Saf ZnO ve katkılı ZnO:Al:Mnx (x=1%, 2%, 3%, 5% at.) yarı iletken ince filmlerin yapısal ve optiksel özellikleri ile üretilen diyotların elektriksel özelliklerinin araştırılması

In this work, undoped and co-doped ZnO:Al:Mn semiconductor thin films and p-type Si diodes were produced via sol-gel technique method. The morphological and optical properties of the produced thin films were investigated using SEM, XRD and UV-Spectrophotometer, respectively. It was observed that the crystal structure of the semiconductor samples had a hexagonal wurtzite structure and the forbidden energy gaps of the samples decreased with increasing Mn contribution. The experimental zero-feed current barrier height (?b(I-V)), rectification ratio, ideality factor and Ion/Ioff parameters of the diodes were determined via the thermionic emission model. It was determined that the produced Al/p-Si/ZnO:Al:Mn/Al diode had high rectification ratio and Ion/Ioff values of 1.56x105 and 1.54x104, respectively, and exhibited light-sensitive behaviour. Also, the capacitance barrier height (?b(C-V)), built-in voltage (Vbi), diffusion potential (Vd), donor concentration (Nd) and depletion layer width (Wd) values of Al/p-Si/ZnO:Al:Mn/Al diode were calculated via the C-2-V graph drawn under 1MHz frequency. The results show that the fabricated diodes can be used as photodiodes or photosensors in optoelectronic applications. © 2023 Gazi Universitesi Muhendislik-Mimarlik. All rights reserved.Firat Üniversitesi, FU: FF16.24This study was supported by Firat University, for PhD thesis (Project No. FF16.24)

Inflation and Cold Progression: An Analysis of Turkish Income Tax between 2006-2021

Inflation causes high taxation-although real income does not increase-because the income tax base targets nominal income. This situation results in taxation as if the ability to pay has increased, although it has not. Compensation for this deflecting effect of inflation in the income tax tariff requires growing the income segments included in the tariff at the rate of inflation regularly experienced yearly. However, the current need for public revenue can cause governments to make regulations in favour of the administration and against taxpayers-almost by creating an undervaluation-while providing this requirement. It is called cold progression in the literature. In this study, which draws attention to the distortions caused by inflation in the tax system, the evidence obtained shows the existence of cold progression

Determination of seasonal prevalence and intensity of tick infestation in tortoises, in Turkish Thrace

Kaplumbağa kenesi olarak bilinen Hyalomma aegyptium Türkiye, Balkanlar ve Kuzey Afrika'da görülen bir türdür. Türkiye'nin özellikle batı bölgesinde insanları tutan keneler arasında ilk ikide yer almaktadır. Her ne kadar H. aegyptium, medikal açıdan önemli bir tür olsa da, türün aylık veya mevsimsel dinamiği ile ilgili ne Türkiye'de ne de dünyada ayrıntılı veriler bulunmaktadır. Öte yandan, kendine has, diğer çoğu kene türünden farklı olarak soğukkanlı bir konağı olan ve kendine has bir biyolojisi bulunan bir türün kendine has bir mevsimsel dinamiğinin olması ve bu dinamiğin diğer kene türlerine bakarak ya da genel kene ekolojisi verilerinden yola çıkarak kestirilmesi zordur. Bu çalışma, kaplumbağa ve kaplumbağa populasyonu oldukça yüksek olan Trakya'daki kaplumbağalarda H. aegyptium'un mevsimsel prevalans ve intensite karakteristiğinin ortaya konması amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışma 01.01.2021 – 31.01.2022 tarihleri arasında Tekirdağ İli Süleymanpaşa, Yeniçiftlik, Çorlu, Çerkezköy, Çeşmeli ve Seymen lokasyonlarında gerçekleşmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Mart ve Eylül ayları arasında 157 kaplumbağaya rastlanmış, bunlardan 148'inde kene tespit edilmiş, en düşük prevalans %85,7 ile Nisan ayında ve %87,2 ile Mayıs ayında görülmüştür. Diğer aylarda %100 prevalans tespit edilmiştir. Enfeste kaplumbağalarda hesaplanan kene intensitesi 18,4 olmuştur. Saptanan bütün kenelerin H. aegyptium türüne ait olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Çalışmada 939 larva, 435 nimf, 974 erkek ve 377 dişi kene belirlenmiştir.Hyalomma aegyptium, tortoise tick, is seen in Turkey, Balkans, and North Africa. It is among the first two tick species that attach human, particularly in the western regions of Turkey. Although H. aegyptium is a medically important species, there is no detailed data on the monthly or seasonal dynamics of the species, neither in Turkey nor in the world. On the other hand, unlike most other tick species, a species with a cold-blooded host and a unique biology has a unique seasonal dynamic, and it is difficult to predict this dynamic by looking at other tick species or based on general tick ecology data. This study was conducted on tortoises in Thrace, where the population of tortoises is known to be quite high. The study carried out between 01.01.2021 – 31.01.2022 in the localities in Suleymanpasa, Yeniciftlik, Corlu, Cerkezkoy, Cesmeli and Seymen in Tekirdag province was carried out to determine the seasonal prevalence and intensity characteristics of H. aegyptium. As a result, 157 turtles were found between March and September and ticks were detected in 148 of them. The lowest prevalences were recorded in April with 85.7% and in May with 87.2%; the value was 100% in other months. The intensity in the infested animals was calculated as 18.4. All the tick specimens, which is distributed as 939 larvae, 435 nymph, 974 male and 377 female, encountered on the tortoises belonged to H. aegyptium species

Evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum to control downy mildew disease in sunflower under field conditions based on changes in the metabolite profiles of roots

Two years of field testing were conducted in naturally Plasmopara halstedii-infested soils to assess the effectiveness of Trichoderma harzianum isolate (TRIC8) against downy mildew (P. halstedii) on sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Seed treatment with this antagonist offered protection of 73.64% in the first year. The effects of this treatment on oil content of the seeds and metabolite profiles of roots, along with disease severity, were evaluated in the second year by comparing to the fungicide treatment (Metalaxyl M). Oil content in seeds and metabolite profile in roots were studied using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), respectively. TRIC8 and fungicide treatments were found to cause significantly lower disease severity when compared to that of the control, although weather conditions were more favorable for the disease in the second year than in the first year. The oil content in seeds with TRIC8 treatment was superior to that in seeds with fungicide treatment or control. The metabolites in roots from treated plants and disease severity were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). TRIC8 treatment increased the accumulation of some alcohols [2-ethyl-2-methyltridecan-1-ol, 2-(propylamino)ethanol], aldehydes [2,5-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)benzaldehyde, dodecanal], alkanes (dotriacontane, eicosane, heneicosane, nonacosane, nonylcyclopropane, tetracontane, tetracosane), ketones [(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)-phenylmethanone, (4-methylphenyl)-phenylmethanone], an ester (6-ethyloctan-3-yl 6-bromohexanoate) and a terpene (falcarinol), which were among the metabolites that contributed over 0.70 in PC1 and were negatively correlated with disease severity. We suggest these metabolites might be involved in defense response of sunflower against P. halstedii in the field

Determination of Quality Parameters of Aronia Melanocarpa During Cold Storage

Aronia as a berry species has high antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin content. It yields in the second year after plantation, and its fruits, which can be processed and consumed freshly, are sold at quite good prices. Aronia has been cultivated in Turkey, where the aronia industry is considered to grow with the increase of its production in Turkey. When the literature is investigated, there is lack of research studies on cold storage of the chokeberries. Therefore, this research was carried out to determine changes in the quality criteria of aronia. The Aronia melanocarpa ‘Nero’ variety was cold stored for 34 days in plastic and carton cases in a cold store with an evaporative cooling system. The effect of storage case materials on quality properties was investigated. Ambient temperature and relative humidity in the cold store were measured. Chokeberry fruit samples were taken at harvest and after cold storage to determine quality criteria of the cold stored fruits. Total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, total amount of phenolic substance, total tannin, total anthocyanin and antioxidant activity for A. melanocarpa ‘Nero’ variety fruits were determined in the laboratory. Ambient temperature of the cold store varied between 3.9 oC and 5.18 oC. Relative humidity ranged between 70.19 and 85.08%, while air velocity ranged between 0 and 0.23?m/s. Most of the quality criteria were decreased during the cold storage of the A. melanocarpa ‘Nero’ variety chokeberries. According to the research results, quality properties of the chokeberries in carton boxes were better than those in plastic cases. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Der/die Autor(en), exklusiv lizenziert an Springer-Verlag GmbH Deutschland, ein Teil von Springer Nature.This research was supported by Kirklareli Commodity Exchange, Turkey, and Salkim Fidancılık, İstanbul. The authors would like to thank Kirklareli Commodity Exchange, Turkey, and Salkim Fidancılık, İstanbul for their support

