Types Of Fabrics Research Articles

Characterization of Silver Conductive Ink Screen-Printed Textile Circuits: Effects of Substrate, Mesh Density, and Overprinting

This study explores the intricate interaction between the properties of textile substrates and screen-printing parameters in shaping fabric circuits using silver conductive ink. Via analyzing key variables such as fabric type, mesh density, and the number of overprinted layers, the research revealed how the porous structure, large surface area, and fiber morphology of textile substrates influence ink absorption, ultimately enhancing the electrical connectivity of the printed circuits. Notably, the hydrophilic cotton staple fibers fabric effectively absorbed the conductive ink into the fabric substrate, demonstrating superior electrical performance compared with the hydrophobic polyester filament fabric after three overprinting, unlike the results observed after a single print. As mesh density decreased and the number of prints increased, the electrical resistance of the circuit gradually reduced, but ink bleeding on the fabric surface became more pronounced. Cotton fabric, via absorbing the ink deeply, exhibited less surface bleeding, while polyester fabric showed more noticeable ink spreading. These findings provide valuable insights for improving screen printing technology for textile circuits and contribute to the development of advanced fabric circuits that enhance the functionality of smart wearable technology.

A modified multi-node human thermoregulation model with improved sweating response to simulate human physiological behaviours in warm and hot environments

The present research developed a modified multi-node thermoregulation model derived from the renowned Tanabe and JOS series models (JOS-2 and JOS-3). The JOS-3 model's predictions showed an abrupt spike in mean skin temperature, contradicting the findings from experiments. The JOS-3 model's sweating mechanism exhibits an inconsistency, and the sweating mechanism is not triggered promptly and accurately, leading to a sudden rise in skin temperature. This disparity significantly impacts the ability of the model to precisely replicate thermoregulatory responses under various climatic conditions and levels of physical activity. The proposed modified thermoregulation model extends the JOS-3 model by modifying the set-point temperature and sweating signals. The performance of the developed modified thermoregulation model is thoroughly analyzed under various conditions involving different environmental conditions, activity levels, and clothing types. The proposed model eliminates abrupt rise in the mean skin temperature and improves its prediction accuracy, notably reducing mean skin temperature RMSE in hot-humid conditions (0.66 °C vs. 0.85 °C) compared to the JOS-3 model. In hot-dry settings, improvements are significant, reducing the mean skin temperature and core temperature RMSE (0.48 °C vs. 0.06 °C and 0.05 °C vs. 0.02 °C, respectively). Overall, the modified thermoregulation model offers a reliable and accurate solution to analyze human physiological conditions for a wide range of practical problems.

Resuspension of inhalable particles from clothing: A manikin-based chamber study

Clothing plays a significant role in facilitating inhalation exposure to particulate matter (PM). Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies investigating PM resuspension from clothing. This study aims to quantify size-resolved PM resuspension rate (RR) from clothing while exploring the effects of factors influencing this process. In a controlled chamber, we deposited Arizona Test Dust on a seated and clothed thermal manikin. The seated manikin was then placed in a resuspension chamber to perform arm movements using a consistent test mechanism. We evaluated the size-resolved resuspension rates in the diameter range 0.3–10 μm as a function of long-sleeve clothing type (cotton shirts vs. polyacrylic sweaters), relative humidity (RH) (35 vs. 70 %), dust loading (204 vs. 321 mg/m2), and movement intensity (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 Hz). The short-term PM10 concentration in the breathing zone was 1.25 times higher than in the bulk air during resuspension. The size-dependent RR varied between 0.01 h−1 and 0.06 h−1. Higher RR was associated with higher movement intensity and dust loading on clothing, while a small dependence was found on clothing type and RH. The results offer a valuable dataset for enhancing current inhalation exposure models related to indoor aerosols and for developing targeted interventions to reduce exposure to particles associated with clothing.

