District In Turkey Research Articles

Local adaptation at a small geographic scale observed in Juniperus excelsa populations in southern Turkey

Juniperus excelsa is one of the most common tree species and has a wide geographical and altitudinal distribution in Turkey. It is also resistant to drought and frost damages and can cope with poor soils. In this study, we explore whether there are any differences among eight J. excelsa populations from a narrow geographic region grown in a common garden test site in terms of growth and contents of photosynthetic pigments, proline and nutrients of their 10-year-old saplings. Phenotypic trait differentiation (QST) at all traits, FST at neutral SSRs among six of the populations and associations of traits with environmental conditions at provenance regions were also analysed to test for patterns of local adaptation. Sapling traits of eight J. excelsa populations of from Lakes District in Turkey at the test site showed that populations significantly differed for growth, photosynthetic pigments, proline and nutrient contents. The mean height and diameter of 10-year-old saplings were found as 94.5 cm and 41.6 mm, respectively. Egirdir-Barla and Sütçüler-Tota populations showed the highest performance for the majority of traits at age 10 compared to all other populations. Nutrient contents in leaves were generally in the sufficiency range reported for plant growth. Considering photosynthetic pigments and proline, it could be concluded that the populations were not exposed to severe stress. Among the environmental variables, the best predictors of growth were annual mean minimum temperature and soil texture at the populations’ origin, accounting for 49% of the variation in height and diameter, respectively. Also, higher phenotypic trait differentiation for most traits than genetic differentiation at neutral genetic markers suggests local adaptation at a small geographic scale. The present study revealed adaptive divergence between populations at a small geographic scale. However, environmental similarity between region of origin and test site was not a good indicator of growth-related traits. The results can be used in the early selection of provenances for J. excelsa for plantation establishment.

Opinions of Classroom Teachers on In-service Training

Continuous developments and changes have demonstrated the need for us to develop in every sense. In this respect, it is through in-service training that teachers adapt to this change and improve themselves in many ways. This research aims to determine the opinions of classroom teachers about in-service education. The research was conducted in the spring semester of 2020-2021. The research is qualitative and designed with a case study. Easy-to-access case sampling was used under pure sampling methods when selecting a study group. The interview technique was used as a data collection method. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with classroom teachers (1 male, 4 female) working in various provinces and districts of Turkey. Interview questions were asked as five open-ended questions and five sub-questions. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the interviews were made by phone, and audio recordings were obtained with permission. Content and descriptive analyses were performed on the data obtained during the interview. According to the data obtained from the interviews, themes were created, themes were strategized and the opinions of the teachers were explained by quoting directly. Interviews were supported by photos. In the light of the findings of this study, it was concluded that in-service training should be based on practice, that the practitioner should be equipped, that there should be different types of training, and that there should be in-service training not only professionally, but also to improve communication. According to the results obtained, separate training should be given for the instructors to be better equipped, application-based training should be increased, and the subjects of the training should be diversified.

Determination of the Effects of Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) Heavy Metals on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has become one of the most important environmental problems of the present day, as a result of the developing industrial activities. Accordingly, it is important to understand microorganism activities in soil ecosystems that have been exposed to HMs for a long time. The aim of this study was to show the potential effects of ores on soil carbon and nitrogen mineralizations which were taken from copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) mines in Balıkesir-Balya and Kastamonu-Küre districts in Turkey. The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) mineralizations were determined by using the CO2 respiration method (30 days) and the Parnas Wagner method (42 days) under the controlled laboratory conditions (28 °C, 80% of field capacity), respectively. It was observed that carbon mineralization decreased depending on the dose increase. 250 mg kg-1 treatment with Pb was lower than the control and there was a significant difference between them (P < 0.001). In terms of nitrogen mineralization rate (%), there was no significant difference among all treatments. According to the results, Pb affected microorganisms more negatively; however, the presence of Cu slightly decreased its negative effect. It is possible to conclude that carbon mineralization can be indicator for HM pollution in the soil. However, nitrogen mineralization was not a determining factor at HM pollution in this study.

Comparison of classroom furniture to anthropometric measures of Turkish middle school students.

