Moon Day Research Articles

Evaluation of Antioxidant Effects and Estimation of Trace Minerals in Unripe Fruits of Capparis Zeylanica (Aadhandangai) – An Invitro Study.

Capparis zeylanica (Aadhandangai) is a 2- to 5-meter-tall shrub endemic to India and other Asian nations. The leaves are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-helminthic. Several studies have been carried out to illustrate the medicinal and therapeutic properties of leaf extract. A careful examination of the literature identified no studies on unripe fruits, which are customarily eaten on the festival of Aadi Amavasya (new moon day of July-August). Capparis zeylanica, used for the study was recognised by a team of botanical experts and a marketing expert with an expertise of more than four decades. Unripe fruits were assessed for mineral content and antioxidant DPPH test. The phytochemical analyses were carried out using the procedures outlined. The Roche/Hitachi Cobas 6000 analyser series was used to measure trace elements and minerals such as phosphorus. The fruit showed the presence of antioxidants. The phytochemical studies also revealed proteins, amino acids, and saponins. The fruit was high in calcium and phosphorus (> 48.0 mg/100 gm), but low in zinc and magnesium. It also had vitamin D and B12. The presence of trace minerals and vitamins with anti-oxidant action makes it a food; however, an excess of calcium with phosphorous may cause injury to a weak kidney, therefore an annual and infrequent consumption may have been advised. So far, there is no literature on the plant's immature fruit. This study is the first to demonstrate the utility of the customary practice of annual intake.

The application of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey to the Sri Lankan Award-Winning Classic film "Purahanda Kaluwara" ("Death on a Full Moon Day")

The application of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey to the Sri Lankan Award-Winning Classic film "Purahanda Kaluwara" ("Death on a Full Moon Day")

Natural opening of a new inlet in Chilika Lagoon: A cause and impact analysis

Natural opening of inlet(s) is very common along the shorefront of Chilika Lagoon. Inlet openings in most of the cases have been triggered due to the narrow spit width and cyclonic storm/ depression (CS/D). Wave height and energy get further enhanced when the CS/D occurs concurrently with a full moon/ new moon with a lag/lead of 2–3 days. This has happened many times in the past. Recently, a new inlet was opened on 13th July 2022 due to deep depression (DD) over the northwestern Bay of Bengal from 09th to 12th July 2022. A cyclonic circulation prevailed over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal off the south Odisha-north Andhra Pradesh coast in lower and mid-tropospheric levels tilting southwestwards with height. Wave heights during the pre and post-inlet opening period spanning over one month suggest the peak wave condition coinciding with the period of the inlet opening. Geomorphological conditions of the spit before and after the inlet opening were monitored. Results indicate fast expansion of inlet width due to erosion of the spit on both sides of the inlet and the tidal incursion into the lagoon predominantly during the full-moon day/new moon day. After the opening of a narrow inlet of width 246 m on 13 July 2022, it was doubled within a month. Shoreline analysis using Sentinel 2A imagery for pre- and post-inlet opening was carried out and validated with observations. Oceanographic conditions near the new inlet were simulated and monitored by deploying a Seaguard RCM current meter with a pressure and temperature sensor. This study assessed the reasons for the inlet opening and monitored the geomorphological changes after the inlet opening. More importantly, the impact of the new inlet on lagoon ecosystem was assessed, which has severe implications for the management of the lagoon ecosystem.

