Effect of low‐temperature plasma and chitosan treatment on wool dyeing with Acid Red 27

This study examines in detail the influence of low‐temperature plasma and biopolymer chitosan treatments on wool dyeability. Wool knitted fabrics were treated and characterized by whiteness and shrink‐resistance measurements. Surface modification was assessed by contact‐angle measurements of human hair fibers, which were used as a model to study the wetting properties of the treated wool knitted fabrics. The dyeing behavior was assessed from the diffusion mechanism point of view. The dyeing kinetics were measured at two different pHs (4.2 and 6.5) and three different temperatures (60, 85, and 100°C) to gain information about the contribution of the surface modification treatment to the dyeing mechanism. The exhaustion and reflectance data were compared, and the apparent diffusion coefficients were calculated. On the basis of the obtained results, a model for the dyeing mechanism of the chitosan treated wool was proposed. When treated with chitosan, the polymer sheath spread on the surface of the fibers acted as a predominant dyeing site in very short dyeing times, thus interacting with the dye and in later stages imparting the dye to the wool fiber. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2204–2214, 2005     

Manufacturing of polypropylene laminates and related structural reorganization in the crystalline phase

The conditions for obtaining recrystallization in more ordered modifications are described for an uniaxially oriented sample of isotactic polypropylene, annealed with fixed ends. These recrystallization conditions are related to the conditions of a lamination process.     

Broken probes: toward the design of worn media

This article describes the development and use of broken probes: prompted processes of degradation that produce unique identifiers with which to associate and retrieve digitally recorded histories. We offer our design and deployment of Broken Probes as a methodology for eliciting insights into how broken objects and acts of breakage may be given new life through their integration with ubiquitous computing technologies. Based on these developments, we introduce the genre of worn media—a variety of computational material with which to frame and critically examine the manifestation of wear among digital things. We end by discussing how the genre of worn media sensitizes designers and Ubicomp researchers to issues of incompleteness, impermanence, and imperfection to help account for the ethical, material, and historical terms of endurance in a digital age.     

A universal design resource for rich Internet applications based on design patterns

Rich Internet applications have removed most of the constraints of Web 1.0 while giving users more responsiveness and advanced browsing and interaction experiences. These new horizons, however, raise many challenges for people with disabilities or using limited hardware and software technologies, whose risk to be excluded from the benefits deriving from advanced web applications. To address this problem, WCAG 2.0 guidelines have been released as the newest World Wide Web Consortium recommendation for accessible web content, and WAI-ARIA is a candidate recommendation which provides reference specifications for accessible rich Internet applications. However, both specifications contain a huge amount of information that often discourages most web designers from dealing with accessibility issues. Moreover, guidelines are suitable and usually adopted to judge a design solution a posteriori, but they do not suggest how to face a design problem constructively. This paper proposes a design pattern language for accessibility. The language can be regarded as a universal design resource for helping web designers create accessible rich Internet applications compliant with the most recent standards. Knowledge representation through design patterns reflects the problem-solving approach usually followed by software and web designers, while pattern organization in a structured language aims to guide web designers throughout the design process. The language has been implemented as an accessible rich Internet application itself, thus allowing designers with disabilities to participate in web design. In order to evaluate the design pattern language, a three-step process was carried out including: (1) a heuristic analysis with a group of human–computer interaction experts, (2) a survey study with a group of web designers, and (3) a validation on the field with two designers who have been requested to apply the language in real design cases.     

Biochemical,functional, and histochemical effects of essential fatty acid deficiency in rat kidney

