Characterisation of aluminium industrial wastewater and investigation of recovery alternatives

Aluminium industry is one of the largest sectors and wastewater generated from this industry could cause crucial environmental problems due to its high heavy metal concentration and conductivity. Therefore, this study aims to determine the characterisation of the wastewater discharged from the two aluminium facilities by considering water recovery potential. While Facility-A produces stainless steel kitchenware, such as pots and pans, In Facility-B, anodised coating takes place from secondary aluminium and wastewater is generated from the units where anodised coating baths and control processes are carried out. For the analyses, the wastewater composite samples from different sections, such as washing, sand-blasting and dyeing in Facility-A were taken in 2 and 24 hours. In Facility-B, three 2-hour composite influent water samples and an effluent sample from chemical wastewater treatment were taken to determine conductivity, pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), etc. As a result of the analyses made, a high value of TSS was detected at all sampling points in Facility-A. It was also seen that the conductivity after demineralisation process in Facility-A was below 30. In Facility-B, it was determined that while the pH obtained from two influent samples was below the discharge limits and showed acidic characteristics, one sample was very basic with a pH value of 12.19 and exceeds the upper limit of discharge. All influent samples in Facility-B show high TSS content in comparison with discharge limits specified in the regulation

Pregnancy Following Kidney Transplantation

After a successful kidney transplantation, renal and endocrine functions quickly return to normal in many women and ovulation ensues. Woman with a renal transplant can have a successful pregnancy, however, there are many risks for both the mother and the fetus. For this reason, these patients should be carefully monitored with a multidisciplinary approach including a nephrologist and an obstetrician. Counseling about contraception and pregnancy after transplant should be initiated during the pretransplant evaluation process. The live birth rate appears comparable to the general population. Pregnancy timing depends on whether the graft function is optimal, but the general recommendation is to wait a year after transplantation. The recommended maintenance immunosuppressive therapy in pregnant women includes the use of calcineurin inhibitors (preferably tacrolimus), azathioprine, and low dose prednisone. Vaginal delivery should be preferred in kidney transplant patients. Cesarean section may be considered only when there is an absolute indication. Kidney transplant patients can breastfeed their children with appropriate drug combinations after birth; patients should be encouraged in this regard

Fonksiyonel Kademelendirilmiş Sandviç Plakaların Balistik Darbe Yükü Altındaki Davranışı Üzerinde Farklı Seramik Bileşenlerinin

Konferans Bildirisi -- Teorik ve Uygulamalı Mekanik Türk Milli Komitesi, 2015Conference Paper -- Theoretical and Applied Mechanical Turkish National Committee, 2015Günümüzde de gelişen tehditler karşısında daha etkin balistik koruma sağlayacak hafif ve yüksek performanslı zırhların geliştirilmesi kritik bir ihtiyaç haline gelmiş ve bu sahadaki yeni malzeme arayışları seramik ön yüzlü kompozit zırhları ön plana çıkarmıştır. Katmanlı yapıya sahip bu plakalar yüksek mukavemetleri ve yüksek rijitlikleri nedeniyle balistik sistemlerde yaygın olarak kullanılırlar. Ancak, katmanlardaki malzeme özelliklerinin ani olarak değişmesi nedeniyle ara yüzeylerde yüksek gerilmeler meydana gelir ve bu gerilmeler de katmanlar arasında ayrılmalara (delaminasyon) neden olur. Bu olumsuz etkiler fonksiyonel kademelendirilmiş malzemeler (FGM) kullanılarak azaltılabilir ya da ortadan kaldırılabilir. Bu çalışma ile farklı seramik bileşenlere sahip fonksiyonel kademelendirilmiş sandviç plakalarda balistik darbe yükleme altında meydana gelen hasar mekanizmaları ve deformasyonları deneysel olarak incelenmiştir.Today, the development of high-performance and light armors has become a critical requirement against emerging threats. The research for new materials in this field has brought ceramic-faced composite armors to the forefront. Layered composite structures are widely used in ballistic systems due to their high strength and high stiffness. An abrupt change in their material properties across an interface between discrete materials introduces large interlaminar stresses that could cause delamination. One way to overcome this adverse effect is to use a functionally graded material (FGM). The purpose of this study is to determine damage and deformation mechanisms of functionally graded sandwich plates, which have different ceramic components, under ballistic impact loads

