Homogeneity of the primary layer in mineral wool production process is required for high quality products. State-of-the-art measurement techniques for the evaluation of primary layer homogeneity are very slow and can only be applied after the product is manufactured. We present here a method that enables on-line monitoring and control and is based on experimental modeling using neural networks....

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether differences in retention time (RT) of digesta in the rumen are associated with individual differences in wool growth rate between Merino rams. Fifty-eight rams were offered a pelleted diet at ad libitum and restricted levels. Digesta RT in the rumen was estimated from fecal excretion plots using 51Cr-mordanted feed as a marker. Wool growth...

The present paper investigated the process of the slag wool fabrication using high temperature blast furnace (BF) slag modified by coal ash (CA). The liquidus temperature and viscosity of the slag system with different mass ratios of BF slag and CA were measured through an inner cylinder rotation method. The approximate mass ratio used to fabricate the slag wool was therefore determined and sla...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Spirulina supplementation, sire breed and sex on the wool characteristics of purebred and crossbred Merino weaned lambs under a single pasture-based management system. Lambs sired by Merino, White Suffolk, Dorset, Black Suffolk breeds were randomly allocated into 3 treatments – the control group grazing without Spirulina (0 mL), low (100...

The importance of sheep's wool in making textiles has inspired extensive research into its structure and the underlying genetics since the 1960s. Wool keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are a key structural component of the wool fibre. The characterisation of the genes encoding these proteins has progressed rapidly with advances in the nucleotide and protein sequencing. This review describes ou...

EPA has completed a substantial study to re-evaluate use of the presence of slag wool fibers as a potential marker for World Trade Center (WTC)-derived dust contamination. Slag wool is an insulating material (made from blast furnace slag) that was used in the construction of the WTC. Large quantities of slag wool were released into lower Manhattan by the collapse of the WTC. Samples of dust col...

The purpose of this investigation was to provide quantitative data showing the effect of oxidizing agents on wool as a basis for studying all processes in which wool is exposed to oxidation reactions. The work reported in this paper deals only with the effect of hydrogen peroxide. Data are presented showing the effects on wool of varying the concentration, temperature, and pH of the hydrogen pe...

Glass wool, hydrophilic cotton wool, non-electrically charged BIO-GEL P2 and common tissue paper columns were used to purify trypomastigotes from a mixed Trypanosoma cruzi population grown in axenic culture medium. With all these columns, highly purified (up to 98%) trypomastigote preparations were obtained. Trypomastigote yields from cotton wool, BIO-GEL P2 and common tissue paper columns were...

This study investigated the effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis) supplementation level, basal diet, sire breed, and sex on wool quality parameters in purebred and crossbred Merino lambs. A total of 48 lambs, over two consecutive years (n=24 per year), was randomly allocated into Spirulina supplementation level (CONTROL, LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH) groups and balanced by sire breed (Black Suffol...