Efficient synthesis of chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives using Zn(OTf)2 as a catalyst: DFT computations, molecular docking and ADME studies

An efficient method was developed for the synthesis of chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives by using Zn(OTf)2 (Zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate) via one-pot [3 + 3] cascade annulation methods using 2-amino-4H-chromen-4-one with a different substituted group (1–6) and trans-chalcone. This strategy offers the pharmacological importance of 2-amino-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives in reaction time and good yields. This approach also brings a different perspective to the literature as an intramolecular cyclization pathway. All computational works were performed at the B3LYP/6–311++G** level of theory. After confirming the optimized structures and comparing the calculated spectroscopic data with corresponding experimental data, the intramolecular interactions were evaluated on the basis of NBO “Natural Bond Orbital” theory. The quantum chemical reactivity features and FMO “Frontier Molecular Orbital” analyses were conducted at the same level of theory. The solvent effect on the reactivity behaviors was also investigated by using the results that were determined by obtaining the different solvent environments. Molecular docking was employed to explore the binding affinities of the compounds against AChE (Acetylcholinesterase), BuChE (Butyrylcholinesterase), and HSA (Human serum albümin). Also, the bioavailability and drug-likeness properties of compounds 1–6 were determined to explore the possible usage in further drug design works. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma Kurumu, TÜBİTAK: 112 T503; Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi, TNKUFinancial support for this research from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project No. 112 T503). The authors thank Namık Kemal University for the analysis of our article structure. All calculations have been carried out at TUBITAK ULAKBIM, High Performance and Grid Computing Center (TR-Grid e-Infrastructure).Financial support for this research from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project No. 112 T503). The authors thank Namık Kemal University for the analysis of our article structure. All calculations have been carried out at TUBITAK ULAKBIM, High Performance and Grid Computing Center (TR-Grid e-Infrastructure)

The role of NMDA glutamate receptors in lung injury caused by chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a component of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, is suggested to cause damage to lung tissue, and the role of glutamate is not well studied. We used a chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CLTIHH) model of rats to find out if such procedure causes lung injury and the potential effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) by using receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine). Thirty-two rats were placed into four groups; a control and three CLTIHH groups where rats were placed into a low-pressure chamber set to 430 mmHg for 5 h/day, 5 days/week, for 5 weeks. Only one group received MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg, ip) daily. We evaluated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and nuclear factor (NF)-kB for the inflammatory process, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) for oxidative stress, and caspase-9 levels. Blood plasma, bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), and lung tissue extracts were evaluated. Both oxidant and inflammatory parameters were significantly increased in all the mediums of the CLTIHH groups except the group that received MK-801. Significant evidence was collected on MK-801 alleviating the effect of CLTIHH. Histological evaluations revealed lung damage and fibrotic changes in the CLTIHH groups. It was first shown that the CLTIHH procedure caused chronic lung injury, and that inflammation and oxidant stress were influential in the formation of lung injury. Secondly, NMDAR antagonist MK-801 effectively inhibited the development of lung injury and fibrosis.Istanbul University-Cerrahpas, a Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [25914]This study was funded by the Istanbul University-Cerrahpas, a Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (25914)

Investigation of climate change in Tekirdag conditions on reference evapotranspiration

