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Does counterterrorist financing (CTF) support the entire process of the global fight against terrorism? Finding answers to this question helps to address the difficulties facing relevant actors in defeating the Boko Haram (BH) terrorist group. This article examines the various funding strategies used by BH as well as the state, sub-regional and regional responses that have proven difficult in stemming the expansion of this terror group across the northeast and Lake Chad region. The study adopted qualitative research techniques through the use of Key Informant Interviews (KII) to gather data to address its central question. Findings of the article reveal that, regardless of the efforts toward containing the funding of this terror group, challenges remain in terms of the inability of relevant actors to operationalize the various CTF policies. Challenges include the institutional and techno-scientific challenges, the cui bono and prodest effect by beneficiaries of terrorism, uncoordinated CT strategies, the lack of political will by the relevant actors to address the challenge of TF and the structural conditions which render the CTF policies ineffective and help sustain the funding operations of this terror group. The study, among other things, suggests the implementation of various CTF policies and initiatives. Above all, effective border management and control besides effective intelligence and counterintelligence gathering systems to monitor and track the illicit flow of cash for terror-related activities should be an essential part of the initiatives. The strengthening of relevant institutions to address issues related to financial crimes, transnational threats, the arrest, and prosecution of sponsors of terrorism would enhance CTF. However, the CTF policies and initiatives require revitalization of the willingness of relevant actors to address the structural and systemic conditions facilitating BH funding activities across the Lake Chad region.

This research was conducted during 2016-2017 awheat growing season to investigate the effects of different rates of seed coating of an organic acid mixture (citric acid, glutamate, and proline) on yield and quality of wheat. The field experiments were established in Dogankent and Haciali locations of Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute in Turkey. Study was carried out with randomised complete block design with 4 replications and Ceyhan-99 bread wheat variety was used as seed material. Before seeding, wheat seeds were coated with organic acid mixture product (0.75% citric acid, 0.25% glutamate, 0.25% proline, 2% Zn and 96.75 water), in three different doses (500 ml ton-1, 1 l ton-1, 1.5 l ton-1) to compare with control (uncoated). There were statistically significant differences at 5% level in 1000 grain weight and grain yield values in Dogankent location and 1000 grain weight, grain yield and number of spikes in Hacialilocation. Highest yield values were obtained from 500 ml t-1 application dose for both locations. With 500 ml t-1 application dose at Dogankent location, grain yield was 11.9 t ha-1 which was 8.97% higher over control. In Hacali location, 500 ml t-1 application dose was increased yield by 15.96% compared to control which resulted with 10.5 t ha-1 grain yield. No statistically significant difference was observed in quality characteristics (protein, gluten, hardiness and sedimentation) in trials.

Within the scope of “Nature Education” project by TUBITAK Science Department, which aims to provide a wide ecology vision and teach the language of nature to young research assistants from different departments, master and doctorate students and scoutleader teachers; in July, five years time the Project of “Ecology-Based Nature Education around Göksu Valley and Delta” was carried out. 149 people participated in this program. In the research, qualitative and quantitative research methods are used together. A form consisting of 20 questionnaires and 3 open-ended questions was used and the obtained data were analyzed. Codes were created in the direction of the answers given to the open-ended questions, and the opinions of the participants were interpreted by associating the generated codes. As a result of this research, the participants’ expectations of the nature education projects were met and achieved the result of leaving it with a vision of a wide ecology.

Nickel-platinum-based synthetic ferrimagnets (SFi's) are highly tunable and rare-earth-free materials that allow ultrafast all optical control of magnetism to be explored. This study considers a SFi composed of a ferromagnetic [Ni/Pt] multilayer and a ferromagnetic Co layer, separated by an Ir layer that mediates an antiferromagnetic coupling. Helicity-independent all optical switching (HI-AOS) between two antiparallel magnetization states is observed. AOS may be realized at increased temperature through reduction of the thickness of the Pt layers. Switching is unidirectional and has a strong dependence on the applied magnetic field history, which suggests the possible presence of a nanoscale magnetic texture that may be important in controlling AOS in SFi systems.

This article examines the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in counter-radicalization in Nigeria, with emphasis on the Boko Haram terrorist group operating in northeast Nigeria and the greater Lake Chad region. A qualitative methodological approach is employed that makes use of primary and secondary documents, key informant and stakeholder interviews, and focus group discussions with critical religious actors and organizations. The findings of the article suggest that FBOs play a critical role in the disengagement and deradicalization process of countering the ideological and radical messages of Boko Haram. However, challenges such as the lack of effective stakeholder involvement in the various initiatives by the state in counterterrorism, fear of reprisal and attacks, lack of unison by various FBOs and clerics in countering these negative messages, and the inability of relevant stakeholders in addressing structural factors such as poverty, social and economic exclusion, and unemployment that give rise to radicalization amongst other challenges, have impeded the effectiveness of the FBO sector in its counter-radicalization efforts in Nigeria. To address these challenges, the article proposes a bottom-up approach to counterterrorism that provides room for the multi-sectoral involvement of major stakeholders, especially FBOs, to complement pre-existing initiatives and other measures to counter the negative weaponization of religion by radical and rogue clerics, and also to prevent Boko Haram from expanding its frontiers.

