Fibrous Matter Research Articles

An Artificial Intelligence‐Based Motion Trajectory Prediction of Fibrous Matters

Understanding and predicting the motion behavior of fibrous matters is critical for studying the structure, performance, function, and assembly behavior of fibrous matters. However, due to the limitation of characterization technology on a space−time scale, the existing technologies cannot provide real‐time in situ tracking of entire dynamic processes of fibrous matters. To address this shortcoming, an artificial intelligence‐based codebase, named the artificial intelligence‐based fiber motion tracking (AI‐FMT), is proposed for analyzing, studying, and predicting motion behaviors of fibrous matters. The proposed AI‐FMT can automatically extract morphology information of fibrous matters from a large number of pictures or video streams, which serve as an input for machine learning to predict the motion pattern of fibrous matters. Using a finite‐element concept in understanding the point−coordinate relationship, the AI‐FMT greatly simplifies the architecture of the neural network during motion prediction. For the case of 928 trainable parameters, an average accuracy of 97.8% is achieved in predicting variations in morphological parameters, such as mean square radius of gyration, end‐to‐end distance, and curvature in the movement process of animal hair. The presented results can help to understand the structure, assembly, performance, and function of fibrous matters.

Investigation of thermal comfort properties of fabrics containing mohair

Mohair is one of the most luxurious and best quality natural fibers. Recent developments focused on expanding the use of mohair in technical and functional textile products. It necessitated the need for an improved understanding of how the usage of mohair in fabrics will impact its thermal comfort related properties. Despite its popularity, little information is available on the quantification of thermo-physiological comfort properties of mohair fabrics. This study investigated the effect of fibrous matter composition and fabric structural parameters on conductive and convective heat transfers to study the thermal comfort properties of mohair fabrics. The results showed that fabric structural properties such as overall porosity, and specifically thickness, played a significant role in determining the thermal comfort properties of the fabrics. Fiber composition had an impact on thermal properties as the fabrics containing mohair or mohair/wool were consistently thicker, providing higher thermal resistance as well as resistance to the free flow of air that allows thermal convection. It may be concluded that the thicker structures of mohair or mohair/wool trap more air, providing higher thermal insulation.

Identification and first insights into the structure of chitin from the endemic freshwater demosponge Ochridaspongia rotunda (Arndt, 1937)

Studies on the identification, properties and function of chitin in sponges (Porifera), which are recognized as the first multicellular organisms on Earth, continue to be of fundamental scientific interest. The occurrence of chitin has so far been reported in 21 marine sponge species and only in two inhabiting fresh water. In this study, we present the discovery of α-chitin in the endemic demosponge Ochridaspongia rotunda, found in Lake Ohrid, which dates from the Tertiary. The presence of chitin in this species was confirmed using special staining, a chitinase test, FTIR, Raman and NEXAFS spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In contrast to the case of marine sponges, chitin in O. rotunda has been found only within its holdfast, suggesting a role of chitin in the attachment of the sponge to the hard substratum. Isolated fibrous matter strongly resemble the shape and size of the sponge holdfast with membrane-like structure.

Approach to 3D Unsteady CFD Analysis of a Single-Blade Pump

Single-blade centrifugal pumps are hydraulic machines used in many industrial areas. A unique screw shaped blade enables liquids containing solids and fibrous matters to be pumped. Owing to good pump hydraulic properties on the one hand and unfavourable impeller mechanical properties on the other have single-blade pumps become recently more interesting for researchers regarding the CFD simulations. In this case a conventional CFD approach for multi-blade pumps cannot be applied due to the lack of symmetry of the single-blade impeller. Possible approaches to the CFD simulation of a single-blade impeller in the Ansys Fluent and the Ansys CFX are compared in this paper. A comparison of two CFD meshing tools showed substantial element number decrease of the whole CFD model. This paper presents also the laboratory experiment results of the investigated single-blade pump. The paper describes a new approach to the single-blade CFD simulation through Ansys Fluent which is faster and more user-friendly then the conventional approach.

Balancing and blade-shaping of a single-blade impeller

Single-blade centrifugal pumps with a screw-shaped blade are widely used to pump slurry water containing solids and fibrous matters. These hydraulic machines should be frequently used, because of their suitable hydraulic and mechanical properties, in many industrial areas. There cannot be applied a conventional method to design a single-blade impeller, due to its lack of symmetry. The designing of an impeller, which enables fulfilled main requests such as good hydraulic, mechanical properties and the ball passage diameter as well as the influence of the blade outlet angle on hydraulic parameters is described in this academic paper.

The role of shape disorder in the collective behaviour of aligned fibrous matter.

