SiON integrated optics elliptic couplers for Fizeau-based Optical Coherence Tomography

The use of integrated optics for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can offer significant cost reductions and new applications. We designed, fabricated, and characterized Silicon oxynitride (SiON) elliptic couplers that are used to focus light from a chip into the off-chip environment. Fizeau-based OCT measurements are performed and compared to calculations

Evaluated displacement and gas production cross-sections for materials irradiated with intermediate energy nucleons

International Conference on Nuclear Data for Science and Technology (ND) -- SEP 11-16, 2016 -- Bruges, BELGIUMWOS: 000426429500034Atomic displacement and gas production cross-sections were obtained for a number of materials to calculate radiation damage and gas production rate in nuclear-and fusion reactors, and neutron spallation sources. An advanced atomistic modelling approach was applied for calculations of the number of stable displacements in materials.Fusion for Energy [F4E-GRT-168.01, F4E-GRT-168.02]The work leading to this publication has been funded partially by Fusion for Energy under the Specific Grant Agreements F4E-GRT-168.01 and F4E-GRT-168.02. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and Fusion for Energy cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein

Authoritarian Neoliberalism and Democratic Backsliding in Turkey: Beyond the Narratives of Progress

Unpacking the core themes that are discussed in this collection, this article both offers a research agenda to re-analyse Turkey’s ‘authoritarian turn’ and mounts a methodological challenge to the conceptual frameworks that reinforce a strict analytical separation between the ‘economic’ and the ‘political’ factors. The paper problematises the temporal break in scholarly analyses of the AKP period and rejects the argument that the party’s methods of governance have shifted from an earlier ‘democratic’ model – defined by ‘hegemony’ – to an emergent ‘authoritarian’ one. In contrast, by retracing the mechanisms of the state-led reproduction of neoliberalism since 2003, the paper demonstrates that the party’s earlier ‘hegemonic’ activities were also shaped by authoritarian tendencies which manifested at various levels of governance

Investigation on Effects of Schiff Base Complex to Hydroxyapatite Bioceramics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Schiff base metal complex on the bio-compatible hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics. The reason for that was to produce, as the final product, the HAp in powder form, with extraordinary features like analgesic, antibacterial properties. This effect was provided by doping HAp powder with some Schiff base complexes during the powder extraction process. Schiff base complex used in the study was synthesized by condensation of primary amines with carbonyl compounds. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by means of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Characterizations of the extracted HAp powders were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy for surface analysis and EDS analysis, X-ray diffraction for phase determination and grain size distribution. The bactericide effects of Zn SAE-added pure HAp were tested on E.Coli bacteria for the content range of 0-7 wt.% of Zn-SAE. Consequently, bacterial activity of the calcium phosphate resulting powders was evolved by adding the Zn SAE Schiff base complex

An anthroscape from Morocco: Degraded rangeland systems and introduction of exotic plant material and technology

Fodder shrub plantations (Atriplex nummularia) were extensively introduced to rehabilitate degraded rangeland and to mitigate desertification in the Rural Municipality of Ouled Dlim (Marrakech Province, Morocco). The original rural landscape, characterised by sparse or absent natural vegetation cover due to a long history of intense grazing activities, has been deeply modified during the last decade by these agroforestry interventions. The purpose of this contribution is to describe the occurred environmental changes under the perspective of the Anthroscape concept, by giving emphasis to the description of the Anthroscape units affected by the plantations and to the geo-pedological processes that influenced the technical success obtained by the interventions. Some critical aspects and possible scenarios of the future evolution of the anthroscapes are also discussed. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011

Microrna expression profiles and changes with treatment on childhood leukemias

MicroRNAs are non-protein coding RNAs that have recently been revealed to be effective in cancer biogenesis which effect post-transcriptional gene modification. The incidence of childhood hematologic cancers is increasing. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between miRNA expression and its prognosis in childhood leukemias. Twenty-one patients and 5 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Out of 26 subjects, 15 were patients diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 6 were patients diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and 5 were healthy control subjects. Peripheral venous samples were col-lected from the patients before and 1 month after chemotherapy and their miRNA analyses were performed. Decreased expressions of let-7b, miR-31, miR-128-1, miR-218, miR-331, miR-372, miR-375, miR-422, miR-451 and miR-520 were found in patients with AL compared to the healthy control subjects. While the expression of miR-375 decreased in patients with ALL, the expressions of miR-21, miR-222, miR-30, miR-145, miR-146a and miR-155 increased. While the expression of miR-155 increased in patients with AML, the expressions of miR-10, miR-23, miR-218, miR-422 and miR-451 decreased. It was also found that while the expressions of miR-204,miR-7,miR-10, miR-30, miR-155, miR-192, miR-422, miR-451,miR-520, miR-548, miR-375, miR-1, miR-23 and miR-146a increased in patients with leukemia after the treatment, the expressions of let-7b and miR-132 decreased. A positive correlation was found between leukocyte count of patients with leukemia before the treatment and the expressions of miR-128-1 and miR-331 among miRNAs that changed after the treatment. MiRNAs play role in the pathogenesis, treatment response, relapse and prognosis of hematologic malignancies. © 2020, UHOD - Uluslararasi Hematoloji Onkoloji Dergisi. All rights reserved