Presence Of Wool Research Articles

Wool/soy protein isolate membranes as separators toward more sustainable lithium-ion batteries

Natural origin products exist in large quantities around the world and many times they are not properly exploited in order to realize their potential in novel applications, being often even discarded as by-products from other uses. In this study, wool and soy protein isolate (SPI) are proposed to develop separator membranes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), aiming toward a new generation of sustainable batteries. The developed membranes show suitable wettability by the electrolyte solution and are characterized by a porous morphology that becomes more irregular with the addition of wool with respect to the distribution and size of the pores. The physicochemical properties of the membranes are not strongly affected by the addition of wool, excepting for the low mechanical resistance of the SPI membranes, which is improved with the presence of wool. With respect to lithium-ion battery applications, the ionic conductivity is larger than 10−4 S.cm−1 and the lithium transference number ranges between 0.42 and 0.67, leading to excellent battery performance with a discharge capacity up to ~150 mAh.g−1 at C/10 rate. Overall, the developed membranes represent a suitable alternative to conventional LIB separators taking into account the need for environmental friendlier approaches compatible with a circular and sustainable economy.

Use of a Visual Scoring System to Assess External Udder Conformation and Its Relationship to Colostrum Quality and Lamb Growth Rates.

In sheep raised for meat production, the relationship between external udder conformation, colostrum quality, and lamb growth rates has not received much attention. We hypothesized that ewes with a more desirable udder conformation at lambing would have greater colostrum quality and greater growth rates in lambs. Fifty Suffolk ewes were used in this study. Within 6-8 h of parturition, colostrum samples from both halves of the udder were collected and visual scoring of the udder was conducted. Colostrum quality was measured for total proteins using both optical and Brix refractometers. On day 2, day 45, and day 60 after parturition, lamb weights were recorded, and udder conformation measurements were repeated. A visual scoring system evaluating udder floor (scale 1-4), udder depth (scale 1-9), teat placement (scale 1-9), teat/mammary lesions (present or absent), and the presence of wool (present or absent) was used to assess the external udder conformation. Normal udder parameters included udder depth scores of 5 or 6; udder floor scores of 1 or 2; teat placement scores of 4, 5, or 6; and the absence of teat/mammary lesions and wool. All ewes not meeting normal parameters were considered to have an abnormal udder. The data were analyzed using the GLM procedure. Mean total colostrum protein was greater (p = 0.03) in ewes displaying a 'normal' udder conformation compared with those with an 'abnormal' conformation (14.82 ± 0.5 and 13.31 ± 0.3 mg/dL, respectively). Mean Brix values were also greater (p = 0.03) for ewes with a 'normal' udder compared to an abnormal udder confirmation (21.70 ± 0.8 and 19.54 ± 0.5, respectively). On day 2 after parturition, the mean lamb body weight was not different between ewes with 'normal' and abnormal udders (5.38 ± 0.26 vs. 5.46 ± 0.15). No differences (p > 0.05) in lamb weights were detected between ewes with normal and abnormal udder conformations on day 45 and 60 after parturition. These data provide evidence of greater colostrum total protein values and greater Brix values present in ewes with a 'normal' udder conformation. There were no differences in the weights of lambs born to ewes with normal or abnormal udder conformations.

Effect of solar radiation on thermoregulatory responses of Santa Inês sheep and their crosses with wool and hair Dorper sheep