We study the compression of bundles of aligned macroscopic fibers with intrinsic shape disorder, as found in human hair and in many other natural and man-made systems. We show by a combination of experiments, numerical simulations and theory how the statistical properties of the shapes of the fibers control the collective mechanical behaviour of the bundles. This work paves the way for designing aligned fibrous matter with purposed-designed properties from large numbers of individual strands of selected geometry and rigidity.

Fabrication of Durably Superhydrophobic Cotton Fabrics by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment with a Siloxane Precursor.

The surface treatment of fabrics in an atmospheric environment may pave the way for commercially viable plasma modifications of fibrous matters. In this paper, we demonstrate a durably superhydrophobic cotton cellulose fabric prepared in a single-step graft polymerization of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) by N2 and O2 atmospheric pressure plasma. We systematically investigated effects on contact angle (CA) and surface morphology of the cotton fabric under three operational parameters: precursor value; ionization gas flow rate; and plasma cycle time. Surface morphology, element composition, chemical structure and hydrophobic properties of the treated fabric were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), EDS, FTIR and CA on the fabrics. The results indicated that a layer of thin film and nano-particles were evenly deposited on the cotton fibers, and graft polymerization occurred between cellulose and HMDSO. The fabric treated by O2 plasma exhibited a higher CA of 162° than that treated by N2 plasma which was about 149°. Furthermore, the CA of treated fabrics decreased only 0°~10° after storing at the ambient conditions for four months, and treated fabrics could also endure the standard textile laundering procedure in AATCC 61-2006 with minimum change. Therefore, this single-step plasma treatment method is shown to be a novel and environment-friendly way to make durable and superhydrophobic cotton fabrics.

The mature and immature spermatozoa of the free-living marine nematode Daptonema sp. (Nematoda: Monhysterida: Xyalidae)

The immature spermatozoa stored in the testis and female postvulval uterine sac (PUS), and mature spermatozoa from the uterus of the free-living marine nematode Daptonema sp. (Monhysterida: Monhysterina: Xyalidae) were studied. The spermatozoa have a nucleus without a nuclear envelope. The central cytoplasm of the immature spermatozoa from the testis and the distal part of the PUS is occupied by a mass of pale fibrous bodies (FB) surrounded by mitochondria and osmiophilic membranous organelles (MO). The spermatozoa in the proximal half of PUS have a wide peripheral layer of electron lucent filamentous cytoplasm. The uterus lumen contains an aggregation of mature spermatozoa of which the periphery is transformed into pseudopods. The FB replaced by a voluminous electron-lucent halo bounded by a continuous layer of MO, mitochondria and fibrous matter. The MO may be intact, but numerous MO are fused with the plasma membrane, having been transformed into transparent pouches, each one opening to the exterior via a pore. Ultrastructural data showed that the activation is regulated in the female when spermatozoa migrate toward the uterus and transform into amoeboid mature spermatozoa. In general, the spermatozoa of Daptonema sp. and some other Monhysterina closely resemble those of the taxa belonging to the order Rhabditida. However, the `rhabditid' pattern of spermatozoon structure and development is most likely the plesiomorphic state in Rhabditida and close sister groups.

Real-time measurement of fibers using an HY-differential mobility analyzer with an optical particle counter (KOFAM).

This study investigated the applicability of an HY-differential mobility analyzer with an optical particle counter (HY-DMA/OPC), named as KOFAM, for counting fibrous matters in real time. Fibers separated from particles by the HY-DMA were counted with an OPC. To assess the KOFAM performance, the proposed method and the conventional gold standard phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method were compared in terms of variables such as recovery, relative difference, coefficient of determination, and conformity. The optimal sheath-to-aerosol (outlet) flow ratio of the internal flow in the HY-DMA was determined to be 1.6:1. In terms of recovery of the HY-DMA, the highest recovery was obtained at a voltage of 500 V regardless of which type of asbestos was tested. The recovery rate for serpentine was 45.5% and that for amphibole was 34.9%. The coefficients of determination of serpentine (R2 = 0.89) and amphibole (R2 = 0.87) were highly correlated. With respect to the coefficient of variation (CV), the KOFAM demonstrated superior performance over the M7400AD and F-1 methods and showed almost no difference from the PCM method (KOFAM: 22.5%, M7400AD: 32.4%, F-1: 88.8%, and PCM: 21.9%). There was no statistically significant difference between concentration measurements of the KOFAM and PCM analyses. Accordingly, it was concluded that the KOFAM can be used as a superior alternative to conventional fiber measurement methods. The preliminary results support the use of the KOFAM for constant measurement of airborne asbestos concentrations in real time.

