EXAMINING THE CULTURAL ELEMENTS IN STORY BOOKS USED IN TEACHING TURKISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE: SAMPLE OF DEDE KORKUT STORIES

Language is a vital part of human connection. All people need language in order to build relations with other people. Besides this, language encodes culture and provides the means through which culture is shared and passed from one generation to the next. In this sense, language is the basis of social and communicative ability. Communication is the transmission of signals or messages through verbal or nonverbal linguistic signs. Throughout this process, effective use of cultural signs positively affects the communication cycle. Especially, the use of texts including rich cultural elements helps the learner understand the nuances of meaning. With rich motifs, fantastic fiction, elements of curiosity and rich cultural content, Dede Korkut stories are in this sense among the rare works that are suitable for in the field of teaching Turkish as a foreign language. To this end, it is of great importance to find cultural patterns embedded in Dede Korkut stories and take advantage of these texts in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. The study aims to find cultural patterns embedded in Dede Korkut stories and to classify the vocabulary units, i.e., building blocks of these cultural patterns. Research data has been collected through using document analysis method. In the analysis of research data, the descriptive data analysis technique has been used. 7 Dede Korkut story books published by Yunus Emre Institute for B1-C2 levels have been carefully assessed based on 7 different culture levels: family-kinship, food-drink, clothing-textile, color, profession, management-law and spoken language-daily communication. The study results show that it will be right decision to benefit from Dede Korkut stories in teaching Turkish foreigners because they represent the cultural richness of Turkish language, have a rich stock of cultural customs and traditions, and include the high frequency words across the culture levels.   Article visualizations

Approaches to preclinical studies with heterogeneous breast phantom using reconstruction and three-dimensional image processing algorithms for diffuse optical imaging

The continuous-wave back reflection diffuse optical tomography (rCWDOT) system is one of the new medical imaging modalities. This study examines the success of reconstruction and three-dimensional (3D) image processing algorithms on data obtained from a heterogonous breast phantom by rCWDOT. Breast phantoms were prepared by putting a bit of spleen inside the tail. The spleen mimics a breast tumor since it has more blood than tail fat. rCWDOT was used to acquire data from the breast phantoms. The breast phantoms were reconstructed using the transpose-free quasi-minimal residual (TFQMR) reconstruction algorithm. Then, image processing algorithms were performed to improve the image quality. In image processing, 3D Gaussian filtering and bi-cubic interpolation were used to enhance the appearance and remove noise from the images. After the image processing, the images were evaluated numerically using the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) method. It has been shown that the used reconstruction technique and image processing algorithms for a heterogeneous breast phantom provided 3D images that resemble actual ones. This study will help researchers use the most convenient reconstruction algorithm and image processing algorithms and perform preclinical experiments in this field.Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma KurumuTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [110E263]; Akdeniz UniversitesiAkdeniz University [2009.02.0122.003

Image reconstruction for diffuse optical tomography using bi-conjugate gradient and transpose-free quasi minimal residual algorithms and comparison of them

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a new emerging modality in the diagnosis of soft tissue abnormalities. DOT image quality substantially depends on the recon struction stage. In the literature, there are many reconstruction algorithms used in DOT systems. However, some algorithms were improved for solving specific cases but still need to be improved. The bi-conjugate gradient (BiCG) enhanced is one of the conjugate gradient (CG)-based reconstruction techniques for non-Hermitian systems. The BiCG provides a solution to a non-Hermitian system. However, it has erratic convergence in some cases. Therefore, DOT images reconstructed by BiCG can be at the wrong location and is inaccurate in some cases. In this study, we used continuous-wave diffuse optical tomography (CW-DOT) to acquire mea surements from breast tissue phantoms with single or double inclusion at different depths and center-to-center separations and we have used the transpose free quasi minimal residual (TFQMR) reconstruction algorithm, improved as an alternative to BiCG for the first time in the CW-DOT system. Moreover, we have experimen tally proved that TFQMR is superior to BiCG in some specific cases for the first time in CW-DOT. Therefore, we concluded that TFQMR has the potential to be able to be used in the reconstruction stage in CW-DOT

