Photocatalysis and adsorption coupling in S-scheme K and P doped g-C3N4/GO/MgFe2O4 photocatalyst for enhanced degradation of Congo red dye

Photocatalysis is an environmentally friendly approach for harnessing solar light to degrade pollutants. This study investigates the degradation of Congo red (COR) dye by a visible light-active photocatalyst, with a primary focus on the efficiency and reusability of the photocatalytic material. We synthesized phosphorus- and potassium-doped graphitic carbon nitride photocatalysts attached to graphene oxide and MgFe2O4 (KPCN/GO/MgFe2O4). Doping graphitic carbon nitride enhanced light absorption, while graphene oxide improved the adsorption properties. The addition of magnetic MgFe2O4 enhanced charge separation and reusability. The KPCN/GO/MgFe2O4 composite was analyzed using a range of techniques. The activity of the synthesized materials for Congo red (COR) dye degradation was analyzed under visible light. The photocatalytic activities of bare, binary, and ternary photocatalysts were compared, and KPCN/GO/MgFe2O4 exhibited the highest photoactivity among all. The KPCN/GO/MgFe2O4 photocatalyst (60 mg) showed a 76% removal efficiency for 5 x 10-6 M Congo red within 60 min, which was 2.5 times higher than that of pure graphitic carbon nitride. The OH and O2- were the major reactive species during COR photodegradation. The photocatalyst also displayed good reusability after five cycles, enhancing its overall effectiveness.King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah [486-130-1440]; Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, JeddahThis Project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. G: 486-130-1440. The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks DSR for technical and financial support

Ultrasound Doppler renal pulsatility index is a predictive marker of arterial stiffness in children with solitary functioning kidney

Introduction: Patients with solitary functioning kidney (SFK) have glomerular hyperfiltration, hypertension, proteinuria and impaired renal function resulting in microvascular atherosclerotic abnormalities. This condition leads to an increase in arterial stiffness. In this study, we aimed to investigate the usefulness of noninvasive renal Doppler ultrasonography hemodynamic parameters in demonstrating arterial stiffness in pediatric patients with SFK. Methods: The study included 59 children aged 6-18 years who were diagnosed with SFK. Demographic, biochemical, anthropometric, and blood pressure data were recorded. The renal Doppler ultrasound hemodynamic parameters renal resistive index (RRI), renal pulsatility index (RPI), carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), central augmentation index (cAIx) and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) were evaluated. Results: Eighteen (30.5%) cases with acquired SFK and 41 (64.5%) cases with congenital SFK were detected. Central augmentation indices were higher in children with congenital SFK than in children with acquired SFK (p = 0.038). CkiDeGFRSCrCysC was lower in patients with acquired SFK (p = 0.011). LDL cholesterol levels were higher in children with acquired SFK (p = 0.018). We found a significant correlation between RPI and cfPWV with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.321 and a statistically significant p value of 0.013. Conclusion: Congenital SFK is associated with increased microvascular atherosclerotic burden. RPI assessment with renal Doppler ultrasound may be a noninvasive method to identify arterial stiffness

Evaluation of Knowledge Levels and Awareness of Dentists Working in Sivas Province about Ergonomics

