoltine double hybrid silkworm race (CSR2 X CSR27) X (CSR6 X CSR 26) for the investigation. The results revealed that the pH levels of the haemolymph on the first day of the fifth instar in healthy silkworms were 6.615, and on the sixth day, they were 6.596. In the experimental batch, there was a drastic reduction from the first day (6.590) to the second day (6.253), which gradually increased until the fourth day (6.426) of the instar and gradually decreased on the fifth (6.398) and sixth days (6.374). A lower level of specific gravity of the haemolymph was noticed on the first day (1.024) of the 5th instar in silkworms inoculated with Beauveria bassiana. Then a gradual increase was observed till the sixth day (1.038) of the 5th instar. Conversely, in the healthy silkworms, there was a gradual decline in the specific gravity of the haemolymph from the first day (1.025) to the sixth day (1.012) of the fifth instar. The pulse rate in silkworms parasitized by Beauveria bassiana showed a significant increase from the first day (35) to the second day (48), followed by a gradual decrease to the sixth day (32) of the instar. But in control silkworms, the heart rate increased gradually from the first day (35) to the fifth day (45) of the instar and then suddenly decreased on the sixth day (38).

Interplanetary Consequences of a Large CME

We analyze a coronal mass ejection (CME) which resulted from an intense flare in active region AR486 on November 4, 2003. The CME propagation and speed are studied with interplanetary scintillation images, near-Earth space mission data, and Ulysses measurements. Together, these diverse diagnostics suggest that the internal magnetic energy of the CME determines its interplanetary consequences.Comment: 5 pages, 9 figures, To appear in "Magnetic Coupling between the Interior and the Atmosphere of the Sun", eds. S.S. Hasan and R.J. Rutten, Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Berlin, 200

Acute Administration of Bioavailable Curcumin Alongside Ferrous Sulphate Supplements Does Not Impair Iron Absorption in Healthy Adults in a Randomised Trial.

Ferrous sulphate (FS) is a cost effective, readily available iron supplement for iron deficiency (ID). The pro-oxidant effect of oral ferrous iron is known to induce inflammation, causing gastric side-effects and resulting in poor compliance. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and has also been shown to exhibit iron chelation in-vitro, although it is not established whether these effects are retained in-vivo. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the influence of a formulated bioavailable form of curcumin (HydroCurc ; 500 mg) on acute iron absorption and status in a double blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial recruiting 155 healthy participants (79 males; 26.42 years ± 0.55 and 76 females; 25.82 years ± 0.54). Participants were randomly allocated to five different treatment groups: iron and curcumin placebo (FS0_Plac), low dose (18 mg) iron and curcumin placebo (FS18_Plac), low dose iron and curcumin (FS18_Curc), high dose (65 mg) iron and curcumin placebo (FS65_Plac), and high dose iron and curcumin (FS65_Curc). Participants were provided with the supplements according to their relevant treatment groups at baseline (0 min), and blood collection was carried out at 0 min and at 180 min following supplementation. In the treatment groups, significant difference was observed in mean serum iron between baseline (0 min) and at end-point (180 min) (F (1, 144) = 331.9, < 0.0001) with statistically significant intra-group increases after 180 min ( < 0.0001) in the FS18_Plac (8.79 µmol/L), FS18_Curc (11.41 µmol/L), FS65_Plac (19.09 µmol/L), and FS65_Curc (16.39 µmol/L) groups. A significant difference was also observed between the two time points in serum TIBC levels and in whole blood haemoglobin (HGB) in the treatment groups, with a significant increase (1.55%/2.04 g/L) in HGB levels from baseline to end-point observed in the FS65_Curc group ( < 0.05). All groups receiving iron demonstrated an increase in transferrin saturation (TS%) in a dose-related manner, demonstrating that increases in serum iron are translated into increases in physiological iron transportation. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that regardless of ferrous dose, formulated curcumin in the form of HydroCurc™ does not negatively influence acute iron absorption in healthy humans