A cross-sectional study design was used to describe the prevalenc

A cross-sectional study design was used to describe the prevalence of chronic diseases (hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes), their precursors (pre-hypertension, borderline high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes), and related CVD risk factors (such as obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity) among low-income women of reproductive age.

Methods: Prevalence of chronic diseases, their precursors, and related CVD risk factors were assessed for 462 out of 859 (53.8%) female Selleck AZD4547 family planning patients, ages 18-44 years, who attended a Title X clinic in eastern North Carolina during 2011 and 2012 and consented to participate. Data were

obtained from clinical measurements, blood test results, and questionnaire. Differences in distribution of demographic and health care characteristics and CVD risk factors by presence of prehypertension and pre-diabetes were assessed by Pearson chi-square tests.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 12%, high cholesterol 16%, and diabetes 3%. Nearly two-thirds of women with hypertension were newly diagnosed (62%) as were 75% of women with diabetes. The prevalence of pre-hypertension was 35%, pre-diabetes 31%, obesity 41%, smoking 32%, and physical inactivity 42%. The majority of participants (87%) had one or more chronic disease or related cardiovascular disease risk factor.

Conclusions:

CVD screening during family planning visits can identify significant numbers of women at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and future chronic disease and can provide

prevention opportunities if effective interventions are available and acceptable to this population.”
“Objectives: Vactosertib To investigate the outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TE-VAR) for ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (rDTAA) in patients older than 75 years.

Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients treated with TEVAR for rDTAA at seven referral centres between 2002 and 2009. The cohort was stratified according to age <= 75 and >75 years, and the outcomes after TEVAR were compared between both groups.

Results: Ninety-two Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor patients were identified of which 73% (n = 67) were <= 75 years, and 27% (n = 25) were older than 75 years. The 30-day mortality was 32.0% in patients older than 75 years, and 13.4% in the remaining patients (p = 0.041). Patients older than 75 years suffered more frequently from postoperative stroke (24.0% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.001) and pulmonary complications (40.0% vs. 9.0%, p = 0.001). The aneurysm-related survival after 2 years was 52.1% for patients >75 years, and 83.9% for patients <= 75 years (p = 0.006).

Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of rDTAA in patients older than 75 years is associated with an inferior outcome compared with patients younger than 75 years. However, the mortality and morbidity rates in patients above 75 years are still acceptable.

7 (95% CI = 1 0-6 7) Furthermore, a significant combined effect

7 (95% CI = 1.0-6.7). Furthermore, a significant combined effect of the C/T and T/T genotypes of NQO1gene and the 12-repeat allele of iNOS (CCTTT)n repeat polymorphism on BC was found among cigarette smokers (odds ratio = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.3-14.9).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a significant combined effect of NQO1 C/T and T/T genotypes and the 12-repeat allele of iNOS (CCTTT)n polymorphism on BC exists, especially in those with the habit of cigarette smoking. Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier Taiwan LLC and the Chinese Medical Association. All rights reserved.”
“Development, progression, and therapy of

periimplantitis are nonresolved emerging problems. The aim of this pilot study was to establish a model for periimplantitis in mice to have a base for tests see more with immune-deficient knockout organisms to improve the knowledge about development and progression of KPT-8602 research buy periimplantitis and to develop further therapeutic options.

In 8 mice, titanium implants were inserted in the median of the palate. Four of these implants had ligatures (periimplantitis group). After 2 weeks, the animals received a special diet enriched with sugar and flavor.

After 9 weeks, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) examinations to evaluate the periimplant tissue and histologies were performed.

Dental implant insertions within the oral cavity are possible in living mice. Implants with ligatures showed significantly larger periimplant bone defects than controls. The radiologic findings were confirmed by histology. At the end of the observation SelleckIPI145 period, the portion of implants lost was higher in the ligature group.

This is the first publication to describe the insertion of dental implants in living mice. In addition, it is the first time that periimplant infection could be induced in that species. This model will pave the way to study knockout mice with reduced or even enhanced resistance to periimplantitis.”
“Objective: The purpose

of this study was to evaluate meniscal degeneration in healthy subjects and subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) using T(1 rho) and T(2) measurements and to examine the interrelationship between cartilage and meniscus abnormalities.

