Research Outputs
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14288/2
Browse
2261 results
Filters
Advanced Search
Filter by
Settings
Search Results
Publication Metadata only “Smart poisoning” of Co/SiO2 catalysts by sulfidation for chirality-selective synthesis of (9,8) single-walled carbon nanotubes(2016) Yuan, Yang; Karahan, H. Enis; Wei, Li; Zhai, Shengli; Lau, Raymond; Chen, Yuan; N/A; Yıldırım, Cansu; Birer, Özgür; Master Student; Researcher; Koç University Surface Science and Technology Center (KUYTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Yüzey Teknolojileri Araştırmaları Merkezi (KUYTAM); N/A; N/A; N/AThe chirality-selective synthesis of relatively large (diameter > 1 nm) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is of great interest for a variety of practical applications, but only a few catalysts are available so far. Previous studies suggested that S (compounds) can enhance the chirality-selectivity of Co catalysts in SWCNT synthesis, however, the mechanism behind is not fully understood, and no tailorable methodology has yet been developed. Here, we demonstrate a facile approach to achieve the chirality-selective synthesis of SWCNTs by the sulfidation-based poisoning of silica-supported Co catalysts using a mixture of H2S and H2. The UV-vis-NIR, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy results together show that the resulting SWCNTs have a narrow diameter distribution of around 1.2 nm, and (9,8) nanotubes have an abundance of ∼38% among the semiconducting species. More importantly, the carbon yield achieved by the sulfided catalyst (2.5 wt%) is similar to that of the nonsulfided one (2.7 wt%). The characterization of the catalysts by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and H2 temperature-programmed reduction shows that the sulfidation leads to the formation of Co9S8 nanoparticles. However, Co9S8 nanoparticles are reduced back to regenerate metallic Co nanoparticles during the synthesis of SWCNTs, which maintain a high carbon yield. In this process, Co9S8 nanoparticles seemingly intermediate the production of Co nanoparticles with narrow size distribution. Due to the fact that the poisoning step improves the quality of the end-product rather than hampering the growth process, we have coined the process developed as “smart poisoning”. This study not only reveals the mechanism behind the beneficial role of S in the selective synthesis of relatively large SWCNTs but also presents a promising method to create chirality-selective catalysts with high activity for scalable synthesis.Publication Metadata only 1200 nm pumped Tm3+:Lu2O3 ceramic lasers(Optical Soc Amer, 2018) Özharar, Sarper; N/A; Department of Physics; Toker, Işınsu Baylam; Sennaroğlu, Alphan; PhD Student; Faculty Member; Department of Physics; N/A; College of Sciences; N/A; 23851We report on an experimental demonstration of a 1200-nm pumped Tm3+:Lu2O3 ceramic laser. By using a gain-switched, tunable Cr4+:forsterite laser, the excitation spectrum was measured, with optimum pumping bands centered near 1198 nm, 1204 nm, and 1211 nm. The highest slope efficiency of 21.5% was obtained at the pump wavelength of 1204 nm. Comparative energy efficiency measurements performed near 1200-nm and 800-nm pumping further showed that nearly 40% improvement was obtained in slope efficiency measured with respect to the incident pump energy for 1200-nm pumping. A transition was further observed from single-wavelength operation at 2066 nm to dual-wavelength operation near 2066 nm and 1967 nm for absorbed pump energies above 50 mu J. In this regime, two consecutive output pulses were observed in the time domain. The shortest temporal duration of the first pulse was 1.1 mu s at the incident pulse energy of 105 mu J. The duration and build-up time of the second pulse remained around 5.9 mu s and 18.5 mu s. We believe that the improved energy efficiency demonstrated for the 1.5% Tm3+:Lu2O3 ceramic with 1200-nm pumping can be used as an alternative scheme for the excitation of Tm3+:Lu2O3 ceramic lasers.Publication Metadata only 18F-FDG PET/CT mean suv and metabolic tumor volume for mean survival time in non-small cell lung cancer(Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2015) Kurtipek, Ercan; Çaycı, Mustafa; Düzgün, Nuri; Esme, Hıdır; Terzi, Yüksel; Bakdık, Süleyman; Ünlü, Yaşar; Burnik, Cengiz; Bekçi, Taha Tahir; N/A; Aygün, Murat Serhat; Teaching Faculty; School of Medicine; Koç University Hospital; 291692Objective: The study was designed to determine the relationship between survival time of standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and examine the impact of demographic, clinical, and radiological data of these patients on survival. