Changes in wool protein structure and fabric properties with ultrasonic treatment

Wool fabrics, ultrasonically treated for different time durations, were analysed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), in comparison with the wool without ultrasonic treatment. Fabric tensile and thermal properties were measured in addition to the fibre micro structure analysis. Wool protein chains in the macro fibrils were shown to be rearranged to a more regular and less flexible structure, as a result of the ultrasonically treated fabric. Prolonged ultrasonic treatment, however, significantly reduced both fabric tenacity and extensibility. Wool treated with ultrasonics was found to have less mass loss and a higher thermal degradation temperature than that of without ultrasonic treatment and prolonged treated. DSC analysis showed that while ultrasonic treatment has little effect on the fibre crystallinity, an appropriate treatment can provide wool with increased water absorption.

Effect of ultrasonic wave on latex production and quality of rubber tree

The effects of ultrasonic wave on tapping surface of ‘PR107’ rubber tree were studied. Daily production and cumulative production of latex were measured to estimate the effects of ultrasonic wave on latex production. The solid substance content, dry rubber content and mechanical stability of latex were determined to study the effects of ultrasonic wave on latex quality. Results showed that ultrasonic wave could increase both daily and cumulative production of latex and maintain latex basic quality. The daily production of latex was increased and appeared two peaks both in the ultrasound-treated rubber tree and the one with no treatment. The first peak appeared on the fifth day, and the latex production by ultrasound was 212.34 ml and the control was 141.75 ml The second peak appeared with the production 266.59 ml on the seventeenth day by ultrasound, while the control appeared on the thirteenth day with production of 193.5 ml. The latex cumulative production of ultrasound-treated trees was 209.56 ml higher than that of control in one month. There was little change in solid substance content and dry rubber content between different ultrasonic time. The best mechanical stability of latex was obtained by ultrasound-treating the rubber tree for 4-6 min. it was proved that the ultrasound was helpful in improving the latex production and quality. The application of ultrasonic wave on rubber tree is novel, and its mechanism is worth further research.

The efficient market hypothesis and corporate event waves: part 1

Efficient markets are commonly defined as ones that do not allow investors to earn above-average returns without accepting above-average risk. In a traditional framework, where investors are rational and there are no frictions, the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) states that a security's price reflects its fundamental value, which is the sum of its discounted expected future cash flows. Put simply, under the EMH, securities are "rightly priced." Through this study, the author finds that while the EMH has been widely accepted for decades among academics, practitioners and regulators still appear to be unconvinced. From a behavioral perspective, the author shows that human psychology and sentiment factors can account for some discrepancies in financial markets. He also finds evidence of limited arbitrage being risky and costly and, hence, impeding the ability of investors to take advantage of profitable opportunities. This study provides an extensive analysis of the critical discussions surrounding the EMH and deepens and strengthens the understanding of the EMH, as well as the arguments for and against.

The efficient market hypothesis and corporate event waves: part II

This article is the second of a two-part series on the efficient market hypothesis corporate event waves. The ideas of market efficiency, or rational theory, and the behavioral hypothesis have been extensively used to explain the modern phenomena of corporate event waves. Some studies investigate the patterns of corporate events from a behavioral finance perspective and suggest that corporate announcement waves are driven by investor sentiment. Baker and Wurgler examine equity market timing as an aspect of real corporate financial policy. Sentiment can also explain IPO waves. Post-announcement returns and IPO volume are positively correlated to firms' capital demands and the level of investor optimism. Helwge and Liang examine the IPO cycles from hot to cold markets from 1975 to 2000. Corporate e vent wave scan also be explained by the neoclassical efficiency hypothesis, proposing that business cycle fluctuations and economic conditions drive firms' decisions on financing transactions.

Adapting ultrasonic assisted wool scouring for industrial application

Scouring is the first stage of wool processing and is essential for determining the quality of fiber. Traditional aqueous scouring is a method that emulsifies and removes contaminants (such as wool grease, suint, and dirt) from the fiber surface; however, it promotes wool felting and is energy and water intensive. This study has shown that modification of the traditional wool scouring line by introducing an ultrasonic device could be a viable alternative for the wool scouring industry. A standard six-bath wool scouring line was retrofitted with two ultrasonic panels working at 80 kHz in bath 2. Scouring was carried out in three modes: conventional mode without the transport rake, ultrasonic mode without the transport rake, and conventional mode with the transport rake. Fiber samples after scouring were measured for color index, residual grease content, and residual ash content. Ultrasonic scouring was found to improve removal of grease and ash from the wool fiber. Modifications were proposed for the design of an industrial scouring line including the addition of fiber transport and dunking rollers and number of baths for the installation. © The Author(s) 2014.

The green waves of environmental sustainability in sport

 The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework surrounding the typology of environmental sustainability efforts made within the sport industry. We draw from multiple theoretical frameworks (i.e. institutional theory and diffusion of innovation) to understand the increased similarities of environmental sustainability efforts through organizational learning as environmental sustainability efforts become more purposeful and sophisticated across the sport industry. The paper uses examples from various sport organizations and leagues to classify the efforts of sport organizations into waves of sport environmental sustainability efforts and important implications arising from them.

New challenges for international economic law teaching and research in México: Mexico’s outstanding waves of reforms

This position paper argues that at this time of Mexico’s ongoing big transformation, legal educators and researchers in Mexico need to pay greater attention to international economic law, and that a renewal and perhaps some re-orientation of the approach to teaching international economic law, could provide significant contributions to and shape and support both the objectives and outcomes of reform in Mexico. International Economic Law courses and research can be made more useful, not only for students themselves, but also for their contribution towards the role that academics, lawyers, and other epistemic communities need to play in the political, economic and social evolution that is accelerating in Mexico.

Characterization of heat waves affecting mortality rates of broilers between 29 days and market age

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Assessment of cumulative damage by using ultrasonic C-scan on carbon fiber/epoxy composites under thermal cycling

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ultrasonic densitometer using a multiple reflection technique

This work presents recent improvements in a density measurement cell with a double-element transducer that can eliminate diffraction effects. A new mechanical design combined with the use of more appropriate materials has resulted in better parallelism between interfaces, more robust assembly, and chemical resistance. A novel method of signal processing, named energy method, is introduced to obtain the reflection coefficient, reducing sensitivity to noise and improving accuracy. The measurement cell operation is verified both theoretically, using an acoustic wave propagation model, and experimentally, using homogeneous liquids with different densities. The accuracy in the density measurement is 0.2% when compared with the measurements made with a pycnometer.