Study of Surface Emissions of 220Rn (Thoron) at Two Sites in the Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy) during Volcanic Unrest in the Period 2011–2017

The study concerns the analysis of 220Rn (thoron) recorded in the surface soil in two sites of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Naples, Southern Italy) characterized by phases of volcanic unrest in the seven-year period 1 July 2011–31 December 2017. Thoron comes only from the most surface layer, so the characteristics of its time series are strictly connected to the shallow phenomena, which can also act at a distance from the measuring point in these particular areas. Since we measured 220Rn in parallel with 222Rn (radon), we found that by using the same analysis applied to radon, we obtained interesting information. While knowing the limits of this radioisotope well, we highlight only the particular characteristics of the emissions of thoron in the surface soil. Here, we show that it also shows some clear features found in the radon signal, such as anomalies and signal trends. Consequently, we provide good evidence that, in spite of the very short life of 220Rn compared to 222Rn, both are related to the carrier effect of CO2, which has significantly increased in the last few years within the caldera. The hydrothermal alterations, induced by the increase in temperature and pressure of the caldera system, occur in the surface soils and significantly influence thoron’s power of exhalation from the surface layer. The effects on the surface thoron are reflected in both sites, but with less intensity, the same behavior of 222Rn following the increasing movements and fluctuations of the geophysical and geochemical parameters (CO2 flux, fumarolic tremor, background seismicity, soil deformation). An overall linear correlation was found between the 222−220Rn signals, indicating the effect of the CO2 vector. The overall results represent a significant step forward in the use and interpretation of the thoron signal.

Carrier Effect in Development of Rifampin Loaded Proliposome for Pulmonary Delivery: A Quality by Design Study

Purpose: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide life-threatening infection. The recommended anti-TB regimen contains oral administration of classical first-line drugs such as rifampin for 6-24 months which often leads to low patient compliance due to high adverse effects; therefore, lung localized pulmonary delivery of anti-TB agents may be a suitable alternative. Proliposomes free-flowing powders are well-known carriers for lung delivery since they can form liposomes by hydration. Liposomes are safe and useful carriers for lung delivery due to their phospholipid structure. Methods: Porous lactose and mannitol as proliposome carriers were prepared by spray drying technique using sucrose and citric acid as templating agents. Design expert® software was used to develop forty formulations due to the porous and non-porous carriers, which were characterized with respect to their weight yield, density, and flowability. Rifampin-loaded hydrated liposomes were produced and evaluated for size, morphology, loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency. The optimized proliposomes in vitro release and aerosolization properties were evaluated. Solid-state analysis was confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Results: Porous lactose surface area was 80 folds higher than non-porous one, respectively. Optimized porous-based proliposome indicated the acceptable aerosolization properties, including mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 6.21±0.36 µm and fine particle fraction (FPF) of 9.17±0.18% with a fast rifampin release (80%) within one hour. DSC results proved that there was no change in the solid-state of rifampin during the production process. Conclusion: Hence, it seems; rifampin loaded inhalable proliposomes may be a suitable system for delivering liposomal rifampin into the lungs.

Subthreshold Analytical Model of Asymmetric Gate Stack Triple Metal Gate All Around MOSFET (AGSTMGAAFET) for Improved Analog Applications

In this paper, we have proposed a 2D analytical model for Asymmetric gate stack triple metal gate MOSFET(AGSTMGAAFET) and performed a comparative analysis with the simulation results obtained using the SILVACO 3D simulation software. Existing devices such as gate all around single metal (SMGAAFET), gate all around triple metal (TMGAAFET), gate stack single metal (GSSMGAAFET), gate stack triple metal (GSTMGAAFET) and asymmetric gate stack single metal (AGSTMGAAFET) have been compared with our proposed structure AGSTMGAAFET. Our device provides excellent performance in terms of drain current, transconductance, output conductance, current gain, maximum transducer power gain which shows our device’s suitability for various analog applications moreover the potential and electric field plots obtained have twostep profile and extremely low electric field near the drain region which ordains our device with the ability to suppress various SCE’s like DIBL and hot-carrier effect. The analytical model and simulation results show good convergence in values which validate the correctness of the proposed model.

Establishing a Method to Evaluate the Efficacy of Compounds Aimed at Repelling Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Infestations on Cattle in a Laboratory Setting

Use of nonpesticidal chemicals to minimize or eliminate horn fly (Haematobia irritans) populations on cattle could be helpful in combating insecticide resistance. One recent approach is the use of natural products with repellent properties against the target pest. A rapid on-animal evaluation system that accounts for both host and pest interactions and bypasses the need for costly multiyear field assessments is needed. The objective of this study was to develop a system to quantify product repellency of horn flies on cattle in a laboratory setting. Animal pair treatment groups were utilized to assess product efficacy and carrier effects across three experimental trials. A treatment solution consisting of 3% geraniol in mineral oil was the natural product repellent. Horn fly populations on animal pairs receiving the geraniol treatment were significantly reduced when compared with untreated animal pairs. However, animal pairs receiving a mineral oil-only treatment showed reduced horn fly populations similar to animals treated with mineral oil plus geraniol. Thus, there was a strong carrier effect that could be difficult to distinguish in the field but was easily observed using laboratory methods.