Low-Temperature Pyrolysis of Crocidolite and Amosite using Calcium Salts as a Flux

Porous polymeric membranes are used for ion exchange membranes, membrane filter and separators of batteries owing to its micro-porous structure. Extension method is one of the inexpensive processes of such membrane. However, any suitable stability condition of the process has not yet been clarified. In this study, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) observations in production process are carried out and the simulation technology for production is developed for improvement in productivity. In this simulation model, the evolution equation of microscopic damage, constitutive equation depending on microscopic damage and the homogenization method are used for representation of evolution of micro-porous structure of crystalline polymer. It is indicated that numerical results obtained here are in good agreement with the SEM observations.

Series of Fe films have been prepared by electrodeposition in a solution of iron chloride onto Al substrate. Different deposition times were used in the elaboration process. The texture, the strain, and the grain size values were derived from X-ray diffraction experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to get the surface and the cross section images. Vibrating Sample magnetometer has been used to obtain the hysteresis curves; the external magnetic field was applied in different directions in the film plane, and also perpendicular to the film. Hysteresis curves have been obtained at low temperatures [120 K (−153 °C) to room temperature]. The 〈100〉 texture, small strain, and grain size ranging from 58 to 113 nm are found for these Fe/Al films. All samples show an in-plane magnetic anisotropy, with no preferred orientation within the film plane. Depending on the film thickness range, different mechanisms have been found to be responsible for the coercive field H C behavior. These magnetic properties are correlated with the structural ones and with the SEM observations.

Jeffrey G. Duckett, Sarvjit L. Soni, Scanning Electron Microscope Studies on the Leaves of Hepaticae. I. Ptilidiaceae, Lepidoziaceae, Calypogeiaceae, Jungermanniaceae, and Marsupellaceae, The Bryologist, Vol. 75, No. 4 (Winter, 1972), pp. 536-549

The objective of this study was to develop agomelatine (AGM) intramuscular sustained release PLA microparticles by using solvent evaporation combined with wet milling technology. The final preparation had a regular and homogeneous particle size of approximately 35 µm, as measured by laser diffraction particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The drug was confirmed to be within the carrier in an amorphous state through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and power X-ray diffraction (PXRD) experiments. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis was applied to confirm that there was hydrogen bonding between the drug and polymer at the molecular level. In vitro release experiments indicated that the drug could achieve long-term sustained release over the period of one month, with only a 3.07% burst release, due to the involvement of the polymer and removal of drug adsorbed on the surface during the wet grinding process. The dominant release mechanism was considered to be diffusion of the drugs in the initial period. Following this, with the hydrolysis of PLA to form a colloidal viscous layer, drug release is due to the combined effect of diffusion and erosion of the polymer matrix. Additionally, drug release behavior is closely related to the degradation mechanism of the polymer carrier. The results suggest that AGM could be developed as a potential delivery system for long-acting intramuscular administration with extensive application prospects.

Thermal, structural and spectroscopic properties of powder sheep milk obtained by different drying methods

The improved dissolution and prevention of ampoule breakage attained by the introduction of pretreatment into the production process of the lyophilized formulation of recombinant human Interleukin-11 (rhIL-11)

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes of natural polymers, such as gelatin, are fundamental in the design of regenerative devices. Crosslinking of electrospun fibres from gelatin is required to prevent dissolution in water, to retain the original nanofibre morphology after immersion in water, and to improve the thermal and mechanical properties, although this is still challenging to accomplish in a controlled fashion. In this study, we have investigated the scalable manufacture and structural stability in aqueous environment of a UV-cured nanofibrous membrane fabricated by free surface electrospinning (FSES) of aqueous solutions containing vinylbenzylated gelatin and poly(ɛ-caprolactone) dimethacrylate (PCL-DMA). Vinylbenzylated gelatin was obtained via chemical functionalisation with photopolymerisable 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (4VBC) groups, so that the gelatin and PCL phase in electrospun fibres were integrated in a covalent UV-cured co-network at the molecular scale, rather than being simply physically mixed. Aqueous solutions of acetic acid (90 vol%) were employed at room temperature to dissolve gelatin-4VBC (G-4VBC) and PCL-DMA with two molar ratios between 4VBC and DMA functions, whilst viscosity, surface tension and electrical conductivity of resulting electrospinning solutions were characterised. Following successful FSES, electrospun nanofibrous samples were UV-cured using Irgacure I2959 as radical photo-initiator and 1-Heptanol as water-immiscible photo-initiator carrier, resulting in the formation of a water-insoluble, gelatin/PCL covalent co-network. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, as well as liquid contact angle and swelling measurements were carried out to explore the surface morphology, chemical composition, thermal and mechanical properties, wettability and water holding capacity of the nanofibrous membranes, respectively. UV-cured nanofibrous membranes did not dissolve in water and showed enhanced thermal and mechanical properties, with respect to as-spun samples, indicating the effectiveness of the photo-crosslinking reaction. In addition, UV-cured gelatin/PCL membranes displayed increased structural stability in water with respect to PCL-free samples and were highly tolerated by G292 osteosarcoma cells. These results therefore support the use of PCL-DMA as hydrophobic, biodegradable crosslinker and provide new insight on the scalable design of water-insoluble, mechanical-competent gelatin membranes for healthcare applications.

