Karabuk University Research Articles

Turizm Eğitimi Alan Lisans Öğrencilerinin Kültürel Miras Algılarının Belirlenmesi

Cultural heritage assets at the center of tourism activities are vital attractions for tourist destinations. The development of the destinations and their transfer to future generations will be possible with the protection of natural beauties and cultural heritage elements. Especially, determining the level of perception of undergraduate students, who will undertake tourism education in the future, about cultural heritage assets is seen as an important step in preserving these assets and transferring them to future generations. The aim of this study is to determine the cultural heritage perceptions of undergraduate students studying in the field of tourism. For the purpose of the study, data was collected from 342 students studying in the tourism management department of Karabuk University and Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University using the survey technique. Statistical analysis was applied to the obtained data. These analyzes are frequency distribution, reliability analysis, factor analysis, t test and Mann-Whitney U test. According to the results of the t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test, students' cultural heritage perceptions differ significantly from the university they studied.

Evaluation of the Dormitories in the Physical and Psychological Requirements: The Case of Karabük Province

Purpose The aim of this paper is to investigate the problems of meeting students’ housing needs in many cities that could not adapt to this change with its infrastructure against the rapid increase in the number of Turkish universities and students, who are educated in these institutions, in recent years. In addition, it is to develop alternative suggestions concerned with design criteria for increasing qualifications of the dormitories as one of the primary housing alternatives for students. Design/Methodology/Approach Users’ preferences and their management are very important for especially multi-user design processes. Hence, through a survey, it was planned to determine the physical conditions and the spatial characteristics of the existing dormitories beside their conformities in terms of the users’ satisfaction. At the end of the extensive literature research, the evaluation criteria which included basic psychological (privacy, sense of crowded, belonging and socializing, etc.) and physical (dorm rooms, social and service areas in the dorms and the dorms’ environment, etc.) factors were prepared for the survey. Then their validity was tested via the survey questions and the SPSS software. The obtained findings in the study were discussed in the frame of previous literature researches and their results. Evaluations were made in terms of the development of architectural planning principles of dormitory buildings. Findings Some outstanding findings and evaluations were listed as increasing the more customized using areas in the rooms, rehabilitation of study areas, multiplying variations of study and socializing areas, organizing social areas as partial units instead of the only central space for different functions, avoiding large-scale dormitories for decreasing the perception of crowded sense, creating flexible environments according to the conditions, etc. Besides, although the spatial planning of the dormitories was commonly compatible with the standards, the organization disorders like overcapacity and change of functions have been found to cause dissatisfaction. Many of these are thought to be innovative inputs for the design stages of dormitory buildings even if design contexts are different. Research Limitations/Implications The survey is conducted in Karabuk with 250 students from different faculties in Karabuk University whose development process has significantly affected the city and the city life in the last decade. So, the conditions of dormitories in Karabuk are examined. Practical Implications it is necessary to consider the users’ opinions and expectations about these buildings in the frame of their changing lifestyles and thus to review the criteria and approaches in designs of such buildings. Social Implications The fast and immediate solutions which have been done without considering in detail are often not useful. So, on behalf of solving this rapidly growing problem which has encountered in many cities in similar ways, improving them in line with the current user needs and thus increasing qualities in the students’ education and life standards, it is important to examine the conditions of the dormitory buildings which have been constructed or will be constructed. Originality/Value In this study, unlike the other dormitory studies, the design problems and user interactions have been evaluated with a more holistic approach from interior organization to the decisions on an urban scale.

KARABÜK ÜNİVERSİTESİ KAMPÜS ATIKSULARININ “PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS” VE “ALOE VERA” BİTKİLERİ İLE YAPAY SULAK ALANLARDA ARITIMI

