Bayburt University

Propolis is a chemically complex bee product whose biological properties depend on its botanical and geographical origin. However, little is known about how gastrointestinal digestion affects its phenolic profile and bioactivity. In this study, twelve propolis samples from eight countries were evaluated for phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ABTS+•), and urease inhibition before and after simulated gastric digestion. RP-HPLC–PDA identified 26 phenolic compounds showing substantial compositional diversity. Turkish Bolu propolis retained the highest post-gastric FRAP value, while several samples (BBP, AFP) maintained or enhanced urease inhibition. PCA and HCA highlighted origin-dependent differentiation, identifying digestive stability as a key variable for functional potential.

Araştırmanın temel amacı; Sporcuların zihinsel antrenman yapma durumları ile psikolojik ihtiyaçlar durumu arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Araştırma ilişkisel tarama modelinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu bağlamda Bayburt Üniversitesi’nde 2024-2025 güz akademik yarıyılında öğrenim gören öğrenci sporcular bu araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcıların ilgili konular hususunda görüşlerinin alınması adına 3 ayrı form kullanılmıştır. Bu formlar; Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Sporda Zihinsel Antrenman Envanteri ve Sporda Psikolojik İhtiyaçlar Durumu Ölçeğidir. Tüm veriler SPSS (26. sürüm) yazılımında bağımsız örneklem t-testi ve pearson korelasyon analizinin kullanımıyla sınanmıştır. Verilerin analizi neticesinde katılımcıların sporda psikolojik ihtiyaç durumlarına bağlı cinsiyet, yaş, spor yaşı, spor branşı türü ve milli sporcu olma durumlarına bağlı istatistiki açıdan anlamlı bulgular tespit edilmiştir. Sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma durumlarına ilişkin ise cinsiyet, yaş, spor yaşı ve spor branşı türü değişkenlerine bağlı anlamlı bulgulara rastlanmıştır. Son olarak sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma alt boyutları ile özerklik, yeterlilik ve aidiyet memnuniyeti alt boyutları ile pozitif, memnuniyetsizlik alt boyutları ile negatif yönlü ilişkiler tespit edilmiştir. Sporcuların çeşitli değişkenlere bağlı hem sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma hem de sporda psikolojik ihtiyaçlar durumlarının farklılık gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir. Dahası, sporda zihinsel antrenman yapma ve sporda psikolojik ihtiyaç durumları arasında ilişki olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

Historical masonry minarets are highly vulnerable to seismic actions due to their slender geometry, limited tensile capacity, and material heterogeneity. However, their response to near-fault ground motions characterized by velocity pulses remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the seismic response of the historical Tavanlı Mosque Minaret (1894, Trabzon, Türkiye) subjected to pulse-like (PL) and non-pulse-like (NPL) near-fault ground motions. A three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) was developed in ANSYS Workbench and systematically calibrated using empirical formulations to represent the current dynamic condition of the structure. Seismic performance was evaluated through linear dynamic analyses in terms of displacement demands, principal stress distribution, and drift-ratio-based performance levels. The results indicate that model calibration significantly modifies the dynamic characteristics, increasing the fundamental frequency from 0.734 Hz to 1.126 Hz and reducing displacement demands by approximately 35–76% across the considered records. Despite this improvement, PL ground motions consistently generate more critical deformation demands than NPL motions, frequently exceeding Collapse Prevention (CP) limits even when Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) values are relatively low. A key finding is that seismic demand cannot be reliably predicted by peak intensity measures or pulse-period ratios (Tp/T1) alone; rather, velocity-related parameters and pulse coherence govern the structural response. These results demonstrate that integrating empirical model calibration with pulse-sensitive seismic analysis is essential for reliable seismic assessment and conservation planning of slender historical masonry structures located in near-fault regions. The study offers a systematic framework that integrates model calibration and pulse-sensitive seismic analysis for evaluating the drift-controlled response of slender historical masonry minarets in near-fault regions.

Abstract Ductile irons (spheroidal graphite cast irons, SGI) are widely used in automotive and energy systems due to their high strength, ductility, and excellent machinability. The casting quality of these alloys largely depends on the flow and filling behavior of the molten metal, namely its fluidity. In this study, the effects of pouring temperature, filling time, and metallurgical quality on the fluidity of GGG40 ductile iron were investigated through both experimental and numerical approaches. Experimental trials were conducted at pouring temperatures of 1350 °C, 1400 °C, and 1450 °C; metallurgical quality levels of 10%, 50%, and 90%; and filling times of 5 s and 10 s. The fluidity lengths were measured and statistically evaluated. The results revealed that increasing the pouring temperature and metallurgical quality significantly improved fluidity, while shorter filling times allowed the molten metal to travel longer distances before solidification. Modeling studies performed using a commercial casting simulation software showed strong correlation with the experimental data. Microstructural examinations indicated that higher pouring temperatures and improved metallurgical quality led to a more homogeneous distribution of graphite nodules and an increased ferrite fraction in the matrix. The findings provide valuable insights into the influence of process parameters on the fluidity behavior of ductile iron and offer critical design data for enhancing casting quality and productivity in industrial foundry applications.

