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Intensive care units (ICUs) are one of the most important elements of hospitals. ICUs play a central role in the healthcare system and in providing care for critical patients, so capacity planning in these units is critical. A shortage of ICU beds and staff can have irreparable consequences, including patient death. As a result, hospital managers make efforts to determine the appropriate number of beds. However, the interarrival time (IAT) of patients to ICUs and the service time (ST) of patients in ICUs are stochastic in nature. Consequently, capacity planning is a dynamic operations management problem. For this research, we used mixture distributions to approximate the interarrival time (IAT) and service time (ST) of patients in ICUs. We then incorporated these distributions into a simulation model that helps us to determine the number of beds needed to accommodate all incoming patients without any waiting in the queue. The results show that the mixture distributions provide a better estimate than empirical statistical distributions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to provide insights into Turkish national education policies toward immigrant communities based on the experiences of Meskhetian Turkic high school students who migrated to Turkey. The study was done qualitatively and carried out via in-depth interviews with 10 Meskhetian Turkic students attending 12th grade at various high schools in İstanbul. According to the findings of the research, students sometimes felt discriminated against and had difficulty expressing themselves because they did not know the local language. Participants perceived teachers as having an inclusive attitude but commented that they could not get enough support from the guidance service. Meskhetian students stated that they needed to be better supported financially and believe that they should be included in the school activity calendar and cultural studies to promote their culture. Educational policymakers should be aware that ensuring positive educational experiences for historically interconnected communities like Meskhetians will help future economic, social, and political cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine whether fertility could be enhanced in Kıvırcık ewes during the anoestrous period by flushing or by administering an injectable (Ovostim) containing β-Carotene and vitamin E. Three-year-old Kıvırcık ewes (n = 99) were used. The ewes were randomly divided into four groups: flushing, a single dose of Ovostim (5 ml/ewe) before the breeding season, a dose of Ovostim 10 days before the breeding season and a second dose at its start, and an untreated control. Results showed that pregnancy rate was higher in the treated groups than in the control (P <0.001). The single dose of Ovostim produced more multiple births (72%) and the highest litter size (1.64) compared with the other treatments. Although the double-dose of Ovostim influenced the ewes in the anoestrous period to the point of becoming pregnant, it failed to favourably affect the number of lambs born per ewe lambing. In conclusion, flushing the ewes or administering a single dose of Ovostim was shown to be advantageous in comparison with untreated ewes or those given two doses of Ovostim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of copeptin and S100B levels in the differentiation of central and peripheral vertigo. Methods: Ninety patients were included in the study. Copeptin and S100B levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: The time between symptom onset and presentation to the emergency department was longer in the patients diagnosed with central vertigo. S100B and copeptin levels were significantly higher in central vertigo patients. The confirmed cut-off value was 17 for the S100B level and 1.65 for the copeptin level. Conclusion: Quick and reliable differentiation between central and peripheral vertigo is important to reduce the length of hospital stay of patients in the emergency department, and for patient comfort. S100B and copeptin levels are potential biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of central vertigo and peripheral vertigo for patients whose aetiology of vertigo cannot be differentially diagnosed with history-taking and physical examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present paper was to investigate the efficiency of different progestagen treatment methods in combination with Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) in Merino ewes outside the breeding season. A total of 78 ewes (2 to 4 years old) with a mean bodyweight of 58.4 kg and an average body condition score (BCS) of 3.5 were used in the trial. The ewes were randomly divided into 3 equal groups [n= 26]. Intravaginal progestagen sponges containing Fluorogestone Acetate (FGA; 30 mg) were inserted intravaginally for different periods (7_days: short-term; 10_days: mid-term, 14_days: long-term). In all cases, 500 IU PMSG was administered intramuscularly at sponge withdrawal. The oestrus response, lambing rate, multiple birth rate, fecundity and litter size were [65.4, 61.5, 18.8%, 0.77 and 1.25] in the short-term group; 80.8, 88.5, 34.8%, 1.31 and 1.48 in the mid-term group; and 96.2, 92.3, 62.5%, 1.50 