Farm classification in Kosovo based on agri-economic criteria

Abstract The aim of this study is to identify classification of farms, based on agro-economic criteria, as well as the process of developing their transition from a self sustainable farm, in progressive steps further, seeing that these progressive steps, faced with various obstacles, taking into consideration employment caracteristics in a family farm, employment level through various sector, and agriculture and livestock production. Results show that this represents an innovative approach to farmers in principle models of sustainable development, to develop integrated systems and strengthen agricultural value chains, then a better access to markets, which generates positive impacts on their livelihoods

Analyses of Consumer Behavior and Wine Market in Kosovo

This survey is part of the project “Marketing Support of Food Products in Kosovo”, financed by the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR). The main purpose of the project was to support the producers of food products in Kosovo with data for absorbing opportunities of wine market, according to the demographic and socioeconomic features of wine customers. As a basis of this research, 1214 respondents were interviewed in Kosovo during the period May- June 2007. Chi-Square test of variable analysis shows that 48.8 % of the total number purchase wine and out of this 4.1 % buy it everyday, 11.4 % twice a week, 27.4 % once a week and 57.1 % twice a month. The rest of the interviewed respondents 52.2 % (634) point out that they don’t purchase wine. The researching results show that number of men (55.4 %) who consume wine is higher than the number of women (37.4 %). One of the current difficulties that the wine sector in Kosovo is facing with is the lack of their profile according to the market demands

Treatment of coronary lesions with a novel crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon

BackgroundThere is mounting data supporting the use of drug-coated balloons (DCB) not only for treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR), but also in native coronary artery disease. So far, paclitaxel-coated balloons represented the mainstay DCBs. The SeQuent® crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon (SCB) (B.Braun Medical Inc, Germany) represents a novel DCB, which allows a sustained release of the limus-drug. We evaluated its performance in an all-comer cohort, including complex coronary lesions.MethodsConsecutive patients treated with the SeQuent® SCB were analyzed from the prospective SIROOP registry (NCT04988685). We assessed clinical outcomes, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI) and cardiovascular death. Angiograms and outcomes were independently adjudicated.ResultsFrom March 2021 to March 2023, we enrolled 126 patients and lesions, of which 100 (79%) treated using a “DCB-only” strategy and 26 (21%) with a hybrid approach (DES + DCB). The mean age was 68 ± 10 years, 48 (38%) patients had an acute coronary syndrome. Regarding lesion characteristics, ISR was treated in 27 (21%), 11 (9%) underwent CTO-PCI and 59 (47%) of the vessels were moderate to severe calcified. Procedural success rate was 100%. At a median follow-up time of 12.7 (IQR 12; 14.2) months, MACE occurred in 5 patients (4.3%). No acute vessel closure was observed.ConclusionsOur data indicates promising outcomes following treatment with this novel crystalline SCB in an all-comer cohort with complex coronary lesions. These results require further investigation with randomized trials

POLİ (METİL METAKRİLAT) TABANLI MİKROÇİP KULLANARAK YÜZEYDE GÜÇLENDİRİLMİŞ RAMAN SPEKTROSKOPİSİ ÖLÇÜMÜNE DAYALI LUTEİNİZAN HORMON TAYİNİ

