CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Waste production management has always been a significant problem. The pursuit for

economic growth in the Philippines has caused it to manufacture, produce, and consume

goods which generate large amounts of waste every year, in fact the Philippines alone

produces up to 35, 580 tons of garbage every day (Castillo & Otoma, 2013). Plastic is one of

the most common types of waste. It takes a long time to deteriorate and is also one of the

biggest contributors in pollution (Ranada, 2015). Plastic may be a big part of in the modern

world however, their continued production, use, and improper disposal contributes to the

degradation of our environment. Proper waste disposal has always been a difficult challenge

for the nation, that is why the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic

Act 9003) was implemented in February 16, 2001 which aims to; “Ensure the proper

segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the

formulation and adoption of the best environmental practices in ecological waste

management excluding incineration”. Despite this, poor solid waste management is still

prevalent in the Philippines, furthermore, flash floods and devastating typhoons has been

attributed to this malpractice, which leads to environmental degradation and climate change.

Scientist have tried to find a solution to this problem with the creation of bioplastics.

Bioplastics are biodegradable plastic which are made from different types of biological

material such as starch, cellulose, and vegetable oil which aim to replace petrochemical-

based polymer plastics (Reddy et. al., 2013). With this, the researchers aim to contribute to

the solution by testing the feasibility of waste papers from classrooms as a component in the

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 creation of bioplastic, thus helping extend the lifespan of paper and contributing to the

overall cleanliness of classrooms.

Statement of the Problem

MAIN PROBLEM

Is waste paper a potential component for cellulose-based bioplastic?

SPECIFIC PROBLEMS

1. At what concentration of waste paper will be able to produce the best

characteristics in terms of tensile strength, flexibility, color, opacity, and stain

resistance in the cellulose-based bioplastic?

a. 25% b. 50% c. 75% d. 100%

2. Is there a significant difference in tensile strength of the cellulose-based

bioplastic created with different concentrations of waste paper?

Significance of the Study

The main objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of classroom waste

papers as an alternative component of bioplastic. If the findings of this study are positive, it

could have a big contribution in lessening the pollution in the world. It could also help extend

the lifespan of paper. The result of this study will provide inputs to the future implications

regarding bioplastic development and production.

Community. This study can help the community in various ways. The classroom or

the school campus will benefit from a much cleaner environment, since waste papers are

being used to produce bioplastics. The creation of this bioplastic is also relatively easy. It is

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 possible that the researchers show community leaders and the people of the community how

to create this cellulose-based bioplastic. The people may gain new appreciation for scientific

advances and the environment.

Government. If this study yields positive results, then it can be applied to a much

broader scale. Bioplastics may totally replace plastics, the potential of it to be made into

many different things is great. Paper collection drives may be conducted in the future to

gather materials for the production of cellulose based bioplastic which not only contributes to

the overall cleanliness within the city, but also create jobs and opportunities for the people.

Future Researchers. The research may pose a potential foundation for future studies

regarding the topic of cellulose-based bioplastics. This may also open doors of knowledge

through student’s awareness or to future researchers who are specializing in this field.

Scope and Delimitation

This study is concerned with the feasibility of waste paper as raw material for

cellulose-based bioplastic production. Its scope extends to the intention of being able to

maximize the use of paper in response to the issue of the 88% of waste paper not being

recycled, and the intention of being able to produce bioplastic as an alternate to single-use

plastics that are the main pollutant to the environment. The experimentation was conducted

in the residence of one of the researchers located in Barangay 92 Apitong, Mountain Side

Subdivision, Peacemaker Lane, Tacloban City, Leyte. It lasted for a month- including the

preparation, experimentation, and the completion of the paper. Other types of paper such as

newspaper and cardboard was not taken into account as the researchers want to limit the

types of paper to be used are typically found within the classroom. There were two (2)

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groups, one being the experimental group and the other was the control group. In the

experimental group, there were four (4) set-ups used with different percent of substrate for

each set-up. Set-up A had 25% of substrate, Set-up B had 50% of substrate, Set-up C had

75% of substrate, and set-up D had 100% waste paper concentration.

