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.     

Prioritization methodology of dangerous substances for water quality monitoring with scarce data

Monitoring and control of dangerous substances discharged into receiving waters have attracted more attention lately. Since it is not possible to analyze every single substance, a prioritization methodology is needed for the selection of those to be monitored. Existing well-developed models require significant amount of data for reliable outcomes. This paper presents a methodology to prioritize the dangerous substances having adverse effects on freshwaters in Turkey, where data are scarce. Such a methodology will also serve as a solid model for other countries with limited background data. The adopted methodology enabled the elimination of chemicals to generate a candidate list composed of 608 substances among more than 5000 substances. Further screening and prioritization were conducted using different assessment methods (i.e., Total Hazard Value, Total Impact Value, Combined Monitoring-based, and Modelling-based Priority Setting) to obtain a proposed Final Candidate Specific Pollutants List of 150 dangerous substances. The proposed Candidate National Pollutant List of Turkey was established by combining 45 priority pollutants of the European Union with a list of candidate specific pollutants. According to the outcomes of this study, monitoring and controlling of 195 dangerous substances in freshwaters are recommended. Further detailed studies should be conducted in order to observe the actual levels of these dangerous substances in freshwaters followed by a review of the monitoring list accordingly. Moreover, further revisions might be required in the proposed list due to some possible versatile conditions in terms of sampling points (i.e., change in the location of industries).     

A sandwich-type DNA array platform for detection of GM targets in multiplex assay

Over the last decade, array detection has been developed to qualitatively assess the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). To date, DNA array systems have the highest capabilities as a result of GMOs analysis. We describe the construction of an array platform in the sandwich hybridization format for the detection of transgenic promoter of Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV; p35S). Sequence-specific signal development has been achieved by a sandwich complex composed of a surface immobilized capture probe and a fluorescein-tagged signal probe, which are partially complementary to the p35S oligonucleotide. We used poly-l-lysine-coated glass slides as support material, on which capture probes were immobilized by a heterobifunctional cross-linker. The comparative results of optimization studies including cross-linker types probe concentrations and hybridization conditions (sequence, temperature and duration) were reported. An optimum hybridization signal was obtained with a 32.5 ? cross-linker, 10???M capture and 20???M signal probe concentrations, respectively. A relatively short hybridization time (2.5?h) provided reproducible array signals. No significant effect of hybridization sequence on the fluorescence intensity was observed. The described platform can specifically detect label-free transgenic sequences with a target of 0.01???M concentration, while the optimized system exhibits great potential for the application of different GMO target sequences (p35S, tNOS, bar and cry) to multiplex array formats.     

Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of polyethylene-based microfibrillated composites from 100% recycled resources

In this study, recycled polyethylene (rPE) based microfibrillated composites (MFCs) were developed while incorporating recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) and recycled polyamide 6 (rPA) as the reinforcing fibrillar phases at a given weight ratio of 80 wt% (rPE)/20 wt% (rPET or rPA). The blends were first melt processed using a twin-screw extruder. The extrudates were then cold stretched at a drawing ratio of 2.5 to form rPET and rPA fibrillar structures. Next, the pelletized drawn samples were injection molded at the barrel temperatures below the melting temperatures of rPET and rPA. The tensile, three-point bending, impact strength, dynamic thermomechanical, and rheological properties of the fabricated MFCs were analyzed. The effects of injection molding barrel temperature (i.e., 150°C and 190°C) and extrusion melt processing temperature (i.e., 250°C and 275°C) on the generated fibrillar structure and the resultant properties were explored. A strong correlation between the fibrillar morphology and the mechanical properties with the extrusion and injection molding temperatures was observed. Moreover, the ethylene/n-butyl acrylate/glycidyl methacrylate (EnBAGMA) terpolymer and maleic anhydride grafted PE (MAH-g-PE) were, respectively, melt processed with rPE/rPET and rPE/rPA6 blends as compatibilizers. The compatibilizers refined the fibrillar structure and remarkably influenced mechanical properties, specifically the impact strength.     

Efficacy of multi-mode adhesive systems on dentin wettability and microtensile bond strength of resin composite

Purpose: To evaluate the wetting ability and the microtensile bond strength of adhesive systems in various depths of dentin. Materials and Method: 48 extracted human molars cut in half in buccolingual direction. Buccal and lingual surfaces were used to obtain deep (n = 48) and superficial (n = 48) dentin. Groups were divided into 4 subgroups: Self-etch (CSE), etch&rinse (SB), multi-mode self-etch (SAU) and multimode etch&rinse (EAU) adhesive systems. 3 consecutive contact-angle measurements were obtained: T0- 3 μl drop of distilled water on dentin; T1-Droplet of the adhesive; T2- Distilled water after polymerization of the adhesive. After composite build-ups, microtensile measurements were performed. Contact angle data were analysed with analysis of variance for repeated measures. Bond strength data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance, comparisons were made according to the logarithmic values (p < 0.05). Results: The difference between groups was not significant regardless of dentin depth for all measurements (p < 0.05). All groups except CSE enhanced the wetting ability of the adhesive but reduced the wetting ability of distilled water after application of the adhesive (p < 0.05). Regarding adhesive systems, the groups showed no significant difference between bond strengths to various depths of dentin except SAU (p > 0.05); in SAU, bond strength to deep dentine were significantly higher than superficial dentin (p < 0.05). Regarding adhesives’ bond strength, CSE showed significantly greater values than the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The cavity depth does not affect the bonding ability for all adhesive systems; self-etch adhesive systems might be a better choice since different adhesives may influence the wetting ability and microtensile bond strength of the dentin substrates.