University Scientific Research Projects Research Articles

REPRESENTATION OF TURKISH MYTHOLOGY IN VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENT

In this research, it is aimed to represent the elements in oral and written traditions such as mythology, epic and story on the virtual reality environment. Mythology has always been used for generating visual design elements. As an example, Miyazaki’s cartoons are great examples of Japan mythology-based character designs. There are also many cartoon and film products of Greek mythology. In contrast, despite rich visual contents of Turkish mythology, Turkish mythological elements aren’t used sufficiently for visual design or analyzed scientifically in detail. By this research, the world’s first Turkish mythology museum in a virtual environment is established. For this purpose, a literature review is conducted on gathering related information on Turkish mythology and elements of Turkish mythology are transferred into visual design units. Models and designs are created on Blender 2.80 and Autodesk 3dsmax 2019. Unity Hub is used for extended reality interaction. Within the scope of the research, augmented reality future is added to character designs created by using mythological characters. With augmented reality, models gained a feature that enables interactive participation of audience over phone/tablet. This research has been supported by Yildiz Technical University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Department. Project Number: SBA-2019-3749 Augmented Reality Applications Using Three Dimensional Models.

Correction to: Nucleoside Isolation Performance of Ti4+/Zr4+ Immobilized Polydopamine Coated, Monodisperse‑Porous Titania Microbeads

This research was supported by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit under contract numbered as FHD-2016-13123. The author thanks Ebru Sag for her valuable help during experiments and Prof. Dr. Ali Tuncel for his valuable help to use his own laboratory facilities.

Origin of barite deposits in dolomite-limestone units, Gazipasa, Eastern of Antalya: geology, geochemistry, statistics, sulfur isotope composition

The study is supported with the FYL-2016-1832 Project by Akdeniz University Scientific Research Projects.

Serological Investigation of Bluetongue Virus Infection by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in Sheep in Konya Region

This work was financially supported by the Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects Coordinator ship (Project number: 08201028). This article has also been extracted from MS thesis of Gulsen YIGIT Abstract Of ovine breeding has a special importance in Turkey's economy. In this sector to date, there have been major problems from production to consumption. Among these, animal husbandry and disease problems have always been up to date. Some of the most important factors that negatively affect sheep breeding are the decrease in yield characteristics, medical inputs for treatment, and diseases caused by viruses that can cause significant economic losses resulting in mortality in animals. Blue Tongue virus infection also causes great economic losses in sheep, cattle and goats. In this study, blood samples were collected from clinically healthy not vaccinated 460 sheep by random sampling method in some closed livestock model applied in and around Konya. The presence of blue tongue virus antibodies in the prepared sheep blood sera was investigated by competitive ELISA(c-ELISA) technique. All samples were run in duplicate, with known positive and negative controls included in each test plate. The optical density (OD) of each plate well was determined at 620 nm wavelength. As a result of the study, 46 (10%) of 460 sheep sera had BTV-specific antibodies. The study is important in terms of revealing the seroprevalence of the infection investigated by c-ELISA in blood serum taken from sheep in and around Konya. Keywords : Bluetongue virus (BTV), Sheep, Serology, c-ELISA. DOI : 10.7176/JSTR/5-7-04

The Effect of Serum Calcium Levels on Uremic Encephalopathy in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury in the Emergency Department.

Background and objectives: Uremic encephalopathy is the most important complication of renal failure and urgent dialysis treatment is required. Parathormone (PTH) contributes to the etiopathogenesis of uremic encephalopathy. PTH is a hormone that acts in the calcium balance in the organism. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of serum adjusted and ionized calcium on the development of uremic encephalopathy in patients with acute renal injury (acute kidney injury network (AKIN) stage 3). Materials and Methods: Our study was supported by Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Scientific Research Projects Unit (ID:1278). Three groups were formed for the study. The first group was acute renal failure AKIN stage 3 (N: 23), the second group was AKIN stage 3, and the patients who had emergency hemodialysis (N: 17) and the third group (N: 9) had AKIN stage 3 hemodialysis due to uremic encephalopathy. In these patient groups, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, PTH, calcium, albumin, urea, creatinine, and blood-gas-ionized calcium were observed in their serum during the first application. Calcium, albumin, urea, creatinine, and ionized calcium in blood gas were also examined in serum at 24th and 72th hours. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0. Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test were applied for the variables that did not comply with normal distribution. p < 0.005 was accepted statistically. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the measurement creatinine values at the 24th and 72th hours of admission in AKIN stage 3 patients who applied to the emergency department (p = 0.008). A statistically significant difference was found in the measured calcium values (p = 0.013). A statistically significant difference was found in the measured ionized calcium values (p = 0.035). Conclusions: In our study, the effect of ionized calcium level on uremic encephalopathy in serum creatinine, calcium, and blood gas in patients presenting with acute renal injury, AKIN stage 3, was significant, but studies with new and large groups are needed.

