A low surface resistivity due to the fine dispersion of MWCNTs in FBP-HX and polycarbonate

(PC) is reported. With a solution-casting method, a percolation threshold with the addition of between 0.5 and 1.0 wt % MWCNTs was observed in the MWCNT/PC and MWCNT/FBP-HX composites. Because of the coverage of FBP-HX on the MWCNTs, a higher surface resistivity and a higher percolation ratio of the MWCNT/FBP-HX composites were achieved compared with the values for the MWCNT/PC composites. In the MWCNT/FBP-HX composites, MWCNTs covered with FBP-HX were observed by scanning electronic microscopy. Because of the coverage of FBP-HX on the MWCNTs, FBP-HX interfered with the electrical pathway between the MWCNTs. The MWCNTs in FBP-HX were covered with a 5-nm layer of FBP-HX, but the MWCNTs in the MWCNT/PC composites were in their naked state. MWCNT/PC BMS 345541 sheets demonstrated the specific Raman absorption of the MWCNTs

only with the addition of MWCNTs of 1 wt % or above because of the coverage of the surface of the composite sheet by naked MWCNTs. In contrast, MWCNT/FBP-HX retained the behavior of the matrix resin until a 3 wt % addition of MWCNTs was reached because of the coverage of MWCNTs by the FBP-HX resin, induced by its high wettability. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 2690-2695, 2010″
“Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially Selleck Duvelisib Asian Indians, are at increased risk of developing premature atherosclerosis. To find out the prevalence and predictors of carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Endothelial dysfunction was assessed by FMD in brachial artery and IMT was measured in common carotid artery in SLE patients and healthy controls. Sixty SLE patients (mean age 31 +/- 9 years) and 38 healthy controls (mean age 34 +/- 6 years) were included. The IMT was higher in SLE patients as compared to controls (0.49 +/- 0.08 mm vs. 0.39 +/- 0.05 mm, p < 0.0001). SLE and damage were independent predictors

of abnormal IMT. FMD was impaired in SLE patients compared to controls (9.97% vs. 18.97%, GDC-0068 p < 0.00001). None of the classical cardiovascular risk factors were predictors of FMD or abnormal IMT. Indian patients with SLE have higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Presence of damage was associated with abnormal IMT in SLE patients.”
“This study tested a new measure of motivation to change as a predictor of smoking behavior following smoking cessation treatment. Participants were adult, regular smokers (N = 191) who took part in a randomized smoking cessation trial in southwestern Germany (Batra et al., 2010). Participants completed smoking and psychological self-report measures before and after a 6-week smoking cessation treatment.