Suleyman Demirel University

The Yamnaya expansions from the western steppe into Europe and Asia during the Early Bronze Age (~3000 BCE) are believed to have brought with them Indo-European languages and possibly horse husbandry. We analyzed 74 ancient whole-genome sequences from across Inner Asia and Anatolia and show that the Botai people associated with the earliest horse husbandry derived from a hunter-gatherer population deeply diverged from the Yamnaya. Our results also suggest distinct migrations bringing West Eurasian ancestry into South Asia before and after, but not at the time of, Yamnaya culture. We find no evidence of steppe ancestry in Bronze Age Anatolia from when Indo-European languages are attested there. Thus, in contrast to Europe, Early Bronze Age Yamnaya-related migrations had limited direct genetic impact in Asia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of improved periodontal health on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty-four patients with type 2 DM were selected. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups. DATA COLLECTION: Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment levels (CALs), gingival recession (GR) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at baseline at 1st and 3rd months. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-prandial glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and microalbuminure were analysed at baseline, 3 months following the periodontal therapy. The treatment group received full-mouth scaling and root planing whereas the control group received no periodontal treatment. RESULTS: A statistically significant effect could be demonstrated for PI, GI, PPD, CAL and BOP for the treatment group. HbA1c levels in the treatment group decreased significantly whereas the control group showed a slight but insignificant increase for this parameter. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed that non-surgical periodontal treatment is associated with improved glycaemic control in type 2 patients and could be undertaken along with the standard measures for the diabetic patient care.

The Eneolithic Botai culture of the Central Asian steppes provides the earliest archaeological evidence for horse husbandry, ~5500 years ago, but the exact nature of early horse domestication remains controversial. We generated 42 ancient-horse genomes, including 20 from Botai. Compared to 46 published ancient- and modern-horse genomes, our data indicate that Przewalski's horses are the feral descendants of horses herded at Botai and not truly wild horses. All domestic horses dated from ~4000 years ago to present only show ~2.7% of Botai-related ancestry. This indicates that a massive genomic turnover underpins the expansion of the horse stock that gave rise to modern domesticates, which coincides with large-scale human population expansions during the Early Bronze Age.

This paper discusses findings of a mixed method approach to a study of the development of a community of inquiry in an online and a blended learning environment. A graduate course delivered online and in a blended format was the context of the study. Data were gathered from the Community of Inquiry Survey, transcript analysis of online discussions, and interviews with students and the course instructor. Using multiple qualitative and quantitative data sources, the goal was to explore the developmental differences of the three presences (social, teaching, and cognitive) in the community of inquiry framework and students’ perceptions of a community of inquiry. The results indicated that in both the online and blended course a community of inquiry developed and students could sense each presence. However, the findings revealed developmental differences in social and cognitive presence between the two course formats with higher perceptions in the blended course.

In early December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurred in Wuhan, China's Hubei province. On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization and International Public Health declared the outbreak an emergency, and as of 23.03.2021, laboratory-approved 123,097,155 cases and 2,716,151 deaths were reported worldwide. The perceived risk of disease has led many countries to adopt various control measures. Emerging genetic and clinical evidence suggests a pathway similar to SARS and MERS. Potential therapeutic strategies that are currently being evaluated derive mainly from previous experience with Covid-19 treatment. Although several potential treatments for COVID-19 with SARS and MERS have been identified in animal and in vitro models, human clinical trials are still lacking, which hinders the progress of potential measures. This review requires an overview of the three major deadly coronaviruses and an assessment of risk factors applicable lessons to stop their spread by leveraging lessons learned from the first two deadly coronavirus outbreaks by identifying areas for improvement in future preparedness plans. The first lessons from the persistence and spread of the outbreak can help inform public health officials and medical practitioners in their efforts to combat its progress. Also, in this review, the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine strategies of the disease are reviewed.

Fixed or removable orthodontic appliances impede the maintenance of oral hygiene and result in plaque accumulation. Plaque retention surrounding orthodontic appliances leads to enamel demineralization caused by organic acids produced by bacteria in the dental plaque. Many studies have evaluated the effects of fixed orthodontic appliances on microbial flora and periodontal status, but only a few have evaluated the method of ligation as an additional factor. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in microbial flora and periodontal status after orthodontic bonding and to determine whether two different archwire ligation techniques affect these changes. A total of 21 orthodontic patients scheduled for fixed orthodontic treatment were selected for this split-mouth study. Two commonly used auxiliaries (elastomeric rings and ligature wires) for tying archwires were tested. Microbial and periodontal records were obtained before bonding (T0), one week later (T1), and five weeks after bonding (T2). Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare the groups statistically. Although, teeth ligated with elastomeric rings exhibited slightly greater numbers of microorganisms than teeth ligated with steel ligature wires, the differences were not statistically significant and could be ignored. The two archwire ligation techniques showed no significant differences in the gingival index, bonded bracket plaque index, or pocket depths of the bonded teeth. However, teeth ligated with elastomeric rings were more prone to bleeding. Therefore, elastomeric ring use is not recommended in patients with poor oral hygiene.

