Tuning of Water Vapor Permeability in 2D Nanocarbon-Based Polypropylene Composite Membranes.

This work focuses on the incorporation of 2D carbon nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), into polypropylene (PP) via melt mixing. The addition of these 2D carbon nanostructured networks offers a novel approach to enhancing/controlling the water vapor permeable capabilities of PP composite membranes, widely used in industrial applications, such as technical (building roof membranes) or medical (surgical gowns) textiles. The study investigates how the dispersion and concentration of these graphene nanomaterials within the PP matrix influence the microstructure and water vapor permeability (WVP) performance.

Generic method for the detection of short & long chain PFAS extended to the lowest concentration levels of SERS capability.

The detection of the highly toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, constitutes a challenging task in terms of developing a generic method that could be rapid and applicable simultaneously to both long and short-chain PFAS at ppt concentration level. In the present study, the method introduced by the USA Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to detect surfactants, using methylene blue, MB, which is identified an ideal candidate for PFAS-MB ion pairing, is extended at the lowest concentration range by a simple additional step that involves the dissociation of the ion pairs in water. In this work, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering, SERS, is applied via Ag nanocolloidal suspensions to probe MB and indirectly either/or both short-chain (perfluorobutyric acid, PFBA) and long-chain (perfluoloctanoic acid, PFOA) PFAS downt to 5 ppt.

Improvement of Water Vapor Permeability in Polypropylene Composite Films by the Synergy of Carbon Nanotubes and β-Nucleating Agents.

A notable application of polymeric nanocomposites is the design of water vapor permeable (WVP) membranes. "Breathable" membranes can be created by the incorporation of micro/nanofillers, such as CaCO, that interrupt the continuity of the polymeric phase and when subjected to additional uniaxial or biaxial stretching this process leads to the formation of micro/nanoporous structures. Among the candidate nanofillers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have demonstrated excellent intrinsic WVP properties.

Multifunctional Performance of Hybrid SrFeO/BaTiO/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites.

Polymer matrix nanocomposites are widely studied because of the versatility of their physical and mechanical properties. When these properties are present simultaneously, responding at relative stimuli, multifunctional performance is achieved. In this study, hybrid nanocomposites of SrFeO and BaTiO ceramic particles dispersed in an epoxy resin matrix were fabricated and characterized.

High Catalytic Efficiency of a Nanosized Copper-Based Catalyst for Automotives: A Physicochemical Characterization.

The global trend in restrictions on pollutant emissions requires the use of catalytic converters in the automotive industry. Noble metals belonging to the platinum group metals (PGMs, platinum, palladium, and rhodium) are currently used for autocatalysts. However, recent efforts focus on the development of new catalytic converters that combine high activity and reduced cost, attracting the interest of the automotive industry.

Multitasking Performance of FeO/BaTiO/Epoxy Resin Hybrid Nanocomposites.

In this study, hybrid nanocomposites consisting of FeO/BaTiO/epoxy resin were prepared with varying amounts of filer content. Structural and morphological characterization, conducted via X-Ray Diffraction patterns and Scanning Electron Microscopy images, revealed the successful fabrication of composites and fine dispersion of inclusions. Thermomechanical properties are studied via Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and static mechanical tests.

User generated content for enhanced professional productions: a mobile application for content contributors and a study on the factors influencing their satisfaction and loyalty.

Motivated by a combination of social media, technological evolution, as well as new habits and preferences of TV content consumers, there is an increasing demand for enhancement of professional productions with user generated content. Studies have explored the potential and feasibility of this approach, indicating that footage from non-professionals can be effectively used to enrich the viewing experience. However, an important concern is whether such efforts are appealing to potential contributors, and what can actually impact their satisfaction and loyalty.

Management of asthma in childhood: study protocol of a systematic evidence update by the Paediatric Asthma in Real Life (PeARL) Think Tank.

Introduction: Clinical recommendations for childhood asthma are often based on data extrapolated from studies conducted in adults, despite significant differences in mechanisms and response to treatments. The Paediatric Asthma in Real Life (PeARL) Think Tank aspires to develop recommendations based on the best available evidence from studies in children. An overview of systematic reviews (SRs) on paediatric asthma maintenance management and an SR of treatments for acute asthma attacks in children, requiring an emergency presentation with/without hospital admission will be conducted.

Fe(II) Spin Crossover/Polymer Hybrid Materials: Investigation of the SCO Behavior via Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectroscopy, Physicochemical Characterization and Migration Release Study.

Polymeric composites constitute an appealing class of materials with applications in various fields. Spin crossover (SCO) coordination complexes are switchable materials with potential use in data storage and sensors. Their incorporation into polymers can be considered an effective method for their wider practical application.

Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) Carbon-Based Nanocomposites: A Crystallization and Molecular Orientation Study.

