Search

The article evaluates the mechanical properties of concrete reinforced with hemp and alfa fibers to create an environmentally friendly concrete. The study shows that the use of hemp and alfa fibers improves the tensile strength of concrete compared to ordinary concrete. The addition of 0.25% hemp fibers optimally increases flexural strength, and the dynamic modulus of elasticity of HFC-0.25 is comparable to ordinary concrete. Hemp and alfa fibers are potential candidates for producing green concrete, offering high mechanical properties and low density, suitable for sustainable construction. [Extracted from the article]

Articulus wound infection is a threat to human health. Existing medical materials have poor biocompatibility and may contain harmful chemicals, causing allergies and secondary infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop innovative medical materials. Materials made of artificial spider silk proteins have been widely used in wound healing because of their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, cell adhesion and bioelectronic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfibers are small fiber particles that separate from larger textiles through wear abrasion or home laundering. Pervasive accumulation of synthetic microfibers in the environment is motivating efforts to quantify them, and to gain a better understanding of the factors that lead to their release from garments. Automated imaging systems have been previously employed for the quantification of synthetic and natural microfibers. In the current study, a rayon standard and microfibers sourced from scoured cotton HVI calibration standards were examined with the Fiber Quality Analyzer-360 (FQA) automated imaging system. Mechanically stirred suspensions of six cotton microfiber standards showed significantly lower fiber counts than those obtained with a rayon standard. Probe sonication of the sample suspensions significantly increased observed fiber counts for the cotton standard samples, by 105% on average. Mean length determinations decreased by, on average, 5% for the sonicated samples, an indication that count increases were not due to sample fragmentation. No significant change was observed for the fiber counts or length measurements of the sonicated rayon samples. The sonicated cotton samples showed an average of 95% detection by the FQA. These results highlight the importance of proper microfiber suspension for accurate detection and quantification using the FQA system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial spider silk is an attractive material for many technical applications since it is a biobased fiber that can be produced under ambient conditions but still outcompetes synthetic fibers (e.g., Kevlar) in terms of toughness. Industrial use of this material requires bulk‐scale production of recombinant spider silk proteins in heterologous host and replication of the pristine fiber's mechanical properties. High molecular weight spider silk proteins can be spun into fibers with impressive mechanical properties, but the production levels are too low to allow commercialization of the material. Small spider silk proteins, on the other hand, can be produced at yields that are compatible with industrial use, but the mechanical properties of such fibers need to be improved. Here, the literature on wet‐spinning of artificial spider silk fibers is summarized and analyzed with a focus on mechanical performance. Furthermore, several strategies for how to improve the properties of such fibers, including optimized protein composition, smarter spinning setups, innovative protein engineering, chemical and physical crosslinking as well as the incorporation of nanomaterials in composite fibers, are outlined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spider silk is one of the strongest and toughest fibrous materials available in nature. Its superior properties make it a good candidate for applications in various fields ranging from protective body armor to scaffolds for medical implants. However, harvesting a substantial amount of natural spider silk remains challenging because spiders cannot be easily bred. With the development of synthetic biology and its integration with materials science, considerable research has been directed toward engineering and production of synthetic spider silk materials. Here the study overviews general strategies on molecular design, mesoscopic assembly, and macroscopic regulation of artificial spider silk materials. The insights into the correlation between silk protein sequences, mesoscopic assemblies, and macroscopic material properties are provided for guiding de novo design and engineering of next‐generation spider silk materials. This review also emphasizes the challenges and future perspectives for advancing the translational research on these designer functional materials for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite impressive progress in the field, there are still several major bottlenecks in producing fibers from recombinantly produced spider‐silk‐like proteins to replicate the extraordinary mechanical properties of spider major ampullate silk. The conventional artificial fiber spinning processes rely primarily on organic solvents to coagulate proteins into fibers and require complex post‐treatments to obtain fibers with valuable properties. This is due to challenges in obtaining soluble silk proteins, but also because the native silk spinning process leading to the hierarchical organization of the silk proteins is not fully understood and is hard to replicate in a manner applicable to industrial settings. Here, recombinant spider‐silk fusion proteins are efficiently produced and processed into as‐spun fibers with a