The air elimination capabilities of pressure infusion devices and fluid-warmers.

Pressurised infusion devices may have only limited capability to detect and remove air during pressurised infusions. In order to assess pressure infusion systems with regard to their actual air elimination capabilities four disposable pressure infusion systems and fluid warmers were investigated: The Level 1 (L-1), Ranger (RA), Gymar (GY), and the Warmflo (WF). Different volumes of air were injected proximal to the heat exchanger and the remaining amount of air that was delivered at the end of the tubing was measured during pressurised infusions.

Repression of Pseudomonas putida phenanthrene-degrading activity by plant root extracts and exudates.

The phenanthrene-degrading activity (PDA) of Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17484 was repressed after incubation with plant root extracts of oat (Avena sativa), osage orange (Maclura pomifera), hybrid willow (Salix alba x matsudana), kou (Cordia subcordata) and milo (Thespesia populnea) and plant root exudates of oat (Avena sativa) and hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides x nigra DN34). Total organic carbon content of root extracts ranged from 103 to 395 mg l(-1). Characterization of root extracts identified acetate (not detectable to 8.

Effect of root-derived substrates on the expression of nah-lux genes in Pseudomonas fluorescens HK44: implications for PAH biodegradation in the rhizosphere.

The bioluminescent reporter strain Pseudomonas fluorescens HK44 with a nah-lux fusion, was used to investigate the effect of root material (from hybrid poplars, willow, kou, milo, Osage orange, mulberry, and switch grass) and potential root-derived substrates (e.g., sugars, carboxylic acids, amino acids, and phenolics) on the expression of nahG, one of the genes responsible for naphthalene dioxygenase transcription.

Phytophotolysis of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in leaves of reed canary grass.

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) was degraded in reed canary grass leaves exposed to simulated sunlight to primary products nitrous oxide and 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal. This is the first time that 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal, a potentially toxic degradate, has been measured in plant tissues following phytotransformation of RDX. These compounds, along with nitrite and formaldehyde, were also detected in aqueous RDX systems exposed to the same simulated sunlight.

Biodegradation of nitro-substituted explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5-tetrazocine by a phytosymbiotic Methylobacterium sp. associated with poplar tissues (Populus deltoides x nigra DN34).

A pink-pigmented symbiotic bacterium was isolated from hybrid poplar tissues (Populus deltoides x nigra DN34). The bacterium was identified by 16S and 16S-23S intergenic spacer ribosomal DNA analysis as a Methylobacterium sp. (strain BJ001).

Sustainability science and engineering: the emergence of a new metadiscipline.

A case is made for growth of a new metadiscipline of sustainability science and engineering. This new field integrates industrial, social, and environmental processes in a global context. The skills required for this higher level discipline represent a metadisciplinary endeavor, combining information and insights across multiple disciplines and perspectives with the common goal of achieving a desired balance among economic, environmental, and societal objectives.

Stimulation of hybrid poplar growth in petroleum-contaminated soils through oxygen addition and soil nutrient amendments.

Hybrid poplar trees (Populus deltoides x nigra DN34) were grown in a green-house using hydrocarbon-contaminated soil from a phytoremediation demonstration site in Health, Ohio. Two independent experiments investigated the effect of nutrient addition on poplar growth and the importance of oxygen addition to root development and plant growth. Biomass measurements, poplar height, and leaf color were used as indicators of plant health in the selection of a 10/5/5 NPK fertilizer applied at 1121 kg/ha (112 kg-N, 24.

A long-term porcine model for measurement of gastrointestinal motility.

Animal models have become an essential tool in the investigations of gut motility under experimental conditions. To determine the influence of various anaesthetic drugs on the motility pattern of the gastroduodenal tract, a new long-term model has had to be developed for allowing measurements in conscious and unrestrained as well as in sedated and analgosedated pigs. Since mechanical ventilation influences gut motility, it was necessary that this animal model enabled the investigation of the effect of drugs causing sedation and analgosedation during spontaneous breathing.

Uptake and leaching of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine by hybrid poplar trees.

The feasibility of remediating a high explosive, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), using hybrid poplar trees (Populus deltoides x nigra, DN34) was investigated. The fate, transport, and toxicity were determined. HMX was taken up by poplar cuttings from hydroponic solutions in long-term experiments (65 days) without evidence of toxicity.

A methodology to estimate carbon storage and flux in forestland using existing forest and soils databases.

Sequestration of carbon through expansion and management of forestland can assist in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Quantification of the amount of carbon presents an ongoing challenge that calls for new approaches. These new approaches must seek to simplify the science-based accounting of carbon storage and flux, while adhering to general principles of greenhous gas accounting.

Biodegradation of 1,4-dioxane in planted and unplanted soil: effect of bioaugmentation with Amycolata sp. CB1190.

1,4-Dioxane is one of the most recalcitrant and toxic contaminants in the subsurface. This study investigated the potential to enhance dioxane biodegradation in both planted and unplanted soil, by adding the dioxane-degrading actinomycete, Amycolata sp. CB1190.

Evidence of perchlorate (ClO4-) reduction in plant tissues (poplar tree) using radio-labeled 36ClO4-.

Phytoremediation of perchlorate (ClO4) by poplar trees Populus deltoidex nigrawas investigated using small cuttings growing in hydroponic Hoagland solution and plant tissue cultures, consisting of spherical photosynthetic cell aggregates (i.e. nodules) developing in Murashige and Skoog culture medium.