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 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature

Bioplastics

Bio-plastics are made with the aid of

converting the sugar current in flora into

plastic. In the United States, that sugar

comes from corn. Other countries use sugar

cane, sugar beets, wheat, or potatoes. This makes bioplastics renewable and better for the

environment than traditional plastics. In the Philippines, the Central Azucarera de la Carlota

is exploring the possibility of producing bioplastics from sugarcane (Sapp, 2014). Two sorts

of bioplastics are now produced in large quantities. They are referred to as polylactide acid

(PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The biggest producer of PLA is Nature Works, a

business enterprise located in Blair, Nebraska. There, corn kernels are milled, a chemical

substance called dextrose is extracted, and dextrose is fermented by means of bacteria or

yeast in big vats. The result is lactic acid, which acts as a repeating unit to make PLA.

Biodegradability of Bioplastics

Biodegradable plastics are decomposed

by carbon dioxide and microorganisms in the

environment, making it disposable and eco-

friendly (Cho R. 2017). There are two types of

bioplastics; (1) PLA (polyactic acid), comes

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from sugars in starch and (2) PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), plastics made by microorganism-

producing-carbon. Bio-based plastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources

(i.e. Vegetable fats, vegetable oils, cornstarch) and has some or all of its carbon produced

from a renewable plant (or sometimes animal) source. Biodegradable plastics are those that

degrade into carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water (H20) through biological

action in a defined environment and in a defined timescale. These environments include

composting, anaerobic digestion, and marine and soil environments. However, there is a

common misapprehension between the comparability of “bio-based” and “biodegradable”. In

fact, they are not related. Bioplastics can take different length of times to totally compost,

based on the material and are meant to be composted in a commercial composting facility,

where higher composting temperatures can be reached and is between 90- 180 days. Most

existing international standards require biodegradation of 60% within 180 days along with

certain other criteria for the resin or product to be called compostable (Development of Bio-

based Plastics Independent of the Future Biofuels, 2013). Are plant-based plastics each and

every environmentalist’s dream? Some advertisements for bioplastics may make it appear so,

especially when these ads declare that bioplastics generate no waste and produce no

pollutants. Examine the facts. Some environmentalists point out hidden environmental costs,

such as poisonous pesticides sprayed on the vegetation and carbon dioxide emissions from

harvesting vehicles. Also, some manufacturers of bioplastics declare that making them does

now not use up fossil fuels—oil, natural gas, and coal. This is no longer constantly true.

Although fossil fuels are no longer used to make many bioplastic products, they are

commonly used to energy manufacturing plants. And producing bioplastics frequently

requires nearly as a good deal power as producing conventional plastics.

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Composting bioplastics

The environmental impact of bioplastics is often debated, as there are many different

metrics for "greenness" (e.g., water use, energy use, deforestation, biodegradation, etc.) and

tradeoffs often exist (Yates and Barlow, 2013). The debate is also complicated by the fact

that many different types of bioplastics exist, each with different environmental strengths and

weaknesses, so not all bioplastics can be treated as equal. The production and use of

bioplastics is sometimes regarded as a more sustainable activity when compared with plastic

production from petroleum (petroplastic), because it requires less fossil fuel for its

production and also introduces fewer, net-new greenhouse emissions if it biodegrades. The

use of bioplastics can also result in less hazardous waste than oil-derived plastics, which

remain solid for hundreds of years.

A range of bioplastics, together with those made with PLA, are “compostable”: Give

them sufficient heat, moisture, and hungry microbes, and the microbes will spoil them down

into plant material, carbon dioxide, and water. It is the carbon dioxide that concerns some

environmentalists. “This carbon dioxide gasoline goes lower back into the atmosphere,” says

Richard Wool, a chemical engineer at the University of Delaware in Newark. “So,

composting bioplastics appears like a misguided solution.” Nearly all compostable plastic

ends up in a landfill as a substitute of being composted. Like other plastics, bioplastics stay

intact, buried in the oxygen-free environment of landfills. But some scientists worry that over

many years, bioplastics will slowly decompose, giving off methane (CH4), a greenhouse

gasoline 20 times greater potent than carbon dioxide.