Hızla nüfusu artan dünyamızda, mevcut kaynakların yanlış kullanılması, çevre bilincin tamgelişmemesi ve iklim değişikliğinin etkileri ile su kirliliğini önemli seviyelere taşımış ve temiz suyaulaşımı oldukça zorlaştırmıştır. Bunun sonucunda, günümüzde dünya nüfusunun önemli bir bölümütemiz ve güvenilir suya ulaşamamaktadır. İnsan ve çevre sağlığı açısından, problemin çözümü amacıyla,atık suların arıtımı ve yeniden kullanımı önemli hale gelmiştir. Atık suların arıtılıp yeniden kullanımı içinbirçok teknolojik yöntem geliştirilmiş olsa da bu yöntemlerin kurulumunun, bakım-onarımının pahalıolması nedeniyle uygulanabilirlikleri oldukça zor olmaktadır. Bu nedenle, teknolojik ve pahalı arıtmayöntemlerine göre daha ucuz ve işletilmesi kolay olan alternatif arıtma yöntemleri tercih edilmeyebaşlanmıştır.Bu çalışmada, Karabük Üniversitesi kampüs atık sularındaki bazı kirleticilerin, “PhragmitesAustralis” ve “Aloe” ile ekilmiş laboratuvar ölçekli yüzey altı yatay akışlı yapay sulak alanlar sistemikullanılarak arıtılması incelenmiştir. Bu sistem, mevcut pahalı arıtma sistemlerine kıyasla, daha az insangücü ve daha az maliyet gerektirmektedir. İlave olarak sistem iki farklı bitki için, farklı hidrolikyüklemelerde de test edilmiştir. İki farklı bitkinin arıtma verimi incelenmesi için plywood malzemeden,genişliği 30 cm, uzunluğu 120 cm, yüksekliği 50 cm olan iki eş bölmeden oluşan bir sistem tasarlanmıştır.Kurulan sistemde iki bitkinin farklı hidrolik yüklemelerle arıtma verimi test edilmiştir. PhragmitesAustralis bitkisinden alınan numunelerden elde edilen giderim verimleri: BOİ, mg/L %65- %90, KOİ, mg/L%48- %69, Fosfor mg PO4-P/L %61- %75, Amonyak Azotu mg/L %70-%90, AKM mg/L %70 - %85‘dir.AloeVera bitkisinden alınan numunelerden elde edilen giderim verimleri: BOİ mg/L %88- %92, KOİ mg/L%18- %56, Fosfor mg PO4-P/L %44- %62, Amonyak Azotu mg/L %88-%91, AKM mg/L %85- %90 ‘dır. Özetolarak, sistemimizin kirletici arıtma verimleri yaklaşık, BOİ için%92, KOİ için%69, AKM için%90,Amonyak Azotu için%90 ve Fosfor için%75 civarında olmuştur.

The Production of AZ31 Alloys by Gas Atomization Method and Its Characteristics

The aim of this study is to investigate the AZ31 alloy powder production and characterization processes experimentally using the gas atomization method. For this purpose, firstly, the design and production of gas atomization units were done at Karabuk University Faculty of Technology Department of Manufacturing Engineering. In this gas atomization unit, the manufacturability of AZ31 powder from magnesium alloys was investigated by the gas atomization method which is one of the production methods by powder metallurgy. The parameters and the literature used in the production of materials similar to the AZ31 alloy are taken into account as producibility parameters. In the gas atomization method, parameters such as nozzle diameter, gas pressure, and temperature must be controlled in order to produce the desired properties in metal powder production. The diameter of the nozzle is crucial because it affects the gas pressure and temperature, the size of the powder, and the shape of the powders. Experimental studies were carried out using 3 different temperatures (790, 820, and 850°C), 4 different nozzle diameters (2, 3, 4, and 5 mm) and 4 different gas pressures (5, 15, 25, and 35 bar). In the molten metal atomization process and in the process of forming a protective gas atmosphere, argon gas was preferred. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the shape of the AZ31 powders produced, XRD, XRF, and SEM-EDX analyses were used to determine the phases in the internals of the produced powders and percentages of these phases. Laser measurement devices were used for powder size analysis and hardness tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties of the produced powders. The powders produced were pressed into masses at 4 different pressing pressures (300, 400, 500, and 600 MPa). The best sinterability values of the bulked powders and sintering process were performed at 3 different temperatures (500, 550, and 600°C). Density measurements were made after pressing and sintering the powders. As a result of the experimental studies, it was found that the powder size decreased with the increase of the gas pressure but the nozzle diameter, and the powder shape changed to the dripping and the spherical in the ligament and complex form. It has been observed that the temperature has no significant effect on the powder size and shape.

Ureteral Access Sheath Applicatıon Without Fluoroscopy in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery.

