Macro-azo-initiators having poly(ethylene glycol) units: Synthesis,characterization, and application to AB block copolymerization

Macro-azo-initiators (MAIs) having poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units were obtained by various multistep synthetic approaches. In the first stage, macro-azo-initiators of PEG type with azo groups inserted in the main chain were prepared. MAIs were then characterized by chemical analyses, spectral methods, ¹H-NMR, GPC, and DSC techniques. They were used in the free-radical bulk polymerization of dicyclohexylitaconate to synthesize AB block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol-b-dicyclohexylitaconate) (PEG-b-PDCHI). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65: 2173–2181, 1997     

Hemodialysis‐related headache

Headache is one of the most frequently encountered neurological symptoms during hemodialysis. According to International Classification of Headache criteria dialysis‐related headache was defined as the headache occurring during hemodialysis with no specific characteristic. It resolves spontaneously within 72 hours after the hemodialysis session ends. There are few studies in the literature investigating the clinical features of dialysis headache. The pathophysiology of hemodialysis‐related headache is not known, but various triggering factors have been identified, including changes in blood pressure, serum sodium and magnesium levels during hemodialysis sessions, caffeine deprivation and stress. The aim of this article is to evaluate and analyze features of headache in patients undergoing hemodialysis.     

Synthesis and surface properties of polydimethylsiloxane‐based block copolymers: poly[dimethylsiloxane‐block‐ (ethyl methacrylate)] and poly[dimethylsiloxane‐block‐(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)]

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) macroazoinitiator was synthesized from bis(hydroxyalkyl)‐terminated PDMS and 4,4′‐azobis‐4‐cyanopentanoic acid by a condensation reaction. The bifunctional macroinitiator was used for the block copolymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and 2‐(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (TMSHEMA) monomers. The poly(DMS‐block‐EMA) and poly(DMS‐block‐TMSHEMA) copolymers thus obtained were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. After the deprotection of trimethylsilyl groups, poly(DMS‐block‐HEMA) and poly(DMS‐block‐EMA) copolymer film surfaces were analysed using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effects of the PDMS concentration in the copolymers on both air and glass sides of films were examined. The PDMS segments oriented and moved to the glass side in poly(DMS‐block‐EMA) copolymer film while orientation to the air side became evident with increasing DMS content in poly(DMS‐block‐HEMA) copolymer film. The block copolymerization technique described here is a versatile and economic method and is also applicable to a wide range of monomers. The copolymers obtained have phase‐separated morphologies and the effects of DMS segments on copolymer film surfaces are different at the glass and air sides. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of pH on recombinant human growth hormone production by Pichia pastoris

BACKGROUND: Effect of pH on recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) production by Pichia pastoris hGH‐Mut⁺ was investigated at pH = 4.2, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0. RESULTS: The highest cell concentration was obtained at pH = 6.0 with 53 g L^?1, while the highest rhGH concentration was attained at pH = 5.0 as 0.27 g L^?1. Total protease secretion increased with increase in pH and with the cultivation time. Oxygen uptake rate increased with increasing pH up to pH = 6.0, having the maximum value, 37 mmol m^?3 s^?1, at pH = 5.5. K_La values were similar at all the conditions, having a maximum value of 0.14 s^?1 at pH = 5.0. Taking the final rhGH concentration into account, the most favourable pH was 5.0; where AOX1 expression level showed a similar trend to AOX activity profiles, having the highest value of 9.4 × 10¹⁰ copy mg^?1 CDW at t = 15 h; in parallel to AOX1 expression profile, hGH expression level increased until t = 15 h, with the highest value of 4.0 × 10¹⁰ copy mg^?1 CDW, where a sharp increase in rhGH concentration was obtained. The expression levels of pep4, prb1 and prc1 genes, responsible from the production of proteinase A, proteinase B and, carboxypeptidase Y, were parallel to each other. CONCLUSION: Since it was shown that pH is a crucial operating parameter in fermentation processes using P. pastoris, keeping pH constant at its determined optimum value, pH = 5.0, during the bioprocess is vital in terms of recombinant protein production. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Amperometric alcohol biosensors based on conducting polymers: Polypyrrole,poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole)

Alcohol biosensors based on conducting polypyrrole (PPy), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) were constructed. Alcohol oxidase (AlcOx, from Pichia pastoris) was immobilized during electropolymerization of the monomers in sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and phosphate buffer electrolysis medium. Optimization of several parameters was carried out. The highest affinity was observed for the PEDOT/AlcOx sensor. Lowry protein determination method was also used to calculate the amount of immobilized enzyme in sensors. Before testing the biosensors on alcoholic beverages effects of interferents (glucose, acetic acid, citric acid, and l-ascorbic acid) were determined. The alcohol contents of the distilled beverages (vodka, dry cin, whisky, and rak?) were determined with the sensors constructed. A good match with the chromatography results was observed.     

