Vinyl Bag Research Articles

Efficient extraction of diesel oil from waste plastics: A comprehensive study

Since crude oil serves as the initial material for plastic production, the reverse processing of plastic back into crude oil represents an innovative method employed in the present work for improved plastic disposal. Initially, the long-chain molecules of waste plastics are broken down into shorter chain molecules, which are then further fragmented into smaller molecules using a catalytic cracker. The resulting product is a mixture of oils including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and similar substances. The machinery and processes involved in oil production are entirely based on environmentally friendly principles. Plastics suitable for conversion into oil include propylene, used garbage bags, cookie packaging, CD cases, polyethylene found in vinyl bags, medical products, PET bottle caps, and polystyrene used in cup noodle bowls, lunch boxes, Styrofoam, etc. In addition to addressing the challenges of plastic waste management, the innovative process outlined in this work underscores a commitment to environmentally conscious practices. By employing catalytic cracking and adhering to sustainable principles throughout the oil production process, the conversion of waste plastics into valuable resources not only mitigates environmental impact but also contributes to the circular economy. The types of plastics suitable for this conversion encompass a wide range of commonly used materials, further highlighting the potential for widespread adoption and impact in reducing plastic pollution. Through this approach, the journey from crude oil to plastic and back to oil demonstrates a holistic and efficient method for managing plastic waste while promoting sustainable resource utilization.

ANALISA PELL OFF BAG VINYL PADA MATERIAL LLDPE

Vinyl Bag is part of the manufacturing process where its use is for the packaging process. The packaging process generally uses a variety of materials such as EPS, LDPE, LLDPE,HDPE Foam and others, which aims to protect the finished goods of a product from defects. One of the materials used in the packaging process is Linear Low Density Polyethylne (LLDPE). The problem that often occurs during the printing process on HDPE material is pell off where the printing material cannot adhere to the surface of the Vinyl Bag perfectly. In this study, an analysis will be carried out using UV Static Surface on Vinyl Bags before the printing process is carried out. The results of this experiment showed that the printing results on 100% Vinyl Bags had no defects compared to those without the UV Static process, which was 20%. This is caused by the surface of the material that is not smooth and also the unstable structure of the material without UV processing. So that the pell off on the vinyl bag without UV failed 80% of the 15 samples.

Protection against aerosol droplets from the mouth using the mask plus vinyl bag method during esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic.

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Vinyl bag cover method to avoid droplet-containing aerosol escape from endoscopic forceps channel caps during COVID-19 pandemic (with Video 1 and Video 2).

Endoscopists are at high risk of allowing transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) procedures under pandemic conditions. The main avenues of droplet-containing aerosol generated during GIE are the mouth, anus, and endoscopic forceps channel. Although the usefulness of personal protective equipment for preventing COVID-19 dissemination has been well reported, measures to address infected aerosol escaping during endoscopic forceps use have been neglected. Pathogen-contaminated aerosol from the endoscopic forceps channel, leading into the gastrointestinal lumen, has been confirmed and is a highly problematic source of infection. We developed a technique that entails covering the forceps entry/exit hole with a vinyl bag, thereby preventing contamination of the endoscopy room by the infected aerosol that escapes from this hole. The technique can be used in daily clinical endoscopic practice. Furthermore, this shielding technique is useful for all patients who undergo GIE, regardless of the purpose of the procedure such as for making a diagnosis, administering therapy, or in an urgent situation. In this letter, we introduce our novel, easily performed, inexpensive method of infection prevention by disallowing infected aerosol to escape from a COVID-19-infected patient into the air during a procedure that requires the use of endoscopic forceps.