To compare the results and complications of the two techniques of ureteral access sheath application, with and without using fluoroscopy. A comparative study. Department of Urology, Karabuk University Medical Faculty Training and Research Hospital and Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazid Training and Research Hospital between April 2014 and January 2018. Retrospective evaluation was made of patients applied with retrograde intrarenal surgery using ureteral access sheath (UAS). In Group 1, defined method were used for UAS application without using scopy. In Group 2, following semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy, localisation of guidewire was checked with fluoroscopy. UAS was advanced to ureter over guidewire under fluoroscopy imaging. Success rate of UAS placement was similar in both groups (p=0.747). The time of UAS placement was 14.75 secs in Group 1 and 14.99 secs in group 2 (p=0.073). Fluoroscopy was not used at all during UAS placement in Group 1. In Group 2, the mean duration of fluoroscopy use was 9.93±3.89 secs. Total stone-free rate was 82.09% and 83.28% in Group 1 and 2, respectively. (p=0.653). The method described in this paper provides protection against radiation exposure for both the patient and the operating team; and prevents potential complications by enabling clear evaluation of ureteral orifice. Key Words: Renal stone surgery, Retrograde ıntrarenal surgery, Radiation protection, Flouroscopy, Radiation free.

The Effect of Wet Cupping Therapy on Heavy Metal Levels: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial

Objectives: In this study on the steelworkers, we aimed to investigate the impact of wet cupping therapy (WCT) on heavy metal levels in the blood. Methods: This single-arm clinical trial was performed at Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital from January to August 2018. All patients received three WCT sessions once every month. Venous blood specimens were drawn prior to the first WCT session (venous 1) and following the third session (venous 2). Cupping blood samples were also obtained during the first session of WCT. Heavy metal levels were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) device. Thirteen metals were subject to examination: aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), cupper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Relationships between the blood samples were examined using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test by R statistical software. Results: Forty-four subjects completed the study. The levels of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb (P < 0.001 in all), Hg (P = 0.024) and Pb (P = 0.012) were significantly lower in venous 2 samples compared to venous 1, while no significant changes were observed in the levels of Fe, Zn, and As (P = 0.575, P = 0.090 and P = 0.195, respectively). When compared to venous 1 the levels of Mn, Zn, As, Sb, Hg (P < 0.001 in all), Al (P = 0.003), Cr (P = 0.004), Cu (P = 0.022) and Mo (P = 0.014) were found significantly higher in cupping blood while Cd, Pb, and Ni were not at significantly different levels (P = 0.160, P = 0.079 and P = 0.713, respectively). Fe was found significantly lower in cupping blood (P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that WCT has significantly reduced heavy metal levels in the blood. It might be useful in workers who work in jobs where heavy metal toxicity can be seen.

KADINLARDA PELVİK TABAN KAS GÜCÜNÜ ETKİLEYEN FAKTÖRLERİN BELİRLENMESİ

Providing dynamic support to the pelvic organs by adjusting their tension against changing conditions, the pelvic floor muscles lose their strength over time and their supporting functions decline as a result of the effects of certain mechanical, hormonal and neural factors. This study aims to determine the factors affecting pelvic floor muscle strength by measuring the pelvic floor muscle strength of the non-pregnant women who consulted the Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital Gynecology Outpatient Clinic for any reason. This study involved a screening method. Stratified sampling was used as the sampling method. 516 women aged 20-77 participated in the study. The data were collected between 01 June 2017-2018 and the chi-squared test was used in the analysis. In the study, pelvic floor muscle strength was found to be 11.6±5.9 cmH2O on average. Statistically significant results were found between the pelvic floor muscle strength in women and their data of body mass index, age, educational status, place of residence, employment status, age of first pregnancy, delivery method, menopausal condition and contraceptive method. As a result, it can be said that healthcare professionals should be informed about the risk factors adversely affecting pelvic floor muscle strength and their participation in exercise programs on this matter should be encouraged. Women should also be provided with information and training on pelvic floor muscle strength.

Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Epidemiology of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Turkey.

PurposeVancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become a global health threat in the last two decades. In this study, we aimed to determine antibiotic resistance using phenotypic and genotypic methods in VRE strains obtained from inpatients and to investigate clonal relatedness among strains.MethodsIdentification and antibiotic susceptibility of 47 VRE strains obtained from inpatients at Karabuk University Hospital from 2014 to 2015 were determined using the BD Phoenix™ automated microbiology system. Vancomycin resistance genes (Van A and B) were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Clonal relatedness among the strains was evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).ResultsAll 47 VRE strains obtained from rectal (n=35), blood (n=7), and urine (n=5) samples were confirmed as Enterococcus faecium; they were resistant to ampicillin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin. One E. faecium isolate was intermediately resistant to linezolid. No strain was resistant to quinupristin–dalfopristin or daptomycin. Only vanA was detected among strains. According to the PFGE results, 31 of 47 strains were clonally related with a clustering rate of 66%. No common clone was detected.ConclusionVRE infections are associated with high mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenditures. Increasing resistance to last-line drugs, such as linezolid and daptomycin, among VRE strains is a great concern. Therefore, comprehensive measures should be performed to reduce VRE colonization. Although there was no common clone VRE outbreak, polyclonal spread was observed in our hospital. The high clustering rate indicated cross-contamination. Thus, a more effective infection control program should be implemented.

