Table of Content - JFBI 5.3

In this work, Silk Fibroin (SF) nanofibers were electrospun onto plasma-treated 100% cotton gauze bandages to form a novel silk-gauze composite wound dressing. Atmospheric pressure plasma pre- and post- treatments were used to increase the adhesion between the SF nanofibers and cotton substrates. The adhesion of the nanofibers to the substrates was assessed by qualitative and quantitative techniques. Plasma pre-treatment of the substrate with 100% helium and 99% helium/1% oxygen plasmas showed up to a 50% increase in the force required to peel o?the nanofiber layer. This force was further increased up to 75% after pre- as well as post-plasma treatment of the composite bandages. Plasma pre-treatment of the gauze fabric prior to nanofiber deposition and post-treatment to the composite bandages significantly reduced degradation of the nanofiber layer during repetitive flexing. Air permeability and moisture vapor transport were signficantly reduced due to the presence of a nanofiber layer upon the substrate. The results of surface elemental analysis showed that the adhesion and durability increase are mainly due to the active species generated by plasma on the surface of cotton substrate as well as on the surface of the silk fibroin nanofibers.

This study presents research into drawing conditions' influences on the mechanical properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) filament sewing thread. The thread was drawn by varying the treatment temperature and contact time on the first heated cylinder (T1, n1) and on the second heated cylinder (T2, n2), as well as by using different draw ratios. The critical treatment conditions were found using the drawing process (T14=130, n15=13 turns, ?=1.25, T24=220 , n23=9 turns) and the greatest improvement in the mechanical properties, respectively. Deterioration in the threads' mechanical properties was observed above the critical treatment conditions. The mechanical properties of the drawn threads were investigated under critical treatment conditions. It was found that the heat treatment conditions on the second cylinder, i.e. the treatment temperature and the contact time had the greatest influences on the improvement of the elastic modulus (D4=7.41 cN/tex, E3=7.40 cN/tex) and the breaking extension (D4=12.13%, E3=12.12%), when compared with the treatment temperature and the contact time on the first cylinder and the draw ratio between the heated cylinders. The maximal value of the breaking tenacity showed threads that were drawn at the critical draw ratio (C5=61.81 cN/tex) and the contact time of the thread with the second heated cylinder (E3=61.59 cN/tex). Simultaneously, the treatment conditions on the second cylinder affected the maximum reduction of the thread's linear density (D4=91.33 tex, E3=91.47 tex) and twist (D4=163 turns/m, E3=180 turns/m). The greatest improvement in the tension at the yield point achieved threads that were drawn at the critical draw ratio (C5=9.27 cN/tex) and the heat-treatment temperature on the second cylinder (D4=9.27 cN/tex).

The purpose of this study is the pursuance of useful evaluation index which can estimate the different impression obtained by inhalation of several olfactory stimuli. For this purpose, the principal factors which could determine the impression of olfactory stimulus were attempted to identify. Then the heart rate variability and the cerebral nervous activity were monitored as physiological response. Furthermore the relationship among the factor scores of principal factors and these physiological responses were investigated. As the result, the principal factor of `relaxation' could be estimated accurately with the concentration of the oxy haemoglobin in comparison with index of heart rate variability.

The extracellular cellulase enzyme produced by Trichoderma reesei was used to prepare Nanocrystalline Cellulose (NCC) by controlled hydrolysis of bamboo fibers. The morphology of the prepared bamboo cellulose nanocrystals was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and the crystallinity was measured by X-ray diffraction. The degree of polymerization was tested by automatic viscosimeter. The surface charge in suspension was estimated by Zeta-potential. The results showed that all NCC from bamboo fibers presented a rod-like shape, an average diameter of 24.7 nm and length of 286 nm, with an aspect ratio of around 12. The zeta potential of cellulase hydrolyzed NCC was 4 times lower than that of NCC prepared by acid hydrolysis process.

