Microplastics from everyday plastic products are a growing concern because of their potential biological effects and relevance to human exposure. Although spherical particles are widely used in studies, particles generated from real-world plastic materials may offer a more realistic model of environmental and consumer-related exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effects of coffee cup lid-derived polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Polystyrene microplastics were produced from coffee cup lids by mechanical processing, followed by homogenization, drying, and suspension in cell culture medium. CHO cells were exposed to microplastic concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 µg/mL for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the effects of concentration and exposure duration were evaluated statistically. Coffee cup lid-derived PSMPs reduced CHO cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 value was not reached within the tested concentration range after 24 h and was therefore reported as >1000 µg/mL, whereas the estimated IC50 values were approximately 250 µg/mL after 48 h and approximately 94.4 µg/mL after 72 h. Prolonged exposure resulted in a pronounced reduction in cell viability, particularly at higher concentrations. These results suggest that PSMPs obtained from daily-use coffee cup lids may produce increasingly pronounced cytotoxic responses under prolonged in vitro exposure. However, further studies incorporating particle characterization, additional mechanistic endpoints, and human-relevant cell models are needed to clarify the biological significance of these findings.
We investigate a non-static Einstein-Rosen spacetime within the f(R, Lm) framework, adopting f(R, Lm) = 1/2 R + Lχ m with Lm = −p. Firstly, field equations for Einstein-Rosen spacetime is attained in f(R, Lm) theory. An exact solution is obtained without using any restrictions for the constructed model. The equation of state parameter is attained for the model, and it is found that the parameter χ has a direct influence on the structure of the matter distribution and plays a decisive role in determining whether the matter exhibits exotic or ordinary characteristics. Also, we investigated the energy conditions, kinematical quantities, and the statefinder diagnostic pair for the model. Overall, the results demonstrate that matter-geometry coupling through Lm = −p can mimic cosmic acceleration in an inhomogeneous, cylindrically symmetric setting without introducing an explicit dark energy field.
In this study, a bromine-substituted Schiff base derivative was effectively synthesized and its crystal structure was identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The supramolecular properties of the compound were comprehensively investigated using experimental and theoretical approaches. A high degree of agreement was observed between the experimentally determined molecular geometry and the computationally optimized structure at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level, confirming the reliability of the computational model. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of an azomethine bond and a strong intramolecular O-H···N hydrogen bonding, while UV–Visible spectroscopic analysis exhibited characteristic π→π*, n→π*, and intramolecular charge transfer transitions associated with the conjugated molecular framework. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint maps revealed that O-H···O and crystal water-mediated Ow-H···O hydrogen bonds have a significant role in crystal packing, whereas weaker interactions such as C-H···Br and C-H···O contacts contribute cooperatively to the stabilization of the supramolecular architecture. Energy framework analysis revealed that the dispersion energy is the major contributor to the total interaction energy, consistent with the presence of π···π stacking and van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, void analysis indicated a low void content within the unit cell, suggesting efficient molecular packing. Overall, the crystal stability of the investigated compound arises from the combined effects of strong hydrogen bonding and dispersion-driven interactions.
Interleukin-6 is a cytokine involved in immune response, inflammation, and muscle recovery, especially during intense exercise. Primarily released from skeletal muscle, IL-6 supports muscle repair, glucose metabolism, and satellite cell activation, which are essential for athletic performance. The IL-6 rs1800795 polymorphism influences IL-6 expression, with the G allele commonly associated with higher cytokine production. This hypothesis-free and exploratory study aimed to compare the distribution of the IL-6 rs1800795 genotype and allele frequencies between youth professional football players and non-athletic controls, as an initial step toward exploring potential genetic associations in future phenotype-linked studies. A total of 36 youth professional football players and 60 age-matched non-athletic controls were included. Genomic DNA was isolated from buccal swab samples using the PureLink DNA Isolation Kit, and genotyping was performed by Real-Time PCR using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Genotype and allele frequencies were compared between groups using the chi-square test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were observed in IL-6 rs1800795 genotype distributions or allele frequencies between athletes and controls. As recovery, inflammatory, and muscle hypertrophy markers were not directly measured, these findings should be interpreted as descriptive of genotype distribution rather than evidence of a functional or performance-related effect. Larger genotype–phenotype studies are needed to clarify the role of IL-6 rs1800795 in football-specific performance.