• Dorper x Santa Inês crosses heat tolerance does not decrease by the presence of wool. • Infrared thermography as good non-invasive tool to assess changes in body temperature. • Thermoregulatory efficiency of Santa Inês sheep and crosses with Dorper are similar. This study aimed to assess the thermoregulatory responses of Santa Inês (SI), Dorper x Santa Inês (CH) and White Dorper x Santa Inês sheep (CW) to direct solar radiation in Southeast Brazil. Thirty adult non-pregnant and non-lactating Santa Inês (SI) hair ewes and their crosses with Dorper (hair ewes) and White Dorper (wool ewes) were allocated into three groups n = 10 and exposed to continuous solar radiation for three consecutive days. Ocular and surface temperatures, measured by infrared thermography, the rectal temperature, respiratory rate and sweating rate were collected at 7:00, 13:00 and 20:00 h. During the experiment, the black globe temperature reached a peak at 13:00 h, reaching mean values of 43.5 °C ± 0.45 °C, representative of severe discomfort for sheep. All genotypes showed an increase in surface temperature, reaching the maximum value at 13:00 h. The wool White Dorper x Santa Inês showed significantly higher surface temperature (dorsal, ventral, and shoulder) than the other genotypes. All the genotypes showed similar rectal temperature increases, peaking at 13:00 h, with values close to 39.4 °C ± 0.12 °C. At 20:00 h, all the genotypes decreased the rectal temperature (RT), albeit not reverting to the 7:00 h values. Changes in ocular temperature values mirrored the RT. All the genotypes presented high levels of evaporative heat loss. Even though all breeds significantly increased the respiratory rate, Santa Inês exhibited significantly higher values (146 bpm) than the others (112 and 117 for CH and CW, respectively). The sweating rate was very high in all genotypes, without differences among them, and exhibiting the same trend with a maximum value at 20:00 h. This behavior reflects the continuous effort to lose heat during the day, despite the decrease in black globe temperature. This study revealed analogous thermoregulatory responses among genotypes groups studied. The three genotypes showed similar heat tolerances, albeit presenting different thermogenesis and thermolysis dynamics, as evidenced by the maintenance of rectal temperatures within physiological limits even when subjected to intense high solar radiation.

Psoroptes ovis infestation of sheep in São Vicente do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Sheep psoroptic mange is a form of highly itchy and contagious dermatitis caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis. Here, we reporteda case of sheep psoroptic mange outbreak at a property in São Vicente do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. Poor nutritional status, restless behavior, pruritus, wool fall, yellowish crusted skin lesions with edge exudate, erythema surrounding the lesions and presence of wool trapped between the teeth were observed in the herd. Complete blood count test showed marked eosinophilia, and parasitological examination of a skin scrape revealed P. ovis. Histopathological examination of a skin biopsy sample revealed eosinophilic pustular dermatitis. The treatment consisted of two administrations of 1% ivermectin at 1 mL/33 kg of body weight subcutaneously over an interval of 10 days. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of psoroptic mange at a sheep farm of RS with description of the clinical signs and laboratory and histopathological findings.

Experimental Analysis and Simulation of Novel Technical Textile Reinforced Composite of Banana Fibre.

The use of natural fibres allows reducing environmental impact, due to their natural renewable origin and the lower energy needed for their production and processing. This work presents the mechanical characterization of a newly developed technical textile, with banana fibre treated by enzymes, comparing experimental results with numerical simulation based on the definition of the unit cell at micromechanical level. The experimental test shows that the composite with the fabric of banana fibre presents worse mechanical behaviour than the one with commercial flax fibre. The presence of wool, necessary for producing the yarn, reduces the mechanical properties of the banana textile. The numerical simulation had an acceptable error compared with the experimental results, with a global average error of 9%, showing that the predictive modelling based on the multiscale method is suitable for the design process of this kind of composite.

Spectroscopy analyses of hybrid unsaturated polyester composite reinforced by Alfa, wool, and thermo-binder fibres

Alfa’s fibres surfaces were modified chemically by the presence of wool and [poly(ester terephthalate) (PET)–polyethylene (PE)] thermo-binder fibres. Indeed, vibrational analyses based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman measurements have confirmed the existence of chemical interactions between these fibres. These analyses have shown that the hydrophilic character of Alfa fibres could be decreased either by hydrogen bonds between water molecules and wool fibres or by the crystallinity of PET constituents in PET-PE thermo-binder fibres which might confer its hydrophobic character to Alfa’s fibres surfaces. As a result, the compatibility between the Alfa fibres and the unsaturated polyester matrix was enhanced, which allowed adhesion mechanism based on chemical bonds formed by secondary bonding. Such adhesion mechanism was also proven by the 13C Cross-Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy results.

