Micro-computerized tomography analysis of cement voids and pull-out strength of glass fiber posts luted with self-adhesive and glass-ionomer cements in the root canal

This study evaluated the pull-out strength of different glass fiber posts and measured volume of cement and voids in the cement in the root canal utilizing micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT) analysis after they were cemented with two different luting cements. Canine teeth (N = 40) were endodontically treated and randomly divided into four groups depending on the fiber post and the cement type (n = 10 per group) as follows: Group RU: (RelyX + RelyX U200), Group PU: (PINpost + RelyX U200), Group RF: (RelyX + FujiCEM 2), Group PF: (PINpost + FujiCEM 2). Each tooth was scanned using micro-CT and the percentage of cement and void volume at the coronal, middle, and apical levels was calculated. Pull-out tests were performed by applying tensile load parallel to the long axis of the posts (0.5 mm/min). Data were analyzed using, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests (α = 0.05). Regardless of cement type, the percentage (%) of cement volume in the RelyX post groups (RU:31–36; RF:29–40) was significantly higher than that in the PINpost groups (PU:19–23; PF:18–22) (p < 0.05). The percentage of void volume at the PINpost groups (PU:6–11; PF:8–13) was significantly lower than that in the RelyX groups (RU:2; RF:3) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in pull-out strength (N) between the four experimental groups (RU:358.8 ± 56.2; RF:299 ± 64.8; PU:311.9 ± 61.3; PF:293.1 ± 91.3) (p > 0.05). The micro-CT analysis demonstrated that the percentage of cement and void volumes vary depending on the type of fiber post and cement used. No correlation between cement, void volume, and pull-out strength was observed.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyethyleneimine (PVA/PEI) blended monolithic cryogel columns for the depletion of haemoglobin from human blood

We have synthesized PVA/PEI monolithic cryogel columns chelated with Cu²⁺ ions as a model adsorbent, which is capable of binding haemoglobin (Hb) from human blood. The goal of this study is to perform the depletion of Hb via a single and easy process to be useful in proteomic studies. PVA/PEI-Cu²⁺ cryogel columns were subjected to adsorption studies of Hb from both aqueous solution and human plasma to evaluate the extent of interaction between cryogel columns and Hb. The effects of experimental parameters, such as pH, Hb equilibrium concentration, adsorption time, temperature, and ionic strength, on Hb adsorption capacity were investigated.     

Simultaneous depletion of albumin and immunoglobulin G by using twin affinity magnetic nanotraps

For biomarker discovery, simultaneous removal of albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) become more important for both concentrating other species including potential biomarkers and getting rid of their masking effect. In this study, we have proposed a covalent and photosensitive cross-linking conjugation of the biomolecules on nanostructures for the depletion of target proteins from aqueous solution and serum. The effect of concentration, pH, temperature and ionic strength on the adsorption of twin affinity nanotraps based on Cibacron Blue F3GA and Protein A were investigated. The efficiency of albumin and IgG depletion from human serum was performed using sodium dodecylsulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Polypyrrole–vinyl aniline modified cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin copolymers: a comparative study of the resin preparation

In this study, the synthesis of polypyrrole‐b‐vinyl aniline modified cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin (PPy‐b‐CFVAnR) block copolymers by a combination of condensation polymerization and chemical oxidative polymerization processes was examined. First, a cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin containing vinyl aniline units [4‐ vinyl aniline modified cycl?ohexanone formaldehyde resin (CFVAnR)] was prepared by a direct condensation reaction of 4‐vinyl aniline and cyclohexanone with formaldehyde in an in situ modification reaction. CFVAnR and pyrrole (Py) were then used with a conventional method of in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. The reactions were carried out with heat‐activated potassium persulfate salt in the presence of p‐toluene sulfonic acid in a dimethyl sulfoxide–water binary solvent system; this led to the formation of desired block copolymers. The effects of the oxidant–monomer molar ratio, dopant existence, addition order of the reactants, and reaction temperature on the yield, conductivity, and morphology of the resulting products were investigated. PPy‐b‐CFVAnR copolymers prepared with a resin‐to‐Py molar ratio of 1:40 showed conductivity in the range 3.7 × 10^?1 to 3.8 × 10^?2 S/cm. Oxidant‐to‐Py molar ratios of 0.5 and 1.0 were proposed to be the optimum stoichiometries for higher conductivity and yield, respectively, of the copolymer. The morphology of the copolymer (PPy‐b‐CFVAnR) was investigated with environmental scanning electron microscopy analyses. The results indicate that the surface of the copolymer was composed of well‐distributed nanospheres with average particle diameters of 60–85 nm. Also, the synthesized PPy‐b‐CFVAnR had a higher thermal stability than the pure CFVAnR. The chemical composition and structure of the PPy‐b‐CFVAnR copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and measurement. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 132, 42841.     

The investigation of antistatic effects of 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium ethyl sulphate for acrylic-based polymer film

This study aims to produce a long-term antistatic acrylic-based film by incorporating ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium ethyl sulphate (EIL) into acrylic resin. After loading, characterisations of samples were conducted by mechanically, thermally and morphologically. In order to determine antistatic properties, surface resistivity of samples was measured by using at different time intervals. The results indicated that IL loaded polymers showed a good antistatic property for a long time. The effect of incorporation on tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of polymer were also obtained. After loading process, tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus values decreased considerably. The decrement in tensile strength of polymer is much less than that in flexural strength. The effect of EIL incorporation into acrylic resin on thermal conductivity and surface wettability was also investigated. From scanning electron microscopy images, EIL particles in nano-size range were observed in polymer structure.     

