Reduction‐Sensitive,Robust Vesicles with a Non‐covalently Modifiable Surface as a Multifunctional Drug‐Delivery Platform

The design and synthesis of a novel reduction‐sensitive, robust, and biocompatible vesicle (SSCB[6]VC) are reported, which is self‐assembled from an amphiphilic cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) derivative that contains disulfide bonds between hexaethylene glycol units and a CB[6] core. The remarkable features of SSCB[6]VC include: 1) facile, non‐destructive, non‐covalent, and modular surface modification using exceptionally strong host–guest chemistry; 2) high structural stability; 3) facile internalization into targeted cells by receptor‐mediated endocytosis, and 4) efficient triggered release of entrapped drugs in a reducing environment such as cytoplasm. Furthermore, a significantly increased cytotoxicity of the anticancer drug doxorubicin to cancer cells is demonstrated using doxorubicin‐loaded SSCB[6]VC, the surface of which is decorated with functional moieties such as a folate–spermidine conjugate and fluorescein isothiocyanate–spermidine conjugate as targeting ligand and fluorescence imaging probe, respectively. SSCB[6]VC with such unique features can be used as a highly versatile multifunctional platform for targeted drug delivery, which may find useful applications in cancer therapy. This novel strategy based on supramolecular chemistry and the unique properties of CB[6] can be extended to design smart multifunctional materials for biomedical applications including gene delivery.     

Missing data analysis and homogeneity test for Turkish precipitation series

In this study, missing value analysis and homogeneity tests were conducted for 267 precipitation stations throughout Turkey. For this purpose, the monthly and annual total precipitation records at stations operated by Turkish State Meteorological Service (DMI) from 1968 to 1998 were considered. In these stations, precipitation records for each month was investigated separately and the stations with missing values for too many years were eliminated. The missing values of the stations were completed by Expectation Maximization (EM) method by using the precipitation records of the nearest gauging station. In this analysis, 38 stations were eliminated because they had missing values for more than 5 years, 161 stations had no missing values and missing precipitation values were completed in the remaining 68 stations. By this analysis, annual total precipitation data were obtained by using the monthly values. These data should be hydrologically and statistically reliable for later hydrological, meteorological, climate change modelling and forecasting studies. For this reason, Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT), (Swed-Eisenhart) Runs Test and Pettitt homogeneity tests were applied for the annual total precipitation data at 229 gauging stations from 1968 to 1998. The results of each of the testing methods were evaluated separately at a significance level of 95% and the inhomogeneous years were determined. With the application of the aforementioned methods, inhomogeneity was detected at 50 stations of which the natural structure was deteriorated and 179 stations were found to be homogeneous.     

Application of a feasible formability diagram for the effective design in stamping processes of automotive panels

The objective of this study is to propose a method of process design that uses a feasible formability diagram, which denotes the safe region without fracture and wrinkle, for the effective and rapid design of stamping processes. To determine the feasible formability diagram, FE-analyses have been performed for combinations of process variables that correspond to the orthogonal array of design of experiments. Subsequently, the characteristic values for fracture and wrinkle have been estimated from the results of FE-analyses on the basis of the forming limit diagram. The characteristic values for all combinations within a whole range of process variables have been predicted through the training of an artificial neural network. The feasible formability diagram has been finally determined for all combinations of process variables. The stamping processes of automotive panels to support suspension module, such as the turret suspension and the wheel house, have been taken as examples to verify the effectiveness of process design through feasible formability diagram. A comparison of the FE-simulation results with the experimental results reveals that the design of stamping processes through feasible formability diagram is efficient and suitable for actual processes.     

Role of current profiles and atomic force microscope tips on local electric crystallization of amorphous silicon

Various types of conductive tips in atomic force microscope (AFM) are used to localize field-enhanced metal-induced solid phase crystallization (FE-MISPC) of amorphous silicon at room temperature down to nanoscale dimensions. The process is driven by electrical currents ranging from 0.1 nA to 3 nA between the tip and the bottom nickel electrode. The amplitude of the current is controlled by a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor-based regulation circuit using proportional and derivative feedback loops. We analyze the results of the FE-MISPC process as a function of exposition current profiles, topographic changes, local conductivity changes (using current-sensing AFM) and regulation parameters. We found out that the FE-MISPC crystallization requires fluctuations of the exposition current rather than its stability. This is independent of the actual current set-point level. We also show the influence of the process on the AFM probes employed and vice versa. Bulk diamond probes exhibit superior endurance compared to bare or coated silicon probes, nevertheless all tips produce similar FE-MISPC results.     

Effect of strain level on stress relaxation and recovery behaviors of isotactic biaxially oriented polypropylene films

The long‐term recovery process and the changes in the uniaxial tensile properties and in the structure of isotactic biaxially oriented polypropylene (i‐boPP) films after pre‐extended at strain levels ranging from 1% up to 130% at room conditions were examined by using tensile testing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy/attenuated total reflectance, atomic force microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction methods. It is significantly observed that the pre‐extended i‐boPP films at strain levels from 1% to 6% recovered completely back to their initial lengths and tensile properties. However, the i‐boPP films showed a very slow recovery process and obtained very high remaining deformations changing with time which indicates irreversible structural processes after they were extended at higher strain levels. In order to predict the remaining deformation or length and the characteristics of the recovery process at any time, the linear equation of strain with respect to log time was proposed. The reasons for the changes in the tensile properties, the morphology, and the structure of the pre‐extended i‐boPP films were examined in detail. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42948.     

