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Experimental assessment of local palm waste and Stipa plant as evaporative cooling pad materials
No full textIndustrial poultry houses play an important role in the food supply chain but are also major consumers of energy and sources of greenhouse gas emissions. A key challenge is the reduced efficiency and lifespan of cooling systems caused by calcium and mineral buildup on evaporative pads, which increases energy use and maintenance costs. There is an urgent need to address this issue to improve system performance and sustainability. This study explores the potential of integrating locally available materials, such as palm fiber, palm leaves, and the Stipa plant, to enhance the performance and longevity of evaporative cooling systems in poultry houses. An experimental setup was developed to evaluate a prototype poultry house equipped with an integrated humidification system and fans, specifically designed and tested under the arid climatic conditions of Algeria. The best-performing configuration was assessed based on key parameters such as dry- and wet-bulb temperature reduction, relative humidity variation, pad thickness, and overall cooling efficiency. The results demonstrated that palm fiber significantly enhanced cooling performance, achieving a temperature drop of 18.1 °C and a cooling efficiency of 73.9%. Utilizing locally available materials not only improved the cooling performance but also reduced system costs, offering a more sustainable and economically viable solution for poultry farming in arid regions
Multicomponent evaluation of the socio-spatial patterns of Anatolian houses
No full textThe relationship between architectural forms and sociocultural structures has gained considerable attention in recent years, as the formation of houses depends on both physical and sociocultural factors. To ensure the sustainability of modern housing design, it is crucial to examine traditional housing structures, which are based on local characteristics. In this study, the socio-spatial patterns of Anatolian houses were analyzed using multicomponent (quantitative and qualitative) methods and genotypes were identified. Within the scope of this study, 18 houses of traditional architectural qualities were selected. During the qualitative research phase, a literature review and oral history interviews with residents and both former and current users of the houses were conducted. Based on these findings, usage patterns were then determined. For the quantitative research phase, the socio-spatial pattern was analyzed using the space syntax method. Finally, the results of the two phases were evaluated together, and conclusions were drawn on the genotypic characteristics of Anatolian houses and the relationship among daily life, culture, and space. Based on a multicomponent evaluation, this study revealed that an architectural pattern based on socio-spatial structures emerged in Anatolian houses
Subcontractor selection in shipyards
No full textShipyards are industrial establishments responsible for the construction, maintenance and repair of seafaring vessels, holding strategic importance for their countries. While shipyards meet part of their workforce needs through permanent employees, they also procure services from subcontractors to fulfill additional labor requirements. Consequently, it is imperative for shipyards to accurately ascertain evaluation criteria and to select the most appropriate subcontractor. In this study, primary and sub-criteria for subcontractor selection were identified by utilizing previous literature. A survey instrument was developed according to the specified criteria and subjected to evaluation by experts employed in shipyards in the Altınova region of Yalova. The obtained data were analysed using the ‘Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP)-Based Approach,’ and the significance levels of the criteria influencing subcontractor selection were determined. The TOPSIS method was finally applied using the previously determined criteria weights, and the most suitable subcontractor was selected for a shipyard operating in the region
Preschool education as a bridge between parenting self-efficacy and risky play: A mediation analysis
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Enhancing Short-Term Recall of Anatomical Terminology Through Instructor-Led Cumulative Repetition: A Quasi-Experimental Study Among Medical Students
No full textBackground: Medical students are often faced to with the challenge of memorizing the large volume of anatomical terms, leading to reliance on monotonous memorization. Thus, this study aims to examine the comparative association between instructor-led cumulative repetition (ILCR) and traditional instruction with respect to short-term recall. Methods: A quasi-experimental within-subject design was chosen employed to control for inter-individual differences. 140 s-year medical students participated in course module where female genital system, external structures were taught using the ILCR method, while internal structures were taught with the traditional single-exposure method serving as an internal control. Retention was evaluated through immediate schematic labeling trials for short-term and later through a laboratory practical examination with 286 students, allowing comparison of performance between participating and non-participating students. Results: There was an instructional method difference in recall rates that was statistically significant within the same cohort. In the immediate recall trial, the correct response rate for structures taught with ILCR was 69.23%, compared to only 17.64% for the traditional method (P < 0.001). Moreover, students who participated in the ILCR trials achieved a median score of 90/100 in the final laboratory examination, whereas non-participants score was significantly lower (50/100) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Instructor-led cumulative repetition appears to provide a meaningful pedagogical advantage over classical didactic teaching methods in supporting the retention of anatomical terminology. The marked difference observed between the experimental and internal control conditions suggests that integrating this approach into standard lectures may represent an effective and time-efficient strategy for enhancing learning outcomes in medical education
Bone health and fracture risk in diabetes: A multicenter study
No full textSummary: We assessed bone health in over 2500 adults with diabetes across Türkiye. T1DM patients had lower BMD, while T2DM patients showed higher fracture risk despite higher BMD. Several modifiable factors were linked to osteoporosis. These findings support personalized bone assessments in diabetic populations. Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a recognized risk factor for bone fragility. While type 1 DM (T1DM) is typically associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), type 2 DM (T2DM) often presents with higher BMD despite increased fracture risk. Large-scale comparative studies remain limited. Objective: To evaluate bone health, including osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fracture risk, in adults with T1DM and T2DM. Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 2562 patients (224 with T1DM, 2338 with T2DM) from 27 centers across Türkiye. BMD was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and fracture risk was estimated via the Turkish-adapted FRAX® algorithm in patients aged ≥ 40 years. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of low BMD. Results: Osteoporosis prevalence was 5.5% in T1DM and 9.6% in T2DM (femoral neck T-score). Adjusted BMD was significantly lower in T1DM at all skeletal sites, while FRAX-based fracture risk and fall-related fractures were higher in T2DM. Independent predictors of osteoporosis included older age, female sex, lower BMI, reduced calcium levels, corticosteroid use, albuminuria, hypertension, and less frequent sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor use. T1DM was independently associated with osteopenia but not osteoporosis. Conclusion: This multicenter study demonstrates distinct patterns of BMD and fracture risk across diabetes subtypes and supports individualized bone health assessment in routine diabetes care
Effect of S2‐Glass/Epoxy Thickness on Buckling of GLAREs Under Pre‐Cyclic Hygrothermal Loading
No full textGlass-reinforced aluminum laminates (GLAREs) are widely used in aerospace structures due to their superior characteristics. However, their buckling response, especially under severe environmental conditions, is not yet fully understood. This study investigates the buckling behavior and damage evolution of GLAREs under varying polymer-composite ply thickness and hygrothermal preconditioning. Experimental and finite element analyses are conducted on two different configurations, with and without hygrothermal cycling, to assess load–displacement responses, critical buckling loads, and damage mechanisms. A strong correlation is observed between numerical predictions and experimental measurements, with deviations in critical buckling loads within ±6%. Doubling the S2-glass/epoxy ply thickness improves structural performance, raising the specific critical buckling load by up to 49%, highlighting the synergistic effects of ply thickness and laminate density. Hygrothermal preconditioning degrades buckling resistance in thinner laminates but, when coupled with increased non-post-cured S2-glass/epoxy ply thickness, enhances the buckling load-bearing capacity. Damage observations reveal delamination at metal–composite interfaces as the dominant failure mode, typically initiating at specimen edges. Longitudinal fiber rupture and buckling occur mainly in highly stressed glass-epoxy layers, whereas aluminum layers exhibit ductile damage at large deflections. Finite element damage and cohesive-interface analyses confirm these trends and demonstrate the mitigating effect of hygrothermal preconditioning on delamination.</p
