Porous polyurethane film fabricated via the breath figure approach for sustained drug release

The breath figure (BF) method is an effective process for fabricating porous polymeric films. In this study, we fabricated porous polymer films from thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) through static BF with CHCl₃ as a solvent under 55–80% relative humidity. The porous PU films were prepared within various pore structures and sizes, which were adjustable, depending on the fabrication conditions. The humidity and exposure time were examined as variable parameters affecting the surface morphology, wettability, and cytotoxicity. Atorvastatin calcium, a hyperlipidemic agent, was loaded into the porous films during the casting process, and the drug-loading and drug-releasing behaviors of the porous PU membranes were evaluated. Approximately 60–80% of the drug was released in 14 days. The films exhibited sustained drug-release performances because of the hydrophobicity and nonbiodegradable nature of PU for perivascular drug administration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47658.     

The use of natural (Pinus pinaster) resin in the production of printing ink and the printability effect

Alkyd resins are generally used in the production of printing inks. All industries look for alternative raw materials in the production of ink with the growing inclination toward using natural products. Resins forming the vehicle of the ink to be obtained from natural resources will provide benefits for the environment, nature, and living creatures. The aim of the study was to promote the use of natural resin in the ink system. Natural Pinus pinaster resin was added into vegetable and mineral oil-based solvents in pure form with alkyd resin in different amounts and ink varnishes of different combinations were prepared. Then, printing inks were produced from these varnishes in pure and hybrid form. Following the assessment of the rheological properties of the inks prepared, printing tests were conducted to assess the printing quality parameters. Ideal mixing ratios of the natural resins in the ink were determined for printability. The environmental importance and advantages of the use of natural resins were discussed. Recommendations were given in line with the results to encourage widespread use of natural resins in near future.     

Hot Electron Relaxation in Ferromagnetic Metals: Memory Function Approach

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - This study leads to the investigation of the non-equilibrium electron relaxation in ferromagnetic metals. Here we consider the relaxation of...     

Revised stratigraphy of the Tertiary deposits of Istanbul and their engineering properties

For over 50 years, the Upper Oligocene–Upper Miocene sedimentary sequence in Istanbul has been considered to be formed of two distinct sequences separated by an unconformity. However, recent field observations and an analysis of numerous borehole data indicate the Gürp?nar, Çukurçe?me and Güngören Formations are in fact a single sequence of alternating clay–sand/sandstone beds/lenses, here named the Avc?lar Formation. The Bak?rköy Formation, which is typically composed of carbonate rocks, conformably overlies the Avc?lar Formation. The paper provides the geotechnical parameters of the units within the Avc?lar Formation which it is hoped will facilitate selecting suitable geotechnical and engineering geological parameters to represent the deposits and minimize errors in the interpretation/evaluation of in-situ conditions.     

Solids transport models comparison and fine‐tuning for horizontal,low concentration flow in single‐phase carrier fluid

We determined and fine‐tuned the solids transport models appropriate for predicting the single‐phase carrier fluid velocity to transport solid particles in conduits for horizontal, low concentration flow. A database with 538 experimental data points was compiled. A literature review was performed to determine the data ranges, forces, and mechanisms used to develop 44 models, and their velocity predictions were compared against the database using statistics. Using the dimensionless forms of the models and the data, the model parameters were adjusted to improve their accuracy and identify the dominant forces. At low concentrations: for liquid/solid flow from a bed of solids and gas/solid flow from the bottom of pipelines, the particle weight, and inertial and viscous forces dominate; for gas/solid flow from a bed of solids, the particle weight, and inertial, viscous, and adhesive forces play a role; and gaps exist in the data for large‐diameter pipes and high‐density gases. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 76–122, 2014     

Sample Elimination for Generating Poisson Disk Sample Sets

In this paper we describe sample elimination for generating Poisson disk sample sets with a desired size. We introduce a greedy sample elimination algorithm that assigns a weight to each sample in a given set and eliminates the ones with greater weights in order to pick a subset of a desired size with Poisson disk property without having to specify a Poisson disk radius. This new algorithm is simple, computationally efficient, and it can work in any sampling domain, producing sample sets with more pronounced blue noise characteristics than dart throwing. Most importantly, it allows unbiased progressive (adaptive) sampling and it scales better to high dimensions than previous methods. However, it cannot guarantee maximal coverage. We provide a statistical analysis of our algorithm in 2D and higher dimensions as well as results from our tests with different example applications.     

Modeling uranium biosorption by Cystoseira sp. and application studies

The aim of the present work was to determine the applicability of raw and modified brown macroalga Cystoseira sp. as a biosorbent material for the sorption of uranium ions from aqueous solutions. Equilibrium of uranium biosorption was analyzed under isotherm models and thermodynamic parameters of the process. Recovery of uranium from acidic mine wastewater was also applied. The mechanism of biosorption was discussed considering experimental data and theoretical models. The bioremoval efficiency of modified biomass was higher than raw Cystoseira sp. and the theoretical biosorption capacity of modified biosorbent was calculated to be 468.01 mg U/g.