The effect of bioglass addition on mechanical and physical properties of photoactive UDMA-TEGDMA resin composites

Light curable dimethacrylate resin composites undergo free radical photopolymerisation in response to blue light (wavelength 450-500 nm) and may offer superior handling and setting characteristics for novel hard tissue repair materials. The current investigation aims to determine the optimum formulation of bisphenol-A glycidyl methacrylate and triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (bisGMA/TEGDMA) or urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)/TEGDMA resin mixtures and the effect of Bioglass incorporation on the rate of polymerisation (RP), degree of conversion (DC) and flexural strength (FS) of light-curable filled resin composites (FRCs). Experimental photoactive resins containing a range of bisGMA, UDMA and TEGDMA ratios and/or filled with non-silanised irregular or spherical 45S5-Bioglass (50 μm; 5-40 wt%) and/or silanised silicate glass filler particulates (0.7 μm; 50-70 wt%) were tested. RP and DC were analysed in real-time using nearinfrared spectroscopy. FS of resins and FRCs were determined using three-point flexural strength tests. UDMA/TEGDMA resins exhibited increased DC compared with bisGMA/TEGDMA resins (p<0.05). The addition of spherical particles of Bioglass had a detrimental effect on the FS (p>0.05), whereas they increased DC of UDMA/TEGDMA resins (p<0.05). Addition of irregular shaped Bioglass particles increased the FS of UDMA/TEGDMA resins up to 20 wt% Bioglass (p<0.05). The flexibility and strength conferred by the urethane group in UDMA may result in enhanced physical and mechanical properties compared with conventional resins containing bulky (bisGMA) molecules. Addition of 45S5-Bioglass with specific filler content, size and morphology resulted in enhanced mechanical and physical properties of UDMA/TEGDMA composites. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Influence of La-doping on phase transformation and photocatalytic properties of ZnTiO3 nanoparticles synthesized via modified sol-gel method

Non-doped and La-doped ZnTiO3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a modified sol–gel method. The synthesized nanoparticles were structurally characterized by PXRD, UV-vis DRS, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, TEM, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results show that doping of La into the framework of ZnTiO3 has a strong influence on the physico-chemical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. XRD results clearly show that the non-doped ZnTiO3 exhibits a hexagonal phase at 800 °C, whereas the La-doped ZnTiO3 exhibits a cubic phase under similar experimental conditions. In spite of the fact that it has a large ionic radius, the La is efficiently involved in the evolution process by blocking the crystal growth and the cubic to hexagonal transformation in ZnTiO3. Interestingly the absorption edge of the La-doped ZnTiO3 nanoparticles shifted from the UV region to the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of the La-doped ZnTiO3 nanoparticles was evaluated for the degradation of Rhodamine B under sunlight irradiation. The optimum photocatalytic activity was obtained for 2 atom% La-doped ZnTiO3, which is much higher than that of the non-doped ZnTiO3 as well as commercial N-TiO2. A possible mechanism for the degradation of Rhodamine B over La-doped ZnTiO3 was also discussed by trapping experiments. More importantly, the reusability of these nanoparticles is high. Hence La-doped ZnTiO3 nanoparticles can be used as efficient photocatalysts for environmental applications.

Comparative physical, mechanical and crystallographic properties of a series of gemfibrozil salts

Objectives Understanding the impact of the counterion on the properties of an acidic or basic drug may influence the choice of salt form, especially for less potent drugs with a high drug load per unit dose. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of the hydrogen bonding potential of the counterion on the crystal structure of salts of the poorly soluble, poorly compressible, acidic drug gemfibrozil and to correlate these with mechanical properties. Methods Compacts of the parent drug and the salts were used to determine Young's modulus of elasticity using beam bending tests. Crystal structures were determined previously from X-ray powder diffraction data. Key findings The free acid, tert-butylamine, 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol and 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1, 3-diol salts had a common crystal packing motif of infinite hydrogen-bonded chains with cross-linking between pairs of adjacent chains. The tromethamine (trsi) salt, with different mechanical properties, had a two-dimensional sheet-like network of hydrogen bonds, with slip planes, forming a stiffer compact. Conclusions The type of counter ion is important in determining mechanical properties and could be selected to afford slip and plastic deformation. © 2010 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Assessment of biodegradable magnesium alloys for enhanced mechanical and biocompatible properties

Biomaterials have been used for more than a century in the human body to improve body functions and replace damaged tissues. Currently approved and commonly used metallic biomaterials such as, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chromium and other alloys have been found to have adverse effects leading in some cases, to mechanical failure and rejection of the implant. The physical or chemical nature of the degradation products of some implants initiates an adverse foreign body reaction in the tissue. Some metallic implants remain as permanent fixtures, whereas others such as plates, screws and pins used to secure serious fractures are removed by a second surgical procedure after the tissue has healed sufficiently. However, repeat surgical procedures increase the cost of health care and the possibility of patient morbidity. This study focuses on the development of magnesium based biodegradable alloys/metal matrix composites (MMCs) for orthopedic and cardiovascular applications. The Mg alloys/MMCs possessed good mechanical properties and biocompatible properties. Nine different compositions of Mg alloys/MMCs were manufactured and surface treated. Their degradation behavior, ion leaching, wettability, morphology, cytotoxicity and mechanical properties were determined. Alloying with Zn, Ca, HA and Gd and surface treatment resulted in improved mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, reduced cytotoxicity, lower pH and hydrogen evolution. Anodization resulted in the formation of a distinct oxide layer (thickness 5-10 μm) as compared with that produced on mechanically polished samples (~20-50 nm) under ambient conditions. It is envisaged that the findings of this research will introduce a new class of Mg based biodegradable alloys/MMCs and the emergence of innovative cardiovascular and orthopedic implant devices.^