Comparison of total‐etch,self‐etch,and selective etching techniques on class V composite restorations prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur: a scanning electron microscopy study

The purpose of this study was to compare total‐etch, self‐etch, and selective etching techniques on the marginal microleakage of Class V composite restorations prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur. Class V cavities prepared on both buccal and lingual surfaces of 30 premolars by Er:YAG laser or bur and divided into six groups. The occlusal margins were in enamel, and the cervical margins were in cementum. Group‐1: bur preparation(bp)+Adper Single Bond 2 (ASB)+Filtek Z550 (FZ); Group‐2: laser preparation(lp)+(ASB)+(FZ); Group‐3: bp + Clearfil S3 Bond Plus (CSBP)+(FZ); Group‐4: lp+(CSBP) (FZ); Group‐5: bp + acid etching+(CSBP)+(FZ); Group‐6: lp + acid etching+(CSBP)+(FZ). All teeth were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hr, and then thermocycled 1000 times (5–55°C). Five teeth from each group were chosen for the microleakage investigation, and two teeth for the scanning electron microscope evaluation. Teeth which were prepared for the microleakage test were immersed in .5% methylene blue dye for 24 hr. After immersion, the teeth were sectioned and observed under a stereomicroscope for dye penetration. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests (p < .05). More microleakage was observed in the cervical regions compared to the occlusal regions in Groups 3, 5, and 6, respectively (p < .05). There is no statistically significant difference in Groups 1, 2, and 4, in terms of cervical regions versus occlusal regions (p > .05). No significant differences were observed among any groups in terms of occlusal and cervical surfaces, separately (p > .05). Different etching techniques did not influence microleakage of Class V restorations prepared by Er:YAG laser and bur.     

Characteristics of brick used as aggregate in historic brick-lime mortars and plasters

Mortars and plasters composed of a mixture of brick powder and lime have been used since ancient times due to their hydraulic properties. In this study, raw material compositions, basic physical, mineralogical, microstructural and hydraulic properties of some historic Ottoman Bath brick-lime mortars and plasters were determined by XRD, SEM-EDS, AFM, TGA and chemical analyses. The mineralogical and chemical compositions, microstructures, morphologies and pozzolanicities of the brick powders and fragments used as aggregates in the mortars and plasters were examined to find out the relationship between hydraulic properties of the mortars and the bricks. The characteristics of bricks used in the bath domes were also determined to investigate whether the brick aggregates used in mortar and plasters were prepared from these bricks. The results indicated that the mortars and plasters were hydraulic owing to the presence of crushed brick powders that have good pozzolanicity. The brick powders had high pozzolanicity because they contained high amounts of calcium-poor clay minerals in their raw materials that were fired at low temperatures. On the other hand, bricks used in the domes had poor pozzolanicity with different mineralogical and chemical compositions from bricks used in mortars and plasters. Based on the results of the analysis, it was thought that the bricks manufactured with high amounts of clays were consciously chosen in the preparation of hydraulic mortars and plasters.     

Migration behavior of landfill leachate contaminants through alternative composite liners

Four identical pilot-scale landfill reactors with different alternative composite liners were simultaneously operated for a period of about 540 days to investigate and to simulate the migration behaviors of phenolic compounds (phenol, 2-CP, 2-MP, 3-MP, 4-MP, 2-NP, 4-NP, 2,4-DNP, 2,4-DCP, 2,6-DCP, 2,4,5-TCP, 2,4,6-TCP, 2,3,4,6-TeCP, PCP) and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni) from landfill leachate to the groundwater. Alternative landfill liners of four reactors consist of R1: Compacted clay liner (10 cm + 10 cm, k = 10⁻⁸ m/sn), R2: Geomembrane (2 mm HDPE) + compacted clay liner (10 cm + 10 cm, k = 10⁻⁸ m/sn), R3: Geomembrane (2 mm HDPE) + compacted clay liner (10 cm, k = 10⁻⁸ m/sn) + bentonite liner (2 cm) + compacted clay liner (10 cm, k = 10⁻⁸ m/sn), and R4: Geomembrane (2 mm HDPE) + compacted clay liner (10 cm, k = 10⁻⁸ m/sn) + zeolite liner (2 cm) + compacted clay liner (10 cm, k = 10⁻⁸ m/sn). Wastes representing Istanbul municipal solid wastes were disposed in the reactors. To represent bioreactor landfills, reactors were operated by leachate recirculation. To monitor and control anaerobic degradation in the reactors, variations of conventional parameters (pH, alkalinity, chloride, conductivity, COD, TOC, TKN, ammonia and alcaly metals) were also investigated in landfill leachate samples. The results of this study showed that about 35-50% of migration of organic contaminants (phenolic compounds) and 55-100% of migration of inorganic contaminants (heavy metals) to the model groundwater could be effectively reduced with the use of bentonite and zeolite materials in landfill liner systems. Although leachate contaminants can reach to the groundwater in trace concentrations, findings of this study concluded that the release of these compounds from landfill leachate to the groundwater may potentially be of an important environmental concern based on the experimental findings.     

Hydrogen from biomass – Present scenario and future prospects

Hydrogen is considered in many countries to be an important alternative energy vector and a bridge to a sustainable energy future. Hydrogen is not an energy source. It is not primary energy existing freely in nature. Hydrogen is a secondary form of energy that has to be manufactured like electricity. It is an energy carrier. Hydrogen can be produced from a wide variety of primary energy sources and different production technologies. About half of all the hydrogen as currently produced is obtained from thermo catalytic and gasification processes using natural gas as a starting material, heavy oils and naphtha make up the next largest source, followed by coal. Currently, much research has been focused on sustainable and environmental friendly energy from biomass to replace conventional fossil fuels. Biomass can be considered as the best option and has the largest potential, which meets energy requirements and could insure fuel supply in the future. Biomass and biomass-derived fuels can be used to produce hydrogen sustainably. Biomass gasification offers the earliest and most economical route for the production of renewable hydrogen.