“
“The surface functionality and interlayer spacing changes induced by gamma-ray irradiation were investigated in multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The modification effect of MWCNTs irradiated in air

and epoxy chloropropane (ECP) was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The results indicated that c-ray irradiation in two different media improved the amount of oxygen-containing functional groups on nanotube surface, and the irradiation in ECP was more efficient. Compared with the pristine MWCNTs, the MWCNTs irradiated in air exhibited a decrease in width of G band and intensity ratio of D to G band in the Raman spectra and an increase in intensity and diffraction angle of (002) characteristic x-ray peak. However, Lapatinib chemical structure buy Tubastatin A the MWCNTs tended to show the opposite behaviors in Raman spectra and x-ray diffraction patterns after they were irradiated in ECP. This preliminary study suggests that gamma-ray irradiation in air can meaningfully decrease the interlayer distance of MWCNTs and improve the graphitization of MWCNTs, while irradiation in ECP

disorders and breaks the structure of MWCNTs. It is worth expecting that MWCNTs can be functionalized by gamma-rays in reactive liquid and also be employed for preventing gamma-ray radiation from reaching sensitive materials at least for short term experiments in air. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3552598]“
“The cardiovascular effects of the water extract from fresh leaves of P. palatiferum (PP) were evaluated in rats in both in vivo and in vitro models. The PP extract consisted of alkaloids, coumarins and sterols. The extract (5-25 mg/kg, I.V.) decreased both the mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate of normotensive

and l-N-(omega)-nitro-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced hypertensive anesthetized rats. The extract caused relaxation of the norepinephrine-contracted endothelium-intact aorta ring (EC(50) = 81.0 mu g/mL). Functional removal of the endothelium attenuated the vasodilatation effect of the extract (EC(50) = 136.4 mu g/mL). Pretreatment with l-NAME or atropine did not alter the vasodilation effect of the extract. Pre-incubation with atropine did not alter bradycardic effect of the extract PND-1186 manufacturer on isolated rat atrium. The effects of isoproterenol on isolated atrium were attenuated by the extract (2.5-5 mg/mL). In conclusion, the water extract from fresh leaves of P. palatiferum possessed hypotensive and bradycardic effects. The vasorelaxant effect of the extract was dependent partly on the vascular endothelium but was not dependent on the synthesis of nitric oxide and did not act through activation of the muscarinic receptor.”
“There is an urgent demand for high performance Pb-free piezoelectrics to substitute for the current workhorse, the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) family.