Bu çalışma, farklı maltlık arpa çeşitlerinin besin değerlerinin in vitro gaz üretim tekniği kullanılarak tespit edilmesi ve in vitro metan gazı üretimlerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada 3 farklı maltlık arpa çeşidi Durusu, Atılır ve Fırat kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, maltlık arpa çeşitleri arasında kuru madde (KM), ham kül (HK), ham protein (HP), ham yağ (HY), hemiselüloz (HES) ve nötr deterjanda çözünmeyen lif (NDF), sindirilebilir organik madde (SOM) içerikleri istatistiki açıdan önemli bulunmuş fakat ADF (asit deterjanda çözünmeyen lif) ise istatistiki olarak önemli bulunmamıştır. Maltlık arpa çeşitlerinin gaz üretim miktarları 64,00 ile 72,50 ml/200 mg KM arasında değişmiştir. Metabolik enerji (ME) ve net enerji laktasyon (NEL) içerikleri ise sırasıyla 11,75-12,86 MJ/kg KM ve 7,16-7,98 MJ/kg KM arasında saptanmıştır. En yüksek metan (CH4) gazı üretimi 13,34 ml/200 mg KM ile Fırat çeşidinden elde edilirken; en düşük değer ise 12,16 ml/200 mg ile Atılır çeşidinden elde edilmiştir.

This study was carried out to elucidate the impacts of zinc (Zn) treatments on growth, development, quality and yield of commonly sown bread wheat cultivars under field conditions of Çukurova Region. Three different bread wheat cultivars (Adana-99, Ceyhan-99 and Pandas) were experimented in randomized complete blocks-split plots experimental design with 3 replications. Field experiments were performed by two different Zn application methods; via soil and via soil+foliage. In the both trials, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kg ha-1 pure Zn doses were applied to the soil. 0.4% ZnSO4.7H2O solution was used for foliar Zn applications. Current findings revealed that Zn treatments had significant effects on grain yield, grain Zn concentration, grain phosphorus (P) concentration and thousand grain weight of bread wheat cultivars, but significant effects were not observed on grain protein concentrations. Soil+foliar Zn treatments were more effective in improving grain Zn concentrations. It was concluded that 10- 20 kg ha-1 Zn treatment was quite effective on grain Zn concentrations.

Research results in recent years, revealed that cereal grains are low in mineral element (zinc and iron) concentrations.Therefore, improving the quality of nutrition is required. Significant effects of nitrogen and sulphur nutritionon grain yield and protein concentration of wheat were reported. Nitrogen nutrition of plants appears to be a critical component for an effective bio-fortification of food crops with Zn and Fe due to several physiological and molecular mechanisms.The sulphur requirement of wheat is lower than nitrogen.However, in case of sulphur deficiency, nitrogenous compounds (asparagines, glutamine) are accumulated, S-containing amino acid (sistein, methionine) synthesis and accumulation decreased in grain.Efforts toincreasethe Zn concentration (and Fe) in wheat grain areroot uptake, root-to-shoot transport, phloem loading, remobilization of Zn from source tissues into developing seeds and seed deposition of Zn.Researchesprovide increasing evidences about possible effects of nitrogenous fertilization on plant nitrogen mechanisms of the above mentioned factors.Recently, it has been reported that grain concentration of Zn and Fe can be enhanced by increasing the nitrogen (N) supply and N and Zn applications have asynergistic effect on grain Zn concentration of durum wheat.Zincneeds to form ligand with S-containing amino acids in order to be carried by phloem.In this study, the importance of nitrogen and sulfur nutrition on zinc and iron accumulation in the grain of wheat has emphasized.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of zinc applications on the development, yield and yield components of widespread durum wheat cultivars in Çukurova Region. Amanos-97 and Fuatbey-2000 durum wheat cultivarswere used in the research. Field experiments were performed by two different zinc application methods; via soil and via soil+foliage. In both trials, 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kg Zn da-1pure zinc doses were applied to the soil. 0.4% ZnSO4.7H2O solution was used for foliar zinc applications. As a result of the research, it has been determined that application of zinc via soil and via soil+foliage is not statistically effective on plant height, biological yield, stem yield, harvest index and grain yield of durum wheat. The application of zinc via soil were found statistically significantly effective at 1% level on thousand grains weight, number of spikes per square meter and zinc concentration of the grains. As a result of the research, it has been determined that when basal soil Zn content was0.23-0.24 ppm, application of 1-2 kg da-1of zinc via soil has positive effects on grain zinc concentration, yield and yield components. It has also been determined that soil+foliar application of zinc is more effective on zinc concentration of grains.

