From real spaces to virtual spaces: The metaverse and decentralized cinema

Developments in computer and communication technologies, which constitute the starting point of concepts such as decentralization, virtuality, simulation, augmented reality and metaverse, have also brought new forms of expression and designs in art to the agenda. In addition to the decentralized data architecture and metaverse areas that emerged in parallel with the development of network technologies, applications that increase the user's interaction and beleaguered experience such as virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality have increased their effectiveness in this field. The metaverse spaces that emerge with the cooperation of software, art and architecture offer their users a more similar life simulation of natural life through augmented reality vehicles or screens. Here, users can perform new experiences for artistic production and consumption as well as daily life practices such as socialization and communication. Metaverse spaces, which include the design of a three-dimensional virtual universe that can be supported by augmented reality, are free from all the constraints of the real world as a cinematic plateau. It is seen as a great advantage that the real film set can create a cinematic work without expensive equipment such as cameras, lights, and sound away from all the negativities of the natural shooting conditions. The fact that the production, distribution and screening of cinema works can be realized within this field brings a new understanding of decentralized cinema to the agenda. Decentralized cinema, which has begun to rise in the expanding virtual geography of the metaverse virtual space with its advantages such as virtual characters and scenes and creative space fictions, is an art form worth examining. This study focuses on the possible future transformations of cinema in terms of production and representation in the context of the relationship of virtual and augmented reality technologies with developing metaverse areas. The emergence of a new cinematic ecology; The opportunities and obstacles it provides to producers are examined with the philosophical criticism method through concepts such as virtual and augmented reality, web 3.0, metaverse in terms of audience experiences it offers for screening.  As a result of the study, it was concluded that the metaverse area has many advantages in terms of the production of cinema works, democratization of the production and distribution of works, digital privacy and security for metaverse artists, and recognition of ownership for digital works of art

Sound Localization by Echolocating Bats

Echolocating bats emit ultrasonic vocalizations and listen to echoes reflected back from objects in the path of the sound beam to build a spatial representation of their surroundings. Important to understanding the representation of space through echolocation are detailed studies of the cues used for localization, the sonar emission patterns and how this information is assembled. This thesis includes three studies, one on the directional properties of the sonar receiver, one on the directional properties of the sonar transmitter, and a model that demonstrates the role of action in building a representation of auditory space. The general importance of this work to a broader understanding of spatial localization is discussed. Investigations of the directional properties of the sonar receiver reveal that interaural level difference and monaural spectral notch cues are both dependent on sound source azimuth and elevation. This redundancy allows flexibility that an echolocating bat may need when coping with complex computational demands for sound localization. Using a novel method to measure bat sonar emission patterns from freely behaving bats, I show that the sonar beam shape varies between vocalizations. Consequently, the auditory system of a bat may need to adapt its computations to accurately localize objects using changing acoustic inputs. Extra-auditory signals that carry information about pinna position and beam shape are required for auditory localization of sound sources. The auditory system must learn associations between extra-auditory signals and acoustic spatial cues. Furthermore, the auditory system must adapt to changes in acoustic input that occur with changes in pinna position and vocalization parameters. These demands on the nervous system suggest that sound localization is achieved through the interaction of behavioral control and acoustic inputs. A sensorimotor model demonstrates how an organism can learn space through auditory-motor contingencies. The model also reveals how different aspects of sound localization, such as experience-dependent acquisition, adaptation, and extra-auditory influences, can be brought together under a comprehensive framework. This thesis presents a foundation for understanding the representation of auditory space that builds upon acoustic cues, motor control, and learning dynamic associations between action and auditory inputs

