Fermentation factors play an important role in product enhancement. Hence, glutaminase production Entinostat manufacturer was optimized using an artificial neural network (ANN) coupled genetic algorithm (GA).

RESULTS: A ’6-12-1′ topology ANN was constructed to identify the nonlinear relationship between fermentation factors and enzyme yield. ANN-predicted values were optimized for glutaminase production using a GA. The overall mean absolute predictive error (MAPE) and the mean square errors (MSE) were observed to be 0.00125 and 1.77 and 0.002 and 3.06 for training and testing, respectively. The goodness of neural network prediction (coefficient

of R(2)) was found to be 0.996. The maximum interactive impact on glutaminase production was noted with rpm versus medium volume. The use of ANN-GA hybrid methodology resulted in a significant improvement (47%) in glutaminase yield.

CONCLUSION: Five different

optimum fermentation conditions out of 500 revealed maximum enzyme production. Glutaminase enzyme production in this Bacillus subtilis RSP-GLU is strongly influenced by aeration of the fermentation. A hybrid ANN-GA effectively identifies the different fermentation conditions for optimum production of enzyme in a given large set of conditions. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Objectives: Surgical treatment of carotid stenosis after the onset of ischaemic symptoms should be performed within 2 weeks.

This aim was accomplished only in 11% during the years 2007-2008 in the Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) region. Since then, special efforts have Angiogenesis inhibitor been made in order to shorten the delay. The aim of this study was to find out how these changes affected the symptom-to-knife time (SKT).

Materials and methods: All symptomatic patients (n = 144) who had carotid endarterectomy (CEA, n = 145) in HUCH in 2010 were retrospectively analysed and the SKT was determined.

Results: Of the operations, 37% (n = 53) were performed Selleck LY2835219 within the recommended 2 weeks. The median SKT was 19 days (1-183). Of the patients who came to HUCH on an emergency basis (n = 80), 55% (n = 45) were operated within 2 weeks and their median SKT was 13 days (1-148).

Conclusions: The changes that were made in 2008-2009 have significantly shortened the delay in the treatment of carotid stenosis, but the desired time frame of 2 weeks was reached far too seldom. The greatest benefit from preventive CEA is achieved when patients are referred emergently to a clinic where neurologist, imaging resources and vascular surgeon are available. (C) 2012 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: A generalized methodology for the synthesis of a hybrid controller for affine systems using sequential adaptive networks (SAN) is presented.

Positively charged liposomes showed superior entrapment efficiency (82.01 +/- 0.52) over the negatively charged and the neutral liposomes. Hydrogel containing liposomes with lipid content PC, CH, and SA in molar ratio 5: 3: 1, respectively, showed the best release and transcorneal permeation with the percentage permeation

of 30.6%. These results suggest that the degree of encapsulation of ciprofloxacin into liposomes and prolonged in vitro release depend on composition of the vesicles. In addition, the polymer hydrogel used in preparation ensure steady and prolonged transcorneal permeation. In conclusion, ciprofloxacin liposomal hydrogel is a suitable delivery system for improving the ocular bioavailability of ciprofloxacin.”
“Well-defined poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyl Adavosertib in vitro PLX3397 clinical trial methacrylate) (PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PHFBMA) triblock copolymers were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Surface microphase separation in the PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PHFBMA triblock copolymer films was investigated. The microstructure of the block copolymers was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface composition was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical composition at the surface was determined by the surface microphase separation in the PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PHFBMA triblock copolymer

films. The increase of the PHFBMA content could strengthen the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PHFBMA triblock copolymer films and reduce their surface tension. Comparison between the PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PHFBMA triblock copolymers and the PDMS-b-PHFBMA diblock copolymers showed that the introduction of the PMMA segments promote the fluorine segregation onto the surface and decrease the fluorine Pifithrin-α content in

the copolymers with low surface energy. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 156-164, 2011″
“Background: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US. While one in five individuals smoke, and 70% of these indicate a desire to quit, <5% of unaided quit attempts succeed. Cessation aids can double or triple the odds of successfully quitting. Models of smoking-cessation behaviour can elucidate the implications of individual abstinence patterns to allow better tailoring of quit attempts to an individual’s characteristics.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a discrete-event simulation (DES) to evaluate the benefits of smoking abstinence using data from the pooled pivotal clinical trials of varenicline versus bupropion or placebo for smoking cessation and to provide a foundation for the development of a lifetime smoking-cessation model.