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the records of 79 patients with NSCLC who presented to our hospital between May 2010 and March 2013, received a final diagnosis, and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for staging. Clinical, radiological, and 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters with an impact on prognosis such as the SUVmax of the primary tumor as calculated by the volumetric region of interest in the 18F-FDG PET/CT scans during initial diagnosis, mean SUV of the tumor, and MTV obtained with a threshold of SUVmax greater than 2.5 were recorded and statistically analyzed. A statistical analysis was carried out based on the clinical, radiological, and PET/CT findings of the patients who were divided into 2 groups: survivors and nonsurvivors. Results: Seventy patients (88.6%) were men, and 9 (11.4%) were women. The mean age was 63.65 ± 11.51 years in the nonsurvivor group (n = 40) versus 62.74 ± 10.60 years in the survivor group (n = 39) (Table 1). The mean survival time from diagnosis was 7.9 ± 6.52 months in the nonsurvivor group versus 14.09 ± 7.41 months in the survivor group. The mean survival time was 12.9 ± 7.9 months for those aged 60 or younger, whereas it was 9.9 ± 7.2 years for those aged 60 or older. According to the Cox regression analysis, higher MTV [relative risk (RR), 1.006; P = 0.03] and mean SUVmax (mSUV) (RR, 1.302; P = 0.03) had a significant impact on shortening of the mean survival time. However, no statistical significance was reached for SUVmax measurements (RR, 0.970; P = 0.39). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between increased tumor size (andlt;2 cm, 2-4 cm, and ≥4 cm) and shortened mean survival time (P = 0.03). Conclusion: The present study showed that MTV and mSUV of FDG PET/CT scans of the tumor, but not SUVmax, had a significant impact on survival time of patients with NSCLC. Based on this result, we believe that we might have more accurate information about the survival time of our patients if we also evaluate mSUV and MTV in combination with mSUV, which is frequently used for diagnosis and monitoring of patients with NSCLC during our daily practice. © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.Publication Metadata only 2.3-μm Tm3+: YLF laser passively Q-switched with a Cr2+: ZnSe saturable absorber(Optical Soc Amer, 2017) N/A; N/A; Canbaz, Ferda; Yorulmaz, İsmail; Sennaroğlu, Alphan; PhD Student; PhD Student; Faculty Member; Koç University Surface Science and Technology Center (KUYTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Yüzey Teknolojileri Araştırmaları Merkezi (KUYTAM); Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; College of Sciences; N/A; N/A; 23851We report, what is to our knowledge, the first passively Q-switched operation of a 2.3-mu m Tm3+ : YLF laser by using a Cr2+ : ZnSe saturable absorber. In the experiments, a tunable Ti3+ : sapphire laser was used to end pump the Tm3+ : YLF gain medium inside an x cavity. A Cr2+ : ZnSe saturable absorber was also included in the cavity to initiate passive Q switching. At all pump power levels above lasing threshold, passively Q-switched operation of the Tm3+ : YLF laser could be obtained at 2309 nm with pulse durations and repetition frequencies in the ranges of 1.21.4 mu s and 0.3-2.1 kHz, respectively. Analysis of power dependent repetition rate data further gave an estimated value of 3.1% for the round-trip saturable loss of the Cr2+ : ZnSe saturable absorber.Publication Metadata only 21 fs Cr:LiSAF laser mode locked with a single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber(Optical Soc Amer, 2019) Bae, Ji Eun; Rotermund, Fabian; Demirbaş, Ümit; N/A; N/A; N/A; Department of Physics; Tanısalı, Gökhan; Toker, Işınsu Baylam; Taşçı, Mısra; Sennaroğlu, Alphan; PhD Student; PhD Student; Undergraduate Student; Faculty Member; Department of Physics; Koç University Surface Science and Technology Center (KUYTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Yüzey Teknolojileri Araştırmaları Merkezi (KUYTAM); Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; School of Medicine; College of Sciences; N/A; N/A; N/A; 23851We report the shortest femtosecond pulses directly generated from a solid-state laser that is mode locked by using a single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber (SWCNT-SA). In the experiments, we used a 660 nm diode-pumped, low-threshold extended-cavity Cr:LiSAF laser operating around 850 nm with a repetition rate of 47.9 MHz. The SWCNT-SA mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser produced 21 fs pulses with a time-bandwidth product of 0.56 by using only 210 mW of pump power. Pump-probe spectroscopy measurements showed that the SWCNT-SA exhibited saturable absorption with slow and fast decay times of 2.7 ps and 0.4 ps. The single-pass modulation depth and saturation fluence of the SWCNT-SA were further determined as 0.3% and 45 mu J/cm(2) at the pump wavelength of 850 nm.Publication Open Access 3D spatial organization and network-guided comparison of mutation profiles in Glioblastoma reveals similarities across patients(Public Library of Science, 2019) Dinçer, Cansu; Kaya, Tuğba; Tunçbağ, Nurcan; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Department of Computer Engineering; Keskin, Özlem; Gürsoy, Attila; Faculty Member; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Department of Computer Engineering; Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM) / Koç Üniversitesi Translasyonel Tıp Araştırma Merkezi (KUTTAM); College of Engineering; 26605; 