Abstract  The addition of oxygen-bearing compounds to diesel fuel considerably reduces particulate emissions. TGME and DBM have been identified as possible diesel additives based on their physicochemical characteristics and performance in engine tests. Although these compounds will reduce particulate emissions, their potential environmental impacts are unknown. As a means of characterizing their persistence in environmental media such as soil and groundwater, we conducted a series of biodegradation tests of DBM and TGME. Benzene and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) were also tested as reference compounds. Primary degradation of DBM fully occurred within 3 days, while TGME presented a lag phase of approximately 8 days and was not completely degraded by day 28. Benzene primary degradation occurred completely by day 3 and MTBE did not degrade at all. The total mineralized fractions of DBM and TGME achieved constant values as a function of time of approximately 65% and approximately 40%, respectively. Transport predictions show that, released to the environment, DBM and TGME would concentrate mostly in soils and waters with minimal impact to air. From an environmental standpoint, these results combined with the transport predictions indicate that DBM is a better choice than TGME as a diesel additive.

Abstract  The principal aim of the study was to estimate the level of exposure to organic solvents of graffiti removers, and to identify the chemicals used in different cleaning agents. A secondary objective was to inform about the toxicity of various products and to optimise working procedures.

Exposure to organic solvents was determined by active air sampling and biological monitoring among 38 graffiti removers during an 8-h work shift in the Stockholm underground system. The air samples and biological samples were analysed by gas chromatography. Exposure to organic solvents was also assessed by a questionnaire and interviews.

Solvents identified were N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPGME), propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGEE), toluene, xylene, pseudocumene, hemimellitine, mesitylene, ethylbenzene, limonene, nonane, decane, undecane, hexandecane and gamma-butyrolactone. The 8-h average exposures [time-weighted average (TWA)] were below 20% of the Swedish permissible exposure limit value (PEL) for all solvents identified. In poorly ventilated spaces, e.g. in elevators etc., the short-term exposures exceeded occasionally the Swedish short-term exposure limit values (STEL). The blood and urine concentrations of NMP and its metabolites were low. Glycol ethers and their metabolites (2-methoxypropionic acid (MPA), ethoxy acetic acid (EAA), butoxy acetic acid (BAA), and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) acetic acid (MEAA)) were found in low concentrations in urine. There were significant correlation between the concentrations of NMP in air and levels of NMP and its metabolites in blood and urine. The use of personal protective equipment, i.e. gloves and respirators, was generally high.

Many different cleaning agents were used. The average exposure to solvents was low, but some working tasks included relatively high short-term exposure. To prevent adverse health effects, it is important to inform workers about the health risks and to restrict the use of the most toxic chemicals. Furthermore, it is important to develop good working procedures and to encourage the use of personal protection equipment.

Abstract  Densities and viscosities at T = 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15 K in the binary liquid mixtures of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) with propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PM), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM) and tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether (TPM) have been measured over the entire mixture compositions. These data have been used to compute the excess molar volumes (V E), the excess energies of activation for viscous flow ΔG E, the deviations in the viscosity (Δη) from a mole fraction average and the Grunberg–Nissan interaction parameters (d 12). The values of V E, Δη, ΔG E and d 12 are negative over the entire range of composition for all the studied binary mixtures. The changes of V E, Δη, ΔG E and d 12 with variations in the composition and the chain-length of the alkyl groups in the alkoxypropanol molecules are discussed in terms of the intermolecular interactions.

Abstract  The appropriate combination of viscosifier and coviscosifier is a very important factor in the control of the viscosity and adhesion properties of chemical decontamination gels. A chemical decontamination gel was prepared by adding gelling agents composed of a pyro Si viscosifier and PEG-based non-ionic coviscosifier (tripropylene glycol butyl ether and tripropylene glycol dodecyl ether) into a Ce(IV) solution stabilized in concentrated nitric acid. The decontamination and rheological behaviours, along with the drying behaviours of a chemical gel for SUS 304 metallic surfaces contaminated with Co and Cs radionuclides were investigated. A chemical gel containing a 0.5 wt % tripropylene glycol dodecyl ether coviscosifier was more effective in terms of the rheological and drying-detachment properties and the radionucleide decontamination effectiveness in particular, compared to tripropylene glycol butyl ether.