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Conversion of paper waste into bioplastic (poly-lactic acid)

Bishnu, N., Bishnu R., Komal P., & Ail G., (2016) found out that the broadly

opposite bioplastic, poly lastic acid was synthesized by using deinked paper waste as

substrate, fermentation with saccharomyces cerevisiae under controlled laboratory conditions

followed by condensation polymerization. The substrate was initially subjected to acid

hydrolysis followed by alkali neutralization to attain ideal neutral pH of growth of

saccharomyces cerevisiae. At regular intervals the amount of reducing sugar present in the

samples were tested using 2,4-dinitroxsalicylic acid (DNS) method and the amount of sugar

that was metabolized to alcohol and lactate were estimated using ceric ammonium nitrate and

p-hydroxy bip[henyl mwthod respectively. The lactic acid extract was concentrated using a

rotary vacuum evaporator and the amount was determined spectro photo metrically. The

concentrated extract was use for polymerization in the presence of stannous chloride. This

resulted in the production of white amorphous wafers. Polymerization trial with stannous

chloride was done with 1ml of purified extract with 0.1 g of stannous chloride.

Production of bioplastic

An article by Schon & Schwarty (2011) that vinegar is 6% in volume solution of

acetic acid literates acetate ions and hydrogen ions in solution. Their important, because ions

reacts with the starch polymers and make them disordered more easily in the solution. This

disorder, resulting from the disruption by the water and the ionization by the acetic acid,

makes the resulting cast fills more homogenous. Water plays important role in the production

of bioplastic. First, it acts do a solvent to dissolve the starch. Secondly it helps the starch

molecules stay disrupted after heating. Glycerin is a hygroscopic liquid with a high viscosity.

8
It has three hydroxyl groups which make it be soluble in water. Glycerin makes the bioplastic

more flexible.

Waste Paper

Recovered paper, or waste

paper, can come from a number of

different sources, including internally at

the paper mill. A number of different

terms are used to indicate when in the

life cycle of the paper that it is returned

for recycling (Scott, 2011). Recovered paper collection is done in a number of different

ways, depending on the type of paper being collected and the source of the paper. In general,

pre-consumer recycled paper is easier to collect as it tends to be concentrated in specific

manufacturing locations and also tends to be much more homogeneous. These collections,

often of the form of cuttings, trimmings and over issues, are typically baled and packaged

directly at the collection site with little additional processing needed. Paper recycling is a key

raw material for the papermaking process, representing a significant portion of the fiber used.

However, because of the degradation of the fibers through the papermaking and recycling

process, the limit to the amount of paper being recycled is slowly being approached. In

addition, there are a number of grades of paper that are currently not recycled and will not be

in the foreseeable future. This is particularly true for such personal care products such as

toweling and tissue. Future improvements in recycling will need to deal mainly with the fiber

quality issues. Moreover, Bajpai, P. (2014) claims on the legislation for use of recycled paper

and stated that post-consumer paper, or waste paper, is an important, renewable raw material

9
 source for the paper industry and can contribute considerably towards reduction in its

imports. Its recycling is also important from the environmental perspective, as systematic

collection and recycling of waste paper can significantly reduce the generation of municipal

solid wastes. Legal provisions on waste, regulating recovery and recycling of paper have

become an essential framework for the paper industry. Legislation in various countries has

attempted to promote material recycling and to decrease the waste generation that requires

disposal in suitable facilities. In most developed nations, waste paper recycling is organized

and operated by the municipal authorities, supported by suitable national policy normally

based on the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Legislations are formulated in the form of directives,

procurement policy guidelines as well as voluntary agreements. The collection mechanisms

put in place are highly successful, as indicated by continuous improvement in the recovery

rates of waste paper. These countries not only meet their domestic requirements but also

export large quantities of waste paper. 

