An assessment approach for non-governmental organizations in humanitarian relief logistics and an application in Turkey

The ever-increasing natural disasters have been causing the loss of lives, properties and resources. By the preparedness and response ability of non-governmental organizations, it is aimed to minimize these losses. In this paper, first, the critical success factors of humanitarian relief logistics management operations are determined and categorized. Then, by considering these factors, a hybrid method that consists of trapezoidal interval type-2 fuzzy sets, AHP and TOPSIS, is proposed to evaluate emergency preparedness and response ability performance of non-governmental relief organizations. The proposed hybrid method is applied for non-governmental relief organizations in Turkey to evaluate their performance, and to the factors need to be improved for each determined organization. First published online 11 September 2015

Alginate encapsulation induce colony formation with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Aim: The umbilical cord (UC) is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolation. Since the MSCs isolated from here have high self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential, production through biofabrication is essential for clinical treatments. For the cells to be stored for a long time and presented ready for use, encapsulation is required. In this study, UC-MSC cells were encapsulated with alginate using three different methods: alginate drop, alginate coating, and alginate sphere. Methods: The cell viability, live/dead cell ratio, and colony formation capacities of the encapsulated cells were examined for 14 days. Results: In the study, it was found that the most effective method was the alginate sphere form and that the structure of the cells should be preserved by injecting them into biomaterials in encapsulation. Colony formation potential was found to be high in biomaterials with alginate spheres. Conclusion: As a result, the preservation of UC-MSC cells with alginate sphere encapsulation via biofabrication and their clinical use availability may be beneficial for treating of many diseases

Positive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, on pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptic seizures in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and post-seizure hippocampal injury. Materials: Thirty-five male Balb-c mice weighing 30 - 33 g were divided into control, saline PTZ, s(erum physiologic 1 ml/kg as solvent), positive control (valproic acid 200 mg/kg), captopril (25 mg/kg/day for 7 days), and captopril (50 mg/kg/day for 7 days) groups. PTZ (60 mg/kg) was administered thirty minutes after medication administration to induce epileptic seizures. The animals were observed for 30 min to record Racine stages, the time of the first myoclonic jerk (FMJ), and the occurrence of the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS). Cornu Ammonis (CA)1, CA2, CA3, and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus underwent histopathological examinations. The levels of total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant status, TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in the brain tissue. Results: Compared to PTZ group, 25 mg/kg captopril decreased seizure scores and delayed FMJ and GTCS (p < 0.05). Histopathological assessment demonstrated that both 25 and 50 mg/kg captopril alleviated neuronal injury in CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG compared to PTZ (p < 0.05). Also, TOS and OSI levels in the brain tissue were reduced by both 25 and 50 mg/kg doses of captopril (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Captopril favorably improves epileptic seizure parameters and acts against post-seizure neuronal injury in the hippocampus. Captopril may be a drug of choice in epileptic individuals with hypertension. Keywords: Captopril, Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Epilepsy, Pentylenetetrazole, Neuronal damag

Classification of olive oils using chromatography, principal component analysis and artificial neural network modelling

WOS: 000431327000067Classification and addressing, and geographical origin of different olive oils is of great importance due to their differentiation in quality, and for commercial concerns. In this study, quantification of sterols, fatty acids, and triacylglycerol composition of forty-nine olive oils collected from six different locations of western part of Turkey (Izmir, Manisa, Aydm, Mugla, Bursa, and Edremit Bay) were performed by using chromatographic methods. Data for those olive oil samples were compiled, and classified with the artificial neural network (ANN) modelling and principal components analysis (PCA). The analytical results included resourceful information about determining geographical origin and traceability of olive oil in Turkey by using ANN and PCA. The ANN model for sterol composition showed the highest accuracy with 85.71%. The FAME and TAG profiles followed this with 83.67 and 81.63% accuracy respectively. However, Izmir and Manisa regions have poor sensitivity values with all ANN models since they are geographically very close to each other. Furthermore, the PCA results of the sterol composition have provided separation and clustering between locations. beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and 24-metilen cholesterol have an important role in determining the separation of the locations of origin. While separation of the Bursa location has been under the pressure of FAME composition, the TAGs have been effective on the clustering of the Aydm and Edremit Bay. In conclusion, the geographical authentication of Turkish olive oils can be done with high accuracy by using ANN and PCA.EGE University Drug Research and Pharmacokinetic Development and Applied Center, ARGEFAR; Ege University Research FundEge University [14-MUH-063 BAP]This work was supported by EGE University Drug Research and Pharmacokinetic Development and Applied Center, ARGEFAR. Artificial Neural Networks part of this study was supported by Ege University Research Fund through the 14-MUH-063 BAP project

Identifying Key Factors of Rail Transit Service Quality: An Empirical Analysis for Istanbul

Providing a high quality of service in public transportation is essential to reduce dissatisfactions stemming from traffic congestion and noise. Public transport providers need to find ways to dilute the effects of immoderate use of private cars in big cities while maintaining a sufficient level of customer satisfaction. This study aimed to identify the key service quality (SQ) factors that drive passenger satisfaction in Istanbul’s rail transit (RT) system using data obtained from an extensive survey conducted by the Istanbul Public Transportation Co. A total of 11,116 passengers who used rail transport from May 15–June 3, 2012, and June 17–July 3, 2013, were interviewed in person. The relative importance of the SQ factors was assessed so that service provision could be prioritized and the enhancement of passenger satisfaction can be achieved employing several social choice techniques. The results indicate that, from an overall perspective, waiting time, crowdedness in cars, and fare are the SQ factors that best reflect the public good

Determination of agronomical and technological properties of processing tomato varieties to be introduced to the production in Marmara Region (Turkey) and their reactions to infections by the agents of diseases

8th International Symposium on the Processing Tomato -- JUN 08-12, 2002 -- ISTANBUL, TURKEYWOS: 000188788000056In the field trials performed in 2 locations (Biga and Mustafakemalpasa) having different ecological conditions, 14 processing tomato hybrid (F-1) varieties, which are new developed and introduced to our country, and Rio Grande as the reference were used and the features of the plant growth, yield values (yield per decar, yield for earliness and 28% paste output yield), brix (%), pH, colour (a/b), lightness (L), fruit firmness (kg/cm(2)) average fruit weight (g), cracked fruits (%) and calyx presence (%) were determined. Moreover, the behaviours of the varieties for the causal agents of diseases seen in the experimental areas were studied. When the data from the all works was evaluated, Primo Pack, H 9775, NDM 0098 and NDM 0099 in Mustafakemalpasa and NDM 0098, NDM 0099, NDM 0097, UG 936 and H 9665 in Biga can be introduced to the raising programme and produced with less problem compared to other varieties.Int Soc Hort Sc