Methods: The DES model simulated the outcome of a single smoking-cessation attempt over 1 year, in accordance with the clinical trial timeframes.

“
“Methylcellulose (MC) films were prepared by casting from its 1% aqueous solution containing 0.5% vegetable oil, 0.25% glycerol, and 0.025% Tween (R) 80. Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) films were prepared by compression molding from its granules. Biodegradable composite films were fabricated using MC film as reinforcing agent and PCL as the matrix material by compression molding. One layer of MC film was reinforced with two layers of PCL films. The MC content in the composites was varied from 10 to 50% by weight. Mechanical, barrier, and degradation

properties of PCL, MC, and composite films were evaluated. The values of puncture strength (PS), puncture deformation (PD), viscoelasticity (gamma) coefficient, and water vapor permeability (WVP) of the composites (50% MC content) were found to be 124.3 N/mm, 3.2 mm, 31%, and 2.6 g.mm/m(2).day.kPa, respectively. Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of PCL, MC, and composites (50% MC) were found BEZ235 in vivo to be P005091 175, 25, 22 cc/m(2)/d, respectively, which indicated that composite films showed significantly lower OTR than PCL films. Degradation tests of the composite films (50% MC) were performed for 6 weeks in aqueous medium (at 25 degrees C), and it was found that composites lost its mass slowly with time. After 6 weeks, mass and PS of

the composites were decreased to 13.4 and 12%, respectively. Composite interface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The MC film had good adhesion with PCL matrix during compression molding and suggested strong interface of the composite system. SEM image after 6 weeks of degradation showed some openings in the interface and revealed slow degradation of the MC films. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci

123: 1690-1697, 2012″
“Haem GSK-J4 oxygenase-1 (HO-1) confers protection against a variety of oxidant-induced cell and tissue injury in animals and plants. In this report, it is confirmed that programmed cell death (PCD) in wheat aleurone layers is stimulated by GA and prevented by ABA. Meanwhile, HO activity and HO-1 protein expression exhibited lower levels in GA-treated layers, whereas the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) content was apparently increased. The pharmacology approach illustrated that scavenging or accumulating H(2)O(2) either delayed or accelerated GA-induced PCD. Furthermore, pretreatment with the HO-1 specific inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), before exposure to GA, not only decreased HO activity but also accelerated GA-induced PCD significantly. The application of the HO-1 inducer, haematin, and the enzymatic reaction product of HO, carbon monoxide (CO) aqueous solution, both of which brought about a noticeable induction of HO expression, substantially prevented GA-induced PCD. These effects were reversed when ZnPPIX was added, suggesting that HO in vivo played a role in delaying PCD.

Methods: Demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, recent alcohol use, mood pathology, and risk taking

behavior (measured with the Balloon Analogue Risk Task) were evaluated as predictors of dropout from a randomized clinical trial of acamprosate EPZ-6438 cell line for individuals with co-morbid bipolar and alcohol use disorders (n = 30) using stepwise logistic regression.

Results: Risk taking behavior was the only significant predictor of dropout in the present study (OR = 1.44, p = 0.03); opiate dependence marginally predicted dropout as well (OR = 13.46, p = 0.08). A model consisting of these predictors, as well as acamprosate group status (p = 0.13), provided excellent prediction of dropout (i.e., area under the ROC curve = 0.94; R-2 = 0.53).