해체·제거 작업 시 석면함유 건축자재에서 발생되는 섬유 및 입자상 물질의 특성

Objectives: This study focused on three aspects: characterizing concentrations of airborne particles by size distributions and asbestos fibers generated by various building materials; analyzing the characteristics of fibers produced by each simulation and asbestos fibers released from ACBMs; and investigating correlations of airborne asbestos fibers and particles generated and association of particle and asbestos concentrations. Methods: We selected three ACBMs including an insulation board, cement asbestos slate and wallboard. We constructed 4 scenarios; a) crushing with a hammer; b) cutting with a industrial knife; c) brushing with a metal brush; and d) tightening & loosening with a hand drill. We implemented one simulation for 30 seconds followed by 30 seconds resting period. We repeated a total of 5 cycles for 5 minutes. Results: The highest concentration of particulate & fibrous matters was from crushing with a hammer in each scenario followed by brushing with a metal brush, cutting with a industrial knife, and tightening & loosening with a hand drill. For ACBMs studied, asbestos concentrations were highest from an insulation board followed by cement asbestos slate, and wallboard. No difference in terms of concentration was found between an insulation board and asbestos slate. Fibers with 5~20 μm in length were included in 76~90% of total fibrous matters. The distribution of the straight form fibers was greater than that of the curl form. About 90% of PMTotal released from ACBMs was consisted of PM10 while only 10% of PMTotal was PM2.5. Particulate matters like PM2.5 was significantly correlated with fibrous matters(R 2 =0.81). Conclusions: We found ACBMs can significantly release asbestos fibers as well as PM2.5. Concentrations of asbestos generated by ACBMs were well correlated with PM2.5.

Metagenomic analysis of the Rhinopithecus bieti fecal microbiome reveals a broad diversity of bacterial and glycoside hydrolase profiles related to lignocellulose degradation.

BackgroundThe animal gastrointestinal tract contains a complex community of microbes, whose composition ultimately reflects the co-evolution of microorganisms with their animal host and the diet adopted by the host. Although the importance of gut microbiota of humans has been well demonstrated, there is a paucity of research regarding non-human primates (NHPs), especially herbivorous NHPs.ResultsIn this study, an analysis of 97,942 pyrosequencing reads generated from Rhinopithecus bieti fecal DNA extracts was performed to help better understanding of the microbial diversity and functional capacity of the R. bieti gut microbiome. The taxonomic analysis of the metagenomic reads indicated that R. bieti fecal microbiomes were dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla. The comparative analysis of taxonomic classification revealed that the metagenome of R. bieti was characterized by an overrepresentation of bacteria of phylum Fibrobacteres and Spirochaetes as compared with other animals. Primary functional categories were associated mainly with protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, DNA and RNA metabolism, cofactors, cell wall and capsule and membrane transport. Comparing glycoside hydrolase profiles of R. bieti with those of other animal revealed that the R. bieti microbiome was most closely related to cow rumen.ConclusionsMetagenomic and functional analysis demonstrated that R. bieti possesses a broad diversity of bacteria and numerous glycoside hydrolases responsible for lignocellulosic biomass degradation which might reflect the adaptations associated with a diet rich in fibrous matter. These results would contribute to the limited body of NHPs metagenome studies and provide a unique genetic resource of plant cell wall degrading microbial enzymes. However, future studies on the metagenome sequencing of R. bieti regarding the effects of age, genetics, diet and environment on the composition and activity of the metagenomes are required.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1378-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

CFD Simulation and Validation of Phase Particle Entrapment

A cost-effective and efficient technology was developed to remove particulate and fibrous matter from a container while avoiding dispersing the particles in the environment. This paper presents the whole process of computationally developing a conceptual system which can efficiently remove particles in the size range of 5–1000 μm from the container. The present work offers the unique virtue that prototyping can be easily followed and it shows an efficient, safe, low-cost method in the early product design stage. In the presented system, a viscous medium was designed to capture and flocculate the particulate matter. One of the factors which will lower the operating costs is that the viscous medium can be easily recycled and the flocculated particles with minimal volume can be disposed of safely. The ANSYS FLUENT package was used to simulate our proposed design. The effects of various particle size, specific gravity, and pressure-velocity boundary conditions on separation efficiency of the design have been studied by using different multiphase models along with viscous and discreet phase models.

