Tailoring the structural properties and electronic structure of anatase, brookite and rutile phase TiO2 nanoparticles: DFTB calculations

In this study, we perform a theoretical investigation using the density functional tight-binding (DFTB) approach for the structural analysis and electronic structure of anatase, brookite and rutile phase TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Our results show that the number of Ti-O bonds is greater than that of O-O, while the number of Ti-Ti bonds is fewer. Thus, large amounts of O atoms prefer to connect to Ti atoms. The increase in the temperature of the NPs contributes to an increase in the interaction of Ti–O bonding, but a decrease in the O-O bonding. The segregation of Ti and O atoms shows that Ti atoms tend to co-locate at the center, while O atoms tend to reside on the surface. Increasing temperature causes a decrease of the bandgap from 3.59 to 2.62 eV for the brookite phase, which is much more energetically favorable compared to the bulk, while it could increase the bandgap from 3.15 to 3.61 eV for anatase phase. For three-phase TiO2 NPs, LUMO and Fermi levels decrease. The HOMO level of anatase phase NP decreases, but it increases for brookite and rutile phase TiO2 nanoparticles. An increase in the temperature contributes to the stabilization of anatase phase TiO2 NP due to a decrease in the HOMO energies. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

İlköğretim Fen Öğretiminde Temel Bilimsel Süreç Becerileri

This study was conducted to investigate whether science education develops the primary science process skills adequately. In order to measure the primary science process skills, a test was developed and was applied to 80 ninth grade students who were randomly chosen from four high schools in Ankara at the beginning of the 1999-2000 fall semester. Results showed that primary school science education fails to develop primary process skills adequately.Bu araştırma, ilköğretim fen öğretimiyle öğrencilerin temel bilimsel süreç becerilerinin geliştirilip geliştirilmediğini ortaya çıkarmak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Temel bilimsel süreç becerilerini ölçmek için bir test geliştirilmiş ve bu test 1999-2000 eğitim öğretim yılı başında Ankara’da dört farklı lisenin birinci sınıflarından rasgele (random) seçilen seksen öğrenci üzerinde uygulanmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, ilköğretim fen öğretiminin, öğrencilerin temel bilimsel süreç becerilerini yeterince geliştirmediğini ortaya çıkarmıştır

Sözel Bölüm Öğretmen Adaylarının Fen Bilimlerine, Fen Eğitimine ve Teknolojiye Karşı Tutumlarının Araştırılması

This study was conducted with 98 teacher candidates who were receiving education in the Gazi University verbal division teacher educating programs and who were selected from two groups, namely History Teaching and Bureau Management Teaching, in the 2003-2004 fall term. Our aim was to determine the attitudes of the verbal section teacher candidates, who form an important part of teachers that will be assigned to teach in society in the future, towards science, science education and technology, and clarify whether they have prejudices and knowledge deficiencies to present an understanding of how much importance they pay to science. The data collecting instrument used in the study consists of 45 items in the type of quintet Likert. The results showed that the participants of the study don’t have an adequate knowledge about the nature of science, its importance, what it brings in to individuals and society. Even though technology consciousness seems to have developed in groups, it is detected that its relation with science has not been fully understood.Bu çalışma, Gazi Üniversitesi’nde sözel bölüm öğretmen yetiştirme programlarında eğitim görmekte olan Tarih Öğretmenliği ve Büro Yönetimi Öğretmenliği Bölümü öğrencilerinden oluşan iki gruptan seçilmiş, 98 öğretmen adayının katılımı ile 2003–2004 güz döneminde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yapılan bu araştırma ile gelecekte toplumu eğitmekle görevlendirilecek öğretmen adaylarının önemli bir kısmını oluşturan sözel bölüm öğretmen adaylarının, fen bilimlerine, fen eğitimine ve teknolojiye karşı tutumlarının tespit edilmesi, önyargılarının ve bilgi eksikliklerinin olup olmadığının açığa çıkarılması ve fene ne kadar önem verdiklerinin anlaşılması amaçlanmaktadır. Araştırmada kullanılan veri toplama aracı, beşli likert tipi 45 maddeden oluşmaktadır. Sonuçlar göstermiştir ki araştırmaya katılanlar, fen bilimlerinin doğasını, önemini, bireye ve topluma kazandırdıklarını yeterince bilmemektedir. Gruplarda teknoloji bilinci oluşmuş olmasına rağmen, fen bilimleriyle bağlantısının kurulamadığı tespit edilmiştir