The match between classroom furniture and students' anthropometry is an important factor in students' academic performance. Our aim was to investigate the ergonomic suitability of the classroom furniture to the students, and to propose design suggestions for both desks and chairs. We analyzed the ergonomics of classroom furniture that students aged 10-14 years old in Turkey currently use. To this end, we selected Maltepe Primary Education School, one of the largest schools in the Çankaya district of Turkey's capital city, Ankara, in which to conduct the study. A sample of 119 students was selected, and seven anthropometric measurements were taken for each of these students. We then calculated five relationships between the dimensions of the furniture and the students' anthropometric measures. We observed high levels of mismatch rates, with an average of 66.6%and high values of over 95%for the relations of two furniture measures, seat depth (related with buttock-popliteal length) and seat-to-desk height (related with elbow height, sitting). Each anthropometric measure was applied a fit probability distribution, and based on those distributions; we suggested the most appropriate classroom furniture dimensions in order to maximize suitability of the furniture to the anthropometric measures in terms of fixed-size (i.e., non-adjustable) classroom furniture. High mismatch rates can be reduced by 52.0%on average based on the classroom furniture dimensions suggested in this study.

LC-MS/MS characterization, antidiabetic, antioxidative, and antibacterial effects of different solvent extracts of Anamur banana (Musa Cavendishii).

The main objective of this study was to examine the phenolic compounds and the antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-α-glucosidase and anti-α-amylase activities of the different extracts (methanol, ethanol and hexane) of Musa cavendishii collected from the Anamur district in Turkey. LC-MS/MS was used to identify phenolic compounds. Quinic acid, acotinic acid, hesperidin and amentoflavone were identified in methanol extract. These phenolic compounds, excluding hesperidin, were also identified in the ethanol extract. Methanolic extract appeared the most active in all enzyme inhibition, antibacterial and antioxidative activity assays which is mainly due to its rich phenolic content. The methanol extract of banana showed the highest anti-α-glucosidase and anti-α-amylase activities with IC50 values of 5.45 ± 0.39mg/mL, 9.70 ± 0.29mg/mL, respectively. This study showed that methanol and ethanol extract, especially the methanol extract, have potential for use in the development of functional foods for reducing the diabetes and bacterial risks.

Trend Analysis of Precipitation Datas Observed for Many Years (1970-2019) in Niğde Center and Ulukisla District of Turkey

This research situated in Turkey's Anatolia region, Nigde center and Ulukışla district were conducted. Long annual precipitation data were subjected to statistical analysis on a monthly basis. Within the scope of the research, 50 years and 600 months long total monthly precipitation and maximum monthly precipitation values between 1970-2019 were examined. Spearman Rho test, Mann-Kendall Correlation test and Sen's slope methods were used in trend analysis. According to the total precipitation values; The highest total precipitation was observed in 2009 as 460,8 mm. The lowest total precipitation was calculated as 192,9 mm in 1973. Total rainfall average was calculated as 120,5 mm in spring and 98,4 mm in winter. The total rainfall average in the summer months was determined as 38,2 mm. In general, the average total precipitation for many years in the center of Niğde was found to be 325,9 mm. The highest total precipitation in Ulukışla district was determined as 428,2 mm in 1997. The lowest total precipitation for many years was 182,1 mm in 1989. The average total precipitation for long years was determined to be 318,5 mm. Total rainfall average was determined as 132,8 mm in spring and 80,7 mm in winter. Total rainfall average in the summer months was calculated as 42,4 mm. According to the trend analysis results; It is concluded that there is no significant trend in total precipitation values for many years in the center of Niğde and Ulukışla district. The maximum annual precipitation in the center of Niğde is calculated as 10,5 mm and in the Ulukışla district as 10,3 mm. The average maximum precipitation in spring was found to be 13,2 mm in the center of Niğde and 14 mm in the town of Ulukışla. The highest maximum precipitation was observed in 1978 in Niğde city center as 27 mm in winter. The highest maximum precipitation in Ulukışla district was found as 33,8 mm in 2003. According to the long annual maximum precipitation values; It has been determined that there is an increasing trend in Niğde center in the general average of winter, summer and all months. It is observed that there is an increasing trend in the Ulukışla district in the winter months and in general average

Some Important Fruit Characteristics of Apricot (cv. Aprikoz) Accessions Grown in Kagizman District in Turkey

With their rich nutrients, fantastic flavor and taste, excellent medicinal value and health care functions, apricot has been continuously well received by consumers as important horticultural crop. The fruit has a great market value as fresh and dried food commodity and has the highest market share of agricultural income. Aprikoz an important apricot cultivar in particularly grown in western part of Aras valley located in Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. With long growing period, different types of Aprikoz cultivar has been shown in field in terms of tree and fruit characteristics. This study aimed to determine of some important fruit characteristic of eight accession of Aprikoz cultivar grown in Kagizman district located in western part of Aras valley. The accessions were compared each other in terms of fruit weight, flesh/seed ratio, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. The results revealed that accessions statistically highly differed from each other for all of the searched parameters. The accessions exhibited fruit weight, fruit flesh/seed ratio, soluble solid content and titratable acidity between 36.55 - 48.22 g, 8.67 - 13.33, 19.12 - 22.83% and 1.27 - 2.02%, respectively. Total antioxidant capacity varied from 4.17 to 6.37 mmol AA l-1 based on FRAP assay. The total phenolic contents ranged between 255 - 356 mg GAE l-1. The results can be the basis for the selection of suitable accessions for future breeding activities in apricot.

