Evaluation of Hotels in the Eastern Black Sea Region in Terms of Disabled Tourism

The focus on global warming and climate change has prompted a substantial shift towards green energy technologies, which are crucial in shaping electricity generation capacity. Türkiye has actively been investing in renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and geothermal, to reduce its dependency on imported fossil fuels and improve its energy security. In this study, we aimed to investigate the future of the electricity production in Türkiye under a changing climate using climate model projections and a machine learning algorithm. Thus, we first identified the most suitable Global Climate Models (GCMs) in simulating Türkiye's climate conditions, and then we evaluated how climate change, considering changing wind speeds, solar radiation, and temperature, will impact future electricity production in renewable energy output. We acquired historical data from 13 CMIP6 Global Climate Models, focusing on temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation parameters. Model resolution was standardized, and daily data for 120 grids in Türkiye were collected for 2010-2014. The performance of GCMs was assessed against ERA5/CRU-biased corrected datasets using metrics such as Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE), modified index of agreement (md), and normalized root mean square error (nRMSE). A Multiple-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method ranked the models based on performance, and Comprehensive rating metrics (MR) provided a unified score. Based on the result of MR, the top-performing models (ACCESS-CM2, INM-CM5–0, INM-CM4–8, and ACCESS-ESM-1-5) were ensembled, and then utilized to predict Türkiye's future climate using the Extreme Gradient Boosting Tree (XGBoost) algorithm. Projections were made for 2020-2064 under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. According to the results of the XGBoost forecast, solar power plant output is predicted to decrease across the country due to rising temperatures, with the largest drops in the Mediterranean (7.7-5.2%) and Eastern Black Sea (7.7-6.0%) regions. The Eastern Black Sea region, with low current solar potential, is deemed unsuitable for photovoltaic solar power plants in the future. Minimal decreases are anticipated in the Marmara (2.8-2.0%) and Southeastern Anatolia (2.8-4.4%) regions. Wind turbine electricity production is expected to increase, notably in Thrace (3.5-8.5%), northern Central Anatolia (3.5-8.5%), southern Southeastern Region (3.5-11.1%), and around Ağrı and Van provinces in Eastern Anatolia (3.5-6.0%). Conversely, the Eastern Black Sea, Uşak-Kütahya-Eskişehir-Bolu provinces in northwestern Anatolia (3.0-1.0%), and Mardin-Batman-Şırnak provinces in southeastern Anatolia (5.8-1.0%) may experience a decline in wind production potential. Overall, the study's findings align with existing literature, providing valuable insights into Turkey's future electricity production landscape under the influence of climate change and the transition to green energy technologies.

The contents of available Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn of acid soils for plants were investigated. With this aim, 23 soil samples were collected from the depth of 0-20 cm in The Eastern Black Sea and Thrace regions. The differences betwen the results were due to the differences between the characteristics of these regions. While the levels of Fe, Mn and Cu contents of The Eastern Black Sea Region acid soils were found to be higher, the content of Zn was usually insufficient. In the Thrace Region, only the content of Mn was found to be sufficient; Zn, Cu and in some soils Fe deficiency were obtained. One of the reasons why the result of analysis in these regions were different from each other is due to the differences in farming practices. The available Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents of the soils were between 1.88-43.60; 1.92-8.60; 0.00-1.10 and 2.36-62.19 mg kg−1 for The Eastern Black Sea Region and 0.32-5.62; 0.02-0.79; 0.02-0.60 and 13.80-44.62 mg kg−1 for Thrace Region, respectively. In addition, statistics show some significant relationships between some soil properties and Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn contents of the soils which were investigated.

People live in their physical and social environments and they ought to arrange their relations via physical and social environments surrounding them to meet sheltering need, which is their essential requirement. When, especially, traditional residential architecture that represents historical and cultural backgrounds of societies is examined, the critical importance of human-environment relation is observed. When Anatolian traditional residential architecture is examined, it is observed that, as in many societies, dwellings are the reflections of the physical and social structures of the region where they are located. Dwellings that are structured differently in various parts of Anatolia signify both physical conditions and social characteristic and rich cultural background of the region they are located. In this sense, vernacular dwellings in Eastern Black Sea Region have a key position in the Anatolian residential architecture. Within the scope of this study, the impact of physical and social factors on residential architecture was analyzed by focusing on the vernacular dwellings in Eastern Black Sea Region (in Turkey). In this study, structuring process of the vernacular dwellings in Eastern Black Sea Region was examined from the housing scale to the location scale in terms of physical and social factors. Key words: Eastern black sea region, vernacular dwelling, natural and physical factors, socio-cultural factors.

