Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of environmental stress and selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators on chicken and human leukaemia cells

Glucocorticoids (GCs) play important functions in human physiology, and are commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. GCs are used in treatment of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), however resistance to therapy and side effects highlight the need for further research. Glucocorticoids exert their function through binding to intracellular protein glucocorticoid receptor (GR). It is believed that the desired apoptotic effect on cancer cells and anti-inflammatory properties of GCs are due to the GR’s mediated trans-repression function, and that genes positively regulated by GR may mediate unwanted GCs effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate compounds that would potentially dissociate transcriptional activation from repression, minimize the side effects and GC resistance, towards improving childhood leukemia therapy. The recently developed selective GR modulator (SGRM) Compound A (CPDA) and synthetic GC dexamethasone (DEX) were used together with two “single ring” organic compounds; Tyramine (T) and Tyramine hydrochloride (THCl), as well as Compound B and Compound C, to assess their cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. Molecular modelling has indicated that these compounds contact several residues similar to classical GCs. DEX, CPDA, T and THCL all show cytotoxic effect on GC sensitive and GC resistant ALL CEM-C7-14 and CEM-C1-15 cell lines respectively, as well as chicken derived leukemia cells DT40. Compound B and C showed growth stimulatory effects and were not studied further. Leukaemia cells proliferation was mostly inhibited by high doses and long incubation time, whereas combination of compound treatment with either high or low temperature interfered with this effect. All compounds had marginal growth inhibitory effect on proliferation of normal lung bronchial cells Beas-2b and MCF-C7, whereas T and THCL showed some stimulatory effect on HACAT cells proliferation. Compounds exerted selective and differential effects on cell cycle progression, apoptosis and caspase-8 enzyme activation. Normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to examine the cytotoxic effect on normal leukocytes. PBMCs were not significantly affected suggesting that tested compounds don’t have the growth suppressive effect on normal peripheral white blood cells. Cell type specific, anti-inflammatory action of studied compounds was measured by ROS, nitrite and cytokine production analysis. Evaluation of secretory cytokines IL-6 and IL-2 by ELISA has shown a cell specific regulation of these biomarkers of inflammation. Protein and gene expression of GR target genes and resistance markers was regulated in a drug and cell dependent manner. These data provided evidence of CPDA, T and THCL capability to inhibit leukemia cells proliferation and alter selected GR target genes expression. Thereby, these compounds show promising characteristics for drug development aiming to potential use in treatment of leukemia and inflammatory conditions.
Phase transition of ZnS at high pressures and temperatures

ABSTRACT The high-pressure behaviour of zinc sulphide, ZnS, has been investigated, using an in situ X-ray powder diffraction technique in a diamond anvil cell, at pressures and temperatures up to 35 GPa and 1000 K, respectively. The pressure-induced phase transition from a zincblende (B3) to a rocksalt (B1) structure was observed. This transition occurred at 13.4 GPa and at room temperature, and a negative dependence on temperature for this transition was confirmed. The transition boundary was determined to be P (GPa) = 14.4 − 0.0033 × T (K).
Comprehensive Modeling of Temperature-Dependent Degradation Mechanisms in Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

For reliable lifetime predictions of lithium-ion batteries, models for cell degradation are required. A comprehensive semi-empirical model based on a reduced set of internal cell parameters and physically justified degradation functions for the capacity loss is developed and presented for a commercial lithium iron phosphate/graphite cell. One calendar and several cycle aging effects are modeled separately. Emphasis is placed on the varying degradation at different temperatures. Degradation mechanisms for cycle aging at high and low temperatures as well as the increased cycling degradation at high state of charge are calculated separately.For parameterization, a lifetime test study is conducted including storage and cycle tests. Additionally, the model is validated through a dynamic current profile based on real-world application in a stationary energy storage system revealing the accuracy. The model error for the cell capacity loss in the application-based tests is at the end of testing below 1 % of the original cell capacity.
Effect of Sirolimus on Intra-Abdominal adhesion development in a rat model

