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We present new radial velocities and photometric observations of three double-lined eclipsing binaries LL Aqr, MP Del and NSV 20913. This paper is the third in the planned series of investigations. Standard wide-band indices for the systems and comparison stars were determined accurately. Using the times of mid-eclipses, new ephemerides are calculated for the three systems. These systems consist of two well-detached components in eccentric orbits. The effective temperatures of the hotter components and reddening of the systems have been estimated from Johnson wide-band UBV photometric calibrations. New UBV photometric data and radial velocities were analysed simultaneously for the systems' parameters using Wilson–Devinney (WD) code. The masses have been found to be and for the primary and secondary stars of LL Aqr, MP Del and NSV20913, respectively. The radii of the components are derived in the case of LL Aqr: ; in those of MP Del: ; and NSV20913: . The masses, radii and effective temperatures of the component stars have been determined with an accuracy of 5–8, 2–3 and 1–3 per cent, respectively. We have calculated the distances to the systems of LL Aqr, MP Del and NSV 20913 as and , respectively, using bolometric magnitudes and empirical bolometric corrections for the component stars. The stellar model prediction match the measured properties of LL Aqr for an age of about 1.78 Gyr, indicating the components near the half of their core-hydrogen-burning lifetimes. However, the components of MP Del have an age of 1.59 Gyr, the primary component being turn off from the main sequence. The age of the NSV20913's components is about 1 Gyr, indicating the primary component seems to have evolved just slightly off the main sequence but the less massive secondary component is still close to the zero-age main sequence. A subsolar fractional metal abundance, , provides a better match to the absolute parameters of all three systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the second in the planned series of investigations. We present new radial velocities and photometric observations of V2080 Cyg and V2365 Oph. New UBV photometric data and radial velocities were analysed for the systems' parameters. While V2080 Cyg consists of two nearly equal F-type main-sequence stars, V2365 Oph has two different components, namely an early A-type primary and a G-type secondary star. New ephemerides are calculated for both systems. The masses of the component stars have been derived as and for V2080 Cyg and and for V2365 Oph. The effective temperatures and reddening of the systems have been estimated from Johnson wide-band UBV photometric calibrations. The radii have been measured by simultaneous fitting the UBV light curves using Wilson–Devinney code and are for both components of V2080 Cyg and and for V2365 Oph. The absolute parameters of the stars in both systems lie within the same ranges in the mass–radius, mass–effective temperature, mass–luminosity and luminosity–effective temperature planes as in detached Algol systems. A comparison between the properties of the systems of interest and the predictions of theoretical evolutionary models is undertaken in the and radius–log age diagrams. The model predictions match the measured properties of V2080 Cyg for an age of about 5.6 Gyr and a ‘solar’ metal abundance , indicating the components near the end of their core hydrogen-burning phases. However, the position of the components of V2365 Oph on the Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram is best reproduced with evolutionary models for somewhat metal-deficient stars. We found an age of about 700 Myr, with the primary component slightly evolved off the zero-age main-sequence and the secondary one still very close to it. From the basic stellar parameters we have also redetermined the distances to V2080 Cyg and V2365 Oph as and , which are in agreement with, and more accurate than, Hipparcos values. The observations show that at least one of the components of V2365 Oph is an intrinsic variable with a period and peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.07 d and 0.05 mag, respectively. In accordance with its position in the HR diagram, the primary component should be considered as a δ Scuti star and it is believed to be the variable star in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first radial velocities and ground-based photometric observations of V1665 Aql and AG Ari. These double-lined eclipsing binaries have eccentric orbits with eccentricities of 0.24 and 0.09, respectively. New UBV photometric data and radial velocities were analysed using a modified version of the Wilson–Devinney program for the parameters of the systems. Good phase coverage and relatively small scatter both in the light and in the radial-velocity curves meant that the eccentricity and the argument of periastron as well as orbital and stellar parameters could be determined. Our solutions indicate that AG Ari includes a third light with a considerable amount of 5.6 per cent in U, 6.4 per cent in B, and 9 per cent in V. By comparing its light contribution with the total light we classified it as an F-type star. The components in each system are of very nearly equal mass, temperature, and luminosity. Their absolute parameters were compared with those of stars belonging to well-studied detached eclipsing binaries. The components lie well inside the main-sequence band. In addition, the apsidal motion rates of the system have been determined from an analysis of all the photometric observations obtained by space missions and by us. We determined the preliminary apsidal motion periods of the systems to be 449 ± 34 yr for V1665 Aql and 155 ± 6 yr for AG Ari. Because well-detached eclipsing binaries are optimal distance indicators, we estimated the distances to V1665 Aql and AG Ari to be 477 ± 40 and 292 ± 18 pc from the determined absolute visual magnitudes and interstellar extinction. A comparison with evolutionary tracks indicates that the primary component of V1665 Aql has an age of about 1.6 × 108 yr and is near the main-sequence terminal age. The components of AG Ari are intermediate-mass main-sequence stars with an age of about 5.6 × 108 yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astrobiology is a multidisciplinary field related to the sciences of Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology and Geology. An optional Astrobiology course has been taught in the Astronomy department of Ege University (Turkey) since 2013. The main objectives of this introductory course are to introduce and familiarize the astronomy students to the fundamentals of astrobiology. In this study, 4-year teaching experience of Astrobiology course has been examined. Course objectives, teaching methods, learning activities and evaluation methods were discussed. To evaluate the students’ learning experiences and knowledge gains anonymous surveys and knowledge assessments were used. Furthermore, additional surveys were made to understand the interests and tendencies of the students in chosing this optional course.

