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"Granny Smith" apples are susceptible to quality deterioration and microbial decay during retail handling, and marketing display in plastic bags. Therefore, the effectiveness of coating as alternative packaging under retail condition was explored. Impact of edible coatings: zein, zein combined with nisin (zein-nisin) on maintaining various qualities microbial load on "Granny Smith" apples stored at 15°C for 21 days was investigated and compared with control samples. Results showed that weight loss (%) was highest in control samples (30%) by day 14, while zein edible coating significantly delayed weight loss till the end of storage day 21 (p ≤.05). Overall, changes in hue angle (h°), titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and firmness were not significantly impacted by coating. However, the application of Zein-nisin coatings effectively resulted in ~1.5 log and ~3 log reduction by the end of storage day 21 in yeast and mould, and TAMB count, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study evaluated the safe loading density for live transportation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), yearlings in plastic bags of super-oxygenated water. The experimental fish (197.5 ± 40 g) were starved for 72 h and mildly sedated with clove oil (40 µL.L-1 for 2–3 min) before packing. Three loading densities of live rainbow trout (120, 170, 230 g.L-1) were packed in plastic bags containing 6 L of stream water and 10–12 L of medical-grade oxygen gas. Six replicate bags per loading density were then subjected to 10 h of transportation by road at ~10 °C. On arrival at the destination, important water quality indicators and fish survival were recorded from each plastic bag. With increasing fish loading density, there was a corresponding increase in the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), free ammonia (NH3), total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations and specific conductivity in the transport water, and a decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO, R² = 0.91-0.99). These differences in vital water quality indicators were significantly more in the 230 g.L-1 group. However, there was no mortality even at the highest loading density, as the critical water quality parameters did not cross the acute lethal thresholds for rainbow trout. Based on the findings, it is recommended that a loading density of 230 g.L-1 is safe for live transportation of rainbow trout yearlings in plastic bags over a transport duration of 10 h at ~10 °C, following adequate starvation and mild sedation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The over-utilization of plastic bags has pushed governments to implement a mix of policy measures ranging from banning the bags altogether to charging a fee for them. However, these policies are often accompanied by unintended consequences. Paying for plastic bags, in particular, may crowd out the negative emotions tied to their harmful impact on the environment, and may be subject to a 'rebound effect'. In a randomized controlled experiment, I tested four different treatments aimed at nudging or encouraging consumers to carry their own bag to the stores. Specifically, I tested the effects of changing the framing of the question regarding carrier bags at the checkout till in stores using a yes/no response format, in which the yes option corresponds to the desired behaviour. The treatment with the yes/no framing format was found to have as strong and significant an effect as a charge of 5 pence per bag on discouraging single-use plastic bag consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we will present the HEC BB bag, a simple but elegant model originally invented to help students imagine how air molecules move around in vacuum. The HEC BB bag is made by packing 20 to 30 BBs in a resealable plastic bag of several tens of square centimeters (see Fig. 1). When inflated fully via a straw, the volume of the bag is about 5 L in volume (see below for specifications). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tear trough deformities and dark circles are important parts of periorbital aging. In this study, the tear trough ligament was reset to correct the tear trough deformity, and its effect on dark circles was analysed. The medical records of 60 patients who underwent eye bag plastic surgery between January 2021 and February 2022 were analysed (30 had traditional eye bag plastic surgery and 30 had the tear trough ligament reset). The tear trough deformity score and the dark circle score showed that the corrective effect on the tear trough deformity in the reset group was better than in the traditional surgery group at six-month follow up (mean (SD) tear trough rating scale (TTRS) score = 4.82 (0.95) vs 5.92 (1.00), p < 0.0001; L* value 55.27 (2.90) vs 47.51 (3.00), p < 0.0001). The satisfaction of patients in the reset group was significantly higher than it was in the traditional surgery group (25/30 vs 18/30, p = 0.045). Tear trough ligament reset is a safe and effective surgical method of periorbital rejuvenation, especially for beauty seekers with obvious tear trough deformities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Law & Justice Review is the property of Justice Academy of Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The current study was conducted on the valley of Duhok and the agricultural lands irrigated from it, where three sites were identified for collecting samples quarterly from soil and sediment using clean plastic bags for the purpose of measuring lead, nickel, cobalt and copper. Pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow pollution index (PIN), Potential Ecological Risk (PER) and Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) were also calculated according to the internationally approved methods. The results indicated that most of lead, nickel and copper concentrations in soils and sediments exceeded the limits allowed by WHO, reaching annual rates (96.758, 168.746 and 29.88), (111.25, 