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© 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLCMetal hydride (MH) storage is known as a safe storage method because it does not require complex processes like high pressure or very low temperature. However, it is necessary to use a heat exchanger due to the endothermic and exothermic reactions occurring during the charging and discharging processes of the MH tanks. The performance of the MH is adversely affected by the lack of a heat exchanger or a suitable temperature range and it causes non-stable hydrogen supply to the fuel cell systems. In this study, effect of the tank surface temperature on hydrogen flow and hydrogen consumption performance were investigated for the MH hydrogen storage system of a hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). Different temperature values were arranged using an external heat circulator device and a heat exchanger inside the MH tank. The fuel cell (FC) was operated at three different power levels (200 W, 400 W, and 600 W) and its performance was determined depending on the temperature and discharge flow rate of the MH tank. When the heat exchanger temperature (HET) was set to 40 °C, the discharge performance of the MH tank increased compared to lower temperatures. For example, when the FC power was set to 200 W and the HET of the system was at 40 °C, 1600 L hydrogen was supplied to the FC and 2000 Wh electrical energy was obtained. The results show that the amount of hydrogen supplied from the MH tank decreases significantly by increasing the flow rate in the system and rapid temperature changes occur in the MH tank.

© 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLCIn this study, hydrogen evolution electrodes are prepared by a 3D printing method using conductive PLA filament. To improve their conductivity and electrochemical performance, Nickel–Copper (NiCu) binary coating is deposited on 3D printed (3DP) electrodes in a solution bath with different volume ratios. Electrodes have been prepared as NixCux, NixCu2x, and NixCu3x according to Ni and Cu volume ratio (Ni–Cu; 10-10, 10–20, and 10–30 mL, respectively). Surface morphologies of the samples are measured using FE-SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. Electrochemical characterizations are investigated by LSV, CV and EIS. According to the results, the current density of NiCu coated 3DP electrodes is higher than the uncoated 3DP electrode. The results show that the resistance values of the electrodes are decreased from 0.262 kΩ to 0.187 kΩ in NixCu3x electrode.

© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.Recycling waste materials as catalysts in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) offers an innovative approach to reducing catalyst costs. Scrap tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) die, used in wire drawing processes in industrial applications, may be recovered as tungsten trioxide (WO3) by the electrolysis method. In this study, all composite catalysts were prepared as their weight percentage IW-x (0 ≤ x ≤ 100). Here, I, W, and x represent IrO2, WO3, and the weight percent of Ir in the mixed composite oxide, respectively. Then, the prepared IW-75, IW-50, and IrO2 catalysts are referred to as 75% IrO2-25% WO3, 50% IrO2-50% WO3, and Ir's pure oxide form, respectively. These materials are compared with WO3 and IrO2 to investigate their OER performance. According to the linear sweep voltammetry results, the IW-75 catalyst has a 15.03% higher current density than the pure IrO2 catalyst. In the Tafel polarization curve of the catalysts, it is determined that the corrosion potential of IW-75 is enhanced, and the overpotential value is decreased 1.2 times compared to the synthesized IrO2 catalyst sample. As a result, using composite oxide from scrap wire drawing die and IrO2, the cost of the proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzer's anode catalyst is reduced by more than 25%.

Hydrogen production from the electrolysis of water by sea or lake waters used as electrolyte plays a crucial role in providing sustainable hydrogen production. Production of hydrogen from these natural sources is highly utilized from small scale to complex applications due to water resources' inconsumable potential. In this study, the hydrogen production potential of Turkey's different regions such as the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Marmara Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Lake Van, Agcas, ar Dam, Yes, ilirmak, and Kizilirmak rivers are investigated. Solar energy potential values are used as the current sources for simulating their renewable energy hydrogen production values. According to the results, higher hydrogen production rates are obtained from the Marmara and Lake Van regions. It is concluded that the hydrogen production potential is highly dependent on the pH values of the water source and the salinity rate of seawater that is descending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea region. Besides, solar radiation, sunshine duration, and water temperature are the other essential factors. Moreover, Mediterranean Sea water (Icomma el-Anamur) has about 23% higher hydrogen production than Lake Van and has the most increased hydrogen production by 80 L m-2 in May and June. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

© 2022 American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have many advantages, such as design flexibility, minimal waste, manufacturing of very complex structures, cheaper production, and rapid prototyping. This technology is widely used in many fields, including health, energy, art, design, aircraft, and automotive sectors. In the manufacturing process of 3D printed products, it is possible to produce different objects with distinctive filament and powder materials using various production technologies. AM covers several 3D printing techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), inkjet printing, selective laser melting (SLM), and stereolithography (SLA). The present review provides an extensive overview of the recent progress in 3D printing methods for electrochemical fields. A detailed review of polymeric and metallic 3D printing materials and their corresponding printing methods for electrodes is also presented. Finally, this paper comprehensively discusses the main benefits and the drawbacks of electrode production from AM methods for energy conversion systems.

Purpose: To evaluate the levels of salusin-beta (β-SAL) in the serum in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Methods: Our study was designed as a controlled comparative clinical study. The β-SAL levels in serums of age and sex-matched 20 healthy volunteers as controls (Group 1), 20 patients with dry-age related macular degeneration (d-ARMD) (Group 2) and 20 patients with wet-age related macular degeneration (w-ARMD) (Group 3) were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: In our study, it was found that age and gender didn’t show a statistically significant difference among the study groups (p > 0. 05). The mean serum β-SAL levels in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 1372,17 ± 1126.69 pg/mL; 1423,71 ± 1196.84 pg/mL and 940,57 ± 1092.05 pg/mL, respectively. Although the meanβ-SAL levels in w-ARMD seem numerically lower than both the control and d-ARMD groups, this difference among the study groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that β-SAL levels in the patients with ARMD and healthy controls were not different than each other. Further studies with large numbers may reveal possible relationships between β-SAL and ARMD.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, son zamanlarda enerji tüketiminde yerini alması için üretiminin desteklenip teşvik edildiği yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının neden önem arz ettiğinin değerlendirmesini yapabilmektir. Yöntem olarak literatür ve arşiv çalışmaları incelenmiş, konunun güncelliği sebebiyle güncel kaynak ve verilerin kullanılmasına özen gösterilmiştir. 1970’li yıllardan sonra yaşanan enerji krizlerinin etkisiyle yenilenebilir enerji kaynakları alanındaki çalışmalarda bir hareketlenme yaşanmaya başlamıştır. Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri yenilebilir enerji alanında öncü olmuşlardır. Çünkü, Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri yenilebilir enerji kaynaklarından enerji ihtiyaçlarını karşılayabilmek adına enerji üretimindeki payı arttırmak için hedefler koymuşlardır. Dolasıyla ülkeler bu hedeflere ulaşabilmek için politikalarla teşvikler verip bu alandaki uygulamaları ve programları desteklemişlerdir. Hidrokarbon enerji kaynaklarına göre yenilebilir enerji kaynaklarından üretilen enerjinin payı çok düşük kalmaktadır. Fakat yenilebilir enerji kaynaklarının fosil kökenli olmaması, çevreye olan zararının hidrokarbonlara göre daha minimum seviyede kalması, daima kendini yenileyebilmesi ve doğa tarafından sürekli takviye edilebilmesi gibi avantajlarının bulunması alternatif bir enerji kaynağı olması açısından önem teşkil etmektedir.

