Relevance of the preparation of the target for PLD on the magnetic properties of films of iron-doped indium oxide

This paper concerns the importance of the preparation of the targets that may be used for pulsed laser deposition of iron-doped indium oxide films. Targets with a fixed concentration of iron are fabricated from indium oxide and iron metal or one of the oxides of iron, FeO, Fe3O4 and Fe2O3. Films from each target were ablated onto sapphire substrates at the same temperature under different oxygen pressures such that the thickness of the films was kept approximately constant. The films were studied using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption (both XANES and EXAFS), optical absorption and magnetic circular dichroism. The magnetic properties were measured with a SQUID magnetometer. At the lowest oxygen pressure, there was evidence that some of the iron ions in the films were in the state Fe2+, rather than Fe3+, and there was also a little metallic iron; these properties were accompanied by a substantial magnetisation. As the amount of the oxygen was increased, the number of defect phases and the saturation magnetisation was reduced and the band gap increased. In each case, we found that the amount of the oxygen that had been included in the target from the precursor added to the effect of adding oxygen in the deposition chamber. It was concluded that the amount of oxygen in the target due to the precursor was an important consideration but not a defining factor in the quality of the films

Evidence for shape coexistence and superdeformation in 24Mg

The E0 transition depopulating the first-excited 0+ state in 24Mg has been observed for the first time, and the E0 transition strength determined by electron-positron pair and γ-ray spectroscopy measurements performed using the Super-e pair spectrometer. The E0 transition strength is ρ2×103=380(70). A two-state mixing model implies a deformation of the first-excited 0+ state of β2≈1 and a change in the mean-square charge radius of Δ〈r2〉≈1.9fm2, which suggests a significant shape change between the ground state and first-excited 0+ state in 24Mg. The observed E0 strength gives direct evidence of shape coexistence and superdeformation in 24Mg, bringing this nucleus into line with similar behaviour in nearby N=Z nuclei. This result agrees with recent theoretical work on the cluster nature of 24Mg and has potential ramifications for nuclear reactions of astrophysical importance

Evaluation of health care services provided for older adults in primary health care centers and its internal environment. A step towards age-friendly health centers

Objectives: to evaluate the health care services provided for older adults by primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the ease of use of these centers by older adults. Methods: between October 2013 and January 2014, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 15 randomly selected PHCCs in Riyadh City, KSA. The evaluation focused on basic indicators of clinical services offered and factors indicative of the ease of use of the centers by older adults. Evaluations were based upon the age-friendly PHCCs toolkit of the World Health Organization. Results: coverage of basic health assessments (such as blood pressure, diabetes, and blood cholesterol) was generally good. However, fewer than half of the PHCCs offered annual comprehensive screening for the common age-related conditions. There was no screening for cancer. Counseling on improving lifestyle was provided by most centers. However, there was no standard protocol for counseling. Coverage of common vaccinations was poor. The layout of most PHCCs and their signage were good, except for lack of Braille signage. There may be issues of access of older adults to PHCCs through lack of public transport, limited parking opportunities, the presence of steps, ramps, and internal stairs, and the lack of handrails. Conclusions: clinical services and the internal environment of PHCCs can be improved. The data will be useful for health-policy makers to improve PHCCs to be more age-friendl

Attitude of medical students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences toward family medicine as a future specialty.

Contains fulltext : 215388.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Owing to the rising population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the need for family physicians is growing. The number of family physicians who would be available in the health service in future is dependent on the attitudes of medical students because their choice of specialty is a major factor in satisfying this demand. The aim of the study was to evaluate the attitudes of medical students to family medicine as a future career. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. A total of 308 students were randomly selected from problem-based learning groups. Data were collected using a 25-item validated questionnaire, and Excel and SPSS were used for data entry and analysis. Mean and standard deviation were used to describe numerical data and frequencies and percentages to describe categorical data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 308 medical students, 201 (65.3%) of whom were male, completed the questionnaire. Majority of the students (229 [74.3%]) agreed that family physicians make important contributions to medicine although family medicine was one of the least preferred specialties of the students. CONCLUSIONS: Most students were aware of the importance of family medicine; however, only a few of them chose this specialty. Further studies should be conducted to identify the factors that influence medical students' decisions in their choice of family medicine as a future career