219.65 and 48.162) mg.kg-1, respectively. This fluctuation in concentrations was reflected in the values of the studied indicators for both soil and sediment, where 50% and 58% of the studied specimen are of the polluted grade and the remnant are of the non-polluted grade according to the PLI values. So is the case with PIN where 58% of the soil specimen and 41.6% of the sediment samples were of the severe pollution grade, while 25% and 33.3% of the specimen were of the heavy pollution grade and the remnant were slightly pollution grade. The same applies to the results of the PER index values, where 50% and 41.67% of the specimen were from the Medium ecological risk category, and the rest were from the low ecological risk category, likewise for the (Igeo) values, 100% and 96% of the soil and sediment samples were from the Weakly polluted category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of powder made out of Roselle Calyx Wastes (RCP) in developing a biscuit formulation with acceptable sensory value. Roselle calyxes were infused in water in a 1:10 ratio. The residual infused calyxes were dried at 50 °C for 16 h, grounded, sieved through a 50 mesh, and stored in plastic bags until used. The biscuit formulations were enriched with RCP at 0% (BC), 5% (BRCP5), 10% (BRCP10), and 15% (BRCP15). The amount of RCP added to the biscuit formulation did not change the protein content. However, the addition of RCP significantly affected the biscuit's color; the lightness parameter (L*) decreased as the RP content increased from 69.66 to 49.04. The sensory evaluation showed that the control biscuit and the biscuit enriched with 5% of RP were the best accepted. As for the antiradical activity, the formulation with the highest activity was presented by the BRCP15 (587.43 µmol Trolox/100 g dwb). On the other hand, BRCP5 presented 189.96 µmol Trolox/100 g dwb. Therefore, the biscuit formulation with RCP at a 15% enrichment could be used to commercialize a functional product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics are of great significance in today’s world due to their extensive use such as packaging food and carrying other goods, which have improved the quality of human life. However, plastics have low biodegradability and are persistent in the environment, becoming a major source of pollution. With regard to the current methods used in the management of plastic wastes, the degradation of plastics using beneficial soil microorganisms has recently gained attention due to their ability to degrade different types of plastics including polyethylene (PE) polymers. The study herein was conducted to isolate and identify microorganisms from agricultural soils capable of degrading plastics. Soil samples were inoculated into nutrient, potato dextrose, and starch-casein agar for the isolation of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, respectively. During isolation, fungi and bacterial plates were incubated for 5 days and for 14 days, respectively. The population of bacteria ranged from 1 × 105 to 1.215 × 105 and that of fungi from 1.604 × 104 to 8.6 × 104 whereby actinomycetes ranged from 1.045 × 105 to 2.995 × 105 CFU/g of soil. However, the tested microorganisms showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in the ability to degrade PE bags and bottles as depicted by the diameters of clear zones around the colonies. The diameters of clear zones ranged from 19.3 to 47.5 mm and 25.9 to 32.2 mm after 17 days for bacteria and actinomycetes, respectively, and those of fungi ranged from 30.0 to 66.3 mm after 13 days. Among the bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, un sequenced bacterial and actinomycete isolates B1 and A3 as well as Aspergillus sp. (F7) were the most efficient degraders of PE plastic bags. This retrospective study sheds light on our understanding and the need for the bioprospecting of agricultural soils, water bodies, and landfills containing plastic wastes that could lead to the identification of more efficient microbial species with the ability to degrade plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe for the first time the call of Rhinella festae (Peracca, 1904), recording it in captivity inside a plastic bag. The call is composed of 1 to 2 multi-pulsed notes (2–5 pulses), has an average duration of 0.72 s, and a dominant frequency of 1.40 kHz. This species is characterized by the absence of vocal slits and sacs, so the emission of this call would be considered unusual and uncommon. In addition to the purpose of improving the knowledge of species suggested as mutes, we have also compiled information from other anuran species that emit sounds with the absence of these anatomical structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic bag bioreactors are single-use bioreactors, frequently used in solid culture fermentation. This study developed plastic bag bioreactors with more effective aeration conditions and particular connection elements that yield sensors, environmental control, and modular connectivity. This bioreactor system integrates the bags in a chain that circulates air and moisture through filtered connections. Within the present scope, this study also aimed to reveal that cultures in different plastic bags can be produced without affecting each other. In this direction, biomass production in the modular chain bioreactor (MCB) system developed in this study was compared to traditional bag systems. In addition, contamination experiments were carried out between the bags in the system, and it was observed that the filters in the developed system did not affect the microorganisms in different bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By regulating preheating time, effects of water/moisture immigration and distribution in wood on sandwich compression formation were investigated in this study. Kiln-dried poplar wood was first immersed in water to result in high moisture content (MC) layers on wood surfaces. These wood specimens were then conditioned at room temperature in sealed plastic bags and preheated