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Nowadays renewable energy sources play an important role in partially meeting the global energy demand and protecting the environment. Wind energy technology among the renewable sources is developi...

Solar power production (SPP) using photovoltaics is one of the most effective ways of solar energy utilization. Prediction of SPP is of great importance due to mitigating the effect of random fluct...

Background: Lack of stability during stance negatively impacts gait and motor function for children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Improving stability and balance are the focus for gait rehabilitation). The One-Leg-Standing-Test may give valuable information about motor function and stability of stance for patients with unilateral cerebral palsy. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the One-Leg-Standing-Test and the gross-motor-function-measurement and single-limb support time. Methods: The study included 18 patients with unilateral cerebral palsy (age 11.08 [SD 2.84] years old). The One-Leg-Standing-Test and pedobarographic evaluation were performed. Sections D and E of the gross-motor-function-measurement were assessed, and in pedobarographic evaluation, the single-limb support time (the total duration of mid-stance and terminal-stance during walking) was calculated to describe stability during stance. Results: For patients, the One-Leg-Standing-Test scores and single-limb support time values were lower on the affected side than on the unaffected side. The One-Leg-Standing-Test was correlated with single-limb support time (p = .02, r = 0.60) and section E (p < .01, r = 0.59) values. The One-Leg-Standing-Test was also correlated to total stance phase and section D. Conclusion: The One-Leg-Standing-Test gives valuable information about gross-motor-function but cannot be substituted for motor function tests. The single-limb support time value may be used to describe stability in stance during walking.

The main purpose of the study was to obtain the design parameters of optimum wind turbine linear shrouding bodies to enhance wind turbine performance further. The blade element momentum theory and ...

Renewable energy sources are developing rapidly worldwide because they are unlimited and permanent, available in every country and also eliminate foreign dependency. In this respect, accurate renew...

The special issue: Migration Trajectories and Transnational Support Within and Beyond Europe brings together a set of papers with fresh empirical analysis from diverse settings documenting the experiences of migrants residing within and beyond the boundaries of Europe. This introductory article has the objective of laying the groundwork for a better understanding of how migration trajectories are shaped and continued in the contexts of transnational (social) networks and migration control. Firstly, we argue that migration journeys are not necessarily linear and unidirectional movements from origin to destination countries, nor are they clearly demarcated events in time and space. On the contrary, we highlight the dynamic and changing nature of migration trajectories. Secondly, we examine different types of relevant actors who provide support for migrants during their journeys. We focus on transnational social networks and transnationally operating institutions and human smugglers, which influence and facilitate or disrupt migration trajectories. Subsequently, based on the premise that migrants’ social networks, expectations, motivations and needs change throughout the migration process, we discuss the ways in which transnational support in a context of migration control relates to the lives of migrants on the move.

This study aimed to assess the thermodynamic performance of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit for power generation operated by the industrial waste heat of exhaust gas of a steam power plant. For...

The performance analysis of a multigeneration (MG) energy system integrated into a conventional coal-fired power plant was evaluated and discussed according to the data measured in the existing steam power plant. The multigeneration energy system in the present work consists of four subsystems, namely Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Vapor Compression Refrigeration (VCR) System, Thermal Vapor Compression Desalination Plant (TVCDP) and Greenhouse Heating (GH) System. The thermodynamic analysis was performed through energy and exergy analyses associated with the efficiencies of the subsystem as well as the multigeneration plant. In addition, environmental impact analysis was carried out to calculate CO2 emission of the overall system to evaluate the effect of emissions caused by the energy systems. The results revealed that when the conventional steam power plant became multigeneration, the exergy efficiency increased from 39.1% to 39.84% and energy efficiency increased from 41.5% to 42.29%. Four subsystems were integrated into the existing steam power plant to reduce CO2 emissions from 230 kg/MWh to 225 kg/MWh. © 2019, © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Firat University Scientific Research Projects Management Unit: FDK-2016-7207 The researchers are grateful for contributions of the organization of Scientific Research Projects of Cukurova University this project under contract no: FDK-2016-7207.

