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Objective: To evaluate the hearing and Eustachian tube functions (ETF) of hot air balloon (HAB) pilots, who are exposed to high altitude occupationally.Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional controlled study. Thirty HAB pilots and 30 healthy volunteers were included. Pure tone audiometry and speech discrimination scores (SDS) were used to assess the hearing function. Pure tone average (PTA) was calculated using the hearing thresholds (HT) at the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Tympanometry and automatic Williams test (ETF1) were conducted to assess the ETF of the participants. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (ETD) was defined as the change of tympanometric peak pressure (TPP) at rest (P1) less than in 10 decapascals (daPa) with Valsalva (P2) and Toynbee (P3) maneuvers. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) was also administrated.Results: Mean ages of the participants were 32.03±8.12 and 32.33±9.47 years in the HAB and control groups, respectively (p = 0.865). HTs, PTAs, SDSs, P1, P2, P2-P1 and P1-P3 values were similar in the groups (p > 0.05). P3 values ​​in both ears were significantly higher in the HAB group compared to the control group (p = 0.018, p = 0.002). Positive correlations were detected between the duration of the experience of HAB pilots and their HTs at 4 kHz and 8 kHz (p < 0.05) The prevalence of ETD in at least one ear was 83.7% and in both ears was 43.3% in the HAB group, both of which were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.049). The ETDQ-7 scores were also higher in the HAB group compared to the control group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Both the subjective and objective measures of ETF indicate that ETD is common among the HAB pilots. However, the hearing functions of those seem to be unaffected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MPV is significantly elevated in the patients with VN. • Elevated MPV indicates the possible role of the thrombosis in the etiology of VN. • NLR and PLR are significantly higher in patients with VN than healthy controls. • The elevation of the markers, NLR and PLR, supports the role of inflammation in VN. To evaluate the alterations in inflammatory markers, NLR and PLR, as well as mean platelet volume (MPV) and the other parameters of complete blood counts (CBC) in adult patients with vestibular neuritis (VN). Designed as a case control study. The records of the patients, who were hospitalized due to an acute onset vertigo, and diagnosed as VN, were analysed retrospectively. The complete blood count (CBC) measures of the patients were statistically compared with the measures of healthy subjects. The correlations between the length of hospitalization and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were also analysed. One hundred four patients with VN and 138 healthy controls were included. MPV, white blood cell and neutrophil counts, NLR and PLR were significantly higher; while lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the VN group (p < 0.001). There were no correlations between the length of hospitalization and NLR or PLR. The elevations of NLR and PLR support the role of inflammation in VN. The high level of MPV indicates the possible role of the vascular thrombosis in the etiology of VN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Global advocacy to mitigate climate change impacts on pristine environments, wildlife, ecology, and health has led scientists to design technologies that harness solar energy with remotely sensed, freely available data. This paper presents a study that designed a regionally adaptable and predictively efficient extreme learning machine (ELM) model to forecast long-term incident solar radiation (ISR) over Australia. The relevant satellite-based input data extracted from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (i.e., normalized vegetation index, land-surface temperature, cloud top pressure, cloud top temperature, cloud effective emissivity, cloud height, ozone and near infrared-clear water vapour), enriched by geo-temporal input variables (i.e., periodicity, latitude, longitude and elevation) are applied for a total of 41 study sites distributed approximately uniformly and paired with ground-based ISR (target). Of the 41 sites, 26 are incorporated in an ELM algorithm for the design of a universal model, and the remainder are used for model cross-validation. A universally-trained ELM (with training data as a global input matrix) is constructed, and the spatially-deployable model is applied at 15 test sites. The optimal ELM model is attained by trial and error to optimize the hidden layer activation functions for feature extraction and is benchmarked with competitive artificial intelligence algorithms: random forest (RF), M5 Tree, and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS). Statistical metrics show that the universally-trained ELM model has very good accuracy and outperforms RF, M5 Tree, and MARS models. With a distinct geographic signature, the ELM model registers a Legates & McCabe's Index of 0.555–0.896 vs. 0.411–0.858 (RF), 0.434–0.811 (M5 Tree), and 0.113–0.868 (MARS). The relative root-mean-square (RMS) error of ELM is low, ranging from approximately 3.715–7.191% vs. 4.907–10.784% (RF), 7.111–11.169% (M5 Tree) and 4.591–18.344% (MARS). Taylor diagrams that illustrate model preciseness in terms of RMS centred difference, error analysis, and boxplots of forecasted vs. observed ISR also confirmed the versatility of the ELM in generating forecasts over heterogeneous, remote spatial sites. This study ascertains that the proposed methodology has practical implications for regional energy modelling, particularly at national scales by utilizing remotely-sensed satellite data, and thus, may be useful for energy feasibility studies at future solar-powered sites. The approach is also important for renewable energy exploration in data-sparse or remote regions with no established measurement infrastructure but with a rich and viable satellite footprint. Highlights • Solar energy from Australia's 41 metro, remote, & regional sites modelled with ELM. • ELM enriched with geo-temporal input (periodicity, latitude, longitude, elevation). • ELM (Random Forest, M5 Tree, & MARS) accuracies follow distinct geographic signatures. • ELM can predict solar energy in data-sparse regions with viable satellite footprints. • ELM can greatly benefit sites with unestablished measurement infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the ability of grape stalk residue of wine production to remove Cd(II) from aqueous solution by adsorption has been investigated through batch experiments. The grape stalk was characterized in detail by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy, BET, particle size, and elemental analysis. The Cd(II) adsorption property of the grape stalk was evaluated as a function of pH, adsorbent dosage, particle size, initial Cd(II) concentration, and temperature. The adsorption kinetics was evaluated with the pseudo-first-order, second-order kinetics models, and intraparticle diffusion model. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption kinetics followed the second-order rate law. The adsorption of Cd(II) onto the grape stalk is fitted to the Langmuir isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 21.5 mg-Cd(II)/g. Thermodynamic parameters including the changes of enthalpy (ΔH), free energy (ΔG), and entropy (ΔS) were evaluated. The calculated thermodynamic parameters showed that adsorption of Cd(II) was spontaneous and exothermic under examined conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Land surface temperature (LST) calculation utilizing satellite thermal images is very difficult due to the great temporal variance of atmospheric water vapor in the atmosphere which strongly affects the thermal radiance incoming to satellite sensors. In this study, Split-Window (SW) and Radial Basis Function (RBF) methods were utilized for prediction of LST using precipitable water for Turkey. Coll 94 Split-Window algorithm was modified using regional precipitable water values estimated from upper-air Radiosond observations for the years 1990–2007 and Local Split-Window (LSW) algorithms were generated for the study area. Using local algorithms and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data, monthly mean daily sum LST values were calculated. In RBF method latitude, longitude, altitude, surface emissivity, sun shine duration and precipitable water values were used as input variables of the structure. Correlation coefficients between estimated and measured LST values were obtained as 99.23% (for RBF) and 94.48% (for LSW) at 00:00 UTC and 92.77% (for RBF) and 89.98% (for LSW) at 12:00 UTC. These meaningful statistical results suggest that RBF and LSW methods could be used for LST calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, low cost activated carbon was prepared from the grape stalk by chemical activation with ZnCl2 in CO2 atmosphere and its characteristics were determined. Experiments were carried out at different carbonization temperature and time, impregnation time and impregnation ratio, which had significant effect on the pore structure and surface area of carbon. The prepared activated carbon was characterized by proximate-ultimate analysis, BET surface area, iodine number, surface functional group analysis by Boehm's titration and FT-IR analysis, pHzpc, SEM-EDX and particle size distribution. Results showed that the carbonization temperature and impregnation ratio have significant effect on the surface area and pore structure of the prepared activated carbon. The optimum conditions for preparing the activated carbon having the highest surface area were found to be a carbonization temperature of 700°C, carbonization time of 120min, impregnation time of 36h and ZnCl2/grape stalk ratio of 2. The results showed that the BET surface area, total pore volume, iodine number, pHzpc and the yield of activated carbon prepared under the optimum conditions were 1411m2/g, 0.723cm3/g, 1760mg/g, 2.84 and 26.48%, respectively, and the activated carbon has acidic surface functional groups and highly porous surface with cracks, channels and large holes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the estimation capacities of MLR and ANN are investigated to estimate monthly-average daily SR over Turkey. The satellite data are used for 73 different locations over Turkey. Land surface temperature, altitude, latitude, longitude and month are offered as the input variables for modeling ANN and MLR to get SR. Estimations of SR are evaluated with the meteorological values by using the statistical bases. The obtained results indicated that the ANN model could achieve a satisfactory performance when compared to the MLR model. Moreover, it is understood that more accurate results in estimation of SR are obtained in the use of satellite data, rather than the use of meteorological station data. Finally, the built ANN model is used to estimate the yearly average of daily SR over Turkey. As a result, satellite-based SR map for Turkey is generated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this research was to forecast monthly mean air temperature based on remote sensing and artificial neural network (ANN) data by using twenty cities over Turkey. ANN contained an input layer, hidden layer and an output layer. While city, month, altitude, latitude, longitude, monthly mean land surface temperatures were chosen as inputs, and monthly mean air temperature was chosen as output for network. Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) learning algorithms and tansig, logsig and linear transfer functions were used in the network. The data of Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) and Technological Research Council of Turkey–Bilten for the period from 1995 to 2004 were chosen as training when the data of 2005year were being used as test. Result of research was evaluated according to statistical rules. The best linear correlation coefficient (R), and root mean squared error (RMSE) between the estimated and measured values for monthly mean air temperature with ANN and remote sensing method were found to be 0.991–1.254K, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Angiogenesis is the formation process of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels. Solid tumors need angiogenesis for growth and metastasis. The suppression of tumor growth by inhibition of neoangiogenic processes represents a potential approach to cancer treatment. Lycopene has powerful antioxidant capacities and anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene on angiogenesis in vitro. For this reason, we measured in vitro angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells including parameters of cell proliferation, tube