Evaluating Changes in Spatial Accessibility to Airports in Turkey between 2000 and 2018

The present study aims to investigate the changes that occurred between 2000 and 2018 with regard to spatial accessibility to airports for each district in Turkey. Within this scope, first, the service coverage area of each airport within 1 to 2 h travel time by car for 2000, 2009, and 2018 using the available road networks for the given years is evaluated and each district that can reach at least one airport within 1 to 2 h by car determined. Secondly, the catchment areas of each airport are defined based on geographical distribution and the catchment populations of airports found. Thirdly, the regionalization coefficient for each airport in the given years is calculated to understand the availability of each airport by comparing the catchment area population with the number of domestic passengers. Finally, a gravity-based formula is employed to measure the spatial accessibility value of each district to the airports within the catchment area of 2 h travel time in the given years. The main findings from the study provide clues about the direction of future policies. The last airports to open have reduced the maximum distance covered, especially in eastern Turkey; consequently, airports’ catchment populations have shrunk. However, the regionalization coefficients of airports located in regional centers and hub cities have increased in consequence of the increase in the number of air passengers over the given period. In summary, travel time to main hubs and airports’ total catchment populations have had combined effects on the number of air passengers and spatial accessibility values of districts in Turkey.

An endemic species very important for eco-tourism: Pygopleurus koniae (Coleoptera: Glaphyridae) and new nomenclature "Furry wedding beetle" and the Turkish name: "K�rkl� D�g�n B�cegi"

In this article, information related to some morphologic characteristics, distribution areas and population of Pygopleurus koniae (Coleoptera: Glaphyridae), which is an endemic species in Turkey. The species has been named as “Kürklü Düğün Böceği” in the Turkish language and as “Furry Wedding Beetle” in the English language, while the local name is “Hasan Mountain (Haroğlu) Polar Beetle. The species feeds on the Ranunculus spp. pollens, and exhibit the mating behavior on its flowers. It is found abundantly and has constructed a high population density between the dates 01.05.2021 and 15.05.2021. It was found that the altitude of 2340m, which is the altitude of Hasan Mountain (Haroğlu) is important regarding the natural habitat of this species. In this study, it was observed that the compound eyes of the species are blue, they do not avoid humans just like pets, and positively reacted to music played in the nature. Furthermore, new faunistic records have been reported involving the Elazığ and Malatya provinces. It is thought that the species can be significant for nature tourism in Elazığ and Baskil districts in Turkey, thanks to its beauty.

Secondary School Teachers' Opinions on the Use of Informatics Network (EBA) in Education

During the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak that affected the whole world, the existence and function of education informatics network gained much more importance than before. It is also important to bring teachers and students together on the same platform by providing rich educational content, especially in such a period. In the current study, secondary school teachers’ opinions about EBA were determined through semi-structured interviews. The data of the study were collected through semi-structured interviews, one of the qualitative research methods. A case study was adopted as a research design. The study was carried out in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. A total of six teachers including one mathematics and five science teachers from various provinces and districts of Turkey. The teachers participating in the research were selected by purposeful sampling method, taking into account the criteria of using the informatics network (EBA) continuously in education during their education activities. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed with content analysis, coded and themes were created. Results indicated that although teachers sometimes experience technical problems, they generally stated that they found EBA contents useful for students. They thought that EBA offers students versatile features and contains content according to almost every student's learning style. In addition, teachers also mentioned the benefits of EBA in terms of reporting a lot of information such as what activities students did in EBA, which questions they solved, and the correct/incorrect rates of solved questions. Teachers also stated that there are many features that should be added to EBA. They thought that the number of simulation applications and online games on the platform should be increased. Although some of the teachers thought that the questions in EBA were useful for the students, while others thought the questions were insufficient in scope. In addition to these, teachers criticized that students' entry to EBA is limited for a certain period of time.

