Several thermal transitions were found in each type of polymer by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared were employed to determine the cause of each thermal transition revealed. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 1234-1243, 2010″
“The temperature-dependence of the electrical and dielectric properties of paper substrates was studied using experimental

papers with different NaCl contents, different thicknesses, and different grammages. selleck products Physical processes related to the charging potential, charge decay rate, conductivity, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss of papers are dependent on thermal energy, and this dependence on temperature can be described by exponential expressions. The ion content of paper not only Prexasertib cost determines the level of these properties at a given temperature, as expected but also influences their temperature-dependence. Frequency analysis of the dielectric loss confirms that new structures are formed in paper by the addition of NaCl. The results may be applicable to the design of materials and equipment, e.g., for the electrophotographic printing processes. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3386466]“
“The

use of biomarkers as tools to evaluate genotoxicity is increasing recently. Methods that have been used previously to evaluate genomic instability are frequently expensive, complicated,

and invasive. The micronuclei (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) technique in buccal cells offers a great opportunity to evaluate in a clear and precise way the appearance of genetic damage whether it is present as a consequence of occupational or environmental risk. This technique is reliable, fast, relatively simple, cheap, and minimally invasive and causes no pain. So, it is well accepted by patients; it can also be used to assess the genotoxic effect derived from drug use or as a result of having a chronic disease. Furthermore the beneficial effects derived from changes in life style or taking additional supplements can also be evaluated. In the present paper, we aim to focus on the explanation of MN test and its usefulness as a biomarker; Silmitasertib order we further give details about procedures to performand interpret the results of the test and review some factors that could have an influence on the results of the technique.”
“Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing rapidly in most industrialised countries, but several countries, including Switzerland, have recently reported a levelling off or even a reversal of this alarming trend.

Study aim: Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of childhood obesity in a national sample of Swiss school children recruited to assess iodine nutrition and with this to reconfirm a recently shown stabilising trend.