A quantum heat engine with coupled superconducting resonators

We propose a quantum heat engine composed of two superconducting transmission line resonators interacting with each other via an optomechanical-like coupling. One resonator is periodically excited by a thermal pump. The incoherently driven resonator induces coherent oscillations in the other one due to the coupling. A limit cycle, indicating finite power output, emerges in the thermodynamical phase space. The system implements an all-electrical analog of a photonic piston. Instead of mechanical motion, the power output is obtained as a coherent electrical charging in our case. We explore the differences between the quantum and classical descriptions of our system by solving the quantum master equation and classical Langevin equations. Specifically, we calculate the mean number of excitations, second-order coherence, as well as the entropy, temperature, power and mean energy to reveal the signatures of quantum behavior in the statistical and thermodynamic properties of the system. We find evidence of a quantum enhancement in the power output of the engine at low temperatures.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, new references adde

Evaluation of disease and medication knowledge levels of diabetic patients

Background and Aims: Diabetes mellitus is a public health problem with a significant economic burden to society. Patient attitude is a significant determinant of adherence and clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the disease and medication knowledge level of diabetic patients and possible patient-related predictive factors. Methods: Adult diabetic patients were included in the study. Patients' demographic and health-related data were collected using a pre-prepared form. Two questionnaires, KAP knowledge tool and Medication Assessment tool were used to assess the disease and medication knowledge levels of patients. Results: The mean age of 159 patients was 54.44 & PLUSMN;12.24 years. The disease and medication knowledge scores were high with an average of 13.9 & PLUSMN;1.74 and 5.26 & PLUSMN;0.53, respectively. Higher scores were linked to being male (p=0.042; p=0.007) and higher educational status (p<0.001; p=0.006). Lower scores were recorded in patients with comorbidities (p=0.002; p<0.001), older patients (p<0.001), longer disease duration (p<0.001; p=0.009), longer antidiabetic drug use (p<0.001; p=0.009) and using more drugs (p=0.002; p=0.006). None of the patients could mention any possible side effects of their medications. Conclusion: It can be deduced that patient-related factors are significant predictors of patients' disease and medication knowledge. Patient-specific education in addition to rational pharmacological intervention is necessary to achieve better clinical outcomes

The Evaluation and Interpretation of the Most Common Intervertebral Discs in Cervical Hernias: a Retrospective Study

DergiPark: 379029tmsjAims: In this study it is aimed to determine the most common intervertebral discs in cervical hernias and to discuss the possible causes of prevalence.Methods:The data of 110 patients who were diagnosed with cervical disc hernia in Trakya University Health Center for Medical Research Neurology Clinics EMG lab in between 2012 and 2015 was analyzed retrospectively by looking at the age, gender and herniated intervertebral disc. Chi- Square test was used to determine the frequency of the cervical disc hernia in intervertebral discs in both genders. Independent Samples T Test was used to determine the correlation between prevalence of herniated intervertebral discs, age and gender. Arithmetic mean ± standard deviation, number and percentages, median (minimum-maximum) were used as descriptive analysis.Results: Out of 110 patients, there were 60 males (52.3%) and 50 females (48.7%) with the mean age of 50.43 ±12.67, the youngest patient was 26 and the oldest was 82. The most involved disc was found to be C5-C6 (15 males with a percentage of 25% and 23 females with a percentage of 46%). Conclusion:The most common intervertebral disc in cervical hernia was detected as C5-C6. It may be because of the maximal extension and flexion, functional overloading and micro traumas which affect C5-C6 segmen

Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programının Stufflebeam’in Bağlam, Girdi, Süreç ve Ürün (BGSÜ) Değerlendirme Modeline Göre Değerlendirilmesi

