Effects of different polymerization protocols on the degree of conversion of two dual‐cured core buildup composites polymerized by light‐emitting diode and halogen light‐curing units

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of various curing protocols with quartz–tungsten halogen (QTH) or light‐emitting diode (LED) light‐curing units on the degree of conversion (% DC) of two dual‐cured core buildup resin composites. Two dual‐cured core buildup resin composites, Clearfil Dc Core Automix (CLF) and Grandio Core Dc (GR), were selected. Specimens were exposed to the polymerization protocols as follows: there was immediate photoactivation or photoactivation delayed by 2 or 5 min by a QTH or LED source, and one group was allowed to chemically polymerize and served as a control (n = 6). The % DC of the specimens was determined with attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The GR samples polymerized with QTH for the 5‐min‐delayed photoactivation had higher % DC values than those self‐cured, and the Clearfil Dc Core Automix (CLF) samples with immediate or delayed curing protocols with halogen yielded higher % DC values than the samples that were chemically polymerized. The comparison of the two resin composites polymerized with halogen showed a higher % DC for CLF than for GR in the 2‐min‐delayed photoactivation. On the other hand, when they were cured with LED, the % DC values of GR significantly increased after the 2‐min‐delayed photoactivation. In light of the results, it might be stated that CLF polymerized with QTH, could be the better option. GR provided adequate chemical polymerization; therefore, it might be useful in areas in which light curing is not possible. Clinicians should consider the polymerization characteristics of dual‐cured resin composites. The use of different composites may require the modification of the application procedures recommended by the manufacturer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40560.     

Magnetic Properties of YBCO Single-Crystal Grown on Y2O3 Layer by a Cold Top-Seeding Method

In this work, single-crystal samples 20 mm in diameter were grown by a cold top-seeding method. In order to study the effect of an Y₂O₃ buffer layer, a compacted precursor was located in a crucible on a buffer layer of freely poured Y₂O₃ powder. The YBCO bulk samples were carefully prepared in the same chemical composition. In order to examine the homogeneity of the samples, rectangular specimens were cut from a sample. The structural orientation of the specimens was measured by a X-ray diffractrometer (XRD). The microstructure was observed with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The magnetic properties were measured using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) at 77 K with the applied magnetic field parallel to the c-axis. As a result only (00l) peaks were observed in X-ray diffraction data, indicating that all specimens are highly oriented with the c-axis perpendicular to the top surface. Also the cut samples exhibited very fine Y211 inclusion distributed in the bulk sample observed in SEM micrographs. The critical current density J _c (A/cm²) has been estimated by the extended Bean model. The maximum value of the critical current density at 77 K is 5.2×10⁴ A/cm² in a self-field. The trapped magnetic field measurements of the samples were performed by using Hall probe scanning device with static field of 0.5 T at 77 K. The single-domain sample exhibits a trapped field of 1140 G at 77 K.     

Experimental design for extraction of bio-oils from flax seeds under supercritical ethanol conditions

A central composite design was applied to the extraction of bio-oils from flax seeds under supercritical ethanol (Sc-EtOH) conditions. The effects of three factors (temperature, time, and biomass concentration) on bio-oil and biomass conversion yields were examined. Extraction temperature was statistically found to be the most significant factor which affected both bio-oil yield and biomass conversion. The predicted results matched the experimental results with the following coefficient of determination: (R ²) 0.95 for bio-oil yield and 0.92 for biomass conversion yield. The composition of bio-oils consisted mainly of fatty acid ester derivatives, and other oxygenated hydrocarbons. Based on the relative concentrations of the compounds, the major compound was ethyl oleate.     