toughness modulus of 120 MJ m−3 and extensibility of 255% using solely aqueous solutions. The spider‐silk fusion proteins assemble in a manner similar to that reported for native spider silk: they phase separate induced by salting out, followed by alignment and a secondary structure transition triggered by shear forces and dehydration. Finally, the design of the fusion silk proteins enables straightforward functionalization of the fibers under mild all‐aqueous conditions via a simple biomolecular click reaction both pre‐ and post‐spinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FibH gene, crucial for silk spinning in insects, encodes a protein that significantly influences silk fiber mechanics. Due to its large size and repetitive sequences, limited known sequences of insect FibH impede comprehensive understanding. Here, we analyzed 114 complete FibH gene sequences from Lepidoptera (71 moths, 24 butterflies) and 13 Trichoptera, revealing single-copy FibH in most species, with 2–3 copies in Hesperinae and Heteropterinae (subfamily of skippers). All FibH genes are structured with two exons and one intron (39–45 bp), with the second exon being notably longer. Moths exhibit higher GC content in FibH compared to butterflies and Trichoptera. The FibH composition varies among species, with moths and butterflies favoring Ala, Gly, Ser, Pro, Gln, and Asn, while Trichoptera FibH is enriched in Gly, Ser, and Arg, and has less Ala. Unique to Trichoptera FibH are Tyr, Val, Arg, and Trp, whereas Lepidoptera FibH is marked by polyAla (polyalanine), polySer (polyserine), and the hexapeptide GAGSGA. A phylogenetic analysis suggests that Lepidoptera FibH evolved from Trichoptera, with skipper FibH evolving from Papilionoidea. This study substantially expands the FibH repertoire, providing a foundation for the development of artificial silk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project aimed to develop a novel composite non-woven geotextile composed of banana fiber and viscose fiber to address landslide-controlling challenges using techniques such as needle-punching or weaving. The seeds will be inserted in the geotextile material to support the vegetation growth. The results of this study have the possibility to subsidize sustainable slope protection solutions, reducing reliance on synthetic materials and promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives. A laboratory test would be conducted to optimize the ratio of the two fibers and evaluate the slope protection effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shade matching of extraoral prostheses is completed by mixing pigments and rayon flocking into medical‐grade silicone and using a carrier to evaluate the color match. This process does not account for how material thickness affects the appearance of the silicone. This clinical case report discusses an innovative way to match the patient's skin tone using a digitally designed gradated silicone carrier and how this device allows for the assessment of shade from the thin marginal edge to 5 mm thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to describe and predict the complex mechanical behavior of polymeric cords used as reinforcements in tires. Starting from the observed microstructure of the cords and from macroscopic experimental tests performed on single-ply yarns, a comprehensive geometric and mechanical model is developed. The real geometry of the cord is replaced by an equivalent three-dimensional continuum of a cylindrical shape, with a properly defined non-isotropic inelastic constitutive behavior. The three-dimensional viscoelastic and viscoplastic material model developed by the authors for rayon fibers is employed for this purpose. The actual directions of filaments inside the cord are computed by an analytical model, accounting for the twist in the yarns and in the filaments inside each yarn. Such directions, relevant to points of the cord cross-section, are then averaged along the pitch of the cord to obtain mean directions which represent the virtual reinforcement directions to be used in the equivalent cylindrical-shaped model. This analysis strategy is implemented in a finite element procedure. For rayon cords, the developed simulation tool (fed with appropriate parameters) gives numerical results that compare well with the corresponding experimental results. This approach could be effectively utilized in the analysis of cord-reinforced rubber composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk nanofibrils (SNFs), the fundamental building blocks of silk fibers, endow them with exceptional properties. However, the intricate mechanism governing SNF assembly, a process involving both protein conformational transitions and protein molecule conjunctions, remains elusive. This lack of understanding has hindered the development of artificial silk spinning techniques. In this study, we address this challenge by employing a graphene plasmonic infrared sensor in conjunction with multi-scale molecular dynamics (MD). This unique approach allows us to probe the secondary structure of nanoscale assembly intermediates (0.8–6.2 nm) and their morphological evolution. It also provides insights into the dynamics of silk fibroin (SF) over extended molecular timeframes. Our novel findings reveal that amorphous SFs undergo a conformational transition towards β-sheet-rich oligomers on graphene. These oligomers then connect to evolve into SNFs. These insights provide a comprehensive picture of SNF assembly, paving the way for advancements in biomimetic silk spinning. Here, the authors develop a graphene plasmonic infrared sensor to probe the secondary structure of nanoscale assembly intermediates and the morphological evolution of silk nanofibrils, the fundamental