Küresel iklim değişikliğinin su kaynakları üzerine olan etkisinin belirlenmesi önemlidir. Su kaynaklarının etkin kullanımında tarımsal sulama için gerekli su miktarlarının bu koşullar altında planlaması gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmada Tekirdağ ili-Süleymanpaşa ilçesi meteoroloji istasyonundan 2011-2020 yılları arası referans bitki su tüketimi (ET0) hesaplaması için gerekli iklim verileri elde edilmiş ve değişim analizi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada değişim analizleri Lineer Regresyon Testi, Mann-Kendall Testi ve Sen T Testi metotlarına göre gerçekleştirilmiştir. Değişim analizleri sonucunda referans bitki su tüketimi değerlerinin Haziran ve Temmuz aylarında azalan bir eğilimde olduğu ve bu azalmanın istatistiksel açıdan önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Referans bitki su tüketiminin hesaplanmasında kullanılan iklim parametrelerine yapılan değişim analizleri sonucunda, maksimum sıcaklık, ortalama bağıl nem ve ortalama güneşlenme süresi değerlerinin azalan bir eğilimde olduğu, minimum sıcaklık ve rüzgar hızı değerlerinin ise artan bir eğilimde olduğu saptanmıştır. Araştırmada ölçüm periyotlarındaki aylık yağış miktarlarının değişimi de incelenmiştir. Yapılan değişim analizleri sonucunda, aylık yağış miktarlarının azalan bir eğilimde olduğu ve özellikle Nisan, Eylül, Ekim ve Aralık aylarındaki değişimlerin istatistiksel açıdan önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçların bölge koşullarında gelecekteki tarımsal üretim planlamalarına katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.It is important to determine the impact of global climate change on water resources. In the effective use of water resources, the amount of water required for agricultural irrigation should be planned under these conditions. In this study, the trend analysis of the climate data required for the calculation of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) between 2011 and 2020 for the meteorology station of Tekirdağ -Süleymanpaşa District was carried out. Analysis of change in the study was carried out according to the methods of Linear Regression Test, Mann-Kendall Test and Sen T Test. As a result of the change analysis, it was determined that the reference evapotranspiration (ET0) values had a decreasing trend in June and July and this decrease was statistically significant. As a result of the analysis of the changes in the climate parameters used in the calculation of reference evapotranspiration (ET0), it was determined that the values of maximum temperature, average relative humidity and average sunshine duration were in a decreasing trend, while minimum temperature and wind speed values were in an increasing trend. In the study, the change in monthly precipitation amounts during the measurement periods was also examined. As a result of the analysis of the changes, it was determined that the monthly precipitation amounts have a decreasing trend and the changes especially in April, September, October and December are statistically significant. It is thought that the results obtained will contribute to the future agricultural production planning in the regional conditions

Investigation of B lymphocyte subgroups in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