Porte-chaises and Gazebos in the Traditions of European Horse-Drawn Transport of the Baroque Era

The aim of the article is to determine the constructive, compositional and artistic features of porte-chaises and gazebos in the European proto-design of the Baroque era. Results. It has been found that among the horse-drawn transport of the Baroque period in European proto-design, a special place was occupied by carriage carriers, which were carried by special porters, following the example of ancient oriental prototypes. The author reveals that this tradition was initiated under the influence of interaction with the Indian Raj and other representatives of the Eastern establishment and developed among the high society circles of nobility in England, Spain, Italy, and France as a reflection on colonial ambitions in society. The scientific novelty of the study is related to the analysis of constructive, compositional and artistic features of gazebos and porte-chaises in the European tradition of horse-drawn transport of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries on the example of monuments that have been preserved or recorded by artists. Conclusions. It has been proved that the production of baroque portable carriages such as porte-chaises and gazebos was carried out by individual specialists-woodcarvers. They knew how to combine metal and wooden structures of the product’s frame, as well as how to design the “salon-cabin” using different types of leather and drapery fabrics. The ways of external decoration of such objects with a representative heraldic coat of arms compositions, bouquets of flowers, and plot motifs are outlined. The article illustrates the varieties of porte-chaises, gazebos, sedan chairs, palanquins, and sigettes (sigetter, “vastasi di cinga”) typical of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in the works of European painters.

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions for urban stormwater management into existing urban fabrics

Abstract Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) have been proven to address urban stormwater challenges effectively while providing multiple benefits to the economy, society, and environment. Urban fabrics profoundly influence flood risk as the changes in urban form, land use, and building layout will affect the urban hydrological cycle, thereby altering precipitation and runoff. However, few studies look at the connection between NBSs and urban fabrics, which can contribute to urban stormwater management. This paper aims to categorize the general types of urban fabrics and consider NBSs as strategic interventions that can improve water-related issues and help to create a resilient neighborhood. This paper elaborates on some strategic approaches to integrate NBSs in existing urban fabrics at the neighborhood scale to optimize their response capacity according to the local conditions. The novelty lies in adopting a systemic vision to deliver a design toolkit that can be adapted to different conditions and with different typologies across the places and countries facing similar water-related challenges. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of understanding how different NBSs fit various urban fabric types, and future work is needed to provide assessment tools to evaluate the efficiency of different design scenarios.

Thermal perception and dressing behaviors of pregnant women during different stages of pregnancy: A field study at a hospital in Xi'an, China

Pregnant women have different thermal preferences during pregnancy. This paper aims to investigate the thermal characteristics of pregnant women in hospitals, addressing a research gap in the field of thermal comfort for this population. This study assessed the thermal environments of the pregnancy examination spaces (i.e., B-ultrasound room and waiting area) in a hospital located in Xi'an during the winter season. Data were collected from 1055 pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy, including demographic characteristics, thermal sensation votes (TSVs), thermal comfort votes (TCVs), and clothing insulation. The results show that the thermal sensation was significantly more influenced by the pregnancy stage than the current weight. Pregnant women in the third trimester reported a higher mean thermal sensation vote (MTSV) than in other pregnancy stages. Furthermore, the clothing insulation of pregnant women exhibited a non-normal distribution, resembling a bimodal structure. Based on this structure, typical clothing insulation values were determined to be 0.9 clo in the B-ultrasound room and 1.3 clo in the waiting area. Given these characteristics in both thermal perception and dressing behaviors of pregnant women via a subjective questionnaire, we advise lowering the temperature to ensure their comfort and save heating energy. Some personalized seats are also provided to compensate for differences in thermal preference at various stages of pregnancy. These findings contribute to the creation of comfortable and healthy pregnancy examination environments.