Malnutrition and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in intensive care settings and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The study aimed to evaluate the association between nutritional care, nutritional status, and patient outcomes in intensive care units. This prospective observational study at a Tunisian tertiary hospital investigated nutritional status and management of 100 intensive care unit patients, each of whom was followed for seven days after ICU admission. Malnutrition Risk was assessed by NUTRIC and MNA scores. The severity of disease was assessed using the APACHE II and SOFA scores. Malnutrition was diagnosed using body mass index and weight loss. Sarcopenia was assessed through grip strength, calf circumference, and psoas muscle area. Nutritional management was evaluated using calculations of caloric and protein intake. Clinical outcomes included the need for intubation, difficulty with oxygen weaning, healthcare-associated infections, and the development of pressure ulcers. The participants had a mean age of 54.85 ± 17.25 years, with a slight male predominance (53 males, 47 females). Pre-existing metabolic conditions affected 80% of patients, including hypertension (40 patients), diabetes (36), and obesity (18). The primary reasons for admission were respiratory disorders (25%), infectious diseases (23%), and metabolic disorders (16%). The mean APACHE II score was 15.91 ± 6.84, and the mean NUTRIC score was 3 ± 1.66; 27% were classified as at high risk of malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition reached 50% (28% moderate, 22% severe). Only 31% received adequate caloric intake, while 84% had insufficient protein intake. Malnourished patients required intubation more frequently (50% versus 22.5%; p = 0.014), experienced greater difficulty with oxygen weaning (78.4% versus 48.6%; p = 0.008), and developed pressure ulcers more often (43.5% versus 6%; p < 0.001). Sarcopenic patients showed similar patterns for intubation (51.4% versus 18.9%, p = 0.003), oxygen weaning difficulty (77.5% versus 46.9%, p = 0.007), and pressure ulcers (39.2% versus 6.7%, p < 0.001). Malnutrition and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in intensive care patients and are associated with severe complications, including prolonged mechanical ventilation and pressure ulcer development. Inadequate nutritional support remains common despite known consequences. Early comprehensive nutritional assessment and appropriate management from admission are essential to improve outcomes in critically ill patients.

This study examines the impact of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT on middle school students' attitudes and reading habits during a brief intervention. Twenty-six students from a middle school in Türkiye—13 in the experimental group and 13 in the control group—took part in an eight-session, four-week quasi-experimental study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. Data was gathered and analyzed using the Attitudes and Habits towards Reading Scale, the Digital Literacy Scale, and focus group interviews. Preliminary results indicate that students in the experimental group had better reading habits and attitudes than those in the control group. After the ChatGPT intervention was implemented, the experimental group's students showed a significant improvement in their positive attitudes toward reading. However, the experimental group also showed an unexpected increase in negative reading attitudes, warranting further investigation. Three primary themes, covering both the advantages and disadvantages of the application, were identified from the student interview data. These results highlight how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies present a potentially novel way to boost reading motivation in educational settings. However, to use these technologies effectively, educators and students must acquire more knowledge and skills. Longer-term studies with larger sample sizes are also required to validate these initial findings.

Aim: As the global population is aging rapidly, promoting physical activity in later life is increasingly seen as a good strategy to enhance and sustain the social and psychological well-being of older adults from a positive aging perspective. This study explored how social capital influences the relationship between playing football and happiness in veteran footballers. Specifically, it aimed to understand if social capital acts as a mediator between these two factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on a convenience sample of 423 veteran footballers aged from 38 to 59 years who completed a survey at 35th Sakarya Veterans Football Tournament in Sakarya in north-west Turkey. Football participation was assessed using the Serious Leisure Inventory. Social capital was assessed in both cognitive and structural aspects. A single-item scale assessed general happiness. Data were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficients and were calculated using SPSS (version 24) to assess the direction and strength of the links between the investigated variables. Path coefficients were calculated through regression analyses. For testing mediation effects, the study utilized Hayes’ bootstrapping method, executed with the Version 4.2 Beta of the PROCESS macro. Results: According to the research findings, the direct effect of football participation on happiness was determined to be 0.43 (p < 0.01). While community involvement played a significant mediating role with a coefficient of 0.11 (95% CI [0.05, 0.15]), the social trust and neighborhood dimensions of social capital did not yield statistically significant effects. Collectively, the model explains 24% of the variance in happiness (R2 = 0.24), with a total effect of football participation calculated at 0.57 (p = 0.000). Conclusions: it is believed that social environments that include participation in sport can contribute to successful and comfortable aging by greatly enhancing the overall well-being and happiness of older athletes/adults.