Improvement of the mechanical and flame-retardant properties of polyetherimide membranes modified with Graphene oxide

Polyetherimide (PEI) membranes doped with different amounts (1–5 wt.%) of Graphene Oxide (GO) were prepared through a solution casting method. The effect of the Graphene Oxide incorporation on mechanical and flame-retardant properties was investigated by XDR, FTIR and SEM analyses. Results showed that the addition of 5 wt.% of GO into the membranes caused a 30% of improvement in the tensile strength and a significant increase in the glass transition temperature. Flame-retardant properties were improved when the amount of Graphene Oxide into PEI membrane was increased. These improvements in the membrane composites expand its application for aerospace and building industries.     

Analysis of source code metrics from ns-2 and ns-3 network simulators

Ns-2 and its successor ns-3 are discrete-event simulators which are closely related to each other as they share common background, concepts and similar aims. Ns-3 is still under development, but it offers some interesting characteristics for developers while ns-2 still has a large user base. While other studies have compared different network simulators, focusing on performance measurements, in this paper we adopted a different approach by focusing on technical characteristics and using software metrics to obtain useful conclusions. We chose ns-2 and ns-3 for our case study because of the popularity of the former in research and the increasing use of the latter. This reflects the current situation where ns-3 has emerged as a viable alternative to ns-2 due to its features and design. The paper assesses the current state of both projects and their respective evolution supported by the measurements obtained from a broad set of software metrics. By considering other qualitative characteristics we obtained a summary of technical features of both simulators including, architectural design, software dependencies or documentation policies.     

Straightforward, one-step fabrication of ultrathin thermoresponsive films from commercially available pNIPAm for cell culture and recovery

The use of thermoresponsive surfaces as platforms for cell culture and cell regeneration has been explored over the last couple of decades. Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAm) is a well characterized thermoresponsive polymer which has an aqueous lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in a physiologically useful range, which allows it to reversibly attract (T < 32 °C) and repel water (T > 32 °C). It is this phenomenon that is exploited in temperature-controlled cell harvesting. pNIPAm coatings are generally poorly cell compatible and a number of complex or expensive techniques have been developed in order to overcome this issue. This study seeks to design a simple one-step system whereby commercially sourced pNIPAm is used to achieve similar results. Films were deposited using the operationally simple but rheologically complex spin coating technique. Reversible temperature modulated cell adhesion was achieved using a variety of different cell lines. This system offers a simplistic and cheaper alternative to methods used elsewhere.     

Spatial disparities in the European Union: an analysis of regional polarization

This paper examines the degree of polarization in the European Union regional per capita income distribution between 1977 and 1999 from several complementary perspectives. Specifically, we have combined a non-parametric analysis with the information provided by various polarization measures proposed by the literature on personal income distribution. The results reveal that the European regions tend to cluster into different per capita income classes during the study period. Nevertheless, the level of intra-distribution mobility is relatively low, especially in regions at the upper and lower ends of the distribution. In any event, regional polarization has decreased over time, as a consequence of various factors sometimes working in opposite directions. Additionally, the empirical evidence provided reveals that the geographical location of the various regions and the differences in their productivity levels, play a major role in explaining the polarization patterns observed in the European Union.     

Project risk management methodology for small firms

We present a project management methodology designed for small businesses (SMEs), who need to run projects beyond their normal operations. These projects are critical to the survival of these organisations, such as the development of new products to adapt to the market or new legislation, management system implementations, etc. Very frequently, the managers of these projects are not project management professionals, so they need guidance to have autonomy, using minimal time and documentation resources. The risk management method outlined in this paper is based on extensive research with a large number (72) of Spanish companies. This new methodology considers the factors that are usually neglected by SMEs; i.e., project alignment with the company's strategy and results management. The methodology, based on project risk management, includes simple tools, templates and risk checklists with recommended actions and indicators. For validation it was tested in five different types of real projects (innovation, management systems and ICT implementation) of industrial and service companies with different characteristics.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in plasma and tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats after the short- and long-term intake of hydrolysed egg white

This paper evaluates the effects of the short- (1 g/kg) and long-term (0.5 and 1 g/kg/day) oral intake of egg white hydrolysed with pepsin (hEW) and the long-term oral intake (1 g/kg/day) of egg white (EW) on local angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities in plasma and other tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as compared to the effect of the ACE inhibitor prototype captopril. The rats treated with hEW were classed in a different group than the control rats and the rats treated with EW by cluster analysis, taking into account their tissue ACE activities and their systolic blood pressure (SBP). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that SBP in SHR was negatively related with ACE activity in plasma and positively related with ACE activity in aorta and kidney. ACE activity in plasma significantly increased after the long-term treatment with hEW (0.5 g/kg/day). ACE activity in aorta and kidney was significantly inhibited 4 h after the short-term administration of hEW. The long-term treatment with hEW caused local effects on ACE activity in aorta, kidney and lungs that followed a pattern similar, but less pronounced, than that caused by captopril.     

Detection of genetically modified plant products by protein strip testing: an evaluation of real-life samples

The determination of the presence of genetically modified plant material by the detection of expressed genetically engineered proteins using lateral flow protein strip tests has been evaluated in different matrices. The presence of five major genetically engineered proteins (CP4-EPSPS, CryIAb, Cry9C, PAT/pat and PAT/bar protein) was detected at low levels in seeds, seed/leaf powder and leaf tissue from genetically modified soy, maize or oilseed rape. A comparison between “protein strip test” (PST) and “polymerase chain reaction” (PCR) analysis of genetically modified food/feed samples demonstrates complementarities of both techniques.     

Quality changes in chilled Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) tail meat and the effects of delayed icing

The quality deterioration of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) tail meat was monitored during ice storage. The K‐value started at 0.7% and reached a value of 39.7% on day 14. Muscle pH followed a sigmoidal pattern that reached a plateau on day 6. Bacterial load and trimethylamine (TMA) increased only after a lag phase to reach considerable levels by day 14 (5.3 log cfu and 10.2 mg (100 g)^?1, respectively). These analytical data were compared with sensory data. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that laboratory measures were correlated positively with the smell strength of cooked product (increasingly strong) and negatively with the smell character of raw and cooked product (sour‐ammoniacal in raw and neutral in cooked products), flavour and aftertaste (both increasingly bland–bitter). The effects of icing delays on the quality of tail meat were also evaluated. Changes in K‐values, microbial load, muscle pH and TMA indicated that the delay to icing should be no more than 4 h (at 16 °C) to ensure that quality is not compromised during subsequent post‐harvest storage.     

Paratesticular tumor. Liposarcoma of the spermatic cord

Liposarcoma of the spermatic cord is a rare tumour typically presenting in elderly people. It tends to grow around blood vessels. Most of them have a low level of malignancy and relapses tend to be localized. Metastasis, when present, occur through the haematological route, lymph spread being very unusual. Pre-operative diagnosis is infrequent and overall prognosis is good. The choice treatment is radical orchidectomy, while long-term follow-up of these patients is mandatory. When local relapses become evident, the choice treatment is extensive local excision, followed by optional adjuvant radiotherapy. Chemotherapy has not proven to be effective. This paper reviews the current literature and contributes one case of mixed liposarcoma of the spermatic cord.