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Copyright of Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science & Engineering / Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Fen Ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Science & Literature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science & Engineering / Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Fen Ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Science & Literature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, nanoscale photocatalyst TiO2 powders were synthesized via sol-gel and flame spray pyrolysis ( FSP). Phase structures and ratios were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer ( XRD). Size, specific surface area, and morphologies were determined using particle size analyzer, Brunauer- Emmett-Teller theory, and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Anatase phase with some rutile together was obtained in XRD analysis. The degradation rates of aqueous methylene blue ( MB) by TiO2 nanopowders were calculated using UV-vis spectrophotometer. It was found that MB decomposition was successfully achieved with significantly high efficiencies for both sol-gel and FSP-derived powders with small differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ekoloji Dergisi is the property of Ekoloji Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim The aim of our study was to evaluate atrial electromechanical delay ( AEMD) and left atrial mechanical functions ( LAMF) in the patients with secundum-type atrial septal defect ( ASD). Method We included 72 patients with secundum type ASD in the study group and 35 gender and age-matched healthy volunteers for the control group. Maximal, minimal, and presystolic LA volumes were measured by modified Simpson method and indexed to the body surface area ( BSA). Inter- AEMD, right and left intra- AEMD were measured from the lateral and septal mitral annulus and tricuspid annulus using tissue Doppler imaging ( TDI). Results The age, gender, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate ( HR), BSA, and body mass index ( BMI) parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Left atrial active and total emptying fractions and conduit volumes were significantly lower in the patients with ASD compared with the control group (P = 0.006, P = 0.001, and P = 0.032, respectively). Total emptying volume was increased in patients with ASD (P = 0.021). Passive emptying volume and fraction and active emptying volumes were not different significantly between the groups (P > 0.05). The left intraatrial, right intraatrial, and inter- AEMDs were significantly longer in the ASD group (P = 0.032, P = 0.013, and P = 0.003, respectively). Conclusion The left atrial reservoir and contractile pump functions are reduced; the left intraatrial, right intraatrial, and inter- AEMDs are increased in the patients with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anatolian Journal of Cardiology / Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of left atrial strain (S) and strain rate (SR) imaging in assessing left atrial appendage (LAA) function. Methods: We studied 78 consecutive patients (35 females and 43 males; mean age 38 ± 15 years) referred for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). LAA late emptying velocity (LAA-EV) was calculated. Real-time color Doppler myocardial velocity imaging (MVI) data were recorded from the LAA by TEE and the lateral wall of the left atrium (LA) by transthoracic echocardiography. Longitudinal S and SR were measured in the mid portion of the lateral LA wall and lateral LAA wall during the contractile period. LAA late systolic velocity (LSV) and LA-LSV were obtained from Doppler analysis. Results: A significant positive correlation was detected between LAA-EV and MVI parameters (for LAA-S, r = 0.88, p < 0.001; for LAA-SR, r = 0.84, p < 0.001; for LAA-LSV, r = 0.83, p < 0.001; for LA-S, r = 0.84, p < 0.001; for LA-SR, r = 0.79, p < 0.001, and for LA-LSV, r = 0.70, p < 0.001). In addition, a significant positive correlation was detected between LAA-S and LA-S (r = 0.85, p < 0.001). Conclusion: We suggest that LA-S and LA-SR imaging is a beneficial method to evaluate LAA functions noninvasively. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Latin-American Journal of Physics Education is the property of Latin-American Physics Education Network and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anatolian Journal of Cardiology / Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, we calculate the photoionization cross section and refractive-index change of an on-center hydrogenic impurity in a CdS-SiO2 spherical quantum dot. In numerical calculations, both the finite- and infinite-confinement cases are considered and a variational scheme is adopted to determine the energy eigenvalues for the impurity. The variations of the photoionization cross section with the dot radius, the refractive-index change, and the normalized photon energy are investigated, and the effect of the potential-barrier height on the cross section is discussed. The results obtained show that the photoionization cross section and the refractive-index change in CdS-SiO2 spherical quantum dots are sensitively dependent on the incident optical intensity and on the dot sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reported in this paper aims to determine the effects of a hybrid approach which is formed by incorporating different teaching methods, namely lecturing, open discussion, problem solving