Enhancing Network Security and Facilitating Firewall Rule management through Automated Firewall Rule management tool and integration with Discovery tools

openThis master's thesis aims to explore the integration of ethical hacking practices and network security governance to enhance the overall security posture of organizations. By leveraging automated firewall rule management tools and employing ethical hacking techniques, this research aims to mitigate vulnerabilities, reduce attack surfaces, and ensure continuous compliance with regulatory and corporate standards. The study also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the life cycle of firewall rules and integrating them into existing workflow applications and systems.This master's thesis aims to explore the integration of ethical hacking practices and network security governance to enhance the overall security posture of organizations. By leveraging automated firewall rule management tools and employing ethical hacking techniques, this research aims to mitigate vulnerabilities, reduce attack surfaces, and ensure continuous compliance with regulatory and corporate standards. The study also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the life cycle of firewall rules and integrating them into existing workflow applications and systems

Determination of The Physical And Mechanical Properties of Scotch Pine By Impregnating With OAK Tannin And Timber Care Impregnation Materials

In this study, it is aimed to test the preservative impregnation characteristics of the scotch pine wood type as a consequence of impregnation with natural and chemical impregnation materials. The impregnated materials have been kept in outdoor conditions for one year and it is aimed to reveal which one of the impregnated materials is more advantageous by analysing the physical and mechanical properties of materials impregnated under these circumstances. The scotch pine (Pinus sylvetsris L.) is used as the wood material. The acorn has been used as the natural impregnation substance and timber care aqua as the chemical impregnation material. Physical and mechanical tests regarding air-dried density, full dried density, moisture content, retention amount, bending strength, elastic modulus, bonding strength parallel to the fibers, compressive strength parallel to the fibers, and the screw holding strength have been carried out. According to the results regarding the physical properties; full dried density and retention amount of the scotch pines have been confirmed to be higher than control samples in terms of the material, and the airdried density, moisture content and retention amount of acorn specimens have been found to be higher than the timber care aqua samples in terms of impregnation materials. As for mechanical properties, the scotch pine’s elastic modulus and compressive strength parallel to the fibers have been stated to be higher than the control samples in terms of material and bending strength and bonding strength parallel to fibers of acorn samples have been detected to be higher than timber care samples in terms of impregnation materials. As a result, it is determined that the wood materials impregnated with natural impregnation materials are in a state in which they can be compared with the wood material impregnated with a chemical substances.5707301780

Could heterozygous beta thalassemia provide protection against multiple sclerosis?

Background: Heterozygous beta thalassemia (HBT) has been proposed to increase the risk of developing autoimmune disease. Our aim in this study was to examine the prevalence of HBT among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Material/Methods: HBT frequency was investigated in our MS group (243 patients with MS). Hemoglobin electrophoresis (HE) was carried out if MS patients had a mean corpuscular volume of (MCV) <80 fL and a mean corpuscular hemoglobin level of (MCH) <27 pg/L according to a complete blood count (CBC). If MCV was lower than 80 fL, MCH was lower than 27 pg/L, and Hemoglobin A2 equal to or higher than 3.5%, a diagnosis of HBT was established. The frequency of patients with HBT in our MS patient group was statistically compared with the prevalence of HBT in the city of Istanbul, where our MS patients lived. Results: The HBT prevalence was 0.823% (2 patients) in the MS patient group. The prevalence of HBT in Istanbul has been reported to be 4.5%. According to the z-test, the HBT prevalence in our MS patient group was significantly lower than that in Istanbul (Z=6.3611, two-sided p value <0.0001, 95% confidence interval of prevalence of HBT in our MS patient group: 0.000998-0.029413). Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis at the outset of study, the reduced HBT prevalence in the MS group compared to HBT frequency in the city of Istanbul might indicate that HBT is protective against MS

The Relationship of Hematologic Parameters and Lipid Profile with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of routine laboratory parameters on clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Materials and Methods: Our study was designed as retrospective and cross-sectional. 94 patients with AIS who received inpatient treatment in our clinic with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Laboratory data, demographic, and clinical characteristics were recorded at the time of admission. Neurological disabilities of the patients 3 months after treatment were evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). mRS 0-2 was considered a good prognosis and mRS 3-6 was considered a poor prognosis. Results: Of the 94 patients included in the study, 47 were men and 47 were women. The mean age was 71.18±11.92 years. Laboratory parameters hemoglobin, eosinophil, totalcholesterol, ldl-cholesterol, and triglyceride values were significantly lower in the group with mRS≥3. As a result of ROC analysis, the area under the curve of hemoglobin, eosinophil, total-cholesterol, ldl-cholesterol, and triglyceride was significantly higher[(AUC: 0.710 95%CI: 0.60-0.81); Sensitivity=67.6%, Specificity=67.9%, p=0.001]. In the multivariable logistic regression model, only the NIHSS score (National Institutes Of Health Stroke Scale Scores) was independently associated with the degree of disability (p=0.001). NIHSS is an independent factor in predicting stroke outcomes. Conclusion: It was determined that there was a significant inverse relationship between the routine laboratory parameters hemoglobin level, eosinophil level, LDL and total cholesterol levels, and infarct volume with the NIHSS scores of hemoglobin and LDLcholesterol

