Synthesis and characterization of a Zr‐containing silicate‐based epoxy‐functional polymer nanocomposite system

As a continuation of efforts to explore the potential of certain types of polymer nanocomposites to be successful candidates as dental restoration/adhesion materials, a Zr‐containing and organically modified silicate‐based material system with epoxy functionality was prepared by use of a sol–gel synthesis method, and UV light‐ and visible light (VL)‐curing processes. Comparative influences of the synthesis and processing parameters on the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural/nanostructural properties of the system were detailed. Zr‐containing species proved to more effectively catalyze the epoxy polymerization/crosslinking reactions than those containing Ti. Incorporation of Zr into the nanocomposite network led to significantly advanced mechanical properties. An elastic (Young's) modulus value of 23 MPa was achieved. The system with relatively high Zr content was successfully obtained, which also had higher thermal stability. Overall observations and results suggested that Zr content, and the UV light‐ or VL‐curing process could be capitalized on to modify the structure, and to improve the final properties of these material systems, which indicated a prospective opportunity for this material system to be utilized in dental restoration/adhesion applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:792–798, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Chlorophyll adsorption on acid-activated clay

An acid-activated clay (Çanakkale montmorillonite from Turkey) was used to adsorb chlorophyll from hexane solutions. The phenomenon seems to be mainly driven by the interaction of chlorophyll with acid sites. The adsorption of chlorophyll on Brönsted acid sites was indicated by a characteristic infrared band for the -OH group at 3671 cm^?1. The variations in the structure of clay mineral and chlorophyll during adsorption have been examined by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy of the activated clay before and after adsorption of chlorophyll. Oxidation of adsorbed chlorophyll was completed at quite a high temperature.     

Determination of the quality and purity characteristics of olive oils obtained from different regions of Turkey,depending on climatic changes

Virgin olive oils (VOOs) obtained from olives grown in different regions of Turkey under changing climatic conditions sometimes show different sensory and chemical properties. This study was planned to determine whether these deviations are due to climatic changes or not. For this purpose, five different olive varieties (Ayvalık, Memecik, Gemlik, Nizip Yağlık, Kilis Yağlık) of commercial importance were harvested from the provinces/districts (four different region) where cultivation is intense during the 2017/2018–2020/2021 harvest years. Every year, olive samples were collected from 3 orchards from 13 provinces/districts. One hundred and fifty-six samples were subjected to the purity, quality and sensory analysis. Basic climatic values (average, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity and precipitation) were examined for four consecutive years. All of the examined olive oil samples were determined within the legal limits in terms of fatty acid composition and fatty acid ethyl ester values. However, delta-7-stigmastenol value from the sterol composition was found to be above 0.5% in some samples in all the years studied (total 21 samples). Delta-7-stigmastenol values of olive oil samples varied between 0.16% and 1.14%. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied using a genetic algorithm-based inverse least squares method to determine whether there is a relationship between climate data and delta-7-stigmastenol values. According to this result, it has been determined that the delta-7-stigmastenol value is high when the annual average relative humidity is low and the annual average temperature is high. There is an urgent need to make forward-looking plans due to climate change.     

Recovery of Zinc by LIX 984N‐C from Electroplating Rinse Bath Solution

The development of a complete solvent extraction process at the laboratory scale for recovering zinc from the zinc electroplating first rinse bath solution (alkali solution) containing ～1.9 g/L zinc (ZEFRBS) by a solvent extraction route using LIX 984N‐C, which is a new SX reagent developed by Cognis, and dissolved in commercial kerosene was investigated. By using LIX 984N‐C, an electrolyte from ZEFRBS with ～12 g/L zinc content, which was addable to the alkali zinc electroplating bath, was generated by 10 vol.% LIX 984N‐C in commercial kerosene at the O/A ratio of 1/4 and equilibrium pH value of 8.00 ± 0.05 with a two‐stage countercurrent extraction, and stripping of the loaded organic by a strip solution with 150 g/L sulfuric acid and with the O/A ratio of 1.5 at a two‐stage countercurrent stripping process. A new complete flow sheet of 10 vol.% LIX 984N‐C process for the recovery of zinc from ZEFRBS has been demonstrated.     

