Dualisation of the D=9 Matter Coupled Supergravity

We perform the bosonic dualisation of the matter coupled N=1, D=9 supergravity. We derive the Lie superalgebra which parameterizes the coset map whose Cartan form realizes the second-order bosonic field equations. Following the non-linear coset construction we present the first-order formulation of the bosonic field equations as a twisted self-duality condition.Comment: 16 page

Antioxidant,anti-acetylcholinesterase, and anticancer activities of four Polygonum species from Istanbul

© 2021,International Food Research Journal.All Rights ReservedPolygonum species are used in traditional medicine in many countries; some are also consumed as vegetables in Turkey. The ethanolic, methanolic, and chloroform extracts of four Polygonum species growing in Istanbul, namely P. aviculare, P. patulum subsp. pulchellum, P. lapathifolium, and the only endemic species P. istanbulicum were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and anticancer potentials. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride methods, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of the extracts were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The AChE inhibitory activities of the extracts were determined using the Ellman method. Each extract was screened for cytotoxic activity against NRK-52E and HeLa cervical cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. Among the extracts screened, ethanolic extract of P. istanbulicum showed the highest total phenolic (207.03 ± 14.12 mg GAE/g extract) and total flavonoid (124.95 ± 7.84 mg CE/g extract) contents, and antioxidant activity (DPPH EC50, 8.09 ± 0.50 mg/mL). The chloroform extract of P. lapathifolium exhibited the lowest total phenolic (22.33 ± 3.05 mg GAE/g extract) and total flavonoid (11.66 ± 0.36 mg CE/g extract) contents, and antioxidant activity (DPPH EC50, 218.44 ± 24.46 mg/mL). The extracts exhibited AChE inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner, particularly the ethanolic extract of P. istanbulicum which displayed strongest inhibition against AChE (88.2 ± 3.44%). AChE inhibition was minimal (32.19 ± 2.09 to 48.34 ± 3.41%) in the chloroform extracts. All ethanolic extracts revealed cytotoxic activity toward HeLa cells, while they were not cytotoxic toward NRK-52E cells. The ethanolic extract of P. lapathifolium showed the most potent cytotoxicity against HeLa cells (IC50, 8.70 ± 1.35 µg/mL). Results suggested that ethanol was the best solvent for extracting the phenolic, antioxidant, and anti-AChE compounds, and P. istanbulicum may be a potential source of these compounds. Further investigations are nevertheless required to identify the bioactive compounds present in Polygonum specie

Effects of Plantago major extract on serum protein fractions in broiler diet

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Plantago major’s (P.major) water extract added into broiler diets at different levels on serum protein fractions. A total of 112 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in the study. Experiment consisted of control and 3 treatment groups with a 28 chicks within each group. Each experimental group was divided into four subgroups consisting of 4 chicks. A basal (control) diet was prepared and three experimental diets were established by addition of P.major into basal diet; P.major 1 (5 g/kg feed), P.major 2 (10 g/kg feed), P.major 3 (15 g/kg feed). Broiler chicks were fed with these diets for 42 days ad libitum. Total protein levels of P.major 3 group were lower than other groups and controls. It was determined that the albumin percentages and levels became decreased in a significant ratio in the P.major 1 and P.major 2, (P<0,05), Alpha 1 globulin percentage and concentration were found significantly high in P.major 2 group than the other groups (P<0.05), Alpha 2 level and percentage in P.major 1 group was seen significantly higher than the control group, the A/G ratio in P.major 1 and P.major 2 was seen significantly lower than the control group. There was no significant difference between groups for beta and gamma globulins as percentage. © 2017, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved

A comparison of generic pressure coefficient data for indoor air flow studies

Pressure coefficients across the building envelope (Cp) are an important source of uncertainty in building simulation. Wind tunnel experiments are generally the primary source of Cp data, but in infiltration and ventilation studies, generic values from databases or analytical models are commonly used. Building Energy Simulation (BBS) and Air Flow Network (AFN) programs include several sources of generic Cp values. Those generic values show large differences between each other, which might lead to significant differences in the simulation results depending on the type of building, the building location and the performance indicator under analysis. This paper presents a comparison between five sources of generic pressure coefficient data used for infiltration and natural ventilation studies, namely: the database provided by AIVC, that by ASHRAE and the analytical models CpCalc, CpGenerator and the model by Swami & Chandra. The first part of the paper describes each data source. In order to compare the values provided by each data source, a cubic building is adopted. We focus on three points on the facade: one at the center, one near the upper right corner and one near the lower left corner. Two different shielding configurations are considered: sheltered and unsheltered. The comparison is made for a range of wind attack angles to the facade from 0 to 180 degrees. The higher variation is found in points far from the facade center, especially when the wind is parallel to the facade. Variations in Cp from different sources are significantly higher for the sheltered than for the unsheltered case. The differences found in the Cp values indicate the uncertainty involved. This knowledge might be used to guide research on Cp for ventilation and infiltration purposes, as well as uncertainty studies in building simulation

Expression of the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) in the human cumulus cells as a biomarker of oocytes and embryo quality

Background: The members of the transforming growth factor-B superfamily, as the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) subfamily and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), play a role during follicular development, and the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), AMH, and THY1 are expressed in ovaries. Aim: This study was designed to define whether or not the expressions of these proteins in human cumulus cells (CCs) can be used as predictors of the oocyte and embryo competence. Settings and Design: The study included nine female patients who were diagnosed as idiopathic infertility, aged 25–33 years (median 30 years) and underwent Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Materials and Methods: The CCs from 60 oocyte–cumulus complexes obtained from the nine patients were evaluated with immunofluorescence staining in respect of BMPs, AMH and THY1 markers. The CCs surrounding the same oocytes were evaluated separately according to the oocyte and embryo quality. Statistical Analysis: Quantitative data were statistically analyzed for differences using the two-sided Mann–Whitney U test (P < 0.05). Results and Conclusions: Significant differences in immunofluorescence staining were observed in oocyte quality and embryo quality for the BMP2 only (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for AMH or CD90/THY1. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that there is a significant difference in the expression of BMP2 in the CCs of good quality oocytes and subsequently a good embryo