Manufacture Techniques of Chitosan-Based Microcapsules to Enhance Functional Properties of Textiles

In recent years, the textile industry has been moving to novel concepts of products, which could deliver to the user, improved performances. Such smart textiles have been proven to have the potential to integrate within a commodity garment advanced feature and functional properties of different kinds. Among those functionalities, considerable interest has been played in functionalizing commodity garments in order to make them positively interact with the human body and therefore being beneficial to the user health. This kind of functionalization generally exploits biopolymers, a class of materials that possess peculiar properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability that make them suitable for bio-functional textile production. In the context of biopolymer chitosan has been proved to be an excellent potential candidate for this kind of application given its abundant availability and its chemical properties that it positively interacts with biological tissue. Notwithstanding the high potential of chitosan-based technologies in the textile sectors, several issues limit the large-scale production of such innovative garments. In facts the morphologies of chitosan structures should be optimized in order to make them better exploit the biological activity; moreover a suitable process for the application of chitosan structures to the textile must be designed. The application process should indeed not only allow an effective and durable fixation of chitosan to textile but also comply with environmental rules concerning pollution emission and utilization of harmful substances. This chapter reviews the use of microencapsulation technique as an approach to effectively apply chitosan to the textile material while overcoming the significant limitations of finishing processes. The assembly of chitosan macromolecules into microcapsules was proved to boost the biological properties of the polymer thanks to a considerable increase in the surface area available for interactions with the living tissues. Moreover, the incorporation of different active substances into chitosan shells allows the design of multifunctional materials that effectively combine core and shell properties. Based on the kind of substances to be incorporated, several encapsulation processes have been developed. The literature evidences how the proper choices concerning encapsulation technology, chemical formulations, and process parameter allow tuning the properties and the performances of the obtained microcapsules. Furthermore, the microcapsules based finishing process have been reviewed evidencing how the microcapsules morphology can positively interact with textile substrate allowing an improvement in the durability of the treatment. The application of the chitosan shelled microcapsules was proved to be capable of imparting different functionalities to textile substrates opening possibilities for a new generation of garments with improved performances and with the potential of protecting the user from multiple harms. Lastly, a continuous interest was observed in improving the process and formulation design in order to avoid the usage of toxic substances, therefore, complying with an environmentally friendly approach

New Method for Designing an Optimum Distributed Cooling System for Effluent Thermal Treatment

Temperature restrictions on aqueous effluents dictate that streams with a temperature higher than the permitted level needed to pass through cooling systems to reduce the effluent temperature before discharge. In this study, by considering the grouping design rules based on pinch technology, an optimum design for a distributed effluent cooling system, has been developed. A counter-flow wet cooling tower, with a mechanical air draft, is also assumed as an effluent thermal treatment facility in predicting the exit water and air conditions of the tower in the system. In this new design method, an optimum inlet flow rate to cooling tower has been achieved by exploring the feasible region. Also, the evaporation loss effect, flexible design variables, and physical properties have been incorporated in targeting the optimal conditions for the cooling tower. A case study is presented to illustrate the design methodology and the optimization model of cooling systems

A COMPARISON OF CLOMIPHENE CITRATE AND SEQUENTIAL CLOMIPHENE CITRATE PLUS HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPIN FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION

There are currently ‎many different protocols in use for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), but the optimal method has ‎not yet been determined. To compare the outcome of COH using ‎clomiphene citrate (CC) versus CC plus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in conjunction with intrauterine insemination (IUI), we studied 117 infertile couples‎. IUI with CC was used in 92 cycles ‎(group A) and IUI with CC plus hMG was used in 66 cycles (group B). ‎Data analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the two ‎groups with respect to patients’ age, duration and type of infertility, prior COH and endometrial thickness and pattern. Group A had a little ‎longer follicular phase length than group B. ‎Pregnancy rate for group A and B were 6.52% and 12.12%, respectively (P= 0.22). ‎Endometrial pattern and thickness had no impact on pregnancy rate. ‎There were no multiple gestation and obvious hyperstimulation syndrome. ‎For patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with IUI, ‎CC plus hMG protocol yields higher pregnancy rate than one using CC, although this ‎difference was not statistically significant because of limitation of number of ‎cycles

Late Devonian facies variety in Iran: volcanism as a possible trigger of the environmental perturbation near the Frasnian-Famennian boundary

Upper Devonian successions surrounding the Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) boundary in Iran consist of mixed carbonate/silisiclastic deposits. The successions are characterized by conspicuous ferruginous limestones, clay-rich units, black shales, and mafic volcanic rocks that provide important insights into palaeoenvironmental conditions during this interval of Earth’s history. An increase of kaolinite/illite ratio in clays associated with the F-F boundary suggests that increased chemical weathering was facilitated by warm and humid climatic conditions. Distinctive ferruginous-oolite deposits overlying the crucial Frasnian-Famennian boundary interval indicate a high supply rate of Fe-bearing clay originated during enhanced weathering under such climatic conditions. Black shales associated with the F-F boundary are interpreted to be the result of a high primary productivity caused by an increased influx of land-derived nutrients and regional volcanic activity. Widespread rift-related, basaltic activity along eastern Laurussia and northern Gondwana during the mid-Late Devonian is believed to have contribution to this global warming surrounding the F-F boundary

On certain Neocomian – Aptian calcareous algae in the West of Kopeh-Dagh (NE-Iran) – Systematics and compared biogeography, focusing on Dasycladales

In Western Kopeh-Dagh, the lower Cretaceous carbonate series contains distinctive assemblages of calcareous algae, chiefly Dasycladales which are primarily studied in this work. Based on the significant presence of certain species, the Zard Formation, assigned to the Valanginian and, in its upper part, to the Hauterivian or base of the Barremian, is subdivided into two intervals, respectively A and B. Higher up, the Urgonian-type Tirgan Formation, assigned to the Barremian and Lower Aptian, is subdivided into intervals C and D. On this occasion, the taxonomy and systematics of 17 species of Dasycladales and one incertae sedis found in the series are discussed, in relation to some recent standpoints. Out of this inventory, the biogeographic distribution of 11 species is particularly interesting. During the Lower Cretaceous, the Kopeh-Dagh region was quite isolated, northeast of the Izanca, a branch of the Tethys. Assemblages encountered in this region are compared with other areas, encompassing Iberia to the northern margin of West Gondwana. For two species, under any reserve, distribution seems to be related to the genus, therefore with the systematics. On the other hand, the algal habitat, which depending of the species, may be open marine or rather sheltered, appears to be only partially related to biogeography. Finally, the stratigraphic and/or biogeographic distribution of two species appears to be partially related, in one case to the Valanginian OAE1 event, in another case to one or more obstacles in relation to the paleotectonic context