Related Studies

Recent studies on bioplastic is geared toward its potential impact on the environment

as well as the flexible nature of plastic which makes it a versatile material which is applicable

in many different fields of research. Different ratios of newspaper pulp in the creation of

bioplastic has an effect on its rate of biodegradation. Liew & Khor (2013) decided to

determine the effect of differing ratios of bioplastic and newspaper pulp fibers on the weight

loss of bioplastic pots buried below ground and pots which were not buried. They found that

bioplastic pots with a three to one bioplastic to newspaper pulp respectively had the highest

weight for both above ground and below ground. They attributed this significant loss in

weight to different organisms such as ants, millipedes, termites, and snails and to the fungus

10
 Deuteromycetes which was found on their bioplastic pots. The prospects of bioplastic is

already showing itself currently. Thanks to new laws in Italy, the country has built itself a

strong bioplastic sector which has seen significant growth in the market, which has

encouraged private investments in new manufactory and demonstrators leading to the

creation of new jobs and growth within the country.

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

PROCESS OUTPUT
INPUT - Collecting and - Bioplastic made
preparing of from waste paper at
- 200 grams of pulp materials for the varying
of waste paper and preparation of waste concentrations
water. paper. observed in terms of
- .250 microliters of - Mixing the color and opacity,
glycerin, 50 ml of sundried pulp of flexibility, stain
water, 9 grams of waste paper and resistance and
substrate, 20g of water with glycerin, tensile strength.
starch and 10ml of water, starch and - As proved by the
vinegar to prepare vinegar. experiment, waste
for the making of
- Gathering data paper can be a raw
bioplastic
from the set-ups and material to produce
analyzing it bio plastics.

The relationship between the variables can be conceptualized at a fairly general level,

depicted in Figure 2. This section serves clear guide to the researchers of this study,

and provides readers an overview of the flow of concepts of this study.

Figure 2: Conceptual Framework based on the IPO Model

There is an increasing demand for products that are biodegradable, inexpensive and at

the same time, sturdy. Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth which is

11
 primarily used to make papers. Dufresne (2013) studied about the nanocellulose as a new

ageless bionanomaterial. In this study, the researcher has discovered that cellulose

nanoparticles may have a tendency to protein binding which meant it is self-adhesive.

Adhesiveness is one of the properties of water that is applied to the paper once the paper is

wet. Theory of adhesiveness is applied in the study since one variable is paper. Once paper is

wetted with water, it sticks to each other, if papers are stacked to each other, wetted with

water and is dried, the papers can be hardly split from one another (Gardner et. al., 2008).

This theory may support the idea that paper has a great potential to be made into something

hard and sturdy.

Through this research, it was also discovered that cellulose is truly green and that it

has a net zero carbon footprint, it can also be used without being completely used up and is

recyclable.

Hypotheses

1. Ho – There is no significant difference in the tensile strength of the cellulose-based

bioplastic from waste paper at different concentrations.

2. Ha – There is a significant difference in the tensile strength of the cellulose-based

bioplastic from the waste paper at different concentrations.

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Definition of Terms

Briefly defined here are the key words of the study. All terms are given conceptual and

experimental definition, respectively. Conceptual definitions were obtained from the Merriam-

Webster Dictionary.

Bioplastics. A biodegradable material that come from renewable sources and can be used
to reduce the problem of plastic waste that is suffocating the planet and contaminating the
environment.
- A material which is the product of the study.

Cellulose. An important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants,
many forms of algae and the oomycetes.
- A chemical component found in paper.

Compostable. Capability of being used as compost.

- One of the characteristics of bioplastic.

Cornstarch. A smooth, white powder with many uses, ranging from a common cooking
and baking ingredient to an alternative for talc.
- An ingredient in making bioplastic.

Paper. A material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other fibrous
substances, used for writing, drawing, or printing on, or as wrapping material.
- A material used as a substrate in making bioplastic.

Substrate. A substance or layer that underlies something, or on which some process

occurs, in particular.
- Substance applied on experimental group

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 Vinegar. An acidic liquid product prepared from alcoholic fermentation by yeast
followed by acetous fermentation by acetic acid bacteria of any suitable food.
- An ingredient in making bioplastic.

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This section of the paper outlines the methods that was be employed by the researchers in

the conduct of this study.

Research Design

An experimental research design was be adopted for this study. A control group with

no amount of waste paper acted as the control group and three (3) experimental groups which

consisted of bioplastic containing 100%, 75%, 50% and 25% concentration of waste paper.

Each group was be replicated three (3) times in order to provide an accurate set of data.

