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We measured production cross sections of 56 Co, 57 Co, 58 Co, 65 Zn and 67 Cu radioisotopes from α -induced reactions of nat Ni by using a stacked-foil activation technique and offline γ -ray spectroscopy technique. The results were compared with the available experimental data as well as the theoretical calculations based on the TALYS - 1.9 code. The present results in the energy region from 19 MeV to 40 MeV are in consistent with the existing experimental data and the calculated results. The measured cross-sections are reported along with their uncertainties and covariance matrix after a thorough uncertainty propagation using covariance analysis. The present experimental results will significantly contribute to enlarging the literature database for α -induced reactions on nat Ni, leading to a variety of applications.

Background We investigated the associations of reproductive factors with the percentage of epithelium, stroma, and fat tissue in benign breast biopsy samples. Methods This study included 983 cancer-free women with biopsy-confirmed benign breast disease (BBD) within the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II cohorts. The percentage of each tissue type (epithelium, stroma, and fat) was measured on whole-section images with a deep-learning technique. All tissue measures were log-transformed in all the analyses to improve normality. The data on reproductive variables and other breast cancer risk factors were obtained from biennial questionnaires. Generalized linear regression was used to examine the associations of reproductive factors with the percentage of tissue types, while adjusting for known breast cancer risk factors. Results As compared to parous women, nulliparous women had a smaller percentage of epithelium (β = − 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.41, − 0.11) and fat (β = − 0.34, 95% CI − 0.54, − 0.13) and a greater percentage of stroma (β = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01, 0.08). Among parous women, the number of children was inversely associated with the percentage of stroma (β per child = − 0.01, 95% CI − 0.02, − 0.00). The duration of breastfeeding of ≥ 24 months was associated with a reduced proportion of fat (β = − 0.30, 95% CI − 0.54, − 0.06; p-trend = 0.04). In a separate analysis restricted to premenopausal women, older age at first birth was associated with a greater proportion of epithelium and a smaller proportion of stroma. Conclusions Our findings suggest that being nulliparous as well as having a fewer number of children (both positively associated with breast cancer risk) is associated with a smaller proportion of epithelium and a greater proportion of stroma, potentially suggesting the importance of epithelial-stromal interactions. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

Background We initially reported on the cost-effectiveness of a 6-month randomized controlled implementation trial which evaluated Health TAPESTRY, a primary care program for older adults, at the McMaster Family Health Team (FHT) site and 5 other FHT sites in Ontario, Canada. While there were no statistically significant between-group differences in outcomes at month 6 post randomization, positive outcomes were observed at the McMaster FHT site, which recruited 40% (204/512) of the participants. The objective of this post-hoc study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of Health TAPESTRY based on data from the McMaster FHT site. Methods Costs included the cost to implement Health TAPESTRY at McMaster as well as healthcare resource consumed, which were costed using publicly available sources. Health-related-quality-of-life was evaluated with the EQ-5L-5L at baseline and at month 6 post randomization. Quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs) were calculated under an-area-under the curve approach. Unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses (two independent regression analyses on costs and QALYs, seemingly unrelated regression [SUR], net benefit regression) as well as difference-in-difference and propensity score matching (PSM) methods, were used to deal with the non-randomized nature of the trial. Sampling uncertainty inherent to the trial data was estimated using non-parametric bootstrapping. The return on investment (ROI) associated with Health TAPESTRY was calculated. All costs were reported in 2021 Canadian dollars. Results With an intervention cost of $293/patient, Health TAPESTRY was the preferred strategy in the unadjusted and adjusted analyses. The results of our bootstrap analyses indicated that Health TAPESTRY was cost-effective compared to usual care at commonly accepted WTP thresholds. For example, if decision makers were willing to pay $50,000 per QALY gained, the probability of Health TAPESTRY to be cost effective compared to usual care varied from 0.72 (unadjusted analysis) to 0.96 (SUR) when using a WTP of $50,000/QALY gained. The DID and ROI analyses indicated that Health Tapestry generated a positive ROI. Conclusion Health TAPESTRY was the preferred strategy when implemented at the McMaster FHT. We caution care in interpreting the results because of the post-hoc nature of the analyses and limited sample size based on one site.

Non-destructive methodologies using activation analysis and ion beam analysis techniques were optimized for the chemical characterization of ceramic materials, lithium titanate and lithium niobate, which have application in tritium breeding blanket. The analyses were carried out as a part of chemical quality control exercise. The atomic ratios of Li/Ti, Li/Nb were quantified by charged particle activation analysis using 13 MeV proton beam from variable energy cyclotron facility and particle induced gamma ray emission/Rutherford backscattering spectrometry using 3 MeV/2 MeV proton beam from 3MV tandem accelerator facility. The results of these different analytical methods are in good agreement, which established the applicability of these activation analysis and ion beam techniques for the chemical characterization of these ceramic materials.

