The Investigation of Some Mohair Mineral Levels (Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn) of Angora Goats in Original Zone of Ankara Province

In this study, determination of some mineral levels of mohair samples obtained from Angora goats (Capra hircus ancyrensis) bred in villages of Basayas (1st farm, n=28 goats) and Yagmurdede (2nd farm, n=30 goats) in Ankara province of Turkey was aimed. Totally 58 goats (2-4 years old) in two farms kept under similar managemental conditions and based on pasture were chosen as research materials. Mohair samples from mid-side of the goats were collected to determine the levels of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) (M series V1, 23). The mohair mineral levels in the 1st and the 2nd farm of Angoras were found as 22.234 ± 1.030 μg/g and 20.952 ± 1.462 μg/g for Mg; 37.716 ± 1.573 μg/g and 32.271 ± 1.397 μg/g for Fe (P<0.05); 4.248 ± 0.293 μg/g and 7.169 ± 0.285 μg/g for Cu (P<0.001); 60.673 ± 2.395 μg/g and 62.802 ± 3.172 μg/g for Zn, respectively. In the 1st and the 2nd farm, non-significant positive and negative correlations between minerals were discovered. The estimated correlation coefficient between Fe and Cu was negative (r = ˗ 0.291) significant in total population (P<0.05)

Growth, feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of Karakas and crossbred lambs (F1) (Ile de France x Akkaraman (G1) x Karakas) under rural farm conditions in Turkey

In this study the possibilities of using the Ile de France x Akkaraman (G1) genotype (IDFAG1) in improving the growth performance and carcass characteristics of fat-tailed Karakas sheep raised in rural farm conditions in the Van Region of Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, were investigated. The aim was to obtain some preliminary results for future studies which will be designed to develop a genotype which has the ability to adapt to the region's conditions, has a high yield and quality meat, grows fast, has a high feed conversion ability and a thin fat tail. Growth and feedlot performances and carcass characteristics of Karakas (KAR) and crossbred (IDFAK) lambs obtained from the mating of IDFAG1 rams with Karakas ewes were evaluated. A total of 97 KAR and IDFAK lambs reared under farm conditions was evaluated for growth characteristics. For the evaluation of feedlot performance and carcass characteristics, 10 KAR and seven IDFAK single-born male lambs weaned at two months of age were subjected to a finishing diet for 70 days and slaughtered. Least squares means of the weights of KAR and IDFAK lambs at birth and at six months were 3.2 ± 0.08 and 3.5 ± 0.08 kg and 29.6 ± 1.24 and 30.2 ± 1.41 kg, respectively. The means of untailed cold carcass weight and untailed dressing percentage of KAR and IDFAK lambs were 13.2 ± 0.39 and 14.3 ± 1.10 kg and 39.7 ± 0.42 and 44.3 ± 1.10%, respectively. Although feed efficiency and many carcass characteristics did not differ between groups, the carcasses of the IDFAK lambs contained a higher percentage of intramuscular fat that is desirable for consumers in Eastern Anatolia. Encouraging results have been obtained to suggest that IDFAG1 rams could be used to improve the productivity of Karakas sheep. Nevertheless, more detailed and larger scale experiments are needed to confirm the results on growth and carcass characteristics of crossbred lambs under different farm conditions. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 34(4) 2004: 223- 23

Razrada popisa kriterija za odabir 3D virtualnih svjetova i izradu obrazovnog okruženja

The purpose of this study was to develop a criteria list to be considered during the selection of 3D virtual world platforms for educational purposes. As the first step in this process a draft list was created by the researchers based on literature review and heuristic investigation. The draft list was reviewed and revised by 2 internal and 4 external experts, and then used as a questionnaire. The items in the finalized criteria list were divided into three categories as follows: 50 items of technical specifications (system/program features, usability, software tools, multimedia tools, security, and cost), 21 items of interaction specifications (avatars, activities, communication tools) and 8 items of educational specifications (teaching/learning activities). Ultimately, the developed criteria list will be helpful for identifying and eliminating the deficiencies and constraints of virtual worlds used for educational purposes.Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je razrada popisa kriterija koje treba uzeti u obzir prilikom odabira 3D virtualnih platformi u obrazovne svrhe. U tom su procesu znanstvenici najprije sastavili nacrt kriterija na osnovi proučene literature i heurističkog istraživanja. Dva naša i četiri vanjska stručnjaka pregledala su i napisala osvrt na nacrt kriterija koji se zatim koristio u obliku upitnika. Završni popis kriterija podijeljen je u sljedeće tri kategorije: 50 tehničkih kriterija (osobine sustava / programa, iskoristivost, softverski alati, multimedijski alati, sigurnost, cijena), 21 kriterij vezan uz interakciju (avatari, aktivnosti, komunikacijski alati) i 8 obrazovnih kriterija (aktivnosti poučavanja / učenja). Na kraju će razrađeni popis kriterija pomoći u utvrđivanju i uklanjanju nedostataka i ograničenja virtualnih svjetova koji se koriste u obrazovne svrhe

A kinetic study of mercury(II) transport through a membrane assisted by new transport reagent

Background: A new organodithiophosphorus derivative, namely O-(1,3-Bispiperidino-2-propyl)-4-methoxy phenyldithiophosphonate, was synthesized and then the kinetic behavior of the transport process as a function of concentration, temperature, stirring rate and solvents was investigated.Results: The compound 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H-1 and P-31 NMR spectroscopies. The transport of mercury(II) ion by a zwitterionic dithiophosphonate 1 in the liquid membrane was studied and the kinetic behavior of the transport process as a function of concentration, temperature, stirring rate and solvents was investigated. The compound 1 is expected to serve as a model liquid membrane transport with mercury(II) ions.Conclusion: A kinetic study of mercury(II) transport through a membrane assisted by O-(1,3-Bispiperidino-2-propyl)4-methoxy phenyldithiophosphonate was performed. It can be concluded that the compound 1 can be provided a general and straightforward route to remove toxic metals ions such as mercury(II) ion from water or other solution

