Developing an educational application for first grade students based on handwriting recognition

Tablet computers have become a significant consumer technology by providing a more natural way of interaction via touch sensitive screens, compared to keyboard and mouse input. For this purpose, they are being used increasingly for education purposes, especially aimed for children. In this thesis, an educational application based on handwriting recognition technologies is developed for 1st grade students. The developed application lets teachers prepare online study material directly from text books that students write on and receive back a rich set of information such as timing and writing order, along with a student's completed homework. Arithmetic and linguistic exercises suitable for first grade curriculum are implemented into application. The thesis covers all aspects about designing and developing such an educational application, including: how to design a friendly and straightforward interface for children; how to prepare study material paralleling a variety of question types (matching, arithmetic, Turkish) found in elementary school education; and what applications would be most beneficial on the tablet platform. Besides the design and user interface issues, technical solutions are developed for how to implement sophisticated applications such as a Hidden Markov Model based recognizer on the Android platform, and how to verify answers. After the initial design, assessments are collected from first grade students on two separate occasions and the design of the application was iteratively improved to suit the young students’ needs who have still-developing motor skills and lesser experience with technology compared to most adults

Investigation of cesarean sections at Konya Training and Research Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Department between 2010 and 2015

Objective: Analysis of the annual distribution of cesarean sections and indications between 2010 and 2015 in our clinic. Material and methods: Medical records of 10,437 cesarean section patients from a total number of 24,283 deliveries performed at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 2010–2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The indications for Cesarean section were analyzed and compared based on years. Results: The lowest cesarean section rate was 18.67% in 2011 and the highest rate was 24.5% in 2013, and the annual rates were close to each other in this 6-year period (p > 0.05). History of uterine surgery was the indication with the highest rate of 49.52%, while fetal distress was the second most frequent with 12.53%; presentation anomalies were observed as the most frequent third indication with 7.55%, and umbilical cord prolapse was the least frequent indication with 0.33%. Conclusions: Patient education about normal delivery and providing means for pain control during normal delivery, improvement in physical conditions of the clinics, frequent and regular training of the assisting staff with obstetrics physicians are important to diminish the rates of primary cesarean sections. In addition, a normal delivery after a previous cesarean section must be encouraged

Serum progranulin levels are elevated in infertile women with obesity

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in serum progranulin and sex hormone levels in infertile women with obesity. Material and methods: A total of 171 infertile women who had fertility desire were included in this cross-sectional study. The initial assessment included measurements of weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio. All participants were categorised into two groups in accordance with BMI as a control group ( < 30 kg/m2, n = 135) and a study group (≥ 30 kg/m2, n = 36). After anthropometric measurements, venous blood samples were taken for analyses of oestradiol and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone, total testosterone (TT), 17-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, anti-Müllerian hormone, and progranulin. Results: The present study demonstrated that the overweight women had higher FSH levels (p < 0.01). Elevated TT levels were detected in obese women (p < 0.05). Progranulin concentrations were higher in the study group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Regression analysis demonstrated that there was a relationship between the serum progranulin concentrations and BMI (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings support that the elevated progranulin levels are associated with obesity in infertile women. Therefore, infertile and obese patients may benefit if their serum progranulin levels decrease. Further studies are needed to elucidate this issue

3D dynamic modeling of spherical wheeled self-balancing mobile robot

Ankara : The Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Graduate School of Engineering and Science of Bilkent University, 2012.Thesis (Master's) -- Bilkent University, 2012.Includes bibliographical references.In recent years, dynamically stable platforms that move on spherical wheels, also known as BallBots, gained popularity in the robotics literature as an alternative locomotion method to statically stable wheeled mobile robots. In contrast to wheeled platforms which do not have to explicitly be concerned about their balance, BallBot platforms must be informed about their dynamics and actively try to maintain balance. Up until now, such platforms have been approximated by simple planar models, with extensions to three dimensions through the combination of decoupled models in orthogonal sagittal planes. However, even though capturing certain aspects of the robot’s motion is possible with such decoupled models, they cannot represent inherently spatial aspects of motion such as yaw rotation or coupled inertial effects due to the motion of the rigid body. In this thesis, we introduce a novel, fully-coupled 3D model for such spherical wheeled balancing platforms. We show that our novel model captures important spatial aspects of motion that have previously not been captured by planar models. Moreover, our new model provides a better basis for controllers that are informed by more expressive system dynamics. In order to establish the expressivity and accuracy of this new model, we present simulation studies in dynamically rich situations. We use circular paths to reveal the advantages of the new model for fast maneuvers. Additionally, we introduce new inverse-dynamics controllers for a better attitude control and investigate within simulations the capability of sustaining dynamic behaviors. We study the relation between circular motions in attitude angles and associated motions in positional variables for BallBot locomotion.İnal, Ali NailM.S

