The aim of this study was to assess the small bowel transit time in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Ten patients with PD with no gastrointestinal complaints and ten healthy control subjects were investigated using single photon emission computed tomography fused with computed tomography after swallowing of a specially prepared capsule containing technetium 99m, which allowed visualization of the passage in the intestines. Preliminary results show that the small intestine passage in PD patients was prolonged compared to controls.

Two polymeric coatings, a silicone gel (Dow Corning 6646) and an epoxy resin (Dexter FP 4402), were glob-top coated onto representative microelectronic circuits, AT&T Triple Track Testers (TTTs), and subjected to the Pressure Cooker Test (PCT). Coupling monolayers were self-assembled on the TTTs prior to encapsulation to improve the moisture protection capabilities of the coatings. Leakage current measurements were made to evaluate the effect of applied monolayers on the moisture protection capability. The moisture protection capability was assessed in short-term and long-term leakage current measurements. MHDA (16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid) and APS (gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) monolayers, in combination with silicone gel and epoxy resin respectively, exhibited very good moisture protection performance.

Due to its harmful impact on human health, presence of heavy metals, metalloids and other toxic pollutants in drinking or irrigation water is a major concern. Recent studies have proven that nanosized adsorbents are significantly more effective than their microsized counterparts. Particular attention has been given to nanocomposites with nanoadsorbents embedded in matrixes that could provide stability to the material and contribute to eliminating problems that may appear when using conventional granular systems. This study presents the preparation of a novel hybrid filter from a commercially available polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric matrix modified with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and iron oxy(hydroxide) nanoparticles, and its use in the removal of As(III). A Box-Behnken statistical experiment design has been chosen to explore relevant variables affecting the filter performance: (i) As(III) concentration, (ii) pH and (iii) sorbent dose. From an As(III) concentration of 10 mg•L-1 , at pH 6.5 and with a sorbent dose of 5 g•L-1 , the PP filter modified with MWCNT removes 10% of the initial metalloid concentration, reaching a capacity of 0.27 mg•g-1. After modification with iron oxy(hydroxide), the performance of the material is largely enhanced. The filter, under the same conditions, removes 90% of the initial As(III) concentration, reaching a capacity almost 10 folds higher (2.54 mg•g-1). This work demonstrates that the developed hybrid filter is effective towards the removal of As(III) in a wide range of pHs. A cubic regression model to compute the removal of the filter as a function of pH and sorbent dose is provided.

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