Two different maleic anhydride-modified polypropylenes having varying maleic anhydride content and molecular weight were used. The influence of these parameters on the performance and morphology of the prepared polypropylene

and high density polyethylene-based nanocomposites was examined by mechanical testing, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. The low molecular weight adhesion promoter seemed to be effective in both matrices in relation to mechanical property enhancements, whereas its high molecular weight counter-part performed well only in polyethylene matrix. X-ray diffraction results and examination of morphology revealed that the intercalation and the dispersion of the nanoclay Vistusertib were more even in both matrices when the low molecular weight adhesion promoter with a higher maleic anhydride

content was used. On the other hand, the use of high molecular weight adhesion promoter led to a less uniform dispersion but also to a greater amount of exfoliated clay particles. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 978-992, 2009″
“Background In the early stages, vulvar melanoma can mimic vulvar melanosis and therefore the diagnosis is often late and carries a poor prognosis. In vivo reflectance-mode confocal microscopy (RCM) is an emerging technique that allows noninvasive high-resolution imaging of the skin and mucosa, but it has not been employed in the study of genital pigmentation. Objective To analyze the characteristics of vulvar melanosis and vulvar melanoma using RCM to define the confocal aspects that allow a correct differential

diagnosis. Methods and Materials Features ARN-509 nmr of eight melanoses and two melanomas of the vulva were analyzed using RCM. RCM diagnosis was then compared with clinical and histologic diagnosis. Results Two major characteristics are associated with vulvar melanosis: papillae rimmed by bright monomorphous cells and possible presence of a few dendritic bright cells in the basal layer of the epithelium. Two major features of vulvar melanoma have been identified: atypical cells in the epithelium and loss of normal architecture of chorion papillae. Conclusions Reflectance Confocal Microscopy can play a role in noninvasive differentiation between vulvar melanoma and vulvar melanosis, but further broader studies are needed to validate our observations.”
“Carrier relaxation dynamics BMS-345541 ic97 in tin nitride (SnxNy) nanowires have been investigated using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The nanowires were grown directly on quartz using chemical vapor deposition and had diameters < 200 nm and lengths up to 2 mu m. Steady state optical transmission measurements suggest that the band gap is similar to 2.9 eV while time resolved measurements reveal that free carrier absorption dominates the carrier dynamics and overcomes state filling within 0.5 ps of the incoming excitation pulse even when probing above the band edge.