Cost Benefit Analysis Of The Structures Designed For Alternative Seismic Hazard Levels

In this study, multiple performance objectives under the various earthquake hazard levels are investigated. In case of well defined earthquake hazard, as an alternative of classical earthquake resistant design principles, it is possible to design structures at different performances depending on structure's initial cost and economic life. In this study, costs of the structure with different performance levels are discussed.Current study is carried out on the reinforced concrete structures that are designed and analyzed for various seismic hazard levels. The aim is to determine, if the risk is released, whether the economic losses can be acceptable or not. In the study, cost of reinforced concrete ductile frames and dual systems that are designed for various seismic performances, are also compared for the economical aspects.To that end, in the first step 3, 5 and 8 storey frames and dual systems of several structures at Life Safety and Immediate Occupancy performance levels was designed for the earthquake hazards of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years. The study reveals that if both direct and indirect effects of earthquake such as retrofitting costs, cost of temporary moving, temporary accommodation costs, cost of demolition and reconstructing the building, cost of damage to household goods and business disruption, social disturbance, are be taken into consideration, initial design performance level can be accepted as Immediate Occupancy performance level rather than Life Safety performance which is proposed current earthquake codes. The cost due to injuries and cost due to loss of lives are not included

Students’ self-directed online learning skills in distance higher education: Students’ voice and faculty members’ supports

This study aims to examine self-directed online learning skills of undergraduate students and the ways of support provided by the faculty members. In this mixed-method study, the participants consisted of 399 undergraduate students studying at a state university in Turkey during the 2019-2020 academic-year spring semester, identified using convenient sampling and 12 faculty members, determined by maximum variation sampling method. Data collection tools included Self-Directed Online Learning Questionnaire and a semi-structured interview form. Independent Sample T-test from parametric tests, One-Way Analysis of Variance for multiple comparisons and LSD test were performed for the quantitative data analysis. In addition, the qualitative data were analyzed via content analysis. Some of the findings show the students have the highest mean score at time management dimension and the lowest one at help-seeking dimension. Female students have higher scores in general, metacognitive skills, persistence, and environmental structuring dimensions. The sophomore students have significantly higher scores than the senior students in terms of metacognitive skills dimension. Besides, the faculty members support the students to get the self-directed online learning skills, especially metacognitive skills and help seeking. However, their supports are limited to some kind of encouragement at time management, environmental structuring and persistence dimensions. The results show the necessity to support students to have self-directed online learning skills and assist faculty members in developing their students skills

INVESTIGATION OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF 4-HYDROXY-3-(2-HYDROXY-5-METHYLBENZYLIDEAMINO) BENZENESULPHONIC ACID

In this study, the antimicrobial activity, DNA cleavage, DNA binding and antioxidant properties of a sulfonic acid-based imine compound were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of the compound was investigated for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against  some bacteria and yeast cultures.  The DNA cleavage activity of the compound was investigated as hydrolytic and oxidative with the gel electrophoresis method. H2O2 was used as an oxidizing agent for detection of the cleavage activity mechanism. The Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) field absorption spectroscopy method was used to determine the binding effect to DNA. The sulfonic acid-based imine compound reacted with Calf Thymus DNA (CT-DNA) which was examined by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The free radical scavenging activity was determined using the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The studied compound was found to be effective on yeast and bacteria at different concentrations. The compound was found to be more effective on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 bacteria. DNA cleavage study showed that the compound cleaved DNA without any external agents in hydrolytic and oxidative manner. UV-Vis spectroscopy studies of the interactions between the compound and CT-DNA showed that the compound interacts with CT-DNA via electrostatic binding. The compound to be tested was compared with the butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) solution used as standard. It was found that the compound exhibits good antioxidant activity

Cistein proteaza (kaparin) iz kapara (Capparis spinosa)

