Detecting energy emissions from a rotating black hole

The rotational energy of a black hole surrounded by a torus is released through several channels. We have determined that a minor fraction of the energy is released in baryon-poor outflows from a differentially rotating open magnetic flux tube, and a major fraction of about eta/2 is released in gravitational radiation by the torus with angular velocity eta similar 0.2 to 0.5 relative to that of the black hole. We associate the energy emitted in baryon-poor outflows with gamma-ray bursts. The remaining fraction is released in torus winds, thermal emissions, and (conceivably) megaelectron-volt neutrino emissions. The emitted gravitational radiation can be detected by gravitational wave experiments and provides a method for identifying Kerr black holes in the Universe.     

Measurement of the effect of Amazon smoke on inhibition of cloud formation

Urban air pollution and smoke from fires have been modeled to reduce cloud formation by absorbing sunlight, thereby cooling the surface and heating the atmosphere. Satellite data over the Amazon region during the biomass burning season showed that scattered cumulus cloud cover was reduced from 38%in clean conditions to 0%for heavy smoke (optical depth of 1.3). This response to the smoke radiative effect reverses the regional smoke instantaneous forcing of climate from -28 watts per square meter in cloud-free conditions to +8 watts per square meter once the reduction of cloud cover is accounted for.     

Pentoxifylline Decreases Serum Level of Adhesion Molecules in Atherosclerosis Patients

Background: Inflammation is involved in development, progression, and complications of atherosclerotic disease. Clinical studies have indicated that the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), IL-18, and adhesion molecules correlates with the severity of atherosclerosis and can predict future cardiovascular events. Experimental studies have shown pentoxifylline (PTX) reduces these factors in animal models. The purpose of the present pilot study was to evaluate effect of PTX on a group of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Forty patients with angiographically documented CAD, who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria, were entered in the double-blind, randomized, pilot clinical study. The patients were randomly given PTX (400 mg three times daily) or placebo (3 tab/day) for 2 months. Serum concentrations of MCP-1, IL-18, intercellular adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) were measured before and at the end of intervention by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Results: Our study showed that the serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was decreased in the study population after two-month treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of our pilot study, administration of PTX in CAD patients significantly decreases adhesion molecules levels. Key Words: Atherosclerosis, Inflammation, Pentoxifylline     

Stress combination: When two negatives may become antagonistic,synergistic or additive for plants?

Plants in their natural environment are constantly subjected to various abiotic and biotic stressors and, therefore, have developed several defense mechanisms to maintain fitness. Stress responses are intricate and require various physiological, biochemical, and cellular changes in plants. The reaction mechanisms in plants subjected to drought, salinity, or heat stress alone have been explained in numerous studies. However, the field conditions are significantly different from the controlled lab...     

Parasites and diseases of the grey mullet (Mugilidae) with special reference to the seas of the Near East

Comprehensive information on the parasite fauna of mullets is still restricted to a few regions: 15 species of parasites have been listed from Black Sea mullets, 34 from the eastern Mediterranean, 20 from the northern Red Sea and 19 from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Parasites listed include flagellates, myxosporidians and ciliates, as well as monogeneans, trematode adults and metacercariae, acanthocephalans, copepods and isopods. Mortality records of wild mullet populations are scarce. Mortalities due to environmental stress of temperature, salinity and pollution have been reported from the southern United States, Israel, and the northern Sinai. An epizootic among wild populations has been recorded in the northern Black Sea, due to the parasitic myxosporidian Myxobolus exiguus. Mortalities associated with heavy infection of the monogenean Benedenia sp. (n.sp.) were recently observed in a lagoon connected to the Gulf of Suez. In the eastern Mediterranean, the copepods Ergasilus lizae and Caligus pageti as well as Pseudocaligus apodus caused skin sores, emaciation and mortality in brackish- and sea-water ponds. The monogenean Benedenia sp. caused severe injuries and death to Red Sea mullets stocked in experimental holding tanks. Numerous forms (over 12) of metacercariae of trematodes, predominantly Heterophyiidea, are particularly common in mullets of the Near and Far East. In these regions, these metacercariae (which encyst in the muscles of mullets) are of considerable public health importance. Trematodes which develop from these larvae cause intestinal diseases in humans who consume infected fish.     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TROPHIC LEVEL AND ECONOMICS IN AQUACULTURE

The rising share of aquaculture in supplying seafood changes the mixture of species in the world's market, because capture fisheries target carnivorous species whereas aquaculture focuses on species that are lower in the food chain. Trophic level correlates with production volume (tons/yr) and with unit value (US$/ton) in aquaculture but not in capture fisheries (FAO's fisheries data). Apparently, sustainability and economics in aquaculture both depend on ecological efficiency, i.e., the use of resources and the production of waste. Species feeding low in the food chain use efficiently the natural resources. Each level up the food chain inflates costs related to the use of resources, the production of waste and the maintenance of water quality. This effect has further repercussions on the economics of aquaculture: (1) cost influences profit and unit price, and (2) price influences demand and market share. The overall ecological efficiency, sustainability and economics of culturing carnivorous fish are improved by growing them in an ecological balance with species from low trophic levels in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture.