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Chemical Composition of Spirulina (Limnospira platensis)
No full text<p>Spirulina algae have high nutritional value. As a result of their high protein content (60–70% on<br>a dry weight basis), vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and other nutrients, the FDA has designated<br>them as the ideal food for mankind and a “super food,” containing high concentrations of beta (β)-carotene,<br>vitamin B12, iron, trace elements, and the extremely rare essential gamma(γ)-linolenic acid. The Food and<br>Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have referred to Spirulina as a “highly digestible<br>protein product,” and the US space agency has utilized it as a dietary supplement for astronauts. Because<br>of this, Spirulina deserves the title of “the food of the future” more than any other food on Earth. This<br>review examines Spirulina’s chemical composition, including its high levels of protein, essential fatty acids,<br>vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, such as the phycocyanin pigment, polysaccharides, and<br>carotenoids. These compounds exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-<br>inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering effects. Spirulina’s<br>potential to mitigate oxidative stress, enhance immune function, and inhibit tumour growth positions it as<br>a promising candidate for preventing chronic diseases.</p>
The aftermath of 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquakes: evaluation of strong motion data, geotechnical, building, and infrastructure issues
No full text<p>This paper presents the findings of field observations conducted in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck the Pazarcik (Mw7.7) and Elbistan (Mw7.6) in Kahramanmaras province, Turkey on February 6th, 2023. The earthquakes, occurring on the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ), resulted in more than 50,000 losses of life and damage of more than 1.5 million properties across 11 provinces in Turkey. Field observations presented herein encompass seismological and strong ground motion data, geotechnical observations, as well as damage assessments of underground and above ground structures in various provinces and districts. The types and reasons of the structural damages were discussed. The study also examined the effects of high acceleration values and distribution of strong ground motions on the performance of structures. Soil liquefaction problems were observed in many locations such as Golbasi and Iskenderun. The paper highlights the geology, tectonics, strong motion characteristics, surface deformations, geotechnical and structural aspects, and the evaluation of lifelines in the affected area. Furthermore, the authors provide initial recommendations for improving disaster management, evaluating building stock, prioritizing urban transformation, strengthening infrastructure systems, addressing soil-building interaction issues, ensuring security measures during search and rescue efforts, utilizing satellite imagery effectively, considering seismic effects on water infrastructure, and taking a holistic approach to earthquake effects in industrial facilities.</p>
The Fe Kα emission line in water megamaser galaxies
No full text<p>Water maser emissions at around 22 GHz from extragalactic sources are significant in astrophysics, offering a unique means to measure cosmological distances and thus constrain the Hubble parameter with high precision. They also provide the most precise method for measuring black hole masses beyond the Milky Way. The challenge of their limited detection has spurred researchers to seek clues for better characterisation. Despite these efforts, the physical environments in which these masers form still need to be clarified. Consequently, statistical studies have been extensively employed to enhance our understanding of these environments. A sample of 32 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)-powered water megamaser galaxies and their Fe K alpha emission line at 6.4 keV data was compiled and statistically analysed to investigate any correlation between the two parameters for the first time. A Spearman correlation analysis shows a statistically significant inverse correlation between the maser luminosity (L-22 GHz) and the Fe K alpha luminosity (L-Fe K alpha). Specifically, Spearman's coefficient rho was -0.48, with a p-value = 5 x 10(-3). This anti-correlation suggests that in luminous X-ray galaxies, AGN feedback may heat the circumnuclear clouds, leading to more substantial maser emissions, as it favours warm gas while weakening Fe K alpha, which is associated with cold, dense gas environments. Additionally, the obscuration and orientation of the AGN's circumnuclear material play a significant role, with denser, edge-on tori potentially favouring maser production while diluting Fe K alpha emission. The lack of significant correlations between L-22 GHz and other AGN indicators, such as absorption-corrected L2-10 keV and L-12 mu, combined with the previously found anti-correlation between L-Fe K alpha and these indicators suggest that the observed L-22 GHz-L-Fe K alpha anti-correlation is driven by localised effects within the masing region rather than broader AGN properties. These findings highlight the need for further research with larger samples and more detailed modelling to disentangle the various factors influencing maser activity in AGN environments and validate the anticorrelation's significance, as sources of uncertainty might still have affected the results. (c) 2024 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.</p>