The goal of this study was to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters for pre- and post-weaning growth traits in Dağlıç sheep, considering the direct additive genetic, maternal genetic, and maternal permanent environmental effects, with different statistical models. The information of 21,735 native Dağlıç lambs born between 2011 and 2021 was used to estimate (co) variance components by the Average Information-Restricted Maximum Likelihood algorithm. The results showed that the most suitable model was Model 3 for birth weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and weaning weight (WW). Model 4 was the most appropriate for weight at three (W3), weight at six (W6), and weight at twelve months of age (W12). The direct heritabilities for BW, W3, ADG, WW, W6, and W12 were 0.35 ± 0.02, 0.36 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.02, 0.22 ± 0.02, 0.47 ± 0.05, and 0.47 ± 0.05, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations amongst the traits were in the range of 0.103 ± 0.008 to 0.995 ± 0.002. These results can be used for the improvement of growth traits in the Dağlıç breed of sheep through selection.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth, body and ultrasonic measurements and some carcass traits of purebred Ramlıç, Texel and crossbred (87.5 % Ramlıç and 12.5 % Texel) lambs in a marker-assisted introgression (MAI) project. The effects of some environmental factors such as genotype, sex, birth type, dam age, weaning age, and birth weight on growth, ultrasound measurements, and carcass traits were significant ( P < 0.05 ). There were no significant differences between pure Ramlıç and its myostatin carrier ( + / - ) and non-carrier ( - / - ) second backcrosses (BC 2 ) for birth weight, daily live weight gain, and weaning weight. The BC 2 genotype ( + / - ) was statistically caught up with pure Ramlıç for wither height, body length, and rump width. Differences in the longissimus muscle depth indicated that the BC 2 ( + / - ) genotypes tended to be better for both pure Ramlıç and Texel lambs. Texel lambs were superior to Ramlıç in the aspect of some carcass characteristics such as leg length, cold right-half carcass weight, foreleg weight in the left-half carcass, and muscle weight in the left leg. BC 2 ( + / - ) lambs were in the middle of both breeds for the traits. BC 2 lambs carrying myostatin did not vary from Ramlıç morphologically. The new type of Ramlıç was also closer to Texel in the aspect of carcass characteristics. In this connection, improvement of indigenous breeds could be achieved by MAI without changing the essential characteristics. For the summary, please visit http://www.mustafatekerli.com (last access: 14 June 2022)., Competing Interests: The contact author has declared that neither they nor their co-authors have any competing interests., (Copyright: © 2022 Mustafa Tekerli et al.)

This study was carried out to determine the presence of polymorphisms in genes affecting litter size. The SNPs in bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B ( BMPR1B ), bone morphogenetic protein 15 ( BMP15 ), and growth differentiation factor 9 ( GDF9 ) genes were detected in 60 uniparous and 60 multiparous ewes from Ramlıç and Dağlıç breeds. The ewes are maintained in nine public herds at the breeding station of the Afyonkarahisar Sheep and Goats Breeders' Association and lambed in two consecutive breeding seasons. PCR and DNA sequencing analyses were conducted, and 36, 4, and 11 SNPs in Ramlıç and 40, 3, and 11 SNPs in Dağlıç were detected in BMPR1B , BMP15 , and GDF9 genes, respectively. A total of 16 SNPs in Ramlıç and 10 SNPs in Dağlıç breeds for three genes were found to be significant ( P < 0.05 ). The resulting analyses showed that four SNPs (g.49496G>A, c.1658A>C, c.2037C>T, c.2053C>T) of the BMPR1B gene and one deletion mutation (c.28&#95;30delCTT) in the BMP15 gene of the Ramlıç breed as well as five SNPs (c.1487C>A, c.2492C>T, c.2523G>A, c.2880A>G, and c.2763G>A) of the BMPR1B gene of the Dağlıç breed have significant positive regression coefficients in the desired direction of the rare allele. The observed mutations have potential to be used as genetic markers in the selection of prolific animals for both breeds., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Koray Çelikeloğlu et al.)

