Renal-related perinephric fluid collections: MRI findings

We retrospectively reviewed MR studies on 10 patients with renal-related perinephric fluid collections who underwent MRI in three institutions between January 2001 and August 2004. All patients underwent MRI of the abdomen and T1-weighted, T2-weighted and serial contrast-enhanced images, including delayed-phase contrast-enhanced images 10-12 min after contrast injection, were obtained. Perinephric fluid collections in 5 patients revealed MRI findings of simple fluid content (i.e., hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images). In another 5 patients, a complex perinephric fluid content (i.e., mixed hyper/hypointense on T1-weighted images and mixed hypo/hyperintense on T2-weighted images compatible with blood breakdown products and pus) was observed. In 5 patients, contrast extravasation on late-phase images that was compatible with urine leak was demonstrated. Our results suggest that MRI may determine the content of perinephric fluid collections on noncontrast T1-weighted and T2-weighted images and that contrast extravasation on late-phase images is associated with urine extravasation from renal collecting systems.     

Block copolymers of thiophene-capped poly(methyl methacrylate) with pyrrole

Poly(methyl methacrylate) with a thiophene end group having narrow polydispersity was prepared by the Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) technique. Subsequently, electrically conducting block copolymers of thiophene-capped poly(methyl methacrylate) with pyrrole were synthesized by using p-toluene sulfonic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate as the supporting electrolytes via constant potential electrolysis. Characterization of the block copolymers were performed by CV, FTIR, SEM, TGA, and DSC analyses. Electrical conductivities were evaluated by the four-probe technique. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4218–4225, 1999     

Conducting graft copolymers of pyrrole and thiophene with random copolymers of methyl methacrylate and 3-methylthienyl methacrylate

Random copolymers of 3-methyl thienylmethacrylate and methyl methacrylate were synthesized via free radical polymerization. Electro-copolymerizations of random copolymers with thiophene and/or pyrrole were carried out in acetonitrile-tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBAFB), water-p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) solvent-electrolyte couples. Oxidative polymerization of thiophene functionalized random copolymer was also achieved by constant current electrolysis and chemical polymerization. The characterizations were done by conductivity measurements, cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Biodegradation of chemically modified wheat gluten-based natural polymer materials

Biodegradation of a series of chemically modified thermally processed wheat gluten (WG)-based natural polymers were examined according to Australian Standard (AS ISO 14855). Most of these materials reached 93-100% biodegradation within 22 days of composting, and the growth of fungi and significant phase deformation were observed during the process. Chemical crosslinking did slow down the rate or reduce the degree of the biodegradation with different behaviours for different modified systems. The segments containing structures derived from the reactions with additives such as tannin or epoxidised soybean oil remained in the degradation residues while the glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane agent produced ∼20% un-degraded residues containing silicon-crosslinking structures. The biodegradation rate of each component of the materials was also different with the protein and starch components degraded fast but lipid degraded relatively slowly.     

The impact of fat tailed returns on asset allocation

This paper analyzes the asset allocation problem of an investor who can invest in equity and cash when there is time variation in expected returns on the equity. The solution methodology is multistage stochastic asset allocation problem with decision rules. The uncertainty is modeled using economic scenarios with Gaussian and stable Paretian non-Gaussian innovations. The optimal allocations under these alternative hypothesis are compared. Our computational results suggest that asset allocation may be up to 20% different depending on the utility function and the risk aversion level of the investor. Certainty equivalent return can be increased up to .13% and utility can be improved up to .72% by switching to the stable Paretian model.     

Human Serum Albumin−Gold Nanoparticle Based Impedimetric Sensor for Sensitive Detection of miRNA-200c

Here, human serum albumin conjugated gold nanoparticles (HSA−AuNPs) were synthesized by a simple route to develop an impedimetric sensor for miRNA-200c detection based on a selective oligo-hybridization process without any labeling. The synthetic DNA capture probe for miRNA-200c was decorated onto the HSA−AuNPs modified pencil graphite electrodes. Impedimetric signals were monitored after the hybridization process between the DNA probe and target miRNA-200c. HSA−AuNPs adsorption time, incubation time of the capture probe and hybridization time-temperature were optimized. The proposed miRNA-200c biosensor demonstrated proper sensitivity and selectivity, low detection limit (1.13 fM), good reproducibility and simple direct detection of miRNA-200c in serum.     

Synthesis of chalcone‐containing methacrylate‐based hydrogen bonded side chain liquid crystalline polymer and its dielectric properties

In this work, a new methacrylate‐based hydrogen bonded side chain liquid crystalline polymer having chalcone moieties (HBCP) was prepared from poly(4‐(3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)acryloyl) phenyl methacrylate) and 11‐(4‐cyanobiphenyl‐4(‐oxy) undekan‐1‐ol (LC11)) by molecular self‐assembly processes via hydrogen bond formation between nitrogen of the HBCP and hydroxyl group of the LC11. The formation of H bond was confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The phase transition temperatures and liquid crystalline phases of the HBCP were examined by DSC and POM measurements. The dielectric properties of HBCP have been determined by impedance analyzer within the frequency interval of 100 Hz–15 MHz. According to Cole–Cole plot, the equivalent circuit of the LC system has been found as a capacitor in parallel with a resistor. The resonance frequency, f_r, of the R–C circuit has also been calculated as 1.59 MHz by phase angle versus frequency curve. The dielectric relaxation type of HBCP has been determined as nearly‐Debye type because the absorption coefficient, α, equals to 0.01655. From the conductivity point of view, HBCP displays dc conductivity at the low and high frequency regions that correspond to 100 Hz–12 kHz and 3.3 MHz–15 MHz, respectively. On the other hand, it has been revealed that the ac conductivity of the LC system investigated obeys Super Linear Power Law (SLPL) at the intermediate frequency domain. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly(p-phenylenes) with well-defined side chain polymers

1,4-Dibromo-2,5-bis(bromomethyl)benzene and benzene-2,5-dibromomethyl-1,4-bis(boronic acid propanediol diester) were used as bifunctional initiators in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) of styrene or in cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP) of tetrahydrofuran in conjunction with CuBr /2,2'-bipyridine or AgSbF₆, respectively. The resulting well-defined macromonomers with low polydispersities, bearing functional groups as bromine or boronic ester were used in Suzuki or Yamamoto type couplings, leading to poly(p-phenylene)s (PPPs) with polystyrene (PSt), polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) or alternating PSt/PTHF side chains. The new polymers were characterized by GPC, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR and UV analysis. Thermal behavior of the precursors PSt or PTHF macromonomers and the final polyphenylenes were investigated by TGA and DSC analyses and compared.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of vardenafil hydrochloride at pencil graphite electrode

In this paper, we present a very popular and low-cost sensor material as disposable pencil graphite electrode (PGE) system for the trace-level determination of vardenafil hydrochloride (VRL). Electrochemical behavior and determination of VRL was carried out by cyclic and square-wave adsorptive anodic stripping (SW-AdAS) voltammetry. The proposed method was highly sensitive and had a linear calibration range from 3 × 10^?10 to 1 × 10^?7 M with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation values were calculated as 1 × 10^?10 and 3 × 10^?10 M, respectively. Developed method with disposable PGE shows high sensitivity, selectivity and stability in a wide concentration range for VRL determination without the necessity of any modification. Additionally, this system was successfully applied in Levitra^® tablets and spiked human serum in trace level of VRL. Some kinetic parameters of VRL’s were represented for the first time. The results showed that the proposed method is highly sensitive, easy and low cost for trace-level determination of VRL.