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Considering the crucial debates on sustainable development it is significant to understand the link between the development of tourism in small island countries and the ecological footprint. However, to date, little knowledge is available about the contribution of tourism to the EF of small island states. Therefore, the study aims to investigate the effects of international tourism, tourism revenues, total natural resource rents, urbanisation, energy intensity, and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) on ecological footprint among the Members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). The results of our study provide new empirical results on the impact of tourism, economic growth, energy intensity, natural resource rents, and urbanisation on the ecological footprint of the 7 AOSIS member countries. Cross-sectional dependency and cointegration test results are positive for the variables of interest. Our estimates based on CCEMG and AMG regressions showed which factors contribute to environmental degradation at the AOSIS and country levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficiation of rare earth elements is a crucial process in unlocking the potential of these valuable resources. This study investigates the utilization of response surface methodology in optimizing rare earth beneficiation using a laboratory Knelson concentrator. The experimental design employed response surface methodology to analyze and predict the effects of various parameters, such as feed rate, water pressure, and particle size, on the efficiency of rare earth recovery. Through systematic experimentation and statistical analysis, this research establishes optimal conditions for the Knelson concentrator operation, enhancing the recovery of rare earth elements. The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of individual factors and their interactions on the beneficiation process. The results showed that for −0.5 + 0.074 mm fraction the main influencing factors were in the order of relative centrifugal force > fluidization water flow rate > feeding rate, and the factors acting on −0.074 + 0.02 mm fraction were fluidization water flow rate > relative centrifugal force > feeding rate. The beneficiation performance by Knelson concentrator for −0.074 + 0.02 mm fraction was better than that of −0.5 + 0.074 mm fraction. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of response surface methodology as a tool for optimizing the Knelson concentrator's performance in rare earth beneficiation. This approach offers insights into process optimization and provides a framework for improving the efficiency of rare earth recovery methods, contributing to the sustainable utilization of these critical elements in various industrial applications. Highlights: Employed Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimize rare earth element recovery using a laboratory Knelson concentrator. Analyzed multiple parameters, including feed rate, water pressure, and particle size, to enhance recovery efficiency. Addressed the intricate interplay of operational factors to establish optimal conditions for maximizing recovery. Offers practical insights for industrial applications, enabling improved rare earth element recovery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the neural processing of other-race and other-species faces, using spatial frequencies (SFs) to probe into early visual processing mechanisms. We conducted a basic classification task to reveal fundamental aspects of facial processing without the complexity of higher-order recognition tasks. This approach utilized SFs set at low (LSF, 0.53 cycles per degree [cpd]), broadband (BB), and high (HSF, 2.1 cpd) SFs to examine their impact on the both P100 and N170 components of event-related potentials. Our findings revealed a significant latency difference in the N170 component under HSF conditions, indicating race-specific efficiency in processing fine details between Asian and Caucasian faces. Furthermore, N170 amplitudes were consistently larger for human than monkey faces, with this difference more pronounced in LSF and BB conditions. This finding indicates that the other-species effect in early visual processing is more pronounced in holistic processing (LSF and BB conditions) rather than in fine-detail processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary sesame oil and ginger oil supplements on the dorsal root ganglia following a sciatic nerve crush model in male Wistar albino rats. Crush injury models have been done by means of graded forceps (50 Newton). The animals were given a daily sesame oil (4 ml/kg/day) and ginger oil (400 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage for a period of 28 days. Dorsal root ganglia from the L5 levels were harvested. Processing of tissues was done for electron microscopy and light microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining with active caspase-3 antibody and qualitative ultrastructural analyses of tissues were made by a light and a transmission electron microscope, respectively. The results showed that crush injury leads to remarkable ultrastructural changes in sensory neurons, such as swollen mitochondria, disruption of cristae structure, glial cell proliferation and, consequently, phagocytosis of the damaged neuron. These ultrastructural changes were less evident in the treated groups, and both natural compounds reduced the expression of activated caspase-3, which may also affect ultrastructural changes. The application of the natural products sesame oil and ginger oil may represent a supportive approach to the protection of sensory neurons against the destructive effects of peripheral nerve crush injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new technological applications of nickel (Ni) raise concerns over its harmful effects on the environment and human health. Pomiferin isolated from Osage orange is evaluated in in vitro and in vivo laboratory bioassays. This study focused the effects of pomiferin on Ni-caused hepatic injury and its underlying mechanisms. With this aim, Sprague–Dawley rats received 10 mg/kg nickel chloride (NiCl2) for 7 d by intraperitoneal injections. Pomiferin was given orally once a day at different doses (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg) for 20 d after exposure to NiCl2. Animals were anesthetized and livers were carefully collected to evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular injury, and hepatic function. Also, immunofluorescence analysis of apoptosis and DNA damage was performed on rat hepatic tissues. NiCl2 increased MDA production while reducing SOD, CAT, and GPx activity. NiCl2 induced the production of inflammatory cytokines and also platelet activation in hepatic tissue. Moreover, there were significant increases in AST, ALT, and LDH levels. NiCl2 also caused significant pathological changes in hepatic. Additionally, it remarkably induced up-regulations of apoptotic marker and 8-OHdG expressions by immunofluorescence