In this study, PM 10 concentrations and elemental (Al, Fe, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Pb, and Bi) contents of particles were determined in Düzce, Turkey. The particulate matter samplings were carried out in the winter and summer seasons simultaneously in both urban and sub-urban sampling sites. The average PM 10 concentration measured in the winter season was 86.4 and 27.3 μg/m 3 , respectively, in the urban and sub-urban sampling sites, while it was measured as 53.2 and 34.7 μg/m 3 in the summer season. According to the results, it was observed that the PM 10 levels and the element concentrations reached higher levels, especially at the urban sampling site, in the winter season. The positive matrix factorization model (PMF) was applied to the data set for source apportionment. Analysis with the PMF model revealed six factors for both the urban (coal combustion, traffic, oil combustion, industry, biomass combustion, and soil) and sub-urban (industry, oil combustion, traffic, road dust, soil resuspension, domestic heating) sampling sites. Loadings of grouped elements on these factors showed that the major sources of the elements in the atmosphere of Düzce were traffic, fossil fuel combustion, and metal industry-related emissions.

The amounts of elements emitted from industrial, domestic, and vehicle sources in Düzce through the analyses of lichens, which are bioindicators of air pollution, were determined in this research. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, V, Cd, Hg, and Pb in the lichens that were collected from 40 different points were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) device. The highest concentration values were detected for Fe and Al, while the lowest concentration values were detected for Cd and Hg. Distribution maps of elements were created using geographic information systems. The distribution maps showed how the concentrations of elements for Düzce have changed across the city. According to our results, the elements sourced from traffic and combustion, such as Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, and V, have the highest concentrations in the city center near the traffic.

We measured SO2, NO2 and O3 concentrations during the summer and winter in Kocaeli, Turkey. The sampling was carried out indoors and outdoors at homes, schools and offices. Personal samplers were also used to determine personal exposures to these pollutants. High NO2 and SO2 concentrations were observed in outdoor samples collected close to locations characterized by heavy urban traffic. Concentrations of O3, on the other hand, were higher in rural areas around the city due to ozone distillation. For both sampling periods, the concentrations of outdoor SO2 and O3 were higher than for indoor and personal samples; however, the NO2 concentrations were higher in indoor and personal samples, indicating that outdoor sources significantly contribute to indoor SO2 and O3 levels and that indoor NO2 concentrations are primarily modulated by sources within buildings. Seasonal variations in pollutant concentrations showed statistically significant differences. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of NO2 and SO2 measured in the winter were higher than the levels measured in the summer; O3 concentrations, on the other hand, exhibited the opposite trend. Active-to-passive concentration ratios for NO2, SO2 and O3 were 0.99, 1.08 and 1.16, respectively; the corresponding outdoor ratios were 0.95, 0.99 and 1.00.

Objective: To investigate the long term effect and reliability of palatal implant surgery, which is a minimally invasive technique, used in simple snoring and obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome types based on objective and subjective data., Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight patients were included prospectively in this study. It has been possible to obtain preoperative and postoperative polysomnography results in 59 patients. The cases were followed-up for 8 months on average. Considering the apnea index and AHI values, the patients were divided into 5 groups, namely simple snoring (n=13), mild OSAS (n=21), moderate OSAS (n=17), severe OSAS (n=8), and the group on which polysomnography could not be performed, the no-polysomnography group (n=19). The cases were evaluated based on polysomnography and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and visual analog scale filled by relatives or friends of the patients., Results: The AHI of 46 patients diagnosed with OSAS decreased from 14.9 to 10.14 (31% decline) (p=0.279). The AHI of 13 patients with simple snoring diagnosis reduced from 3.09 to 2.02 (p=0.033). A 40% improvement was observed in VAS of all cases. Implant rejection occurred in 7 of our cases and 3 patients experienced ecchymosis., Conclusions: It is concluded that palatal implant procedure is a good option for appropriate cases, it is equivalent to other methods in terms of treatment efficacy and that is more advantageous than other techniques in that it can be applied in office settings with low morbidity, is minimally invasive and brings about higher patient compliance.

Objective: We report a rare case of a spindle cell lipoma with atypical clinical course., Case Report: A 51 year old female patient referred to our clinic with feeling of mass in the throat she had had for two years. The patient described difficulty in swallowing. Indirect laryngoscopy did not reveal any masses at bilateral pyriform sinuses, and the mucosa had a natural appearance. However, a mass with a stalk was detected in the side of the mouth when the patient retched. Endoscopic monitoring of the mass revealed its origin to be the left sinus pyriformis. No pathological structures could be detected in the indirect laryngoscopy taken after the patient gulped again. The mass was shown by magnetic resonance imaging to extend into the esophagus. It was removed using suspension microlaryngoscopy. Postoperative control revealed a complete healing at the excision site. Immunohistochemical examination for pathological diagnosis indicated a spindle cell lipoma., Conclusions: Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal lipomas are rare forms of benign laryngeal neoplasms. Their asymptomatic course makes diagnosis difficult. The patient is presented here with related clinical and pathological features.