Amaç: Diş hekimleri ergonomik olarak risk altındaki meslek çalışanları arasındadır. Ergonomik kurallara uygun olmayan çalışmalar sonucunda oluşan mesleki hasarların en büyük sınıfını kas ve iskelet sistemi hastalıkları oluşturmaktadır ve bu hastalıkların diş hekimlerinde prevalansı oldukça yüksektir. Uygun çalışma duruşu, hasarların önlenmesinde başlangıç noktasıdır. Bu konuda diş hekimlerinin kişisel farkındalığı oluştuğu takdirde meslek uzun yıllar sağlıklı bir şekilde sürdürülebilmektedir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu yapılandırılmış anket çalışmasının amacı; Sivas ili merkezinde çalışan 103 diş hekiminde ergonomi bilincini ve ergonomik koşullara uyulmadığında oluşabilecek mesleki hastalıklara ilişkin bilgi düzeylerini belirlemek ve farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Anket formu demografik bilgiler, farkındalık bölümü, risk faktörleri bölümü ve İskandinav kas-iskelet sistemi anketi (İKİSA) bölümünden oluşmaktadır. Verilerin istatistiksel analizinde IBM SPSS 23® programı kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Diş hekimlerinin %96,1’i mesleki ergonomi hakkında bilgisi olduğunu, % 94,2’si doğru çalışma pozisyonunu bildiğini belirtmiştir. Ancak %68,9’u uzun süre aynı pozisyonda çalıştığını ve %52,4’ü hastalar arasındaki zamanlarında esneme veya nefes egzersizi yapmadıklarını bildirmiştir. İKİSA sonuçları, cinsiyete ve görev yapılan yere göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklı bulunmuştur (p0,05). Sonuç: Çalışmamız Sivas ilinde görev yapan diş hekimlerinin ergonomik çalışma koşulları ve mesleki kas ve iskelet sistemi hastalıklarına karşı farkındalıklarının yetersiz olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.Aim: Dentists are among the occupational workers at ergonomic risk. Musculoskeletal system diseases constitute the largest class of occupational injuries that occur when ergonomic rules are not followed and the prevalence is high in dentists. Appropriate working posture is the starting point in the prevention of damages. If dentists are aware of this issue, the profession can be continued in a healthy way for many years. Materials and Methods: The aim of this structured questionnaire study was to determine the awareness of ergonomics in 103 dentists working in the centre of Sivas province and to determine their level of knowledge about occupational diseases that may occur when ergonomic conditions are not complied with and to raise awareness. The questionnaire consists of demographic information, awareness, risk factors and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ). IBM SPSS 23® programme was used for statistical analysis. Results: 96.1% of dentists stated that they knew occupational ergonomics and 94.2% knew the correct working position. However, 68.9% reported that they worked in the same position for a long time and 52.4% reported that they did not do stretching or breathing exercises. NMQ results were found to be statistically significantly different according to gender and place of work (

Determination of antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of metal nanoparticles synthesized using black elderberry (sambucus nigra L.)

Bu çalışmada, Sambucus nigra L. (Kara mürver) kullanılarak yeşil sentez yöntemiyle metal nanopartiküller (demir ve selenyum) sentezlenmiş ve bu nanopartiküllerin antioksidan ve antidiyabetik aktiviteleri incelenmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında, demir ve selenyum nanopartiküllerinin sentezinde bitki özütü indirgeyici ve kaplayıcı ajan olarak kullanılmış, sentezlenen nanopartiküllerin karakterizasyonu SEM, FTIR ve XRD analizleri ile yapılmıştır. Sambucus nigra L. meyve özütü, Sambucus nigra L. aracılı FeNP ve SeNP'lerin in vitro yöntemler kullanılarak toplam antioksidan kapasite, toplam flavonoid içerik, toplam fenol içerikleri, hidroksil, 2,2-difenil-1-pikrikhidrazil (DPPH) radikalleri ve hidrojen peroksit nonradikalinin serbest radikalleri giderme aktiviteleri araştırıldı. Ayrıca, α-amilaz ve α-glukozidaz inhibisyon testleri ile antidiyabetik aktiviteleri değerlendirilmiştir. Pozitif kontrol olarak kullanılan akarboz ile tüm sonuçlar karşılaştırıldı. Her bir örneğin α-amilaz ve α-glukozidazı inhibe edebildiği ancak aralarında en iyi antidiyabetik gösteren örneğin SeNP olduğu ve bu sonuçların örneklerin antioksidan özellikleriyle paralel olduğu belirlendi.In this study, metal nanoparticles (iron and selenium) were synthesized by green synthesis method using Sambucus nigra L. (Black elderberry) and their antioxidant and antidiabetic activities were investigated. Within the scope of the study, plant extract was used as reducing and coating agent in the synthesis of iron and selenium nanoparticles and the synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, FTIR and XRD analyses. The total antioxidant capacity, total flavonoid content, total phenol content, hydroxyl, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrichydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and hydrogen peroxide nonradical free radical scavenging activities of Sambucus nigra L. fruit extract, Sambucus nigra L. mediated FeNPs and SeNPs were investigated using in vitro methods. In addition, antidiabetic activities were evaluated by α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition tests. All results were compared with acarbose used as a positive control. It was determined that each sample was able to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, but SeNP was the best antidiabetic sample among them and these results were in parallel with the antioxidant properties of the samples