The article provides an overview of the methods used for processing of red mud to extract rare earth elements (REEs). Red mud is a toxic and highly alkaline waste. Several methods have been adopted and been practiced all over the world for the processing of red mud. Complex processing of red mud is cost-effective since red mud contains elements such as iron, aluminum, titanium, calcium, and rare earth metals. It has been observed that the acid leaching of red mud can almost completely recover the rare earth elements in the solution with various individual techniques and also a combination of them. Therefore, the choice of extraction method depends on the form in which the element occurs in the solution. However, relatively low concentrations of rare earth in the solution and significant amounts of impurities increase the cost of getting the final commercial products. To ensure the cost-effectiveness of the process involving rare earth’s extraction from red mud, it is necessary to increase their content by several times. This article presents the various studies that have been carried out in these aspects and the possibility of making this resource a sustainable one for REE extraction with a special focus on scandium replenishment.

Humic acid (HA) is the result of organic matter decomposition and is beneficial to plant growth and development.The objective of the study was to find the influence of foliar and soil HA application on fruit quality and yield of organically grown pepper.Pepper plants were treated with soil and foliar HA applications at various concentrations (0 ml/l, 10 ml/l, 20 ml/l, 30 ml/l, and 40 ml/l).Starting four weeks after planting, HA was applied via spraying and/or drenching to the plant root area three times during the growth period at 15-day intervals.HA treatments had no significant effect on fruit firmness, fruit length, or diameter.Total and reducing sugar contents significantly increased in response to both foliar and soil HA treatments.Moreover, HA application significantly influenced total chlorophyll content and this effect was mainly on chlorophyll b content.Foliar 20 ml/l and soil 20 ml/l HA application resulted in the highest total chlorophyll content.Foliar and soil HA applications also led to significantly higher mean fruit weight, and early and total yield than for control.The study demonstrates that both soil and foliar HA treatment might successfully be used to obtain higher fruit yield and can significantly enhance fruit quality in organically grown pepper.

The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records’ of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of alien and native species respectively. The new records of alien species include: the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis (Crete and Lakonicos Gulf) (Greece); the red alga Grateloupia turuturu (along the Israeli Mediterranean shore); the mantis shrimp Clorida albolitura (Gulf of Antalya, Turkey); the mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi (Mar Piccolo of Taranto, Ionian Sea); the blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Chios Island, Greece); the isopod Paracerceis sculpta (northern Aegean Sea, Greece); the sea urchin Diadema setosum (Gökova Bay, Turkey); the molluscs Smaragdia souverbiana, Murex forskoehlii, Fusinus verrucosus, Circenita callipyga, and Aplysia dactylomela (Syria); the cephalaspidean mollusc Haminoea cyanomarginata (Baia di Puolo, Massa Lubrense, Campania, southern Italy); the topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva (Civitavecchia, Tyrrhenian Sea); the fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatine (Plemmirio marine reserve, Sicily); the silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Saros Bay, Turkey; and Ibiza channel, Spain); the Indo-Pacific ascidian Herdmania momusin Kastelorizo Island (Greece); and the foraminiferal Clavulina multicam erata (Saronikos Gulf, Greece). The record of L. sceleratus in Spain consists the deepest (350-400m depth) record of the species in the Mediterranean Sea. The new records of native species include: first record of the ctenophore Cestum veneris in Turkish marine waters; the presence of Holothuria tubulosa and Holothuria polii in the Bay of Igoumenitsa (Greece); the first recorded sighting of the bull ray Pteromylaeus bovinus in Maltese waters; and a new record of the fish Lobotes surinamensis from Maliakos Gulf.