Abstract  Speeds of sound have been measured in dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether with methanol, 1-propanol, 1-pentanol, and 1-heptanol at 298.15 K over the entire composition range using a NUSONIC velocimeter based on sing-around technique. The isentropic compressibility KS for all mixtures were estimated by combining the densities derived from excess molar volumes and the speeds of sound. The molar volume were multiplied by the isentropic compressibilities to obtain estimates of K-s.m. The corresponding quantities K-s,m(E) have also been calculated. The K-S.m(E) values are negative over the entire range of composition for all mixtures with the exception of I-pentanol which changes sign from negative to positive. The magnitude of K-S,m(E) increases with the number of carbon atoms in the n-alcohol. The deviations u(D) of the speeds of sound from the values calculated for ideal mixtures have been obtained for all measured mole fractions. The behavior of K-S.m(E) and u(D) with composition and the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol molecule is discussed.

Abstract  Combustion behavior of various oxygenated fuels has been studied in a DAF heavy-duty (HD) direct-injection (DI) diesel engine. From these fuels, it is well-known that they lead to lower particle (PM) emissions; however, for a given fuel oxygen mass fraction, there are significant differences in PM reduction. Although this can be traced back to the specific molecular structure of the oxygenate in question, no consensus can be found in the literature as to the explanation hereof. In this study, the sooting tendency (smoke number) of three oxygenates [viz., tripropylene glycol methyl ether (TP), dibutyl maleate (DB), and cyclohexanone (X1)] was compared to that of commercial diesel fuel (EN590, D). The results suggest that the cetane number (CN) (i.e., fuel reactivity) may play an important role. More specifically, the low reactive oxygenate X1, with its cyclic carbon chain, was found to perform exceptionally well compared to the more reactive linear and branched oxygenates DB and TP, respectively. Cyclic oxygenates are abundant in nature. Cellulose, the most common organic compound on earth, is the best-known example. Although it is not trivial, liquid cyclic oxygenates can be made from lignocellulosic biomass. Particularly, the production of C6 oxygenates (e.g., guaiacol, cyclohexanone, phenol, etc.), which can be derived from lignin, is the subject of current investigation. Fuels produced from such biomass (e.g., plant waste or the nonedible part of plants) are referred to as second-generation biofuels and are expected to play a pivotal role in the near future.

Abstract  Isopropyl alcohol(IPA) is widely used as additive to enhance surface structure and reduce the reflectivity of silicon wafers in alkaline texturing process of mono-crystalline silicon solar cells currently. However, due to its low boiling point and high volatilization, some negative effects are brought into large scale production especially in stability, cost and environment. In this paper, Dipropylene glycol(DPG) which has relative high boiling point was tried to substitute IPA as texturing solution additive. The influences of concentration of DPG and NaOH on etching rate, surface morphology and reflectance spectrum were investigated. It is obviously observed that the silicon is prevented from etching reaction by the existence of DPG. The best weight reflectance of 13.6% is obtained on mono-crystalline silicon surface by an optimized solution of 1 wt% NaOH and 1 wt% DPG at 80 degrees C for 20 minutes. Finally, the influencing mechanism of DPG was also discussed in detail.

Abstract  Porous and hollow particles are widely used in pharmaceuticals, as solid phases for chromatography, as catalyst supports, in bioanalytical assays and medical diagnostics, and in many other applications. By controlling size, shape, and chemistry, it is possible to tune the physical and chemical properties of the particles. In some applications of millimeter-scale hollow shells, such as in high energy density physics, controlling the shell thickness uniformity (concentricity) and roundness (sphericity) becomes particularly important. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of using electric field-driven droplet centering to form highly spherical and concentric polymerizable double emulsion (DE) droplets that can be subsequently photopolymerized into polymer shells. Specifically, when placed under the influence of an similar to 6 x 10(4) V-rms/m field at 20 MHz, DE droplets, consisting of silicone oil as the inner droplet and tripropylene glycol diacrylate with a photoinitiator in N,N-dimethylacetamide as the outer droplet, suspended in ambient silicone oil, were found to undergo electric field-driven centering into droplets with >= 98% sphericity and similar to 98% concentricity. The centered DE droplets were photopolymerized in the presence of the electric field. The high degrees of sphericity and concentricity were maintained in the polymerized particles. The poly(propylene glycol diacrylate) capsules are just within the sphericity requirements needed for inertial confinement fusion experiments. They were slightly outside the concentricity requirement. These results suggest that electric field-driven centering and polymerization of double emulsions could be very useful for synthesizing hollow polymer particles for applications in high energy density physics experiments and other applications of concentric polymer shells.