This study investigated the effects of adding different proportions of fine poplar and hornbeam sawdust and coarse hornbeam sawdust to cotton seed meal (CSM)-based substrates on the growth period, morphological characteristics, yield, and biological activity of Pleurotus ostreatus. A total of ten different substrate formulations were tested in triplicate. The shortest mycelium growth period (15 days), earliest primordium formation (34 days), and shortest first harvest period (≈44 days) were determined in the 85% cotton seed meal + 15% fine poplar sawdust application, while the longest periods were observed in the control group (100% CSM). In terms of morphological characteristics, cap width ranged from 8.60 to 12.43 cm, stem length from 3.00 to 6.27 cm, and stem diameter 3.20 to 5.80 cm. The highest cap width (12.43 cm) was determined in the K1 group, while the longest stem (6.27 cm) and highest stem diameter (5.80 cm) were determined in the K3 group. Total yield ranged from 1.42 and 2.05 kg bag⁻¹; the highest total yield (2.05 kg bag⁻¹), yield percentage (34.2%) and biological activity (102.5%) were obtained in the substrate containing 85% cotton seed meal + 15% fine poplar sawdust. The lowest yield values were determined in the control group. The findings showed that woody additives improved substrate structure, accelerating mycelial growth and increasing yield. As a result, suitable substrate combinations can significantly increase yield and quality in P. ostreatus cultivation.
This study experimentally evaluates system-level processing and response times in a NodeMCU (ESP8266)-based software implementation of an asynchronous JK flip-flop (JK/FF) chain. Unlike field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based remote-laboratory or hardware-level propagation-delay studies, the work focuses on timing overheads produced by a low-cost microcontroller software engine and its web-controlled measurement environment. Measurements were acquired separately for FF1-FF8 local stages and for the total FF1-FF8 asynchronous chain. For each group, 60 repetitions were recorded, with 30 measurements representing the 0→1 transition and 30 representing the 1→0 transition. Findings from 540 raw observations show that NodeMCU processing time is stable at approximately 13 μs in FF2-FF8 local measurements, increases to approximately 25 μs for FF1, and reaches approximately 73 μs in the total chain measurement. The total time variable exhibits wider millisecond-scale scattering because it also reflects browser, Wi-Fi/HTTP, and system-load effects. The results confirm that the measured quantity is not pure integrated-circuit propagation delay but a reproducible system-level timing response of a NodeMCU-based experimental engine.
This study presents the first molecular phylogenetic assessment of two poisonous fungal species, Agaricus iodosmus and A. xanthodermus, belonging to section Xanthodermatei, and reports a new locality record from the Burdur Province. Taxonomic identification was initially based on a comprehensive morphological characterization and subsequently confirmed using analyses of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods, confirming their systematic placement within A. section Xanthodermatei. This study provides novel distributional data for the two toxic fungi in Türkiye and underscores the critical role of integrative molecular approaches for the precise identification and phylogenetic classification of Agaricus species.
Candida species remain the most prevalent pathogens in nosocomial fungal infections. However, invasive infections caused by non-Candida opportunistic fungi, have emerged as a significant concern, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The widespread use of antifungal agents in intensive care units (ICUs) further accelerates the development of resistant species. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of fungi isolated from various clinical samples at a university hospital in Istanbul during the Corona virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic (2020–2022). Isolates were identified using germ tube testing and the VITEK 2 Compact® system. Susceptibility was tested against fluconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, amphotericin B, and flucytosine. A total of 279 isolates were obtained from 243 patients, with 66% (n=185) originating from the ICU. Urine was the most frequent specimen type (48%). Candida species accounted for 94% (n=264) of the isolates, while 6% (n=15) were non-Candida species. The findings revealed that Candida albicans exhibited the highest resistance to voriconazole (12.3%). Notably, 37.5% of Cryptococcus laurentii isolates displayed elevated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to both caspofungin and micafungin. Furthermore, Trichosporon asahii demonstrated concerningly high MICs in 71.4% of the isolates to fluconazole, caspofungin, and micafungin. Increasing fungal infection frequency, rising Candida resistance, and elevated MIC profiles in rare species pose critical clinical challenges. Continuous monitoring of local susceptibility and MIC patterns is essential to mitigate the high mortality and morbidity associated with fungal pathogens during and after pandemic periods. These results highlight the urgent need for surveillance.
Missing data refers to the absence of observed values in certain cells of a dataset. This may result from measurement errors, unanswered survey questions, accidental loss of information, or technical issues during data collection and preparation. In categorical data analysis, missing values need to be handled carefully, as inappropriate treatment may produce biased estimates and misleading conclusions. This study considers log-linear models for three-way contingency tables in which one or more variables contain missing observations. The models are examined under different missingness mechanisms and applied to the publicly available Myocardial Infarction Complications dataset. The application demonstrates how the models are fitted and how the selected models and missingness mechanisms can be interpreted in practice.
Soft set theory, introduced by Molodtsov in 1999, is a mathematical tool for dealing with uncertainty and vagueness in a parameterized way. Cryptology is a method of protecting information and communications so that only those for whom the information is intended can read and process it. In this article, we defined partitioned soft sets, which represent a new concept in soft set theory. Using these partitioned soft sets, we then constructed a new type of cipher method called a soft cipher. It is a variation of a cipher method. Finally, we developed a computer program with examples for the soft cipher method.
