INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FATIGUE, DEPRESSION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH RELAPSING REMITTING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status, depression and fatigue status of patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). The study was carried out on 30 MS patients (Patient Group: PG) and a control group consisting of 30 healthy volunteers with similar characteristics (Control Group: CG). It was found that the relationship between depression and fatigue among MS patients was positive (p<0.05). The mean score of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was 5.65±1.57 in PG patients and 3.10±0.97 in CG patients. The fatigue level of the patients was significantly higher than that of the controls (p<0.05). A negative correlation was found between vitamin B12 intake and the scores of the FSS and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in patients with PG (p<0.05). The study showed that fatigue and depression in MS patients were closely related their dietary habits. Since low serum B12 levels may increase the risk of fatigue and depression, attention should be paid to vitamin B12 intake. In order to improve the quality of life of MS patients, their nutrition should be closely monitored and a balanced and healthy nutrition plan appropriate to their needs should be implemented

Objective Signs versus Subjective Disease Index in Dry Eye Disease

Objective: To compare the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire with objective tests in dry eye disease. Study Design: A prospective observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Nigde, Turkiye, from 9th June to 31st December 2022. Methodology: All clinically diagnosed 323 eyes of patients with dry eye disease (DED) were included. The subjects were evaluated by the Oxford classification of corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test, and fluorescein tear breakup time (TBUT). Symptoms of the patients were interpreted with OSDI and correlations of symptoms and objective markers were analysed. Results: There was no significant association between any objective signs (Schirmer I, TBUT, and Oxford), and OSDI (p = 0.26, 0.52, 0.18, and respectively). Schirmer I score showed a significant positive correlation with TBUT (p <0.001, r = 0.21) and a significant negative correlation with Oxford scale (p <0.001, r = -0.19). There was a statistically negative correlation between TBUT and Oxford scale (p <0.001, r = -0.37). Conclusion: Except for the Schirmer test, TBUT and Oxford scale are effective tools in the diagnosis of DED. Symptom markers, such as OSDI may have lower reliability in diagnosing DED and determining its severity. Diagnostic tests are important in the detection of asymptomatic or less severe dry eye disease that can be ignored. © 2024 College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. All rights reserved

Effects of changing water content of clay-content rocks on field cutter consumption rate of roadheaders: a case study of porous ignimbrites

The changing formation characteristics during excavation can cause a higher cutter consumption rate (CCR) of mechanical excavators than theoretically estimated before the project begins. This study investigates the adhesive potential of clay-content porous ignimbrites in increasing water content and their effects on the CCR of roadheaders. For this purpose, the actual field CCR data of roadheaders were recorded for ten cold storage caverns (CSC) projects during the excavation in dry and wet conditions. Then, laboratory tests were carried out on the rock samples collected from project areas. CCRs of roadheaders were theoretically estimated based on the Cerchar abrasivity index of rocks using three different empirical models. The laboratory test results showed that increasing water content reduces the abrasivity and strength of the rocks. The theoretically estimated results also showed that CCR is to be less under saturated conditions. However, actual field data revealed higher CCRs for all CSC projects in wet conditions. Therefore, the adhesion potential of rocks in different water contents was analyzed, and positive relationships were obtained between the field CCR in wet conditions and the adhesion potentials of excavated rocks with 15%, 20%, and 25% water content. New equations were developed to estimate the CCR of roadheaders, especially in excavating rocks that have an adhesive potential to cutters, such as clay-content rocks. It has been concluded that for an accurate CCR estimation, more than theoretical calculations will be required, and changing formation conditions should also be analyzed in detail.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) [120M145]; HOYUK Construction Company; KEMPAR co. ltd.Open access funding provided by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK). In this study, a part of the data given in Jahid Bayramov's MSc thesis was used after developing through further field and laboratory studies. A part of the field studies was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK, Grant No. 120M145); therefore, the authors would like to thank TUBITAK. The author greatly appreciates the HOYUK Construction Company and KEMPAR co. ltd. for their support