labeling in liver cells. Whereas, pomiferin significantly attenuated lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant defense system in liver. Also, the use of pomiferin prevented deregulated inflammatory process by signaling pathways nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)/COX-2/TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6. In addition, pomiferin diminished histopathologic evidence of hepatic toxicity and significantly lower expressions of caspase 3 and 8-OHdG were observed in liver cells. Pomiferin seems to counteract the deleterious effects of NiCl2 on hepatic tissue through different cellular and signaling mechanisms. NiCl2 induced the production of inflammatory cytokines and also platelet activation in hepatic tissue. NiCl2 increased MDA production while reducing SOD, CAT, and GPx activity. NiCl2 induced the production of inflammatory cytokines and also platelet activation in hepatic tissue. NiCl2 caused significant pathological changes in the liver and also up-regulation of apoptotic marker and 8-OHdG expressions by immunofluorescence staining. Pomiferin attenuated lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant defense system in liver. The use of pomiferin prevented deregulated inflammatory process by signaling pathways nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)/COX-2/TNF-α/IL-1β/IL-6. Pomiferin diminished histopathologic evidence of hepatic toxicity and significantly lower expressions of caspase 3 and 8-OHdG were observed in liver cells. Pomiferin seems to counteract the deleterious effects of NiCl2 on hepatic tissue through different cellular and signaling mechanisms and thus can be used as a therapeutic practice against metal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeic acid is a valuable product due to its wide-ranging utilities. Currently, caffeic acid can be produced via fermentation process using native or engineered microorganisms. The reactive extraction is a prominent technique that is used for the recovery of carboxylic acids. In this work, caffeic acid was recovered by an organophosphate (trioctylphosphine oxide) from its aqueous solution in the presence of different kinds of solvents namely 1-butanol, ethyl propionate, and ethyl methyl ketone. The values of reactive extraction parameters were optimised by Box–Behnken design. 98.19% The maximum extraction efficiency was obtained as 98.19% at the optimum conditions of 0.003 mol kg−1 caffeic acid concentration, 50% (v/v) trioctylphosphine oxide quantity, and 306.2 K in the presence of 1-butanol as the solvent. Our study is the first ever to examine the reactive extraction of caffeic acid, and therefore very important in modern scientific disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractVerbal fluency (VF) evaluates language and cognitive abilities. This study compared VF in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and healthy controls (HC), examining variables including correct responses (CR), mean cluster size (MCS), switches (S), and fluency difference score (FDS). RRMS participants were subgrouped by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), to explore the relationship between MS severity and VF. Twenty-four RRMS participants and matched HCs underwent Mini-Mental State Exam and VF Test. Statistical analysis compared VF between RRMS subgroups based on severity levels, and in HC. RRMS significantly impacted the CR, and S (CRSF p = 0.01, SSF p = 0.002; CRPF=0.002, SPF p = 0.002), while there was no significant difference in FDS between RRMS groups (p = 0.9). No significant relationship was found between EDSS scores, and VF subtests (CRSF p = 0.061, MCSSF p = 0.46, SSF p = 0.051, CRPF p = 0.521, MCSPF p = 0.966, SPF p = 0.599). In RRMS, our results demonstrate impairments in all VF parameters except the MCSSF+PF, and FDS. This study suggests that intact MCSSF+PF may reflect preserved verbal memory and word recall, while significant switching differences may indicate impaired cognitive flexibility. Similar FDS to those of HC suggest that no performance discrepancy in subtests in RRMS. Intact MCS might be a distinctive pattern in the early clinical stage of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we purpose to ensure optical soliton solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation having parabolic and anti-cubic (AC) laws with a weakly non-local nonlinearity by using the new Kudryashov method. As far as we know this model has not been presented and studied before. Furthermore, what differs this study from other studies is, not only obtains a variety of analytical solutions of the examined model but also substantiates the effects of the parabolic and anti-cubic laws with a weakly non-local nonlinearity on soliton behaviour, by choosing the particular soliton forms, which are dark, bright and W-like. Eventually, we depict some of the derived solutions in contour, 2D and 3D diagrams selecting the appropriate values of parameters by means of Matlab to demonstrate the importance of the given model. It is indicated that parabolic and AC parameters taking into consideration the weak non-local contribution have a very remarkable impact on the soliton structure, and the impact alters connected with the parameters and the soliton form. Besides, enabling and retaining the critical balance between the parameters and the soliton form and the interactive relation of the parameters with each other comprises major challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to children and adolescents' widespread use of electronic devices, researchers have focused on pre-and early postnatal electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. However, little is known about the effects of EMF exposure on the optic nerve. The aim of study was to investigate the changes occurring in the optic nerve and the protective effects of melatonin (mel) and omega 3 (ω-3) in rats. Thirty-five pregnant rats were divided into seven groups, Cont, Sham, EMF, EMF + melatonin (EMF + Mel), EMF + ω3, Mel, and ω3. The EMF groups were exposed to 900 megahertz (MHz) EMF daily for two hours during pregnancy. After the experiment, the right optic nerve of each offspring rat was removed and fixed in glutaraldehyde. Thin and semi-thin sections were taken for electron microscopic and stereological analyses. Myelinated axon numbers, myelin sheath thicknesses, and axonal areas were estimated using stereological methods. The groups had no significant differences regarding mean numbers of axons, mean axonal areas, or mean myelin sheath thicknesses (p > 0.05). Histological observations revealed impaired lamellae in the myelin sheath of most axons, and vacuolization was frequently observed between the myelin sheath and axon in the EMF-exposed group. The Mel and ω-3-treated EMF groups exhibited well-preserved myelinated nerve fibers and intact astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. At the ultrastructural level, Mel and ω3 exhibits a neuroprotective effect on the optic nerve exposed to prenatal EMF. The protective effects