Effect of fibre, yarn and knitted fabric attributes associated with wool comfort properties

In this replicated experiment, we investigated the comfort properties of single jersey fabrics composed of cashmere in blends with superfine wools of different fibre curvature (crimp) where the fibre diameter of the wool and cashmere were tightly controlled. The 81 fabrics were evaluated using the Wool ComfortMeter (WCM) which has been calibrated using wearer trials of wool knitwear. General linear modelling determined the best prediction models for log10 transformed fabric WCM values using 27 fibre, 16 yarn and 30 fabric attributes. Tighter fabrics were less comfortable. Progressively blending cashmere with wool progressively increased comfort assessment. The WCM was able to detect differences between fabrics which were more supple and springy, thinner and lighter, and were composed of more elastic, uniform and stronger yarns. Together these attributes explained 82% of the variance in WCM value.

Effect of surface treatment and knit structure on comfort properties of wool fabrics

The comfort properties of the pique and single jersey knitted wool fabrics were investigated using the Wool ComfortMeter (WCM). The fabrics were knitted in three cover factors and treated with either plasma or a silicone softening agent and were compared with untreated fabrics. Plasma treatment did not show significant effects on the comfort value. However, silicone polymer significantly reduced WCM values suggesting that the silicone coating reduced the number of protruding fibres on the fabric surface. Regardless of treatment used, pique fabrics showed a lower WCM value, and therefore were perceived to be more comfortable than the single jersey structure. While the effect of cover factor was not significant, in fitted model to predict the WCM value of fabrics, mass/unit area and fabric thickness were significant predictors along with fabric structure and finishing treatment.

Predicting comfort properties of knitted fabrics by assessing yarns with the Wool ComfortMeter

This study examined the feasibility of assessing yarns with the Wool ComfortMeter (WCM) to predict the comfort properties of the corresponding single jersey-knitted fabrics. The optimum yarn arrangement to predict the comfort value of a corresponding control fabric was determined using nine wool and wool/nylon-blended yarns (mean fibre diameter range 16.5–24.9 μm) knitted into 34 different fabrics. Using a notched template, yarn winding frequencies of 1, 3, 6, 12, 25 and 50 parallel yarns were tested on the WCM. The best predictor of fabric WCM values was using 25 parallel yarns. Inclusion of knitting gauge and cover factor slightly improved predictions. This indicates that evaluation at the yarn stage would be a reliable predictor of knitted fabric comfort, and thus yarn testing would avoid the time and expense of fabric construction.

Key influences on office comfort and energy performance in different climates

This paper investigates the magnitude of influence of climate, architectural design and occupants on thermal comfort and final energy consumption in offices in different climates. A parametric study for a typical cellular office room has been conducted using the simulation software EnergyPlus. Two different occupant scenarios are each compared with three different architectural design variations and modelled in the context of three different locations for the IPCC climate change scenario A2 for 2030. The parameters evaluated in this study are final energy consumption and adaptive thermal comfort according to ASHRAE Standard 55. The study shows that the impact of occupants on final energy performance is larger than the impact of architectural design in all investigated climates, but the impact of architectural design is predominant concerning thermal comfort. Warmer climates show larger optimisation potential for comfort and energy performance in offices compared to colder climates.

Patient comfort in the intensive care unit : a multicentre, binational point prevalence study of analgesia, sedation and delirium management

Objective: To measure the prevalence of assessment and management practices for analgesia, sedation and delirium in patients in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units.
Materials and Methods: We developed survey items from a modified Delphi panel and included them in a binational, point prevalence study. We used a standard case report form to capture retrospective patient data on management of analgesia, sedation and delirium at the end of a 4-hour period on the study day. Other data were collected during independent assessment of patient status and medication requirements.
Results: Data were collected on 569 patients in 41 ICUs. Pain assessment was documented in the 4 hours before study observation in 46% of patients. Of 319 assessable patients, 16% had moderate pain and 6% had severe pain. Routine sedation assessment using a scale was recorded in 63% of intubated and ventilated patients. When assessed, 38% were alert and calm, or drowsy and rousable, 22% were lightly to moderately sedated, 31% were deeply sedated (66% of these had a documented indication), and 9% were agitated or restless. Sedatives were titrated to a target level in 42% of patients. Routine assessment of delirium occurred in 3%, and at study assessment 9% had delirium. Wrist or arm restraints were used for 7% of patients.
Conclusions: Only two-thirds of sedated patients had their sedation levels formally assessed, half had pain assessed and very few had formal assessment of delirium. Our description of current practices, and other observational data, may help in planning further research in this area.

Comfort response of three silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lenses

To evaluate subjective ocular comfort across the day with three silicone hydrogel daily disposables (SHDDs) in a group of adapted lens wearers. Masked subjects (asymptomatic or symptomatic of end-of-day (EOD) dryness with habitual lenses) wore three SHDDs: DAILIES TOTAL1 (DT1), Clariti 1day (C1D), or 1-DAY ACUVUE TRUEYE (AVTE), each for 3 days. On day 2, wearing time (WT) and comfort ratings after insertion, at 4, 8, and 12 hours, and at EOD were recorded. Because not all subjects wore lenses for 12 hours, comfort was analyzed across the day (up to 8 hours, 8 to 12 hours), and a new variable (“cumulative comfort” [CC]) was calculated for EOD. One hundred four subjects completed the study (51 asymptomatic, 53 symptomatic). The two groups had different WTs (mean WT, 14.0 and 12.7 hours, respectively; p < 0.001). Ocular comfort was rated higher in the asymptomatic group throughout the day (p < 0.001). One hundred four subjects wore all three SHDDs for at least 8 hours, whereas 74 (45 asymptomatic, 29 symptomatic) subjects wore them for 12 hours or longer. Comfort ratings were higher with DT1 (least square means [LSM] = 91.0) than with C1D (LSM = 86.5; p < 0.001) and AVTE (LSM = 87.7; p = 0.011) for the first 8 hours and lower with C1D compared with DT1 (p = 0.012) from 8 to 12 hours. Mean EOD (± SD) comfort with the C1D lens was 72 ± 21, lower than both DT1 (mean, 79 ± 17; p = 0.001) and AVTE (mean, 78 ± 21; p = 0.010). Mean CC was higher in the asymptomatic group (mean, 1261 ± 59) compared with that in the symptomatic group (mean, 1009 ± 58; p < 0.001) and higher for DT1 (mean, 1184 ± 258) than C1D (mean, 1094 ± 318; p = 0.002) and AVTE (mean, 1122 ± 297; p = 0.046). All three SHDDs had average WTs of 12 hours or longer for 1 day. Comfort during the first 12 hours was highest with DT1 (similar to AVTE between 8 and 12 hours) and lowest with C1D. End-of-day comfort was lowest with C1D, and CC was highest for DT1. Cumulative comfort may be a valuable new metric to assess ocular comfort during the day.

Modern kitchens : and what their owners say of the speed, comfort, economy and convenience of electric cooking

"In the pages of this booklet we have given you actual quotations from a few of the many letters which we have recived from delighted users of Electric Ranges." -- blurb.