Combined effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment and hydrogen peroxide on Salmonella Enteritidis in liquid whole egg

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure treatment (HHP) of 250, 350, 450 MPa and hydrogen peroxide additions at different concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1% in liquid whole egg following high hydrostatic pressure treatment at 250 MPa at 20 °C on Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 in liquid whole egg were investigated. At 20 °C for 5 min treatment, 56.63 and 49.38% injury were determined for the treatment pressures of 250 and 350 MPa, respectively. Injury was not detected and total destruction of Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 was obtained for 5 min treatment at 450 MPa. The obtained results indicated that HHP was a more effective treatment than preheating for the enhancement of the effectiveness of H₂O₂. In order to minimize the adverse effect of HHP on food texture, the HHP treatment of 250 MPa was used throughout this study. Therefore, treating with 0.5% H₂O₂ following 5 min HHP at 250 MPa was determined as an effective way of Salmonella Enteritidis destruction in liquid whole egg. The catalase activity retention was determined as 62.26±0.6% after 3.5 min treatment of LWE at 60 °C. A 5-min treatment at 250 and 450 MPa at 20 °C of LWE resulted in a 78.67±2.1 and 65.01±1.8% retention of catalase activity, respectively.     

Determination of antimicrobial effect of mint and basil essential oils on survival of E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhimurium in fresh-cut lettuce and purslane

In this research, mint and basil essential oils at concentrations of 0.01 ml/L, 0.032 ml/L or 0.08 ml/L were used for disinfection treatments of fresh-cut lettuce and purslane samples inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium or Escherichia coli 0157:H7. Disinfection treatment time was applied as 10 min (short) or 15 min (long). Disinfected samples were packaged aerobically and stored at refrigerator +4 °C for 7 days. It was observed that mint and basil essential oils showed antimicrobial effect on the survival of E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhimurium inoculated into lettuce and purslane samples during refrigerated storage. Mint essential oil showed higher antimicrobial effect on pathogens when compared to basil essential oil. Mint and basil essential oils at concentration of 0.08 ml/L were the most effective antimicrobial treatment against pathogens in two different vegetable. S. typhimurium was more resistant against basil oil in lettuce samples when compared to its resistance against basil oil in purslane samples, whereas E. coli O157:H7 was more resistant to mint oil in purslane samples when compared to its resistance against mint oil in lettuce samples.     

Fuel consumption and emission comparison of conventional and hydrogen feed vehicles

Current environmental concerns on nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) emissions caused by diesel engines have led researchers to be interested in investigating vehicles with alternative power sources. Because of this reason, vehicle models with SI engine were adopted in the conducted study. Firstly, as an initial step, 1-D SI engine models were created with use of AVL Boost software. A four-cylinder engine model was created for conventional vehicle model, while a two-cylinder downsized engine was adopted as a subsystem of hybrid vehicle model. The models were based on experimental data obtained from a laboratory test setup with a single-cylinder engine. Subsequently, detailed engine maps on emissions and fuel consumption were generated with the developed ANN model. The fuel consumption and emission data, which were gathered from NEDC and WLTC simulations, were compared for conventional ICE, PEM FC and PEM FC + ICE powered vehicles with the help of the vehicle model which was developed by using Matlab Simulink software. Based on the results, it was concluded that there might be sufficient improvement in fuel consumption and significant improvement in emissions with the use of PEM FC that a hybrid driving system (PEM FC + ICE) can be utilized, and that emissions can be at 0 with the sole use of PEM FC.     

Removal of lead (II) and nickel (II) ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon prepared from rapeseed oil cake by Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript> activation

In this study, rapeseed oil cake as a precursor was used to prepare activated carbons by chemical activation with sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) at 600 and 800 °C. The activated carbon with the highest surface area of 850 m² g^?1 was produced at 800 °C. The prepared activated carbons were mainly microporous. The activated carbon having the highest surface area was used as an adsorbent for the removal of lead (II) and nickel (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The effects of pH, contact time, and initial ion concentration on the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon were investigated. The kinetic data of adsorption process were studied using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order kinetic models and intraparticle diffusion model. The experimental data were well adapted to the pseudo-second-order model for both tested ions. The adsorption data for both ions were well correlated with Langmuir isotherm. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of the activated carbon for the removal of lead (II) and nickel (II) ions were determined as 129.87 and 133.33 mg g^?1, respectively.