The Effect of Notch, IL‐1 and Leptin (NILCO) Inhibition in Xenograft Colorectal Cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhibition of Notch, IL‐1 and leptin systems on tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in xenograft colorectal cancer model. This study was conducted with the approval of the EU/2010/63 directive and the Greek Presidential Decree 56/2013 (Approval No. 5542/228006/1). In each group, 40 scid (NOD/SCID) mice with 6–8 weeks of age were studied in 5 groups. For tumor formation 1 × 107 human colon cancer cells HCT‐15 were injected subcutaneously into the dorsal flank of the mice. When the tumor size was 100–250 mm3, treatment was started. Group 1: Leptin receptor antagonist ALLO‐aca was injected with 1mg / kg / day subcutaneously (s.c) for 15 days (n: 8). Group 2: γ‐secretase inhibitor DAPT was injected with 10 mg / kg / day subcutaneously (s.c) for 15 days (n: 8). Group 3: Recombinant human IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) was injected with 1mg / kg / day subcutaneously (s.c) for 15 days (n: 8). Group 4: 4% DMSO/Safflower Oil (DAPT solvent) was injected subcutaneously (s.c) for 15 days. (n: 8). Group 5: 10% DMSO/0,9%NaCl (Allo aca and IL‐1 iınhibitor solvent) was injected subcutaneously (s.c) for 15 days. (n: 8). After 15 days, tissues were collected and gene expression experiments were performed. mRNA abundance of leptin, leptin OB‐RL receptor, Notch1 receptor, JAGGED1 ligand, IL‐1β, IL‐1R tI, VEGF‐A, VEGFR2 conducted by qRT‐PCR. According to PCR results, leptin, its receptor Ob‐R, Notch1, JAGGED1, VEGF‐A and VEGFR1 mRNA abundance were decreased only in the DAPT group (respectively; p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.01, p&lt;0.05, p&lt;0.01). The mRNA abundance of VEGFR2 was decreased only in the IL‐1 inhibitor group (p&lt;0.05). According to the results, DAPT at 10 mg / kg / day dose Notch receptor and its ligand was reduced as well as decreased mRNA abundance of leptin and VEGF systems that pro‐angiogenogenic factors. The results of our study support the oncogenic role of Notch, IL‐1 and Leptin crosstalk in colorectal cancer. Inhibition of NILCO signaling could lead to the development of new adjuvant therapies to reduce or eliminate tumor angiogenesis.Support or Funding InformationThis study is supported by a grant from Eskisehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research Projects (Project no:2017‐11028)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Correction to: A biomechanical comparison of three fixation techniques in osteoporotic reverse oblique intertrochanteric femur fracture with fragmented lateral cortex.

This study was done with the financial support of the Istanbul University Scientific Research Projects.

Evaluation of University Project Based on Partial Least Squares and Dynamic Back Propagation Neural Network Group

In this paper, aiming at the more objective evaluation of university scientific research projects, an evaluation model based on partial least squares and dynamic back propagation neural network group (PLS-DBPG) algorithm is put forward. First, the reasonable index system of project evaluation is designed. For evaluation indexes, the PLS algorithm is used to reduce the feature dimension of original data. As the input of BP neural network, low dimensional data can simplify network structure. Then in view of the slow convergence of traditional BP algorithm, a dynamic adaptive BP neural network group algorithm is proposed. By introducing dynamic proportion factors, the update of each BP neural network is affected by both itself and the optimal network. And, the contribution of each network for group study is constantly adjusted. Finally, in this paper, the simulation results show that the improved algorithm for evaluating the project proposed has valuable applications with the merits of the fast convergence and high precision.

