From several polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-utilizing mixed cultures, two component bacterial strains essential for PVA utilization were isolated, and their properties and roles in PVA utilization were studied. Each pair of essential component strains consisted of a type I strain, which produced a PVA-degrading enzyme and constituted the predominant population of the mixed culture in PVA, and a type I...

Different polymer formulations possess unique chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. Small variations in the structure of a given polymer formulation can significantly change its characteristics, resulting in new functions and applications. For example, polyvinyl alcohol is a water-soluble synthetic polymer made by alcoholysis of polyvinyl acetate. Its chemical and physical properties d...

In this paper, studies on polyelectrolyte hydrogels of both anionic and cationic type are reported. Partially hydrolysed polyacrylamide-polyvinyl alcohol interpenetrating polymer (IPN) has been synthesized as the anionic hydrogel and chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol interpenetrating polymers have been synthesized as the cationic one, both through a simultaneous IPN method. In both cases, the crosslin...

The use of a composite osteochondral device for simulating partial hemiarthroplasty was examined. The device was composed of a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel and a titanium fibre mesh, acting as artificial cartilage and as porous artificial bone, respectively. The titanium fibre mesh was designed to act as an interface material, allowing firm attachment to both the polyvinyl alcohol gel (through in...