Chemical changes in engineering thermoplastics

Parts molded from reground BPA polycarbonate (PC) resin recovered from used objects do not always give the desired physical properties as parts molded from virgin resin. This loss of properties appears due to a surface hydrolysis of the PC which results in a reduction in molecular weight and formation of bis-phenol-A (BPA). The hydrolysis appears to be aided by exposure to uv-light and humidity. If the surface of the PC is washed with caustic solution, BPA and low MW oligomers are removed and many of the physical properties of the PC are restored.     

The Influence of Different Bleaching Protocols on Dentinal Enzymatic Activity: An In Vitro Study

This study aimed to investigate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in human dentin using in-situ and gelatin zymography, after at-home and in-office bleaching, related to their clinical exposure times. Dentin specimens (n = 5) were treated with 35% hydrogen peroxide (50 min per session/4 sessions), 10% carbamide peroxide (180 min/21 sessions), or no treatment. All were subjected to in-situ zymography. Dentin slices were, subsequently, obtained, covered with fluorescein-conjugated gelatin, and examined with confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The fluorescence intensity was quantified and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (α = 0.05). Furthermore, gelatin zymography was performed on protein extracts obtained from dentin powder (N = 8 teeth), treated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, with different exposure times (10/50 min for hydrogen peroxide; 252/1260 min for carbamide peroxide). The results of the in-situ zymography showed no statistical differences between the bleached specimens and the control group, with a medium level of gelatinolytic activity expressed in the dentin tubules. The results of gelatin zymography showed an increased expression of pro-MMP-9 in carbamide peroxide groups. The expression of pro-MMP-2 decreased in all the experimental groups. The bleaching treatments performed on the enamel of sound teeth do not influence dentinal enzymatic activity. However, when unprotected dentin tissue is bleached, matrix metalloproteinases are more expressed, particularly when carbamide peroxide is used, proportional to the exposure time.     

Transition Metal Substituted Barium Hexaferrite-Modified Electrode: Application as Electrochemical Sensor of Acetaminophen

This study used substituted barium hexaferrites, which were previously prepared and reported by the authors, to detect acetaminophen by the modification of a conventional glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which led to promising results. The synthesis of this electrode-modifying material was conducted using a citrate sol gel process. A test synthesis using glycerin and propylene glycol revealed that glycerin produced a better result, while less positive anodic potential values were associated with the electrooxidation of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol (NAP). Excellent electroactivity was exhibited by the cobalt-substituted barium-hexaferrite-nanomaterial-modified electrode. A good linear relationship between the concentration and the current response of acetaminophen (paracetamol) was obtained with a detection limit of (0.255 ± 0.005) µM for the Ba_1.0Co_1.22Fe_11.41O_18.11 GCE, (0.577 ± 0.007) µM for the Ba_1.14Cu_0.82Fe_11.65O_18.02 GCE, and (0.595 ± 0.008) µM for the bare GCE. The levels of NAP in a real sample of urine were quantitatively analyzed using the proposed method, with recovery ranges from 96.6% to 101.0% and 93.9% to 98.4% for the modified electrode with Cobalt-substituted barium hexaferrites (CoF_M) and Copper-substituted barium hexaferrites (CuF_M), respectively. These results confirm the high electrochemical activity of Ba_1.0Co_1.22Fe_11.41O_18.11 nanoparticles and thus their potential for use in the development of sensing devices for substances of pharmaceutical interest, such as acetaminophen (NAP).     

Symbolical Algebra as a Foundation for Calculus: D. F. Gregory's Contribution

Duncan Farquharson Gregory (1813–1844) was a mathematician and founder of the Cambridge Mathematical Journal. His 1841 Examples of the Processes of the Differential and Integral Calculus was an extensive revision of Peacock's 1820 textbook of a similar title. Among the new material in Gregory's version is an exposition of symbolical algebra, prominently featuring the method of “separation of symbols.” We examine Gregory's career; the mathematicians he influenced; and Servois and Murphy, who influenced him. We consider Gregory's use of separation of symbols in the Examples and consider whether he believed these techniques to be capable of providing an adequate foundation for calculus. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).Le mathématicien Duncan Farquharson Gregory (1813–1844) fut également fondateur du Cambridge Mathematical Journal. Son ouvrage publié en 1841, Examples of the Processes of the Differential and Integral Calculus, constitue une révision substantielle du livre de Peacock au titre similaire. L'un des apports du livre de Gregory est un exposé de l'algèbre symbolique, et en particulier de la méthode de séparation des symboles. Dans cet article nous passons en revue la carrière de Gregory et nous parlons des mathématiciens qu'il a influencés, ainsi que de l'influence que Servois et Murphy ont eu sur ses travaux. Nous considérons son usage de la séparation des symboles dans ses Examples, et nous examinons si Gregory croyait que ses techniques pouvaient constituer un fondement pour le calcul différentiel. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).MSC 1991 subject classifications: 01A55, 01A70, 01A50, 26-03, 26A03, 34-03, 34A30.     

Raman spectroscopic characterization of the magnesium content in amorphous calcium carbonates

A series of Mg‐bearing synthetic amorphous calcium carbonates (ACC) were characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The spectra showed a systematic increase in the carbonate ν₁ peak position from the control samples that contained 0.0 mol % MgCO₃ to samples that contained up to 43 mol % MgCO₃. The relationship is best described by the function: mol % MgCO₃ = (ν₁ – 1079.66) / 0.2017. The Mg content is equally well‐predicted by a correlation with the instrumentally corrected ν₁ full width at half maximum that is quantified by: mol % MgCO₃ = (ν₁ – 23.26) / 0.1969. An analysis of the Raman data collected for ACC combined with insights from crystalline materials suggests that compositional dependencies arise from changes in the local metal–oxygen bonds as Mg substitutes for Ca. The calibrations described here provide a rapid and nondestructive means of determining the Mg content of ACC, with additional advantages of minimal sample preparation and a high degree of lateral spatial resolution (approximately 1 µm). This method may be appropriate for investigations of heterogeneous samples such as biominerals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An understanding of the electrophilic/nucleophilic behavior of electro-deficient 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes in polar diels-alder reactions. A density functional theory study

The electrophilic/nucleophilic behavior of dimethyl 2,3-dimethylenesuccinate 1, an electron-deficient 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadiene, in polar Diels-Alder reactions has been studied using DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The electronic nature of bonding of the transition structures involved in the cycloaddition reactions of the diene 1 toward the nucleophilically activated dienophile 6 and the strong electrophilically activated dienophile 7 has been carefully examined within the natural bond orbital (NBO) and the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) frameworks. Additionally, a study of the global electrophilicity pattern of the reagents at the ground state was performed. This evidence allows us to rationalize the participation of electron-deficient 2-susbtituted and 2,3-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes as nucleophiles in polar Diels-Alder reactions.     

Pathogen detection using engineered bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are bacterial viruses that can infect a broad or narrow range of host organisms. Knowing the host range of a phage allows it to be exploited in targeting various pathogens. Applying phages for the identification of microorganisms related to food and waterborne pathogens and pathogens of clinical significance to humans and animals has a long history, and there has to some extent been a recent revival in these applications as phages have become more extensively integrated into novel detection, identification, and monitoring technologies. Biotechnological and genetic engineering strategies applied to phages are responsible for some of these new methods, but even natural unmodified phages are widely applicable when paired with appropriate innovative detector platforms. This review highlights the use of phages as pathogen detector interfaces to provide the reader with an up-to-date inventory of phage-based biodetection strategies.