Proteases are enzymes that perform very important functions in organisms and are used for a variety of objectives in vitro. In recent years, proteases have been used for clinical, pharmaceutical (alimentary digestion, anti-inflammatory, etc.) and industrial applications (cheese production, meat tenderizing, leather tanning). In this research, a protease has been purified from capsules of caper (Capparis spinosa) and characterized. Caper plants have been used for food and medicine since ancient times. The plant grows abundantly in certain regions of Turkey. Ammonium sulphate fractionation and a CM Sephadex column were used for purification of the enzyme. The purification enzyme has an optimum pH=5.0 and its optimum temperature was 60 °C. The vmax and Km values determined by Lineweaver-Burk graphics were 1.38 μg/(L·min) and 0.88 μg/L, respectively. The purification degree and the molecular mass of the enzyme (46 kDa) were determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration chromatography. It was investigated whether the purified and characterized protease could cause milk to congeal or digest chicken and cow meat. The results show that protease can be used for industrial production.Proteaze su enzimi koji imaju vrlo važnu funkciju u organizmu i razne mogućnosti primjene in vitro. Posljednjih se godina sve više primjenjuju u medicini, farmaciji (u liječenju probavnih tegoba, raznih upala i dr.) i industriji (u proizvodnji sira, mekšanju mesa i štavljenju kože). U ovom je radu opisan postupak pročišćavanja i karakterizacije proteaze iz kapara (Caparis spinosa). Kapare se od davnine koriste kao hrana i u medicinske svrhe, a obilato rastu u nekim dijelovima Turske. Pročišćavanje enzima provedeno je frakcioniranjem pomoću amonijeva sulfata i kromatografijom u CM-Sephadex koloni. Optimalna pH-vrijednost pročišćenog enzima bila je 5, a optimalna temperatura 60 °C. Pomoću dijagrama Lineweaver-Burke određene su vrijednosti vmax od 1,38 μg/(L×min) i Km od 0,88 μg/L. Stupanj pročišćavanja i molekularna masa enzima od 46 kDa utvrđeni su SDS-PAGE elektroforezom i gel-filtracijskom kromatografijom. Također je istraženo može li pročišćeni i karakterizirani enzim zgrušati mlijeko ili probaviti govedinu i piletinu. Rezultati su pokazali da se proteaza može primijeniti u industrijskoj proizvodnji hrane

Unnecessary repeated total cholesterol tests in biochemistry laboratory

Introduction: We aimed to determine the number of repeated cholesterol (RC) tests and the ratio of unnecessary-repeated cholesterol (URC) tests among patients admitted to Pamukkale University Hospital (Denizli, Turkey) and provide solutions to avoid URC testing. Materials and methods: Total cholesterol (T-cholesterol) tests (N = 86,817) between June 2014 and May 2015 were evaluated. The tests performed more than once per patient were determined as RC test (N = 28,811). RC test with an interval shorter than 4 weeks were determined as URC test (N = 3968) according to the shortest retest interval stated in ACC/AHA blood cholesterol guideline. RC testing included internal medicine, surgery and paediatric outpatients and inpatients. Reference change value (RCV) of total cholesterol was calculated. Results: The 33.1% of the T-cholesterol tests were RC tests (N = 28,811), 13.7% of them were URC tests (N = 3968). Our RCV value was 25%. The percentage change between consecutive tests was less than RCV in 86.1% (N = 3418) of URC tests. URC tests were performed more frequently in patients with desirable total cholesterol value (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is a significant part of repeated T-cholesterol tests requested in our hospital. URC test requests can be evaluated by laboratories and the obtained data should be shared with clinicians. Laboratories can calculate RCV for the tests they performed and report this value with the test result. To prevent from URC tests, a warning plug-in can be added to hospital information software in accordance with guidelines to prevent from URC test requests

Kerküklü Tabiboğlu council (Review-text context index and functional dictionary)

Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı Ana Bilim Dalı, Türk Dili ve Edebiyatı Bilim DalıTürkmenlerin Irakta meydana getirdikleri edebiyat, tarih boyunca gelişerek devam etmiş ve zengin bir miras olarak günümüze ulaşmıştır. Bu bağlamda Irak (Kerkük) Türkmen Edebiyatı içerisinde verilen eserler incelemeye tabii tutulmuştur. Fakat eski dönem metinleri çeşitli nedenlerden ötürü günümüzde anlaşılamamaktadır. Anlam vermekte zorluk çekilmektedir. Kelimelerin anlamı ile birlikte arkasında yatan derin mana ve tahayyülleri anlam dünyaları ile açıklamak üzere geliştirilmiş olan TEBDİZ (İnceleme-Metin Bağlamlı Dizin ve İşlevsel Sözlük) Projesi, metinleri anlama ve anlamlandırma yolunda kurulmuş geniş bir elektronik havuzu olan sistemdir. Kerküklü Tabiboğlu Divanı bu proje kapsamında hazırlanmıştır. Kelimelerin tamamına titizlikle yaklaşılmış ve beyitte bulunan manalarına da dikkat edilerek tek tek anlamlandırılmıştır. Bu çalışma sonucunda Kerküklü Tabiboğlu Divanı rahatlıkla anlaşılabilecek, okuyucu ve araştırıcılara katkı sağlayacaktır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Kerküklü Tabiboğlu, Irak Türkmen Edebiyatı, Divan, TebdizThe literature created by the Turkmens in Iraq has continued to develop throughout history and has survived as a rich heritage. In this context, the works given in Iraqi (Kirkuk) Turkmen Literature were examined. However, ancient texts cannot be understood today for various reasons. It is difficult to understand. The TEBDİZ (Examination-Text-Contextual Index and Functional Dictionary) Project, which was developed to explain the meaning of words and the deep meanings and imaginations behind them, is a system with a large electronic pool established for understanding and interpreting texts. The Kirkukli Tabiboglu Divan was prepared within the scope of this project. All of the words have been meticulously approached and interpreted one by one by paying attention to their meanings in the couplet. As a result of this study, the Kirkukli Tabiboğlu Divan will be easily understood and will contribute to the readers and researchers. Keywords: Tabiboğlu from Kirkuk, Iraqi Turkmen Literature, Divan, Tebdi

Lyra manifoldunda karanlık enerji probleminin incelenmesi

Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Matematik Ana Bilim DalıBu çalışmada, homojen izotropik FRW evreni için karanlık enerji adaylarından k-essence, Tachyon ve Quintessence gibi madde dağılımları Lyra geometri çerçevesinde araştırıldı. Lyra geometrideki alan denklemlerinin tam çözümleri elde edebilmek için 3 farklı frenleme parametresi kullanarak 3 ayrı evren modeli oluşturuldu. Her bir evren modeli için elde edilen niceliklerin grafikleri çizildi ve detaylı olarak irdelendi.In this study, the distribution of matter such as k-essence, tachyon and quintessence, which are among the dark energy candidates for the homogenous isotropic FRW universe, were investigated within the framework of Lyra geometry. In order to obtain exact solutions of the field equations in the Lyra geometry, 3 separate universe model was created using 3 different decerelation parameters. Graphs of quantities obtained for each universe model were drawn and examined in detail