with hot press platens at 180 °C to drive water/moisture into wood. Wood preheated for 10–600 s contained one to two high MC layers all the time. Extended preheating time moved the high MC layers from wood surfaces to the center. Mechanical pressure on preheated wood specimens resulted in sandwich compressed wood with the compressed layer(s) position(s) consistent to that of the high MC layer(s) before compression. The positions of compressed layer(s) and MC peak(s) both increased exponentially as a function of the logarithm of preheating time. Wood preheating by platens led to water/moisture migration and therefore controlled water/moisture distribution, thus promoting the softening of specific wood layer(s), which is mainly responsible for sandwich compression. A logarithmical model that can be used for predicting the position(s) of the compressed layer(s) was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Choke (oesophageal obstruction) is an important oesophageal disorder in large domestic animals. Published studies on choke in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) are few in number and deal with small number of cases. Methods: Sixty-four camels with choke were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, King FaisalUniversity. History, breed, age, sex, duration of obstruction and clinical signs were recorded. The diagnosis was established using examination with a stomach tube, oesophageal radiography and endoscopy. Choke was managed either by using alligator forceps guided endoscope or by cervical oesophagotomy. Results: Choke was recorded in camels less than 1 year old (84.38%) more than camels more than 1 year of age (15.62%) and complete obstruction more than partial. Most cases had obstruction involving the cervical oesophagus (96.87%). In the majority of obstructive masses, there were pieces of fabric (48.44%) and plastic bags (35.94%). Most obstructive masses were slightly radio-opaque (62.5%). Surgical and non-surgical managements were effective (91.3%and 94.44%, respectively) in resolving the choke. Conclusions: Choke was most likely in animals less than 1 year of age with complete obstruction of the cervical oesophagus. Surgical and non-surgical methods were effective in resolving the choke in the dromedary camels. It was not practical to use forceps extraction in all adult camels due to the limited length of the alligator forceps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a fully biodegradable polymer with toughness and ductility. It is usually compounded with thermoplastic starch (TPS) to balance the cost for manufacturing biodegradable films such as disposable plastic bags. However, blending with TPS reduces valuable tensile strength, which limits the bearing capacity of PBAT film. In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was employed as a reinforcement to strengthen the PBAT/TPS biodegradable film. The effect of MCC content on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of the composite film were investigated. The optimal tensile strength and elongation at break reached 5.08 MPa and 230% when 4% MCC was added. The thermal stability and thermal resistance were improved with the addition of MCC; for example, Tmax increased by 1 °C and Tonset increased by 2–8 °C. Moreover, good compatibility among PBAT, TPS, and MCC can be achieved when the MCC content was below 6%. Consequently, the optimal MCC content was found to be 4%. These results could provide experimental data and method support for preparing high-performance PBAT hybrid films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Backgroud - The cognition of the reducing of using plastic bag very important and benefit of the reduction, environment and health, the research focus for the knowhow of using plstic bag which concern the management model in order to create more value to use and recycle plastic bag. Then, to focus on the environment related problem and fixed it by give more knowledge and understanding. Objective - This research aimed to 1) measure the level of cognition of the reducing of using plastic bag, 2) study the management model affecting the reducing of using plastic bag, 3) analyse the behavior of plastic bag reduction affect to the management model, and 4) analyse the ability to explain the variation of analyse the ability to explain the variation of the management model for reducing plastic bag. Methods - The target group was 205 persons collected by simple random sampling. The research referred to a quantitative technique that analysed data using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and multiple regression analysis. Results - The research proved that the level of cognition of the reducing of using plastic bag was in high level, the management model affecting the reducing of using plastic bag in fair level, the behavior of plastic bag reduction affect to the management model, and can explain the variation of analyse the ability to explain the variation of the management model for reducing plastic bag accounted for 53%. Work relationships can explain the variation of health problems estimated at 52% at the significance level of 0.05. Conclusion - Findings in this research can effectively implement the management model for reducing plastic bag in the organisation. The authors are interested in behavior and the management model for reducing plastic bag. The authors expect that this study's findings will be an advantage for organisation management in all aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic films used to make market bags are based on polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. These materials require a long time to degrade in the environment. Alternative technologies have been developed to reduce the degradation time and the impact on the environment caused by the conventional polymer materials, using pro-degrading additives or by the development of biodegradable polymers. In Brazil, some city's laws require the use of biodegradable material in the production of market bags, but the absence of specific