Research Locale

This study was conducted in one of the researcher’s household located at Barangay

92 Apitong, Mountain Side Subdivision, Peacemaker Lane, Tacloban City, Leyte (See Figure

1) for the reason of having ease of access and provision of a blender, stove, and oven which

was used for preparing the waste paper, cooking the ingredients in a vessel, and drying of the

finished product respectively.

14
 Figure 1: Location of the Researcher’s Household (Taken from Google Maps)

Research Instruments

Here is a list of the instruments that was used in the conduct of this study:

1. Weighing scale – to ensure accurate measurement of dry ingredients to be used.

2. Measuring cups – to ensure the accurate of measurement of wet ingredients to be used.

3. Cooking vessel

4. Rubber spatula – to stir the mixture.

5. Aluminum foil – acts as a container which was used to hold the mixture to dry.

6. Pen & paper – used to list all of the observations of the researchers.

7. Weights and Plates – used to measure the load of the bioplastic sample.

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Preparation of Material

For the preparation of the waste paper 200 grams of the material was collected by the

researchers from their household. The waste paper went through fibrillation by processing

the paper in a blender mixed with water. This process will weaken or destroy the paper fibers

which will increase their flexibility and plasticity. After the paper has been dried Fibrillation

will increase the relative bonded area between the fibers. Glycerin (100%) was procured

from a local pharmacy in Tacloban. Starch (Corn), vinegar, and water was procured from the

house of the aforementioned researcher.

Preparation of Bioplastic

In order to create the bioplastic in the control group, 10g of cornstarch and 10mL of

vinegar was mixed together in a non-stick cooking vessel, along with 50mL of water and

10mL of glycerin. No amount of waste paper was added into the mixture. Then the mixture

was heated on the stove until it thickens which resembles the consistency of gel all the while

being stirred to properly incorporate all of the ingredients. The mixture was spread on an

aluminum foil and be allowed to dry for two (2) days or until it dries completely. For the

experimental groups; 15 g of waste paper added to the mixture acted as the pure

concentration, 12 g of waste paper added to the mixture acted as the 75% concentration, 8 g

of waste paper added to the mixture acted as the 50% concentration, and finally 4 g of waste

paper added to the mixture acted as the 25% concentration. This formula was adopted from

Liew & Khor (2015), with slight alteration.

16
 Data Collection Method

The bioplastic went through a series of tests. The data that was gathered through

observation wa rated from one (1) to four (4) based on the created bioplastic’s durability as

defined by the Grow Next Gen organization which includes tensile strength and flexibility in

different temperatures such as; room temperature flexibility, cold temperature flexibility,

freezing temperature flexibility, and hot temperature flexibility. Immediate observable

characteristics of the plastic will also be noted such as the color, opacity, texture, and stain

resistance. Stain resistance was measured by dropping coffee on the bioplastic and seeing if it

stains.

Data Analysis Procedure

The data gathered was be tabulated (See Figure 2) and analyzed by getting the mode

of the data. Tensile strength, denoted by newton per centimeter squared (N/cm 2). Load was

measured by attaching weights to the object until the bioplastic sample shows signs of tear or

ripping all together. Tensile strength was then calculated and tabulated (See Figure 3). The

data gathered was then analyzed by using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in

Microsoft Excel 2016.

Control 25% 50% 75% 100%

Color
Opacity
Stain Resistance
Room Temperature
Flexibility
Hot Temperature
Flexibility
Cold Temperature
Flexibility

17
 Freezing Temperature
Flexibility
Figure 2: Table for Analyzing the Flexibility of each Bioplastic

Tensile Strength (N/cm2)

Trials
1st 2nd 3rd Average
Control
25%
50%
75%
100%
Figure 3: Table for Analyzing Tensile Strength for each Bioplastic

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This section of the paper covers the results obtained by the researcher in the

experimentation process, short interpretation and discussion of the result will also follow.

