Synthesis of phosphorus‐ and phenyl‐based ROMP polymers and investigation of their effects on the thermomechanical and flammability properties of a polypropylene–IFR system

In this study, we present an approach for the synthesis of novel phosphorous‐ or phenyl‐ containing polymers, 2_phenyl, 3_phospho, and 2_phenyl‐co‐3_phospho, derived from ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), to reduce the flammability of polypropylene (PP). The composites were processed by melt‐blending ROMP polymers and octaphenyl–polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with PP/intumescent flame retardant (IFR) compounds at different compositions. The composites were characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, and mechanical tests as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular structures of phosphorous‐ and phenyl‐containing polymers were proved by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The online rheological measurements indicated that the addition of additives to the PP/IFR system increased the melt viscosity of the compounds regardless of the type. The DSC analysis showed that the addition of ROMP polymers to the PP/IFR system influenced the crystal perfection and degree of crystallization. TGA analysis of the composites revealed that the addition of ROMP polymers to PP/IFR compounds deteriorated the thermal stability as the amount of phosphorus increased in the matrix. Dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) of the composites were lowered by the addition of ROMP polymers. The LOI and UL‐94 rating of PP/IFR were enhanced by the addition of ROMP polymers. It was successfully demonstrated that the novel phosphorous‐ or phenyl‐containing polymers were highly potent additives in optimizing the flammability of PP composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45998.     

An integrated QFD framework with multiple formatted and incomplete preferences: A sustainable supply chain application

Merging sustainable development with the business, and taking goals into account from its three dimensions (i.e., economic, environmental and social) which are derived from customer and stakeholder requirements have been a potential source of competitive differentiation for firms. Academic and corporate interest in sustainable supply chain (SSC) management has also risen considerably in recent years. This paper examines the components and elements of SSC management and how they serve as a foundation for an evaluation framework. By using quality function deployment (QFD) as a product/system planning and improvement tool, an effective SSC structure can be obtained. QFD uses a matrix called the “House of Quality” (HoQ), and constructing the HoQ is a critical step in the application of QFD as it translates customer requirements into engineering characteristics. However, participants of HoQ construction sessions tend to provide information about their individual judgments in multiple formats such as numerically or linguistically depending on their different knowledge, experience, culture and circumstance. Furthermore, they can generate incomplete preferences which are challenging to assess in a consistent way. Therefore, the objective of this study is to apply an extended QFD methodology in SSC by introducing a new group decision making (GDM) approach that takes multiple preference formats and incomplete information into account and fusions different formats of expressions into one uniform group decision by means of the fuzzy set theory. To assess the validity of the proposed approach, a case study conducted at HAVI Logistics-Turkey is also presented in the paper.     

Robust fluorinated siloxane copolymers via initiated chemical vapor deposition for corrosion protection

Journal of Materials Science - Homopolymers of 2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (V4D4), 2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl acrylate (PFHEA) and 2-(perfluoroalkyl)ethyl methacrylate...     

Analysis of the electrochemical reaction behavior of alloy AZ91 by EIS technique in H3PO4/KOH buffered K2SO4 solutions

The EIS technique was used to analyze the electrochemical reaction behavior of Alloy AZ91 in H₃PO₄/KOH buffered K₂SO₄ solution at pH 7. The corrosion resistance of Alloy AZ91 was directly related with the stability of Al₂O₃ · xH₂O rich part of the composite oxide/hydroxide layer on the alloy surface. The break down of the oxide layer was estimated to occur mainly on the matrix solid solution phase in Alloy AZ91. The mf capacitive loop arose from the relaxation of mass transport in the solid oxide phase in the presence of Al₂O₃ · xH₂O rich part and from Mg⁺ ion concentration within the broken area in the absence of Al₂O₃ · xH₂O rich part in the composite oxide structure on the alloy surface. The lf inductive loop had tendency of disappear when the dissolution rate of the alloy decreased as a result of the formation of the protective oxide layer.     

Investigating Fatty Acid Composition of Samples were Homogenized Various Meat and Offal Products from Turkey

The aim of the present study was to compare the fatty acid composition, PUFA:SFA ratio, n6/n3 ratio, and TFA of different farm animal meats and offal products. These products were collected at a regional farm in Istanbul which is the most populous city in Turkey. The results of fatty acid composition analysis indicated that the major fatty acids of C16:0 (18.00–29.35 %), C18:0 (4.10–29.71 %), C18:1 (29.21–57.30 %), and C18:2 (1.37–18.60 %) were found in the samples. The total saturated fatty acids, total monounsaturated fatty acids and total polyunsaturated fatty acids content of the samples ranged between 30.00 and 61.83 %, 32.24 and 57.80 %, and 1.64 and 23.60 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Except for turkey abdominal fat, TFA content in all other samples showed a variation between 0.10 and 3.36 %. The PUFA:SFA ratio was higher in turkey meat (0.64) and was lower in sheep kidney fat (0.02). Moreover, the n6/n3 PUFA ratio changed between 2.90 and 22.28 (p < 0.05).     