Multilayer electrochromic surface meterials and properties

Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Biyomühendislik ve Malzeme Mühendisliği Ana Bilim DalıPolimerik tabanlı elektrokromik (EC) malzemelerin kullanım alanlarındaki çeşitlilik ve getirdiği avantajlar bu konu ile ilgili çalışmaların sayısını günden güne arttırmaktadır. Bu çalışmalarda polikarbazol (PCarb), politiyofen (PTh), polipirol (PPy) vb. iletken polimer ana iskeletine sahip türlerin farklı sübstitüe gruplarla modifiye edilerek EC özellikleri (renk skalaları, optiksel karşıtlık ve EC kararlılık gibi) çeşitlendirilmektedir. Polimerik EC yüzeylerin ıslanabilirlik özellikleri de incelenmekte ve hidrofobik-süperhidrofobik özellikli türler geliştirilerek kendi kendini temizleyen EC yüzey malzemeleri geliştirilmeye çalışılmaktadır. İletken polimerik filmlerde EC özelliklerin çeşitlendirilmesi için farklı bir yöntem olarak tabaka-tabaka (LBL) elektrokimyasal kaplama yöntemi kullanılarak çok tabakalı EC filmler elde edilebilir. Bu şekilde hazırlanacak çok tabakalı EC polimer filmlerin bileşenlerine ait tek tabakalı türlerine göre daha farklı renk değişim özelliklerine, EC karakteristiklere ve pürüzlülük ve ıslanabilirlik gibi yüzey özelliklerine sahip olmaları beklenir. Bu amaçla bu çalışmada LBL elektrokimyasal kaplama tekniği ile tiyofen (Th), pirol (Py), karbazol (Carb), 3,4-etilendioksitiyofen (EDOT) ve 3,4-etilendioksipirol (EDOP) monomerlerinin ITO kaplı cam elektrotlar üzerine farklı kombinasyonlarda kaplanması gerçekleştirildi. Her filmde PPy en alt tabaka olarak kaplandı ve ikinci ve üçüncü tabakalar değiştirildi. Elde edilen tabakalı filmlerin optiksel özellikleri UV-vis ve spektroelektrokimyasal analiz yöntemleriyle belirlendi. Aynı zamanda yüzey temas açısı ölçümü ile yüzey ıslanabilirlik özellikleri belirlendi. Atomik kuvvet mikroskobu (AFM) ile yüzey pürüzlülüğü ile ıslanma özellikleri arası ilişki incelendi. Taramalı elektron mikroskobu (SEM) ile tabaka kalınlıkları belirlendi. EC polimerik tabakaların değiştirilmesiyle redoks durumlarındaki (yükseltgenmiş ve nötral formlar) görünür bölge absorpsiyon bandlarında belirgin farklılıklar elde edildi. Buna göre çok tabakalı EC filmler kullanılarak farklı EC özelliklere sahip polimerik filmlerin EC cihaz (ECD) tasarımında kullanılabileceği gösterildi. Denge temas açısı ölçümü sonuçları çok tabakalı filmlerde hidrofilik poli(3,4-etilendioksitiyofen)'in (PEDOT) kullanılmasıyla temas açısında düşüş olduğunu gösterdi. Ancak hidrofobik PCarb tabakası filmlerin temas açısı değerlerini artırdı. Ayrıca poli(3,4-etilendioksipirol)'ün (PEDOP) kullanıldığı türlerde EC kararlılığın düştüğü ve genellikle ECD yapımına uygun olmayan türlerin elde edilmesine sebep olduğu belirlendi.The diversity in fields where polymeric-based electrochromic (EC) materials are used and their advantages are increase the number of studies on this subject. In these studies, the EC properties (i.e, colour scales, optical contrast and EC stability etc.) of the types of substances (i.e, types) having conducting polymer framework, such as polycarbazole (PCarb), polythiophene (PTh), polypyrrole (PPy) are diversily increased by modifying them with different substituted groups. The wettability properties of polymeric EC surfaces have been studied and self-cleaning EC surface materials are being developed at the moment by developing the types having hydrophobic-superhydrophobic properties. As a different method for diversification of EC properties in conducting polymeric films, multilayer EC films can be obtained by using layer-by layer (LBL) electrochemical coating method. It is expected that layer-by-layer EC polymer films to be deposited in this way have more different colour change properties, EC characteristics and surface properties, such as roughness and wettability according to mono layer types belonging to their component. In this study, for above mentioned purposes, the coating process of thiophene (Th), Pyrrole (Py), carbazole (Carb), 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and 3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole (EDOP) monomers have been performed at different combinations onto ITO-coated glass electrodes by LBL electrochemical coating technique. For every film, PPy has been coated as bottom layer and the second and the third layers were changed. Optical properties of multilayer films obtained were determined by UV-vis and spectroelectrochemical analysis methods. At the same time surface wettability properties were determined by using the surface contact angle measurements. The relation between wettability properties and surface roughness were studied with Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Layer thickness was studied with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). By replacing EC polymeric layers, the significant differences were observed between the visible region absorbtion bands in redox states ( e.g oxidized and neutral forms). It was proven that polymeric films with different EC properties can be used in EC device design by using multilayer EC films. The results for the equilibrium contact angle measurements showed that there were decreases in contact angle by using hydrophilic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in multilayer EC films. But hydrophobic PCarb layer increased the contact angle value for films. In types of films where poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) was used, it was observed that there was a decrease in stability and that the use of PEDOP caused the types of films not suitable for ECD construction to exist

Therapeutic effect of astaxanthin on 5-fluorouracil-induced ovarian damage in rats

Although astaxanthin (ASX) is one of the most studied antioxidant molecules, its curative effect against ovarian damage caused by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has not been demonstrated to date. It was therefore aimed to investigate whether ASX is therapeutic against 5-FU-induced ovotoxicity in this study. Rats were first exposed to 5-FU (100 mg/kg) and then treated ASX (250 μg/kg) for three days. Oxidative stress (OS), inflammation and apoptosis markers were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Ovarian tissues were also evaluated histologically. The levels of OS, inflammation and apoptosis biomarkers increased by 5-FU administration (p&lt;0.05). Treatment with ASX significantly alleviated these markers (p&lt;0.05). These findings reveal that ASX may exert an ovoprotective effect by reducing pro-inflammatory mediators and enhancing antioxidant status in ovarian tissue