থিয়েটারে পোশাক পরিকল্পনায় বাংলাদেশের ঐতিহ্যবাহী পোশাকের গুরুত্ব ও সম্ভাবনা

In a developing country like Bangladesh, garment related profession is very promising. The study focuses on costume planning in theater and its importance and potential in the context of Bangladesh. Basically, the current study focuses on the importance and potential of traditional costume planning in theater, based on the social reality of the whole world, developed under the shelter of moral responsibility. In the context of Bangladesh, what was meant by costume planning in theater in the past has changed drastically with the evolution of time and the expansion of academic education. Clothing is a type of clothing that clearly conveys people's class, gender, profession, morality, nationality, activities, etc. It is the medium of the non-verbal language of the human body. Theatrical costumes are objects designed based on the concept of actual costumes, which actors wear on stage. Through this, space-time, geographical condition, weather, gender, profession, morality etc. are reflected in the character. In today's changing society theater is not only changing but theater has to keep up with the world. And to face the challenges of this global world, if the theatrical costumes of Bangladesh can be connected with the traditions, the country's potential industrial entertainment sector will be exposed and at the same time efforts will be made to protect the native traditions which are also challenging. Memory, culture and heritage will be juxtaposed in the present essay on justification. Because both tradition and culture are creations of human mind. By both forms, actions, processes become more evident in society. In a less developed country like Bangladesh, the issue of theater clothing is so complex that navigating it is another goal of research. The essay's scholarly exploration of tradition and theater is determined to resist cultural hegemony and epistemological hegemony through opposition to authority and mastery, relying not on romanticism but on qualitative methods. The article will proceed through a structured abstract thinking process focusing on the knowledge of the subliminal or subliminal thoughts of the human mind by adopting semi-analytical methods, descriptive methods, historical methods, comparative methods, observational methods and case studies. As a result, there will be an attempt to prove that the human mind, accustomed to abstract thinking, moves towards the opposite binarism, by connecting the tradition of clothing, it can become one among many in a non-verbal process, and Bengali theater will be able to wander in the building of aesthetic art for a long time, freed from the burden of subjugation. And Bengali nation will get strong fear in the building of industry.

Influence of mechanical anchors on bond performance of fiber fabric-steel joints

This study proposes an experimental model for anchor reinforcement and conducts uniaxial static tensile tests. The influence of anchor reinforcement on the failure mode of specimens is revealed. This includes the effects of bond length, number of layers, and types of fiber fabric under anchor reinforcement on the ultimate bearing capacity and bond-slip curve. The results demonstrate that anchors can effectively increase the ultimate bearing capacity of the test specimens. There are differences in bond-slip behavior between the anchors near the free end and the joint end. Higher stresses are experienced near the joint end. The use of anchor reinforcement can significantly enhance the load-bearing capacity of multi-layer carbon fiber specimens. Increasing the number of anchors and reducing the distance between the anchor and the joint end can further improve the stiffness of the specimens. A finite element model is established using ANSYS, which agrees well with the experimental results and parameterized analysis results reveal a linear increase in load-bearing capacity and stiffness with higher anchor bolt preload, achieving an 84.42 % increase at 11kN. Increased preload enhances friction at the carbon fiber-steel interface, reducing deformation. Similarly, expanding anchor width from 9 mm to 39 mm improves load-bearing capacity by 54.28 %, with larger anchors significantly boosting stiffness and bonding performance, which can be used to predict the mechanical properties of fiber fabric-steel reinforced by anchors.

Efficient Fabric Classification and Object Detection Using YOLOv10

The YOLO (You Only Look Once) series is renowned for its real-time object detection capabilities in images and videos. It is highly relevant in industries like textiles, where speed and accuracy are critical. In the textile industry, accurate fabric type detection and classification are essential for improving quality control, optimizing inventory management, and enhancing customer satisfaction. This paper proposes a new approach using the YOLOv10 model, which offers enhanced detection accuracy, processing speed, and detection on the torn path of each type of fabric. We developed and utilized a specialized, annotated dataset featuring diverse textile samples, including cotton, hanbok, cotton yarn-dyed, and cotton blend plain fabrics, to detect the torn path in fabric. The YOLOv10 model was selected for its superior performance, leveraging advancements in deep learning architecture and applying data augmentation techniques to improve adaptability and generalization to the various textile patterns and textures. Through comprehensive experiments, we demonstrate the effectiveness of YOLOv10, which achieved an accuracy of 85.6% and outperformed previous YOLO variants in both precision and processing speed. Specifically, YOLOv10 showed a 2.4% improvement over YOLOv9, 1.8% over YOLOv8, 6.8% over YOLOv7, 5.6% over YOLOv6, and 6.2% over YOLOv5. These results underscore the significant potential of YOLOv10 in automating fabric detection processes, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and productivity in textile manufacturing and retail.