The effect of depression and related psychosocial factors on disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common inflammatory chronic diseases worldwide. Depression is common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The relationship between depression and rheumatoid arthritis is a matter of curiosity, and it is thought that there is a bidirectional interaction between them. Depression is an important health problem that requires treatment. Therefore, it is essential to determine the conditions that call for more attention in terms of depression when following rheumatoid arthritis patients in primary care.Methods: Patients who applied to the rheumatology outpatient clinic, followed up for at least 1 year, and were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were consecutively invited to the study. A total of 110 people, 18 men and 92 women, accepted the invitation. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and visual analogue scale (VAS) were filled together with the questionnaire developed by the researcher. In the joint examination of the patients, the number of tender joints and swollen joints were noted. Disease Activity Score (DAS28) was calculated and noted by measuring C Reactive Protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) in earlier tests performed on the patients. Rheumatoid factor status was recorded at the time of diagnosis or by checking the follow-up records.Results: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, the BDI score was higher in people with other chronic diseases and those who felt the need to apply to a psychiatry clinic. The BDI score was higher in patients with other chronic diseases and those who felt the need to apply to a psychiatry clinic for rheumatoid arthritis. RA patients with high BDI scores also had high DAS28 and HAQ scores. In addition, disease activity was significantly correlated with RF positivity.Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis patients should be evaluated for depression. Depression evaluation should be done more carefully in cases with high disease activity, other chronic diseases, and those who feel the need to apply to a psychiatry clinic

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder with synchronous Warthin’s tumor of the parotid gland: A rare case and overview of the literature

Introduction. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) develop from the epithelium rich in enterochromaffin cells. NETs most commonly originate from the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. NETs rarely occur in the urinary bladder. Synchronous tumor is defined as having two different tumors growing at the same time in an organ. NETs are frequently associated with synchronous or metachronous second-primary malignancies. In this paper, we describe a synchronous tumor: a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) of the bladder and a Warthin's tumor (WT) of the parotid gland, both of which are highly rare in the literature.  Case report. A 79-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with gross hematuria and nodular mass involving the wall of the urinary bladder. The bladder neck resection and transurethral bladder resection (TURB) were performed. The tumor consisted of small, uniform, round, and spindled-shaped cells with chromatin dark nuclei and numerous mitotic figures. The cells were immunoreactive for CD56, synaptophysin (diffuse), and keratin (focal). The diagnosis of SCNEC with focal urothelial carcinoma in situ component was established. PET-CT was performed for staging purposes, and it showed a residual/recurrent tumor behind the lumen of the bladder floor and two nodular lesions with metabolic activity in the left parotid. After the biopsy of the parotid gland, it was diagnosed as WT. No metastasis of SCNEC was found at the time of diagnosis, and the patient received four cycles of induction chemotherapy (Etoposide combined with carboplatin chemotherapy) followed by chemoradiotherapy.  Conclusion. In this case report, an extremely rare case of primary SCNEC of the bladder with synchronous of the parotid gland is presented, along with a discussion on the clinical presentation, immunohistochemical and cytomorphological characteristics, management, biological behavior, and prognosis

Evaluation Of Teachers' Views About Project Based Science Teaching

Bu çalışmanın amacı, ilköğretim okulları ikinci kademede görev yapan fen bilgisi öğretmenlerinin proje tabanlı fen öğretimi ile ilgili görüşlerini değerlendirmektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, Adıyaman il merkezinde görev yapan ve "Fen ve Teknoloji Dersi"ni veren 111 öğretmene 18 maddeden oluşan proje tabanlı fen öğretimi tutum ölçeği ile kişisel bilgiler anketi uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde; frekans, aritmetik ortalama, yüzdelik, t-testi ve Anova testi kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar "Fen ve Teknoloji Dersi" öğretmenlerinin proje tabanlı fen öğretimine ilişkin görüşlerinin olumlu olduğunu göstermiştir. Bununla birlikte, fen bilgisi öğretmenlerinin proje tabanlı fen öğretimine ilişkin görüşlerinde cinsiyetlerine, öğretmenlik deneyimlerine ve fen bilgisi öğretmenliği yetkinlik düzeyi inançlarına göre anlamlı bir farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. Elde edilen verilere göre, proje tabanlı öğrenmeden etkin bir şekilde yararlanılmasına yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuşturThe purpose of this study is to evaluate science and technology teachers’ views related with project based science teaching. To aim this purpose, project based science teaching questionnaire was applied to 111 science and technology teachers in Adıyaman city center. Frequency, arithmetic mean, percentage, t-test and ANOVA test were used to analyze data gathered. The results showed that the science and technology teachers had positive views about project based science teaching. On the other hand, there were no meaningful differences between the science technology teachers’ views in terms of gender, experience and teaching competency. As a result, some suggestions were given oriented to the efficient project based learning in science and technology lesson

