The uniform films were prepared after their thicknesses, structur

The uniform films were prepared after their thicknesses, structures and electronic characteristics were studied as the function of deposition parameters. The films of SnO(2):F, CdTe, etc, were scribed by Kr-lamp-pumped Q-switch YAG:Nd laser. The pumped lamp current, Q-switch frequency and scribing rate were optimized. The scribing efficiency of the base frequency light was compared with that of doubled PLX4032 mw frequency light. The integrated structure design was optimized after simulating. Then

the CdTe mini-module of 7.03% efficiency was gained with a total area of 54 cm(2) and nine integrated elementary cells. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The histology of cervical ribs of

Sauropoda reveals a primary bone tissue, which largely consists of longitudinally oriented mineralized collagen fibres, essentially the same tissue as found in ossified tendons. The absence of regular periosteal bone and the dominance of longitudinal fibres contradict the ventral bracing hypothesis (VBH) postulated for sauropod necks. The VBH predicts histologically primary periosteal bone with fibres oriented perpendicular to the rib long this website axis, indicative of connective tissue between overlapping hyperelongated cervical ribs. The transformation of the cervical ribs into ossified tendons makes the neck more flexible and implies that tension forces acted mainly along the length of the neck. This is contrary to the VBH, which requires compressive forces along the neck. Tension

forces would allow important neck muscles to shift back to the trunk region, making the neck much lighter.”
“In situ zymography has been used to assess gelatinolytic activity, which is mainly due to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cancer tissues. MMPs play an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis. Film in situ zymography (FIZ) enables the in situ evaluation of gelatinolytic activity with high reproducibility. In this article, we report a study of FIZ, in a case of breast cancer with an invasive carcinoma component Liproxstatin-1 inhibitor showing clear gelatinolytic activity, and in a non-invasive carcinoma component showing little gelatinolytic activity. Immunohistochemistry on FIZ was also performed. The simultaneous detection of gelatinolytic activity and immunohistochemical reaction was established in a single film. Immunohistochemistry on FIZ may have good potential for the investigation of cancer microenvironment.”
“Objective: Horizontal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (H-BPPV) is more difficult to successfully treat than posterior benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (P-BPPV) because of the diverse mechanisms required. We developed a simple, rapid, and effective treatment algorithm for treating all subtypes of H-BPPV in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) outpatient department.

Methods: In the current study, mutations of JAK2 V617F, JAK2 exon

Methods: In the current study, mutations of JAK2 V617F, JAK2 exon

12, MPL exon 10, and CALR exon 9 were analyzed 3-deazaneplanocin A manufacturer in 929 Chinese patients with BCR-ABL1 negative MPN, including 234 cases of polycythemia vera (PV), 428 ETs, 187 PMFs, and 80 unclassifiable MPNs (MPN-Us). Results: Our result showed that the positive rate of any of four mutations in patients with PV, ET, PMF, and MPN-U was 89.3%, 83.4%, 87.2%, and 77.5%, respectively, which significantly improved the diagnostic rate, especially in ET and PMF. Meanwhile, we also found that the patients without any of four mutations were younger than those with one or more mutations. Unexpectedly, the coexistence of JAK2 V617F and CALR exon 9 was identified in six (0.6%) patients, and JAK2 V617F and MPL exon 10 were present simultaneously in two (0.2%) patients. In addition, we also identified several novel GSK1838705A mutation types in CALR exon 9. Conclusions: The combined genetic tests of JAK2 V617F, JAK2 exon 12, MPL exon 10, and CALR exon 9 help improve the diagnostic rate for BCR-ABL1 negative MPN.”
“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by an accumulation of Amyloid-beta (A beta),

released by sequential proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta- and gamma-secretase. A beta peptides can aggregate, leading to toxic A beta oligomers and amyloid plaque formation. A accumulation is not only dependent on de novo synthesis but also on A beta degradation. Neprilysin (NEP) is one of the major enzymes involved in A beta degradation. Here we investigate the molecular mechanism of NEP regulation, which is up to now controversially discussed to be affected by APP processing itself. We found that NEP expression is highly dependent on the APP intracellular