Kronik Hepatit C Olgularında Doğrudan Etkili Antiviral Tedavi Öncesi ve Sonrası Non-invaziv Skorların Değerlendirilmesi

The sustained virological response is achieved in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection using direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. However, it is not known whether there is a decrease in liver fibrosis level. Non-invasive serum scores are successful in determining the level of liver fibrosis before treatment. There are no adequate studies in the literature about the use of these scores after treatment. This study aimed to determine the change in inflammation and fibrosis levels after treatment by using non-invasive scores. Adult patients who applied to the Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between January 2019 and January 2020 and used DAA treatment were included in the study. Clinical and laboratory findings of the cases were recorded retrospectively from the hospital information system. Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI), γ glutamate transpeptidase-platelet ratio (GPR) and AST / ALT ratio scores were calculated before and after (24th week) treatment. Forty-two patients with a mean age of 56.4 were evaluated. 52% of these patients were women. All patients developed a sustained virological response. Genotype 1b was the most common (67 %). The most commonly used treatment regimen (60 %) was paritaprevir + ritonavir + ombitasvir + dasabuvir. After treatment compared to pretreatment, mean AST value decreased from 24.69 to 20.67, mean ALT value decreased from 20.57 to 15.31 and APRI from 0.33 to 0.29 (p=0.01; p=0.03; p=0.01, respectively). Although not statistically significant, FIB-4 was low after treatment. In conclusion, the use of non-invasive serum biomarker scores may be useful in the follow-up of chronic hepatitis C cases using DAA treatment.

Frequency and genotype distribution of high-risk human papilloma virus types in Karabuk province, Turkey: A hospital based cross-sectional study

Aim: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV; HR-HPV) infection in patients admitted to the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinics of Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital.Material and Methods: A total of 402 women aged 18–65 years who were admitted to the gynecology and obstetrics Clinic, Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital, between October 2016 and June 2019 were included. The presence of HR-HPV and genotyping of HPV were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction in cervical swab samples.Results: HR-HPV infection was found in 23.9% of women. HR-HPV positivity was detected most commonly in the age group of 20–29 years. Regarding genotype distribution among HPV-positive women, the genotypes that included multiple HR-HPV infections (mixed HR-HPV) were the most common genotype (38.5%), followed by HPV-16 (13.1%) and HPV-52 (9.8%).Conclusion: Prevalence of HR-HPV infection was found to be high in our region, with the most commonly observed genotypes being those containing mixed HR-HPV. We believe that these results would be helpful during the selection of primary and secondary preventive measures for cervical cancer while planning vaccination and screening programs.

Gebelikte Sağlıklı Yaşam Davranışları Ölçeği’nin geliştirilmesi ve geçerlik güvenirliği

Amaç: Bu çalışma Gebelikte Sağlıklı Yaşam Davranışları Ölçeği’nin geliştirilmesi, geçerlik ve güvenirliğinin incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırma 12 Mart-12 Eylül 2018 tarihleri arasında, Karabük Üniversitesi Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi’nde uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, anılan hastanenin gebe izlem polikliniğine başvuran ve çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 718 gebe oluşturmuştur.Bulgular: Geliştirilmeye çalışılan “çok bileşenli ayrık yapıya” sahip ölçeğin; gebelik sorumluluğu, beslenme, hijyen, fiziksel aktivite, seyahat ve gebeliği kabullenme olmak üzere 6 (altı) alt ölçekten oluştuğu bulunmuştur. Ayrıca Cronbach alfa katsayıları; ölçek toplamı için 0.83, gebelik sorumluluğu alt boyutu için 0.71, hijyen alt boyutu için 0.64, beslenme alt boyutu için 0.72, fiziksel aktivite için 0.69, seyahat alt boyutu için 0.80 ve gebeliği kabullenme alt boyutu için 0.63 olup, test-tekrar test sonucunda Sınıf İçi Korelasyon katsayıları (SKK) 0.70-0.91 arasındadır. Sonuç: Bu sonuçlar Gebelerde Sağlıklı Yaşam Davranışları Ölçeği’nin geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı olduğu ve çalışmalarda kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir.