Pathological Properties of Cryptococcus pseudolongus on the Mycelia and Fruit Body of Lentinula edodes

Recently, Cryptococcus pseudolongus has been reported as a new pathogen of shiitake (Lentinula edodes). However, its pathological properties are not much known. To further understand its impact on the mushroom, we investigated the pathogen’s interactions with the mycelium of shiitake, histopathological properties, host range, and sensitivity to diverse antifungal agents. The strain C. pseudolongus DUCC 4014 inhibited the mycelial growth of L. edodes strain (cultivar Sanjo 701ho) and caused browning in the mycelia confronted with the yeast on PDA. Spray inoculation of the yeast caused an abnormal browning symptom on the cap and/or gills of three shiitake cultivars grown on sawdust media in vinyl bags. Scanning electron microscopic images of the abnormally browned parts of shiitake fruit body illustrated that mushroom tissues were loosed and dispersed in the middle and edge of the cap and the arrangement of basidiospores borne on basidia in the gills was disturbed compared to those of normal shiitake fruit body. Spray inoculation also led to developing abnormal browning on the harvested fruit body, indicating C. pseudolongus could be a problem during mushroom storage. But the yeast was not able to induce abnormal browning on mushrooms of Pleurotus ferulae, Pleurotus fostreatus, and Agaricus bisporus. But it induced browning only on button mushroom (A. bisporus) when they were inoculated after wounding. Tests with 16 kinds of fungicides revealed that the cell growth of C. pseudolongus could be inhibited by benzalkonium chloride at MIC 7 μg/ml and benomyl at MIC 3 μg/ml.

Changes in fermentation pattern and quality of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage by wilting and inoculant treatments.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of wilting and microbial inoculant treatment on the fermentation pattern and quality of Italian ryegrass silage.MethodsItalian ryegrass was harvested at heading stage and ensiled into vinyl bags (20 cm×30 cm) for 60d. Italian ryegrass was ensiled with 4 treatments (NWNA, no-wilting no-additive; NWA, no-wilting with additive; WNA, wilting no-additive; WA, wilting with additive) in 3 replications, wilting time was 5 hours and additives were treated with 106 cfu/g of Lactobacillus plantarum. The silages samples were collected at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 days after ensiling and analyzed for the ensiling quality and characteristics of fermentation patterns.ResultsWilting treatment resulted in lower crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility and there were no significant differences in acid detergent fiber (ADF), total digestible nutrient (TDN), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), ammonia content, and pH (p>0.05). However, wilting treatment resulted in higher ADF and neutral detergent fiber content of Italian ryegrass silage (p<0.05), and the WNA treatment showed the lowest TDN and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The pH of the silage was higher in the wilting group (WNA and WA) and lower in the additive treatment group. Meanwhile, the decrease in pH occurred sharply between the 3–5th day of storage. The ammonia nitrogen content was significantly lower in the additive treatment (p<0.05), and wilting had no effect. As fermentation progressed, the lactic and acetic acid contents were increased and showed the highest content at 30 days of storage.ConclusionThe wilting treatment did not significantly improve the silage fermentation, but the inoculant treatment improved the fermentation patterns and quality of the silage. So, inoculation before ensiling is recommended when preparing high quality of Italian ryegrass silage, and when wilting, it is recommended to combine inoculation for making high quality silage.

Negative-pressure box under continuous suction for shielding against aerosols produced by patients with COVID-19 during abdominal ultrasound-guided intervention