Phototherapy for allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract: Phototherapy has a profound immunosuppressive effect, and phototherapeutic methods using both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light are therefore widely used for the therapy of various inflammatory skin diseases. It is also proposed that phototherapy, using a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), may represent a therapeutic alternative in patients with allergic rhinitis. Seventy nine patients were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), in the phototherapy group, or low-intensity visible light, in the control group. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by means of total nasal symptom score before treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment. Total nasal scores decreased in both groups but the decrease was highly significant in the active treatment group when compared with the placebo (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that phototherapy may be an effective modality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis especially in cases of which commonly used drugs either are contraindicated and/or have insufficient efficacy

Türkiye’de liflevha üretimi, ithalat ve ihracat değerlerine ilişkin regresyon analizi ve 2021 yılına kadar tahmini

Sanayileşme politikalarında dış ticaretin önemli bir yerinin olması liflevha endüstrisinin geliştirilmesini ve bu sektöre önem verilmesi gereğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu nedenle, Türkiye’nin liflevha endüstri üretim ve dış ticaret yapısının zaman içinde meydana gelecek değişmelerinin incelenmesi son derece önemli duruma gelmiştir. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye liflevha endüstrisinin üretim, ithalat ve ihracatının ekonometrik yöntemle modelleri kurulmuş ve tahminleri geliştirilmiştir. Yapılan regresyon analizi sonucunda 2006 yılı itibarıyla 2 milyon m3 olan liflevha üretiminin 2021 yılında yaklaşık 1,5 kat artarak 3,4 milyon m3 olacağı, 2004-2006 yıllarında yaklaşık 200 bin m3 olan liflevha ihracatının ise 330 bin m3e, 500 bin m3 olan ithalatın ise 2021 yılında 900 bin m3e ulaşacağı görülmektedir. Anahtar kelimeler: Liflevha ticaret, Üretim, İthalat, İhracat, Regresyon analiz

Morphometric analysis of fossil bumble bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombini) reveals their taxonomic affinities

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are a widespread corbiculate lineage (Apinae: Corbiculata: Bombini), mostly found among temperate and alpine ecosystems. Approximately 260 species have been recognized and grouped recently into a simplified system of 15 subgenera. Most of the species are nest-building and primitively eusocial. Species of Bombus have been more intensely studied than any other lineages of bees with the exception of the honey bees. However, most bumble bee fossils are poorly described and documented, making their placement relative to other Bombus uncertain. A large portion of the known and presumed bumble bee fossils were re-examined in an attempt to better understand their affinities with extant Bombini. The taxonomic affinities of fossil specimens were re-assessed based on morphological features and previous descriptions, and for 13 specimens based on geometric morphometrics of forewing shape. None of the specimens coming from Eocene and Oligocene deposits were assigned within the contemporary shape space of any subgenus of Bombus. It is shown that Calyptapis florissantensis Cockerell, 1906 (Eocene-Oligocene boundary, Florissant shale, Colorado, USA) and Oligobombus cuspidatus Antropov, 2014 (Late Eocene, Bembridge Marls) likely belong to stem-group Bombini. Bombus anacolus Zhang, 1994, B. dilectus Zhang, 1994, B. luianus Zhang, 1990 (Middle Miocene, Shanwang Formation), as well as B. vetustus Rasnitsyn & Michener, 1991 (Miocene, Botchi Formation) are considered as species inquirenda. In the Miocene, affinities of fossils with derived subgenera of Bombus s. l. increased, and some are included in the shape space of contemporary subgenera: Cullumanobombus (i.e., B. pristinus Unger, 1867, B. randeckensis Wappler & Engel, 2012, and B. trophonius Prokop, Dehon, Michez & Engel, 2017), Melanobombus (i.e., B. cerdanyensis Dehon, De Meulemeester & Engel, 2014), and Mendacibombus (i.e., B. beskonakensis (Nel & Petrulevičius, 2003), new combination), agreeing with previous estimates of diversification

