We report the results of the first search for gravitational waves from compact binary coalescence using data from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and Virgo detectors. Five months of data were collected during the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory’s S5 and Virgo’s VSR1 science runs. The search focused on signals from binary mergers with a total mass between 2 and $35M_{\odot }$. No gravitational waves are identified. The cumulative 90%-confidence upper limits on the rate of compact binary coalescence are calculated for nonspinning binary neutron stars, black hole-neutron star systems, and binary black holes to be $8.7\times {10}^{-3}{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}{\mathrm{L}}_{10}^{-1}$, $2.2\times {10}^{-3}{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}{\mathrm{L}}_{10}^{-1}$, and $4.4\times {10}^{-4}{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}{\mathrm{L}}_{10}^{-1}$, respectively, where ${\mathrm{L}}_{10}$ is ${10}^{10}$ times the blue solar luminosity. These upper limits are compared with astrophysical expectations.

We report on a search for gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries, of total mass between 2 and $35M_{\odot }$, using LIGO observations between November 14, 2006 and May 18, 2007. No gravitational-wave signals were detected. We report upper limits on the rate of compact binary coalescence as a function of total mass. The LIGO cumulative 90%-confidence rate upper limits of the binary coalescence of neutron stars, black holes and black hole-neutron star systems are $1.4\times {10}^{-2}$, $7.3\times {10}^{-4}$ and $3.6\times {10}^{-3}{\mathrm{yr}}^{-1}{\mathrm{L}}_{10}^{-1}$, respectively, where ${\mathrm{L}}_{10}$ is ${10}^{10}$ times the blue solar luminosity.

Heat stress is one of the most important physiological factors challenging poultry production throughout the world especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Oxidative stress induced by heat stress not only compromises productivity and performance but also results in morbidity and mortality losses leading to the economic burden for poultry producers. It reduces the shelf life of poultry product in addition to poor meat and egg quality. Recently, a trend towards using phytochemicals derived from natural sources with potential antioxidant activities has increased. Lycopene is a predominant carotenoid pigment which is universally found in fruits and vegetables, with tomatoes and their products being key sources. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have suggested that lycopene is a powerful antioxidant compared to other carotenoids. Supplementation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) derived lycopene revealed numerous health promoting activities in poultry birds, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, improved performance and better meat as well as egg quality. Lycopene maintains oxidative balance in birds through various ways including serving as a free radical scavenger, inhibiting signalling pathways and activating host antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT). The aims of this current review are to summarise mechanisms of action through which lycopene quench reactive species and maintain oxidative balance, highlight the potential role of lycopene as a natural antioxidant agent for poultry industry and examine the benefits to poultry producers when using this natural antioxidant on commercial basis in poultry diets to alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element with diverse physiological functions related to cellular homoeostasis, body metabolism and antioxidant defence. Se is an integral constituent of at least 25 selenoproteins in the body that regulate cellular redox and antioxidant defence enzymes systems control free radicles of reactive oxygen species . Dietary Se plays key role in immunity, growth and fertility in chickens, which require optimum levels in their diets to maintain high reproductive and productive performance of birds. In the last decade, dietary supplementation with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) has enhanced the growth performance, feed conversion ratio, reproductive performance, egg production, immune response and antioxidant status, as well as improved the quality of meat and eggs and promoted microflora. Se has been shown to increase relative weights of immune-related organs (burse and thymus) to enhance immunity. Feeding Se-NPs can improve antioxidant status and glutathione peroxidase activities in both broilers and layers. Use of Se-NPs at 0.9 mg/kg diet in broilers improved the intestinal health via increasing the population of beneficial bacteria and producing short-chain fatty acids. This review focuses on the significance of SeNPs in poultry industry and provides insights about its comparative advantages over conventional sources of Se in poultry diets.