(C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 3306-3313, 2011″
“There is an increasing opportunity to perform multifunctional imaging at a variety of organ sites with relatively short examination times. Each technique yields quantitative parameters that reflect specific aspects of the underlying tumor or tissue biology. Many biomarkers have emerged that provide unique information on tumor behavior, including response to treatment. The multiparametric approach combines the information from different

functional imaging techniques; this goes beyond what can be achieved by using any single functional technique, thus allowing an improved understanding of biologic processes and of responses to therapeutic interventions. Multiparametric imaging has many potential clinical roles; it is useful for AZD3965 pharmaceutical drug development and for predicting Fer-1 therapeutic efficacy. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“Synthetic scaffolds for tissue engineering coupled to stem cells represent a promising approach aiming to promote the regeneration of large defects of damaged tissues or organs. Magnetic nanocomposites formed by a biodegradable poly(caprolactone) (PCL) matrix

and superparamagnetic iron doped hydroxyapatite (FeHA) nanoparticles at different PCL/FeHA compositions have been successfully prototyped, layer on layer, through 3D bioplotting. Magnetic measurements, mechanical testing, and imaging were carried out to calibrate both model and technological processing in the magnetized scaffold prototyping. An amount of 10% w/w of magnetic FeHA nanoparticles represents a reinforcement for PCL matrix, however, a reduction

of strain at failure is also observed. Energy loss (absorption) measurements under a radio-frequency applied magnetic field were performed in the resulting magnetic scaffolds and very promising heating properties were observed, making them very useful for potential biomedical applications. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3561149]“
“In this article the characterization of the thermal BIIB057 mw behavior of foamable PVC (Poly (vinyl chloride)) plastisols from 20 different plasticizers has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The interactions between the resin and the plasticizer as well as the decomposition of the azodicarbonamide (ADC)-the chemical blowing agent (CBA) used-have been analyzed. The latter process is of crucial importance for the knowledge of plasticized PVC flexible foam formation. Clear effects of the chemical nature of the plasticizers and their molecular weight (M-w) have been observed, both in the interactions (swelling and early stages of gelation) between the resin and the plasticizer, as well as in the temperature of the ADC decomposition and the shape of the DSC peak. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.