oai:egitimvebilim.ted.org.tr:article/7717The aim of the present research was to evaluate preschool curriculum by Stufflebeam’s Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) Evaluation Model. Mixed method and explanatory design was used in the study. The quantitative dimension of study was conducted with 124 preschool education teachers in 2016-2017 academic year in Van/Turkey. On the other hand, interviews were conducted with 15 preschool teachers so as to explain the quantitative data in more detail, and observations were carried out in a typical preschool class. Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Scale, a semi-structured interview form and an observation form were used as data collection tools. As a result of the study, the dimension in which teachers expressed the most negative opinion was determined as context. Teachers at this dimension stated that the physical infrastructure of preschool education institutions was not appropriate and that regional conditions were not sufficiently taken into account during the development of the curriculum. Regarding the input dimension, it was stated that the family factor and the individual differences of the children were not considered sufficiently in the curriculum. Regarding the process dimension, it has emerged that studies the least done were the implementation of qualified home practices, assessment studies and the addition or removal of learning centers as needed. In the product dimension, the curriculum was usually effective only when it was not effective enough to solve family-related problems.Bu çalışmanın amacı okul öncesi eğitim programının Stufflebeam’in bağlam, girdi, süreç ve ürün değerlendirme modeline göre değerlendirilmesidir. Araştırmada karma araştırma yöntemi desenlerinden açıklayıcı desen kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın nicel verileri 2016-2017 eğitim-öğretim yılında Van il merkezi ve ilçelerindeki MEB’e bağlı okul öncesi eğitim kurumları ve ilkokul bünyesindeki anasınıflarında görev yapan 124 okul öncesi öğretmeninden elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca, 27 çocuk ve bir okul öncesi öğretmenden gözlem verileri, 15 okul öncesi öğretmeninden görüşme verileri toplanmıştır. Çalışmada veri toplama aracı olarak “Okul Öncesi Eğitim Programı Değerlendirme Ölçeği”, “gözlem formu” ve “yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu” kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, öğretmenlerin en olumsuz görüş belirttiği boyut bağlam olarak tespit edilmiştir. Öğretmenler bu boyutta özellikle okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarının fiziki altyapılarının uygun olmadığını ve programın geliştirilmesi sürecinde bölgesel koşulların yeterince dikkate alınmadığını belirtmişlerdir. Girdi boyutu ile ilgili olarak, programda aile faktörünün ve çocukların bireysel farklılıklarının yeterince dikkate alınmadığı belirtilmiştir. Süreç boyutunda, nitelikli ev uygulamalarının yapılması, değerlendirme çalışmalarının yapılması ve ihtiyaç durumunda öğrenme merkezlerin eklenmesi/çıkarılması en az yapılan çalışmalar olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Ürün boyutunda ise programın genellikle etkili olduğu, sadece aileden kaynaklı sorunların çözümünde yeterince etkili olamadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır

VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF TURKISH VERSION OF THE ADULT EATING BEHAVIOR QUESTIONNAIRE (AEBQ-TR) FOR ADULT PARTICIPANTS

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ-TR) for adults. Design: Hunot et al. (2016) developed the original questionnaire, which was modified and translated into the Turkish. On data collected from adults, construct validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes. Pearson’s and Cronbach’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate reliability and validity (P < 0·05). Setting: This research was carried out in Ankara, Turkey. Participants: A total of 311 adults from Ankara (148 men and 163 women) took part in the study. Seventy-two of these adults took the retest. Results: In this study, 311 adults with a mean age of 29.3±11.3 years participated. Factor loadings ranged from 0.404 to 0.907. In general, food approach and food avoidance scales showed a positive correlation within themselves. According to the results of confirmatory factor analysis and goodness-of-fit indicators are the seven-factor model showed a better model fit in the Turkish data (Chi-square/DF = 2.137, root mean error of approximation: 0.061, comparative fit index: 0.884, and normed fit index: 0.850). Higher BMI were associated with higher emotional over-eating, higher enjoyment of the food, lower Food Satiety and lower Emotional-Under Eating. Conclusions: The Turkish AEBQ is a valid and reliable tool for 20-65 year adults to determine appetitive properties related to the etiology of weight change and especially obesity risk. Besides, AEBQ testing is required for validation in early and late adulthood

Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Level of Vitamin D in Maternal Blood and Breast Milk and Postpartum Depression

