Highly conducting lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophases of pluronics (P65, P85, P103, and P123) and hydrated lithium salts (LiCl and LiNO 3)

Demand for ionically conducting materials, as membranes and electrodes, is one of the driving forces of current research in chemistry, physics, and engineering. The lithium ion is a key element of these materials, and its assembly into nanostructures and mesophases is important for the membrane and electrode technologies. In this investigation, we show that hydrated lithium salts (such as LiCl·xH2O and LiNO3·xH 2O, x is as low as 1.5 and 3.0, respectively) and pluronics (triblock copolymer such as PX where X is 65, 85, 103, and 123) form lyotropic liquid crystalline mesophases (LLCM), denoted as LiY·xH2O-PX-n (Y is Cl- or NO3-, and n is the salt/PX mole ratio). The structure of the mesophase is hexagonal over a broad salt concentration and transforms to a cubic mesophase and then to disordered gel phase with an increasing salt content of the mixtures. The mesophases are unstable at low salt contents and undergo a phase separation into pure pluronics and salt-rich LLCMs. The salt content of the ordered mesophase can be as high as 30 mole ratio for each pluronic, which is a record high for any known salted phases. The mesophases also display high ac ionic conductivities, reaching up to 21 mS/cm at room temperature (RT), and are sensitive to the water content. These mesophases can be useful as ion-conducting membranes and can be used as media for the synthesis of lithium-containing nanoporous materials. © 2014 American Chemical Society

Electrical Characterization of Interdigitated Humidity Sensors Based on CNT Modied Calixarene Molecules

In this study, we report on the optimization and characterization of chloroform soluble cali

The effect of posterior distraction on vertebral growth in immature Pigs: An experimental simulation of growing rod technique

PubMedID: 20195208STUDY DESIGN.: Experimental study. OBJECTIVE.: The aim of this study is to evaluate the vertebral body growth under distraction forces in immature pigs treated with growing rod (GR) technique. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Distraction forces applied on growth plate of appendicular skeleton stimulate longitudinal growth. However, the effect of distraction forces on axial skeletal growth has not been fully investigated yet. METHODS.: Twelve 10-week-old domestic pigs were used in this experimental model to simulate GR technique. Four of them were lost during postoperative period because of deep wound infection. Cranially T12-L1 and caudally L4-L5 vertebrae were instrumented by pedicle screws bilaterally, while L2 and L3 were skipped. Distraction between pedicle screws was applied at index surgery. The rods were then lengthened twice in a month interval. All subjects were evaluated with anteroposterior and lateral spinal radiograph before surgery, after surgery, and at the final follow-up. The vertebral body heights of distracted segments (HD = L2 and L3) and control segments (HC = T9, T10 and T11) were measured. Average vertebral body heights and the increase percentage in the vertebral body heights were compared among control segments and distracted segments. RESULTS.: The preoperative vertebral body height was similar in 2 groups (preHC: 10.81 mm, n = 19, preHD: 11.27 mm, n = 16, P > 0.05). At the final follow-up, the average vertebral body height in distraction group was significantly higher than the control group (postHC: 17.03 mm, postHD: 18.58 mm, P < 0.05). The increase percentage in vertebral body height was higher in distracted segments, but there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION.: The vertebral growth continues during GR instrumentation. Distraction forces might stimulate also apophyseal growth of axial skeleton. © 2010, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Seroepidemiological survey of Rhodoccocus equi infection in asymptomatic horses from Bursa, Izmir and Istanbul provinces, Turkey

In order to assess the Rhodococcus equi infection in three provinces of Turkey (Bursa, Izmir and Istanbul), 696 sera from healthy foals and adult horses were tested by indirect ELISA using a R. equi reference strain (ATCC 6939) as antigen. 103 sera (14.80%) with titres &gt; 0.646 resulted positive. Seroprevalence was significantly higher (P=0.0053) in male than in female horses of Istanbul province, although higher antibody titres (mean value) were observed in the female group of Bursa and Izmir provinces with differences estimated between provinces(P=0.0002). Seroprevalence was correlated with age: foals aged less than 1 year (P&lt;10-4) and horses from 5 to 10 years old (P=0.018) resulted more infected in Bursa and Izmir provinces. Our findings indicate that R. equi infection actually occurs in all investigated provinces, suggesting the importance of serological survey to diagnose the infection and to prevent the zoonotic risk