Application of fungi resistance on cotton fabric using aloe vera active component

Purpose This paper aims to prevent cotton textiles from fungi damage using eco-friendly aloe vera leaf extract, which was applied at a minimum amount, and cost-effective material. Design/methodology/approach Batch extraction method using methanol solvent; phytochemical analysis was investigated and three-level factorial design of experiment and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the optimization of 27 test runs. The finish was applied by pad-dry-cue at distinct concentrations, and the chemical property after treatment was studied. Colorfastness and coordinates are analyzed. Cotton fabrics were cultured with Fusarium oxysporum fungi and the anti-fungal property was examined and reported according to AATCC 30–2004 standard. Findings The maximum yield of extract was at an optimum volume of 200 ml, 65 °C for 120 min. The effective antifungal fabric was achieved with minimum concentrations. There was significant strength loss in warp and weft direction. The treatment results in yellow-colored cotton fabric with fastness grade 3. The antifungal effect is durable until fifteen washes as the tensile strength losses were less than 1%. Research limitations/implications The findings of this work were based on samples considered in the laboratory. However, it can be reproducible at the factory production scale the treatment has the potential of yielding yellow dyed cotton fabric with multifunctional finishing. Practical implications The treated fabric is against Fusarium oxysporum Fungi which is one of the vital antimicrobial properties of textile apparel products for various areas of application. Social implications The natural extract material applied to a textile material is eco-friendly effective against microbes of cotton seeds during cultivation and apparel end-uses. Originality/value The work application of fungi resistance on cotton fabric using aloe vera active component was original; this work provides extraction of the active agent from aloe vera leaf, which is optimized statically and successfully applied for anti-fungal activity on cotton fabric.

In vitro activity of cefepime-taniborbactam against carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered in Spain

Novel β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations currently approved for clinical use are poorly active against metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing strains. We evaluated the in vitro activity of cefepime-taniborbactam (FTB, formerly cefepime/VNRX-5133) and comparator agents against carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (n=247) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas spp. (n=170) clinical isolates prospectively collected from different clinical origin in patients admitted to 8 Spanish hospitals. FTB was the most active agent in both Enterobacterales (97.6% MIC FTB ≤8/4 mg/L) and Pseudomonas populations (67.1% MIC FTB ≤8/4 mg/L). MIC FTB was >8 mg/L in 6/247 (2.4%) Enterobacterales isolates (3 KPC- Klebsiella pneumoniae , 1 VIM- Enterobacter cloacae , 1 IMP- E. cloacae and 1 NDM- Escherichia coli ) and in 56/170 (32.9%) Pseudomonas spp., 19 of them carbapenemase producers (15 VIM, 2 GES, 1 GES+VIM, 1 GES+KPC). Against the Enterobacterales isolates with meropenem MIC>2 mg/L (138/247), FTB was the most active agent against both serine-β-lactamases (107/138) and MBL producers (31/138) (97.2% and 93.5% MIC FTB ≤8/4 mg/L, respectively) whereas the activity of comparators was reduced, particularly against the MBL producers (ceftazidime-avibactam, 94.4% and 12.9%; meropenem-vaborbactam, 85.0% and 64.5%; imipenem-relebactam, 76.6% and 9.7%; ceftolozane-tazobactam, 1.9% and 0%; piperacillin-tazobactam, 0% and 0%, respectively). Among the meropenem-resistant Pseudomonas spp. isolates (163/170, MIC>2 mg/L), activity of FTB against serine-β-lactamase (35/163) and MBL producers (43/163) was 88.6% and 65.1%, respectively, whereas the susceptibility of comparators was: ceftazidime-avibactam, 88.5% and 16.0%; meropenem-vaborbactam, 8.5% and 7.0%; imipenem-relebactam, 2.9% and 2.3%; ceftolozane-tazobactam, 0% and 2.3%; and piperacillin-tazobactam, 0% and 0%, respectively. Microbiological results suggest FTB as a potential therapeutic option in patients infected with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas isolates, including MBL producers.

The Use of the Escape Room as a Methodology for the Development of Professional Skills in the Training of Future Teachers

Faced with the new educational context that is emerging at this time in history, marked by a global pandemic, the learning and application of active methodologies where the teacher is not the only active agent in socio-educational activities is becoming key. Given this novel context, this chapter tries to outline how an escape room can be used as a strategy in the training of future teachers for the development of socio-emotional, sustainable, and multi-intelligence approaches, all currently necessary and essential elements of the professional development of this new generation of teachers in training. There is no doubt that the experience described in this chapter shows the applicability of these types of active methodologies in the classroom, since as defended in the document, it not only favours the motivation of students, but also the acquisition of certain skills and abilities, as well as the consolidation of theoretical content linked to the subject in which it is applied, thus favouring their future application when they become practising teachers.

