Thermal comfort properties of knitted fabrics produced from bamboo/polyester core-spun yarns

The influence of polyester content, twist and loop length on the comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabrics produced from 100% bamboo, 80:20 bamboo/polyester and 60:40 bamboo/polyester core-spun yarns has been studied. Comfort properties, such as air permeability, moisture vapour transmission, thermal conductivity and thermal resistance properties have been analyzed with three different twist levels and loop lengths. Box–Behnken, a three level three factorial design software, has been used to study the interactive effect of core-sheath ratio, twist and loop length on the comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabrics, response surface equations are derived and the design variables are optimized. It is found that the increase in bamboo content in the core yarns having high twist and loop length increases the moisture vapour transmission and thermal conductivity of the knitted fabrics. The air permeability and thermal resistance of the knitted fabrics are found to be higher as the polyester component is increased. High twist and loop length increase the thermal comfort properties of knitted fabrics

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) among male craft and manual workers in Qatar (2020–2021)

BackgroundThe rapid growth of Qatar in the last two decades has attracted a large influx of immigrant craft and manual workers (CMWs) seeking employment in jobs associated with food handling, domestic service, and construction. Nearly 60 % of Qatar's population are expatriates CMWs, including many from hyperendemic countries for HEV. Thus, estimating the seroprevalence of HEV in Qatar and understanding its epidemiology is essential for public health efforts to control HEV transmission in Qatar. MethodsBlood samples from 2670 CMWs were collected between 2020 and 2021. All samples were tested for HEV-IgG antibodies. Positive HEV-IgG samples were tested for HEV-IgM antibodies, and those positives were also tested for viral antigens using an HEV-Ag ELISA kit and HEV-RNA by RT-PCR to confirm current HEV infections. ResultsThe seroprevalence of HEV-IgG was 27.3 % (729/2670; 95 % CI: 25.6–29.0). Of those HEV-IgG positive, 8.23 % (60/729; 95 % CI: 6.30–10.5) were HEV-IgM positive. Of the IgM-positive samples, 2 were HEV-RNA positive (3.39 %; 95 % CI: 0.40–11.7), and 1 was HEV-Ag positive (1.69 %; 95 % CI: 0.04–9.09). In addition, HEV-IgG seroprevalence was associated with age and nationality, with the highest seroprevalence in participants from Egypt (IgG 60.0 %; IgM 5.56 %), Pakistan (IgG 59.0 %; IgM 2.24 %), Nepal (IgG 29.3 %; IgM 2.70 %), Bangladesh (IgG 27.8 %; IgM 2.45 %), and India (IgG 23.9 %; IgM 2.43 %). ConclusionIn this study, we showed that the seroprevalence of HEV among CMWs was slightly higher than what was previously reported among the urban population in Qatar (2013–2016).This report was made possible by GSRA8-L-1-0501-21022 and NPRP13S-0128–200,185 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. This study was approved by IRB at Qatar University (QU-IRB 1558-EA/21)

Thermal comfort properties of knitted fabrics produced from bamboo/polyester core-spun yarns

73-79The influence of polyester content, twist and loop length on the comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabrics produced from 100% bamboo, 80:20 bamboo/polyester and 60:40 bamboo/polyester core-spun yarns has been studied. Comfort properties, such as air permeability, moisture vapour transmission, thermal conductivity and thermal resistance properties have been analyzed with three different twist levels and loop lengths. Box–Behnken, a three level three factorial design software, has been used to study the interactive effect of core-sheath ratio, twist and loop length on the comfort properties of single jersey knitted fabrics, response surface equations are derived and the design variables are optimized. It is found that the increase in bamboo content in the core yarns having high twist and loop length increases the moisture vapour transmission and thermal conductivity of the knitted fabrics. The air permeability and thermal resistance of the knitted fabrics are found to be higher as the polyester component is increased. High twist and loop length increase the thermal comfort properties of knitted fabrics

Moisture Management Properties of Single Jersey Knitted Fabrics Made from Regenerated Bamboo: Polyester Core-Spun Yarns

Today, the capacity to regulate moisture is one of the most crucial qualities of knitted fabrics. This study focuses on the interaction between core ratio, twist, and loop length on the moisture management capabilities of single jersey knitted textiles manufactured from 100% regenerated bamboo, 80:20 regenerated bamboo: polyester yarns, and 60:40 regenerated bamboo: polyester yarns. The Box-Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the design parameters in this study. It was discovered that the moisture management qualities were improved by the increased polyester core content, high twist, and short loop length. Single jersey knitted fabrics made from 100% regenerated bamboo yarns swiftly wick away sweat and maintain moisture in their structure, resulting in a very fast wetting rate, spreading speed, and extremely large maximum wetted radius, as well as a very excellent AOTI value and very good OMMC ratings. Additionally, it can be suggested that single jersey knitted textiles consisting of core-spun yarns provide quick absorption and quick drying rates, meeting the needs of sportswear applications

Nipah Virus Infection Outbreak with Nosocomial and Corpse-to-Human Transmission, Bangladesh

Active Nipah virus encephalitis surveillance identified an encephalitis cluster and sporadic cases in Faridpur, Bangladesh, in January 2010. We identified 16 case-patients; 14 of these patients died. For 1 case-patient, the only known exposure was hugging a deceased patient with a probable case, while another case-patient’s exposure involved preparing the same corpse for burial by removing oral secretions and anogenital excreta with a cloth and bare hands. Among 7 persons with confirmed sporadic cases, 6 died, including a physician who had physically examined encephalitis patients without gloves or a mask. Nipah virus–infected patients were more likely than community-based controls to report drinking raw date palm sap and to have had physical contact with an encephalitis patient (29% vs. 4%, matched odds ratio undefined). Efforts to prevent transmission should focus on reducing caregivers’ exposure to infected patients’ bodily secretions during care and traditional burial practices