“We introduce in this paper a new method for reducing neur


“We introduce in this paper a new method for reducing neurodynamical data to an effective diffusion equation, either experimentally CA4P solubility dmso or using simulations of biophysically detailed models. The dimensionality of the data is first reduced to the first principal component, and then fitted by the stationary solution of a mean-field-like one-dimensional Langevin equation, which describes the motion

of a Brownian particle in a potential. The advantage of such description is that the stationary probability density of the dynamical variable can be easily derived. We applied this method to the analysis of cortical network dynamics during up and down states in an anesthetized animal. During deep anesthesia, intracellularly recorded up and down states transitions occurred with high regularity and could not be adequately described by a one-dimensional diffusion equation. Under lighter anesthesia, however, the distributions of the times spent in the up and down states were better fitted by such a model, suggesting a role for noise in determining the time spent in a particular state.”
“Objective: The aim of this study was to externally validate the prognostic value of concomitant urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) in radical cystectomy (RC) specimens using a large international cohort of bladder cancer patients.

Methods: The records of 3,973 patients treated with RC and bilateral lymphadenectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) at nine centers worldwide were reviewed. Surgical specimens were evaluated by a genitourinary pathologist at each center. Uni- and multivariable www.selleckchem.com/products/netarsudil-ar-13324.html Cox regression models addressed time to recurrence this website and cancer-specific mortality after RC. Results: 1,741 (43.8%) patients had concomitant CIS in their RC specimens. Concomitant CIS was more common in organ-confined UCB and was associated with lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001). Concomitant CIS was not associated with either disease recurrence or cancer-specific death regardless of pathologic

stage. The presence of concomitant CIS did not improve the predictive accuracy of standard predictors for either disease recurrence or cancer-specific death in any of the subgroups. Conclusions: We could not confirm the prognostic value of concomitant CIS in RC specimens. This, together with the discrepancy between pathologists in determining the presence of concomitant CIS at the morphologic level, limits the clinical utility of concomitant CIS in RC specimens for clinical decision-making. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Background: Many patients with advanced cancer depend upon health care providers for symptom assessment. The extent of agreement between patient and provider symptom assessments and the association of agreement with demographic-and disease-related factors was examined.

Complete symmetry to the nonaffected eye was perceived by 64% Re

Complete symmetry to the nonaffected eye was perceived by 64%. Recurrent conjunctivitis was complained preoperatively by 18% and postoperatively only by a single patient. In 2 patients, a mild pseudoptosis was found postoperatively, and a single patient complained about blurred vision. The median total Glasgow Benefit Inventory score

was 27.8 (p < 0.001). The health-related quality of life was raised in 91% of the patients; 87% were fully satisfied with the functional result, and 91% with the aesthetical result. 100% would again decide in favor of platinum chain lid loading.

Conclusion: Platinum chain lid loading in facial palsy patients can significantly KU-57788 inhibitor increase patients’ health-related quality of life and leads to a high rate of patient satisfaction.”
“OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in BLZ945 price women undergoing gynecologic surgery and to estimate the patient, physician, and hospital characteristics associated with guideline-based prophylaxis.

METHODS: A commercial database was used to examine women who underwent major gynecologic surgery from 2000 to 2010. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis was classified as none, mechanical, pharmacologic, or a combination. Multivariable logistic regression models of factors associated with any prophylaxis and pharmacologic and combination prophylaxis were developed.

RESULTS: We identified a total of 738,150 women who underwent gynecologic surgery. No prophylaxis was given P505-15 manufacturer to 292,034 (39.6%) women, whereas 344,068 (46.6%) received mechanical prophylaxis,

40,268 (5.5%) pharmacologic prophylaxis, and 61,780 (8.4%) combination prophylaxis. Use of prophylaxis increased from 53.5% in 2000 to 67.5% in 2010. Prophylaxis was more commonly used in older women, those with Medicare, women with more comorbidities, white women, patients treated at rural hospitals, teaching facilities, and in patients treated by high-volume surgeons and at high-volume centers (odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.27, P <.05 for all). Factors associated with use of pharmacologic prophylaxis included advanced age, white race, noncommercial insurance, later year of diagnosis, greater comorbidity, treatment at large hospitals and urban facilities, and treatment by a high-volume surgeon (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.44 -1.49).