Metaverse: From Virtual Word to Real Security and Privacy Problems

Metaverse günümüzde çok sık karşılaşılan bir terim olsa da 1990’lardan beri var olan, gerçek dünya benzeri yapay dünyalar veya 3 boyutlu dünyalar konseptidir. Her on yılda bir bilgi ve iletişim teknolojilerinde yaşanan büyük sıçramalarla birlikte; sanal gerçeklik, artırılmış gerçeklik, Web 3.0 gibi yeni teknolojilerin ve toplumsal yönlendirmenin de etkisiyle, daha önceki sıçramalarla beraber yaşanan veri güvenliği ve özel hayatın gizliliği sorunları yeniden gün yüzüne çıkmıştır. Bu çalışmada henüz kavramsal olarak tüm çerçevesi çizilmemiş, “Metaverse” kavramı ve metaverse’te karşılaşılabilecek veri güvenliği ve gizlilik sorunları değerlendirilmiştir. Kullanıcı profili oluşturma, kullanıcı gizliliği ve gizliliğe karşı önlemler değerlendirilmiş, güvenlik konusunda kimlik yönetimi, kullanıcı bilgilerinin korunması ve toplum yönetimine dair araştırma yapılmıştır.Although the metaverse is a very common term encountered nowadays, it is the concept of realworld-like artificial worlds or 3-dimensional worlds that has existed since the 1990s. As well as with the great leaps happened in information and communication technologies in every ten years; with the effect of social guidance and new technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and Web 3.0, data security and right of privacy issues, experienced together with the previous leaps, have come to the daylight again. In this study, the concept of "Metaverse", which has not yet been conceptually outlined, and the data security and right of privacy issues that may be encountered in the metaverse are evaluated. User profile creation, user privacy and precautions against privacy were evaluated, and research was conducted on identity management, protection of user information and community management in terms of security

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI &lt;18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For school&#x2;aged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI &lt;2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI &gt;2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022 : a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

A list of authors and their affiliations appears online. A supplementary appendix is herewith attached.Background: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods: We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings: From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation: The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.peer-reviewe

Yeşil Anlaşmalar Işığında Avrupa Birliği Rekabet Hukuku : sürdürülebilirlik ve rekabet dengesi

Çevresel sürdürülebilirliğin küresel bir zorunluluk olarak ortaya çıktığı bir çağda, yeşil anlaşmalar ile Avrupa Birliği rekabet hukukunun kesişimi titizlikle incelenmesi gereken önemli bir alan olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu tez, Avrupa Birliği’nde çevresel hedeflerin desteklenmesi ile adil rekabetin korunması arasındaki karmaşık dengenin kapsamlı bir analizini sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, işletmeler arasındaki sürdürülebilirlik odaklı iş birliklerinin arttığı bir dönemde bu çevresel iş birliklerinin AB rekabet hukuku çerçevesinde yasal sonuçları ele alınmaktadır.Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, mahkemeler ve rekabet otoriteleri de dahil olmak üzere Avrupa otoritelerinin yeşil anlaşmaları nasıl ele aldıklarının anlaşılmasını sağlamaktır. Bu çalışma, Avrupa mahkemeleri ve rekabet otoriteleri tarafından verilen kararı titizlikle incelemekte ve yeşil girişimlerin AB rekabet hukuku ile uyumluluğunu tespit etmeye çalışmaktadır.Bu çalışma ayrıca rekabet otoritelerinin uygulama pratiklerini de ele alarak, yeşil anlaşmalarla ilgili vakalarda verilen kararları, yapılan soruşturmaları ve uygulanan yaptırımları değerlendirmektedir. Bu bulgulara dayanarak tez, çevresel olarak sürdürülebilir uygulamaları teşvik etmek ile adil rekabeti sürdürmek arasındaki uyumu sağlamaya yönelik devam eden tartışmalara katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.In an era where environmental sustainability has emerged as a global imperative, the intersection of green agreements and EU Competition Law stands as a pivotal domain requiring meticulous examination. This thesis undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the intricate balance between fostering environmental objectives and preserving fair competition within the European Union. The study unfolds against the backdrop of a surge in sustainability-driven collaborations among businesses, prompting a closer scrutiny of the legal implications under EU Competition Law.The primary aim of this research is to provide a nuanced understanding of how European authorities, including courts and competition authorities, navigate the complexities inherent in green agreements. By undertaking a meticulous examination of key cases adjudicated by European courts and competition authorities, the research identifies patterns and legal interpretations that elucidate the compatibility of green initiatives with European competition law.The study also delves into the enforcement practices of competition authorities, evaluating decisions, investigations and sanctions in cases involving green agreements. Building on these insights, the thesis proposes recommendations for enhancing regulatory clarity, aiming to contribute to the ongoing discourse on achieving a harmonious balance between encouraging environmentally sustainable practices and upholding fair competition