A Data-informed Public Health Policy-Makers Platform

Hearing loss is a disease exhibiting a growing trend due to the number of factors, including but not limited to the mundane exposure to the noise and ever-increasing amount of older population. In the framework of a public health policymaking process, modeling of the hearing loss disease based on data is a key factor in alleviating the issues related to the disease issuing effective public health policies. First, the paper describes the steps of the data-driven policymaking process. Afterward, a scenario along with the part of the proposed platform, responsible for supporting policymaking are presented. With the aim of demonstrating the capabilities and usability of the platform for the policy-makers, some initial results of preliminary analytics are presented in a framework of a policy-making process. Ultimately, the utility of the approach is validated throughout the results of the survey which was presented to the health system policy-makers professionals involved in the policy development process in Croatia

The Influence of Carbonized Polymer Dots on Mechanical Properties of Polyurethane Foil

Nanocomposites of carbonized polymer dots (CPD) and polyurethane (PU) are promising materials. In order to use a material in a wide range of applications, it is necessary to know its mechanical properties. In this study, two CPD/PU nanocomposites, with different CPD, from citric acid/urea (CAUR) and from phloroglucinol (PHL), as well as the reference PU foil, were mechanically characterized. CAUR-CPD was synthesized by 2.1 g of citric acid and 1.8 g of urea, dissolved in 50 mL of acetone. PHL-CPD was synthesized by 500 mg of PHL mixed in 50 mL of acetone. Both solutions were transferred to a Teflon-lined autoclave for heating. After the condensation reactions, the products of CAUR-CPD and PHL-CPD were filtered and centrifuged to remove the unreacted precursors. The CAUR-CPD/PU and PHL-CPD/PU nanocomposites were prepared by dipping PU foil (0.2 mm thick) in CAUR-CPD or PHL-CPD solution in acetone. The swelling-shrink-encapsulation method was used to encapsulate the CAUR-CPD and PHL- CPD in PU. The samples were dried in a vacuum furnace to eliminate acetone from the composites. The mechanical properties were determined on universal testing machine Shimadzu, AG-X plus 10 kN. The samples were prepared in the form of plates with a width of 8 mm. The distance between the grips was 50 mm. The strain rate was set to 1 mm/min for determination of E modulus and to 50 mm/min until the end. Each sample was measured 5 times and the average values were taken. The reference PU sample showed the highest elastic modulus (33.3 MPa) and tensile strength (25.8 MPa). The nanocomposites, CAUR-CPD/PU and PHL-CPD/PU, showed similar mechanical properties: a lower elastic modulus (18.8 and 18.6 MPa, respectively) and tensile strength (14.6 and 16.9 MPa) but much higher strain at break (650 and 608 %) than the reference PU foil (434 %).29th International Symposium on Analytical and Environmental Problems : Proceedings; November 13-14, 2023; Szeged, Hungary

A combination of three surface modifiers for the optimal generation and application of natural hybrid nanopigments in a biodegradable resin

