Application of ion implantation for synthesis of copper nanoparticles in a zinc oxide matrix for obtaining new nonlinear optical materials

We have obtained a layered composite material by implantation of single crystal zinc oxide (ZnO) substrates with 160-keV Cu⁺ ions to a dose of 10¹⁶ or 10¹⁷ cm⁻². The composite was studied by linear optical absorption spectroscopy; the nonlinear optical characteristics were determined by means of Z-scanning at a laser radiation wavelength of 532 nm. The appearance of the optical plasmon resonance bands in the spectra indicated that ion implantation to the higher dose provides for the formation of copper nanoparticles in a subsurface layer of ZnO. The new nonlinear optical material comprising metal nanoparticles in a ZnO matrix exhibits the phenomenon of self-defocusing and possesses a high nonlinear absorption coefficient (β=2.07×10⁻³ cm/W).     

Experimental investigation of the performance of a Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube with regard to a plug located at the hot outlet

In this study, effects of position, diameter (5, 6, 7, 8 mm) and angle (30°–180°) of a mobile plug, located at the hot outlet side in a Ranque–Hilsch Vortex Tube (RHVT), were determined experimentally for best performance. In addition to plug parameters, effects of supply pressure (200–420 kPa) and number of nozzles (2, 4, 6) were also studied. The internal diameter (D) of the vortex tube used in the experiments was 9 mm; the ratio of the length of the vortex tube to its diameter (L/D) was 15. Four different plug locations were studied. The maximum difference in the temperatures of hot and cold streams was obtained for the plug diameter of 5 mm, tip angles of 30° and 60°, 4 nozzles and by keeping the plug location at the far extreme end.     

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite crystals using carboxymethyl inulin for use as a delivery of ibuprofen

In the present study biodegradable, environmentally friendly polysaccharide-based polycarboxylate, carboxymethyl inulin (CMI), was used to produce hydroxyapatite (HAP) particles by wet chemical synthesis under controlled temperature, pH, and atmospheric conditions. The morphology and microstructure of the HAP nanoparticles were investigated by XRD, SEM, DTA–TGA and FTIR. CMI affects morphology, surface area, dimension and particle size distribution of the crystals. The reduction in size is greater in the direction of the c-axis. The increase in the polymer concentration to 7.5 g/L resulted in the mixture of nanoparticles with particle sizes of less than 100 nm. The SEM micrograph shows the formation of well-crystallized, agglomerated small particles of HAP. X-ray analysis has shown that the resulting particles have high thermal stability.The obtained crystals were used to produce tablets by direct compression of HAP. The influence of sample's CMI concentration on drug release profiles was investigated by using ibuprofen (C₁₃H₁₈O₂) as a model drug. The model was used to determine the effective diffusion coefficient of the drug from the tablets. A good agreement between experimental data and model predictions was obtained as calculated in the present work. The values of the diffusion coefficients range from 1.62 × 10^? 7 to 4.72 × 10^? 7 m² h^? 1.     

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the microstructural and physical properties on nanocrystalline tin oxide films grown by plasma oxidation after thermal deposition from pure Sn targets

In this work, microstructural and physical properties were studied in the tin oxide films deposited by thermal evaporation of Sn films on stainless steel substrates followed by in situ D.C. plasma oxidation at 200 °C substrate temperature. The surface properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and four-point probe electrical resistivity. The typical calculated grain size of the films deposited by thermal evaporation was between 28 nm and 66 nm and the texture structure was found to be dependent on the thermal deposition pressure. A cassiterite structure of SnO₂ was produced by D.C. plasma oxidation with the main diffraction peaks of the (101), (200), (211), (310) and (221) planes at the 25% and 50% O₂ partial pressure conditions. However, at 12.5% O₂ partial pressure oxidation conditions, amorphous tin oxide structure and crystalline SnO phases were detected. Increasing thermal deposition pressure resulted in preferential texture formation at (211) and (310) planes. The surface structure investigation of the produced films by SEM and AFM studies showed large SnO₂ islands with approximately 1.0 μm and 1.5 μm sized nodules, and they are called as grape-like structures. The grape-like grains possess nano grains, which are between 20 nm and 30 nm in diameter calculated by Scherer's formula. The grape-like grains were seen to be separated by large cavities and the size of these cavities and nano grains was seen to be larger when the O₂ partial pressure is increased. The four-point probe resistivity of the films, grown at different oxidation temperatures, decreased with the increase in oxygen partial pressure. The values of resistivity for SnO₂ phase were measured as low as 10⁻⁵ Ω-cm and observed to decrease with increasing thermal deposition pressure and oxygen partial pressure.     

The value of immunoglobulin and complement levels in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis

Serum IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c and C4 concentrations were measured in 24 term neonates with sepsis and 17 healthy normal neonates of similar age, sex and weight (control group). The serum IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c, and C4 levels were similar in the patients with sepsis and the control group (p > 0.05). In the neonates with sepsis, serum IgG, G1, G2, IgM and C4 levels were not significantly different between the 1st and 10th days, while there were significant differences for IgG3, G4 and C3c (p < 0.05). We conclude that the serum levels of IgG, IgG1, G2, G3, G4, IgM, C3c and C4 concentrations are of no value for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.     

