Hitit Üniversitesi

The aim of this study was to synthesize an environmentally friendly composite material based on guar gum (GG), kaolin (Kao), and Fe3O4, referred to as GG-mKao, and to evaluate its performance in a Fenton-like process. The composite was characterized using XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, BET, VSM, TGA, ICP-OES, and zeta potential analyses. The BET surface area of GG-mKao was 64.58 m2/g, and its saturation magnetization was 21.4 emu/g. GG-mKao was applied for the decolorization of methyl violet 2B (MV-2B), using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant. Under optimal conditions (20-mg/L MV-2B, 20°C, pH 6, 0.196-M H2O2, 1.2-g/L GG-mKao, and 45 min), a maximum decolorization efficiency of 94% was achieved. GG-mKao exhibited good reusability and stability with minimal iron leaching. Scavenger tests indicated that hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen were the primary reactive oxygen species involved in the decolorization process. Kinetic analysis showed that the decolorization followed a first-order Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, confirming a heterogeneous catalytic mechanism.

In wrestling, in addition to technical and tactical training, success largely depends on physical prepardness. The subject of this paper is morphological composition and success in specific wrestling tests. The aim of the paper is to examine the direct influence of the level of prepardness on success and the indirect influence on morphological composition in wrestlers. Success is defined by the total number of throws in both the shorter Specific Wrestling Fitness Test (SWFT) and the longer and more physically demanding Specific Wrestling Performance Test (SWPT). Morphological composition is defined by the percentage values of body fat (PBFM) and muscle mass (PSMM). The sample consists of 26 wrestlers, divided into two groups, in 4 different ways, from the aspect of prepardness. In this regard, preparedness was defined by the movement of lactate values from the 3rd to the 5th minute, in subjects whose lactates increased (La3-5min.↑) and decreased (La3-5min.↓), by the percentage of pulse rate recovery to the 1st (∆HR1min ≤9.99% and ≥5.99%) and 5th (∆HR5min ≤39.99% and ≥40%) minute, and the number of throws in the tests (≤25 and ≥26 on the SWFT; ≤34 and ≥35 on the SWPT). The applied t test determined the absence of a statistically significant difference between the defined groups of lactate value movements as a function of the number of throws on both the SWFT (p = 0.867) and the SWPT (p = 0.131). It was also found that there were no statistically significant differences in PBFM (p = 0.769) and PSMM (p = 0.601) on the SWFT, while the longer SWPT, with its demands, showed a significant difference in PBFM (p = 0.031) and PSMM (p = 0.018) in favor of the faster metabolic recovery. Further analysis of the difference revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups with different levels of pulse rate recovery both up to the 1st and 5th minute, regardless of the variables and the test (p = 0.067 – 0.918). The defined groups of success on the tests as a function of the level of preparedness are statistically significantly different by the nature of the data distribution regardless of the test (p = 0.000), while from the morphological aspect they also showed significant differences in the PBFM both on the SWFT (p = 0.001) and on the SWPT (p = 0.000), and in the PSMM but only on the more demanding test (SWPT, p = 0.044). In wrestling, in addition to technical and tactical training, success largely depends on physical prepardness. The subject of this paper is morphological composition and success in specific wrestling tests. The aim of the paper is to examine the direct influence of the level of prepardness on success and the indirect influence on morphological composition in wrestlers. Success is defined by the total number of throws in both the shorter Specific Wrestling Fitness Test (SWFT) and the longer and more physically demanding Specific Wrestling Performance Test (SWPT). Morphological composition is defined by the percentage values of body fat (PBFM) and muscle mass (PSMM). The sample consists of 26 wrestlers, divided into two groups, in 4 different ways, from the aspect of prepardness. In this regard, preparedness was defined by the movement of lactate values from the 3rd to the 5th minute, in subjects whose lactates increased (La3-5min.↑) and decreased (La3-5min.↓), by the percentage of pulse rate recovery to the 1st (∆HR1min ≤9.99% and ≥5.99%) and 5th (∆HR5min ≤39.99% and ≥40%) minute, and the number of throws in the tests (≤25 and ≥26 on the SWFT; ≤34 and ≥35 on the SWPT). The applied t test determined the absence of a statistically significant difference between the defined groups of lactate value movements as a function of the number of throws on both the SWFT (p = 0.867) and the SWPT (p = 0.131). It was also found that there were no statistically significant differences in PBFM (p = 0.769) and PSMM (p = 0.601) on the SWFT, while the longer SWPT, with its demands, showed a significant difference in PBFM (p = 0.031) and PSMM (p = 0.018) in favor of the faster metabolic recovery. Further analysis of the difference revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups with different levels of pulse rate recovery both up to the 1st and 5th minute, regardless of the variables and the test (p = 0.067 – 0.918). The defined groups of success on the tests as a function of the level of preparedness are statistically significantly different by the nature of the data distribution regardless of the test (p = 0.000), while from the morphological aspect they also showed significant differences in the PBFM both on the SWFT (p = 0.001) and on the SWPT (p = 0.000), and in the PSMM but only on the more demanding test (SWPT, p = 0.044).

