76 research outputs found

    Photothermal Polymer Nanocomposites of Tungsten Bronze Nanorods with Enhanced Tensile Elongation at Low Filler Contents

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    We present polymer nanocomposites of tungsten bronze nanorods (TBNRs) and ethylene propylene diene monomers (EPDM). The combination of these components allows the simultaneous enhancement in the mechanical and photothermal properties of the composites at low filler contents. The as-synthesized TBNRs had lengths and diameters of 14.0 +/- 2.4 nm and 2.5 +/- 0.5 nm, respectively, and were capped with oleylamine, which has a chemical structure similar to EPDM, making the TBNRs compatible with the bulk EPDM matrix. The TBNRs absorb a wide range of near-infrared light because of the sub-band transitions induced by alkali metal doping. Thus, the nanocomposites of TBNRs in EPDM showed enhanced photothermal properties owing to the light absorption and subsequent heat emission by the TBNRs. Noticeably, the nanocomposite with only 3 wt% TBNRs presented significantly enhanced tensile strain at break, in comparison with those of pristine EPDM, nanocomposites with 1 and 2 wt % TBNRs, and those with tungsten bronze nanoparticles, because of the alignment of the nanorods during tensile elongation. The photothermal and mechanical properties of these nanocomposites make them promising materials for various applications such as in fibers, foams, clothes with cold weather resistance, patches or mask-like films for efficient transdermal delivery upon heat generation, and photoresponsive surfaces for droplet transport by the thermocapillary effect in microfluidic devices and microengines

    Hyperghrelinemia does not accelerate gastric emptying in Prader-Willi syndrome patients

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    Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the most common form of syndromic obesity associated with hyperphagia. Because ghrelin stimulates gastric motility in rodents, and PWS patients have 3- to 4-fold higher fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations than normal subjects, we hypothesized that hyperphagia associated with PWS may be partly explained by rapid gastric emptying due to the increased gastric motility caused by ghrelin. We determined gastric emptying times (GETs) and measured ghrelin levels in 11 PWS children and 11 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched controls using a standard meal containing [(99m)Tc]diaminetriaminepentacetate. Median plasma ghrelin levels before (precibum) and after the GET study were higher in PWS patients than in controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). Median percent gastric retentions at 90 min after the standard meal were 57.1% (range, 34.0-83.2%) in PWS patients and 40.2% (range, 27.2-60.2%) in controls (P = 0.03). In particular, precibum ghrelin concentrations were not significantly correlated with the rate of gastric emptying in PWS patients (P = 0.153; r = 0.461) or controls (P = 0.911; r = 0.048). Our results show that gastric emptying in PWS is reduced despite higher ghrelin levels, and that the voracious appetite associated with PWS is related to another mechanism

    Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Association with Spontaneous Recovery from Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Koreans: Analysis at the Haplotype Level

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    It has been speculated that human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are associated with the outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection although the data obtained from various populations have shown some inconsistencies. A total of 464 HBV-infected Korean individuals (80 spontaneously recovered [SR] and 384 chronically infected [CI]) were selected to investigate the association of HLA class II alleles with the viral clearance and persistence. Our results showed that: 1) multiple HLA class II alleles and haplotypes were associated with viral clearance (DRB1*1302, DRB1*1502, DQB1*0302, DQB1*0609, and related-haplotypes) and persistence (DRB1*0701, DQB1*0301, and related-haplotypes); 2) DRB1*1302 and DQB1* 0609 were more strongly associated with viral clearance. And the association of DQB1*0609 (pc=0.0084; OR, 7.24) with vial clearance was much stronger than previously recognized, DRB1*1302 (pc=0.0038; OR, 4.34); and 3) linkage to a specific DPB1 allele in a haplotype strengthened the association with viral clearance, although DPB1 itself was not associated with the outcome. These results indicate the existence of multiple factors controlling viral clearance in the HLA class II gene region. Further extended investigation on the genetic factors related to the outcome of HBV infection will provide valuable insights into the understanding of the mechanisms involved

    Effect of Abrasion and Absorbed Water on the Handle of Nonwovens for Disposable Diaper