Methods: Quantitative assessment of cartilage and meniscus was performed using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with a T(1 rho) and T2 mapping technique in 19 controls and 44 OA patients. A sagittal T(2)-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) fat-saturated image was acquired for cartilage and meniscal Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) assessment. Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were obtained to assess clinical symptoms.

Results: The posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMED) had the highest incidence of degeneration.

Acute viral gastroenteritis

Acute viral gastroenteritis BMS-777607 mouse led to marked increases in blood ACTH and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels in proportion to the severity of the illness. The serum cortisol level also responded to this stress, but the response might have been blunted. Regarding peri-operative steroid replacement, intravenous hydrocortisone

administration even at a dose of 6 mg/kg, which is lower than that recommended for congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Japan, proved to be excessive.”
“A method for the in vitro evaluation of the toxic effects occurring in human cell lines upon the expression of genes from a range of pathogens is proposed. The method is based on the transient expression of the genes in the HEK293 cell line. Induction of cell death upon the expression of the gene coding for protease 3C from

the human hepatitis A virus has been demonstrated for the first time using the method proposed. Expression of the gene coding for protease 2A from human poliovirus has also been shown to induce cell death, while cathepsins B and D did not have a cytotoxic effect on the culture used.”
“BACKGROUND Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a rare tumor of the skin characterized by extended irregular subclinical growth and high recurrence rates after surgery.

OBJECTIVE To show that, using three-dimensional (3D) histology in surgical excision, the size of the safety margin can be individually determined and locally adjusted to subclinical growth and to evaluate the course of the disease in 33 patients.

METHODS The clinical AZD1208 in vitro records of

33 patients with primary lesions of EMPD were prospectively documented, retrospectively confirmed, and buy FG-4592 analyzed.

RESULTS EMPD was found more frequently in women (54.5%). Dermal invasion was found in 21.2%, and regional lymph node metastases were present in one patient; 30.3% of the patients had secondary internal malignancies. In 25 cases examined using 3D histology, a mean surgical margin of 22 mm in asymmetric shape (range 5-65 mm) was achieved, with a recurrence rate of 28%. Surgery with conventional histologic examination had a higher recurrence rate of 62.5% using a mean surgical margin of 19 mm (range 7-40 mm).

CONCLUSIONS Subclinical spread of EMPD demonstrated using 3D histology with paraffin sectioning can be large. Three-dimensional histology allows individually defined safety margins to be locally adjusted to subclinical growth and gives low recurrence rates.”
“Problem-based learning (PBL) was first implemented by McMaster University medical school in 1969 as a radical, innovative, and alternative pathway to learning in medical education, thus setting a new educational trend. PBL has now spread widely across the globe and beyond the healthcare disciplines, and has prevailed for almost four decades.

Their output efficiency has also increased from 2% to more than 7

Their output efficiency has also increased from 2% to more than 7% within the last 2 years, reaching comparable levels and making the injectorless device concept competitive

and very attractive for applications. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3566072]“
“Graphene nanosheets-poly(methyl methacrylate) (GNS-PMMA) nanocomposites were first prepared by in situ suspension polymerization and reduction of graphene oxide using hydrazine hydrate and ammonia. PMMA microspheres with a mean diameter of 2 mu m are mainly covalently selleck inhibitor link to the surface of GNS. The obtained GNS-PMMA composites have not only high electrical conductivity but also enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability

at low Selleck STI571 loadings of graphene. Especially, the resulting nanocomposites were examined for electrorheological fluids, showing thin and dense chains of particles after application of an electric field. (C) 2011Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 1866-1871, 2011″
“We utilized low-frequency noise measurements to probe electron capture and emission from the traps in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors as a function of drain bias. The excess noise-spectra due to generation-recombination effect shifted higher in frequency with the elevated temperature from room temperature up to 446 K. These temperature dependent noise measurements were carried out for four different drain-bias values from 4 up to 16 V with 4 V increments. The shift of the excess-noise in frequency was also seen with increasing drain bias. The characteristic recharging times for the trapped electrons varied within the range of 26 mu s – Pitavastatin 32 ms for the highest and lowest values of the drain voltage and temperature used in the experiment, respectively. The activation energies of the traps corresponding to the four different voltage values were extracted using temperature dependence by Arrhenius analysis. The trap energy at zero drain-bias