Comparison of the Postoperative Mucociliary Clearance Time Between Patients who Underwent Septoplasty with and Without Nasal Packing

Objective:To compare the postoperative mucociliary clearance time in septoplasty with and without nasal packing.Methods:Forty-six patients with nasal septal deviation (20 women, 26 men) were assessed in this study. The patients underwent septoplasty under local anaesthesia. Patients were divided in two groups. Merocell® nasal packing was performed in both of the nasal passages for septum stabilization in the first group (28 patients). On the second postoperative day nasal packing was removed and salin irrigation solution was started. Transseptal suturing was performed for nasal stabilization in the second group and at the sixth postoperative hour saline irrigation solution was started. Saccarine clearance test was performed preoperatively and postoperatively at the 7th day, and 3th month and the results were compared.Results:In the treatment of 46 patients with a mean age of 20-53, in the first group; preoperative mucociliary clearance time on the deviated side was 12.2 minutes and on the opposite side was 13.1 minutes. In the second group, preoperative mucociliary clearance time on the deviated side was 11.9 minutes, and on the opposite side 12.8 minutes. In the first group, the postoperative 1th week mucociliary clearance time on the deviated side was 12.5 minutes and on the opposite side was 13.2 minutes and in the second group on the deviated side was 10.1 minutes, and on the opposite side was 10.8 minutes. In the first group, at the postoperative 3th month mucociliary clearance time on the deviated side was 11.6 minutes and on the opposite side was 11.4 minutes while in the second group on the deviated side was 6.7 minutes, and on the opposite side was 7.8 minutes.Conclusion:The postoperative mucociliary clearance time in patients treated for septal deviation were evaluated. We have determined that the mucociliary clearance time was longer in the patients that underwent septoplasty with nasal packing

An examination by year of cases applied with caesarean hysterectomy because of placenta percreta in a tertiary centre: a retrospective cohort study

Objectives: To examine cases applied with caesarean hysterectomy because of placenta percreta by comparing changesin treatment strategies and complications according to year.Material and methods: A retrospective examination was made of 93 patients applied with caesarean hysterectomy witha diagnosis of placenta percreta in 5-year periods of 2005–2009, 2010–2014, and 2015–2019. Demographic characteristicswere recorded, and previous caesareans, history of myomectomy and curettage, gestational weeks, and infant birthweight.Intraoperative and postoperative findings were recorded as operating time, length of stay in hospital and Intensive Care Unit(ICU), transfusion requirement, the amount of erythrocyte suspension (ES) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfused, and requirementfor massive transfusion. Anaesthesia type, complications, and the preferred skin-uterus incision were also recorded.Results: The 93 patients comprised 8 cases in the period 2005–2009, 23 in 2010–2014, and 62 in 2015–2019. The numberof previous caesarean procedures was observed to increase in parallel with these case numbers. A significant increase wasobserved in the gestational week of birth, and infant birthweight, and a decrease in operating times. In later years there wasseen to be a lower amount of ES and FFP transfused and fewer patients with massive transfusion. Preoperative diagnosisof placenta percreta, the highest preference for general anaesthesia, selection of midline vertical skin incision and uterinefundal incision were greatest in the period 2015–2019.Conclusions: In cases with placenta percreta, of which there is an increasing incidence, maternal and infant outcomescan be optimised with prenatal diagnosis and planned caesarean hysterectomy by a multidisciplinary team with optimalprenatal preparation