Objective: Postoperative intraabdominal adhesions still cause significant morbidity in surgical patients. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an immunosuppressor known as Sirolimus and an antiadhesive membrane which is formed with sodium hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose-based bioresorbable membrane (SeprafilmTM) to the intraabdominal adhesion formation in a rat model. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed at an experimental research center, Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul. Spraque-Dawley Rats, at a weight of about 250±20 gr, were used. Group 1 (n=8): Abdomen was closed after applying cecal abrasion (control group), group 2 (n=8): 10 x 30 mm SeprafilmTM was applied under the abdominal wall after cecal abrasion ( SeprafilmTM group ). Group 3 (n =8): Sirolimus (0,5 mg/kg) was applied (Sirolimus group). Adhesions quantitatively evaluated by a blinded assessor according to the classification of Nair and his colleagues. Results: Statistically significant difference in terms of adhesion severity scores according to the Nair classification was found between the Sirolimus and the control group (p=0,03). Whereas, no statistically significant difference was found between the SeprafilmTM and the control group (p=0,17). Similarly, no statistically significant difference was found between SeprafilmTM and sirolimus group (p=0,64). Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant difference between intraperitoneal application of Sirolimus and SeprafilmTM group (p = 0.57), a statistically significant difference was found when each group compared with the control group (p=0,03). Combined anti-adhesive effect of Sirolimus and SeprafilmTM can be evaluated in future studies.
Indonesia Schistosoma japonicum: Origin, Genus Oncomelania and Elimination of the Parasite With Cluster Genes Innoculated Into Female Oncomelania hupensis lindoensis Via CRISPR/Cas9 System

Background: Schistosoma japonicum in Central Sulawesi derived from Japan and China. This parasite has become endemic in certain areas of Central Sulawesi for a long time. To eliminate this parasite in this region, genetic manipulation on its intermediate host can be very beneficial. It can help eliminate the parasite in this region. Objectives: In this research, I report the progress in a study of schistosomiasis that focused on dispersion of S. japonicum, genus Oncomelania, and use of genetic manipulations on Oncomelania hupensis lindoensis for eliminating Schistosoma japonicum schistosomiasis in Central Sulawesi as the objective of this research. Methods: I accessed Genbank in NCBI for determining origin of S. japonicum and Oncomelania in Central Sulawesi. Genbank data for S. japonicum were from Yin et al. and Genbank data for Oncomelania were from Atwood et al. Hypothesis to eliminate this parasite, I used systems of mating. Results: Results of Nucleotide BLAST showed that S. japonicum in Central Sulawesi originate from Japan and China. These nucleotide sequences showed that. S. japonicum in Sulawesi were from West China, mid-Yangtze-THP and Japan. Nucleotide BLAST results showed that Oncomelania of Southeast Asia was close to O. hupensis nosophora than O. hupensis hupensis and O. hupensis chiui. Elimination of the parasite in O. hupensis lindoensis could occur in F3 generation in the field using anti-Schistosoma, inoculated into female O. hupensis lindoensis with CRISPR/Cas9 system. Conclusions: Nucleotide BLAST results showed that ancestors of S. japonicum in Central Sulawesi originated from Japan and China and intermediate host was O. hupensis lindoensis and derived from Japan and China. Elimination for susceptible S. japonicum on O. hupensis lindoensis using anti-Schistosoma could be occurred in F3 generation.
Memory and Frontal Lobe Dysfunction in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder

Verbal memory and performance on a number of tests known to be sensitive to lesions that disrupt frontal lobe functioning were studied in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective illness. Both patient groups were severely and equally impaired on verbal and design fluency and on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, measures that are sensitive to dysfunction of frontal-striatal circuitry. Both patient groups exhibited impaired recall but nearly normal recognition memory, a pattern that is typically observed in frontal and subcortical diseases. Accelerated forgetting was evident on delayed recall tests; the magnitude of this impairment was greater for schizophrenic than for schizoaffective patients. These results suggest that frontal and/or subcortical dysfunction is common to schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. A subgroup including the majority of schizophrenic patients, however, exhibit a mild amnesia-like disorder which may result from pathological changes in the structure and function of the temporal lobes or the medial diencephalon.
Effect of short duration solution treatment at temperatures below 1000 °C on σ‐phase precipitation in a super duplex stainless steel alloy

Super duplex stainless steel alloys are characterized by a high content of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen. In these steels, the main role of chromium, nickel and molybdenum alloying elements is to increase corrosion resistance. Increased mechanical properties are obtained by adding nitrogen, which promotes structural hardening. The microstructure of super duplex stainless steels consists of a mixture of ferrite and austenite phases, while other phases are also formed, such as: sigma, chi, chromium nitride, carbides and secondary austenite. All secondary phases are considered deleterious phases due to their negative effect on corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. The precipitation formation mechanism of the sigma phase assumes depletion of chromium and molybdenum from the matrix, worsening the alloy properties. The aim of the present work is to show the microstructural changes occurring during a short duration (10 minutes) solution treating of an UNS S32760/1.4501/F55 alloy, three temperatures being considered: 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscattered diffraction) was used for quantifying the alloying elements distribution, to distinguish between the observed phases, and to better understand the evolution of each phase.
Physicochemical and microbiological evaluation of acidmodified native starch derived from Borassus aethiopum (Arecaceae) shoot

Purpose: To evaluate the physicochemical properties and microbiological quality of Borassus aethiopum shoot acid-modified starch (AMS) for potential pharmaceutical applications. Methods : Modification of Borassus aethiopum native starch (NS) was carried out using 6 % w/v HCl at 37 ± 2 oC for 192 h. The AMS was characterised for their morphological, micromeritics, rheological, thermal properties as well as their microbiological quality using standard protocols. Results: AMS demonstrated increased aqueous solubility, crystallinity and slight increase in flow properties. There was a reduction in swelling and hydration capacities, amylose content as well as viscosity of the modified starch. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the integrity of the modified starch granules were maintained and there was no disruption of the granular structure. Fourier transform infrared spectrophometer data confirmed the hydrolysis of NS with the increase in the intensity of the O-H stretch. AMS met United States Pharmacopoeia requirements in terms of microbiological quality, however, there was presence of Aspergillus niger. Conclusion: Modification of Borassus aethiopum shoot starch by acid treatment led to desirable improvement in some of its physicochemical properties which could improve its functional properties in pharmaceutical industries. Keywords: Native starch, Acid-modified starch, Borassus aethiopum, Microbiological quality, Physicochemical properties
On international environmental policy and trade linkage: the importance of trade ties and market structure in determining the nature of international cooperation

This thesis extends the literature on trade-linked international environmental policy by quantifying the effects of collective taxes on polluting intermediate inputs under varying trade, market structure and labour market assumptions. Using a CGE model augmented to include emissions from intermediate inputs, I simulate the effects of coordinated and harmonized environmental taxes on output, trade, and market structure. The main objectives are to ascertain whether free trade improves regulatory policy outcomes, and to demonstrate how market structure and the relative size of trading partners affect policy responses. To this end, I consider three cases: (a) asymmetric regions competing under perfect competition (b) asymmetric regions competing under imperfect competition and (c) symmetric regions competing under imperfect competition. Using Canada-EU and NAFTA-EU trade to represent asymmetric and symmetric trade ties, the results reveal the following: When regions are asymmetric, free trade unambiguously improves regulatory outcomes for the EU, but yields mixed results for Canada. In addition, regulatory costs are lower when trading partners are symmetric. However, free trade can result in perverse outcomes. For asymmetric regions, output and market structure changes are stronger under imperfect competition, and in the presence of real wage unemployment. Results also suggest that aggregate trade flows are not very sensitive to environmental taxes but are sensitive to changes in border taxes. Finally, welfare effects do not follow a predictable pattern because they partly depend on market structure changes.
Determination of phytochemical characteristics of some apple and pear cultivars.