The effect of Web 2.0 tools supported games on achievement and attitude in primary school Turkish grammar teaching

Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Temel Eğitim Ana Bilim Dalı, Sınıf Öğretmenliği Eğitimi Bilim DalıBu çalışmanın amacı Türkçe dil bilgisi öğretiminde web 2.0 araçları destekli oyunların öğrencilerin akademik başarısına ve Türkçe dersine ilişkin tutumlarına etkisini araştırmaktır. Çalışmada 4. Sınıf Türkçe dersi "Milli Mücadele ve Atatürk" ve "Kişisel Gelişim" temalarına yönelik hazırlanan oyunlar kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu; 2022-2023 eğitim öğretim yılının bahar döneminde Niğde il merkezinde bulunan bir devlet okulunda, 50 kişiden oluşan 4. sınıf öğrencilerinden oluşmaktadır. Araştırmada deneysel modellerden ön test- son test kontrol gruplu yarı deneysel desen kullanılmıştır. Araştırma deney ve kontrol grubu olmak üzere iki şubede gerçekleştirilmiştir. Deney grubunda web 2.0 araçları ile oluşturulmuş oyunlar, kontrol grubunda ise öğretim programı uygulanmıştır. Araştırma verileri araştırmacı tarafından geliştirilen " Türkçe Dersi Dil Bilgisi Akademik Başarı Testi" ile Acat tarafından geliştirilen "Türkçe Dersine İlişkin Tutum Ölçeği" ile toplanmıştır. Araştırmacı tarafından hazırlanan 22 soruluk başarı testinin KR-20 güvenirlik katsayısı .83 hesaplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS paket programından yararlanılarak bilgisayar ortamında analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda; Türkçe dil bilgisi öğretiminde web 2.0 araçları ile oluşturulmuş oyunların kullanılmasının deney grubu öğrencilerinin akademik başarı puanlarını ve Türkçe dersine ilişkin tutum puanlarını olumlu etkilediği belirlenmiştir. Öğrencilerin hem akademik başarılarını hem de Türkçe dersine ilişkin tutumlarını artırmıştır.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of games supported by web 2.0 tools on students' academic achievement and attitudes towards Turkish language teaching.In the study, games prepared for the 4th grade Turkish lesson "National Struggle and Atatürk" and "Personal Development" themes were used. The study group of the research; In the spring semester of the 2022-2023 academic year, it consists of 4th grade students consisting of 50 students in a public school in the city center of Niğde. In the study, a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group was used. The research was conducted in two branches, experimental and control groups. Games created with web 2.0 tools were applied in the experimental group and the curriculum was applied in the control group. The research data were collected with the "Turkish Language Academic Achievement Test" developed by the researcher and the "Attitude Scale towards Turkish Lesson" developed by Acat. The KR-20 reliability coefficient of the 22-question achievement test prepared by the researcher was calculated as .83. The data obtained were analyzed in computer environment by using SPSS package program. As a result of the research; it was determined that the use of games created with web 2.0 tools in teaching Turkish grammar positively affected the academic achievement scores of the experimental group students and their attitude scores towards Turkish lesson. It increased both students' academic achievement and their attitudes towards Turkish lesson

The Next Generation in Communication Technology: Roadmap to 6G

6th Global Power, Energy and Communication Conference (GPECOM) -- JUN 04-07, 2024 -- Budapest, HUNGARYSince the last quarter of 2022, studies on fifth-generation (5G) communication systems have been conducted under the name of beyond 5G studies. With the standardization of 5G communication systems, researchers have intensified their work on communication technologies beyond the 5G. The rapid advancements in communication technology have prompted 5G studies to focus on mapping out the roadmap for sixth-generation (6G) communication, which will be the next communication technology. This includes determining the vision and requirements for this new technology. This study investigates the developments in mobile communications from the first generation (1G) to the 5G, the main technologies and challenges in the fifth generation, and the expectations for 6G. It is expected that 6G will be operational by 2030 according to many researchers, countries, and companies.IEE

