In this study, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)--a biodegradable plastics material--was produced by activated sludge performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in batch experiments under anaerobic, aerobic and anaerobic/aerobic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, the maximum PHB content of the dry biomass was 28.8% by weight, while under aerobic or anaerobic/aerobic conditions, the m...

This paper describes experimental research to directly quantify the ordinary heterotrophic organism (OHO) cell yield coefficient under anoxic and aerobic conditions with real wastewater as substrate. Until recently these two values were assumed equal in activated sludge models, despite theoretical predictions that the anoxic yield should be reduced relative to its aerobic value. In this study, ...

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a class of biodegradable plastics that have great potential applications in the near future. In this study, the micro-biodiversity and productivity of PHA-accumulating bacteria in activated sludge from a domestic wastewater treatment plant were investigated. A previously reported primer set and a selfdesigned primer set (phaCF1BO/phaCR2BO) were both used to amplify...

The biodegradability of Manila hemp fiber reinforced biodegradable plastics was studied for 240 days in a natural soil and 30 days in a compost soil. After biodegradability tests, weights were measured and both tensile strength tests and microscopic observation were performed to evaluate the biodegradation behavior of the composites. The results indicate that the tensile strength of the composi...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of environmentally-friendly films for fresh-cut lettuce. This objective was achieved by determining the gas transmission rates for oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the films following ASTM standards D3985, F1249, F2476-05, D3418-03, and D882-02, respectively. Electro...

Given increasing environmental issues due to the large usage of non-biodegradable plastics based on petroleum, new plastic materials, which are economic, environmentally friendly, and recyclable are in high demand. One feasible strategy is the bio-inspired synthesis of mineral-based hybrid materials. Herein we report a facile route for an amorphous CaCO3 (ACC)-based hydrogel consisting of very ...

Visit the new GeneWatch UK online database at http://www.genewatch.org In a desperate effort to reverse its failing fortunes, the biotechnology industry and its supporters are putting their faith in the ‘second generation’ of genetically modified (GM) crops. It is claimed that many of these will bring consumer benefits by offering foods with enhanced nutritional value (so-called ‘functional foo...

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are attracting increasing interest as the most suitable metallic materials for construction of biodegradable and bio-absorbable temporary implants. However, Mg-alloys can suffer premature and catastrophic fracture under the synergy of cyclic loading and corrosion (i.e., corrosion fatigue (CF)). Though Mg alloys are reported to be susceptible to CF also in the corrosive hum...

Introduction: Socket grafting offers a predictable, simple way to conserve the buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions of the future implant site, and various bone-grafting materials using various techniques have shown promising results. Aim: This case presentation describes the use of an absorbable gelatin sponge in the socket preservation procedure. Materials and Methods: A 47-year-old male p...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of non-absorbable disaccharides (lactulose and lactitol) in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. DATA SOURCES Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group controlled trials register, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Embase until March 2003; reference lists of relevant articles; authors and pharmaceutical companies. REVIEW METHODS Randomised trials that compared non-absorbabl...