Abstract  UV-curable electromagnetic shielding composite films (UV-EMSF) were prepared with graphene oxide/polyurethane-acrylate (GO-PUA) oligomers, different diluents (styrene-butyl acrylate or tripropylene-glycol diacrylate-butyl acrylate or trimethylol propane triacrylate-butyl acrylate) and photoinitiator (2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone). The chemical structures, morphology, crystallinity and thermal behavior of UV-EMSF were investigated by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The stability, optical transparency and electrical conductivity of emulsions were measured. The effects of different diluents on the properties such as gel content, solvent resistance, hardness, tensile strength, contact angle and adhesion force were systemically studied. It was found that the emulsions had a good stability and the electrical conductivity of the emulsions indicated that the addition of GO had an effect on the electric conductivity. The prepared UV-EMSF composites with low-cost, low pollution and easy-to-prepare low resistivity have a great potential application in different areas such as electronic, electrical, communications, plastic coatings and wood finishes.

Abstract  Diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG 200, PEG 400, and PEG 1000), and tripropylene glycol (TPG) were intercalated into vanadyl phosphate and isostructural niobyl phosphate and arsenate. X-ray powder diffraction patterns as a function of temperature were also measured. Depending on the temperature of the reaction, two phases were formed. Two types of VOPO4 intercalates were formed depending on the temperature of the reaction (40 and 80 degrees C). The high-temperature phase was also formed by heating the low-temperature product. All of the intercalates are stable in dry environment but decompose slowly in humid air. It is presumed that the chains of the guest are deposited parallel to the host layer with every other oxygen atom of the guest coordinated to the vanadium or niobium atoms of the host layer. The chains are arranged in a bimolecular or monomolecular way in the interlayer space.

Abstract  Anthramycin (ANT) is a member of the pyrolobenzodiazepine family and is a potent cytotoxic agent. Previously, we reported the topical delivery of ANT from a range of solvents that may also act as skin penetration enhancers (SPEs). The skin penetration and uptake was monitored for simple solutions of ANT in propylene glycol (PG), dipropylene glycol (DiPG), Transcutol P (TC), isopropyl myristate (IPM), propylene glycol monocaprylate (PGMC) and propylene glycol monolaurate (PGML). The amounts of PG, DiPG and TC that were taken up by, and that penetrated the skin were also measured, with a clear dependence of ANT penetration on the rate and extent of PG and TC permeation. The present work investigates ANT skin delivery from a range of binary and ternary systems to determine any potential improvement in skin uptake compared with earlier results for the neat solvents. Following miscibility and stability studies a total of eight formulations were taken forward for evaluation in human skin in vitro. Binary systems of PG and water did not result in any skin permeation of ANT. Combining PG with either PGMC or PGML did promote skin penetration of ANT but no significant improvement was evident compared with PG alone. More complex ternary systems based on PG, DiPG, PGMC, PGML and water also did not show significant improvements on ANT permeation, compared with single solvents. Total skin penetration and retention of ANT ranged from 1 to 6% across all formulations studied. Where ANT was delivered to the receptor phase there were also high amounts of PG permeation with >50% and ~35% PG present for the binary systems and ternary vehicles, respectively. These findings along with our previous paper confirm PG as a suitable solvent / SPE for ANT either alone or in combination with PGML or PGMC. The results also underline the necessity for empirical testing to determine whether or not a vehicle is acting as a SPE for a specific active in a topical formulation.

Abstract  In this study, we examined the influence of the dispersion solvent in three dipropylene-glycol/water (DPG/water) mixtures, with DPG contents of 0, 50, and 100 wt%, on ionomer morphology and distribution, using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and molecular-dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. The DLS results reveal that Nafion-ionomer aggregation increases with decreasing DPG content of the solvent. Increasing the proportion of water in the solvent also led to a gradual decrease in the radius of gyration (Rg) of the Nafion ionomer due to its strong backbone hydrophobicity. Correspondingly, MD simulations predict Nafion-ionomer solvation energies of -147 ± 9 kcal/mol in water, -216 ± 21 kcal/mol in the DPG/water mixture, and -444 ± 9 kcal/mol in DPG. These results suggest that higher water contents in mixed DPG/water solvents result in increased Nafion-ionomer aggregation and the subsequent deterioration of its uniform dispersion in the solvent. Moreover, radial distribution functions (RDFs) reveal that the (-CF2CF2-) backbones of the Nafion ionomer are primarily enclosed by DPG molecules, whereas the sulfonate groups (SO3-) of its side chains mostly interact with water molecules.

