Towards the understanding of the molecular weight dependence of essential work of fracture in semi-crystalline polymers: A study on poly(ε-caprolactone)

The plane-stress ductile fracture of poly(#-caprolactone) (PCL) has been investigated as a function of molecular weight and related crystalline structure. Because of the interacting effects in semi-crystalline polymers a separate study of a given structural parameter is rather challenging. Nevertheless, this polymer seems to be a good model material to study the effect of molecular weight on the essential work of fracture, as the interactions between the separate parameters, at room temperature, are negligible. The molecular characteristics of PCL were determined by size exclusion chromatography. To confirm the entangled molecular structure of studied polymers rheological measurements were performed. The crystalline morphology has been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and wide angle X-ray diffraction. Quasi-static tensile tests and essential work of fracture tests were performed to study the mechanical behavior. Based on the experimental observations an empirical model has been proposed to outline the molecular weight and crystallinity dependence of the essential work of fracture in this semi-crystalline polymer

Resilience in intentionally destroyed historic settlements: An examination on Kirkuk Citadel and the old town of Van

Armed conflict is considered a major risk for cultural heritage since the Second World War and guidelines are prepared by international organizations such as UNESCO and ICCROM on risk management and protection of cultural heritage in conflict-affected areas. However, the main concerns are reducing risks prior to the armed conflict by identifying, analyzing, evaluating, treating and monitoring risks and managing them before the risk occurs. The literature is quite narrow in respect to the ways of protecting cultural heritage and sustaining life for both buildings and people in intentionally destroyed historic settlements. Within this context, this study aims to raise the question on how to manage change in the intentionally destroyed historic settlements and how to strengthen resilience in conflict-affected areas. In order to achieve this aim, an examination on two case studies, Kirkuk Citadel and the Old Town of Van, which were both intentionally destroyed as a result of armed conflict is made using comparative analysis method. The cases are chosen to represent different time periods, scales and types of destruction. Depending on the international law and guidelines, the study tries to understand the impact of armed conflict on the historic settlements embracing tangible and intangible cultural heritage, types of risks that threaten them and the ways to strengthen resilience in such areas. It is revealed as a result of the study that for both case study areas, being in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage is seen a primary step to be internationally recognized and to claim help for future actions aiming to reduce risks. Nevertheless, it can be argued that strategies have to be developed depending on the size and level of destruction, and the level of intervention to preserve and to rehabilitate life in such historic settlements, as each intentionally destroyed historic settlement has unique cultural, political and economic characteristics

Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği Eğitim Programının Değerlendirilmesi

Bu araştırmanın amacını, Toplumsal Cinsiyet Eşitliği Eğitim Programı (TCEEP)’ nın etkililiğinin Hedefe Dayalı Program Değerlendirme Modeli ve öğretmen adayı görüşleri doğrultusunda belirlenmesi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma’da karma yöntem kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın nicel boyutunda zayıf deneysel desenlerden, ‘statik grup öntest-sontest deseni’, nitel boyutunda ise, ‘durum çalışması’ deseni kullanılmıştır. TCEEP’nin etkililiğini değerlendirmek amacıyla Erişi Testi ve Program Değerlendirme Formu (PDF) hazırlanmıştır. Erişi Testi öntest ve sontest olarak deney ve kontrol gruplarına uygulanmıştır. Deney ve kontrol grubunu Eğitim Fakültesinde eğitim gören 32 öğretmen adayı oluşturmuştur. PDF’ye yönelik görüşler ise deney grubunda yer alan 16 öğretmen adayından alınmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, öğretmen adaylarının, toplumsal cinsiyete dayalı ayrımcılığa neden olan faktörleri (toplumsal cinsiyet kalıpyargıları, toplumsal cinsiyet rolleri, cinsiyetçi dil vb.) fark etmelerinde, davranış ve tutumlarında bu faktörlere yer vermemelerinde ve bu faktörlerle mücadele etme isteği hissetmelerinde TCEEP’nin etkili olduğu görülmüştür.