In order to provide the basic data for the development of medical guide-wire and a simulator for the PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty), we have developed the blood vessel model made of PVA hydrogel and investigated the mechanical characteristics of guide-wire in the blood vessel model. In the present study, we discussed the characteristics of torque transmission and rotational response of the guide-wire in curved blood vessel model with change in the PVA concentration of the hydrogel and thickness of blood vessel model.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the damage mechanisms in UHMWPE/LDPE laminated by Acoustic Emission (AE) technique. Model specimens are fabricated to obtain expected damage mechanisms during tensile testing. Then, relationship among AE descriptors is studied by hierarchical cluster analysis, and AE signals are classified by k-means algorithm. Finally, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is created and trained by various optimal algorithms to identify damage mechanisms. The results reveal that typical damage mechanisms in PE self-reinforced composite can be classified in terms of the similarity between AE signals and identified by a well trained ANN.

Girths of human body are significant parameters in pattern design, affecting the fitting and aesthetics of clothing. In this paper, 110 female undergraduates in Soochow University were measured by using photogrammetric measurement and 3D non-contact measurement system. The silhouette of human body was extracted by using software Matlab to obtain width and thickness. The measurements of the girths were gotten via software Imageware based on 3D point cloud data. According to the ratio between thickness and width, classification of those females was carried out and the regression equation of each cluster was obtained. The analyzed results show that the proposed non-contact measurement method can reduce influence of subjective factors. Regression equations can be applied to predict main girths. It will be helpful in the automatic design of garment pattern.

To address the limitations of the traditional idealized loop model, this study conducted experimental analysis and mathematical model for the morphological structure of the weft-knitted loop, and research on the method for describing the weft loop's structure and parameters. Because the features of the loop's structure is consistent with the Non-uniform Rational Basis Spline (NURBS), three degree NURBS curve was used to establish the model of the weft loop, and the corresponding value points' coordinate can be obtained by the experimental analysis of the effect of the fabric structure from the structure parameters. In addition, based on the features of the different weft-knitted structure, the models of plain and pattern stitch have been established. Research shows NURBS curve modeling can be applied to a more complex weft tissue as well as the basic and variation tissue.

Ibuprofen-loaded Poly-(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (PVM/MA) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by Solution-enhanced Dispersion by Supercritical CO2 (SEDS). Ibuprofen and PVM/MA were first homogeneously dissolved in acetone, and then the resulting solution was simultaneously sprayed with supercritical CO2 through a coaxial nozzle, forming ibuprofen-PVM/MA nanoparticles. FTIR spectra demonstrated that ibuprofen was successfully incorporated into PVM/MA and the SEDS process was a typically physical process. The absolute value of the zeta potential of the obtained ibuprofen-PVM/MA nanoparticles was larger than 40 mV, indicating a good stability of the nanoparticles in aqueous suspension and suitability for oral administration. Analysis of Thermogravimetry-differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) revealed that the effect of the SEDS process on the thermostability of the drug and the coating polymer was negligible. The results of Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis confirmed that the SEDS process could efficiently remove the organic residue. The drug dosage of 20% corresponded to a fina drug load of 5.3?.2%, which appeared to be relatively low and indicated that most of the ibuprofen was lost in the supercritical CO2. Significant differences existed among the drug release profiles obtained from different release media; a medium with a low pH could efficiently prevent the release of ibuprofen from ibuprofen-PVM/MA nanoparticles, which works to reduce the adverse effects of ibuprofen on the stomach and makes ibuprofen-PVM/MA nanoparticles suitable for oral administration.

Lignin is a natural polymer characterized by its ability to absorb ultraviolet rays and antibacterial properties. Thanks to nano size, nanolignin deposited on the fabric surface does not cause colour change, even though the lignin is originally dark. As a functional polymer it can be used as a natural UV barrier and antibacterial agent in finishing process of protective textiles. The paper describes the study on the improvement of nanoparticle fixation on the lignocellulosic fabric surface by the introduction of a binding agent in the finishing technology. Several binding agents with nanolignin solution were applied to the linen fabric and non-woven by padding method. Effectiveness of textile covering by functional nanoparticles was evaluated by UPF tests after ten washing cycles and abrasion tests. The best nanolignin coating on the linen fabric surface durability was obtained for application of acrylic dispersion as a binding agent. The FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy was applied for additional evaluation of linen fabrics covered by lignin nanoparticles.