Search

Awadhesh K Singh,1 Ritu Singh,1 Partha Pratim Chakraborty2 1Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, G.D Hospital & Diabetes Institute, Kolkata, India; 2Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Medical College, Kolkata, IndiaCorrespondence: Awadhesh K SinghG.D Hospital & Diabetes Institute, Kolkata, 700014, IndiaTel +91 9831020428Email draksingh_2001@yahoo.comAbstract: Step-wise addition of antihyperglycemic agents (AHA) after the initiation of metformin monotherapy has been the traditional approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) world-wide. Emerging evidence increasingly suggests that metformin-based combination therapy, especially with the newer AHA that lowers HbA1c glucose-dependently and do not potentiate hypoglycemia, could be a potentially better option for durable glycemic control with good tolerability compared to diabetes monotherapy. In this review, we descriptively analyzed the evidence available from the systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized head-to-head trials that reported the efficacy and safety outcomes of diabetes monotherapy, metformin-based combination therapies, and monotherapy versus metformin-based combination therapies.Keywords: type 2 diabetes, monotherapy, combination therapies, efficacy, safety outcomes

RM Karmacharya, BK Shrestha, B Shrestha, AK Singh, N Bhandari, P Dhakal, S Dahal Department of Surgery, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavre, NepalCorrespondence: RM KarmacharyaDepartment of Surgery (Cardio Thoracic and Vascular), Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel Hospital Road, PO Box no 45210, Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok, NepalTel +977 981 872 9013Email reachrobin773@hotmail.comIntroduction: Varicose vein is a common venous condition affecting quality of life presenting as an asymptomatic condition to a feeling of heaviness, pain, pigmentation, palpable superficial veins, itchiness and ulceration. Proper management of varicose vein is of huge importance due to its high prevalence and the impact it has on patients’ quality of life, productivity as well as on health-care resource burden. Various conservative and invasive interventions are available for the management of varicose veins. Here we present our experience with the invasive intervention of varicose veins during a period of six years at a tertiary care center (Dhulikhel Hospital) in Nepal. Although Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is recently introduced in Nepal, it has shown promising outcome.Method: This is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study between the years 2013 and 2018 at the Dhulikhel Hospital among patients that underwent surgical management of varicose veins. For ease in interpretation, patients who underwent surgery for both lower limbs in the same setting are considered as separate cases.Results: In a total of 533 limbs, the most common vein involved was isolated great saphenous vein in 70.4%. In terms of side affected, 157 patients (33.8%) were affected on the right side, 238 (51.3%) were affected on the left side and 69 (14.9%) patients had bilateral involvement. The most common clinical feature was prominent vein present in 94.5% limbs. This was followed by pain in 55.7%, pigmentation in 25.3%, itchiness in 14.6% and ulceration in 13.1%. Mean hospital stay was 1.1 days (S.D. 0.64, Range 0–3). In terms of complication, one case with deep vein thrombosis (0.18%) developed in the seventh postoperative period. There was skin burn in two cases (0.53% of RFA cases) and in 11 cases (2.06%) there was painful superficial thrombosed veins of which three required excision under local anesthesia (0.56%).Conclusion: There are multiple invasive interventions for varicose veins. With the availability of the facilities, RFA is the procedure of choice in feasible cases. The most common complication after surgical treatment was painful thrombosed superficial veins. DVT was a rare complication.Keywords: varicose veins, varicose vein surgery, radiofrequency ablation