was obtained as 0.71 eV by the extrapolation technique. This result suggests that the LFN is a very sensitive diagnostic tool to characterize trap states. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3576104]“
“A novel microlatex of styrene/2-ethylhexylacrylate (2-EHA)/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA)/N-(isobutoxy methyl) acrylamide (IBMA) copolymer was synthesized and mixed in sublimation inks to be inkjet printed on the cotton fabric to provide soft hand feel and good color fastness after heat-press. In the optimized microemulsion composition with highest monomer mixture amount, polymerizable maleate surfactants with moderate EO value attained smaller microemulsion droplet size in mono distribution and lower dosage than conventional POE surfactants in combination with anionic surfactants.

Mean Hb1Ac was 4 96 +/- 0 28% Median AFI was 145 mm, and polyhyd

Mean Hb1Ac was 4.96 +/- 0.28%. Median AFI was 145 mm, and polyhydramnios rate was 2.9%. Birth weight was positively correlated with HbA1c level (r=0.373, p<0.001) and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI; r=0.351, p<0.001). Linear regression analysis showed AZD1208 in vitro that HbA1c and pre-pregnancy BMI were positive independent determinants of neonatal birth weight, and HbA1c was positive independent determinant of AFI. Receiver operating characeristics curve identified HbA1c level of 4.99 as optimal threshold for prediction of LGA with 93.8% sensitivity, 61.6% specificity and positive likelihood ratio (+LR) of 2.45 and pre-pregnancy BMI value of 25.2 as optimal

threshold for prediction of LGA with 81.3% sensitivity, 57% specificity and +LR of 1.9.

Conclusion. In non-diabetic pregnant women with abnormal screening test, mid-pregnancy HbA1c level and pre-pregnacy

BMI may predict neonatal birth weight. AFI in 32-34 weeks of gestation is related with mid-pregnacy HbA1c level.”
“Potassium response trials were conducted on hemp this website on four sites with different levels of soil potassium in 2011 in which the main factor was variety and the second factor was potassium rate. Five rates of applied potassium were used (0, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg K/ha). There was no significant relationship between hemp yield and either potassium rate or the level of soil potassium. Potassium uptake from the site with the lowest level of soil potassium was significantly lower (65 kg K/ha) compared to a site with a higher level of soil potassium (83 kg K/ha) suggesting that hemp will take up potassium when the element is not needed. Most of the absorbed potassium was concentrated in the stem (70-75%), harvest off-takes for most applications would consist of only stem and any potassium in root and leaves would remain in the field. The results of this limited investigation suggest that hemp has a lower requirement PLX4032 inhibitor for potassium than other

crops and that the optimal potassium fertilization strategy for soils with moderate to high levels of potassium (>70 mg/L; Morgan’s test) is to replace off-takes after the hemp has been harvested. Further research is necessary to develop robust potassium fertilization guidelines for hemp. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The intragastric balloon is a widely used method in the treatment of obesity indicated for those patients who have failed to achieve and maintain the weight loss with conventional measures or for preparation of patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery.

From April 2007 to April 2009, 171 consecutive patients (111 females, 60 males; mean age 39.2 +/- 10.5, mean weight 123.2 +/- 27.1 kg) were evaluated before and 6 months after bioenteric intragastric balloon (BIB) placement by assessment of anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

The mean BMI during balloon treatment declined from 41.9 +/- 7.3 to 36.0 +/- 7.9 kg/m(2) (p < 0.