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine states that ultrasound providers must be safeguarded from COVID-19 transmission [1American Institute of Ultrasound in MedicineGuidelines for cleaning and preparing external- and internal-use ultrasound transducers and equipment between patients as well as safe handling and use of ultrasound coupling gel.Updated Statement March. 2020; 27 (Available at)https://www.aium.org/officialStatements/57Google Scholar, 2American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Quick guide on COVID-19 protections-patient and ultrasound provider protection. Available at: https://aium.s3.amazonaws.com/covid19/Covid19_Quick_Guide_PUPP.pdf.Google Scholar, 3Chiu PWY Ng SC Inoue H et al.Practice of endoscopy during COVID-19 pandemic: position statements of the Asian Pacific Society for Digestive Endoscopy (APSDE-COVID statements).Gut. 2020; 69: 991-996Crossref PubMed Scopus (209) Google Scholar, 4Bertroche JT Pipkorn P Zolkind P et al.Negative-pressure aerosol cover for COVID-19 tracheostomy.JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020; (https://doi.org/Epub ahead of print])https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2020.1081Crossref PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar]. Additionally, ultrasound examinations should be postponed to prioritize urgent procedures involving percutaneoushepato-biliary drainage and ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, novel means for shielding against patient-generated aerosols remain undeveloped. A negative-pressure room should be prepared to turn off aerosol circulation when performing interventions for patients with COVID-19. However, such facilities are uncommon in ultrasonography units. We herein describe the use of a negative-pressure box under continuous suction for shielding against COVID-19 during ultrasound interventions (Fig. 1A) (Video S1). The prepared materials included a transparent vinyl bag, kitchen rack, and binder clips (Fig. 1B). Written informed consent was obtained. First, the box was created by clipping the bag inside the rack. Next, a suction tube was inserted into the openside of the box, resulting in a negative-pressure box. An oxygen-insufflated nasal tube was simultaneously inserted into the upper side of the box to maintain patient respiration (Fig. 2A). After the right arm was raised outside the box via a suitable hole, the openside was wrapped with a clean disposable cloth on the mid-body. The upper body was almost completely shielded by the box (Fig. 2B). This method can be an alternative means for minimizing virus transmission during urgent abdominal ultrasound-guided interventions. None declared. We thank Angela Morben, DVM, ELS, from Edanz Group (https://en-author-services.edanzgroup.com/), for editing a draft of the manuscript. eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiI4MWIyYjgxZjhmZTg0ZjdhM2YyMzMyNTUzNzE5YjBhMiIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjc0ODI0NTM4fQ.LhwxSAp7bc3GCG_InWo3LjVsGihkjAejsgR1_WJUtc9vU3PKYDmBc0V4NxxMJVkVMSNXBN-P3D67ecR9YnWLZ8onm04h66SE5nI6w-INX9q6z_hdll8ufbgtux1L00lYRqc84MKOHl--rlkdcTO2M3BLYbPe7YLG-TFj-TI3SDk0Ciej0NQ2KVhK6JESYerADQneHvr9yJeAn0RchtmizY1HgnT8VYL-_QX-j7Tk3CfTqDdPZsZsWdSPbbjlAiB4Oo_MiqS-5sGYX25Jz4b8TeHGHE7LqJ88uOdT5A1hkheggI880cN-6Dqez6ozLbr0ZXuS0pQjFwN8Ip9mMM_04A Download .mp4 (30.1 MB) Help with .mp4 files

Report of the Japan Health Physics Society ad hoc working group for the Plutonium intake accident**An original WG report was published in Jpn J Health Physics, 53(4).271-281 (2018). ‘JHPS Working Group for Plutonium Accident in JAEA-Oarai, Satoshi IWAI, Michiya SASAKI, Shogo HIGAKI, Hirokuni YAMANISHI and Michiaki KAI’ (in Japanese). To share the original report, it has been translated into English

This paper describes an overview of the radiation protection response to the Plutonium intake accident that occurred at the Plutonium Fuel Facility of the Oarai Research and Development Center of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency on 6 June 2017. In the hood of the analyzing room at the Plutonium Fuel Facility five workers were checking a storage container of fast reactor nuclear fuel material. Around 11:15 a.m., vinyl bags inside the fuel material container containing Plutonium and enriched uranium burst during the inspection work. All the workers heard the bang, which caused misty dust leakage from the container. This event caused significant both skin and nasal α-contamination for three workers and just skin α-contamination for one worker. Decontamination was conducted in the shower room. Then the five workers were transferred to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratory to evaluate inhalation intake of Plutonium etc in the lungs. The maximum values of 2.2 × 104 Bq for 239Pu and 2.2 × 102 Bq for 241Am were estimated by the lung monitor. Based on these results, injection of a chelate agent was conducted for prompt excretion of Plutonium etc. The next morning, the five workers were transferred to the National Institute of Radiological Sciences for treatment including decontamination of their skin and measurement by a lung monitor. At that time no obvious energy peak was confirmed for Plutonium. The Japan Health Physics Society launched an ad-hoc working group for Plutonium intake accident around the middle of June to survey issues and to extract lessons for radiological protection. The authors, who are the members of the ad-hoc working group, here report the activity of the working group.

