Athermal annealing of Si-implanted GaAs and InP

GaAs and InP crystals ion implanted with Si were athermally annealed by exposing each crystal at a spot of ~2 mm diameter to a high-intensity 1.06 μm wavelength pulsed laser radiation with ~4 J pulse energy for 35 ns in a vacuum chamber. As a result a crater is formed at the irradiated spot. The crater is surrounded by a dark-colored ring-shaped region which is annealed by mechanical energy generated by rapidly expanding hot plasma that formed on the exposed spot. The electrical characteristics of this annealed region are comparable to those of a halogen-lamp annealed sample. No redistribution of impurities due to transient diffusion is observed in the implant tail region. In x-ray diffraction measurements, a high angle side satellite peak due to lattice strain was observed in the crater and near crater regions of the athermally annealed sample in addition to the main Bragg peak that corresponds to the pristine sample. This high angle side satellite peak is not observed in regions away from the crater (≥5 mm from the center of the crater in GaAs)

Cyclodextrin Complexes of Reduced Bromonoscapine in Guar Gum Microspheres Enhance Colonic Drug Delivery

Here, we report improved solubility and enhanced colonic delivery of reduced bromonoscapine (Red-Br-Nos), a cyclic ether brominated analogue of noscapine, upon encapsulation of its cyclodextrin (CD) complexes in bioresponsive guar gum microspheres (GGM). Phase−solubility analysis suggested that Red-Br-Nos complexed with β-CD and methyl-β-CD in a 1:1 stoichiometry, with a stability constant (Kc) of 2.29 × 103 M−1 and 4.27 × 103 M−1. Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy indicated entrance of an O−CH2 or OCH3−C6H4−OCH3 moiety of Red-Br-Nos in the β-CD or methyl-β- CD cavity. Furthermore, the cage complex of Red-Br-Nos with β-CD and methyl-β-CD was validated by several spectral techniques. Rotating frame Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy revealed that the Ha proton of the OCH3−C6H4−OCH3 moiety was closer to the H5 proton of β-CD and the H3 proton of the methyl-β-CD cavity. The solubility of Red-Br-Nos in phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH ∼ 7.4) was improved by ∼10.7-fold and ∼21.2-fold when mixed with β-CD and methyl-β-CD, respectively. This increase in solubility led to a favorable decline in the IC50 by ∼2-fold and ∼3-fold for Red-Br-Nos−β-CD-GGM and Red-Br-Nos−methyl-β-CD-GGM formulations respectively, compared to free Red-Br-Nos−β-CD and Red-Br-Nos−methyl-β-CD in human colon HT-29 cells. GGM-bearing drug complex formulations were found to be highly cytotoxic to the HT-29 cell line and further effective with simultaneous continuous release of Red-Br-Nos from microspheres. This is the first study to showing the preparation of drug-complex loaded GGMS for colon delivery of Red-Br-Nos that warrants preclinical assessment for the effective management of colon cancer

Collaborating to Compete: Blood Profiling Atlas in Cancer (BloodPAC) Consortium

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136731/1/cpt666.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136731/2/cpt666_am.pd

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Methods in Molecular Biology

Not AvailableParticle bombardment/biolistic delivery is a very popular method of genetic transformation of diverse targets including cells and intact tissues. Delivery of DNA through particle bombardment is genotype and species independent, nevertheless, an ef fi cient protocol for large-scale generation of transgenic plants through embryogenic tissues with a high ( ³ 80%) shoot regeneration ef fi ciency is a prerequisite. Young embryogenic tissues or multiple shoot buds in early stages of induction are the most suited target tissues for recovery of transgenic plants. We describe the protocol for delivery of foreign genes using particle delivery system (Biorad gene gun, PDS-1000/He) in to the meristematic tissues of embryonic axes derived from mature seeds of castor. With the optimized physical and biological parameters, putative transformants were obtained at a frequency of 1.4% through particle gun bombardment of castor embryo axes. Also, transformation of embryogenic calli of sorghum using particle in fl ow gun (PIG) is described.Not Availabl

Comparison of the Effect of 4 Weeks Core Stability Training and Foot Intrinsic Muscle Training on Foot Posture

Persons with pronated feet may be prone to more injuries than these with normal feet. As it disrupts the body's natural alignment and causes increased impact when the foot strikes the ground. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of 4-week core stability training and foot intrinsic muscle training on foot posture in females. Twenty-six females with pronated feet were randomly divided into two groups. The group A performed the core stability training (n=13) and the group B performed the foot intrinsic muscle training (n=13) for four weeks with frequency of 5 sessions per week.  Foot Posture Index, McGill protocol, weight distribution and foot load response were assessed at the baseline and at the end of four weeks. Dependent t-test was used to check the differences within the group before and after the program. Independent t-test was used to compare the differences between groups after the intervention.&nbsp

Inheritance and molecular mapping of a downy mildew resistance gene, Pl (13) in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

Not AvailableThe inheritance of resistance to sunflower downy mildew (SDM) derived from HA-R5 conferring resistance to nine races of the pathogen has been determined and the new source has been designated as Pl ( 13 ) . The F(2) individuals and F(3) families of the cross HA-R5 (resistant) x HA 821 (susceptible) were screened against the four predominant SDM races 300, 700, 730, and 770 in separate tests which indicated dominant control by a single locus or a cluster of tightly linked genes. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was carried out on 116 F(2) individuals with 500 SSR primer pairs that resulted in the identification of 10 SSR markers of linkage groups 1 (9 markers) and 10 (1 marker) of the genetic map (Tang et al. in Theor Appl Genet 105:1124-1136, 2002) that distinguished the bulks. Of these, the SSR marker ORS 1008 of linkage group 10 was tightly linked (0.9 cM) to the Pl (13) gene. Genotyping the F(2) population and linkage analysis with 20 polymorphic primer pairs located on linkage group 10 failed to show linkage of the markers with downy mildew resistance and the ORS 1008 marker. Nevertheless, validation of polymorphic SSR markers of linkage group 1 along with six RFLP-based STS markers of linkage group 12 of the RFLP map of Jan et al. (Theor Appl Genet 96:15-22, 1998) corresponding to linkage group 1 of the SSR map, mapped seven SSR markers (ORS 965-1, ORS 965-2, ORS 959, ORS 371, ORS 716, and ORS 605) including ORS 1008 and one STS marker (STS10D6) to linkage group 1 covering a genetic distance of 65.0 cM. The Pl (13) gene, as a different source with its location on linkage group 1, was flanked by ORS 1008 on one side at a distance of 0.9 cM and ORS 965-1 on another side at a distance of 5.8 cM. These closely linked markers to the Pl (13) gene provide a valuable basis for marker-assisted selection in sunflower breeding programs.Not Availabl

Annealing of Ion-implanted SiC by Laser-pulse-exposure-generated Shock-waves

Athermal annealing in phosphorus, boron, and aluminum/boron implanted 4H-SiC is explored by launching mechanical shock waves, induced by exposure to a laser pulse. Annealing is observed in a 3.2 mm outer diameter donut-shaped area surrounding the laser exposed spot. The minimum sheet-resistance within this area in phosphorus-implanted sample is close to the thermally annealed value of 400 Ω/□. Unlike thermal annealing, shock annealing did not cause any redistribution of the implant, including boron, a known transient enhanced diffuser in SiC. Optimization of parameters like laser power and/or pulse duration or investigation of an alternate mechanical shockwave launching method is required to achieve athermal annealing far away from the center of the exposed region and similar to that of the thermal annealed material. Results of this study might help in the manufacturing of silicon carbide high-power, high-temperature, and radiation hardened devices in the future