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Biomass from various types of organic waste was tested for possible use in hydrogen production. The composition consisted of lignified samples, green waste, and kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels and leftover food. For this purpose, the enzymatic pretreatment of organic waste with a combination of five different hydrolytic enzymes (cellulase, amylase, glucoamylase, pectinase and xylase) was investigated to determine its ability to produce hydrogen (H2) with the hydrolyzate produced here. In course, the anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium T. neapolitana was used for H2 production. First, the enzymes were investigated using different substrates in preliminary experiments. Subsequently, hydrolyses were carried out using different types of organic waste. In the hydrolysis carried out here for 48 h, an increase in glucose concentration of 481% was measured for waste loads containing starch, corresponding to a glucose concentration at the end of hydrolysis of 7.5 g·L−1. In the subsequent set fermentation in serum bottles, a H2 yield of 1.26 mmol H2 was obtained in the overhead space when Terrific Broth Medium with glucose and yeast extract (TBGY medium) was used. When hydrolyzed organic waste was used, even a H2 yield of 1.37 mmol could be achieved in the overhead space. In addition, a dedicated reactor system for the anaerobic fermentation of T. neapolitana to produce H2 was developed. The bioreactor developed here can ferment anaerobically with a very low loss of produced gas. Here, after 24 h, a hydrogen concentration of 83% could be measured in the overhead space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manual joint mobilization and manipulation are recommended therapeutic interventions for people with neck pain. High-velocity thrust and sustained techniques have an uncertain association with serious arterial trauma. The validity of pre-manipulative tests of the cervical spine is often questioned, and the understanding of the effect of head/neck position on blood flow is still incomplete. Most of the evidence concerning hemodynamics in this area relates to extracranial flow (vertebral and carotid artery). Less is understood about the effects on intracranial flow while performing pre-manipulative tests and sustained positions like end of range cervical rotation mobilization. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of commonly used evaluation and treatment positions on intracranial hemodynamic parameters. A randomized, cross-over observational study using ultrasonography on healthy subjects (n = 19) was conducted to measure hemodynamic parameters (peak systolic velocity and end diastolic maximum) of intracranial arterial systems. Two test positions (sustained pre-manipulative thrust C0-1 and sustained cervical end of range rotation) were compared with a sham position for each test position. :Neither the sequence of tests performed nor an independent variable (the two positions) had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on peak systolic velocity (PSV) or end diastolic maximum (EDM). No effects from commonly used assessment and treatment of neck positions on hemodynamic parameters were found. This is consistent with previous studies. Further study is indicated on people with symptoms and known pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]