Univariate Modelling of Energy Consumption in Turkish Agriculture

WOS: 000325678400008The main objective of this study is to estimate future energy consumption in Turkish agriculture. To meet this objective, univariate time-series analysis was used. Annual time series data for diesel consumption in the Turkish agricultural sector for 1970-2006 are used in an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. The ARIMA model was determined to be (8,1,13). According to the model's results, diesel consumption is predicted to be over 4 million tonnes in 2020. The average growth rate of diesel consumption is 2.17% per year for the coming years in the agricultural sector

Midkine downregulation increases the efficacy of quercetin on prostate cancer stem cell survival and migration through PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathway

WOS: 000445036200087PubMed ID: 30142541Aims: To examine the functions of growth factor midkine (MK) and a flavonoid quercetin on survival, apoptosis and migration of prostate cancer (PCa) stem cells (CSCs). Main methods: CD44(+)/CD133(+) and CD44(+) stem cells were isolated from PC3 and LNCaP cells, respectively by magnetic-activated cell sorting system. 3D cell culture was used to evaluate the ability of quercetin, MK siRNA, and the combination of both to inhibit spheroid formation, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Image-based cytometer, RT-qPCR, Western blotting and transwell migration assays were performed. Key findings: Quercetin treatment for 24-72 h inhibited PC3 and CD44+/CD133+ stem cell proliferation in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of endogenous MK expression significantly suppressed proliferation of CD44(+)/CD133(+) and CD44(+) cells as well as their parent cells. Co-administration of MK siRNA and quercetin reduced the cell survival, induced apoptosis and caused G1 phase cell cycle arrest more effectively than the individual therapy. Knockdown of MK significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of quercetin on CD44(+)/CD133(+) migration and spheroid formation. In addition, the combined therapy inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT and ERK1/2, and reduced the protein expression of p38, ABCG2 and NF-kappa B. Significance: Quercetin alone exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on CD44(+)/CD133(+). MK plays an important role in the proliferation of CD44(+)/CD133(+) and CD44(+) cells in particular, and quercetin and MK-silencing therapy may be an important strategy in targeting CSCs that play a role in relapse, migration and drug resistance.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [115S356]This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK grant no: 115S356). The author thanks Riza Serttas, Talha Baykul and Mehmet D. Ozdemir for their technical assistance

Agricultural technologies and carbon emissions: evidence from Jordanian economy

Theoretically, agriculture can be the victim and the cause of climate change. Using annual data for the period of 1970–2014, this study examines the interaction between agriculture technology factors and the environment in terms of carbon emissions in Jordan. The results provide evidence for unidirectional causality running from machinery, subsidies, and other transfers, rural access to an improved water source and fertilizers to carbon emissions. The results also reveal the existence of bidirectional causality between the real income and carbon emissions. The variance error decompositions highlight the importance of subsidies and machinery in explaining carbon emissions. They also show that fertilizers, the crop and livestock production, the land under cereal production, the water access, the agricultural value added, and the real income have an increasing effect on carbon emissions over the forecast period. These results are important so that policy-makers can build up strategies and take in considerations the indicators in order to reduce carbon emissions in Jordan