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW DETECTOR SYSTEM TO EVALUATE POSITION AND ACTIVITY OF PLUTONIUM PARTICLES IN NASAL CAVITIES.

Plutonium dioxide (PuO2) is used to fabricate a mixed oxide fuel for fast breeder reactors. When a glove box containing PuO2 fails, such as by rupture of a glove or a vinyl bag, airborne contamination of plutonium (Pu) can occur. If a worker inhales PuO2 particles, they will be continually irradiating their lung tissue with alpha particles, and this could cause lung cancer. The nasal smear and nose blow methods are useful for checking workers for PuO2 intake in the field. However, neither method can evaluate the quantitative activity of Pu. No alpha-particle detector that can be used for direct measurements in the nasal cavity has been developed. For direct and quantitative measurement, it is required that a shape of the detector should be a fine bar which inserts itself in the nose to measure the accurate activity of Pu. Therefore, we developed a nasal monitor capable of directly measuring the activity of Pu in the nasal cavity to estimate the internal exposure dose of a worker. Prismatic-shaped 2 × 2 acrylic light guides were used to compose a detector block, and a ZnS(Ag) scintillator was adhered to the surface of these light guides. Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays with 8 × 8 channels were used as a photodetector. Actual PuO2 particles were measured using the nasal monitor. The nasal monitor could be directly inserted in the nasal cavities, and the activity distribution of Pu was obtained by the nasal monitor. The average efficiencies in 4-pi were 11.4 and 11.6% for the left and right nasal cavities, respectively. The influence of gamma and beta rays from Cesium-137 (137Cs) Strontium-90 (90Sr) on the detection of the alpha particles of Pu was negligible. The difference in the measured Pu activity between the ZnS(Ag) scintillation counter and the nasal monitor was within 4.0%. Therefore, it was considered that the developed nasal monitor could be used in direct Pu determination to estimate the internal exposure dose of workers.

Laparoscopic Anatomical Combined Segment 3 and Segment 4 Liver Resection

Background: In 1992, Kawasaki et al. reported the first combined segments 3 and 4 liver resection through an open procedure.1 As opposed to a major hepatectomy, this type of liver resection reduces the risk of postoperative hepatic insufficiency, especially in cirrhotic patients. Presently, various types of laparoscopic liver resections are performed in numerous surgical centers. To our knowledge, a combined segments 3 and 4 liver resection through a laparoscopic procedure has not been reported.2–9 This video describes the technical aspects of a totally laparoscopic anatomical combined segments 3 and 4 liver resection using the Glissonian approach. Methods: A 63-year-old woman was referred for a 2.1 cm tumor in segment 4. The tumor was suspected to be a hepatocellular carcinoma and was located deep in segment 4 and adjacent to the Glissonian pedicle of segment 3. The patient had viral hepatitis C, and based on her liver enzymes she was a Child–Pugh class A. Although a left hemihepatectomy could be performed in this case, an anatomical combined segments 3 and 4 liver resection was planned to preserve segment 2 to maximize the remnant liver volume. Technically, the most important aspects of this case included an oncologic resection while preserving the vascular structures to the remnant liver to avoid ischemia in segment 2. Operatively, Glissonian pedicles to segments 2, 3, and 4 (G2, G3, and G4) were dissected proximally. To avoid damaging G2 pedicle, G3 and G4 pedicles were ligated separately with a laparoscopic stapler. A flexible endoscope was used to maximize visualization intra-operatively. After ligating the pedicles, a line of parenchymal demarcation was established along segment 3. Meticulous dissection along the precise ischemic line was performed to prevent injury to the vascular structure of the remnant liver. Ultrasonic shears was used to transect the superficial liver parenchyma, and the deep portion was transected using both laparoscopic cavitron ultrasonic aspirator and electrocautery. After transecting segment 3, segment 4 was dissected along the middle hepatic vein. After ligating the left medial vein from the left hepatic vein, segments 3 and 4 were resected. The specimen was inserted into a vinyl bag and the operative field was irrigated and fibrin glue was applied along the parenchyma. Results: The operation took ~290 minutes and the estimated intraoperative blood loss was 400 mL. No intraoperative transfusion was necessary. On postoperative day 5, a postoperative computed tomogram scan showed no evidence of complications, and the patient recovered with no problems. The final pathology analysis confirmed a cholangiocarcinoma, with a negative resection margin. The patient is alive without adjuvant treatment at 1 year. Conclusion: Laparoscopic anatomical combined segments 3 and 4 liver resection is a feasible operative procedure in patients at risk of hepatic insufficiency. A laparoscopic resection of these segments may be performed without sacrificing large amounts of hepatic parenchyma. No competing financial interests exist. Runtime of video: 6 mins 39 secs This video was presented at the SAGES 2016 annual meeting, held at the Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, MA.