Proteins form many physical and chemical events at the molecular level. The presence of low concentrations of proteins in the environment and complex interactions lead to the development of alternative techniques for the analysis of biomolecules. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has received a protein class of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the list of prohibited substances for male athletes. Gonadotropin LH, one of the many hormones, is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and is used as doping material since it allows testis to convert cholesterol to testosterone in Leydig cells, thereby increasing blood oxygen carrying capacity. In this study, a sandwich type biosensor based on immunomagnetic separation and Raman labeling for hLH assay was developed. A method has been developed to make homogeneous sandwich formation, washing process and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signal measurement in poly (methyl methacrylate) based (PMMA), four chambered microchips connected with capillary valves. For the formation of homogenous sandwich structure, nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles with magnetic properties were synthesized in laboratory and necessary modifications were made. 4-Aminothiophenol (4-ATP) Raman labeling was used to follow the SERS signals. The signal intensity of the C-S group against hLH concentrations of 4-ATP at 1086 cm-1 was plotted on a chart and calibration graph was created. The correlation between hLH concentrations (0-250 IU/L) and SERS signals were linear in the Biorad originated control serum samples (R2 = 0.9942). This study is presented as a new method of analysis after tested in artificial human serum samples for selectivity, sensitivity, and applicability.ÖZET i ABSTRACT iii TEŞEKKÜR v İÇİNDEKİLER vi ŞEKİLLER ix ÇİZELGELER xii SİMGELER ve KISALTMALAR xiii 1. GİRİŞ 1 2. GENEL BİLGİLER 3 2.1. Glikoproteinler 3 2.1.1. Luteinizan Hormonun Moleküler Yapısı 3 2.1.2. Dolaşım Formu 4 2.1.3. Metabolizasyon 4 2.1.4. Reseptöre Bağlanma ve Aktivasyon 5 2.2. Nanopartiküller 6 2.2.1. Nanopartiküllerin Kullanım Alanları 7 2.2.2. Manyetik Nanopartiküller 8 2.2.3. Manyetik Nanopartiküllerin Sentez Yöntemleri 9 2.2.4. Altın Kaplı Manyetik Nanopartiküller 10 2.2.5. Altın Kaplı Manyetik Nanopartiküller ile Yapılan Bazı Çalışmalar 10 2.2.6. Altın Nanopartiküller 11 2.3. Mikroçip Sistemleri 12 2.4. Raman Spektroskopisi 14 2.4.1. Saçılma Teorisi 15 2.4.2. Raman Spektroskopisi Sistemi 17 2.4.3. Yüzeyi Güçlendirilmiş Raman Spektroskopisi 18 3. MATERYAL VE YÖNTEM 20 3.1. Kimyasal Maddeler 20 3.2. Biyokimyasallar 20 3.3. Çözeltiler 21 3.4. Cihazlar ve Gereçler 22 3.5. Mikroçip Tasarımı ve Üretimi 23 3.6. Yöntem 25 4. DENEYSEL ÇALIŞMALAR VE BULGULAR 29 4.1. Sentez Çalışmaları 29 4.1.1. Manyetik Nanopartiküllerin Sentezi 29 4.1.2. Altın Kaplı Fe3O4 Nanopartiküllerin Sentezi 29 4.2. Küresel Altın Nanopartiküllerin ve Altın Nanoçubukların Sentezi 30 4.3. Karakterizasyon Çalışmaları 31 4.3.1. Altın Kaplı Fe3O4 Nanopartiküllerin Karakterizasyonu 31 4.3.2. Küresel Altın Nanopartiküllerin ve Altın Nanoçubukların Karakterizasyonu 33 4.4. Modifikasyon Çalışmaları 36 4.4.1. Yüzeyde Moleküllerin Tek Tabaka Halinde Düzenlenmesi 36 4.4.2. Raman Etiketinin Bağlanması 36 4.4.3. Karbonil Grupların Aktif Hale Getirilmesi 36 4.4.4. Nanopartikül Yüzeyine Antikorun İmmobilizasyonu 37 4.4.5. Spesifik Olmayan Bağlanmaların Bloklama Ajanları ile Engellenmesi 37 4.4.6. Fe3O4@Au Nanopartiküllerin Protein ile Etkileştirilmesi 37 4.5. Optimizasyon Çalışmaları 37 4.5.1. Raman Mikroskopu Objektifinin Optimizasyonu 37 4.5.2. Deneysel Parametrelerin Optimizasyonu 39 4.5.2.1. Fe3O4@Au NP Miktarının Optimizasyonu 39 4.5.2.2. Altın Nanoçubuk ve Küresel Altın Nanopartikül Miktarının Optimizasyonu 41 4.5.2.3. Altın Nanoçubuklar/Nanoküreler Kullanılarak Elde Edilen SERS Sinyalleri 42 4.5.2.4. NP ile Etkileşen Antikor ve Protein Miktarının Optimizasyonu 43 4.6. Tasarlanan İmmünoanaliz Sistemin Kontrolü 44 4.6.1. Antikor Kullanılmadan Yapılan Nonspesifik Deneme 44 4.6.2. Antikor Seçiciliğinin Test Edilmesi 45 4.7. Kalibrasyon Grafiğinin Oluşturulması 46 4.8. Yöntemin Biorad Orijinli Kontrol Serum Örneklerine Uygulanması 48 4.9. Validasyon Deneyleri 49 5. SONUÇ VE TARTIŞMA 52 6. KAYNAKLAR 57 ÖZGEÇMİŞ 63Proteinler moleküler düzeyde birçok fiziksel ve kimyasal olayı oluşturur. Proteinlerin ortamda düşük derişimlerde bulunmaları ve karmaşık etkileşimler meydana getirmeleri biyomoleküllerin analizi için alternatif tekniklerin geliştirilmesine yol açmaktadır. Dünya Anti-Doping Ajansı (World Anti-Doping Agency), erkek sporcular için yasaklanmış maddeler listesine protein sınıfında yer alan luteinizan hormonunu (LH) almıştır. Çok sayıdaki hormondan biri olan gonadotropin LH, ön hipofiz bezi tarafından üretilir ve testislerin Leydig hücrelerinde kolesterolün testosterona dönüşmesini sağlar, bu sayede kanın oksijen taşıma kapasitesini arttırdığından doping maddesi olarak kullanılır. Bu çalışma kapsamında hLH tayini için immünomanyetik ayırma ve Raman etiketleme esasına dayanan sandviç tipi bir biyosensör geliştirilmiştir. Poli (metil metakrilat) tabanlı (PMMA), birbirine kılcal valf ile bağlanmış dört odacıklı mikroçip içinde homojen sandviç yapısının oluşumuna, yıkama işlemine ve yüzeyde güçlendirilmiş Raman spektroskopisi (YGRS) sinyal ölçümlerine imkan kılan yöntem geliştirilmiştir. Homojen sandviç yapının oluşumu için laboratuvar ortamında manyetik özelliğe sahip nanopartiküller ve altın nanopartiküller sentezlenmiştir ve gerekli modifikasyonlar yapılmıştır. SERS sinyallerinin takibi için 4-Aminotiyofenol (4-ATP) Raman etiketi kullanılmıştır. hLH derişimlerine karşı 4-ATP’nin 1086 cm-1’deki C-S grubuna ait sinyal şiddetlerinin çizelgeye geçirilmesiyle kalibrasyon grafiği oluşturulmuştur. Biorad orijinli kontrol serum örneklerinde hLH derişimleri (0-250 IU/L) ve SERS sinyalleri arasındaki korelasyon doğrusal olarak bulunmuştur (R2=0.9942). Bu çalışma yeni bir analiz yöntemi olarak; seçiciliği, hassasiyeti, yapay insan serumu örneklerinde uygulanabilirliği test edildikten sonra sunulmuştur