Continue or stop applying wet cupping therapy (al-hijamah) in migraine headache:A randomized controlled trial

Backgroundand purpose: Although wet cupping therapy (WCT) is currently in use, clinical investigations of its efficiency are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of WCT on headache and disability associated with migraine. Materials and methodsThis was an open-label trial conducted at Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between May 2016 and January 2018. WCT was applied once a month to migraine patients. At the end of 3 months, patients were randomized into two groups using block randomization method. Control group (Group 1) consisted of 53 patients and the intervention group (Group 2) 56 patients. Evaluation was performed to both groups before treatment and at the 6th and 12th months using the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS). ResultsGroup 1 received three sessions, whereas Group 2 continued treatment for 12 months. Visual analog scale (VAS) and MIDAS values at the 12th month were significantly higher compared with 6-month values in Group 1 (p < 0.001) and lower in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Both VAS and MIDAS scores of the patients in Group 2 improved significantly better than those in Group 1. No adverse effects were seen. ConclusionWCT reduced pain and disability in patients with migraine, and the efficacy increased when the application was continued. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03503903.

Depression, Anxiety and Coping Strategies in Cancer Patients: A Case Control Study

Objectives: Psychiatric disorders frequently accompany chronic diseases especially cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the depression and anxiety levels and the coping strategies in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This was a case control study conducted in Karabuk University Research Hospital ( KURH) between January 2018 and December 2018. Case group constituted of patients with an established diagnosis of cancer and control group included healthy individuals. Coping Strategies Questionnaire (COPE), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were performed for all participants. Statistical analyzes were carried out using Minitab 17 Statistical Software. Case versus control comparison for continues variables was conducted using Mann Whitney U test. Degree of relationship between continues variables were measured using Spearman's rank correlation. Chi-Squared test was used to evaluate cross tabulated categorical data. Results: 94 individuals were included in the study. Both cancer and control groups consisted of 23 males and 24 females. Mean age was found 59.77±12.01 years for cancer patients and 59.06±12.36 for control group. BDI and BAI scores of the patients were significantly higher compared to healthy individuals. Considering the cut-off values; 60% (28/47) of the cancer patients were found depressed and 62% (29/47) of them were found to have anxiety while in the control group both the depression and anxiety prevalence was 28% (13/47) (p=0.004 and p=0.002 respectively). Both groups were similar regarding the coping strategies total score (p=0.779). Turning to religion, humor, mental disengagement, denial and substance use were seen more frequently in cancer patients compared to control group (p=0.004, p=0.001, p=0.005, p=0.001 and p=0.004 respectively); whereas active coping, restraint coping, acceptance and behavioral disengagement were significantly more frequent in control group (p=0.001, p=0.039, p=0.026 and p=0.055 respectively). Humor, mental disengagement, denial and substance use were positively correlated with BDI scores (r=0.30 p=0.003, r=0.38 p=0.001, r=0.29 p=0.004, r=0.22 p=0.03 respectively). Turning to religion, humor, mental disengagement and substance use were positively correlated with BAI scores (r=0.24 p=0.015, r=0.25 p=0.013, r=0.31 p=0.001, r=0.23 p=0.024 respectively). Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed that cancer patients had higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to healthy individuals and they had higher risk of being depressed or anxious. Furthermore, the patients developed different strategies in order to cope with the burden of this catastrophic disease. Therefore, cancer a multifaceted condition which must be approached in a multidimensional manner, taking psychological features of each individual into account.

Prevalence and determinants of breast self-examination in Karabuk, Turkey

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of women about breast self-examination and to examine the factors affecting thisMaterials and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical study, conducted on female patients presenting at the Karabuk University Training and Research Hospital between 15 October 2015 and 15 February 2016. The study sample comprised 483 females willingly participating, with no cognitive problems and no diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer and no history of breast surgery. Results: While 63.8% of the participants stated that they knew about breast self-examination, only 8.5% performed it regularly and 50.9% stated that they examined themselves occasionally. When the relationship between status of performing breast self-examination and variables were examined, a significant difference was observed in respect of age, level of education, employement, marital status, history of breast cancer in family/friends. It was determined that women of a younger age, with a higher level of education, fewer children and who were employed, had greater knowledge of breast self-examination and application rates, whereas the majority of those who did not perform breast self-examination were worried that they would get breast cancer and thought that they would not be able to detect a mass in their breast.Conclusion: These findings indicate that there is a need for widespread community-based education and the target group for this education should primarily be older women, with low education, a greater number of children and who do not work outside the home.

