Synthesis and chain flexibility of poly(cyclohexylethyl methacrylate)

The synthesis and characterization of fractions of poly(cyclohexylethyl methacrylate) (PCHEM) are reported. A combination of low-angle laser light scattering and intrinsic viscosity experiments was employed to estimate the characteristic ratio (C_∞) of this polymer. The value of 10.7 obtained for PCHEM is similar to the value of 11.3 found previously for poly(phenylethyl methacrylate) but is smaller than values measured for poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) and poly(cyclohexylmethyl methacrylate) (C_∞ = 11.6 and 11.9, respectively). Received: 28 October 1996/Revised: 16 December 1996/Accepted: 19 December 1996     

Exploitation of the Antibacterial Properties of Photoactivated Curcumin as ‘Green’ Tool for Food Preservation

In the search for non-chemical and green methods to counteract the bacterial contamination of foods, the use of natural substances with antimicrobial properties and light irradiation at proper light waves has been extensively investigated. In particular, the combination of both techniques, called photodynamic inactivation (PDI), is based on the fact that some natural substances act as photosensitizers, i.e., produce bioactive effects under irradiation. Notably, curcumin is a potent natural antibacterial and effective photosensitizer that is able to induce photodynamic activation in the visible light range (specifically for blue light). Some practical applications have been investigated with particular reference to food preservation from bacterial contaminants.     

Israel's cable TV and pay TV — on the way to becoming a reality

Israel's cable TV plans are among the most comprehensive of any country. This paper reviews the progress to date, and details the technical specifications and administrative co-ordination involved in such a major enterprise.     

Shear bond strength required to prevent microleakage of the dentin/restoration interface

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the relationship between the shear bond strength [SBS] of seven dentin bonding systems to dentin and the quantitative microleakage [ML] of Class V preparations in dentin restored with these systems. The systems evaluated were All-Bond/Bisfil-P [A]; Syntac/Heliomolar [B]; XR-Bond/Herculite [C]; Scotchbond 2/Silux [D]; Denthesive/Charisma [E]; Prisma Universal Bond 2/Prisma AP.H [F]; and Tenure/Perfection [G]. The 115 specimens were removed from the assembly apparatus and stored in saline at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, the SBS determined and expressed in MPa. Fifteen Class V preparations in dentin were restored with each of the bonding systems, thermocycled 500x in 2% methylene blue solution between 50 degrees C and 8 degrees C, and the ML determined by means of a spectrophotometric dye-recovery method. The ML was expressed in microgram dye/restoration. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls test, and linear regression analysis. The SBS in MPa were: A:17.2 +/- 3.6; B:15.9 +/- 2.1; C:15.4 +/- 3.7; D:11.6 +/- 2.2; E:10.7 +/- 3.7; F:10.4 +/- 2.5; G:8.2 +/- 3.9. The ML in microgram dye/restoration were: A:2.6 +/- 1.2; B:2.6 +/- 1.0; C:2.2 +/- 1.9; D:3.1 +/- 2.9; E:4.6 +/- 4.2; F:2.6 +/- 2.5; G:4.4 +/- 4.1. SBS = 20.91-2.60 [microgram dye]. The results suggest that a SBS of +/- 21 MPa may reduce ML to near zero.     

Upward pressure on wages and the interregional trade spillover effects under demand-side shocks

The paper illustrates the effect of a permanent demand-side shock in the perturbed regions and the associated spillover effects in the non-perturbed regions using a spatial-numerical general equilibrium model of the EU economy. We test to what extent gradual upward pressure on wages generated by a domestic increase in demand alters the magnitude of the economic impacts in the long-run and the degree to which this could result in changes in trade patterns. We also assess the size and the direction of the effects with varying trade substitution elasticities and under both perfectly and imperfectly competitive product markets.     

A Rapid and Specific Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Clinically Relevant Mucorales Species

Infections triggered by filamentous fungi placed in the order Mucorales, phylum Zygomycota, can cause serious harm to immunocompromised patients. Since there is lack of a standardized PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay for early diagnosis of this fungal infection, this work was aimed to develop a new PCR assay able to detect the presence of Mucorales genera in clinical specimens. Here, we describe a novel diagnostic TaqMan MGB probe assay for precise and rapid detection of the most common clinical species of Mucorales. Zygomycete-specific oligonucleotides were designed to specifically amplify and bind highly conserved sequences of fungal 28S rRNA gene. Additionally, we succeeded in differentiating Mucorales species (i.e., Rhizopus, Lichtheimia, Mucor, and Rhizomucor) in artificially infected serum samples, suggesting that the quantitative capability of this real-time PCR assay could potentially optimize the diagnosis of mucormycosis.     

Three-year clinical evaluation of the Clearfil Liner Bond system

Modern dental adhesive systems have improved the bond of restorative materials to mineralized tooth structures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of composite restorations placed in abrasion and erosion lesions using the Clearfil Liner Bond dental adhesive system. Following ADA clinical guidelines for dentin and enamel adhesive materials, 62 facial class 5 smooth surface erosion or abrasion lesions with no undercuts and involving primarily root surfaces were restored in 25 adult male and female patients. The teeth were restored without preparations using Clearfil Liner Bond and Clearfil Photo Anterior composite resin. The clinical performance of the restorations was assessed by two examiners at baseline, 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years using the following evaluative parameters: color match, marginal discoloration, and marginal integrity according to modified Ryge criteria; the presence or absence of recurrent decay; pre- and postoperative sensitivity; and restoration failure due to loss of retention or other causes. At the end of 3 years, four of the 55 restorations remaining in the study failed due to lack of retention (92.7% retention rate). The evaluations of the other clinical parameters demonstrated excellent performance by this system.     

Analysis of water level and land subsidence data from thorez open-pit mine,Hungary

The most important occurrence of land subsidence in Hungary caused by underground water withdrawal can be found in the NE of Hungary, in an area of open-pit mining at the foot of the Matra mountains. This paper presents the monitoring system of the underground water withdrawal, the processing method of achieving the underground water depletion and of the land subsidence as its indirect effect, as well as conclusions which can be drawn from the analysis of the observed data. The back analysis is illustrated by examples.     

Anisotropic friction on lamellar crystals of polyethylene by lateral force microscopy

Summary Frictional forces are very sensitive to the interface structure and the chemical and atomic structure of surfaces. It has been shown in the late 80s (1) that lateral forces due to friction can be measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the contact mode (2,3). This involves measurements which evoke vertical deflection of the AFM probe and observation of lateral forces which twist the AFM force sensor. A simultaneous detection of vertical deflection and twisting of the microcantilever can be done by using a four-sectored positional sensitive photodetector which measures the change in the deflection of a laser light reflected off the top of the microcantilever. The newest generation of SPM (Scanning Probe Microscope) equipment allows for simultaneous AFM and Lateral Force Microscopy (LFM) scans. There is ample evidence in the literature that contact-mode AFM can be used not only to investigate polymer morphology (4,5), but also to study polymer architecture from a true molecular perspective (6).