Climatic effect in the formation of vernacular houses in the Eastern Black Sea region

The Ponto-Caucasian frontier defence system began function after the modernization-reorganization of the entire eastern defensive line by Vespasian (69-79). 72-76 significant forces began moving on the entire regions of the Roman Empire eastern borders. Created by Vespasian, the Cappadocian complex, which included Colchis, received two legions. These legions were stationed on the Cappadocia-Little Armenia line, at Satala and Melitene.In Melitene was stationed the Legio XII Fulminata (Lightning) transferred from Syria, and in Satala the newly formed XVI Flavia Firma, which later been replaced by the Legio XV Apollinaris. Satala and Melitene were considered as part of Cappadocia and, from a military-strategic point of view, the main distribution base of Roman forces in the Caucasus under the Cappadocian Legation. To the south of Melitene was beginning the Syrian Limes. Trabzon was the Rome's hub and the military-economic center in eastern black sea region. From 64 AD it became the main center of the Roman garrison - Classic Pontica. Trabzon get to be starting point of the Roman defence system - the Ponto-Caucasus border line, which included the castellums of Hisos, Rize, Athena, Apsarus, Phasis, and Sebastopolis.Until the middle of the 2nd century, the Ponto-Caucasian border line extended only to Sebastopolis. But between the years 132-152, the area of this defence system expanded to Pitsunda. The material and technical provision of the castellums located on the Ponto-Caucasus line was carried out from Trabzon.It is known that the Romans built temporary wooden fortifications before the construction of permanent, long-lasting castles, ’Pilum Murale’. We assume that it is possible the Romans built the same temporary wooden fortification in Apsarus as Flavius ​​Arian (95-175 AD) mentions in Phasis. According to recent studies the construction of a permanent, long-term fortress in Apsarus begun in second half of I century. The Apsarus castle over the next two centuries was one of the most significant military centres in eastern Black sea region. During the reign of Hadrian (117-138), as Ariane describes, a permanent ‘Castella Murata’ type defensive structure was already functioning in Apsarus, with five cohorts stationed there.The presence of such a significant military force in Apsarus was due to its strategical circumstance. The fort was a main crossroads from the Colchis lowlands to the interior of East Asia Minor and, at the same time, closed the coastline. Its main function was to prevent the nomads of the North Caucasus and to Roman provinces of Minor Asia. The geostrategic importance of Apsarus increased even more from 20-s of second century, when kingdom of Iberia conquered a part of the Colchis coast. Through the Ponto-Caucasian border defence system, which successfully maintain military and economic stability in the region until the middle of the 3rd century. The attacks of the North Caucasian nomads on the Colchis and other Roman provinces ceased; Piracy and robbery were prevented; the security of the distant provinces of the empire was ensured and the local tribes also came under the real control of Rome.From the beginning of the 4th century, the Roman border defence system, damaged by the barbarians, was renewed in the Eastern Black Sea region with its usual force, and its functioning lasted until the second half of the 4th century.

Turkey is a homeland of hazelnut culture. Hazelnuts are cultivated in the North of Anatolia, called the old and new region. The old region is Eastern Black Sea region and includes Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin provinces. The new region is located in the central and western Black Sea region and includes mainly Samsun, Sinop, Duzce, Sakarya, Zonguldak, Kocaeli provinces.Tombul, Cakildak and Fosa are the most cultivated varieties. Turkey is the most important producer of hazelnuts of the world with its average of 600 thousand tons. It meets 70% of hazelnut production in the world. Hazelnut constitutes approximately 20% of hazelnut exports of agricultural products of Turkey. Again, hazelnut is the source of livelihood of 400 thousand families living in 3500 villages in Eastern Black Sea Region. The Eastern Black sea region is extremely suitable for hazelnut culture due to its ecology. Hazelnut has been grown for many years and it is intertwined with the social, economic and cultural values of the people of the region. Traditional cultivation practices with intensively labor are common in production periods.

