[en] Modifications of the Vasomotoricity induced by gamma rays have been investigated. Vascular smooth muscle fibres (VSMF) of rat portal vein have been used in this study. Irradiation procedures using a ⁶⁰ Co source have been carried out as follows: - Whole body irradiation. - Irradiation of isolated portal vein and isolated VSMF. Our results show that : 1-irradiation reduces the functional competition between Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, thus hyper magnetic Krebs solutions have a negligible effect on irradiated VSMF. 2- irradiation activates Ca²⁺ influx into the VSMF. Thus the effect of hypocalcemic solutions on irradiated VSMF is minor compared with control. 3- Hyperpotassic solutions provoke titanic contractions with high amplitude on the irradiated VSMF compared with control. 5 figs

[en] The topic of debriefing has been receiving some attention in the simulation literature. Because of the significance of debriefing on learning, evaluation of the de-briefer is done to ensure optimal performance. Structured debriefing as a learning tool was evaluated at the end of modular teaching of first year MBBS. This study is a descriptive cross sectional study to analyze the usefulness of debriefing as an instructional strategy during observed structured clinical examination conducted at the end of two consecutive modules of first year MBBS students. Methods: Performance of 150 students of first year MBBS was evaluated at the end of modules called Foundation module and skin and musculoskeletal module. Debriefing was structured and conducted after training of six staff members who conducted and supervised Objectively Structured Clinical Examination. Results: Apart from description of results of Objectively Structured Clinical Examination that were generally good, students praised the debriefing session. Ninety percent students thought the timing of debriefing to be perfect. Only 2% percent students complained about negative debriefing. Ten percent students wanted the debriefing session to be conducted in camera so that they could evaluate their own performance. Conclusion: Debriefing session at the end of modular teaching Objectively Structured Clinical Examination is a useful learning tool as not only it provides immediate feedback about the performance but gives students opportunity to discuss own performance with the instructor in order to develop habit of lifelong self-directed adult learner. (author)

[en] Viscosity versus temperature curves were obtained for five DMPC/DHPC/H2O bilayer systems with DMPC/DHPC molar ratios of 3.2, 2.8, 2.5, 2.0 and 1.5. The curves showed the viscosity maxima that shifted to higher temperatures as the mole fraction of DHPC increased. The maxima are extremely high for the first three systems and are estimated to be no less than 600 Pa,s. The shift to higher temperature is explained in terms of decrease in the the coalescence of the bicells as the mole fraction of DHPC increases. The maxima are attributed to two competing effects; the normal decrease in viscosity with temperature is counterbalanced at low to moderate temperatures with an increase in viscosity resulting from coalescence. Such coalescence increases as the DMPC /DHPC molar ratio increases. (author)

[en] In this paper, green synthesis of AgNPs is carried out by means of an environmentally friendly, cost-effective and safe technology using Ruta leaf extract as a reducing agent for silver. Furthermore, biological activity of produced AgNPs was examined against different microorganism with multiple resistances to antibiotics, which isolated from different disease states. The produced AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS). The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles by Ruta leaf extract were confirmed by their change of color from colorless to yellow and lastly to reddish brown. UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis of the AgNPs synthesized showed characteristic surface plasmon absorption peak at 415 nm. Where the X-ray diffraction showed that, the nanoparticles were crystalline in nature with a face-centered cubic structure (FCC). Field Emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrograph showed the creation of spherical nanoparticles with size from 30 to 50 nm in diameter. The element silver of the sample was obtained from the Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDX). The stability and distribution size were detected using zeta potential and DLS analysis. (paper)

[en] Absolute photoionization measurements were performed for a mixture of ²P_3/2^o ground-state and ²P_1/2^o metastable-state Ca³⁺ ions over the photon energy range 65.7-104.6 eV by merging an ion beam with a beam of monochromatized synchrotron radiation. The ionization threshold energy of the ²P_3/2^o ground state was measured to be 67.063 ± 0.015 eV, which is 0.207 eV lower than the value tabulated in the NIST database. Most of the observed resonances associated with multiple Rydberg series of autoionizing states have been assigned spectroscopically using the quantum defect form of the Rydberg formula, guided by relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations of resonance energies and oscillator strengths. Intermediate coupling R-matrix calculations performed using the semi-relativistic Breit-Pauli approximation are in suitable agreement with measured absolute photoionization cross section in the energy range studied for this complex Cl-like ion species.