Evaluation of polymerization in fluoride-containing composite resins

Fluoride-containing restorative materials are frequently utilized to delay or inhibit caries. The quality of the fluoride-containing composite resins was evaluated by testing their microhardness, polymerization shrinkage, thermal expansion coefficient, and surface morphology. Some of them were evaluated in conjunction with the thermocycling process. The microhardness values of the thermocycled specimens were similar to those of the specimens immersed only in distilled water. Among the specimens, Surefil showed the highest (68.6 ± 1.2 Hv) value. A linear correlation was found between microhardness and the filler content (vol%) of the specimens regardless of their states. Polymerization shrinkage rapidly increased during the light curing, and then it reached a plateau. The shrinkage values increased as the specimens became thicker. In a temperature range of 30 ∼ 80 °C, the coefficients of thermal expansion of the control specimens ranged between 43 × 10⁻⁶/°C and 77 × 10⁻⁶/°C. An inverse correlations were observed between the filler content (vol%) and the coefficient of thermal expansion and between microhardness and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the control specimens. Tetric Ceram showed a perforated or “Swiss-cheese” morphology after thermocycling. It was unique and occurred only in this product.     

Functional and Molecular Changes of the Bladder in Rats with Crushing Injury of Nerve Bundles from Major Pelvic Ganglion to the Bladder: Role of RhoA/Rho Kinase Pathway

Voiding dysfunction is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery. To reduce this complication, nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery was introduced. However, several patients experienced voiding difficulty despite nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Thus, we investigated the functional and molecular changes of the bladder in rats, which demonstrated voiding dysfunction induced by nerve damage during nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Male rats were used and assigned to normal, sham-operated, and bilateral crushing nerve bundles from major pelvic ganglion (MPG) to bladder group. After one, two, and four-week crushing injury, significantly decreased contractile response and increased connective tissue of the detrusor were observed and these results were reliable findings with voiding difficulty following nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. After crushing injury, significantly increased M2 muscarinic receptor expression was observed and this might be regarded as the compensatory response. However, M3 muscarinic receptor expression was not significantly changed. The expression of RhoA, ROCK-α, and ROCK-β was significantly increased after one, two, and four-week crushing injury. From these results, the down-regulation of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway might lead to the decreased bladder contractility after crushing injury of nerve bundles from MPG to the bladder despite of the compensated up-regulation of M2 muscarinic receptor.     

Age-hardening and overaging mechanisms related to the metastable phase formation by the decomposition of Ag and Cu in a dental Au–Ag–Cu–Pd–Zn alloy

The age-hardening and overaging mechanisms related to the metastable phase formation by the decomposition of Ag and Cu in a dental casting gold alloy composed of 56Au–25Ag–11.8Cu–5Pd–1.7Zn–0.4Pt–0.1Ir (wt.%) were elucidated by characterizing the age-hardening behaviour, phase transformations, changes in microstructure and changes in element distribution. The fast and apparent increase in hardness at the initial stage of the aging process at 400°C was caused by the nucleation and growth of the metastable Ag–Au-rich phase and the Cu–Au-rich phase by the miscibility limit of Ag and Cu. The transformation of the metastable Ag–Au-rich phase into the stable Ag–Au-rich phase progressed concurrently with the ordering of the Cu–Au-rich phase into the AuCu I phase through the metastable state, which resulted in the subsequent increase in hardness. The further increase in hardness was restrained before complete decomposition of the parent α₀ phase due to the initiation of the lamellar-forming grain boundary reaction. The progress of the lamellar-forming grain boundary reaction was not directly connected with the phase transformation of the metastable phases into the final product phases. The heterogeneous expansion of the lamellar structure from the grain boundary caused greater softening than the subsequent further coarsening of the lamellar structure. The lamellar structure was composed of the Ag–Au-rich layer which was Cu-, Pd- and Zn-depleted and the AuCu I layer containing Pd and Zn.     

Energy efficiency of a scaled-up microwave-assisted transesterification for biodiesel production

We propose a scalable and energy-efficient microwave-assisted chemical reactor for biodiesel production, which is composed of a partially modified conventional 10-L stainless steel vessel and a microwave coupler to enable an optimized microwave injection of 99% power efficiency. The microwave power applied via a waveguide can be directly injected into the reaction vessel using a coupling rod clamped to a pressured microwave window, giving convenience of scale-up of the reactor volume because a conventional microwave transparent vessel like glass is not need. Microwave-assisted transesterification of triglycerides with potassium hydroxide catalyst achieved an accelerated conversion of 95% in 5 min. The precisely measured microwave energy consumption was only 87% of the calculated heat requirement for both the reactant and the vessel. Computer simulation studies indicated that the cause of the energy efficiency for microwave heating was the relatively low temperature of the vessel due to a reverse temperature gradient, in contrast to those done with conventional hot wall heating.     

