Flavonoid from Hedera helix fruits: A promising new natural sensitizer for DSSCs

Owing to their lower cost, simplicity of manufacture, environmental friendliness, and accessibility of raw materials, natural dyes emerge as the most viable substitute for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs based on natural dyes stays behind that of their metal-based counterparts. This can be partially overcome when appropriate chemical additives are present in the redox electrolyte employed in DSSCs based on natural dyes. To determine the ideal additives for DSSCs based on natural dye extracted from Hedera helix fruits, including flavonoid pigments, we thoroughly compare the actions of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, guanidinium thiocyanate, and tert-butylpyridine additives in ionic liquid-based redox electrolytes. These additives suppress undesirable charge recombination and parasitic resistance effects, achieving a more significant enhancement of open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 130 mV and fill factor (FF) of 30 % compared to their counterparts. Utilizing prepared electrolyte solutions in DSSCs also presents an outstanding increase in the efficiency of the devices, from 0.75 % to 1.17 % (∼56 % improvement), which outperforms other natural dye sources containing flavonoid pigments as well. The experimental findings provided in this study demonstrate that the development of electrolytes tailored for natural dyes can lead to greater power conversion efficiency. © 2023 Elsevier B.V

Tailoring the optical and spectroscopic properties of ascorbic acid via solvation with DMSO: A theoretical study using different quantum models

The anti-oxidizing properties and physiological action of ascorbic acid have recently attracted considerable research attention. This study employs dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent to examine the interaction of solvent molecules and the resulting structural modifications in ascorbic acid through trial and error with three quantum solvation models (CPCM, IEFPCM, and SMD). DMSO was selected from the models to analyze changes in the optical bandgap and spectroscopic properties using first-principles methods. Geometry optimization was performed at two different levels of theory: Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT). The DFT method was employed with a 6–311 G/B3LYP basis set to yield the ground-state energy. The electronic orientation was investigated through potential energy mapping, while spectroscopic analysis encompassed ultraviolet (UV–VIS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to gain a deeper understanding of the chemical structures of the compound. The findings shed light on the DMSO-Ascorbic acid interactions and revealed structure-property correlation. © 2023 The Author(s

The importance of shape analysis of the first upper molar in the separation of two subspecies of the Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus, 1758)) in Northern Anatolia

Morphological features are important for intraspecific and interspecific variation. Teeth are important taxonomical characteristics because they can differ according to diet. Shape analysis of the first upper molar (M1) was used to determine geographical variations and effects of ecological changes on the population structure of Hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) living in Turkey. Both outline and landmark analysis, as well as a canonical variates analysis, showed significant differences in teeth shape between populations. With this technique, we separated out two subspecies: M. a. trapezius and M. a. abanticus. © TÜBİTAK

Effects of Supplemental Feeding of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seed on Milk Yield, Composition, Sensory Properties and Some Blood Parameters in Lactating Goats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplemental feeding of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed on milk yield, composition and some blood parameters in lactating goats. In this study, ten lactating goats in the second lactation were used. Their milk yields were closer to each other. Experimental goats were divided into 2 groups as control (C) and Fenugreek (F), equally. They were individually kept in pen sized 2x2 m. C goats did not consume fenugreek seed while F goats were allowed to consume daily 50 g fenugreek seed for each just before the meal in the mornings. The experiment lasted for 63 days of which 7 days are for adaptation and 56 days are for treatment period. Results showed that fenugreek seeds supplementation increased feed intake (2876.4 vs 2716.4 g, P<0.01) and milk yield (1010.6 g vs 879.7 g, P<0.01) in lactating goats. Fat corrected milk yield was higher in F goats (865.2 g) than that of C goats (780.0 g) (P<0.01). Serum glucose, total cholesterol and protein levels were not affected while serum triglyceride level and prolactin hormone level increased by fenugreek seed supplementation (P[removed

Yüksek Basınç Altında Mgbr2 Bileşiğinin Yapısal, Elektronik Ve Elastik Özelliklerinin Yoğunluk Fonksiyonel Teorisi İle İncelenmesi

Yüksek hidrostatik basınç altında MgBr2 bileşiğinin yapısal, elektronik ve elastik özellikleri yoğunluk fonksiyonel teorisi (DFT) çerçevesinde Siesta paket programı kullanılarak incelendi. MgBr2, çevresel koşullarda uzay grubu P3̅m1 olan trigonal tipi yapıda kristalleşir. Bu yapı üzerine 10 GPa’lık kademeli olarak artan basınçlar uygulandığında uzay grubu I4/mmm olan tetragonal tipi bir yapıya faz dönüşümü gerçekleşti. Elde edilen bu iki yapı için deneysel sonuçlarla daha iyi uyum halinde olan faz geçiş basıncı değerini elde edebilmek için sırası ile toplam enerji ve entalpi hesaplamaları yapıldı. Bu hesaplama sonuçlarına göre 101.5 GPa olarak faz geçiş basıncı elde edildi. Ayrıca MgBr2 bileşiğinin fiziksel özellikleri hakkında daha fazla bilgiye sahip olabilmek için elektronik bant yapısı da hesaplandı. MgBr2, P3̅m1 fazında 4.4 eV’lik bant aralığına sahip yalıtkan karaktere sahip olmasına rağmen I4/mmm fazında bant aralığı olmadığından dolayı metalik karaktere sahiptir. Son olarak MgBr2 bileşiğinin mekanik ve yapısal kararlılığını anlayabilmek için elastik sabiti değerleri hesaplandı. Hesaplamalara göre hem P3̅m1 hem de I4/mmm fazı mekanik ve yapısal olarak kararlıdır