Efficient Domain Knowledge Injection for Bridging the Gap Between Generalized Large Vision Models and Specialized Fabric Defect Tasks

ABSTRACT The scarcity of high-quality annotated data poses a significant challenge to the application of deep learning in fabric defect tasks, limiting the generalization and segmentation performance of existing models and impeding their capability to address the complexity of various fabric types and defects. To overcome these obstacles, this study introduces an innovative method to infuse specialized knowledge of fabric defects into the Segment Anything Model (SAM), a large-scale visual model. By introducing and training a unique set of fabric defect-related parameters, this approach seamlessly integrates domain-specific knowledge into SAM without the need for extensive modifications to the preexisting model parameters. The revamped SAM model leverages generalized image understanding learned from large-scale natural image datasets while incorporating fabric defect-specific knowledge, ensuring its proficiency in fabric defect segmentation tasks. The experimental results reveal a significant improvement in the model’s segmentation performance, attributable to this novel amalgamation of generic and fabric-specific knowledge. When benchmarking against popular existing segmentation models across three datasets, our proposed model demonstrates a substantial leap in performance. Its impressive results in cross-dataset comparisons and few-shot learning experiments further demonstrate its potential for practical applications in textile quality control.

Extraction of Natural Dye using Peels of Citrus Fruits for Enhancing Color Fastness of Fabrics

The current study investigates the extraction of dyestuff using citrus fruits and assesses its color, light, rubbing, and perspiration fastness. For the experimental study, three types of citrus fruits—orange, lemon, and grapefruit—were chosen to extract dye from their peels. The dye was applied to two types of fabrics (100% cotton and a blended fabric made of polyester-cotton (PC) with a ratio of 50:50) using the conventional aqueous method. The results revealed the remarkable efficacy of orange dye on both fabric types, demonstrating excellent color fastness attributes, with a minor preference for PC fabric in washing fastness. In contrast, lemon dye displayed better washing fastness properties on the tested materials as well as considerable staining potential. Grapefruit dye performed exceptionally well in terms of water and perspiration fastness. Future research could focus on improving dye extraction techniques for citrus fruits to increase color absorption and penetration. Determining various solvents, time duration for dyeing, and temperature settings could enhance the dyeing performance and effectiveness of natural dyes in different industrial applications. Further studies could also conduct life cycle assessments to measure the environmental impact of using citrus peels as a natural dye source compared to synthetic dyes in the textile industry.

Evaluation of mechanical behaviour of vegetal FRCM composites through the DIC technique: Effects of textile pre-impregnation and short flax fibres

FRCM composites are intended for the reinforcement of structural elements such as concrete and masonry. In the current environmental context, vegetal FRCM made from plant textiles such as flax, hemp or jute represent a promising alternative to synthetic FRCM typically made from carbon or glass textiles. However, the mechanical behaviour and damage mechanism of these vegetal composites are intricate and require further investigation to improve their appeal for real-world applications. This paper investigates the global and local tensile behaviour of vegetal FRCM composites using Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Three different types of textiles have been selected for Flax-FRCM (flax textile), Jute-FRCM (jute textile) and Carbon-FRCM (carbon textile) composites, which serve as references. The objective is to evaluate the influence of the physical and mechanical properties of the textiles, the addition of short flax fibres to the mineral matrix, the pre-impregnation of the plant textiles in the mineral matrix and the reinforcement ratio on the mechanical performance of the composites. The results showed that these parameters significantly affect the FRCM mechanical response in terms of the stress-strain curves, tensile properties, crack spacing, crack widths and their evolution during loading, failure mode and the exploitation rate of the textile in the composite (efficiency factor, crucial for structural applications). Furthermore, combining textile pre-impregnation with the addition of short flax fibres showed the best tensile performance for vegetal FRCM composites, notably through a significant reduction in crack widths and textile failures in the centre of the specimen.

