Activation cross sections of α\alpha-particle induced nuclear reactions on hafnium and deuteron induced nuclear reaction on tantalum: production of 178^{178}W/178m^{178m}Ta generator

In the frame of a systematic study of charged particle production routes of medically relevant radionuclei, the excitation function for indirect production of $^{178m}$Ta through $^{nat}$Hf($\alpha$,xn)$^{178}$W-$^{178m}$Ta nuclear reaction was measured for the first time up to 40 MeV. In parallel, the side reactions $^{nat}$Hf($\alpha$,x)$^{179,177,176,175}$W, $^{183,182,178g,177,176,175}$Ta, $^{179m,177m,175}$Hf were also assessed. Stacked foil irradiation technique and $\gamma$-ray spectrometry were used. New experimental cross section data for the $^{nat}$Ta(d,xn)$^{178}$W reaction are also reported up to 40 MeV. The measured excitation functions are compared with the results of the ALICE-IPPE, and EMPIRE nuclear reaction model codes and with the TALYS 1.4 based data in the TENDL-2013 library. The thick target yields were deduced and compared with yields of other charged particle ((p,4n), (d,5n) and ($^3$He,x)) production routes for $^{178}$W

A Unified Approach towards Describing Rapidity and Transverse Momentum Distributions in Thermal Freeze-Out Model

We have attempted to describe the rapidity and transverse momentum spectra, simultaneously, of the hadrons produced in the Ultra-relativistic Nuclear Collisions. This we have tried to achieve in a single statistical thermal freeze-out model using single set of parameters. We assume the formation of a hadronic gas in thermo-chemical equilibrium at the freeze-out. The model incorporates a longitudinal as well as a transverse hydrodynamic flow. We have also found that the role of heavier hadronic resonance decay is important in explaining the particle spectra.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figure

PCR and microarray analysis of AmpC and ESBLs producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from intensive care units

Detection of AmpC and ESBL producing P. aeruginosa by phenotypic methods is challenging, especially in low-income countries such as Pakistan. Therefore, a molecular method was developed for rapid detection of these resistance markers. A total of 303 clinical samples were collected from intensive care units (ICUs) of the Jinnah postgraduate medical centre (JPMC) Karachi, Pakistan. The isolates were identified by traditional and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Isolates were phenotypically analyzed for AmpCs and ESBL by D-test and by double disc synergy, respectively. The Check MDR CT103 XL and PCR techniques were used for the detection AmpCs and ESBLs. Out of 303 isolates, 148 (48.8%) were P. aeruginosa. The resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa against piperacillin, cefatizidime and cefepime was 59.4%, 64.8% and 59.4% respectively. More than 60% isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and ciprofloxacin. All (148) strains were found sensitive to colistin. Phenotypic ESBL prevalence was 8.8% whereas genotypic resistance was 29.1%. bla was the most prevalent ESBL. Although 25.67% of P. aeruginosa isolates were positive phenotypically for AmpC, microarray (Check-MDR) analysis did not detect chromosomally located AmpC in any of the isolates. VE

Cisplatin based therapy: The role of the mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of various cancers. However, treatment with cisplatin is associated with drug resistance and several adverse side effects such as nephrotoxicity, reduced immunity towards infections and hearing loss. A Combination of cisplatin with other drugs is an approach to overcome drug resistance and reduce toxicity. The combination therapy also results in increased sensitivity of cisplatin towards cancer cells. The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the cell, consisting of extracellular signal regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38 kinases, and downstream mediator p90 ribosomal s6 kinase (RSK); is responsible for the regulation of various cellular events including cell survival, cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration and protein translation. This review article demonstrates the role of MAPK pathway in cisplatin based therapy, illustrates different combination therapy involving cisplatin and also shows the importance of targeting MAPK family, particularly RSK, to achieve increased anticancer effect and overcome drug resistance when combined with cisplatin. - 2018 The Author(s).Scopu

Improving Ballistic Performance of Polyurethane Foam by Nanoparticle Reinforcement

We report improving ballistic performance of polyurethane foam by reinforcing it with nanoscale TiO2 particles. Particles were dispersed through a sonic cavitation process and the loading of particles was 3 wt% of the total polymer. Once foams were reinforced, sandwich panels were made and impacted with fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs) in a 1.5-inch gas gun. Projectile speed was set up to have complete penetration of the target in each experiment. Test results have indicated that sandwich with nanophased cores absorbed about 20% more kinetic energy than their neat counterpart. The corresponding increase in ballistic limit was around 12% over the neat control samples. The penetration phenomenon was also monitored using a high-speed camera. Analyses of digital images showed that FSP remained inside the nanophased sandwich for about 7 microseconds longer than that of a neat sandwich demonstrating improved energy absorption capability of the nanoparticle reinforced core. Failure modes for energy absorption have been investigated through a microscope and high-speed images