Conclusions: Given the robust relationship between risk taking and dropout in the present study, the Balloon Analogue Risk Task may represent a valuable tool for researchers to predict who will drop out of clinical trials for comorbid bipolar and substance use disorders. (C) 2011 Elsevier Buparlisib research buy Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Biocompatible membranes were successfully prepared by biaxially

oriented polypropylene (BOPP) cografted with hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and vinyltriethoxysilicane (VES), in which nonvapor and nonliquid photo-grafting technology was used under the irradiation of UV lamp. HEA and VES cografted BOPP (HV-g-PP) was then used to fabricate anticlotting membrane by immobilizing heparin on it. The grafting degree of BOPP host and the chemical structure of grafting layer were studied by grafting degree test, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), atomic force microscope (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements, respectively. Anticoagulation capability of the heparin immobilized HV-g-PP membrane (HHV-g-PP) was also investigated by hemolytic

test. The results show that HEA and VES can be effectively grafted onto BOPP substrates via nonvapor and nonliquid photo-grafting method, and that the grafting degree PD98059 in vivo reaches 144.8 wt % when the reaction time approaches 20 min. The heparin content of HHV-g-PP membrane increases from 0 to 4 wt % as the reaction time alters from 0 to 20 min. The hemolytic degree rapidly reduces from 5.1 wt % to 2.7 wt % with increasing the grafting degree from 0 to 144.8 wt %, implying a significant anticoagulation improvement of the HHV-g-PP membrane. Such functional membranes have large potential applications in blood-related packaging areas. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“Purpose: To examine the feasibility of using magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy with hyperpolarized carbon 13 (C-13)-labeled pyruvate to detect inflammation.

Materials and Methods: The animal care and use committee approved all work with animals. Arthritis was induced in the right hind paw of six rats; the left hind paw served as an internal control.

Conclusions: The cardiopulmonary function study allows us to examine the physical performance of children who have had congenital

heart surgery and provides us with important data so that we can recommend better physical exercise planning.”
“The pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is multifactorial and evidence supports a critical role of pregnancy and vaginal delivery. This review dissects epidemiologic literature to determine the weight of evidence on the role of advanced SCH 900776 nmr maternal age (AMA) as a risk factor for the development of subsequent or persistent SUI. We conducted a Medline search using the keywords postpartum, SUI, maternal age, pregnancy, and incontinence. The published literature was critically analyzed. Evidence supports that childbirth trauma contributes to the development

and severity of SUI. Yet, there is contradicting evidence as to whether AMA increases the risk. AMA clearly represents an independent risk factor for postpartum SUI. However, long-term studies did not confirm this observation. Whether this finding is suggestive of a true biologic signal that is lost with competing risk factors over time warrants further research.”
“Background

Few studies have examined suicide risk in individuals once they have left the military. We aimed to investigate the rate, timing, and risk factors for suicide in all those who had left the UK Armed Forces (1996-2005).

Methods and Findings

We carried out a Belnacasan Apoptosis inhibitor cohort study of ex-Armed Forces personnel by linking national databases of discharged personnel and suicide deaths (which included deaths receiving either a suicide or undetermined verdict). Comparisons were made with both general and serving populations. During the study period 233,803 individuals left the Armed Forces and 224 died by suicide. Although the overall rate of suicide was not greater than that in the general

population, the risk of suicide in men aged 24 y and younger who had left the Armed Forces was approximately two to three GSK2118436 cost times higher than the risk for the same age groups in the general and serving populations (age-specific rate ratios ranging from 170 to 290). The risk of suicide for men aged 30-49 y was lower than that in the general population. The risk was persistent but may have been at its highest in the first 2 y following discharge. The risk of suicide was greatest in males, those who had served in the Army, those with a short length of service, and those of lower rank. The rate of contact with specialist mental health was lowest in the age groups at greatest risk of suicide (14% for those aged under 20 y, 20% for those aged 20-24 y).