Pranesh Kumar,1 Ashok K Singh,1 Vinit Raj,1 Amit Rai,1 Amit K Keshari,1 Dinesh Kumar,2 Biswanath Maity,2 Anand Prakash,3 Sabyasachi Maiti,4 Sudipta Saha1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India; 2Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India; 3Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India; 4Department of Pharmacy, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India Purpose: The application of betulinic acid (B), a potent antineoplastic agent, is limited due to poor bioavailability, short plasma half-life and inappropriate tissue distribution. Thus, we aimed to prepare novel 50:50 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-loaded B nanoparticles (BNP) and to compare its anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity with parent B. Methods: BNP were synthesized and characterized using different methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and particle size analyses. Particle size of BNP was optimized through the application of the stabilizer, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The anti-HCC response was evaluated through in vitro cell line study using Hep-G2 cells, confocal microscopy, in vivo oral pharmacokinetics and animal studies. Further, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was conducted to observe the changes in the expression of specific genes. Results: Particle size of BNP was optimized through the application of the stabilizer, polyvinyl alcohol. Physicochemical characterization exhibited particle size of 257.1 nm with zeta potential -0.170 mV (optimized batch B, BNP). SEM and FTIR analyses of BNP showed that cylindrical particles of B converted to spherical particles in BNP and there were no interaction between B and used polymers. The release study of optimized BNP was highest (≥80%) than any other formulation. Later, in vitro cell culture analysis using Hep-G2 cells and confocal microscopy studies revealed that BNP had the highest inhibition and penetration properties than parent B. Oral pharmacokinetics studies using albino Wistar rats at single 100 mg dose again exhibited BNP had the higher 50% of plasma concentration (t1/2), a higher maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and took longer to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) than parent B. Next, our in vivo study using nitrosodiethyl amine (NDEA)-induced HCC model documented BNP decreased in number of nodules, restored body weight, oxidative stress parameters, liver marker enzymes and histological architecture than parent B. Lastly, qRT-PCR studies further demonstrated that anti-HCC properties of BNP may be due to over expression of antiapoptotic caspases i.e., caspase 3 and 8. Conclusion: The prepared BNP showed a better therapeutic response against HCC and could be attributed as future candidate molecule for HCC treatment. Keywords: betulinic acid, PLGA-loaded nanoparticles, HepG2 cells, hepatocellular carcinoma, caspase-3 and -8

Amit K Keshari,1 Ashok K Singh,1 Umesh Kumar,2 Vinit Raj,1 Amit Rai,1 Pranesh Kumar,1 Dinesh Kumar,2 Biswanath Maity,2 Sneha Nath,3 Anand Prakash,3 Sudipta Saha11Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, 2Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, 3Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, IndiaAbstract: 5H-benzo[h]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazoline scaffold is known to have an antitumor effect on certain types of malignancies; however, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Previously, we reported p-toluenesulfonic acid-promoted syntheses, molecular modeling and in vitro antitumor activity of 5H-benzo[h]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazoline against human hepatoma (Hep-G2) cells where compounds 4A and 6A were found to be potent inhibitors among the series. In continuation to our previous effort to develop novel therapeutic strategies for HCC treatment, here we investigated the in vivo antitumor activity and the mechanism underlying the effects of 4A and 6A in N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced HCC using male Wistar rats. NDEA was administered weekly intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks. Various physiological and morphological changes, oxidative parameters, liver marker enzymes and cytokines were assessed to evaluate the antitumor effect of 4A and 6A. In addition, proton nuclear magnetic resonance-based serum metabolomics were performed to analyze the effects of 4A and 6A against HCC-induced metabolic alterations. Significant tumor incidences with an imbalance in carcinogen metabolizing enzymes and cellular redox status were observed in carcinogenic rats. Tumor inhibitory effects of 4A and 6A were noted by histopathology and biochemical profiles in NDEA-induced hepatic cancer. Compounds 4A and 6A had a potential role in normalizing the elevated levels of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10. At molecular level, the real-time quantitative reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that 4A and 6A attenuated the IL-6 gene overexpression in hepatic cancer. Further, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis scores plot demonstrated a significant separation of 4A and 6A-treated groups from carcinogen control group. Both the compounds have potential to restore the imbalanced metabolites due to HCC, signifying promising hepatoprotective activities. All these findings suggested that 4A and 6A could be potential drug candidates to treat HCC.Keywords: 5H-benzo[h]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazoline, N-nitrosodiethylamine, NDEA, hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC, interleukins, 1H-NMR based metabolomics

Amit K Keshari,1 Ashok K Singh,1 Vinit Raj,1 Amit Rai,1 Prakruti Trivedi,2 Balaram Ghosh,2 Umesh Kumar,3 Atul Rawat,3 Dinesh Kumar,3 Sudipta Saha1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 2Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana State, 3Centre of Biomedical Research (CBMR), Sanjay Gandhi Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences Campus, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Abstract: In our efforts to address the rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we have made a commitment to the synthesis of novel molecules to combat Hep-G2 cells. A facile and highly efficient one-pot, multicomponent reaction has been successfully devised utilizing a p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TSA)-catalyzed domino Knoevenagel/Michael/intramolecular cyclization approach for the synthesis of novel 5H-benzo[h]thiazolo[2,3-b]quinazoline and indeno[1,2-d]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine analogs bearing a bridgehead nitrogen atom. This domino protocol constructed one new ring by the concomitant formation of multiple bonds (C–C, C–N, and C=N) involving multiple steps without the use of any metal catalysts in one-pot, with all reactants efficiently exploited. All the newly synthesized compounds were authenticated by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, together with elemental analysis, and their antitumor activity was evaluated in vitro on a Hep-G2 human cancer cell line by sulforhodamine B assay. Computational molecular modeling studies were carried out on cancer-related targets, including interleukin-2, interleukin-6, Caspase-3, and Caspase-8. Two compounds (4A and 6A) showed growth inhibitory activity comparable to the positive control Adriamycin, with growth inhibition of 50%