and demonstration, on student success and attitude towards physics. Total number of 80 undergraduate students participated to the research. Half of them are referred as Treatment Group to which the hybrid approach is employed and the rest of the students referred as Control Group to which the traditional teaching method is employed. To evaluate the outcomes of the study, an Electrostatics Test (ET) and an Attitude Scale towards Physics (ASP) are employed. The obtained data processed statistically and it has been clearly shown that a meaningful difference exits between the two groups on success, nevertheless no difference has been detected concerning the attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are important in patients with asymptomatic valvular heart disease. Echocardiography is a valuable tool in this respect. In this review, the management of asymptomatic patients with valvular heart diseases is summarized according to the new guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gazi University Journal of Gazi Educational Faculty (GUJGEF) is the property of Gazi University Journal of Gazi Educational Faculty (GUJGEF) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study was designed to evaluate the prognostic value of the 6-minute walk test in stable outpatients with heart failure. We prospectively studied 43 patients (6 women and 37 men) who had chronic heart failure secondary to ischemic heart disease or idiopathic cardiomyopathy. All patients had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction, ≤0.40), and they were in stable New York Heart Association functional class II or III heart failure. All patients were evaluated by M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiography. At the outset, walking distances of all the patients were evaluated by the 6-minute walk test. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I, patients with a 6-minute walk test distance of ≤300 m; and Group II, patients with a 6-minute walk test distance of >300 m. The patients were then monitored for a period of 2 years in regard to cardiac death. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with a 6-minute walk test distance of ≤300 m than in patients with a 6-minute walk test distance of >300 m (79% vs 7%; P <0.001). The death risk was found to be significantly higher in patients with a distance of ≤300 m (P=0.005). The death risk was also higher in patients whose left ventricular ejection fraction was ≤0.30 (P=0.02). We conclude that a 6-minute walk test distance of ≤300 m is a simple and useful prognostic marker of subsequent cardiac death in patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to determine how much physics teacher candidates use problem solving strategies and to investigate the effects of gender and grade levels on it. Research data was collected by a Likert-type "Problem Solving Strategies Scale". It has 35 items and its Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was found 0,82. 141 students from all grade levels had participated into the research voluntarily. The data has been analyzed by using some statistical techniques as frequency, percentage, mean, Standard deviation, t-test, variance analysis and Scheffé Test. It was concluded that there was a statistically significant difference among groups according to the variables of gender and grade levels. It was also found that female teacher candidates use the problem solving strategies more frequently than the male ones; as the class level increased, the frequency of candidates who use problem solving strategies were also increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), analyzing conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiographic imaging (TDI) which is a new echocardiographic application, with special regard to disease duration. Methods: Fifty-two patients with active RA and 47 healthy persons were included in this study. Duration of disease ranged from 3 to 324 months (mean 76±85 months). All patients and the control group were evaluated by M-mod, two-dimensional, conventional Doppler echocardiography and TDI. Results: Among conventional Doppler transvalvular mitral flow parameters, late diastolic flow velocity (A) and deceleration time (DT) values were higher in patients with RA than that in the control group (p<0.001). E (early diastolic flow velocity)/A ratio was found to be lower in patients with RA than that in the control group (p<0.001). Mitral annular early diastolic velocity (Em), among TDI parameters, was found to be lower in patients with RA than that in the control group (p<0.001). Em/Am (mitral annular late diastolic velocity) ratio was found to be lower in RA patients compared with that in the control group (p<0.001). The relation was found between A (r=0.43, p=0.001), DT (r=0.30, p=0.03), E/A ratio (r=0.40, p=0.004), Em (r=0.32, p=0.02), Em/Am ratio (r=0.30, p=0.03), and E/Em (r=0.32, p=0.02), with disease duration in patients with RA. Conclusion: At present, it is concluded that active RA patients, in the absence of clinical evidence of heart disease, show diastolic dysfunction characterized by impaired E/A ratio, Em/Am ratio, and DT. The relation between diastolic dysfunction and disease duration suggests a subclinical myocardial involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to assess left ventricular diastolic functions with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), which is a new technique, and to compare it with conventional Doppler echocardiography techniques in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Fifty-two