Fermentation Quality of Round-Bale Silage as Affected by Additives and Ensiling Seasons in Dwarf Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach)

Fermentation quality of dwarf napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) was estimated for additives lactic acid bacteria and Acremonium cellulase (LAB + AC), fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB), and a no-additive control in 2006 via two ensiling methods—round-bale and vinyl-bag methods in 2006—and via two ensiling seasons—summer and autumn of 2013. Fermentation quality of dwarf napiergrass ensiled in the summer season was improved by the input of additives, with the highest quality in LAB + AC, followed by FJLB; the lactic acid content was higher, and the pH and sum of the butyric, caproic, and valeric acid contents were lower, resulting in an increase in the V-score value by each additive. The ensiling method in autumn without additives affected fermentation quality, mainly due to the airtightness, which was higher for round-bale processing than in vinyl bags, even with the satisfactory V-score of 72. Fermentation in round bales without additives had a higher quality in autumn than in summer, possibly due to the higher concentration of mono- and oligo-saccharides. Thus, it was concluded that dwarf napiergrass can be produced to satisfactory-quality silage by adding LAB + AC or FJLB in summer and even in the absence of additives in autumn.

잎새버섯 봉지재배시 영양원으로서 맥주박 효과

잎새버섯 봉지재배시 영양원으로서 맥주박 효과

MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ILLEGAL DUMPING AND IT’S SPATIAL AUTOREGRESSION: THE CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

We reviewed the data pertaining to the illegal dumping of municipal solid waste in the Republic of Korea for the year 2011 to check for the presence of spatial autoregression of illegal dumping among 224 basic autonomous units with reference to the “Broken Windows Theory.” We found that a pure neighborhood effect exists even after controlling for conventional variables that explain illegal dumping behavior. Interestingly, however, the neighborhood effect is largely offset by so-called relative price effect such that the number of illegal dumping reported in one region is in fact decreased as the price of vinyl bag for MSW in neighboring regions increases, which is seemingly against the implication of the “Broken Windows Theory.”

Management of a sandbag accident in an MRI unit

Our aim is to report the cause and management of a ferromagnetic sandbag accident that occurred when an unconscious patient was sent for brain MRI. A 2-kg sandbag had been placed in the vicinity of his right groin to aid hemostasis after a femoral venous puncture for thrombocytopenia. His clothing and blanket had not been examined thoroughly before he was moved to the scanner and the sandbag went unnoticed. Its attraction to the scanner and adherence to the scanner rim resulted in a minor abrasion and bruise on the patient’s face. We decided to manually remove some of the pellets from the sandbag after cutting the vinyl bag at one corner with a nonferromagnetic screwdriver. Piece-meal removal of about two-thirds of the pellets facilitated removal of the remaining pellets and the sandbag as a whole. The word “sandbag” is misleading and led to a lack of communication between the clinical team and the MRI staff and failure by the MRI staff to recognize a sandbag as a ferromagnetic object. Careful manual removal of small amounts of pellets can be used to avoid more time- and labor-intensive strategies to deal with a sandbag accident (e.g., magnet quench or ramp-down). Installation of a ferromagnetic material detector to screen patients before entering the scanner room is recommended.

