Universidad Internacional del Ecuador
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Post-traumatic stress disorder in earthquake survivors living in temporary shelter areas in Hatay central districts: a cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes resulted in extensive destruction, significant loss of life, and widespread displacement, with Hatay province being the most severely affected region. Earthquake survivors residing in temporary shelters face an elevated risk of long-term psychological consequences, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This study aims to assess the prevalence of PTSD and depression among earthquake survivors in temporary shelter areas within the central districts of Hatay and to identify associated risk factors contributing to PTSD. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted among 400 adult earthquake survivors following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Participants were selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, earthquake experiences, and psychiatric history were collected through self-report questionnaires. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), while depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: PTSD was identified in 29.0% of participants, while depression was observed in 38.8%. Key risk factors for PTSD included unemployment (OR = 2.590, p = 0.004), the loss of a family member (OR = 2.351, p = 0.017), a pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis prior to the earthquakes (OR = 2.245, p = 0.007), alcohol use (OR = 2.310, p = 0.019), smoking (OR = 1.663, p = 0.044), and experiencing a high level of fear during the earthquakes (OR = 2.151, p = 0.002). Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical need for large-scale psychosocial support and intervention programs in the post-disaster period. Identifying risk factors for PTSD may aid in the development of targeted treatment strategies and preventive interventions for affected individuals
Chronic changes developing in the hydronephrotic and contralateral kidneys during unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats
No full textBackground: Animal models of chronic kidney disease are important experimental tools used to validate new mechanisms and potential innovations, as well as to investigate therapeutic interventions before clinical trials in humans. This study aimed to determine the chronic changes occurring in the obstructed kidneys (OK) and the contralateral (CL) kidneys in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. Methods and results: In the study, three groups (n:6) were formed. It was observed that dilated tubules decreased at 28 days compared to 14 days, while mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis increased. In the CL kidneys, glutathione (GSH) was lower compared to the control group (CG) at 14 days; at 28 days, malondialdehyde (MDA) was elevated, and GSH and catalase (CAT) levels were reduced. Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF-2) protein expression was lower in the OK compared to the CL kidneys at both 14 and 28 days. NRF-2 gene expression was lower in the OK only at 28 days compared to the CG. However, in the CL kidneys, NRF-2 gene expression was higher at both 14 and 28 days compared to the CG. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein levels showed a significant increase in both the OK and CL kidneys at 14 days. COX-2 gene expression increased in the OK at 14 days compared to the CG. BAX protein levels were lower in the OK at 28 days compared to both the CG and CL kidneys. BCL-2 protein levels were lower in the OK compared to the CL kidneys at both 14 and 28 days. Conclusion: This study has identified changes in both the OK and CL kidneys, providing significant data for potential therapeutic, supportive, or protective research aimed at treating these kidneys
Eco-Friendly Seed Treatments: Essential Oils Immobilized on Nutshell-Dserived Hydrochar to Enhance <i>Salvia sclarea</i> Germination for Sustainable Environmental Management
No full textSeed germination is a critical stage for crop establishment, and environmentally friendly approaches are needed to improve seed performance while reducing chemical inputs. In this study, nutshell-derived hydrochar (NH) was used as a carrier to immobilize essential oils (EOs) from Origanum onites L. and Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. and their effects on Salvia sclarea L. germination were evaluated. Hydrochars were produced via hydrothermal carbonization of hazelnut shells, characterized by FT-IR, and combined with Murashige and Skoog medium for germination experiments under controlled conditions. EO-loaded NH significantly influenced seed germination compared to the untreated control. Germination percentage increased from 54.67% (control) to 80.0% with L. x intermedia EO-NH, while mean germination time decreased from 3.93 to 3.55 days and T50 from 3.39 to 2.89 days. Seedling vigor was also enhanced, with improvements of up to 28% over the control. These findings demonstrate that EO-immobilized NH offers a promising eco-friendly strategy to promote seed germination and early seedling growth, with potential applications in sustainable crop production and environmental management
Enhancing bioclimatic conditions in urban open spaces through surface material selection: The case of adana (Turkey)
No full textThis study is motivated by research questions concerning the impact of surface temperatures of various pavements on daily life in cities with high summer temperatures. It aims to explore whether improving bioclimatic conditions is possible to achieve healthy, livable, and sustainable urban environments. Specifically, how do high surface temperatures during summer in urban areas affect daily life? What types of surface materials should be prioritized in urban design and planning? The primary objective of this study is to investigate how the surface temperatures of different pavement types influence thermal comfort, particularly during the summer season. The study area is Cumhuriyet Park in the Yurt Neighborhood, located in the Çukurova district of Adana province, in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Data were collected using a Parrot Anafi Thermal UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) system, with surface temperature measurements taken from 20 distinct points on September 10, 2022. A detailed surface temperature map was also generated using a thermal camera. Analysis of the temperature data revealed that water surfaces had the lowest recorded temperatures, while black concrete surfaces exhibited the highest. The findings underscore the critical role of surface material selection in shaping bioclimatic conditions and enhancing thermal comfort in urban open and green spaces. Thoughtful selection of surface materials is a fundamental principle in urban design and planning and is essential for creating sustainable cities with a high quality of life. The study suggests that, in cities with high summer temperatures—such as those in the Mediterranean region—increasing the presence of water surfaces, grassy areas, and vegetation can significantly improve thermal comfort
Antalya İlindeki Milli Ve Doğa Parklarındaki Ziyaretçilerin Algıları: Tripadvisor Değerlendirmelerine Yönelik Bir İçerik Analizi
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Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence Practices in the Teaching of Social Sciences: A Multi-Complementary Research Approach on Pre-School Education
No full textThe aim of this study is to evaluate artificial intelligence applications in the preschool education level within the framework of the multi-complementary approach (McA). The McA is designed as a comprehensive approach that encompasses multiple analysis methods. In the first phase of the study, the pre-complementary knowledge process, meta-analysis, and meta-thematic analysis methods were used; in the post-complementary knowledge process, an experimental design with a control group and pre-test/post-test was applied. Finally, in the complementary knowledge phase, the findings of the first two phases were combined, providing an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial intelligence applications in preschool education from a more comprehensive and broader perspective. The study provides information about the McA, and then the methodological process and findings of the research are presented in detail within this framework. After providing information about the McA, the methodological process and results of the study are presented step by step within this framework. A literature review based on document analysis in the context of social sciences and teaching in preschool education using artificial intelligence applications has shown that the application of artificial intelligence has positive and significant effects on both student performance and various variables supporting teaching. The complementary results favoring artificial intelligence applications encourage the increased use of such technologies in preschool education, promoting their more widespread and systematic use in the teaching environment