In recent years, fossil fuels prices, greenhouse gas emissions, and need for sustainable energy sources have been increasing day by day. Thus, electric vehicles are seen as a promising candidate in the market due to their low-costs and cleaner fuel options such as electricity, hydrogen etc. Moreover, aerodynamics is one of the most important criteria to consider while designing an automobile for the most efficient driving conditions. For this reason, vehicle developers are studying to reduce drag resistance of the body to improve driving efficiency. On the other hand, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is one of the main tools for the automotive industry to obtain low-cost results before prototyping of any product. In this study, the aerodynamic characteristics of VoltaCAR electric vehicle is numerically investigated to obtain the best driving velocity. This car participates the TUBITAK-Electromobile car competition every year to achieve low fuel consumption for one hour driving. Thus, it is aimed that to minimize the resistance of the air hitting from the front, side, and roof of the vehicle. In the numerical model, polyhedral mesh structure is preferred to obtain faster convergence with fewer iterations, and shorter computation time is obtained compared to the tetrahedral mesh method. The aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd) of the car model was calculated as approximately 0.17 at 22.22 and 27.78 m/s. The optimum velocity values were selected as 22.22 and 27.78 m/s by means of their lower Cd.

China’s enormous economic development and modernization since 1980s has enabled China to become center at international stage. For last 30 years, China has transformed itself from a weak country to a production base economically; it has politically become a global power, whose views are taken into account for international problems. Especially in 2013, the declaration of the Belt and Road Initiative by the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, has raised questions about new global order. When the scope and goals of the New Silk Road are analyzed, it is put forward that China will complete its development and modernization and balance the USA by easing transition from unipolar world to multilateral world. Doubtlessly, this will precipitate the competition between the USA. This competition has effects on global scale.

Green hydrogen production can only be realized via water electrolysis using renewable energy sources. Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers have been demonstrated as the technology of choice for mass production of green hydrogen due to their scalability and potential high efficiency. However, the technology is still relatively expensive due to the catalyst materials cost and operational limitations due to mass transfer and activation polarizations. During the oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen bubbles stick to the electrode surface and this causes a low reaction rate and high mass transfer losses. In this study, the commonly used electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reactions; IrO2, is modified by intro-ducing magnetic Fe3O4 to achieve greater bubble separation at the anode during operation. The prepared composite catalysts were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis, X-Ray Powder Diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spec-troscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller characterization methods. The modified composite electrocatalyst samples are magnetized to investigate the magnetic field effect on oxygen evolution reaction performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. 90% IrO2-10% Fe3O4 and 80% IrO2-20% Fe3O4 samples are tested via linear sweep voltammetry both ex-situ and in-situ in a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer single cell. According to the linear sweep voltammetry tests, the magnetization of the 80% IrO2-20% Fe3O4 sample resulted in 15% increase in the maximum current density. Moreover, the single cell electrolyzer test showed a four-fold increase in current density by employing the magnetized 80% IrO2-20% Fe3O4 catalyst. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Collection and transportation of municipal solid wastes (MSWs) are essential parts of the sustainable urban municipal solid waste management (MWSM) strategy for municipalities. However, collection and transportation of the MSWs have always been challenging subjects for modelling of integrated MSWM systems by considering environmental and energy parameters. Thus, this study aims to investigate the environmental and energy impacts of urban MSW collection and transportation management systems from the life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. The LCA approach was applied to the eleven district municipalities of Kayseri province by modelling three alternative MSW collection and transportation scenarios and modelling the current situation of five-metropolitan municipalities. Results showed that construction of transfer stations instead of landfills provide decreased environmental impacts for all impact categories and cumulative energy demand (CED) rates (reduced 44.9 % of the GWP impacts and 51.7 % of the CED scores). Also, it was observed that Scenario 1 consumed lower energy (4.14E + 3 MJ/ton) than other scenarios in terms of the CED results. Hereby, the findings of this work provide a low emission and energy consumption MSWM system modelling guideline and can be applied in municipalities with undeveloped MSWM strategy.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, son zamanlarda enerji tüketiminde yerini alması için üretiminin desteklenip teşvik edildiği yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının neden önem arz ettiğinin değerlendirmesini yapabilmektir. Yöntem olarak literatür ve arşiv çalışmaları incelenmiş, konunun güncelliği sebebiyle güncel kaynak ve verilerin kullanılmasına özen gösterilmiştir. 1970’li yıllardan sonra yaşanan enerji krizlerinin etkisiyle yenilenebilir enerji kaynakları alanındaki çalışmalarda bir hareketlenme yaşanmaya başlamıştır. Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri yenilebilir enerji alanında öncü olmuşlardır. Çünkü, Avrupa Birliği ülkeleri yenilebilir enerji kaynaklarından enerji ihtiyaçlarını karşılayabilmek adına enerji üretimindeki payı arttırmak için hedefler koymuşlardır. Dolasıyla ülkeler bu hedeflere ulaşabilmek için politikalarla teşvikler verip bu alandaki uygulamaları ve programları desteklemişlerdir. Hidrokarbon enerji kaynaklarına göre yenilebilir enerji kaynaklarından üretilen enerjinin payı çok düşük kalmaktadır. Fakat yenilebilir enerji kaynaklarının fosil kökenli olmaması, çevreye olan zararının hidrokarbonlara göre daha minimum seviyede kalması, daima kendini yenileyebilmesi ve doğa tarafından sürekli takviye edilebilmesi gibi avantajlarının bulunması alternatif bir enerji kaynağı olması açısından önem teşkil etmektedir., The aim of this study is to evaluate why renewable energy sources, whose production is supported and encouraged, are important in order to take place in energy consumption recently. As a method, literature and archive studies were examined, care was taken to use up-to-date resources and data due to the currency of the subject. With the effect of the energy crises experienced after the 1970s, there has been a movement in the field of renewable energy resources. European Union countries have been pioneers in the field of renewable energy. Because the European Union countries have set targets to increase their share in energy production in order to meet their energy needs from renewable energy sources. Therefore, countries have provided incentives with policies and supported applications and programs in this field in order to achieve these goals. Compared to hydrocarbon energy sources, the share of energy produced from renewable energy sources remains very low. However, it is important that renewable energy sources are not of fossil origin, that their damage to the environment remains at a minimum level compared to hydrocarbons, that they can always renew themselves and they can be continuously supplemented by nature.