The Contribution of Neuroscience and Health Psychology to Macroergonomics

When a work system is considered we must focus on people that are part of the system as an active agent that can participate and interact all along the working process. In this process, stress contributes to increasing the probability of diseases and accidents. Therefore, one of the main objectives, from a preventive perspective, is to reduce stress levels. Related to this, the characteristics of healthy organizations will be described as a model to promote health. The objective of this chapter is to offer a broad and multidisciplinary perspective of prevention risk in the workplace centered in the worker, taking the view of neuroscience and health psychology. For that purpose, stress interventions in the organizations and in the individuals will be outlined. Finally, this chapter would finish proposing a preventive intervention to improve healthier work environments, taking into account neurosciences and health psychology. This proposal will be based on improving lifestyle, education for health, and self-respect.

Bioactive Coatings on Titanium: A Review on Hydroxylation, Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) and Surface Modification Strategies

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have been demonstrated over the last decades to play an important role as inert materials in the field of orthopedic and dental implants. Nevertheless, with the widespread use of Ti, implant-associated rejection issues have arisen. To overcome these problems, antibacterial properties, fast and adequate osseointegration and long-term stability are essential features. Indeed, surface modification is currently presented as a versatile strategy for developing Ti coatings with all these challenging requirements and achieve a successful performance of the implant. Numerous approaches have been investigated to obtain stable and well-organized Ti coatings that promote the tailoring of surface chemical functionalization regardless of the geometry and shape of the implant. However, among all the approaches available in the literature to functionalize the Ti surface, a promising strategy is the combination of surface pre-activation treatments typically followed by the development of intermediate anchoring layers (self-assembled monolayers, SAMs) that serve as the supporting linkage of a final active layer. Therefore, this paper aims to review the latest approaches in the biomedical area to obtain bioactive coatings onto Ti surfaces with a special focus on (i) the most employed methods for Ti surface hydroxylation, (ii) SAMs-mediated active coatings development, and (iii) the latest advances in active agent immobilization and polymeric coatings for controlled release on Ti surfaces.

Pei Xiu (791–864) and Lay Buddhism in Tang Chan

Pei Xiu 裴休 (791–864) was a literati follower of Buddhist teachers, among whom the two most eminent were Zongmi 宗密 (780–841) and Huangbo Xiyun 黃檗希運 (?–850). These two teachers had notably different spiritual orientations: one was the synthesizer of Chan and Huayan teachings, the other a member of the more radical Hongzhou 洪州 school. Rather than passively patronizing Buddhist teachers, Pei Xiu served as an active agent of his own religiosity and influenced Buddhist communities broadly. Through examining Pei Xiu’s Quanfa putixin wen 勸發菩提心文 [Essay Exhorting the Generation of Bodhicitta], Chuanxin fayao 傳心法要 [Essentials of The Transmission of Mind], which he prefaced and edited, and his various prefaces and epitaphs written for Zongmi and other monks, this study scrutinizes the transformation of early Chinese Chan communities before they were reimagined as ‘mature’ and ‘classical’ in later times.

Co-Entrapment of Sorafenib and Cisplatin Drugs and iRGD Tumour Homing Peptide by Poly[ε-caprolactone-co-(12-hydroxystearate)] Copolymer

The drug-loaded nanocarriers have overcome various challenges compared with the pure chemotherapeutic drug, such as limited bioavailability, multiple drug resistance, poor patient compliance, and adverse drug reactions, offering advantages such as protection from degradation in the blood stream, better drug solubility, and improved drug stability. One promising group of controlled and targeted drug delivery systems is polymer-based nanoparticles that can sustain the release of the active agent by diffusion and their degradation. Sorafenib is the only drug that can prolong the life of patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma. Cisplatin remains one of the most widely used broad-spectrum anticancer drugs for the treatment of a variety of solid tumours. Nanoformulations can exert a synergistic effect by entrapping two drugs with different modes of action, such as sorafenib and cisplatin. In our study, polymeric nanoparticles were prepared with a good production yield by an improved double emulsion solvent evaporation method using the copolymer of 12-hydroxystearic acid with ε-caprolactone (12CL), a biocatalytically synthesised biocompatible and biodegradable carrier, for the co-entrapment of sorafenib and cisplatin in nanotherapeutics. A bovine serum albumin (BSA) model compound was used to increase the cisplatin incorporation; then, it was successfully substituted by a iRGD tumour penetrating peptide that might provide a targeting function of the nanoparticles.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statements on Academic Library Websites