Timing and Adherence Matter for Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure

Background It is imperative to maintain the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) in patients with diabetes both after the index diagnosis of heart failure (HF) and even prior to the index diagnosis of HF. We aimed to investigate whether timing of SGLT-2 is before the index diagnosis of HF, and second, adherence to SGLT-2is in the form of the proportion of days covered metric matter in patients with HF and diabetes. Methods and Results All-cause death up to 7 years were evaluated in HF with diabetes from the subgroup analysis of TRends-HF (TRends in Heart Failure in T & uuml;rkiye). Patients with HF and diabetes, who were prescribed an SGLT-2i either before or after the index diagnosis of HF were identified, categorized according to duration of exposure before the index HF diagnosis and according to proportion of days covered after the index diagnosis of HF, and compared with nonusers. There were 1 229 833 patients with HF and diabetes in the cohort. A total of 247 987 were on an SGLT-2i and had available timing data, and 14.06% had SGLT-2i on board before the index HF diagnosis. Median duration of SGLT-2i exposure before the index HF diagnosis was 417 days. Prognosis was the best among patients with diabetes who were prescribed an SGLT-2i before the index diagnosis of HF with an exposure more than median duration. Of note, among patients who were prescribed an SGLT-2i after the index HF diagnosis; there was a numerically graded increase in all-cause mortality rate such that a >10% decrease in SGLT-2i proportion of days covered was associated with a 59% increase in all-cause death (hazard ratio, 1.21-2.09). Conclusions Regardless of time or adherence, SGLT-2is offer a remarkable all-cause death benefit to patients with HF and diabetes. SGLT-2is' all-cause death benefit for patients with HF and diabetes was greatest when it was prescribed before the HF index diagnosis. Poor adherence to SGLT-2is was associated with worsening survival in patients with HF and diabetes following the diagnosis of index HF

Challenging Microbubble Assumptions: Modeling and Optimizing Coarse Quartz Flotation in a Cationic Environment

This work optimizes coarse particle flotation using microbubble-assisted flotation in a cationic environment created by dodecylamine (DDA). The flotation efficiency of coarse quartz particles (D50 = 495 mu m) was investigated through an examination of the interactions between microbubbles (20-30 mu m), the cationic environment, and various operational parameters. A systematic approach utilizing factorial and Box-Behnken experimental designs was employed to evaluate the effects of the multiple variables. These variables included the dodecylamine (DDA) concentration, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) concentration, impeller speed, pulp density, the addition of fine particles, and the presence of microbubbles. The DDA concentration and the impeller speed significantly impacted the coarse particle recovery, while microbubbles increased recovery by 15% under non-optimized conditions; optimization revealed a more negligible difference. The optimized conditions achieved maximum recoveries of 99.47% and 97.88% with and without microbubbles, respectively, indicating the minimal effect when other parameters were optimized. This research work shows that a careful optimization of the flotation parameters can achieve high coarse particle recovery rates, with microbubbles playing a less significant role than anticipated. These findings suggest that optimizing the conventional parameters may be more crucial than the microbubble introduction for enhancing the flotation efficiency of larger particles. The work contributes to our understanding of coarse particle flotation, and provides insights for improving the mineral processing techniques for challenging the particle sizes

Kurumsal Kalitenin Mali Disiplin Üzerindeki Etkisi: OECD Ülkeleri Örneği

Indicators of institutional quality are based on six different indices published by the World Bank in 1996 within the framework of Universal Governance Indicators. These indicators have significant effects on many financial variables. Fiscal discipline can also be affected by indicators of institutional quality. Based on this, the study investigated the impact of "government effectiveness" on fiscal discipline in OECD countries using autoregressive panel data analysis estimation methods with 2009-2021 period data. According to the analysis results, the increase in the value of government effectiveness affects fiscal discipline negatively and significantly. This result shows that as government effectiveness increases, the share of public debt stock in gross domestic product, an indicator of fiscal discipline, will decrease. A definite conclusion could not be reached regarding the non-linear relationship between the two variables. © 2025, Sosyoekonomi Society. All rights reserved