domain (AICD), released by APP processing. Mouse embryonic find more fibroblasts devoid of APP processing, either by the lack of the catalytically active subunit of the gamma-secretase complex [presenilin (PS) 1/2] or by the lack of APP and the APP-like protein 2 (APLP2), showed a decreased NEP expression, activity and protein level. Similar results were obtained by utilizing cells lacking a functional AICD domain (APP Delta CT15) or expressing mutations in the genes encoding for PS1. AICD supplementation or retransfection with an AICD encoding plasmid could rescue the down-regulation of NEP further strengthening the link between AICD and transcriptional NEP regulation, in which Fe65 acts as an important adaptor protein. Especially AICD generated by the amyloidogenic pathway seems to be more involved in the regulation of NEP expression. In line, analysis of NEP gene expression in vivo in six transgenic AD mouse models (APP and APLP2 single knock-outs. APP/APLP2 double knock-out, APP-swedish, APP-swedish/PS1 Delta exon9, and APP Delta CT15) confirmed the results obtained in cell culture.


“Pulvinaria urbicola Cockerell,

a pulvinariine sof


“Pulvinaria urbicola Cockerell,

a pulvinariine soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccidae), is a broad host-plant generalist, produces honeydew and is commonly tended by ants, including the invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes Smith and big-headed ant Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius). Pu. urbicola is implicated in dieback of forest dominated by Pisonia grandis (Nyctaginaceae) on many Indo-Pacific islands. Here we report detection of Pu. urbicola on Christmas selleck compound Island (Indian Ocean), describe the potential impacts of the association of this trophobiont with introduced ants, and briefly outline biosecurity and management issues. On Christmas Island, Pu. urbicola represents a threat to stands of Pi. grandis, potentially threatens the dominant forest tree Pi. umbellifera, and could exacerbate supercolony

formation and impacts of the yellow crazy ant. (C) 2013 Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The aim of the present study was investigate the impact of seawater immersion on peripheral nerve injury and the underlying mechanisms. A total of 234 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into a sham group, injury control group and seawater immersion + injury group. The Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) was used to assess nerve function for 6 weeks after injury. Compound muscle action potentials were measured and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of nerve specimens was carried out at week 6. Levels of reactive SN-38 cost oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in nerve tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The SFI value in the seawater immersion + injury group after 6 weeks was lower

than that in the injury control group (P smaller than 0.05). The compound muscle action potential in the seawater Alvespimycin inhibitor immersion + injury group had a prolonged latency, and the amplitude and nerve conduction velocity were decreased compared with those in the other groups (P smaller than 0.05). H&E staining demonstrated that nerve fiber regeneration was worse in the seawater immersion + injury group. The ROS and MDA levels in the seawater immersion + injury group were higher than those in the other groups (P smaller than 0.05). The expression levels of iNOS mRNA and protein gradually increased in the injury and seawater immersion + injury groups and peaked at 48 h after surgery. Immersion in seawater further aggravated sciatic nerve injury and led to worse neuronal recovery. The mechanism may be associated with oxidative stress.

We compared two intervention groups with two assessment procedure

We compared two intervention groups with two assessment procedures.\n\nPatients and methods 16 children were treated consecutively with intensive stretching according to the Copenhagen method and 16 children

consecutively with casting according to the Ponseti technique, during their first 2 months of GSK1838705A cell line age. The need for surgery was then assessed. At 4 months of age, all children used a dynamic Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis. The Clubfoot Assessment Protocol (CAP) and the Dimeglio Classification System (DCS) were used and compared during treatment and at 2 years of age.\n\nResults According to the CAP (but not the DCS) the casting technique was superior in clubfoot correction, apparent as better mobility and better quality of motion at 2 years of age. These children also required less surgery. The orthotics management functioned well in both groups, with high compliance and maintenance or slight improvement AZD8186 manufacturer of the clinical status except for morphology. DCS score changed over time but not between the groups. Because of its multidimensional and narrower scoring interval construct, the CAP enabled us to elucidate and evaluate different clinical functions.\n\nInterpretation The casting technique according to Ponseti seems to be the better of the two for clubfoot correction, regarding mobility and quality of motion. The Clubfoot Assessment Protocol (but not the Dimeglio Classification