Dünya 1970’lerin sonunda başlayan, 2000’li yılların başlarında ivme kazanan ve günümüzde de devam eden bir Çin yükselişine tanıklık etmektedir. Bu yükseliş temel olarak ekonomi merkezli olmakla birlikte güçlü ekonomilerin siyasal nüfuzu da beraberinde getireceği düşüncesinden hareketle, dünya ekonomi-politiği açısından bütün ülkeleri ilgilendirir mahiyettedir. Özellikle 2013 yılında açıklanan eski İpek Yolu’nu canlandırma projesi küresel çapta etkileri olacak devasa boyutları olan, görünürde ekonomik amaçlı ancak siyasal, sosyal, kültürel boyutları da olan bir projedir. Çin’in yükselişi ve ortaya koyduğu “Yeni İpek Yolu Girişimi” İkinci Dünya Savaşı ve sonrasındaki Soğuk Savaştan galip çıkan Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nin küresel hegemonyasını da tehdit eder bir özelliktedir. Öyle ki başta Ortadoğu olmak üzere Pasifik, Orta Asya ve İpek Yolu güzergâhları üzerinde bulunan bölge ve ülkelerde günümüzde yaşanan yoğun diplomasi, çatışma ve terör olayları ve hatta son dönemlerde Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nin terör örgütleriyle ittifak içinde bulunduğu iddiaları ve bu iddiaların yabana atılamayacak kanıtları, Çin-ABD küresel egemenlik mücadelesinin bir unsuru olarak nitelendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada Çin’in yükselişi, Yeni İpek Yolu projesinin ekonomik ve stratejik boyutları ile Çin - Amerika Birleşik Devletleri ilişkileri ele alınmıştır.

In this study, the effect of pulse potential on alkaline water electrolysis energy consumption is investigated. A specially designed electrical circuit is used to observe the effect of different duty cycles and frequency values on water electrolysis energy consumption in different concentration values of alkaline solution. The results show that using pulse potential enhances the mass transport of oxygen and hydrogen bubbles due to the pumping effect. This provides less contact with oxygen bubbles to improve corrosion resistance of anode electrodes. Moreover, decreasing mass transfer losses on the electrode surface resulted in a 20-25% lower energy consumption to produce 1 mol of hydrogen in the cell. The optimum frequency for 10% and 50% duty cycle and 10% and 15% concentration are investigated. For 10% duty cycle, the optimum frequency is specified around 140-200 kHz and for 50% duty cycle, it is around 380-400 kHz for all concentration values. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Arastirmanin temel amaci STK’larin Suryani kulturu kapsaminda bolgesel ticarete olan etkilerinin belirlenmesidir. Bu cercevede hazirlanan anket formu 2014-2015 tarihleri arasinda Guney Dogu Anadolu Bolgesi (Diyarbakir, Mardin, Midyat) agirlikli olmak uzere 3 adet STK (Sivil Toplum Kurulusu) kapsaminda 102 Suryani kokene sahip bireye uygulanmistir. Uc temel bolumden olusan anket kapsaminda; birinci bolumde sosyo-demografik, ikinci bolumde STK ve bolgesel ticarete yonelik yonelik ve ucuncu bolumde STK faaliyetlerinin Suryani kulturu kapsaminda bolgesel ticarete etkilerini baz alan 37 onerme yer almistir. Katilimcilarin buyuk cogunlugu bolgede bireylerin STK’larla olan iliskilerinin, bolgesel ticaretin durumunun, bolgesel ticarete destegin ve bolgesel ticarete ulasim olanaklarinin yeterli duzeyde algilanmadigi fikrine sahiptir.

Alkaline water electrolysis is the easiest methods for hydrogen production because of their simplicity. Although the simplicity is an advantage; reducing the energy consumption and maintaining the durability and the safety of these systems are the main challenges. In this paper, alkaline water electrolysis system, that uses cost effective electrode materials and magnetic field effects are presented. Cost effective electrodes such as high carbon steel, 304 stainless steel, 316L low carbon steel and graphite material are used for the hydrogen production. After the selection of the best electrode pair, effects of magnetic field to hydrogen production and change of current density are investigated for KOH electrolytes in different concentrations (5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt%). According to the experimental observations the direction of the Lorentz Force affects the hydrogen production and current density. When the Lorentz Force is directed upward, it enhances the hydrogen production for 5 wt% and 15 wt% KOH solution by almost 17%. The increase in current density for 5 wt %, 10 wt% and 15 wt% concentration is 19%, 5%, 13%, respectively. Forced convection in the magnetic field enhances the separation of gas bubbles from electrode surface. Downward directed Lorentz Force decreases hydrogen production and current density values significantly. For 5 wt%, 10 wt% and 15 wt% the hydrogen production decreases by 14%, 8%, 7%, respectively. Similarly, current density for downward directed Lorentz Force decreases by 11%, 7%, 4%, respectively. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

One of the hydrogen production methods, namely the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE), shows good potential and agreement with renewable energy sources in the storage and conversion of energy. In this study, the effects of different anode catalyst materials on the performance of PEMWE are investigated. In line with this aim the temperature, membrane thickness, current collector length and molar fraction distribution of species in gas channels are investigated to observe and compare the effects of different anode catalyst. The cell performance is simulated with a two dimensional numerical model based on Comsol Multiphysics Software. The performance of the cell and hydrogen production are increased with the change of temperature from 303 K to 353 K. Different thickness of the membrane is investigated and the results bring out that use of thinner membrane is more important for Pt-Ir anode catalyst than Pt anode catalyst. Additionally, Pt-Ir anode catalyst is decreased cell voltage and provided four times higher current density. Maximum value of hydrogen molar fraction in the cathode gas channel is increased 60%.