building blocks of silk fibres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Fiber Inspection / Zhongguo Xian-Jian is the property of China Fiber Inspection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper we develop a new model for the simulation of the mechanical behavior of rayon twisted yarns, at macroscopic level. A yarn with its continuous filaments is represented by an equivalent three-dimensional solid of cylindrical shape, discretized by finite elements, with properly defined local anisotropic material properties. The new constitutive model, inspired by experimental results on rayon untwisted yarns, is formulated in the framework of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes and includes visco-elastic and visco-plastic dissipation mechanisms. The effect of twist is taken into account by including the direction of the fibers in the free energy definition. The overall model is validated comparing numerical and experimental results on twisted rayon yarns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disturbances that often occur in 20kV cubicles are those with low insulation resistance values caused by several factors such as environmental conditions, humidity levels, dust, temperature, water, pressure disturbances and other disturbances. If this disturbance is left unchecked, it can cause short circuits and electric current leaks. Another disturbance that is often experienced by 20kV cubicles is corona, where this disturbance causes a hissing sound in the cubicle and the appearance of rust on the indoor contact parts of the cubicle. If this condition occurs continuously it can cause serious damage to all 20kV cubicle components and cause losses for customers and PT. PLN (Persero). So to anticipate these problems, maintenance is required on 20kV cubicles. PT. PLN (Persero) carries out annual maintenance of 20kV cubicles to increase the insulation resistance value and overcome the problems of hissing and rust caused by corona events. This Industrial Practice assignment discusses the maintenance of 20kV cubicles in accordance with PT's SOP. PLN (Persero). After carrying out maintenance on the 20kV cubicle, the problems that occur can be resolved, such as increasing the insulation resistance value and the disappearance of the hissing sound and rust on the contacts of the 20kV cubicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution is a growing concern for the earth's terrestrial and marine environments. Synthetic fibers from textiles are one source of microplastic pollution as fibers may be released from garments during use and especially during laundering, whereby they may enter the aquatic environment via wastewater systems. Wool is a natural fiber, but it is often given treatments to enhance its performance, such as to make it resistant to shrinkage caused by machine washing. Treatments of this type might influence the fiber's inherent biodegradability. We sought to understand the aquatic biodegradation behavior of wool (in its unmodified form, and chlorine-Hercosett shrink-resist treated) and a range of synthetic fibers that are used in similar clothing applications. The biodegradation test was carried out in a simulated marine environment using a natural seawater inoculant according to the ASTM D6691 method with some modifications. Biodegraded wool residues were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopies. The extent of fiber damage was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Both types of wool biodegraded readily under these conditions and machine-washable wool biodegraded to a greater extent than untreated wool. Regenerated cellulosic fiber (viscose rayon) also degraded readily, but all three synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon and polypropylene) showed virtually no biodegradation. Analysis of solid and liquid residues generated by the biodegraded wool showed no evidence that the chlorine-Hercosett-treated wool generated any non-degraded residues. Based on these findings we believe that, unlike synthetics, wool fibers are very unlikely to lead to microplastic pollution in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toughness of silk naturally obtained from spiders and silkworms exceeds that of all other natural and man-made fibers. These insects transform aqueous protein feedstocks into mechanically specialized materials, which represents an engineering phenomenon that has developed over millions of years of natural evolution. Silkworms have become a new research hotspot due to the difficulties in collecting spider silk and other challenges. According to continuous research on the natural spinning process of the silkworm, it is possible to divide the main aspects of bionic spinning into two main segments: the solvent and behavior. This work focuses on the various methods currently used for the spinning of artificial silk fibers to replicate natural silk fibers, providing new insights based on changes in the fiber properties and production processes over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic spidroin fibers have not yet attained the same level of toughness and stability as natural spider silks due to the complexity of composition and hierarchical structure. Particularly, understanding the intricate interactions between spidroin components in spider fiber is still elusive. Herein, we report modular design and preparation of spidroin‐mimetic fibers composed of a conservative C‐terminus spidroin module, two different natural β‐sheets modules, and a non‐spidroin random‐coil module. The resulting fibers exhibit a toughness of ~200 MJ/m3, reaching the highest value among the reported artificial spider silks. The interactions between two components of recombinant spidroins