Effect of the lunar cycle on mental illness – A single-center retrospective observational study

Objectives: In Shakespeare’s play “Othello,” the maid Emilia tells Othello that the moon has drawn too close to the Earth — and driven men insane. The notion that a full moon can elicit strong emotions, strange behavior, and even physical disease is not merely literary. Even now, it is a deeply held notion. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of the lunar cycle on the psychiatric presentation of individuals with schizophrenia, BPAD mania, and ATPD. Material and Methods: Case files of Schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) mania and psychosis patients admitted in our hospital during full moon and new moon ± 3 days for the past 5 years will be included in the study. Name, age, sex, duration of admission, worsening of symptoms during full moon day and new moon day, any injectable given or not will be noted. These data will be collected from medical records. Telephonic verification of symptom worseness during full moon and new moon will be done. Results: Among 207 participants 74 patients had Schizophrenia, 91 patients had BPAD mania, 25 patients had ATPD and 17 patients had acute psychosis. The exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, chemical restraints, and admission during phases of moon was statistically associated with lunar patterns in the study population. The rest of the socio-demographic factors, duration of admission, caregiver belief, and symptom worsening noted by caregiver were all not associated with mental illness during lunar phases which is in line with most reported literature in this area. Conclusion: There was an association between symptom exacerbations, chemical restraints, admission with different lunar phase. There was no association for sociodemographic details, duration of admission, caregiver belief on symptom worsening, symptom worsening noted by caregiver with different lunar phases.

New moon day anomalies of Amavasya and Muhurat trading: Gestalting the role of culture and institutions

We study the socio-cultural ecosystems, along with cross-country investments and global flow of foreign capital in a local milieu, India, having multiple stock exchanges and listed firms. India's varied investor profiles exhibit a marked preference for certain “special” days given their religious beliefs. This study tests the abstinence hypothesis to examine the “new moon day” effect, considered inauspicious by the local dominant investing community, and the duality of minds, based on India's annual festival, Diwali, considered auspicious to make investments and commence any wealth-generating activity (Muhurat trading). We find that the Indian markets generate a significant negative return on a Friday new moon day and a significant positive return on the Muhurat trading day. We propose a profit-making trading strategy that exploits the impact of the new moon day.

“Daily Burnt-Offering” and “Financial Offering”: The Understanding of Service in the Hevrat Shomerim la-Boker

At first sight, the charter of Venetian Hevrat Shomerim la-Boker (active circa 16–17th century) mirrors the conflict between the religious aim of the fraternity’s creation and the attention its compilers gave to the procedural and administrative issues. However, the in-depth examination of the data presented in the charter reveals the deep connection between various payments and the religious character of the fraternity. This connection dwells on the range of dual meanings indicative of the payments imposed on the fraternity members. The present paper discusses the dual meanings, connotations, and symbolic dimensions of several aspects of the fraternity’s activities. Two fraternity charters accessed through its minute book (pinkas) provide the necessary data. The first section examines the terminology used to designate payments; the second highlights the connection between the charter and the “last days” before the coming of the Messiah; the third section analyzes the connotations of the “new moon evening” when one of the key fraternity procedures occurred. The data at hand suggests that the fraternity aimed to restore the Temple sacrifice in a symbolic form. The “new sacrifice” took the form of various payments, primarily the monthly payment – tamid, which corresponds to the daily Temple sacrifice. The other aspects of the fraternity’s activities have a symbolic dimension, too. For example, the afternoon prayer on the new moon day, which corresponds to the additional sacrifice in the Temple, turns into one of the central events in the fraternity’s life. Understanding the symbolic contexts of the association’s charter gives way to at least partial reconstruction of the worldviews, mentality, and identity of the fraternity’s members and broadly the early modern Venetian Jews.

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: Ramadan and other religious fasting by young people with diabetes.

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: Ramadan and other religious fasting by young people with diabetes.

Blessing of the moon: cultural beliefs, birth timing and child health in Nepal

In many South Asian contexts, specific dates are auspicious and inauspicious for health-related behaviours and outcomes. This study analysed the effect of lunar date-related auspicious beliefs in Nepal on childbirths and neonatal health outcomes. Using the daily birth records from a tertiary maternity hospital, we empirically examined whether births occurred disproportionally around full moon days. We found an average of 10.7 extra births on and before full moon days, with an average of 7.5 extra Caesarean deliveries on full moon days. We demonstrated that births occurring on or before the full moon day have poor neonatal health outcomes. However, a subsample analysis suggested better health outcomes for low-risk mothers and worse health outcomes for high-risk mothers. These findings suggest that low-risk mothers may move their deliveries to auspicious dates with fewer complications than high-risk mothers. The results emphasise the need for additional research to distinguish health service demand from supply influences on birth timing in Nepal.

