Optimization of spinning parameters influencing the hairiness properties of polyester/cotton vortex yarn

The influence of vortex spinning parameters on the hairiness properties of polyester/cotton vortex yarn has been studied. Polyester/cotton yarn of 50:50 blend ratio has been produced in two different counts (Ne 20s and Ne 40s) each with four different spinning parameters (delivery speed, spindle size, feed ratio and nozzle pressure). Experiments are designed with the aid of response surface method. Accordingly, different samples are produced with three levels of each parameter. The hairiness index H and zweigle hairiness have been evaluated from the samples produced with these combinations. It is found that the hairiness index H of both coarser and medium count vortex yarns are influenced by all the spinning parameters considered for this study. Also, zweigle S3 values of both coarser and medium count vortex yarns are influenced by all the four parameters. The interactions of some of the spinning parameters have significant influence on the hairiness index, H of both coarser and medium count vortex yarn. Also, few of the interactions have significant influence on zweigle S3 values of both coarser and medium count vortex yarns.     

Study on moisture management properties of Micro-Pore Ring-Spun Viscose Yarn-plated knitted fabrics

Moisture management properties decide the comfort level of the fabric. The most important characteristics of a knitted structure to be used in next to-skin applications are concerned with two different fabric layers namely the separation and absorption layers. The present study attempts to study the moisture management properties of plated knitted fabrics developed from structurally modified Micro-Pore Ring-Spun Viscose Yarn (hydrophilic) as the outer layer and polypropylene (hydrophobic) yarn as the inner layer of fabric. The structurally modified Micro-Pore Ring Spun Viscose Yarn (MPRSVY) was produced by blending Viscose (V)/PVA (Poly-Vinyl Alcohol) fiber in short staple spinning system. PVA is removed by treating the fabric in hot water at a temperature of 900C for 20–30 minutes, followed by cold wash. The study reveals that the fabric plated with Polypropylene (PP)/ Micro-Pore Ring Spun Viscose Yarn (MPRSVY) and Polypropylene (PP)/Viscose (V) exhibits excellent moisture management properties with a higher bottom spreading speed, one way transport index, and overall moisture management capacity. Moisture management properties of PP/MPRSVY and PP/V plated knitted fabrics prove that they can be used to produce active wear fabrics.     

Nanotechnology in fibrous materials-a new perspective

This issue reviews various areas where nanotechnology has come up predominately in fibrous materials, namely in electrospun polymeric nanofibers and polymer layered silicate nanocomposites. It includes synthesis, characterization, various methods of collecting nanofibers, factors affecting electrospinning, methods of increasing the productivity of the electrospinning process, and different electrospinning designs. It also covers synthesis and characterization of polymer nanocomposites. Various properties of nanocomposites are discussed. The rheological behavior and morphology of nanocomposites are covered. Different modeling and simulation methods applicable to electrospun nanofibers and polymer layered silicate nanocomposites are discussed. Some of the potential application areas of electrospun nanofibers, polymer layered silicate nanocomposites, and various products available in the market based on nanotechnology are also discussed. Some of the lacking areas and future prospects in nanofibrous structures (nanofibers and nanocomposites) are emphasized in this issue.     

纳米颗粒的制备及在纺织领域的应用

纳米颗粒,三维空间中至少一维尺寸500nm的任何类型的颗粒,是广阔的纳米技术领域一个独特的分支。纳米颗粒在先进材料、医药、环境监测、纺织等众多领域发挥着举足轻重的作用。人们精心设计与制造改性纳米颗粒,使其具有可满足特殊用途需求的物理性能。     

Purification and properties of cysteine protease from rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Linn.)