We've read with great interest the article entitled "Determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes among hepatitis C patients in Eastern Black Sea Region, Turkey" by Buruk et al. published in Mikrobiyol Bul 2013; 47(4): 650-7. In that study, the authors described the determination and distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Eastern Black Sea Region comprehensively. According to the current information, the determination of HCV genotypes is the most important factor for the management of therapy and virus-related complications, such as chirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The distribution of HCV genotypes varies geographically throughout the world. Therefore every country and even each region within the country should know the distribution of HCV genotypes to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. Herein we would like to contribute the data about distribution of HCV genotypes in whole Black Sea Region by presenting our current results obtained from Zonguldak province, where maximum number of chronic hepatit C patients have already been identified in Eastern Black Sea Region. A total of 53 chronic hepatitis C patients (26 female, 27 male; mean age: 57.1 ± 14.3, age range: 21-82 years) who were admitted to Zonguldak Ataturk State Hospital between January 2012-December 2013 were evaluated. Genotype analysis was performed by RealTime HCV Genotype II (Abbott Molecular, ABD) system. Genotype-1 was found to be the most frequently detected type with a rate of 96.2% (51/53). The prevalences of genotype-2 (1/53) and genotype-4 (1/53) were same, with a rate of 1.9%, in our study. Subtyping of genotype-1 strains yielded 52.9% (27/51) genotype-1b, 3.9% genotype-1a (2/51) and 47% untypeable genotype-1 (24/51). The present study was the second study from the Western Black Sea Region in our country, regarding HCV genotypes. In conclusion, considering entire Black Sea Region, genotype-1 is the most common genotype (96.2%), and 1b (52.9%) is the most common subtype, in parallel to the data reported from the other regions of Turkey.

Honey production and beekeeping practices are more common in the Eastern Black Sea region. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, experience and attitudes the use of personal and professional apitherapy of pediatric nurses working in the pediatric clinics of the largest hospitals in the Eastern Black Sea region. The study was conducted with 227 pediatric nurses who volunteered to participate in the study, working in six hospitals in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region. In this study, there is a correlation between gender, having child, clinical experience, and the use of apitherapy. Honey is the most common apitherapeutic product used by nurses both for personal (40,4%) and clinical use (39,1%). Nurses stated that they do not know bee venom, and they know very little about propolis and royal jelly. The nurses listed their positive experiences concerning honey’s capacity to “alleviate cough symptoms, treat gastritis, strengthen immune system, effectively heal wounds and burns” and their negative experiences concerning its side effects, such as allergy, dizziness, headache, and itching”. It is important that nurses take responsibility for the apitherapy method included in complementary and alternative medicine methods and that nurses can use evidence-based apitherapy methods. It was recommended that nurses should be knowledgeable and careful about the benefits and side effects of apitherapy.

In the present study we evaluated the effects of iodine intake on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity, and goiter in two regions with different iodine status after two years of iodization in Turkey. In total 1733 adolescent subjects were enrolled into the study (993 from an iodine-sufficient area--the Eastern Black Sea Region (group 1) and 740 from an iodine-deficient area--Middle Anatolia (group 2)). We measured free thyroxine (FT(4)), thyrotropin (TSH), antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (Anti-TPO), antithyroglobulin antibodies (Anti-Tg), and urinary iodine (UI), and examined the thyroid gland by ultrasound. Median urinary iodine excretion was found to be significantly different in group 1 and group 2 (139 micro/l vs 61micro/l, p < 0.001). Hyperthyroidism was more frequent in group 1 (3.6% vs 0.7%; p < 0.001), but the hypothyroidism rate was similar between groups (1.8% vs 1.4 %; p>0.05). The percentage of anti-Tg positive subjects was found to be 17.6% in group 1 and 6.4% in group 2; that of anti-TPO positive subjects was 4.3% in group 1 and 1.5% in group 2. The prevalence of antithyroid antibody (anti-Tg and/or anti-TPO) positivity was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (18.52% vs 6.62%; p < 0.001). Thyroid volumes of the hyperthyroid subjects in both groups were significantly higher than hypo- and euthyroid subjects. In conclusion, iodine supplementation in Turkey has resulted in the elimination of iodine deficiency in the Eastern Black Sea Region, and this has been accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis and thyroid dysfunction.