Kanniyamman Worship of Irulas

Irulas are identified by their dark bodies (Black). The word ‘Erular’ is the oldest form of them. In this word changed in to ‘Irula’ in the medial period. They are live in the Coimbatore area and also the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu. Irulas worshipped nature and their ancestors lived as nomads. The people of Irula community had their own beliefs, traditional stories, festivals and rituals even now they observe their believes. Tell the stories celebrate the festivals and perform rituals. They have several gods according to their community as family deity. However, the festival of Kanniyamman of the Irular tribes is celebrated on the beach in the month of Masi (Feb) that is full moon day celebration or Masimaham worship. All the Irula People from various parts of South India gather in the Mamallapuram beach. They believe Kanniyamman angers every year for their wrongs and goes to Mamallaburam beach. On the day of Masimaham and full moon day they celebrate and invite Kanniyamman to their homes. The same day night they celebrate with traditional folk songs, dances and awareness programmes. Next day early morning, they build seven steps and a small tent for Kanniyamman. Then, the Irulas arrange marriages and other ceremonies on the beach. This research paper is to document the Kanniyamman Masimaham ceremony.

Characterization of Particulate Matter (PM1 and PM2.5) from Incense Burning Activities in Temples in Vietnam and Taiwan

Particulate matter (PM) emitted from incense burning is a serious problem because of its effects on human health and the environment, especially on the air quality of Southeast Asia. This study investigated the PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations in two temples in Vietnam and Taiwan, focusing on events (i.e., new moon and full moon day) and non-event days using PM sensors. Moreover, PM2.5 samples were collected to determine organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations. The PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations in Vietnam (22.7 ± 18.7 and 36.5 ± 33.9 µg m-3, respectively) were lower than those at the Taiwan temple (74.5 ± 53.4 and 97.0 ± 65.4 µg m-3, respectively). The incense burning activity in the Taiwan temple occurred inside the temple while the incense burner at Vietnam’s temple was located outdoors. During the event days, PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations were about two times greater than on non-event days, highlighting the impact of incense burning on the PM concentrations. By breaking the study area into control and exposure sites, we found that the people inside the temple experienced 2–5 times higher PM concentrations as compared to those in the ambient air. The PM1/PM2.5 ratio was 0.6 ± 0.1 for the Vietnam temple, which was lower than the Taiwan value (0.7 ± 0.1). The OC and EC concentrations in the Taiwan temple were 129.40 ± 97.68 and 1.16 ± 2.31 µg m-3, respectively, significantly greater than those found in the Vietnam temple (OC = 27.70 ± 7.66 µg m-3, EC = 1.63 ± 0.93 µg m-3). Furthermore, the OC/EC ratio in the Vietnam temple (20.24) was similar to those reported from incense and biomass in previous research. The increase in religious activities was the major factor leading to the enhancement of the air pollutant levels surrounding the study areas. This study provides valuable information on PM and carbonaceous aerosols emitted from incense burning in Southeast Asia megacities.

New record of bioluminescence inOdontosylliscf.australiensis(Annelida: Syllidae: Eusyllinae) in Japan

AbstractBioluminescence is widespread in the marine environment. The bioluminescence of some species of the firewormOdontosyllis(Annelida: Syllidae: Eusyllinae) has been well studied, although the presence or absence of bioluminescence in most species of this genus is yet to be revealed. The bioluminescent worms were observed after sunset around the new moon day in July and October 2020 and in July to October 2021 in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear gene sequence showed that the worms were closely related toOdontosyllis australiensis, but the partial 16S rRNA gene sequences differed by 2% between those of the Japanese and Australian material. Because only epitokes, i.e. morphologically modified sexually mature worms, were collected, further studies on morphological characters of atokes would be required in the future. We therefore tentatively refer to them asOdontosylliscf.australiensis. Molecular phylogenetic analysis also showed that known bioluminescentOdontosyllisspecies belong to various lineages.