facilitate the intermolecular co‐assembly of β‐sheets, thereby enhancing the mechanical strength and reducing batch‐to‐batch variability in the dual‐component spidroin fibers. Additionally, the dual‐component spidroin fibers offer potential applications in implantable or even edible devices. Therefore, our work presents a generic strategy to develop high‐performance protein fibers for diverse translations in different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biologically derived hierarchical structural materials not only boast energy‐efficient processing but also exhibit impressive mechanical performance. Silk stands as the gold standard in hierarchical fiber production, leveraging a unique combination of advantages. Nevertheless, the artificial replication of silk poses technical challenges related to precision processing and comprehensive molecular control. To address such issues, this study investigates the hierarchical assembly of solid regenerated silk in an air atmosphere, facilitated by the incorporation of carbon nanotube (CNT) seeding. Results obtained highlight that this CNT seeding facilitates multiscale structure development in response to post‐spin tensile stress. Such CNT bridged structure assembly bypasses some natural processing control variables (pH, ions) and the necessary solvent immersed state for conventional silk post‐drawing. Combining secondary electron hyperspectral imaging and 3D synchrotron X‐ray ptychotomography, this study reports silk protein conversion from a disordered as‐spun state to a longitudinal orientated semi‐crystalline nano structure during drawing. The development of microscale structure during the drawing process is attributed to the presence of CNTs, yielding mechanical properties comparable to, and frequently surpassing, those exhibited by native fibers. These findings collectively propose a framework for exploring novel processing routes and offer a practical means controlling self‐assembly in silk materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in clothing consumption year after year generates a growing demand for raw materials and, therefore, large quantities of waste from the textile and manufacturing process with an environmental impact on the air, land and water component. The research specifies the amount of waste generated by 7 companies in Bogotá D.C during Q1 of the current year, prior knowledge of their production processes through direct observation that allowed the textile waste to be categorized by activity in Spinning (4,106.4 kg), Washing and treatment of fabrics (10,500 m3), Clothing (1,203 kg), Garment finishing (511 kg), Unspecified (50 kg) and Others (2.76 kg), finding that Lycra (12% - 407 kg), Cotton (10% - 343.57 kg) and Rayon (9.7% - 340 kg) are the materials with the highest waste generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tate Modern in London is currently hosting an exhibition called "Magdalena Abakanowicz: Every Tangle of Thread and Rope," which focuses on the early work of Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz. The exhibition showcases Abakanowicz's three-dimensional textile forms made from materials like wool, sisal, and rope. It is organized chronologically and includes sketches, photographs, and videos that offer insight into Abakanowicz's artistic process. The article emphasizes the importance of Abakanowicz's work in pushing the boundaries of art during the 1960s and 70s. It also explores the connections between Abakanowicz's art and experimental theater in Poland, highlighting shared experiences of World War II and Soviet occupation. The author suggests that Abakanowicz's use of "poor materials" in her artwork reflects Poland's history of poverty. The text mentions specific works by Abakanowicz, such as Embryology and Red Abakan, and discusses their significance. It concludes by mentioning Abakanowicz's writings and the availability of a catalogue for further information on her work. [Extracted from the article]

Hijabs are predominantly worn in hot environments, but very rare studies on the thermo-physiological effects of wearing hijabs are found. We investigated the effects of wearing rayon and polyester hijabs on wearers' physiological and subjective responses in warm-humid and hot-dry environments. Eight females (25.0 ± 2.3 y in age, 157.7 ± 4.1 cm in height, and 50.8 ± 7.5 kg in weight) participated in three conditions (No hijab, rayon hijab, and polyester hijab condition) during exercise in two thermal environments: a warm-humid (30 °C and 70%RH) and a hot-dry environment (36 °C and 30%RH), which generated an identical wet-bulb globe temperature at 27 °C. The results showed that no differences in rectal temperature were found among the three clothing conditions or the two environments, whereas auditory canal temperature was higher in the hot-dry than in the warm-humid environment (P < 0.05) with no differences between the polyester and rayon hijab conditions. Mean skin temperature and neck temperature were higher for the polyester condition than for the rayon condition in the warm-humid environment (P < 0.05). Sweat rate was greater for the polyester hijab condition than for the no hijab condition in the warm-humid environment (P = 0.049). Heart rate was greater for the polyester hijab condition than for the other two conditions in the warm-humid environment (P < 0.05). Subjects felt more thermally uncomfortable when wearing the polyester hijab than the rayon hijab in the warm-humid environment. Greater thermal burden of the polyester hijab when compared to the rayon hijab was marked in the warm-humid environment, not in the hot-dry environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spider silks are well known for their exceptional mechanical properties