This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to explore university students' perception of Chat GPT, while also investigating potential variations across gender, grade level, major, and prior experience with using Chat GPT. Employing a quantitative research approach, the study involved 239 students enrolled in the Science and Mathematics Education Program at a private university in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The results indicated an overall positive perception of Chat GPT among the participants. Notably, the only significant disparity in perception between male and female students was observed in the dimension of "Perceived ease of use." Moreover, no significant differences were found across any survey dimensions when comparing students from different grade levels (first to fourth grade). However, statistically significant differences emerged in the dimension of "Perceived social influence" between Mathematics majors and Chemistry-Biology majors, as well as between Chemistry-Biology majors and Physics-Informatics majors. Additionally, except for the dimension of "Perceived social influence," statistically significant differences were observed among groups based on their prior experience using artificial intelligence (AI) or chatbots. These findings provide valuable insights into university students' perceptions of Chat GPT and highlight the influence of factors such as gender, major, and prior experience on their perceptions. The implications of these findings can inform the design and implementation of educational technologies involving AI-based chat systems in higher education settings.

Cell encapsulation is a bioengineering technology that provides live allogeneic or xenogeneic cells packaged in a semipermeable immune-isolating membrane for therapeutic applications. The concept of cell encapsulation was first proposed almost nine decades ago, however, and despite its potential, the technology has yet to deliver its promise. The few clinical trials based on cell encapsulation have not led to any licensed therapies. Progress in the field has been slow, in part due to the complexity of the technology, but also because of the difficulties encountered when trying to prevent the immune responses generated by the various microcapsule components, namely the polymer, the encapsulated cells, the therapeutic transgenes and the DNA vectors used to genetically engineer encapsulated cells. While the immune responses induced by polymers such as alginate can be minimized using highly purified materials, the need to cope with the immunogenicity of encapsulated cells is increasingly seen as key in preventing the immune rejection of microcapsules. The encapsulated cells are recognized by the host immune cells through a bidirectional exchange of immune mediators, which induce both the adaptive and innate immune responses against the engrafted capsules. The potential strategies to cope with the immunogenicity of encapsulated cells include the selective diffusion restriction of immune mediators through capsule pores and more recently inclusion in microcapsules of immune modulators such as CXCL12. Combining these strategies with the use of well-characterized cell lines harboring the immunomodulatory properties of stem cells should encourage the incorporation of cell encapsulation technology in state-of-the-art drug development.

