Ventricular arrhythmia in dialysis patients: A link with higher hemoglobin levels?

We investigated the frequencies and associated risk factors of cardiac arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. One hundred fifty prevalent HD patients underwent 48-hour Holter monitoring. Holter monitoring was analyzed in 4 phases: early post-HD phase (12 hours), late post-HD phase (20 hours), pre-HD phase (12 hours), and HD phase (4 hours). Echocardiography was applied to measure the left ventricular mass index in a subgroup of patients (n: 52). Patients with ventricular premature contraction (VPC) were significantly older, had a longer HD duration, and higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Left ventricular mass index was significantly correlated with the frequency of VPC, during the HD and pre HD phases (r: 0.435, 0.312, respectively). In logistic regression analysis, patients with Hb level >11.9 g/dL (high tertile) had a 4.5-fold increased risk of VPC compared with those with Hb levels <10.8 g/dL (P: 0.04). In HRV analysis, age (P<0.001), and diabetes (P: 0.03) were found to be independent predictors of low standard deviation of all mean normal-to-normal RR intervals. Increased left ventricular mass index is associated with a high frequency of VPC in the pre-HD and HD periods. The occurrence of VPC is predicted by older age, longer dialysis duration, and higher Hb levels, while older age and diabetes are the determinants of HRV. The relation between higher Hb levels and the frequency of VPC might provide a clue for the explanation of the detrimental effect of higher Hb levels on HD patients.     

Current transport mechanisms and trap state investigations in (Ni/Au)-AlN/GaN Schottky barrier diodes

The current transport mechanisms in (Ni/Au)-AlN/GaN Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) were investigated by the use of current-voltage characteristics in the temperature range of 80-380 K. In order to determine the true current transport mechanisms for (Ni/Au)-AlN/GaN SBDs, by taking the J_s(tunnel), E₀, and R_s as adjustable fit parameters, the experimental J-V data were fitted to the analytical expressions given for the current transport mechanisms in a wide range of applied biases and at different temperatures. Fitting results show the weak temperature dependent behavior in the saturation current and the temperature independent behavior of the tunneling parameters in this temperature range. Therefore, it has been concluded that the mechanism of charge transport in (Ni/Au)-AlN/GaN SBDs, along the dislocations intersecting the space charge region, is performed by tunneling.In addition, in order to analyze the trapping effects in (Ni/Au)-AlN/GaN SBDs, the capacitance-voltage (C-V) and conductance-voltage (G/ω-V) characteristics were measured in the frequency range 0.7-50 kHz. A detailed analysis of the frequency-dependent capacitance and conductance data was performed, assuming the models in which traps are located at the heterojunction interface. The density (D_t) and time constants (τ_t) of the trap states have been determined as a function of energy separation from the conduction-band edge (E_c − E_t) as D_t≅(5-8)×10¹², respectively.     

Biohydrogen production by extracted fermentation from sugar beet

In the study, the production of biohydrogen by extracted fermentation from sugar beet was evaluated. Effects of initial amount of sugar beet, biomass and particle size of sugar beet on biohydrogen formation were investigated. The hydrogen (H₂) gas was predicted to be 78.6 mL at initial dry weight of sugar beet 24.6 g L^?1 and H₂ yield was calculated as 81.9 mLH₂ g^?1TOC while biomass concentration (1 g L^?1) and particle size (0.3 cm) were constant. The peak H₂ gas volume was predicted to be 139.9 mL at the low particle size of 0.1 cm. Hydrogen gas production potential was predicted as 143.6 mL h^?1. The peak value of 197.9 mLH₂ g^?1TOC was obtained with particle size of 0.1 cm when dry weight of sugar beet and initial amount of biomass was kept constant at 24.6 g L^?1 and 1 g L^?1, respectively.     

Determination of the quality and purity characteristics of olive oils obtained from different regions of Turkey,depending on climatic changes

Virgin olive oils (VOOs) obtained from olives grown in different regions of Turkey under changing climatic conditions sometimes show different sensory and chemical properties. This study was planned to determine whether these deviations are due to climatic changes or not. For this purpose, five different olive varieties (Ayvalık, Memecik, Gemlik, Nizip Yağlık, Kilis Yağlık) of commercial importance were harvested from the provinces/districts (four different region) where cultivation is intense during the 2017/2018–2020/2021 harvest years. Every year, olive samples were collected from 3 orchards from 13 provinces/districts. One hundred and fifty-six samples were subjected to the purity, quality and sensory analysis. Basic climatic values (average, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity and precipitation) were examined for four consecutive years. All of the examined olive oil samples were determined within the legal limits in terms of fatty acid composition and fatty acid ethyl ester values. However, delta-7-stigmastenol value from the sterol composition was found to be above 0.5% in some samples in all the years studied (total 21 samples). Delta-7-stigmastenol values of olive oil samples varied between 0.16% and 1.14%. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied using a genetic algorithm-based inverse least squares method to determine whether there is a relationship between climate data and delta-7-stigmastenol values. According to this result, it has been determined that the delta-7-stigmastenol value is high when the annual average relative humidity is low and the annual average temperature is high. There is an urgent need to make forward-looking plans due to climate change.