Çin’in 1980’lerden itibaren olağanüstü büyümesi ve modernleşmesi dünya sahnesinin merkezinde yeniden ortaya çıkmasını da beraberinde getirmiştir. Son otuz yıl içinde Çin, zayıf görünüme sahip bir ülkeden ekonomik olarak küresel bir üretim merkezine, siyasal olarak da uluslararası meselelerde görüşlerine başvurulması gereken bir küresel güce dönüşmüştür. Özellikle 2013 yılında Çin devlet Başkanı Xi Jinping’in “Kuşak ve Yol Girişimi” (BRI) olarak adlandırılan projenin hayata geçirileceğini ilan etmesiyle birlikte Yeni İpek Yolu’nun yeni bir küresel düzen gerektireceği konusu gündeme gelmiştir. Yeni İpek Yolu girişiminin kapsamı ve amaçları göz önüne alındığında, Çin gelişimini ve modernleşmesini tamamlayacak, tek kutupluluktan çok kutupluluğa geçişi kolaylaştıracak, dolayısıyla bugünün hegemon gücü Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’ni dengeleyebilecek bir proje olduğu dile getirilmektedir. Şüphesiz bu da Amerika Birleşik Devletleri ile rekabetin yoğunluğunu arttıracak bir unsur olacaktır. Bu rekabetin de küresel düzeyde etkileri olacaktır.

The secretion of interleukin (IL)-1 family cytokines is one of the most potent and earliest pro-inflammatory responses triggered by brucellosis. However, the roles of the most recently discovered IL-1 family members, IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38, in the transition into the chronic form of brucellos is remain largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, the roles of IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38 in brucella infections and their effects on the transition from the acute to chronic form of the disease were investigated. Using peripheral blood samples from 40 patients with acute brucellosis, 40 patients with chronic brucellosis, and 40 healthy control subjects, we analysed the serum concentrations of secreted IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38 using ELISA. The findings were confirmed by using RT-qPCR to analyse the mRNA levels of the genes encoding IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 10 randomly selected patients from each of the three groups. Our results showed that serum IL-37 (p 0.001) and IL-38 (p 0.001) concentrations were lower in patients with brucellosis than in the healthy controls. In addition, serum IL-37 and IL-38 concentrations were higher in the chronic patient group than in the acute patient group. The mRNA expression levels of IL-37 and IL1F10, genes that encode IL-38, did not affect serum cytokine secretion levels. This result suggests that the high secretion levels of IL-37 and IL-38 may be related to the progression into the chronic form of brucellosis. Our findings will aid in clarifying the mechanism of the transition of brucellosis from the acute to the chronic form of the disease.

This paper demonstrates thesignificant and positive effect of applying a magnetic field on the performanceof Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE). A magnetizer and a transparentPEMWE cell are used to observe the effect of the magnetic field at variablewater flow rates on the PEMWE performance. The presence of the magnetic fieldintroduces Lorentz force which results in a significant improvement in theelectrolyser performance. The magnetic flux density is varied between 0 T and0.5 T, while the water flow rate is varied from 100 ml min-1 to 300ml min-1 to study the effect and relationship between the twoparameters and the performance of the PEMWE. Under a 0.5 T magnetic field and300 ml min-1 flow rate, a 33% increase in the cell performance isachieved compared to the conventional operation at the same flow rate. Thepositive effect is explained by the introduction of Lorentz force from themagnetic field to the operating PEMWE. The improvement here is due to therelaxation and pumping effect of the magnetic field on the electrode surfacewhich results in enhancing oxygen bubbles removal and lowering mass transportpolarisation. Moreover, the enhanced oxygen bubbles removal is expected toincrease the lifetime of the electrolyser as a result of the reduced contact betweenthe produced oxygen and the anode materials.

Bugiin en geli,Jmi.J yonetim bi~imi olarak kabul edilen demokrasikavramr, birlik ve ~e,Jitlilik, ozgiirliik ve biitiinle,Jme gibi gereksinimleriyonetimde uyumlQ.Jtrrma ~abasr olarak goriilmektedir. Demokrasiye, hukukdevletine ve insan haklarma saygmm te,Jvik edilmesi, Avrupabiitiinle.Jmesinin birinci amacr olmu,Jtur. Toplulugun kurulu.Jundan beri ikionemli iiyelik ko,Julundan biri Avrupa devleti olmak, digeri ise demokratikdevlet olmaktrr. Ne var ki, demokratik yonetim apsmdan ileri sayrlaniilkelerin kurdugu Birlik, demokrasi a~rsmdan sorgulamr duruma gelmi,Jtir.Eurobarometre ~alr,Jmalan demokrasi apgmr kapatmaya ve AB 'yivatanda,Jla uyumlu karar alma amacma yakla,Jtrrmaya hizmet etmektedir.Daha birle,Jik, demokratik ve uyumlu bir Avrupa i~in atrlan adrmlarm ancakAB yurtta,Jlarmm onayr ve giiveniyle ba,Janya ula,Jmasr miimkiindiir.Ekonomik ve sosyal alandaki ele,Jtirilere ragmen Avrupa vatanda,Jlan yinede AB hakkmda olumlu bir imaja sahiptirler. Bu ~ab.Jmada Avrupakamuoyunun AB'nin demokratik yoniine bakl.Jl analiz edilmektedir., Democracy, which is considered as the most advanced form of governance, is conceived as a harmonisation effort in reconciling of unity and diversity, freedom and solidarity in administration. Democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights have been designated as primary aims of European integration from the very beginning. To be a European state and to be a democratic state are the two main conditions of membership since the early days of the integration. The Union, established by states considered as most advanced with respect to democratic administration, has nevertheless started to be questioned due to the lack of democracy. Eurobarometer investigations of the Commission serve to eliminate this deficit and to bring the EU closer to its aim of making decisions in harmony with the choices of EU citizens. Steps towards a democratic Europe, better harmonised and united, can only be successful with the approval and confidence of EU citizens. Although there are economic and social criticisms, European citizens still have a positive image about the EU. This study analyses the public opinion on EU's democracy.

Arastirmanin temel amaci Izmir ilindeki otizm misyonlarina sahip sivil toplum kuruluslari (STK) kapsaminda otizme yonelik gonullu faaliyetlerinde otizmle iliskili bireylerin algilari baglaminda hizmet / faaliyet kalitesine etki eden faktorlerin belirlenmesidir. Bu cercevede hazirlanan anket formu Ocak 2015 – Haziran 2015 tarihleri arasinda Izmir ilinde yer alan otizm misyonuna sahip uc STK kapsaminda otizm faaliyetleriyle iliskili 203 bireye uygulanmistir. Katilimcilarin algilarina gore, STK’nin kurum felsefesi kapsaminda yer alan 9 soru cercevesinde sozu edilen konularda (faaliyetle uyum, katilimcilik, sahiplenme, hedef kitleye ulasim, iletisim araclari ve medya kullanimi, faaliyet motivasyonu, kalite, stratejilerle uygunluk, amaclarla uygunluk) daha fazla onem gosterilmesi yargisi one cikmistir. Gerceklestirilen faktor analizi sonucu 16 onerme 2 faktor (f1: Yaklasim, davranis ve kosullar ve f2: Yaklasim, davranis ve destek) altinda toplanmistir. Gerek onermeler gerekse faktorler kapsaminda katilimcilarin otizme yonelik gonullu faaliyetlerinde yaklasim, davranis, kosullar ve destekler kapsaminda hizmet / faaliyet kalitesini ileri duzeyde onemsedikleri belirlenmistir. Ayrica faktorlerin de birbirleriyle pozitif yonde yuksek etkilesim icinde hizmet / faaliyet kalitesini artirmada sinerjik etki yaratacagi ortaya cikmistir.

