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Degradation Time (degradation + time)
Selected AbstractsBiodegradable Porous Silicon Barcode Nanowires with Defined Geometry,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2010Ciro Chiappini Abstract Silicon nanowires are of proven importance in such diverse fields as energy production and storage, flexible electronics, and biomedicine due to the unique characteristics that emerge from their 1D semiconducting nature and their mechanical properties. Here, the synthesis of biodegradable porous silicon barcode nanowires by metal-assisted electroless etching of single-crystal silicon with resistivities ranging from 0.0008 to 10,, cm is reported. The geometry of the barcode nanowires is defined by nanolithography and their multicolor reflectance and photoluminescence is characterized. Phase diagrams are developed for the different nanostructures obtained as a function of metal catalyst, H2O2 concentration, ethanol concentration, and silicon resistivity, and a mechanism that explains these observations is proposed. These nanowires are biodegradable, and their degradation time can be modulated by surface treatments. [source] Risk assessment of pesticides for soils of the central amazon, Brazil: Comparing outcomes with temperate and tropical dataINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008Jörg Römbke Abstract The risk of 11 pesticides to the soil environment was assessed in a 3-tiered approach at 4 sites located in Central Amazon, near Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas State in Brazil. Toxicity-exposure ratios (TERs), as routinely used for the registration of pesticides in the European Union, were calculated. First, the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) values in soil on the basis of real application rates and soil properties but temperate DT50 (degradation time of 50%) values were compared with temperate effect values (earthworm LC50s; median lethal concentrations), both gained from literature. Second, the risk assessment was refined by the use of DT50 values from tropical soils (measured for 7 compounds and estimated for 4) but still with temperate effect values because only a few results from tests performed under tropical conditions are available. Third, the outcome of this exercise was evaluated in a plausibility check with the use of the few results of effect tests, which were performed under tropical conditions. However, the lack of such data allowed this check only for 6 of 11 pesticides. The results are discussed in light of pesticide use in the Amazon in general, as well as compared with the registration status of these pesticides in other countries. Finally, suggestions are given for which kinds of studies are needed to improve the environmental risk assessment of pesticides in tropical regions. [source] Miscibility and rheological properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/styrene,acrylonitrile blends prepared by melt extrusionJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007Hyun Sik Moon Abstract Styrene,acrylonitrile (SAN) with acrylonitrile (AN) concentrations of 11.6,26 wt % and ,-methylstyrene acrylonitrile (,MSAN) with a wide range of AN concentrations are miscible with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) through solution blending. Here we examine the rheological properties and miscibility of PVC/SAN and PVC/,MSAN blends prepared by melt extrusion for commercial applications. We have investigated the rheological properties of the blends with a rheometer and a melt indexer. The PVC/SAN and PVC/,MSAN blends have a low melting torque, a long degradation time, and a high melt index, and this means that they have better processability than pure PVC. The miscibility of the blends has been characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and advanced rheometrics expansion system analysis. The miscibility of the blends has also been characterized with scanning electron microscopy. The SAN series with AN concentrations of 24,31 wt % is immiscible with PVC by melt extrusion, whereas ,MSAN with 31 wt % AN is miscible with PVC, even when they are blended by melt extrusion, because of the strong interaction between PVC and ,MSAN. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] Starch,poly(,-caprolactone) and starch,poly(lactic acid) fibre-mesh scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications: structure, mechanical properties and degradation behaviourJOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008M. E. Gomes Abstract In scaffold-based tissue engineering strategies, the successful regeneration of tissues from matrix-producing connective tissue cells or anchorage-dependent cells (e.g. osteoblasts) relies on the use of a suitable scaffold. This study describes the development and characterization of SPCL (starch with ,-polycaprolactone, 30:70%) and SPLA [starch with poly(lactic acid), 30:70%] fibre-meshes, aimed at application in bone tissue-engineering strategies. Scaffolds based on SPCL and SPLA were prepared from fibres obtained by melt-spinning by a fibre-bonding process. The porosity of the scaffolds was characterized by microcomputerized tomography (µCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Scaffold degradation behaviour was assessed in solutions containing hydrolytic enzymes (,-amylase and lipase) in physiological concentrations, in order to simulate in vivo conditions. Mechanical properties were also evaluated in compression tests. The results show that these scaffolds exhibit adequate porosity and mechanical properties to support cell adhesion and proliferation and also tissue ingrowth upon implantation of the construct. The results of the degradation studies showed that these starch-based scaffolds are susceptible to enzymatic degradation, as detected by increased weight loss (within 2 weeks, weight loss in the SPCL samples reached 20%). With increasing degradation time, the diameter of the SPCL and SPLA fibres decreases significantly, increasing the porosity and consequently the available space for cells and tissue ingrowth during implantation time. These results, in combination with previous cell culture studies showing the ability of these scaffolds to induce cell adhesion and proliferation, clearly demonstrate the potential of these scaffolds to be used in tissue engineering strategies to regenerate bone tissue defects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Enzymatic Degradation of Biodegradable Polyester Composites of Poly(L -lactic acid) and Poly(, -caprolactone)MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 10 2006Hideto Tsuji Abstract Summary: Two different types of biodegradable polyester composites, PLLA fiber-reinforced PCL and PCL/PLLA blend films were prepared at PCL/PLLA ratio of 88/12 (w/w), together with pure PCL and PLLA films. Their enzymatic degradation was investigated by the use of Rhizopus arrhizus lipase and proteinase K as degradation enzymes for PCL and PLLA chains, respectively. In the FRP film, the presence of PLLA fibers accelerated the lipase-catalyzed enzymatic degradation of PCL matrix compared with that in the pure PCL film, whereas in the blend film, the presence of PLLA chains dissolved in the continuous PCL-rich domain retarded the lipase-catalyzed enzymatic degradation of PCL chains. In contrast, in the FRP film, the proteinase K-catalyzed enzymatic degradation of PLLA fibers was disturbed compared with that of the pure PLLA film, whereas in the blend film, the proteinase K-catalyzed enzymatic degradation rate of particulate PLLA-rich domains was higher than that of pure PLLA film. The reasons for aforementioned enhanced and disturbed enzymatic degradation are discussed. Normalized PCL weight loss of pure PCL, FRP, and blend films as a function of Rhizopus arrhizus lipase-catalyzed enzymatic degradation time. [source] Study on the Kinetics for Enzymatic Degradation of a Natural Polysaccharide, Konjac GlucomannanMACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2004Guangji Li Abstract The enzymatic degradation of konjac glucomannan (KGM) was conducted using ,-mannanase from an alkalophilic Bacillus sp. in the aqueous medium (pH 9.0) at 30°C. The intrinsic viscosity ([,]), molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the degraded KGM were measured. The mathematical relation between [,] and Mw, [,] = 5.06 × 10,4Mw0.754, was established. The kinetic analysis reveals a dependence of the rate constant (k) on the period of reaction and the initial substrate concentration (c0) over the range of substrate concentration (1.0,2.0%) used in this work. The results indicate that the enzymatic degradation of KGM is a complex reaction combining two reaction processes with different orders. In the initial phase of degradation k is inversely proportional to c0, which is characteristic of a zeroth-order reaction; while in the following phase k is independent of c0, implying the degradation follows a first-order reaction. The reactivity difference in breakable linkages of KGM, the action mechanism of an enzyme on KGM macromolecules, and the theory concerning the formation of an enzyme-substrate complex and ,substrate saturation' can be used to explain such a kinetic behavior. In addition, the enzymatic degradation of KGM was also carried out using the other enzymes like ,-mannanase from a Norcardioform actinomycetes, ,-glucanase Finizym and a compound enzyme Hemicell as a biocatalyst. By comparing and analyzing the degradation processes of KGM catalyzed by four different enzymes, it can be observed that there is a two-stage reaction with two distinct kinetic regimes over a certain range of degradation time for each of the degradation processes. These results are useful to realize controllable degradation of polysaccharides via