In Search for Femina Grata: Revanchist Urban Policies in a Historical District of Turkey

In Search for Femina Grata: Revanchist Urban Policies in a Historical District of Turkey

Student Approaches Resulting from Integration of Cultural Context into Transformation Geometry

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate how students’ in senior grade of the high school participate in and interpret the transformational geometry activities integrated with cultural context. 5 students in senior grade participated in this study, all of whom live in Aydın district of Turkey. The main design of the study is qualitative. Participant students of the study involved in 9 different rotational geometry and culture integrated activities, 7 of which were performed as student activity sheets, 2 of which were performed as cultural games. 2 of the activities were constructed as a result of pilot study applied to 28 senior students by their math teacher. To collect data about how students participated in and made interpretations about the activities; various data collection tools such as observation, field notes, interview, audio recording and student activity sheets were used. The collected data were analyzed by qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. The results were presented as tables, figures constructed by students and direct quotations. Lastly, at the end of this study students were said to recognize the hidden mathematics in the objects from daily life, games with cultural background and history, and both in Turkish culture and other cultures.

Results from the first strapdown airborne gravimetry campaign over the Lake District of Turkey

The first production-oriented strapdown airborne gravimetry in Turkey was carried out during fall 2019 over the Turkish Lake District. Comparisons at the large amounts of crossover points yield RMSE values below 1 mGal level, and the external comparison with the latest high-resolution global geopotential model (GGM) shows a mean bias of around 1.1 mGal where the largest deviations are observed on the areas that could not be resolved by the GGM. The incorporation of new airborne data into the gravity field computations is supposed to reduce the errors stem from the data voids and enhance the maps for better interpretations.

A Phenomenographic Study on Views About Entertaining and Boring Situations in Learning Process

In the learning process, it is accepted that learning with entertainment is important in participation in the process and retention of learning. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the views of students and teachers on entertaining and boring settings in the learning process. Phenomenography method was used in the study. The study group included fourth grade teachers and students in public and private schools in Adiyaman province central district in Turkey. In this context, seven schools, four private and three public schools, were selected among the schools, where students of the parents with different socio-economic background attended, with purposive sampling method. A total of 10 primary school 4th grade teachers employed these schools participated in the study on a voluntary basis. The study group included 80 students. Individual and focus group interview and photointerviewing techniques were used in data collection Data were analyzed with content analysis method. In the study, it was concluded that teachers and students liked similar class settings and both teachers and students liked classrooms that were furnished with sufficient number of tools and equipment, heating and lighting, where colorful and plenty of activities could be conducted and equipped with technological tools. Furthermore, it was determined that the teachers and students criticized the photographs they disliked due to the lack of facilities in the classroom to implement different methods, similarities with their own classrooms, or for being dark and old-looking, and the unhappy demeanor of the students and teachers on the photographs. The study findings were discussed and interpreted within the framework of the literature.

Liquidambar orientalis Mill. gum extract induces autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in prostate cancer cells

ABSTRACT Liquidambar orientalis Mill (LOM), is an endemic species having a local distribution in the southwestern coastal district of Turkey. Styrax liquidus gum (SLG), is a gum-like resinous which exudates in response to injury of the trunk of LOM. The aim of the study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects and the molecular mechanisms of the ethanolic SLG extract in human prostate cancer cells. GC-MS analysis was performed to identify the volatile compound composition. Cytotoxicity was determined by XTT analysis. Apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated via ELISA assay. Autophagic cell death was detected via monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and by measuring the levels of LC3I and LC3II. The protein levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt and p-mTOR were evaluated by western blot analysis. In the present study, it is shown that the SLG extract containing a considerable amount of ravidomycin derivate induced autophagic cell death in prostate cancer cells via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

GIS-Based Approach to Determine Suitable Settlement Areas Compatible with the Natural Environment

This study determined the settlement areas that were suitable for the natural environment in the Seydikemer District in Turkey. Within this context, databases related to the natural environment of the region and existing land uses were created using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle images that were digitized and analysed using geographic information systems. Land cover was classified using Random Forest and Maximum Likelihood Classification methods for remote sensing. The natural environmental properties of the study area were determined based on the resulting classification, and the criteria for the suitability of the settlement areas were defined by the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process. Accordingly, eight main criteria and their classes of suitability were analysed and evaluated. Assessment of the natural suitable structure of the area was conducted using weighted overlay analysis. Sixteen percent of the survey area was suitable, while 69.01% was moderately suitable and 14.97% was not suitable for use as a settlement area. Considering that this region is in the process of rapid urbanization, The findings of the study are expected to make a significant contribution to the future settlement and land-use plans of the city.

