(c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Hydrogenated polyisoprene (HPIP) nanoparticles, synthesized via organic solvent-free hydrogenation using RhCl3/TPPMS as a catalyst, are novel nanofillers for natural rubber (NR) blends. Hydrogenation of a polyisoprene (PIP) emulsion was carried out in a Parr reactor. Rhodium trichloride (RhCl3 center dot 3H(2)O) and monosulfonated triphenylphosphine (TPPMS) were

used as the catalyst precursor. The HPIP was characterized see more by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The PIP hydrogenation in the absence of organic solvent is a first-order reaction with respect to carbon carbon double bond concentration, and the rate constant was dependent on catalyst concentration. The highest hydrogenation degree of 93% was achieved at a catalyst concentration of 250 mu M with a reaction time of 12 h. The NR/HPIP blends (blend ratio = 80:20) after thermal aging show high % retention of their tensile strength and modulus, maintaining 94.5% and 93.7%, respectively. Moreover, a combination of HPIP in NR improved the ozone resistance at the surface of the rubber blends. Therefore, the NR/HPIP 5-Fluoracil molecular weight composite exhibited a good retention of tensile properties after thermal aging and good

resistance toward ozone. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 3-dimensional exercise with visual feedback on stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty-two patients with

hemiplegia were randomly allocated to either a 3D exercise group (3DG) Consisting of 11 members or a weight shifting exercise group (WSG), also of 11 members. [Methods] The 3DG received neurophysiological treatment and performed 3D exercise and the WSG received neurophysiological treatment and performed weight shifting exercise, 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The Berg Balance Scale and 10m walking time were used to evaluate the patients’ balance and walking abilities. [Results] Balance and gait abilities of patients improved Z IETD FMK in both the 3DG and the WSG. A comparison of the two groups found that the 3DG showed a greater improvement in balance ability than the WSG. [Conclusion] 3- dimensional exercise with visual feedback is effective at improving the balance and gait of stroke patients.”
“Purpose of review The purpose of this study is to summarize recent advances in ageing and neuroAIDS by reviewing relevant articles from the preceding 18 months from PubMed and PsycINFO databases. Recent findings The success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has led to ageing of the HIV-infected population, which in turn contributes to the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Biomedical advances continue to clarify the pathophysiology of HAND despite effective cART, including chronic inflammatory and neurovascular causes.