Osmanlı İmparatorluğu Müzik Kurumlarında Kontrbas Çalgısı

<div><!--block-->This study is based on data from a field study conducted with the support of the Istanbul University Scientific Research Projects Unit and the National Palaces Directorate of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. With information obtained from the unit’s research (No. 52003, year 2015), an inventory titled “Double basss Intruments at Music Institutions of the Ottoman Empire” was made. The scope of the project was based on a catalog study of the instruments at Dolmabahçe Palace and on an inventory of the instruments atthe national palaces. This study focuses on the data on the double bass axis. First, the location and existence of the instruments in the Ottoman Empire is examined. In the second section, double basss performers’ familiarity with Ottoman Empire musical instruments is investigated. The last section focuses on how the techniques and interpretations of the double bass during the Ottoman Empire were developed in the form of Western classical music. The main research methods and techniques are archival research, evaluation of the related literature, and field study to determine the existing inventory. It was found that Ottoman institutions, such as Muzika-i Hümayun, Sıbyan School, Makam-ı Hilafet Philharmonic Band, and Mabeyn-i Hümayun band hired non-Muslim musicians to perform and teach in Italian style, and it is concluded that two of the double basses used in these institutions are now preserved at Dolmabahçe Palace.</div>

Interaction of the Cyprus/Tethys slab with the mantle transition zone beneath Anatolia

This work has been supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council under grant NE/I028017/1. Seismic equipment was provided by the NERC Geophysical Equipment Facility (SEIS-UK) under loan 947. Additional funds were provided by the Bogazici University Scientific Research Projects (BAP) under grant 6922 and the Turkish State Planning Organization (DTP) under the TAM project number 2007K120610. G.T. was supported by the Leeds-York Doctoral Training Partnership (SPHERES) of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK (NE/L002574/1).

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE WATER SECTOR THROUGH PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN BULGARIA

Issues related to the water sector and the achievement of an integrated sustainable management of water resources are of interest to many researchers and practitioners. The need for effective solutions for water resources requires the use of project management to achieve sustainability in the sector. The aim of the paper is to assess the possibilities for achieving sustainability through project management in the water sector and on this basis to propose recommendations for sustainable and integrated water resources management.The paper presents a literature review of achieving sustainability in the water sector. The analytical part of the article includes an assessment of the respondents’ opinion for achieving sustainability in the water sector based on structured interviews. On this basis proposals for achieving sustainable and integrated water resource management through projects are made. The results in the paper are related to the determination of the factors for achieving sustainability in the water sector and the benefits from the water projects. On this basis are outlined opportunities for overcoming the constrains in front of the water projects. The paper presents part of the university scientific research project NID NI 1-7/2015 “Project management of sustainable development in water sector”.

Electrical field stimulation‐induced vasorelaxation responses decreased in anterior and middle cerebral arteries of endotoxemic rats

IntroductionEndotoxic shock is characterized by vascular dysfunction, hypotension and multiple organ dysfunction. Loss of vascular tone is a key factor responsible for death in endotoxic shock. Perivascular innervation has an important role in the regulation of vascular tone. Neural control of the arteries is mediated by adrenergic and nitrergic neurons. The nitrergic component is dominant in brain arteries while adrenergic component is dominant in mesenteric arteries. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alters the electrical field stimulation (EFS) responses in mesenteric arteries in vitro. Our aim is to study the alterations of EFS responses of cerebral and mesenteric arteries in endotoxemia in rats.Material and MethodsLPS (10 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally to rats to make an animal model os sepsis. Rats were anesthetized with gaseous carbon dioxide and decapitated 20 hours after injection, Basilar, anterior cerebral, middle cerebral and 3rd branch of mesenteric arteries were isolated and mounted in a wire myograph covered with platinum electrodes. After U46619 precontraction, frequency‐dependent EFS responses were obtained using a constant current stimulator.ResultsHigh K+ responses did not change in brain and peripheral arteries. EFS‐dependent vasorelaxation responses decreased in anterior and middle cerebral arteries in endotoxemic rats. EFS‐induced vasorelaxation responses of basilar artery and vasoconstriction responses of mesenteric arteries did not change in endotoxemic rats.ConclusionsIn this study we demonstrate for the first time that EFS‐induced vasorelaxation responses of some cerebral arteries decreased in endotoxemic rats. This EFS‐dependent alterations could be explained by degeneration of perivascular innervations or an imbalance between adrenergic and nitrergic neurons.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (TSA‐2017‐12848).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate induced vasoconstrictor responses decreased in cerebral arteries of endotoxemic rats