Taekyung Lee,1 Eshaan Mathew,2 Santhosh Rajaraman,2 Geetha Manivasagam,2 Ashok Kumar Singh,3 Chong Soo Lee4 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; 2Centre for Biomaterials Science and Technology, School for Mechanical and Building Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India; 3Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, India; 4Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology (GIFT), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Republic of Korea Abstract: Development of submicrocrystalline structure in biomedical alloy such as Ti-13Nb-13Zr (in wt%) through warm-rolling process has been found to enhance mechanical properties compared to conventional thermomechanical processing routes including hot-rolling process. The present study investigated the tribological and corrosion behaviors of warm-rolled (WR) and hot-rolled Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloys which have not been studied to date. Both tribological and corrosion experiments were carried out in simulated body fluid conditions (Hank’s solution at 37°C) based on the fact that the investigated alloys would be used in a human body as orthopedic implants. The WR Ti-13Nb-13Zr demonstrated a submicrocrystalline structure that provided a significant enhancement in hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, there was no notable difference in wear resistance between the WR and hot-rolled samples despite the different microstructure and hardness. The present study confirmed the enormous potential of WR Ti-13Nb-13Zr with not only great mechanical properties but also high corrosion resistance in the simulated body fluid. Keywords: titanium alloy, multi-pass caliber-rolling, grain refinement, tribology, corrosion

Mushfiquddin Khan,1 Tajinder S Dhammu,1 Fumiyo Matsuda,1,2 Mauhammad Baarine,3 Tejbir Singh Dhindsa,1 Inderjit Singh,1 Avtar K Singh3,4 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; 2School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan; 3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; 4Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA Background: For stroke patients, stimulating neurorepair mechanisms is necessary to reduce morbidity and disability. Our previous studies on brain and spinal cord trauma show that exogenous treatment with the S-nitrosylating agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) – a nitric oxide and glutathione metabolite of the human body – stimulates neurorepair and aids functional recovery. Using a rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (IR) in this study, we tested the hypothesis that GSNO invokes the neurorepair process and improves neurobehavioral functions through the angiogenic HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.Methods: Stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion in adult male rats. The injured animals were treated with saline (IR group, n=7), GSNO (0.25 mg/kg, GSNO group, n=7), and GSNO plus the HIF-1α inhibitor 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) (0.25 mg/kg GSNO + 5.0 mg/kg 2-ME, GSNO + 2-ME group, n=7). The groups were studied for either 7 or 14 days to determine neurorepair mediators and functional recovery. Brain capillary endothelial cells were used to show that GSNO promotes angiogenesis and that GSNO-mediated induction of VEGF and the stimulation of angiogenesis are dependent on HIF-1α activity.Results: IR injury increased the expression of neurorepair mediators HIF-1α, VEGF, and PECAM-1 and vessel markers to a limited degree that correlate well with significantly compromised neurobehavioral functions compared with sham animals. GSNO treatment of IR not only remarkably enhanced further the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, and PECAM-1 but also improved functioning compared with IR. The GSNO group also had a higher degree of vessel density than the IR group. Increased expression of VEGF and the degree of tube formation (angiogenesis) by GSNO were reduced after the inhibition of HIF-1α by 2-ME in an endothelial cell culture model. 2-ME treatment of the GSNO group also blocked not only GSNO’s effect of reduced infarct volume, decreased neuronal loss, and enhanced expression of PECAM-1 (P

