A new approach is described to analyse the barrier properties of the outer part of rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots towards oxygen. By using a root-sleeving O(2) electrode, radial oxygen loss at different distances from the root apex was measured and related to the corresponding root structure. In addition, internal oxygen concentrations were precisely adjusted using a newly developed perfusion tec...

Oxygen permeability and water diffusion characteristics were determined for several types of hydroxyethyl-methacrylate hydrophilic contact lenses and a silicone contact lens material. A twoto fourfold difference in the diffusion rates for capillary flow of water was found among the different hydrophilic lenses. Oxygen permeability studies demonstrate that the hydrophilic lenses are capable of t...

Lithium-air (Li-air) batteries have a much higher theoretical energy density than conventional lithium batteries and other metal air batteries, so they are being developed for applications that require long life. Water vapor from air must be prevented from corroding the lithium (Li) metal negative electrode during discharge under ambient conditions, i.e., in humid air. One method of protecting ...

Abstract Cellulose and ulvan were extracted sequentially from the green seaweed Ulva lactuca used for development of edible films with natural antioxidant properties. The composite composed cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol as plasticizer different concentrations. interaction between film components was described by FT-IR analysis, which confirmed formation hydrogen bonding interactions ce...

By mimicking the cutin natural polyester networks of plant cuticles, we produced hydrophobic elastomers by a sustainable process, i.e., using catalyst- and solvent-free polycondensation glycerol hydroxy fatty acids, two by-products agro-food industry. The acid fraction was obtained ethanolic alkaline hydrolysis cuticle from industrial tomato. This industrial-like contained more than 90 wt%. 9(1...

To identify the possible anomalous oxygen isotope signature in stratospheric water predicted by model studies, 25 water vapor samples were collected in 2003-2005 at Alert station, Canada (82°30'N), where there is downward transport of stratospheric air to the polar troposphere, and were analyzed for δ(17)O and δ(18)O relative to Chicago local precipitation (CLP). The latter was chosen as a refe...

The physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties (pH, peel force, water-vapor permeability, and stretchability) of brand-name and generic ketoprofen products were evaluated and compared. The pHs of Mohrus as a brand-name product and Teikoku as a generic product were low (about 4). Among the other generic products, Patell and Nichi-Iko had a pH of about 4.3 while Frestol, Raynanon, BMD, and Tou...

Corn starch-based films are inherently brittle and lack the necessary mechanical integrity for conventional packaging. However, the incorporation of additives can potentially improve the mechanical properties and processability of starch films. In this work two essential oils, Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZEO) or Mentha pulegium (MEO) at three levels (1%, 2% and 3% (v/v)), were incorporated into s...