IntroductionSepsis is the leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. Vascular dysfunction is the most important cause of death in sepsis. There are some data in the literature for vascular hyporesponsiveness to miscellaneous vasopressors. However most of the data are about resistance mesenteric artery and aorta which is the biggest artery in the body. The responses of cerebral arteries to vasopressors were not investigated in vitro while the brain blood flows were investigated in sepsis.Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid mediator which has several physiological functions in cell growth, inflammation, endothelial barrier integrity and vascular tone. Serum S1P levels decrease in sepsis and this decrement is correlated with the severity of sepsis. S1P is a vasoconstrictor lipid mediator which has more vasoconstrictor responses in small sized vessels and brain arteries. Our aim is to study the vasoconstrictor responses of the brain and mesenteric arteries to S1P in sepsis.Material and Methods10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (serotype O55:B5) were given intraperitoneally to rats to make an animal model os sepsis. Rats were anesthetized with gaseous carbon dioxide and decapitated 20 hours after injection, Basilar, anterior cerebral, middle cerebral and 3rd branch of mesenteric arteries were mounted in a wire myograph. Arteries were stimulated with 124 nM K+‐PSS after 30 min stabilization. Concentration‐response curves for S1P were evaluated.ResultsHigh K+ responses did not change in brain and peripheral arteries. S1P‐induced vasoconstrictor responses decreased in anterior and prominently in middle cerebral arteries. S1P‐induced vasoconstrictor responses in basilar and mesenteric arteries did not change.ConclusionsThis is the first study that show the alterations of S1P‐induced vasoconstrictor responses of brain arteries in sepsis. The difference in the alteration of S1P responses of cerebral arteries may explain the alteration and redistribution of cerebral perfussion in sepsis.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (TSA‐2017‐12848).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Sphingosine kinase inhibition reduced KCl‐induced contractions of gastric arteries in rats

IntroductionSphingolipids are responsible for several physiological and pathological processes in digestive system. Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is generated by sphingosine kinases (SPH) within the cell. S1P may also signal as a second messenger and may be involved in excitation‐contraction coupling. We aimed to investigate the effects of SPK inhibitors on the contractile responses of gastric fundus strips to 5‐HT, acethylcholine, KCl and isolated gastric arteries to KCl‐induced depolarization.MethodsGastric fundus strips and gastric arteries of rats were isolated and mounted into a organ bath and wire myograph system, respectively. Both were incubated with dimethylsphingosine (DMS) or SPK II (SPK inhibitor) and contractile responses were evaluated.ResultsKCl‐induced contractions were significantly decreased in the presence of SPK II in gastric arteries. These contractions did not change after DMS incubation. Conractile responses to KCl, ACh and 5‐HT did not show significant difference after DMS or SPK II incubation.ConclusionsOur results suggest that KCl‐induced contractions decreased after SPK inhibition and SPK may have a regulatory role in gastric artery contractionsSupport or Funding InformationThis study was funded by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination UnitThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Research on Performance Evaluation of Guangxi Strong Foundation and Excellence Program

In order to comply with the national implementation of innovation driven development strategy, promote the comprehensive reform of Higher Education, Guangxi people's government decides to implement the Guangxi higher education foundation program and Guangxi higher education excellence program (hereinafter referred to as the Strong Foundation and Excellence Program). Guangxi Strong Foundation and Excellence Program is a new project of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship education in Colleges and Universities, at present, there are few scholars construct program performance evaluation system for Strong Foundation and Excellence Program. In order to evaluate project performance of the 16 programs of Strong Foundation Program and 10 programs of Excellence Program, referencing the performance evaluation of higher education funds and the performance evaluation of university scientific research projects, I construct the index system of performance evaluation of Guangxi strong Foundation program and the excellence program, and use analytic hierarchy process to weight the index system, which provides the theoretical basis for the classification support, classification construction and classification evaluation management system of Guangxi Autonomous Region.

English

The article presents the results of a study carried out within the scope of a project entitled, &ldquo;Arranged Bursa Folk Songs for Fourhands Piano Extended Piano Techniques and Teaching in Music Education Departments.&rdquo; It is number KUAP (E)-2014/28 of the Uludag University Scientific Research Projects Unit and was supported by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. Six Bursa Folk Songs- were arranged for fourhands piano by composer Berkant Gen&ccedil;kal. Five of them were taught and played by six students in chamber music lessons in the Uludag University Music Education Department at the undergraduate and graduate level during the 2015 spring semester. The practice finished with a concert. All pieces were recorded by two teachers. The aim of the project is to enrich the Turkish piano literature and examine the effects on student education. The results were analysed with the N-Vivo Qualitative research programme. According to answers provided by six students to semi-structured interview questions, all students found the project positive in terms of having them acquire a different in chamber music repertoire with its own traditional rhythm and notation. &nbsp; Key words: Folk song arrangement, fourhands piano, piano education, piano pedagogy, music education, Bursa, Turkey.