Post-secondary education in the 21st century United States is rapidly diversifying, and institutions’ online offerings and presence are increasingly significant. Academic libraries have an established history of offering virtual services and providing online resources for students, faculty, staff, and the general public. In addition to these services and resources, information on academic library websites can contribute to an institution’s demonstration of value placed on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This article analyzes the DEI statements of a library consortium’s member websites to explore how these statements contribute to institutional construction of, and commitment to, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Descriptive analysis revealed 12 of 16 member libraries had explicitly labeled DEI statements in November 2020, with an additional member updating their website to include such a statement in early 2021. Content analysis examined how the existing statements contributed to institutional value of and commitment to DEI, and multi-modal theory explored the communicative aspects of DEI statement content. Analysis revealed vague conceptualizations of diversity and library-centered language in DEI statements, while a subset of statements employed anti-racist and social justice language to position the library as an active agent for social change. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

A Comprehensive Review on Mouth Dissolving Tablet

Oral drug delivery system of Mouth Dissolving Tablets (MDTs) is using a new concept that have been mostly accepted in the pharmaceutical industry in recent days. This system is the most comfortable, safest and inexpensive of drug delivery system, enhancing the patient compliance and extending the patient life. Mouth dissolving formulations using an important ingredient or active agent due to allow release of drug is rapidly after that produce faster dissolution process. The mouth dissolving tablets contain a unique property of tablets like quickly disintegrating or easily dissolving and releasing the active drug within a few minutes and its contact with saliva. In pediatric, geriatric, bed ridden, psychic, dysphagic patients are using the MDTs because of these tablets are easily engulfing or swallowing is most convenient and patient compliance is better to compared than other Delivery systems. The tablets are formulated with an aid of super disintegrant. It's more reliable because of better compliance in patients. There are several technologies used in the MDTs manufacturing process such as patented technology & conventional technology. The important patented technologies are Durasolve Technology, Orasolve Technology, Zydis Technology, Wow Tab Technology, Flash Dose Technology, Flash Tab Technology and Quick Solv Technology. The MDTs are improving the demand for rapidly growing areas in the pharmaceutical industry and other fields are also in demand on these formulations. The recent progress of pharmaceutical fields is allowing the improvement of a better route of health care management with avoidance of numerous difficulties are connected to the other Drug Delivery System (DDS).

Space as an Active Agent. On Performative Space in Estonian Contemporary Performing Arts / Ruum kui aktiivne agent. Performatiivsest ruumist Eesti nüüdisaegsetes etenduskunstides

