From Sophisticated Analysis to Colorimetric Determination: Smartphone Spectrometers and Colorimetry

Smartphone-based spectrometer and colorimetry have been gaining relevance due to the widespread advances of devices with increasing computational power, their relatively low cost and portable designs with user-friendly interfaces, and their compatibility with data acquisition and processing for “lab-on-a-chip” systems. They find applications in interdisciplinary fields, including but not limited to medical science, water monitoring, agriculture, and chemical and biological sensing. However, spectrometer and colorimetry designs are challenging tasks in real-life scenarios as several distinctive issues influence the quantitative evaluation process, such as ambient light conditions and device independence. Several approaches have been proposed to overcome the aforementioned challenges and to enhance the performance of smartphone-based colorimetric analysis. This chapter aims at providing researchers with a state-of-the-art overview of smartphone-based spectrometer and colorimetry, which includes hardware designs with 3D printers and sensors and software designs with image processing algorithms and smartphone applications. In addition, assay preparation to mimic the real-life testing environments and performance metrics for quantitative evaluation of proposed designs are presented with the list of new and future trends in this field

Adaptive Rollover Prevention for Automotive Vehicles with Differential Braking

In this paper we present an adaptive controller implementation based on the multiple models, switching, and tuning (MMST) paradigm for preventing untripped rollover in automotive vehicles. Our approach relies on differential-braking to keep the value of the Load Transfer Ratio (LTR) below a threshold. We first employ multiple models to infer the unknown center of gravity height and the suspension parameters of the vehicle, which are subsequently used to switch to the corresponding rollover controller. The proposed multicontroller switched scheme is shown via numerical simulations to result in better performance than its fixed robust counterpart

Identifying Distance Learners’ Learning Styles

This study aimed to identify the learning styles of distance learners studying for an associate’s degree in computer programming and child development and to determine whether there is a difference between the departments. Accordingly the survey model was used in this study. The sample consisted of 261 associate’s degree students enrolled in two distance education programs. The data were collected using the E-Learning Styles Scale. In the data analysis, categories were formed using the mean scores on the E-Learning Styles Scale to identify the dominant -e-learning styles of the students and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used because of The data were not normally distributed. The analysis results showed that the most preferred learning style of computer programming and child development students was the independent e-learning style. The preferred learning styles of computer programming and child development students differed in active learning, social learning, and logical learning styles

Tourism students’ entrepreneurial personality traits: An emprical research on undergraduate associate and bachelor’s students

Bu araştırmanın amacı, turizm eğitimi alan lisans ve ön lisans öğrencilerinin girişimci kişilik özelliklerinin tespit edilmesidir. Bu amaçla, Sakarya Üniversitesi ve Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi’nde turizm eğitimi alan 308 lisans ve ön lisans öğrencisi üzerinde bir alan araştırması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen veriler istatistiki metotlarla analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sonucu elde edilen bulgular, turizm öğrencilerinin girişimci kişilik özelliklerine önemli ölçüde sahip olduklarını göstermiştir. Ayrıca, girişimci kişilik özellikleri bakımından lisans ve ön lisans öğrencileri arasında anlamlı bir farklılık olduğu tespit edilmiştir.Aim of this study is to determine entrepreneurial personality traits of associate and bachelor’s degree tourism students. For this purpose, an empirical research was carried out on undergraduate 308 tourism students that studying at Sakarya University and Abant Dzzet Baysal University. Obtained data from the research was analyzed by statistical methods. Results of this research indicated that undergraduate tourism students dramatically have entrepreneurial personality traits. However, at the conclusion of the research it was determined that there was significant difference between associate and bachelor’s degree tourism students’ entrepreneurial personality traits

Integration of Arsenic Trisulfide and Titanium Diffused Lithium Niobate Waveguides