Often located in the occipital lobes, the involvement of the cere

Often located in the occipital lobes, the involvement of the cerebellum is quite rare. Early recognition of the condition and withdrawal of the drug lead to a better prognosis.”
“Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular complications, and atherosclerosis is considered to mediate this association. Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are widely accepted as early markers of atherosclerosis. Objectives: The purpose

of this study was to investigate Napabucasin in vitro the influence of sleep apnea on arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Methods: We enrolled 83 OSAS patients including 39 with mild to moderate degree (apnea hypopnea index, AHI >= 5, AHI <30) and 44 with severe degree sleep apnea (AHI >= 30) and 29 normal control subjects

(AHI <5). After finishing polysomnography, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured using noninvasive 5-Fluoracil cell line devices. Results: In patients with severe degree of OSAS, cfPWV was significantly higher than mild to moderate degree of OSAS or normal control subjects. Also, the severe OSAS group showed lower FMD than the normal control group (all p < 0.01). The cfPWV was significantly correlated with FMD (r = -0.26, p < 0.01). Age (beta = 0.33, p < 0.01) and percentage of time below 90% O(2) saturation (beta = 0.34, p < 0.01) were the significant variables to determine cfPWV (adjusted R(2) = 21%, p < 0.01) in multivariate analysis, and the lowest O(2) saturation was a significant determinant for FMD (beta = 0.25, adjusted R(2) = 6%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Nocturnal hypoxemia may alter arterial elasticity and endothelial function in OSAS patients, and those impairments could increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Purpose: To examine perioperative, pathologic, and early continence outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

(RP) www.selleckchem.com/products/z-ietd-fmk.html aided by a new-generation three-dimensional (3D) display system and compare them with those from the same operation aided by a conventional, two-dimensional (2D) display system. Patients and Methods: A total of 95 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic RP for clinically localized prostate cancer (PC) by an experienced single surgeon from October 2009 to December 2012. Baseline characteristics, perioperative and pathologic variables, and continence data at 3 months after surgery were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Categoric and continuous variables were compared using chi-square, Student t, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, as appropriate. Results: A total of 29 patients underwent laparoscopic RP using a 3D display system and 66 patients underwent laparoscopic RP using a 2D display system. The two groups were comparable for all clinical and pathologic variables.

3 vs 2 1/100 patient years, p = 0 055)

Conclusions:

3 vs.2.1/100 patient years, p = 0.055).

Conclusions:

A rapid pre-transplant course is a strong risk factor for transplant failure in patients with IgAN.”
“Gamma-linolenic acid (gamma-linolenic acid, GLA; C18:3 delta(6, 9, 12)) belongs to the omega-6 family and exists primarily in several plant oils, such as evening primrose oil, blackcurrant oil, and borage oil. delta(6)-desaturase is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of GLA. There have been no previous reports

on the genes encoding delta(6)-desaturase in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.). In this research, five nearly identical copies of delta(6)-desaturase gene-like sequences, named RnD8A, RnD8B, RnD6C, RnD6D, and RnD6E, were isolated from blackcurrant. Heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and/or Arabidopsis thaliana confirmed that RnD6C/D/E were delta(6)-desaturases that could use both alpha-linolenic acids (ALA; C18:3 CAL-101 delta(9,12,15)) and linoleic acid (LA; C18:2 delta(9,12)) precursors in vivo, whereas RnD8A/B were delta(8)-sphlingolipid desaturases. Expression of GFP tagged

with RnD6C/D/E showed that blackcurrant delta(6)-desaturases were located in the mitochondrion (MIT) in yeast and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in tobacco. GC-MS results showed that blackcurrant accumulated GLA and octadecatetraenoic acids (OTA; C18:4 delta(6,9,12,15)) mainly CA3 concentration in seeds and a little in other organs and tissues. RT-PCR results showed that RnD6C and RnD6E were expressed in all the tissues at a low level, whereas RnD6D was expressed at a high level only in seeds, leading