Amit K Singh,1,2 Megan A Hahn,2 Luke G Gutwein,3 Michael C Rule,4 Jacquelyn A Knapik,5 Brij M Moudgil,1,2 Stephen R Grobmyer,3 Scott C Brown,2,61Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, 2Particle Engineering Research Center, College of Engineering, 3Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, 4Cell and Tissue Analysis Core, McKnight Brain Institute, 5Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 6DuPont Central Research and Development, Corporate Center for Analytical Science, Wilmington, DE, USABackground: Theranostic nanomaterials composed of fluorescent and photothermal agents can both image and provide a method of disease treatment in clinical oncology. For in vivo use, the near-infrared (NIR) window has been the focus of the majority of studies, because of greater light penetration due to lower absorption and scatter of biological components. Therefore, having both fluorescent and photothermal agents with optical properties in the NIR provides the best chance of improved theranostic capabilities utilizing nanotechnology.Methods: We developed nonplasmonic multi-dye theranostic silica nanoparticles (MDT-NPs), combining NIR fluorescence visualization and photothermal therapy within a single nanoconstruct comprised of molecular components. A modified NIR fluorescent heptamethine cyanine dye was covalently incorporated into a mesoporous silica matrix and a hydrophobic metallo-naphthalocyanine dye with large molar absorptivity was loaded into the pores of these fluorescent particles. The imaging and therapeutic capabilities of these nanoparticles were demonstrated in vivo using a direct tumor injection model.Results: The fluorescent nanoparticles are bright probes (300-fold enhancement in quantum yield versus free dye) that have a large Stokes shift (>110 nm). Incorporation of the naphthalocyanine dye and exposure to NIR laser excitation results in a temperature increase of the surrounding environment of the MDT-NPs. Tumors injected with these NPs are easily visible with NIR imaging and produce significantly elevated levels of tumor necrosis (95%) upon photothermal ablation compared with controls, as evaluated by bioluminescence and histological analysis.Conclusion: MDT-NPs are novel, multifunctional nanomaterials that have optical properties dependent upon the unique incorporation of NIR fluorescent and NIR photothermal dyes within a mesoporous silica platform.Keywords: bioluminescence, in vivo imaging, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, NIR fluorescence, photothermal ablation, theranostic

Luke G Gutwein1, Amit K Singh2, Megan A Hahn2, Michael C Rule3, Jacquelyn A Knapik4, Brij M Moudgil2, Scott C Brown2, Stephen R Grobmyer11Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, 2Particle Engineering Research Center, 3Cell and Tissue Analysis Core, McKnight Brain Institute, 4Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USAPurpose: Photothermal therapy is an emerging cancer treatment paradigm which involves highly localized heating and killing of tumor cells, due to the presence of nanomaterials that can strongly absorb near-infrared (NIR) light. In addition to having deep penetration depths in tissue, NIR light is innocuous to normal cells. Little is known currently about the fate of nanomaterials post photothermal ablation and the implications thereof. The purpose of this investigation was to define the intratumoral fate of nanoparticles (NPs) after photothermal therapy in vivo and characterize the use of novel multidye theranostic NPs (MDT-NPs) for fractionated photothermal antitumor therapy.Methods: The photothermal and fluorescent properties of MDT-NPs were first characterized. To investigate the fate of nanomaterials following photothermal ablation in vivo, novel MDT-NPs and a murine mammary tumor model were used. Intratumoral injection of MDT-NPs and real-time fluorescence imaging before and after fractionated photothermal therapy was performed to study the intratumoral fate of MDT-NPs. Gross tumor and histological changes were made comparing MDT-NP treated and control tumor-bearing mice.Results: The dual dye-loaded mesoporous NPs (ie, MDT-NPs; circa 100 nm) retained both their NIR absorbing and NIR fluorescent capabilities after photoactivation. In vivo MDT-NPs remained localized in the intratumoral position after photothermal ablation. With fractionated photothermal therapy, there was significant treatment effect observed macroscopically (P = 0.026) in experimental tumor-bearing mice compared to control treated tumor-bearing mice.Conclusion: Fractionated photothermal therapy for cancer represents a new therapeutic paradigm enabled by the application of novel functional nanomaterials. MDT-NPs may advance clinical treatment of cancer by enabling fractionated real-time image guided photothermal therapy.Keywords: fluorescence, mesoporous silica, biodistribution, photothermal ablation, live animal imaging, near-infrared nanoparticle, breast cancer

Stem cells are one of the most fascinating areas of biology today. But like many expanding fields of scientificinquiry, research on stem cells raises scientific questions as rapidly as it generates new discoveries. Stemcell therapy presents the potential promise to heal the defective systems in the body and the field is witnessingsome path breaking research currently. The technology is provocative and promising, but the future is farfrom certain. Nevertheless, the science that is unfolding about neural and muscular development, autoimmunediseases especially Rheumatoid Arthritis is exciting in its potential implications. This article contains currentinformation derived from internet searches on their use in some common conditions in Physical Medicineand Rehabilitation practices.