In the present work, locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi V universe filled with perfect fluid matter is investigated in f(R, T) gravity. The matter content is modeled as strange quark matter (SQM), strange quark bag model (SQBM) and quark matter (QM) using equations of state (EoS). The model f(R, T) = R+2f(T) which is one of Harko’s models is assumed to construct modified field equations (MFEs). A linearly varying deceleration parameter (LVDP) has been used to get solutions of MFEs. The results of the linearly expanding model (LEM) show that SQM and QM behave like non-relativistic matter and dark energy, respectively, for specific values of the model parameters. All matter forms of the constant expanding model (CEM), and SQM of the exponential expanding model (XEM) play the role of dark energy under specific conditions. Also, energy conditions have been examined for the constructed models . On the other hand, all obtained solutions within the framework of f(R, T) gravity reduce to the corresponding solution in General Relativity (GR).
This study focuses on ruled surfaces in three-dimensional pseudo-Galilean space G_3^1, where the generator vector field of these ruled surfaces is defined by a curve on the unit pseudo-Galilean sphere. Initially, the orthonormal frame and derivative equations of the curve on the pseudo-Galilean unit sphere are calculated. Conditions are provided for a unit speed curve on a unit pseudo-Galilean sphere to be curvature line, geodesic curve or asymptotic curve in the pseudo-Galilean sense. Subsequently, the structure functions and ruled invariants of the ruled surfaces are defined and obtained in the pseudo-Galilean sense. This research encompasses all three types of ruled surfaces, and the relationships between the Frenet frames of the generating curves and those of the corresponding surfaces are systematically examined.
Process capability indices are accepted indispensable tools for evaluating process performance and supporting purchasing decisions in the manufacturing industry and supply chain. Meanwhile technological advances have increased the efficiency of industrial systems, they have also increased their complexity, making precise modeling more difficult. To overcome this problem, a generalized process capability index, Cpyk, for discrete processes has been developed. In this study, the natural discrete Lindley distribution is chosen to estimate Cpyk because it can flexibly model discrete data structures and is compatible with a wide variety of data sets. The performance of metaheuristic and classical optimization methods is evaluated with maximum likelihood estimation and the obtained results are analyzed using metrics such as bias and mean square error. Six different real data sets are analyzed to validate the simulation results. These results show that classical and metaheuristic methods exhibit comparable accuracy. However, considering the demands of the technological era, metaheuristic algorithms are found to be significantly faster, with this speed advantage proving critical for industrial process analysis and decision-making. This study is expected to make a significant contribution to the field of process capability analysis for discrete data structures and to provide a robust framework for further exploration across various data structures and industrial applications.
This study covers the development of a hybrid analysis method aimed at determining Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) by utilizing both its chemical structure and redox properties. In the first stage of the study, a calibration curve was created over the characteristic absorbance peaks at a wavelength of 361 nm using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry. This curve was used as a reference for method accuracy and quantitative determination. In the second stage, an electrochemical reduction process was performed by utilizing the electroactive nature of Vitamin B12. In this process, the cobalt ion in the molecule was reduced from Co (III) to Co (II) by applying a certain potential to the solution. After the electrochemical process, the sample solutions were re-analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and the changes in the spectrum were examined. A significant improvement in analytical performance was observed when using the rB12 form. While the detection limit for B12 was determined as 0.004 mM, the linear range was 0.012–0.01 mM, and the correlation coefficient was 0.9975, the detection limit for rB12 decreased to 0.002 mM, the linear working range widened to 0.006–0.1 mM, and the correlation coefficient increased to 0.9993. Notably, the reduced form of B12 exhibited superior analytical performance compared to the non-reduced form, with improved sensitivity, wider linear range, and lower detection limit, highlighting the method’s enhanced applicability to redox-responsive analytes. This method also contributes to the development of new generation hybrid analysis methods for vitamins, pharmaceutical active ingredients, and biomolecules with redox properties.
In this paper, linear ψ-Caputo fractional differential equations with constant coefficients and initial conditions are considered. The classic residual power series method is adapted to ψ-Caputo fractional differential equations. An approximate analytical solution of the problem is written as a power series in terms of the function ψ with unknown coefficients. The method can also be applied to the ψ-Caputo fractional relaxation-oscillation equations. Numerical examples substantiate both the scope of applicability and the level of accuracy achieved by the method.
