Diet and wild ungulate preferences of wolves in northwestern Anatolia during winter

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is making a comeback in many habitats in central Europe, where it has been once extirpated. Although densities are still low to moderate, this comeback already raises management concerns. In Anatolia, the gray wolf is one of the most common predator species occupying almost all kind of habitats. Although its numbers were reduced in some parts of the country, it has never been extirpated and lived in sympatry with humans. In this study we investigated, for the first time, the winter diet of wolves in north-west Anatolia, where a multispecies wild ungulate community occurs in sympatry with high density livestock. We selected two geographically close but different habitats (steppe and forest) with different wild prey availabilities and compositions. In both areas ungulate contribution to winter diet biomass was more than 90%. Wolf pack size (four to eight wolves) were higher in the study area where livestock numbers and human disturbance were lower and wild prey were more available. In both study areas, wild boar (Sus scrofa) was the main and most preferred food item (Chesson’s α = 0.7 − 0.9) and it occurred at higher density where wolf pack size was smaller. We could not find a high preference (Chesson’s α = 0.3) and high winter predation pressure on the reintroduced Anatolian wild sheep (Ovis gmelinii anatolica) population that occurs in the study area covered by steppe vegetation. Contribution of livestock and food categories other than wild ungulates to wolf diet stayed low. Wolves can help mitigate human-wildlife conflict regulating wild boar numbers, the most common conflict-causing ungulate species in Anatolia. Instead of managing wolf numbers in human dominated landscapes, we recommend reintroduction of wild ungulates to the areas where they became locally extinct and replaced by livestock

Thermal kinetic analysis, theoretical thermodynamic calculations and antimicrobial activity of three new energetic materials

WOS: 000425965400096Three new energetic agents were synthesized using 3,5-dinitro-4-chlorobenzonitrile, sodium azide and hydrazine, which were 2,6-dinitro-4-cyano-azidobenzene (I), N-2,6-dinitro-cyanophenyl-hydrazine (II) and bis-N,N'(2,6-dinitro-4-cyanophenyl)hydrazine (III). These energetic substances were first characterized by elemental analysis, IR, mass, H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectroscopic methods. The energetic substances were studied by thermogravimetry, and it was understood that the mechanism of the thermal decomposition reactions consists of two successive exothermic thermal reactions. In the first thermal reaction, the energetic material was converted to furoxane compounds, and then, these furoxane compounds were decomposed by the second thermal reaction. Activation energies and Arrhenius pre-exponential factors of thermal responses were determined by using isothermal (Coats-Redfern) and nonisothermal/isoconvertional (Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall) methods with thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data. With these calculated values, other thermodynamic parameters reaction enthalpy, entropy changes and free energy were calculated. Formation enthalpies of the elements of the energetic substances were theoretically calculated using the CBS-4M algorithm in the Gaussian 09 program for the synthesized energetic substances. In the thermal decomposition reactions, the products were estimated with the aid of literature data and the enthalpies of explosion reactions were theoretically calculated according to the Hess Law. Besides, the exothermic energies in the first and second thermal reactions of the energetic substances were measured by DSC. The results measured by DSC were compared with the calculated theoretical results and were found to be very close to each other. In the study, antimicrobial activity was estimated to be high because energetic molecules are strained molecules, and it is possible this tension can affect the medium. According to this thought, antimicrobial activity was determined by using five different bacteria and a fungus. Antimicrobial activity values were determined by "agar dilution" method, and results were found as minimum inhibition concentration. Among the three energetic substances, 2,6-dinitro-4-cyano-azidobenzene was found to have the most active compound.Scientific Research Fund of the University of Ankara [16H0430004]; Scientific Research Fund of the Ahi Evran University [FEF.A4.17.001]This work was supported by the Scientific Research Fund of the University of Ankara (project no. 16H0430004) and Scientific Research Fund of the Ahi Evran University (grant no: FEF.A4.17.001)