Atlardan izole edilen stenotrophomonas maltophilia suşlarının antibiyotik direnci

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a member of gamma proteobacteria that has been frequently isolated from humans as well as from animals. One of the most outstanding feature of S. maltophilia is its antibacterial resistance that is basicly controlled by various pathways including intrinsic manner. By this study we aimed to evaluate the interaction of S. maltophilia suspected equine strains with various antibiotics in the presence of Thymoquinone in vitro. Disc diffusion technique was used for measuring interactions between the thymoquinone and others. No measurable inhibition zone for synergistic or antagonistic effect between the thymoquinone and test antibiotics was observed. However, the thymoquinone itself has an antibacterial potential.Stenotrophomonas maltophilia gamma proteobacteria içerisinde yer alan ve hem insanlardan hem de hayvanlardan sık izole edilen bir bakteri türüdür. S. maltophilia’nin en dikkat çeken özelliklerinden birisi bakterinin intrinsik mekanizmalar da dahil olmak üzere çeşitli şekillerde geliştirdiği yüksek antibiyotik direncidir. Bu çalışma ile atlardan izole edilmiş olan S. maltophilia’nın timokionon ile çeşitli antibiyotiklerin beraber kullanıldıklarındaki etkileşimini ölçmek amaçlandı. Ne sinerjizm ne de antogonizm şeklinde bir etkileşim ölçülmedi. Ancak timokiononun S. maltophilia suşları üzerinde antibakteriyel etkisi tespit edildi

Endovascular treatment of aorto-iliac occlusive disease using the kissing balloon technique: mid-term follow-up

This study aimed to present our mid-term experience in the endovascular treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease using the kissing balloon technique. Materials and Methods: This two-center, retrospective study included 36 patients (male, n=23; female, n=13; mean age 62.7±9.7 years) with an aortoiliac occlusive disease, who received intervention using the kissing balloon technique between January 2017 and December 2019. Results: Thirty-six patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease underwent percutaneous intervention. The procedure could not be continued in three patients because of technical failure. Hence, 33 patients were successfully treated using the kissing balloon technique. The technical success rate was 91.6% and the one year patency rate was 83.3%. Of the 33 patients, 3 underwent surgery because of stent occlusion. After 1-year follow-up, in all 30 patients, all the vessels and stents were patent and no re-stenosis, no occlusion and no procedure related morbidity and mortality occurred. Conclusion: The endovascular treatment of aortoiliac occlusive diseases with kissing balloon technique demonstrated high success and patency rates in appropriate cases. However, in some patients technical failure may occure and the procedure could not be completed. The use of newer recanalization devices, materials or techniques, enrollment of larger cohort and more than 1 year of follow-up may clarify the long-term results of the kissing balloon technique

Application of Reconstruction Algorithms by Simulation Experiments for the Diagnosis of Breast Tumor-Like Tissues Modeled in Diffuse Optical Tomography

In Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT), data processing and reconstruction stages are crucial to obtain high-quality images. Thus, choosing suitable algorithms for the system is a critical choice. This study aims to determine an appropriate reconstruction algorithm for DOT imaging. There are several reconstruction algorithms used in DOT systems. Some algorithms have been improved for solving specific cases, and some still need to be improved. In this study, we used three algorithms for the reconstruction process: Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), Bi-Conjugated Gradient (Bi-CG), and Transpose Free Quasi Minimal Residual (TFQMR). In testing the algorithms, data of the simulation experiments have been used. The simulation experiments model the tumoral tissue within the breast. All three algorithms were produced correct images while the tumor close to the surface. In the case of the tumor that is not close to the breast surface, the tumor location on the images created by Bi-CG and SVD algorithms was not its actual location. However, the tumor location in the image created by the TFQMR algorithm was close to its actual location. Outcomes of the reconstruction algorithms were evaluated based on correctly defining the location of the tumors by using Mean Percentage Error (MPE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) metrics. We have demonstrated the TFQMR algorithm is a more appropriate reconstruction technique for DOT systems. Thus, we have concluded that TFQMR can have the potential to be used in medical imaging systems