This qualitative study examines how local actors in Türkiye construct gender norms and rationalize violence against women within everyday social discourse. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants, including tradespeople, headpersons, and imams. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) locally produced gender regimes, shaped by exalted masculinity, sacred motherhood, stereotyped femininity, and controlled freedom; (2) family as a moral and social foundation, emphasizing traditional gender roles, male protective-disciplinary authority, and return-to-family narratives during crises; and (3) cultural rationalization of gender-based violence, including beliefs in “deserved” violence, social disorder as justification, and a perceived impossibility of change. Findings demonstrate how patriarchal norms are reproduced through everyday moral claims and social expectations, legitimizing gendered control and sustaining tolerance toward violence. The study contributes to ongoing debates on gender, power, and the cultural maintenance of violence by highlighting the role of local actors in reinforcing Türkiye’s gender order.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, yet pharmacological neuroprotection is still an unmet need. Asprosin, a recently identified fasting-induced adipokine, has been implicated in oxidative stress modulation, apoptosis, and metabolic regulation. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective role of asprosin in an experimental rat model of TBI. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: Control, Trauma, Trauma+Asprosin, and Asprosin. Moderate head trauma was induced using a validated closed-head injury model. Asprosin (10 µg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered immediately and 12 h post-trauma. Brain tissues were examined histopathologically (cresyl violet staining) and biochemically for oxidative stress and apoptotic markers, including Glutathione, total oxidant status, superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide, total antioxidant status, asprosin, and caspase-3. Histopathological evaluation revealed pronounced neuronal degeneration, vacuolization, and darkly stained nuclei in the Trauma and Trauma+Asprosin groups, whereas the control and asprosin-only groups preserved normal cortical and hippocampal architecture. Biochemically, no significant differences were observed among groups for oxidative stress parameters; however, caspase-3 levels were significantly higher in the Asprosin group compared to controls (P = 0.02). These findings suggest that while asprosin modulates apoptosis-related pathways, its direct protective effect against trauma-induced neuronal damage remains inconclusive. This study provides the first experimental evidence linking asprosin to TBI. Although asprosin demonstrated potential interactions with oxidative and apoptotic processes, its role as a neuroprotective agent requires further validation with larger cohorts, varied dosing regimens, and molecular analyses.

This study examines how the transition from a fossil fuel-based product architecture to an electric vehicle ecosystem in the automotive industry is reflected in consumer attitudes and purchase intentions through production and marketing strategies. The research is conducted using a survey model based on a quantitative research approach, and the survey technique is used in the data collection process. The sample consists of 388 participants living in Samsun province. The scale includes dimensions of subjective environmental norms, purchase intention, individual purchasing behavior, and attitudes towards environmentally friendly vehicles. Reliability, normality, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance are used in the analyses. The findings show that the scale reliability levels are high and that participants generally have a high tendency to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles. Significant differences are found according to age, education, and income groups in terms of demographic variables, and significant differences are observed in some sub-dimensions in the gender variable. The results indicate that in the electric vehicle transformation, marketing communication should be designed on a segment basis and the production-supply infrastructure should be structured in a way that is compatible with consumer expectations.