This work reports the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and inhibitory effects of methanol and water extracts from Ganoderma applanatum (GAM: methanol extract and GAW: water extract) and G. resinaceum (GRM: methanol extract and GRW: water extract) against cholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The total phenolics, flavonoids contents, and HPLC profile of phenolic components present in the extracts, were also determined. Antioxidant activities were investigated by using different assays, including DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assays. Antimicrobial activity of the tested Ganoderma extracts was also studied by the broth microdilution method. Generally, the highest antioxidant (59.24 mg TEs per g extract for DPPH, 41.32 mg TEs per g extract for ABTS, 41.35 mg TEs per g extract for CUPRAC, 49.68 mg TEs per g extract for FRAP, 130.57 mg AAEs per g extract for phosphomolybdenum and 26.92 mg EDTAEs per g extract) and enzyme inhibitory effects (1.47 mg GALAEs per g extract for AChE, 1.51 mg GALAEs per g extract for BChE, 13.40 mg KAEs per g extract for tyrosinase, 1.13 mmol ACEs per g extract for α-amylase and 2.20 mmol ACEs per g extract for α-glucosidase) were observed in GRM, which had the highest concentrations of phenolics (37.32 mg GAEs g(-1) extract). Again, Ganoderma extracts possess weak antibacterial and antifungal activities. Apigenin and protocatechuic acid were determined as the main components in GRM (1761 μg per g extract) and GAM (165 μg per g extract), respectively. The results suggest that the Ganoderma species may be considered as a candidate for preparing new food supplements and can represent a good model for the development of new drug formulations.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the leading behavioural risk factor for mortality globally, accounting for more than 175 million deaths and nearly 4·30 billion years of life lost (YLLs) from 1990 to 2021. The pace of decline in smoking prevalence has slowed in recent years for many countries, and although strategies have recently been proposed to achieve tobacco-free generations, none have been implemented to date. Assessing what could happen if current trends in smoking prevalence persist, and what could happen if additional smoking prevalence reductions occur, is important for communicating the effect of potential smoking policies. METHODS: In this analysis, we use the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Future Health Scenarios platform to forecast the effects of three smoking prevalence scenarios on all-cause and cause-specific YLLs and life expectancy at birth until 2050. YLLs were computed for each scenario using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 reference life table and forecasts of cause-specific mortality under each scenario. The reference scenario forecasts what could occur if past smoking prevalence and other risk factor trends continue, the Tobacco Smoking Elimination as of 2023 (Elimination-2023) scenario quantifies the maximum potential future health benefits from assuming zero percent smoking prevalence from 2023 onwards, whereas the Tobacco Smoking Elimination by 2050 (Elimination-2050) scenario provides estimates for countries considering policies to steadily reduce smoking prevalence to 5%. Together, these scenarios underscore the magnitude of health benefits that could be reached by 2050 if countries take decisive action to eliminate smoking. The 95% uncertainty interval (UI) of estimates is based on the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile of draws that were carried through the multistage computational framework. FINDINGS: Global age-standardised smoking prevalence was estimated to be 28·5% (95% UI 27·9-29·1) among males and 5·96% (5·76-6·21) among females in 2022. In the reference scenario, smoking prevalence declined by 25·9% (25·2-26·6) among males, and 30·0% (26·1-32·1) among females from 2022 to 2050. Under this scenario, we forecast a cumulative 29·3 billion (95% UI 26·8-32·4) overall YLLs among males and 22·2 billion (20·1-24·6) YLLs among females over this period. Life expectancy at birth under this scenario would increase from 73·6 years (95% UI 72·8-74·4) in 2022 to 78·3 years (75·9-80·3) in 2050. Under our Elimination-2023 scenario, we forecast 2·04 billion (95% UI 1·90-2·21) fewer cumulative YLLs by 2050 compared with the reference scenario, and life expectancy at birth would increase to 77·6 years (95% UI 75·1-79·6) among males and 81·0 years (78·5-83·1) among females. Under our Elimination-2050 scenario, we forecast 735 million (675-808) and 141 million (131-154) cumulative YLLs would be avoided among males and females, respectively. Life expectancy in 2050 would increase to 77·1 years (95% UI 74·6-79·0) among males and 80·8 years (78·3-82·9) among females. INTERPRETATION: Existing tobacco policies must be maintained if smoking prevalence is to continue to decline as forecast by the reference scenario. In addition, substantial smoking-attributable burden can be avoided by accelerating the pace of smoking elimination. Implementation of new tobacco control policies are crucial in avoiding additional smoking-attributable burden in the coming decades and to ensure that the gains won over the past three decades are not lost. FUNDING: Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The objective of this study was to determine the nutrient and antioxidant contents of grape seed and pomace oil extracts from the main Turkish wine grape cultivars, Kalecik karas1, Narince, Hasandede and Emir. Dried and powdered seed and pomace materials were extracted with hexane. The results showed that the oil concentration of seeds ranged from 12.35 to 16.00% while in pomace the oil concentration varied from 5.47 to 8.66%. Grape seed and pomace oils were rich in oleic and linoleic acids and the degree of unsaturation in the oils was over 85%. α- tocopherol was the most abundant tocopherol in the oil extracts. Although γ and δ-tocopherols were found with low concentrations, β-tocopherol was not detected in the oil extracts. Oil extracts from pomace in all cultivars gave the highest tocopherol contents compared to the seeds. The contents of total phenolics were higher in pomace oil extracts than seed oil extracts. The highest total phenolic content (392.74 mg/kg) was found in the oil extract from Narince pomace compared to the other oil extracts. The refractive indexes of pomace oil extracts ranged from 1.445 to 1.468 while the refractive indexes of the seed oil extracts ranged from 1.460 and 1.466. In conclusion, wine byproducts including the seeds and pomace can be utilized both to get natural antioxidants and to obtain edible vegetable oil.

Bu çalışmada, post-truth kavramına dair yapılan çalışmalar özelinde kavramın evriminin ve yapılan çalışmaların haritasını çıkarmak hedeflenmiştir. Çalışmada, nicel veriler kapsamında, çağın ruhunu tasvirleyen kilit kavramlardan post-truth ya da hakikat ötesine ilişkin mevcut yazının bibliyometrik analiz kullanılarak sistemli bir özetinin araştırmacıların dikkatine sunulması, kavramla ilgili çalışma eğilimlerinin ve boşlukların tespiti amaçlanmıştır. Analiz birimi olarak Web of Science veri tabanında taranan ve 2006-2023 yılları arasında yayınlanmış farklı türdeki eserlerin bibliyometrik verisi baz alınmıştır. Post-truth ile ilgili 1652 eserin yayın yıllarına göre dağılımına bakıldığında, en fazla 2018 (294 eser), 2019 (361 eser) ve 2020 (341 eser) yıllarında yoğunlaşma olduğu; en fazla eser veren isimlerin Lee Mcintyre, Bram Buscher ve Leonardo Ambasciano olduğu; yayın türünün ağırlıklı olarak dergi makalesi (1215), editoryal yazı (210) ve kitap bölümü (134) türünde olduğu; araştırma alanları açısından iletişim (300), eğitim bilimleri (182), felsefe (151), siyaset bilimi (145) ve interdisipliner sosyal bilim (108) alanlarında eser verildiği; yayınların ülkelere göre dağılımı konusunda liderliğin ABD (318), İngiltere (251) ve İspanya (164) menşeli yayıncılarda olduğu; başta İngilizce (1381) olmak üzere İspanyolca (139) ve Portekizce (39) eserler yayınlandığı; SSCI (647), ESCI (590) ve AHCI (226) endekslerde taranan yayınların ağırlıkta olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Post-truth ile ilgili yayınlarda en sık kullanılan anahtar sözcüklere bakıldığında 563 tekrar ile post-truth (hakikat ötesi), 223 tekrar ile fake news (sahte haber), 106 tekrar ile social media (sosyal medya), 95 tekrar ile science (bilim) ve 84 tekrar ile truth (hakikat) ifadeleri başı çekmektedir.