Gunumuzde “Yondesme” kavramiyla birlikte geleneksel televizyon hizmetlerine ek olarak internet ile mobil telefonlar veya tablet bilgisayarlar araciligiyla dahi gorsel-isitsel medya hizmetlerine ulasmak mumkundur. Erkeklere nazaran televizyon karsinda daha fazla vakit gecirdigi soylenebilecek kadinlarin soz konusu hizmetlerden yararlanma egilimleri, calismanin konusunu olusturmaktadir. Calismanin amaci, akademik hayatlarina aktif bir sekilde devam eden, belirli bir egitim duzeyine sahip kadinlarin, gorsel-isitsel medya hizmet saglayicilara yonelik izleme egilimlerini ortaya koymak ve soz konusu egilimlerinin olusmasinda etkili faktorleri analiz etmektir. Calismanin varsayimi ise, egitim duzeyi yuksek kadinlarin TV izleme eylemlerinin daha bilincli ve secici gerceklestigidir. Calismanin literatur tarama surecinde, bireylerin TV izleme egilimlerini olcmek amaciyla son donemde yapilmis ozgun bilimsel calismalar incelenmistir. Calismanin uygulama kisminda, 2015-2016 egitim-ogretim yili guz doneminde Afyon Kocatepe Universitesi’nde gorev yapan kadin akademik personelin televizyon izleme egilimleri ile buna yonelik tutum ve davranislarini belirlemek amaciyla hazirlanmis anket araciligi ile veriler toplanacaktir. Sistematik rastlantisal ornekleme yontemine gore secilen ogretim elemanlarina uygulanacak alan arastirmasi, yuz yuze gorusme teknigi ile uygulanacaktir. Toplanan verilerin analizi sonucunda elde edilen bulgular ise ilgili tablo ve sekillerle verilecektir.

The newly discovered gas sources establish a political and economic ground for the formation of regional and global alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean. Although these new discoveries have the potential to alter the functioning of po litics and the economy, current and past controversies, political instability, how natural gas will be shared between countries, and competition power of countries in natural gas market prevent natural gas production and exploration at the Eastern Mediterr anean bay. On the other hand, in consequence of gas explorations that in the last decade, it is expected that in the near future there will be much more regional and global playmakers in the Eastern Mediterranean. Research, development and export speed of the gas reservoirs, each and every decision to be taken by the countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, will be the dynamic weighted decisions of the national energy politics and regional politics. That's why, in this study, the lead energy players in the E astern Mediterranean and their disagreements are investigated and, the goals and targets of the global powers on the energy resources available in the Eastern Mediterranean are analysed.

In this paper, environmental effects of three medium scale (330 kW, 500 kW, 810 kW) and two large scale (2050 kW, 3020 kW) wind turbines with the hub heights of 50 m, 80 m and 100 m installed in Pinarbasi-Kayseri are compared using life cycle assessment methodology. Manufacturing and utilization of wind turbines, decommissioning and recycling steps are considered for this study. GaBi4 life cycle assessment software is utilized for analysis. Selected wind turbines are compared in terms of environmental impacts, embodied energies and energy payback times. The results show that environmental impacts are low for the turbines with high hub heights due to increase in electricity production of those turbines. Wind turbine with rated power of 2050 kW at 100 m hub height is the ideal option to install in Pinarbasi-Kayseri among the selected wind turbines with respect to the energy, environmental aspects and energy payback time. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study presents the hydrogen production and fissile breeding potentials of Force-Free Helical Reactor (FFHR) fueled with the molten-salt mixtures. The sulfur-iodine (S-I) thermochemical water-splitting and high-temperature electrolysis cycles, which are the most promising water-splitting cycles, are selected to produce large-scale and pure hydrogen. The XSDRNPM/SCALE4.4a neutron transport code is used for the neutronic calculations. The analyses have been performed individually for four different molten-salt mixtures, (pure FLiBe, mixture of FLiBe and ThF(4), mixture of FLiBe and UF(4), and mixture of FLiBe, ThF(4) and (233)UF(4)). The numerical results bring out that the considered molten-salt fusion breeder reactor has a high neutronic performance and can produce a considerable amount of the hydrogen production (up to 40 kg/s), as well as the fissile fuel (up to 2.5 tons/yr). (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this follow-up study was to investigate the long-term effects of tonsillectomy in comparison with their short-term results.We successfully retrieved 20 out of our previously reported 37 patients who underwent tonsillectomy in our clinic 54 months ago. The blood levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD25+ and CD16++56+ (cellular immunity), and IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 (humoral immunity) were determined and compared with their previously reported short-term respective values.There were no statistically significant differences between the short-term (1 month) and long-term (54 months) values of IgA, IgG, IgM and C4 levels of the patients (P0.05). There was a slight but statistically significant decrease in complement factor C3 value compared to its the early-stage value (P0.05) but this was not significantly different from age-matched healthy controls (P0.05). The levels of CD4+ and CD19+ were higher and the levels of CD16++56+ and CD25+ were lower in the late-stage (54 months) compared to their early-stage values (P0.05). When the long-term immune parameters of the tonsillectomized patients were compared with aged-match healthy controls, there were no significant differences between the levels of immunoglobulins, complements and lymphocytes (IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD25+, CD16++56+) (P0.05).The results of this long-term follow-up study indicate that tonsillectomy do not compromise the immune functions of children as humoral and cellular immunity of patients recovered compared to their early-stage immune status (1 month), as they have similar immune capacity compared to their age-matched healthy controls at both early- and late-stages. Although a small sample of patients enrolled, our results are of importance with respect to the reassuring in settling the widely held urban myth that tonsillectomy compromises life long immunity.