Abstract  Anthramycin (ANT) was the first pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) molecule to be isolated, and is a potent cytotoxic agent. Although the PBD family has been investigated for use in systemic chemotherapy, their application in the management of actinic keratoses (AK) or skin cancer has not been investigated to date. In the present work, anthramycin (ANT) was selected as a model PBD compound, and the skin penetration of the molecule was investigated using conventional Franz diffusion cells. Finite dose permeation studies of ANT were performed using propylene glycol (PG), 1,3-butanediol (BD), dipropylene glycol (DiPG), Transcutol P® (TC), propylene glycol monocaprylate (PGMC), propylene glycol monolaurate (PGML) and isopropyl myristate (IPM). The skin penetration of BD, DiPG, PG and TC was also measured. Penetration of ANT through human skin was evident for TC, PG and PGML with the active appearing to "track" the permeation of the vehicle in the case of TC and PG. Deposition of ANT in skin could be correlated with skin retention of the vehicle in the case of IPM, PGMC and PGML. These preliminary findings confirm the ability of ANT to penetrate human skin and, given the potency of the molecule, suggest that further investigation is justified. Additionally, the findings emphasise the critical importance of understanding the fate of the excipient for the rational design of topical formulations.

Abstract  The first objective of the proposed research work includes comparative bioavailability and bioequivalence evaluation of oxybutynin transdermal patch with respect to different permeation enhancers. The second objective was to evaluate different in vitro methods along with synthetic membranes toward development of an in vitro-in vivo correlation. Oleic acid (fatty acid), Soluphor P (2-pyrrolidone, cosolvent), menthol (volatile oil), and dipropylene glycol (plasticizer) were selected as representatives from different classes of permeation enhancers. A random, crossover, single-dose pharmacokinetic study was carried out on male New Zealand white rabbits to determine bioavailability and bioequivalence. The obtained pharmacokinetic data were correlated with in vitro drug release using convolution-deconvolution approach. All developed formulations were found to be bioequivalent with respect to the marketed patch (Oxytrol®) on the basis of level of C max, AUC0-96, and AUCtotal (0.8-1.25). A biphasic linear correlation was obtained pertaining to differential diffusion behavior of the drug in vivo during the experimental timeframe. Because of close resemblance to skin, Cuprophan® membrane was found to be more suitable for developing an IVIVC than Millipore® membrane.

Abstract  Dielectric relaxation spectra of two closely related glass formers, dipropylene glycol [H-(C3H6O)2-OH] and dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether [CH3-O-(C3H6O)2-CH3], were measured at ambient and elevated pressures in the supercooled and the glassy states are presented. Hydrogen bonds formed in dipropylene glycol are removed when its ends are replaced by two methyl groups to become dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether. In the process, the primary relaxation, the excess wing, and the resolved secondary relaxation of dipropylene glycol are all modified when the structure is transformed to become dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether. The modifications include the pressure and temperature dependences of these relaxation processes and their interrelations. Thus, by comparing the dielectric spectra of these two closely related glass formers at ambient and elevated pressures, the differences in the relaxation dynamics and properties in the presence and absence of hydrogen bonding are identified.

Abstract  Ferulic acid (F.A) receives significant interest in the beauty industry with regard to its skin-whitening and anti-oxidant properties. However, its use in cosmetics is limited due to pH- and temperature-related instabilities. In this study, we investigated the stability of F.A in eight different prototype formulae. The results confirmed that in our conditions the stability of F.A is pH- and temperature-related. Additionally, the nature of the solvent dipropylene glycol (DPPG) showed a capacity to stabilize F.A. A series of experiments was further planned for studying the mechanism of degradation of F.A. In a prototype of a cosmetic medium, F.A degrades first through a decarboxylation step, leading to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxystyrene (PVG). Further, F.A and PVG are both involved in an additional reaction, resulting in the trans-conjugation dimer of PVG. The consequences of these results in formulating F.A are discussed.