surveillance policies makes their chemical composition unknown. The plastic bags didn't show the expected environmental behavior by the manufactures, so it is important to understand the reasons why they are not biodegradable in Brazilian landfills. In this paper, 7 samples that were obtained from a trading company and commercial market of Belo Horizonte were analyzed. The samples were characterized by biodegradable analysis, XRF, FTIR, SEM and TGA/DTA, which allowed the identification and evaluation of the thermal behavior of the material in an inert and oxidizing atmosphere. The results showed that plastic bags were composed by a mixture of PLA and PBAT, with possible presence of TPS and titanium and calcium fillers. All samples presented low biodegradability in compostable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bimodal optical spectroscopy system for remote sensing of plastics. • Novel optical scheme for rapid sensing of plastics using LIBS-Raman spectroscopy. • Single-shot Raman and LIBS analysis of plastics from stand-off distances. • Potential tool for sorting of plastic waste for recycling. The spectroscopic methods have been widely applied for plastic characterization and sorting to assist the recycling process. However, most of the reported works have been carried out in conventional laboratory conditions. In this study, we discuss development and application of a single-shot standoff multimodal LIBS-Raman spectroscopy system for plastic identification by modifying existing optical models for such analyses. By utilizing a unique co-axial back-collection optical geometry in standoff signal collection and a direct signal coupling scheme, the system was able to sense LIBS-Raman signals from plastics in single laser shot mode within 20 ms, with a non-gated CCD detector remotely. We examine the application of the system in characterizing four commodity plastic types of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS)) based on atomic emissions (LIBS) and molecular structure (Raman Spectroscopy) by analyzing the respective standoff spectral data recorded from a distance of 4 m. The capability of the system to classify plastics based on standoff data is evaluated by using principal component analysis (PCA), which shows good segregation of the plastic classes depending on the intrinsic spectral features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 24 June 2024, we detected foil that tightly adhered to an intertidal wall in Vigo harbor (Spain) during low tide. It covered multiple barnacles, potentially threatening their survival. We present photos of this novel debris-animal interaction and discuss possible effects that such cover could have on barnacles. [Display omitted] • First documented case of anthropogenic foil sealing filter-feeders. • Feeding, breathing and reproduction of the barnacles appear impaired. • Foil likely derived from wet wipe pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs represent a crucial life stage for Meloidogyne incognita, and viable eggs are frequently employed in nematode research. The common issue currently encountered with established technologies is that higher concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) result in irreversible damage to M. incognita eggs. Therefore, developing a novel method to avoid such a problem is highly important. In this study, the fresh roots of infected cucumber plants were prestored in plastic bags at 28 °C, after which M. incognita egg masses were collected from these root samples. Egg masses from roots prestored for more than 48 h could be efficiently disassociated with a low concentration (0.3%) of NaOCl in a short period of time (2 min), representing an innovative new method. Moreover, the hatchability of the harvested M. incognita eggs was maximized in this work. Additionally, if the treatment time was extended beyond 5 min, 0.3% NaOCl affected larval hatching irreversibly. Overall, these findings indicate that prestorage of infected roots in plastic bags enables the application of lower concentrations of NaOCl in M. incognita egg extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power lines foreign object detection task is to detect objects suspending on power lines, they might be kites, plastic bags or anything else, which could be a potential risk to power system. However, this task remains a challenge due to the lack of data, because these data can only be produced by a few major video surveillance companies, who treat their data as valuable property and will not share it with others. Without massive training data, we could not obtain an excellent neural network. In this paper, we introduce a new data composition method to generate artificial data and help alleviate the data shortage problem. What is more, we propose a new detection method called Edge Proposal Network (EpNet) to reduce wrong proposal locations and increase detection performance. At last, we conduct several experiments to verify the effectiveness of the two methods, and some discussion experiments to gain a deeper understanding of the composited data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different cutting ages on the dry matter and crude protein content of BRS Capiaçu grass. The experiment began with the selection and cutting of the mother plants for the best use of the stem, it was necessary to eliminate the upper leaves, as they do not sprout, and the removal facilitated the distribution of the stem at the time of planting. The experimental design was carried out in randomized blocks, totaling four replications. The experimental unit consisted of three planting lines of 48.0 m in length with a spacing between rows of 1.5 m, totaling 144 m². The experiment lasted 110 days, being distributed in three periods: 60, 90 and 110 days, thus adding three cutting ages. For the implantation of the cultivar, the conventional soil preparation was carried out, the use of fertilizer for planting in the NPK 4-30-10 formulation, in the coverage the fertilizer 20-05-20 according to the chemical analysis of