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This research investigates novel polymeric composite materials for automotive interior trim applications. The composites utilize recycled polypropylene (PPr) matrix and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as filler (PPr/CMC: 100/0, 95/5, and 90/10 wt.%). The materials were processed by extrusion and injection molding. Considering their intended application, the composites were evaluated for resistance to key climatic factors, i.e., temperature, humidity, and UV radiation. In addition, structural analyses and FTIR analyses were performed to assess potential heterogeneity and thermal stability. Following FTIR tests, the incorporation of carboxymethyl cellulose in polypropylene is confirmed by the detection of characteristic CMC bands for -OH, C=O, and C-O-C groups. The results indicate slight structural heterogeneity in the 5% and 10% CMC composites. However, no thermal distortions were observed in either the composites or the PPr matrix itself. The behavior of PPr/CMC composites under the action of the mentioned climatic factors has been assessed from the variation of dielectric characteristics with frequency. The strong polarization of CMC leads to a sharp increase in composites electrical conductivity after submersion in water for 480 h, suggesting weakening of the composite structure. After exposure to UV radiation, a sharp increase in conductivity is observed even after the first cycle (72 h) of UV radiation. Following the experimental results obtained in our study, it is recommended to use the PPr +10% CMC composite for obtaining different interior ornaments (carpets, supports, etc.). At the same time, the use of these materials also has the advantage of lightening the mass of the vehicle due to their lower density than polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the technological process used to manufacture composite paints with a high content of metallic microparticles (Al and Fe) for automotive electromagnetic compatibility applications. The thickness of the deposited paint layer was larger for paints with a greater metal content, regardless of the plastic support used for paint deposition. The roughness of paint layers with a greater content of metal particles was about 30%–35% higher than that of layers with a lower metal particle content, regardless of the metal type. The surface roughness of paint layers containing Al was at least 2.5-times higher than that of paint layers containing Fe, an aspect that could be explained by the better formulation of the paint containing Fe. The dielectric loss and conductivity values crucially depend on the plastic substrate used, meaning that the dipolar polarization of the substrate enhances the effect of conductive paints. Based on the dielectric properties measured at 10 kHz, the optimal recipe for efficient electromagnetic compatibility was found to be 20 wt.% Fe powder, deposited on a sandblasted polycarbonate (PC) substrate. It is expected that formulations of paints with a high percentage of metallic particles will effectively compete with traditional plastic metallization technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the process of obtaining geopolymer composites using raw materials from critical waste, i.e., mixed power plant ash and furnace slag powder. Using such geopolymer composites, structural insulation panels were made in the laboratory, which were subjected to tests specific to construction applications. At the same time, some special properties, such as sound insulation and electromagnetic shielding properties for special applications, were tested. The results obtained from the functional tests led to the conclusion that the panels made of geopolymer composites provided both sound and electromagnetic attenuation values clearly superior to those obtained from autoclaved cellular concrete, brick, or concrete structures, which encourages us to suggest such material concepts for complex shielding purposes. The sustainability of the technology for producing such geopolymer composites was fully demonstrated from the economic, environmental, and social perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in the Early‐Growth Response 2 (EGR2) gene cause various hereditary neuropathies, including demyelinating Charcot–Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease type 1D (CMT1D), congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy type 1 (CHN1), Déjerine–Sottas syndrome (DSS), and axonal CMT (CMT2). Methods: In this study, we identified 14 patients with heterozygous EGR2 mutations diagnosed between 2000 and 2022. Results: Mean age was 44 years (15–70), 10 patients were female (71%), and mean disease duration was 28 years (1–56). Disease onset was before age 15 years in nine cases (64%), after age 35 years in four cases (28%), and one patient aged 26 years was asymptomatic (7%). All symptomatic patients had pes cavus and distal lower limbs weakness (100%). Distal lower limbs sensory symptoms were observed in 86% of cases, hand atrophy in 71%, and scoliosis in 21%. Nerve conduction studies showed a predominantly demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy in all cases (100%), and five patients needed walking assistance after a mean disease duration of 50 years (47–56) (36%). Three patients were misdiagnosed as inflammatory neuropathy and treated with immunosuppressive drugs for years before diagnosis was corrected. Two patients presented with an additional neurologic disorder, including Steinert's myotonic dystrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia (14%). Eight EGR2 gene mutations were found, including four previously undescribed. Interpretation.: Our findings demonstrate EGR2 gene‐related hereditary neuropathies are rare and slowly progressive demyelinating neuropathies with two major clinical presentations, including a childhood‐onset variant and an adult‐onset variant which may mimic inflammatory neuropathy. Our study also expands the genotypic spectrum of EGR2 gene mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formulations incorporating benzophenone oligodimethacrylate (BP-DMA) and graphene structures (graphene oxide/GO, reduced graphene oxide/RGO) were exposed to UV/vis irradiation or femtosecond laser beam to achieve hybrid composites. All structures were characterized through various methods including 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, optical microscopy, TEM, SEM/EDAX analysis, and DSC/XRD techniques. The photopolymerization of BP-DMA in monomer compositions with and without GO or RGO was investigated by photo-DSC and FTIR methods for determining the polymerization kinetic parameters. The photopolymerization experiments revealed a good photoreactivity of the monomers (degree of conversion: 65-77%) after 1 minute exposure to UV/vis irradiation and the addition of graphene (up to 0.5%), whereas the polymerization rate varied between 0.14 and 0.1 s-1. Moreover, two-photon photopolymerization of the formulations in presence/absence of GO or RGO nanosheets (0.1 wt.%) generated 2D microstructures by direct laser writing procedure. Also, the morphology and the properties of composites materials were analyzed.