Effects of different filler types on decay resistance and thermal,physical, and mechanical properties of recycled high-density polyethylene composites

In this study, flexural properties, impact strength, thermal performance, water absorption, biological durability, and morphology of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) filled with different filler types were investigated. Six different formulations of WPCs were fabricated from mixtures of carpenter waste and recycled high-density polyethylene (R-HDPE). The carpenter waste was derived from wood and particle board wastes, and R-HDPE was used as the polymer matrix, with and without addition of maleic anhydrite grafted polyethylene (MAPE). All formulations were compression moulded in a hot press for 3 min at 170 °C. Investigations on the compression moulded specimens revealed that water absorption values in the particleboard waste flour specimens were lower than in the wood-waste flour WPCs. However, the wood-waste flour-filled composites exhibited higher mechanical property values than the particleboard waste flour WPCs. Statistically, only the wood-waste flour-filled composites with MAPE were significantly different. The use of MAPE (3 wt%) had a positive effect on the water absorption, crystallinity degree, and flexural properties of the WPCs. In addition, the peak temperatures of the composites did not show any variation, while thermal decomposition of the composites showed minor variations under the thermogravimetric analysis. Furthermore, the decay resistance of the composites improved with the use of particleboard waste flour. The obtained results demonstrate that particleboard waste flour, such as wood-waste flour, is potentially suitable as a raw material in WPCs.     

Mucin profiles of the abomasum in bulls and rams: A comparative study

Many pathogens require direct binding to mucosal cells to cause an infection. The mucosal epithelium of the digestive tract, which is covered by a mucin layer, fulfills several protective functions that are essential to maintaining the health of the digestive tract. Mucins are glycoproteins, which are found on membranes and in mucus gels and protect the underlying mucosal cells. Both membrane‐associated mucins and secreted mucins are critical components of mucosal defense. The aim of this study was to determine the localization and expression of mucin profile of the abomasum via histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The abomasums of 20 bulls and 20 rams were evaluated. Histochemical examination showed that neutral and acidic mucins were present in the mucosa and the glands of the pars cardiaca, fundus, and pars pylorica of the abomasums of both bulls and rams. However, the expression of acidic mucins was weak in the superficial glands and strong in the deep glands of the abomasum of rams. In both bulls and rams, MUC1, MUC5AC, and MUC6 were expressed in the glandular epithelial cells in all regions of the abomasum. Interestingly, while MUC2 was not expressed in the pars cardiaca and fundus, it was weakly expressed in the parietal cells of the pars pylorica in both species. In conclusion, the presence of neutral and acidic mucins and MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 proteins in luminal epithelial and glandular cells of abomasum in the bulls and rams support the hypothesis that mucins play a key role in the protection of the abomasal mucosa against infectious agents.     

Plasma transferred arc surface modification of atmospheric plasma sprayed ceramic coatings

In this study, a 90MnCrV8 steel surface was coated with aluminum oxide and chromium oxide powders through the Atmospheric plasma spray (APS) and Plasma transferred arc (PTA) methods. The effects of PTA surface melting on the microstructure, hardness, and wear behavior were investigated. The microstructures of plasma-sprayed and modified layers were characterized by Optical microscopy (OM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The dry-sliding wear properties of the samples were determined through the ball-on-disk wear test method. Voids, cracks, and nonhomogeneous regions were observed in the microstructure of the APS ceramic-coated surface. These microstructure defects were eliminated by the PTA welding process. The microhardness of the samples was increased. Significant reductions in wear rate were observed after the PTA surface modification. The wear resistance of ceramic coatings increased 7 to 12 times compared to that of the substrate material.

     

Utilization of forestry and agricultural wastes

Studies on the utilization of forest and agricultural wastes are of the extreme significance in any country where there exists a gap between the availability of, and the requirements for, livestock feeds. Forest and agriculture wastes have big potential for energetic valorization. The energetic value of these wastes in Europe is 4.5 × 10¹² MJ/y. Forest wastes are nowadays utilized as feedstock for integrated gasification processes. Therefore, there is remarkable underutilization of agricultural wastes. While waste production in the industrial sectors is usually reducing, the propensity of waste production from municipalities appears to be opposite.     

Sectoral CO2 emission reductions in Turkey: Preparing for DOHA 2020

In this study, CO₂ emissions in different sectors in Turkey were examined in order to serve as a foundation for planning future reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These reductions are being planned in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, of which Turkey is a signatory, and which was re-examined by the Doha Climate Change Conference in 2009. For this purpose, variation of the total factor efficiencies of CO₂ emissions per capita for many developed and developing countries including Turkey (35 countries in total) were examined by data envelopment analysis and Malmquist Index approaches. It was aimed to determine the sectors in Turkey that should be the primary foci for reductions of CO₂ emissions and which actions might be taken before Doha 2020 oriented towards reductions in CO₂ emissions in these sectors. Meanwhile, current regulations and perspectives for greenhouse gas plans developed within the scope of Vision 2023 were discussed.