This study was carried out in 2017 and 2018 with the aim of characterize some apple and pear varieties in terms of phytochemical characteristics. As a result of the study, when the average values of cultivars belong to species were examined, it was found that the properties of titreable acidity (TA), Vitamin C, total phenol and antioxidant activity (AOA) were higher in apple, while soluble solid content (SSC) and pH values were higher in pear. In apples, TA, Vitamin C, total phenol, AOA, SSC and pH values were determined in the range of %1.35 % 0.34, 5.63 – 2.41 mg/100 mL, 494.8 – 158.68 mg/L, %78.23 – %55.94, %12.93 – %10.65, 3.73 – 3.00 respectively. In pears, these values varied between %0.5 – 0.13, 5.77 – 1.52 mg/100 mL, 334.76 – 103.49 mg/L, %78.43 – %11.93, %15.78 – %11.78, 4.87 – 3.47. It was detected that, total phenolic content, vitamin C and antioxidant activity was increased corresponding to increasing of the acidity in both species. In addition, as a consequence of the corelation analysis, antioxidant acitivity increased by rising of total phenolics and vitamin C content. It was found that ‘Jersey Mac’ was superior than the other apple cultivars in terms of investigated features, and early harvested cultivars had better phytochemical features, generally. ‘Limon’, ‘Santa Maria’, ‘Conference’ and ‘Moonglow’ cultivars were came into prominence among pear varieties. It was thought that, the data obtained from the study can lead the selection of parents in breeding programes and consumer preferences.
Impact of Lavandula officinalis, inert dusts and their formulations on Sitophilus oryzae

The volatile oil ( Lavandula officinalis L.) and the inorganic compounds (inert dusts), aluminum oxide, kaolin and silicon dioxide were screened individually and in formulations against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae . Aluminum oxide was the most potent with LC 50 value of 0.65 mg/cm 2 , followed by silicon dioxide with LC 50 value of 0.96 mg/cm 2 , while, kaolin gave LC 50 value of 9.29 mg/cm 2 . The cumulative mortality (0-50, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300 days) responses at exposure times of L. officinalis and the inert dusts as well as the inert dust formulations at LC 50 concentrations against S. oryzae were investigated. Moreover, the number of the offspring after 50 days of each lifetime period was developed. L. officinalis had a short duration of toxicity, as the efficiency continued only for 2 days from exposure to the compound. Silicon dioxide alone or in formulation was the most powerful, it gave full control of S. oryzae adults after 7 days at four (0-50, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200 days) and five (0-50, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250 days) lifetime periods, respectively, in the same trend, silicon dioxide alone or in formulation possessed 100% reduction of the offspring at five life time periods. Moreover, aluminum oxide alone or in formulation gave full control of the insect after 7 days of exposure until three lifetime periods of the compound. Likewise, the compound alone or in formulation, possessed 100% reduction of the offspring at four lifetime periods. The formulations of aluminum oxide and silicon dioxide were more efficient than the compounds treated alone, where the effectiveness increased nearly two times, after 2 days from exposure at first 50 days lifetime period. Likewise, kaolin formulation was more effective than kaolin alone in the same lifetime period.
Traffic congestion and pollution regulations in polycentric cities : Urban forms and road pricing.

