Diversity of Ascidians from the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (GNBR), India

The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve nurtures a diverse amount of life and is very importantto the biological diversity of India. Ascidians diversity has been recorded for the first timefrom the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. In the present study, 15 species of ascidians werenoticed in both intertidal and sub-tidal regions of GNBR, belonging to two orders, threesuborders, six families and ten genera (Didemnum fulgens, Didemnum vexillum, Didemnumgranulatum, Didemnum albidum, Didemnum candidum, Trididemnum cyanophorum,Diplosoma simile, Diplosoma spongiforme, Clavelina oblonga, Aplidium fuscum, Synoicumcastellatum, Pycnoclavella diminuta, Ascidia virginea, Ascidiella aspersa and Styela sp.)during the year 2013-2014 of which, the Didemnidae family was recorded with the highdiversity of 15 species. Species richness were highly recorded in Bquary Beach and lowlyrecorded from Campbell Bay. The present data suggests that GNBR coast offers a uniqueopportunity for future research on the ascidians diversity and ecology assessment.Keywords: Ascidians, Biodiversity, GNB

Physical Activity Profile and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Udupi (India) Population

Background: Throught the world, More than 75% of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) live in low and middle-income countries. Amongst which 69.2 million of these adults live in India. Its been shown that, as level of physical activity increases, risk of developing T2DM decreases by 15-60%. Many studies are conducted to find the risk of development of T2DM in the coastal areas of Karnataka. However, the screening of people living in Udupi was not carried out.Aim: To find out the risk for the development of T2DM using IDRS and physical activity levels in Udupi population.Material and Methods: In the current study, we included participants who were asymptomatic and undiagnosed to be having T2DM. The participants age ranged between 30–65 yrs. Participants with the history of any neurological conditions and women who were pregnant at the time of screening were excluded. We recorded random blood glucose levels of the participants following which the risk score was obtained using the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) and the participants were classified as high risk (score ≥60), moderate risk score (30–50) and low risk (score <30). The level of physical ­activity was measured using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.Results: The study included 23,960 participants from Udupi district, Karnataka. Based on IDRS risk stratification, 1.5%, 17.9%, 27.5% of the participants with the age ange of 30–35 yrs, 36–50 yrs and more than 50 yrs respectively had higher risk of developing T2DM. According to GPAQ score 14% of the participants were following sedentary lifestyle, 27.6% of the were minimally active, 53.7% were very active, and 4.6% were highly active.Conclusion: From the current study we conclude that 46.9% of participants had a higher risk of developing T2DM in future who are living in Udupi district

Magnetized Particle Capture Cross Section for Braneworld Black Hole

Capture cross section of magnetized particle (with nonzero magnetic moment) by braneworld black hole in uniform magnetic field is considered. The magnetic moment of particle was chosen as it was done by \citet{rs99} and for the simplicity particle with zero electric charge is chosen. It is shown that the spin of particle as well as the brane parameter are to sustain the stability of particles circularly orbiting around the black hole in braneworld i.e. spin of particles and brane parameter try to prevent the capture by black hole.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc