275 research outputs found
Dr. Yucel Yanikdag – Faculty Author Interview
No full textDr. Yucel Yanikdag, Associate Professor of History discusses his new book, Healing the Nation: Prisoners of War, Medicine and Nationalism in Turkey, 1914-1939, published recently by Edinburgh University Press. In this book, he explores how Ottoman prisoners of war and military doctors of the First World War discursively constructed their nation as a community, and at the same time attempted to exclude certain groups from that nation. Yanikdag aims to broaden the discussion of nationalism to explore how ideological and biological factors influenced each other
The Determinants of Sovereign Spreads in Emerging Markets
No full textThis study analyzes both short-run and long-run determinants of the sovereign spreads in a set of 21 emerging countries over the period 1998-2004 utilizing both daily and monthly data and estimate individual country and panel regressions. Our analysis shows that both domestic and international factors affect spreads, where the most important common determinant of the spreads is found to be the risk appetite of foreign investors. By using an event study methodology we find no evidence of impact of the FOMC announcements on spreads. Finally, we analyze whether news regarding domestic politics and announcements of international organizations play a role in the evolution of spreads. Using the postcrisis data of Turkey, we point out an important effect of such news releases.Bond spreads, emerging markets, Fed announcements, political news
Microsurgical and Tractographic Anatomical Study of Transtemporal-Transchoroidal Fissure Approaches To the Ambient Cistern
No full textFarouk, Mohamed/0000-0001-9051-3421; Gungor, Abuzer/0000-0002-2792-7610; Adiguzel, Esat/0000-0002-1110-5786; Yakar, Fatih/0000-0001-7414-3766; Egemen, Emrah/0000-0003-4930-4577; Dogruel, Yucel/0000-0003-4314-5579BACKGROUND: Approaching ambient cistern lesions is still a challenge because of deep location and related white matter tracts (WMTs) and neural structures. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the white matter anatomy in the course of 3 types of transtemporal-transchoroidal fissure approaches (TTcFA) to ambient cistern by using fiber dissection technique with translumination and magnetic resonance imaging fiber tractography. METHODS: Eight formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres were dissected on surgical corridor from the temporal cortex to the ambient cistern by using Klingler's method. The trans-middle temporal gyrus, trans-inferior temporal sulcus ( TITS), and trans-inferior temporal gyrus (TITG) approaches were evaluated. WMTs that were identified during dissection were then reconstructed on the Human Connectome Project 1021 individual template for validation. RESULTS: The trans-middle gyrus approach interrupted the U fibers, arcuate fasciculus (AF), the ventral segment of inferior frontoocipital fasciculus (IFOF), the temporal extensions of the anterior commissure (AC) posterior crura, the tapetum (Tp) fibers, and the anterior loop of the optic radiation (OR). The TITS approach interrupted U fibers, inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), IFOF, and OR. The TITG approach interrupted the U fibers, ILF, andOR. The middle longitudinal fasciculus, ILF, and uncinate fasciculus (UF) were not interrupted in the trans-middle gyrus approach and the AF, UF, AC, and Tp fiberswere not interrupted in the TITS/gyrus approaches. CONCLUSION: Surgical planning of the ambient cistern lesions requires detailed knowledge aboutWMTs. Fiber dissection and tractography techniques improve the orientation during surgery and may help decrease surgical complications.Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Pamukkale University [2019BSP014]This study was supported by the Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Pamukkale University under project number 2019BSP014
The effects of N-Acetylcysteine on bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats
No full textStellate cells are activated by free radicals, and synthesize collagen. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor of reduced glutathione and a potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals and has potential antifibrotic effects. We aimed to test the effects of NAC on bile duct ligation (BDL) induced liver damage in rats. Forty-seven Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: group 1, BDL + NAC (n = 10); group 2, BDL (n = 10); group 3, sham + NAC (n = 10); group 4, sham (n = 10); and group 5, control group (n = 10). NAC (50 mu mol/kg per day) or saline of single doses were administered intraperitoneally for 28 days. Serum biochemical and liver oxidative stress parameters were studied. Liver collagen level was determined by the method of Lopez de Leon and Rojkind. Liver slides were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome\Gomory reticulum staining. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase levels in the BDL + NAC group were lower than the BDL group and were higher than the control groups (all P < .001). Malondialdehyde, luminal, and glutathione levels in group 1 were lower than the BDL group (P = .01, P = .002, and P < .001) and higher than the control groups (all P < .001). NAC had no effect on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gammaglutamyl transferase, bilirubin, albumin, or lucigenin levels. Liver collagen levels were higher in the BDL groups (P < .001); however, NAC had no effect on the collagen levels. The BDL groups showed stage 3 fibrosis; all the control groups were normal. NAC improved some biochemical parameters (AST, alkaline phosphatase) and oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, luminol, glutathione) in the BDL model. NAC was found to be effective on cholestasis-induced hepatotoxicity. However, NAC was inefficient as an antifibrotic agent within a 1-month period of administration in the BDL model
Characterization and comparison of mine wastes in Can Coal Basin, northwest Turkey: a case study
