Natural rubber (cis-1,4-polyisoprene) is an isoprenoid compound produced exclusively in plants by the action of rubber transferase. Despite a keen interest in revealing the mechanisms of rubber chain elongation and chain length determination, the molecular nature of rubber transferase has not yet been identified. A recent report has revealed that a 24 kDa protein tightly associated with the sma...

Rubber is the most widespread smallholder tree crop in South-East Asia. Although initially large estates planted the bulk of the region’s rubber, smallholders soon captured most of the production. Currently, Indonesia’s rubber plantations cover 3.4 million ha, of which smallholders account for more than 75% (BPS, 1999). In peninsular Malaysia, the area in rubber has declined since the 1970s, bu...

Rubber dams are inflatable and deflatable hydraulic structures. Thousands of rubber dams have been installed worldwide for various purposes: irrigation, water supply, power generation, tidal barrier, flood control, environmental improvement, and recreation. Furthermore, rubber dams have been used in cold areas where the temperature is as low as –40°C. The simplicity and flexibility of the rubbe...

Rubber dam is considered an ideal device for tooth isolation. Nevertheless, its usage is quite rare in the Czech Republic. The aim of this study was: firstly, to gather and evaluate information regarding the use of rubber dam by dentists in the Czech Republic and to compare it with other countries; secondly to find out whether there are any influencing factors as to rubber dam usage; and finall...

Dynamic balance has frequently been evaluated by using center of pressure (COP) during stepping movement. COP sway may be greater during stepping on foam rubber, which is a kind of external load. This study aimed to examine the effect of leg-joint angles and COP sway during stepping on a spot in 13 young male adults (mean age 25.6 ± 4.8 years, mean height 170.6 ± 5.2 cm, mean mass 69.1 ± 8.2 kg...

A prediction method for rubber curing process has historically received considerable attention in manufacturing process for rubber article with relatively large size. In recent years, there exists increasing demand for simulation driven design which will cut down the cost and time required for product development. In case of the rubber with relatively large dimensions, low thermal conductivity ...

In this study, the interaction between the silica filler and polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) was investigated from the aspects of the bound rubber and morphological characterization. With special attention to the dynamic properties, the dynamic test was conducted by dynamic shear rheometer. The results show that the modified fillers disperse uniformly within PDMS matrix without aggregation and con...

      Wetability of biocompatible polymers can be improved by plasma surface modification. The purpose of this study was to surface modify an experimental poly (dimethylsiloxane) rubber (PDMS) material in order to improve its wetability and biocompatibility. Surface properties of the PDMS were characterized using contact angles measurement for wetability analysis. Samples of experimental silico...