Hot Core, Outflows and Magnetic Fields in W43-MM1 (G30.79 FIR 10)

We present submillimeter spectral line and dust continuum polarization observations of a remarkable hot core and multiple outflows in the high-mass star-forming region W43-MM1 (G30.79 FIR 10), obtained using the Submillimeter Array (SMA). A temperature of $\sim$ 400 K is estimated for the hot-core using CH$_3$CN (J=19-18) lines, with detections of 11 K-ladder components. The high temperature and the mass estimates for the outflows indicate high-mass star-formation. The continuum polarization pattern shows an ordered distribution, and its orientation over the main outflow appears aligned to the outflow. The derived magnetic field indicates slightly super-critical conditions. While the magnetic and outflow energies are comparable, the B-field orientation appears to have changed from parsec scales to $\sim$ 0.1 pc scales during the core/star-formation process.Comment: accepted, ApJ Letter

A True Human Tail in a Neonate : Case report and literature review

A true human tail is a benign vestigial caudal cutaneous structure composed of adipose, connective tissue, muscle, vessels, nerves and mechanoreceptors. A true human tail can be distinguished from a pseudotail as the latter is commonly associated with underlying spinal dysraphism, which requires specialised management. True human tails are very rare, with fewer than 40 cases reported to date. We report a healthy one-day-old male newborn who was referred to the Bharath Hospital, Kottayam, Kerala, India, in 2014 with a cutaneous appendage arising from the lumbosacral region. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine ruled out spinal dysraphism. The appendage was removed by simple surgical excision. Clinicians should emphasise use of ‘true tail’ and ‘pseudotail’ as specific disparate terms as the clinical, radiological and histological findings of these conditions differ significantly, along with management strategies and outcomes

Investigations on the liquid crystalline phases of cation-induced condensed DNA

Viral and nonviral condensing agents are used in gene therapy to compact oligonucleotides and plasmid DNA into nanostructures for their efficient transport through the cell membranes. Whereas viral vectors are best by the toxic effects on the immune system, most of the nonviral delivery vehicles are not effective for use in clinical system. Recent investigations indicate that the supramolecular organization of DNA in the condensed state is liquid crystalline. The present level of understanding of the liquid crystalline phase of DNA is inadequate and a thorough investigation is required to understand the nature, stability, texture and the influence of various environmental conditions on the structure of the phase. The present study is mainly concerned with the physicochemical investigations on the liquid crystalline transitions during compaction of DNA by cationic species such as polyamines and metallic cations. As a preliminary to the above investigation, studies were conducted on the evolution of mesophase transitions of DNA with various cationic counterion species using polarized light microscopy. These studies indicated significant variations in the phase behaviour of DNA in the presence of Li and other ions. Apart from the neutralization of the charges on the DNA molecule, these ions are found to influence selectively the hydration sphere of DNA that in turn influences the induction and stabilization of the LC phases. The higher stability observed with the liquid crystalline phases of Li-DNA system could be useful in the production of nanostructured DNA. In the case of the polyamine, a structural specificity effect depending on the nature, charge and structure of the polyamine used has been found to be favoured in the crystallization of DNA

Management of scombroid resources of India

Scombroids consisting of mackerels, seerfishes and tunas are an economically important pelagic fishes whose average landings during the 90s was 2.81 lakh t forming 11.7 % of the total marine fish production in India. Their demand in the domestic and export markets is on the rise and the group assumes topical importance in a situation where most of the coastal fishery resources are exploited to the near optimum level. Resource potential, status of exploitation and management and conservation issues regarding the scombroid resource in the coastal fishery sector are presented and discussed

Library Professionals’ Adoption of Cloud Computing Technologies: A Case Study on Kerala University Library, India

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the awareness and use of cloud computing technologies among the library professionals in the Kerala University Library system, India. A survey was conducted using questionnaire among the 102 library professionals employed in the central and departmental libraries of the University of Kerala. The study revealed that 42.16% of the library professionals did not have much idea about cloud computing technology. Analysis showed that Facebook and Google Apps like Gmail, Google Doc etc are the cloud computing technologies used by majority of the respondents. It is also worth to note that the library professionals in Kerala University Library are using cloud computing technologies without being aware of doing so. Library professionals’ awareness of cloud service models is relatively very low. Web OPAC and Journal Discovery Service are the areas known to the respondents in applying cloud computing technologies in libraries. Out of 102 respondents, 14.71% of the library professionals in the University of Kerala have average skill in using these technologies. The findings of the study throw lights into the need of providing training for the library professionals in handling technology enriched library services to the users