System) was able to reveal differences between the Copenhagen and Ponseti treatment methods.”
“Background: Tissue microarrays (TMAs) are commonly used to study biomarker expression in invasive breast cancers. Whether or not TMAs may also be a potentially useful platform for assessing biomarkers in benign proliferative breast lesions (BPBL) and normal breast tissue has not been previously studied in detail.\n\nMethods:

selleck kinase inhibitor We evaluated the success of capturing the targeted areas in TMAs constructed from benign breast biopsy blocks of 368 Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II participants. Areas targeted included 214 BPBL and 361 normal terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). At least three 0.6 mm cores were obtained from the areas of interest from each donor paraffin block and arrayed into a recipient block. Sections cut from TMA blocks were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Each TMA slide was examined to determine the number of cores per case in which the targeted area was represented.\n\nResults: Overall, the targeted area was present in 776 of 1800 TMA cores (43%). At least 1 of the cores contained the area of interest for 401 of the 575 targeted foci (70%), including 76%, 66%, 60%, and 40% of cases in which the targeted areas were normal TDLUs, usual ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia, and atypical ductal hyperplasia, respectively.\n\nConclusions: In TMAs constructed from BPBL and normal TDLUs, the targeted area was present on at least 1 core in 70% of cases.


“The pattern of azoles resistance-related proteins express


“The pattern of azoles resistance-related proteins expression in Candida albicans may clarify the mechanism of drug resistance and identify new targets for treatment of Candida infection. We identified proteins differentially expressed in strains between fluconazole-sensitive (CA-3) and resistant (CA-16) C. albicans. Both strains were from the same parent. Proteins were analyzed using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and differentially expressed proteins were identified through matrix assisted

laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The resulting data were searched against a C. albicans protein database. Fifteen proteins were differentially expressed in the fluconazole-resistant C. Selleck MK-8931 albicans strain CA-16. Five C. albicans strain (Adh1p, Ynk1p, Cqr1p, Pst3p, and Rdi1p) were up-regulated and ten C. albicans strain (Aco1p, Acs2p, Asn1p, Fum11p, Cdc19p, Bat21p, Srb1p, Ifr2p, Dut1p, and Rps21p) were down-regulated. The fluconazole resistance-related proteins of C. albicans are mainly involved in energy metabolism and amino acid synthesis.”
“The aim of this article is to sum up level of health consciousness of general practitioners

selleck screening library and oncologists patients about naevus and malignant melanoma. Although melanomas are rare lesions in many countries worldwide, every 10 years the number of melanoma has doubled. General practitioners and oncologists play a basic role in primary strategy to avoid risk factors to develop lesions and to detect melanoma at an early stage.”
“In the present study, terpene composited lipid nanoparticles and lipid nanoparticles were developed and evaluated for dermal delivery of all-trans-retinoic acids (ATRA). Terpene composited lipid nanoparticles and lipid nanoparticles were investigated for size, size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency,

photostability, and cytotoxicity. In vitro skin permeation of ATRA lipid formulations were also evaluated. To explore the ability of lipid nanocarriers to target the skin, the distribution of rhodamine B base in the skin was investigated using confocal see more laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results indicated that the physicochemical characteristics of terpene composited lipid nanoparticles influenced skin permeability. All lipid nanocarriers significantly protected ATRA from photodegradation and were non-toxic to normal human foreskin fibroblast cells in vitro. Solid lipid nanoparticles containing 10% limonene (10% L-SLN) had the highest ATRA skin permeability. Terpene composited SLN and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) showed higher epidermal permeation of rhodamine B across the skin based on CLSM image analysis. Our study suggests that terpene composited SLN and NLC can be potentially used as dermal drug delivery carriers for ATRA.