Effect of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser preparation on dentin bond strength of a universal adhesive

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of a universal adhesive system to dentin prepared with SiC paper or an Er,Cr:YSGG laser using different bonding strategies (etch-and-rinse versus self-etch mode). Ninety-six extracted caries-free, sound human molars were used. The teeth were longitudinally sectioned in the mesiodistal direction and were wet polished with 600-grit SiC paper to obtain a standardized flat dentin surface. All prepared teeth were randomly divided into two groups, according to the surface preparation method: GroupI:an erbium, chromium:yttrium,scandium, gallium, garnet laser; Group II: silicon carbide paper[SiC] (n = 48). Each group was then assigned into three subgroups according to the universal adhesive’s (Single Bond Universal) bonding strategies: (a) etch-and-rinse mode with phosphoric acid, (b) etch-and-rinse mode with a laser, (c) self-etch mode (n = 16). For surface preparation, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser was used at 3 W, 30 Hz with 140 μs pulse duration for 25 s. For etching mode, the laser was used at 1.5 W (60% air, 70% water). Cylinders of composite were fabricated on the bonding area and shear bond strength was determined using a universal testing machine. Failure modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). Bonding strategies showed statistically significant differences in both the SiC-and laser-prepared groups (p < 0.05).Universal adhesive used in etch-and-rinse mode with acid showed significantly higher bond strength values than in self-etch mode (p < 0.05). The bond strength values did not differ according to the surface preparation method (p > 0.05). Irrespective of preparation method, using universal adhesive in etch-and-rinse mode with acid might improve dentin bond strength. Laser preparation did not affect the bond strength of the universal adhesive tested.     

Systematic Understanding of Recent Developments in Bacterial Cellulose Biosynthesis at Genetic,Bioprocess and Product Levels

Engineering biological processes has become a standard approach to produce various commercially valuable chemicals, therapeutics, and biomaterials. Among these products, bacterial cellulose represents major advances to biomedical and healthcare applications. In comparison to properties of plant cellulose, bacterial cellulose (BC) shows distinctive characteristics such as a high purity, high water retention, and biocompatibility. However, low product yield and extensive cultivation times have been the main challenges in the large-scale production of BC. For decades, studies focused on optimization of cellulose production through modification of culturing strategies and conditions. With an increasing demand for BC, researchers are now exploring to improve BC production and functionality at different categories: genetic, bioprocess, and product levels as well as model driven approaches targeting each of these categories. This comprehensive review discusses the progress in BC platforms categorizing the most recent advancements under different research focuses and provides systematic understanding of the progress in BC biosynthesis. The aim of this review is to present the potential of ‘modern genetic engineering tools’ and ‘model-driven approaches’ on improving the yield of BC, altering the properties, and adding new functionality. We also provide insights for the future perspectives and potential approaches to promote BC use in biomedical applications.     

RGS14 Regulation of Post-Synaptic Signaling and Spine Plasticity in Brain

The regulator of G-protein signaling 14 (RGS14) is a multifunctional signaling protein that regulates post synaptic plasticity in neurons. RGS14 is expressed in the brain regions essential for learning, memory, emotion, and stimulus-induced behaviors, including the basal ganglia, limbic system, and cortex. Behaviorally, RGS14 regulates spatial and object memory, female-specific responses to cued fear conditioning, and environmental- and psychostimulant-induced locomotion. At the cellular level, RGS14 acts as a scaffolding protein that integrates G protein, Ras/ERK, and calcium/calmodulin signaling pathways essential for spine plasticity and cell signaling, allowing RGS14 to naturally suppress long-term potentiation (LTP) and structural plasticity in hippocampal area CA2 pyramidal cells. Recent proteomics findings indicate that RGS14 also engages the actomyosin system in the brain, perhaps to impact spine morphogenesis. Of note, RGS14 is also a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein, where its role in the nucleus remains uncertain. Balanced nuclear import/export and dendritic spine localization are likely essential for RGS14 neuronal functions as a regulator of synaptic plasticity. Supporting this idea, human genetic variants disrupting RGS14 localization also disrupt RGS14’s effects on plasticity. This review will focus on the known and unexplored roles of RGS14 in cell signaling, physiology, disease and behavior.