and 1.63 in the long-term group, respectively. Oestrus manifestation and multiple birth rate were greater in long-term than in mid- and short-term groups, whereas for lambing rate, fecundity and litter size, better results were obtained in long- and mid-term than in short-term protocol. In conclusion, in Merino ewes, oestrus synchronisation outside the breeding season with long and mid-term progestagen treatment was found to be more effective than short-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium pervariensis, a new species of sect. Allium, is described and illustrated from southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. It is a narrowly distributed geophyte in Siirt Province and its closest relatives are A. pustulosum Boiss. & Hausskn, A. karyeteini Post, but it is clearly differentiated due to outer tunic, perigon, pedicel, leaf and filament, and bracteoles characteristics. In this study, a comprehensive description, detailed illustration of A. pervariensis and distribution map, identification key are provided for A. pervariensis and related taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the mechanical and flammability properties of wood plastic composite panels made from pumice powder formulations, using a conventional hand lay up method under laboratory conditions. Wood flour was stirred with pumice in order to improve the mechanical properties of the wood flour-epoxy composites. Five levels of pumice powder, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50%, based on the composition by weight, were mixed with the wood flour. The tensile strength of the composites prepared with pumice stirred wood flour were found to increase substantially compared to those of unstirred ones. The tensile and stiffness strength of the composites improved with increasing pumice powder content, up to 50% weight. The effect of pumice on the flammability properties of wood plastic composites (WPCs) was also investigated. Flammability properties of composites decreased with addition of pumice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light exposure affects the quality of foods when packaged in transparent materials. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of vacuum and non-vacuum packaging and storage under light and dark conditions on oxidative properties of butter. For this purpose, peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, some aldehydes and lipolytic properties of butter were monitored during 90 days of storage. The incremental effects of light exposure and packaging at atmospheric conditions on peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were obviously seen. The butter samples stored under light had the highest aldehyde content. Hexanal was the most formed aldehyde and this was followed by pentanal and nonanal. 2,4-haxadienal, 2,4-heptadienal and 2,4-nonadienal reached to higher concentrations in the samples exposed to light than dark-stored samples. ADV and free fatty acid contents were not influenced significantly by the treatments. Consequently, it is concluded that the most effective way of protecting butter against oxidative damage is keeping the butter out of light and oxygen exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many tropical and subtropical crops are sensitive to low temperatures. When these crops are kept at temperatures lower than 10-15°C but above the freezing point for a certain period, chilling injury occurs. Tissue strength of fruits decreases because normal metabolic processes are not maintained at these temperatures. The dysfunction of cells, various physiological and biochemical changes occur when chilling sensitive crops are subjected to chilling stress. The most common symptoms of chilling injury are pitting, internal browning, core breakdown, soggy breakdown, soft scald and abnormal ripening Fruits sensitive to chilling injury cannot benefit the full advantage of cold storage due to this deteriorations. Many pre- and post-harvest techniques and chemicals have been applied in these crops to reduce or delay the effects of chilling injury. There is not a single effective method for all conditions or all crops. Different techniques are used to reduce the effects of chilling injury for each species and variety even each case. One of the most widely used methods is temperature conditioning by which different temperatures before or during storage could be applied. Different temperatures conditioning are used for different fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To demonstrate the inhibitory effects of clarithromycin on in vitro tympanosclerosis.Method:Twenty-eight rats were divided into three groups: a clarithromycin group, a non-clarithromycin group and a negative control group. Those in the first two groups were injected with Streptococcus pneumoniae following a myringotomy, and tympanosclerosis was experimentally induced. Oral clarithromycin therapy was administered in the clarithromycin group. The other groups received no medical treatment.Results:All eardrums in the clarithromycin and non-clarithromycin groups developed myringosclerosis, but there was only one eardrum, in the clarithromycin group, with very severe myringosclerosis. In the clarithromycin group, 11 ears showed no inflammation and there were