Axis I psychopathology in individuals with traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence, comorbidity, and patterns of resolution of DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Diagnoses (SCID) was utilized. Diagnoses were determined for three onset points relative to TBI onset: pre-TBI, post-TBI, and current diagnosis. Contrasts of prevalence rates with community-based samples, as well as chi-square analysis and analysis of variance were used. Demographics considered in analyses included gender, marital status, severity of injury, and years since TBI onset. SETTING: Urban, suburban, and rural New York state. PARTICIPANTS: 100 adults with TBI who were between the ages of 18 and 65 years and who were, on average, 8 years post onset at time of interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SCID Axis I mood diagnoses of major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder; anxiety diagnoses of panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and phobia; and substance use disorders. RESULTS: Prior to TBI, a significant percentage of individuals presented with substance use disorders. After TBI, the most frequent Axis I diagnoses were major depression and select anxiety disorders (ie, PTSD, OCD, and panic disorder). Comorbidity was high, with 44% of individuals presenting with two or more Axis I diagnoses post TBI. Individuals without a pre-TBI Axis I disorder were more likely to develop post-TBI major depression and substance use disorders. Rates of resolution were similar for individuals regardless of previous psychiatric histories. Major depression and substance use disorders were more likely than were anxiety disorders to remit. CONCLUSION: TBI is a risk factor for subsequent psychiatric disabilities. The need for proactive psychiatric assessment and timely interventions in individuals post TBI is indicated.     

Endogenous and copper-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity of serum in hypercholesterolemic subjects

In order to observe the transport ability of peritoneum to small molecular substances, peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was performed in 52 CAPD patients. By analysing the relationship between peritoneal transport function and dialysis adequacy, we found the average urea KT/V and Cr were significantly lower in high and low transport groups (n = 6 and n = 2) than in high average and low average groups (n = 35 and n = 9). According to the results of PET, we adjusted the dialysis program of 11 patients and the dialysis adequacy was markedly improved. We concluded that PET was helpful for selecting and adjusting CAPD program, and discussed some questions which should be payed more attention in PET operation.     

The influence of retention hole and adhesive systems on the shear bond strengths of resin composite to amalgam

The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence of surface-treatment methods with and without the use of a retention hole on the shear bond strength of a resin composite adhered to amalgam using an adhesive system. Amalgam specimens were divided into six groups. Group 1 (Bur) specimens were roughened with a diamond bur, Group 2 (Al₂O₃) specimens were sandblasted with a 50?μm aluminum oxide powder, Group 3 (CoJet^®) specimens were sandblasted with 30?μm CoJet^® Sand, Group 4 (Bur?+?Rh) specimen surfaces were prepared with a retention hole 1?mm in diameter and 1?mm deep and roughened with a diamond bur, Group 5 (Al₂O₃?+?Rh) specimens were also prepared with a retention hole and sandblasted with 50?μm aluminum oxide powder, and Group 6 (CoJet^®?+?Rh) surfaces were prepared with a retention hole and sandblasted with 30?μm CoJet^® Sand. Resin composite cylinders were bonded onto the amalgam surfaces using Xeno^® IV, Optibond? All-In-One, Clearfil? SE Bond, Adper? Single Bond Plus, and Scotchbond? Multi-Purpose adhesive systems. In addition, silane (Monobond S) was used for Groups 5 and 6. The shear bond was determined and statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey’s tests (p?≤?0.05). The surface treatment significantly affected the shear bond strengths of the adhesive systems. The shear bond strengths of Optibond? All-In-One (2.661?±?0.48?MPa) in Group 1 and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (3.818?±?0.98) in Group 4 were significantly higher than those of the other adhesive systems. Silica coating of the amalgam surface significantly improved the shear bond strength of the resin composites. The addition of a retention hole on the amalgam affects the bonding strength of the composite adhesion.     

Effect of different dentin adhesives and application modes on sealing ability of amalgam restorations

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the sealing ability of bonded amalgam restorations using different adhesive materials with different adhesive application methods including amalgam bonding application. Materials and methods: The prepared Class-V cavities were randomly assigned to four application groups of four tested dual-curing dentin adhesives (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus, XP Bond, Xeno IV and Clearfil Liner Bond 2V), dual-curing resin-based cement (Panavia F2.0) and a control group (unlined amalgam). Group 1 adhesives were applied according to the instructions for direct light-curing, Group 2 chemical-curing mode was applied according to the manufacturer’s amalgam bonding instructions. Group 3 adhesives were first applied in light-curing mode, and then amalgam bonding adhesive was applied. Group 4 adhesives were first applied in chemical-curing mode, followed immediately by light-curing mode. After that, amalgam adhesive parts were applied; then, the amalgam was condensed and carved. After storage for 24 h in distilled water at 37 °C, restorations were finished and polished. The teeth were then thermocycled (500 cycles between 5 and 55 °C), and the specimens were examined for microleakage using methylene blue as a marker. Results: Compared to the control group, the adhesive application modes significantly reduced microleakage for both dentin and enamel margins (p < 0.05). In dentin margins of the adhesives tested, Group 4 showed the lowest leakage score. On the enamel margins for Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus and XP Bond, Group 1 showed the highest microleakage (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to marginal sealing ability and ease of application, Group 2 was recommended for the etch and rinse systems, and Group 4 was also recommended for the self-etch systems under amalgam restorations.