Urbanization in developed and developing countries has major drawbacks regarding air pollution, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and congestion externalities due to transport in car-based cities. In this thesis, we study the effects of urban design on pollution, congestion, traveled distances and welfare. We build a theoretical model of residential choices with pollution and congestion externalities arising from commuting, where the location of jobs within the city is endogenous. Finally we collect data from French metropolitan areas to conduct an empirical analysis of spatial determinants of commuting time and distances. This thesis highlights the need of a cautious approach to implement some urban policies that would guarantee a sustainable development of a city. A polycentric city may be a desirable city or not depending on the (i) accessibility of workplaces, (ii) the quality of road infrastructure (high speed), (iii) the employment density and (iv) the distribution of population and workplaces in cities. This thesis also demonstrates the significant role of the housing demand on urban structure when the latter is endogenous in a context of unpriced transport congestion. Some urban densification project might reconsider and quantify the negative externalities (congestion and pollution) which arise when the population grows within any city. These externalities are indirect costs due to the adjustment of the housing and transport demand in the long run.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) Advanced Analysis of Liquid Dispersion and Gas-Liquid Mass Transfer in a Bubble Column with Dense Vertical Internals

The influence of dense vertical tube bundles in a batch bubble column reactor of 100 mm diameter and 1100 mm clear liquid height on liquid dispersion and gas-liquid mass transfer was studied. In particular, the effects of different tube patterns (triangular and square pitch), tube diameters (8 and 13 mm) and bottom end designs (flat and U-tube) having a tube diameter-topitch ratio of approx. 1.3 were investigated. Dispersion coefficients were determined based on conductive tracer experiments recorded via wire-mesh sensors (WMS) with up to 90 measurement points distributed in the column’s crosssection in between the tubes. The gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient was determined via fastresponding oxygen needle probes. Tube pitch and pattern were identified as the most crucial design parameters for the extent of liquid dispersion. We found that particularly the U-tube bottom end design induces large liquid circulation patterns, which enhance dispersion. The presence of internals decreases the kklaa value as a consequence of turbulence damping, which is also confirmed by lower kkl values (e.g. 0.6 × 10 m s for the empty BCR and 0.25 × 10 m s for the square pitch with 8 mm tubes at 0.05 m s superficial gas velocity), whereas the pitch is the
Benzimidazole-Based Imine-Linked Copper Complexes in Food Safety: Selective Detection of Cyproheptadine and Thiabendazole

Benzimidazole-based imine-linked copper complexes L1. Cu2+–L3. Cu2+ (assigned as C1–C3) have been synthesized and characterized with various spectroscopic techniques. The structure of complex C1 was established with X-ray crystallography, which revealed it to be a dinuclear complex that crystallized in a triclinic crystal system. Currently, with the increasing demand of consumption of pharmaceutical products by living beings their subsequent disposal to the environment has increased progressively. These harmful pharmaceutical ingredients enter into water bodies, which is not only affecting the ecological environment but also affecting the living system as they accumulate in the food chain causing adverse effects. Therefore, detection of such harmful agents in the environment has turned out to be an important parameter that needs much attention. Here, we utilized the copper complex (C1) for the selective detection of cyproheptadine and thiabendazole drug molecules. The modulations in the photophysical prop.
Comparison of Three Commercially Available Assays for Measurement of Vitamin D

eISSN 2093-6338 Humans have two types of vitamin D, endogenously derived vitamin D3 and D2 that is derived from the diet [7]. Vitamin D is converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) in the liver, and a fraction of circulating 25-OH-D is converted to its active metabolite, 1-25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1-25-(OH)2-D), in the kidney [8]. These metabolites are bound to vitamin D binding protein (80– 90%) and albumin (10–20%). Only a very small fraction (0.02–0.05% of 25-OH-D and 0.2–0.6% of total 1-25-(OH)2-D) remains unbound. Although 1-25-(OH)2-D is the biologically active form, it is widely accepted that serum 25-OH-D is the best single marker for vitamin D status [9, 10]. Complex regulatory mechanisms control metabolism, with recent clinical studies suggesting there is a narrow physiological range of serum vitamin D levels in which metabolic functions are optimized [11, 12]. Levels above or below this natural vitamin D homeostasis are associated with increased mortality. Although optimal levels of 25-OH-D in the body remain unknown, a level >30 ng/mL is recommended [6, 13]. INTRODUCTION