Effects of controlled nucleation on freeze-drying lactose and mannitol aqueous solutions

The lyophilization of lactose and mannitol aqueous solutions was investigated with an emphasis on analyzing the effects of controlled nucleation, temperature of nucleation, and pore size distribution on the freeze-drying process. The experimental procedure involved the depressurization technique of controlled nucleation, in-vial temperature measurements as well as measurements of the chamber pressure, which allowed the analysis of the product batch, loaded in the laboratory lyophilizator. The average pore enlargement was 93 and 58% with the incorporation of the controlled nucleation step in the lyophilization of 6?wt% lactose and 6?wt% mannitol solutions, respectively. Consequently, the primary drying times were lowered from 450 to 500?min in both cases. The pore sizes were determined to be as important as the solid material itself in the scope of the sublimation rates. Namely, the average equivalent diameter of the pores was larger in the dried mannitol cake compared to the lactose cake. However, despite the higher porosity of the dried mannitol cake, the end of the sublimation in the primary drying step was observed approximately 500?min earlier during the lyophilization of the lactose solution with the same initial concentration as the mannitol solution in a comparable freeze-drying protocol. In addition, an increase in mannitol concentration from 3 to 12?wt% was found to substantially extend the time required for the sublimation phase of the lyophilization.     

Techno-economic evaluation of gas separation processes for long-term operation of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> injected enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM)

Energy source diversification through development of coalbed methane (CBM) resources is one of the key strategies to make a country less dependent on simple energy resources (e.g., crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy etc.). Especially, enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) technology can be expected to secure the resources as well as environmental benefits. However, the raw CBM gas obtained from CO₂ ECBM contains a considerable amount of CO₂, and the CO₂ content increases depending on the operation time of the facility. Considering the changes of the CBM composition, we developed process simulations of the CBM separation & purification processes based on the amine absorption to meet the design specifications (CH₄ purity of product stream: 99%, CH₄ recovery rate: 99%) with different CBM feed gas conditions. Using the developed simulation model, we performed an economic evaluation using unit methane production cost (MPC) considering coal-swelling types and facility operation time, and established an operation strategy under different natural gas market scenarios.     

Adsorption of Mercury(II), Lead(II), Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) from Aqueous Solutions using Mercapto‐Modified Silica Particles

This article presents a novel systematic approach to the fabrication of highly functionalized, silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles used for the adsorption of heavy‐metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺). Almost monodispersed silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles with narrow particle size distributions of around 85 ± 5 nm were formed using the Stöber process. The prepared SiO₂ nanoparticles were successfully surface‐treated during a one‐step procedure by the covalent attachment of mercaptopropyl groups onto the surfaces of the SiO₂ nanoparticles. A FTIR spectra analysis confirmed that the binding of the mercaptosilane molecules onto the surface of the silica nanoparticles mediated the Si–O–Si and –SH vibrations. TEM/EDXS micrographs indicated the almost monodispersed and spherical morphology of the prepared product with strong signals of Si and S, thus implying that the coating procedure involving the mercapto groups onto the silica surface had been successfully accomplished. The final results for the heavy‐metal (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺) adsorption showed the strongest affinity within the following sequence Hg²⁺ (99.9%) > Pb²⁺ (55.9%) > Cd²⁺ (50.2%) > Zn²⁺ (4%). Adsorption equilibrium was achieved after 1 h for all the analyzed samples.     

Aqueous Solution‐Processable,Flexible Thin‐Film Transistors Based on Crosslinked Chitosan Dielectric Thin Films

The hydrophilic character of chitosan (CS) limits its use as a gate dielectric material in thin‐film transistors (TFTs) based on aqueous solution‐processable semiconductor materials. In this study, this drawback is overcome through controlled crosslinking of CS and report, for the first time, its application to aqueous solution‐processable TFTs. In comparison to natural CS thin films, crosslinked chitosan (Cr‐CS) thin films are hydrophobic. The dielectric properties of Cr‐CS thin films are explored through fabrication of metal–insulator–metal devices on a flexible substrate. Compared to natural CS, the Cr‐CS dielectric thin films show enhanced environmental and water stabilities, with a high breakdown voltage (10 V) and low leakage current (0.02 nA). The compatibility of Cr‐CS dielectric thin films with aqueous solution‐processable semiconductors is demonstrated by growing ZnO nanorods via a hydrothermal method to fabricate flexible TFT devices. The ZnO nanorod‐based TFTs show a high field‐effect mobility (linear regime) of 10.48 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Low temperature processing conditions (below 100 °C) and water as the solvent are utilized to ensure the process is environmental friendly to address the e‐waste problem.