Analysing the Effectiveness of University Scientific Research Projects on the Knowledge Management

This paper briefly analyzes the connotation and characteristic of knowledge management. Elaborating the problems which exist in the present scientific research project management, analyzing the relationship between university scientific research project management and knowledge management; putting forward the knowledgeable, informatization, modernization and humanization strategy into the process of scientific research project management under the view of knowledge management, and exploring theory and method to make full use of knowledge management, establishing the comprehensive and whole process management mechanism in local university scientific research project management, so as to improve the efficiency of scientific research project management, promoting the development of local colleges and universities’ scientific research.

Investigation of Changes in Mechanical Properties and Microstructures of Mild Steel Joint by Oxy-Hydrogen Welding

This study has been supported by Gazi University Scientific Research Project Section. Authors would like to thank to Gazi University for this support.

Joinability of Particulate Reinforced Alumix 231 Based Composite Materials Produced by Powder Metallurgy Route

This study has been supported by Gazi University Scientific Research Project Section (BAP Project Number 07/2011-57). Authors would like to thank to Gazi University for this support.

Abstract: Vacuum Assisted Flap Delay, a Novel Strategy to Increase the Flap Survival: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

INTRODUCTION: Flaps are the work horse in daily plastic surgery practice. To overcome the major complication of flap necrosis in risky groups, delay procedures have been defined. The golden standard method of delay is surgical delay. On the other hand, it has a major drawback; the two sessions of operations. Efforts have been made to omit one session and increase the patient safety and decrease the cost of the treatment.1 Topical negative pressure has been used for assisting the wound closure. However, the mechanisms of action of the negative pressure are not still clearly elucidated. The topical negative pressure has been shown to induce neovascularization and increase vascular density.2 With this respect, writers aimed to use topical negative pressure to prospective flap area prior to flap elevation and compare the survival and perfusion results, with the golden standard technique “Surgical Delay”. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty rabbits were equally divided in 3 groups; control group, surgical delay group (SD) and vacuum assisted flap delay group (VAFD). In a cranially based, 25x5 cm random flap model on the lateral thoracic region the study was conducted. In the VAFD group, a topical negative pressure system with an 80 mmHg pressure was applied prior to flap elevation, where the flap was planned to be elevated, for seven days. Surgical delay was conducted in the same flap model seven days before eventual flap elevation in the SD group. The flap area, necrosis area, necrosis ratio, histomorphometric vascular density, immunohistochemical evaluation of neovascularization (CD31/CD34), Laser Doppler images and computerized tomography contrast uptake were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: In all the parameters, the VAFD group was equivalent to the SD group. Both were superior to the control group. CONCLUSION: The main disadvantage of surgical delay is that it is a surgical procedure. Morykwas and Argenta showed that, TNP successfully increased the flap survival rates even after the elevation.3 However, their results did not imply the use of the TNP systems as a delay procedure. Results of this study suggest that topically applied negative pressure induces vacuum assisted flap delay. This VAFD phenomenon is superior to surgical delay as it is cheap, practical and less morbid. Further studies are needed to elucidate its clinical significance. DISCLOSURE/FINANCIAL SUPPORT:Supported by Ataturk University Scientific Research Projects, with the project number 2012/040 (to Dr. Osman E. Aydin and Dr. Said Algan). None of the authors has a financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this manuscript. REFERENCES: 1. Ghali S, Butler PE, Tepper OM, Gurtner GC. Vascular delay revisited. Plast Reconstr Surg 2007; 119(6):1735–1744. 2. Argenta LC, Morykwas MJ. Vacuum-assisted closure: a new method for wound control and treatment: clinical experience. Ann Plast Surg. 1997;38(6):563. 3. Morykwas MJ, Argenta LC, Shelton-Brown EI, McGuirt W. Vacuum-assisted closure: a new method for wound control and treatment: animal studies and basic foundation. Ann Plast Surg. 1997;38(6):553–562.