The present study was designed to examine the effects of EFA deficiency (EFAD) on biochemical, functional, and structural aspects of the kidney in growing and adult rats fed a normal or EFAD diet for 9 wk after weaning. Food and fluid intake (FI), urine volume, and Na⁺ and K⁺ excretions were measured weekly from weeks 4 to 8 by placing the rats in individual metabolic cages for 24 h. At week 9, Li⁺ and a 5% water load, respectively, were administered at 14 and 1.5 h prior to glomerular and proximal tubular function studies, as assessed by 3-h creatinine (C_Cr) and Li⁺ (C_Li+) clearances. Hematocrit and urine volume; serum and urine [Cr], [Li⁺], [Na⁺], and [K⁺]; and renal FA distribution were also measured. Data [corrected to 100 g/body weight (bw) and presented as means ±SEM] were significant, at P<-0.05. Despite a similar ingestion of solids from weeks 4 to 7 (weeks 7 to 10 of life), the rats on the EFAD diet showed a decreased body weight from week 5. From weeks 4 to 8, Fl and urine volume were similar for both groups, but the Fl increased at week 6 in the EFAD group; 24-h Na⁺ and K⁺ excretions were similar at all weeks, except for an increase in the EFAD group for both ions at week 7. In the EFAD group, C_Cr and C_Li+ decreased by 27 and 56.3%, respectively (385.7±33.4 vs. 280±21.1, and 21.0±2.1 vs. 9.2±1.1 μL/min/100 g; n=9 vs. 10), the latter result suggesting increased proximal reabsorption. The 3-h Na⁺ and K⁺ excretions were similar, but the Li⁺ decreased (0.78±0.06×10⁻² vs. 0.32±0.03×10⁻² μeq/min/100 g) in the EFAD group, giving additional support to the suggestion. Renal structure was normal and similar for both groups, but the EFAD group showed a more prominent proximal tubule brush border, together with heavier periodic acid-Schiff staining in all specimens from weeks 5 to 9. In the EFAD group, FA of the n−9 and n−7 series were higher, but most of the n−6 series were lower as a percentage of total lipids in the medulla and cortex. Medullary levels of 20∶4n−6 were maintained, 22∶4n−6 declined twice, arachidonic acid was maintained, and 20∶5n−3 was lower. The EFAD diet affected glomerular function, proximal tubular structure and function, and FA distribution in the rat kidney.     

数字化微格教学系统在师范生培养过程中的应用研究

师范生的培养效果如何关乎到未来教师的教学能力,本文通过对当前我国师范生培养现状的分析,探讨如何应用数字化微格教学系统培养师范生的教学能力。     

Model falsification using set‐valued observers for a class of discrete‐time dynamic systems: a coprime factorization approach

This article introduces a new method for model falsification using set‐valued observers, which can be applied to a class of discrete linear time‐invariant dynamic systems with time‐varying model uncertainties. In comparison with previous results, the main advantages of this approach are as follows: The computation of the convex hull of the set‐valued estimates of the state can be avoided under certain circumstances; to guarantee convergence of the set‐valued estimates of the state, the required number of previous steps is at most as large as the number of states of the nominal plant; and it provides a straightforward nonconservative method to falsify uncertain models of dynamic systems, including open‐loop unstable plants. The results obtained are illustrated in simulation, emphasizing the advantages and shortcomings of the suggested method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Chitosan-Polyacrylic Acid-Modified Iron Sand Leachate for Proton Exchange Membranes

ABSTRACT

Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of chitosan (Chi) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)-modified iron sand leachate were prepared and considered for applicability as a proton exchange membrane in fuel cells. Chi-PAA-hematite blended in different weight ratios and the resulting membranes were treated to enable the formation of the polyelectrolyte. The membranes of Chi-PAA polyblend were treated using iron sand leachate and reveal high ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, water uptake, and good mechanical stability. The result of research indicated that the membrane with 40 wt% of Chi and 60 wt% of PAA blend which its conductivity of 6.10 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 was potentially for a proton exchange membrane in fuel cell applications.     

Obesity: Prevalence,Theories, Medical Consequences,Management, and Research Directions

Obesity and its associated disorders are a growing epidemic across the world. Many genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors play a role in the etiology of obesity. Diet and exercise are known to play a valuable role in the treatment and prevention of obesity and associated disorders such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the prevalence, etiology, consequences, and treatment of obesity.     

Isolation and characterization of ganglioside 9-O-acetyl-GD3 from bovine buttermilk

Bovine buttermilk contains a unique ganglioside, 9-O-acetyl-GD₃. In order to isolate large quantities of this ganglioside, a simplified isolation scheme which consists of several ion-exchange and silica gel column chromatographic procedures was devised. The isolated 9-O-acetyl-GD₃ was characterized on the basis of its thin-layer chromatographic behavior, its immunoreactivity with a specific monoclonal antibody, JONES, and by conversion to authentic GD₃ by mild base treatment.