Objective: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-Effect Scale (GASS) in Bangla. Methods: Patients aged >=18 years with a psychiatric disorder who were currently taking antipsychotics were recruited from a tertiary care psychiatric hospital using convenience sampling. Additionally, patients aged >=18 years with a psychiatric disorder who had not received any antipsychotic medications in the past 6 months were recruited as controls. Participants were assessed using the newly adapted GASS Bangla. Internal consistency was assessed using McDonald's omega. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was used to determine the factor structure. Discriminant validity was examined.Results: In total, 153 male and 67 female patients (mean age, 27.8 years) who were receiving antipsychotic medications were included. The most common diagnoses were schizophrenia spectrum disorders (49.1%) and bipolar disorders (46.8%). The median duration of illness was 36 months, and the median duration of antipsychotic medication was 4 months. Additionally, 29 male and 21 female controls (mean age, 30.2 years) were included. The mean GASS Bangla score of the patients was 13.3 +- 8.4. Among the 220 patients, 181 (82.3%) reported absent or mild adverse effects, 34 (15.5%) reported moderate adverse effects, and five (2.3%) reported severe adverse effects. In contrast, all controls reported either absent or mild adverse effects. Patients taking antipsychotic medication had higher median GASS Bangla scores than controls (12 vs 2, p < 0.001), supporting the scale's discriminant validity. Internal consistency of the GASS Bangla was moderate (McDonald's omega equivalent 0.604). Factor loadings ranged from 0.040 to 0.573, with most items loading above the conventional threshold of 0.30. Principal component analysis revealed a seven-factor structure that explained 58.9% of the total variance. Conclusion: The GASS Bangla is a user-friendly instrument for use as a screening tool. Despite moderate internal consistency, its clinical relevance and strong discriminant validity support its application in clinical practice.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide with about 600000 new cases diagnosed each year. Understanding the molecular pathways that lead to HNSCC is crucial to identify new targets for anti-cancer drug development. Protein kinase C (PKC) is elevated in HNSCC and regulates the activation of Akt, Stat3 and Rho GTPases. To date, the molecular mechanism of PKC dysregulation in HNSCC remains to be elucidated. In silico analysis identified three putative microRNA-107 (miR-107) binding sites in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PKC. An inverse relationship was revealed between miR-107 and PKC in HNSCC cell lines. Delivery of miR-107 reduced PKC levels in SCC15, SCC25 and CAL27, three HNSCC cell lines with high PKC and low miR-107. The activity of a luciferase reporter construct containing the 3'-UTR of PKC was downregulated by miR-107 and mutations in the three cognate miR-107 binding sites completely ablated the regulation by miR-107. Treatment with miR-107 significantly blocked cell proliferation, DNA replication, colony formation and invasion in SCC25 and CAL27 cells. Ectopic expression of miR-resistant PKC was sufficient to partially rescue the loss-of-function phenotype in miR-107-overexpressing SCC25 cells. Tumor growth in nude mice was retarded by 93±7% in CAL27/miR-107 cells compared with CAL27/miR-control cells. Last, human primary HNSCC tumors with elevated PKC had reduced miR-107 expression. Our results demonstrate that PKC is directly regulated by miR-107 and, moreover, suggest that miR-107 may be a potential anti-cancer therapeutic for HNSCC. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

The results of the dynamic mechanical study of biocomposites filled with different amounts of potato starch and corn starch are discussed. The composites were obtained from rubber mixtures containing natural rubber (NR) as a main component. Plastification of NR and rubber mixture was achieved by using the rubber open mixing mill (friction ratio 1.08). The vulcanization process was realized with a hydraulic press under predetermined conditions (pressure ca. 5 MPa, temperature ca. 143 °C, and processing time of 7, 12, 17 min). Thermomechanical analysis (by DMTA) showed that the quantity of starch fillers had only a slight influence on the glass transition temperature of the produced vulcanizate materials.

High Resolution Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (HRGS) and Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (TAGS) techniques of beta decay study and facilities for such techniques at VECC, Kolkata have been described. The preliminary results of the HRGS experiment performed at VECC to study the beta decay of 126 Sb, an important nucleus for the reactor decay heat estimation, are presented. The observation of a 928-keV gamma ray confirmed the 2703.6 keV state in 126 Te. The half-lives of both the beta-decaying states in 126 Sb could be uniquely measured in this work. The results are useful for future TAGS measurements of the 126 Sb beta decay.

Alpha-induced reactions are of pertinence in the production of radioisotopes used in varied domains including therapeutics and diagnostics. Sustained efforts are directed towards optimizing the production of such isotopes, typically using α-beams from the accelerators. Measurement of beam current remains an imperative component of the exercise and is conventionally pursued through the use of monitor reactions. The present work reports cross-section measurements of three such monitor reactions nat Cu(α,x) 66,67 Ga, 65 Zn, in the energy range of E lab  = 40–50 MeV where data is sparse in the existing literature. The experimental cross-sections have been reproduced in the reaction model calculations, using the TALYS framework.

The working of gaseous ionization detectors can be broadly broken into few major steps: generation of primaries, their transport and amplification due to applied electromagnetic field, and, finally, induction of signal on pick-up electrodes due to movement of electrons and ions. Proper design and optimum utilization of such detectors require thorough understanding of each of these steps. Since they possess significant complexity, numerical modelling turns out to be an important tool to explore the dynamics and response of these detectors. There are several possible approaches that may be adopted to carry out detailed and realistic numerical simulation of gaseous detectors. Among these, the Monte-Carlo particle approach adopted by the Garfield++ toolkit is among the most prominent possibilities. Recently, a deterministic hydrodynamic approach has also turned out to be useful for this purpose. The steps necessary to create mathematical and numerical models of a gaseous detector is presented here, utilizing both particle and hydrodynamic approaches. Simple examples are used to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of both the approaches.