No full textThe Can Coal Basin is a major coal-producing site in northwest Turkey that has faced acid mine drainage problems since the 1980s. This study characterized and compared mine wastes from the Etili and Comakli open-pit coal mines in the Can Coal Basin physically, mineralogically, and geochemically for acid mine drainage potential and metal(loid) mobility. Mineralogical analysis determined pyrite to be the major sulfide mineral in the Etili and Comakli coal and mine wastes, while dolomite and calcite were abundant in the mine wastes from the Comakli site. Concentrations of Al, As, Mn, and Pb in these mine wastes are higher than in Turkish and world coals. The enrichment factor showed moderate enrichment of Pb and significant enrichment of As in the Etili and Comakli mine wastes, respectively. Static tests indicated acid generation potential in all Etili and some Comakli mine wastes. The modified synthetic precipitation leaching procedure revealed that greater concentrations of Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and SO42- were released from pyrite-rich mine wastes. Physical, mineralogical, and geochemical factors affecting acid mine drainage were highly variable within and between sites. Increasing concern over significant environmental health effects of low-pH, metal(loid)-polluted mine wastes necessitates remediation of the mine sites.Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University [FBA-2016-759]This research was partly supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University under FBA-2016-759 numbered project. The author thanks to Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Science and Technology Application and Research Center for SEM-EDX analysis. The author is grateful to Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Ali Yucel for his help during field studies, Dr. Burcu Ileri for her assistance in laboratory work and Dr. Mehmet Karadeniz for his constructive comments. Furthermore, the author special thanks to the four anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions
PREFERENCE-AWARE TASK ASSIGNMENT IN MOBILE CROWDSENSING
No full textMobile crowdsensing (MCS) is an emerging form of crowdsourcing, which facilitates the sensing data collection with the help of mobile participants (workers). A central problem in MCS is the assignment of sensing tasks to workers. Existing work in the field mostly seek a system-level optimization of task assignments (e.g., maximize the number of completed tasks, minimize the total distance traveled by workers) without considering individual preferences of task requesters and workers. However, users may be reluctant to participate in MCS campaigns that disregard their preferences. In this dissertation, we argue that user preferences should be a primary concern in the task assignment process for an MCS campaign to be effective, and we develop preference-aware task assignment (PTA) mechanisms for five different MCS settings. Since the PTA problem is computationally hard in most of these settings, we present efficient approximation and heuristic algorithms. Extensive simulations performed on synthetic and real data sets validate our theoretical results, and demonstrate that the proposed algorithms produce near-optimal solutions in terms of preference-awareness, outperforming the state-of-the-art assignment algorithms by a wide margin in most cases
Measurements of serum procollagen-III peptide and M30 do not improve the diagnostic accuracy of transient elastography for the detection of hepatic fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
No full textBackground Transient elastography (TE) has recently emerged as an accurate noninvasive imaging method for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we tested whether adding serum measures of serum procollagen-III peptide (PIIIP) and caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 fragment (M30) to TE could improve its diagnostic accuracy in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Patients and methods TE was performed in 87 patients with NAFLD. Serum PIIIP and M30 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Liver histology was considered the gold standard. The diagnostic accuracies were assessed by measuring the area under the receiver operating curve. Results At histopathological examination, 34 patients (39.1%) had significant fibrosis (F2-F4) and 19 patients (21.8%) had advanced fibrosis (F3-F4). Both TE and serum M30 levels were independent predictors of fibrosis, whereas no association was found with PIIIP. No significant differences in terms of sensitivity and specificity for both significant and advanced fibrosis were evident for TE, serum M30, or their combination. Moreover, the area under the receiver operating curves of serum M30 combined with TE did not differ significantly from those of either test alone. Conclusion Both TE and serum M30 levels are accurate for the noninvasive diagnosis of fibrosis in NAFLD. However, their combination did not improve the overall diagnostic accuracy. Copyright (c) 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved
An experimental study on friction reducing polymers in turbulent pipe flow
No full textAn experimental study was conducted to search the reduction of friction in fully developed turbulent pipe flow using different types of polyacrylamides as friction reducing polymers. Pressure drop measurements determined the friction reduction. Three different polymer types Superfloc A110, Superfloc A130 and Superfloc A150 were used to examine the effect of polymer concentration, Reynolds number and polymer type on friction reduction. The Darcy friction factor was obtained for each polymer type at the polymer concentration ranging from 0 to 500 wppm and a Reynolds number range of 10000-80000. It was observed that friction factor decreased with increment in polymer concentration and Reynolds number for each polymer. Higher molecular weight polymers are more effective at reducing friction. With increasing concentration of polymer, the measured data approaches the Virk asymptote, which represents the maximum friction reduction limit by the polymers. The percentage of friction reduction increased with increasing concentration of polymer up to 100 wppm for each polymer type and then began to decrease for polymer concentrations higher than 100 wppm. An empirical formula was obtained to calculate the Darcy friction factor as a function of Reynolds number and polymer concentration for Superfloc A110.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Marine and Transport Technolog