HLA allele and haplotype diversity Supplement Files
No full text<p>HLA allele and haplotype diversity Supplement Files</p>
Toward Reliable Disaster Data Sharing With Blockchain and Zero-Knowledge Proofs
No full text<p>Türkçe özet:</p>
<p>Bu çalışma, afet bilgi paylaşımının güvenilirliğini ve gizliliğini artırmak için blok zinciri, merkezi olmayan kimlik ve sıfır bilgi kanıtlarını entegre eden bir çerçeve sunmaktadır. İnsanlık için Merkezi Olmayan Çözümler (DS4H) blok zinciri araştırma ağı üzerinde geliştirilen bir prototip tarafından desteklenen, gerçek dünya uygulamaları için sürdürülebilir bir model önerilmektedir.</p>
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<p>English abstract:</p>
<p>This study introduces a framework that integrates blockchain, decentralized identity, and zero-knowledge proofs to enhance the trustworthiness and confidentiality of disaster information sharing. A sustainable model is proposed for real-world applications, supported by a prototype developed on the Decentralized Solutions for Humanity (DS4H) blockchain research network.</p>
Synthesis and characterization of novel spiro-(2,2′-dioxybiphenyl)-cyclotriphosphazene derivatives bearing butylated oxyanisole groups and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
No full text<p>In this study, novel cyclotriphosphazene derivatives, {[N3P3(biph)(BA)(2)] (6a/b), [N3P3(biph)(BA)(3)] (7), [N3P3(biph)(2)(BA)Cl (8) and [N3P3(biph)(2)(BA)(2) (9)]}, (biph = 2 ',2 ''-dioxy-1 ',1 ''- biphenyl, BA = butylated oxyanisole}, were synthesized from the nucleophilic substitution reactions of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (5) with [N3P3(biph)Cl-4] (3) and [N3P3(biph)(2)Cl-2] (4), respectively. The structures of all the products (6a/b, 7, 8 and 9) were determined -using elemental analysis, mass and (H-1 and P-31) NMR spectroscopic techniques. The molecular and crystal structure of compound 9 was also determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. At the same time, the compounds (3, 4, 7, 8 and 9) were tested for their antimicrobial and antioxidant (free radical scavenging) activities. Of all, compounds 8 and 9 showed relatively significant antimicrobial activity against the control strains Bacillus cereus DSMZ 4312 (16,5 and 18,25 mm) and against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (25 and 22,5 mm) compared to their positive controls. The MIC50 values of compounds 8 and 9 against Bacillus cereus were determined at 125 mu g/mL and < 325 mu g/mL, respectively, and Staphylococcus aureus at 125 mu g/ mL for both compounds. While the other compounds (3, 4 and 7) did not possess antimicrobial properties, they showed strong antioxidant activity. In the antioxidant assay based on the EC50 value of BHA used as a control, compound 7 showed antioxidant activity even at low concentrations such as 9,37 mu g/ mL (83 %), while compounds 3 and 4 showed antioxidant properties even at relatively low concentrations such as 18,75 mu g/mL. Compounds 8 and 9, two antimicrobial compounds, did not exhibit antioxidant properties.</p>
Synthesis, Characterization, and <i>In vitro</i> and <i>In Silico</i> Studies of New Triazole Derivatives as Aromatase Inhibitors
No full text<p>Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Steroidal or non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors (NSAIs) are used clinically, and in most cancer diseases, resistance is the most important problem. Method: The nitrogenous heterocyclic ring is noteworthy in the structure of non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. This is the pharmacophore structure for aromatase inhibition. Because the enzyme interacts with the Fe2+ cation of the HEM structure in its active site, the most used agents in the clinic, such as anastrozole and letrozole, contain triazoles in their structures. Within the scope of this study, hybrid compounds containing both imidazole and triazole were synthesized. Result: The synthesis was carried out by a 4-step reaction. The anticancer effects of the compounds were evaluated by MTT assay performed on A549 and MCF-7 cancer cells. Compound 4d showed anticancer activity against the MCF-7 cell line with IC50=6.7342 uM value. This compound exhibited anticancer activity against the A549 cell line with an IC50 = 17.1761 mu M. In the MTT test performed on a healthy cell line to determine the cytotoxic effects of the compounds, the compound showed activity with a value of 4d IC50=13.2088 uM. This indicates that the compound is not cytotoxic. Additionally, BrdU analysis was performed to evaluate whether the compound inhibits DNA synthesis. These selective effects of the compounds on breast cancer strengthened their aromatase enzyme inhibitor potential. For this reason, experiments conducted with both in vitro and in silico methods revealed a compound with high aromatase inhibitor potential. Conclusion: The interactions observed as a result of molecular docking and dynamics studies are in harmony with activity studies. In particular, interactions with HEM600 demonstrate the activity potential of the compound.</p>