BACKGROUND: Turmeric rhizome (Curcuma domestica Linn.) contains proteases and has proteolytic activity. Curcumin from turmeric rhizomes has been used for healing manu ailments, including cancer have been used for healing many ailments, including cancer. The purpose of this study was to purify turmeric protease and to research their biochemical characteristics. RESULTS: Cysteine protease from C. domestica has been purified to homogeneity using acetone precipitation followed by preparatory native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). This protocol resulted in six fold purification with 28% final recovery. The purified turmeric protease showed a prominent single peak and band on high‐performance liquid chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate–PAGE, respectively, and an estimated molecular weight of 43 KDa, and exhibited optimal activity between 37 and 60 °C. The protease activity of the turmeric protease was significantly inhibited by iodoacetic acid. The turmeric protease had higher alanine and glutamate content and cleaved synthetic peptides N‐Cbz‐Ile‐Pro and N‐Cbz‐Phe‐Leu in a time‐dependent manner. Peptide mass fingerprint using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectroscopy revealed peptide matches to proteasome subunit alpha type 3 of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica (Rice). The turmeric protease showed antifungal activity at 10 µg mL^?1 towards pathogens Pythium aphanidermatum, Trichoderma viride and Fusarium sp. CONCLUSION: Cysteine addition significantly activated turmeric protease. The protease inhibition test suggested that turmeric protease belonged to the cysteine type. The biochemical characteristics of turmeric protease described in this paper can provide useful information for potential end uses of turmeric protease for pharmaceutical industry applications such as therapeutics. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Brominated organic contaminants in the liver and egg of the common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Japan

The contamination profiles of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), biphenyls (PBBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs), and dibenzofurans (PBDFs) were determined in the liver and egg of common cormorants from Japan. PBDEs and PBBs were detected in all the samples; especially the former were detected at elevated levels. PBDDs/PBDFs were also detected in cormorants, albeit the concentrations were lower than those of the PBBs. The total concentration of PBDEs ranged from 330 to 2600 in the liver and from 600 to 3300 in the egg on a nanogram per gram of lipid basis. The concentration of PBBs was in the range from 3.0 to 33 (in the liver) and from 3.4 to 82 (in the egg) on a nanogram per gram of lipid basis. The 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153) was the most predominant PBB congener in either organ, which corresponds to a major constituent of the BFR FireMaster BP-6. Concentrations of PBDDs/ PBDFs in the liver (range from 21 to 470) were slightly higher than in the egg (range from 31 to 160) on a picogram per gram of lipid basis. The results of this study imply that common cormorants accumulate a high level of PBDEs and PBBs. Comparing the concentrations of brominated organic compounds with those of chlorinated analogues, good relevance between PBBs and coplanar PCBs (r2 = 0.746 [liver] and 0.715 [egg]) was elucidated. To our knowledge, the present study demonstrates the first report of PBDEs, PBBs, and PBDDs/PBDFs in the common cormorant from Japan.     

Identification of uncertain nonlinear systems for robust fuzzy control

In this paper, we consider fuzzy identification of uncertain nonlinear systems in Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) form for the purpose of robust fuzzy control design. The uncertain nonlinear system is represented using a fuzzy function having constant matrices and time varying uncertain matrices that describe the nominal model and the uncertainty in the nonlinear system respectively. The suggested method is based on linear programming approach and it comprises the identification of the nominal model and the bounds of the uncertain matrices and then expressing the uncertain matrices into uncertain norm bounded matrices accompanied by constant matrices. It has been observed that our method yields less conservative results than the other existing method proposed by S?krjanc et al. (2005) [11] and [12]. With the obtained fuzzy model, we showed the robust stability condition which provides a basis for different robust fuzzy control design. Finally, different simulation examples are presented for identification and control of uncertain nonlinear systems to illustrate the utility of our proposed identification method for robust fuzzy control.     

Performance investigation of heat pipe using aqueous solution of n-Pentanol with different inclinations

The orientation of the heat pipe plays the significant role in its performance. In specific orientations, the performance of the heat pipe is directly related to the wick structure. In conventional heat pipe, the working fluid is used a negative surface-tension gradient with temperature. It is an unfavorable one and it decreases the heat transport between the evaporator section and the condenser section. An Aqueous solution of n-Pentanol having a positive surface tension gradient with temperature is suggested as a working medium for heat pipe to improve the performance of capillary limit and operating stability. The objective of this paper is to perform a comparative study of heat pipe performance using the aqueous solution of n-Pentanol with water at various inclinations. The results are presented to demonstrate the merits and suitability of the aqueous solution of n-Pentanol as a working fluid for heat pipe.     

Study of flow pattern in open channel flow passages

The uniform flow distribution in the upstream side of open channel flow passages is to be ensured at different flow rates. This finds critical importance in many industrial applications including chemical plants and nuclear reactors. This paper describes the method for achieving the uniform flow pattern in open channel flow passages with the aid of stream equaliser plates of different lengths and porosities.