팽이버섯 수확후배지 첨가가 호밀 사일리지의 발효 품질에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to know the optimal supplementary level of spent mushroom substrates (Flammulina velutipes) as an energy source and fermentation period in manufacturing of rye silage. Whole crop rye was harvested at full bloom stage and ensiled with spent mushroom substrates of 20%(S-20), 40%(S-40) and 60%(S-60) as fresh matter basis. Each silage was prepared in plastic buckets included with vinyl bag by three replications and fermented for 3, 6 and 9 weeks, respectively. Moisture contents of whole crop rye at full bloom stage and spent mushroom substrates were 62.3% and 54.3%, respectively, and those of silages was ranged from 58% to 64%. Ether extracts content of silages was significantly (P<0.05) increased in 6 weeks of fermentation period. The pH of silages ranged from 4.46 to 5.05, and fluctuated in the changes by fermentation period beside of decreased with elapsing the period in the S-60. The organic acid content of silages was higher in the order of lactic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid and propionic acid. Lactic acid content was higher when fermented for 6 weeks compared to the other fermentation period. Flieg's score for estimation of silage quality ranged from 63 to 80, and was relatively high level in the S-20 and the S-40 fermented for 6 weeks, and was high level in S-20, and was relatively low level in the silages fermented for 3 week. Hence, we suggest that supplementation of 20% spent mushroom substrates in fresh matter basis and fermentation for 6 weeks are resonable for a good quality of rye silage.

Heat Loss Prevention (Help) After Birth in Preterm Infants Using Vinyl Isolation Bag or Polyethylene Wrap

To examine the effects of using vinyl isolation bags or polyethylene wrap for the prevention of postnatal hypothermia in preterm infants at ≤ 32 weeks gestation. A prospective, randomized controlled trial. The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in Turkey. Fifty-nine preterm infants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the vinyl isolation-bag experimental group (n = 22) or the polyethylene-wrap control group (n = 37). Infant body temperature was measured at four time points after birth. Loss of body temperature was significantly less in the vinyl isolation-bag group during the first 60 minutes after birth (p = .041). Body temperature decreased by 1.41 ± 1.65 °C in the vinyl isolation-bag group and 2.75 ± 1.68 °C in the polyethylene wrap group. Body temperature was significantly less in the polyethylene wrap group compared to the vinyl isolation-bag group at birth to 60 minutes (p = .004). Wrapping preterm infants of gestational age ≤ 32 weeks in vinyl bags immediately after birth is associated with lower incidences of hypothermia.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii (syn. P. fusca) on Cocklebur in Korea.

Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L., Asteraceae) is an annual broadleaf weed native to the Americas and eastern Asia. The plant is known as one of the worst competitive weeds in soybean fields and also is known to have some phytopharmacological or toxicological properties. In October 2011, a powdery mildew disease was observed on cocklebur growing in a natural landscape at Geomun Oreum located in Jeju Island, South Korea. Initial signs appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed abundant growth on adaxial leaf surfaces. As the disease progressed, brown discoloration extended down infected leaves which withered. Conidia were formed singly and terminally on conidiophores. Primary conidia (20.3 to 28.6 [average 25.1] μm long × 11.1 to 15.2 [14.3] μm wide, n = 30) were ellipsoid with a round apex and truncate base. Conidiophores were straight or slightly curved and 60.1 to 101.7 (97.3) μm long × 8.2 to 13.2 (11.3) μm wide. Chasmothecia were not observed. No fibrosin bodies were observed in the conidia. Morphological characteristics were consistent with descriptions of Podosphaera xanthii (syn. P. fusca) (2,4). To confirm the identity of the causal fungus, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region inclusive of 5.8S and 28S rDNA was amplified from white patches consisting of mycelia and conidia on one leaf using ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and LR5F (5'-GCTATCCTGAGGGAAAC-3'), and LROR (5'-ACCCGCTGAACTTAAGC-3') and LR5F primer sets, respectively. The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JX502022 and JX964999). A NCBI BLASTn search revealed that the rDNA ITS (JX502022) and 28S (JX964999) homologies of isolate EML-XSPW1 represented 99.6% (512/514) and 100% (803/803) identity values with those of P. xanthii (AB040330 and AB462792, respectively). The rDNA ITS and 28S sequence analysis revealed that the causal fungus clustered with P. xanthii (syn. P. fusca), falling into the Xanthii/Fusca phylogenetic group (2,4). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculations made by gently pressing infected leaves onto mature leaves of healthy cocklebur plants in the field in August. The six inoculated leaves were sealed in sterilized vinyl bags to maintain humid conditions for 2 days. Seven days after inoculation, symptoms similar to those observed under natural infection were observed on the inoculated plant leaves. No symptoms developed on the uninoculated control plants. A fungal pathogen that was morphologically identical to the fungus originally observed on diseased plants was also observed on inoculated plants. Erysiphe cichoracearum, E. communis, Oidium asteris-punicei, O. xanthimi, P. xanthii, and P. fuliginea have all been reported to cause powdery mildew on cocklebur (1). P. xanthii was first reported on X. strumarium in Russia (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on cocklebur caused by P. xanthii in Korea. The powdery mildew pathogen may represent an option for biocontrol of the noxious weed in the near future.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Vinyl Bags versus Thermal Mattress to Prevent Hypothermia in Extremely Low-Gestational-Age Infants