Our purpose was to improve the thermal, mechanical and optimal properties of an epoxy bioresin using optimum hybrid natural pigments previously synthesised in our lab. Next, we searched for the best combinations of factors in the synthesis of natural hybrid nanopigments and then incorporated them into the bioresin. We combined three structural modifiers in the nanopigment synthesis, surfactant, coupling agent (silane) and a mordant salt (alum), selected to replicate mordant textile dyeing with natural dyes. We used Taguchi s design L8 to seek final performance optimisation. We selected three natural dyes, chlorophyll, beta-carotene and beetroot extract, and used two laminar nanoclay types, montmorillonite and hydrotalcite. The thermal, mechanical and colorimetric characterisation of the composite obtained by mixing natural hybrid nanopigments (bionanocomposite) was made. The natural dye interactions with both nanoclays improved the thermal stabilities, colour performance and UV VIS light exposure stability of natural dyes and bioresins. The best bionanocomposite materials were found in an acidic pH [3, 4] environment and by modifying nanoclays with mordant and surfactant during the nanopigment synthesis processWe thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for funding Projects DPI2011-30090-C02-02 and DPI2015-68514-R.Micó Vicent, B.; Jordán Núñez, J.; Martinez Verdu, FM.; Balart Gimeno, RA. (2017). A combination of three surface modifiers for the optimal generation and application of natural hybrid nanopigments in a biodegradable resin. Journal of Materials Science. 52(2):889-898. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0384-8S889898522Majdzadeh-Ardakani K, Nazari B (2010) Improving the mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch/poly(vinyl alcohol)/clay nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 70(10):1557–1563. doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.05.022Najafi N, Heuzey MC, Carreau PJ (2012) Polylactide (PLA)-clay nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding in the presence of a chain extender. Compos Sci Technol 72(5):608–615. doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.01.005Acharya H, Srivastava SK, Bhowmick AK (2007) Synthesis of partially exfoliated EPDM/LDH nanocomposites by solution intercalation: structural characterization and properties. Compos Sci Technol 67(13):2807–2816. doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.01.030Marras SI, Zuburtikudis I, Panayiotou C (2007) Nanostructure vs. microstructure: morphological and thermomechanical characterization of poly(L-lactic acid)/layered silicate hybrids. Eur Polymer J 43(6):2191–2206. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2007.03.013Leszczyńska A, Njuguna J, Pielichowski K, Banerjee JR (2007) Polymer/montmorillonite nanocomposites with improved thermal properties: Part I. Factors influencing thermal stability and mechanisms of thermal stability improvement. Thermochim Acta 453(2):75–96. doi: 10.1016/j.tca.2006.11.002Park HM, Lee WK, Park CY, Cho WJ, Ha CS (2003) Environmentally friendly polymer hybrids Part I Mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of thermoplastic starch/clay nanocomposites. J Mater Sci 38(5):909–915. doi: 10.1023/a:1022308705231Porter D, Metcalfe E, Thomas MJK (2000) Nanocomposite fire retardants—a review. Fire Mater 24(1):45–52. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1018(200001/02)24:13.0.co;2-sRay SS, Okamoto M (2003) Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites: a review from preparation to processing. Prog Polym Sci 28(11):1539–1641. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2003.08.002Gao D, Li R, Lv B, Ma J, Tian F, Zhang J (2015) Flammability, thermal and physical-mechanical properties of cationic polymer/montmorillonite composite on cotton fabric. Compos B Eng 77:329–337. doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.03.061LeBaron PC, Wang Z, Pinnavaia TJ (1999) Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites: an overview. Appl Clay Sci 15(1–2):11–29. doi: 10.1016/s0169-1317(99)00017-4Karuntarut Sermsantiwanita SP (2012) Preparation of bio-based nanocomposite emulsions: effect of clay type. Prog Org Coat 74:660–666Pascual J, Fages E, Fenollar O, Garcia D, Balart R (2009) Influence of the compatibilizer/nanoclay ratio on final properties of polypropylene matrix modified with montmorillonite-based organoclay. Polym Bull 62(3):367–380. doi: 10.1007/s00289-008-0018-7Beltrán MI, Benavente V, Marchante V, Marcilla