A chalcogenide glass (arsenic-trisulfide, As2S3) optical waveguide is vertically integrated onto titanium-diffused lithium-niobate (Ti:LiNbO3) waveguides to add optical feedback paths and to create more compact optical circuits. Lithium-niobate waveguides are commonly used as building blocks for phase and amplitude modulators in high speed fiber communication networks due to its high electrooptic coefficient and low mode coupling loss to single-mode optical fibers. Although it can easily be modulated using an RF signal to create optical modulators, it lacks the intrinsic trait to create optical feedback loops due to its low core-to-cladding index contrast. Ring resonators are main building blocks of many chip-scale optical filters that require these feedback loops and are already demonstrated with other material systems. We have, for the first time, incorporated As2S3 as a guiding material on Ti:LiNbO3 and fabricated s-bends and ring resonators. We have examined As2S3-on-Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides at simulation, microfabrication, and optical characterization levels

UM ESTUDO PARA ANALISAR A QUALIDADE DOS PROBLEMAS COLOCADOS POR PROFESSORES DE MATEMÁTICA EM FORMAÇÃO EM EXPRESSÕES DE RAIZ QUADRADA

In this study, it was aimed to examine the problems that the pre-service mathematics teachers posed about the square root expressions. 35 pre-service teachers studying in the third grade of the middle school mathematics teaching department of a state university participated in this study in which the case study method was used. Each pre-service teacher was asked to pose 2 free problems related to the square root expressions. The collected data were analyzed according to the framework created by the researcher in line with the literature. Accordingly, the problems that the pre-service mathematics teachers posed were examined in terms of mathematically, data quality, grammar and expression, instructions and amount of data in the problems, solvability and overall assessment (availability). As a result, it was seen that pre-service teachers generally set up problems involving daily life, more than half of the problems they set up were solvable, but there were also problems that could not be solved due to logic errors, conceptual errors and lack of mathematical instructions.  In addition, although there were errors in terms of language and expression in the problems, the majority of the pre-service teachers used language and expression at an adequate level.Neste estudo, objetivou-se examinar os problemas que os futuros professores de matemática colocaram sobre as expressões de raiz quadrada. Participaram deste estudo 35 futuros professores do terceiro ano do departamento de ensino de matemática do ensino fundamental de uma universidade estadual, no qual foi utilizado o método de estudo de caso. Cada professor em formação foi solicitado a propor 2 problemas livres relacionados às expressões de raiz quadrada. Os dados coletados foram analisados conforme referencial criado pela pesquisadora em consonância com a literatura. Assim, os problemas que os futuros professores de matemática colocaram foram examinados em termos matemáticos, qualidade dos dados, gramática e expressão, instruções e quantidade de dados nos problemas, solubilidade e avaliação global (disponibilidade). Como resultado, viu-se que os futuros professores geralmente montavam problemas envolvendo o cotidiano, mais da metade dos problemas que eles armavam eram solucionáveis, mas também havia problemas que não podiam ser resolvidos por erros de lógica, erros conceituais e falta de instruções matemáticas. Além disso, embora houvesse erros em termos de linguagem e expressão nos problemas, a maioria dos futuros professores utilizou a linguagem e a expressão em um nível adequado

Realtime Multiple-Model Estimation of Center of Gravity Position in Automotive Vehicles

In this paper we present a methodology based on multiple models and switching for realtime estimation of center of gravity (CG) position in automotive vehicles. The method utilizes well-known simple linear vehicle models for lateral and roll dynamics and assumes the availability of standard stock automotive sensors. We illustrate the technique with numerical simulations as well as with measured sensor data from an SUV vehicle. We also compare our estimation results with traditional linear-least squares estimators to show the efficacy of our technique. Finally, we give a simple application example for implementing the idea in automotive vehicles as a switch for rollover controller activation

