Segmented morphology of surface as well as in bulk of aliphatic polyurethanes is evident from SEM and TEM images and grows with increasing HSC. In contrast, homogeneous and amorphous nature has been observed for aromatic PUs. In situ segregation of phases in aliphatic PUs have been captured through light transmittance and optical images which is categorically absent in aromatic polyurethane.

(C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 3546-3555, 2011″
“The dc and ac electrical transport property of polyvinyl alcohol-multiwall carbon nanotubes composites has been investigated within a temperature range 77 <= T <= 300 K and in the frequency range 20 Hz-1 MHz in presence as well as in absence of a transverse magnetic field up to 1 T. The dc conductivity follows variable selleck inhibitor range hopping model. The magnetoconductivity of the samples changes a sign from positive to negative with an increase in temperature which can be

interpreted by the dominancy of the quantum interference effect over the wave function shrinkage effect. The ac QNZ nmr conductivity follows a power law whereas the temperature dependence of frequency exponent s can be explained by correlated barrier hopping model. The dielectric behavior of the samples has been governed by the grain and grain boundary resistance and capacitance. The ac conductivity reduces with the application of magnetic

field. Although the theoretical model to explain it, is still lacking, we may conclude that this is due to the increase in grain and grain boundary resistance by the application of magnetic field. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3544204]“
“To investigate the serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) in Korean female patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and correlate these levels with variables of disease severity including morning stiffness, we measured HA serum levels selleck kinase inhibitor in 69 FM patients, 72 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 71 healthy controls by enzyme-linked binding protein assay. The serum levels of HA in FM patients did not differ from those in the age-matched controls, whereas HA levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in FM patients and controls (both P < 0.001). With a cut-off value of 75 ng/mL, the prevalence of seropositivity was higher in RA patients (59.7%) than in FM patients (26.1%) or controls (14.1%; both P < 0.001). There were no differences in seropositivity between FM patients and controls, or between FM patients with severe symptoms and those with mild symptoms. The HA levels in FM patients were significantly correlated with age, age at diagnosis, age at symptom development, disease duration, symptom duration, and level of education.