patients with active RA and 47 healthy persons were included in this study. All patients and the control group were evaluated by M-mod, two-dimensional, conventional Doppler echocardiography and TDI. Results: Left ventricular early diastolic ( E)/late diastolic ( A) flow velocity ( E/ A ratio) was found to be lower in patients with RA than in the control group ( p<0.001). Mitral annular early diastolic ( E m)/late diastolic ( A m) velocity( E m/ A m ratio) was found to decrease in RA patients compared with the control group ( p<0.001). E/ E m ratio was higher in patients with RA than in the control group ( p<0.001). Conclusion: Left ventricular diastolic functions were impaired in patients with RA. We have concluded that TDI alone, or together with conventional Doppler echocardiography, is useful for the evaluation of diastolic functions in RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis attributed to interferon therapy have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac effects of interferon-a (IFN-a) in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Forty-five patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (41 men and 3 women; mean age 34.2 ± 11.5 years) were included in the study, and 10?MU IFN-a 2b was administered three times a week for 6 months to the patients. Cardiac evaluation (detailed medical history, physical examination, electrocardiography, systolic and diastolic function parameters by echocardiography) was performed at the beginning, and at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of therapy. No patients had any cardiac symptoms during interferon therapy, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly affected (P>0.05). None of the patients revealed cardiac rhythm disturbance on electrocardiography before or during the therapy period. No significant changes were detected in systolic (ejection fraction, fractional shortening, pre-ejection period, left ventricular ejection time, the ratio of pre-ejection period/ejection time, Q-V peak) and diastolic (Epeak,Apeak of transmitral flow velocity,E/Aratio, deceleration time, isovolumic relaxation time by conventional echocardiography, andEpeak,Apeak, deceleration time ofEwave at the medial and lateral corners of the mitral annulus by tissue Doppler echocardiography) left ventricular function parameters between the beginning and the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of therapy. The results of this study suggest that IFN-a therapy does not cause a significant deterioration in cardiac function in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, and it may be used safely in patients without cardiac disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic measurements of metallic glass Fe78Si9B13 were taken using a DC inductive magnetometer. Samples were isothermally annealed in air at 773 K, and convenient annealing times were chosen for each step. For every annealing step, M–H plots were taken and coercivities obtained. Changes in coercivity were observed, and coercivity–annealing time graphs were plotted. The minimum coercivity was measured as 1.6 A/m at this fixed temperature. After each annealing step X-ray diffraction patterns and magnetic domain pictures were taken. Magnetic domain pictures were taken by the Bitter Technique. The observations are interpreted in terms of stress relief and sample crystallization. The appearance of zig-zag domain walls in the as-cast sample should be particularly noted. We show the development of regions of maze domains as surface crystallization onset occurs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents several letters to the editor regarding various medical issues. Spontaneous pneumothorax as the first manifestation of lymphoma; Treatment of a patient with pyridoxine after an isoniazid overdose; Link between hypermagnesemia and laxative use.

In this paper, we report hot carrier energy relaxation processes studied by acoustic phonon emission in wurtzite GaN epilayers, using the heat pulse technique. In this method, the carriers were heated up by means of short (≈ 10 ns) voltage pulses and emitted phonons were detected by Al bolometers biased at their superconducting transition. Obtained phonon signals indicate that the optical phonon emission threshold has not been reached and longitudinal acoustic and transverse acoustic modes can be clearly resolved. This paper specifically concentrates on the electron temperature dependence of the energy relaxation rates and compares the experimental results with the existing theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report electrical transport properties of intentionally and unintentionally doped wurtzite GaN epilayers within the temperature range of 3K up to 340 K. Specifically, temperature dependence of the carrier concentration, mobility and resistivity are investigated. Obtained data could only be explained on the basis of two-band model, namely, high mobility conduction band and low mobility impurity band. The threshold doping concentration for the dominance of the conduction band electrons is estimated to be about 1018 cm−3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, spinel NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized employing a one‐step flame spray pyrolysis technique and subjected to annealing at 500°C for 4 h. Thermal, structural, elemental, morphological, magnetic, and photoluminescence properties of the nanoparticles before and after annealing were evaluated using thermogravimetry–differential thermal