The influence of moon period day to paperek fish (Leiognathus spp) cathed and it’s connection with physical waters of boat live nets at Dodinga Bay, West Halmahera Districs

The aims of this research are to know the influence of the moon day period on paperek (Leiognathus spp ) catches and it’s relation to waters physical factors of the boat liftnets in the Dodinga bay. The oceanographic parameter data are sea surface temperature, waters salinity, brightness, current velocity, wind speed and peperek catches that was in situ collected. Data analysis was done descriptively and statistics to explain the relationship among variables by using multiple linear regression. The result of F test gets the Fcount is 0.974 is greater than Ftable value is 0.442. This showing that all physical parameter waters were together to exert an influence upon the presence of paperek fish in waters. The formed of regression equation model are ŷ = 6.675 – 0.22x 1 + 0.70x 2 – 0.126x 3 – 0.58x 4 – 0.806x 1 + e; where: ŷ = total anchovies fish catch; X1 = temperature (°C ); X2 = salinity (o/oo ); X3 = wind speed (ms -1); X4 = brightness (m ); X5 = current velocity ( ms -1 ) and e = standard error. Furthermore the obtained of the paperek (Leiognathus spp ) catches were many caught on Dodinga bay waters with boat liftnets at water temperature are 25.00-25.09 °C. salinities are 30.0-31.0 ppt. current velocity are 0.05 0.18 m s-1. brightness value are 8.97-10 meters and wind speed are 1.83 3.05 ms -1.

Gametogenic development and synchronous spawning of the acroporid corals Acropora cytherea and Acropora tenuis in the Red Sea

Sexual reproduction of corals is one of the essential processes for the stability and integrity of coral populations. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the reproductive and spawning patterns of two reef-building scleractinian corals belonging to genus Acropora, namely Acropora cytherea and Acropora tenuis inhabiting Hurghada, northern Red Sea. Histological and in situ examinations were carried out on 16 tagged colonies from the two coral species (8 for each species) in two selected shallow reef sites located in the north and south of Hurghada. Coral fragments were collected monthly from March 2018 to June 2018 and from October 2018 till May 2019 for dissection and histological analyses. The present results indicated that A. cytherea and A. tenuis were hermaphroditic broadcast spawners with a single annual gametogenic cycle (7 months) that began in October 2018 and terminated in April 2019, and both oogenesis and spermatogenesis were occurring for 7 and 6 months, respectively. Both species exhibited conspicuous spawning synchrony amongst colonies of the same species, and the time of spawning was mostly correlated with lunar cycle and photoperiod (day length). They spawned around the full moon in April 2018 and 2019. A. Cytherea spawned two days before the full moon (30 Apr) in April 2018 and one day before the full moon (19 Apr) in April 2019. A. tenuis spawned one day before the April full moon in 2018, while in 2019 it spawned in the full moon day (19 Apr) and one day after the full moon. This study provided information that will aid in future coral reef restoration and management. Further research on the reproduction of additional coral species is required in order to provide a better perspective of reproductive patterns in Red Sea scleractinian corals.

Lunar Tide Effects on Ionospheric Solar Eclipse Signatures: The August 21, 2017 Event as an Example

AbstractThe ionospheric total electron content (TEC) derived from dense ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System receivers over the continental United States and those from global ionosphere maps are utilized to find the ionosphere response to the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. Maximum obscurations and their associated TEC major depressions appear simultaneously at midlatitudes, while major depressions elongate toward the magnetic equator with some delays in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region. The former is due to the photochemical loss process, while the latter is caused by the plasma transport of E×B drifts and lunar gravitation forces. TECs of predawn reductions, morning enhancements, afternoon reductions, and nighttime enhancements reveal that the semidiurnal lunar tide are essential. Since a solar eclipse always occurs on a new moon day, the lunar tide results in the early EIA appearance and major depressions being underestimated/diminished before and overestimated/enhanced after about 14:00 local time.

