Stabilization of mid-sized silicon nanoparticles by functionalization with acrylic acid

The random architecture of a commercial copolymer of poly(DL-lactic acid) and poly(??-caprolactone), poly(DL-lactide-co-caprolactone), has been characterized by chemical structure analysis from hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance results. Moreover, spherical nanodomains have been detected in the thin films of this copolymer obtained after solvent evaporation. These nanodomains studied by atomic force microscopy and transmission elecron microscopy grow progressively under annealing until they collapse and form a homogenous disordered structure. This is the first time that the nanostructure of random poly(DL-lactic acid)/poly-(??-caprolactone) copolymers is revealed, representing one of few experimental evidences on the possible nanostructuration of random copolymers.     

Kinetics of photopolymerization-induced phase separation and morphology development in mixtures of a nematic liquid crystal and multifunctional acrylate

Photopolymerization behavior and reaction kinetics for a series of multifunctional acrylate monomer(s) and eutectic liquid crystal blends were investigated with particular emphasis on determination of the reaction rate coefficients for propagation and termination steps of photopolymerization. Reaction rate coefficients were determined via real-time infrared spectroscopy and compared with those obtained by photo-differential scanning calorimetry. Effects of various parameters such as LC concentration, light intensity, and monomer functionality on the kinetics were investigated. Phase transition temperature versus composition phase diagrams were established by means of optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry for mixtures of triacrylate/liquid crystal (LC) before photopolymerization and after exposing to ultra violet (UV) irradiation under various reaction times. The snapshot phase diagram of the reacting mixtures exhibited isotropic gel, isotropic liquid + nematic, and narrow pure nematic coexistence regions. These coexistence regions were further confirmed by morphological changes of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal films as functions of temperature and concentration using polarized optical microscopy.     

The synthesis and spectral properties of novel phthalocyanines with pendant bulky units

Novel phthalocyanines with biphenyl substituents and ester groups that are readily soluble in organic solvents were synthesized from a phthalonitrile derivative obtained by displacement of the –CH proton in 1-chloro-3,4-dicyano-6-(1,1-dicarbethoxymethyl)benzene with 4-(chloromethyl)biphenyl, followed by cyclotetramerization in the presence of metal salts {CuCl₂, Pb(CH₃COO)₂·3H₂O, CoCl₂ and Zn(CH₃COO)₂}. Transesterification of malonyl esters occurred during the cyclotetramerization of dinitrile with CuCl₂, Pb(CH₃COO)₂·3H₂O in 1-pentanol in the presence of DBU. The structures of the newly synthesized molecules were verified using elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, FT-IR, MicroTOF mass and UV–vis spectral data.     

Effect of aqueous ozonation on the pasting,flow and gelatinization properties of wheat starch

Wheat starch–water suspensions were exposed to ozone gas for 15, 30, and 60 min at 5 °C at a concentration of 0.00042 g dissolved ozone/100 g. Pasting properties were determined by using a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) while a Bohlin rheometer was used to obtain flow behaviour (n) and consistency (K) indices. An enzymatic method using glucoamylase was applied to calculate percent starch gelatinization. Pasting temperature (P_T) of ozonated starch samples decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to that of native starch. Cooking stability starch samples increased upon ozonation indicated by lower breakdown viscosity (B_V) values. The retrogradation tendency of wheat starch samples was reduced after ozonation which was indicated by lower setback viscosities (S_V). Native and ozonated starch samples exhibited a shear-thinning behaviour with values of flow behaviour indices (n) between 0.57 and 0.76. The greater n values obtained for ozonated starch samples as compared to native starch showed that ozonation increased the shear-thinning behaviour of wheat starch. Percent gelatinization for all ozonated starch samples were significantly higher than the control starch samples (P < 0.05), probably due to, weakened hydrogen bonding between the starch molecules and partial depolymerization of starch molecules by ozonation.     

Determination of the quality and purity characteristics of olive oils obtained from different regions of Turkey,depending on climatic changes

Virgin olive oils (VOOs) obtained from olives grown in different regions of Turkey under changing climatic conditions sometimes show different sensory and chemical properties. This study was planned to determine whether these deviations are due to climatic changes or not. For this purpose, five different olive varieties (Ayvalık, Memecik, Gemlik, Nizip Yağlık, Kilis Yağlık) of commercial importance were harvested from the provinces/districts (four different region) where cultivation is intense during the 2017/2018–2020/2021 harvest years. Every year, olive samples were collected from 3 orchards from 13 provinces/districts. One hundred and fifty-six samples were subjected to the purity, quality and sensory analysis. Basic climatic values (average, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity and precipitation) were examined for four consecutive years. All of the examined olive oil samples were determined within the legal limits in terms of fatty acid composition and fatty acid ethyl ester values. However, delta-7-stigmastenol value from the sterol composition was found to be above 0.5% in some samples in all the years studied (total 21 samples). Delta-7-stigmastenol values of olive oil samples varied between 0.16% and 1.14%. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied using a genetic algorithm-based inverse least squares method to determine whether there is a relationship between climate data and delta-7-stigmastenol values. According to this result, it has been determined that the delta-7-stigmastenol value is high when the annual average relative humidity is low and the annual average temperature is high. There is an urgent need to make forward-looking plans due to climate change.     

Process improvement and efficiency analysis using the Single-Minute Exchange of Dies method applied to the set-up and operation of screen-printing machines

Lean manufacturing methods are concerned with simplifying the production process and thus maximising efficiency and minimising wastage. All production processes contain several steps, which include sub-steps such as cleaning and changing devices and preparing the production areas for later steps. Most of these sub-steps require that machines are stopped and therefore they must be performed as quickly as possible. This downtime causes a decrease in efficiency, while increasing the costs and production time. Single-Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) is a lean manufacturing strategy that has been applied successfully in many sectors to minimise excessive downtime. In this study, the SMED technique is applied in a textile screen-printing company for the case of changing the screens between each design. The steps are evaluated and designated as either external steps, which are performed without downtime, or internal steps, which take place during downtime. The number of external steps is increased while being decreased for internal steps. Also, the production time decreased by 54% and a 32% increase in efficiency was achieved during the screen-printing production of a sample t-shirt.     

Erlotinib-Modified BODIPY Photosensitizers for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative, non-invasive and highly selective therapeutic modality for tumours and non-malignant diseases. BODIPY based molecules can function as new generation photosensitizers (PSs) in various PDT applications. Despite numerous conjugated PS systems are available, BODIPYs containing erlotinib lagged behind other photosensitizer units. In this study, smart photosensitizers containing BODIPY, erlotinib and hydrophilic units were prepared for the first time, their physicochemical properties and PDT effects were investigated. Compared with non-halogenated compound, halogenated derivatives possessed much lower fluorescence profile as well as the good ROS generation ability under red light. In vitro PDT studies were performed on both healthy (PNT1a) and prostate cancerous cells (PC3) to determine the selectivity of the compounds on cancerous cells and their effects under light. The halogenated conjugates, exposed to low dose of light illumination exhibited potent activity on cancer cell viability and the calculated IC₅₀ values proved the high phototoxicity of the photosensitizers. It was also determined that the PSs have very low dark toxicity and that the light illumination and ROS formation are required for the initiation of the cell death mechanism. As a result, erlotinib modified BODIPYs could serve as promising agents in anticancer photodynamic therapy.