Preparation and characterization of in situ polymerized cyclic butylene terephthalate/graphene nanocomposites

Graphene reinforced cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) matrix nanocomposites were prepared and characterized by mechanical and thermal methods. These nanocomposites containing different amounts of graphene (up to 5 wt%) were prepared by melt mixing with CBT that was polymerized in situ during a subsequent hot pressing. The nanocomposites and the neat polymerized CBT (pCBT) as reference material were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA) and heat conductivity measurements. The dispersion of the grapheme nanoplatelets was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was established that the partly exfoliated graphene worked as nucleating agent for crystallization, acted as very efficient reinforcing agent (the storage modulus at room temperature was increased by 39 and 89% by incorporating 1 and 5 wt.% graphene, respectively). Graphene incorporation markedly enhanced the heat conductivity but did not influence the TGA behaviour due to the not proper exfoliation except the ash content

Methodology approaches and challenges in population‐based longitudinal study of a neuroprotective model for healthy longevity

Aim: The 36‐month Long‐Term Research Grant Scheme project: Towards Usual Aging – Neuroprotective Model for Healthy Longevity among Malaysian Elderly was designed to address multidimensional aspects including psychosocial, biophysical health, nutrition and dietary pattern, and auditory and visual function to highlight the magnitude of these associations in a single study. Methods: A total of 2322 respondents aged ≥60 years were recruited at baseline using the multistage sampling method, followed up at 18 months and 36 months. Results: Response rates at baseline, 18 months and 36 months were 87.8%, 77.3% and 67.1%, respectively. At baseline, the prevalence of successful aging, usual aging and mild cognitive impairment was 11%, 73% and 16%, respectively. The prevalence of single and multimorbidity at baseline were 25.9% and 50.3%, respectively. The incidence rates of mild cognitive impairment at 18 months and 36 months were 6.5 and 5.6 per 100 person‐years. The incidence rates of multimorbidity at 18 months and 36 months were 23.7 and 21.5 per 100 person‐years, respectively. Conclusions: The Long‐Term Research Grant Scheme project: Towards Usual Aging study provides an opportunity to investigate the interactions between wide ranges of aspects of the older population in a nationally representative sample of the older population