To compare the efficacy of vinyl bags and thermal warming mattresses in preventing hypothermia during delivery room resuscitation and stabilization of extremely low-gestational-age neonates (ELGANs). Preterm infants 23 to 28 weeks' gestational age were randomly allocated to either vinyl bag or thermal mattress group at delivery to prevent hypothermia. The primary outcome of the study was the axillary temperature on admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 41 infants were enrolled in the study. The mean admission temperature in the vinyl bag group was 36.1°C ± 0.7°C as compared with 35.8°C ± 1.3°C in the thermal mattress group. The subgroup of these infants with lower birth weight (<750 g) had significantly higher admission temperature with vinyl bags (36°C ± 0.4°C) compared with thermal mattress (35°C ± 1.3°C). Vinyl bags and warming mattress are equally effective in improving admission temperature in ELGANs. Improvements in other areas such as delivery room temperature may be needed to achieve the goal of preventing hypothermia in this vulnerable population.

A useful technique for specimen extraction from the thorax: the vacuum-packing method

Most thoracic surgeons have encountered a number of situations in which a specimen was too large to fit through a small intercostal incision. This report highlights a useful technique for specimen extraction from the thorax using a vinyl bag and a sucker. The sucker creates negative pressure, and the liquid and air components from the specimen are removed. The specimen can be deflated and removed from the thoracic cavity through the access incision. We call this method the 'vacuum-packing method'.

Effects of Supplemental Levels of Spent Mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) Substrates on Chemical Composition and Quality of Whole Crop Sorghum Silage

This study was carried out to determine the supplemental level of spent mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrates as an energy source in manufacturing of high moisture sorghum whole crop silage. Whole crop sorghum was harvested at heading stage and ensiled with spent mushroom substrates of 20% (S-20), 40% (S-40) and 60% (S-60) as fresh matter basis. Each silage was manufactured in plastic buckets included vinyl bag by three replications and stored for 0, 3, 6 and 9 weeks, respectively. Fermentation characteristics and quality of sorghum silages manufactured by supplemental level of spent mushroom substrates were as follows. Moisture contents of whole crop sorghum and spent mushroom substrates were 83.85% and 54.3%, respectively, and that of silages was 78% for S-20, 71% for S-40 and 68% for S-60. Ether extracts content of silages was significantly (P<0.05) increased during the fermentation periods. The pH in silages fermented for 3 weeks and above ranged from 4.24 to 4.42, and the decrease of pH by fermentation was relatively greater in S-40 compare to the other treatments. The lactic acid content of silage inclined that the S-40 was higher compared to the other treatments and decreased with elongation of fermentation period of silage. The contents of acetic acid and propionic acid of silages were not influenced by treatments and fermentation period. Flieg's score for estimation of silage quality ranged from 60 to 83, and was relatively high quality in the S-40 fermented for 9 week, and was relatively low quality in the S-60 fermented for 9 week. From above results, we suggest that 40% supplementation of spent Flammulina velutipes mushroom substrates as an energy source is resonable level in manufacturing of high moisture sorghum whole crop silage.