Development of Composites from Waste PET - Cotton Textiles

In this research, waste textile materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and cotton were compression molded into composites. The main idea was to use waste textiles to develop composites like PET and cotton. PET acts as matrix and cotton as reinforcement because PET is thermoplastic whereas cotton is non thermoplastic. Approximately about 21 million tons of textile solid waste is being disposed into landfills annually, leading to vast environmental properties and waste of valuable raw materials. By using waste PET and cotton textiles there are technical as well as environmental viabilities. However, implementing them into fabricating composites is not widely conducted. Compression molding is a feasible approach to use waste PET and cotton textiles into fabricating composites that have good potential for industrial applications. In this research, investigating the effects of plasticizers and alkalis on decreasing the processing temperatures of composites was studied so that the cotton is protected during compression molding. In the following paper, it is shown how plasticizers can be effectively used to decrease the melting temperature of PET. The influences of chemicals on the melting temperature of PET and the mechanical properties of the composites are investigated. In my future research, the feasibility of compression molding PET and cotton fabrics into composites with other chemicals will be studied. More molecular characterizations of individual PET and cotton components plus static and dynamic mechanical characterizations of composites will be conducted. Advisor: Yiqi Yan

Development of Composites from Waste PET - Cotton Textiles

In this research, waste textile materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and cotton were compression molded into composites. The main idea was to use waste textiles to develop composites like PET and cotton. PET acts as matrix and cotton as reinforcement because PET is thermoplastic whereas cotton is non thermoplastic. Approximately about 21 million tons of textile solid waste is being disposed into landfills annually, leading to vast environmental properties and waste of valuable raw materials. By using waste PET and cotton textiles there are technical as well as environmental viabilities. However, implementing them into fabricating composites is not widely conducted. Compression molding is a feasible approach to use waste PET and cotton textiles into fabricating composites that have good potential for industrial applications. In this research, investigating the effects of plasticizers and alkalis on decreasing the processing temperatures of composites was studied so that the cotton is protected during compression molding. In the following paper, it is shown how plasticizers can be effectively used to decrease the melting temperature of PET. The influences of chemicals on the melting temperature of PET and the mechanical properties of the composites are investigated. In my future research, the feasibility of compression molding PET and cotton fabrics into composites with other chemicals will be studied. More molecular characterizations of individual PET and cotton components plus static and dynamic mechanical characterizations of composites will be conducted. Advisor: Yiqi Yan

Development of Composites from Waste PET - Cotton Textiles

In this research, waste textile materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and cotton were compression molded into composites. The main idea was to use waste textiles to develop composites like PET and cotton. PET acts as matrix and cotton as reinforcement because PET is thermoplastic whereas cotton is non thermoplastic. Approximately about 21 million tons of textile solid waste is being disposed into landfills annually, leading to vast environmental properties and waste of valuable raw materials. By using waste PET and cotton textiles there are technical as well as environmental viabilities. However, implementing them into fabricating composites is not widely conducted. Compression molding is a feasible approach to use waste PET and cotton textiles into fabricating composites that have good potential for industrial applications. In this research, investigating the effects of plasticizers and alkalis on decreasing the processing temperatures of composites was studied so that the cotton is protected during compression molding. In the following paper, it is shown how plasticizers can be effectively used to decrease the melting temperature of PET. The influences of chemicals on the melting temperature of PET and the mechanical properties of the composites are investigated. In my future research, the feasibility of compression molding PET and cotton fabrics into composites with other chemicals will be studied. More molecular characterizations of individual PET and cotton components plus static and dynamic mechanical characterizations of composites will be conducted. Advisor: Yiqi Yan

Organizational-Level RFID Technology Adoption in the Hospitality Industry

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of technological, organizational, and environmental factors on the hospitality operators\u27 adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Based on a sample of 125 technology decision makers at major hospitality corporations in the US, the results of the study indicated that except stakeholder pressure, all of the technological, organizational, and environmental factors had significant impact on hospitality operators\u27 intention to adopt RFID technology. By identifying the factors affecting hospitality operators\u27 RFID technology adoption decisions, technology vendors could design appropriate marketing strategies to reach potential adopters and they could educate these adopters better on the benefits of RFID technologies in order to increase the usage of these technologies in the hospitality industry

