Optical fibers with different types of polymer coatings were exposed to three sterilization conditions: multiple autoclaving, treatment with ethylene oxide and treatment with gamma rays. Effects of different sterilization techniques on key optical and mechanical properties of the fibers are reported. The primary attention is given to behavior of the coatings in harsh sterilization environments....

Background One of the most important unit operations in upstream animal cell bioprocesses at scales over 100 L is the preparation and sterilization of the medium. This complex, sensitive, and expensive process requires a considerable investment in both material and time [1]. Traditionally, large-scale medium sterilization is performed with costly single-use dead-end filters. To optimize and red...

Effect of aqueous leaf extracts of 8 allelopathic tree species viz., Accacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex Del., Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Azadirachta indica (L.) A. Juss., Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, Ficus bengalensis L., Mangifera indica L., Melia azedarach L. and Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels was studied on germination and seed-borne mycoflora of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Wheat seeds were s...

Tubal sterilization is a highly effective, permanent, andsafe method of contraception. Many women who desirepostpartum sterilization do not obtain the procedure dueto barriers. We performed a retrospective cohort studyexamining patients from a single obstetrics practice whodelivered between 1/1/07 and 6/30/07 at Women and In-fants Hospital in Providence, RI. During t...