Structural analysis of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon thin films as a function of substrate temperature during deposition

In this contribution, the micro- and macro-structure of plasma grown hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin films were followed with respect to substrate temperature (Ts) ranging from 80 °C to 200 °C. nc-Si:H films were deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique using silane gas highly diluted by hydrogen and high RF power density. Micro-structure analysis was performed with grazing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) and dispersive Raman spectroscopies. Parallelly, morphological properties of the films were investigated via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) by taking both surface and cross-sectional micrographs. GAXRD results suggest the presence of 4–5 nm nanocrystallites with the size almost independent of Ts. The detailed analysis of the Raman spectra reveals one- and two-phonon modes due to amorphous and crystalline silicon (c-Si), where all c-Si related peaks shifted to lower frequencies. Raman nanocrystalline volume fraction is found to be greater than 50% for all Ts; it increases together with the short-range order at elevated Ts. This micro-structural improvement with Ts is considered to be slight when compared to the FE-SEM-observed drastic changes of morphology, particularly the size of large conglomerates (35–250 nm). The behavior of micro- and macro-structure with Ts is correlated well with the previously determined bonding and lateral conductivity measurements. It seems to be the macro-structure that accounts for bonding and electrical properties of nc-Si:H thin films

OPINIONS OF MASTERS STUDENTS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJOR ABOUT THE MASTERS PROGRAM

One of the masters programs in Anadolu University Educational Sciences Institute is The Special Education Program. The Special Education masters program is being offered to students regularly every school year. Based on the literature review, no related studies was found regarding the evaluation of the masters program in special education. Besides, the opinions of the students who have completed the masters program in special education were supposed to provide an overview and feedback for the academic staff. Moving from this point, general purpose of the present study was, examining the opinions of masters students in special education major about their masters program between the school years 2000-2007. The research questions were as follows: (a) In which phases of the masters program the students had difficulties mostly?, (b) What were the opinions of the students about the courses phase?, and (c) What were the opinions of the students about the supervision services they gor during their masters program? The study was conducted by semi-structured interviews with 16 volunteer participants who were the students of the masters program of special education between the school years 2000-2007. The data were analyzed descriptively, and the results of the study found to be similar with the related literature.Masters program, special education, semi-structured interviews.

Are Fetuin-A levels beneficial for estimating timing of sepsis occurrence?

WOS: 000452509700005PubMed ID: 29968890Objectives: To evaluated Fetuin-A levels of patients admitted in the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of sepsis. Methods: This study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital, Canakkal, Turkey, between February 2015 and October 2015. Forty septic patients were included in the study. Subsequent to clinical suspicion of sepsis, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin; and white blood cell (WBC) counts were evaluated at 3 time-points: 0 (basal), 24, and 72 hours. Results: The mean Fetuin-A levels at the 3 time-points were 58.5 +/- 29.2 ng/mL, 40.9 +/- 23.6 ng/mL, and 47.8 +/- 25.7 ng/mL, respectively. Fetuin-A levels at 24 hours were significantly lower than the basal level (p0.05). Correlation between the temporal changes in Fetuin-A levels and the changes in other inflammatory markers (CRP, procalcitonin and WBC) was examined. Fetuin A was found to have only a negative correlation with serum procalcitonin level (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, serum Fetuin-A levels in septic patients decreased significantly in the first 24 hours, followed by an insignificant increase at 72 hours. These findings suggest that monitoring of Fetuin-A levels may help predict the time of occurrence of sepsis and prognosis of sepsis.Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, TurkeyThis study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey. We would like to thank Enago for English language editing

Rutin tonsil ve adenoid spesimenlerinin histopatolojik incelemesi: Gerekli bir yaklaşım mı?