Control 25% 50% 75% 100%

Color Colorless Gray Gray Gray-Dark Gray Gray
Opacity Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Stain Resistance Yes No No No No

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 Room Temperature 1 2 3 4 1
Flexibility
Hot Temperature 1 2 3 4 1
Flexibility
Cold Temperature 1 2 3 4 1
Flexibility
Freezing Temperature 1 2 3 4 1
Flexibility
Figure 1: Different Characteristics of Cellulose-based Bioplastic at Differing Concentrations of

Waste Paper

The control group was the only one among all of the groups to display colorlessness or

clearness. This is most likely because of the absence of waste paper within the group, as the

experimental group contained waste paper and displayed a gray color, this is also true for the

stain resistance. The paper most likely allows for the absorption of the coffee into the plastic

causing it to stain. The ink present in the paper at the time of fibrillation is the most likely source

of the gray to dark gray coloration observed within the groups. It can be also inferred from the

data that the presence of waste paper within the bioplastic aids in the flexibility aspect at varying

temperatures. However, adding too much waste paper in the sample causes the paper to form

tears in the fibers of the paper instead while the absence of paper altogether just makes the

bioplastic thin and weak. The results of the data so far coincides with the benefits put forward by

fibrillation of the paper as well as the Theory of Adhesiveness put forward by (Gardner et. al.,

2008). The researchers have noticed that when they took the samples out of the refrigerator and

freezer after the cold and freezing test respectively, the plastic started to “melt”. This could be

because of the moisture or humidity in the refrigerator causing water to form on the surface of

the bioplastic which caused this reaction. They have also noticed that molds started to grow on

the 25% sample. It was only present on one side of the plastic. The researchers do not know as to

19
what caused the growth of the molds as no clear pattern can be drawn as it was only present in

one sample but not in the other

Tensile Strength (N/cm2)

Trials
Concentrations 1st 2 nd
3rd Average
Control (0%) .7155 .675 4.5 1.9635
25% 2.95 2.455 2.5 2.635
50% 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75
75% 21.75 17.25 17.25 18.75
100% 4 1.25 1.025 2.1
Plastics with different concentrations.

Figure 2: Tensile Strength of Cellulose-based Bioplastic at Differing Concentrations of Waste

Paper

Tensile Strength in Different Concentrations of

Bioplastic per Trial
1st Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial Trend

25

20
Tensile Strength (N/cm2)

15

10

0
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

20
 Following the trend line, the effect seems to increase steadily up until the 50% mark, then

sharply rises when it hits the 75% then decreases greatly in the 100% mark. We can infer from

this that waste paper in the cellulose-based bioplastic contribute in strengthening the paper, but

after a certain point, adding more waste paper to the bioplastic only serves to weaken it instead.

Liew & Sujuthi (2016) also had identified a similar trend. They found that the bioplastic start to

decline when it reaches the 50% point, adding to the bioplastic only served to weaken it instead.

It can also be said that at 75% waste paper to bioplastic ratio will yield the sturdiest cellulose-

based bioplastic. This seems to be in line with the Theory of Adhesiveness (Garderner et al.

2008) but only up to a certain point. ANOVA testing shows that the p-value is less than .05

which indicates that we have strong evidence against the null hypothesis, at a-value of .05,

therefore we reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis.

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

This section of the paper covers the summary and recommendations made by the researchers after

the conduct of their study.

This study was conducted in order to determine if waste paper would be a good component in the

production of cellulose-based bioplastic. Specifically, the study was conducted to determine at what

concentration the researchers will be able to produce a superior bioplastic and to determine if there was

any significant difference in the tensile strength among the samples. Based on the results of their study,

they have come up with three (3) conclusions:

1. Waste paper is a potential component in the production of cellulose-based bioplastic.

2. A concentration of 75% waste paper to bioplastic ratio, produces the superior cellulose-

based bioplastic in terms of tensile strength.

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 3. There is a significant difference in the tensile strength of the varying concentrations of

waste paper in the production of cellulose-based bioplastic.

Recommendations

The researchers would like to recommend that future researchers find a way to make the

bioplastic in general look more appealing as well as pleasant to smell, as currently the smell of vinegar

sticks to the hands of those who come in contact with the sample. Furthermore the researchers also would

like to recommend that future researchers find a way to inhibit mold growth on the surface of the samples.

Lastly, the researchers encourage future researchers to adopt our methods as a way to verify our results or

improve our study.

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