109 cases of leprosy were identified in the camps usingprivate public partnership (PPP) between nongovernmentaland governmental organizations. Thepatients were admitted and operated free in theDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation andPlastic Surgery, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj MedicalUniversity, Lucknow during 2007-08. 75.2% were malesand 24.8% females. Maximum cases (81.7%) werebetween 11 to 40 years. Overall illiteracy was 68.8%.89.9% were having hand lesions with equal distributionin either hands in 32 cases each. Clawing of both handswas observed in 28 cases. Foot lesions were seen in 18cases out of which nine cases each were of foot dropand plantar ulcer. In 84 cases (77.1%) Dermolipectomywith or without Zancolli procedure was performed. TibialisPosterior transfer was done in nine cases of foot drop.The nine cases of plantar ulcer were treated by properlocal dressing followed by below knee Plaster of Pariscast with walking iron (weight relieving) followed by PTBcalliper with MCR padded open shoes. PPP helpedidentify more patients and get help to avail free treatmentincluding surgery done at the government hospitalincluding travel and food expenses paid by the nongovernmentalorganization.

Abstract Background Emerging whitefly transmitted begomoviruses are major pathogens of vegetable and fibre crops throughout the world, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Mutation, pseudorecombination and recombination are driving forces for the emergence and evolution of new crop-infecting begomoviruses. Leaf curl disease of field grown radish plants was noticed in Varanasi and Pataudi region of northern India. We have identified and characterized two distinct monopartite begomoviruses and associated beta satellite DNA causing leaf curl disease of radish (Raphanus sativus) in India. Results We demonstrate that RaLCD is caused by a complex of two Old World begomoviruses and their associated betasatellites. Radish leaf curl virus-Varanasi is identified as a new recombinant species, Radish leaf curl virus (RaLCV) sharing maximum nucleotide identity of 87.7% with Tomato leaf curl Bangladesh virus-[Bangladesh:2] (Accession number AF188481) while the virus causing radish leaf curl disease-Pataudi is an isolate of Croton yellow vein mosaic virus-[India] (CYVMV-IN) (Accession number AJ507777) sharing 95.8% nucleotide identity. Further, RDP analysis revealed that the RaLCV has a hybrid genome, a putative recombinant between Euphorbia leaf curl virus and Papaya leaf curl virus. Cloned DNA of either RaLCV or CYVMV induced mild leaf curl symptoms in radish plants. However, when these clones (RaLCV or CYVMV) were individually co-inoculated with their associated cloned DNA betasatellite, symptom severity and viral DNA levels were increased in radish plants and induced typical RaLCD symptoms. To further extend these studies, we carried out an investigation of the interaction of these radish-infecting begomoviruses and their associated satellite, with two tomato infecting begomoviruses (Tomato leaf curl Gujarat virus and Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus). Both of the tomato-infecting begomoviruses showed a contrasting and differential interaction with DNA satellites, not only in the capacity to interact with these molecules but also in the modulation of symptom phenotypes by the satellites. Conclusion This is the first report and experimental demonstration of Koch's postulate for begomoviruses associated with radish leaf curl disease. Further observations also provide direct evidence of lateral movement of weed infecting begomovirus in the cultivated crops and the present study also suggests that the exchange of betasatellites with other begomoviruses would create a new disease complex posing a serious threat to crop production.

Photoelectrocatalysts that use sunlight to power the CO2 reduction reaction will be crucial for carbon-neutral power and energy-efficient industrial processes. Scalable photoelectrocatalysts must satisfy a stringent set of criteria, such as stability under operating conditions, product selectivity, and efficient light absorption. Two-dimensional materials can offer high specific surface area, tunability, and potential for heterostructuring, providing a fresh landscape of candidate catalysts. From a set of promising bulk CO2 reduction photoelectrocatalysts, we screen for candidate monolayers of these materials, then study their catalytic feasibility and suitability. For stable monolayer candidates, we verify the presence of visible-light band gaps, check that band edges can support CO2 reduction, determine exciton binding energies, and compute surface reactivity. We find visible light absorption for SiAs, ZnTe, and ZnSe monolayers, and that due to a lack of binding, CO selectivity is possible. We thus identify SiAs, ZnTe, and ZnSe monolayers as targets for further investigation, expanding the chemical space for CO2 photoreduction candidates.