g odds ratio (OR) [95 confidence interval (CI)] of 1 27 (1 06, 1

g. odds ratio (OR) [95 confidence interval (CI)] of 1.27 (1.06, 1.53) at 6 mmol litre(1) (108 mg dl(1)), P0.003}. Conversely, hyperglycaemic patients with diagnosed diabetes displayed a significantly lower 1 yr mortality than hyperglycaemic patients without diabetes [OR (95 CI) of 0.58 (0.44, 0.77) at 12 mmol litre(1) (216 mg dl(1)),

P0.001]. For elective non-cardiac surgery, preoperative hyperglycaemia should be given greater consideration in patients without diabetes than in those with diagnosed diabetes.”
“Background/Aim: Feline mammary carcinomas (FMCs) are characterized by poor prognosis and little progress has been made in extending patient survival. The aim of the selleck chemicals study was to compare overall survival periods of FMCs submitted to different treatment protocols, including surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Analysis of conventional surgical excision alone or in association with adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin in sixteen cats diagnosed with stage III and grade II or III FMCs was performed. Results: Patients treated with surgery and chemotherapy presented a longer overall survival

(OS) than those treated only with surgery, however, no statistical difference was observed when selleck kinase inhibitor comparing both treatments (p=0.883). Conclusion: Therapeutic benefit of carboplatin remains invalidated for FMCs and further investigation regarding adjuvant therapies are warranted. Surgery remains as the gold treatment in FMCs.”
“Primary lymphoma of the female genital tract is very rare. We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who was referred to our hospital because of an indeterminate Pap smear test. The colposcopy showed a thickening of the posterior vaginal selleck wall and various irregular ulcerated nodular lesions. Histological examination, immunohistochemistry and the staging procedures were conclusive of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the vagina, stage IEA. Complete remission was

achieved after 6 cycles of immunopolychemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone). No relapse has occurred during a follow-up of 71 months. Moreover, we reviewed the 62 previously reported cases of primary extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the vagina, focusing on clinicopathological and therapeutic aspects, to better characterize this unusual disease. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Although Wnts are expressed in hair follicles throughout life from embryo to adult, and considered to be critical for their development and maturation, their roles remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Wnts(Wnt-3a, Wnt-5a, Wnt-10b, and Wnt-11) on epithelial cell differentiation using adult mouse-derived primary skin epithelial cell (MPSEC) cultures and hair growth using hair follicle organ cultures.

This approach is believed to significantly improve the elucidatio

This approach is believed to significantly improve the elucidation of staphylococcal food poisoning outbreaks.”
“The clinical advantage of pharmacokinetic (PK)-directed based dosing on intravenous (iv.) versus oral busulfan-related toxicity and survival remains BMS-777607 nmr unclear. We performed a retrospective cohort study of sequential cohorts of patients

comparing PK-directed oral and i.v. busulfan-based conditioning regimens in lymphoma patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (ASCT). Patients received oral (n = 95), every 6 hours i.v. (IV16, n = 113), or once-daily i.v. (IV4, n = 86) busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide. PK-directed dosing was performed Nepicastat datasheet to achieve a predefined target area under the curve (AUC) of 20,000 mu M-min (range: 18,400-21,600 mu M-min). PK-directed dose adjustments markedly reduced the number of patients in the oral group with total AUC higher than the targeted AUC range, and reduced the variations of total AUC values in all patient groups. One hundred day mortality was 2.1%, 3.6%, and 3.5% for oral, IV 16, and IV4 cohorts, respectively. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 57% (95% confidence

interval [CI] 45%-66%) and 64% (95% CI 53%-73%) for patients who received oral and i.v. busulfan, respectively. Both multivariable and instrumental variable analyses indicated the route of delivery had no significant impact on OS, whereas refractory