no ears with severe inflammation. In the non-clarithromycin group, there were 11 ears with severe inflammation. The mean eardrum thickness in the clarithromycin group was 20.93 µm and in the non-clarithromycin group it was 42.71 µm.Conclusion:Acute otitis media and myringotomies induced tympanosclerosis, but clarithromycin reduced the severity of tympanosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The experiment was conducted on 90 Karacabey Merino ewes divided into three groups. The first group of ewes was treated with 5 mL 0.1% sodium selenate, the second with 5 mL 0.1% sodium selenate and 250 mg vitamin E, while the third one was a control group. The effect of intra-muscular injection of selenium (Se) and Se plus vitamin E on oestrus, fertility, prolificacy, number of lambs reared the weight of lambs at birth and the live weight gain for 60 days was investigated. The injections of Se plus vitamin E significantly increased the incidence of oestrus, fertility and prolificacy in ewes, lamb body weight at day 60 and daily weight gain of ewes for 60 days postpartum compared with the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of castration on growth and carcass composition of Turkish hair kids was studied from weaning at 160–216 days (56 days total). Average daily weight gain did not differ between intact males and castrates (102 and 77g, respectively). Dressing percentage based on full weight and empty body weight was lower (P <0.01) for intact males than castrates. Castration had no significant effect on percentage contributions to the whole carcass of priminal cuts, excluding the long leg and ribs. Castration did not affect tissue distribution in the carcass except for intermuscular fat. It was concluded that castration on hair kids of Turkey improves carcass value by increasing dressing percentage, eye muscle area and intermuscular fat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nuts of Yalova-3 walnut (Juglans regia L.) variety were compressed with a universal testing machine. Force, energy and specific deformation before initial rupturing and kernel extraction quality were investigated as functions of shell thickness and geometric mean diameter at different compression positions (length, width and suture). Results showed that while energy for initial rupturing increased linearly with increase in shell thickness except for length position, it decreased linearly with an increase in geometric mean diameter. The direction of change of specific deformation as a function of shell thickness and geometric mean diameter was similar to that of energy for all compression positions. Regression analysis of the data on kernel extraction quality versus shell thickness and geometric mean diameter resulted in values for the coefficient of determination R2 ranging from 0·12 to 0·73. Experimental results from compression tests indicated that cracking nuts at the length position required less force and yielded the best kernel extraction quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using a truncated Lennard–Jones (6–12) interaction potential for the molecular interactions, we have calculated thermodynamical excess functions of various binary mixtures from Barker–Henderson perturbation theory. In the calculations of thermodynamic quantities, we used the Carnahan–Starling equation of state as a hard sphere reference system. It is seen that our results are quite satisfactory when compared to the existing theoretical and experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

B Background: b It is currently seeking a prognostic marker in question. s Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic ability of inflammation based scores for patients with acute pancreatitis. There were no significant relationships between mGPS 0 and etiology, severity, ICU requirement, surgery reguirement, local or systemic complications and mortality. B Conclusion: b Nutritional or Inflammation-based prognostic scores are not reliable in the first 24 hours for prediction the severity of acute pancreatitis. [Extracted from the article]

B Background: b It is currently seeking a prognostic marker in question. s Therefore, we evaluated the prognostic ability of inflammation based scores for patients with acute pancreatitis There were no significant relationships between mGPS 0 and etiology, severity, ICU requirement, surgery reguirement, local or systemic complications and mortality. B Conclusion: b Nutritional or Inflammation-based prognostic scores are not reliable in the first 24 hours for prediction the severity of acute pancreatitis. [Extracted from the article]

