A decrease of microhardness was observed during the water absorption tests. Moreover, the rice straw-based composites absorbed more water than the LBH589 kenaf-ones. Generally, the dyed NFs composites presented better water resistance than undyed ones. The pigments improved the adhesion and led to better mechanical performance. The natural fibers favored the cold crystallization process of PLLA and shifted the cold crystallization peak temperature to lower values, as it was confirmed by DSC measurements. The values of tensile storage modulus obtained after different preparation condition were strongly affected by the process of physical ageing. According to, tan 6
parameter, the samples stored at room temperature for a long time showed the highest amorphous content. The PLLA eco-composite reinforced with kenaf fibers, dyed with the red pigment, and annealed at 85 degrees C for 2 h displays the best mechanical properties. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 1088-1098,2010″
“Purpose: To compare two methods of reconstructing technetium 99m (Tc-99m) dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) data ordered subset expectation maximization with three-dimensional resolution recovery (OSEM-3D) and filtered back
projection (FBP)-in children in Vorinostat terms of improving image quality and reducing the radiopharmaceutical activity and radiation dose.
Materials and Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the requirement for informed patient consent. Fifty sequential pediatric
patient Tc-99m-DMSA SPECT studies of 98 kidneys were retrospectively analyzed by using a dual-detector gamma camera. FBP reconstruction with data from both detectors was compared with OSEM-3D reconstruction with half the gamma photon counts (ie, data from only one detector). Two nuclear medicine physicians blinded PKA inhibitor to the patients’ medical histories and reconstruction techniques evaluated the studies. Scores for image quality, renal size, and relative function were compared by using paired t tests. Total scores for renal cortical defects were compared by using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The kappa coefficient was calculated as an indicator of the concordance between the OSEM-3D and FBP reconstruction methods.
Results: Image quality was significantly enhanced with OSEM-3D (P < .001, paired t test). Cortical defects were identified better on OSEM-3D images than on FBP images. Of the 98 kidney SPECT studies analyzed, 19 showed identical cortical defects and 75 showed none at both OSEM-3D and FBP. In four kidneys, OSEM-3D depicted cortical defects that were not seen with FBP. No significant difference in relative renal function between the two methods was observed (P < .973).