disease and age >= 55 were significantly associated with poorer OS. In lymphoma patients undergoing ASCT, PK-directed i.v. or oral busulfan-based conditioning regimens have comparable toxicity and OS. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 18: 1287-1294 (2012) (C) 2012 American Society CA4P for Blood and Marrow Transplantation”
“The effects of ferroelectric-poling-induced strain on the transport and magnetic properties of the phase separated La1/8Pr4/8Ca3/8MnO3 (LPCMO) thin films epitaxially grown on the ferroelectric 0.67Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-0.33PbTiO(3) (PMN-PT) single-crystal substrates were investigated. The ferroelectric poling reduces the in-plane tensile strain and enhances the out-of plane tensile strain of LPCMO film, which decreases the resistance and the charge ordering transition temperature but raises the low-field-magnetization of film. These results can be explained by the strain induced change in the volume fraction of coexisting phases, i.e., ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and paramagnetic phases, demonstrating that the charge ordering phase transition of manganites film grown on the ferroelectric PMN-PT substrate can be controlled by modifying the poling state of single crystal substrate. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://0-dx.doi.org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1063/1.

Exerc Sport Sci Rev , Vol 38, No 1, pp 3-9, 2010 Recent stu

Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 3-9, 2010. Recent studies on the neural bases of sensorimotor adaptation demonstrate that the cerebellar and striatal thalamocortical pathways contribute to early learning. Transfer of learning involves a reduction in the contribution of early learning networks and increased reliance on the cerebellum.

The neural correlates of teaming to team remain to be determined SNX-5422 price but likely involve enhanced functioning of the general aspects of early teaming.”
“Purpose: (1) To determine the current bacteriological spectrum in connatal and acquired lacrimal duct obstruction (cLDO and aLDO, respectively) and (2) to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the recovered isolates. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, 463 samples (30% bilateral LDO) were obtained from the lacrimal ducts of 132 infants and 192 adult patients with symptomatic LDO between 2007 and 2012 at a tertiary eye-care center. The samples were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, which were subsequently identified using

standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for each isolate using the disk diffusion method. Data were analyzed using SPSS and chi-square test for significance testing. Results: (1) Among 463 samples investigated, 333 samples were positive, i.e. at least one bacterial isolate was recovered. A total of 72% were recovered (97% of samples from children and 56% of samples from adults), yielding a total of 654 bacterial Selleckchem CP868596 isolates. Co-colonization with up to five different bacterial species GW786034 molecular weight was observed in a large proportion of the samples from children (87%), but in only 20% of those from adults and with a maximum of three different bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria were identified in 72% of the positive samples in both aLDO and cLDO. The most common Gram-positive species in cLDO was Streptococcus pneumoniae (29%), while that in cLDO was Staphylococcus aureus (60%). The most prevalent Gram-negative species were Moraxella catarrhalis (8%) and Haemophilus influenzae (9%) in cLDO and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in aLDO

(12%). (2) Susceptibility testing revealed chloramphenicol to be the most active antibiotic with resistance rates of 3% in cLDO and 6% in aLDO, followed by ciprofloxacin (1% and 6%). Erythromycin and gentamicin were the least active of all, with resistances of 41% and 22%, respectively, in cLDO, and 23% and 11% in aLDO. Conclusions: Bacterial colonization occurs regularly in LDO, with Gram-positive bacteria being found in 97% of cLDO samples and 56% of aLDO samples. A remarkable number of different species were found to co-colonize in cLDO. The most common bacteria in LDO are highly susceptible in vitro to chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin.”
“Definitive surface markers for retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are still lacking.

Urinary Na/K ratios normalized gradually

with age in all

Urinary Na/K ratios normalized gradually

with age in all patients. Growth curves of the patients were reflective of the severity of PHA and compliance with salt therapy. Functional expression studies in oocytes showed that ENaC with alpha Gly327Cys mutation, as observed in patient A. showed nearly 40% activity of the wild type ENaC. In contrast, stop mutation as in patient B reduces ENaC activity to less than 5% of the normal. Our results demonstrate distinct genotype-phenotype relationships in multi-system PHA patients. The degree of ENaC function impairment affects differently the renin-aldosterone system and urinary Na/K ratios. The differences observed are age-dependent and PHA form specific. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights Cyclopamine in vivo reserved.”
“Aims Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) is a rare benign myofibroblastic neoplasm of the connective tissue that is unable to metastasize but is associated with a high local recurrence rate. Nuclear -catenin is the most commonly used histological

