• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.246-250
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• 2005

A number of species of the genus Centaurea (Family: Asteraceae), distributed in various parts of Asia, Europe and North America, have been used in traditional plant-based medicine and reported to possess various medicinal properties. As part of our continuing evaluation of plants from the genus Centaurea for their phytochemistry and biological activities, the dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of the seeds of Turkish Centaurea species, C. bornmuelleri, C. huber-morathii and C. schiskinii, were screened for antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Among the three species, C. huber-morathii displayed the most prominent antibacterial activity. Both the MeOH and DCM extracts of this plant showed activity against Citrobacter freundii, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella goldcoast with the MIC values within the range of $1\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;to\;1\;{\times}\;10^{-3}\;mg/ml$. The MeOH extract of C schiskinii showed activity $(MIC\;=\;1\;{\times}\;10^{-1}\;mg/ml)$ against Citrobacter freundii and Staphylococcus aureus. While the DCM extract of C. bornmuelleri was only active against Staphylococcus aureus $(MIC\;=1\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;mg/ml)$, the MeOH extract did not show any inhibitory activity at test concentrations. The DCM and MeOH extracts of all three species demonstrated good degree of antioxidant property in the DPPH assay with the $RC_{50}$ values ranging from $72\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;to\;31{\times}\;10^{-3}\;mg/ml$. Among these extracts, the MeOH extract of C. hubermorathii was the most active antioxidant extract $(MlC\;=\;31\;{\times}\;10^{-3}\;mg/ml)$.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.869-886
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• 2016

Non-Deformable Support System (NDSS) is one of the support system analysis methods. It is likely seen as numerical analysis. Obviously, numerical modeling is the key tool for this system but not unique. Although the name of the system makes you feel that there is no deformation on the support system, it is not true. The system contains some deformation but in certain tolerance determined by the numerical analyses. The important question is what is the deformation tolerance? Zero deformation in the excavation environment is not the case, actually. However, deformation occurred after supporting is important. This deformation amount will determine the performance of the applied support. NDSS is a stronghold analysis method applied in full to make this work. While doing this, NDSS uses the properties of rock mass and material, various rock mass failure criteria, various material models, different excavation geometries, like other methods. The thing that differ NDSS method from the others is that NDSS makes analysis using the time dependent deformation properties of rock mass and engineering judgement. During the evaluation process, NDSS gives the permission of questioning the field observations, measurements and timedependent support performance. These transactions are carried out with 3-dimensional numeric modeling analysis. The goal of NDSS is to design a support system which does not allow greater deformation of the support system than that calculated by numerical modeling. In this paper, NDSS applied to the problems of Tunnel 34 of the same Project (excavated with NATM method, has a length of 2218 meters), which is driven in graphite schist, was illustrated. Results of the system analysis and insitu measurements successfully coincide with each other.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2016

Background: Little is known about the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on work-related quality of life in nurses. We aimed to investigate the effect of PMS on work-related quality of life in Turkish nurses. Methods: A total of 134 volunteer nurses were included in this cross-sectional study between January 2015 and March 2015. One hundred and thirty-four nurses completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data, the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS), and the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale (WRQoL). The nurses were classified as having or not having premenstrual syndrome according to the PMSS. Results: The average age was $29.5{\pm}7.1years$ and the prevalence of PMS was 38.1%. The total score of PMSS was significantly negatively correlated with the overall score (r = -0.341; p < 0.001) and all subscale scores of the WRQoL and ranged from -0.207 to -0.402 (p < 0.05 for all). All of the WRQoL subscale scores except stress at work (p = 0.179) in nurses with PMS were significantly lower than those of nurses without PMS (p < 0.05). The age (${\beta}=-0.258$; p = 0.021) and PMSS total score (${\beta}=-0.314$; p < 0.001) increment negatively; however, optimistic thinking (${\beta}=0.228$; p = 0.008) positively affected overall WRQoL score. Conclusion: Nurses with PMS have decreased levels of work-related quality of life in their professional lives. Methods to help cope with cyclic premenstrual symptoms may be used, and as a result, productivity and work-related quality of life may increase.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.1021-1038
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• 2016

