Effects of GONP modification and S‐GONPs loading on the mechanical properties of UBF/epoxy composite were investigated. The introduction of the silane organic chains on the surface of GONPs was evaluated by FTIR, STA, and Raman spectroscopy. Out of the specimens, the highest values in mechanical strengths were obtained at 0.4 wt% S‐GONPs. The tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths of this specimen were 16%, 47%, 51% greater, respectively, than that of UBF/epoxy composite. Improvements in the mechanical moduli were also obtained. It was also found that silane modification of GONPs had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the specimens. Microscopic studies showed a better interfacial bonding between UBF and matrix in nanofiller‐filled specimens. The experimental results for compressive strength and modulus were compared with an Euler–Bernoulli beam‐based model. The model predictions were in very good agreement with experimental results. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2472–E2482, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

: Breast cancer is the fifth cause of cancer death among women worldwide and represents a global health concern due to the lack of effective therapeutic regimens that could be applied to all disease groups. Nowadays, strategies based on pharmacogenomics constitute novel approaches that minimize toxicity while maximizing drug efficacy; this being of high importance in the oncology setting. Besides, genetic profiling of malignant tumors can lead to the development of targeted therapies to be included in effective drug regimens. Advances in molecular diagnostics have revealed that breast cancer is a multifaceted disease, characterized by inter-tumoral and intra-tumoral heterogeneity and, unlike the past, molecular classifications based on the expression of individual biomarkers have led to devising novel therapeutic strategies that improve patient survival. In this review, we report and discuss the molecular classification of breast cancer subtypes, the heterogeneity resource, and the advantages and disadvantages of current drug regimens with consideration of pharmacogenomics in response and resistance to treatment.

The current study focuses on the development of silanized graphene oxide reinforced basalt fiber/epoxy composites for enhanced tribological and viscoelastic properties. The modified-graphene oxide nanoplatelets were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Raman analyses. Pin-on-disk wear test and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis were conducted to determine the tribological and viscoelastic properties of the fabricated specimens with different silanized-graphene oxide loadings in the matrix (0–0.5 wt.% at a step of 0.1). The multiscale specimens were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique. The best silanized-graphene oxide loading for effectively enhancing the tribological properties was found to be 0.4 wt.%, whose wear rate and friction coefficient were 62% and 44%, respectively lower than those of the neat basalt/epoxy composite. The examination of the worn surfaces showed the enhanced basalt fiber/epoxy bonding in graphene oxide-reinforced specimen. From the results of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, the specimen filled with 0.4 wt.% silanized-graphene oxide demonstrated the highest increase of 130% and 13.6℃ in the storage modulus and glass transition temperature as compared to the neat composite. This study indicated that the addition of silanized-graphene oxide considerably enhanced the tribological and viscoelastic properties of the fibrous composites.

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Background: An increasing amount of populations all over the world are reported to have no access to clean and fresh water. Some traditional chemical disinfectants (free chlorine, chloramines, and ozone) are already widely used in the water industry; alarmingly, many of these are carcinogens. Furthermore, the resistance of microorganisms to these common chemical disinfectants is increasing; superior alternatives are therefore necessary. The development of nanoscience and nanotechnology within the last decades provides opportunities to deal with this problem. Objectives: In this study, the solvothermal method was employed to synthesize SnO 2 nanoparticles with spherical morphology in the absence of templates or structure-directing agents under mild conditions. The nanoparticles used to in the inactivation efficiencies for two microorganisms under UV irradiation and dark conditions. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, tin dioxide (SnO 2) nanoparticles have been synthesized via a simple solvothermal method in the absence of templates or structure-directing agents under mild conditions. The prepared SnO 2 sample was employed for the inactivation of Gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) in MilliQ water under dark and UV illumination. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles was evaluated using bacterium as per colony count method. Results: SnO 2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via solvothermal method under mild condition. SEM image showed SnO 2 nanoparticles were spherical when a mixture of water and ethanol used as solvent. The prepared SnO 2 nanoparticles were employed for the inactivation of gram-negative Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and gram-positive S.aureus (ATCC 29213) in MilliQ water. It was found that SnO 2 nanoparticles show much higher activity against E. coli than S.aureus. Conclusions: According to the result of this study, SnO 2 nanoparticles are an excellent antibacterial agent for bactericidal applications.