Quasi Regular Polyhedra and Their Duals with Coxeter Symmetries Represented by Quaternions I

In two series of papers we construct quasi regular polyhedra and their duals which are similar to the Catalan solids. The group elements as well as the vertices of the polyhedra are represented in terms of quaternions. In the present paper we discuss the quasi regular polygons (isogonal and isotoxal polygons) using 2D Coxeter diagrams. In particular, we discuss the isogonal hexagons, octagons and decagons derived from 2D Coxeter diagrams and obtain aperiodic tilings of the plane with the isogonal polygons along with the regular polygons. We point out that one type of aperiodic tiling of the plane with regular and isogonal hexagons may represent a state of graphene where one carbon atom is bound to three neighboring carbons with two single bonds and one double bond. We also show how the plane can be tiled with two tiles; one of them is the isotoxal polygon, dual of the isogonal polygon. A general method is employed for the constructions of the quasi regular prisms and their duals in 3D dimensions with the use of 3D Coxeter diagrams.Comment: 22 pages, 16 figure

Effect of sulphur and nitrogen fertilization on bread-making quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under Mediterranean climate conditions

Turkey has applied for EU-membership, but still faces problems of lacking quality standards for bread wheat. Studies on the influence of S-fertilization on grain yield and bread-making quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the region haven’t been carried out until today. This research was conducted for two growing seasons (2008-2009 and 2009-2010) at Adnan Menderes University Research and Experimental Farm located in the Western Turkey (Aegean region) at 37º 44’ N 27º 44’ E in order to determine the effects of nitrogen (0, 70, 140, 210 kg ha-1) supplemented with sulphur (0 or 40 kg ha-1) with respect to yield and bread-making quality of the varieties Golia and Sagittario, grown primarily in Western Turkey. S-fertilization had positive effects on grain yield and some quality parameters under Mediterranean conditions; however, signifi cant differencess were rather rare. Particularly the gluten-index and the sedimentation value promoted by S fertilization were among the tested parameters. Therefore, S-fertilization in improving bread-making quality of wheat in the region should not be disregarded. Grain yield and quality could be promoted simultaneously with increasing N-doses

Internet of Hybrid Energy Harvesting Things

© 2017 IEEE. Internet of Things (IoT) is a perfect candidate to realize efficient observation and management for Smart City concept. This requires deployment of large number of wireless devices. However, replenishing batteries of thousands, maybe millions of devices may be hard or even impossible. In order to solve this problem, Internet of Energy Harvesting Things (IoEHT) is proposed. Although the first studies on IoEHT focused on energy harvesting (EH) as an auxiliary power provisioning method, now completely battery-free and self-sufficient systems are envisioned. Taking advantage of diverse sources that the concept of Smart City offers helps us to fully appreciate the capacity of EH. In this way, we address the primary shortcomings of IoEHT; availability, unreliability, and insufficiency by the Internet of Hybrid EH Things (IoHEHT). In this paper, we survey the various EH opportunities, propose an hybrid EH system, and discuss energy and data management issues for battery-free operation. We mathematically prove advantages of hybrid EH compared to single source harvesting as well. We also point out to hardware requirements and present the open research directions for different network layers specific to IoHEHT for Smart City concept

Comparison of three-dimensional facial morphology between upright and supine positions employing three-dimensional scanner from live subjects

Facial soft tissue thicknesses (FSTT) measurements collected from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) imaging techniques are most commonly taken in the supine position for forensic craniofacial reconstruction. FSTT have been shown to be different in comparison to the upright position due to gravity. The variation of facial morphology between the upright and supine position of laser-scanned images taken from 44 individuals was investigated using volumetric analysis with deviation maps. Between 82.4% and 86.7% of the facial surface area were within the error range of ±2 mm between the supine and the upright position. This indicates that most anatomical landmarks taken from the MRI and CT data can be an accurate representative of the FSTT in the upright position. Seven landmarks located around the buccal region, masseteric region and the nasolabial region of the face showed the greatest FSTT deviation between the upright and supine position, thus these landmarks may affect the accuracy of facial reconstructions when using a CT or MRI database

Blood Cell Morphology and Plasma Biochemistry of Captive Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) and Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)

Morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells, micronucleated erythrocyte counts and plasma biochemistry profile were examined in fourteen healthy captive Mauremys caspica and in twenty-three Mauremys rivulata. The size of erythrocyte cells were 19.07 × 11.68 μm and 19.76 × 11.44 μm for M. caspica and M. rivulata, respectively. Nucleus sizes were 6.50 × 5.30 μm for M. caspica and 6.79 × 5.45 μm for M. rivulata. The micronucleated erythrocyte (MNE) values were 0.0008 and 0.0037 for the males and females of M. caspica, respectively. The MNE values were 0.0002 for male and female M. rivulata. We found sex-dependent differences only in the Ca value in the blood biochemistry profile for healthy M. caspica. Sex-dependent differences were found only in albumin and P values in the blood biochemistry profile for healthy M. rivulata. No significant differences were found between males of both species in question with respect to plasma biochemistry values. However, only plasma total protein and Ca content levels differed significantly between the females of the two species

The effect of diclofenac sodium on neural tube development in the early stage of chick embryos

