Effect of stimuli-responsive nano hydrogel finishing on cotton fabric properties

Cotton fabrics have been prepared with smart properties by functional finishing with stimuli-responsive nano gel. A biopolymer (chitosan) and a synthetic polymer (poly-NiPAAm) have been used for the synthesis of nano gel through semi-batch surfactant-free dispersion polymerization (SB-SFDP) method. The incorporation of nano gel to textile fabrics is achieved by pad-dry-cure procedure, using an aqueous nano gel dispersion and 1,2,3,4-butantetracarboxylic acid as a crosslinking agent. With this cross linking method, it is possible to integrate the nano gel into the cotton fabric’s structure with good resistance to washing. The changes in physiological comfort parameters of cotton fabric such as the water vapor transmission rate, air permeability and vertical wicking as well properties such as the thickness, crease recovery angle, yellowness index and washing fastness of cotton fabric after smart finishing have also been assessed. The results show that the application of nano gel as a smart finishing system not only impairs the intrinsic properties of cotton but also improves the common textile quality by providing new features of stimuli-responsiveness.

Comparing the Effect of Foliar Spraying by Calcium and Boron on Productivity and Quality of Strawberry Fruits under Organic Hydroponic System

The availability of slow-moving elements within the plant is very important for the growth and productivity of crops, the most important of which are calcium and boron, and the deficiency of any of them leads to a significant imbalance in growth and productivity. This experiment was conducted inside a greenhouse at the National Organic Agriculture Center, Unaiza, Qassim, Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia to investigations made on the effects of foliar applications levels of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) on yield and quality of strawberries (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.). Factorial experiment was used in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four levels of calcium (Ca1=100, Ca2 = 200, Ca3= 400 mg/l), and four levels of boron (B1= 5, B2= 10, B3= 20 mg/l), as well as control treatment (C=0), each treatment was replicated three times. Different treatments with different combinations of both elements were studied. Addition of B and Ca influence vegetative growth parameters, yield attributes and fruit quality parameters significantly compare to the control such as the percentages of Glucose%, Fructose%, vitamin C and Sucrose%. Therefore, results indicated that sprays of mixture contained calcium and boron at different levels of Ca2B1, Ca1B1 and Ca3B1 increased fruit diameter, fruit length, weight /plant, and total weight (g), while with Ca3B1 and Ca3B2 were showed high increment of sugar percentages. According to results authors recommended foliar application of combination of calcium and boron as follow Ca2B1, Ca3B1 and Ca3B2 to improve yield attributes and fruit quality parameters. Keywords: Strawberry, Foliar application, Calcium, Boron, Organic hydroponics DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-18-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

Improvement of 2-O-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-L-Ascorbic Acid Biosynthesis Using Ultrasonic Radiation

Purpose: To improve 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) production using ultrasonic radiation (UR) treatment.Methods: The production of AA-2G using UR or ultrasonic radiation with shaking (URS) at 150 rpm, at varying power (100 − 500 W), temperature (30 – 65 °C), pH 4.0 −9.0, and time (2−24 h) was compared with that produced in a shaker water bath (SWB) in a reaction catalyzed by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus sp. SK13.002. The effect of URS on CGTase activity was also measured.Results: Maximum AA-2G production using UR at a power of 400 W, temperature of 37 oC, and pH 8.0 for 18 h was 5.69 ± 0.2 g/L, while URS at 500 W/150 rpm and 37 °C for 14 h yielded 7.05 ± 0.21 g/L of AA-2G. URS at 500 W/150 rpm, 55 °C, and pH 8.0 for 6 h yielded 6.6 ± 0.25 g/L of AA-2G. URS at 37 and 55 °C significantly increased CGTase activity. AA-2G yield using UR (400 W) was decreased by 9.7 % compared to that produced by SWB. However, the AA-2G yield using USS (500 W/150 rpm) at 37 and 55 °C increased by 11.9 and 4.8 %, respectively, with a reduction in process time of 41.7 and 75 %, respectively, compared to that previously produced by SWB.Conclusion: These results indicate that UR combined with shaking improves AA-2G production.Keywords: 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid, Ultrasonic radiation, Transglycosylation, Bacillus sp. SK13.00