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between postpartum depression (PPD) and vitamin D levels in maternal blood and breast milk. Material and Methods: The study included women who presented to a polyclinic between December 2017 and_x000D_ August 2018, 4-6 weeks after having given live birth, who were aged between 18 and 40 years and married, gave birth after a planned single_x000D_ pregnancy, were feeding their baby with only breast milk and stated that they were taking vitamin D supplementation at the dose recommended by the Ministry of Health. The depression status of the women who agreed to participate in the study by signing the volunteer informed_x000D_ consent form was evaluated using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Two groups were formed as Group 1: EPDS score_x000D_ <13 (n=44) (without PPD) and Group 2: EPDS score ≥13 (n=31) (with PPD). The vitamin D levels in breast milk and maternal blood in both_x000D_ groups were compared. Results: 75 female patients included in the study had a mean age of 29.80±4.54 years. The mean vitamin D levels in_x000D_ breast milk and maternal blood were found to be 13.26±5.39 ng/mL and 17.14±6.79 ng/mL, respectively. In terms of depression status, no_x000D_ statistically significant difference was found between the groups regarding the serum vitamin D levels and the mean level of vitamin D in breast_x000D_ milk (p=0.463, p=0.847). Conclusion: No significant correlation was determined between the vitamin D levels in maternal blood and breast_x000D_ milk and PPD, while vitamin D was found to be low both in maternal blood and breast milk

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the commercial Origanum onites L. oil against nosocomial carbapenem resistant extended spectrum beta lactamase producer Escherichia coli isolates

In recent years rapidly growing antibiotic resistance has increased interest toward natural products, especially essential oils because of their various effects. The aim of this study was to identify the chemical composition of the commercial Origanum onites essential oil (EO) and to investigate the antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion and dilution methods, against ten different ATCC strains, including eight bacteria, two yeasts and seventy-nine clinical nosocomial Escherichia coli isolates that produce extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL). The chemical composition of EO was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The major compounds of the EO were determined as carvacrol (51.4%) followed by linalool (11.2%), p-cymene (8.9%) and γ-terpinene (6.7%). O. onites EO had antimicrobial activity against all standard strains and inhibited microbial growth of ESBL positive E. coli isolates. According to our results, O. onites EO may be an alternative to synthetic drug, used in combination with other antibiotics for treatment of infection caused by multidrug resistant bacteria after testing toxic effects and irritation at preferred doses on human

Clinimetric properties of the Turkish translation of a modified neck disability index

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neck pain is a common problem that can greatly affect a person's activities of daily living. Functional status questionnaires are important in assessing this effect, and are used to follow up neck pain management programs. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is the first-created scale for neck pain-related disability and is widely translated and in common used in many countries. Our aim is investigate to clinometric properties of a Turkish version of modified NDI and to give a choice in daily practise of versions to be used.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The modified NDI was applied to 30 patients for reliability. 185 patients participated in the validity study. All patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of our department. The scale was translated by the forward and backward translation procedure according to the COSMIN criteria. The test was repeated at 48 hours interval for reliability study. SPSS-10.0, software was used for statistical analyses. The Intraclass correlation coefficient was used for the test- retest reliability of the modified NDI. Cronbach α was used for internal consistency. Factor analysis was used for construct validity. The validity of the modified NDI with respect to the SF-36, HAD, VAS pain, VAS disability was assessed using Spearman correlations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Intraclass correlation coefficient between first and second (within 48 hours) evaluation of test (rs) was 0.92. Questions 1,4,6,8,10 were shown to have excellent reliability. (rs > 0.9). Question 10 was the most frequently challenged question because "recreational and social activities" do not have not the same meanings in Turkey than in western countries. This required that detailed explanations be provided by the investigators. Cronbach's alpha for the total index was 0.88. A single factor accounting for 80.2% of the variance was obtained. Validity studies demonstrated good and moderate correlations (rs) among NDI, HAD, VAS, physical function subtitle of SF 36 (0.62, 0.76, 0.68).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The modified NDI-Turkish version is a reliable and valid test and is suitable for daily practise.</p

Recent Advances in Health Biotechnology During Pandemic

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in 2019, cut the epoch that will make profound fluctuates in the history of the world in social, economic, and scientific fields. Urgent needs in public health have brought with them innovative approaches, including diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. To exceed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various scientific authorities in the world have procreated advances in real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based diagnostic tests, rapid diagnostic kits, the development of vaccines for immunization, and the purposing pharmaceuticals for treatment. Diagnosis, treatment, and immunization approaches put for- ward by scientific communities are cross-fed from the accrued knowledge of multidisciplinary sciences in health biotechnology. So much so that the pandemic, urgently prioritized in the world, is not only viral infections but also has been the pulsion in the development of novel approaches in many fields such as diagnosis, treatment, translational medicine, virology, mi- crobiology, immunology, functional nano- and bio-materials, bioinformatics, molecular biol- ogy, genetics, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, and artificial intelligence technologies. In this review, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of various scientific areas of health biotechnology are discussed