Customers’ waiting time is one of the most important determinants of service quality perceptions and their overall satisfaction with a particular service. This study aims to investigate the influen...

Explanatory patterns regarding situational differences in reading comprehension performance may be best captured by multidimensional reader profiles. Data from 56 third- and fifth-grade stu...

The operation of modern horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) includes a number of important factors, such as wind power (P), power coefficient (CP), axial flow induction factor (a), rotational speed (?), tip speed ratio (?), and thrust force (T). The aerodynamic qualities of these aspects are evaluated and discussed in this study. For this aim, the measured data are obtained from the Sebenoba Wind Energy Power Plant (WEPP) that is located in the Sebenoba region in Hatay, Turkey, and a wind turbine with a capacity of 2 MW is selected for evaluation. According to the results obtained, the maximum turbine power output, maximum power coefficient, maximum axial flow induction factor, maximum thrust force, optimum rotational speed, probability density of optimum rotational speed, and optimum tip speed ratio are found to be 2 MW, 30%, 0.091, 140 kN, 16.11 rpm, 46.76%, and 7, respectively. This study has revealed that wind turbines must work under optimum conditions in order to extract as much energy as possible for approaching the ideal limit. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

The current study addresses the effects of topdressing composted chicken manure on established turf and comparing the composted chicken manure to a chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Turf color, quality and clipping yields were correlated with N sources and application timing. Monthly fertilization resulted in a more uniform color and turf quality and less clipping yields than did comparable amounts of all N sources applied each as a single application in spring and spring and fall (S + F). The monthly and/or S + F topdressing of chicken manure composts increased the color and quality ratings of the turf mixture during the growing season but did not greatly affect the clipping production.

Caglar, Emine/0000-0001-6771-8955; Asci, Hulya/0000-0002-6650-6931; Bilgili, Naile/0000-0002-7639-0303 WOS: 000405915000001 PubMed: 27885895 The study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Very Short form of the Physical Self-Inventory (PSI-VS) among a sample of 635 Turkish adolescents. These adolescents have completed the 12 original items of the PSI-VS, plus a positively worded reformulation of the single reverse-keyed item of the physical attractiveness subscale. A series of confirmatory factor analyses was used to examine the psychometric properties of the original and modified versions of the PSI-VS. Findings revealed superior psychometric properties with the modified version than with the original set of items. The modified version was thus subsequently used to examine its factor structure invariance across sexes, age groups and sport practice involvement. Results not only report that this version was fully invariant across, but also that latent means were significantly different across sexes and sport practice involvement. In sum, the Turkish modified version of the PSI-VS presents acceptable psychometric properties and may be used to repeatedly and/or intensively assess participants' physical self-perceptions in the context of sport and exercise interventions.

This study aims to determine the wind characteristics and wind power potential of the Gelibolu peninsula in the Çanakkale region of Turkey. For this purpose, hourly average wind data observed at the Gelibolu meteorological station were used. The Weibull probability density functions and Weibull parameters of time-series of wind speed, mean wind speed, and mean wind power potential were determined for different heights as 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 m. According to the results obtained at 10- and 50-m heights above the ground level, the annual wind speed varied from 6.85 to 8.58 m/s in this region, respectively. The annual wind power potential of the site was determined as 407 and 800 W/m2 for 10- and 50-m heights, respectively. These results indicate that the investigated site has a reasonable wind power potential for generating electricity. © 2016 Taylor & Francis.

This paper explores migrants’ intentions to return to their origin country on either a permanent or temporary basis. The issue of return has played a key role in the debate on migration and development, but the role of temporary return in this process has seldom been addressed. We expand on the notion of return as an event or process that can be either permanent or temporary in nature, with both forms of return contributing to development processes. Using survey data from Afghan, Burundian, Ethiopian and Moroccan migrants in The Netherlands (N = 2745), we study how migrants’ experiences in countries of origin and destination are linked to their return intentions. We show that there are significantly more people interested in temporary than permanent return. Plus, while economic integration has no clear link with return intentions, individuals with lower socio-cultural integration are more likely to intend to return permanently. Moreover, social engagement in the homeland consistently positively relates to...