Alstonia scholaris in the ethnomedicinal and religious tradition of Coastal Karnataka, India

Abstract. MJ Bhandary. 2020. Alstonia scholaris in the ethnomedicinal and religious tradition of Coastal Karnataka, India. Biodiversitas 21: 1569-1577. The tribal and non-tribal indigenous communities of coastal districts of Karnataka use Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. for the treatment of various ailments such as fever, asthma, leucorrhea, eczema, indigestion and also to heal spider bites. An annual health-related ritual of mass drinking of a bitter juice or decoction of the stem bark of this tree on the new moon (amavasya) day of ‘aati’ month of the traditional ‘tulu’ calendar coinciding with the rainy monsoon season is popularly followed in the study area, especially by the rural families. The underlying belief is that this drink keeps away all ailments and ensures wellbeing. The recorded ethnomedicinal uses and the traditional practice of mass drinking of the bitter juice appear to be scientifically meaningful when interpreted on the background of the ayurvedic uses and the wide range of curative properties ascribed to this plant, many of which have been confirmed by reported pharmaco-chemical studies. Studies have also indicated that the toxicity of the bark extract was minimum during monsoon season and the concentration of active principle was maximum in the bark juice collected on the particular new moon day. This further justifies the timing of the described annual medicine drinking event. In addition, some Tulu language-speaking indigenous communities consider this tree as the reincarnation of a mythological demon called Bali and worship its branch during the festival days of Deepavali, in honor of him. Thus, A. scholaris emerges as a plant of great ethnobotanical significance in the study area.

THE <italic>BHĀSVATĪ</italic> ASTRONOMICAL HANDBOOK OF ŚATĀNANDA

The eleventh century Indian astronomer and mathematician Śatānandācārya wrote the <italic>Bhāsvatī</italic> on CE 7 April 1099. Correspondingly this was the <italic>Pournima</italic> (Full Moon day) of the first lunar month <italic>Caitra</italic> of the <italic>gata-kali</italic> (elapsed <italic>kali</italic> era) year 4200. This text was a significant contribution to the world of astronomy and mathematics. Śatānanda had adopted the centesimal system for the calculation of the positions and motions of the heavenly bodies, which is similar to the present-day decimal system. His treatise received recognition in the text of the <italic>Karaṇa</italic> (handbook) <italic>grantha</italic>. Commentaries of this work were made by different people at different times in history. Although the <italic>Bhāsvatī</italic> was reissued about once every century and was well known throughout India, and even abroad, at present it is completely lost and no references to it are available in current works. The main aim of this paper is to outline its contents and bring these to the notice of a wider audience, and to highlight the genius of Śatānanda and his contribution to the world of astronomy and mathematics.

Luguburu: Ritual, Pilgrimage and Quest for Identity Among the Santals

The present paper studies an event of annual pilgrimage and congregation of the Santal at Luguburu hill in Jharkhand along with associated performative practices of dance, song, speech events and rituals. Lakhs of Santals, the largest tribal community in eastern India, assemble at this place to offer worship to Lugubaba during the full moon day in the Santal month of Sohrae corresponding to October-November in English calendar. Pilgrimage is a new phenomenon in Santal culture. The earlier monographs on the Santal did not give any reference to this phenomenon. Martin Orans’ celebrated study on the Santals in search of a great tradition of their own has no mention of this event. The present study has discussed and analyzed the emergence of the phenomenon of pilgrimage. The study has argued that the search for tradition is actually linked to new cultural inventions in changed contexts as well as socio-political milieu. The new ‘cultural enactments’ draw elements from own as well as neighbouring cultures as the present case has exhibited. The rituals and associated activities built upon a ‘prior discourse’ leads to performative practice that is directed towards a celebration of identity of a community.