Pedagojik Formasyon Sertifika Programına Katılan Coğrafya Bölümü Öğrencilerinin Özel Öğretim Yöntemleri Dersine İlişkin Görüşleri

The purpose of this study is to determine the opinions of the Geography Department students about the Special Teaching Methods course (STM) and to propose suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of this course. This qualitative study was designed as a typical case study. A total of 122 students in geography department included in Pedagogical Formation Certificate Program at Karabuk University and taking STM Course constituted the participants of the study. A semi-structured interview form including 7 questions was used to collect the data of the study. The results were as follows: Most of the students of Geography department who included in Pedagogical Formation Certificate Program though that the knowledge and skills obtained from this course would contribute well to their teaching lives. Most of the participants stated that the duration of the course was limited. Most of the students participating in the current study articulated that the practice hours within this course should be increased and that they would like to practice more, however, the duration of the course was not enough for this. Participants also emphasized that this course should focus more on how to use various methods and techniques in Geography courses. Most of the students stressed that they had no ideas or expectations before taking this course, however, they learnt how to make geography courses more enjoyable out-of-classroom and in-classroom environments and that their expectation became real. Participants stated that the duration of the STM course and the time allocated for the practice within this course should be increased in order to ensure more effective geography teaching .

An Investigation of the Relationship Between University Prep Class Students’ Intelligence Types and Their Success of Foreign Language Learning

In the 21st century, when foreign language learning has become almost compulsory, everyone is trying to fulfill thisobligation. In fact, foreign language has become a very important thing not only for the people who work onlinguistic sciences but also for politicians, academicians, and even sportsmen. In this context, the main purpose is tocompare the English achievement levels of students with physical/kinesthetic intelligence to those with otherintelligence areas. 198 males, 66 females, in total 267 students, who study at Karabuk University, School of ForeignLanguages during the summer term of 2017-2018, have participated in this study. “Personal Information Form”developed by researchers; “Multiple Intelligence Observation Form” from the book “Multiple IntelligenceApplications” (2003) by Selçuk, Kayılı, Okut; Karabük University Preparatory Summer School foreign languagesuccess averages for determining the English achievement levels of the students, have been used as data collectiontools. Kolmogorov Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, and Spearman Correlation tests have been used toanalyze the data. Consequently, there are no significant differences between the foreign language scores of thestudents according to the variables of doing sports with a license, gender, age, and licensed sports branches. However,there is a significant difference between the foreign language scores of the students according to the variable ofexercising regularly (p=0.04&lt;0.05). There is no statistically significant relationship between students' multipleintelligences and foreign language scores.

Experimental investigations of using MWCNTs and graphene nanoplatelets water-based nanofluids as coolants in PVT systems

In this study, a photovoltaic thermal collector)PVT(has been constructed in Karabuk University, Turkey to investigate the effects of utilizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and graphene nanoplatelets dispersed in water as a base fluid with a concentration of 0.5 wt% on the performance of PVT systems. Outdoor experiments were run with volume flow rate of 0.5 L/min for the aforementioned nanofluids and distilled water as a reference fluid. The study results, which were analyzed from energetic and exergetic viewpoints, have shown and revealed that the MWCNT-water nanofluid presented a better performance in terms of photovoltaic energetic conversion compared to graphene nanoplatelets-water nanofluid and distilled water, while graphene nanoplatelets-water nanofluid revealed the highest thermal energetic efficiency. Moreover adding thermal unit to photovoltaic module (PV) enhanced the total energetic efficiency by 53.4% for distilled water, 57.2% for MWCNT-water, and 63.1% for graphene-water. From the exergetic viewpoint, the increase in total exergetic efficiency was 11.2%, 12.1%, and 20.6% for PVT collector cooled by distilled water, MWCNT-water nanofluid, and graphene nanoplatelets-water nanofluid respectively.