Matching Optimization of Impeller and Volute for Double-Channel with Double-Suction Pump

In order to study the matching optimization of the impeller and volute as well as the flow characteristics of double-channel with double-suction pump ,this paper based on CFD performance prediction method uses the same impeller to match the volute with different base diameters, guaranteeing the volute inlet width, flow cross-sectional area, and tongue position unchanged .The calculation results show that scheme A with the largest volute base diameter can not only achieve the excellent energy characteristics and the velocity-pressure uniform distributions, but also the exchange of the fluid energy is more sufficient in the volute. On one hand, a large clearance can not only make the movement interference intensity weaken between the impeller and volute, but also can decrease the high frequency components of the pressure pulsations .On the other hand, the big gap can maximum exert the pump effects to convey liquids containing solid suspended particles as well as the fibrous suspended matters. The research can not only provide some references to further study on matching optimization of the impeller and volute but also can contribute to the hydraulic design of the impeller and volute.

Macroscopic inspection of ape feces: What's in a quantification method?

Macroscopic inspection of feces has been used to investigate primate diet. The limitations of this method to identify food-items to species level have long been recognized, but ascertaining aspects of diet (e.g., folivory) are achievable by quantifying food-items in feces. Quantification methods applied include rating food-items using a scale of abundance, estimating their percentage volume, and weighing food-items. However, verification as to whether or not composition data differ, depending on which quantification method is used during macroscopic inspection, has not been done. We analyzed feces collected from ten adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of the Kanyawara community in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We compare dietary composition totals obtained from using different quantification methods and ascertain if sieve mesh size influences totals calculated. Finally, this study validates findings from direct observation of feeding by the same individuals from whom the fecal samples had been collected. Contrasting diet composition totals obtained by using different quantification methods and sieve mesh sizes can influence folivory and frugivory estimates. However, our findings were based on the assumption that fibrous matter contained pith and leaf fragments only, which remains to be verified. We advocate macroscopic inspection of feces can be a valuable tool to provide a generalized overview of dietary composition for primate populations. As most populations remain unhabituated, scrutinizing and validating indirect measures are important if they are to be applied to further understand inter- and intra-species dietary variation.

Mean intrinsic tensile properties of stone groundwood fibers from softwood

Stone groundwood (SGW) is a fibrous matter commonly prepared in a high yield process, and mainly used for papermaking applications. In this work, the use of SGW fibers is explored as reinforcing element of polypropylene (PP) composites. Due to its chemical and superficial features, the use of coupling agents is needed for a good adhesion and stress transfer across the fiber-matrix interface. The intrinsic strength of the reinforcement is a key parameter to predict the mechanical properties of the composite and to perform an interface analysis. The main objective of the present work was the determination of the intrinsic tensile strength of stone groundwood fibers. Coupled and non-coupled PP composites from stone groundwood fibers were prepared. The influence of the surface morphology and the quality at interface on the final properties of the composite was analyzed and compared to that of fiberglass PP composites. The intrinsic tensile properties of stone groundwood fibers, as well as the fiber orientation factor and the interfacial shear strength of the current composites were determined.

Evidence of cellulose metabolism by the giant panda gut microbiome

The giant panda genome codes for all necessary enzymes associated with a carnivorous digestive system but lacks genes for enzymes needed to digest cellulose, the principal component of their bamboo diet. It has been posited that this iconic species must therefore possess microbial symbionts capable of metabolizing cellulose, but these symbionts have remained undetected. Here we examined 5,522 prokaryotic ribosomal RNA gene sequences in wild and captive giant panda fecal samples. We found lower species richness of the panda microbiome than of mammalian microbiomes for herbivores and nonherbivorous carnivores. We detected 13 operational taxonomic units closely related to Clostridium groups I and XIVa, both of which contain taxa known to digest cellulose. Seven of these 13 operational taxonomic units were unique to pandas compared with other mammals. Metagenomic analysis using ~37-Mbp contig sequences from gut microbes recovered putative genes coding two cellulose-digesting enzymes and one hemicellulose-digesting enzyme, cellulase, β-glucosidase, and xylan 1,4-β-xylosidase, in Clostridium group I. Comparing glycoside hydrolase profiles of pandas with those of herbivores and omnivores, we found a moderate abundance of oligosaccharide-degrading enzymes for pandas (36%), close to that for humans (37%), and the lowest abundance of cellulases and endohemicellulases (2%), which may reflect low digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose in the panda's unique bamboo diet. The presence of putative cellulose-digesting microbes, in combination with adaptations related to feeding, physiology, and morphology, show that giant pandas have evolved a number of traits to overcome the anatomical and physiological challenge of digesting a diet high in fibrous matter.