Experimental verification of anomalous chloride enrichment related to methane hydrate formation in deep‐sea sediments

Anomalous chloride concentration enrichment has been detected in marine sediments comprising methane hydrates (MHs). In this study, we designed an electric circuit system linked to the high‐pressure resistance cell in which the chloride ion concentration can be directly measured within reliable accuracy under in situ conditions of the deep‐sea floor pressure and temperature. Chloride concentration increased under a fast MH formation rate, but no noticeable concentration change was detected under a relatively low‐rate. Furthermore, we suggested that the MH formation rate must be maintained at least ～10² mol m^?2 yr^?1 so as to efficiently enrich chlorides and retain the acquired chlorinity. The present experimental system dose not fully reflect the relatively minor effective variables such as vertical advections in real system, but the results seem to be sufficient for revealing chloride enrichment phenomena induced by fast MH formation rate with free methane gas. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

Atomic scale effects of alloying,partitioning, solute drag and austempering on the mechanical properties of high-carbon bainitic–austenitic TRIP steels

Understanding alloying and thermal processing at an atomic scale is essential for the optimal design of high-carbon (0.71 wt.%) bainitic–austenitic transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. We investigate the influence of the austempering temperature, chemical composition (especially the Si:Al ratio) and partitioning on the nanostructure and mechanical behavior of these steels by atom probe tomography. The effects of the austempering temperature and of Si and Al on the compositional gradients across the phase boundaries between retained austenite and bainitic ferrite are studied. We observe that controlling these parameters (i.e. Si, Al content and austempering temperature) can be used to tune the stability of the retained austenite and hence the mechanical behavior of these steels. We also study the atomic scale redistribution of Mn and Si at the bainitic ferrite/austenite interface. The observations suggest that either para-equilibrium or local equilibrium-negligible partitioning conditions prevail depending on the Si:Al ratio during bainite transformation.     

A study on cooling efficiency using 1-d analysis code suitable for cooling system of thermoforming

Thermoforming is one of the most versatile and economical processes available for polymer products, but cycle time and production cost must be continuously reduced in order to improve the competitive power of products. In this study, water spray cooling was simulated to apply to a cooling system instead of compressed air cooling in order to shorten the cycle time and reduce the cost of compressed air used in the cooling process. At first, cooling time using compressed air was predicted in order to check the state of mass production. In the following step, the ratio of removed energy by air cooling or water spray cooling among the total removed energy was found by using 1-D analysis code of the cooling system under the condition of checking the possibility of conversion from 2-D to 1-D problem. The analysis results using water spray cooling show that cycle time can be reduced because of high cooling efficiency of water spray, and cost of production caused by using compressed air can be reduced by decreasing the amount of the used compressed air. The 1-D analysis code can be widely used in the design of a thermoforming cooling system, and parameters of the thermoforming process can be modified based on the recommended data suitable for a cooling system of thermoforming. This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Dongsik Kim Zhen-Zhe Li received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yanbian University, China, in 2002. He then received his M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from Konkuk University, South Korea, in 2005. He then received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chonnam National University, South Korea, in 2009. Dr. Li is currently a Researcher of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University, South Korea. Dr. Li’s research interests include applied heat transfer, fluid mechanics and optimal design of thermal and fluid systems. Kwang-Su Heo received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chonnam National University, South Korea, in 1998. He then received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Chonnam National University, South Korea, in 2003 and 2008, respectively. Dr. Heo is currently a Post-doctorial Researcher of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST(Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), South Korea. Dr. Heo’s research interests include applied heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermal analysis of superconductor. Dong-Ji Xuan received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Harbin Engineering University, China, in 2000. He then received his M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chonnam National University, South Korea, in 2006. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University, South Korea. His research interests include control & optimization of PEM fuel cell system, dynamics & control, mechatronics. Seoung-Yun Seol received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Design from Seoul National University, South Korea, in 1983. He then received his M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST(Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), South Korea, in 1985. He then received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University, USA, in 1993. Dr. Seol is currently a Professor of the School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Chonnam National University, South Korea. Dr. Seol’s research interests include applied heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermal analysis of superconductor.     

Antimicrobial effect of κ-carrageenan-based edible film containing ovotransferrin in fresh chicken breast stored at 5 °C

The antimicrobial activity of κ-carrageenan-based film (κCF) containing ovotransferrin (OTf) against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans was investigated. The effects of packaging with κCF–OTf on fresh chicken breast were also investigated during storage at 5 °C. The κCF–OTf showed a slight antimicrobial activity against E. coli (diameter of inhibition zone was <2 mm), but the effect was increased synergistically in the presence of 5 mM EDTA (diameter of inhibition zone is 2–5 mm). However, there were only weak inhibitory effects against S. aureus and S. typhimurium (diameter of inhibition zone was <2 mm). The growth of total microbes and E. coli in fresh chicken breast wrapped with κCF showed 1.8 and 2.7 decimal reductions by the addition of 5 mM EDTA or 5 mM EDTA in combination with 25 mg of OTf (P < 0.05), respectively, when compared to that of control at day 7. The chicken breast wrapped with κCF–PS–EDTA was also inhibited the growth of total microbes and E. coli during storage period. However, the addition of either 25 mg of OTf alone or 10 mg of potassium sorbate alone slightly inhibited the growth of microorganisms in chicken breast. Based on the obtained results, the κ-carrageenan-based film containing ovotransferrin combined with EDTA can be used for extending shelf life of fresh chicken breast.     

Structure and mechanical properties of Ni–Cr alloy produced by single roll strip casting

In the present investigation the microstructure and some mechanical properties of Ni–Cr alloy prepared by single roll strip casting (SRSC) were studied. The top surface (surface not in contact with the roll) of the as received sample was rough and lusterless. The grain size of the top surface was significantly larger compared to that of the bottom surface. Grain interior showed dendritic morphology. Etch-pits, formed by dislocation were observed on the top and bottom surfaces of the sample. Scanning electron microstructure revealed continuous corroded region along the grain boundaries. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the formation of chromium carbide at the grain boundary, which depletes Cr near the grain boundary. The hardness of the top surface is lower compared to the bottom surface. The cross-sectional surface shows much higher hardness compared to top and bottom surface, suggesting anisotropic nature of the alloy. The tensile properties of the sample were affected by chromium carbide precipitation at grain boundaries.