that are tougher than Kevlar and steel. However, the restricted production amounts from their native sources limit applications of spider silks. Over the decades, there have been significant interests in fabricating man-made silk fibers with comparable performance to natural silks, inspiring many efforts both for biosynthesizing recombinant spider silk proteins (spidroins) in amenable heterologous hosts and biomimetic spinning of artificial spider silks. These strategies provide promising routes to produce high-performance and functionally optimized fibers with diverse applications. Herein, we summarize the hosts that have been applied to produce recombinant spidroins. In addition, the fabrication and mechanical properties of recombinant spidroin fibers and their composite fibers are also introduced. Furthermore, we demonstrate the applications of recombinant spidroin-based fibers. Finally, facing the challenges in biosynthesis, scalable production, and hierarchical assembly of high-performance recombinant spidroins, we give a summary and perspective on future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Home Economics of Japan is the property of Japan Society of Home Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fiber demand and production of man-made cellulose fibers (MMCFs) such as Viscose rayon, Modal and Lyocell fibers have been increasing in recent years. Today they are mostly manufactured using wood dissolving pulps. However, the growing fiber demand cannot be satisfied by dissolving pulps from wooden sources only. So, alternative pulps, also based on non-wooden materials, are needed. In this study, novel pulps, namely hemp and oil flax from biogenic residues, untreated and enzymatically treated paper pulps and recycled cotton waste, were investigated and compared to wood dissolving pulps and used for application in Lyocell dissolution and solution spinning procedures using N-methylmorpholin-N-oxide. As a function of degree of polymerization (DP), molecular weight distribution (MWD) and polydispersity (PDI), three groups of pulps with distinct characteristics could be identified. Paper pulp offered the highest DP and PDI values and the broadest MWD. Properties similar to those of wood dissolving pulps could be achieved by an enzymatic treatment. Pulps from biogenic residues exhibited a different behavior. Hemp shives-based pulp held properties comparable to wood dissolving pulps. In contrast, fiber-based oil flax and hemp pulp possessed low PDI values and tight MWDs more comparable to pulp made from recycled cotton fibers. Pulp characteristics were also found to affect the rheological behavior of spinning solutions prepared from these pulps. In summary, suitable dissolving pulps have specific impacts on solution spinning of MMCF. A careful analytical characterization by means of molecular and rheological approaches is mandatory before using a pulp in fiber spinning activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of artificial spider silk with properties similar to native silk has been a challenging task in materials science. In this study, we use a microfluidic device to create continuous fibers based on recombinant MaSp2 spidroin. The strategy incorporates ion-induced liquid-liquid phase separation, pH-driven fibrillation, and shear-dependent induction of β-sheet formation. We find that a threshold shear stress of approximately 72 Pa is required for fiber formation, and that β-sheet formation is dependent on the presence of polyalanine blocks in the repetitive sequence. The MaSp2 fiber formed has a β-sheet content (29.2%) comparable to that of native dragline with a shear stress requirement of 111 Pa. Interestingly, the polyalanine blocks have limited influence on the occurrence of liquid-liquid phase separation and hierarchical structure. These results offer insights into the shear-induced crystallization and sequence-structure relationship of spider silk and have significant implications for the rational design of artificially spun fibers. Native spider silk has desirable mechanical properties, but these are challenging to replicate in an artificial material. Here, the authors report the use of a microfluidic system to create continuous fibers based on recombinant spidroin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polar surface of a curve is defined as the envelope of the normal planes along the curve. It is part of the set of three developable surfaces generated by the movement of the Frenet frame, together with torsal and rectifying surfaces. The idea of a surface formed by the polar axes of a curve is the brainchild of Gaspard Monge who described its properties in Mémoire sur les développées, les rayons de courbure et les différents genres d'inflexions des courbes (1785). Polar surfaces, despite having been mentioned in several manuals of Descriptive Geometry, have yet to be described from the point of view of graphic thinking. This article reviews Monge's original text, bringing to light their little-known applications which present great interest for architectural design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solution dyed fibers are synthetic fibers colored through the addition of insoluble pigmentation to the polymer prior to extrusion. This is in contrast to most textile fibers, which are traditionally colored via immersion in liquid dyebaths following extrusion. Solution dyed fibers are increasing in market share in numerous applications (e.g., apparel, carpet, upholstery), and thus, the microscopic characteristics and variety of pigments used to color them represent unexploited properties in forensic fiber comparisons. This paper presents the development of a microscopical process to first recognize a fiber as solution dyed and