Subdural Hematoma Evacuation via Rigid Endoscopy System: A Cadaveric Study
No full textYakar, Fatih/0000-0001-7414-3766; Adiguzel, Esat/0000-0002-1110-5786; Dogruel, Yucel/0000-0003-4314-5579; Egemen, Emrah/0000-0003-4930-4577; Cuneyit, Ibrahim/0000-0003-0555-2114; Dere, Umit/0000-0002-6678-6224The utilization of endoscope-assisted surgery is becoming a more common modality for the surgical treatment of subdural collections. Considering the inflexible construction of the rigid endoscope, it's not clear where to perform the optimal craniotomy. Twenty four craniotomies (3 cm diameter) were performed in 8 hemicrania. The craniotomies were placed 1 cm front and behind the coronal suture and to the point where the parietal bone was the most convex. The craniotomies in the anterior (C1) and posterior (C2) of the coronal suture were in the mid pupillary line, while the posterior craniotomy (C3) was just lateral to the midpupillary line. At first, subdural distances measured, and then the distances from the craniotomy to the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral directions in which endoscope could reach the farthest without the damage to the parenchyma were measured. The subdural distance was significantly deeper in C3 than C1 (P = 0.001); however, there was no difference between C3 and C2 (P = 0.312). The distance that could be reached with C3 was higher than C1 in anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial directions (P ≤0.001, 0.037, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The distance that could be reached with C3 was higher than C2 in anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial directions (P 0.001, 0.02, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). In subdural hematomas, especially that covers all surface of the hemisphere, the most suitable craniotomy is the posteriorly placed craniotomy to reach the most extended projection in anteroposterior line of the hematoma.The utilization of endoscope-assisted surgery is becoming a more common modality for the surgical treatment of subdural collections. Considering the inflexible construction of the rigid endoscope, it's not clear where to perform the optimal craniotomy. Twenty four craniotomies (3 cm diameter) were performed in 8 hemicrania. The craniotomies were placed 1 cm front and behind the coronal suture and to the point where the parietal bone was the most convex. The craniotomies in the anterior (C1) and posterior (C2) of the coronal suture were in the mid pupillary line, while the posterior craniotomy (C3) was just lateral to the midpupillary line. At first, subdural distances measured, and then the distances from the craniotomy to the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral directions in which endoscope could reach the farthest without the damage to the parenchyma were measured. The subdural distance was significantly deeper in C3 than C1 (P = 0.001); however, there was no difference between C3 and C2 (P = 0.312). The distance that could be reached with C3 was higher than C1 in anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial directions (P = 0.001, 0.037, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The distance that could be reached with C3 was higher than C2 in anterior, posterior, lateral, and medial directions (P 0.001, 0.02, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). In subdural hematomas, especially that covers all surface of the hemisphere, the most suitable craniotomy is the posteriorly placed craniotomy to reach the most extended projection in anteroposterior line of the hematoma.Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Pamukkale University [2019BSP015]This study was supported by the Scientific Research Coordination Unit of Pamukkale University under project number 2019BSP015
Development of a Prediction Software for the Growth Kinetics of Pseudomonas spp. in Culture Media using Various Primary Models
No full text
Background and Objective: Pseudomonas spp. are bacteria with the widest effects on food spoilage. These bacteria can be found in several environments such as soil and water. The major purpose of this study was to develop a software; by which, the growth behaviours of Pseudomonas spp. in culture media could be predicted.
Material and Methods: A total number of 509 bacterial data points of Pseudomonas spp. in culture media were collected from the ComBase database. Temperature and pH were used as the major prediction variables for the description of Pseudomonas spp. behaviours in culture media. Modified Gompertz, Baranyi and Huang models, the most commonly used models in predictive food microbiology to predict the count of microorganisms, were used as well. Fitting capability of each model was assessed and compared with other capabilities considering their statistical indices of the root mean square error, RMSE; coefficient of determination, R2; corrected Akaike information criterion, AICc; and Bayesian information criterion, BIC.
Results and Conclusion: Huang model provided better predictions with 0.951 of R2 and 0.825 of RMSE, compared to those of traditionally used models. Prediction capability of the Huang model was assessed considering externally collected data from the ComBase database. Huang model in the validation process provided satisfactory statistical indices (bias factor = 1.027 and accuracy factor = 1.075). These results have revealed that Huang model can be reliably used as a model of describing the growth behaviours of Pseudomonas spp. Furthermore, developed software in this study includes significant potentials for predicting Pseudomonas counts in culture media.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest
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