Investigation of Antioxidant Effect of Origanum Hypericifolium Extracts in Different Solvents

Origanum hypericifolium is one of the most widely distributed endemic species of the family Lamiaceae. Origanium hypericifolium contains mostly monoterpenes. Monoterpenes are volatile compounds with 10 carbons and are widely found in the plant kingdom. Monoterpenes, which are used as fragrances in perfumes and foodstuffs, have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects.Various in vitro assays can be used to determine the antioxidant activity of Origanium hypericifolium extracts. In our study, total polyphenolic, total flavonoid content, iron reducing power, cupric ion reducing capacity and radical scavenging activity were evaluated to the antioxidant properties of various extracts of Origanum hypericifolium. TAS and TOS levels were also analyzed. The highest DPPH radical scavenging acitiviy value was 3.09±0.01 µg/mL in ethanol extract, Total polyphenol 144.00±1.89 µg GAE /g in ethanol extract, Total polyphenol 17. 08±0.85 µg CE /g in ethanol extract, FRAP 942.46±1.89 µg TE /g ethyl acetate and CUPRAC 2.54±0.01 mmol TE/g ethyl acetate extract.[No abstract available

Nano-hydroxyapatite as an efficient adsorbent for cadmium Removal: Experimental and theoretical insights

The presented work aims to investigate the cadmium adsorption on nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite (n-Hap). X ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques were applied to characterize the n-Hap. Adsorbent mass, pH value, and initial Cd2+concentration were varied to optimize the adsorption conditions. The best Langmuir adsorption isotherm provided equilibrium adsorption capacity of 52.79 mg/g. According to performed kinetic study, the surface reaction fits to the pseudo-second order model. Thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption (Delta G degrees, Delta H degrees and Delta S degrees ) were derived from the temperature dependence of the adsorption rates. We observed spontaneous endothermic chemisorption of Cd2+ ions. Density functional theory calculations confirmed the spontaneous chemisorption via formation of three Cd-O covalent bonds of about 2.1 & Aring; lengths.Sivas Cumhuriyet Uni-versity Scientific Research Projects CommissionThe present study was partly supported by Sivas Cumhuriyet Uni-versity Scientific Research Projects Commission. The authors have declared no conflict of interest

Role of interferon regulatory factors in predicting the prognosis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Objectives Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe viral illness with a high fatality rate. The interferon response plays a crucial role in the antiviral defense against the CCHF virus (CCHFV). Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are essential for initiating and amplifying the interferon response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the IRF response in CCHF patients for the first time.Methods This study investigated the expression levels of various IRFs (IRF-1, 2, 3, 4, and 7) in CCHF patients and evaluated their potential association with disease prognosis. The research encompassed a cohort of 60 CCHF patients and 30 healthy volunteers. CCHF was diagnosed with CCHFV positivity using PCR method and/or IgM detection using ELISA method. The quantitative sandwich ELISA technique was employed to determine the levels of serum IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-3, IRF-4, IRF-7, interferon (IFN)-alpha, and IFN-beta.Results There were statistically significant differences in the levels of serum IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-3, IRF-4, IRF-7, IFN-alpha, and IFN-beta between the patient and healthy control groups. Patients showed elevated levels in all these factors except for IRF-1. However, no statistically significant differences were found in IRF-1, IRF-2, IRF-3, IRF-4, IRF-7, IFN-alpha, and IFN-beta levels between patients who survived and those who died.Conclusions IFN-alpha and beta likely contribute to the immune response in CCHF. IRF-2, 3, 4, and 7 play crucial roles in IFN-alpha and beta expression, pivotal for the antiviral response in CCHF. Targeted interventions to modulate IRF-1 could alleviate disease severity and overall impact.Sivas Cumhuriyet University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [T-2021-920]We would like to thank Sivas Cumhuriyet University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit for providing financial support to our study with the project number T-2021-920