of these antioxidants on oligodendrocytes, which play an essential role in myelin formation in the central nervous system, now require detailed investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the most common genetic alterations and evaluate possible targets involving phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PIK3)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways for personalized treatment in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Alterations of these pathways were observed in 89.5% and 100% of patients, respectively. Among them, BARD1 was more frequently altered in low/intermediate-risk cases, but PARP4 was more frequently affected in intermediate/high-risk patients. The possible target feasibility of BARD1 and PARP4 alterations should be evaluated for personalized treatment using PARP-inhibitors in NMIBC. It is important to detect high tumor mutation burden (TMB) in patients in terms of immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology for which effective treatments are lacking. Scutellarin is a flavonoid with anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the possible protective effects of scutellarin on UC induced by acetic acid in rats. We used five groups of male rats: control, scutellarin, UC, UC + scutellarin, UC + sulfasalazine. Colonic mucosal inflammation was evaluated microscopically. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and DNA fragmentation levels were measured. Colon tissue sections were evaluated using immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2 and Bax, TUNEL staining and histopathology. Pretreatment with scutellarin significantly reduced histological damage. Scutellarin significantly reduced serum and tissue levels of MDA, NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased enzymatic activity of SOD and TAS. Scutellarin suppressed apoptosis by down-regulation of Bax, reduction of DNA fragmentation and increased expression of Bcl-2. Apoptosis was increased, while antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased; some histopathologic disorders also were seen in the UC group. Administration of scutellarin ameliorated the pathological and biochemical alterations caused by UC in rats. We found that scutellarin might be protective against UC by down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing apoptosis and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of vision and touch is proposed as a critical factor for processing one's own body and the bodies of others in the brain. We hypothesize that tactile stimulation on an individual's face may change the ability to process the faces of other, but not the processing of other visual images. We aimed to determine if facial touch increased the activity of the mirror system and face recognition memory of the observer. Therefore, mu suppression was measured to compare the effect of facial touch in performing two visual tasks. The participants observed faces and non-face visual images under two sets of conditions. In the first condition, a robotic finger touched the participant's cheek while in the second condition, no touch occurred. Upon each observational task, the participants were given in a recognition test. Behavioral results indicated that facial touch improved recognition performance for faces, but not for non-face visual images. Tactile stimulation increased mu suppression in both occipital and central electrodes during face processing; however, the suppression did not significantly change during non-face visual processing. Our findings support the concept that the brain uses a self-body representation, as a reference to understand the mental states or behaviors of others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the spatial distribution model has been aimed to characterize the radiometric parameters in drinking water and soil samples of Siirt City in Türkiye using the geostatistical method. The gross α and β measurements in the water samples and radiometric measurements in the soil samples were performed using a gas proportional α/β counter (Berthold, LB 770 model) and a gamma spectroscopy system (HPGe-detector), respectively. The spatial distribution maps, covering the whole region using the ordinary kriging method, were created visually. The gross α and β activities in the water samples varied from 9 to 40 and from 21 to 252 mBq L−1. The corresponding arithmetic average of the annual effective dose of gross α and β of drinking water was estimated to be 5.3 and 52.3 μSv y−1, respectively. In soil samples, the arithmetic average values of 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs radionuclides were 17 ± 6, 20 ± 7, 445 ± 166, and 4 ± 6 Bq kg−1, respectively. The arithmetic average absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (AED), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) values in soil samples were calculated as 38 nGy h−1, 0.05 mSv y−1, and 0.165 × 10−3, respectively, for soil samples. The radiometric parameters of the sample were lower than those of the guideline levels recommended in the literature. Furthermore, the interpolation maps were evaluated in terms of the soil structure of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University students in Turkey are required to complete a one-year English preparatory education before starting their education at their faculties. For some time, it has been clear that students have difficulties in learning English in these preparatory programs. The reasons behind this have always been a hot topic in research areas. To have a deeper look and offer solutions, it is necessary to understand how these students and their instructors perceive language learning first. Their perceptions reveal the learning theories that they have adopted, and these learning theories shape the way teachers teach and the students learn that language. In this framework, this study aims to reveal the underlying learning theories behind students' and instructors' perceptions of learning English in English preparatory programs. The phenomenology method was used in this study among the qualitative research methods. Ten students and ten instructors were interviewed during the study. Themes and codes were created with the content analysis of the data. It was seen that there is not a single learning theory dominating students' and instructors' perceptions of learning English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerial parts of Nepeta teucriifolia Willd. were extracted with the solvents of different polarities. The antiproliferative activities of the extracts were evaluated against rat brain tumor (C6) and human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines. The phytochemical screening of the extracts was performed with TOF-LC/MS. The CH2Cl2 and EtOAc extracts showed considerable antiproliferative activities against HeLa cells at higher concentration (250 µg mL−1). The CH2Cl2 extract was found more active than the others on both cells. The phytochemical studies of the active extract led to the isolation of three