İmmün trombositopenik purpura trombosit sayısında düşüş ile seyreden otoimmunitenin rol oynadığı bir hastalıktır. Birinci basamak tedavi sonrasında remisyon oranı yüksek olmasına rağmen remisyon kaybı sık görülür ve nüks nedeniyle ikinci basamak tedavi ihtiyaçları oluşur. Aynı tedaviden bir hastanın fayda görmesi diğer hastanın fayda görmemesine sebep olan farklılık net değildir. Lenfositler tüm kan hücreleri gibi kemik iliğindeki kök hücrelerinden köken alır, antijen reseptörleri üretir ve matür hücrelerin karakteristik özelliklerini geliştirirler. Bu matür B ve T lenfositlere naif lenfositler denir. Kemik iliğinden ve timustan göç eden bu hücreler antijen uyarıları ile değişim ve olgunlaşmalarını tamamlamak üzere periferik lenf organlarına göç ederler. Antijenler ile uyarılan lenfositler klonal genişleme yaşar, bir kısmı antieni elimine eden efektör hücrelere dönüşürken bir kısmı sekonder immun yanıtta rol almak üzere hafıza hücreleri olarak farklılaşılar. Lenfositler ve diğer lökositlerin tanımlanması modern sınıflandırma sisteminde CD yüzey antijenleri ile yapılır. CD yüzey markerları hücrenin hangi kümeye farklılaştığını gösteren monoklonal antikorlardır. B lenfositlerin (CD45+, CD19+) immün sistemdeki ana rolü immünojenik yapıları tanımak, onları hatırlamak ve daha sonra bu antijenlere karşı antikor sentezleyecek plazma hücrelerine farklılaşmaktır. Kemik iliğinden periferik lenf organlarına göçü IgM ve IgD sentezi ile ilişkilidir. Maturasyonun erken safhalarındaki bir B lenfositte IgM+ iken CD24 sentezi artmış, CD27 ise negatif tespit edilir. CD27 yüzey antijeninin kazanılmasıyla B lenfositin naif B lenfositten marjinal zon fenotipe farklılaştığı anlaşılır. CD38 yüzey antijeni pozitifleşen hücre hafıza B lenfosite farklılaşmış olarak tanımlanır. IgM ve IgD yüzey antijenlerinin kaybının tespiti ile antikor değişimi ile hafıza hücresinin plazmablasta farklılaştığı söylenebilir. Akım sitometride, hücre yüzeyindeki veya içerisindeki proteinlere özgü antikorlarla inkübe edilir sonrasında antikenlere bağlanır. Buradaki spesifik antikorlar spesifik floresan boyalarla (FITC, PE, PerCP gibi) işaretlenmektedir. Bu sayede hücrelere özgü antijenler floresan sinyalleri değerlendirilerek belirlenebilmektedir. Biz çalışmamızda İTP tanısı ile takip edilmekte olan hastaların akım sitometri yardımı ile B lenfosit alt gruplarını inceledik. Çalışmamız Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi Hastanesi Hematoloji Kliniği tarafından, İTP tanısı ile takip edilmekte olan hastaların rutin muayeneleri sonrasında yaklaşık 4 ml kan örneği alınarak ve B lenfosit yüzey antijenlerini içeren DuraClone IM B cells Tube kullanarak akım sitometri ile tespit edildiği cross sectional bir çalışmadır. Hastaların yaş, cinsiyet, ek hastalıkları, laboratuvar bulguları, aldıkları tedavi seçenekleri ve akım sitometri verileri kaydedildi. Çalışmamızın istatistiksel analizler Jamovi (Version 2.2.5.0) ve JASP (Version 0.16.1) programları ile yapılmış olup ve istatistik analizlerde anlamlılık düzeyi 0.05 (p-value) olarak dikkate alındı. Çalışmaya 39 hasta 9 sağlıklı kontrol grubu dahil edilmiş olup bunların 33'ü kadındı. Hastaların yaş ortalamaları 46.58±13.61 (min-max: 20-72 yaş) yıl olarak belirlenmiştir. Kontrol grubu hasta grubu ile aynı demografik özelliklere sahipti. Hasta ve kontrol grubunun B lenfosit alt grupları karşılaştırıldığında; IgD+CD27+(marginal zon B hücresi), IgD-IgM-CD27- CD38+High, IgD+IgM+CD27+CD38- (unswitched hafıza B hücresi), IgD+IgM+CD27+ CD38+High B lenfosit alt tipleri yüzdeleri hasta grubunda anlamlı derecede düşük saptanırken, IgD+IgM+CD27-CD38Dim B lenfosit alt tipi yüzdeleri ise hasta grubunda anlamlı biçimde yüksek saptandı. İTP hastalarında sağlıklı popülasyona göre yaş ile azalması beklenen naif B hücresi anlamlı derecede yüksek saptanırken diğer B hücrelerinde anlamlı fark saptanmadı. Rituksimab uygulanan hastalarda CD27+ hafıza B hücreleri genel anlamda düşük saptanırken, naif B hücrelerinin arttığı görüldü. Eltrombopag kullanan hastalarda da benzer sonuçlar alınmış olup öncesinde rituksimab kullanımı olması bu duruma neden olduğu düşünülmüştür. Splenektomi uygulanan hastalarda beklendiği gibi marjinal zon B hücresi anlamlı derecede düşük saptanmıştır.Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is a disease in which autoimmunity plays a role with a decrease in platelet count. Although the remission rate is high after first-line therapy, loss of remission is common and second-line therapy is needed due to relapse. The difference between one patient benefiting from the same treatment and the other not benefiting from the same treatment is not clear. Like all blood cells, lymphocytes originate from stem cells in the bone marrow, produce antigen receptors and develop the characteristic features of mature cells. These mature B and T lymphocytes are called naive lymphocytes. These cells, which migrate from the bone marrow and thymus, migrate to the peripheral lymph organs to complete their transformation and maturation with antigen stimuli. Antigen-stimulated lymphocytes experience clonal expansion, some transform into effector cells that eliminate antigen, while others differentiate into memory cells to play a role in the secondary immune response. Identification of lymphocytes and other leukocytes is done by CD surface antigens in the modern classification system. CD surface markers are monoclonal antibodies that show which cluster the cell has differentiated into. The main role of B lymphocytes (CD45+, CD19+) in the immune system is to recognize immunogenic structures, remember them, and then differentiate into plasma cells that will synthesize antibodies against these antigens. Its migration from the bone marrow to peripheral lymph organs is associated with IgM and IgD synthesis. In a B lymphocyte in the early stages of maturation, CD24 synthesis is increased while IgM+ is detected, while CD27 is negative. With the acquisition of CD27 surface antigen, it is understood that the B lymphocyte differentiates from the naive B lymphocyte to the marginal zone phenotype. Cells with positive CD38 surface antigen are defined as differentiated into memory B lymphocytes. It can be said that the memory cell differentiates into plasmablast with the detection of the loss of IgM and IgD surface antigens and the change of antibodies. In flow cytometry, cells are incubated with antibodies specific for proteins on their surface or inside the cell and bind to antigens. Each specific antibody is labeled with fluorescent dyes such as FITC, PE, PerCP. By evaluating the fluorescent signals given by cells with certain antigens when they encounter a laser beam, it can be determined which specific antigen that cell carries. In our study, we examined the B lymphocyte subgroups of the patients followed up with the diagnosis of ITP with the help of flow cytometry. Our study is a cross-sectional study in which approximately 4 ml of blood samples were taken after routine examinations of patients followed up with the diagnosis of ITP by Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Hematology Clinic and determined by flow cytometry using DuraClone IM B cells Tube containing B lymphocyte surface antigens. Age, gender, comorbidities, laboratory findings, treatment options and flow cytometry data of the patients were recorded. Statistical analyzes of our study were performed with Jamovi (Version 2.2.5.0) and JASP (Version 0.16.1) programs and the level of significance was considered as 0.05 (p-value) in statistical analysis. 39 patients and 9 healthy control groups were included in the study, and 33 of them were women. The mean age of the patients was 46.58±13.61 (min-max: 20-72 years) years. The control group had the same demographic characteristics as the patient group. When the B lymphocyte subgroups of the patient and control groups were compared; percentages of IgD+CD27+(marginal zone B cell), IgD-IgM-CD27- CD38+High, IgD+IgM+CD27+CD38- (unswitched memory B cell), IgD+IgM+CD27+ CD38+High B lymphocyte subtypes in the patient group were significantly higher, while the percentages of IgD+IgM+CD27-CD38Dim B lymphocyte subtypes were found to be significantly lower in the patient group, they were found to be significantly higher. While naive B cells, which are expected to decrease with age, were found to be significantly higher in ITP patients compared to the healthy population, no significant difference was found in other B cells. While CD27+ memory B cells were found to be low in general in patients treated with rituximab, naive B cells were found to be increased. Similar results were obtained in patients using eltrombopag, and it was thought that previous use of rituximab caused this situation. As expected, marginal zone B cells were found to be significantly lower in patients who underwent splenectomy