Geological and geomechanical properties of the carbonate rocks at the eastern Black Sea Region (NE Turkey)

"Corrigendum: Determination and molecular analysis of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative enteric bacteria isolated from Pelophylax sp. in the Eastern Black Sea Region" published on 07 Feb 2022 by Akadémiai Kiadó.

In the present study, the concentration levels of heavy metals such as Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb in sediment samples collected from 16 sampling locations in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea regions, Turkey, were measured using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF). Various pollution parameters and methods, such as the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), ecological risk index (RI), and geo-spatial distribution patterns, were used to assess the pollution status, ecological risks, and sources of metals in sediment in detail. The mean concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb were found to be 565.38, 46,000, 34.38, 104.06, 109.88, 87.31, and 32.31 mg/kg, respectively. Results showed that the mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb exceeded the crustal shale value, with the exception of Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cr. According to the calculated pollution parameters, although minimal or moderate pollution was detected in the area investigated, it was determined that there was a very low ecological risk. Multivariate statistical analysis results showed that Cu, Zn, and Pb levels in the investigated region were slightly influenced by anthropogenic inputs such as mining and agricultural practices. In addition, the geo-spatial distributions of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb were found to be higher in this region due to the mining activities carried out in the Eastern Black Sea region.

In Turkey, especially in the Eastern Black Sea region, many roofs collapse or damage due to heavy snowfalls exceeding the maximum loads for design have been experienced. Roof snow loads specified for structural design in modern standards are calculated as the product of a design ground snow load and the conversion factors that depend on the roof properties. The aim of this study is to create a map to give precisely the variation of the ground snow loads in the Eastern Black Sea region so that design of roof snow loads in the region can be estimated accurately. To accomplish this purpose, the probability plot correlation coefficient test was examined with three different cumulative distribution functions (Gumbel, Lognormal, and Weibull) to determine the best fit of the theoretical probability distribution with the snow data of 32 Turkish State Meteorological Service weather stations located in the Eastern Black Sea region and adjacent cities. After the 50-year ground snow loads were determined using the da...

The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, with a mountainous coastline of 39,203 km² (5.1% of the country) and population of 2.6 million (2009 census) has the highest peaks (above 3,900 m) in the central part of the region. Annual rainfall in the coastal areas ranges from 2,000 to 2,500 mm resulting most dense forests in the region. Natural features in the Eastern Black Sea region make living conditions harsh; In addition, the area is difficult to access due to its distance from developed areas and insufficient infrastructure. The mountain areas in this region suffer lack of adequate basic services such as transportation, communication, education, and healthcare (Somuncu and Inci, 2004). Mountains in the Eastern Black Sea Region are less-developed areas. As a result of the inadequacy of incomes and the limited availability of basic services such as transportation, health services and education, local people have been continuously migrating from mountains since 1950s. Sustainable development is needed to reduce and stop emigrations from the region.

Some of the commanders and soldiers who were at the forefront of the National Struggle, which the Turks fought to protect the independence and territorial integrity of their homeland, came to the front from the Eastern Black Sea Region. Considering the administrative division of the relevant period, there were six cities within the region called Trabzon Province. According to official records, approximately six hundred and eighteen people who were born in these cities and participated in the National Struggle were martyred. In the National Struggle to protect the borders determined in the Misak-ı Millî, the Western Front was the front where the most casualties occurred. For this reason, the study focuses on the Western Front, and 13 battlefields where martyrs were concentrated were selected to limit the subject of the article. As it is understood from the evaluation of the data analysed in the study, soldiers recruited from the Eastern Black Sea region took part in the same units many times and fought side by side on the same fronts. Looking at the records published by the General Staff and accessible through the “Martyr Information Gateway”, the interactive system of the Ministry of National Defence, it was possible to determine the identity information of most of the martyrs, the name of their military units, the place of martyrdom and the date of martyrdom, although not complete. In this context, the movements of martyrs in the battlefields of the units to which they belonged will be monitored, and martyrdom will no longer be just a number, but the story of the struggle and the places where martyrdom was achieved will be told. Apart from the units and 13 battlefields that could not be tracked due to incomplete information, other battlefields where we know that the Eastern Black Sea people fought will be given in the appendix. The most important sources of the study are official records and memoirs.