new iridoids, teucriifolian A-C (1–3). The structure elucidations of the new compounds were performed using HPLC-TOF/MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. The compounds 1–3 were evaluated in terms of their antiproliferative activities against HeLa and C6 cells, respectively. The results indicated that only 2 had moderate antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells at 250 µg mL−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its application potential and biodegradability, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate;PHBV), a member of the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) biopolymer family, is one of the most extensively studied PHA. High PHBV productivity with a significant amount of hydroxyvalerate (HV) content is very appealing for commercial scale production. The goal of this study was to investigate the efficiency of various defined limitation strategies, namely nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen-limitation, for high yield PHBV production by Cupriavidus necator H16 with increased HV unit using waste frying vegetable oil (WFO) and propionic acid (PA) in a high cell density culture (5 L bioreactor). With optimized WFO and PA feeding, highest PHBV harvest (121.7 ± 2.59 g/L; HV 13.9 ± 0.44% (w/w)) and volumetric productivity (2.03 ± 0.04 gPHBV/L·h) were obtained in oxygen-limited operation, while highest HV content (19.8 ± 0.28 wt%) and yield coefficient (0.43 ± 0.017 gHV/gPA) were observed during phosphorus-limited cultivation. Although nitrogen limitation is widely applied in the production of PHA, nitrogen-limited cultivation had the lowest cell dry matter, PHBV production, volumetric productivity, oil-to-HB and PA-to-HV yield coefficients for the given conditions. The results of the present study demonstrate the highest PHBV yield together with the highest HV content using WFO as main carbon source and PA as the HV precursor ever reported in the literature. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate;PHBV), a member of the polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) biopolymer family, is one of the most extensively studied PHA due to its high application potential and biodegradability properties. High PHBV productivity with substantial amount of hydroxyvalerate (HV) content is of great interest for commercial scale PHA production to compete with conventional plastic costs. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of different nutrient limitation strategies in optimizing the production of PHBV from waste frying vegetable oil and propionic acid. Although there are individual studies investigating the performance of operational PHBV production strategies such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or oxygen limitation, none of them have comprehensively compared the effect of different limitation strategies on PHA production parameters using waste frying vegetable oil as the main carbon source and propionic acid as the cheapest HV precursor. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the impact of these three limitation strategies on the efficient production of PHBV from waste frying oil and propionic acid in high cell density fermentations of Cupriavidus necator H16. The results demonstrate the highest PHBV yield together with the highest HV content using waste frying oil as main carbon source and propionic acid as the cheapest HV precursor ever reported in the literature. In addition, it is shown that the PHBV yield and its HV content could be intercorrelated by switching between oxygen and phosphorus-limited strategies for desired material specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred years that shook the world. This is one way of receiving History and Class Consciousness by György Lukács, a text that is considered by many to be one of the most important in Marxist philosophy and dialectics since its first appearance in 1923. However, in approaching its centenary, how does the focus on dialectics that is at the text's centre travel to address contemporary interdisciplinary concerns in political economy and radical geography? This article delivers a fresh reading of dialectics in and beyond History and Class Consciousness to distil the relevance of Lukács for contemporary political economists and radical geographers that, it is argued, necessarily lies in engaging with his method and understanding of totality. The focus dwells on totality and the 'life-nerve' of the dialectic, referring to the process of interiorising theory and practice in constituting a relational approach to analysing the metabolism of socio-nature. By so doing, the possibilities and limits of both totality and dialectics are revealed to political economists and radical geographers interested in furthering the case for methodological relationalism in their conceptions of the production of space and socio-nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the ex vivo efficacy of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted agents with the oncogram method in patients with bladder cancer and determine the most appropriate personalized treatment agent using immune markers. Materials & methods: Bladder cancer tissues were obtained from each patient. After cultivation, cell cultures were divided into 12 groups for each patient and 11 drugs were administered. Cell viability and immunohistochemistry expression were examined. Results: A good response rate was determined to be a 23% viability drop. The nivolumab good response rate was slightly better in PD-L1-positive patients and the ipilimumab good response rate was slightly better in tumoral CTLA-4-positive cases. Interestingly, the cetuximab response was worse in EGFR-positive cases. Conclusion: Although good responses of drug groups after their ex vivo application by using oncogram were found to be higher than control group, this outcome differed on a per patient basis. Bladder cancer primary cell cultures were shown to be effective for drug sensitivity and also able to be used ex vivo in the process of determining personalized treatment. The ex vivo efficacy of 11 different agents was evaluated with oncogram in bladder cancer cell cultures obtained from patients. Together with clinicopathological features, evaluation of drug responses detected by oncogram can provide important information for pretreatment drug selection when deciding on individualized treatment. Evaluation of drug responses detected by oncogram can provide important information for pretreatment drug selection when determining individualized treatment. These results show us that the Anna Karenina principle can be adapted to bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reusing industrial wastes in textile production is essential to reduce the total environmental burden of textile products. This study proved that the wastes generated in the ring-spinning process of a lightweight cotton shirting-producing company could be turned into fabrics used in shirts, jackets, and trousers. A total of 21 different yarns in four different counts containing 5–100% waste were produced in OE-rotor and ring spinning lines. These yarns were used to produce 12 different fabrics. Some of the produced yarns and fabrics met the criteria required for the lightweight fabrics. Others, specifically yarns and fabrics produced from short fiber wastes, exhibited suitable properties for the medium and coarse yarn count segment. According to the gate-to-gate LCA analysis, virgin cotton yarn and 100% cotton waste-contained yarn had similar environmental impacts in terms of OE-rotor spinning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between transactional analysis ego states and treatment compliance of individuals diagnosed with SUD(substance use disorder). This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between January and June 2018 with 132 individuals diagnosed with SUD at the a Mental Health and Diseases Hospital AMATEM (Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research and Treatment Center) unit. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Ego States Scale and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. SPSS program was used to evaluate the data. Mean scores of the Ego States Scale subscales of the participants were 0.16 ± 0.02 for the Critical Parent subscale, 0.23 ± 0.01 for the Nurturing Parent subscale, 0.21 ± 0.01 for the Adult subscale, 0.19 ± 0.02 for the Adapted Child subscale and 0.19 ± 0.27 for the Natural Child subscale. The mean score of the participants' Medication Adherence Scale was found to be 1.66 ± 0.27. No statistically significant relationship was found between treatment compliance and ego states (p >.005). In this study, it was found that the participants mainly used Adult and Nurturing Parent ego states and their level of treatment compliance was moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the seismic behaviors of strengthened three-dimensional frames, as in real-life structures, are presented. Three reinforced concrete (RC) frames, containing common structural deficiencies were constructed to represent existing older structures. The bare, damaged, and undamaged frames, strengthened by RC external shear walls with steel tie beams, were tested under a reversed cyclic load. The experimental results indicated that strengthening by external shear walls made significant contributions to the frames in lateral strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity. This proposed method appears to be an efficient technique for strengthening structures in an effective, economical, and practical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important side effect of gentamicin (GM) is nephrotoxicity. p-Coumaric acid (PCA) is a phenolic compound that scavenges free radicals, reduces fibrosis, and tissue damage. This study investigates the protective effect of PCA on tissue damage and kidney function in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity (GIN). Thirty-five rats were separated into five groups and each group contained seven animals: control group, ethanol group, GM group, PCA group, and GM + PCA group. At the end of the seven-day treatment, the rats were sacrificed after blood and kidney tissue samples were taken. While serum urea, creatinine, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels increased significantly in the GM group compared to the control, they showed a significant decrease in the GM + PCA group compared to the GM. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased in the GM group compared to the control. While the tissue total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values of the GM group were significantly higher than the control, they showed a significant decrease in the GM + PCA group compared to the GM. In the histopathological examination, significant tubular necrosis and tubulointerstitial inflammation were detected in the proximal tubules in the GM group compared to the control, while a significant decrease was observed in the severity of these findings in the GM + PCA group compared to the GM. This study shows that PCA has biochemical and histopathological ameliorating effects on GIN in the rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness characterized by aberrant mood changes between hypomania and mania or mixed states and depression. Metabolic changes also accompany disease progression and cause significant morbidity. Symptomatic treatment options are available, but asymptomatic patients and poor drug responders are significant problems. Based on the most common pharmacological agent that is used in the treatment, lithium and its main mechanisms of action, oxidative stress, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) signaling are extensively investigated. However, knowledge about the effects of compounds that positively affect oxidative stress and GSK-3β signaling, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mimetics, liraglutide, is still missing. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of liraglutide on the ouabain-induced bipolar disease model in rats. After intracerebroventricular single dose ouabain administration, animals were treated with 100, 200, and 400 µg/kg liraglutide (s.c.) and valproic acid (200 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 d. The locomotion and depressive states of animals were assessed by an open field, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference tests. Serum total antioxidant (TAS) and oxidant states (TOS) and glutathione, malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) levels in the brain tissue were determined. GSK-3β phosphorylation was evaluated by western blotting. Our results demonstrated that liraglutide attenuated ouabain-induced hyperlocomotion and depressive state. Additionally, liraglutide prevented oxidative stress after ouabain administration. Decreased GSK-3β phosphorylation due to the ouabain insult was alleviated by liraglutide treatment. These findings indicate that the manic and depressive-like behaviors are ameliorated by liraglutide, which exerted antioxidant action, possibly improving GSK-3β phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applause sign (AS) was shown to be an indicator of frontal subcortical dysfunction in many neurodegenerative diseases. Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is one of those in which frontosubcortical disconnection can be displayed. We aimed to examine the presence of AS in the elderly patients with INPH and its possible diagnostic role in the frontal dysfunction commonly seen in the disease. Sixty-six patients diagnosed with probable INPH, 32 with behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and 325 healthy elderly subjects were included in this cross-sectional and retrospective study. AS was evaluated with the clapping test. Patients with INPH were further assessed with frontal assessment battery (FAB), Stroop test, verbal fluency test and clock drawing test (CDT). The concentration of total amyloid-²b 42 (a²42), A²40, total (t) tau and phosphorylated (p)-tau proteins were also measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). AS was observed in all groups (40% in bvFTD, 28.8% in INPH, 1.2% in controls, respectively). It was significantly more frequent in patients with bvFTD and INPH as compared to the controls (p < 0.001, for each). The frequency was similar in the patients with bvFTD and INPH (p = 0.802). Significant differences were found between the AS(+) and (-) INPH patients with regards to FAB, Stroop test-errors and verbal fluency test, except for the CSF proteins. AS can be used as a simple, useful and rapid clinical test that investigates executive dysfunction in elderly patients with INPH in both inpatient and outpatient settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed at investigating the effects of using stiletto style shoes with different heel heights on balance and climbing up the stairs. Assessments were conducted in three conditions (barefoot, 4 cm, 10 cm heels) on 40 women who are familiar with stiletto heels. In conclusion, when stilletto heeled shoes were worn, both balance and climbing up the stairs got worsen. Although 4 cm heel height had been considered as a normal heel height or upper limit of heel height in other shoe styles, stiletto heeled shoes with 4 cm heel height has affected every parameter negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimentation by producing three-dimensional samples for understanding the seismic behaviour of a structure takes a significant amount of time and these experiments may be highly complicated. Based on literature, the seismic behaviour of structures with slab openings usually was represented by analytical assessments instead of three-dimensional experimental studies. Moreover, the limiting values of slab openings vary greatly between earthquake regulations. This variability has made it important for experimental studies. For this purpose, a total of 5 reinforced concrete carrier system models, with different slab opening ratios, were produced at 1/2 scale. As a result of the study, it was observed that in cases where there were 25% or more openings in the slab, rigid diaphragm behaviour decreased in the structure. It was recommended that for analyses of these types of building systems that the finite element method, based on the assumption of an elastic diaphragm rather than the assumption of a rigid diaphragm, be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is a great important aromatic and medicinal plant widely used in cosmetics, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemical industries. Water supply and nutrition are vital for plant growth and yield. Water stress causes plant growth, development, and yield loss at different levels. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different water and nitrogen levels (N) on growth, yield, and quality parameters and determine the chemical composition of oil rose through gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The fieldwork for this research was conducted from March 2014 to June 2018. According to the results of study treatments, the highest fresh flower yield per plant was determined with the I0.50, 80 kg ha−1 treatment. In 2017 and 2018, as fertilizer level increased and irrigation level decreased, fresh flower yield, oil yield per plant, plant height, number of branches in plant, and leaf area values decreased. However, there was little tradeoff between reductions in applied water and fresh flower yield. Furthermore, the GC-MS results reveal little change in essential oil quality as water stress increases with diminished applied water. The yield response and essential oil quality are the direct result of the relatively invariant WUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hypertension (HT) and antihypertensive therapies such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers on the disease course in COVID-19 patients is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of HT and antihypertensive therapies on the course of COVID-19 disease. The age, sex, comorbid diseases, and antihypertensive therapies of 132,790 patients with positive COVID-19 real-time transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests in the Turkish Health Ministry National COVID-19 database between 11 March and 31 May 2020, were examined and analyzed. Forty-one percent of the 132,790 patients in this study (median age: 40, 47.3% female) were hospitalized for treatment, and 4.5% were followed-up in the intensive care unit (ICU). The most frequent comorbid disease, at 19.5%, was HT (n = 25,863). Mortality was determined in 4.9% of HT patients and 1.9% of non-HT patients (p <.001). HT, age, and male gender emerged as independent predictors of hospitalization and admission to the ICU, while HT was not a predictor of mortality. In addition, no adverse effect of any antihypertensive treatment, including RAAS inhibitors, on mortality was detected. Based on Turkish national data, HT is common in COVID-19 patients, but does not appear to be an independent predictor of mortality, and no adverse effect of RAAS inhibitors on COVID-19-related mortality was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a gradation to decide the model fitting under the symmetry model by using the departure measure. An extensive simulation study under different parameter settings and scenarios is conducted to introduce a gradation on unit interval. The proposed gradation provides an opportunity to decide the model fitting under the symmetry model when the chi-squared assumption does not hold for small sample sizes. The usefulness of proposed gradation is proved empirically using four applications to real data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new one-parameter discrete distribution obtained by compounding the Poisson and xgamma distributions is proposed. Some statistical properties of the new distribution are obtained including moments and probability and moment generating functions. Two methods are used for the estimation of the unknown parameter: the maximum likelihood method and the method of moments. Additionally, the count regression model and integer-valued autoregressive process of the proposed distribution are introduced. Some possible applications of the introduced models are considered and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the washed-combed wool fiber and the washed-combed-dyed wool fiber were used to investigate pollutant gas sorption capacity of wool fibers. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) was selected as the pollutant gas since it is one of the mostly found pollutants in air content. The wool fiber samples were tested with gaseous pollutant for different time periods and gas adsorption values were measured. Furthermore, SO2 adsorption was studied theoretically by density functional theory (DFT) calculations with B3LYP 6–31 G (d,p)/method on amino acids were found to be in good agreement with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to investigate the applicability of impact bed breakage test for model fitting of continuous dry horizontal stirred mill. Initially, the breakage tests were performed for three types of materials at varying bed diameters, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm to find out the optimal bed geometry. The test results for the three materials showed that the bed height of 4 cm was optimal as the fines' generation reached to a plateau and decided to be used in model fitting of the dry stirred mill. Afterward, cement material was processed within the dry stirred mill and samples were collected from feed and product ends when the steady-state conditions were established. The results of the grinding tests on cement material together with its breakage results obtained from 2 cm and 4 cm diameter beds were used in the model fitting of the mill by using perfect mixing approach. Accurate model fitting was obtained in case 4 cm diameter of bed was utilized and the predictions were in good agreement with the measured size distributions even if the operating conditions of the mill were changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the metabolic effects of HIIT exercise on PCOS patients and how it affects adiponectin, vaspin and leptin. Twenty women with PCOS were included in the study and were divided into two groups. HIIT program was applied for 10 PCOS and Medium Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) program was applied for other 10 PCOS. At the beginning and at the end of the study, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride(TG), insulin, Adiponectin, Leptin, Vaspin levels of both PCOS groups were evaluated. When PCOS patients by performed HIIT exercise for 12 weeks, we found that the levels of leptin and vaspin did not change while adiponectin levels increased. Moreover serum levels of insulin, TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C decreased but levels of HDL-C increased. HIIT increased in the adiponectin levels in women with PCOS and provided more weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for energy and the fact that petroleum, which is the most used energy source, has a limited reserve, have led researchers to search for new and renewable energy sources. In this context, biofuels such as biodiesel and bio alcohols have been studied and used in internal combustion engines for a long time. However, with the developments in technology, the production and use of such alternative fuels in different engine technologies is still a subject of research. In this regard, isopropanol-butanol-ethanol (IBE) has received an increasing attention over standard alcohols and its potential as a substitute for other alcohol fuels in internal combustion engines has been researched recently. Therefore, the purpose of the experimental study is to investigate the effect of biodiesel addition at rates of 20% and 40% by volume in a blend of IBE (30% v/v) with petroleum-based diesel (70% v/v) on the combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder common-rail direct injection engine at constant engine speed of 2400 rpm and 60% load conditions. Experimental results showed that all blended fuels presented a potential to reduce smoke opacity by 27% − 41%, CO emissions by 44% − 66% and unburnt HC emissions (up to 31.8%) but increase NOx emissions by 5% − 24.6% compared to diesel. However, adding biodiesel caused to a slight increase in smoke opacity and CO emissions while decrease in unburned HC and NOx emissions compared to the blend of IBE and diesel. Combustion analysis also showed that the use of blended fuels led to the increase of peak cylinder pressure (by 7%) and the significant improvement in the rate of heat release was observed, which further increased with the addition of biodiesel to blend of IBE and diesel. It was concluded that ternary blends was performed better than the blend of IBE and diesel while biodiesel addition was found to be beneficial in terms of reduction of unburnt HC and NOx emissions along with improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver is the primary site for fructose metabolism; therefore, the liver is susceptible to fructose related metabolic disturbances including metabolic insulin dysfunction, dyslipidemia and inflammation. We investigated whether astaxanthin (ASX) can modify hepatic nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) expression to alter oxidative stress caused by ingestion of excess fructose in rats. The animals were divided randomly into two x two factorially arranged groups: two regimens were given either water (W) or 30% fructose in drinking water (F). These two groups were divided further into two subgroups each: two treatments, either orally with 0.2 ml olive oil (OO) or 1 mg ASX/kg/day in 0.2 ml olive oil (ASX). Fructose administration increased serum glucose, triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins, and decreased serum concentration of high density lipoproteins; fructose did not alter serum total cholesterol. Excess fructose decreased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased hepatic NF-κB and MDA levels. ASX treatment increased hepatic SIRT-1 and decreased hepatic NF-κB and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ASX treatment decreased hepatic NF-κB and increased SOD levels, but did not alter MDA level in rats fed high fructose. ASX administration ameliorated oxidative stress caused by excess fructose by increasing hepatic NF-κB and SIRT-1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-Efficiency Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) with ultra-low NOx and Soot emissions still needs to be investigated in terms of its operating conditions such as high load range and increasing CO and unburnt HC emissions, which are critical issues to be addressed before implementation for practical engines. Therefore, as the main factors affecting the RCCI combustion are the engine load and premixed ratio of low reactivity-fuel, in the present study, the effect of these parameters in a modified single-cylinder research engine equipped with common-rail direct injection (CRDI) on RCCI combustion are experimentally studied in detail along with oxygen-enrichment environment at two stages. At first, the effect of engine load (20%, 40%, and 60% of max.torque at 2400 rpm) and premixed ratio (Rp, 15% to 60% in increments of 15%) in enriched O2 environment to 29% was investigated while in second stage, increasing oxygen amount in intake air under low-mid load range (40% of max.torque) and premixed ratio (Rp, 30% replacement of total energy given to engine) was investigated, and compared with atmospheric air conditions. Following results were noted in the first part of the study when the engine load was increased at all premixed ratios; in-cylinder pressure and rate of heat release increased with shortening the ignition delay, IMEP increased up to 12% along with decrease in CO (by 38%), unburned HC (by 32%) and smoke opacity (by 24%) with the cost of increasing NOx emissions by 162% when compared to atmospheric air. In the second stage, increase in oxygen ratio resulted in decrease of ignition delay period and prolong