CONCLUSION: Despite clear recommendations from evidence-based guidelines, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is underused in women undergoing gynecologic surgery. (Obstet Gynecol 2011; 118: 978-86) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31822c952a”
“Objectives: Successful surgery does not always resolve all the clinical consequences of hypercortisolism in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). Our purpose was to integrally evaluate a group of CD patients cured by pituitary surgery and look for the persistence of CD symptoms, signs, and comorbidities.


“Diastereoisomeric couples of (1R,5R,6RS)-2,6-dimethyl-7-o


“Diastereoisomeric couples of (1R,5R,6RS)-2,6-dimethyl-7-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-6-ylmethanols and their epoxide precursors, (5R,2′RS)-2-methyl-5-(2-methyloxiran-2-yl)cyclohex-2-en-1-ols, EPZ-6438 in vivo in the presence of triethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate underwent [3.2.1]->[3.3.1] skeletal rearrangement with formation of scalemic mixtures of (1R,5R,6R)- and (1R,5R,6S)-2,6-dimethyl-6-triethylsiloxy-8-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-2-enes; the (6R)-stereoisomer was isolated as individual substance.”
“To assess the sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting soleus muscle lesions diagnosed

on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to characterize their location, ultrasound pattern, and evolution.

Ultrasound and MRI studies were performed between May 2009 and February 2013 on all patients who presented to selleck products the Medical Services Clinic of the Catalan Sport Council with the initial onset of sharp pain in the calf compatible with injury of the soleus muscle. An inter-observer ultrasound reliability study was also performed.

A total of 55 cases of soleus injury were studied prospectively (22 with right leg involvement, 33 left) by ultrasound and MRI, which was utilized as

the “”gold standard.”" In MRI studies, 24 cases (43.7 %) had myofascial injuries that were localized in the posterior aponeurosis (PMF) in 15 cases (27.3 %) and in the anterior aponeurosis (AMF) in 9 (16.4 %). Thirty-one cases (56.3 %) were musculotendinous injuries, with 9 cases (16.4 %) in the medial aponeurosis (MMT), 11 cases (20 %) in the lateral aponeurosis (LMT), and 11 cases (20 %) in the central tendon (CMT).

In comparison to MRI, ultrasound was able to detect injury to the soleus in 27.2 % of cases. No injuries were detected by ultrasound alone. Posterior myofascial injuries were more likely to be detected by ultrasound than anterior myofascial injuries or all types of musculotendinous injuries. Ultrasound patterns for each type of injury were described.

Ultrasound is not a sensitive technique for detecting and assessing soleus traumatic tears compared with MRI, although the sensitivity is enhanced by a thorough anatomically based ultrasound examination. Timing of the ultrasound examination may be of importance. Each type of soleus injury appears to have a characteristic ultrasound pattern based on ZD1839 a defect of connective expansions, the existence of small myofascial filiform collections, and the rarefaction of the fibrillar area.”
“Extracts (petroleum ether, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol/water (3/1) and water) from Cynodon dactylon L. were obtained by sequential method. The chemical composition of phenolics (6.9-57.41 g gallic acid equivalents/kg of dry mass), tannins (2.49-12.32 g catechin equivalent/kg of dry mass), anthocyanins (0-5.98 g cyanidin equivalent/kg of dry mass) and flavonoids (0-5.02 g quercetin equivalent/kg of dry mass) was evaluated.