Considerable part of reinforced concrete building has suffered from destructive earthquakes in Turkey. This situation makes necessary to determine nonlinear behavior and seismic performance of existing RC buildings. Inelastic response of buildings to static and dynamic actions should be determined by considering both flexural plastic hinges and brittle shear hinges. However, shear capacities of members are generally neglected due to time saving issues and convergence problems and only flexural response of buildings are considered in performance assessment studies. On the other hand, recent earthquakes showed that the performance of older buildings is mostly controlled by shear capacities of members rather than flexure. Demand estimation is as important as capacity estimation for the reliable performance prediction in existing RC buildings. Demand estimation methods based on strength reduction factor (R), ductility (${\mu}$), and period (T) parameters ($R-{\mu}-T$) and damping dependent demand formulations are widely discussed and studied by various researchers. Adopted form of $R-{\mu}-T$ based demand estimation method presented in Eurocode 8 and Turkish Earthquake Code-2007 and damping based Capacity Spectrum Method presented in ATC-40 document are the typical examples of these two different approaches. In this study, eight different existing RC buildings, constructed before and after Turkish Earthquake Code-1998, are selected. Capacity curves of selected buildings are obtained with and without considering the brittle shear capacities of members. Seismic drift demands occurred in buildings are determined by using both $R-{\mu}-T$ and damping based estimation methods. Results have shown that not only capacity estimation methods but also demand estimation approaches affect the performance of buildings notably. It is concluded that including or excluding the shear capacity of members in nonlinear modeling of existing buildings significantly affects the strength and deformation capacities and hence the performance of buildings.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.415-421
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• 2018

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in social skills and communication with repetitive behaviors. Etiology is still unclear although it is thought to develop with interaction of genes and environmental factors. Oxytocin has extensive effects on intrauterine brain development. Vitamin D, affects neural development and differentiation and contributes to the regulation of around 900 genes including oxytocin receptor gene. In the present study, the contribution of D vitamin receptor and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms in the development of ASD in Turkish community was investigated. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining these two associated genes together in the literature. Methods: Eighty-five patients diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 who were referred to outpatient clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Başkent University and Mersin University and 52 healthy, age and gender-matched controls were included in the present study. Vitamin D receptor gene rs731236 (Taq1), rs2228570 (Fok1), rs1544410 (Bsm1), rs7975232 (Apa1) polymorphisms and oxytocin receptor gene rs1042778 and rs2268493 polymorphisms were investigated using real time polymerase chain reaction method. Results: No significant difference between groups in terms of distribution of genotype and alleles in each of polymorphisms for these genes could be found. Conclusion: Knowledge of genes and polymorphisms associated with the development of ASD may be beneficial for early diagnosis and future treatment. Further studies with larger populations are required to demonstrate molecular pathways which may play part in the development of ASD in Turkey.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.460-469
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• 2019

Purpose: The ${\beta}3-adrenergic$ receptor (ADRB3) is expressed in visceral adipose tissue and has been speculated to contribute to lipolysis, energy metabolism, and regulation of the metabolic rate. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene with the sex of children with obesity and related pathologies. Methods: ADRB3 gene trp64arg genotyping was conducted in 441 children aged 6-18 years. Among these subjects, 264 were obese (103 boys; 161 girls) and 179 were of normal weight (81 boys; 98 girls). In the obese group, fasting lipids, glucose and insulin levels, and blood pressure were measured. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to the modified World Health Organization criteria adapted for children. Results: The frequency of trp64arg genotype was similar in obese and normal weight children. In obese children, serum lipid, glucose, and insulin levels; homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores; and MS were not different between arg allele carriers (trp64arg) and noncarriers (trp64trp). In 264 obese children, genetic analysis results revealed that the arg allele carriers were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p=0.001). In the normal weight group, no statistically significant difference was found between genotypes of boys and girls (p=0.771). Conclusion: Trp64arg polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene was not associated with obesity and MS in Turkish children and adolescents. Although no relationships were observed between the genotypes and lipids, glucose/insulin levels, or HOMA-IR, the presence of trp64arg variant was frequent in obese girls, which can lead to weight gain as well as difficulty in losing weight in women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.sup1
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• pp.53-69
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To determine the weight change trend among the adult Turkish population after 1 yr of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and factors associated with weight change. MATERIALS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 26 February and 6 March 2021 using an online questionnaire that included questions for sociodemographic variables, eating habits, stress level, and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18. Those who weighed themselves 1-2 weeks before the pandemic was declared in Turkey and remembered their weight were invited to participate in the study. Trends in weight and body mass index (BMI) change were calculated. The variables associated with a 1% change in BMI were assessed using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The study was conducted with 1,630 adults (70.25% female) with a mean age of 32.09 (11.62) yrs. The trend of weight change was found to increase by an average of 1.15 ± 6.10 kg (female +0.72 ± 5.51, male +2.16 ± 7.22 kg) for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of participants with a normal BMI (18.50-24.99 kg/m²) decreased to 51.91% from 55.75%. Consuming an "Increased amount of food compared to before the pandemic" was found to be the independent variable that had the strongest association with a 1% increase in BMI (β = 0.23 P < 0.001). The average change in the BMI was higher in older individuals than in those who were younger. A high stress level was associated with a decrease in BMI (β = -0.04 P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the factors associated with weight change after 1 yr of the pandemic in the Turkish population was reported for the first time. A high stress level and increased weight gain trend still occur in Turkey after 1 yr of the pandemic.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.332-339
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• 2023