marker of DF; however, clinical and biological predictive markers guiding the treatment and follow-up of DF are still lacking. Normally, -catenin 5-Fluoracil manufacturer is regulated by the cytoplasmic multiprotein complex of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), axin, casein kinase 1 (CK1), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3); this phosphorylates and degrades -catenin, which would otherwise translocate to the nucleus. The aim of this study was to analyse the expression and localization of the -cateninprotein complex of the Wnt pathway in cells isolated from DF patients. Methods and results

We isolated cells from biopsies of DF patients, and demonstrated, by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analyses, that it is almost exclusively nuclear GSK-3 that colocalizes and interacts with -catenin. The nuclear translocation of -catenin and GSK-3 is not correlated with CTNNB1 mutations. In DF samples, the multiprotein complex is disrupted, as the cytoplasmic localization of APC and axin makes interaction with the nuclear -catenin and GSK-3 impossible. Conclusions Our data suggest that GSK-3 is an additional DF marker Z-IETD-FMK concentration with an important role in the aetiopathogenesis of this entity.”
“We study how shape affects multiexciton generation rates in a semiconducting nanocrystal by considering CdSe nanorods with varying diameters and aspect ratios. The calculations employ an atomistic semiempirical pseudopotential model combined with an efficacious stochastic approach applied to systems containing up to 20 000 atoms. The effect of nanorod diameter and aspect ratio on multiexciton generation rates is analyzed in terms of the scaling of the density of trion states and the scaling of the Coulomb couplings. Both show distinct scaling from spherical nanocrystals leading to a surprising result where the multiexciton generation rates are roughly independent of the nanorod length. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.

These changes were statistically similar in castrated and sham-op

These changes were statistically similar in castrated and sham-operated Tfm mice after testosterone therapy. In this website conclusion, it is testosterone deficiency that induces oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Physiological testosterone therapy is able to suppress oxidative stress mediated via the AR-independent pathway.”
“Carbamazepine is used to control seizures. Its common side effects are sleep disorders, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, polydipsia, irritability, ataxia, and diplopia. Involvement of the immune system is rare, and few cases of decreased immunoglobulin levels have been

reported. We describe a patient with low immunoglobulin levels due to carbamazepine use who presented with recurrent urinary tract infection. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered, and immunoglobulin levels increased to safer levels after discontinuation selleck inhibitor of carbamazepine. Previous reports describe severe infection after carbamazepine-induced hypogammaglobulinemia.

Therefore, in patients using antiepileptics, particularly carbamazepine, serum immunoglobulin levels should be checked in those with recurrent infections. (C) 2011 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Curaua fibers were used to reinforce elastomeric matrices with polyaniline (PAni) synthesized directly on the fiber surfaces to produce antistatic-reinforced composites. In this work, composites A-1210477 manufacturer of poly(ethylene-co-propylene-co-diene) with curaua fibers coated with PAni were prepared by mechanical mixing in a counter-rotating twin rotor internal mixer. Then, mechanical and electrical properties of these composites were correlated

to Raman and Fourier transformed infrared spectra (FTIR) using chemometric data analyze, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Raman spectra showed correlation with electrical properties of conductive composites while FTIR spectra showed good correlation with mechanical properties. EPDM reinforced with PAni coated curaua fibers presented higher tensile strength and modulus than EPDM reinforced with pristine curaua fibers, indicating that the reinforcement effect was obtained. Chemical interaction between the phases occurs with formation of hydrogen bonding between the aminic nitrogens of PAni and the carbonyl groups of lignin of the fibers. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40056.”
“Low-order harmonics, third and fifth, of IR (1064 nm) laser emission have been produced in laser ablation plasmas of the metals manganese, copper and silver. The harmonics were generated in a process triggered by laser ablation followed by frequency up-conversion of a fundamental laser beam that propagates parallel to the target surface.