The structure of the as-deposited films is studied by means

of x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization curves. It is shown that the as-deposited samples consist of a mixture of regions of metallic Co and semiconducting ZnO. Large negative magnetoresistance of 26% and 11.9% are observed in the as-deposited Co/ZnO film with Co concentration of 50.7 at. % at 10 K and room temperature, respectively. Structural analysis, the temperature dependence of the conductivity and magnetoresistance reveal that the magnetoresistance is induced by spin-dependent tunneling between regions of conducting magnetic Co through the ZnO semiconducting barriers. The enhanced magnetoresistance in selleck kinase inhibitor the low temperature regime may be related to the existence of higher-order tunneling processes between large Co regions mediated by small Co particles. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3511752]“
“Platypnea-orthodeoxia is a syndrome characterized by dyspnea and hypoxemia in orthostatism relieved by supine position. This phenomenon is frequently associated with interatrial communication, mainly patent foramen ovale. The association of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome with recurrent stroke and patent foramen ovale is extremely Selleck KU55933 uncommon. A 73-year-old woman experienced recurrent attacks

of dyspnea after an ischemic stroke. Arterial Fer-1 molecular weight blood gas analysis changes in upright and supine position confirmed the diagnosis of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography showed patent foramen ovale with atrial septal aneurysm and right-to-left shunt. Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale led to stabilization of blood oxygen saturation and resolution of dyspnea. Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome should be considered in patients with stroke and unexplained dyspnea. The diagnosis could lead to correction of an unknown cardiac defect and of potential risk

factor for stroke.”
“Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA copolymers derived from plant oils (Polylinseed oil-g-PMMA, Polysoybean oil-g-PMMA, Polylinoleic acid-g-PMMA (PLina-g-PMMA) and Polyhydroxy alkanoate-sy-g-Polylinoleic acid-g-PMMA (PHA-g-PLina-g-PMMA)) as hydrophobic polymers, a series of hydrophobic microsphere or nanosphere dispersions, were prepared by the emulsion/solvent evaporation method. The diameters of the nanospheres and microspheres were measured by dynamic light scattering with a zetasizer, optically and by scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic quality of the microspheres was determined by the electron spin resonance technique. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin, ASA) was used as a model drug and loaded into the microspheres during the preparation process.