The mean blood glucose level was 129 7 +/- A 9 7 mg/dl in the TGC

The mean blood glucose level was 129.7 +/- A 9.7 mg/dl in the TGC group and 200.9 +/- A 14.7 mg/dl in the GC group (P < 0.01, ANOVA). No hypoglycemia associated AZD7762 Cell Cycle inhibitor with the artificial pancreas was seen in any of the patients. The serum levels of S100A12 and HMGB-1 tended to decrease, and those of sRAGE tended to increase, in the TGC group. Further data collection from a larger number of cases would be expected to allow a precise assessment of TGC as a potentially beneficial intervention in sepsis patients.”
“Interatrial conduction abnormalities have an important role in the initiation of recurrent atrial fibrillation

(AF) after the maze procedure. Biatrial pacing or single atrial pacing alters the site Selleckchem VX809 and timing of atrial depolarization and may improve restoration of sinus rhythm after the maze procedure. To further evaluate whether biatrial pacing is superior to single atrial or no pacing, we performed a randomized prospective study on 240 patients with a full

maze procedure to compare the effectiveness with different pacing approaches in the postoperative period.

Between 2002 and 2010, 240 patients undergoing mitral +/- tricuspid valve surgery concomitant with the maze procedure were randomized into three equal groups: Group I using overdrive biatrial pacing, Group II utilizing single atrial pacing and Group III without pacing. The atria were paced continuously in Atrium paced, Atrium sensed, and pacemaker Inhibited in response to sensed beat (AAI) mode at a rate of 80 pulses per minute or 10 pulses above the underlying rate for 5 days. The endpoints were the onset of AF or discharge.

The incidence of recurrent postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly less in Group I with 9 of 80 patients (11%) incurring atrial fibrillation compared with 23 of 80 patients (28%) in Group II (P < 0.01) and 29 of 80 patients in Group III (P < 0.01). The length of hospital

stay and the mean costs of hospital stay were significantly lower in the biatrial pacing group (P < 0.05).

Biatrial overdrive pacing is well tolerated and more effective PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3 solubility dmso in preventing the early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after the maze procedure. The impacts of the long-term results with the maze procedure require further study.”
“We report an extremely rare case of a small ruptured aneurysm of the leptomeningeal collateral circulation from the vertebral artery (VA) to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA); this aneurysm was associated with bilateral VA occlusion. A 72-year-old woman with sudden headache, nausea, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was admitted to our hospital. On admission, no evidence of cerebral signs or cranial nerve palsy was found.

Methods: Rats were sensitized twice over 14 days with OVA and pla

Methods: Rats were sensitized twice over 14 days with OVA and placed into 1 of 4 protocols: Group 1: intranasal (i. n.) M F (0.001 – 100 mu g/mL) or vehicle once daily for 3 days; Group 2: intratracheal (i. t.) MF (0.001-0.3 mg/kg i. t.) or vehicle, one dose; Group 3: i. t. MF (0.1 – 1 mg/kg, i. t.) or vehicle, one dose;

Group 4: nose-only inhalation (n. o. i.) of dry powder MF (estimated pulmonary deposition of MF, 1.4, 4.1, and 13.3 mu g/kg) or vehicle, once daily for 3 days. Group 1 was challenged with i. n. OVA (1 %) 2 h after last treatment dose. Groups 2-4 were challenged with acrosolized OVA (1 %) 5 h after treatment. Assessments RG-7112 nmr were performed 24 h post-challenge BMS-777607 (Group 1: NL; Group 2: BAL; Group 3 and 4: FVC and PEF).

Results: Rats treated with MF demonstrated significant and dose-dependent improvements in nasal inflammation and lung function compared to those treated with vehicle; normalization of these markers to levels consistent with non-sensitized animals were noted at the highest MF doses. Improvements in lung function were similar with i. t. and n. o. i. administration. Pulmonary infiltration of total cells and eosinophils was significantly attenuated after one dose of i. t. MF (0.003-0.3 mg/kg).

Conclusion: In this established model of allergic airway disease,

MF significantly A-1210477 attenuated cellular infiltration in the upper and lower airways and normalized lung function following allergen provocation.”
“OBJECTIVES: In accordance with the rising prevalence of octogenarians undergoing cardiac surgery, these patients utilize an increasing portion of intensive care unit (ICU) capacities, provoking economic and ethical concerns. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes and costs generated by the prolonged postoperative ICU treatment of octogenarians.

METHODS: Between July 2009 and August 2010, 109 of 1063 patients required ICU treatment of at least 5 days after cardiac surgery. Patients were retrospectively assigned to

either Group A (age < 80, n = 86) or Group B (age >= 80, n = 23). Operative risk, mortality, length and costs of ICU treatment were analysed and compared. After 1 year, survival, quality of life (QOL) and functional status were assessed.

RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 31.4% in Group A and 56.5% in Group B. Survivals of discharged patients after 1 year were 83% (Group A) and 80% (Group B), respectively. Log EuroSCORE I of octogenarians was significantly higher (30 +/- 17 vs 20 +/- 16, P < 0.001). No significant differences (Group A vs Group B) were found between the groups concerning length of ICU treatment (20 +/- 21 vs 16 +/- 14 days, P = 0.577) or costs (27 205 +/- 29 316(sic) vs 21 821 +/- 16 259(sic), P = 0.812).

Methods: The asymmetrical deficit was calculated ([fractured limb

Methods: The asymmetrical deficit was calculated ([fractured limb/sum of both lower limbs] x 100%) selleck chemical for isometric knee extension torque, rate of force development during isometric testing, and leg extension power. The asymmetrical measures for lower-limb muscle mass (fractured limb – nonfractured limb), and that of lower-limb pain and disease and injury burden (nonfractured limb – fractured limb), were calculated.

Results: Half of the participants had no consistent asymmetrical deficit on the fractured side. Regression analyses showed that asymmetrical measures of lower-limb pain, muscle mass, and disease and injury burden predicted asymmetrical deficit in knee extension torque (R(2) = 0.43) and in the rate of force

development (R(2) = 0.36). More intense pain and disease and injury burden affecting the nonfractured limb and smaller muscle mass relative to the fractured limb were associated with a smaller asymmetrical deficit.

Conclusions: Following a hip fracture, the prevention of decreases in muscle strength and power as well as a large asymmetrical deficit by the use of targeted pain management and rehabilitation may help to reduce the risk of subsequent mobility limitations and falls.”
“BACKGROUND: A novel procedure that involved regeneration and recycling of ammonia and sulfuric acid from monosodium glutamate isoelectric supernatant

with bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) was proposed. As the performance of the membranes deteriorated during the batch runs, fouling of the cation-exchange membrane (CEM) Etomoxir in contact with the base cell was studied.

RESULTS: During ten consecutive batches of BMED, some operating parameters deteriorated gradually. Using scanning electron microscopy observations, fouling deposits were found on the CEM surface on the base cell side. Using

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), AZ 628 order the organic fouling fraction of the CEM foulants was found to contain eight amino acids. Using X-ray energy-dispersive analysis, the mineral fouling fraction was shown to be mainly O and Ca elements, and a little Mg. Using X-ray diffraction, the inorganic foulant was identified as CaCO(3), mainly in the form of calcite and a little aragonite.

CONCLUSION: The CEM was subject to membrane fouling consisting of an organic fouling fraction and a mineral fraction. The organic fraction occurred as ions with some positive charges from the isoelectric supernatant and probably existed in the form of amino acids or their peptides. The mineral fraction was mainly CaCO3 calcite and aragonite, and probably a little amorphous Ca and Mg hydroxides. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry”
“We evaluated the role of dietary iron, heme iron, and supplemental iron on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in a population-based case-control study in Pennsylvania, including 1005 incident cases and 1062 controls.

Established protocols linking the various tiers of care Would

Established protocols linking the various tiers of care Would

be important, as would a dedicated, nationally applicable online EMR system. In developing countries, best practice needs to be tailored to be realistic and achievable, and some potentially useful models are already available. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.”
“BackgroundRainbow acoustic monitoring (RRa) utilizes acoustic technology to continuously and noninvasively determine respiratory rate from an adhesive sensor located on the neck.

ObjectiveWe sought to validate the accuracy of RRa, by comparing it to capnography, impedance pneumography, Acalabrutinib nmr and to a reference method of counting breaths in postsurgical children.

MethodsContinuous respiration rate data were recorded from RRa and capnography. In a subset of patients, intermittent respiration rate from thoracic impedance pneumography was also recorded. The reference method, counted respiratory rate by the retrospective analysis of the RRa, and capnographic waveforms while listening to recorded breath sounds were used to compare respiration rate of both capnography and RRa. Bias, precision, and limits of agreement of RRa

compared with capnography and RRa and capnography compared with the reference method were calculated. Tolerance and reliability to the acoustic sensor and nasal cannula were also assessed.