The aim of this study is to investigate the high-level waste (HLW) transmutation potential of fusion-driven transmuter (FDT) based on catalyzed D-D fusion plasma for various fuel fractions. The Minor actinide (MA) (Np-237, Am-241, Am-243 and Cm-244) and long-lived fission product (LLFP) (Tc-99, I-129 and Cs-135) nuclides discharged from high burn-up pressured water reactor-mixed oxide spent fuel are considered as the HLW. The volume fractions of the MA and LLFP are raised from 10 to 20% stepped by 2% and 10 to 80% stepped by 5%, respectively. The transmutation analyses have been performed for an operation period (OP) of up to 6 years by 75% plant factor (eta) under a first-wall neutron load (P) of 5 MW/m(2) by using two different computer codes, the XSDRNPM/SCALE4.4a neutron transport code and the MCNP4B Monte Carlo code. The numerical results bring out that the considered FDT has a high neutronic performance for an effective and rapid transmutation of MA and LLFP as well as the energy generation along the OP.

RESUME Background: It has been reported that abnormalities in the balance of T-helper cells type 1/2 (Th1/Th2) may account for the pathophysiology of human autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to define the role of the Th1/Th2 balance in the pathogenesis of uveitis in Behcet's disease (BD). Methods: From February 2003 to August 2005, we studied 31 patients with active BD. Of these patients, 21 (12 female, 9 male; mean age 35.5 (SD 10) years) presented with acute uveitis, and 10 (7 female, 3 male; mean age 34 (SD 11) years) presented with inflammatory arthritis but no prior uveitis attack.The control group consisted of 10 (7 female, 3 male; mean age 34.7 (SD 8) years) age-matched, healthy individuals. CD4+ CD26+ and CD4+ CD30+ cell surface expression of the peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes was evaluated by analytic flow cytometry in order to determine percentages of Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte subsets. Results: The mean percentage of CD4+ CD26+ and CD4+ CD30+ cells was 26.27 (SD 6.18) % and 2.56 (SD 0.82) %, 17.42 (SD 5.90) % and 2.86 (SD 0.72) %, and 14.99 (SD 3.96) % and 3.11 (SD 1.25) % in BD with active uveitis, BD with inflammatory arthritis but no prior uveitis attack, and control groups, respectively. T-helper 1 (Th1) cell percentage was significantly higher in the BD with active uveitis group than the BD with arthritis and no prior uveitis attack group (p = 0.001). With respect to the percentage of CD30+ Th2 cells, there was no statistical difference between the 2 BD groups (p = 0.529) or among the 3 groups (p = 0.375). Interpretation: Th1 lymphocyte dominance in peripheral circulating blood may play a role in the

This study presents time-dependent transmutations of high-level waste (HLW) including minor actinides (MAs) and long-lived fission products (LLFPs) in the fusion-driven transmuter (FDT) that is optimized in terms of the neutronic performance per fusion neutron in our previous study. Its blanket has two different transmutation zones (MA transmutation zone, TZ(MA), and LLFP transmutation zone, TZ(FP)), located separately from each other. High burn-up pressured water reactor (PWR)-mixed oxide (MOX) spent fuel is used as HLW. The time-dependent transmutation analyses have been performed for an operation period (OP) of up to 10 years by 75% plant factor (eta) under a first-wall neutron load (P) of 5 MW/m(2). The effective half-lives of the MA and LLFP nuclides can be shortened significantly in the considered FDT while substantial electricity is produced in situ along the OP.

This study presents the potential of the burning and/or transmutation (B/T) of transuraniums (TRUs), discharged from the pressured water reactor PWR-UO2 spent fuel, in the modified PROMETHEUS-H fusion reactor. Two different design shapes (Models A and B) were considered. The transmutation zone (TZ), which contains the mixture of TRU nuclides (10%), was located in the modified blankets. The volume fraction of Pu in the mixture is raised from 0 to 40% stepped by 10% to determine its effect on the B/T. The fuel spheres were cladded with SiC (5%) and cooled with high-pressured helium gas (85%) for nuclear heat transfer. The calculations were performed for an operation period (OP) of up to 10 years by 75% plant factor (17) under a neutron wall load (P) of 4.7 MW/m(2). The results bring out that: (1) the Model B transmutes the TRUs more rapidly than the Model A; (2) the effective half-lives decrease about 20 and 40% with the increase of Pu fraction in the cases of Models A and B, respectively; (3) the M values are quite high with respect to the M value of the original PROMETHEUS fusion reactor; (4) the blankets can produce substantial electricity in situ. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This study presents the effects of mixture fractions of nuclear fuels ( mixture of fissile - fertile fuels and mixture of two different fertile fuels) and Li-6 enrichment on the neutronic parameters ( the tritium breeding ratio, TBR, the fission rate, FR, the energy multiplication ratio, M, the fissile breeding rate, FBR, the neutron leakage out of blanket, L, and the peak-to-average fission power density ratio, G) of a deuterium - tritium ( D - T) fusion neutron-driven hybrid blanket. Three different fertile fuels (Th-232, U-238 and Cm-244), and one fissile fuel (U-235) were selected as the nuclear fuel. Two different coolants ( pressurized helium and natural lithium) were used for the nuclear heat transfer out of the fuel zone (FZ). The Boltzmann transport equation was solved numerically for obtaining the neutronic parameters with the help of the neutron transport code XSDRNPM/SCALE4.4a. In addition, these calculations were performed by also using the MCNP4B code. The sub-limits of the mixture fractions and Li-6 enrichment were determined for the tritium self-sufficiency. The considered hybrid reactor can be operated in a self-sufficiency mode in the cases with the fuel mixtures mixed with a fraction of equal to or greater than these sub-limits. Furthermore, the numerical results show that the fissile fuel breeding and fission potentials of the blankets with the helium coolant are higher than with the lithium coolant.

To investigate the peripheral blood levels of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA/CD272) on T cells and its role in Behçet disease (BD), and to define the role of inhibitory receptors on BD. Materials and methods: Included in this study were 25 patients with BD and 20 healthy control subjects, matched for age and sex. Results: CD4+CD272+ (P < 0.001) and CD3+CD272+ (P < 0.001) T cell levels were significantly higher in BD patients (active and remission) compared to the healthy controls. However, there was no difference between the active patients and those in remission in terms of CD4+CD272+ T cells, while CD3+CD272+ T cell levels were significantly higher in active-phase BD patients compared to patients in the remission phase (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Further functional studies could be implemented to investigate the effectiveness of the present research parameter in the diagnosis or follow-up of certain diseases similar to BD and with obscure etiology, as well as its contribution to immune dysregulation of BD. BTLA can additionally modulate T cell response in BD on different inflammatory areas and it can be upregulated in BD because of T cell activation. The results of the present study indicate that BTLA expression on CD4+ Th (T helper) cells might play a limiting role on the inflammation at peripheral sites or organs in BD.

