Synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole derivatives

New π‐conjugated polymers containing dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrole (DTP) were successfully synthesized via electropolymerization. The effect of structural differences on the electrochemical and optoelectronic properties of the 4‐[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl]aniline (DTP–aryl–NH₂), 10‐[4H‐dithiyeno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pirol‐4‐il]dekan‐1‐amine (DTP–alkyl–NH₂), and 1,10‐bis[4H‐dithieno(3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d)pyrrol‐4‐yl] decane (DTP–alkyl–DTP) were investigated. The corresponding polymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, NMR (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Changes in the electronic nature of the functional groups led to variations in the electrochemical properties of the π‐conjugated systems. The electroactive polymer films revealed redox couples and exhibited electrochromic behavior. The replacement of the DTP–alkyl–DTP unit with DTP–aryl–NH₂ and DTP–alkyl–NH₂ resulted in a lower oxidation potential. Both the poly(10‐(4H‐Dithiyeno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pirol‐4‐il)dekan‐1‐amin) (poly(DTP–alkyl–NH₂)) and poly(1,10‐bis(4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrol‐4‐yl) decane) (poly(DTP–alkyl–DTP)) films showed multicolor electrochromism and also fast switching times (<1 s) in the visible and near infrared regions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40701.     

Mechanical,chemical, thermal,and rheological properties of recycled PA6/ABS binary and PA6/PA66/ABS ternary blends

The effects of multiple injection molding cycles on the chemical and mechanical properties of PA6/ABS and PA6/PA66/ABS blends are investigated. The chemical structures of both PA6/ABS binary and PA6/PA66/ABS ternary blends do not alter after recycling process. For PA6/ABS binary blend, it is found that the tensile strength, strain at break, elastic modulus, impact strength, flexural strength, and modulus of recycled blend decrease by 6.49%, 15.19%, 21.00%, 9.41%, 7.09%, and 8.25%, respectively, while MFI increases by 23.59% as compared with the virgin blend. After five recycling process for PA6/PA66/ABS ternary blend, the tensile strength, strain at break, and impact strength of recycled blend decrease by 18.00%, 50.80%, and 87.27%, respectively. However, flexural strength and modulus of PA6/PA66/ABS blend increase slightly. For virgin PA6/PA66/ABS blend, MFI value was 7.7 g/10 min and with recycling this value showed an important increase to 31.56 g/10 min after five cycles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40810.     

Controlling tip–sample interaction forces during a single tap for improved topography and mechanical property imaging of soft materials by AFM

We introduce a method that exploits the “active” nature of the force-sensing integrated readout and active tip (FIRAT), a recently introduced atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe, to control the interaction forces during individual tapping events in tapping mode (TM) AFM. In this method the probe tip is actively retracted if the tip–sample interaction force exceeds a user-specified force threshold during a single tap while the tip is still in contact with the surface. The active tip control (ATC) circuitry designed for this method makes it possible to control the repulsive forces and indentation into soft samples, limiting the repulsive forces during the scan while avoiding instability due to attractive forces. We demonstrate the accurate topographical imaging capability of this method on suitable samples that possess both soft and stiff features.     

Solvent-free glycerolysis catalyzed by acetone powder of Nigella sativa seed lipase

The solvent-free glycerolysis of used sunflower oil catalyzed by acetone powder of Nigella sativa seeds was investigated. The highest partial acylglycerols yield was obtained at 60°C. The glycerolysis reactions, conducted at molar ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 of oil to glycerol keeping the acetone powder content at 30% based on oil weight and the temperature at 60°C, approached equilibrium after 2 h. The highest partial acylglycerol content of the products was 66% (1:1 molar ratio) and 60% (2:1 molar ratio).     

AN INTERPRETATION OF THE IMPACT OF REGIONAL SCIENCE IN TERMS OF PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

ABSTRACT: This article evaluates the performance of regional science from the perspective of the philosophy of science. The debate regarding the field's performance has drawn wide interest among those working in regional science and has been a stimulus to consider and reinterpret a number of approaches in the philosophy of science. It is believed that an evaluation and reinterpretation of the major approaches in the philosophy of science, such as the positivist, humanistic and structuralist outlooks, could be useful in helping make an ultimate evaluation of the recent literature regarding regional science. In this article, a comparison is made between those paradigms within the development processes that are relevant to regional science and with respect to differentiation between less developed countries (LDC) and developed countries. It is concluded that despite the considerable achievements that have occurred in regional science from the 1950s up to the present some significant questions in the field suggest requirements for a paradigm change, particularly for a field of knowledge that can be applied to developing areas.     

Chemical release at the airport and lessons learned from the medical perspective

The risk of massive exposure to toxic chemical substances including chemical weapons or industrial chemicals has increased especially during the last century due to the development in industry and chemistry science. This paper aims to describe a real chemical release event and further exposures to personnel working at the Esenbo?a Airport, Ankara, Turkey, and to give lessons learned. This chemical release was noticed firstly by airport staff giving symptoms including nausea, vomiting, irritation of eyes, itching and rinorrhea. First responders from civil defense unit and a group of health staff including NBC First-aid and Rescue Team gave response to the incident. The increasing number of exposed or suspected cases transferred to hospital were isolated in Emergency Department (ED) following the decontamination at the airport. Due to the characteristic odour and the growing number of the victims, the releasing agent was considered to be likely cyanide or sulfur mustard. Because of the panic amongst the workers, the number of the exposed (real or suspected) people increased up to about 40 and were kept under observation in ED of the hospital. The chromotographic analysis revealed that the agent contained diallyl disulfide, an organo-sulfur compound present at very high concentrations in pure garlic oil. Blood results showed no cyanide and the isolation were terminated. Along with the lessons learned, incident showed that the health facilities should be prepared against such deliberate or accidental mass casualties.     

Platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio better predicts inflammation than neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in end‐stage renal disease patients

Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was introduced as a potential marker to determine inflammation in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Recently, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and NLR were found to positively correlated with inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐6 in cardiac and noncardiac patients. Data regarding PLR and its association with inflammation are lacking in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Hence, we aimed to determine the relationship between PLR, NLR, and inflammation in ESRD patients. This was a cross‐sectional study involving 62 ESRD patients (29 females, 33 males; mean age, 49.6 ± 14.6 years) receiving PD or HD for ≥6 months in the Dialysis Unit of Necmettin Erbakan University. PLR, NLR, C‐reactive protein, TNF‐α, IL‐6 levels were measured. PLR, NLR, serum high sensitive C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, and TNF‐α levels were significantly higher in PD patients when compared with HD patients. ESRD patients with PLR ≥ 140 had significantly higher NLR, IL‐6, and TNF‐α levels when compared to patients with PLR < 139. In the bivariate correlation analysis, PLR was positively correlated with NLR, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in this population. When we compared the association of PLR and NLR with IL‐6 (r = 0.371, P = 0.003 vs. r = 0.263, P = 0.04, respectively) and TNF‐α (r = 0.334, P = 0.008 vs. r = 0.273, P = 0.032, respectively), PLR was found to be superior to NLR in terms of inflammation in ESRD patients. Simple calculation of PLR can predict inflammation better than NLR in ESRD patients.