This study analyses the impact of religiosity on tolerance in Turkey, where social divisions are deep, and where religiosity is one significant source of such divisions. In going beyond survey research studies which limit the discussion to individuals' levels of tolerance, this analysis aims to provide a deeper understanding of tolerance through qualitative interviews that make use of a series of vignettes. In such interviews, the respondents are consulted about their attitude towards various out-groups, with the design of the vignettes illuminating the sensitivity of such attitudes to variation in the forms of relationships described. Besides the majority/minority division, the polarizing impact of the religious/secular divide is also investigated. The findings suggest that intolerance is a common problem within Turkish society amongst both religious and secular communities, and that religious and secular respondents exhibit different preferences amongst the out-groups. Moreover, this study reveals that attitudes towards out-groups are sensitive to the form of relationships depicted.

Ensuring the physical stability of drug nanosuspensions prepared via wet media milling has been a challenge for pharmaceutical scientists. The aim of this study is to assess the combined use of non-ionic cellulosic polymers and anionic surfactants in stabilizing multiple drug nanosuspensions. Particle size of five drugs, i.e. azodicarbonamide (AZD), fenofibrate (FNB), griseofulvin (GF), ibuprofen (IBU) and phenylbutazone (PB) was reduced separately in an aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) with/without sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) via a stirred media mill. Laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, rheometry and electrophoresis were used to evaluate the breakage kinetics, storage stability, electrostatic repulsion and stabilizer adsorption. Without SDS, drug particles exhibited aggregation to different extents; FNB and GF particles aggregated the most due to low zeta potential and insufficient steric stabilization. Although aggregation in all milled suspensions was reduced due to HPC-SDS combination, FNB and IBU showed notable growth during 7-day storage. It is concluded that the combination of non-ionic cellulosic polymers and anionic surfactants is generally viable for ensuring the physical stability of wet-milled drug nanosuspensions, provided that the surfactant concentration is optimized to mitigate the Ostwald ripening, whereas cellulosic polymers alone may provide stability for some drug suspensions.

Bioavailability of a poorly soluble drug can be improved by preparing a drug nanosuspension and subsequently drying it into nanocomposite microparticles (NCMPs). Unfortunately, drug nanoparticles aggregate during milling and drying, causing incomplete recovery and slow dissolution. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of various classes of dispersants on drug dissolution from drug NCMPs, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs via high drug nanoparticle loaded, surfactant-free NCMPs. Precursor suspensions of griseofulvin (GF, model drug) nanoparticles in the presence of various dispersants were prepared via wet stirred media milling and spray dried to form the NCMPs. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC, polymer) alone and with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, surfactant) was used as a base-line stabilizer/dispersant during milling. Two swellable crosslinked polymers, croscarmellose sodium (CCS) and sodium starch glycolate (SSG), and a conventional soluble matrix former, Mannitol, were used in addition to HPC. Besides being used as-received, CCS was also wet co-milled with GF for two different durations to examine the impact of CCS particle size. Laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV spectroscopy, NCMP redispersion and dissolution tests were used for characterization. The results show that incorporation of CCS/SSG, preferably wet-milled to a wide particle size distribution, into the spray-dried NCMPs resulted in fast release and dispersion of drug nanoparticle clusters. The swellable dispersants were superior to Mannitol in dissolution enhancement, and could achieve fast release comparable to SDS, demonstrating the feasibility of spray drying to prepare high drug-loaded, surfactant-free nanocomposites.

Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory skin disease. Few studies in the literature evaluate the responses to the treatment histopathologically.In this study, we evaluated and compared skin biopsies taken from patients with psoriasis before and after phototherapy and therapy with acitretin and methotrexate.We included 64 patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris in our study. We performed phototherapy on 33 patients (51.6%), while 19 patients (29.7%) were treated with methotrexate and 12 patients (18.8%) were treated with acitretin.All of the patients had chronic plaque psoriasis, and they had skin lesions on more than 10% of their total body surface area and a score of PASI of 7.2-21.8 (average: 12.2). The histopathological parameter scores were similar in the initial evaluations of the pre-treatment treatment groups. When the biopsy specimens of all cases were evaluated together, a significant decrease was observed in terms of parakeratosis, Munro's microabscesses, regular acanthosis, pustules of Kogoj, lymphocyte infiltration in the papillary dermis, loss of the granular layer, spongiosis, suprapapillary thinning, vascularity in the papillary dermis and neutrophile infiltration in the papillary dermis.We found in our study that conventional treatment modalities provided histopathologically significant recovery in psoriasis, but they did not have an effect on some histopathological findings. To our knowledge, it is one of the few studies to assess these parameters in psoriasis under the continuous effect of acitretin, methotrexate and phototherapy for three months. There is a need for studies with larger series to examine the histopathological effects of these treatment modalities in terms of immunopathology.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different intra-row spacings and nitrogen levels on forage, dry matter, seed yield and some other yield components of sweet sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Five intra-row spacings ( 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm) and five N fertilization rates ( 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha(-1)) were tested under irrigated conditions in Bursa, Turkey in 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. Yields decreased with increasing intra-row spacing, and increased up to 100 kg N ha-(1). Five- or 10 cm intra-row spacings and 100 kg N ha(-1) fertilization gave more than 80 tonnes ( t) ha(-1) forage or 30 t ha(-1) dry matter yield based on pooled data of both years. The two-year average seed yield ranged from 3.15 to 4.53 t ha(-1), with the highest yield being obtained from the combination of 10 - 20 cm intra-row spacing and 150 kg N ha(-1). Five- or 10-cm intra-row spacings, and 100 or 150 kg ha(-1) N fertilization regimes are suggested to maximize forage, dry matter and seed yield in sweet sorghum under similar soil and climatic conditions.

The European Union (EU) aims at increasing the competitiveness in EU markets via single prices for each commodity and service. Energy products are the basic necessary commodities for both production and consumption. This article examines light fuel oil and automotive diesel prices in some EU countries, among other energy prices, to reveal if traditional EU oil and diesel prices move towards an equilibrium single price. Employing panel data sets for industry oil price, household oil price, industry diesel price and household diesel price, this study reveals convergence in prices for panels through Lagrange Multiplier unit root tests with structural breaks. On the other hand, it also observed non-convergence for some individual EU members from the related panels. The speed of adjustment is another important issue together with convergence by itself. To this end, this work observes the half-lives of deviations of prices from their equilibrium levels as well and concludes that oil prices converge faster than diesel prices do.

Nanocomposite microparticles (NCMPs) incorporating drug nanoparticles and wet-milled swellable dispersant particles were investigated as a surfactant-free drug delivery vehicle with the goal of enhancing the nanoparticle recovery and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs. Superdisintegrants were used as inexpensive, model, swellable dispersant particles by incorporating them into NCMP structure with or without wet-stirred media milling along with the drug. Suspensions of griseofulvin (GF, model drug) along with various dispersants produced by wet-milling were coated onto Pharmatose® to prepare NCMPs in a fluidized bed process. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC, polymer) alone and with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, surfactant) was used as base-line stabilizer/dispersant during milling. Croscarmellose sodium (CCS, superdisintegrant) and Mannitol were used as additional dispersants to prepare surfactant-free NCMPs. Nanoparticle recovery during redispersion and dissolution of the various GF-laden NCMPs were examined. Suspensions prepared by co-milling GF/HPC/CCS or milling GF/HPC/SDS were stable after 30 h of storage. After drying, due to its extensive swelling capacity, incorporation of wet-milled CCS in the NCMPs caused effective breakage of the NCMP structure and bursting of nanoparticle clusters, ultimately leading to fast recovery of the GF nanoparticles. Optimized wet co-milling and incorporation of CCS in NCMP structure led to superior dispersant performance over incorporation of unmilled CCS or physically mixed unmilled CCS with NCMPs. The enhanced redispersion correlated well with the fast GF dissolution from the NCMPs containing either CCS particles or SDS. Overall, swellable dispersant (CCS) particles, preferably in multimodal size distribution, enable a surfactant-free formulation for fast recovery/dissolution of the GF nanoparticles.