the soil and the planting by stalks in the furrow. At the three cutting ages, the samples collected were placed in plastic bags identified according to the treatment and repetition, and were later sent to the laboratory. The highest values of dry matter were obtained with 90 and 110 days of cutting (p<0.05). In the crude protein variable, the highest value was observed at 60 days of age, however, it did not differ from the cut performed at 110 days of age (p>0.05). The cut performed at 110 days favored an increase in dry matter contents without compromising crude protein contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wheat is commonly stored in bags in Asian countries, which include jute bags, woven plastic bags, and hermetic plastic bags. We evaluated these bags under laboratory conditions for external infestations caused by two serious pests of wheat. Considering all three bags, results showed that insects preferred to enter jute bags due to their loose fibers (termed as invasions), while no insects created holes or entered (penetrations) in woven plastic bags and hermetic plastic bags which had no such openings. In the second experiment, insects were released in jars with only two types of bags, namely woven plastic bags and hermetic plastic bags. In this case, insects created holes and penetrated into woven plastic bags but not into hermetic plastic bags. Both these experiments showed hermetic plastic bags remained safe from external infestations due to their thick and smooth plastic. The third experiment evaluated fumigation efficacy against all three bags for the pests already present in bags with grains. Results showed mortality was maximum in jute and woven plastic bags but negligible in hermetic plastic bags. The results of these experiments pinpointed deficiencies in all three bags for controlling insect infestations (external or internal) and demand alterations in these bags to successfully control such infestations. Bag storage of wheat is common in Asian countries, and common types of such bags include jute bags, woven plastic bags, and hermetic plastic bags. In order to assess infestation by two serious pests, namely Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in these bags, two experiments were performed. In the first experiment, three popular wheat varieties, namely Akbar, Dilkash, and Bakhar star were filled in above-mentioned miniature-size bags which were then placed in jars with three replicates per bag type and variety. Forty insects (adults for R. dominica and larvae for T. granarium) were released in the center of the jars for a period of 30 d in two different setups for both species. Data were recorded twice: after 15 d and 30 d. Results showed insects entered the jute bags only (made invasions due to its loose fibers and openings). Inside the bags, R. dominica caused more weight loss and live insects in Dilkash and Akbar varieties, while T. granarium preferred Bakhar star and Dilkash compared with their third variety. In the second experiment, only two bags, namely woven plastic bags and hermetic plastic bags filled with one variety, were tested to check damage (penetrations because no openings are present in these bags as in jute bags) to the bags. Results showed both species created holes in woven plastic bags but not in hermetic plastic bags. These results showed hermetic plastic bags remained safe from external infestation compared with the other two bags. Sometimes if insects are already present in the grains inside the bags, fumigation is needed from outside to kill the pests inside. To evaluate this, all three bags were filled with a wheat variety and were also infested with both insect species and placed in a fumigation container with nine replicates per bag type. A phosphine tablet (3.0 g) wrapped in muslin cloth was placed in a container which was then sealed, and the fumigation-induced mortality after 24 h was recorded. Results showed mortality was >95% to 100% in woven and jute bags, respectively, while mortality in hermetic plastic bags remained very low (<3%). These results revealed the least fumigant gas permeation in hermetic plastic bags compared with jute and woven plastic bags. Results of all three experiments demand immediate alteration in creation of all three bags to curtail infestation from outside (jute and woven plastic bags) as well as to generate maximum fumigation efficacy when the source of infestation is with the grains (hermetic bags). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cereal storage for long periods are most important problems for this age, it directly linked to economic security. At this study, two varieties of Durum wheat (Zevigo, Borgaz) were stored with spike in plastic bags for three years under ambient conditions of Ramadi/Iraq. durum wheat characteristics did not deteriorate, the environmental conditions did not effected significantly, moisture content increased with (2-4%), but did not beyond the level the limit. Ash content has no Significant difference during the storage, other hand there were an improvement in gluten index its recorded after storage with rate (85.62and 75.64), respectively, while wet and dry gluten decreased. Falling number also increased significantly in the two varieties were recorded (505, 546), respectively. Study results note positivizes of storage with spikes despite reduction of storage space compared to storage without spikes, but positive in maintaining quality at lowest economic cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White pollution has become a global problem. China issued a strict plastic ban but fell into an awkward position. Despite the increasing environmental awareness, the positive attitude of consumers toward using reusable bags instead of plastic bags is difficult to reflect on from their behavior. This article bridges this gap by utilizing a consumer behavior framework based on the behavioral reasoning theory (BRT) and the attitude-behavior-context (ABC) model. This framework is tested using structural equation modeling with 481 Chinese