to the accumulation of GLA and OTA in seeds. This research provides new insights to our understanding of GLA synthesis and accumulation in plants and the evolutionary relationship of this class of desaturases, and new clues as to the amino acid determinants which define precise enzyme activity.”
“We report the third-order optical nonlinearity of ferroelectric thin films of Mn doped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 using Z-scan measurement with femtosecond laser pulses at 800 nm. The nonlinear AZD7762 ic50 refraction index and two-photon absorption coefficient are measured to be 3.0 x 10(-4) cm(2)/GW and 1.7 cm/GW, respectively, which are about one order of magnitude larger than those of the undoped Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 thin films. The enhancement is attributed to the acceptor behavior of Mn ions dopant. The figure of merit, T, defined by T=beta lambda/n(2), was calculated to be 0.44, less than 1. The results indicate that the thin films have great potential applications in nonlinear photonic devices. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3527969]“
“Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a complication of cirrhosis with a poor prognosis without transplantation. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of extended criteria donors (ECD) on the postoperative outcome of recipients with HRS. The last 498 patients were divided according to pre-transplant type 1 or 2 HRS. Sixty-six (13.

Copyright (C) 2012 S Karger AG, Basel”
“The frequency depen

Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“The frequency dependence of magnetization precession in spin pumping has been investigated using the inverse spin-Hall effect in a Pt/Y3Fe5O12

bilayer film. We found that the magnitude of a spin current generated by the spin pumping depends weakly on selleck kinase inhibitor the applied microwave frequency. This weak dependence, which is attributed to the compensation between the frequency change in the spin-pumping cycle and the dynamic magnetic susceptibility, is favorable for making a spin-current-driven microwave demodulator. This behavior is consistent with a model calculation based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation combined with the spin mixing. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3594661]“
“PURPOSE To investigate

the causes of nonphysiologic behavior of the SRK/T formula, assess their clinical significance, and develop and evaluate solutions

SETTING Two NHS ophthalmology departments, United Kingdom, and a private practice, United States

DESIGN Evaluation of technology

METHODS The individual steps of the SRK/T formula were examined for nonphysiologic behavior, and the clinical significance of behaviors was assessed with reference to a database of biometry and refractive outcomes in 11 189 eyes The full data set was divided into 2 subsets, the first to develop solutions to nonphysiologic behavior of the SRK/T formula and the second to evaluate their performance

RESULTS ThE SRK/T formula showed nonphysiologic behavior in the calculation of corrected axial length and corneal height Although the former is of little clinical significance, the latter showed Selleckchem BKM120 a systematic error that contributes to HIF inhibitor inaccurate

intraocular lens (IOL) power prediction The T2 formula was developed using a regression formula for corneal height derived from the development subset Comparison of the performance of the T2 and SRK/T formulas using the evaluation subset showed significant improvement in the mean absolute error with the 12 formula (0 3064 diopter [D] versus 0 3229 D, P< 0001) On average, the prediction error with the T2 formula was 9 7% less than with the SRK/T formula, with significantly higher proportions of eyes within +/- 0 50 D of target (P< 0001)

CONCLUSIONS The SRK/T formula has nonphysiologic behavior that contributes to IOL power prediction errors A modification to the formula algorithm, the T2 formula, can be directly substituted for SMUT, resulting in significantly improved prediction accuracy”
“To determine the usefulness of MspI/int22h-1 (intron 22 homologous region-1) polymorphism of the factor VIII gene for molecular genetic diagnosis of hemophilia A in the Korean population, MspI/intron 22 and XbaI/intron 22 polymorphisms were analyzed in 101 unrelated Korean families with severe hemophilia A. The expected heterozygosity rates of MspI/int22h-1 and XbaI/ int22h-1 polymorphisms were 49.5 and 43.

The described approach can yield data for use in face animation

The described approach can yield data for use in face animation

and other simulation systems and for elucidating the functional components related to contraction and relaxation of muscles during mastication.”
“The traditional surgical treatment of severe spinal deformities, both in adult and pediatric patients, consisted of a 360A degrees approach. Posterior-based spinal osteotomy has recently been reported as a useful and safe technique in maximizing kyphosis and/or kyphoscoliosis correction. It obviates the deleterious effects of an anterior approach and can increase the magnitude of correction both in the coronal and sagittal plane. There are few reports in the literature focusing on the surgical treatment of severe spinal deformities in large pediatric-only series (age < 16 years old) by means of a posterior-based spinal osteotomy, with no consistent Bafilomycin A1 results on the use of a single posterior-based thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomy in the treatment of such challenging group of patients. The purpose of the present study was to review our operative