Heating-Induced Phase Transition of Bupropion Hydrobromide Polymorphs

Problem statement: Biomaterial fabrication in Malaysia started as a co nsequence of the demand for cheaper implant materials. Various biomaterials have been developed utilizing local resources like Malaysian coral. Locally processed Malaysian coral need to be complemented with proper evaluation and testing including toxicology, biocompatibility, mechanical properties, physicochemical characterization and in vivo testin g. The present study was carried out to assess natural coral of porites species as scaffold combin ed with in vitro expanded Bone Marrow Derived Osteoblast-Like cells (BM-DOL), in order to develop a tissue-engineered bone graft in a rat model. Approach: Coral was used in a block shape with a dimension o f 10 mm length × 5 mm width × 5 mm thickness. BM-DOL cells were seeded into porous coral scaffold in a density of 5 ×10 6 mL -1 . After 7 days of in vitro incubation in osteogenic medium, one block was processed for light (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations while the other blocks were implanted subcutaneously in the back of 5 weeks-old Sprague-Dawely rats for 3 months. Coral blocks without cells were implanted as a control. The implants har vested and processed for gross inspection, histological and scanning electron microscopy obser vations. Results: Both LM and SEM showed attachment of well arrangement multilayer cells ins ide the pores of in vitro seeded coral scaffolds. Gross inspection of all in vivo coral-cell complexe s implants revealed vascularized like bone tissue formation. Histological sections revealed mature bo ne formation occurred in the manner resemble intramembraneous bone formation. SEM observations revealed multi-layer cellular proliferation with abundant collagen covered the surface of coral impl ants. Control group showed resorbed coral block. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Malaysian coral can b e use as a suitable scaffold material for delivering bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in tissue engineering and therefore, offers a great potential to enhance bone healing around implants i n a compromised bone bed.

Scanning electron microscopic observations on the surface of the normal and spirochete-infested colonic mucosa of the rhesus monkey

The aim of the study was to compare in Class V composite restorations marginal leakage measurements obtained with microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. Class V cavities were prepared on 10 human molars and restored using Optibond FL (Kerr, Orange, CA, USA) and Premise Flowable (Kerr). Sealing ability was evaluated by assessing silver-nitrate penetration depth along enamel and dentin margins. Leakage was quantified using a scoring system. Micro-CT analysis provided 502 cross-sectional images for each tooth. Microleakage evaluation was performed first on three cross-sections corresponding to the sections examined by SEM, then on all 502 of the obtained micro-CT images. SEM observations were performed first at 20× magnification, then, if showing a zero score, at 80× magnification. Enamel and dentin microleakage scores assigned to corresponding sections through micro-CT and SEM (20×) were compared (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, α=0.05). No statistically significant difference in leakage scores emerged between micro-CT and 20×-magnification SEM. Eight tooth sections that were given a zero score under SEM at 20× magnification showed to be infiltrated at the higher magnification (80×). For five teeth a higher score was assigned following scanning of 502 cross-sections than based on the observation of three sections. Micro-CT presents as a valid, nondestructive in vitro method to quantitatively evaluate marginal leakage of adhesive restorations.

In China’s northwest mining areas, shallow buried coal seams commonly feature double soft composite roof structures of mudstone and clay, resulting in poor roadway stabilization and proving challenging for effective roadway-surrounding rock (RSR) control. A mudstone–clay composite roof is particularly difficult to maintain due to the complex interactions between the soft rock layers and their sensitivity to moisture changes. Previous studies have investigated the properties of these soft rocks individually, but there is limited research on the behavior and control of double soft composite roofs. This study investigated the hydrophilic mineral composition and microstructure of mudstone and clay through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments. Through an orthogonal experimental design, the influence of the clay layer thickness, number of layers, layer position, and relative moisture content on the stability of a mudstone–clay composite roof was studied. The results revealed the following: (1) Kaolinite, the primary hydrophilic component, constitutes a high proportion of clay, while both mudstone and clay exhibit abundant pores and cracks under SEM observation; (2) The relative moisture content emerged as the most significant factor affecting roadway deformation; and (3) A combined support of bolts, a short anchor cable, and a long anchor cable effectively controls RSR deformation in the case of a double soft composite roof. The methodology combining comprehensive material characterization and systematic parametric analysis can be extended to the study of other complex soft rock engineering problems, particularly those involving moisture-sensitive composite roof structures.

Hybrid materials from tri-aryl amine organogelators and poly[vinyl chloride] networks

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of finishing and polishing methods on surface properties of bulk-fill resin composites through surface roughness (Ra) and surface free energy (SFE) measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations. Three bulk-fill resin composites, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (TB), Filtek Bulk Fill (FB), and Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative (FF), and two conventional resin composites, Clearfil AP-X (AP) and Estelite ∑ Quick (EQ) were used. Seventy cured specimens of each resin composite were prepared and divided into seven groups of 10 specimens. Ra, SFE measurements, and SEM observations were conducted after finishing and polishing procedures. Three groups of specimens were finished with a fine grit diamond bur (FDB), and three with a tungsten carbide bur (CBB). After finishing, one group from each type of finishing was polished with aluminum oxide flexible disks (SSD) and one group from each type of finishing was polished with diamond particles embedded in a silicone point (CMP). A baseline group of samples that were neither finished nor polished after removing the translucent strips from the surface was examined. Although the baseline group showed significantly lower Ra values than the other groups, most resin composites showed lower Ra values with CBB+SSD than with the other finishing and polishing groups. Among the tested resin composites, EQ showed significantly lower Ra values than the other resin composites, regardless of the finishing and polishing methods. On the other hand, AP showed significantly higher Ra values than the other resin composites in all finishing and polishing groups, apart from FB with FDB. For the finished specimens, most resin composites showed higher SFE values with CBB than with FDB. For the polished specimens, all the tested resin composites with CMP showed lower γS values than those with SSD, regardless of the finishing method. The baseline groups of TB and FB showed significantly lower SFE values than the other finished and polished groups. In the SEM observations, all the examined resin composites showed rougher surfaces after finishing with FDB than with CBB. However, when comparing the different polishing methods (CMP and SSD), surface smoothness appeared to be material dependent.

Dissolving behavior and calcium release from fibrous wollastonite in acetic acid solution