consumers. This article confirms that the value has a significant impact on consumer attitudes. Meanwhile, the article reveals the positive influence of “reasons for” in predicting attitudes and the negative influence of “reasons against” in predicting intentions. Reusable bag consumption behavior is a result of multiple pathways working together, which causes the gap between attitudes and behaviors. This article also confirms the moderating role of the Chinese face and the enforcement of the plastic ban in influencing behavior. These findings offer interesting insights for enterprises and governments to solve the problem of plastic consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purpose of the work was to investigate bacterial levels and diversity as well as survival of Salmonella in used dish washing sponges and brushes and identify consumer practices that can potentially explain bacterial status of these items. Methods and Results: Used washing up utensils were collected from consumers. The bacterial numbers (TVC) were very variable with an extremely high median level (10.3 log cfu/item) in Portuguese sponges and lower levels in Norwegian items (7.3 and 7.0 cfu/item for sponges and brushes). No self‐reported practices or household composition could explain differences found in TVC levels among the collected sponges. Lower mean TVC levels were found in unworn brushes and brushes regularly cleaned with soap, but the differences were modest (1.5 log or less). A common set of bacteria was found in brushes and sponges, dominated by Acinetobacter, Chryseobacterium, Enhydrobacter, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. There was no difference in TVC or bacterial diversity between conventional and antimicrobial sponges containing silver after 4 weeks of use. For used brushes inoculated with Salmonella and allowed to dry overnight, a significant reduction in Salmonella numbers was observed. No reduction was observed for brushes stored in humid conditions (in a plastic bag) or for sponges regardless of storing conditions. Conclusions: Overall, lower bacterial levels were observed in used brushes than in sponges, and Salmonella died more rapidly in brushes. A common set of non‐pathogenic bacteria dominated in brushes and sponges. Significance and Impact of Study: The study demonstrates that the use of brushes may be more hygienic than the use of sponges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MP) can pose a serious threat to the environment and human health because of their tiny size and ability to spread easily in water. One of the alternative treatments to remove MP from water is the rapid sand filter (RSF). The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of filter media size and loading rate on RSF performance in removing MP. The applied filter media was silica sand with effective sizes (ES) of 0.39 and 0.68 mm. The loading rates of filtration were 4; 6; 8 and 10 m³/m²-h. The MP samples were made from plastic bags and torn tires (artificial samples: 10 to 800 µm). This study showed that the MP removal percentage was up to 96.6% (MP size larger than 200 µm). The head loss increment for loading rates 4; 6; 8; 10 m³/m²-h was 0.16; 0.35; 0.34; 0.25 m (ES 0.39 m) and 0.10; 0.18; 0.18; 0.19 m (ES 0.68 m)), respectively. Meanwhile, the filtration cycle for loading rates 4; 6; 8; and 10 m3/m2-h was 5, 2, 2, and 1 days (ES 0.39 mm) and 9, 4, 3, and 3 days (ES 0.68 mm), respectively. The result of this study showed that the smaller the filter media size, the higher the head loss of the filter media bed. Furthermore, there is an increased head loss of the filter media bed when the loading rate is greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plastics Science & Technology / Suliao Ke-Ji is the property of Plastics Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although fruit development primarily depends on photoassimilation by leaves, immature green fruits can also directly assimilate atmospheric CO2. To elucidate the process of C accumulation due to direct assimilation by fruit, we conducted a 13CO2 exposure experiment in an orchard in late June with immature 'Fuji' apples (Malus domestica). Four fruits from three trees were enclosed in transparent plastic bags and exposed to 13CO2 using an in-situ exposure system. Fruits were collected prior to and immediately following exposure in early July, late September and mid-November, and 13C concentrations in the peduncle, skin, flesh and core (including seeds) were measured. The higher assimilated 13C concentrations measured following exposure indicated that the fruits directly assimilated atmospheric 13C. The 13C concentration in fruit skin was higher immediately after exposure and in early July compared with that prior to exposure. In late September and mid-November, 13C concentrations were close to natural levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The undesirable presence of plastic wastes in the marine environment is well known. Reports of effects of plastic wastes on inland continental species are very rare. This report concerns the use of plastic waste by the white-naped squirrel (Simosciurus nebouxii) in agricultural areas of northern Peru. Among the residues observed, single-use plastic bags were prominent. The proximity of solid waste accumulations to all the nests probably may explain why such debris was chosen, except that other nests nearby did not contain plastics. Future studies are recommended to understand the consequences for terrestrial continental fauna of using such materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread usage of plastic grocery bags, as well as their non-biodegradability, has turned out to be a stern reason for waste generation. With regard to plastic grocery bag disposal, pyrolysis is an encouraging solution that addresses the energy crisis issue as well. This study examined the interactive influences of pyrolysis temperature, residence time, and nitrogen flow for plastic grocery bag pyrolysis to optimize waste plastic oil yield by the Grey–Fuzzy–Taguchi