Serum Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Levels in Chronic Hepatitis B and C Patients and Relationship with Clinical Parameters

( Ali Pekcan Demiröz ),( Reyhan Öztürk ),( Şener Barut ),( Salih Cesur ),( Semanur Ayyıldız ),( Vildan Fidancı ),( Osman Demir ),( Ferdi Güneş ),( Laser Şanal ) 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC) are leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Defining of inflammatory activity and severity of disease is important for commencing antiviral treatment and monitoring the patient. Currently noninvasive serological markers to define disease activity are of great interest. In this study we aimed to determine soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels of patients with CHB and CHC, compare its levels with those of controls and to find if suPAR levels correlated with some laboratory parameters, histologic activity index (HAI) and fibrosis stage. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with CHB, 11 patients with CHC and 41 healthy subjects, eighty subjects in total, were included in the study. suPAR levels of all subjects were determined using commercial ELISA kits according to manufacturer’s instructions. Correlation between suPAR levels and parameters including AST, ALT, leukocyte count, thrombocyte count and liver histology scores were statistically analyzed. Results: Fifty percent of CHB patients were on oral antiviral treatment. Serum suPAR levels of both CHB and CHC patients were higher than controls (p< 0,001). Age, suPAR, HAI, AST, ALT, leukocyte and thrombocyte counts of subjects in different groups (CHB, CHC patients and controls) were shown in table 1. When we divided patients into two groups according to HBV DNA, suPAR levels were not different between patients with HBV DNA >1000 IU/ml and those with HBV DNA<1000 IU/ml. suPAR levels were not found to be correlated with AST, ALT levels, thrombocyte and leukocyte counts or histologic findings. Conclusions: In both CHB and CHC patients, suPAR levels were determined to be higher than healthy controls although suPAR was not found to be correlated with diseae activity or severity related parameters. However new wide scale studies are needed to investigate the relation between suPAR and disease activity or fibrosis stage.

Strengthening of reinforced concrete beams using external steel members

Ali Demir,Emre Ercan,Duygu Dönmez Demir 국제구조공학회 2018 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.27 No.4

The objective of this study is to devise an alternative strengthening method to the ones available in the literature. So, external steel members were used to enhance both flexural and shear capacities of reinforced concrete (RC) beams having insufficient shear capacity. Two types of RC beams, one without stirrups and one with lacking stirrups, were prepared in the study. These beams were strengthened with external steel clamps devised by the authors and with external longitudinal reinforcements. Although the use of clamps alone didn’t have a significant effect on the load carrying capacity of the tested beams, the ductility increased approximately tenfold and the failure behavior changed from brittle to ductile. Although the use of clamps and longitudinal reinforcements together did not significantly increase the ductility of the beams, it approximately doubled their load capacities. The results of the experimental study were compared to the ones obtained from nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) and it was observed that they were compatible. Finally, it can be concluded that the devised method could be applied to structural members as an alternative to methods in application due to lightness, low-cost, easy applicable and reliable.

Effect of Mentoring Program on Ways of Coping with Stress and Locus of Control for Nursing Students

Satı Demir,Sevil Güler Demir,Hülya Bulut,Filiz Hisar 한국간호과학회 2014 Asian Nursing Research Vol.8 No.4

Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 14-week mentoring program for first year nursing students and their ways of coping with stress and locus of control. Methods: The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study. Sixty-six first year students (mentees) and 66 fourth year students (mentors) were eligible to be in the mentoring program. Mentors and mentees contacted each other weekly, as required, to provide information and support. In order to determine the efficiency of the mentoring program, a Locus of Control Scale, the Ways of Coping Inventory and Mentoring Assessment Form were filled out by mentees. Results: In this study the mentoring program increased students' internal locus of control and active coping with stress. The increase in internal locus of control showed parallelism with students' behaviors of seeking social support. Conclusion: It is recommended that in nursing schools, the mentoring program be used as an additional program.