Detection of seasonal asymptomatic dermatophytes in Van cats

AbstractThe Van cat is a domestic landrace found in the Van province of eastern Turkey. In this study, we aimed to determine the seasonal carriage of dermatophytes in Van cats without clinical lesions. A total of 264 hair specimens were collected from clinically healthy cats in and around the Van Province. Of these samples, 30.3% were obtained in spring, 30.6% in summer, 16.6% in autumn, and 22.3% in winter; 45.1% of samples were from male cats and the rest from female ones. Of the studied cats, 118 were younger than 1 year, 78 were 1–3 years old, and 68 were older than 3 years. The specimens were subjected to direct microscopic examination with 15% potassium hydroxide and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium supplemented with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. Dermatophyte identification was carried out based on macroscopic and microscopic colony morphology, urease activities, in vitro hair perforation test, growth at 37°C, and pigmentation on corn meal agar. Dermatophytes were isolated from 19 (7.1%) of the 264 specimens examined. The most frequently isolated fungi were Trichophyton terrestre (4.1%), followed by Microsporum gypseum (1.1%), M. nanum (1.1%), and T. mentagrophytes (0.7%), and these fungi may represent a health risk for humans in contact with clinically healthy Van cats. M. canis was not isolated from any of the specimens. Our results show no significant (p>0.05) association between carriage of dermatophytes and the gender of cats. The carriage rate of dermatophytes was high in spring and winter, and the only possible risk factor for infection was age of the animal

The effects of the increased doses of leonardite applications on the content of some macro and micro nutrient elements of pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. var. Chinensis L.) plant

The present research has been contented to determine the effects of the increased leonardite application on the some macro and micro nutrient elements of pak choi (Brassica rapa L. subsp. var. Chinensis L.) plant. The research was designed as 3 replications according to the randomized block experimental design. Leonardite was applied to the parcels with 4 doses and as the 1st dose: 0 ppm m-2, the 2nd dose: 60 ppm m-2, the 3rd dose: 120 ppm m-2and the 4th dose: 150 ppm m-2. According to research results, the total N content of the plant samples were determined of 5.43 %, 5.58 %, 5.69 %, and 5.73 % for four leonardite doses respectively. The contents were determined as P (0.40 %, 0.42 %, 0.41 %, 0.41 %); K (5.49 %, 5.73 %, 5.83 %, 6.01 %); Ca (1.85 %, 1.91 %, 2.06 %, 2.29 %); Mg (0.12 %, 0.13 %, 0.13 %, 0.14 %); and S (3.39 %, 4.65 %, 4.83 %, 4.84 %) and some micro elements contents were obtained as Fe (96, 110, 112, 120 mgkg-1); Cu (5, 8, 18, 24 mgkg-1); Mn (12, 16, 22, 94 mgkg-1); and Zn (32, 34, 36, 37 mgkg-1) for four doses, respectively. According to the results, the effects of the increasing doses of the leonardite application on some macro and micro nutrient elements contents of pak choi plant were determined statistically significant. These increases were found to be significant at the level of 5 % statistical degree, except P and Mg nutrient elements

Does amikacin treatment cause subclinical hearing loss in patients with cystic fibrosis?

AbstractIntroductionAminoglycosides (AGs) have been widely used for potential life-threatening bacterial infections. Although AGs are well known for their ototoxic side effects, some AGs such as amikacin are considered less harmful to auditory functions; thus, auditory monitoring is mostly neglected during treatment with these drugs.ObjectiveTo reflect the potential auditory hazards of repeated amikacin use on the patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).Method32CF patients with prior exposure to at least 3 courses of amikacin (the CF group) and 35 non-CF patients visiting the outpatient clinic with any complaint other than hearing loss and no history of treatment with any AG(the control, or C group) were compared with pure-tone audiometry(PTA). The diagnosis of CF was made by Nanoduck sweat test.ResultsThe average age of the participants were 8.25±2.76years in the CF group and 8.58±2.00years in the C group (ranging from 5 to 13 years). 29 (43.28%) of the cases were female and 38 (56.71%) were male. Clinical SNHL(sensorineural hearing loss) was detected in 4 of the 32 subjects in the CF group. None of the subjects in the C group exhibited clinical SNHL. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to presence or absence of clinical SNHL (p>0.05). However, hearing levels of the CF group were around 20dB(decibel) HL(hearing loss), whereas hearing levels of the C group were around 5dB. This difference was statistically significant for the pure tone averages of both all frequencies and speech frequencies (p<0.05).ConclusionRepetitive exposure to AGs can cause permanent, although mild, sensorineural hearing loss. For prevention, hearing status of the patient should be closely monitored and treatment of choice should be precisely tailored according to the audiological evaluation. This is especially important in patients with CF who frequently experience medical conditions necessitating AGs use