Ebola virus disease: a review

Background: Ebola virus (EBV) is a member of the family, Filoviridae, and is the etiological agent of Ebola virus disease or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF). This disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans and non-human primates, with human fatality rates reaching 90% during outbreaks. EVD is presently one of the world’s feared, and classified as a biological class 4 pathogen and its natural reservoir is not known. This review describes the epidemiology, clinical features diagnosis and treatment of EVD. The understanding of viral pathogenesis is limited. Therefore, further studies examining the pathogenic mechanisms of EBV are necessary to fully understand and effectively treat EVD. Aim: The aim of this review is to obtain information on Ebola virus disease, its Virology, pathogenesis, immune response and immune response evasion as well as some current diagnosis approaches. Conclusion: EVD is presently one of the world’s feared, and classified as a biological class 4 pathogen with its natural reservoir not known, it has been a serious threat to human individuals due to its highly infectious and lethal behavior, Since the spreads of the disease is mainly through the transmission of blood and body fluids from infected person Extra care should be observed, since yet no approved specific vaccine or antiviral drug to treat the infection. Key Words: Ebola virus Disease; Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Advances in the Imaging of Pituitary Tumors

© 2020 Elsevier Inc. In most patients with pituitary adenomas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential to guide effective decision-making. T1- and T2-weighted sequences allow the majority of adenomas to be readily identified. Supplementary MR sequences (e.g. FLAIR; MR angiography) may also help inform surgery. However, in some patients MRI findings are ‘negative’ or equivocal (e.g. with failure to reliably identify a microadenoma or to distinguish postoperative change from residual/recurrent disease). Molecular imaging [e.g. 11C-methionine PET/CT coregistered with volumetric MRI (Met-PET/MRCR)] may allow accurate localisation of the site of de novo or persistent disease to guide definitive treatment (e.g. surgery or radiosurgery)

Modern imaging of pituitary adenomas.

Decision-making in pituitary disease is critically dependent on high quality imaging of the sella and parasellar region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the investigation of choice and, for the majority of patients, combined T1 and T2 weighted sequences provide the information required to allow surgery, radiotherapy (RT) and/or medical therapy to be planned and long-term outcomes to be monitored. However, in some cases standard clinical MR sequences are indeterminate and additional information is needed to help inform the choice of therapy for a pituitary adenoma (PA). This article reviews current recommendations for imaging of PA, examines the potential added value that alternative MR sequences and/or CT can offer, and considers how the use of functional/molecular imaging might allow definitive treatment to be recommended for a subset of patients who would otherwise be deemed unsuitable for (further) surgery and/or RT.Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centr

On the edge: habitat restoration priorities for three critically endangered bird species on Sangihe, Indonesia

Remnant forests on the small Wallacean island of Sangihe north of Sulawesi hold the entire ranges of more critically endangered (CR) bird species than any other comparable area on earth. We develop habitat association models for three of these CR species to identify critical habitat features as well as areas where habitat falls slightly short of suitability, and to determine whether another area of forest away from the largest block might be suitable as an insurance site for a translocated population. Hopes for all three species appear almost totally pinned to forest within a 13 km2 area of the Sahendaruman crater, with virtually no near-suitable habitat away from this site. There is, however, little overlap in habitats between one CR species and the other two: cerulean flycatcher Eutrichomyias rowleyi is associated with mature streamside forest with full canopy cover, lianas, and mid-level growth, while Sangihe whistler Coracornis sanghirensis and Sangihe golden bulbul Hypsipetes platenae are restricted to ridgetop forest with full canopy cover and large trees. We pinpoint small areas (around 5 km2) of forest in the crater that are already suitable or can be made so with habitat management, and these are absolute priorities for conservation action. We show how habitat characteristics identified within models might be enhanced, and how features, especially certain tree species, can be used as indicators of future habitat improvement