We have developed a microfluidic platform that uses aqueous droplets suspended in an oil phase as discrete reaction chambers to carry out molecular biology steps. It integrates and automates all critical procedures of synthetic biology including combinatorial gene assembly, transformation by electroporation, addition of selection medium, culture, assay and sorting on a single device.

High-spin states in Cs124 were populated in the Ni64(Ni64,p3n) reaction and the Gammasphere detector array was used to measure γ-ray coincidences. Both positive- and negative-parity bands, including bands with chiral configurations, have been extended to higher spin, where a shape change has been observed. The configurations of the bands before and after the alignment are discussed within the framework of the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model. The calculations suggest that the nucleus undergoes a shape transition from triaxial to prolate around spin I≃22 of the positive-parity states. The alignment gain of 8â.,, observed in the positive-parity bands, is due to partial alignment of several valence nucleons. This indicates the absence of band crossing due to paired nucleons in the bands.

The solar photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen and carbon-containing fuels comprises a critical energy technology for establishing sustainable energy resources. The photoanode, which is responsible for solar-driven oxygen evolution, has persistently limited technology advancement due to the lack of materials that exhibit both the requisite electronic properties and operational stability. Efforts to extend the lifetime of solar fuel devices increasingly focus on mitigating corrosion in the highly oxidizing oxygen evolution environment, motivating our development of a photoanode discovery pipeline that combines electronic structure calculations, Pourbaix stability screening, and high-throughput experiments. By applying the pipeline to ternary metal oxides containing manganese, we identify a promising class of corrosion-resistant materials and discover five oxygen evolution photoanodes, including the first demonstration of photoelectrocatalysis with Mn-based ternary oxides and the introduction of alkaline earth manganates as promising photoanodes for establishing a durable solar fuels technology.

High-spin states in Xe124 have been populated using the Se80(Ca48,4n) reaction at a beam energy of 207 MeV and high-multiplicity, γ-ray coincidence events were measured using the Gammasphere spectrometer. Six high-spin bands with large moments of inertia, similar to those observed in neighboring nuclei, have been observed. The experimental results are compared with calculations within the framework of the cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky model. It is suggested that the configurations of the bands involve excitations of protons across the Z=50 shell gap coupled to neutrons within the N=50-82 shell or excited across the N=82 shell closure.

Gelcasting technique has been successfully used for the preparation of porous tungsten. Gel forming monomer (methacrylamide (MAM)) and Cross-linker (NN'-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM)) dissolved in water were used for gelcasting of green compacts of tungsten with 39% solid loading. Appropriate quantity of dispersant, initiator, and catalyst were used in order to obtain a uniform dispersion of tungsten particles and also control the polymerization process. Several issues related to dispersant selection, de-airing, de-bindering, sintering, and selection of mold material have been addressed in order to obtain a defect-free product. Theoretical density of the porous sintered tungsten pellets produced by gelcasting process is ∼85%. The average pore diameter and mean pore area are 3 µm and 16 µm2, respectively, which are specifically required for the cathode application. Complex shape components of pure tungsten have been successfully made using gelcasting technique for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Euroball-IV γ-detector array, equipped with the ancillary charged particle detector array DIAMANT was used to study the residues of the fusion reaction 64Ni ⇒ 128Ba at Ebeam = 255 and 261 MeV, in an attempt to reach the highest anguar momentum and verify the existence of predicted hyperdeformed rotational bands. No discrete hyperdeformed bands were identified, but nevertheless a breakthrough was obtained a systematic search for rotational ridge structure with very large moments of inertia J (2) ≥ 100 ℏ2 MeV(-1), in agreement with theoretical predictions for hyperdeformed shapes. Evidence for hyperdeformiation was obtained by charged particle + γ-ray gating, selectiong triple correlated ridge structures in the continuum of each of the nuclei, 118Te, 124Xe and 124,125Cs. In 7 additional nuclei, rotational ridges were also identified with J(2) = 71-77ℏ2Mev(-1), which most probably correspond to surperdeformed shape. The angular distributions of the emitted charged particles show an excess in forward direction over expectations from pure compound evaporation, which may indicate that in-complete fusion plays an important role in the population of very elongated shapes.