In this paper, the obtaining and characterization of five experimental models of novel polymer composite materials with ferrite nano-powder are presented. The composites were obtained by mechanically mixing two components and pressing the obtained mixture on a hot plate press. The ferrite powders were obtained by an innovative economic co-precipitation route. The characterization of these composites consisted of physical and thermal properties: hydrostatic density, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and TG DSC thermal analyses, along with functional electromagnetic tests in order to demonstrate the functionality of these materials as electromagnetic shields (magnetic permeability, dielectric characteristics, and shielding effectiveness). The purpose of this work was to obtain a flexible composite material, applicable to any type of architecture for the electrical and automotive industry, necessary for protection against electromagnetic interference. The results demonstrated the efficiency of such materials at lower frequencies, but also in the microwave domain, with higher thermal stability and lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: In addition to combined central and peripheral demyelination, other immune diseases could involve both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Methods: To identify immune‐mediated diseases responsible for symptomatic combined central/peripheral nervous system involvement (ICCPs), we conducted a multicentric retrospective study and assessed clinical, electrophysiological, and radiological features of patients fulfilling our ICCP criteria. Results: Thirty patients (20 males) were included and followed during a median of 79.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 43–145). The median age at onset was 51.5 years (IQR = 39–58). Patients were assigned to one of four groups: (i) monophasic disease with concomitant CNS/PNS involvement including anti‐GQ1b syndrome (acute polyradiculoneuropathy + rhombencephalitis, n = 2), checkpoint inhibitor‐related toxicities (acute polyradiculoneuropathy + encephalitis, n = 3), and anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy (subacute polyradiculoneuropathy and meningoencephalomyelitis with linear gadolinium enhancements, n = 2); (ii) chronic course with concomitant CNS/PNS involvement including paraneoplastic syndromes (ganglionopathy/peripheral hyperexcitability + limbic encephalitis, n = 4); (iii) chronic course with sequential CNS/PNS involvement including POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, skin changes) syndrome (polyradiculoneuropathy + strokes, n = 2), histiocytosis (polyradiculoneuropathy + lepto‐/pachymeningitis, n = 1), and systemic vasculitis (multineuropathy + CNS vasculitis/pachymeningitis, n = 2); and (iv) chronic course with concomitant or sequential CNS/PNS involvement including combined central and peripheral demyelination (polyradiculoneuropathy + CNS demyelinating lesions, n = 10) and connective tissue diseases (ganglionopathy/radiculopathy/multineuropathy + limbic encephalitis/transverse myelitis/stroke, n = 4). Conclusions: We diagnosed nine ICCPs. The timing of central and peripheral manifestations and the disease course help determine the underlying immune disease. When antibody against neuroglial antigen is identified, CNS and PNS involvement is systematically concomitant, suggesting a common CNS/PNS antigen and a simultaneous disruption of blood–nerve and blood–brain barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to obtain new hybrid composite materials (HCM) with applications in electromagnetic shielding and their characterization using new methods. The paper presents 6 experimental models (EM) of new hybrid composite materials (HCM) with applications in the electromagnetic shielding and their characterization using new methods. EMs were obtained by extrusion and melt injection, with different ratios of HDPE/hybrid NiFe2O4/Ag mixture concentrations: 100/0 - I0; 97/3 - I1; 95/5 - I2; 93/7 - I3; 90/10 - I4 and 80/20 - I5. The characterizations performed within this work are imposed and correlated with the operating conditions of these materials. Thus, we studied the behavior of polymer composite materials with hybrid fillers, under the action of different degradation factors such as ionizing radiation, UV radiation and moisture. Following the tests performed, the experimental model I5, composite with maximum ferrite concentration, i.e. 20 %, was chosen as the optimal variant. It was aimed to identify the degree of degradation of the developed composite materials, as a function of the variation of tan d with frequency, at different aging/conditioning cycles. The originality element of the paper consisted in determining the life time remaining of the HCM until the moment it needs to be replaced, by an original method protected of by an invention patent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]