Conclusions

Young men who leave the UK Armed Forces were at increased risk of suicide. This may reflect preservice vulnerabilities rather than factors related to service experiences or discharge.

Conclusion: Retroperitoneal laparoscopy for RU is a safe and effective procedure that should be considered as a first-line treatment for patients with this anatomic anomaly.”
“The involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in both the pathogenesis

of intervertebral disc (ID) herniation and the spontaneous regression of herniated ID fragments remains only partially elucidated. The purpose of the present study was to simultaneously examine the transcript levels of a large number of MMPs (-1, -3, -8, -9, -13 and -14) and ADAMTS-4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) and to investigate their correlation with the clinicopathologic profile of patients suffering from symptomatic lumbar ID herniation. Cyclosporin A price mRNA expression levels were determined by means of the real-time polymerase chain reaction in 63 herniated and 10 control ID specimens. Our results showed multiple positive correlations among all MMPs and ADAMTS-4 mRNA in herniated www.selleckchem.com/products/gkt137831.html samples, indicating their possible synergistic effect in ID herniation. MMP-9 and -13 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in patients with chronic

pain, presumably as a consequence of neovascularization and chronic inflammation. Smoking habits were found to have a negative dose-dependent effect on the transcript levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 and a positive correlation with pain intensity, suggesting an unfavorable role for smoking in the regression process of herniated disc fragments. Our findings provide

evidence of the molecular portrait of MMPs and ADAMTS-4 in lumbar ID herniation, as well as of its association with the clinicopathological profile of the patients included in this study, reinforcing the hypothesis of MMPs involvement in the natural history of ID herniation. However, further studies are BYL719 mw necessary to elucidate the exact role of MMPs in the resorption process of herniated lumbar discs.”
“Reactions of 2-(4-hydroxyarylamino)-1,4-naphthoquinones with cerium ammonium nitrate or pyridinium chlorochromate depending on the structure of initial substrate and the type of reagent led to the formation of 2-chloro-3-(4-cyclohexa-2,5-dienylideneamino)-1,4-dihydronaphthalene-1,4-diones, 2-(4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylamino)-1,4-naphthaquinones, and also to simultaneous oxidation and chlorination.”
“Objective: The objectives of this study were to specify the objective criteria of existence of cholesteatoma in chronic otitis media on the preoperative multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to evaluate the complications of disease.

Methods: We compared the results of preoperative MDCT scan with intraoperative findings in 71 patients (22 women, 49 men; mean age, 16-73 years) who had mastoidectomy operation between January 2008 and May 2012. Multidetector computed tomography evaluations of temporal bone were performed on a workstation using high-spatial-resolution magnified images with intended angle and plane.

(C) 2010 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Subvalvular aortic stenosis accounts for 1-2 % of all congenital heart disease and for 8-20 % of cases of left-ventricular outflow tract

(LVOT) obstruction in children. Recurrence of subaortic stenosis (SAS) is not uncommon after surgical management. This study was performed to investigate the clinical and surgical outcomes and to estimate the predictability of recurrences of C188-9 SAS. Seventy-nine patients age 3-21 years with SAS between 1994 and 2010 were reviewed. Fifty-one patients had discrete SAS, whereas the remaining 15 patients had fibromuscular ridge-type SAS. Mean follow-up time without surgery was 22 months (range of 1-94). Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of SAS

underwent surgery. Recurrence rates were 22.7 learn more % (15 patients), and these patients developed SAS at a mean of 4.7 years follow-up. We performed second surgical membrane resection in only 1 patient. The risk of recurrence of SAS was only linked to higher preoperative LVOT gradient. Twenty-three patients had no aortic regurgitation (AR) at preoperative echocardiography. Of these, 39.1 % had trivial, 8.7 % had mild, and 8.7 % had moderate AR after surgery; there was no significant AR. We conclude that surgical intervention was required most of the time in patients with SAS, and surgical outcomes was excellent even if there were associated cardiac defects. The risk of recurrences was higher, especially in patients with higher initial LVOT gradients, although a second surgery was rarely necessary in these patients.”
“To explore the relationship between excess weight and health related quality of life (HRQL) in the general population by means of the EuroQol-5D questionnaire.