Mechanical and electrical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition

Despite the tremendous application potentials of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) proposed by researchers in the last two decades, efficient experimental techniques and methods are still in need for controllable production of CNTs in large scale, and for conclusive characterizations of their properties in order to apply CNTs in high accuracy engineering. In this dissertation, horizontally well-aligned high quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been successfully synthesized on St-cut quartz substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Effective radial moduli (Eradial) of these straight SWCNTs have been measured by using well-calibrated tapping mode and contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that the measured Eradial decreased from 57 to 9 GPa as the diameter of the SWCNTs increased from 0.92 to 1.91 nm. The experimental results were consistent with the recently reported theoretical simulation data. The method used in this mechanical property test can be easily applied to measure the mechanical properties of other low-dimension nanostructures, such as nanowires and nanodots. The characterized sample is also an ideal platform for electrochemical tests. The electrochemical activities of redox probes Fe(CN)63-/4-, Ru(NH3) 63+, Ru(bpy)32+ and protein cytochrome c have been studied on these pristine thin films by using aligned SWCNTs as working electrodes. A simple and high performance electrochemical sensor was fabricated. Flow sensing capability of the device has been tested for detecting neurotransmitter dopamine at physiological conditions with the presence of Bovine serum albumin. Good sensitivity, fast response, high stability and anti-fouling capability were observed. Therefore, the fabricated sensor showed great potential for sensing applications in complicated solution.^

Multinet and water column properties of station SO225-21

Insight into past changes of upper ocean stratification, circulation, and nutrient signatures rely on our knowledge of the apparent calcification depth (ACD) and ecology of planktonic foraminifera, which serve as archives for paleoceanographic relevant geochemical signals. The ACD of different species varies strongly between ocean basins, but also regionally. We constrained foraminiferal ACDs in the western Pacific warm pool (Manihiki Plateau) by comparing stable oxygen and carbon isotopes (d18Ocalcite, d13Ccalcite) as well as Mg/Ca ratios from living planktonic foraminifera to in-situ physical and chemical water mass properties (temperature, salinity, d18Oseawater, d13CDIC). Our analyses point to Globigerinoides ruber as the shallowest dweller, followed by Globigerinoides sacculifer, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, Pulleniatina obliquiloculata and Globotaloides hexagonus inhabiting increasingly greater depths. These findings are consistent with other ocean basins; however, absolute ACDs differ from other studies. The uppermost mixed-layer species G. ruber and G. sacculifer denote mean calcification depths of ~95 m and ~120 m, respectively. These Western Pacific ACDs are much deeper than in most other studies and most likely relate to the thick surface mixed layer and the deep chlorophyll maximum in this region. Our results indicate that N. dutertrei appears to be influenced by mixing waters from the Pacific equatorial divergence, while P. obliquiloculata with an ACD of ~160 m is more suitable for thermocline reconstructions. ACDs of G. hexagonus reveal a deep calcification depth of ~450 m in oxygen-depleted, but nutrient-rich water masses, consistent to other studies. As the d13C of G. hexagonus is in near-equilibrium with ambient seawater, we suggest this species is suitable for tracing nutrient conditions in equatorial water masses originating in extra-topical regions.

Lithological and chemical composition, stages of sediment accumulation, and sedimentation rates in Core PSh24-2537, West Gotland Basin, Baltic Sea

We studied the grain-size, mineral and chemical compositions, physical properties, radiocarbon age, spore-pollen spectra, and diatom composition in sediments from Core PSh24-2537 sampled in the West Gotland Basin. Four lithological-stratigraphic units were distinguished: varved clays of the Baltic Ice Lake, black and black-gray (sulfide) clays of the Yoldian Sea, gray clays of Ancylus Lake, and greenish-gray sapropel-like littorine and post-littorine silts of the marine stage of Holocene. These units differ from each other both in their matter composition and in plant remains. In the littorine silts organic carbon concentra¬tion reached from 1.5 to 10.35%. Conditions of sediment accumulation and the stages of evolution of the West Gotland Basin over the post-glacial time are characterized.

Radiocarbon, stable isotopic compositions and seawater chemical properties of Black Sea core-top sediments and CTD stations

Chloropigments and their derivative pheopigments preserved in sediments can directly be linked to photosynthesis. Their carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic compositions have been shown to be a good recorder of recent and past surface ocean environmental conditions tracing the carbon and nitrogen sources and dominant assimilation processes of the phytoplanktonic community. In this study we report results from combined compound-specific radiocarbon and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis to examine the time-scales of synthesis and fate of chlorophyll-a and its degradation products pheophytin-a, pyropheophytin-a, and 132,173-cyclopheophorbide-a-enol until burial in Black Sea core-top sediments. The pigments are mainly of marine phytoplanktonic origin as implied by their stable isotopic compositions. Pigment ?15N values indicate nitrate as the major uptake substrate but 15N-depletion towards the open marine setting indicates either contribution from N2-fixation or direct uptake of ammonium from deeper waters. Radiocarbon concentrations translate into minimum and maximum pigment ages of approximately 40 to 1200 years. This implies that protective mechanisms against decomposition such as association with minerals, storage in deltaic anoxic environments, or eutrophication-induced hypoxia and light limitation are much more efficient than previously thought. Moreover, seasonal variations of nutrient source, growth period, and habitat and their associated isotopic variability are likely at least as strong as long-term trends. Combined triple isotope analysis of sedimentary chlorophyll and its primary derivatives is a powerful tool to delineate biogeochemical and diagenetic processes in the surface water and sediments, and to assess their precise time-scales.