Influence of deposition conditions on nanostructured InSe thin films

Kübra Çınar Demir,Emre Demir,Seniye Yüksel,Cevdet Coşkun 한국물리학회 2019 Current Applied Physics Vol.19 No.12

In this study, nanostructured indium selenide (InSe) thin films were deposited on Indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate using electrochemical deposition (ECD) from aqueous solution containing In(SO4)3.H2O and SeO2. The effects of deposition potential (−0.70 to −1.35 V), time (30-3600 s), temperature (25-80 °C) and pH (2.58 for A samples; 2 for B samples and 1.45 for C samples) on growth of the InSe thin films were examined in terms of their structural, morphological and optical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the InSe thin films are in polycrystalline structure. It was found that the values of grain size decreased and the full width half maximum (FWHM) values increased with the increasing deposition potential. According to the absorption measurements, optical properties of the thin films varied with changes in deposition conditions. Based on the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, surface morphology of the thin films was influenced by deposition potential and pH of the electrolyte, and nonhomogeneous depositions distributed across the entire surface were observed. In addition, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses were used to further examine crystal quality, vibration, chemical binding conditions, In/Se orientation and structure of the prepared InSe thin films. When Raman results are examined, the B12 sample shows a more intensity and narrow peak at 248 cm−1. XPS measurements sowed that A6 sample exhibited more growth in low potential for a long time and better film stoichiometry compared to the other three samples. Also, FT-IR studies prove the presence of InSe. According to the results, the film did not form at low temperatures and short times. However, the film formation began with the increasing deposition temperature and time at the low potential value of −0.730 V. But, it is clear that a high quality film can be obtained in cathodic potential with −1.3 V and shorter deposition time with 300 s at room temperature respectively. Overall results showed that the high quality thin films can be obtained by the ECD technique. However, deposition conditions must be sensitively adjusted to control morphology of the electrodeposited nanoparticles.

Bearing capacity of footing supported by geogrid encased stone columns on soft soil

Demir, Ahmet,Sarici, Talha Techno-Press 2017 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.12 No.3

The stone columns are increasingly being used as a soil improvement method for supporting a wide variety of structures (such as road embankment, buildings, storage tanks etc.) especially built on soft soil. Soil improvement by the stone column method overcomes the settlement problem and low stability. Nevertheless, stone column in very soft soils may not be functional due to insufficient lateral confinement. The required lateral confinement can be overcome by encasing the stone column with a suitable geosynthetic. Encasement of stone columns with geogrid is one of the ideal forms of improving the performance of stone columns. This paper presents the results of a series of experimental tests and numerical analysis to investigate the behavior of stone columns with and without geogrid encasement in soft clay deposits. A total of six small scale laboratory tests were carried out using circular footing with diameters of 0.05 m and 0.1 m. In addition, a well-known available software program called PLAXIS was used to numerical analysis, which was validated by the experimental tests. After good validation, detailed of parametric studies were performed. Different parameters such as bearing capacity of stone columns with and without geogrid encasement, stiffness of geogrid encasement, depth of encasement from ground level, diameter of stone columns, internal friction angle of crushed stone and lateral bulging of stone columns were analyzed. As a result of this study, stone column method can be used in the improvement of soft ground and clear development in the bearing capacity of the stone column occurs due to geogrid encasement. Moreover, the bearing capacity is effected from the diameter of the stone column, the angle of internal friction, rigidity of the encasement, and depth of encasement. Lateral bulging is minimized by geogrid encasement and effected from geogrid rigidity, depth of encasement and diameter of the stone column.

Spatial distribution of Türkiye’s local Turkish coffee kinds

Demir Yeliz,Bertan Serkan 한국식품연구원 2023 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.10 No.-

This research aims to determine the contents, cooking, and serving styles of local Turkish coffee kinds in Türkiye and to reveal their differences from traditional Turkish coffee. In addition, the distribution of local Turkish coffee kinds determined according to cities and regions was determined. Document analysis was applied to determine the features of local Turkish coffee kinds. In the document analysis, local Turkish coffee kinds are divided into three basic categories according to the codes of “coffee content,” “serving style,” “cooking method,” and “difference from traditional Turkish coffee.” Turkish coffee in the first category is prepared without using coffee powder, and local Turkish coffee kinds in the second category differ from traditional Turkish coffee with their features such as the coffee beans are roasted and ground, the presentation of the coffee, the degree of cooking, and the cooking method of the coffee. Different products (local products) are mixed into the coffees in the last local Turkish coffee category. Additionally, local Turkish coffees specific to cities were collected under the “city/region authenticity” code. Black Cumin Coffee, Mırra Coffee, Menengic Coffee, Kenger Coffee, Turkish coffee cooked in a cup, and Dibek Coffee are common local Turkish coffee kinds in some cities and regions.

THE SNOWFLAKE CURVE AS AN ATTRACTOR OF AN ITERATED FUNCTION SYSTEM

Demir, Bunyamin,Ozdemir, Yunus,Saltan, Mustafa Korean Mathematical Society 2013 대한수학회논문집 Vol.28 No.1

Although the snowflake curve, the boundary of the Koch snowflake, is one of the well-known fractals, there is no iterated function system (IFS) for it in the literature. In this study, we give an IFS for this familiar closed curve.