The relationship between excess weight and HRQL was explored by the 2004 Canary Islands Health Survey. Survey participants from 16 years of age and older were classified according to their body mass index (BMI). The relationship

between excess weight and the dichotomized EuroQol-5D was examined by multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting by socio-demographic variables, smoking status, alcohol consumption, BGJ398 and self-reported disease status.

People with excess weight were older, less educated, and had more associated diseases than the population without excess weight. Excess weight and HRQL are inversely correlated. Severely obese participants showed EuroQol-5D index scores significantly lower than those of normal weight participants (0.65 vs. 0.87). The adjusted odds ratio for the lower HRQL is 3.17 for severely obese people compared to normal weight people.

Excess weight has a negative impact on HRQL, even for people without chronic diseases.

(C) 2011 International

Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We present a minimally invasive approach to the superior orbit via an eyebrow incision with a small osteotomy, minimal orbital rim resection and small frontal craniotomy.

This approach was used in 20 patients with a well-defined intra-and extraconal lesion superior to the optic nerve, who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2007.

This approach is purely extradural with minimal brain and orbital retraction. AZD5363 order The size of the lesion was not a limiting factor. Sensory deficits in the territory of the supraorbital nerve resolved within 7 months on average.

This this website approach presents a combination of an extra-and transcranial approach, which is indicated in all orbital lesions superior to the optic nerve. The clinical and cosmetic results are excellent.”
“Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)/functionalized-graphene nanocomposites were synthesized using the solution-blending method in chloroform. A dispersion of graphite oxide was added to a solution of the ammonium salt of octadecylamine (C18) to form octadecylamine-graphene (C18-graphene), which was then used as a functionalized graphene in the preparation of ABS nanocomposite films. ABS nanocomposite films with different

C18-graphene contents (03 wt %) were compared in terms of their thermomechanical properties and morphology. Despite the relatively low C18-graphene loadings studied, the nanocomposite films exhibited greatly improved thermomechanical properties compared with pure ABS. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011″
“Objectives: We hypothesized that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) with higher biofilm and capsule Selleck BKM120 production capability are more able to survive continuously in typhoid patients/carriers, with subsequent prolonged shedding in feces.

Methods: Bacterial cell release from biofilm (produced in vitro

and confirmed by specific staining and electron microscopy) and comparative cytotoxicity were studied on Caco2 cells. Functionality of the biofilm diffusion barrier was tested against ciprofloxacin. Biofilm production was graded and semi-quantified as -, +, ++, +++, and ++++.

Results: Out of 30 isolates, 23 produced biofilm. The average post-treatment detection of S. Typhi in blood was 7-13 days and in stool was 13-32 days. A fall in cell count from 104 to approximately 101 over the course of 3 days as compared to total elimination of planktonic cells in 16 h after ciprofloxacin application substantiated the protective role of biofilm. Lactic dehydrogenase release ranged from 38% in non-biofilm producers to 97% in the highest biofilm producers, indicating increased pathogenic behavior.

Conclusions: The period of S.