Juvenile Sex Offenders in Turkey: A Study on Offense Characteristics, Risk Factors, and the Differences between Juvenile Sex Offenders and Other Juvenile Offenders

Based on a data set ( n = 920) derived from court files of adjudicated youth in one of the largest court districts in Turkey, this study represents the first systematic attempt to understand juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) and their offenses in this contemporary urban context. The study results show, first off, that sexual offending among Turkish youth has been increasing at a rate comparable to that of other Western societies. Secondly, the victims of the sex offenses examined in the study were mostly of the opposite sex (female), were typically younger than the offenders, and commonly were acquaintances (friends, family, partners). Thirdly, the results indicated that the JSOs were significantly different from other juvenile offenders, and in terms of most of the risk factors used in juvenile justice assessments they had an advantage over the other juvenile offenders. These results are discussed in light of findings reported in previous studies, along with considerations relating to the public policy implications and the research recommendations arising from the outcomes of this foundational research.

Assessment of Southeastern Irrigation District with Performance Indicators in Turkey

Water resources are among the most important natural riches of the countries, so this resource must be used correctly and sustainable, especially in the agriculture sector. The Southeastern District of Turkey, has abundant water resources but is known as a region where the problems arising from the excessive use of water. In this study, 5 irrigation schemes (Akcakale, Şanliurfa, Yaylak Plain, Upper Harran, Bozova) in the Southeastern District of Turkey were chosen as a material to investigate the performance. It is aimed to assess the irrigation schemes in the district with performance indicators used widely by researchers. As an assessment method, ANOVA was used to determine differences of performance indicators among irrigation schemes, multiple regression and correlation were used to explain statistical relation among performance indicators. As a result, irrigation water supplied to users per unit irrigated area (Wirrigated) can be explained with irrigation ratio (Iratio), irrigation water supplied to users per unit command area (Wcommand), relative water supply (Rws) and output per unit irrigation water supplied to users (Owater) (R2= 0.98). In the region, the average Rws was found 2.38 although irrigation methods used by farmers were generally sprinkler. The study also concluded that serious operation, maintenance and management problems exist in the irrigation schemes of the district.

Morphological and Biochemical Diversity Among Autochthonous Grape Cultivars

Northeastern part of Turkey is rich in terms of autochthonous grape cultivars. In the region Yusufeli district has special importance for historical cultivation of grapevine. This small district has over fourteen local grape cultivars. Present study describe morphological and biochemical characteristics of nine autochthonous grape cultivars grown in Yusufeli district in Turkey. The standard Turkish grape cultivar ‘Cavus’ was also included experiment to make comparison with local ones. Bunch size, berry color, berry shape and usage are the searched main morphological characteristics. Phenolic compounds, organic acids, vitamin C and specific sugars were the main biochemical parameters. We found a wide variation among both morphological and biochemical characteristics. The cultivars showed low to medium bunch size. Chlorgenic acid (2.231–4.811 mg/L), syringic acid (1.027–5.426 mg/L) and rutin (1.013–1.129 mg/L) were found the highest content in berries of cultivars. As expected, tartaric acid that characteristic for grape berries was the dominant (ranged from 1.826 to 3.336 g/L) and followed by malic acid (ranged from 1.089 to 2.344 g/L). The all autochthonous grape cultivars had glucose the highest concentration as major sugar and followed by fructose. It can be concluded that morphological and biochemical characteristics analyzed could be useful to give information about selection of the promising grape cultivars for breeders.

Determining the Views of the Secondary School Science Teachers about the Use of Social Media in Education

This study seeks to evaluate the use of social media in education by the science teachers in terms of its impact upon students, parents, and colleagues, relying on the method of special case study, employed in qualitative research. The data includes findings compiled through semi-structured interviews held with the participation of seven science teachers who work at secondary schools in Agri and its districts in Turkey. The data has been analyzed through baseline level and content analysis. The research findings reveal that the enhanced social media provides opportunities for the science teachers to contribute to the development of the students. However, teachers are reluctant to remain in contact with the students through the use of social media due to concerns over abuse and excessive use. The study further reveals that the teachers refrain from using social media because they are unable to disseminate their message to the parents properly and it raises controversies between parents and teachers. In addition, the parents disturb teachers and invade their privacy in case of social media use. A review of the constructive outcomes associated with the use of social media in communication between teachers and their colleagues shows that the colleagues use it constructively and exchange views, materials, and experiences in social media venues.