BI 6727 ic50 experience with pediatric patients undergoing a single level PSO for the correction of thoracic kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis in the region of the spinal cord (T12 and cephalad), and determine the safety and efficacy of posterior thoracic pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in the treatment of severe pediatric deformities. A retrospective review was performed on 12 consecutive pediatric patients (6 F, 6 M) treated by means of a posterior thoracic PSO between 2002 and 2006 in a single Institution. Average age at surgery was 12.6 years (range, 9-16), whereas the deformity was due to a severe BAY 73-4506 juvenile idiopathic scoliosis in seven

cases (average preoperative main thoracic 113A degrees; 90-135); an infantile idiopathic scoliosis in two cases (preoperative main thoracic of 95A degrees and 105A degrees, respectively); a post-laminectomy kypho-scoliosis of 95A degrees (for a intra-medullar ependimoma); an angular kypho-scoliosis due to a spondylo-epiphisary dysplasia (already operated on four times); and a sharp congenital kypho-scoliosis (already operated on by means of a anterior-posterior in situ fusion). In all patients a pedicle screws instrumentation was used, under continuous intra-operative neuromonitoring (SSEP, NMEP, EMG). At an average follow-up of 2.4 years (range, 2-6) the main thoracic curve showed a mean correction of 61A degrees, or a 62.3% (range, 55-70%), with an average thoracic kyphosis of 38.5A degrees (range, 30A degrees-45A degrees), for an overall correction of 65% (range, 60-72%). Mean estimated intra-operative blood loss accounted 19.3 cc/kg (range, 7.7-27.27). In a single case (a post-laminectomy kypho-scoliosis) a complete loss of NMEP occurred, promptly assessed by loosening of the initial correction, with a final negative wake-up test.

Although the advice to consume a plant-based, low-energy-dense di

Although the advice to consume a plant-based, low-energy-dense diet is sound, ethical questions arise concerning the relatively high price of these diets in the United States and the way in which such diets are perceived in other parts of the world. Reducing the burden of childhood GDC-0994 obesity, eliminating health disparities, and preventing the further spread of the

disease around the globe will require not only policy interventions to ensure that plant foods are affordable and accessible to children of all income levels but also awareness of sociocultural norms that affect consumption. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89(suppl): 1572S-87S.”
“All-atom molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the morphology of polymer/inorganic composite particles prepared by heterocoagulation. The results were also compared to those of our previous study of the preparation of TiO2/poly(acrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) and Fe3O4/polystyrene

composite particles. In the simulation system, polymer or inorganic particles were simulated by surface-charge-modified C-60 or Na atoms. Through a combination of analysis of the radial distribution functions of charged atoms and snapshots of the equilibrated structure, three kinds of particle distributions were observed under different conditions. When the polymer and inorganic particles had opposite surface charges and their sizes were very different, Fer-1 the composite morphology showed a core-shell structure with small particles adsorbed onto the surfaces of large particles. Furthermore, when the polymer and inorganic particles had opposite surface charges bet comparable sizes, the polymer and inorganic particles aggregated domain by domain. Finally, when the polymer and inorganic particles were endowed with the same surface charge, the distribution of these two types of particles was homogeneous, regardless of their size difference. The simulation results Were in agreement with the experimental results. The electrostatic interaction and the size of the particles dominated the final morphology of the composite particles when the heterocoagulation

method was used. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Fer-1 J Appl Polym Sci 116: 2275-2284, 2010″
“Frequency-dependent impedance characteristics of flexible thick film EMI filters were investigated for enhanced suppression of high-frequency noise currents in the frequency range from several tens of megahertz to 1.5 GHz. The inductance of the rolled magnetic film filters was much lower than that of the conventional ferrite bead at lower frequencies but the inductance exceeded the level of the ferrite bead above 33-125 MHz because of the higher frequency dependence of real permeability. The enhanced impedance was mainly due to the increased inductance for the rolled thick film filters at lower frequencies of 210-550 MHz, depending on the complex permeability.