combustion duration that have led to RCCI engine performance to be better and sharp reductions in the incomplete combustion emissions up to 36%. It was concluded that enriched oxygen is a beneficial way for reducing exhaust emissions during RCCI combustion at wider operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure (DLLME) was developed and validated for the determination of cobalt and copper in environmental samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimisation parameters of DLLME procedure including amount of chelating reagent (0.05 mg dithizone), pH (6), extraction type and volume (250 µL chloroform) and dispersive solvent (1000 µL acetone), matrix effect was investigated. Several validation variables, such as limit of detection and quantification, linearity, recovery, precision and trueness were also tested. The quantification limits of Co and Cu were found to be 9.01 and 6.14 µg L−1, respectively. The enrichment factor was 20. The trueness of the method was tested by analysis of certificated reference material (BCR-715) for Cu and calculated less than −1.11% with the relative error. The presented green microextraction method was profitably applied to real samples and the spiked recoveries calculated were more than 95% with the relative standard deviation less than 8.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce some kinds of interpolative proximal contractions named as Reich-Rus-Ćirić and Kannan types. Then taking into account the aforementioned mappings, we give a few best proximity point results. As special cases we obtain some fixed point results for interpolative contractions. To support the theory, some examples are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a new regression model, called Lomax regression model, as an alternative to the gamma regression model. The maximum-likelihood method is used to estimate the unknown parameters of the proposed model, and the finite sample performance of the maximum-likelihood estimation method is evaluated by means of the Monte-Carlo simulation study. The randomized quantile residuals are used to check the adequacy of the fitted model. The insurance data are analyzed to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed regression model against the gamma regression model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative damage caused by aflatoxin (AF) in rat liver tissue and the inhibition effect of lycopene against this injury was investigated. Groups were formed as; control group (not treated), lycopene group (5 mg/kg/day, gavage for 15 days), AFB1 group (0.5 mg/kg/day, gavage for 7 days) and AFB1 + lycopene group. Lycopene administered simultaneously with AFB1. It was observed significant increase in malondialdehyde level, decrease in glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities in liver tissue of AFB1 group when compared with control group. It was determined to significantly increase in plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities in AFB1 group when compared with control group. It was determined significant decrease in malondialdehyde level, plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and increase in glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities in AFB1 + lycopene group when compared with AFB1 group. This study suggests that lycopene which has antioxidant properties can be prevented from AFB1 induced hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the relationship between participations of countries in Global Value Chains (GVCs) and their positions in the International Trade Network (ITN). Our estimates indicate that there is a strong relationship between the GVC participation and the network position of a country. We find that forward participation is associated with more clustered but fewer trade links, whereas backward participation is associated with less clustered but more trade links. We then interpret these results by expressing the background of value chains, and this provides us a clear understanding for the nexus between GVCs and ITN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of anionic monomer functional group type of the water-reducing admixture (WRA) on the fresh properties and compressive strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixtures were investigated. Nine types of polycarboxylate ether-based high-range WRAs with the same main chains but different anionic monomers linked to the main chain were synthesized and used in different dosages to provide the desired slump-flow value in SSC mixtures. For this motivation, in addition to the control admixture consisted of 100% carboxylate functional group, 5, 10, 20 and 30% of carboxylate functional group was replaced by either phosphate or sulfonate group. Test results revealed that the admixtures containing sulfonate and phosphate anionic monomer improved the fresh properties of SCC mixtures compared to those of the control admixture. However, anionic monomer exchange in the structure of the WRA did not significantly affect the compressive strength and water absorption capacity of the SCC mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a new two-parameter distribution, called log-weighted exponential (log-WE) distribution, defined on the unit interval. Some of the statistical properties of the proposed distribution including moments, incomplete moments and mean residual life function are obtained. The maximum likelihood, method of moments, least squares and weighted least squares estimation methods are used to estimate unknown parameters of the proposed model and finite sample performance of estimation methods are evaluated through Monte-Carlo simulation study. Moreover, a new regression model as an alternative to the beta regression model is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been used to treat cachectic cancer. However, its efficacy and safety with regard to cancer cells remain unclear. The present study comprised an In Vitro investigation of the effects of EPA on cancers. The effects of 0.01–300 μg/mL of EPA on the proliferation and death of cells after 24, 48, and 72 h were explored. The study included cell lines representing neuroblastoma (Kelly, SH-SY5Y, C1300); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); Burkitt's lymphoma; acute myeloid leukemia (AML); adult cancer cell lines of the pancreas, colon, and prostate; and a fibroblast cell line. EPA caused 4.4%–7% proliferation of fibroblasts, but did not protect them from the toxic effect of cisplatin. It did not induce proliferation in the neuroblastoma cells, and did not reduce the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin. EPA also did not cause proliferation in ALL, Burkitt's lymphoma, and AML cells, and did not alter the cytotoxic effects of L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, and cytosine arabinoside, respectively. Our results were similar in the adult cancer cell lines. EPA is safe because it has no effects on the proliferation of cancer cells or on chemotherapy In Vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]