analyzer, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, vibrating sample magnetometry, and fluorescence spectrometer, respectively. Results revealed a pronounced increase in particle size from an average of 80 nm to approximately 140 nm postannealing. XRD verified the retention of the cubic spinel structure with enhanced crystallinity and grain enlargement post‐thermal treatment, without the emergence of additional phases. The photoluminescence analysis showed distinct blue and green emission bands, with excitation at about 364 nm leading to blue emission at 500 nm and green emission at 550 nm both as‐prepared and postannealing. Additionally, magnetic characterization revealed an improvement in saturation magnetization from 16.31 emu/g for the as‐prepared samples to 29.68 emu/g postannealing, underscoring the annealing process's positive impact on magnetic properties. These findings emphasize the potential of tailored NiFe2O4 nanoparticles for applications in magnetic data storage, targeted drug delivery, and bioimaging, driven by modifications in their magnetic and photoluminescence characteristics through thermal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Afyon Kocatepe University Journal of Science & Engineering / Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Fen Ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Science & Literature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, NiO x , Li:NiO x , and Li,Mg:NiO x powders (Li 0.05 Mg a Ni (0.95-a) O x , a: 0.00; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.30) were produced by sol-gel method. Preformed powders were annealed at 350 °C, 500 °C, and 650 °C to monitor structural changes. Functional groups, compositions, phase structures, elemental analysis, morphology, and optical properties were investigated by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and photoluminescence measurements (PL), respectively. The incorporation of Li+ and Mg2+ into NiO x structure was successfully accomplished as seen on XPS results. Crystallite size decreased upon increasing dopant concentration. All of the powders, with bi-exponential decay curves, exhibited maximum emission peak at 550 nm under the excitation at 362 nm. A decrease in both emission based intensity and average decay time values was observed at addition of Li+ and Mg2+ into structure with respect to the pristine NiO x. • NiO x , Li:NiO x , and Li,Mg:NiO x powders were successfully produced by sol-gel method. • Cubic NiO x structures were observed for all samples without any other phase formation. • Luminescence intensity was decreased upon Li+ and Mg2+ addition to NiO x structure. • A decrease of average decay time values was observed by the addition of Li+ and Mg2+ into NiO x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical anodization, under a constant voltage of 45 V and for 15, 30, and 45 min, was performed to fabricate highly ordered TiO 2 nanotubes. Depending on the processing paramters, the diameter of the TiO 2 nanotubes was found to be around 95 ± 6 nm, while the thickness of TNT layer exhibited a change with anodizing time, varying from 1 to 4 μm. Subsequent to the anodization α-Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 heterogeneous structure was created by the spin coating of iron precursor based solutions on TiO 2 nanotubes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were utilized to ascertain the phase structure and morphology of TiO 2 nanotubes. The change of optical band gap values depending on the processing parameters was calculated using UV–Vis spectrophotometer data. The photocatalytic performances of the samples, namely the degradation rates and kinetics, were evaluated by examining the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The (TC15) sample, obtained by anodizing for 15 min and decorated with α-Fe 2 O 3 , exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, with a degradation efficiency of 70 % at the end of 7 h of light exposure. On the other hand, the inhibition percentages of bacterial growth were examined and it was seen that the TC30 sample with the highest value was 88.89 % for E.coli bacteria and 70.57 % for S.aureus. To assess the mechanism of antimicrobial activity, ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) Analysis were perfomed on T30 and TC30 groups and the ROS amount of TC30 was higher than T30. According to the results of the L929 mouse fibroblast cytotoxicity experiment with indirect contact according to ISO 10993-5 standards, all samples showed a successful performance in terms of cell viability. The cell viability of TC15 was higher in comparison to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the visible light photocatalytic activities of the ZnO and ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 structures were investigated. Anodization of Zn plates to obtain ZnO nanowires was carried out by applying 35 V between 1 and 30 min durations. Fe 2 O 3 layers were coated on initially obtained ZnO nanowires through a sol-gel spin-coating process. All samples were examined for morphological, structural, optical, and photocatalytic activities in detail. The results showed that the conducted anodization process was successful where up to micrometer-length nanowires were obtained. SEM images confirmed the presence of Fe 2 O 3 deposits surrounding the nanowires, while UV and visible absorption spectra indicated increased absorption due to Fe 2 O 3 , leading to enhanced photocatalytic performance. The best-performing ZnO nanowire anodized for 5 min almost doubled its photocatalytic activity after Fe 2 O 3 coating, in which an apparent reaction rate of 12.24 × 10−3 min−1 and degrading 90.32 % of the initial MB concentration was recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the contributory role of histogram-based textural features (HBTFs) extracted from 18fluorinefluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in tumoral heterogeneity (TH) evaluation and invasive lung adenocarcinoma (ILA) prognosis prediction. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of 72 patients with ILA who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT followed by surgical resection. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis values were calculated for each tumor. Additionally, HBTFs were extracted from 18F-FDG PET/CT images using the software program. ILA was classified into the following five histopathological subtypes according to the predominant pattern: Lepidic adenocarcinoma (LA), acinar adenocarcinoma, papillary adenocarcinoma, solid adenocarcinoma (SA), and micropapillary adenocarcinoma (MA). Differences between 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters and histopathological subtypes were evaluated using non-parametric tests. The study endpoints include overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The prognostic values of clinicopathological factors and 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters were evaluated using the Cox regression analyses. Results: The median SUVmax and entropy values were significantly higher in SA-MA, whereas lower in LA. The median energy-uniformity value of the LA was significantly higher than the others. Among all parameters, only skewness and kurtosis were significantly associated with lymph node involvement status. The median values for follow-up time, PFS, and OS were 31.26, 16.07, and 20.87 months, respectively. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that lymph node involvement was the only significant predictor for PFS. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that higher SUVmax (=11.69) and advanced stage (IIB-IIIA) were significantly associated with poorer OS [hazard ratio (HR): 3.580, p=0.024 and HR: 7.608, p=0.007, respectively]. Conclusion: HBTFs were tightly associated with clinicopathological factors causing TH. Among the 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters, only skewness and kurtosis were associated with lymph node involvement, whereas SUVmax was the only independent predictor of OS. TH measurement with HBTFs may contribute to conventional metabolic parameters in guiding precision medicine for ILA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflowers were grown on pure zinc plates through electrochemical anodization. Prior to anodization, zinc plates were artificially roughened by sanding with emery papers #1000, #1500, and #2000 grits so as to obtain varying substrate surface profiles. Thus, the effect of zinc plates' roughness on the structural, morphological, and wetting properties was investigated by means of anodization time. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the grown nanostructures were of wurtzite structure. Scanning electron microscope images revealed that anodization time increased the fraction of anodized surface. Additionally, increasing anodization time yields an increase in the aspect ratio of the micrometer long nanoflower spines, as well as, by increasing anodization time, from 0 to 600 s, contact angle gradually decreases for all substrate surface roughness values. The best wettability performance with the lowest contact angle with 13.46° was recorded for the sample with highest roughness (sanded with #1000) and anodized for 600 s. It is expected that the electrochemical anodization method which enables rapid and controlled formation of metal oxide nanostructures can further be a promising way to develop structures with tunable wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles were produced through flame spray pyrolysis (FSP). To investigate the effects of heat treatment, the nanoparticles were annealed between 400 and 650°C for 4 h in air in a comparative manner. The structural, chemical, morphological, and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles were evaluated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), respectively. The XRD results showed that the nanoparticles synthesized by the FSP method exhibited the MnFe2O4 spinel ferrite structure. The annealing process led to the decomposition of MnFe2O4 into various phases. According to the morphological analysis, the as‐synthesized particles were hemispherical–cubic in shape and had an average particle size of less than 100 nm. In addition, the chemical bond structures of the nanoparticles were confirmed in detail by XPS elemental analysis. The highest saturation magnetization was recorded as 33.50 emu/g for the as‐produced nanoparticles. The saturation magnetization of the nanoparticles decreased with increasing annealing temperature, while coercivity increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) were fabricated by electrochemical anodization under varying durations and voltages. The effects of the anodizing parameters on geometrical properties were investigated. The results showed that as the anodizing time increased from 15 to 45 min, the length of the nanotubes increased, but there was no change in their diameter, hence the surface area increased while the open porosity did not change. When the effect of the anodizing voltage was examined, it was observed