The influence of molecular weight on the large deformation behavior of SBS triblock copolymer elastomers

Engineering stress–strain properties were determined for two polystyrene–polybutadiene–polystyrene (SBS) triblock copolymer elastomers, one consisting of blocks of molecular weight 7000/43000/7000 and the other, 16000/85000/17000. In addition, various blends of these two materials were prepared in order to vary the number-average molecular weight of the blocks in a systematic way while maintaining polystyrene content in the range of 25–28 wt %. Samples were solvent cast from benzene or benzene/heptane mixtures and annealed before testing. Ring specimens were extended to rupture at varying strain rates on an Instron tensile tester. Results indicate that number-average molecular weight has a marked influence on stress–strain behavior over the range of molecular weights and testing conditions employed. The observed behavior is consistent with a systematic increase in the proportion of a mixed interfacial region between the pure polystyrene and polybutadiene domain as molecular weight decreases. The interfacial region contributes to mechanical hystersis, rate sensitivity, and toughness in the SBS materials. Scanning electron photomicrographs of fracture surfaces also showed systematic changes with molecular weight.     

Effect of Castration and hormonal supplementation on cholesterol cholelithiasis in the male hamster

This study examined the effect of castration and dietary hormonal supplementation on cholesterol cholelithiasis in male hamsters. Animals fed a standard lithogenic diet developed cholesterol gallstones (17%) after 6 wk, while castrated hamsters did not form any stones. Addition of a synthetic androgen, methyltestosterone, to the lithogenic diet induced cholelithiasis in castrated animals (50%). The biles of normal and castrated-hormone supplemented hamsters had cholesterol saturation indices of 1.0 and 1.1, respectively, while the bile of the castrated animals remained unsaturated (0.6). The ratio of cholic acid/chenodeoxycholic acid in bile increased after castration, but returned to normal levels following hormonal supplementation. Biliary cholesterol carriers were separated by ultracentrifugation. Animals in the stone-forming groups (normal and castrated-hormone treated) had a significant proportion of their biliary cholesterol in vesicles (44 and 46%, respectively); castrated hamsters had less cholesterol in vesicle form (9%). The molar ratio of cholesterol/phospholipid in vesicles was reduced after castration (0.93 vs. 0.42) and increased by hormonal supplementation (1.89). In conclusion, when compared to normal male hamsters fed a standard lithogenic diet, castration reduced the cholesterol saturation of bile, lowered the vesicular/micellar ratio in bile, and inhibited cholesterol cholelithiasis. Dietary androgen supplementation increased the lithogenicity of bile, resulting in stone formation in castrated animals.