Cytogenetic analysis of early pregnancy loss after assisted reproduction treatment using intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of numerical chromosomal abnormalities in the patients with early pregnancy loss (EPL) following in vitro fertilization, and evaluate the role of different confounders of the risk of chromosomal abnormality-related pregnancy loss.Material and methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients from our in vitro fertilization (IVF) center who conceived using assisted reproduction techniques between April 2017 and 2019, who experienced a subsequent early pregnancy loss, and whose abortus materials were successfully karyotyped were included.Results: Of the 243 patients experienced an early loss, the overall rate of chromosomal abnormality was 46.75%. The overall rate of aneuploidy in our patient group was 88.8% (64/72), whereas 6.94% (5/72) of the abnormal karyotypes were polyploid. The most common type of trisomy was Trisomy 16 (20.0%; 11/55) followed by Trisomy 15 (14.5%; 8/55). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that maternal age (&lt; 35 years) and the total number of retrieved oocytes per cycle (≥ 5) were risk factors for a chromosomal abnormality (&lt; 0.001; &lt; 0.05, respectively). The adjusted OR of karyotypic abnormalities was 0.45 for the antagonist cycle type (p &lt; 0.05), and 0.58 for frozen embryo transfer (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Karyotypic abnormality is one of the main reasons for pregnancy loss following an IVF procedure. Although the pregnancy rates increased as a result of novel technologies, the ratio of EPL is still high. The implementation of preimplantation genetic screening techniques might lower the incidence of EPL due to chromosomal abnormalities, thus decreasing the burden on the physicians and the patients

A Cross-age study of students' understanding of fractals

The purpose of this study is to examine how students understand fractals depending on age. Students' understandings were examined in four dimensions: defining fractals, determining fractals, finding fractal patterns rules and mathematical operations with fractals. The study was conducted with 187 students (grades 8, 9, 10) by using a two-tier test consisting of nine questions prepared based on the literature and Turkish mathematics and geometry curriculums. The findings showed that in all grades, students may have misunderstandings and lack of knowledge about fractals. Moreover, students can identify and determine the fractals, but when the grade level increased, this success decreases. Although students were able to intuitively determine a shape as fractal or not, they had some problems in finding pattern rules and formulizing them

Computers in Secondary Schools: Educational Games

This entry introduces educational games in secondary schools. Educational games include three main types of educational activities with a playful learning intention supported by digital technologies: educational serious games, educational gamification, and learning through game creation. Educational serious games are digital games that support learning objectives. Gamification is defined as the use of "game design elements and game thinking in a non-gaming context" (Deterding et al. 2011, p. 13). Educational gamification is not developed through a digital game but includes game elements for supporting the learning objectives. Learning through game creation is focused on the process of designing and creating a prototype of a game to support a learning process related to the game creation process or the knowledge mobilized through the game creation process. Four modalities of educational games in secondary education are introduced in this entry to describe educational games in secondary education: educational purpose of entertainment games, serious games, gamification, and game design

Distinct conformations of the HIV-1 V3 loop crown are targetable for broad neutralization.

The V3 loop of the HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein elicits a vigorous, but largely non-neutralizing antibody response directed to the V3-crown, whereas rare broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) target the V3-base. Challenging this view, we present V3-crown directed broadly neutralizing Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (bnDs) matching the breadth of V3-base bnAbs. While most bnAbs target prefusion Env, V3-crown bnDs bind open Env conformations triggered by CD4 engagement. BnDs achieve breadth by focusing on highly conserved residues that are accessible in two distinct V3 conformations, one of which resembles CCR5-bound V3. We further show that these V3-crown conformations can, in principle, be attacked by antibodies. Supporting this conclusion, analysis of antibody binding activity in the Swiss 4.5 K HIV-1 cohort (n = 4,281) revealed a co-evolution of V3-crown reactivities and neutralization breadth. Our results indicate a role of V3-crown responses and its conformational preferences in bnAb development to be considered in preventive and therapeutic approaches

Clinically relevant potential drug-drug interactions in intensive care patients:A large retrospective observational multicenter study

Purpose: Potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) may harm patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Due to the patient's critical condition and continuous monitoring on the ICU, not all pDDIs are clinically relevant. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) warning for irrelevant pDDIs could result in alert fatigue and overlooking important signals. Therefore, our aim was to describe the frequency of clinically relevant pDDIs (crpDDIs) to enable tailoring of CDSSs to the ICU setting. Materials & methods: In this multicenter retrospective observational study, we used medication administration data to identify pDDIs in ICU admissions from 13 ICUs. Clinical relevance was based on a Delphi study in which intensivists and hospital pharmacists assessed the clinical relevance of pDDIs for the ICU setting. Results: The mean number of pDDIs per 1000 medication administrations was 70.1, dropping to 31.0 when considering only crpDDIs. Of 103,871 ICU patients, 38% was exposed to a crpDDI. The most frequently occurring crpDDIs involve QT-prolonging agents, digoxin, or NSAIDs. Conclusions: Considering clinical relevance of pDDIs in the ICU setting is important, as only half of the detected pDDIs were crpDDIs. Therefore, tailoring CDSSs to the ICU may reduce alert fatigue and improve medication safety in ICU patients