“
“Ultralow dielectric permittivity (k=2.58) nanohybrid

dielectric film was obtained by dispersing 3.0 wt % mesoporous silicate (MCM-41) particles with nanosize hollow channels into polyimide (PI) selleck inhibitor polymer. The ultralow k value of the hybrid film can be mainly attributed to the low k value of MCM-41 itself and the small air gaps in the hybrid films. High volume resistivity and high breakdown strength were also observed for those films. At high concentration of MCM-41 loading (>3.0 wt %), the k values of the films increased significantly due to the contribution of strong interfacial polarization and interaction among MCM-41 particles. The ultralow k feature of the PI/MCM-41 nanohybrid films was explained well by Maxwell-Garnett and Bruggeman equations. The PI/MCM-41 nanohybrid film with good thermal stability as well as excellent dielectric properties can be considered as good candidate for advanced dielectric

materials.”
“Toxicological studies showed that trihalomethanes (THMs), the most abundant classes of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water, impaired male reproductive health, but epidemiological evidence is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to examine the associations of baseline blood THMs with semen parameters and serum total testosterone in a Chinese population. We recruited 401 men seeking semen examination from the Reproductive Center of Tone Hospital in Wuhan, China between April 2011 and May 2012. Baseline blood concentrations of THMs, Liproxstatin-1 in vitro including chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and bromoform (TBM) were measured using SPME-GC/ECD method. Semen quality and serum total testosterone were analyzed. Multivariable linear regressions were used to assess the associations

of baseline blood THM concentrations with semen parameters and serum total testosterone levels. We found that baseline blood THM concentrations were not associated with decrements in sperm motility, sperm check details straight-line and curvilinear velocity. However, moderate levels of BDCM(beta=-0.13 million; 95% CI:-0.22, -0.03) and DBCM (beta=-4.74%; 95% CI:-8.07, -1.42) were associated with decreased sperm count and declined sperm linearity compared with low levels, respectively. Suggestive dose-response relationships were also observed between elevated blood TCM or Sigma THMs (sum of TCM, BDCM, DBCM and TBM) concentration and decreased sperm concentration (both p for trend = 0.07), and between elevated blood DBCM concentration and decreased serum total testosterone (p for trend = 0.07). Our results indicate that elevated THM exposure may lead to decreased sperm concentration and serum total testosterone. However, the effects of THM exposure on male reproductive health still warrant further studies in humans. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.