The transmission and reflection spectra of the chalcogenide Te67.5 Ga2.5 As30 thin film with thickness of 150, 300 and 450 nm are measured. The formed crystalline phases due to the thermal annealing of the as-prepared film are identified by X-ray diffraction. The as-prepared films have absorption mechanism which is an indirect allowed transition with a decrease in the value of the optical energy gap (Eg) as the thickness increases. The films annealed at temperatures higher than the temperature of the onset of the crystallization have a direct allowed transition with an increase in Eg with annealing temperatures. The effect of the film thickness on the refractive index and the high-frequency dielectric constant are studied.

Porous alumina films, prepared by anodization of pure aluminum (Al) thin film deposited on SiO2/Si substrate, has been fabricated and characterized. Constant voltage and constant current anodization in two-electrode cell configurations were performed. Electro-oxidation of Al in the voltage range of 1-90V was explored using the three electrolytes: 1M sulfuric acid (1-22V), 0.3M oxalic acid (1-70V) and 0.75M phosphoric acid (60-90V). The temperature dependence of the i-V characteristics and the properties of the porous structures are ascertained. An explanation for the difference in current density at same voltage for different electrolytes. The kinetics and mechanistic aspects of Al anodization are discussed.

The treatment of drug-resistant cancer is a clinical challenge, and thus screening for novel anticancer drugs is critically important. We recently demonstrated a strong enhancement of the antitumor activity of snake (Walterinnesia aegyptia) venom (WEV) in vitro in breast carcinoma, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma cell lines but not in normal cells when the venom was combined with silica nanoparticles (WEV+NP). In the present study, we investigated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of WEV+NP in breast cancer- and prostate cancer-bearing experimental mouse models. Xenograft breast and prostate tumor mice models were randomized into 4 groups for each cancer model (10 mice per group) and were treated with vehicle (control), NP, WEV or WEV+NP daily for 28 days post tumor inoculation. The tumor volumes were monitored throughout the experiment. On day 28 post tumor inoculation, breast and prostate tumor cells were collected and either directly cultured for flow cytometry analysis or lysed for Western blot and ELISA analysis. Treatment with WEV+NP or WEV alone significantly reduced both breast and prostate tumor volumes compared to treatment with NP or vehicle alone. Compared to treatment with WEV alone, treatment of breast and prostate cancer cells with WEV+NP induced marked elevations in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroperoxide and nitric oxide; robust reductions in the levels of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL12, CXCL13 and CXCL16 and decreased surface expression of their cognate chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5 and CXCR6; and subsequent reductions in the chemokine-dependent migration of both breast and prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that WEV+NP strongly inhibited insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)- and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated proliferation of breast and prostate cancer cells, respectively, and enhanced the induction of apoptosis by increasing the activity of caspase-3,-8 and -9 in both breast and prostate cancer cells. In addition, treatment of breast and prostate cancer cells with WEV+NP or WEV alone revealed that the combination of WEV with NP robustly decreased the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK and IκBα; decreased the expression of cyclin D1, survivin and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1; markedly increased the expression of cyclin B1 and the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members Bak, Bax and Bim; altered the mitochondrial membrane potential; and subsequently sensitized tumor cells to growth arrest. Our data reveal the therapeutic potential of the nanoparticle-sustained delivery of snake venom against different cancer cell types.

Groundwater exploration in the area northwest of Qena using electrical resistivity survey.

Groundwater exploration in the area northwest of Qena using electrical resistivity survey.

Groundwater exploration in the area northwest of Qena using electrical resistivity survey.

Groundwater exploration in the area northwest of Qena using electrical resistivity survey.

Groundwater exploration in the area northwest of Qena using electrical resistivity survey.

The studied area lies in the central eastern desert of Egypt west of Marsa Alam. It is limited by the latitudes 24° 30ˋ and 25° 30ˋ N and the longitudes 33° 00ˋ and 34° 30ˋE.The main aim of this study is to estimate the basement depth, the basement relief and consequently the thickness of the sedimentary cover in the study area. This study aims also to delineate the surface and subsurface structures within the study area at different subsurface levels. To achieve this study, the aeromagnetic data, geological information and the published studies on the study area were used. Basement Depth estimation is carried out by using the spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution techniques. The basement depth computed using the spectral analysis technique indicate depth values range between 1 and 2.1 Km. The greatest depth appears in the west, whereas the shallow depths predominate in the middle part while the basement is outcropping in the east . The depths of Euler anomalies range from 250 m to >1750 m. Most of the Euler anomalies coincide with the geomagnetic contacts. The surface and subsurface structural trends affecting the studied area were traced. Surface structural trends were traced from the geological map of Egypt (EGPC and CONOCO, 1987). The most important deduced surface structural trends are; ENE-WSW, NW-SE and N-S. Subsurface structural trends were traced from the reduced to the pole magnetic map, the second vertical derivative map and the downward continuation map at level 200 m of the study area. The main structural trends interpreted from the analysis of the aeromagnetic data arranged in decreasing order of abundance are; ENE-WSW, NW-SE and E-W trends