method. Additionally, mass–energy assessment and characterization were done for the waste plastic oil, extracted at the optimal parametric condition. The optimal parametric combination was: temperature 400 °C, time 360 min, and nitrogen flow rate 20 ml/min. The liquid yield at optimal condition was 78.57%, and a minimal error (2.53%) between the predicted and experimental grey fuzzy grade was observed. The oil achieved at optimal condition showed a high hydrocarbon content with a higher heating value of 46,685 kJ/kg. The values of mass ratio, energy ratio, energy efficiency, and energy consumption ratio for the liquid oil were 0.79, 0.89, 0.63, and 0.47, respectively, which indicate the energy favorability for plastic grocery bag pyrolysis. FT-IR results demonstrated mainly the existence of alkene and alkane functional groups in the waste plastic oil. GC–MS results revealed that the oil contains mainly light and middle fractions of 26.4% and 62.7%, respectively, with a smaller proportion (10.9%) of heavy fraction. Finally, the optimum parametric combination can be considered a useful condition for extracting quality fuel from plastic grocery bags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Company is a manufacturing company that produces plastic bags. That the achievement of the 2019 production target of 21.600.000/Lbr while at the PT. Rajawali Tanjungsari Engineering production in 2019 was 18,045,150/Lbr. And the 2020 target is 22.350.000/Lbr while the PT. Rajawali Tanjungsari Engineering production in 2019 was 17,805,656/Lbr. Based on these data, the production target has not been achieved yet. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal level of plastic bag production and the company's optimal level of profit. Methods this research is a quantitative descriptive study, namely the description and analysis of linear programming and sensitivity analysis. Based on the results of the research, the level of optimization of production at PT Rajawali Tanjungsari Enjiniring is to produce Woven Bags as much as 18,232,800 Lbr with the percentage level generated from the production of Woven Bag products showing 29% of the actual condition, while the Inner Bag is 13,445,630 Lbr with the same percentage level. The result from the production of Woven Bag products shows 2% and from the optimization results using Linear Programming with the Pom-Qm for Windows tool. While the total sales profit in optimal conditions is Rp. 75,528,738,000, - with a total percentage rate of 35% of the actual sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental horticulture firms supply products and services related to the design, installation, and maintenance of commercial and residential landscapes. An important issue in the environmental horticulture sector is the reduction and utilization of horticultural waste including plastic containers, trays, plastic greenhouse covers and field covers, and plastic bags. Using data collected through a survey in 2013, this paper identifies factors that influence the sector’s decision to participate in waste recycling programs in Georgia, USA. The study employs a decision model. Results indicate that significant determinants of the recycle decision include the firm size, motivation for recycling, current recycling situation, as well as owner/manager education level. To help firms to recycle, local governments, the environmental horticulture sector, and environmental protection organizations need to focus on lower-revenue and small size firms, broadly disseminate recycle program information, and enhance the local recycler’s services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasticisers are compounds used in the polymer industry to increase the flexibility of plastics. Some of these compounds cause endocrine dysfunction in humans and animals by interfering with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding or elimination of natural hormones in the body and are therefore recognised as endocrine disruptors. This paper describes cold-fibre solid-phase microextraction as a sampling technique to analyse eight plasticisers in spices and roasted chicken meat stored in plastic bags by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Limits of detection for this method ranged from 0.01 to 0.18 μg kg − 1 . Diisobutyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate were found in the samples of spices and roasted chicken meat. The highest concentrations of plasticisers were found in the spices used to cook the chicken meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing plastic bag waste fibers (PBWF). Fibers were prepared by recycling waste material such as, plastic bag. Fourteen mixtures of SCC with 0.40 of water/cement ratio were studied, twelve SCC mixtures with plastic bag waste fiber (WFSCC) by varying the length of fibers (2, 4 and 6 cm) with different levels of incorporation (1, 3, 5 and 7 kg/m 3 ) and two other mixtures, one with 1 kg/m 3 of polypropylene fibers (PFSCC) and another without fiber as reference (RSCC). Slump flow, L-box, and sieve stability were performed to assess the fresh properties of the prepared mixtures. Compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of the concrete were determined for the hardened properties Test results show that mixtures based on PBWF with a length of 2 cm, met the criteria of self-compactability (evaluated by slump flow diameter, L-box and sieve stability test) regardless of the fibers content. The obtained results are very interesting, suggesting a possible use of PBWF for structural reinforcement of SCC, the presence of this fibers in concrete delaying the location of microcracks. Although, the incorporation of PBWF has not a significant effect on the compressive and flexural strengths, it has a important effect on the split tensile strength value at 28 days. The improvement varies from 4% to 74%, it depends on the amount of fibers, and it is not affected by the length of PBWF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Some manufacturers claim to have produced new irreversible