Printed Thin Magnetic Films via Ternary Hybrid Diblock Copolymer Films Containing Magnetic Iron Oxide and Nickel Nanoparticles.

Ternary hybrid thin films composed of a diblock copolymer templating two types of nanoparticles (NPs) expand the functionality of binary systems, which renders them interesting for magnetic sensing or magnetic data storage applications. Herein, one-pot slot-die printed hybrid polystyrene--poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS--PMMA) thin films are prepared with iron oxide (magnetite, FeO, = 20 nm) and nickel NPs (Ni, = 46 nm) in one step by the advanced slot-die coating technique, which facilitates upscaling of fabrication. The evolution of the hybrid film morphology is probed with in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and compared to that of a PS--PMMA thin film without NPs.

Perineural injections of incobotulinumtoxin-A for diabetic neuropathic pain of the lower extremities: protocol for a phase II, single-centre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial (the PINBOT study).

Introduction: Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a debilitating complication affecting 15-20% of people with diabetes and is a predictor of depression, poor sleep and decreased quality of life. Current pharmacological treatments are often insufficient and have significant side-effects. Subcutaneous or intradermal botulinumtoxin-A (BonT-A) is an effective and safe treatment for neuropathic pain but is limited by the need to cover the entire affected area with injections.

Self-Assembly of Polymer-Modified FePt Magnetic Nanoparticles and Block Copolymers.

The fabrication of nanocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles is gaining interest as a model for application in small electronic devices. The self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) makes these materials ideal for use as a soft matrix to support the structural ordering of the nanoparticles. In this work, a high-molecular-weight polystyrene--poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymer (PS--PMMA) was synthesized through anionic polymerization.

Embedding Photoacids into Polymer Opal Structures: Synergistic Effects on Optical and Stimuli-Responsive Features.

Opal films with their vivid structural colors represent a field of tremendous interest and obtained materials offer the possibility for many applications, such as optical sensors or anti-counterfeiting materials. A convenient method for the generation of opal structures relies on the tailored design of core-interlayer-shell (CIS) particles. Within the present study, elastomeric opal films were combined with stimuli-responsive photoacids to further influence the optical properties of structurally colored materials.

Screening of Pesticide and Biocide Patterns As Risk Drivers in Sediments of Major European River Mouths: Ubiquitous or River Basin-Specific Contamination?

Pesticides and biocides (PaB) are ubiquitously present in aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread application and have been detected in rivers at concentrations that may cause distress to aquatic life. Many of these compounds accumulate in sediments acting as long-term source for aquatic ecosystems. However, data on sediment contamination with current-use PaB in Europe are scarce.