Development and experimental validation of finite element models for a prestressed lead extrusion damper

The emerging trend in earthquake-resistant structural design is to dissipate some part of the seismic input energy through energy-dissipating devices (EDDs). A prominent candidate to serve this purpose is the lead extrusion damper (LED), which dissipates seismic energy by the extrusion of lead through the displacement of a bulged shaft. The LEDs should be designed as they meet the demands of the host structural system. Hence, predicting the force–displacement relation and energy dissipation characteristics of the LED is essential. To serve this purpose, comprehensive three-dimensional finite element models (FEMs) were developed in this study to simulate the cyclic behavior of a prestressed LED. The methodology consisted of performing coupon tests, the development of FEMs, and experimental verification. Coupon tests were performed for lead and steel to simulate the nonlinear material behaviors better. The models were validated against the experimental results of the LED and a steel beam-to-column connection. In general, the adapted model satisfactorily captured the experimental results. The maximum differences in the maximum force and dissipated energy predictions were about 7.5% for the generated FEMs. In addition, the mean relative difference in predicting damper forces for eight LEDs selected from the literature was about 6%. The low relative differences between the models and experiments demonstrated that the adapted FEM could reliably estimate the cyclic response of the LEDs. It can be stated that the adapted three-dimensional finite element modeling strategy can be utilized robustly for design purposes. © 2023 Institution of Structural Engineers121M719; Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi, ITThe study was supported by TUBITAK 1001 research project 121M719. The experimental study was conducted in the Structural and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory (STEELab) of Istanbul Technical University. All the support is gratefully acknowledged. Additionally, the authors express their sincere thanks to Dr. Vishnupriya and her co-authors for sharing their experimental data.The study was supported by TUBITAK 1001 research project 121M719 . The experimental study was conducted in the Structural and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory (STEELab) of Istanbul Technical University . All the support is gratefully acknowledged. Additionally, the authors express their sincere thanks to Dr. Vishnupriya and her co-authors for sharing their experimental data