Background: The aim of the study was to test the validity and reliability of the Perceived Future Decent Work Securement Scale for Turkish nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional, methodological study design was used. The study was carried out at three nursing undergraduate programs in Turkey during the academic year of 2020-2021 with 336 senior nursing students. Language validity and content validity analyses were performed for the scale adaptation, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for construct validity. The reliability of the scale was determined using the test-retest and Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient. Results: The scale-content validity index score was 0.988. In CFA, all goodness-of-fit indices verified the acceptable fit of the model; its root mean square error of approximation was 0.076; the normed fit index was 0.909; the standardized mean square residual was 0.097; the relative fit index was 0.881; the goodness-of-fit index was 0.915; the adjusted goodness-of-fit index was 0.872 and χ²/df = 2.932. The overall reliability was α = 0.86. The item-total correlations of the scale were above the acceptable level, and the test-retest analysis had a high correlation. The access to healthcare (14.68, SD 3.53) obtained the highest average score, and the adequate compensation (8.52, SD 3.76) was the lowest rated by the senior nursing students. Conclusion: The Perceived Future Decent Work Securement Scale is a valid and reliable scale to assess nursing students' future decent work securement.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.79-94
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the descriptions of the transmission of plague along the Silk Road in Orhan Pamuk's 2022 novel Nights of Plague. Pamuk won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006, the first prize for Turkish literature. Pamuk's vast knowledge of epidemiological history, which has long fascinated him, comes to life in this novel as he describes the characters' battles against the plague in the East and West and how the plague was brought to the islands and spread along the Maritime Silk Road. One of the most important trade routes in human history, the Silk Road was not only a link between East and West trade and cultures but also a route for the transmission of bubonic plague during the medieval period onwards. It was this epidemic that contributed to the decline of the Silk Road. In the novel, a plague originating in China strikes the Ottoman coastal cities of Smyrna and Mingheria on its way to Europe via India. The epidemic is contained in Smyrna but the death toll spirals out of control when the plague reaches the island of Mingheria by sea. The spatial setting of the novel is an island, which means that it communicates with the outside world by sea. The only way the plague could have spread to an isolated island was by ship. Rats from different ports and ships would have traveled to other parts of the world or even countries to spread the plague. In Nights of Plague, the fact that the plague reached Mingheria via the maritime Silk Road is also proven by the route of the ships and various narratives. The novel confirms what many scholars have argued, that the Silk Road brought various goods from the East to the Roman Empire, along with deadly diseases, and that the sea routes were an important way for the plague to travel and spread.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.651-664
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to develop a rehabilitation technique for heavily earthquake damaged masonry buildings. A full scale one storey masonry building with window and door openings was manufactured and tested on the shock table by applying increased amplitude free vibration up to the point where heavy earthquake damage was observed. Damaged test building was rehabilitated with vertical and diagonal steel straps and then tested again. The effectiveness of improvements obtained by the rehabilitation technique was investigated. Steel straps improved the lateral strength and stiffness of masonry walls and limited the lateral displacement of building. Stability of the masonry walls were also improved by the steel straps. Steel straps reduced the natural period of the earthquake damaged masonry building and prevented the failure of the building at the same amplitude of free vibration.