8745Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor. Molecular heterogeneity is a hallmark of GBM tumors that is a barrier in developing treatment strategies. In this study, we used the nonsynonymous mutations of GBM tumors deposited in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and applied a systems level approach based on biophysical characteristics of mutations and their organization in patient-specific subnetworks to reduce inter-patient heterogeneity and to gain potential clinically relevant insights. Approximately 10% of the mutations are located in "patches" which are defined as the set of residues spatially in close proximity that are mutated across multiple patients. Grouping mutations as 3D patches reduces the heterogeneity across patients. There are multiple patches that are relatively small in oncogenes, whereas there are a small number of very large patches in tumor suppressors. Additionally, different patches in the same protein are often located at different domains that can mediate different functions. We stratified the patients into five groups based on their potentially affected pathways, revealed from the patient-specific subnetworks. These subnetworks were constructed by integrating mutation profiles of the patients with the interactome data. Network-guided clustering showed significant association between each group and patient survival (P-value = 0.0408). Also, each group carries a set of signature 3D mutation patches that affect predominant pathways. We integrated drug sensitivity data of GBM cell lines with the mutation patches and the patient groups to analyze the therapeutic outcome of these patches. We found that Pazopanib might be effective in Group 3 by targeting CSF1R. Additionally, inhibiting ATM that is a mediator of PTEN phosphorylation may be ineffective in Group 2. We believe that from mutations to networks and eventually to clinical and therapeutic data, this study provides a novel perspective in the network-guided precision medicine.Publication Metadata only 5-HT causes splanchnic venodilation(Amer Physiological Soc, 2017) Seitz, Bridget M.; Krieger-Burke, Teresa; Darios, Emma S.; Thompson, Janice M.; Fink, Gregory D.; Watts, Stephanie W.; N/A; Orer, Hakan S.; Faculty Member; School of Medicine; 53477Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] causes relaxation of the isolated superior mesenteric vein, a splanchnic blood vessel, through activation of the 5-HT7 receptor. As part of studies designed to identify the mechanism(s) through which chronic (>= 24 h) infusion of 5-HT lowers blood pressure, we tested the hypothesis that 5-HT causes in vitro and in vivo splanchnic venodilation that is 5-HT7 receptor dependent. In tissue baths for measurement of isometric contraction, the portal vein and abdominal inferior vena cava relaxed to 5-HT and the 5-HT1/7 receptor agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine; relaxation was abolished by the 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB-269970. Western blot analyses showed that the abdominal inferior vena cava and portal vein express 5-HT7 receptor protein. In contrast, the thoracic vena cava, outside the splanchnic circulation, did not relax to serotonergic agonists and exhibited minimal expression of the 5-HT7 receptor. Male SpragueDawley rats with chronically implanted radiotelemetry transmitters underwent repeated ultrasound imaging of abdominal vessels. After baseline imaging, minipumps containing vehicle (saline) or 5-HT (25 mu g.kg(-1).min(-1)) were implanted. Twenty-four hours later, venous diameters were increased in rats with 5-HT-infusion (percent increase from baseline: superior mesenteric vein, 17.5 +/- 1.9; portal vein, 17.7 +/- 1.8; and abdominal inferior vena cava, 46.9 +/- 8.0) while arterial pressure was decreased (similar to 13 mmHg). Measures returned to baseline after infusion termination. In a separate group of animals, treatment with SB-269970 (3 mg/kg iv) prevented the splanchnic venodilation and fall in blood pressure during 24 h of 5-HT infusion. Thus, 5-HT causes 5-HT7 receptor-dependent splanchnic venous dilation associated with a fall in blood pressure. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research is noteworthy because it combines and links, through the 5-HT7 receptor, an in vitro observation (venorelaxation) with in vivo events (venodilation and fall in blood pressure). This supports the idea that splanchnic venodilation plays a role in blood pressure regulation.Publication Metadata only 5-hydroxytryptamine does not reduce sympathetic nerve activity or neuroeffector function in the splanchnic circulation(Elsevier, 2015) Darios, Emma S.; Barman, Susan M.; Morrison, Shaun F.; Davis, Robert P.; Seitz, Bridget M.; Burnett, Robert; Watts, Stephanie W.; N/A; Orer, Hakan S.; Faculty Member; School of Medicine; 53477Infusion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in conscious rats results in a sustained (up to 30 days) fall in blood pressure. This is accompanied by an increase in splanchnic blood flow. Because the splanchnic circulation is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, we hypothesized