The Significance of Serum C-Reactive Protein and Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio in Predicting the Diagnostic Outcomes of Renal Mass Biopsy Procedure

This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on renal mass biopsy outcomes. A total of 71 patients with suspected kidney masses who underwent renal mass biopsy procedure between January 2017 and January 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. Pathological results after the procedure were obtained and pre-procedural serum CRP and NLR levels were extracted from the patients’ data. The patients were grouped into benign and malignant pathology groups according to the histopathology results. The parameters were compared between the groups. Diagnostic role of the parameters in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values was also determined. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis, and univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazard regression analyses were also performed to investigate the above association with tumor diameter and pathology results, respectively. At the end of the analyses, a total of 60 patients had malignant pathology on histopathological investigations of the mass biopsy specimens, whereas the remaining 11 patients had a benign pathological diagnosis. Significantly higher CRP and NLR levels were detected in the malignant pathology group. The parameters positively correlated with the malignant mass diameter, as well. Serum CRP and NLR determined the malignant masses before the biopsy with sensitivity and specificity of 76.6 and 81.8%, and 88.3 and 45.4%, respectively. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that serum CRP level had a significant predictive value for malignant pathology (HR: 0.998, 95% CI: 0.940–0.967, P < 0.001 and HR: 0.951, 95% CI: 0.936–0.966, P < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, serum CRP and NLR levels were significantly different in patients with malignant pathology after renal mass biopsy compared to the patients with benign pathology. Serum CRP level, in particular, diagnosed malignant pathologies with acceptable sensitivity and specificity values. Additionally, it had a substantial predictive role in determining the malign masses prior the biopsy. Therefore, pre-biopsy serum CRP and NLR levels may be used to predict the diagnostic outcomes of renal mass biopsy in clinical practice. Further studies with larger cohorts can prove our findings in the future

microBiomeGSM: the identification of taxonomic biomarkers from metagenomic data using grouping, scoring and modeling (G-S-M) approach

Numerous biological environments have been characterized with the advent of metagenomic sequencing using next generation sequencing which lays out the relative abundance values of microbial taxa. Modeling the human microbiome using machine learning models has the potential to identify microbial biomarkers and aid in the diagnosis of a variety of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, colorectal cancer, and many others. The goal of this study is to develop an effective classification model for the analysis of metagenomic datasets associated with different diseases. In this way, we aim to identify taxonomic biomarkers associated with these diseases and facilitate disease diagnosis. The microBiomeGSM tool presented in this work incorporates the pre-existing taxonomy information into a machine learning approach and challenges to solve the classification problem in metagenomics disease-associated datasets. Based on the G-S-M (Grouping-Scoring-Modeling) approach, species level information is used as features and classified by relating their taxonomic features at different levels, including genus, family, and order. Using four different disease associated metagenomics datasets, the performance of microBiomeGSM is comparatively evaluated with other feature selection methods such as Fast Correlation Based Filter (FCBF), Select K Best (SKB), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Conditional Mutual Information Maximization (CMIM), Maximum Likelihood and Minimum Redundancy (MRMR) and Information Gain (IG), also with other classifiers such as AdaBoost, Decision Tree, LogitBoost and Random Forest. microBiomeGSM achieved the highest results with an Area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.98% at the order taxonomic level for IBDMD dataset. Another significant output of microBiomeGSM is the list of taxonomic groups that are identified as important for the disease under study and the names of the species within these groups. The association between the detected species and the disease under investigation is confirmed by previous studies in the literature. The microBiomeGSM tool and other supplementary files are publicly available at: https://github.com/malikyousef/microBiomeGSM