Background: Neural tube defects are congenital malformations of the central nervous system. Genetic predisposition and some environmental factors play an important role in the development of neural tube defects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of diclofenac sodium on the neural tube development in a chick embryo model that corresponds to the first month of vertebral deve- lopment in mammals.  Materials and methods: Seventy-five fertile, specific pathogen-free eggs were incubated for 28 h and were divided into five groups of 15 eggs each. Diclofenac sodium was administered via the sub-blastodermic route at this stage. Incubation was continued till the end of the 48th h. All eggs were then opened and embryos were dissected from embryonic membranes and evaluated morphologically and histopathologically.  Results: It was determined that the use of increasing doses of diclofenac sodium led to defects of midline closure in early chicken embryos. There were statistically significant differences in neural tube positions (open or close) among the groups. In addition; crown–rump length, somite number were significantly decreased in high dose experimental groups compared with control group.  Conclusions: This study showed that development of neurons is affected in chi- cken embryos after administration of diclofenac sodium. The exact teratogenic mechanism of diclofenac sodium is not clear; therefore it should be investigated.

Enhanced ultrasonically assisted extraction of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) leaf phenolic compounds using choline chloride-acetic acid–based natural deep eutectic solvent: an optimization approach and in vitro digestion

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this recordBitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a rich source of phytochemicals including phenolic compounds with diverse health-promoting benefits and potential food industry application due to their antioxidant potential. Bitter melon leaves have been limitedly investigated in comparison to bitter melon fruits. The current work explores the use of green extraction methodology to optimize enhanced extraction of phenolic compounds from bitter melon leaves using ultrasonically assisted extraction and choline chloride-acetic acid (CHAC)–based natural deep eutectic solvent. Extraction using CHAC significantly improved the extraction of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and individual phenolic compounds (including gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, epicatechin, and quercetin-3-glucoside) in comparison to water, ethanol, and methanol. The effect of molar ratio, water content, temperature, and time on the extraction efficiency of bitter melon leaf phenolic compounds by CHAC was explored and optimized with surface response methodology (central composite design). The optimum condition for the extraction of individual phenolic compounds is a molar ratio of 1:4.35 CHAC with 20.68% water content at 75 °C for 21.23 min. Evaluation of the bioaccessibility of individual phenolic compounds concluded that the most bioaccessible compound was vanillic acid (105.00 ± 2.52%) followed by salicylic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, gallic acid, epicatechin, and quercetin-3-glucoside.Ondokuz Mayis Universit

Effect of lactic acid bacteria and the potential probiotic Hafnia alvei on growth and survival rates of narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Esch., 1823) stage II juveniles

The aim of this study was to screen potential probiotic bacteria against Aeromonas hydrophila and determine the effects of antagonistic bacteria and a commercial product containing lactic acid bacteria on the survival and growth of stage II Astacus leptodactylus juveniles. For this purpose, a total of 110 bacterial strains were isolated from adult, stage II crayfish juveniles and rearing water screened for antagonistic activities against A. hydrophila with well diffusion agar assay. Hafnia alvei strain from stage II crayfish juveniles displayed the inhibition zone (10mm) against A. hydrophila. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments for 60 days: (I) crayfish fed with live food without probiotics (control group); (II) crayfish fed with live food enriched with lactic acid bacteria (0.015 gL^-1); (III) crayfish fed with live food enriched with Hafnia alvei (10^6 CFU mL^−1); (IV) crayfish fed with control diet and H. alvei added to rearing water (10^6 CFU mL^−1). As a result of this study, lactic acid bacteria and Hafnia alvei applications did not positively affect growth and survival of stage II A. leptodactylus juveniles. In the future, studies on screening potential probiotic bacteria should be used in vitro and in vivo tests. In addition, it will be useful to investigate the lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus spp. from indigenous microflora of crayfish

Drying date plum (Diospyros lotus L.) fruit: Assessing rehydration properties, antioxidant activity, and phenolic compounds

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordDate plum (Diospyrus lotus L.) is an edible fruit from the Ebenaceae family, rich in nutrients, and having tremendous medicinal properties. This paper attempted to show the influence of different parameters of convective drying such as temperature (50, 60, 70, and 80°C) and air velocity (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 m/s) on the shrinkage and microstructure, rehydration properties, antioxidant activity, and phenolic compounds of date plum. The drying caused significant changes in the color, actual size, and distribution of the fruit cells of date plum. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) of fresh date plum were 0.81 ± 0.00 mg GAE/g, 0.23 ± 0.10 mg ECE/g, 7.15 ± 1.09 mmol ISE/g, and 14.92 ± 0.88 mmol/TE, respectively. The drying at 70°C had the highest values of TPC, TFC, gallic acid, chlorogenic and syringic acids, catechin, quercetin-3-glucoside, resveratrol, and DPPH. The drying air velocities showed no significant effects on the antioxidant contents and the antioxidant activity. Of the models applied to the drying kinetics, the Midilli model was found as the best model to describe the drying kinetics of date plum. In addition, the Weibull model was found as the most successful among the models applied to the rehydration kinetics of date plum. According to the achieved findings, the convective drying temperature of 70°C is the optimum temperature to produce the dehydrated date plum. Practical Application This work has revealed the drying conditions responsible for preserving the phenolic compounds, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant features of D. lotus L. The study found the optimum drying conditions, and Midilli and Weibull models were the most fitted models to describe the drying and rehydration behaviors of D. lotus L. fruits, respectively. The drying provides a reasonable value of the possibility of continuous consumption of the fruits dried afforded on off-seasons. The dried fruits are widely used for multipurpose and have been extensively used in food industries due to their rich nutraceutical and antioxidant compounds