A two-stage optimization approach for big-scale problems in long-term planning of municipal solid waste management systems
No full text<p>Most optimization models developed to solve the long-term planning of municipal solid waste management system (LPMSWMS) problems have some disadvantages, such as the inability to model the problem realistically and the failure of the final decisions to provide global optima due to various mathematical limitations. This study presents an optimization approach for realistically modeling and solving the LPMSWMS problems. This new approach takes into account a non-linear mathematical formulation for the LPMSWMS and solves the model into two main stages. In the first stage, the linear relaxation of the model is used, while the non-linear model formulation is used in the second stage to obtain a more realistic solution for the LPMSWMS. According to the findings, the new optimization approach obtained results for small model volumes in longer times than the reference non-linear model structure. On the other hand, the new approach makes it possible to obtain global optima by producing exact solutions at large model volumes, while the reference non-linear model structure cannot produce any solution. This advantage of the new approach for large model volumes can significantly benefit decision-makers in solving big-scale problems that are likely to be encountered in the real world by giving global optima.</p>
Photoluminescence properties and structural analysis of Tb3+-doped K3Gd (BO2)6: A first study on negative thermal quenching
No full text<p>In this study, Tb3+-doped K3Gd(BO2)6 phosphors were synthesized using the microwave-assisted sol-gel method to explore their photoluminescence (PL) properties and thermal stability. XRD and Rietveld refinement confirmed the incorporation of Tb3+ions, without secondary phases. PL analysis revealed a strong green emission near 542 nm, attributed to the 5 D 4 -> 7 F 5 transition of Tb3+ions. An optimal Tb3+concentration of 3 wt% was identified, beyond which concentration quenching significantly reduced luminescence intensity. Radiative energy transfer, occurring via reabsorption, was observed at lower concentrations, facilitating efficient energy migration. Conversely, at higher concentrations, non-radiative processes such as cross-relaxation dominated. Remarkably, negative thermal quenching (NTQ) was observed up to 470 K, with an activation energy of 0.96 eV. Additionally, Na+ co- doping introduced lattice distortions that enhanced energy transfer between Tb3+ions and improved luminescence efficiency. The chromaticity diagram highlighted a shift towards the yellow-green region with increasing the Tb3+concentration, demonstrating tunable emission properties for solid-state lighting applications.</p>
Baseline systemic inflammatory indices and clinicopathological features to predict the outcome of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis
No full text<p>Background Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (AIN) is an immune-mediated disorder that can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients with AIN and predictive factors for treatment response. Material and methods In this study, thirty-one patients diagnosed with AIN on kidney biopsy between 2006 and 2021 were included. Baseline clinical, histopathological, and laboratory findings, including complete blood count (CBC), creatinine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, C3, C4, systemic immune inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and urinalysis were evaluated. Treatment response, mortality, and creatinine levels at the time of last follow-up were also noted. Results The median age was 46 years and 80.6% were female. Median baseline creatinine and proteinuria levels were 4.1 mg/dL and 0.84 gram/day. The median follow-up period was 14 months and 93.5% received immunosuppressives. End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) developed in five patients (16.1%). Renal recovery (creatinine < 1.4 mg/dL) was observed in 17 patients (54.8%). Higher degrees of interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, granuloma formation, global glomerulosclerosis, and higher baseline hemoglobin levels, in addition to a longer interval between first symptom to initiation of immunosuppressives were associated with renal nonrecovery, statistically. Also, patients who progressed to ESKD had higher baseline hemoglobin (p = 0.033) and lymphocyte (p = 0.044) and lower PLR levels (p = 0.016), as well as higher degrees of global glomerulosclerosis (p = 0.014), interstitial fibrosis (p = 0.042), and tubular atrophy (p = 0.030). Conclusion Treatment response rates are low for AIN, which may lead to ESKD. Besides chronicity in histopathology specimens, higher baseline hemoglobin levels and lower platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio might be prognostic. Further studies should be conducted on new markers for AIN.</p>