Ensemble Concerts: Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds, October 6, 2022

Center for the Performing ArtsOctober 6th, 2022Thursday Evening8:00 p.m

Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of water kefir produced from Aronia melanocarpa juice and pomace

Water kefir is widely consumed all over the world due to its potential health benefits. The aim of this current study was to compare non-fermented juice and fermented beverage of water kefir produced from Aronia melanocarpa juice and pomace in terms of chemical, physical and sensory quality as well as valorisation of pomace in the production of water kefir. When compared to water kefir made with aronia juice, less reduction in total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC) was observed in samples made with aronia pomace during the fermentation process. Similarly, greater antioxidant activity was demonstrated in water kefir made with aronia pomace than juice. Based on sensory evaluation, no difference was found in overall acceptability, taste, aroma/odor, and turbidity of water kefir made with aronia pomace before and after fermentation. Results indicated that aronia pomace has potential in water kefir production

Erythropoietin Suppresses the Hepatic Fibrosis Caused by Thioacetamide: Role of the PI3K/Akt and TLR4 Signaling Pathways

Erythropoietin (EPO) is recognized for its function in erythropoiesis; however, its potential antifibrotic effect against liver fibrosis remains unknown. This study examined whether EPO affects thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis by concentrating on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) cascade and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway as possible pathways. Male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups, which included: the negative control group, the TAA group (intraperitoneal; TAA 100 mg/kg three times per week for 2 weeks), and EPO-treated groups (150 and 300 IU/kg, i.p.) for 2 weeks after TAA injections. EPO attenuated hepatic fibrosis in a dosage-dependent way, as manifested by the diminution in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, as well as the increase in albumin level. EPO inhibited the increase in tissue levels of tumor necrosis factors-α, interleukin-1β, transforming growth factor-β1, and TLR4 and raised tissue levels of PI3K and p-PI3K. EPO antioxidant properties were demonstrated by restoring hepatic glutathione and superoxide dismutase by preventing the accumulation of hepatic malondialdehyde. Further, EPO increased the protein expression of PI3K and Akt and decreased TLR4 protein expression. Immunohistochemically, EPO treatment altered tissue histology and downregulated mitogen-activated protein kinase protein expression. Overall, the research suggested that EPO could prevent TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis through upregulating the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade and downregulation the TLR4 downstream axis

Eugenia supra-axillaris Essential Oil and Its Nanoemulsion: Chemical Characterization, In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Activities

The use of standard synthetic medications to treat inflammatory illnesses is associated with several negative effects. It has been shown that medicinal plants and their by-products are useful for safely treating inflammation. Herein, the essential oil of Eugenia supra-axillaris (family: Myrtaceae, ESA-EO) was isolated and further chemically characterized by GC-MS, and then, its nanoemulsion (ESA-EO-NE) was prepared. In addition, the anti-inflammation against the carrageenan-induced rats, the analgesic, and antipyretic activities of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE were evaluated in rats. Forty-three compounds were identified via GC-MS and categorized as mono- (61.38%) and sesquiterpenes (34.86%). d-limonene (32.82%), α-pinene (24.33%), germacrene-D (4.88%), α-humulene (4.73%), α-cadinol (3.39%), and trans-caryophyllene (3.15%) represented the main components. The administration of ES-EO and ES-EO-NE (50 and 100 mg/kg) demonstrated strong, dose-dependent inflammation inhibition capabilities in the model of rat paw edema, in comparison with both the reference drug and control. Reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased levels of glutathione (GSH), and decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α), nitrosative (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in paw tissues all contributed to these substantial reductions in inflammation. Moreover, the oral administration of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE (50 and 100 mg/kg) exhibited potent analgesic and antipyretic activities in rats. Although the higher dose of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE (100 mg/kg) displayed delayed anti-inflammatory activity, they have long-lasting inflammation inhibition with fast onset and long-standing analgesic effects better than reference drugs. Furthermore, the most effective antipyretic efficacy was provided by ESA-EO-NE (100 mg/kg). These results provide insight into the possible therapeutic application of ESA-EO and its nanoemulsion against various inflammatory and painful illnesses as well as hyperthermia ailments