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Composite materials are the most common materials in use in modern dentistry. Over the years, the methods of photopolymerization of composite materials have been improved with the use of various devices, such as quartz tungsten halogen lamps (QTHs), light-emitting diode units (LEDs), plasma-arc lamps and argon-ion lasers. This study aimed to compare the mechanical properties of a composite material, depending on the time and mode of photopolymerization. One hundred and forty rectangular specimens (25 × 2 × 2 mm) and forty-two disc-shaped samples (5 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness) were prepared from shade A2 Boston composite resin. Samples were cured using the following seven photopolymerization protocols: four fast-cure modes (full power for 3, 5, 10, and 20 s), two pulse-cure modes (5 and 10 shots of 1 s exposures at full power), and one step-cure mode (soft start with a progressive cycle lasting 9 s). Specimens were subjected to a flexural strength test, Vickers microhardness test, and FTIR spectroscopy test. A 2-factor ANOVA and post-hoc tests were carried out to assess the differences in the flexural strength parameter between the tested groups of samples before and after aging. A mixed-model ANOVA was carried out to assess the differences in the Vickers microhardness parameter between the tested groups of samples before and after aging. The lowest values of flexural strength (p < 0.001) and Vickers microhardness (p < 0.001) were obtained for the 3 s mode for the pre- and post-aging groups. The FTIR mapping tests showed a much more homogeneous chemical structure of the composite after 20 s of continuous irradiation, compared to the sample irradiated for 5 s in the continuous mode. The mode and cure time affects the mechanical properties of the composite resin. Appropriate selection of the cure mode and time ensures better mechanical properties of composite resin. This suggests that the survival of dental restorations within the oral cavity could be extended by using longer photopolymerization durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyester coatings are among the most commonly used types of powder paints and present a wide range of applications. Apart from its decorative values, polyester coating successfully prevents the substrate from environmental deterioration. This work investigates the cavitation erosion (CE) resistance of three commercial polyester coatings electrostatic spray onto AW-6060 aluminium alloy substrate. Effect of coatings repainting (single- and double-layer deposits) and effect of surface finish (matt, silk gloss and structural) on resistance to cavitation were comparatively studied. The following research methods were used: CE testing using ASTM G32 procedure, 3D profilometry evaluation, light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometry and FTIR spectroscopy. Electrostatic spray coatings present higher CE resistance than aluminium alloy. The matt finish double-layer (M2) and single-layer silk gloss finish (S1) are the most resistant to CE. The structural paint showed the lowest resistance to cavitation wear which derives from the rougher surface finish. The CE mechanism of polyester coatings relies on the material brittle-ductile behaviour, cracks formation, lateral net-cracking growth and removal of chunk coating material and craters' growth. Repainting does not harm the properties of the coatings. Therefore, it can be utilised to regenerate or smother the polyester coating finish along with improvement of their CE resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the sorption and physicochemical properties of the chelating ion exchangers with bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and aminophosphonic functional groups before and after the sorption of galvanic wastewaters. The study was carried out on the Dowex M4195, Lewatit®MonoPlus TP 220, Purolite S 940 and Purolite S 950 ion exchangers. For the practical use of the studied ion exchangers in the process of wastewater purification, the sorption capacity of the above-mentioned ions was determined depending on the phase contact time and sorption process in the whole volume of the beads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysaccharide-protein complex ( PPC) isolated from metabolites of gut bacteria Raoultella ornithinolytica from Dendrobaena veneta earthworms exhibits activity against Candida albicans, in breast ductal carcinoma (line T47D) and in the endometrioid ovarian cancer line ( TOV-112D) in vitro. The action against C. albicans was analyzed using light, SEM, TEM, and AFM microscopes. The changes observed indicated two directions of the action of the complex, that is, disturbance of metabolic activity and cell wall damage. The PPC is an adhesion-promoting complex inducing death of C. albicans cells by necrosis. Owing to its significant effect on C. albicans, the complex is a promising source of antifungal compounds. The PPC showed a minimal cytotoxic effect against human skin fibroblasts; however, the cytotoxicity against the T47D line was determined at 20% and 15% against the TOV-112D line. The action of the PPC against the T47D line exerted a cytopathic effect, whereas in the TOV-112D line, it caused a reduction in the cell number. The PPC induced death of tumor cells by apoptosis and necrosis. In view of the negligible cytotoxicity on fibroblasts, the PPC will be subjected to chemical modifications to increase its antitumor activity for prospective medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A siliceous material in which a framework order was established with a surfactant with sixteen carbon atoms in alkyl chains, MCM-41-C16, was synthesised, surface-modified, and tested regarding the selected physical properties. The pristine material was extracted in an acidic aqueous alcohol and then lined with different surface groups. The properties of four adsorbents were investigated using XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and N2 physisorption techniques. The unit-cell constant was determined from X-ray diffractograms, being in fixed relation to the edge length of the hexagonal frame. The specific surface areas of mesopores and whole crystallites were determined from low-temperature N2-physisorption isotherms. The novelty of this work is a mathematical model of a crystalline microstructure explaining the sizes and shapes of crystalline grains in relation to adsorption features, proposed and successfully tested with the aforementioned experimental data. The roughness of the surface is different from one that is necessary to explain the experimental characteristics quantitatively.