Quantifying climate change impacts on hydropower production under CMIP6 multi-model ensemble projections using SWAT model

This study assesses the effects of climate change on hydropower production in the most threatened highlands region of the Euphrates-Tigris Basin, with the case of the Dipni Project. This evaluation is based on the precipitation and temperature predictions of the multi-model ensembles produced by analysing the simulations of 24 global circulation models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is utilized to estimate the future inflow rates of the Dipni reservoir under the Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP) scenarios of SSP245 and SSP585. The 25-year reservoir operations conducted in the past and three future periods indicate possible decreases of up to 10.1% and 21.5% in the annual energy production under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. The results show the need to take adaptive measures against the projected impacts of climate change to achieve the targeted return for the coming decades

A comparative anatomical study on leaf and scape of Androsace taxa (Primulaceae): contribution to Androsace taxonomy

In the present study, the leaf and scape anatomical features of ten Androsace taxa distributed in Turkiye were defined to contribute to plant identification. Hand sections from both the scape and leaf examined 43 anatomical characters. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were performed for the first time for Androsace. The results show that there are differences as well as similarities between Androsace species. It is noteworthy that Androsace artvinensis forms a separate main group with HCA. In addition, the fact that two of the five basic components are represented by a single variable according to the PCA results suggests that the anatomical characters examined are determinative for Androsace taxa.). In PCA, eigenvalues of PC1 (2.435), PC2 (1.749), PC3 (1.369), PC4 (1.223), and PC5 (1.006) were greater than 1.0. Cortex width, aerenchyma, arrangement of vascular bundles, and four-branched non-glandular hairs are among the important anatomical characteristics of the scape. Leaf cross-sectional shape, epidermis dimensions, glandular hair types, presence of five branched non-glandular hairs, stoma sizes, presence of crystals in the mesophyll, and types are among the qualitative and quantitative anatomical characteristics that attract attention in the leaf. This study examined almost all taxa of the genus Androsace distributed in Turkiye. The results will be important in finding new species among the examined taxa and revealing the anatomical features of the taxa for the first time. They will contribute to other studies on the genus

Pain relief effects of aromatherapy with rose oil (Rosa damascena Mill.) inhalation in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Introduction: Pharmacological agents, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and non -pharmacological techniques, including acupuncture and aromatherapy, are commonly used for the manage-ment of abdominal pain in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Essential rose oil obtained from Rosa Mill (RDM) is often used in aromatherapy for the treatment of many diseases. This study was aimed at using visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and total analgesic consumption to evaluate the effects of adding RDM essential oil inhalation to the standard treatment (NSAID) of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial, 86 patients were randomized into groups R and C. The patients in group C only used standard analgesics (50 mg diclofenac sodium enteric film tablets). In group R, patients used both standard analgesics and RDM inhalation aromatherapy. A 10-point VAS was used to determine the pain values of the patients and was recorded as pre-treatment (VAS-0) and post-treatment (VAS -60). The analgesic consumption by the patients was recorded for 24 h. Results: In both groups, there was a significant decrease in VAS scores after treatment. The VAS-60 scores in group R were significantly lower than those in group C (2 [1-4] vs. 5 [2-5], respectively; P = 0.013). Analgesic consumption in group R was significantly lower than in group C (50 [50-100] mg vs. 100 [50-100] mg, respectively; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Inhalational rose oil aromatherapy is a good self-treatment option for primary dysmenorrhea

Keskintaş, Orhan. Adalet, Ahlâk ve Nizam Osmanlı Siyasetnameleri İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 2017, 344 s. ISBN: 9789750522789

This article analyzes Orhan Keskintaş's work entitled Justice, Morality and Order Ottoman Siyasetname, which is based on his doctoral dissertation on Ottoman Siyasetname. Information is given about the content of the sections and then a general assessment is made. At the last section some critics on the book are attached. © Copyright CliniCal and ExpErimEntal rhEumatology 2023

Comparison of Interior Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives with Sinusoidal, Third Harmonic Injection, and Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation Strategies with particular attention to Current Distortions and Torque Ripples

Interior Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (IPMs) have become popular in electric vehicle traction applications in recent years due to their superior features such as high efficiency and high power density compared to other machines. Therefore, development of IPM drive systems is an important research area. In this study, three different pulse width modulation (PWM) strategies commonly used in machine drives are compared extensively in IPM drives. Simulations have been carried out with optimum dq-axes currents based on demanded torque from the system, and hence, the simulated drives are efficiency-optimized. Sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM), third harmonic injection pulse width modulation (THIPWM), and space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) strategies have been employed in the drives, and comparisons have been made by paying particular attention to the total harmonic distortion (THD) rates of phase currents and torque ripples. It has been validated through extensive simulations that the SVPWM strategy has less THD percentage for IPM drives than SPWM and THIPWM at wide operating points, and hence, the current and torque responses are better with smooth output torque. Simulation results also validate that the current distortions and torque ripples are the highest when SPWM strategy is adopted in the drives, and hence, the THIPWM strategy is superior to the SPWM. © 2023 Istanbul University. All rights reserved