A (2013) The influence of surfactant loading level in a montmorillonite on the thermal, mechanical and rheological properties of EVA nanocomposites. Appl Clay Sci 83–84:153–161. doi: 10.1016/j.clay.2013.08.028Bitinis N, Verdejo R, Maya EM, Espuche E, Cassagnau P, Lopez-Manchado MA (2012) Physicochemical properties of organoclay filled polylactic acid/natural rubber blend bionanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 72(2):305–313. doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.11.018Sanchez-Garcia MD, Lopez-Rubio A, Lagaron JM (2010) Natural micro and nanobiocomposites with enhanced barrier properties and novel functionalities for food biopackaging applications. Trends Food Sci Technol 21(11):528–536. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2010.07.008Huskić M, Žigon M, Ivanković M (2013) Comparison of the properties of clay polymer nanocomposites prepared by montmorillonite modified by silane and by quaternary ammonium salts. Appl Clay Sci 85:109–115. doi: 10.1016/j.clay.2013.09.004Osman MA, Rupp JEP, Suter UW (2005) Effect of non-ionic surfactants on the exfoliation and properties of polyethylene-layered silicate nanocomposites. Polymer 46(19):8202–8209. doi: 10.1016/j.polymer.2005.06.101Wang H, Fang P, Chen Z, Wang S, Xu Y, Fang Z (2008) Effect of silane grafting on the microstructure of high-density polyethylene/organically modified montmorillonite nanocomposites. Polym Int 57(1):50–56. doi: 10.1002/pi.2310Montgomery DC (2008) Design and analysis of experiments. Wiley, HobokenBaena-Murillo E, Micó-Vicent B, Martínez-Verdú FM (2013) Method for the synthesis of nanostructured hybrid pigments having properties that can be syntonized. https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2013110841&recNum=229&docAn=ES2013070026&queryString=(ANA:ES)&maxRec=25813Kohno Y, Inagawa M, Ikoma S, Shibata M, Matsushima R, Fukuhara C, Tomita Y, Maeda Y, Kobayashi K (2011) Stabilization of a hydrophobic natural dye by intercalation into organo-montmorillonite. Appl Clay Sci 54(3):202–205. doi: 10.1016/j.clay.2011.09.001Kaneko Y, Iyi N, Bujdak J, Sasai R, Fujita T (2004) Effect of layer charge density on orientation and aggregation of a cationic laser dye incorporated in the interlayer space of montmorillonites. J Colloid Interface Sci 269(1):22–25. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9797(03)00602-7Silva AA, Dahmouche K, Soares BG (2011) Nanostructure and dynamic mechanical properties of silane-functionalized montmorillonite/epoxy nanocomposites. Appl Clay Sci 54(2):151–158. doi: 10.1016/j.clay.2011.08.002Park S-J, Kim B-J, Seo D-I, Rhee K-Y, Lyu Y-Y (2009) Effects of a silane treatment on the mechanical interfacial properties of montmorillonite/epoxy nanocomposites. Mater Sci Eng A 526(1–2):74–78. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2009.07.023Khraisheh MAM, Al-Ghouti MA, Allen SJ, Ahmad MN (2005) Effect of OH and silanol groups in the removal of dyes from aqueous solution using diatomite. Water Res 39(5):922–932. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2004.12.008Fahn R, Fenderl K (1983) Reaction-products of organic-dye molecules with acid-treated montmorillonite. Clay Miner 18(4):447–458. doi: 10.1180/claymin.1983.018.4.10Kohno Y, Totsuka K, Ikoma S, Yoda K, Shibata M, Matsushima R, Tomita Y, Maeda Y, Kobayashi K (2009) Photostability enhancement of anionic natural dye by intercalation into hydrotalcite. J Colloid Interface Sci 337(1):117–121. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.04.065Capilla P, Pujol J (2002) Fundamentos de Colorimetría. Universitat de ValenciaGilabert EJ, Verdú FMM (2007) Medida de la luz y el color. Editorial de la UPV. In: Color psicofísico, pp 185–221Zhao H, Nagy KL (2004) Dodecyl sulfate–hydrotalcite nanocomposites for trapping chlorinated organic pollutants in water. J Colloid Interface Sci 274(2):613–624. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2004.03.05

Green and rapid mechanosynthesis of high-porosity NU- and UiO-type metal–organic frameworks

The use of a dodecanuclear zirconium acetate cluster as a precursor enables the rapid, clean mechanochemical synthesis of high-microporosity metal–organic frameworks NU-901 and UiO-67, with surface areas up to 2250 m2 g−1. Real-time X-ray diffraction monitoring reveals that mechanochemical reactions involving the conventional hexanuclear zirconium methacrylate precursor are hindered by the formation of an inert intermediate, which does not appear when using the dodecanuclear acetate cluster as a reactant