Abstract  Propylene carbonate and a mixture of two secondary amides, N-methylformamide and N-ethylacetamide, are investigated by means of broadband dielectric and mechanical shear spectroscopy. The similarities between the rheological and the dielectric responses of these liquids and of the previously investigated tripropylene glycol are discussed within a simple approach that employs an electrical circuit for describing the frequency-dependent behavior of viscous materials. The circuit is equivalent to the Gemant-DiMarzio-Bishop model, but allows for a negative capacitive element. The circuit can be used to calculate the dielectric from the mechanical response and vice versa. Using a single parameter for a given system, good agreement between model calculations and experimental data is achieved for the entire relaxation spectra, including secondary relaxations and the Debye-like dielectric peak in the secondary amides. In addition, the predictions of the shoving model are confirmed for the investigated liquids.

Abstract  Central dosing units for surface disinfectants can constitute a particular hygiene problem in hospitals if a biofilm can develop in the piping system despite the disinfectant solution that is present. In earlier studies it was able to be shown that oxygen-releasing compounds in particular were highly effective against microorganisms in generated biofilms. The purpose of the study presented was to investigate in a test simulating practical conditions whether, in addition to the described good effect, peroxide-containing solutions also have a uniform effect against all isolates from disinfectant use-solutions, or whether there are differences. The results show that a 1% H2O2 solution (C) was not sufficiently effective against all test organisms after a contact time of one hour. In contrast, the 1% test solution of A (10% perglutaric acid, 28% H2O2, < 0.5% perbenzoic acid) was highly and uniformly effective. The 3% test solution of B (10% tertiary butylhydroperoxide, 20% phenoxypropanols, 48% dipropylene glycol) exhibited weaknesses against some test organisms after the one-hour contact time. After a contact time of three hours, this solution, unlike the 1% H2O2 solution achieved a reduction in bacterial count of more than 5 log steps against all species. On the basis of these results, before cleaning piping systems it appears advisable to test the effectiveness of the solution to be used in a suitable test with the isolates.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of different cosmetic matrices on the release profile and odour intensity of the fragrance O. majorana was investigated for the first time.

METHODS: The fragrance compounds of O. majorana were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide (SFE-CO2 ) at 40°C and two operating pressures (8.5 and 10 MPa), and their chemical profiles were assessed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-FID/MS). Lastly, the fragrance compounds were incorporated into three cosmetic matrices (glycerine, dipropylene glycol and skin lotion) to assess their release and odour profiles over time using dynamic headspace (DHS)/GC-FID/MS and Odour Value concept, respectively.

RESULTS: The SFE-CO2 enabled recovering extracts with the pleasant scent of the living plant, and the increment of pressure induced an increase on the extraction yield. GC-FID/MS analyses revealed that oxygen-containing monoterpenes was the principal group of components identified in both SFE-CO2 extracts. The fragrance compounds were more retained in dipropylene glycol, and the major deviations from the original odour intensity (control) were observed in the presence of dipropylene glycol and skin lotion.

CONCLUSION: The hydrophilic character of the cosmetic matrices strongly influenced the release of the fragrance compounds, thus affecting the odour profile of the studied mixtures.

Abstract  The present study examined the effects of chronic exposure of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae to the water-accommodated fractions of fresh and weathered oils collected from the Deepwater Horizon incident, with and without additions of the dispersant Corexit 9500A, as well as to solutions of Corexit alone. Both shell growth of larvae exposed to test materials for a period of 10 d and larval settlement after 28 d of exposure were the most sensitive endpoints, with the 10-d growth endpoint being less variable among replicates. Growth and settlement endpoints were more sensitive than larval survival and normal development after 10 d and 28 d. Acute-to-chronic ratios calculated in the present study suggest that acute toxicities of oils and dispersant for oysters are not predictive of chronic effect levels for growth and settlement; therefore, chronic bioassays are necessary to assess these sublethal effects, in addition to standard 48-h acute toxicity tests. Comparison of 10% effective concentration (EC10) values for chronic 10-d growth and 28-d settlement endpoints with concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (a marker for Corexit) in seawater samples, collected during and after the Deepwater Horizon incident, indicated it was unlikely that elevated concentrations of water-soluble fractions of oil and dispersant in the nearshore environment had significant adverse effects on the growth and settlement of eastern oyster larvae. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2029-2040. © 2016 SETAC.