ResultsThirty-nine of 40 patients (97.5%) demonstrated Ispinesib good Etomoxir molecular weight tolerance of the acoustic sensor, whereas 25 of 40 patients (62.5%) demonstrated good tolerance of the nasal cannula. Intermittent

thoracic impedance produced erroneous respiratory rates (>50bmin(-1) from the other methods) on 47% of occasions. The biasSD and limits of agreement were -0.30 +/- 3.5bmin(-1) and -7.3 to 6.6bmin(-1) for RRa compared with capnography; -0.1 +/- 2.5bmin(-1) and -5.0 to 5.0bmin(-1) for RRa compared with the reference method; and 0.2 +/- 3.4bmin(-1) and -6.8 to 6.7bmin(-1) for capnography compared with the reference method.

ConclusionsWhen compared to nasal capnography, RRa showed good agreement and similar accuracy and precision but was better tolerated in postsurgical pediatric patients.”
“Introduction: Bone marrow (BM) stroma currently represents the most common and investigated source of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs); however, comparable adult progenitor or stem cells have also been isolated from a wide variety of tissues. This study aims to assess the functional similarities of MPCs from different tissues and to identify specific factor(s) related to their multipotency.

Although this anomaly is not accounted for in any of the current

Although this anomaly is not accounted for in any of the current laryngomalacia classification schemes, modified laser supraglottoplasty was a satisfactory

approach leading to successful decannulation. Laryngeal embryology and possible timing of the pathogenesis of this rare occurrence are reviewed as well. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.”
“The reaction of 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid with a 10-fold excess of NaNO2 in the glacial acetic acid at 20A degrees C affords tetrabromonitrosophenols whose further transformations under the reaction conditions leads to the formation of a mixture of 2,4,5,6-tetrabromo-p-quinone diazide ACY-241 order and tetrabromo-p- and -o-nitrophenols in the molar ratio 37: 2: 1. Under similar conditions the 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-2-hydroxybenzoic acid is converted into a mixture of 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-o-quinone diazide with the same nitrophenols in the ratio 13: 1: 3. The reaction of sodium 2,3,5,6-tetrabromo-4-hydroxy-benzoate with NaNO2 in dilute acetic acid resulted in a quantitative yield of tetrabromo-p-quinone monooxime.”
“OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according PFTα mouse to disease severity has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities in chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease patients according to disease severity.

METHODS: The study included 25 mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and 25 severe/very Napabucasin clinical trial severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, spirometry and electrocardiography/echocardiography.

RESULTS: Electrocardiography and echocardiography showed Q-wave alterations and segmental contractility in five (10%) patients. The most frequent echocardiographic finding was mild left diastolic dysfunction (88%), independent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage. The proportion of right ventricular overload (p<0.05) and blockage

of the anterosuperior division of the left bundle branch were higher in patients with greater obstruction. In an echocardiographic analysis, mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients showed more abnormalities in segmental contractility (p<0.05), whereas severe/very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients showed a higher prevalence of right ventricular overload (p<0.05), increased right cardiac chamber (p<0.05) and higher values of E-wave deceleration time (p<0.05). Age, sex, systemic arterial hypertension, C-reactive protein and disease were included as independent variables in a multiple linear regression; only disease severity was predictive of the E-wave deceleration time [r(2) = 0.26, p = 0.01].