Characterisation study of solid wastes: A case of districts in Tekirdağ

In this study, solid waste characterisation of high-income, middle-income, low-income regions and market areas in Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality was carried out in winter and summer, 2016. As a result, the amount of organic wastes (kitchen wastes, park and green wastes) and packaging waste (paper, cardboard, bulky cardboard, plastics, glass, metals and bulky metals) in Tekirdağ were determined as 41.02% and 32.4% respectively, by waste sampling. When waste characterisation was analysed based on the districts, it was seen that paper and plastic waste is mostly produced from the Çorlu district. The reason for this could be the high level of welfare of the citizens living in Çorlu and the high number of working people compared to other districts due to the high density of industrial facilities. It was also seen that the ash percentage of waste is high in the districts of Hayrabolu, Şarköy, Muratlı, Marmaraereğlisi, Malkara and Saray, which are the districts not covered by natural gas distribution grid. Waste samples were characterised in the Tubitak Energy Institute Laboratory to determine the moisture content, calorific value and glow loss. The results showed that there is a high moisture and organic matter in the wastes, which makes the incineration method not suitable for the treatment of solid wastes in Tekirdağ. The results of this study highlighted that there is a potential for introducing recycling schemes especially in high income regions in Tekirdağ. To initiate such programmes, collected municipal waste could be separated in two streams in place; organics and co-mingled dry-recyclables

The abstraction process of limit knowledge

The RBC+C abstraction model is an effective model in mathematics education because it gives the opportunity to analyze research data through cognitive actions. For this reason, we aim to examine the abstraction process of the limit knowledge of two volunteer participant students using the RBC+C abstraction model. With this aim, the students' abstraction processes were examined over recognition, building-with, construction, and consolidation. In the process, three problems that enable students to use their pre-knowledge were designed by the researchers to reveal the students' mathematical thinking levels, abstraction processes, and finally to improve a new structure. These problems were used in the application, and students' dialogues were video-recorded. The semi-constructed interview and observation data-collection methods were used in this process, and one of the researchers participated in the study as a participant observer. The data was analyzed and interpreted by transcribing the video recordings into written text and grouping them into the cognitive actions of the RBC+C model. In conclusion, these students were indicated to have managed recognizing and building-with their pre-knowledge on sequence, function, and infinity, and thus constructing knowledge on limits

Relationship among MIF, MCP-1, viral loads, and HBs Ag levels in chronic hepatitis B patients

Background/aim: To determine whether macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in patients with hepatitis B (HB) are different than in normal individuals and whether the HB surface antigen (HBs Ag) level and viral load are correlated with each other and with the two aforementioned parameters. Materials and methods: Sera were obtained from 52 chronic active HB (CAHB) patients and 33 healthy controls, and their MIF and MCP-1 levels were measured. Statistical analyses were performed. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The MIF and MCP-1 values of the control group were increased compared to those of the CAHB group. The MIF and MCP-1 levels were negatively correlated with HBs Ag levels and viral loads. The MIF and MCP-1 levels were positively correlated. The HBs Ag levels and the log10 of the viral loads were positively correlated. Conclusion: We conclude that the negative correlation of MIF and MCP-1 with viral load and HBs Ag levels may be due to T-cell deficiency, antinuclear antibody seropositivity, and/or inhibition of chemokine ligand 2 receptors by viral antigens. More studies with a greater number of subjects are needed to evaluate the potential role of MIF and MCP in CAHB

Comparative physiological and growth responses of tomato and pepper plants to fertilizer induced salinity and salt stress under greenhouse conditions

Fertilizer induced salinity adversely affects plant growth through its ionic and osmotic effects as in ordinary salinity caused by toxic ions (Na, Cl, etc.). In this study, to determine the ionic and osmotic effects of fertilizer induced salinity and NaCl salinity on growth, ascorbic acid, proline and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and stomatal resistance (SR), relative water content (RWC), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of tomato and pepper plants subjected to different treatments (i.e. control, 40 mM NaCl salinity and excess fertilizer salinity) were investigated under greenhouse condition. The results of this study indicated that similar to NaCl salinity, fertilizer induced salinity significantly reduced the fresh and dry weights of tomato and pepper plants. Relative water content of the plants was decreased by NaCl salinity. Both NaCl and fertilizer induced salinity caused significant increases in proline, MDA, ascorbic acid and H2O2 accumulation, and stomatal resistance of the plants. Salinity achieved by NaCl and fertilizer altered plant growth and plant physiological processes ionically and osmotically in a similar manner

Optimization study on surface roughness and tribological behavior of recycled cast iron reinforced bronze MMCs produced by hot pressing