The modification of nisin with homocysteine thiolactone and its effect on antimicrobial activity

The aim of the present study is to make an important contribution to the literature by focusing on the preparation of the N-homocysteine conjugate of nisin and evaluating the effect of the N-homocysteinylation reaction on its antimicriobial activity. The modification process was monitored using both acetic acid urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AAU-PAGE) and tricine sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (tricine SDS-PAGE). The antibacterial effectiveness of modified nisin was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Enterococcus faecium ATCC 9097, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris Au, Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 5348, and Escherichia coli RSKK. Optimal conditions for achieving the highest N-homocysteinylation degree (6.30%) were determined as 6 mg/mL nisin, 150 mM homocysteine thiolactone, 150 rpm shaking rate, pH of 3.0, and a reaction time of 6 h. The modified nisin obtained did not have a significant inhibitory effect on the strains tested except E. faecium. E. faecium was inhibited by the modified nisin and its antibacterial activity was determined as approximately 10% of the antibacterial activity of unmodified nisin. On the other hand, hydrolysis of nisin by trypsin and thermolysin resulted in significant specific side chain modifications induced by the homocysteine-thiolactone reaction, especially at Lys12 and Lys22. The results provide valuable insights into the potential of N-homocysteinylation to improve the antibacterial properties of nisin and also suggest that the effects of specific modifications identified during the modification process should be investigated.Scientific Research Projects of Nigde Omer Halisdemir University [2014/21-BAGEP]The Scientific Research Projects of Nigde Omer Halisdemir University funded the present study (Project No: 2014/21-BAGEP)

Detection and Segmentation of Subdural Hemorrhage on Head CT Images

In today's world, there has been a significant increase in the diversity of data sources and the volume of data. This situation especially necessitates the use of technologies such as deep learning in data processing. This study thoroughly examines the processing of computed tomography (CT) images with deep learning models and their role in the diagnosis of brain hemorrhages, proposing an innovative deep learning-based model for accurately detecting and segmenting brain hemorrhages. This model combines the architectures of Mask Scoring R-CNN and EfficientNet-B2, offering an effective approach for the detection and classification of brain hemorrhages. MS R-CNN is used to detect potential hemorrhage areas in CT images, while the EfficientNet-B2 architecture serves a classification function to determine whether these areas indeed contain hemorrhages. Thus, the model offers a two-stage verification process that enhances accuracy and precision. The performance of the model has been evaluated under patient-based and random partitioning techniques using by employing two distinct datasets: an open-access and a private. In patient-based evaluation, the proposed model has an accuracy of %91.59 on open dataset and an accuracy of %90.46 on private dataset for SDH hemorrhages. In the random partitioning method, the model's accuracy rate has risen to %94.30 on open dataset and %97.33 on private dataset. Compared with similar studies in the literature, these results demonstrate that the model has a high level of accuracy and reliability. This study highlights the potential and importance of AI-supported methods in the detection of brain hemorrhages and provides a solid foundation for future work in this area. Additionally, the results obtained from an open dataset by the proposed model offer a realistic and comparable reference for future work in this field. The results obtained from a second data set also clearly demonstrate the validity of the model

The effect of cognitive flexibility in nurses on attitudes to professional autonomy

Background: Professional autonomy, which directly affects the quality of professional nursing in patient care, and cognitive flexibility, which is an important factor for adaptation to change and developing nursing roles, are important concepts for nursing. Research objectives: This research was carried out to determine the effect of cognitive flexibility on attitudes towards professional autonomy in nurses. Research design: This was a descriptive study. Participants and research context: The research was conducted with 415 nurses working in a city hospital of a province, meeting the inclusion criteria and agreeing to participate in the study. A questionnaire form, The Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and the Attitude Toward Professional Autonomy Scale for Nurses (APASN) were used to collect data. Ethical considerations Ethical approval was obtained from the university ethics committee before starting the study. Institutional permission was obtained from the city hospital where the study was conducted. Electronic informed consent was obtained from the nurses included in the study. Findings: In the study, the mean CFI score was 80.62 +/- 11.55 and the mean APASN score was 70.42 +/- 18.79. There was a weak positive correlation (r = 0.270; p < 0.05) between CFI and APASN scores. Moreover, the effect of the CFI mean score on the APASN mean score was found to be statistically significant (beta = 0.278; p < 0.001). Furthermore, CFI explains 7.7% of APASN. Conclusion: In the study, nurses' attitudes towards professional autonomy and cognitive flexibility scores were found to be at a good level. Cognitive flexibility has a positive effect on attitudes towards professional autonomy. Interventional studies that will increase the level of cognitive flexibility are recommended in the development of nurses' attitudes towards professional autonomy.We thank the nurses who participated in our study.We thank the nurses who participated in our study