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    Among the components of a disposable diaper, the top layer that comes into direct contact with the infant's skin is usually made of a nonwoven fabric. Therefore, the mechanical and surface characteristics of the nonwovens are important for the health of the baby's skin. In this study, we explored the mechanical and surface properties of some hygienic nonwoven fabrics that are used as the top layer and investigated consumers' preferences concerning these nonwovens. The variations in their properties with increasing abrasion cycles and in wet conditions were also examined. The hygienic nonwoven fabrics examined in this study were cotton spunlace, tencel spunlace, polypropylend(PP) thermal bonding and PP Thru-air bonded carded web(TABCW). The surface of PP nonwoven fabrics were treated with surfactant to obtain the required hydrophilic properties. From the results of KES-F analysis, it was found that PP TABCW had a low friction coefficient and showed little change in surface properties with increasing number of abrasive cycles, and moreover, it revealed superior quick-drying characteristics. However, the consumers showed a somewhat higher preference for cellulose spunlaces in comparison with surfactant-treated PP nonwoven fabrics. On the other hand, although they showed excellent absorption characteristics, the spunlace-type nonwovens made with cellulose tissue displayed higher surface friction coefficients and relatively low abrasion strength, especially in wet conditons

    Exploring the Sustainability Concepts Regarding Leather Apparel in China and South Korea

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    Sustainability in business and personal life has increased over the past few years and is continuing to develop. Consumption in the clothing and textiles industry causes a significant impact on the environment and utilizes unsustainable practices, from clothing production to use and disposal. With shifts toward a more sustainable future within the government, businesses, and society, the apparel industry and consumers must prepare for a sustainable future. This study examines the determinants of sustainable apparel consumption behavior in China and South Korea. Theoretical and practical evidence from the literature on sustainable consumption is applied to develop a model for investigating the consumers’ behavioral intentions to buy, use, and recommend sustainable leather apparel products. Environmental knowledge, perceived consumer effectiveness, sustainable consumption beliefs, and self-enhancement are proposed as key determinants of behavioral intention to buy, use, and recommend eco-friendly faux leather apparel (E-FLA). The hypothesized antecedents of these concepts are part of the model, as modified by the theory of planned behavior, and the model is examined using structural equation modeling on data from a sample of 450 respondents collected in China and South Korea. An analysis of data is carried out to identify the underlying dimensions of sustainable consumption beliefs and behaviors including pro-environmentalism, social responsibility, and animal conservation. The results show that the key determinants of behavioral intentions to buy, use, and recommend E-FLA are pro-environmentalism and social responsibility, which are related to sustainable consumption belief dimensions and consumers’ self-enhancement. The positive determinants of sustainable consumption beliefs are found to be both environmental knowledge and perceived consumer effectiveness. These results suggest the need for greater environmental knowledge and perceived consumer efficiency in the effort to achieve more sustainable clothing consumption. The implications of the findings for public policy and recommendations for further studies are outlined and discussed

    Cycling knee brace design analysis using 3D virtual clothing program to assess clothing pressure distribution and variance

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    Abstract This study analyzed the functional design by investigating the distribution of clothing pressure of cycling knee brace using a three-dimensional virtual clothing program. Based on the average body size of Korean men in their 40 s, clothing pressure in wearing and cycling condition were collected on five knee brace products. According to the results, bonding fabric products had a high possibility of increasing inconvenience, as they had a higher clothing pressure at all measurement points and soared in motion application. It could be adjusted differently depending on the location by mixing materials or using details, so the design with thick pile fabric or velcro strap fastening added more pressure to the lower part of the knee. The length and circumference size also affected the clothing pressure. The design with tight upper and lower circumference pressured excessively the legs and rolled up and clumped together, while the one with loose lower circumference lacked the sufficient strength to support the knees. Also, the design with a curved outline due to the difference in the length of the front and back, increased the clothing pressure on the lower thigh or the upper calf. Therefore, the functional design of cycling knee braces requires comprehensive consideration of material thickness and structure, detailed size of length and circumference, fastening details, to reduce the pressure at the center and top of the knee and to support the lower part with proper pressure, as reflecting the pressure on the body location that come into contact during the motion

    Preparation of Conducting Nylon 6 Electrospun Fiber Webs by the in situ Polymerization of Polyaniline

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    For the preparation of conducting polyaniline (PANI)/nylon composites with high electrical conductivity as well as superior mechanical properties such as ļ¬‚exibility and lightness, PANI/nylon-6 composite nanoļ¬ber webs were prepared via the electrospinning process with a nylon-6/formic acid polymer solution, and then PANI on the surface of the nylon-6 electrospun nanoļ¬ber webs was chemically polymerized. The electrical conductivity measurements showed that the conductivity of the PANI/nylon-6 composite electrospun ļ¬ber webs was superior to that of PANI/nylon-6 plain-weave fabrics because of the high surface-area/volume ratios. On the other hand, the volume conductivities of the PANI/nylon-6 composite electrospun ļ¬ber webs increased from 0.5 to 1.5 S/cm as the diffusion time increased from 10 min to 4 h because of the even distribution of PANI in the electrospun ļ¬ber webs. However, the surface conductivities of the PANI/nylon-6 composite electrospun ļ¬ber webs somewhat decreased from 0.22 to 0.14 S/cm as the diffusion time increased because of PANI contaminated with aniline monomers, aniline oligomers, and some alkyl chains, which served as electrical resistants. These results were conļ¬rmed with Fourier transform infrared, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis,and morphology analysis. It was concluded that the diffusion time for the in situ polymerization of PANI in electrospun ļ¬ber webs was optimized at approximately 3 h

