Thermoplastic elastomeric compositions from reclaimed rubber and scrap plastics were prepared. The physical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, rheological behavior, and phase morphology of the blends were studied. A 50:50 rubber/ plastic ratio was found to be the best for processability, ultimate elongation, and set properties. A sulfur-accelerator system was found to be better than a peroxide system for dynamic crosslinking.

Nylon-6 and acrylate rubber (ACM) were melt blended in a Brabender Plasticorder at 220 °C and 40 rpm rotor speed. The reactive nature of the blend is reflected in the mixing torque behavior of the blends at different compositions. The solubility characteristics of the blends in formic acid solution gives an approximate idea of the amount of nylon-6 grafted onto ACM and vice-versa. A reaction mechanism is proposed based on the well known epoxy—amine and epoxy—acid reactions and is confirmed by infrared spectroscopic studies of the blends. The influence of interaction between the two polymers on the mechanical and the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends is analyzed in detail, and the results are interpreted on the basis of the formation of nylon—ACM graft copolymer at the interfaces. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) reveals a two phase morphological structure, indicating incompatibility of the blend components. The grafting reaction results in dramatic increase in both the storage modulus and the Young's modulus of blends. The presence of grafted rubber chains is reflected in the secondary transition of the rubber loss peak at higher temperature. Also, a substantial improvement in the damping properties of the blends in the service temperature range (i.e., 25 to 175 °C) is revealed from the DMTA results. The dynamic vulcanization of the ACM phase during melt mixing improves the elongation at break values of the blends.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the clonal expansion and metastatic spread of malignant plasma cells to multiple sites in the bone marrow (BM). Recently, we implicated the sialyltransferase ST3Gal-6, an enzyme critical to the generation of E-selectin ligands, in MM BM homing and resistance to therapy. Since E-selectin is constitutively expressed in the BM microvasculature, we wished to establish the contribution of E-selectin ligands to MM biology. We report that functional E-selectin ligands are restricted to a minor subpopulation of MM cell lines which, upon expansion, demonstrate specific and robust interaction with recombinant E-selectin in vitro. Moreover, an increase in the mRNA levels of genes involved in the generation of E-selectin ligands was associated with inferior progression-free survival in the CoMMpass study. In vivo, E-selectin ligand-enriched cells induced a more aggressive disease and were completely insensitive to Bortezomib. Importantly, this resistance could be reverted by co-administration of GMI-1271, a specific glycomimetic antagonist of E-selectin. Finally, we report that E-selectin ligand-bearing cells are present in primary MM samples from BM and peripheral blood with a higher proportion seen in relapsed patients. This study provides a rationale for targeting E-selectin receptor/ligand interactions to overcome MM metastasis and chemoresistance.

We report on fs-laser micromachining of active waveguides in a new erbium-doped phospho-tellurite glass by means of a compact cavity-dumped Yb-based writing system. The spectroscopic properties of the glass were investigated, and the fs-laser written waveguides were characterized in terms of passive as well as active performance. In particular, internal gain was demonstrated in the whole C+L band of optical communications (1530- 1610 nm).

A Nd3+-doped 1.3 μm fiber amplifier has the potential to be an efficient, high-gain device. A major problem to overcome is the long wavelength of the gain spectrum. In the majority of Nd3+-doped glasses the gain is shifted out of the second telecom window as a result of long-wavelength emission and signal excited-state absorption (ESA). In this article we present new fluoroaluminate glasses developed as hosts for the 1.3 μm Nd3+-doped fiber amplifier. Nd3+ emission peaks below 1320 nm were demonstrated in bulk glasses. Gain in the 1310–1320 nm region was measured in unclad fibers, with evidence of significantly reduced ESA. Another serious problem in amplifier design lies in overcoming the competing amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) at 1050 nm. We discuss ASE filtering using in-fiber Bragg gratings and present results supporting its feasibility. The article also examines thermal and viscous properties of matched core and cladding glasses in relation to preform and fiber fabrication.