Multifunctional Block Copolymers, Acting as Recycling Aids, by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Block copolymers utilizing oligomeric poly(pentylene-co-hexylene carbonate)diol modified with 2,4-diisocyanatotoluene and further with 2-bromo-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2-methylpropanamide were synthesized and utilized as Activators ReGenerated by Electron Transfer Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization macroinitiators to obtain a first generation of multifunctional recycling additives with poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-butyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) side chains, which could act as chain extenders. Then, chosen additive was reacted with a radical scavenger, 3,5-ditertbutyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), to obtain a second generation of reactive additives. Those copolymers had different numbers of epoxy groups per polymer chain, and different number of epoxides opened with DHBA, hence showed a range of properties, and were utilized as reactive modifiers for polylactide (PLA) extrusion melting.

Influence of the filler distribution on PDMS-graphene based nanocomposites selected properties.

Insufficient homogeneity is one of the pressing problems in nanocomposites' production as it largely impairs the properties of materials with relatively high filler concentration. Within this work, it is demonstrated how selected mixing techniques (magnetic mixer stirring, calendaring and microfluidization) affect filler distribution in poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graphene based nanocomposites and, consequently, their properties. The differences were assessed via imaging and thermal techniques, i.

Study of Structural and Optoelectronic Properties of Thin Films Made of a Few Layered WS Flakes.

We report a surfactant-free exfoliation method of WS flakes combined with a vacuum filtration method to fabricate thin (<50 nm) WS films, that can be transferred on any arbitrary substrate. Films are composed of thin (<4 nm) single flakes, forming a large size uniform film, verified by AFM and SEM. Using statistical phonons investigation, we demonstrate structural quality and uniformity of the film sample and we provide first-order temperature coefficient χ, which shows linear dependence over 300-450 K temperature range.

Thermal properties of thin films made from MoS nanoflakes and probed via statistical optothermal Raman method.

A deep understanding of the thermal properties of 2D materials is crucial to their implementation in electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this study, we investigated the macroscopic in-plane thermal conductivity (κ) and thermal interface conductance (g) of large-area (mm) thin film made from MoS nanoflakes via liquid exfoliation and deposited on Si/SiO substrate. We found κ and g to be 1.

Graphene-based plastic absorber for total sub-terahertz radiation shielding.

Increasing the requirements on telecommunications systems such as the need for higher data rates and connectivity via the Internet of things results in continuously increasing amounts of electromagnetic radiation in ever-higher telecommunications bands (up to terahertz). This can generate unwanted electromagnetic radiation that can affect the operation of electronic devices and human health. Here, we demonstrate that nonconductive and lightweight, graphene-based composites can shield more than 99.

High accuracy determination of the thermal properties of supported 2D materials.

We present a novel approach for the simultaneous determination of the thermal conductivity κ and the total interface conductance g of supported 2D materials by the enhanced opto-thermal method. We harness the property of the Gaussian laser beam that acts as a heat source, whose size can easily and precisely be controlled. The experimental data for multi-layer graphene and MoS2 flakes are supplemented using numerical simulations of the heat distribution in the Si/SiO2/2D material system.

Temperature-dependent thermal properties of supported MoS2 monolayers.

Thermal properties can substantially affect the operation of various electronics and optoelectronics devices based on two-dimensional materials. In this work, we describe our investigation of temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and interfacial thermal conductance of molybdenum disulfide monolayers supported on SiO2/Si substrates, using Raman spectroscopy. We observed that the calculated thermal conductivity (κ) and interfacial thermal conductance (g) decreased with increasing temperature from 62.

Quality indicator set for systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a marked economic burden, high treatment costs and decreased productivity. Although treatment strategies for SSc can have a substantial effect on patients' outcomes, it is not known whether patients with SSc consistently receive such care. Evaluation of process-of-care quality requires specification of quality indicators (QIs), clinically detailed statements of the eligible patients and the care they should receive to achieve a minimal level of quality of care.

Increased production of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with antitopoisomerase I antibody and more severe disease in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family, plays a crucial role in the survival of peripheral B cells, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) through upregulation of autoantibody production and maintenance of autoimmune phenomena. We evaluated the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with SSc (SSc-PBMC) to produce APRIL; and investigated correlations between production of APRIL by SSc-PBMC and clinical and laboratory features of the disease.

Methods: PBMC from 20 patients with SSc and 14 healthy subjects were incubated in fetal calf serum-supplemented RPMI medium.

Diminished production of TWEAK by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with vascular involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Widespread vasculopathy and profound fibrosis are key features of the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We hypothesized that the TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), a recently recognized multifunctional cytokine which regulates angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, may play a role in the development of SSc. The production of TWEAK by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was investigated, by means of ELISA, in 24 SSc patients and 14 healthy subjects.