that both the length and diameter increased as the voltage increased from 15 to 45 V. Thus, a significant increase in open porosity and surface area was observed. The UV–Vis spectrophotometer was used to evaluate the effects of all geometrical characteristics on the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The results showed that the anodizing parameters were highly effective on the photocatalytic degradation of MB. With the decrease of the anodizing voltage, the photocatalytic activity increased because of the geometrical characteristics of TNAs. Accordingly, TNAs with the surface area of ​​25 m2/g and the open porosity of 35% obtained by anodizing for 45 min at 15 V showed the highest photocatalytic activity with a degradation efficiency of ∼ 81% in 7 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cardiovascular surgery advancements have emerged with various minimally invasive approaches for treating multivessel coronary disease to improve outcomes and minimize the burden associated with conventional cardiac surgery. We present our clinical experience and minimally invasive coronary bypass techniques through minithoracotomy, which we apply without selection to patients who have decided to have elective surgery for multivessel isolated coronary artery disease. Methods: It consists of 230 consecutive patients operated by the same team with this method between July 2020 and September 2022. The patients were assigned to one of the two methods preoperatively to their accompanying comorbidities and operated on either with blood cardioplegia via 5 to 7 cm left anterior minithoracotomy, with on-pump clamped technique or without pump via left anterolateral minithoracotomy. Results: Mortality was observed in two of our patients (0.9%), but myocardial infarction was not observed in our patients in the early postoperative period. None of our patients required conversion to sternotomy (0%). Five patients' needed reoperation from the same incision due to postoperative bleeding (2.2%), and atrial fibrillation developed in 17 patients in the postoperative period (7.4%). The mean number of bypasses was found to be 3.0 ± 0.9. Conclusions: Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery via minithoracotomy can be routinely reproduced safely. More long-term results and more multicenter studies are needed for more widespread acceptance of the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of acute myocardial infarction has evolved steadily. However, limited studies exist regarding the effect of all innovations on mortality. We aimed to investigate the effect of time of admission and work mode on 1-year outcomes in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Based on the TURKMI registry, we analyzed 735 STEMI patients recruited consecutively and prospectively from 50 PCI-capable cardiology clinics within a prespecified two-week period. Centers were categorized as "on-call" and "on-duty" according to their work mode. At 1-year follow-up, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcome was a composite of coronary revascularization, re-infarction/stroke, and recurrent angina. One-fifth of the participants (19.5%) were treated in the on-call group. All-cause mortality (7.9 vs 10.5%, aHR: 1.16, P =.650) and cardiovascular mortality rates (6.1 vs 9.1%, aHR: 1.35, P =.413) were similar between centers' modes of work. Likewise, both groups were equally likely to undergo coronary revascularization (P =.278), re-MI/stroke (P =.280), recurrent angina (P =.175), and the composite outcome of these components (P =.482). No significant difference was observed in primary outcomes between weekend and weekday admissions. In conclusion, we observed similar outcomes between the on-call and on-duty groups among STEMI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to research if the new generation beta-blockers (BB), carvedilol (C) and nebivolol (N), are as effective as irbesartan (I) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and to research whether or not there is a difference between C and N treatments.Method: This study is a clinical, prospective and cohort study. The study included 85 patients (mean age:56.6±9.6 years) with stages 1 or 2 hypertension and LVH who didn’t receive antihypertensive. Three different treatment groups [I (n=28), N (n=25) and C (n=32)] were assessed clinically and echocardiographically 3, 6 and 12 months after the initial treatment. Devereux formula was used in the measurement of left ventricular mass (LVM). LVM index (LVMI) ≥125 g/m2 in male and ≥110g/m2 in female was accepted as LVH.Results: There was no significant difference among treatment groups according to the initial LVMI and blood pressures (BP). Both between I and N groups and between I and C groups, there was a significant difference in the measurements of 12th month (p<0.05) while there wasn’t a significant difference in 3rd and 6th months according to LVMI. There was no significant difference between N and C groups (Figure). While the decrease of values in systolic and diastolic BPs were significant in all treatment groups at 3, 6 and 12 months after beginning (p<0.001), there was no significant difference among treatment groups.Conclusions: This study shows that both of the new generation BBs can be more effective than irbesartan in the regression of LVH due to hypertension. However, there is no significant difference between N and C treatments. Still, the results should be supported by other prospective and randomized studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]