DETERMING THE LEVEL OF HEALTH LITERACY AND EVULATING DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Sağlık okuryazarlığı, kişinin sağlığıyla ilgili bilgileri anlama, tavsiyeleri etkin kullanma, iyi sağlık düzeyini sağlama, sağlığı koruyacak bilgilere ve hizmetlere ulaşma yolunu bulma ve kullanabilme becerilerini geliştiren, destekleyen bir kültür oluşturma ve sistemden yararlanma yeteneğidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı sağlık hizmeti almış kişilerin sağlık okuryazarlık düzeylerinin, doktor-hasta iletişimi konusundaki düşüncelerinin ve sağlık okuryazarlık düzeyinin doktor-hasta iletişimine etkisinin belirlenmesidir. Araştırma kesitsel türde tanımlayıcı saha çalışması olup, farklı hizmet sunuculardan son 6 ay içinde sağlık hizmeti almış toplam 400 kişi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın bulgularına göre devlet hastanelerinden sağlık hizmeti alan kişiler hasta hekim ilişkisi yönünde daha olumlu düşünmektedirler. Erkekler kadınlara göre sağlık okuryazarlık durumlarını daha olumlu değerlendirmişlerdir. Yaş ilerledikçe sağlık okuryazarlıklarında anlamlı bir düşüş gözlenmiştir. Çalışma sonuçlarına göre bireylerin, sağlık okuryazarlığı hakkında bilinçlenmesine yönelik eğitim programlarına gerekli önem verilmesi ve sağlığı geliştirici politikalar düzenlenmesi önerilmektedir.Health literacy is a culture-building ability which improves and supports the skills relating to understand health information, use actively medical advices and provide good health level, reach information and services to protect health and take advantage of health system. The aim of this study is to determine the level of health literacy of patients, their opinions about the relations of patient and physician and the impact of health literacy on patient-physician communication. The research is a descriptive and cross-sectional field study. Its sample consists of 400 patients who applied to different health care providers last 6 months . According to findings of study, patients who prefer government hospitals think more positively about relations of patient-physician. Men evaluate their level of health literacy higher. As age increase, the level of health literacy decrease. In conclusion, training programmes and health policies should be focused and organized to improve health literacy

Effectiveness of Limberg and Karydakis flap in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease

OBJECTIVE: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus is common in young men and may recur over time after surgery. We investigated whether a factor exists that can aid in the determination of the preferred technique between the early Limberg flap and Karydakis flap techniques for treating recurrent pilonidal sinus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and randomized study enrolled 71 patients with recurrent pilonidal sinus in whom the Limberg flap or Karydakis flap techniques were applied for reconstruction after excision. Patients were divided into two groups as follows: 37 patients were treated with the Limberg flap technique and 34 patients were treated with the Karydakis flap technique. Fluid collection, wound infection, flap edema, hematoma, partial wound separation, return to daily activities, pain score, complete healing time, painless seating and patient satisfaction were compared between the groups. ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02287935. RESULTS: The development rates of total fluid collection, wound infection, flap edema, hematoma, and partial wound separation were 9.8%, 16%, 7%, 15% and 4.2%, respectively; total flap necrosis was not observed in any patient (

Random Regression Forest Model using Technical Analysis Variables: An application on Turkish Banking Sector in Borsa Istanbul (BIST)

The purpose of this study is to explore the importance and ranking of technical analysis variables in Turkish banking sector. Random Forest method is used for determining importance scores of inputs for eight banks in Borsa Istanbul. Then two predictive models utilizing Random Forest (RF) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are built for predicting BIST-100 index and bank closing prices. Results of the models are compared by three metrics namely Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), Median Absolute Error (MedAE). Findings show that moving average (MAV-100) is the most important variable for both BIST -100 index and bank closing prices. Therefore, investors should follow this technical indicator with respect to Turkish banks. In addition ANN shows better performance for all metrics

Basal Cell Carcinoma Appearing As a Suture Reaction Along The Incision Line

The most frequently occurring malignant neoplasm of the skin is basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It is seen most often around the head and neck area. Predisposing factors include exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) and inorganic arsenic, trauma, chronic wounds, immune dysfunction and plaques, such as sebaceous nevus.While squamous cell carcinoma is frequently encountered as a result of chronic wounds, silk fistulas and scar formation, cases of BCC are very rare. In incidences of BCC developing along the incision line, the treatment involves making a large surgical excision. Problems related to the incision site are most often observed in operations conducted at surgical clinics, with the most common cause being suture reactions. In cases of chronic ulceration and discharge, a diagnosis of BCC should be considered and a biopsy should be conducted

Dengeli skor kart temelli yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğunun bulanık mantık çerçevesinde hibrit çok kriterli karar verme yöntemleri ile karşılaştırmalı analizi: Türk bankacılık sektörü üzerine bir uygulama

