AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE COGNITIVE IMPACTS OF MUSIC ACROSS DIFFERENT GENERATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS IN MITIGATING STRESS

The efficacy of music in therapeutically influencing human lifestyle can be broadly classified. Music is known to relieve stress and anxiety (Meyers et al., 2021). The influence of music in the cognitive regions of the brain and its ability to stimulate the body’s reward centers is considered a powerful tool to enhance and flourish human life. What makes music different from other mediums of stress relief is that the music industry is backed by variety. Individuals have the freedom to choose from different genres and select what best suits their personality. All humans share this cross-culturally existing feature called ‘music’ which is customizable and universal by nature (CROSS, 2001). Data was collected from 100 healthy respondents. Results showed that 83% of the participants chose music as the main source of distraction during stressful conditions. Pop and hip-hop was found to be the most preferred music genre for people in the age group of 15-35 years whereas classical music genre was the most preferred choice for individuals above 35 years of age. Another important observation in this paper was that the majority of the respondents increase their duration of listening to music during stressful situations, thus showing the significance of music as a solitary source in overcoming stress. In this paper, we aim to gauge the role of stress and the influence of music in positively mediating anxiety and stress issues in common individuals across different generations.&nbsp

Investigating kinematics and dynamics of three open clusters towards Galactic anti-center

We present the intra-cluster kinematics and dynamics of three open clusters: NGC 1193, NGC 2355, and King 12 by incorporating kinematical and photometric data from Gaia DR3, as well as a ground-based telescope. After selecting cluster members based on proper motion data, clusters' fundamental and structural parameters are investigated. We found the clusters at distances of 4.45, 1.97, and 3.34 kpc from the Sun in the direction of the Galactic anticenter. The luminosity function of the cluster NGC 1193 is flat, whereas it advances towards the fainter ends of the other two clusters. We observed a dip in the luminosity function of King 12. The mass function slopes for all three clusters differ from the solar neighbourhood reported by Salpeter, with NGC 1193 and NGC 2355 being flatter and King 12 having a higher value than the Salpeter value. The intra-cluster kinematics depict that stars in King 12 are moving outwards due to tidal forces from the Galactic disc, which we confirmed by plotting the cluster's orbit in the Galaxy. Stars in NGC 2355 are moving with smaller relative velocities and have zero mean relative motion, which signifies that the cluster is neither contracting nor evaporating. The Galactic orbits of NGC 1193 suggest that it is orbiting farther from the Galactic disc, and so is less impacted by the Galactic tidal forces.Comment: This article has been accepted for the publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and contains total 19 pages, 22 figures and 11 table

FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING INDEX OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA SEEDS AND THEIR LIBS BASED ANTIOXIDANT ELEMENTAL PROFILE

Objective: To assess the free radical scavenging index and antioxidant capacity of C. maxima (Cucurbita maxima) seed extract in vitro and its correlation with the phytoelemental profile, quantitatively assessed by LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy).Methods: A number of in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging assays were performed along with standard as a reference. Reduction capacity and scavenging potential of C. maxima seeds were analyzed in addition to their IC50 values and were compared with respective standards. Quantitative measurements of phytoelements present which is responsible for antioxidant activity is carried out by LIBS.Results: Significant Antioxidant power of the extract was validated by high values of Total Phenolics (18.42 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) and Total Flavonoids (5.53 mg/g of quercetin equivalent). A result of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (163.4 μM Fe+2/g) clearly reflects its reduction capacity. Percentage inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (69.25), Nitric Oxide (63.63) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (62.09) radicals proves its antioxidant potential undoubtedly, which was further confirmed by their IC50 values. Reducing power was found to increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Extent lipid peroxidation was also measured by comparing the results of Ferric thiocyanate assay with the Thiobarbituric acid method. LIBS analysis showed the presence of certain phytoelements viz. Mg, Ca and Na in the extract, which could be responsible for its antioxidant capacity.Conclusion: Thus, the seeds of C. maxima having a combination of antioxidant phytochemicals and phytoelements could be explored for developing as a complementary and alternative medicine for managing oxidative stress including diabetes as well as aging.Keywords: Reactive oxygen species, Cucurbita maxima, Elemental analysis, Laser spectroscop