Effects of Spray Drying Temperature and Additives on the Stability of Serine Alkaline Protease Powders

In this study, after production by recombinant Bacillus subtilis (BGSC-1A751), carrying pHV1431::subc gene in the complex medium and separation of solids from the fermentation broth, serine alkaline protease (SAP) was dried in order to investigate the stabilization during spray drying and subsequent storage. The effect of air inlet temperature of the spray dryer between T = 70 and 130°C and the effect of protective additives, glucose and maltodextrin, at 0–2% (w/v) on SAP activity during spray drying and storage stability of obtained SAP powders at 4°C for a long period (6 months) were evaluated. Increasing drying air inlet temperature generally resulted in an increase in activity loss; moreover, higher absorbance peaks observed at wave number 1061 cm^?1 of the IR spectrums when drying temperature is increased indicates the structural change in the SAP molecule. In most cases presence of additives provided higher activities both after drying and during storage period compared to no additive case. Drying the enzyme with 1% (w/v) glucose at T = 110°C resulted in the highest enzyme activity after drying and storage processes.     

Bayesian Sequential Estimation of a Drift of Fractional Brownian Motion

Abstract

We solve explicitly a Bayesian sequential estimation problem for the drift parameter μ of a fractional Brownian motion under the assumptions that a prior density of μ is Gaussian and that a penalty function is quadratic or Dirac-delta. The optimal stopping time for this case is deterministic.     

Structural and Molecular Orbital Studies of Si-Phenyl Silaanthracenes

The Si-phenyl derivatives of 1-, 2-, 9- silaanthracenes have been subjected to theoretical analysis with density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) to obtain their molecular orbital properties. 2-silaanthracene has been found to be thermodynamically the most stable derivative among the trio. Moreover, the effects of the position of the Si substitution and phenyl attachment on the aromaticity of the parent anthracene have been investigated by NICS calculations at ring centers. The structures have been found to be less aromatic with respect to their unsubstituted counterparts.     

Novel Amide-Based Cationic Surfactants as Efficient Corrosion Inhibitors for Carbon Steel in HCl and H2SO4 media

A variety of surface active compounds were synthesized by the quaternization of some straight chain amide derivatives with triethylamine or pyridine. Their structure FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectra were recorded. In addition their physical properties and corrosion prevention efficiencies were investigated. All compounds were tested with steel coupons in acidic media by the gravimetric method. As acidic media 1.5 M HCl and 1.5 M H₂SO₄ were used and the corrosion inhibition tests fulfilled at room temperature for 24 h. Almost all prepared cationic surfactants showed efficient inhibition around their critical micelle concentrations. The effects of HCl concentration on corrosion inhibition of some synthesized compounds were also investigated. The corrosion tests were supported by contact angle measurements.     

Comparison of microleakage of a multi-mode adhesive system with contemporary adhesives in class II resin restorations

Aim: The aim was to compare the microleakage of resin composite bonded with different adhesive systems in class-II cavities at enamel or dentine margins. Material and methods: 60 extracted human molar teeth received slot cavity preparations on mesial and distal surfaces (mesial cervical margin was prepared in enamel and distal in dentine). They were randomly divided into five groups (n?=?12) according to the adhesive system: Group-A: Silorane Bond (S), Group-B: Adper Single Bond 2 (SB), Group-C: Clearfil SE Bond (CSE), Group-D: Single Bond Universal (USel) (selective etch-and-rinse), Group-E: Single Bond Universal (USE) (all-in-one). The preparations were restored using the same resin composite (Filtek Ultimate) except Group A which was restored by Silorane composite. The teeth were thermocycled, immersed in dye, sectioned, and dye penetration was evaluated quantitatively using image analysis. The data were analyzed using the two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni test. Results: In all groups, there was no statistically significant difference between enamel margins at occlusal and gingival sites (p?>?0.05). The statistical difference between Group-A (S) and Group-B (SB) was significant at all margins. Group-B (SB) presented the greatest microleakage amounts at all margins and the highest scores were obtained in the dentine. Likewise, SB demonstrated statistically significant differences between dentine and enamel margins (occlusal and gingival)(p?<?0.05). Conclusion: All adhesive systems showed similar microleakage values between enamel margins in occlusal and gingival regions. However, when the gingival margin is located in the dentine, etch&rinse adhesive systems may not be a choice in terms of microleakage prevention.     

Catalytic effect of potassium carbonate on carbothermic production of hexagonal boron nitride

Effect of potassium carbonate addition on the carbothermic formation of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) was investigated by keeping the K₂CO₃ added B₂O₃+C mixtures in nitrogen atmosphere at 1400 °C for 40–160 min. K₂CO₃ amount was varied in the range of 10–60 wt% of the B₂O₃+C mixture. Products were subjected to XRD and quantitative analyses, SEM and TEM observations, and particle size measurement. Amount of hBN increased considerably with K₂CO₃ addition; also particle size and crystallinity improved. Catalytic role of K₂CO₃ was suggested as forming a potassium borate melt in which hBN particles form, in addition to carbothermic formation reaction. Effect of K₂CO₃ on increasing the hBN amount decreased when it was used over 40%. This was attributed to the rapid evaporation of the formed potassium borate liquid.