Selective formation of polyaniline on wool by chemical polymerization, using potassium iodate

It was found out, the condition that polyaniline (PANI) formed selectively on wool. PANI was selectively formed on wool in the case of polymerization of aniline, using potassium iodate (KIO 3), as an oxidizing agent in the presence of wool. IR spectrum of PANI–wool composite formed, using KIO 3, showed the presence of cysteic acid units (Cy SO 3H) resulted from the oxidation of cystine bonds (Cy S S Cy) in wool. Selective formation of PANI on wool was considered to occur by a concentration of aniline on wool bearing cysteic acid units. It became apparent by IR analysis of oxidized wool that the oxidized layer of the wool textiles was thicker and cystine bonds in wool were converted into more cysteic acids by oxidation, using KIO 3 than using (NH 4) 2S 2O 8 and K 2Cr 2O 7. Therefore, formation of PANI on wool occurred remarkably in the case of polymerizing aniline, using KIO 3.

Factors affecting the effectiveness of head-only electrical stunning in sheep

The effects of factors such as the position of the tongs, the presence of wool, and the wetness of the skin on the efficiency of the head-only stunning procedure, and...

Microbiological contamination of ovine carcasses associated with the presence of wool and faecal material.

The microbiological contamination of ovine hind legs at sites which were visibly clean (control carcasses), sites immediately adjacent to and below visually contaminated sites, and sites contaminated with visible faecal material or wool were determined by excision sampling immediately after pelting and immediately after a pre-evisceration wash. The mean aerobic plate count (APC) and Escherichia coli count (EC) at clean sites immediately after pelting ranged from log10 cm-2 3.98 to 4.44 and log10 cm-2 0.96 to 1.51, respectively. These levels of contamination were significantly lower than those on sites contaminated with faecal material (log10 cm-2 6.00 and 3.00, respectively) or wool (log10 cm-2 5.44 and 2.45, respectively). The presence of faecal material or wool on the carcass was not associated with increased bacterial numbers on visually clean areas of the carcass. This indicates that the presence of faecal material or wool alone cannot be used as an indicator of the hygienic status of the carcass as a whole, particularly in the role of on-line monitoring parameters for HACCP systems. Pre-evisceration washing of carcasses had very little effect on the uncontaminated areas of the carcasses, but reduced the mean APC and EC at the site of visible contaminants. There was little evidence of redistribution of bacteria to immediately adjacent but visually clean sites. However, the residual levels of both APCs and ECs directly at sites of faecal contamination after washing were still significantly higher than at visually clean sites. Application of HACCP principles to ovine slaughter and dressing suggests that visible faecal material should be removed by trimming, whereas pre-evisceration washes can have a practical and microbiologically validated role in the removal of wool. There was generally a good correlation between APCs and ECs at the uncontaminated sites prior to pre-evisceration washing, suggesting that in some situations APCs can act as a useful indicator of both general carcass hygiene and the presence of faecal indicators.

Microbiological contamination of ovine carcasses associated with the presence of wool and faecal material

Microbiological contamination of ovine carcasses associated with the presence of wool and faecal material

Wool: Its Effect On Flame Retardant Properties of Blend Fabrics

Durable phosphorus-based flame retardants were applied to twill fabrics con taining cotton and wool to study the effect of wool on the flame retardancy and physical properties of the blend fabrics. The presence of wool in untreated blend fabrics caused burning rates to decrease and oxygen index values to increase as wool content increased in the blends. These effects were also observed in cotton/ wool blends treated with low levels of the Thps-urea-TMM flame retardant, but were less pronounced in fabrics treated at high levels. Thermogravimetric analyses were conducted to study the thermal degradation of the treated and untreated fabrics. The presence of wool in treated blend fabrics did not sig nificantly change strength retention, area shrinkage and wrinkle recovery values in comparison to similarly treated 100% cotton fabrics.