Serum Leptin Is not a Diagnostic Marker for Familial Mediterranean Fever Attacks

The aim of our study is to determine whether there is a relationship between familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) attacks and serum leptin levels. We enrolled 25 patients (22 males and 3 females) and 25 healthy controls (21 males and 4 females) with a mean age of 24.42 ± 1.22 (Mean ± SEM) years and 24.30 ± 1.19 years (Mean ± SEM), respectively. We investigated serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and leukocyte counts before the attack and 8–12 hours after the attack started. The same parameters have been investigated in the control subjects. The mean serum leptin levels before the attacks were 6.45 ± 1.05 (Mean ± SEM) and during the attacks were 7.59 ± 1.3 (Mean ± SEM) in FMF group, respectively. There was a slight increase in serum leptin levels during the attacks but it was not statistically significant (P > .05). The mean serum leptin levels were 6.12 ± 2.81 in the control group which were not different from the mean serum leptin levels before and during the attack periods in the study group (P > .05). However, there were statistical differences in the serum levels of IL-6, ESR, CRP, fibrinogen, and leukocyte counts before and during the attack periods (P < .05). No correlation was found between serum leptin levels and IL-6, ESR, CRP, fibrinogen, and leukocyte counts (P > .05). Serum leptin levels do not increase during FMF attacks and therefore it is not useful for diagnostic purposes and follow-up during treatment

Ambalaj Tasarımında Nöropazarlama Kullanımı

Bu araştırma, 2020 yılında Selçuk Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Grafik Ana Bilim Dalı programında kabul edilen “Nöropazarlama ve Ambalaj Tasarımı” adlı Yüksek Lisans tezinden yararlanılarak hazırlanmıştır. Her geçen gün gelişimini sürdürmekte olan pazarlama günümüzde de tüketiciyi etkileme konusunda yeni yaklaşımlar üretmeye devam etmektedir. Tüketiciler, karar verme ve satın alma aşamasında, ürün tercihinde özellikle anlık ya da alışkanlıkları yönünde alışveriş yapmakta ve beyinlerinin bilişsel değil duygusal süreçlerini kullanarak karar vermektedirler. Dolayısıyla isabetli ve daha etkili karar alarak en yüksek rekabet avantajına sahip olmada, nöropazarlamanın önemi ortaya çıkmaktadır. Nöropazarlama tüketicinin zihinsel süreçlerini anlamak üzere merkezi ve otonom sinir sisteminin tepkilerinin ölçülebildiği cihazlar kullanılarak verilmek istenen mesajın açık ve net bir şekilde hedefe ulaşıp ulaşmadığını kontrol edebilen bir araştırma yöntemidir. Buradan hareketle nöropazarlamanın, ambalaj tasarımı üzerine yansımalarının incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Hedeflenen amaç doğrultusunda pazarlama, nöropazarlama, ambalaj tasarımı ve çeşitleri araştırma kapsamını oluşturmuştur. Yapılan literatür incelemeleri neticesinde Nöropazarlama konusunda yapılan çok sayıda çalışmaya rastlanmış ancak nöropazarlama yönteminin ambalaj tasarımında kullanılması ile ilgili alan araştırmalarının yetersiz olduğu dikkat çekmiştir. Nöropazarlama yönteminin incelenmesindeki mevcut eksiklik araştırmanın önemini arttırmaktadır. Sonuç olarak elde edilen bilgilerin yasal anlamda doğru adımlar takip edilerek kullanılması halinde nöropazarlama uygulamalarının şirketlere avantaj sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Pazara sunulacak olan ürünlerin, ambalaj tasarımları tüketiciler üzerinde beklenilen etkiyi yaratmıyorsa o ürün piyasaya sürülmeden önce yani daha başlangıç aşamasındayken, ambalaj tasarımının değiştirilmesi hedeflenmektedir. Nöropazarlama araştırma ve uygulamalarının ilerleyen dönemlerde ambalaj tasarımı alanında kullanılan klasik yöntemlerin aksine çok daha etkili ve geçerli bir yöntem olarak kabul göreceği ve bilindik yöntemleri geride bırakacağı ön görülmektedir