A Confirmatory Study of Relationships in Ayurveda: Deha Prakritis, Agnis, Koshtas, and their Association to Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background and Objectives: Ayurvedic theory proposes a person’s mind-body type (Deha Prakriti) is related to the condition of their digestive system (Agni) and to the responsiveness of their alimentary canal (Koshta). However, these relationships have never been statistically verified. Evidence also suggests the condition of a person’s digestive system and gut responsiveness are related to cardiovascular risk factors, but the relationships between them, too, have also not been statistically tested. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients underwent pulse diagnosis for general health assessment, including measurements of weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, and diet. Results: Results suggest each Deha Prakriti was related to its respective Agni and Kostha. For example, a Vata-dominant Deha Prakriti was correlated to Vishamagni and to Krura Koshta. Results also indicate Deha Prakriti, Agni, and Koshta were generally associated to weight, BMI, and diet, but not to hypertension, a finding also advanced by Ayurvedic theory. Discussion: These data suggest for the first time that Ayurvedic assessment of mind-body type and gastrointestinal conditions are related to each other and somewhat to cardiovascular risk factors, and provide confirmatory insights into fundamental Ayurvedic principles, a topic yet to be empirically examined despite its importance for health

Biomedical applications of three‐dimensional bioprinted craniofacial tissue engineering

Abstract Anatomical complications of the craniofacial regions often present considerable challenges to the surgical repair or replacement of the damaged tissues. Surgical repair has its own set of limitations, including scarcity of the donor tissues, immune rejection, use of immune suppressors followed by the surgery, and restriction in restoring the natural aesthetic appeal. Rapid advancement in the field of biomaterials, cell biology, and engineering has helped scientists to create cellularized skeletal muscle‐like structures. However, the existing method still has limitations in building large, highly vascular tissue with clinical application. With the advance in the three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinting technique, scientists and clinicians now can produce the functional implants of skeletal muscles and bones that are more patient‐specific with the perfect match to the architecture of their craniofacial defects. Craniofacial tissue regeneration using 3D bioprinting can manage and eliminate the restrictions of the surgical transplant from the donor site. The concept of creating the new functional tissue, exactly mimicking the anatomical and physiological function of the damaged tissue, looks highly attractive. This is crucial to reduce the donor site morbidity and retain the esthetics. 3D bioprinting can integrate all three essential components of tissue engineering, that is, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and regeneration of the lost craniofacial tissues. Such integration essentially helps to develop the patient‐specific treatment plans and damage site‐driven creation of the functional implants for the craniofacial defects. This article is the bird's eye view on the latest development and application of 3D bioprinting in the regeneration of the skeletal muscle tissues and their application in restoring the functional abilities of the damaged craniofacial tissue. We also discussed current challenges in craniofacial bone vascularization and gave our view on the future direction, including establishing the interactions between tissue‐engineered skeletal muscle and the peripheral nervous system

Tumour regression and improved gastrointestinal tolerability from controlled release of SN-38 from novel polyoxazoline-modified dendrimers

Irinotecan is used clinically for the treatment of colorectal cancer; however, its utility is limited by its narrow therapeutic index. We describe the use of a generation 5 l-lysine dendrimer that has been part-modified with a polyoxazoline as a drug delivery vehicle for improving the therapeutic index of SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan. By conjugating SN-38 to the dendrimer via different linker technologies we sought to vary the release rate of the drug to generate diverse pharmacokinetic profiles. Three conjugates with plasma release half-lives of 2.5 h, 21 h, and 72 h were tested for efficacy and toxicity using a mouse SW620 xenograft model. In this model, the linker with a plasma release half-life of 21 h achieved sustained SN-38 exposure in blood, above the target concentration. Control over the release rate of the drug from the linker, combined with prolonged circulation of the dendrimer, enabled administration of an efficacious dose of SN-38, achieving significant regression of the SW620 tumours. The conjugates with 2.5 and 72 h release half-lives did not achieve an anti-tumour effect. Intraperitoneal dosing of the clinically used prodrug irinotecan produces high initial and local concentrations of SN-38, which are associated with gastrointestinal toxicity. Administration of the 21 h release dendrimer conjugate did not produce a high initial Cmax of SN-38. Consequently, a marked reduction in gastrointestinal toxicity was observed relative to irinotecan treatment. Additional studies investigating the dose concentrations and dose scheduling showed that a weekly dosing schedule of 4 mg SN-38/kg was the most efficacious regimen. After 4 doses at weekly intervals, the survival period of the mice extended beyond 70 days following the final dose. These extensive studies have allowed us to identify a linker, dose and dosing regimen for SN-38 conjugated to polyoxazoline-modified dendrimer that maximised efficacy and minimised adverse side effects