Surface roughness reflects the quality of many operational parameters, namely service life, wear characteristics, working performance and tribological behavior of the produced part. Therefore, tribological performance is critical for the components used as tandem parts, especially for the MMCs (Metal Matrix Composites) which are a unique class of materials having extensive application areas such as aerospace, aeronautics, marine engineering and the defense industry. Current work covers the optimization study of production parameters for surface roughness and tribological indicators of newly produced cast iron reinforced bronze MMCs. In this context, two levels of temperature (400 and 450 °C), three levels of pressure (480, 640 and 820 MPa) and seven levels of reinforcement ratios (60/40, 70/30, 80/20, 90/10, 100/0 of GGG40/CuSn10, pure bronze-as received and pure cast iron-as received) are considered. According to the findings obtained by Taguchi’s signal-to-noise ratios, the reinforcement ratio has a dominant effect on surface roughness parameters (Ra and Rz), the coefficient of friction and the weight loss in different levels. In addition, 100/0 reinforced GGG40/CuSn10 gives minimum surface roughness, pure cast iron provides the best weight loss and pure bronze offers the desired coefficient of friction. The results showed the importance of material ingredients on mechanical properties by comparing a wide range of samples from starting the production phase, which provides a perspective for manufacturers to meet the market supply as per human requirements

Investigation of the Relationship between Empathy and Burnout Levels of Nursing Students

Amaç: Bu araştırma, hemşirelik öğrencilerinin empati ve tükenmişlik düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkiyibelirlemek amacı ile planlandı.Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel türde gerçekleştirilen araştırmanın evrenini bir Hemşirelik Fakültesi’nde2016-2017 eğitim-öğretim yılında öğrenim gören 1294 öğrenci; örneklemini ise; tabakalı rastgeleörnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenen 290 hemşirelik öğrencisi oluşturdu. Veriler, “Yapılandırılmış SoruFormu”, “Empatik Beceri Ölçeği B-Formu” ve “Maslach Tükenmişlik Envanteri-Öğrenci Formu” kullanılaraktoplandı. Araştırmanın yürütüleceği fakülteden yazılı izin ve Etik Kurul’dan etik onay sağlandı. Veri analizi,SPSS 21.00 programında, tanımlayıcı ve önemlilik analizi kullanılarak yapıldı.Bulgular: Öğrencilerin %84.1’i kız, yaş ortalaması 20.28±1.47 yıldır. Empatik Beceri Ölçeği B-Formu puanortalaması 143.86±23.93; Maslach Tükenmişlik Envanteri-Öğrenci Formu alt boyutları puan ortalamalarıise tükenmede 15.11±4,69, duyarsızlaşmada 9.34±3.62, yetkinlikte ise 12.78±2.67 olduğu saptandı.Öğrencilerin Empatik Beceri Ölçeği puanı ile Maslach Tükenmişlik Envanteri Duyarsızlaşma alt boyutupuanları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde negatif bir ilişki bulunmaktadır (p<0.05).Sonuç: Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin tükenmişlik ve empati becerilerinin orta düzeyde olduğu ve bazı sosyodemografiközelliklerin empati ve tükenmişlik düzeylerini etkilediği belirlendi.Aim: This research was designed to determine the relationship between empathy and burnout levels of nursing students. Method: The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional research consisted of 1294 students studying at a Nursing Faculty in the 2016-2017 academic year and the sampling consisted of 290 nursing students who were selected by the stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the “Structured Question Form”, the “Empathic Skill Scale B-Form” and the “Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form”. Written permission and ethical approval were obtained from the faculty where the research would be conducted. Data analysis was performed using the descriptive and significance analysis in the SPSS 21.00 program. Results: 84.1% of the students were female, and the average age was 20.28±1.47. It was determined that the mean score of the Empathic Skill Scale B-Form was 143.86±23.93, and that the mean scores of the sub-dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form were 15.11±4,69 in burnout, 9.34±3.62 in depersonalization, and 12.78±2.67 in competency. There is a statistically significant relationship between the Empathic Skill Scale score of nursing students and the Depersonalization sub-dimension score of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the burnout and empathy skills of nursing students were at a moderate level and that some socio-demographic characteristics affected their empathy and burnout levels

The Relationship Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Heart Rate Recovery

AimIt has been shown that heart rate recovery index is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. It has been reported in most epidomiologic studies that an elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between heart rate recovery index and neutrophillymphocyte ratio.Materials and MethodsA total of 238 patients who underwent coronary angiography due to abnormal treadmill exercise test results and who admitted to Cardiology Department of Faculty of Medicine at Namık Kemal University were evaluated retrospectively. heart rate recovery index was accepted as abnormal when the difference between peak heart rate at maximal exercise and the heart rate at the first minute of recovery phase is 18 beat or less.ResultsIn the comparison between those with abnormal heart rate recovery index and those with normal heart rate recovery index in terms of neutrophil count and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was found a significant relationship. (respectively, p=0,027 ve p=0.000).ConclusionConsequently, our findings may potentially suggest that an elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with abnormal heart rate recovery index might be related to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The investigation of the prognostic significance of elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with abnormal heart rate recovery index in future prospective studies will be provide more conclusive evidence