This report describes the first case of deep neck infection resulting from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris. The case is associated with the consumption of unpasteurized milk and occurred in a patient with a buccal mucosa tumor. Anti-infective therapy with ceftriaxone and metronidazole resulted in complete resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of automatic milking system (AMS) units on three farms with free and directed cow traffic was examined in this study. Farm A housed 123 Holstein cows and used free traffic. Farms B and C housed 104 and 102 Holstein cows, respectively, and both used milk-first-cow traffic. Daily milking frequency per cow was highest on Farm B (2.85), followed by Farm C (2.69), and Farm A (2.36). Although the daily milking rate per cow was lowest on Farm A, the daily milking yield was higher than those on the other two farms (Farm B, 25.30 kg; Farm C, 24.33 kg) with 27.33 kg. The number of daily refusals was significantly higher on Farm A (34.93) compared to refusals on the other two farms (P<0.05). The hourly milking capacities of the two AMS were lowest throughout the day on Farm A (4.4 visits), followed by Farms B and C, with 6.5 and 7.2 visits, respectively. AMS loading was higher on Farm A (78.09%) than on the other farms, which reduced the time wasted on Farm A by 15.23%. Most cows were milked two to four times daily on Farms B and C and one to two times daily on Farm A. A cow-traffic system must be chosen at the beginning of the investment. No traffic type is inherently better than any other. Farmers must be able to choose the appropriate cow traffic system for their farm, lifestyle, and labor qualification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium purpureoviride M. Koyuncu & İ. Genç (sect. Melanocrommyum) is described as a new species from east Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is closely related to A. rothii Zucc. from Israel and some characters of the new taxon show similarity with A. cyrilli Ten. and A. asclepiadeum Bornm. The morphological characters of the related taxa are discussed and the distribution of the taxa is mapped. The diploid chromosome number is 2n = 16. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Essential oil; carvacrol; Red Globe; quality; postharvest treatment EN Essential oil carvacrol Red Globe quality postharvest treatment INTRODUCTION Grape is an important fruit crop cultivated on a large scale in Turkey as well as in the world. Compared with the other treatments, SSC contents of 100 l carvacrol treated grapes at 60 days storage time were the highest, and untreated control grape at 100 days storage time were the lowest (Fig 1D). Untreated grape fruit at 100 days storage time was the highest respiration rate values and the lowest values were obtained 250 l and 1000 l carvacrol treated grapes. The highest a* value was 6.01 with 100 l carvacrol treated grape while the lowest a* values were 3.03 with 250 l carvacrol and 3.58 with 1000 l carvacrol treatments. [Extracted from the article]

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effect of radiofrequency radiation generated by 900 and 1800 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications sources on cochlear development in the rat model.Methods:Eight pregnant albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. The latter two groups of pregnant rats were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day starting on the 12th day of pregnancy until delivery. The rats in the control, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups gave birth to 24, 31 and 26 newborn rats respectively. Newborn rats in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz groups were exposed to radiofrequency radiation for 1 hour per day for 21 days after delivery. Hearing evaluations of newborn rats were carried out using distortion product otoacoustic emissions testing. Eight newborn rats were randomly selected from each group for electron microscopic evaluation.Results:Distortion product otoacoustic emission tests revealed no significant difference among the groups, but electron microscopic evaluation revealed significant differences among the groups with regard to the number of normal, apoptotic and necrotic cells.Conclusion:The findings indicated cellular structural damage in the cochlea caused by radiofrequency radiation exposure during cochlear development in the rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The aim of this research was to determine the effects of pre-harvest AVG treatments on the fruit quality of ‘Monroe’ peach stored in normal (air) atmosphere (NA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. For this purpose, ReTain containing 15% aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) was applied to the peach fruits. 150ppm dose of AVG was sprayed on the fruits 7 days before commercial harvest. Harvested fruits were transported to Postharvest Physiology Laboratory of Horticulture Department immediately. AVG treated and control fruits were stored at 0°C temperature and 90±5% relative humidity conditions during 6 weeks in air and 8 weeks in controlled atmosphere conditions. Weight loss, fruit flesh firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solid contents, fruit color, ethylene production, respiration rate and sensory analyses (external appearance, taste and aroma) were determined at the beginning and during the storage period with 2 weeks intervals. In this research, the maturation of the AVG-treated fruits was delayed compared to the control groups. The weight loss was increased by AVG application compared to the control fruits in both NA and CA. End of the storage, the lowest and highest fruit firmness was found to be 58.69N (in NA)-58.28N (in CA) and 83.54N (in NA)-75.66N (in CA) in control treatment and AVG treatment, respectively. In addition, titratable acidity of the fruits decreased and soluble solid contents increased during the storage period. The ethylene production level was lower (0.034 and 0.035μL/kgh) than that of control fruits (0.068 and 0.100μL/kgh) at the beginning as well as at the end of the storage, respectively in NA and that these results similarly in CA. It is concluded that pre-harvest AVG application (150ppm) 7 days before commercial harvest to ‘Monroe’ peaches can increase financial returns to growers through increased fruit size and quality benefits as well as maintain a higher flesh firmness following post-harvest storage and export. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Harvested bunch tomatoes are sensitive to fruit abscission and desiccation of calyxes, which limit product marketability. Our investigation showed that tomato fruit bunches when submitted to a combination of temperature, aqueous solutions and storage time, fruit abscission, and calyx desiccation can be prevented. The loss of fruit weight, the force required to separate the fruit from the calyxes, the respiration rate and ethylene production of the calyxes, the color of the calyxes, and the wilting and desiccation of the calyxes were measured. These results demonstrated that treatment of bunches with supplemented mineral water delays fruit abscission and calyx desiccation and improves the fresh appearance of calyxes during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the embryonic and endometrial effects of anastrozole in preimplantation and implantation phases in FSH-induced cycles in mice. Design: Blind randomized study. Setting: University research laboratory. Animal(s): Twenty-seven mature female mice. Intervention(s): Single-dose anastrozole (25 mg/kg [0.75 mg]), recombinant FSH (5 IU/mL), and hCG (5 IU/mL) (n = 9); recombinant FSH (5 IU/mL) and hCG (5 IU/mL) (n = 9); or sterile saline (1 mL) (n = 9). The morning of finding the vaginal plug was designated as day 1 of embryonic development (E1). Three mice from each group were sacrificed on E1 and embryos aspirated from uterine tubes. The rest of the mice were sacrificed on E2.5–3 and uteruses removed. Main Outcome Measure(s): Embryo quality, endometrial histologic evaluation, and immunohistochemical analysis of tumor necrosis factor-α, leukemia inhibitory factor, laminin, and collagen IV staining. Result(s): Anastrozole use in FSH-induced cycles not only caused an increase in preimplantation receptivity and implantation but also supported release of implantation markers. The enhanced embryo development seen in this study would explain the higher implantation because embryo development is synchronized with endometrial development. Conclusion(s): In mice, the use of anastrozole in FSH-induced cycles has a positive effect on embryo quality and implantation. This effect might be species dependent, and human studies are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and context: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has recently emerged as a new important etiological factor in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The association of HPV in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is investigated in several studies but controversial results are established. Aim: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the HPV DNA positivity in LSCC patients diagnosed and treated in 2 otorhinolaryngology referral center in northern region of Turkey. Strategy/Tactics: 52 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks of laryngeal cancers, diagnosed and treated between 2010 and 2016, were included. Detection and genotyping of HPV genotypes were done using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol. Program/Policy process: The study was planned as a retrospective investigation of laryngeal squamous cell cancer patients who had been diagnosed and treated in Samsun 19 Mayis University Hospital and Samsun Training and Research Hospital - otorhinolaryngology referral centers - between January 2010 and December 2016. Samsun is in the middle part of northern Turkey and stated as an oncology center in this region. Approval for the study was granted by the 19 Mayıs University Ethics Committee. The clinical characteristics of the patients were obtained from the computerized database. LSCC tissue samples fixed using 10% neutral buffered formalin and embedded blocks were used. Outcomes: PCR amplification was successful in 40 of 52 patients. Among the 40 LSCC samples HPV DNA was detected in 1 patient (2.5%). HPV 16 subtype was detected in this male patient aged 70 years, with a smoking history and stage III laryngeal cancer. After surgery, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy and was still alive at 48 months without relapse. What was learned: In northern region of Turkey, this is the first study that evaluated HPV positivity in LSCC. Our results may suggest that HPV-related LSCC has not yet emerged as a significant health burden in our region. This finding may be due to the genetic, cultural or religious characteristics of our patients that are not conducive to oral HPV transmission. Unfortunately tobacco smoking is still the main reason for HNSCC in our city. There is a need for a nationwide screening study to investigate HPV prevalence variability among different regions in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]