Nasopharynx evaluation in children of unilateral cleft palate patients and normal with cone beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the morphological characteristics of the nasopharynx in unilateral Cleft lip/palate (CL/P) children and non-cleft children using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A retrospective study consisted of 54 patients, of which 27 patients were unilateral CL/P, remaining 27 patients have no CL/P. Eustachian tubes orifice (ET), Rosenmuller fossa (RF) depth, presence of pharyngeal bursa (PB), the distance of posterior nasal spine (PNS)-pharynx posterior wall were quantitatively evaluated. RESULTS: The main effect of the CL/P groups was found to be effective on RF depth-right (p < 0.001) and RF depth-left (p < 0.001). The interaction effect of gender and CL/P groups was not influential on measurements. The cleft-side main effect was found to be effective on RF depth-left (p < 0.001) and RF depth-right (p  =  0002). There was no statistically significant relationship between CL/P groups and the presence of bursa pharyngea. CONCLUSIONS: Because it is the most common site of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the anatomy of the nasopharynx should be well known in the early diagnosis of NPC

Incapacity to work rate and disability rate in traumatic eye disorders

Amaç: Bu çalışma ile izole göz travmalarında hesaplanan maluliyet ve engellilik oranlarını karşılaştırmak, cetveller arasındaki farka dikkat çekmek amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışmamızda 2016, 2017 ve 2018 yıllarında ATK 3. İhtisas Kurulu tarafından sadece “göz arızaları” nedeniyle maluliyet ya da engellilik oranı hesaplanmış 605 dosya incelendi. Görme alanı defekti bulunan fakat görme alanı tetkikleri mevcut olmayan 13 olgu çalışma dışı bırakıldı. Beş yüz doksan iki olgu retrospektif olarak incelendi. Olgular olayın gerçekleşme yılı, cinsiyet, yaş aralığı, olay türü, mahkeme türleri, takdir kullanımı gibi parametreler açısından değerlendirildi. Verilerin değerlendirilmesi için SPSS 21.0 istatistik programı kullanıldı. Bulgular: Olgularda maluliyet oranı ortalamasının 29,24, engellilik oranı ortalamasının ise 21,56 olduğu, 455 olguda (%76,9) maluliyet oranının engellilik oranından yüksek olduğu, 38 olguda (%6,4) engellilik oranının maluliyet orandan yüksek olduğu, 99 olguda (%16,7) ise maluliyet ve engellilik oranı mevcut olmadığı belirlendi. Her iki cinsiyet açısından da maluliyet oranı ile engellilik oranı arasında anlamlı derecede fark olduğu tespit edildi. Maluliyet hesabında olguların %8,28’inde oranın tam karşılığı bulunmadığı ve takdir kullanıldığı, bu durumun tamamının diplopi olgularında olduğu belirlendi. Sonuç: Çalışmanın tüm verileri değerlendirildiğinde, özellikle diplopi hususunda engellilik cetvelinin maluliyet cetveline göre daha detaylı ve hassas olduğu, göz hastalıklarında maluliyet oranı ile engellilik oranı arasında yöntem ve değişkenler bakımından farklılık olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır.Objective: In this study, it was aimed to compare “incapacity to work rate scale” and “disability rate scale” in isolated eye traumas and to draw attention to differences between the scales. Methods: In our study, 605 files for which incapacity to work or disability rate was calculated only due to “eye defects” were examined by Council of Corensic Medicine 3rd Specialization Board in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Five hundred and ninety-two cases were analyzed retrospectively. The cases were evaluated in terms of parameters such as year of event, gender, age range, type of event, court types, and discretion. SPSS 21.0 statistical program was used to evaluate the data. Results: It is seen that average of “incapacity to work rate” is 29.24, “disability rate” is 21.56, “incapacity to work rate” is higher than “disability rate” in 455 cases (76.9%) and the “disability rate” is higher than “incapacity to work rate” in 38 cases (6.4%). In 99 cases (16.7%), both rates were not calculated. It was determined that there was a significant difference between rates in terms of both genders. In calculation of “incapacity to work rate”, it was determined that 8.28% of cases did not have exact equivalent of ratio and it was used with discretion, and this situation was all in diplopia cases. Conclusion: It was revealed that disability rate scale was more detailed and sensitive than “incapacity to work rate scale”, especially in diplopia, and that there was a difference between both scales in eye diseases in terms of methods and variables

Bıologıcal resıstance of acetylated spruce partıcleboards agaınst to brown rot fungı (coniophora puteana)