This paper discusses examples of the use of performative space in the Estonian performing arts. It shows how a performative space is arranged as an interactive and shared space, what the features are of an installation space, how the audience perceives immersive space, and how a socially communicative space is formed. The paper studies the ways that space can be an active agent and affect the perception of the spectator. Artikkel käsitleb ruumi organiseerimise viise uuemas Eesti teatris ning osutab, kuidas ruumilised suhted mõjutavad publiku taju. Analüüsitakse viit 2020. aastal esietendunud lavastust: „Kas te olete oma kohaga rahul“ (autorid Eero Epner, Mart Kangro ja Juhan Ulfsak, Kanuti Gildi SAAL), „*******“ (autorid Mart Koldits ja trupp, Von Krahli Teater), „Ümarlaud“ (lavastaja Kadri Noormets, Tartu Uus Teater), „Inimesed ja numbrid“ (lavastaja Birgit Landberg, Vaba Lava) ning „supersocial“ (autorid Üüve-Lydia Toompere ja Siim Tõniste, Kanuti Gildi SAALi kaasproduktsioon). Ruum on teatrikunstis määrav mõõde ning üks võimalus teatrit defineerida ongi näha seda ruumi eriomase organiseerimise kaudu. Teoreetilise raamistikuna vaadeldakse artiklis Gay McAuley’ viiest alast koosnevat teatriruumide taksonoomiat. Esimeseks alaks on McAuley’ taksonoomia järgi teatrikogemuse sotsiaalne reaalsus, mis koosneb teatriruumist, publikuruumist, etenduse ruumist, töötajate ruumist ja prooviruumist. Teiseks alaks on füüsilise reaalsuse ja fiktsionaalse ruumi duaalsus, mis koosneb lavaruumist, esituse ruumist ja fiktsionaalsest ruumist. Kolmanda alana toob McAuley välja ruumid, mis on seotud asukoha ja fiktsiooniga, rõhutamaks, et väljamõeldud ruum toimib vastavalt oma asukohale füüsilise reaalsuse suhtes. Neljanda alana käsitletakse tekstilist ruumi, mis pöörab tähelepanu etendusteksti ruumilistele struktuuridele ja nende tähtsusele etenduse geneesis, hõlmates muu hulgas geograafilisi nimesid, kohtade kirjeldusi, liikumist väljendavaid verbe jms. Viienda alana toob McAuley esile temaatilise ruumi, mille tähtsus seisneb tähenduste loomises ja mis on seotud nii teksti kui ka etendusega. (McAuley 2000, 24–32) Käesolevas artiklis võetakse sellest taksonoomiast kasutusele etenduse ruumi mõiste, mis kuulub teatrikogemuse sotsiaalse reaalsuse juurde. McAuley’ etenduse ruumis töötavad kaks gruppi, etendajad ja vaatajad koos, et luua ühine etenduskogemus. Etenduse ruum on teatrit määratlev ruum ning eksisteerib ka siis, kui pole olemas teatrit kui hoonet. (McAuley 2000, 26) Teiseks ja peamiseks teoreetiliseks raamistuseks tuuakse artiklis mängu Erika Fischer-Lichte performatiivse ruumi mõiste. Performatiivne on Fischer-Lichte (2008, 107) määratluses ruum, milles etendus ilmneb, ja see ruum sünnib etendajate ja vaatajate koostoimes. Performatiivne ruum avab mitmekesiseid suhteid etendajate ja vaatajate, liikumise ja taju vahel. Nende suhete ükskõik millisel viisil muutmine või kehtestamine muudab performatiivset ruumi. Performatiivset ruumi nimetab Fischer-Lichte ka vahepealseks ruumiks ja etenduse käigus on see pidevas muutumises. Selle ruumi käsitluses tõstetakse esile etenduse tajumise aspekti: publiku taju mõjutab alati etendust ja kõiki selles osalejaid, nii et etenduse ruumis hakkab ringlema eripärane energia (Fischer-Lichte 2008, 59). Lisaks muutuvad suhted näitlejate ja vaatajate vahel sõltuvalt publiku asetusest: olenevalt sellest, kas publik istub saalis vaatega lavale, kas publik ümbritseb lava või seisab publikuruumis hajutatult, kas publik liigub ümber ristkülikukujulise või ruudukujulise lava või siis sellest, mil viisil on publik lavast eraldatud (prožektorite, poodiumite, dekoratsiooni, mööbli vmt-ga) (Fischer-Lichte 2008, 107). Artiklis arutletakse ruumi kui aktiivse agendi üle. Lavastuste „Kas te olete oma kohaga rahul“ ja „*******“ kaasav ja jagatud ruum ärgitab publikut tajuma tuntud teatriruumi uuel viisil ning aktiveerib vaataja isikliku mälu, emotsioonid ja kogemused. „Ümarlaua“ installatiivne ruum aktiveerib mäletamise kui füüsilise toimingu: etendajad mängivad laval päris mänge ja see vallandab iga vaataja enda elu mälestusväärsed hetked. Sellised lavastused taasmõtestavad teatriruumi ja publik saab võimaluse tajuda tavapärast teatriruumi uuel viisil. Lavastuste „Kas te olete oma kohaga rahul“, „*******“ ja „Ümarlaud“ ruumilised suhted aktiveerivad osalejate emotsionaalse ruumi, mäluruumi ja kogemuste ruumi. Oluline ühine aspekt on see, et ruumiline paigutus käivitab isiklikud mälestused. Vaatajad hakkavad mõtisklema oma mineviku üle: kuidas nad on tajunud ruumilisi suhteid oma elu eri etappidel. Analüüsitud lavastused näitavad, kuidas aktiivne performatiivne ruum võib hõlmata publiku kuulmis-, nägemis-, lõhna- ja taktiilse taju, s.t etendus ümbritseb osavõtjaid ning nad kogevad etendust eri tajude abil. Lavastus „supersocial“ on näide sellest, kuidas lisaks füüsilise ruumi spetsiifilisele korraldusele võib teater keskenduda ka sotsiaalsele ruumile ning laiendada kommunikatsiooniruumi. See rakendusteatrina tajutav lavastus lõi ajutise kogukonna, mille potentsiaalne aruteluväli ulatub väljapoole teatrisündmust nii ajas kui ka ruumis. Käesolevas artiklis huvituti nüüdisteatri performatiivsest ruumist, s.t ruumist, kus etendus toimub. Erinevalt arhitektuurilis-geomeetrilisest ruumist ei esinda performatiivne ruum ainult füüsilisi artefakte. Oma olemuselt kuulub performatiivne ruum pigem sündmuste kui kunstiteoste juurde (Fischer-Lichte 2008, 114). Lisaks performatiivse ruumi sündmuslikkusele on siin kohaldatav ka situatsiooni mõiste: vaatajast saab osavõtja ning seeläbi saab ta teadlikumaks oma kohalolust (oma positsioonist teiste inimeste suhtes ruumis), lisaks võib füüsiline lähedus hõlmata otsest kontakti etendajate ja vaatajate vahel (Lehmann 2006, 123). Kokkuvõtvalt näidati artiklis, kuidas ruum võib olla aktiivne agent ja mõjutada publiku taju. Artikkel pakkus võimalust käsitleda ruumi kui etenduse aspekti, mis aktiveerib publiku, ja näitas, kuidas etenduse kulg võib sõltuda publiku tegevusest või tegevusetusest.