that 5-HT would: 1) directly reduce sympathetic nerve activity in the splanchnic region; and/or 2) inhibit sympathetic neuroeffector function in splanchnic blood vessels. Moreover, removal of the sympathetic innervation of the splanchnic circulation (celiac ganglionectomy) would reduce 5-HT-induced hypotension. In anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, mean blood pressure was reduced from 101 ± 4 to 63 ± 3 mm Hg during slow infusion of 5-HT (25 μg/kg/min, i.v.). Pre- and postganglionic splanchnic sympathetic nerve activity were unaffected during 5-HT infusion. In superior mesenteric arterial rings prepared for electrical field stimulation, neither 5-HT (3, 10, 30 nM), the 5-HT1B receptor agonist CP 93129 nor 5-HT1/7 receptor agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine inhibited neurogenic contraction compared to vehicle. 5-HT did not inhibit neurogenic contraction in superior mesenteric venous rings. Finally, celiac ganglionectomy did not modify the magnitude of fall or time course of 5-HT-induced hypotension when compared to animals receiving sham ganglionectomy. We conclude it is unlikely 5-HT interacts with the sympathetic nervous system at the level of the splanchnic preganglionic or postganglionic nerve, as well as at the neuroeffector junction, to reduce blood pressure. These important studies allow us to rule out a direct interaction of 5-HT with the splanchnic sympathetic nervous system as a cause of the 5-HT-induced fall in blood pressure. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Publication Metadata only [BMIM] [PF6] incorporation doubles CO2 selectivity of ZIF-8: elucidation of interactions and their consequences on performance(Amer Chemical Soc, 2016) N/A; N/A; N/A; N/A; N/A; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Kınık, Fatma Pelin; Altıntaş, Çiğdem; Balcı, Volkan; Koyutürk, Burak; Uzun, Alper; Keskin, Seda; Master Student; Researcher; PhD Student; Master Student; Faculty Member; Faculty Member; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; Koç University Tüpraş Energy Center (KUTEM) / Koç Üniversitesi Tüpraş Enerji Merkezi (KÜTEM); Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; College of Engineering; College of Engineering; N/A; N/A; N/A; N/A; 59917; 40548Experiments were combined with atomically detailed simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to understand the effect of incorporation of an ionic liquid (IL), 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]), into a metal organic framework (MOF with a zeolitic imidazolate framework), ZIF-8, on the CO2 separation performance. The interactions between [BMIM] [PF6] and ZIF-8 were examined in deep detail, and their consequences on CO2/CH4, CO2/N-2, and CH4/N-2 separation have been elucidated by using experimental measurements complemented by DFT calculations and atomically detailed simulations. Results suggest that IL-MOF interactions strongly affect the gas affinity of materials at low pressure, whereas available pore volume plays a key role for gas adsorption at high pressures. Direct interactions between IL and MOF lead to at least a doubling of CO2/CH4 and CO2/N-2 selectivities of ZIF-8. These results provide opportunities for rational design and development of IL-incorporated MOFs with exceptional selectivity for target gas separation applications.Publication Open Access A bacteria-derived tail anchor localizes to peroxisomes in yeast and mammalian cells(Nature Publishing Group (NPG), 2018) Seferoğlu, Ayşe Bengisu; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; Dunn, Cory David; Keskin, Abdurrahman; Akdoğan, Emel; Lutfullahoglu-Bal, Guleycan; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; College of SciencesProkaryotes can provide new genetic information to eukaryotes by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and such transfers are likely to have been particularly consequential in the era of eukaryogenesis. Since eukaryotes are highly compartmentalized, it is worthwhile to consider the mechanisms by which newly transferred proteins might reach diverse organellar destinations. Toward this goal, we have focused our attention upon the behavior of bacteria-derived tail anchors (TAs) expressed in the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we report that a predicted membrane-associated domain of the Escherichia coli YgiM protein is specifically trafficked to peroxisomes in budding yeast, can be found at a pre-peroxisomal compartment (PPC) upon disruption of peroxisomal biogenesis, and can functionally replace an endogenous, peroxisome-directed TA. Furthermore, the YgiM(TA) can localize to peroxisomes in mammalian cells. Since the YgiM(TA) plays no endogenous role in peroxisomal function or assembly, this domain is likely to serve as an excellent tool allowing further illumination of the mechanisms by which TAs can travel to peroxisomes. Moreover, our findings emphasize the ease with which bacteria-derived sequences might target to organelles in eukaryotic cells following HGT, and we discuss the importance of flexible recognition of organelle targeting information during and after eukaryogenesis.