Potential Penetration of Engineered Nanoparticles under Practical Use of Protective Clothing Fabrics.

The commercial application of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) has rapidly increased as their unique properties are useful to improve many products. ENPs, however, can pose a major health risk to workers through exposure routes such as inhalation and dermal contact. Research is lacking on the protective nature of lab coats when challenged with ENPs. This study investigated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon black (CB), and nano aluminum oxide (Al2O3) penetration through four types of lab coat fabrics (cotton, polypropylene, polyester cotton, and Tyvek). Penetration efficiency was determined with direct reading instruments. The front and back of contaminated fabric swatches were further assessed with microscopy analysis to determine fabric structure with contaminated and penetrated particle morphology and level of fabric contamination. Fabric thickness, porosity, structure, surface chemistry, and ENP characteristics such as shape, morphology, and hydrophobicity were assessed to determine the mechanisms behind particle capture on the four common fabrics. CNTs penetrated all fabrics significantly less than the other ENPs. CNT average penetration across all fabrics was 1.83% compared to 15.74 and 11.65% for CB and Al2O3, respectively. This can be attributed to their fiber shape and larger agglomerates than those of other ENPs. Tyvek fabric was found to be the most protective against CB and Al2O3 penetration, with an average penetration of 0.06 and 0.11%, respectively, while polypropylene was the least protective with an average penetration of 40.36 and 15.77%, respectively. Tyvek was the most nonporous fabric with a porosity of 0.50, as well as the most hydrophobic fabric, explaining the low penetration across all three ENPs. Polypropylene is the most porous fabric with a porosity of 0.77, making it the least protective against ENPs. We conclude that porosity, fabric structure, and thickness are more important fabric characteristics to consider when discussing particle penetration through protective clothing fabrics than surface chemistry.

ASSESSMENT OF THE DOMESTIC WORKWEAR MARKET

The research paper examines the development of the market for tailoring work clothes in Ukraine. The European and domestic classification of types of work clothes and the corresponding segmentation of the market are given. Special purpose clothing guarantees protection to employees from the adverse effects of the working environment, reduces the risk of industrial injuries and shows their individuality. Under modern conditions, the market of overalls is developing rapidly, taking into account the growing need for it among enterprises in the construction industry, manufacturing industry, distribution of electricity, gas and water, wholesale and retail trade, tourism, medicine, the service sector and other industries. Therefore, the analysis of the development of the overalls market requires in-depth research and is an important and urgent issue. The article provides an assessment of the current state of the workwear market in terms of changes in the number of enterprises, volumes of merchandise and sales of special purpose products. The domestic market of work clothes and personal protective equipment maintains a stable growth trend. In particular, new business entities dealing with their tailoring and implementation are being opened. They expand the range of special purpose products; improve their quality and aesthetic appearance. The article outlines the trends in the development of the workwear market in Ukraine: cost optimization for the purchase of better quality workwear; the emergence of new technologies in the production of work clothes increase the requirements for the innovative component of the clothing market; orientation of manufacturers of work clothes mainly on consumers of low and medium price segments; growth in the amount of tailoring of uniforms for the Armed Forces, the State Emergency Service, and medical workers based on military needs; increase in the number of competing companies. Based on this, the ways of further improvement of the scope of sales regarding the tailoring of work clothes are planned: to make comfortable multi-functional overalls for active life and work; to revitalize the digitization of the market for the sale of workwear; to involve nanotechnology in the production of overalls (fabrics: a generator, a cooler, which changes color under the influence of water, heat and light, which is not subject to damage when using a knife). As a result of taking these measures, companies producing special purpose clothing will increase their competitiveness both on the domestic and European markets.

Unravelling the function of funerary pottery vessels of the 2nd-1st millennia BC in the Dailaman Province (Iran) through typology, petrography, and organic residue analyses.