an environmental benign process. [source] Monte Carlo Simulation of Degradation of Porous Poly(lactide) Scaffolds, 1MACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 9 2006Effect of Porosity on pH Abstract Summary: Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the degradation of porous PLA scaffolds. The simulated volume was assumed to be divided homogeneously between the pore and solid PLA with the ratio equal to the bulk porosity of the scaffold. The volume was divided into surface and bulk elements where the surface elements were in direct contact with the aqueous degradation medium, while the bulk elements were surrounded by the pore and solid PLA. The effect of degradation time on PLA ester groups and carboxylic acid end-groups for surface and bulk elements, pH, PLA degradation rate and mass loss, and PLA molecular weight distribution was simulated. For surface elements, pH remained constant at 7.4 over the entire time of degradation, while for bulk elements its value decreased significantly to as low as 5.8. The highest drop in pH within the scaffold was observed for the highest porosity of 90%. There was a lag time of at least 7 weeks in the mass loss for surface as well as bulk elements for porosities ranging from 70 to 90%. The mass loss for bulk elements was considerably faster than the surface elements. This difference in the rate of mass loss between the surface and bulk elements could affect the 3D morphology and dimensional stability of the scaffold in vivo as degradation proceeds. The simulation predicts that, due to differences in the rate of bulk and surface degradation, hollow structures could form inside the scaffold after 19, 17, and 15 weeks for initial porosities of 70, 80, and 90%, respectively. A schematic diagram illustrating the degradation of an element on the outer surface of the scaffold (surface element) versus an element within the volume of the scaffold (bulk element). [source] In vivo investigations on composites made of resorbable ceramics and poly(lactide) used as bone graft substitutesJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 6 2001Anita A. Ignatius Abstract Porous composites made of poly(L, DL-lactide) (PLA) and ,-tricalcium phosphate (,-TCP) or the glass ceramic, GB14N, respectively, were investigated in a loaded implant model in sheep. Six, 12 and 24 months after implantation histological and biomechanical evaluation were performed and compared to autogenous bone transplants. No significant differences were observed between the composites. After 6 months, the interconnecting pores of the ,-TCP-composite and the GB14N-composite were filled with newly formed bone (14 ± 5% or 29 ±15% of the implant, respectively) and soft tissue (30 ±9% or 21 ±12% of the implant, respectively). Only a mild inflammatory response was observed. The reaction was similar after 12 months. However, after 24 months a strong inflammatory reaction was seen. The newly formed bone was partly osteolytic. The adverse reaction occurred simultaneously to a significant reduction of the PLA component. The histological results were reflected by the biomechanical outcomes. Both composites showed compression strengths in the range of the autologous bone graft until 12 months of implantation. After 2 years, however, the strengths were significantly decreased. It is concluded that the new composites cannot yet be used for clinical application. An improvement in biocompatibility might be reached by a better coordination of the degradation times of the polymer and the ceramic component. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 58: 701,709, 2001 [source] Comparison between photocatalytic ozonation and other oxidation processes for the removal of phenols from waterJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2005Fernando J Beltrįn Abstract Photocatalytic ozonation (1O3 + VUV + TiO2), ozonation (O3), catalytic ozonation (O3 + TiO2), ozone photolysis (O3 + VUV), photocatalysis (TiO2 + VUV) and photolysis (VUV) have been compared in terms of formation of intermediates, extent of, mineralization (TOC, COD, chloride, nitrate) and kinetics in the aqueous treatment of three phenols (phenol, p -chlorophenol and p -nitrophenol). In all cases, photocatalytic ozonation led to lower degradation times for chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon removal. Intermediates formed were similar in the different oxidation systems with some exceptions. They can be classified into three different types: polyphenols (resorcinol, catechol, hydroquinone), unsaturated carboxylic acids (maleic and fumaric acids) and saturated carboxylic acids (glyoxylic, formic and oxalic acids). First order kinetic equations have been checked for the oxidation processes studied in the case of the parent compound. Rate constants of these systems have also been calculated. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | ||||||||||