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Electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol) [PVA] nanowebs functionalized with a commercially available microbiocidal solution Reputex™ 20 were prepared. The active ingredient of Reputex™ 20 is polyhexamethylene biguanides, a safe antiseptic. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the functionalization of PVA nanowebs. Functionalized nanowebs were characterized by evaluating their antimicrobial properties, breathability characteristics and tensile properties. Functionalized nanowebs demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Nanowebs developed from biocompatible polymers like PVA, and functionalized with safe antiseptics, could find many biomedical applications such as wound bandages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Herbicide options for weed control in millets are very limited and hence there is a need for exploring potential herbicides. Field trials were conducted at three locations in Kansas and Nebraska in 2009 to evaluate foxtail millet, proso millet, and pearl millet tolerance to saflufenacil applied preemergence (PRE) at 36, 50, and 100 g ai ha−1. Foxtail millet was the most sensitive of the three millets to saflufenacil. Among experimental sites, saflufenacil at 36 g ha−1 injured foxtail millet 59–99% and reduced plant stands 41–95%; nearly all plants died at 100 g ha−1. Despite early season foliar injury and up to 36% stand reduction, fodder or grain yields of proso and pearl millets were not reduced by any rate of saflufenacil compared to untreated controls. Additional trials were conducted at four locations in Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota in 2010 and 2011 to refine saflufenacil use rate (36 and 50 g ha−1) and application timing [14 days early preplant (EPP); 7 days preplant (PP); and PRE] for use in proso and pearl millets. Saflufenacil applied EPP or PP, regardless of rate, caused up to 21 and 6% foliar injury and up to 21 and 9% plant stand reduction in proso and pearl millets, respectively. However, yields were not reduced by EPP or PP treatments in either millet crop. PRE applications of saflufenacil caused the highest crop injury and stand reduction in both millets. Saflufenacil PRE at 36 g ha−1 caused up to 57 and 40% foliar injury and up to 42 and 24% stand reductions in proso and pearl millets, respectively; however, yields were not affected. Comparatively, saflufenacil PRE at 50 g ha−1 reduced yields of proso and pearl millets 36 and 52%, respectively, on sandy loam soils with high pH (8.3) and low organic matter content (1.1%). Overall, results indicated that foxtail millet lacks tolerance to saflufenacil, but up to 50 g ha−1 of saflufenacil may be safely applied as near as 7 days before planting proso or pearl millets. If situation demands, saflufenacil at 36 g ha−1 can also be applied PRE to either crop with risk of some crop injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper focuses on the development of a novel ballistic protection composite which can provide both cut resistance and impact protection. The ballistic shield is made by sandwiching high strength, impact resistant, multi-layered woven fabrics between a leather strike face layer and a needlepunched fabric layer that offers protection upto Level IIIA and cut resistance. The needlepunched fabric when punched into the ballistic layer(s) pushes the fibers in the Z direction providing enhanced structural coherence and strength. Three different high performance fibers (Kevlar®, Spectra® and Twaron®) were used to make the composite. Ballistic tests were performed using V50 ballistic requirement based on NIJ standard. The availability of leather layer reduces the velocity of the impact and aides with the blunting of the bullet. A new phenomenon, "mushrooming" of the bullet has been observed. Results on the ballistic protection capabilities of different strike and impact resistant composite chest shields are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the current threat of toxic chemicals and chemical warfare agents, personal protection is important for soldiers and first responders, as well as the civilian population. This paper describes the development of a cotton non-particulate nonwoven composite fabric and the evaluation of its adsorption capability for protection against toxic chemical ingress which can be harmful or lethal. In addition, this paper focuses on the evaluation of toxic chemical adsorption capabilities of various chemical protective substrates that have the potential to be used in military applications. The development of a three- layered cotton based decontamination wipe and its adsorption of 0.1 % w/v pinacolyl methylphosphonate in butanol, is presented. Adsorption is quantified using a modified gravimetric procedure developed using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The results demonstrate the adsorption performance of a new cotton-based, non-particulate flexible composite that has a high potential to be used as a portable decontamination wipe. This research is unique in the area of individual protection and addresses the requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for seeking and evaluating highly efficient, non-particulate, and skin-friendly materials that provide necessary chemical protection while minimizing any discomfort or irritation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritability and genetic and environmental correlations of total and regional brain volumes were estimated from a large, generally healthy, community-based sample, to determine if there are common elements to the genetic influence of brain volumes and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume. There were 1538 Framingham Heart Study participants with brain volume measures from quantitative magnetic resonance imaging who were free of stroke and other neurologic disorders that might influence brain volumes and who were members of families with at least 2 Framingham Heart Study participants. Heritability was estimated using variance component methodology and adjusting for the components of the Framingham stroke risk profile. Genetic and environmental correlations between traits were obtained from bivariate analysis. Heritability estimates ranging from 0.46 to 0.60 were observed for total brain, WMH, hippocampal, temporal lobe, and lateral ventricular volumes. Moderate, yet significant, heritability was observed for the other measures. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that relationships between brain volume measures, except for WMH, reflected both moderate to strong shared genetic and shared environmental influences. This study confirms strong genetic effects on brain and WMH volumes. These data extend current knowledge by showing that these 2 different types of magnetic resonance imaging measures do not share underlying genetic or environmental influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton offers next-to-skin comfort and hence is a preferred fiber for undergarments. There have been a number of studies on the effect of different fiber types, fabric structure, fabric finishes, etc. on the moisture vapor transport properties. However, there has been no report in the public domain on the relationship between cotton varieties on the moisture vapor transport characteristics of fabrics produced from them. The study reported in this paper focuses on the moisture vapor transport properties (MVTR) of cotton fabrics knitted from 31 different cotton fibers with different pedigrees grown over a three-year period in three major cotton growing regions of US, Southwest (Texas), Mid-South (Mississippi) and Southeast (Georgia). Results indicate that cotton varieties influence the MVTR of knitted fabrics produced from them. This study, for the first time has attempted to link varietal effects on the most important property of cotton--breathability quantified using MVTR. Preliminary analysis indicates a relationship between the basic sugar content such as verbascose of cotton and its moisture vapor transport. However this result has to be followed up with a thorough study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anodic oxide coatings were synthesised on Ti–6Al–4V substrates using aqueous electrolytes containing dissolved calcium and phosphorus. Different coatings were produced by varying the time of synthesis. Inherent features of the coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Uniform corrosion, electrochemical polarisation and ac impedance tests were performed in simulated body fluid (SBF). Small amounts of calcium and phosphorus are deposited from the electrolyte on to the coating and their levels increase with increasing duration of synthesis. Maximum values of porosity and thickness are obtained for oxides coated for 3 h. Coatings produced from shorter times showed very good resistance to the attack of SBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]