Purpose: Deep palmar tumors of the hand are very rare, and reported cases are usually benign. The most important issue is frequent anatomical variations with challenging surgical exposure and excision of these lesions. Some case reports or a small series of patients have been reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to present our experience with the deep palmar tumors of the hand. Patients and Methods: In the study, retrospective analyses of 43 patients treated with deep palmar tumors of the hand between January 1998 and June 2015 were evaluated. Tumors and tumor-like pathologies of the deep palmar space of the hand were retrospectively evaluated according to age, gender, localization, preoperative symptoms, size, site, treatment methods, histopathology, and early and late complications. Statistics and data analyses were also performed. Results: All 43 pathologies were benign, and histopathologic diagnoses were 10 lipomas, 8 ganglions, 5 giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, 4 schwannomas, 3 hemangiomas, 3 palmar fibromatosis, 2 epidermal cysts, 2 neurofibroma, 1 angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, 1 granuloma, 1 calcifying aponeurotic fibroma, 1 digital fibroma, 1 foreign body granuloma, and 1 lipofibromatous hamartoma. The most common complication was temporary numbness and paresthesias of the digits. Marginal excision was performed in 40 patients, excision with nerve grafting in 2 patients (with neurofibroma) and carpal tunnel release in one patient with lipofibromatous hamartoma. Conclusion: In the deep palmar space of the hand, pathologies are closely associated with tendons, muscles, and neurovascular structures. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging is helpful for the preoperative diagnosis, evaluating tumor extension, and successful surgical planning. Level of Evidence: IV Therapautic

Purpose. To evaluate the retinal and choroidal thicknesses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using optical coherence tomography. Methods. The study included 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 26 age-matched healthy control groups. Detailed ocular examinations were performed on all participants. Cirrus EDI-OCT (enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography) was used for choroidal thickness measurements with frame enhancement software. The subfoveal area was used for choroidal thickness measurements. Results. The patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had an average 239.13 ± 57.77 μm subfoveal choroidal thickness, and the control group had an average 285.02 ± 25 μm subfoveal choroidal thickness. The subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between patients and the control group (p

Consuming sports products and services incessantly without being able to restrain oneself is characterized as compulsive sports consumption. The aim of this study is to adapt the Compulsive Sport Consumption Scale (CSCS) developed in English by Aiken et al. (2018) into Turkish utilizing a scientific scale adaptation process. The CSCS consists of six items and is graded on a seven-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Higher CSCS levels are affiliated with psychological and behavioral constructs related to the effects of sports consumption, such as time, money, coping, and psychological and behavioral neglect. The scale has been tailored via a group of English and Turkish linguists, sports scientist, and psychometrist. Parallel analysis has been performed on account of inspecting the dimensionality of the scale, and many statistics such as unidimensional congruence, explained common variance, mean of item residual absolute loadings, and robust fit statistics have been used. In accordance with parallel analysis, the scale was unidimensional, and all other statistics supported that as well. The unidimensional adapted scale (CSCS-T) explained approximately 83% of the total variance. Additionally, internal consistency, composite reliability, and test-retest reliability have been examined to determine the measurement's reliability. Cronbach's Alpha was 0.958, McDonald's Omega was 0.958, and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was 0.923 in the wake of the test-retest application. All of the findings propound that when investigating compulsive over-participation in sports consumption in Turkish-speaking populations, the CSCS-T can be used to acquire valid and reliable measures.

Background: There is sporadic data about the occurrence of spinal meningeal cysts in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We suggest that there is a relationship with the frequency and size of spinal meningeal cysts and headache, intracranial aneurysms, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage in patients with ADPKD. Aim: To investigate the relationship with spinal meningeal cyst, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and headache in patients with ADPKD. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: We enrolled 50 patients with ADPKD and 37 healthy volunteers. This cross-sectional study included patients with ADPKD and matched healthy volunteers. Magnetic resonance imaging myelography was performed using the 3D-T2 HASTE technique in an MRI scanner. We questioned our subjects regarding presence of headache and evaluated headache severity using a visual analog scale. The relationship between the number and size of spinal meningeal cysts with headache, intracranial aneurysms, and liver cysts was also investigated. Results: Spinal meningeal cysts were more numerous and larger in patients than in controls (14.8±11.6 vs. 6.4±4.6 cysts respectively, p