Amaç: Bu çalışmada adenoidektomi veya tonsilektomi spesimenlerinin rutin histopatolojik incelemesinin gerekli olup olmadığı araştırıldı. Hastalar ve Yöntemler: Retrospektif ve çok merkezli bu çalışmaya adenoidektomi veya tonsilektomi ameliyatı olan 1021 çocuk ve erişkin hasta (557 erkek 464 kadın; ortanca yaş 8 yıl; dağılım 5-13 yıl) dahil edildi. Toplam hastaların 809’u (%79.3) çocuk, 212’si (%20.7) erişkin idi. Hastaların yaş, cinsiyet, histopatolojik tanıları ile malign tanı konulan hastalarda malignite açısından risk faktörleri mevcut hasta kayıtları kullanılarak incelendi. Bulgular: Hastaların 396’sına (%38.8) adenotonsilektomi, 266’sına (%26) tonsilektomi, 359’una (%35.2) adenoidektomi yapıldı. Histopatolojik tanı 1021 hastanın 1011’inde (% 99) bening, 11’inde (%1) malign idi. Yalnızca erişkin hastalarda malign tanı mevcuttu. Malign tanı konulan hastaların tümünde cerrahi öncesinde malignite açısından bir veya daha fazla risk faktörü vardı. Cerrahi öncesi risk faktörü taşımayan hiçbir hastada beklenmedik malignite görülmedi. Sonuç: Adenotonsilektomi ameliyatı sonrası, özellikle çocuk hastalar başta olmak üzere, risk faktörü taşımayan hastalarda rutin histopatolojik incelemenin gerekli olmadığı sonucuna varıldı.Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether it is necessary to perform histopathologic examination of the specimens of tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective and multicenter study, 1021 pediatric and adult patients (557 males, 464 females; median age 8 years; range 5 to 13 years) who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were included. Of the patients, 809 (79.3%) were pediatrics, while 212 (20.7%) were adult. Age, gender, histopathologic diagnosis and risk for malignancy in the patients with malignant diagnosis were reviewed using present patient records. Results: Adenotonsillectomy was performed on 396 patients (38.8%), tonsillectomy on 266 patients (26%) and adenoidectomy on 359 patients (35.2%). Of the 1021 patients, 1011 (99%) received a benign histopathologic diagnosis, while 11 (1%) receieved malignant diagnosis. Malignant diagnosis was present only in adult patients. All patients diagnosed with a malignancy had one or more preoperative risk factors. No unexpected malignant diagnosis was found in any of the patients without preoperative risk factors. Conclusion: We concluded that histopathologic diagnosis may not be required for the patients without preoperative risk factors, particularly pediatric patients

The food safety perception in Turkey: gender variation

WOS: 000303282800011The main aim of this study is to determine the level of consciousness of the people who are involved in agricultural activities about food safety and quality. The current study also aims to understand the difference of approaches by different sexes while displaying their perception of food safety and healthy nourishment concerning the consumer choices. The perceptions about food safety in a random sample of 800 different households from rural Turkey which are involved in economic activity both as consumers and producers, was determined and the responsibilities of woman and man in food production were displayed. Besides, information on socio-demographic characteristics of the households was given. The evaluations were performed on the data obtained from 1590 questionnaires answered by a man and a woman in each of a total of 795 household. Some differences were identified between men and women regarding the perception of food safety. The idea that hormones and residues cause harm dominates both groups' thoughts. In addition, they denoted that the chemical boxes and packaging should be evaluated as threats to food safety. Willingness of the women to participate in the courses that would be given in their locations was high, while their partners' sensitivity to these courses was low. Some nutrition knowledge was mis-established, and it was determined that, due to the commitment to traditions, in some of the families difficulties may arise in changing the customs

European Union Membership Process of Turkey: Perspective of Rural Area

WOS: 000295766400011In the present research(5), the knowledge level and the perceptions of rural society that would be affected from the EU membership in many ways, basically as the practitioners and beneficiaries, and constitute 30% of the population of the country are investigated. The standpoint of individuals living in rural areas, their expectations from membership and their opinions about the membership are analysed. The study encloses the results of questionnaires administered between the last quarter of 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 with 795 women and 795 men in 18 provinces. In the study 55% of the 1590 individuals surveyed know what the EU means and 67% of these individuals lean towards the membership. It is determined that the level of consciousness of men is higher than for women. The quality enhancement in agricultural production appears to be the most remarkable expectations of both women and men from the membership. Besides it is also determined that the expectations of better employment opportunities and the attainment of an increase in income are higher among women