Hybrid polymeric materials incorporating carbon nanostructures or inorganic constituents stand as a promising class of materials exhibiting distinct but also complementary features. Carbon nanotubes have been proposed as unique candidates for polymer reinforcement; however, sustained efforts are further needed in order to make full use of their potential. The final properties of the reinforced polymer are controlled in part by the morphology and the eventual molecular orientation of the polymer matrix.

Comparative mortality risk of tiotropium administered via handihaler or respimat in COPD patients: are they equivalent?

Background: Tiotropium bromide, once daily, long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator is either administered by handihaler metered dose inhaler or by respimat soft mist inhaler. It has been proved to improve lung function, daily symptoms and quality of life and to decrease the exacerbation and hospitalisation rate of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Although the efficacy of both formulations is undeniable, concerns have been raised on their effect on cardiovascular and general mortality.

Vasoactive intestinal Peptide inhaled agonists: potential role in respiratory therapeutics.

Purpose Of Review: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide, expressed by lymphoid as well as neural cells, which has diverse effects on the cellular mediators of inflammation and immunity and is also a potent neurotransmitter. VIP seems to have a major role in the homeostasis of the respiratory system, while several studies, including clinical trials, suggest that VIP-inhaled agonists could be used in respiratory therapeutics. In this review, we provide an introduction to the field of VIP research geared to clinical and research pulmonologists.

Tiotropium HandiHaler improves the survival of patients with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tiotropium HandiHaler (TioH) has been shown to improve lung function, exacerbations, and quality of life when added to the pharmacotherapy of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to synthesize current evidence regarding the impact of TioH on the survival rate of these patients, which is still controversial.

Methods: A systematic search in the electronic databases of the Cochrane Library, Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, PschINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science was conducted by two independent authors (December 2012).

Impact of long-term treatment with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids on the bone mineral density of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: aggravating or beneficial?

Background And Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a low-level systemic chronic inflammatory activity that is responsible for many of the disease's extra-pulmonary manifestations, including osteoporosis and fragility fractures. These manifestations are also well-documented side-effects of oral corticosteroids. It was hypothesized that low levels of inhaled corticosteroids, due to their anti-inflammatory properties and their low circulating levels, might preserve the bone mineral density (BMD) of COPD patients.

Multiparameter cytokine-specific affinity matrix assay for the determination of frequencies and phenotype of antigen-reactive T cells.

A major challenge in Phase I clinical trials of cancer vaccines is how to identify the optimal regimen and/or dosing for Phase II and III trials. Immunologic responses to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) could potentially serve as surrogate markers. Assays which detect cytokine production and/or secretion by antigen (Ag)-reactive T cells are increasingly being used to monitor such responses in clinical trials.

Immunity of patients surviving 20 to 30 years after allogeneic or syngeneic bone marrow transplantation.

The duration of immunodeficiency following marrow transplantation is not known. Questionnaires were used to study the infection rates in 72 patients surviving 20 to 30 years after marrow grafting. Furthermore, in 33 of the 72 patients and in 16 donors (siblings who originally donated the marrow) leukocyte subsets were assessed by flow cytometry.

Hematopoietic responses to stress conditions in young dogs compared with elderly dogs.

Clinical observations show that older patients do not tolerate high-dose chemoradiotherapy as well as younger patients. It is unclear whether this is due to age-related differences in their responses to hematopoietic injury or to differential toxicities to other organs. In the present study, 6 young (0.

Ex vivo expansion of canine dendritic cells from CD34+ bone marrow progenitor cells.

Background: The aims of this study were to ex vivo expand canine dendritic cells and determine their phenotype and functional characteristics.

Methods: CD34+-selected cells and CD34+-depleted canine bone marrow (BM) cells were cultured in Iscove's modified medium for 14 days. Cytokines added to the cultures included human granylocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor 5 ng/ml, hFlt3 ligand 200 ng/ml, and human tumor necrosis factor-alpha 10 ng/ml.

Polyclonal hematopoiesis with variable telomere shortening in human long-term allogeneic marrow graft recipients.

Donor-derived hematopoiesis was assessed in 17 patients who received allogeneic marrow grafts from HLA-matched siblings between 1971 and 1980. Complete blood counts were normal or near normal in all patients except one. Chimerism analyses, using either dual-color XY-chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or analysis of variable number tandem repeat loci, indicated that 15 out of 16 patients had greater than 97% donor-derived hematopoiesis, whereas 1 patient had indeterminate chimerism.

An anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibody (LDA-8) induces cellular aggregation of human lymphoblastoid cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The human leukocyte-function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) plays a key role in intercellular adhesion interactions of the immune response. A monoclonal antibody (mab), designated LDA-8, is described that recognizes LFA-1. In contrast to nearly all other anti-LFA-1 mabs, which inhibit cellular aggregation, LDA-8 induces cell-cell aggregation.