Çalışmanın amacı, bankacılık sektörünün dengeli skor kart yöntemine uyarlanmış yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğu anahtar performans faktörleri ile Türk Bankacılık sektörünün rekabetçi uygunluğunun kamu, özel ve yabancı bankalar açısından karşılaştırmalı olarak analiz edilmesidir. Yeni hizmet geliştirme kavramı, yeni ekonomi süreci ile birlikte, hizmet işletmelerinin rekabetçi ortamda çok yönlü olarak dikkate alması gereken bir olgu haline gelmeye başlamaktadır. Özellikle, işletmelerin performans ölçümü ve hizmet uygunluğunun ölçümünde kriterlerin kurumsal karne temelinde tasnifi, işletmelerin hizmet geliştirme uygunluğuna hangi açılardan adapte olabildiğini yakından gösterebilmektedir. Bu nedenle, hizmet işletmelerinin etkin ve verimli faaliyet gösterebilmesi için kurumsal karneye göre yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluk faktörlerinin yeniden düzenlenmesi; hibrit bir modelle yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğunun ölçümü ve ortaya çıkan sonuçlara göre işletmelerin yeni hizmet geliştirme önerilerinin sunulması açısından bu çalışmanın literatüre önemli katkıları olacağı düşünülmektedir. Bu çalışmanın özgün değeri, desteklenen literatür ile dengeli skor kart yaklaşımının revise edilen perspektiflerini kullanarak yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluk modelinin önerilmesi; yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluk faktörlerinin birbirinden bağımsız olma ve karşılıklı etkileşim varsayımları altında ağırlıklarının belirlenmesi; önerilen modelin Türk bankacılık sektörü?nde kamu, özel ve yabancı banka gruplarının performans ölçümünde hibrit çok kriterli karar verme yöntemleri kullanılarak karşılaştırmalı bir analiz oluşturulmasıdır. Çalışmadaki kuramsal yaklaşım, dengeli skor kart temelli yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğu faktörleri üzerinde kurgulanmış olup, faktörlerin kendi içindeki ağırlıkları bağımsızlık ve karşılıklı bağımlılık varsayımlarına göre bulanık mantığa dayalı Analitik Hiyerarşi Süreci ve Analitik Ağ Süreci yaklaşımları ile belirlenecektir. Türk bankacılık sektörünün yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluk performansının ölçümünde ise, ağırlıklandırılmış faktörler kullanarak bulanık mantık temelli TOPSIS ve VIKOR yöntemleri kullanılarak sektörün göreceli uygunluğu ve performansı ölçümlenecektir. Çalışmanın temel hedefi, performans ölçümünde sıklıkla kullanılan dengeli skor kart yaklaşımının yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğu faktörlerine literatür tabanlı olarak uygulanarak yeni bir hizmet geliştirme uygunluk performans ölçüm modeli oluşturulması; önerilen modelin Türkiye için bankacılık sektörünün yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğunun ölçümünde kullanılması; ortaya çıkan bulguların kamu, özel ve yabancı bankaların uygulama sonuçları açısından karşılaştırılması ve yeni hizmet geliştirme uygunluğu açısından araştırma konusu Türkiye?deki banka gruplarına teknik ve sosyo- ekonomik önerilerde bulunulmasıdır

Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair during in-Sleeve Gastrectomy

Obesity is one of the most important health problems in developed and developing countries. Morbid obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40 kg/m2. Obesity does not only predispose to gastroesophageal reflux, but is also an important independent risk factor for the development of hiatal hernia (HH). There are articles advocating about half of obese patients have a hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia not only exacerbates reflux symptoms, but may also lead to incomplete removal of the gastric fundus during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). When hiatal hernias are seen preoperatively or intraoperatively for bariatric surgery, surgical correction should ideally be made with mesh reinforcement to prevent further clinical progression

Mitogenome Phylogeny Including Data from Additional Subspecies Provides New Insights into the Historical Biogeography of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx.

Previous molecular studies of the wide-ranging Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx focused mainly on its northern Palearctic populations, with the consequence that the reconstruction of this species' evolutionary history did not include genetic variation present in its southern Palearctic distribution. We sampled a previously not considered Asian subspecies (L. l. dinniki), added published data from another Asian subspecies (L. l. isabellinus), and reassessed the Eurasian lynx mtDNA phylogeny along with previously published data from northern Palearctic populations. Our mitogenome-based analyses revealed the existence of three major clades (A: Central Asia, B: SE Europe/SW Asia, C: Europe and Northern Asia) and at least five lineages, with diversification in Lynx lynx commencing at least 28kyr earlier than hitherto estimated. The subspecies L. l. isabellinus harbors the most basal matriline, consistent with the origin of Lynx lynx in this subspecies' current range. L. l. dinniki harbors the second most basal matriline, which is related to, and may be the source of, the mtDNA diversity of the critically endangered Balkan lynx L. l. balcanicus. Our results suggest that the Anatolian peninsula was a glacial refugium for Eurasian lynx, with previously unconsidered implications for the colonization of Europe by this species