Physiological signal analyses of frictional sound by structural parameters of warp knitted fabrics

The purpose of this study is to offer acoustical database of warp knitted fabrics by investigating frictional sound properties and physiological responses according to structural parameters such as construction, lap form, and direction of mutual guide bar movement. Fabric sounds of seven warp knitted fabrics are recorded, and Zwicker’s psychoacoustic parameters — loudness(Z), sharpness(Z), roughness(Z), and fluctuation strength(Z) — are calculated. Also, physiological responses evoked by frictional sounds of warp knitted fabrics are measured such as electroencephalogram (EEG), the ratio of high frequency to low frequency (HF/LF), respiration rate (RESP), skin conductance level (SCL), and photoplethysmograph (PPG). In case of constructions, frictional sound of sharkskin having higher loudness(Z) and fluctuation strength(Z) increases RESP. By lap form, open lap has louder and larger fluctuating sound than closed lap, but there aren’t significant difference of physiological responses between open lap and closed lap. In direction of mutual guide bar movement, parallel direction evokes bigger changes of beta wave than counter direction because of its loud, rough, and fluctuating sound. Fluctuation strength(Z) and roughness(Z) are defined as important factors for predicting physiological responses in construction and mutual guide bar movement, respectively.     

Image analysis of the luster of fabrics with modified cross-section fibers

We have investigated the luster of modified cross-sectional fiber fabrics as one of the essential quality estimates for clothing development. We have confirmed an objective evaluation method, and have determined the experimental luster characteristics of modified cross-section fibers. The cross-section of the fibers in a fabric affects the appearance of a textile. We used the image analysis method to investigate the luster to determine the critical factors influencing the appearance of modified cross-section fiber fabrics. For similarly structured textiles in a component fabric, clear differences were observed in the fabric weave, density, percentage, and total area of blobs, which is image region. Color played a decisive role in the luster of the textiles, and luster was not significantly influenced by the modified cross-section fabric weave. In addition, the degree of luster did not increase in the order plain to twill to satin for modified cross-sectional fiber fabrics. All the split-type microfibers exhibited higher numerical luster values (percentage of pixels, and number and total area of blobs) than sea-island microfibers did. The degree of luster of the modified cross-sectional fiber fabrics was not high at specular reflection angles.     

Effect of pineapple protease on the characteristics of protein fibers

A pineapple protease, bromelain, was used to improve the dyeing properties of protein fibers such as wool and silk. The optimal condition for the activity of the pineapple protease was about 60 °C at pH 7. The wool and silk were treated with the protease extracted from a pineapple and the K/S values of the dyed wool and silk were measured using a spectrophotometer in order to compare the dye uptake. The protease treatment enhanced the dyeing properties of protein fibers without severe changes in mechanical properties. The surface appearances of protease-treated fibers were observed by microscopy.     

Surface modification of okra bast fiber and its physico-chemical characteristics

The effect of chemical treatment i.e. bleaching, alkalization and graft copolymerization on the morphology changes of okra bast fiber has been investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption and tensile properties measurements. The graft copolymerization reaction of bleached fiber with acrylonitrile monomer (AN) has been carried out under the catalytic influence of K₂S₂O₈ and FeSO₄ redox system. The maximum graft yield (11.43 %) has been found at 70°C temperature, 3×10⁻² mol/l acrylonitrile, 5×10⁻³ mol/l K₂S₂O₈, 5×10⁻³ mol/l FeSO₄ and for 90 min. On the contrary, the fiber has been treated with 10 % NaOH solution, which is much effective to remove the impurities. Based on findings of water absorption, tensile properties and SEM micrograph, the AN-grafted fiber has been showed better properties than bleached and alkali treated fibers. The degree of modification of okra bast fiber by chemical treatment has been evaluated by IR measurement.     

A comparison of physical properties, oxalate-oxalic acid soluble substances, protein content, and in vitro protein digestibility of the blue-green algaNostoc commune Vauch. from the Philippines and Japan

The physical properties, amount of oxalate-oxalic acid soluble substances (OOSS), protein and in vitro protein digestibility ofNostoc commune from the Philippines and Japan were determined. The samples were the spherical type from the Philippines (PS), the dry field discoid type from the Philippines (PD), and the dry field discoid type from Japan (JD). The discoid types, PD and JD, regardless of origin showed higher settling volume in water (SV) and bulk density than PS. The OOSS values obtained for all samples were directly related to SV and bulk density. The WHC level was highest in PS. This desirable characteristic makes PS a technologically potential sample for large-scale food production applications in the future. Protein and in vitro protein digestibility varied significantly among all samples. In general, the algal samples examined posses desirable physical properties which are expected to be related to physiological functions.     

Characterization of kenaf phloem fibers in relation to stem growth

Microscopic study on phloem fibers in kenaf stem was carried out to examine the developmental process of phloem fiber and localization of noncellulosic polysaccharides in the cell walls. Histochemical observation showed that layered phloem fiber bundles developed external to the vascular cambium as stems grew after planting, and the number of layered bundles was higher in the bottom region of the stem regardless of growth stage. Based on immunocytochemical observations, cells making up the phloem fiber bundles had thick secondary cell walls containing mixed-linkage, (1 → 3, 1 → 4)-β-d-glucan as a component of hemicellulose. Other polysaccharides present in cell walls, namely xyloglucan, rhamnogalacturonan, and methyl-esterified homogalacturonan, were localized only, in the primary cell walls and/or in the junction between contiguous cells. In addition, mechanical evaluation on isolated kenaf fibers showed that the fiber strength varied by stem maturity and region: both higher tensile strength and initial Young's modulus were recorded in fibers obtained from the middle region of stems harvested 4-6 months after planting.     

Susceptibility of wheat gluten to enzymatic hydrolysis following deamidation with acetic acid and sensory characteristics of the resultant hydrolysates

The effect of acetic acid and hydrochloric acid (HCl) deamidation pretreatment on the susceptibility of wheat gluten to enzymatic hydrolysis by Pancreatin and sensory characteristics of the resultant hydrolysates was investigated. At two degrees of deamidation (24% and 60%, with or without moisture-heating, respectively), wheat gluten pretreated by acetic acid deamidation was more susceptible to be hydrolyzed as evaluated by the hydrolysis degree, nitrogen solubility index, titratable acid amount and free carbohydrate content of the hydrolysates. Wheat gluten pretreated by acetic acid deamidation at a degree of 24% exhibited the highest susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis. Moisture-heating (121 °C, 10 min) in the deamidation pretreatment decreased the susceptibility of wheat gluten to enzymatic hydrolysis and the peptide factions of ≤3000 Da in the hydrolysates due to the formation of larger molecule weight aggregates. The hydrolysates prepared from acetic acid deamidated wheat gluten showed more intense glutamate-like and sauce-scented taste and better nutritional characteristics.     

土壤条件与苎麻农艺性状形成关系的初步研究

土壤有机质、氮、磷及铁、硼含量与茎粗、皮厚和出麻率呈负相关,虽略利于优质却降低产量;水解氮对优质高产均不利。钾、锰、锌与株高呈正相关、与有效株呈负相关,不利高产优质和原麻含胶率的降低。土壤容重和ｐ Ｈ 与株高之外其它经济性状呈正相关,有益高产优质,而总孔度的作用相反。土壤毛孔度和比重都有利优质,但前者与株高呈负相关、与有效株呈正相关,后者则反之。