    Sustainable threads: analyzing the impact of corporate social performance, CSR message authenticity and information transparency on purchase intentions

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    Abstract With the deepening exploration of the study on corporate social responsibility (CSR), CSR has progressively gained significance for enterprises. This study aims to analyze the impact of fashion companiesā€™ information disclosure on the intention of Chinese consumers who purchase clothing by providing information related to the environment, suppliers, manufacturing processes, and pricing. An experimental study was conducted using stimuli on 412 consumers in Shandong Province, China. The research results are as follows. First, it was found that consumersā€™ perception of Corporate Social Performance (CSP) has a positive effect on the authenticity of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) message and consumersā€™ subjective norms. Second, CSR message authenticity and consumer subjective norms mediate the perception of CSP in the process of leading to purchasing activities. Third, consumers perceive the authenticity of a companyā€™s CSR activities according to the degree of transparent information disclosure of the cost and manufacturing process of its products. This study shows that the CSR information provided by the company is authentic depending on the degree of CSR information transparency of the company, and that it leads to a purchase intention when consumers judge that the companyā€™s CSR activities are authentic. Accordingly, it is suggested that many fashion companiesā€™ CSR activities lead to product purchases when they are continuously conducted on environmental, social problems, and transparency in the production process

    Motivators and Barriers for Buying Intention of Upcycled Fashion Products in China

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    This study examines determinants of the consumption behavior of upcycled fashion products in China. Theoretical and empirical evidence from the upcycled fashion consumption and related literature are used to develop a model to explain consumersā€™ buying intention toward upcycled fashion products. Environmental consciousness, consumer knowledge of upcycled fashion fabrics, and perceived risks of upcycled fashion products are proposed as key factors (i.e., motivators and barriers) of behavioral intention toward the purchase upcycled fashion products. Hypothesized antecedents of buying intentions toward upcycled fashion are included in the theoretical model, which was tested using structural equation modeling analysis on data from a sample of 397 consumers in China. Environmental consciousness encompassed two factors and was therefore divided into environmental concerns and importance of environmentally conscious behavior. Perceived risks at the time of purchasing upcycled fashion products showed three factors: social, financial, and performance risk perceptions. After examining the impact of environmental consciousness and perceived risks on purchase intention toward upcycled fashion products, this study found that both factors had statistically significant effects on purchase intention. In addition, the study revealed that knowledge of upcycled fashion materials was mediated in the relationship to explain the impacts of Chinese consumersā€™ perceived importance of conscious behavior and perceived risks of upcycled fashion products on their intention to purchase upcycled fashion products. In other words, to increase the purchase intention toward upcycled fashion products, it is necessary to raise Chinese consumersā€™ environmental knowledge of upcycled fashion materials, while improving the importance of conscious behaviors and reducing the perceived risk. The implications of the findings for public policy and as guidelines for future research are outlined and discussed

    Influencing Factors of Chinese Consumersā€™ Purchase Intention to Sustainable Apparel Products: Exploring Consumer ā€œAttitudeā€“Behavioral Intentionā€ Gap

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    As the rapid economic growth and over-consumption within the largest population worldwide has resulted in harmful environment deterioration, a shift to more sustainable consumption behaviors is required in China. Although public interests in sustainability have increased and consumers’ attitudes are positive, their behavioral intentions are not consistent with attitudes. This study aims to uncover psychological drivers and barriers (consumption values, social norms, and attitudes to sustainable apparel products) of Chinese consumers’ behavioral intentions toward sustainable apparel products (SAP) by exploring the attitude–behavioral intention gap. Online survey data were used to examine the moderating impacts of consumption values and social norms on relationship between Chinese consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward SAP. Results from moderating regression analysis suggest that (1) Chinese consumers’ SAP attitudes had a strong positive effect on the purchase intention toward SAP, (2) aesthetic values positively moderated the relationship between the SAP attitude and purchase intention, whereas conspicuous values negatively moderated the relationship, and (3) utility values and social norms did not show any significant moderating influences on the relationship between the SAP attitude and purchase intention. Our study validates the attitude–behavior gap model in sustainable consumer behavior and discusses how the current findings can assist researchers and practitioners in the Clothing and Textiles field alike to fine-tune sustainable programs and marketing strategies in China
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