Insomnia is a prevalent symptom affecting 5.4% to 64% of individuals who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of copeptin and melatonin in the pathogenesis of post-COVID-19 and insomnia in COVID-19 survivors. Thirty COVID-19-recovered patients and fifteen healthy controls were included in the study. Patients were categorized into two groups: Individuals with post-COVID insomnia having an insomnia severity index (ISI) score above 15 (n=10) and those without (n=20). Insomnia patients received either trazodone 50 mg or mirtazapine 15 mg as a sleep disturbance treatment once a day for three months. Serum copeptin and melatonin were evaluated. Melatonin and copeptin levels demonstrated a statistical significance between the study groups (p
This study proposes a new way of understanding cell transformations by using category theory to build a formal structure called the category of cells (denoted as CELL). Rather than treating cellular processes in isolation, the framework organizes cells and their transformations within a unified mathematical setting. The study examines fundamental categorical properties of CELL such as the existence of initial and terminal objects and its connectedness to better understand structural relationships between different cell types. To elucidate cellular hierarchies and potential transformation processes, biologically relevant subcategories are investigated, such as terminally differentiated cells and differentiated somatic cells. The structure represents intricate biological processes including cell differentiation, cellular reprogramming, and oncogenesis using categorical tools like slice categories and arrow categories.
In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG1000) was infused into the porous structure of moist silica gel at a concentration of 45% by weight using a direct impregnation method. The waste silica gel, as a porous material, was subjected to a series of drying and grinding processes. The chemical structure and morphology of the silica gel/PEG1000 (45% by weight) composite were determined using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques were used to determine its heat energy storage and thermal resistance properties. DSC results showed that the prepared composite stored 52.8 J/g of heat energy at 30.3 °C. It was observed that the chemical structure and energy storage properties of silica gel/PEG1000 did not change even after the thermal cycling process was repeated 1000 times. The obtained TGA data showed that the prepared composite is highly suitable for thermal energy storage (TES) applications. The thermal conductivity (TC) value of the synthesized composite was determined, and the TC values were improved by doping carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in different amounts (1%, 3%, and 5%) by weight. Additionally, the effect of adding CNTs to the prepared composite on heat storage and release times was investigated. In summary, the composite material prepared in this study has the potential to be used safely and for a long time in temperature control applications such as building air conditioning and waste heat storage, thanks to its latent heat storage capacity.
Porous silica nanocarriers have gained prominence for the delivery of various anticancer drugs due to their excellent surface functionalization capabilities and potential to mitigate undesirable side effects. In this study, gold nanoparticles were synthesized through a seed-mediated growth method (with diameters ranging from 7 to 10 nm) and conjugated onto mesoporous silica nanocarriers via amine-gold interactions. The large pore channels of nanocarriers were efficiently loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin. Physicochemical characterization was comprehensively performed using dynamic light scattering, scanning transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and an absorption spectrophotometer. The mesoporous silica nanocarriers demonstrated a rod-shaped morphology, approximately 150 nm in length and 100 nm in width. Leveraging the strong optical absorption of gold nanoparticles at 530 nm, the synergistic effect of green-light-mediated photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy was investigated on prostate cancer cells. The co-therapies successfully reduced cell viability by 54% at a concentration of 400 µg/mL nanocarriers after 10 minutes of green light exposure (540 nm, 100 mW/cm², continuous wave), demonstrating the potential of this minimally invasive treatment strategy. Our findings suggest that gold-decorated porous silica nanocarriers can effectively act as a multifunctional platform by merging chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy to enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the electro-optical properties of two benzofuran-oxime molecules: 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropan-1-one oxime (BFO) and 1-(5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl)-2,2-dimethylpropan-1-one oxime (Br-BFO). Motivated by the known optical activity of both benzofuran and oxime moieties, these compounds were synthesized to evaluate their potential for optoelectronic applications. UV–Vis spectral analysis revealed characteristic π→π* and n→π* transitions, with a notable increase in transmittance at longer wavelengths. At 325 nm, BFO exhibited a transmittance of 96.34%, while Br-BFO reached 99.49%. The optical band gaps, determined through Tauc analysis, were found to be 3.764 eV (indirect allowed) and 3.901 eV (direct allowed) for BFO, and 3.890 eV (indirect) and 3.973 eV (direct) for Br-BFO. Wavelengths corresponding to oscillator strength were measured as 273.6 nm (BFO) and 297.4 nm (Br-BFO), accompanied by calculations of refractive indices, single-oscillator energies (E0), dispersion energies (Ed), optical moments (M-1, M-3), and oscillator strengths. Notably, the Urbach energy values were 0.916 eV for BFO and 0.114 eV for Br-BFO, suggesting a higher degree of structural or electronic disorder in the former. Overall, the results suggest that both molecules may exhibit properties characteristic of organic semiconductors, indicating their potential applicability in optoelectronic materials and possible relevance in medicinal chemistry.