Introduction/Objectives: Body composition changes and diet quality may contribute to metabolic complications and graft outcomes after kidney transplantation. We evaluated the relationships between diet quality and CT-derived body composition components (skeletal muscle mass, muscle quality/myosteatosis, and visceral adiposity) and explored their associations with metabolic markers and graft function. Materials and Methods: In this single-center retrospective cross-sectional study, we included 161 adult first kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with a functioning graft and ≥12 months of follow-up. Body composition was quantified on routine abdominal CT at the L3 level using skeletal muscle index (SMI), mean muscle attenuation (Hounsfield units) for myosteatosis, and visceral adipose tissue area (VAT). Diet quality was scored using the Revised Diet Quality Index (DQI-R). Graft function was followed with creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by the CKD-EPI equation. Results: Mean age was 45.7 ± 13.2 years and 58% were men. The prevalence of low muscle mass was 26.0%, myosteatosis 73.5%, and visceral obesity (VAT ≥ 100 cm2) 45.6%. No participant had "good" diet quality; 48.4% had poor diet quality. DQI-R showed a weak positive correlation with SMI (r = 0.157; p = 0.047) but was not significantly related to VAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), Kidney transplant recipient (VSR) or myosteatosis. In multivariable models, age and VAT were associated with HbA1c, whereas body composition and diet quality variables were not independent predictors of eGFR. Myosteatosis was independently associated with older age. Conclusions: Visceral adiposity and impaired muscle quality frequently clustered and were linked to metabolic status. These findings support post-transplant follow-up strategies that go beyond BMI and integrate body composition and nutritional assessment within a multidisciplinary care model.

Komagataeibacter strains are important bacterial cellulose producers, yet closely related isolates can differ in cellulose yield, pellicle properties, and genetic stability during propagation. Such variability suggests that lineage structure and mobile genetic elements both contribute to strain-level genomic divergence. Here, complete genome comparisons were used to integrate vertical relatedness, gene-content structure, cellulose-associated signatures, and mobilome heterogeneity across 22 closed Komagataeibacter assemblies. A maximum likelihood phylogeny inferred from 642 single copy core genes provided the lineage scaffold. An anvi'o pangenome analysis defined a constant core gene cluster component across genomes and a noncore fraction that accounted for most of the genome differences in gene content. Targeted features linked to cellulose biosynthesis and local c-di-GMP-associated context were extracted from each genome. These features captured differences in bcs neighborhood composition and the presence of nearby GGDEF and EAL domain signals. The resulting feature matrix was projected by principal component analysis to summarize between-genome variation. Mobilome profiles were strongly strain dependent. Plasmid homology clustering identified 12 clusters comprising 36 plasmids from 13 genomes, including two dominant clusters of seven and six plasmids. Mash-based distance summaries further distinguished clusters consistent with conserved backbones from clusters consistent with heterogeneous, module-driven relationships. Prophage sequences, assessed as VIBRANT-predicted regions, were widespread but sparse per genome and dominated by medium length fragments. Insertion sequence burden ranged from 50 to 181 elements per genome, indicating substantial differences in transposition-associated sequence content. Pairwise association tests did not support robust cross module covariation beyond expected relationships among pangenome composition metrics at the current sampling depth. Overall, these results provide a complete genome reference framework linking lineage structure and mobilome heterogeneity, and they define reusable resources for comparative studies in bacterial cellulose biotechnology.

Abstract Hybrid metal–polymer–two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor heterojunctions offer an effective platform for tailoring interface-controlled electrical and dielectric properties. In this study, Al/PANI–Silicene/n-Si Schottky diodes were fabricated and investigated using current–voltage, capacitance–voltage, admittance, and impedance spectroscopy over a wide frequency range. The devices exhibit clear rectifying behavior with an enhanced effective barrier height and reduced reverse leakage current, indicating relatively improved interface quality. Frequency-dependent measurements reveal strong dispersion in capacitance and dielectric loss at low frequencies, which gradually diminish at higher frequencies. Impedance and Nyquist analyses show a single dominant interfacial response, while modulus and dielectric representations indicate non-ideal relaxation behavior associated with a distributed spectrum of interface states. The extracted electrical parameters demonstrate that the incorporation of a Silicene interlayer significantly modifies the interfacial response of PANI-based Schottky junctions. These results provide a measurement-driven understanding of charge transport and dielectric behavior in polymer–2D–Si heterostructures and highlight their potential for advanced electronic device applications.