Investigation of the compressibility and sinterabilty of AZ91 powder production and particle production by gas atomisation method

Abstract This study intends to determine the pressability and sinterability of AZ91 powder production by gas atomisation method and that of the produced powder for partial production. Therefore, first, a gas atomisation unit has been designed and manufactured in the laboratories of the Karabuk University, Department of Manufacturing Engineering. Atomised powder production has been achieved at a temperature of 795 °C, with nozzle diameters of 2 and 4 mm and four different gas pressures (5, 15, 25, 35 bars). Argon gas has been used for atomisation and as a protective gas atmosphere. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to determine the shape of the produced AZ91 powder, and a laser particle size analyzer is used to analyze the powder size. Additionally, a microhardness (HV0.025) measurement has been conducted to determine the hardness of the produced powders. To achieve a homogeneous distribution, the produced powders are mixed in a three-dimensional moving turbulator for 30 min. Mixed powders have been pressed at 300, 400, 500 and 600 MPa and have been sintered at 500 °C, 550 °C and 600 °C. Additionally, the density values have been determined before and after sintering of the materials. SEM images have been obtained from the fractured surfaces of the samples before and after sintering. XRD and EDX analyses have been performed to determine the chemical composition. Further, microhardness (HV0.5) is obtained from the pressure surfaces of the samples to determine the effects of the pressing pressure and the sintering temperature on the hardness. As a result of the experimental studies, it has been observed that the powder size decreases with the increase in gas pressure and that the powder shape generally changes from ligament and complex shape to droplet and spherical shape. From the XRD, XRF and EDX results, it has been determined that the structure comprises an α phase (Mg main matrix) and Mg17Al12 interphase, which is β phase, and very small amounts of MgO have been observed. The hardness of the produced powders increased based on the increase in gas pressure. The densities of the samples increased with both increasing pressing pressure and sintering temperature. It has been observed from the fractured surface SEM images that the number of pores formed in the samples decrease with an increase in the pressing pressure. It has been determined that the post-sintering structure exhibits a typical dendritic structure. In addition to the α-Mg matrix phase, β (Mg17Al12) intermetallic and α + β eutectic were formed in the structure. The microhardness values of the samples decreased depending on the sintering temperature; the highest hardness value was measured as 64,02 HV0.5 at a pressing pressure of 300 MPa and a sintering temperature of 500 °C, whereas the lowest hardness value was measured as 54,86 HV0.5 at a pressing pressure of 600 MPa and a sintering temperature of 600 °C.

Investigation of wet cupping therapy’s effect on oxidative stress based on biochemical parameters

IntroductionWet cupping therapy is one of the main applications which has been used in the Unani medicine system. Current literature explaining how this traditional treatment method works is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether wet cupping therapy could affect reactive oxygen species and antioxidant levels. MethodsThis was a single arm pre and posttest intervention study conducted in Karabuk University Teaching and Research Hospital (KUTRH) between 1st January and 1st May 2018. Twenty-four participants were included. Wet Cupping Therapy was applied to all individuals once every month for three months. Venous blood samples were collected before the first (Venous1) and after the last application (Venous 2) and cupping blood samples were collected during the first and last applications. Malondialdehyde (MAD) and total oxidant status (TOS) which both indicate oxidation; glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant status (TAS), catalase (CAT) activities that indicate antioxidant effect, and protein levels were measured on the obtained serums. ResultsThe highest MDA and TOS levels and the lowest TAS, GSH, SOD and CAT levels were found in initial cupping blood. Significant improvement was observed in second cupping blood for these parameters when compared to initial values. We also found that MDA and TOS levels, as well as TAS, GSH, SOD and CAT levels, all changed favorably in the Venous 2 blood sample compared to the Venous 1 (p < 0.001). ConclusionWet cupping therapy seems a promising method for increasing antioxidant levels and curbing oxidative stress.

THE EFFECT OF PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS ON WORKPLACE FRIENDSHIP: A STUDY ON HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES

This study focuses on how employees' perceptions of organizational politics affect the perception of workplace friendship. So, an applied research was carried out on 524 employees working at Karabuk University, Teaching and Research Hospital. Hypotheses generated were tested by path analysis under structural equation modeling. In sum, it has been determined that “general political behaviors” have a positive effect on workplace friendship and on the other hand “pay and promotion policies” have a negative effect on workplace friendship. Nevertheless, it has been found that there is no significant effect of the “go along to get ahead behavior” on workplace friendship. http://dx.doi.org/10.17130/ijmeb.2019252108