In the present study, hydrogen production potential of Solid Moving BREeder ReactOr (SOMBRERO) fusion reactor and heat recovery of this system is investigated. The original SOMBRERO fusion reactor has a 1000 MWe KrF laser-driven IFE power plant. This reactors fusion power is 2677 MW and total thermal power is 2891 MW. The blanket is divided into three breeding zone and these breeding zones have different C, Li2O and ceramic fuel particles. One-dimensional neutronic calculations of SOMBRERO fusion reactor have been performed by using XSDRNPM/SCALE4.4a neutron transport code. Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) method is used for large-scale hydrogen production and heat recovery of waste heat is analyzed. The numerical results show that the considered SOMBRERO fusion reactor has a good neutronic performance as well as the high hydrogen production potential with heat recovery of SMR process. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Numerical models of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are important tools in understanding and investigate the effect of design and operation parameters of the SOFC performance and SOFC development works. In this study, one of the clean and highly efficient energy production systems, single tubular anode-supported SOFC is modeled numerically. Mathematical model of the single tubular SOFC is given in terms of the incompressible Navier- Stokes, Knudsen diffusion models, Butler–Volmer kinetic equations and Brinkman equations. For two-dimensional axisymmetric geometry, operating conditions, parameters of fuel cell and governing equations are solved by finite element method software ComsolMultiphysics. Pure H2 89% and H2O 11% are used at anode and air is used at the cathode side as reactant gasses. Temperature, pressure, porosity, permeability and especially distance of current collectors to the cell reactant gas inlet are studied. Optimal cell parameters for this model are determined and reasons of cell performance effects are explained.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of recombinant human IL-11 (rhIL-11) administered in a systemic manner on retina tissue during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a guinea pig model. Materials and Methods: An experimental study in retinal I/R. Placebo, ischemia/sham, ischemia/rhIL-11 groups including five animals in each were formed from male albino guinea pigs. Retinal ischemia was induced by cannulating the anterior chambers and lifting the bottle to a height of 205 cm for 90 Min in the sham and ischemia/rhIL-11 groups. The ischemia/sham and ischemia/rhIL-11 groups received 0.1 cc of a saline solution and 5 μg/kg/day rhIL-11 intraperitoneally one hour before the ischemic insult and during two days of reperfusion, respectively. The guinea pigs were sacrificed for biochemical analysis and the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in retina were analyzed with ELISA. Mann–Whitney-U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean TNF-α level of the sham group was statistically significantly higher than that of the placebo group (p=0.008). The mean TNF-α levels of the placebo and ischemia/rHIL-11 groups were significantly different (p=0.008). The mean retinal TNF-α level of the ischemia/rHIL-11 group was statistically significantly lower than that of the sham group (p=0.008). The mean retinal TGF-β level of the sham group was statistically significantly higher than that of the placebo group (p=0.008). However, the mean retinal TGF-β levels of the placebo and ischemia/rHIL-11 groups were not statistically significantly different (p=0.690). The mean retinal TGF-β level of the ischemia/rHIL-11 group was statistically significantly lower than that of the sham group (p=0.032). The mean retinal IL-6 level of the sham group was significantly higher than that of the placebo group (p=0.008), while there was no statistically significant difference between the placebo group and ischemia/rHIL-11 group for retinal IL-6 levels (p=1.00). The mean retinal IL-6 level of the ischemia/rHIL-11 group was significantly lower than that of the sham group (p=0.008). Conclusion: rhIL-11 treatment reduces the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-β in the retina of the ischemia/reperfusion-injured guinea pig retinas.

The aim of this study is to investigate the high-level waste (HLW) transmutation and fissile breeding potentials of a lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) cooled accelerator-driven system (ADS) for the various configurations (the target radius, R-T = 10-50 cm and the radial thickness of the sub-critical core, delta(SC) = 50-80 cm) and for the various fuel compositions (the fuel volume fraction, VFF = 10%, 12%, 15% and 20% and the fissile fraction, FF = 10-24%) under sub-critical condition. The long-lived fission products (LLFPs: Tc-99, I-129 and (CS)-C-115 nuclides) and the uranium mono carbide (UC) ceramic fuel are considered as the HLW and the fissile fuel, respectively. The neutronic calculations have been performed per the incident proton (1000 MeV) with the high-energy Monte Carlo code MCNPX in coupled neutron and proton mode using the LA 150 library. The numerical results bring out that the case of R-T = 30 cm, delta(SC) = 80 cm, VFF = 10% and FF = 23% is the optimum configuration and fuel composition, from the energy gain point of view, and has a high neutronic performance for an effective LLFP transmutation and fissile breeding. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study presents the neutronic behavior of integral data in an infinite target medium driven by an isotropic point source of 1000 MeV incident proton. Lead-bismuth cutectic, mercury, tungsten, uranium, thorium, chromium, copper and beryllium are considered as the target material because of their favorable spallation-neutron production characteristics. Furthermore, the calculations are performed for also dual mixture of some of them. In order to be able to simulate the infinite target medium by eliminating the spatial dependence, a spherical target is considered, and its radius is increased gradually up to adequate radius ensuring the infinite target medium. In this way, the radius value ensuring the maximum neutron leakage out of the target would be determined. Numerical calculations were performed with the high-energy Monte Carlo code MCNPX in coupled neutron and proton mode using the LA150 library. The mixing of the LBE with a solid target material (such as W, U and Th) lowers significantly the target radius ensuring the maximum neutron leakage. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study presents the transmutations of both the minor actinides (MAs: Np-237, Am-241, 243 Am and 244 Cm) and the long-lived fission products (LLFPs: Tc-99, I-129 and Cs-135), discharged from high burn-up PWR-MOX spent fuel, in a fusion-driven transmuter (FDT) and the effects of the MA and LLFP volume fractions on their transmutations. The blanket configuration of the FDT is improved by analyzing various sample blanket design combinations with different radial thicknesses. Two different transmutation zones (TZ(MA) and TZ(FP) which contain the MA and LLFP nuclides, respectively) are located separately from each other. The volume fractions of the MA and the LLFP are raised from 10 to 20% stepped by 2% and from 10 to 80% stepped by 5%, respectively. The calculations are performed to estimate neutronic parameters and transmutation characteristics per D-T fusion neutron. The conversion ratios (CRs) for the whole of all MAs are about 65-70%. The transmutation rates of the LLFP nuclides increase linearly with the increase of volume fractions of the MA, and the Tc-99 nuclide among them has the highest transmutation rate. The variations of their transmutation rate per unit volume in the radial direction are quasi-concave parabolic.