subsequently characterize the color and optical properties of each type of pigment found in a given fiber. To this end, a set of 76 fibers, representing polypropylene, nylon, polyester, and rayon, spanning all nominal colors and several consumer applications were analyzed longitudinally and in cross section using a combination of polarized light, fluorescence, and oil immersion microscopy. A given fiber contained between one and six different pigments, and a total of 260 pigments (not all unique) were recognized within this set of fibers. Pigment morphologies were categorized as angular, elongated, rounded, finely divided, or streaky, and about 40% of the pigments fluoresced. Ultimately, this body of data is intended to provide trace evidence examiners with a specific approach to recognize and begin to exploit pigmented fibers encountered in casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to produce artificial silk fibers with properties that match the native spider silk we likely need to closely mimic the spinning process as well as fiber architecture and composition. To increase our understanding of the structure and function of the different silk glands of the orb weaver Larinioides sclopetarius, we used resin sections for detailed morphology, paraffin embedded sections for a variety of different histological stainings, and a histochemical method for localization of carbonic anhydrase activity. Our results show that all silk glands, except the tubuliform glands, are composed of two or more columnar epithelial cell types, some of which have not been described previously. We observed distinct regionalization of the cell types indicating sequential addition of secretory products during silk formation. This means that the major ampullate, minor ampullate, aciniform type II, and piriform silk fibers most likely are layered and that each layer has a specific composition. Furthermore, a substance that stains positive for polysaccharides may be added to the silk in all glands except in the type I aciniform glands. Active carbonic anhydrase was found in all silk glands and/or ducts except in the type I aciniform and tubuliform glands, with the strongest staining in aggregate glands and their ductal nodules. Carbonic anhydrase plays an important role in the generation of a pH gradient in the major ampullate glands, and our results suggest that some other glands may also harbor pH gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western corn rootworm [Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (WCR)] is an important pest of maize in USA and Canada, and Europe. Its primary damage is due to larvae feeding on maize roots; yield and quality also occur due to WCR adult silk clipping and interference with ear pollination. WCR economic thresholds for sweet maize hybrids are not available. We aimed to determine whether silk feeding and artificial silk cut in various sweet maize hybrids could be correlated to potential WCR adult levels. The two-year field study was conducted in Hungary using seven different sweet maize hybrids. The silk was cut back to 0, 1, and 2 cm, measured, and compared daily to the silk length of uncut control plants. As a separate treatment, WCR adults were placed in cages on the uncut Suregold hybrid to assess silk clipping activity. After harvest, cob weights were measured, and fertility levels were assessed. Results showed that sweet maize hybrids can tolerate some silk cutting (simulating high WCR density and silk feeding). The action threshold for these hybrids is much higher than that for inbred lines or commercial grain maize, in line with prior studies for the Suregold hybrid (8-12 adults per year). Meteorological conditions and multiple pest presence, phytosanitary regulations, and IPM considerations may help finetune adult WCR control intervention decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is highly desirable to develop fiber materials with high strength and toughness while increasing fiber strength always results in a decrease in toughness. Spider silk is a natural fiber material with an excellent combination of high strength and toughness, which is produced from the spinning dope solution by gelation and drawing spinning process. This encourages people to prepare artificial fibers by mimicking the material, structure, and spinning of natural spider silk. In this review, we first summarized the preparation of artificial spider silk prepared via such a gelation process from different types of materials, including nonrecombinant proteins, recombinant proteins, polypeptides, synthetic polymers, and polymer nanocomposites. In addition, different spinning approaches for spinning artificial spider silk are also summarized. In the third section, some novel application scenarios of the artificial spider silk were summarized, such as artificial muscles, sensing, and smart fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about Goychay district, which is one of the beautiful corners of Azerbaijan. Here, the history of Goychay district is looked through, its naming, the villages included in its territory and information about which districts it is surrounded by. At the same time, it was noted which rocks the area is covered with. The existing depleting and non-depleting resources were discussed. The relief, climate, and the variety of soil cover were also discussed. In this regard, the wealth of vegetation was written. The famous river of the region, Goychay, was mentioned, and the rivers flowing there were mentioned. In a word, detailed information was given about Goychay region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