Electron impact induced dissociation of N2H+ into NH+

Dissociative excitation of N2H+ has been investigated in the energy range from 7.5 to 2500 eV using a crossed beams apparatus. Absolute cross sections are reported for the channel leading to NH+ formation. Good agreement is found with the previous results of Fogle et al, from the Oak Ridge group [1]. The threshold measured for this channel indicates the presence of excited states in the target beam

Electron impact induced dissociation of N2H+ into NH+

International audienceDissociative excitation of N2H+ has been investigated in the energy range from7.5 to 2500 eV using a crossed beams apparatus. Absolute cross sections are reported for thechannel leading to NH+ formation. Good agreement is found with the previous results ofFogle et al, from the Oak Ridge group [1]. The threshold measured for this channel indicatesthe presence of excited states in the target beam

Electron impact induced dissociation of N

Dissociative excitation of N2H+ has been investigated in the energy range from 7.5 to 2500 eV using a crossed beams apparatus. Absolute cross sections are reported for the channel leading to NH+ formation. Good agreement is found with the previous results of Fogle et al, from the Oak Ridge group [1]. The threshold measured for this channel indicates the presence of excited states in the target beam

An ion-beam injection line for the ELASR storage ring at KACST

A versatile ion injector beam-line has been developed for the specific use in the multi-purpose low-energy, storage ring facility at the King Abdulaziz City for Sciences and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It incorporates a purpose-developed, high-resolution mass analyzing magnet and it is thereby dedicated to provide the ELASR storage ring with beams of ions of specific mass. It is also intended to operate independently as a single-pass experiment. This versatile ion-injection line was constructed in a staged approach, in which an axial injection version was built first, commissioned and is currently operating. The injection line in its final design is now being assembled and commissioned at KACS

Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) methanolic extract regulates multiple checkpoints in 15-lipoxygenase mediated inflammopathies: Computational simulation and in vitro evidence

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) has long been used in traditional folk medicine to prevent and cure a variety of inflammatory diseases. In this study, the antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging and reducing power), anti-inflammatory activity (RBC Membrane Stabilization and 15-LOX inhibition), and anticoagulation activity (Serin protease inhibition and Prothrombin Time assays) of the methanolic extract of amla were conducted. Amla exhibited a substantial amount of phenolic content (TPC: 663.53 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (TFC: 418.89 mg GAE/g). A strong DPPH scavenging effect was observed with an IC50 of 311.31 µg/ml as compared to standard ascorbic acid with an IC50 of 130.53 µg/ml. In reducing power assay, the EC50 value of the extract was found to be 196.20 µg/ml compared to standard ascorbic acid (EC50 = 33.83 µg/ml). The IC50 value of the RBC membrane stabilization and 15-LOX assays was observed as 101.08 µg/ml (IC50 of 58.62 µg/ml for standard aspirin) and 195.98 µg/ml (IC50 of 19.62 µg/ml for standard quercetin), respectively. The extract also strongly inhibited serine protease (trypsin) activity with an IC50 of 505.81 µg/ml (IC50 of 295.44 µg/ml for standard quercetin). The blood coagulation time (PTT) was found to be 11.91 min for amla extract and 24.11 min for standard Warfarin. Thus, the findings of an in vitro study revealed that the methanolic extract of amla contains significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulation activity. Furthermore, in silico docking and simulation of reported phytochemicals of amla with human 15-LOXA and 15-LOXB were carried out to validate the anti-inflammatory activity of amla. In this analysis, epicatechin and catechin showed greater molecular interaction and were considerably stable throughout the 100 ns simulation with 15-lipoxygenase A (15-LOXA) and 15-lipoxygenase B (15-LOXB) respectively