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A composite polymeric membrane to be used as electrolyte in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells has been prepared and characterized. The membrane is composed of an acidic polymer, sulfonated polyetheretherketone, and of basic filler, amino-diphenylsilandiol, a functionalized organically modified silane. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)/fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated the occurrence of a specific interaction of the polymer SO3H groups with the basic function of the filler. Such interaction reflected in reduced swelling, enhanced thermal stability, and good proton conductivity values at intermediate temperatures (σ ≈ 10−2 S cm−1 at 100°C). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the perovskite-type A1-ySryCo1-xFexO3-&sigma solid solution series. It discusses details of the experiment to determine the effects of average A divalent dopant radius and oxygen vacancies (&sigma) in the structure of the stated solid solution series. It explores the significance of the research in the manufacturing process of cathode film.

Purpose To select fluorescein angiography (FA) signs detected in Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in order to propose a new classification. Methods From December 2009 to December 2010, 15 patients affected by ROP (stage 2 or 3, zone 2, no plus) were evaluated at San Matteo Hospital(Pavia) and Maria Vittoria Hospital (Torino) along with their FA exams by an expert in paediatric retina diseases. Among the multiple FA features in ROP, we considered: ischaemic area posterior to the shunt, leakage at the vascularised/avascularised junction (v/av j) and peripheral plus (vessel tortuosity just beyond the v/av). Results Patient group characteristics were: Mean Gestational age: 25 weeks Mean Weight at Birth: 657 g Mean Age at ROP diagnosis: 30 weeks Considering the described criteria, we were able to detected a new class of ROP patients; they were all described as type 2 ROP on the basis of fundus examinations, while FA characteristics permitted to: ‐ Identify a more aggressive subtype of ROP type 2, in need of a sudden treatment ‐ Plan FA based laser administration which involved the ischaemic area near the shunt All the patients in the study received a laser treatment with favourable structural and visual outcome. Conclusion FA classification allows to advance and/or improve laser administration in FA selected patients with retinopathy of prematurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]