Massive and low-mass protostars in massive "starless" cores

The infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) G11.11$-$0.12 and G28.34$+$0.06 are two of the best-studied IRDCs in our Galaxy. These two clouds host clumps at different stages of evolution, including a massive dense clump in both clouds that is dark even at 70 and 100$\mu$m. Such seemingly quiescent massive dense clumps have been speculated to harbor cores that are precursors of high-mass stars and clusters. We observed these two "prestellar" regions at 1mm with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) with the aim of characterizing the nature of such cores. We show that the clumps fragment into several low- to high-mass cores within the filamentary structure of the enveloping cloud. However, while the overall physical properties of the clump may indicate a starless phase, we find that both regions host multiple outflows. The most massive core though 70 $\mu$m dark in both clumps is clearly associated with compact outflows. Such low-luminosity, massive cores are potentially the earliest stage in the evolution of a massive protostar. We also identify several outflow features distributed in the large environment around the most massive core. We infer that these outflows are being powered by young, low-mass protostars whose core mass is below our detection limit. These findings suggest that low-mass protostars have already formed or are coevally formed at the earliest phase of high-mass star formation.Comment: in print at A&

Study on the induced maturation of the Indian pearl oyster Pinctada fucata (Gould) at Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India

In the induced maturation experiments of the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata (Gould), 7.5 ± 3.54%, 6.67% and 15 ± 7.07% fully mature pearl oysters were obtained on day 43, 42 and 36 in oysters fed with mixed algae (T-1), mixed algae and raw corn flour (T-2), mixed algae and raw rice flour (T-3), respectively under laboratory conditions. Among the treatments, it was observed that the (T-3) mixed algae with raw rice flour gave the best results with pearl oysters maturing 62.5 ± 7.08% under laboratory conditions on day 29 itself. Whereas, 35 % ± 7.07 % of fully mature pearl oysters were obtained on the 15th day and 36th day from the farm and laboratory, respectively and none in the non fed. Of the matured animals, 43.33% of stage III animals fed on mixed algae changed to stage IV within 19 days, while gonad of 40 ± 14.14% of pearl oysters without feeding changed to stage IV within 26 days under laboratory conditions. Maturity of 53.12 ± 11.97% pearl oysters did not change when maintained in the farm conditions within 24 days

Fishery, biology and stock assessment of skipjack tuna in Indian seas

In India the oceanic skipjack, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) forms a significant fishery only in Lakshadweep islands. Here itself the catch is only an insignificant component in the lotal annual catch of this species from western Indian Ocean. The infrastructural facilities now available in these islands are insufficient to expect any major improvement in its fishery. As this group of islands arc increasingly coming to focus in the national context with a view for further devlopment, the fisheries sector will have to get its due importance

Surface plasmon enhanced silicon solar cells

Thin-film solar cells have the potential to significantly decrease the cost of photovoltaics. Light trapping is particularly critical in such thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells in order to increase light absorption and hence cell efficiency. In this article we investigate the suitability of localized surface plasmons on silvernanoparticles for enhancing the absorbance of silicon solar cells. We find that surface plasmons can increase the spectral response of thin-film cells over almost the entire solar spectrum. At wavelengths close to the band gap of Si we observe a significant enhancement of the absorption for both thin-film and wafer-based structures. We report a sevenfold enhancement for wafer-based cells at λ=1200 nm and up to 16-fold enhancement at λ=1050 nm for 1.25 μm thin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) cells, and compare the results with a theoretical dipole-waveguide model. We also report a close to 12-fold enhancement in the electroluminescence from ultrathin SOI light-emitting diodes and investigate the effect of varying the particle size on that enhancement.S. Pillai would like to acknowledge the UNSW Faculty of Engineering Research Scholarship. K.R. Catchpole acknowledges the support of an Australian Research Council fellowship

Seed germination behaviour of Terminalia paniculata Roth (Combretaceae), an economically important endemic tree to peninsular India

The present study was conducted to investigate the seed germination behaviour of Terminalia paniculata, a commercially important tree component of deciduous forests of Peninsular India. The study included the identification of maturity index to determine the optimum collection period of the most viable seeds with good seed longevity. Species are characterized by very low germinability and poor regeneration status. Observations were made throughout the flowering and fruiting period on selected matured trees. Seed viability was tested at various stages of maturity and seed longevity was evaluated. The results indicated that the 16th week after anthesis with red-colored fruits recorded the maximum viability (2.60% germination) that shows it is the best period for the collection of seeds. Seed emptiness is very high in T. paniculata (4 to 2%) compared to other Terminalia species (low emptiness). Pre-sowing treatments were not effective in enhancing seed germination and viability. Seeds can be stored up to 6 months in an air-tight metallic container at 4oC and 45 ± 5 % relative humidity. The results of the study can be taken as a reference for various other tree improvement programs and further studies.