A REVIEW ON UV CURABLE EPOXY POWDER COATINGS

The oldest method of preventing corrosion is to apply polymer coatings on metals and alloys. This method has been around since ancient times. Prior to addressing the passage of water and oxygen through the coating to permit corrosion of the substrate material, the barrier function of organic coatings was first discovered during the previous ten years. The common coatings that incorporate solvents before curing are liquid coatings based on epoxy. Because of its excellent qualities, powder organic coatings are a wonderful choice that can be used in a variety of applications and sectors. Additionally, because they don\u27t contain solvents in their composition, they offer an environmental benefit over traditional liquid coatings. The usage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) needs to be reduced urgently due to tighter environmental restrictions and rising consumer awareness of the need to safeguard the environment. As a result, they are rapidly being employed in a variety of applications, including household appliances, car interiors, and aeronautical parts. Epoxy-based resins offer superior tensile qualities compared to other organic powder coatings. They are extremely stiff and robust, which helps to provide superior wear resistance. There are several papers and research regarding powder coatings that aim to enhance their qualities. The compositions of powder coatings were extruded, crushed and screened to gain powder of coating. The powder always was stored at room temperature. The powder coatings often operated by two kinds which were electrostatic spraying method and fluidized bed dipping method. After that, the powder was heated to melt and cure. Finally, a smooth bright permanent film on articles was formed to achieve the purpose of decoration and corrosion. The future development trends of powder coatings are illustrated. UV-curable powder coatings present some new possibilities for the curing of heat sensitive substrates and offers more advantages compared to thermally cured powder coatings. UV-curing can be performed at lower temperatures than possible by thermally activated systems. The curing conditions used in UV curing technology and its advantages such as fast curing and high efficiency, low capital investment, solvent elimination, low cost and energy consumption were also presented

Computational Study on Radical-Mediated Thiol-Epoxy Reactions

Radical-mediated thiol-epoxy reactions were elucidated for analyzing the overlap problem of the thiol–ene/thiol–epoxy systems using computational approaches. Nine epoxy model molecules were evaluated to mimic the chemical structures and reactivity of some industrial epoxy molecules. Modeling reaction mechanisms was conducted through density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) level at 1.0 atm and 298.15 K. An analog thiol–ene mechanism was proposed for radical-mediated thiol–epoxide reactions. Unlike the thiol–ene reactions, the addition reaction to epoxides is relatively slow (rate constants –4 M–1 s–1). However, the chain transfer, which paves the way for the overlapping of dual curing systems, is quite fast (rate constants >101 M–1 s–1). High stability of thiyl radicals, epoxy ring strain, and the instability of formed alkoxy radical from addition reaction were emphasized as the main driving forces for the reaction energetics and kinetics. Control of temperature and using certain thiols are strongly recommended to avoid curing step overlap based on the findings in this study

SERS-based ultrafast and sensitive detection of luteinizing hormone in human serum using a passive microchip

Human luteinizing hormone (LH) is an important analyte for doping control analysis since it increases the athletic performance. However, traditional methods to detect LH have few disadvantages, such as long analysis duration, waste disposal problem and sample matrix effect. Addressing these problems, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy based LH analysis using a passive microfluidic chip was developed and optimized. Antibody modified magnetic gold nanoparticles captured the LH and then, 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) labeled nanoparticles formed the sandwich immunoassay structure. The complex and the other reactions occurred in different chambers of the chip. The SERS signals of 4-ATP were recorded from the chamber and the system was shown to detect 0.036 IU L-1 in serum samples. The performance of the immunoassay was compared to all other methods and the proposed assay was the fastest analysis of LH without any problems associated with the sensitivity. The shorter analysis time was recorded because the chip enables the control of all reactions in one place and there was no requirement of a specialized laboratory

Lab on a chip: A versatile integration with spectroscopic techniques

In the field of biomolecule detection, there are many conventional methods; however, there is a demand for applications that are more sensitive, accurate, and capable of analyzing small sample volumes. Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices are promising multifunctional tools for these purposes and the combination of LOC with spectroscopy provides rapid and reliable biomolecule detection. In the LOC system, a high number of analytes can be also detected simultaneously and LOC devices are preferred for both labeled and label-free detection of protein, DNA, cells, and bacteria. Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy have advantages for biomolecules among the other spectroscopic techniques and this chapter is focused on their analytical applications in LOC devices