Pottery vessels often comprise major burial goods at archaeological sites, thus providing valuable information for reconstructing past mortuary practices. However, because of the uncertainty of its function or use, which has been interpreted mostly through typological studies alone, the analytical potential of pottery as a burial good has not been fully exploited. This study applied bio-chemical and geochemical analyses for the first time to funerary pottery vessels of the Iron Age of North Iran to examine their function and use. The study materials are from the necropolis of Ghalekuti, Dailaman, excavated in the 1960s. Direct radiocarbon dating conducted on human and animal bones in the graves and typological analysis of the pottery anchored the chronological position of the pottery materials to the 2nd and 1st millennium BC. A petrographic analysis revealed that pottery vessels can be classified into six fabric types, including those with coarse tempers that are effective for cooking. Pottery pastes with finer inclusions less suited for cooking appeared during the early first millennium BC (Iron Age III). To obtain further insight into the function of the pottery, we conducted organic residue analyses. The results demonstrated that the vessels retained remains of botanical and animal origin. In particular, jars with tubular spouts, characteristic of the Iron Age III period, were likely specialised for botanical products. Interestingly, both carcass and dairy products from ruminant animals (cattle and caprine) were processed in short-neck jars and bowls, including spouted bowls, suggesting their use in a liquid state. Products from ruminants, particularly dairy products, may have played a significant role in the daily and ritual use of pottery vessels during the study period in Northern Iran. These results indicate that a range of pottery vessels used for specific purposes before the burial was offered for graves, helping us better understand the mortuary practices of Iron Age Iran.

Dynamic damage behavior of auxetic textile reinforced concrete under impact loading

To investigate the dynamic compression behavior of Textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) under impact load, low speed and high speed impact tests were performed using a ball drop test and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) with ϕ50mm, respectively. In view of the advantages of auxetic materials in impact resistance and energy absorption, the auxetic fiber preforms with negative Poisson's ratio effect were woven into meshes and added to the cement-based materials to obtain the auxetic textile-reinforced concrete. Thus, the auxetic textile reinforced cement-based material is obtained. In this paper, TRC with different textile types, laying layers and surface treatments were prepared, and impact tests with different impact speeds were carried out to evaluate the impact resistance of TRC. The impact damage behavior of TRC was analyzed through the method of digital scattering analysis, and then the impact damage mechanism of TRC was investigated. The results show that the auxetic effect of auxetic textiles can still be stabilized under impact loads of different velocities, which provides better control of deformation and energy consumption in the matrix material. Under different impact heights of falling balls, the impact fracture energy of cementitious materials reinforced with auxetic textiles was increased by up to 22.5 and 20 times, respectively, compared with that of blank samples.

Yarn-level numerical simulation based on micro-CT reconstruction for the stentering process of warp-knitted three-dimensional mesh fabric

Three-dimensional mesh fabrics of one-piece spacer structure are an essential component of automotive seat ventilation systems due to their excellent cushion and ventilation performance. The mesh structure is manufactured by stretching across the width of as-knitted structure with closed surfaces in a coupled thermo-mechanical stentering and heat-setting process. This paper presents a numerical study to examine the effect of stentering on the mesh structure and yarn architecture of a typical three-dimensional mesh fabric by establishing a finite element model based on micro X-ray computed tomography reconstruction at the yarn level. The finite element model is verified with the global and local deformation of the mesh during the stentering process. The evolution of the yarn architecture in the stentering process is demonstrated and quantitatively analyzed in terms of curvature and torsion. Three-dimensional mesh fabrics of different mesh sizes and thicknesses after stentering at different ratios are also simulated to study their compression properties. The numerical and experimental results showed that stentering opens the meshes and simultaneously shortens, widens and thins the fabric. The meshes are unevenly distributed across the width, and the intermediate meshes are more open and uniform than the two selvage meshes. To obtain a three-dimensional mesh fabric with uniform and symmetrical meshes, the as-knitted fabric should be stretched coursewise to be wider than 2 times and narrower than 2.6 times its initial width. Stentering disperses, lengthens, tilts, bends and twists the spacer monofilaments, thereby broadening the compression plateau stage and decreasing the compression resistance.