Background: To identify the effect of infliximab, cyclosporine A and recombinant IL-10 in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Materials and Methods: Sixty male rats were assigned to five groups of 12 each. All the groups (except the control group) were administered 30 µg retinal-S antigen intraperitoneally. On the 14th day, after confirmation of uveitis with histopathological study, daily cyclosporine A injection was given in cyclosporine A treatment group and physiological serum in the uveitis-induced placebo treatment and control groups. In the infliximab treatment group, infliximab was administered on the 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th and 21st days. In the recombinant IL-10 treatment group, three doses of recombinant IL-10 were given four hours and a half hours before and eight hours after retinal-S antigen administration. On the 21st day of the study, all rats were sacrificed and vitreous cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a) were studied with ELISA. Results: In the treatment groups, cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-a) were significantly lower than the uveitis-induced placebo treatment group. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference with respect to TNF-a and IL-8 in the infliximab treatment group; IL-8 in the cyclosporine A treatment group; IL-6 and IL-8 in the recombinant IL-10 treatment group. The drugs used did not significantly differ in respect to their effects on vitreous IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a levels. Conclusion: Cyclosporine A, infliximab and recombinant IL-10 reduce the vitreous cytokines levels. Among these drugs, recombinant IL-10, which is still in its experimental phase, might be considered as a new therapeutic agent.

This study presents the spent fuel rejuvenation potential of the PROMETHEUS-H fusion reactor. For this purpose, three different spent fuels were selected, i.e., (1) CANDU, (2) PWR-UO2 and (3) PWR-MOX spent fuels. The spent fuel (volume fraction of 60%), spherically prepared and cladded with SiC (volume fraction of 10%), was located in the fuel zone (FZ) in the blanket of the modified PROMETHEUS-H fusion reactor. The FZ was cooled with high pressure helium gas (volume fraction of 30%) for the nuclear heat transfer. The neutronic calculations were performed by solving the Boltzmann transport equation with the help of the neutron transport code XSDRNPM-S/SCALE4.3. The calculations of the time dependent atomic densities of the isotopes were performed for an operation period (OP) of up to 4 years with a 75% plant factor (eta) under a first wall neutron load (P) of 4.7 MW/m(2). The temporal variations of the atomic densities of the isotopes in the spent fuel composition and other physical parameters were calculated for a discrete time interval (Delta t) of 1/12 year (one month) by using the interface program (code). In all investigated spent fuel cases, the tritium self sufficiency is maintained for the DT fusion driver along the OP. The CANDU spent fuel becomes usable in a conventional CANDU reactor after a regeneration time of similar to 5.5 months. The CFFE value approaches 3.5% in the blanket fuelled with the PWR-UO2 and PWRMOX spent fuels after 41 and 35 months, respectively. The plutonium component can never reach a nuclear weapon grade quality during the spent fuel rejuvenation. Consequently, the modified PROMETHEUS-H fusion reactor has high neutronic performance for the rejuvenation of the spent fuels. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genel olarak bakıldığında, halkın yönetimi anlamına gelen demokrasinin tarih boyunca farklı toplumlar tarafından farklı uygulamalarla bugüne geldiği görülür. Toplumlar, demokrasiyi kendi sosyo-ekonomik, politik ve hukuksal yapılarına göre farklı bir biçimde yaĢamıĢlardır. Demokrasi, klasik Yunan döneminden bugüne değin, farklı bakıĢ açılarından irdelenmiĢ ve ancak 20yy’da itibar görmeye baĢlamıĢtır. Bugün, saygın bir yere sahip olan demokrasi, bir siyasal rejim olarak insan haklarının gerçekleĢtiği düzeni temsil etmektedir. Demokrasinin temel ilkeleri olan; özgürlük ve eĢitlik, siyasal temsil, siyasal katılım ve haklar demokrasinin hiçbir zaman prosedürlere ya da kurumlara indirgenemez olma özelliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Demokrasi realist demokrasi kuramlarında yer aldığı gibi, yani demokratik olarak kabul edilen mevcut yönetim biçimlerinin ortak özellikleri olan asgari usul Ģartlarına göre değerlendirildiği takdirde demokrasi kavramı yeterince anlaĢılmamıĢ olur. Çünkü sıradan bir demokrasi bu Ģartlardan çok daha fazla niteliklere sahiptir. 20yy’dan önce ortaya çıkan modern demokrasi kuramlarının öncülleri bugüne kadar tartıĢılan klasik demokrasi kuramlarıdır. GeliĢmiĢ demokrasi bakıĢ açısından incelendiğinde bu kuramların kendine özgü belli kısıtlamaları olduğu göze çarpmaktadır. Modern demokrasi kuramları bu eksikliği ortaya koymakla birlikte kuramlar karĢılaĢtırıldığında bunlarında zayıf ve güçlü yönleri ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bugün genel kabul gören ve gerek siyasi gerek akademik ve gerekse sosyal platformlarda sık sık tartıĢılan demokrasi kavramı yaygın bir Ģekilde sorun çözücü olarak bakılmaktadır. Diğer taraftan tüm yönleri ile alındığında sorun üretici yanı da gözlemlenebilmektedir., Democracy, which means the rule of the people, has evolved by means of different applications in different societies throughout history up to the present day. Societies have lived democracy variously according to their socioeconomic, political and judicial structures. Democracy has been evaluated differently from a variety of viewpoints since the time of the ancient Greeks and has gained respectability only in the twentieth century. Having achieved a supreme position as a way of governance today, democracy represents the political regime where human rights are fully recognized. The basic principles of democracy, which are liberty, equality, political representation and the recognition of rights, manifest the fact that democracy cannot be reduced to the mere existence of procedures or institutions. The concept of democracy cannot be grasped correctly if evaluation is made only by taking into account the elements that take place in realist democracy theories, i.e., by looking at the minimum procedural requirements that may be common qualities of some already existing administrative units designated as democratic. Even a moderately successful democracy should involve many other qualities than the existence of these procedural conditions. The pioneers of the modern democracy theories that emerged before the twentiety century are the classical democracy theories that have been discussed until the present day. When analyzed from the perspective of a more advanced democracy idea, it is easy to observe that these theories have some limitations specific to them. While the current democracy theories reveal the shortcomings of the previous ones, a comparative study reflects the failures and strengths of the said theories. The general assumption over the concept of democracy which enjoys wide acceptance and is often disputed at political, academic or social platforms today is t to solve problem. Whereas, if conceived with all its aspects, democracy can also be responsible for the creation of various problems.