tourism is an economic activity and social phenomenon, where the society is a subsystem that impacts; therefore, community perception and participation in tourism planning and management is required. Precisely, in this research the concept of harmonious tourism and its methodology (META) is taken up to characterize the Rayon Complex System, in accordance with the vernacular-rational knowledge articulated with the biophysical and anthropic subsystem, the attributes of sustainability and flexibility in the selectivity of components by the researcher, to generate a diagnosis that promotes local development through tourism as a complementary economic activity. This study is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative; in which a literary review was made, and the use of techniques of the ethnographic method, such as; field trips, direct observation and in-depth interviews with different local social actors and the emic and etic perspective; to demonstrate that the Rayon Complex System shows resilience based on social and community participation to promote the recovery and dissemination of natural and cultural heritage, but community ties are required to generate community benefits, in addition to the importance of prior diagnostic before any intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Japan Research Association for Textile End-Uses / Sen'i Seihin Shohi Kagaku is the property of Japan Research Association for Textile End-Uses / Sen'i Seihin Shohi Kagaku and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) and mechanical testing techniques are used to track the dissolution of a viscose rayon multifilament yarn in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate [C2mim]+ [OAc]− for different times and temperatures. In the dissolution process, the oriented cellulose II crystals in the regenerated cellulose fibres dissolve and then reform into randomly oriented crystals to form a matrix phase, and this change in orientation enables us to follow the dissolution process using WAXS, and hence determine the dissolved matrix volume fraction v m . The change in the average molecular orientation P 2 determined from an azimuthal (α ) X-ray scan, allows the growth of the matrix volume fraction v m to be calculated with time and temperature. The growth of v m was found to follow time temperature superposition, with an Arrhenius behaviour, giving a value for the activation energy of Ea = 149 ± 4 kJ/mol. Young's modulus was measured on all the resulting processed composites. The fall of Young's modulus with dissolution time and temperature was also found to follow time–temperature superposition, with an Arrhenius behaviour giving a value for Ea = 198 ± 29 kJ/mol. The Young's Modulus results plotted against v m determined from the WAXS measurements fitted well to the Voigt upper bound parallel Rule of Mixtures . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A silk elastin-like protein (SELP) is an artificial compound with silk fibroin-like and elastin-like tandem repeats. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of SELP on the polarization of human monocytoma cell line (THP-1)-derived macrophages. When the macrophages of inflammation-type (M1) were cultured with different concentrations of SELP solution, the secretion of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrotizing factor (TNF) -α was significantly suppressed at the higher concentrations. In addition, the secretion of an anti-inflammation cytokine, interleukin (IL)-10, was significantly enhanced from the macrophage of M0-, M1-, and M2-types. By the incubation with soluble SELP, the morphology of M2-type macrophages changed to be of an extended shape. Following incubation with the sponge of SELP, M0-type macrophages secreted IL-10 with time. It is concluded that the SELP itself in solution has an ability to induce the anti-inflammation of M2-type macrophages. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic is everywhere in the aquatic ecosystem including river sediment. In this study, seven sediment sampling stations were selected along the basin, from upstream to downstream (7 stations) of the U-Taphao river for 4 months (February, April, June, and August) in 2022. The total number of microplastic particles found was 1,470 pieces, consisting of 814 fibers (55.37%) and 656 fragment particles (44.63%) from the four sampling months. Station 5 showed the highest concentration of microplastics, followed by station 1. Seven polymers were found throughout the study: PE, PP, PET, rayon, copolymer, PA, and PVA. Polymer analysis from microplastic samples by FTIR polymer analysis showed significant differences in the frequency of polymer types found in each month (p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molar masses and molar mass distributions of three commercial regenerated cellulose samples, viscose rayon, Tencel, and Bemliese (or cuprammonium nonwoven), have been determined by dissolution in 8% (w/w) lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) and subsequent size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle laser-light scattering detection (SEC/MALLS). Before dissolution in LiCl/DMAc, the regenerated cellulose samples were pretreated by the following three methods: (1) soaking in ethylene diamine (EDA) and subsequent solvent exchange to N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) through methanol, (2) soaking in water and subsequent solvent exchange to DMAc through ethanol, and (3) soaking in water and subsequent solvent exchange to tert-butyl alcohol through ethanol and freeze dying. The pretreated samples were dissolved in 8% (w/w) LiCl/DMAc by stirring the cellulose/LiCl/DMAc mixtures for 1–3 weeks followed by dilution to 1% (w/v) LiCl/DMAc for SEC/MALLS analysis. The EDA- and water-pretreated samples gave almost the same SEC-elution pattens and molar mass plots, resulting