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare extra nodal subtype (usually of B-cell origin) presenting with infiltration of large neoplastic lymphocytes into lumina of blood vessels, leading to vascular occlusion. The early diagnosis is very crucial, however it is usually diagnosed postmortem investigation in most of the cases. A 56-year-old female presented with elevated creatinine level, and anasarca-type edema that superimposed with hard, indurated, erythematous plaques extending to inguinal region, abdomen, anterior aspect of chest, and face. B-cell IVL was confirmed with skin biopsy. The patient had some degree of clinical improvement following chemotherapy. B-cell IVL presenting with anasarca edema was not previously reported in the literature. Even if its rarity, IVL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure with anasarca edema.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of three therapies in the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo: a combination of topical calcipotriol, narrowband-ultraviolet B (NB-UVB), and betamethasone therapies; a combination of NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol; and NB-UVB alone. Material and methods: Forty-five patients with non-segmental vitiligo presenting to our Dermatology clinic were recruited to participate in the study. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. For each patient the size of the depigmented areas was assessed according to the rule of nines. The first group was treated with a combination of topical calcipotriol, NB-UVB, and betamethasone therapies. The second group was treated with a combination of NB-UVB and topical calcipotriol and third group was treated with NB-UVB alone. Since the patients' vitiligo lesions had similar phototypes, all patients were started with 0.1 j/cm(2), regardless of their skin phototype. The dose of NB-UVB was increased 10% in each session and no further increment was done after reaching 2.5 j/cm(2). Treatment effectiveness was evaluated according to the percentage improvement in repigmentation. The quality of life of the patients was measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: The patients were aged from 13 to 55 years (mean: 25.29). The duration of disease ranged from 3 months to 20 years. Family history was positive for vitiligo in 10 patients (22.2%). The percentage of recovery after treatment was 63.33% +/- 7.55 in group 1, 60.67% +/- 5.75 in group 2, and 46.67% +/- 7.98 in group 3. There was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2, and groups 2 and 3, but there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.0048). Conclusions: In conclusion, NB-UVB-alone therapy and the combined therapies are effective treatment options in the treatment of vitiligo. Future studies with larger groups are warranted to confirm our results.

Nanoparticles of BCS Class II drugs are produced in wet stirred media mills operating in batch or recirculation mode with the goal of resolving the poor water-solubility issue. Scant information is available regarding the continuous production of drug nanoparticles via wet media milling. Griseofulvin and Naproxen were milled in both recirculation mode and multi-pass continuous mode to study the breakage dynamics and to determine the effects of suspension flow rate. The evolution of the median particle size was measured and described by an empirical breakage model. We found that these two operation modes could produce drug nanosuspensions with similar particle size distributions (PSDs). A reduced suspension flow rate slowed the breakage rate and led to a wider PSD and more differentiation between the two operation modes. The latter part of this study focused on the roles of stabilizers (hydroxypropyl cellulose and sodium lauryl sulfate) and elucidation of the so-called Rehbinder effect (reduction in particle strength due to adsorbed stabilizers such as polymers and surfactants). Milling the drugs in the absence of the stabilizers produced primary nanoparticles and their aggregates, while milling with the stabilizers produced smaller primary nanoparticles with minimal aggregation. Using laser diffraction, BET nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy imaging, and a microhydrodynamic analysis of milling, this study, for the first time, provides sufficient evidence for the existence of the Rehbinder effect during the milling of drugs. Not only do the polymers and surfactants allow proper stabilization of the nanoparticles in the suspensions, but they also do facilitate drug particle breakage.