Abstract  Acute toxicity tests (48-96-h duration) were conducted with larvae of 2 echinoderm species (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Dendraster excentricus) and 4 bivalve mollusk species (Crassostrea virginica, Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and Mercenaria mercenaria). Developing larvae were exposed to water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) and chemically enhanced water-accommodated fractions (CEWAFs) of fresh and weathered oils collected from the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon incident. The WAFs (oils alone), CEWAFs (oils plus Corexit 9500A dispersant), and WAFs of Corexit alone were prepared using low-energy mixing. The WAFs of weathered oils had no effect on survival and development of echinoderm and bivalve larvae, whereas WAFs of fresh oils showed adverse effects on larval development. Similar toxicities were observed for weathered oil CEWAFs and WAFs prepared with Corexit alone for oyster (C. gigas and C. virginica) larvae, which were the most sensitive of the tested invertebrate species to Corexit. Mean 10% effective concentration values for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (a marker for Corexit) in the present study were higher than all concentrations reported in nearshore field samples collected during and after the Deepwater Horizon incident. The results suggest that water-soluble fractions of weathered oils and Corexit dispersant associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident had limited, if any, acute impacts on nearshore larvae of eastern oysters and clams, as well as other organisms with similar sensitivities to those of test species in the present study; however, exposure to sediments and long-term effects were not evaluated. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2016-2028. © 2016 SETAC.

Abstract  The use of novel antimicrobial molecules in bone cement can improve efficiency of recuperation after arthroplasty or joint replacement surgeries, avoiding the risks associated with antibiotic resistant antimicrobial agents. Nanomaterials particularly dendrimers are particularly useful for making broad spectrum killing agents owing to their large surface areas and functionalities. Therefore, we have synthesized generation 1 quaternary ammonium dendrimer of tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) using octyl iodide (OI) [TPGDA G1.0 (=) quaternary octyl iodide (QOI)] and capitalized on their capabilities of contact killing based mechanism. We formulated different TPGDA G1.0 (=) QOI antimicrobial agent loaded liquid component composed of methyl methacrylate monomer and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine coinitiator. Different polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based experimental bone cement formulations were made and dendrimer concentration was optimized. Mechanical strength and compressive modulus of modified bone cement decreased on increasing concentrations and 10% was optimized for further analysis. The mechanical strength of bone cement yield the similar trend in wet conditions bone cement immersed in artificially created stimulated body fluids. Ten percent TPGDA G1.0 (=) QOI in bone cement was sufficient to kill gram positive and negative bacteria and its property is retained even after a period of 30 days. Thus novel dendritic structures show promise for clinical antimicrobial activity while retaining mechanical properties of bone cements. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 521-530, 2017.

Abstract  The Special Monitoring of Applied Response Technologies (SMART) program was used during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as a strategy to monitor the effectiveness of sea surface dispersant use. Although SMART was implemented during aerial and vessel dispersant applications, this analysis centers on the effort of a special dispersant missions onboard the M/V International Peace, which evaluated the effectiveness of surface dispersant applications by vessel only. Water samples (n = 120) were collected from background sites, and under naturally and chemically dispersed oil slicks, and were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAHs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and a chemical marker of Corexit (dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, DPnB). Water chemistry results were analyzed relative to SMART field assessments of dispersant effectiveness ("not effective," "effective," and "very effective"), based on in situ fluorometry. Chemistry data were also used to indirectly determine if the use of dispersants increased the risk of acute effects to water column biota, by comparison to toxicity benchmarks. TPAH and TPH concentrations in background, and naturally and chemically dispersed samples were extremely variable, and differences were not statistically detected across sample types. Ratios of TPAH and TPH between chemically and naturally dispersed samples provided a quantitative measure of dispersant effectiveness over natural oil dispersion alone, and were in reasonable agreement with SMART field assessments of dispersant effectiveness. Samples from "effective" and "very effective" dispersant applications had ratios of TPAH and TPH up to 35 and 64, respectively. In two samples from an "effective" dispersant application, TPHs and TPAHs exceeded acute benchmarks (0.81 mg/L and 8 μg/L, respectively), while none exceeded DPnB's chronic value (1,000 μg/L). Although the primary goal of the SMART program is to provide near real-time effectiveness data to the response, and not to address concerns regarding acute biological effects, the analyses presented here demonstrate that SMART can generate information of value to a larger scientific audience. A series of recommendations for future SMART planning are also provided.