Support services and legislation have contributed to the steady increase of students with disabilities in higher education. The question is whether obstacles that impeded success have been removed, or are students with disabilities still a marginalised group, deprived of the benefits of higher education? In this study we interviewed college students about their perceptions of faculty–student relationships and other factors that might affect their postsecondary experience. Themes identified in the transcripts of the interviews corresponded with literature. In addition, the importance of telling their stories and the concept of voice were apparent, corroborating the 1997 research findings of Beilke and Yssel. In contrast with those findings, however, participants in our study reported a positive environment, and a willingness on the part of faculty to provide accommodations.

AIM: To investigate the short- and medium-term consequences of performing total salpingectomy during abdominal hysterectomy (without oophorectomy) on certain ovarian reserve parameters and blood flow velocity measurements through the ovarian stroma. METHODS: Twenty-four patients were recruited and randomized into two groups. Group 1 patients (n = 12) underwent total hysterectomy and complete excision of the fallopian tubes bilaterally. In group 2 (classical approach), fallopian tubes were removed partially leaving behind the neighboring paraovarian tissue. Pre- and postoperative (at 1 and 6 months) serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol values, ovarian volume estimation by transvaginal ultrasound, and ovarian stromal blood flow Doppler velocimetry were assessed during the early follicular phase. Mann-Whitney U-test, Student's t-test and Freidman's test were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Baseline data were similar across the groups (P > 0.05). Mean FSH, LH, estradiol values, and ovarian volume were unchanged after both of the techniques. However, mean pulsatility index, resistance index, and systole/diastole (S/D) ratio were significantly decreased in both groups compared to baseline values (group 1, P = 0.027, P = 0.018, and P = 0.013, respectively; group 2, P = 0.01, P = 0.002, and P = 0.0001, respectively). Postoperative decline in the mean pulsatility index was more pronounced (P = 0.02) in group 2 (partial removal). CONCLUSION: It appears that complete removal of fallopian tubes during hysterectomy has no advantageous effect on ovarian blood supply. It might be important to protect the ovarian blood supply as much as possible while performing hysterectomy in the reproductive period.

This study investigates the link between state capacity and deaths from Covid-19. We examine the effects on the Covid-19 case fatality rates of state capacity across countries with an ordered probit estimation controlling for the level of democracy, government policy responses, the share of the elderly population, and health system resource capacity. The study presents strong evidence for the critical role of state capacity in achieving positive policy outcomes. The effect of government effectiveness on the Covid-19 death level is consistently negative and statistically significant, suggesting that increased government effectiveness is significantly associated with decreased Covid-19 fatality rates. The findings also show that in the models controlling for government effectiveness and the testing and stay at home policies, non-free countries are more likely to have lower death levels than free countries. The effects of the testing and stay at home policies have expected negative signs. Higher health system capacity represented by higher numbers of hospital beds and doctors is more likely to lower a country’ s case fatality rate. A higher proportion of the elderly population is associated with higher levels of death from Covid-19.

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BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recent reports showed a possible association between periodontal disease and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether hyperlipidemia has any influence on periodontal status. METHODS: Fifty-one subjects with hyperlipidemia and 47 normolipidemic subjects participated in this study. Biochemical parameters, including plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and periodontal parameters, including plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and percentage of sites with bleeding on probing (BOP [%]), were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean values of PI, PD, CAL, and BOP (%) for the hyperlipidemic group were significantly higher than those for the control group. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels were significantly and positively associated with PI, PD, BOP (%), and CAL. HDL-C was significantly, but negatively, associated with CAL. Plasma triglyceride level was significantly associated with PD and BOP (%) after further analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study showed that patients with mild or moderate hyperlipidemia manifested higher values of periodontal parameters compared to normolipidemic individuals. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of hyperlipidemia on periodontal disease.