Effects of Distant Reiki On Pain, Anxiety and Fatigue in Oncology Patients in Turkey: A Pilot Study

Demir, Melike,Can, Gulbeyaz,Kelam, Ayhan,Aydiner, Aydin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.12

Background: Fatigue, stress and pain are common symptoms among cancer patients, affecting the quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of distant Reiki on pain, anxiety and fatigue in oncology patients. Materials and Methods: Participants in the control group received usual medical and nursing care during their stay. The intervention group received usual care plus five distant Reiki sessions, one each night for 30 min. A face to face interview was performed and patient personal and illness related characteristics were evaluated using the Patient Characteristics form. Pain, stress and fatigue were evaluated according to a numeric rating scale. Results: The experimental group was predominantly composed of women (71.4%), married individuals (40%), and primary school graduates (40%). The control group was predominantly male (72.7%), married (60%), and primary school graduates (60%). The control group demonstrated greater levels of pain (p=0.002), stress (p=0.001) and fatigue (p=0.001). The Reiki group pain score (p <0.0001), stress score (p <0.001) and fatigue score were also significantly lower. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that Reiki may d ecreasepain, anxiety and fatigue in oncology patients.

Uplift response of multi-plate helical anchors in cohesive soil

Demir, Ahmet,Ok, Bahadir Techno-Press 2015 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.8 No.4

The use of helical anchors has been extensively beyond their traditional use in the electrical power industry in recent years. They are commonly used in more traditional civil engineering infrastructure applications so that the advantages of rapid installation and immediate loading capability. The majority of the research has been directed toward the tensile uplift behaviour of single anchors (only one plate) by far. However, anchors commonly have more than one plate. Moreover, no thorough numerical and experimental analyses have been performed to determine the ultimate pullout loads of multi-plate anchors. The understanding of behavior of these anchors is unsatisfactory and the existing design methods have shown to be largely inappropriate and inadequate for a framework adopted by engineers. So, a better understanding of helical anchor behavior will lead to increased confidence in design, a wider acceptance as a foundation alternative, and more economic and safer designs. The main aim of this research is to use numerical modeling techniques to better understand multi-plate helical anchor foundation behavior in soft clay soils. Experimental and numerical investigations into the uplift capacity of helical anchor in soft clay have been conducted in this study. A total of 6 laboratory tests were carried out using helical anchor plate with a diameter of 0.05 m. The results of physical and computational studies investigating the uplift response of helical anchors in soft clay show that maximum resistances depend on anchor embedment ratio and anchor spacing ratio S/D. Agreement between uplift capacities from laboratory tests and finite element modelling using PLAXIS is excellent for anchors up to embedment ratios of 6.

Effects of ultrasound coupled with potassium permanganate pre-treatment of sludge on aerobic digestion

Demir, Ozlem Techno-Press 2016 Advances in environmental research Vol.5 No.4

The biodegradability and decomposition efficiencies increase with the pre-treatment of sludge in a digestion process. In this study, the feasibility of ultrasound coupled with potassium permanganate oxidation as a disintegration method and digestibility of aerobic reactor fed with disintegrated sludge with ultrasound coupled potassium permanganate were investigated. The first stage of the study focused on determining the optimum condition for ultrasonic pre-treatment for achieving better destruction efficiency of sludge. The second part of the study, the aerobic digestibility of sludge disintegrated with ultrasound and potassium permanganate oxidation alone and combined were examined comparatively. The results showed that when 20 min of ultrasonic pre-treatment applied, the specific energy output was 49384 kJ/kgTS with disintegration degree of 58.84%. During the operation of aerobic digester, VS/TS ratios of digesters fed with disintegrated sludge decreased indicating that disintegration methods could obviously enhance aerobic digestion performance. The highest reduction in volatile solids was 75% in the digester fed with ultrasound+potassium permanganate disintegrated sludge at the end of the operation compared to digester fed with raw sludge. Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) levels in sludge supernatant increased with this combined method significantly. Besides, it promoted the production of ${\bullet}OH$, thus enhancing the release of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) from the sludge. Disintegration with all methods used in this study could not improve Capillary Suction Time (CST) reduction in disintegrated digesters during the operation. The results demonstrated that the combined ultrasound treatment and potassium permanganate oxidation method improves the biodegradability compared to control reactor or their single application.