Diagnostic value of CA 19-9 in pregnancies complicated by spinal neural tube defects: a preliminary study

Objectives: Various physiological and pathological conditions can induce significant variations in plasma concentrations of tumor markers, such as CA 19-9, which is present in the serum and amniotic fluid of pregnant women. Herein, we aimed to determine the clinical importance of maternal serum CA 19-9 levels in the diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTDs). Material and methods: A total of 100 women were included in this controlled cross-sectional study. Thirty-three patients whose pregnancies were complicated by isolated meningocele or meningomyelocele constituted the study group, whereas 33 normal, healthy pregnant women constituted the control group, and 34 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched non-pregnant women were chosen for the validation group. Results: The mean maternal serum CA 19-9 levels were 17.2 ± 17.0 IU/mL, 7.1 ± 5.9 IU/mL, and 4.7 ± 3.6 IU/mL in the study, control, and validation groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). ROC analyses showed that elevated CA 19-9 values may predict NTDs (p &lt; 0.001). The cut-off value for CA 19-9 was found to be 9.6 IU/mL at 70% (51%–84%, 95% CI) sensitivity and 84% (74%–92%, 95% CI) specificity. Conclusions: CA 19-9 may be a promising noninvasive marker for NTDs. Further studies are needed to reveal the clinical applicability and diagnostic potential of maternal serum CA 19-9 levels in the identification of NTDs

Genotypic variation in phosphorus efficiency between wheat cultivars grown under greenhouse and field conditions

Phosphorus (P) efficiency (relative growth), which is described as the ratio of shoot dry matter or grain yield at deficient P supply to that obtained under adequate P supply, was compared in 25 winter wheat cultivars grown under greenhouse and field conditions with low and adequate P levels in a P-deficient calcareous soil. Adequate P supply resulted in significant increases in shoot dry weight and grain yield under both experimental conditions. In the greenhouse experiment, the increases in shoot dry weight under adequate P supply (80 mg kg(-1)) were from 0% (cv: C-1252) to 34% (cv: Dagdas). Under field conditions, the cultivars showed much greater variation in their response to adequate P supply (60 kg ha(-1)): the increases in shoot dry weight and grain yield with adequate P supply were between -2% (cv: Sivas-111/33) and 25% (cv: Kirac-66) for shoot dry matter production at the heading stage and between 0% (cv: Kirkpinar-79) and 76% (cv: Kate A-1) for grain yield at maturity. Almost all cultivars behaved totally different in their response to P deficiency under greenhouse and field conditions. Phosphorus efficiency ratios (relative growth) under greenhouse conditions did not correlate with the P efficiency ratios under field conditions. In general, durum wheat cultivars were found to be more P efficient compared with bread wheat cultivars. The results of this study indicated that there is wide variation in tolerance to P deficiency among wheat cultivars that can be exploited in breeding new wheat cultivars for high P deficiency tolerance. The results also demonstrated that P efficiency was expressed differently among the wheat cultivars when grown under greenhouse and field conditions and, therefore, special attention should be paid to growth conditions in screening wheat for P efficiency

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USAGE IN CANCER PATIENTS IN SOUTHEAST OF TURKEY

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods and clinical characteristics in cancer patients in southeast of Turkey. A total of 324 patients (173 female) were enrolled to this study. Questionnaire was applied to all patients individually for approximately 15 minutes by a doctor. At least one CAM method was used by 62% (n=201) of the patients. 82.5% (n=166) of patients treated with CAM were using at least one herbal species. Likewise, 40.9% (68/166) of these patients were using herbal mixtures and 39.8% (66/166) of them were using single herbal as nettle (Urtica dioica) or its seed, 19.3 % (32/166) of them were using other herbals. CAM methods were preferred more frequently by the patients with metastatic stage (p=0.005), receiving palliative treatment (

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