Flexible poly(styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) hybrid nanofibers for bioengineering and water filtration applications

Among the thermoplastic elastomers that play important roles in the polymer industry due to their superior properties, styrene-based species and polyurethane block copolymers are of great interest. Poly(styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene) (SEBS) as a triblock copolymer seems to have the potential to meet many demands in different applications due to various industrial requirements where durability, biocompatibility, breaking elongation, and interfacial adhesion are important. In this study, the SEBS triblock copolymer was functionalized with natural (Satureja hortensis, SH) and synthetic (nanopowder, TiO₂) agents to obtain composite nanofibers by electrospinning and electrospraying methods for use in biomedical and water filtration applications. The results were compared with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite nanofibers, which are commonly used in these fields. Here, functionalized SEBS nanofibers exhibited antibacterial effect while at the same time improving cell viability. In addition, because of successful water filtration by using the SEBS composite nanofibers, the material may have a good potential to be used comparably to TPU for the application.     

The use of natural (Pinus pinaster) resin in the production of printing ink and the printability effect

Alkyd resins are generally used in the production of printing inks. All industries look for alternative raw materials in the production of ink with the growing inclination toward using natural products. Resins forming the vehicle of the ink to be obtained from natural resources will provide benefits for the environment, nature, and living creatures. The aim of the study was to promote the use of natural resin in the ink system. Natural Pinus pinaster resin was added into vegetable and mineral oil-based solvents in pure form with alkyd resin in different amounts and ink varnishes of different combinations were prepared. Then, printing inks were produced from these varnishes in pure and hybrid form. Following the assessment of the rheological properties of the inks prepared, printing tests were conducted to assess the printing quality parameters. Ideal mixing ratios of the natural resins in the ink were determined for printability. The environmental importance and advantages of the use of natural resins were discussed. Recommendations were given in line with the results to encourage widespread use of natural resins in near future.     

Evaluation of antioxidant level and protein oxidation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets during rigor and post-rigor

In this study, the relationship between stunning techniques and protein oxidation which are accepted as the main cause of food spoilage was investigated. For this purpose, the antioxidant status, in vivo myofibrillary protein (MP) oxidation and sensitivity, and postmortem oxidation (inducted with hydroxyl radical system) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets killed by hitting to head (T1), neck crushing (T2), and convulsion (T3) methods, were investigated. Statistically significant differences (p < .05) were found among all parameters examined and it was observed that the most stressing technique was the convulsion method. It was determined that in protein profiles myosin were influenced too much from stunning technique and in actin observed oxidation-induced reductions. Reductions in S-S and S-H were also found to be increased in carbonyl concentrations, but the most effective values in both processes were determined by the convulsive technique. Our results show that short-term stunning techniques (hitting to head, neck crushing) give better meat quality results in terms of O. mykiss welfare and low MP oxidation rates. In general, we can say that T3 group fillets are more sensitive to oxidative damage, while T1 and T2 groups give better results in maintaining meat quality with low MP oxidation rates.     

Handover and Uplink Power Control Performance in the 3.84 Mcps TDD mode of UTRA Network

In this article we consider the performance of the 3.84 Mcpstime-division duplex (TDD) mode of UTRA (Universal TerrestrialRadio Access) network. We emphasize two of the radio resourcemanagement algorithms, handover and uplink power control, whoserole in the overall system performance is studied extensively.First, a handover algorithm used in WCDMA (Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access) standard is considered in a TDD-mode operation.This gives rise to a careful setting of different handoverparameters, and the evaluation of the effects to the systemperformance. Secondly, the specified uplink power controlalgorithm is considered. Since it is based on several user-mademeasurements which may involve both random and systematic errors acareful study about the suitability of the power control scheme iscarried out.