Studies were conducted to evaluate Bacillus atrophaeus spores’ production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using sugarcane bagasse as support and soybean molasses as substrate at lab-scale in column bioreactors (forced aeration), plastic bags and Erlenmeyer flasks (aeration by diffusion). Different moisture contents (84%, 86% and 88%; 89%, 91% and 93%) and aeration rates (30mL/min, 45mL/min, 6...

The degradation performance of 11 types of commercially produced degradable starch-polyethylene plastic compost bags was evaluated in municipal yard waste compost sites at Iowa State University (Ames) and in Carroll, Dubuque, and Grinnell, Iowa. Masterbatches for plastic production were provided by Archer Daniels Midland Co. (Decatur, Ill.), St. Lawrence Starch Co. Ltd. (Mississauga, Ontario, C...

BACKGROUND Many traditional methods and commercially available products are available to prevent a wet cast, although there is a paucity of literature regarding the optimal strategy. METHODS Using a synthetic leg model, a short leg cast was applied and six different methods were tested. Group A (Glad Press'n Seal wrap), Group B (plastic bag with rubber band), Group C (plastic bag with duct ta...

BACKGROUND To prove effectiveness of wrapping tablet computers in order to reduce microbiological contamination and to evaluate whether a plastic bag-covered tablet leads to impaired user satisfaction or touchscreen functionality. MATERIALS AND METHODS Within a period of 11 days 115 patients were provided with a tablet computer while waiting for their magnetic resonance imaging examination. E...

Marine habitats containing complex physical structure (e.g., crevices) can provide shelter from predation for benthic invertebrates. To examine effects of natural and artificial structure on the abundance of intertidal juvenile crabs, 2 experiments were conducted in Kingston Bay, Massachusetts, USA, from July to September, 2012. In the first experiment, structure was manipulated in a two-factor...