Gezüchtete Knorpeltransplantate

The main technique used in tissue engineering for the generation of autologous cartilage grafts is the production of autologous transplant material from living cells or tissues and/or cell matrices. Incompletely absorbed residual fibrous matter, unforeseeable interactions between cells and biological materials and uneven cell distribution of cells in the cell carriers still present unsolved problems. For these reasons a three-dimensional aggregate culture system was developed in which cells can generate cartilaginous tissue without the use of biomaterials. Chondrocytes and adult mesenchymal stem cells were used for this purpose and generate cartilaginous tissue with various phenotypes both in the aggregate culture system and in the athymic nude mouse model. The newly generated cartilage was subjected to histomorphological, immunochemical and biochemical investigation. After 3 weeks of in vitro aggregate culture the chondrocytes of all subclasses formed cartilaginous tissue. After 6 weeks' in vivo maturation in the athymic nude mouse model the new cartilage was found to differ in typical phenotype depending on the native cartilage used. Cartilage cells of various subclasses and adult mesenchymal stem cells generate cartilaginous tissue corresponding to their own phenotypes in a 3D aggregate culture system. This culture system is a promising method of producing cartilage grafts for use in reconstructive head and neck surgery.

Fluoro-edenite Fibers Induce Expression of Hsp70 and Inflammatory Response

Many asbestos-like mineral fibers have been detected in the air of mountainous and volcanic areas of Italy and other parts of the world. These fibers have been suspected to be the cause of increased incidences of lung cancer and other lung diseases in these areas. However, the mechanisms of the cellular response and defense following exposure to these microscopic fibers have not been characterized. We continue to study these mechanisms to be able to propose preventive strategies in large populations. The objective of the present study was to determine comparatively biological responses of mesothelial Met-5A and monocyte-macrophage J774 cells following exposure to two types of fluoro-edenite fibers having low and high iron content (labeled 19 and 27, respectively) obtained from Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy). The reference fiber was a non-iron fibrous tremolite from Val di Susa (Piemonte, Italy). The cells were treated with 5, 50, and 100 mug of fibrous matter per 1 ml for 72 hr. We identified several key mechanisms by which cells responded and counteracted the injury induced by these fibers. The fibers caused induction of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), stimulated formation of reactive oxygen species (detected by using DCFH-DA as a fluorescent probe) and NO* (measured as nitrite). Exposure of cells to the fibers induced lactate dehydrogenase activity and decreased viability. The fluoro-endenite type 27 was the most potent fiber tested, which indicated that iron and possibly manganese contribute significantly to this fiber toxicity. The J774 cells were more sensitive to fluoro-edenite than Met-5A cells suggesting that the primary site of the fiber-induced inflammatory response could be the macrophage rather than the pulmonary epithelium. Fluoro-edenite produces more biological alterations with respect to non-iron tremolite. Hsp70 and free radicals could be important factors in the context of mineral fiber-induced acute lung injury leading possibly to mutagenic effects. We anticipate that pharmacological blockade of the fiber-dependent cellular responses could in long term offer preventive approach to combat lung diseases induced by these fibers.

Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of Tunisian camel hair

The evaluation of the textile potential of the camel (Camelus dromedarius) underhair is a field of investigation that has been approached only a few times, as indicated by the low number of articles in literature. This is most probably due to the scarcity of this fibre and the problems with the dehairing process of unsorted fibres of dromedary. Aiming at a better economic exploitation of the quantity of fibrous matter in the fleece of Tunisian dromedary, a project of valorization of these fibres was launched. The objective of this study was to analyze the physical and mechanical properties of dromedary hair. Results indicate that it has exceptional textile potential. Also, the factors age and area have a significant effect on all parameters of control (fibre diameter, fibre length, tenacity, and strain), and the interaction between these two factors is not negligible. So simplified models, based on the analysis of variance, define the selection procedure of these fibres according to various factors of control taken into account and preserved in those models.

Experimental Determination of Some Specifications of Gypsum Splitter Wall Boards

In this research, mass per unit area, amount of fibrous matter, water absorption and screw pull resistance specifications of the gypsum boards, that have been produced for using in the building as splitter wall, were determined. Three different types of gypsum board as standart, water resistant and fire resistant were used in tests. As a result, Mass per unit area was determined as 9,4439 kg/m for standard gypsum board, 12,0701 kg/m for water resistant gypsum board, 12,1855 kg/m for fire resistant gypsum board, Amount of fibrous matter was determined as % 5,12 for standard gypsum board, % 7,68 for water resistant gypsum board, % 8,26 for fire resistant gypsum board, Water absorption was determined as % 10,16 for standard gypsum board, % 5,01 for water resistant gypsum board, % 5,60 for fire resistant gypsum board and Screw pull resistance was determined as 93,33 N for standard gypsum board, 108,67 N for water resistant gypsum board, 110,00 N for fire resistant gypsum board.