Çürütücü mantarlara karşı oduna oldukça iyi koruma ve biyolojik dayanım sağlayan asetillendirme teknolojisinin etkinliğini yongalevhada gözlemleyebilmek amacıyla yürütülen çalışmada, yaklaşık %15 ve %20 ağırlık kazanç değerleri verecek şekilde 1 ve 3 saat boyunca asetillendirilen ladin yongalevhaları EN 113 standardına uygun olarak esmer çürüklük mantarının saldırısına (Coniophora puteana) maruz bırakılmıştır. Çalışmada, asetillendirilmiş levhalar ile asetillendirilmemiş kontrol levhalarının biyolojik dayanım performansları karşılaştırılmıştır. Asetillendirme işleminin yongalevhaları esmer çürüklük mantarlarına karşı büyük ölçüde koruduğu gözlenmiştir. Özellikle 3 saat uygulanan asetillendirme işlemi yoğun mantar tahribatına karşı oldukça düşük ağırlık kaybı değerleri vererek iyi bir performans sergilemiştir.In this study, it was aimed to see the superior properties of acetylation technology which protects the wood against to wood destroying organisms perfectly, on particleboards. Therefore, particleboards made from 1 and 3 hour acetylated particles and gave approximately 15% and 20% weight percent gain, exposed to brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana according to procedures defined in EN 113 standard. Biological resistance of acetylated and untreated (control) boards were compared. The acetylated boards demonstrated increased durability against brown rot fungi. Especially 3 hour acetic anhydride treatment reduced the weight losses more significantly than others and showed greater biological resistance

Morphometric and morphological evaluation of mastoid emissary canal using cone-beam computed tomography

Objectives: This study aimed to determine mastoid emissary canal’s (MEC) and mastoid foramen (MF) prevalence and morphometric characteristics on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to underline its clinical significance and discuss its surgical consequences. Methods: In the retrospective analysis, two oral and maxillofacial radiologists analyzed the CBCT images of 135 patients (270 sides). The biggest MF and MEC were measured in the images evaluated in MultiPlanar Reconstruction (MPR) views. The MF and MEC mean diameters were calculated. The mastoid foramina number was recorded. The prevalence of MF was studied according to gender and side of the patient. Results: The overall prevalence of MEC and MF was 119 (88.1%). The prevalence of MEC and MF is 55.5% in females and 44.5% in males. MEC and MF were identified as bilateral in 80 patients (67.20%) and unilateral in 39 patients (32.80%). The mean diameter of MF was 2.4 ± 0.9 mm. The mean height of MF was 2.3 ± 0.9. The mean diameter of the MEC was 2.1 ± 0.8, and the mean height of the MEC was 2.1 ± 0.8. There is a statistical difference between the genders (p = 0.043) in foramen diameter. Males had a significantly larger mean diameter of MF in comparison to females. Conclusion: MEC and MF must be evaluated thoroughly if the surgery is contemplated. Radiologists and surgeons should be aware of mastoid emissary canal morphology, variations, clinical relevance, and surgical consequences while operating in the suboccipital and mastoid areas to avoid unexpected and catastrophic complications. CBCT may be a reliable imaging diagnostic technique

Comparison of inflammatory biomarkers for detection of coronary stenosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Erdogan, Turan/0000-0003-2986-5457; Cetin, Mustafa/0000-0001-6342-436X; yilmaz, adnan/0000-0003-4842-1173WOS: 000319223400015PubMed: 23329531BACKGROUND: the objective of the current study was to evaluate the role of various inflammatory biomarkers in detection of coronary stenosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy people. METHODS: A total of 111 patients with stable coronary artery disease, and 66 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum levels of lipoprotein-associated-phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA(2)), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured to compare patient and control groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between healthy and patient groups, with the exception of age. ANCOVA and log-transformed data of inflammatory biomarkers revealed that, Lp-PLA(2) (p < 0,001) and hs-CRP (p < 0,05) levels in all patient groups were significantly higher than in the control group. Conversely, there was no significant difference in MPO levels among groups. CONCLUSIONS: in stable CAD patients, serum Lp-PLA(2) levels are more compatible than hsCRP and MPO levels in the detection of coronary stenosis.PfizerPfizer; ServierServier; Astra ZenecaAstraZenecaThis study was supported by the drug companies Pfizer, Servier and Astra Zeneca. the Authors thank all of the companies that helped during this investigation