Assessment of household preferences for net textile type (polyester versus polyethylene) for decision-making of the National Malaria Control Programme in Burkina Faso: methods for a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundA quasi-experimental comparative trial will be designed in Burkina Faso. The study will compare the use and preferences for two groups types of insecticide-treated nets textile: polyester-based and polyethylene-based, according to their use and preferences in selected health districts. These health districts will be selected in three eco-climate zones (Sahelian, dry savannah and wet savannah) in the country. These findings will inform decisions on future net procurements for national malaria control programme in 2025.MethodsQuantitative surveys and qualitative data collection will be carried out to gather information on the type of net textile most commonly used and preferred by the community. They will be performed between the end of the dry season and the early rainy season. The quantitative surveys involved household interviews with households and individuals’ questionnaires, while the qualitative data collection involved in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions to explore and clarify some key evaluation criteria. A total of 9450 insecticide-treated nets were surveyed for quantitative survey purposes. For the qualitative study, 48 in-depth individual interviews and 12 focus group discussions were carried out. A mixed model approach combining the results from quantitative surveys and qualitative studies will be used for decision-making on the type of insecticide-treated net preference.ConclusionThis methodological approach will be used by the National Malaria Control Programme to conduct this study on determinants of net use in Burkina Faso in order to provide robust evidence across diverse settings. This mixed-methods approach for data collection and analysis could be used in other countries to provide evidence that would help to increase the uptake of insecticide-treated nets, the main vector control tool in Africa.

Synthesis parameters and formulation of metakaolin based geopolymer matrix composites for high‐temperature applications (1150°C)

AbstractGeopolymer matrix composites (GMCs) are actively being developed for high‐temperature applications. In this work, we investigated different composite preparation parameters, such as the elaboration conditions (time, temperature and pressure) and composite dimensions (number of folds and surface area). In addition, we studied the effect of alkali cations (NaK or K), on metakaolin based geopolymer matrix composition, and textile type (N312, N610) of the composites on fiber–matrix interactions in high‐temperature geopolymer composites and their flexural behavior. The process we ultimately selected was as follows: an 8.5‐fold composite of surface area 100 cm2 was pressed for 2 h at 120°C. After thermal treatment at 1150°C, composites containing the N312 textile with B2O3 showed greater heterogeneity, viscous flow and lower flexural strength (7 MPa) due to fiber–matrix interactions. In contrast, above 1150°C, composites with the N610 textile had no fiber–matrix interactions and showed greater flexural strength (51 MPa). The specific flexural strength correlated well with the overmodifying element ratio based on the composite composition. In fact, the presence of viscous flow suggested that boron and some aluminum atoms could act as network modifiers. Thus, the two ratios were or depending on the presence of viscous flow.

Thermal insulation provided by chairs with various clothing ensembles

The thermal insulation provided by chairs significantly influences human thermal comfort. On the one hand, it modifies the heat exchange mechanism at the contact points between the body and the chair surface. On the other hand, an increase in local thermal insulation can exacerbate differences in thermal insulation across various areas of the body, impacting overall comfort. However, the thermal insulation data for chairs are decades old and thus need to be updated to reflect modern designs and materials. Six typical office chairs were tested using a thermal manikin dressed in five typical clothing ensembles (ranging from summer to winter). The effective thermal insulation of the chairs varied between 0.04 and 0.14 clo when tested in the nude. The added values ranged from 0.04 to 0.30 clo when tested with different clothing ensembles. Higher clothing levels correspond to higher added chair thermal insulation. Therefore, a simple weighing method was developed to adjust the seasonal coefficient of the mean chair insulation value (0.75 in summer, 1.0 in transition, and 1.25 in winter). Furthermore, a simple model was established for calculating the overall clothing level for a seated person. The model was validated using data measured in this experiment and other external sources, with a minimum prediction mean error of 1.4 %. This study provides a reference for accurately acquiring the thermal insulation value of chairs for a seated person in thermal comfort studies.