Enhancing formability of Ti-6Al-4V cylindrical cups by pulsating hydroforming process: Experimental, numerical and microstructural investigations

Ti-6Al-4V alloy sheet is an engineering material that is widely used due to its superior properties such as high strength-to-density ratio besides high temperature and corrosion resistance. However, its low formability at room temperature limits its wider applications. In this study, a cylindrical cup was hydroformed using a female die to examine how the pulsating effect would result under frictional conditions. Initially, finite element simulations were performed to design a proper die geometry. Next, forming tests were run on Ti-6Al-4V blanks under pressure increased monotonically and with pulsation, and microstructural analyses were performed on the formed specimens. The effects of pulsation frequency, amplitude, and base pressure on the formability were investigated. The nose radius/thickness ratio, maximum thinning, bursting pressure, and die-filling ratio measured on the specimens formed under monotonic and pulsating loadings were compared, and the improvement in the formability was demonstrated. An increase of 38.5 % in bursting pressure occurred and the nose radius of the part was decreased up to 30 % with pulsating loading. The die-filling ratio was improved from 87.9 % to 95.3 % with optimized pulsation parameters. The underlying microstructural reasons for the improved formability were elaborated using XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Trkiye (TUBITAK) [219M489]This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Tuerkiye (TUBITAK) [grant number 219M489]

Can immature granulocytes and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio be biomarkers to evaluate diabetic nephropathy?: A cross-sectional study

Aims: We aimed to examine the role of circulating immature granulocytes (IGs) in assessing Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) mainly and also associations of other leukocyte parameters with DN. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, a total of 164 Diabetes Mellitus patients were grouped as normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric according to urinary albumin excretion in the course of admission. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), IG count (IG#) and IG percentage (IG%) levels were compared between the groups. The value of IG# and IG% levels in detecting microalbuminuria was analyzed with the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: NLR was remarkably higher in the microalbuminuric group (p = 0.036). Correlation results in the microalbuminuric group were as follows: A feeble positive correlation between neutrophil count (NEU#) and serum creatinine and albumin-to- creatinine ratio (ACR) (p = 0.036, r = 0.261; p = 0.005, r = 0.347, respectively), a feeble positive correlation between lymphocyte count (LYM#) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.021, r = 0.285). Correlation results in the normooalbuminuric group were as follows: A feeble positive correlation between NEU# and ACR (p = 0.043, r = 0.204), a feeble negative correlation between LYM# and serum creatinine (p = 0.042, r = -0.205), a poor positive correlation between IG# and ACR and HBA1C% (p = 0.048, r = 0.199; p = 0.004, r = 0.290, respectively), a positive poor correlation between IG% and HBA1C% (p = 0.019, r = 0.235). Area under the ROC curve values for IG# and IG% were not statistically noteworthy in detecting microalbuminuria (p = 0.430; p = 0.510, respectively). Conclusions: IG# and IG% values are insufficient to predict immediate microalbuminuria, but could be considered a weak biomarker for renal damage in normoalbuminuric (<30 mg/g) diabetic patients. Further researches are needed for the use of leukocyte parameters in evaluating DN.The authors would like to thank Dr. Cagatay atay Emir Odnder d nder for sup-porting the archive by working in the endocrinology outpatient clinic in the past