Evaluation of public’s perception of scar cosmesis after thyroidectomy: Results of a survey of Turkish versus South Korean individuals

Purpose: Visible scars on the neck caused by thyroid surgery give rise to significant aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial problems. The objective of this study is to comparatively investigate the public perception of neck scar cosmesis in Turkish and South Korean populations. Methods: This survey was prepared to collect participants’ demographic and socioeconomic data and determine their perception of scar cosmesis on the neck and consisted of 15 questions. One thousand thirty-nine individuals who did not undergo thyroid surgery completed the survey. The P-values of <0.05 were deemed to indicate statistical significance. Results: There were 1,039 respondents, of whom 525 (50.5%) were Turkish and 514 (49.5%) were South Korean. South Korean respondents stated that they would be significantly more uncomfortable with the thought of having a scar due to thyroid surgery, compared to the Turkish respondents (P < 0.001). The South Korean respondents stated that they would be significantly more concerned about the scar’s length, thickness, and darkening color, compared to the Turkish respondents (P < 0.001 for all cases). Conclusion: Patients’ expectations, which are affected by various sociodemographic factors and cultural characteristics, are as important as the medical condition when deciding on the type of thyroid surgery. The study findings clearly indicated that the South Korean population would be significantly more uncomfortable with having a scar on the neck, compared to the Turkish population. Therefore, in selected cases, a scarless thyroidectomy approach, such as transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy, vestibular approach may be preferable for societies like South Korea

Increasing feed efficiency in cultured fish and evaluation of artificial diets

Bu derlemede, yem verimliliğinin artırılması ve optimum yemlerin elde edilebilmesi için kullanılan bazı hesaplama yöntemleri özetlenmiştir. Balık yetiştiriciliğinde üretim giderlerinin %60'ına varan kısmını yem masraflarının oluşturduğu düşünülürse, minimum masrafla maksimum ürün almak, balık üretimini şüphesiz olumlu yönde etkileyecektir. Üretimde basan veya başarısızlık yem kriterleri ile doğrudan orantılıdır, dolayısıyla balık yetiştiriciliğinde maksimum düzeyde ağırlık artışı sağlamak ve dışkı materyali, amonyak-nitrojen, üre-nitrojen veya yenmemiş yemden oluşan atım ürünlerini minimize etmek amacıyla, balık türüne uygun ve kaliteli rasyonlann hazırlanması balık beslemenin esas amacını oluşturmaktadır. Balık tarafından boşaltılan azotun yüksek olması daha fazla protein parçalanması anlamına gelmesi nedeniyle, nitrojenli atım ürünlerinin minimuma indirilmesi önemlidir. Rasyonun en pahalı kısmım proteinlerin oluşturduğu düşünülürse, yemin balık tarafından ne kadar değerlendirildiği ve proteinlerin balık vücudunda hangi oranda tutulduğu veya atıldığının belirlenmesi son derece önem taşımaktadır.In the present text, some calculations for evaluation of artificial diets in order to increase feed efficiency have been reviewed. As feed expenses up to 60 % are usual in fish culture, maximum gain with a minimum feed cost will lead a big step towards a better progress in aquaculture development. Success in fish culture is related with nutritional criterion. Due, formulation of species specific diets increasing weight gain and minimizing nitrogenious excretion as well as uneaten feed, is the main goal in fish nutrition. The decrease of nitrogenious end products to a minimum level is important since higher nitrogen excretion means higher protein catabolism in fish. Since protein ingredients are the most expensive components of artificial diets, evaluation of diets as well as determining protein retention and efficiencies is highly essential