hydrocolloids that are able to maintain their dimensional stability during storage. The present study evaluated the effect of storage time on dimensional stability of three alginates: Hydrogum 5, Tropicalgin and Alginoplast. Materials and Methods: In this experimental in-vitro trial, a total of 90 alginate impressions were made from a Dentoform model using Hydrogum 5, Tropicalgin and Alginoplast alginates. The impressions were stored in a sealed plastic bag without a damp paper towel for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 120 hours and then poured with type III dental stone. Cross-arch (facial of 6 to facial of 6 on the opposite side) and antero-posterior (distal of right first molar to the ipsilateral central incisor) measurements were made with a digital caliper on the casts. Data were analyzed by two-way and one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (P<0.05). Results: Alginate type and the pouring time significantly affected the dimensional stability of alginate impressions (both Ps<0.001). Pouring of Hydrogum 5 impressions can be delayed for up to 120 hours without significant dimensional changes. Alginoplast impressions may be poured after 72 hours, but Tropicalgin should be poured immediately and the storage time should not be more than 24 hours. Conclusion: Immediate pouring of alginate impressions provides the highest accuracy in reproducing the teeth and adjacent tissues; however, this study demonstrated that pouring may be delayed for up to five days using extended-pour (Hydrogum 5) alginates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2 Global production of plastic in 2015 (Hussain [15]) If the production, management, and use of plastic waste management practices do not modify drastically, it is predicted that around 11-12 billion tons of plastic waste and debris will be part of the ecological and environmental waste by 2050 (Geyer et al. [13]). Advances in waste/dump management systems Permanent bans on the manufacture and application of Styrofoam products and polythene bags may effectively solve most of the harmful effects. 4 Circular economy and stakeholders Impact of polythene bags Environmental impacts Several studies have reported that the deterioration of Styrofoam containers, as well as polythene bags, requires a hundred or a thousand years. In this regard, the primary objective of this study was to explore the major harmful environmental effects of the once-used polythene bags, and to explore potential strategies and methods that could be employed to reduce damage to the ecosystem. [Extracted from the article]

The experiment was carried out in the city of Penápolis/SP, in the Experimental Field of the Educational Foundation of Penápolis -- FUNEPE, with the objective of evaluating the bromatological composition of elephant grass silage (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) cv. BRS Capiaçu, using additive or inoculants in the silage process. A completely randomized design with five treatments (T) and three replications was used: T1 - elephant grass without fresh additive; T2 - ensiled without the use of additives; T3 - ensiled with 7% com bran; T4 - ensiled with 10% citrus pulp and T5 - ensiled with bacterial inoculant 20 mL/kg¹ of dry matter (DM). The ensiled samples were packed in plastic bags with a density of 20 kg of natural material (MN) per package and the analyzes were made from material obtained from 110-day-old plants. For the ensiled materials, the time of 30 days for the bromatological analysis was observed, where the following parameters were evaluated: dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrients (NDT) and Crude Protein (PB). The BRS Capiaçu grass ensiled with 7% in the natural matter of corn bran has higher contents of dry matter and protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-xanthan gum (XG) composite films with good degradation properties were prepared by casting method. The effects of XG amount on thickness, moisture content, water solubility, water vapor transmission (WVP), transmittance and mechanical properties of the composite film were investigated. All composite films produced uniform and transparent films and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) had proven the formation of hydrogen bonds and subsequently compatibility of the two polymers. In general, addition of XG in PVA was able to decrease moisture content, water solubility and WVP more than the pure PVA films, with sample PX30 demonstrated the best performance. This sample also had the best mechanical properties. It also demonstrated food packaging and capability better than that of commercial plastic bag. More importantly, our sample can be fully decomposed in soil and water within 12 h, which was not only significantly shorter than commercial plastic bag, but also other biodegradable materials. Therefore, PVA/XG-based food packaging material has demonstrated huge potential to be commercialized and replaces commercial plastic bag as an alternative packing material which is renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of digestive parasites can alter behaviour, fertility, body condition, juvenile development, decreased resistance to other pathogens, or the performance for which animals are bred. The aim of this study was to monitor gastrointestinal parasite infestation in equines in Mehedinți County. The horses, sport and working, various breeds and half-breeds, came from different localities from Mehedinți County. Samples were collected in plastic bags and examined by flotation, sedimentation, and Baermann methods. Horses were divided into several categories: sex, age, breed, and service. Strongylidae and Parascaris spp. represented parasitism in recreational and working horses studied in Mehedinți county, no other parasitic elements were identified. The overall prevalence was 43.5% for Strongylidae and 21.17% for Parascaris spp. The simultaneous presence of at least two parasite species was observed in 17.64% of the horses examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]