Chitin biodegradation and wound healing in tree bark tissues

Chitin biodegradation and wounded bark tissue healing were demonstrated in several evergreen and deciduous trees by dressing with a sheet of chitin-containing films or sponges. Chitinase activities in the tree bark tissues around the wounds were enhanced by this treatment up to four times those of the untreated wounds. Significant seasonal changes of chitinase activities were observed with the bark and leaf tissues of deciduous trees, but few with those of evergreen trees. A sheet of chitin films implanted or dressed in the tree bark tissues was biodegraded within 4 to 24 weeks after implantation and was assimilated into the wounded bark tissues, resulting in the stimulation of the wounded bark tissue healing.     

HYDRAULIC FRICTION LOSS IN SMALL DIAMETER PLASTIC PIPELINES1

ABSTRACT: Although estimation of hydraulic friction loss in pipelines is one of the most frequent routine computations made by water supply engineers, almost no post-construction analysis of the accuracy of these calculations exists in the literature. This paper reports the field measured friction losses in three one-mile sections of small diameter pvc pipe which had been in service for 10 years. Hazen-Williams and Darcy-Weisbach equations are examined to provide a framework for comparing Hazen-Williams coefficients recommended by pipe manufacturers to those obtained by the field measurements. The conclusion is that the C_HW factor of 150 recommended by most pvc pipe manufacturers is too high for the diameter-velocity combinations encountered in rural dead-end small diameter lines. The measured coefficients averaged 133 which is close to that predicted by superimposing Hazen Williams coefficients on the Moody diagram from which the friction factor for the Darcy-Weisbach equation is obtained.     

袋式除尘器在燃油锅炉上的应用

从设计理念和实践2个方面介绍了袋式除尘器在煤油锅炉上的应用，为其在电力行业的推广应用提供了经验。     

Oxygen and Water Barrier Properties of Coated Whey Protein and Chitosan Films

Films of whey protein and chitosan acetic acid salt have lower oxygen permeability than, for example, ethylene-co-vinylalcohol under dry conditions, but water and water vapor seriously impair the gas barrier properties. To reduce the oxygen permeability at 90% relative humidity and the water-vapor transmission rate at 100% relative humidity, the films were coated with an alkyd, a beeswax compound, or a nitrocellulose lacquer. Permeability and transmission rate measurements were performed in accordance with standard methods and showed that the beeswax compound and the nitrocellulose were appropriate as water-vapor barriers. Overall migration to water was measured after 10 days exposure time, with the coated surface exposed to the water, showing that the alkyd-coated and the nitrocellulose-coated films were both below the safety limit for food contact. Water absorbency tests, performed by the Cobb method, showed that the films coated with the beeswax compound or with nitrocellulose lacquer exhibit lower absorbency than the alkyd-coated films.     

聚苯乙烯树脂溶剂型可剥防锈塑料的研制

本实验通过对比实验方法,研制了一种具有优良耐腐蚀性能与机械性能的聚苯乙烯树脂溶剂型可剥防锈塑料,该产品采用废弃泡沫为主要成膜物质,即解决了白色垃圾问题,实现了废物利用,又解决了钢铁件的防锈问题。对该产品进行性能测试,所得到的产品膜层光亮、韧性好,易于涂施、流平性好。     

Starch-plastic materials—Preparation,physical properties,and biodegradability (a review of recent USDA research)

Recent starch-plastic research at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research is reviewed and related worldwide efforts are noted. Properties of starch that influence its formulation and performance in plastics are discussed. Methods are given for preparation of starch-poly(methyl acrylate) graft copolymer, starch-poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid), and starch-poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid)-polyethylene plastics. Their physical properties are discussed, as is degradability by enzymes or amylolytic organisms from soil, ponds, and streams.The mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over other firms or similar products not mentioned.     

Enhanced degradable yard waste collection bag behavior in a field-scale composting environment

The degradation of four formulations of yard waste-filled collection bags was evaluated in a field-scale test of 15.5- or 31-m-long windrows at a community yard waste composting site. Variables of bag contents, bag chemical composition, and length of exposure were evaluated. Chemical compositions of the bags included (1) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) + 6% cornstarch + 2 levels of prooxidant, (2) LDPE + 9% cornstarch + prooxidants, and (3) LDPE without cornstarch but with photooxidation enhancers. Results showed that all products weakened and/or disintegrated to some extent. However, the bags with 6% starch disintegrated too slowly to allow timely processing of the compost. The bags with 9% starch and other additives to promote multiple degradation mechanisms degraded at the fastest rate of those evaluated here. The photodegradable bags with solar exposure during composting disintegrated rapidly, but when turned to expose new surfaces to light, further strength losses occurred slowly.Paper presented at the Biodegradable Materials and Packaging Conference, September 22–23, 1993, Natick, Massachusetts.     

埋地塑料排水管在市政工程中的应用及存在问题

分析了埋地塑料排水管的发展背景,介绍了当前常见埋地塑料排水管的种类、性能等特点,指出了塑料管材在市政排水工程应用中存在的问题及解决办法,预测了我国埋地塑料排水管发展趋势和前景.     

Preparation and Characterization of Compatible and Degradable Thermoplastic Starch/Polyethylene Film

The degradability of the compatible thermoplastic starch/polyethylene film was investigated by weight loss percent (WLP), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The compatible film was prepared by using the particles of thermoplastic starch/polyethylene blends that were produced by one-step reactive extrusion. The weight of the film after degradation reduced more than 3% for 30 days and 4% for 60 days. The FTIR results revealed that both starch and polyethylene in the film exhibited varying degrees of degradation. SEM photographs of the films after degradation showed that starch particles in the film disintegrated into smaller particles or separated out of the film surface. Degradation studies demonstrated that the compatible thermoplastic starch/polyethylene film had increased degradability at the given degradable environment. The information implies that this film could be utilized as a degradable plastic.     

The Use of Cluster Analysis in Distinguishing Farmland Prone to Residential Development: A Case Study of Sterling, Massachusetts

k -means nonhierarchical cluster analysis using farm size, slope, and distance to the nearest city center and highway as surrogates of farmland conversion. Discriminant analysis showed that the two groups derived from the cluster analysis were 98.8% accurate (P < 0.0000). Results from the statistical analysis may serve as a starting point for the identification of individual farms prone to residential development. To explain the driving forces of farmland conversion to residential uses, interviews should be conducted with farmers, landowners, and land buyers. The use of multivariate statistical techniques to identify farms in jeopardy of residential development, in conjunction with qualitative assessments that explain the probability of development of individual farms, may prove a useful strategy to understand and predict farmland conversion.