in similar number- and mass-average molar masses. However, the freeze-dried samples gave 10%‒20% lower mass recovery ratios than those obtained for the EDA- or water-pretreated samples, probably because of incomplete dissolution of the freeze-dried samples in 8% (w/w) LiCl/DMAc. The average mass-average degree of polymerization values of viscose rayon, Tencel, and Bemliese were 340, 530, and 880, respectively. The slopes of the conformation plots were 0.58–0.62, showing that all of the molecules in the three regenerated cellulose samples were dissolved in 1% (w/v) LiCl/DMAc, forming linear random-coil conformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics are widespread in freshwater environments and could impact these ecosystems. Bivalves are freshwater organisms that are particularly exposed to microplastic contamination. Therefore, in this preliminary study, the accumulation of microplastics, plasticizers, and additives in the freshwater bivalves Anodonta cygnea was investigated through active biomonitoring. Specimens bought commercially were exposed in three rivers in Central Italy for different exposure times: short (1 month) and long (3 months). The gills and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were analyzed separately to evaluate the possible uptake and ingestion of particles via Micro-FTIR. For the first time, small microplastics (SMPs, 5–100 µm), plasticizers, additives, and other micro-litter components, e.g., natural and non-plastic synthetic fibers (APFs), were identified in the bivalve A. cygnea. The most abundant polymer in the gills (94.4%) and in the GITs (66.1%) was polyamide, which had the highest concentration in each river. A decrease in SMPs' abundance was observed over time in the gills in each river, while the abundance in the GIT increased. Compared to polymers, a greater variety of APFs was observed in rivers. The APFs changed during the time of exposure and between different rivers more evidently than polymers, allowing for a clearer identification of the possible sources. These results highlighted the plastic pollution caused by SMPs using freshwater bivalves as sentinel organisms and the need to further investigate the additives that can be proxies of the presence of microplastics in the environment and biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural spider silks with striking performances achieve extensive investigations. Nonetheless, a lack of consensus over the mechanism of the natural spinning hinders the development of artificial spinning methods where the regenerated spider silks generally show poor performances compared with the natural fibers. As is known, the Plateau–Rayleigh instability tends to break solution column into droplets and is considered a main challenge during fiber‐spinning. Here in this study, by harnessing the viscoelastic properties of the regenerated spidroin dope solution via organic salt–zinc acetate (ZA), this outcome can be avoided, and dry‐spinning of long and mechanically robust regenerated spider silk ribbons can be successfully realized. The as‐obtained dry‐spun spider silk ribbons show an enhanced modulus up to 14 ± 4 GPa and a toughness of ≈51 ± 9 MJ m−3 after the post‐stretching treatment, which is even better than that of the pristine spider silk fibers. This facile and flexible strategy enriches the spinning methodologies which bypass the bottleneck of precisely mimicking the complex natural environment of the glands in spiders, shining a light to the spider‐silk‐based textile industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, metal foams have gained a lot of attention due to their distinctive physical, mechanical properties, and unique applications. Here, we fabricate magnesium base foam using viscose rayon fibers (VRFs) as a source of hydrogen by casting process at atmospheric pressure via the Gasar method. The chemical composition, pyrolysis of VRFs, and structure of magnesium foams are investigated in this study. By changing the amount of foaming agent from 0.4 to 2.2 wt%, the porosity rate changes from 10 to 52%. As the amount of foaming agent rises, the percentage of porosity first increases to a maximum and then remains almost constant, which can be due to the solubility of hydrogen in the magnesium melt. The highest obtained porosity is about 52% using 1.41 wt% of the foaming agent. The average diameter of the pores (in the range of 1.01–1.06 mm) shows no considerable change when the foaming agent amount is increased. As a result of this study, VRFs may serve as an effective foaming agent in fabricating magnesium foams to be used in load-bearing, weight-saving, and impact-absorbing structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular matrix of cells consists of polysaccharides and proteins which provide support for cell attachment, movement, and proliferation thus regulating cellular activities. After a wound, cells require similar support to rebuild tissues with original characteristics. Silk fibroin and cellulose have thus been used to engineer nanofibrous mats through electrospinning process for tissue engineering applications. Silk fibroin (SF) is extracted from B. mori cocoons and cellulose acetate (CA) is obtained from textile‐based yarn. The resulting SF:CA nanofibrous mats have fiber diameters in the range of 0.26 µm (SF:CA 40:60) to 0.81 µm (SF:CA 10:90), tensile modulus in the range of 74.5 MPa (100% CA) to 458 MPa (SF:CA 80:20) and showed good material miscibility as evidenced through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. In vitro, nanofibrous mats with high silk fibroin content maintained murine macrophages in the non‐inflammatory stage and encouraged the movement of fibroblasts cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]