In this paper, a method is presented where arcs can be created using AEFs of just 4.5 kV/m. The results from experiments up to 60m long are used to form a mathematical model that predicts the occurrence of arc formation. The parameters of the energy supply, namely the voltage and capacitance, are found to determine the length of the arc that can be obtained. This model can be used by other research groups to reliably create long arcs; it is shown that many high voltage laboratories LGX818 already have equipment capable of producing arcs

several hundred meters long by using this method. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3660386]“
“The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) II and cingulum are two white matter tracts important for attention and other frontal lobe functions. These functions are

often disturbed in children with drug-resistant (DR) partial epilepsy, even when no abnormalities are seen on conventional MRI. We set out to determine whether abnormalities in these structures might be depicted on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies in the absence of abnormalities on conventional MRI. We compared the DTI findings of 12 children with DR partial epilepsy with those of 12 age- and gender-matched controls. We found that the SLF II Galunisertib cost fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the patients were significantly lower than those of the controls (means: 0.398 +/- 0.057 and 0.443 +/- 0.059, respectively, P = 0.002). Similarly, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and parallel diffusivity values for SLF II were also significantly lower in the patients. There were no differences in the FA and ADC values of the cingulum. Our findings are consistent with abnormal structural connectivity of the frontal lobe in children with DR partial epilepsy and provide a possible explanation for the previously reported functional abnormalities related to the SLF

II in these patients. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Vasovagal syncope usually occurs during upright posture, but Jardine et al. have Emricasan molecular weight described a variant that occurs at night. During sleep syncope patients are awakened from sleep with nausea, abdominal cramping, or a sense of impending diarrhea; get up; and faint in the bathroom. We report on a patient with recurrent sleep syncope (with physical injury) in whom an asystolic pause was documented during one of her sleep syncope spells. Implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker (5-year follow-up) cured her of further syncope. This is a report of pacemaker use for this unusual form of reflex syncope. (PACE 2012;xx; e1e4)”
“To conserve the foraging habitat of Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) in a large lowland river, we investigated the influence on this bat of prey variables (number or biomass) and insect origin (aquatic or terrestrial).

“
“Background: Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are widely used to diagnose malaria. The present study evaluated a new RDT, the Clearview(R) Malaria pLDH test targeting the pan-Plasmodium antigen lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH).

Methods: The Clearview(R) Malaria pLDH test was evaluated on fresh samples 5-Fluoracil in vivo obtained in returned international travellers using microscopy corrected by PCR as the reference method. Included samples were Plasmodium falciparum (139), Plasmodium vivax (22), Plasmodium

ovale (20), Plasmodium malariae (7), and 102 negative.

Results: Overall sensitivity for the detection of Plasmodium spp was 93.2%. For P. falciparum, the sensitivity was 98.6%; for P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae, overall sensitivities

were 90.9%, 60.0% and 85.7% respectively. For P. falciparum and for P. vivax, the sensitivities increased to 100% at parasite densities above 100/mu l. The specificity was 100%. The test was easily to perform and the result was stable for at least 1 hour.

Conclusion: The Clearview(R) Malaria pLDH was efficient for the diagnosis of malaria. The test was very sensitive for P. falciparum and P. vivax detection. The sensitivities for P. ovale and P. malariae were better than other RDTs”
“This paper is devoted to the preparation of thermoplastic nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP) and different amounts of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the range 0.252 wt %. The effect of SWNT content on the dynamic mechanical behavior, thermal degradation, this website crystalline structure, and the kinetic crystallizability of PP were studied. The results obtained from dynamic mechanical selleck kinase inhibitor thermal analyzer (DMTA) showed that the maximum storage modulus was achieved when 1 wt % SWNT was added into the pristine polymer. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites was measured by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). From the TGA results, it was found that the weight fraction

of PP which was located at the interface for the nanocomposite containing 0.5% SWNT was about 60%, and this value did not change much with the addition of higher amounts of SWNT. Moreover, the thickness of the interface between PP and SWNT was estimated to be of the order of 101 nm which is very close to the radii of gyration of PP molecular chains. Wide angle X-ray diffractometer (WAXD) was used to explore the crystalline structure of water and slow-cooled samples. It was found that the crystallization of PP in 040 lattice plane increased for the nanocomposites compared with PP for both cooling rates studied. It was also found that the kinetic crystallizability values were nearly the same for PP and the nanocomposites. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.