Measuring Mountains on the Moon

Following a technique of Galileo we compute the height on a mountain on the Moon. It is based on a simple observation that precisely on a half Moon day, the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun form the vertices of a right triangle with the Moon at the 90 degree vertex.

Evaluating the significance of the traditional use of Alstonia scholaris Linn. in Tulunadu region of South India

Objective: To evaluate the importance of the tradition of consuming expressed juice of Alstonia scholaris Linn. on the particular New moon day of Ashada (July-August) month of Hindu calendar in South Indian region of Tulunadu. Methodology: Collection of stem bark of Alstonia scholaris Linn. was done during early morning hours in accordance with the traditional practice. Three separate samples were obtained, first three days before the particular New moon day, second on the New moon day and third three days after the New moon day. About 10 milliliter of expressed and filtered juice of all three samples were extracted with dichloromethane 20 ml thrice with gentle shaking. The organic layers were collected and dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. Analysis of the samples were done by using Shimadzu UV Spectrophotometer of model UV-1800, by keeping the absorbance at constant against the dichloromethane as blank. Results: The graphs indicated the presence of maximum concentration of active principles on the particular New moon day. The peak max of absorbance was found to be 0.2 from 1st and 3rd samples. An absorbance of 0.5 was observed in sample 2 showing maximum concentration of active principles. Conclusion: The therapeutic importance of Alstonia scholaris has been undebatable while its intake on a particular day by the people of Tulu nadu region of South India has stood the test of time. The richness and realisms in the Indian culture and lifestyle remain interwoven with health traditions. However, their apt apprehension, analysis, appreciation and application is the need of the hour.Q

Diel Vertical Distribution of Zooplankton in a Tropical Reservoir on New Moon and Full Moon Days

Diel vertical migration of zooplankton is a well documented phenomenon, however the dynamics in vertical distribution due to changing moonlight intensity is still in debate. This study compares the diel vertical distribution of zooplankton in full moon and new moon days in Lunugamwehera reservoir. Samples of zooplankton were collected from 3 depth levels (surface, 3 m and 6 m) at six-hour time intervals (noon, dusk, midnight and dawn) from three sites of the reservoir. Sampling was carried out on new moon and full moon days from August to November, 2015. Zooplankton abundance (individuals L-1) at different depths was determined by direct counting under light microscope. Physico-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen) were measured at each depth level. Average water depth was measured at each site. Also, at each site, surface light intensity was measured using a portable Lux meter. Average light intensity in full moon nights was 0.0042 Wm-2, while that was 0.0000 Wm-2 in new moon nights. On new moon days, the noon and midnight total zooplankton abundances in surface layer were significantly different (Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon; P<0.05). Rotifera was the most diverse group identified, and contained 12 species. Copepods and cladocerans were dominant at the bottom layer in the noon, and at the middle layer in the dusk. When taxonomic group-wise considered, only copepods showed significant differences in abundance among the three depth layers (P<0.05; One-way ANOVA) on both full and new moon days. Cluster analysis on diversity, divided new moon and full moon samples clearly into 2 separate clusters except that all ostracods appeared in new moon cluster and all cladocerans appeared in full moon cluster. Separate correspondence analyses (CA) for day and night samples showed that the vertical distribution of Rotifera was different from other taxonomic groups on both full and new moon days. Significant positive correlation between zooplankton density and DO (r=0.835, P=0.01) and significant negative correlation between zooplankton abundance and water temperature on new moon day (r=-0.690 P<0.05) were observed. Results clearly showed significant differences between day and night samples on new moon days. However, when individual taxonomic groups were considerd, except cladocerans, others did not show any corelation with the light intensity on new moon days. Keywords: Vertical migration, Zooplankton, Lunar cycle, Moonlight intensity, Lunugamwehera reservoir