formation, cell migration. Lycopene and apigenin were observed to block the endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, they significantly decreased the capillary-like tube lengths, tube formation and endothelial cell migration. This study provides indications that apigenin and lycopene, which are considered as chemopreventive agents, to be effective in vitro on endothelial cells and angiogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sympatric lizard species present convenient models for studying differentiation in thermal behavior and the role of morphological differences in their thermal biology. Here we studied the thermal biology of two sympatric lizard species which occur sympatrically in the Phrygian Valley of Western Anatolia. These two species differ in body size, with Lacerta diplochondrodes being larger than Parvilacerta parva. The surface body temperatures of the individuals belonging to both species were recorded when active in the field. Additionally, several environmental parameters including solar radiation, substrate temperature, air temperature and wind speed were monitored to investigate the relative effects of these abiotic parameters on the thermal biology of the two species. The surface body temperature and temperature excess (difference between body and substrate temperature) of the two species, while being relatively close to each other, showed seasonal differences. Solar radiation, substrate temperature and air temperature were the main factors influencing their thermal biology. Additionally, although body size did not have a direct effect on body temperature or temperature excess, the interaction between body size and solar radiation on temperature excess was significant. In conclusion, our study partially supports the conservation of body temperature of related lizard species. • Investigated the thermal biology of two lacertid species differing in body size from L. diplochondrodes and P. parva. • In addition to biological parameters several abiotic parameters were investigated in relation to body temperature. • Body temperature showed similar patterns between two species. • Significant abiotic parameters were solar radiation, substrate temperature and air temperature. • The interaction between body size and solar radiation had a significant effect on thermal biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the present study, K X-ray emission spectra of Cu , Ni , Co spinel ferrite (MFe 2 O 4) alloys obtained with a HPGe detector by inducing 59.54 keV and 22.1 keV γ-rays emitted from 3 Ci 241Am annular source and 40 mCi 109Cd point source. The data obtained were evaluated in terms of the K β / K α X-ray intensity ratios, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) values, asymmetry index (A s), peak energies and chemical shifts (Δ E) depending on the alloying effect. In addition, calculated K β / K α intensity ratios, which is used to determine the electron number changes in the orbitals for Cu, Ni, Co, Fe elements in the alloys, were compared with the results of Multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) calculations. It has been observed that chemical shifts in the spectra have been occurred upon alloying due to crystal structure, valence electron structure, bond type and length. It has been also concluded that the X-ray intensity ratios and the 3d electron densities of the pure ferrite have influenced by the alloying transition elements. It has been observed that the charge transfer mechanism predominates mainly due to the different electronegativity of the elements in the alloys. Highlights • K-X ray emission spectra of Cu, Ni, Co and Fe in spinel ferrite alloys were obtained. • Peak energies, asymmetry factors, FWHM and chemical shifts of the K X- ray lines were determined. • Alloying effect on K β / K α X-ray intensity ratios and valance electronic structures of Cu , Ni , Co spinel ferrite (MFe 2 O 4) alloys have been estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the X-ray mass attenuation coefficients of hydrothermally synthesized barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) samples were calculated with the purpose of determining the crystallization sequence of BaTiO 3 . Hydrothermally synthesized samples prepared at 100 °C and 200 °C, and reacted for varying reaction times between 15 min up to 120 h were studied. Attenuation coefficient measurements were done with a coaxial HPGe gamma detector (Ortec, GEM55P4-95) with a working range in the X-ray energy region. The samples were made into pellets and were exposed to 241 Am radioisotopes at an energy of 59.54 keV for 300 s. Additionally, FT-Raman and XRD measurements were done to support the X-ray mass attenuation measurements. It was found that secondary barium titanate (BT) phases (BaTi 2 O 5 and Ba 2 TiO 4 ) were formed from the precursor material at the early stages of the hydrothermal reaction and that phase pure BaTiO 3 was formed at longer reaction times. The sequence of barium titanate crystallization was determined as follows: BaTi 2 O 5 ; BaTi 2 O 5 and BaTiO 3 ; BaTi 2 O 5 , Ba 2 TiO 4 and BaTiO 3 : and phase pure BaTiO 3 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internet contributes to the development of science and facilitates scientific demeanors while it also serves as a ground for academic misdemeanors. Recent studies indicate that Internet facilitates and spreads academic dishonesty. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the extent of involvement of Turkish university students in academic dishonesty practices facilitated through Internet (i.e. e-dishonesty) and to question the conditions which lead to e-dishonesty. Three hundred and forty nine education faculty students from the most populated state university in Turkey were administered two Likert-Scale questionnaires developed by the researchers. After the reliability and validity conditions were met, two exploratory factor analyses were conducted. The first one revealed the factors constituting common types of e-dishonesty among undergraduate students which were fraudulence, plagiarism, falsification, delinquency, and unauthorized help. The second factor analysis exhibited individual and contextual factors triggering e-dishonesty which were named as individual factors, institutional policies and peer pressure. Results of both analyses are discussed and suggestions for further research are provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]