Objective:Comparison of endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) results and evaluation of patients’ satisfaction.Methods:Forty six (35 females and 11 males) patients who underwent endoscopic DCR and 43 (37 females and six males) who underwent external DCR were included. Surgical success was objectively and subjectively assessed. The nasolacrimal duct was irrigated by a saline solution, and the saline solution was objectively visualized by endoscopy from the nose. Subjective assessment was performed asking the patients' epiphora. In addition to evaluating the success of the operation, satisfaction and result surveys were administered to the two groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and sex (respectively p=0.486, p=0.23). However, the number of females was higher than the number of males in the two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (endoscopic-DCR p=0.01, external-DCR p=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative bleeding and punctum damage. The success rate was 84.7% in the endoscopic DCR group and 90.6% in the external DCR group. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (p=0.397). The survey results revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patient satisfaction (p=0.397).Conclusion:The results of many studies in the literature show operation success rates between the two groups that are similar to ours. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Independent of the preferred procedure, our results show that functional success mainly determines patient satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to investigate anxiety of pre-service teachers who had just started to university and who were at the final grade about being appointed to their profession. Population of this research included first and final grade students studying in the departmenst of Science Teaching, English Teaching, Classroom Teaching, Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Pre-School Teaching, Mathematics Teaching and Turkish Teaching departments at Faculty of Education of Mersin University. Because the population was accessible, there was no need to draw a sample, so all population was included in the study. Consequently, 418 pre-service teachers were included in the study. The“Pre-Service Teacher Anxiety Scale” that was originally develped by Borich and was adapted to Turkish context by Saban, Korkmaz and Akbaşlı (2004) was used to collect data. This scale was on 5-point Likert type, and included 3 dimensions as self-centered anxieties, student-centered anxieties, and task-centered anxieties. Research result indicate that anxiety towards being appointed to profession was found to be less in students of PreSchool Teaching department that had no KPSS Content Knowledge Test that was supposed to taken after graduation for appointment. Furthermore, final year students’ anxiety towards being appointed was found to be higher than the first year students.

AIM: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness analysis of peripapillary optic nerve head (PONH) and macula as well as ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in obese children. METHODS: Eighty-five children with obesity and 30 controls were included in the study. The thicknesses of the PONH and macula of each subject’s right eye were measured by high-resolution spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: The RNFL thicknesses of central macular and PONH were similar between the groups (all P>0.05). The GCIPL thickness was also similar between the groups. However, the RNFL thickness of temporal outer macula were 261.7±13.7 and 268.9±14.3 µm for the obesity and the control group, respectively (P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Obesity may cause a reduction in temporal outer macular RNFL thickness.

This research aimed to determine the opinions of teacher parents about distance education process during COVID-19. The study was designed as a case study which is one of the methods in qualitative research. The sample of the study composed of 83 teacher parents from different branches in Turkey. Maximum variation and criterion sampling methods were used to select the participants. The data of the study were gathered though open ended questions developed by the researchers and were analyzed through descriptive and content analyses. According to the participants, distance education is perceived and accepted as a means of support rather than an alternative to face-to-face education. Participants mentioned the distance education carried out during the pandemic process as a beneficial practice in order to prevent students from breaking off from education but also they stated administrative issues, lack of computer science knowledge and internet-related problems. The inability to disseminate distance education to all students, especially disadvantaged students due to the lack of infrastructure, indifferent parents and the fact that distance education is insufficient in the education of young children/special education students show that distance education has not yet met the expectations to provide equal opportunities for everyone involved.

This article attempts to shed light on the challenges confronting relevant actors (state and non-state) in countering the threat of terrorism recruitment by focusing on the Boko Haram terrorist organization, whose presence and activities threaten the security of the Lake Chad region. The article uses a qualitative research technique combining key informant interviews with stakeholders familiar with the conflict, academic and non-academic documents, reports, and policy briefs. The findings of the article suggest that despite the various initiatives by stakeholders aimed at containing the strategies of recruitment, the group continues to expand its base by launching coordinated attacks that further destabilize the region. These challenges stem from a lack of a clear-cut counterterrorism strategy, a dearth in technological and mutual trust between actors and locals in the management and utilization of intelligence, and the inability of state institutions to ‘coerce and convince’ citizens in terms of its capacity to counter the danger of terrorism recruitment and expansion. The article, amongst other things, recommends a community policing model similar to the ‘Nyumba-Kumi security initiative’ adopted by most countries in East Africa for the effective assessment and detection of threat forces; the state and its agencies should show the capacity to coerce and convince in dealing with the (ideological, religious, social, and economic) conditions, drivers, and factors promoting the spread of terrorism as well as other forms of violent extremism in the society; furthermore, there is a need for stakeholders to adopt a comprehensive and holistic counterterrorism/violent extremism strategy to reflect present-day security challenges as well as to guarantee sustainable peace.