Conclusions: LMWH may be considered for patients with severe RI

Conclusions: LMWH may be considered for patients with severe RI. However, experience, judicious choice and careful monitoring of patients with severe RI treated with LMWH are necessary.”
“200 nm diameter Au contacts were fabricated by e-beam lithography on sputtered thin film EX 527 vanadium oxide grown on conducting substrates and current perpendicular to plane electron transport measurements were performed with a conducting tip atomic force microscope. Sharp jumps in electric current were observed in the I-V characteristics of the nano-VO(2) junctions and were attributed to the manifestation of the metal-insulator transition. The critical field and dielectric

constant were estimated from quantitative analysis of the current-voltage relationship and compared with reported values on micrometer and larger size scale devices. These results are of

potential relevance to novel oxide electronics utilizing metal-insulator transitions. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3245338]“
“Three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D QSAR) analysis was carried out on a set of 56 N,N’-diarylsquaramides, N,N’-diarylureas and diaminocyclobutenediones in order to understand their antagonistic activities against CXCR2. The studies included comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) Selleck Luminespib and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). Models with good predictive abilities were generated with CoMFA q(2) = 0.709, r(2) (non-cross-validated square of correlation coefficient) = 0.951, F value = 139.903, r(2) bs = 0.978 with five components, standard error of estimate = 0.144 and the CoMSIA q(2) =

0.592, r(2) = 0.955, F value = 122.399, r(2) bs = 0.973 with six components, standard error of estimate = 0.141. In addition, a homology model of CXCR2 was used for docking based alignment of the compounds. The most active compound then served as a template for alignment of the remaining structures. Further, mapping of contours onto the active site validated each other in terms of residues involved with reference to the respective contours. This integrated molecular docking based alignment followed by 3D QSAR studies provided a further insight to support the structure-based design of CXCR2 antagonistic JIB-04 solubility dmso agents with improved activity profiles. Furthermore, in silico screening was adapted to the QSAR model in order to predict the structures of new, potentially active compounds.”
“Objectives: To evaluate the in-hospital outcome of STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction) patients admitted to Swiss hospitals between 2000 and December 2007, and to identify the predictors of in-hospital mortality and major cardiac events.

Methods: Data from the Swiss national registry AMIS Plus (Acute Myocardial Infarction and Unstable Angina in Switzerland) were used.

(C) 2010 American Institute of Physics [doi:10 1063/1 3483957]“<

(C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3483957]“
“The clinical course and risk factors for developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after heminephrectomy in

living kidney donors have scarcely been investigated. We reviewed medical records and identified eight case donors who developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 or ESRD, and subsequently investigated the association between postoperative clinical courses and changes in renal function. NVP-BSK805 supplier To conduct a case-control study, we also selected a control group comprising 24 donors who had maintained stable renal function and were matched for age, sex and follow-up time since donation. Except for one donor who developed ESRD caused by a traffic accident, none of the donors developed progressive renal dysfunction immediately after donation. Their renal functions remained stable for a long period of time, but started to decline after developing new comorbidities, especially risk factors known as progression factors (proteinuria or hypertension) or accelerating factors (cardiovascular [CV] event or infection) of CKD. As compared with the control donors, incidence of postoperative persistent proteinuria, acute CV event, severe infection and hospitalization due to accelerating factors of CKD were significantly higher in the case donors. These results suggest the importance of long-term (more than 10 years)

follow-up of donors with special attention on the risk factors of CKD.”
“Microsized aluminum/epoxy resin composites were prepared, and the thermal Nocodazole and dielectric

properties of the composites were investigated in terms of composition, aluminum particle sizes, frequency, buy VX-661 and temperature. The results showed that the introduction of aluminum particles to the composites hardly influenced the thermal stability behavior, and decreased T of the epoxy resin; moreover, the size, concentration, and surface modification of aluminum particles had an effect on their thermal conductivity and dielectric properties. The dielectric permittivity increased smoothly with a rise of aluminum particle content, as well as with a decrease in frequency at high loading with aluminum particles. While the dissipation factor value increased slightly with an increase in frequency, it still remained at a low level. The dielectric permittivity and loss increased with temperature, owing to the segmental mobility of the polymer molecules. We found that the aluminum/epoxy composite containing 48 vol % aluminum-particle content possessed a high thermal conductivity and a high dielectric permittivity, but a low loss factor, a low electric conductivity, and a higher breakdown voltage. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 3156-3166, 2010″
“Structural, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties have been investigated for Bi(2)Fe(4(1-x))Ti(4)xO(9) (0 <= x <= 0.2) bulk ceramics, which were synthesized by a modified Pechini method.