The Action of Albegal B on The Dyeing of Wool with α‐ Bromoacrylamide Reactive Dyes

This paper describes, in two parts, the action in aqueous solution of an amphoteric product, Albegal B (CGY), on an α‐bromoacrylamide reactive dye in the absence and in the presence of wool. The first part describes the effect of Albegal B, and of some inorganic compounds, on the aggregation of the dye in solution. A complex less soluble than the dye was observed in the initial stage, and at higher concentrations of Albegal B a slight tendency for the complex to redissolve. In the second part, the effect of Albegal B on the absorption on, and reaction with, wool of C.I. Reactive Yellow 39 is examined using a rotational central plan of experiments. Investigation of the effects of dye concentration and temperature showed the existence of optimum concentrations of Albegal B, where absorption and reaction of the dye are at a maximum. Possible mechanisms of interaction in the dyeing process are discussed.

Fibre–reactive Basic Dyes I–Polymethine Dyes Containing the N–Chloroacetyl Group

Several fibre–reactive basic (polymethine) dyes containing the N–chloroacetyl group have been prepared. They had better washing fastness on wool than their non–reactive analogues.Exhaustion figures were obtained in the usual way (colorimetrically) for all the dyes in Table 1 at the following pH: 2. 5, 3. 6, 4. 7, 5. 8, 6. 9 and 8. 4. However, these results were not in accord with visual assessments of the depths and it appears likely that some decomposition of the dyes takes place, in the presence of wool, particularly at higher pH values.

GRAFT COPOLYMERIZATION OF METHYL METHACRYLATE IN THE SYSTEM OF WOOL, WATER AND CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

Methyl methacrylate was polymerized in the presence of wool, water and carbon tetrachloride under a variety of conditions. Through the determination of the weight increase of wool, graft efficiency and average degree of polymerization of isolated polymers, following results were obtained.(1) A small amount of water is necessary for successful grafting.(2) The weight increase of wool increases markedly at the presence of a small amount of CCl4. For example, the weight increase of wool reached about 800% with little homopolymer when the reaction was carried out for 3 hr, at 75°C in the system including 2% CCl4 to the monomer.(3) The average degree of polymerization of grafted polymer was considerably lower than that of the simultaneously obtained homopolymer.

Bleaching of Wool with Hydrogen Peroxide in Presence of Different Stabilisers

The influence of Stabilizer C (a mixture of sodium oxalate and sodium pyrophosphate [Laporte]), sodium pyrophosphate, trisodium phosphate, and sodium silicate on the decomposition of solutions of hydrogen peroxide, as well as on the bleaching effect produced on a wool fabric, has been studied. The pH of the peroxide solutions remains constant, except for the solutions containing trisodium phosphate, whose pH increases. The release of oxygen is regulated by the nature of the stabilising anion and the pH of the solution. The presence of wool in bleaching solutions decreases the pH of the solution, the oxygen release being regulated by the nature of the stabilising anion. No relation was found between the degree of reflectance obtained and the less of oxygen from the bleaching solution. The cystine content of the wool decreases during bleaching and its alkali solubility increases, both values being related to the reflectance obtained; the tryptophan content of the wool also decreases considerably.

The Effect of Chlorine on Dyed Nylon

After dry chlorination of wool, the chlorine retained by the fibres is present as hydrochloric acid (i.e. is extractable by alkaline solutions); whilst with nylon it is shown that the chlorine is more strongly combined, so that it is not completely extracted by sodium carbonate solution but can be removed by sodium bisulphite solution. Generally, absorption of chlorine by nylon is attended by an increase in fluidity of the nylon in m-cresol and a corresponding decrease in tensile strength; the degree of absorption of chlorine appears to vary with the type of dye used. The presence of wool has a “buffering” action on the uptake of chlorine by nylon and hence tends to protect the nylon from excessive damage. Of the groups of dyes examined (chrome, level-dyeing and neutral-dyeing acid dyes, together with a few soluble acetate-rayon dyes and direct cotton dyes), the chrome dyes were satisfactory in their fastness to chlorination. The lighter shades of neutral-dyeing acid dyes were useless and the other dyeings occupied intermediate positions. All these dyes, with a few exceptions, have a slightly higher fastness to wet chlorination. The above observations are illustrated in detail by tabulated and graphed data, together with colorimetric data for a representative selection of the dyes before and after dry chlorination.