Oxidant/antioxidant balance in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma

AIM： To evaluate total antioxidant status （TAS）, total oxidant status （TOS）, and the oxidative stress index （OSI） of the aqueous humor （AH） in patients with glaucoma. METHODS： The prospective study was composed of a study group （n-31） and a control group （n=31）. Fifteen patients in the study group were diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma （POAG）, and 16 patients were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma （PEG）. The control group was composed of non-glaucomatous patients with cataracts. AH samples were collected and analyzed for TAS, TOS, and OSI levels. RESULTS： Mean AH TAS level was significantly higher in patients with glaucoma than that in the control group （P〈0.01）. Mean TOS and OSI levels tended to increase in patients with glaucoma. No significant differences in TAS, TOS, or OSI levels were observed between patients with POAG and PEG. CONCLUSION： High levels of TAS were observed in patients with glaucoma, which was likely a response to the increased oxidative stress observed in these patients.

Bridging Civilizations From Asia to Europe： The Silk Road

Throughout history, Silk Road played an important role with connecting more than 50 countries between its endpoints. Reviving this ancient trade route is a contemporary discussion among politicians. There are many projects realized and proposed for the resurgence of the modem Silk Road, including the railroad project connecting Baku, Tiflis and Kars of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey; the undersea rail tunnel under the Bosphorus strait, Marmaray; the Silk Road Economic Belt proposed by China; and the Maritime Silk Road, again proposed by China. Just like the original Silk Road, it was not only a route for caravans or trade, but it was a meeting point for cultural, religious, and philosophical exchanges that served humanity for centuries; today＇s modem Silk Road initiatives should be considered as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations that will serve the same purpose of its ancient predecessor. The revived Silk Road will facilitate strengthening of relationships in between countries that experienced harmony in history. The railways, transportation facilities, transnational gates, energy corridors, and natural gas pipelines that constitute the Silk Road will transform the region with improving its economy and bringing peace and economic prosperity. With recent developments, it witnesses the importance of geopolitical and historical ties in establishing contemporary alliances. Although there are great expectations with the revival of the modern Silk Road, authors would like to emphasize that it should be an agreement to foster shared interests rather than the interest of bigger partners.

Frequency and voltage-dependent electrical and dielectric properties of Al/Co-doped PVA/p-Si structures at room temperature

In order to investigate of cobalt-doped interracial polyvinyl alcohol （PVA） layer and interface trap （Dit） effects, A1/p- Si Schottky barrier diodes （SBDs） are fabricated, and their electrical and dielectric properties are investigated at room temperature. The forward and reverse admittance measurements are carded out in the frequency and voltage ranges of 30 kHz-300 kHz and -5 V-6 V, respectively. C-V or er-V plots exhibit two distinct peaks corresponding to inversion and accumulation regions. The first peak is attributed to the existence of Dit, the other to the series resistance （Rs）, and interfacial layer. Both the real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant （er and err） and electric modulus （Mr and Mrr）, loss tangent （tan~）, and AC electrical conductivity （aac） are investigated, each as a function of frequency and applied bias voltage. Each of the M~ versus V and Mrr versus V plots shows a peak and the magnitude of peak increases with the increasing of frequency. Especially due to the Dit and interfacial PVA layer, both capacitance （C） and conductance （G/w） values are strongly affected, which consequently contributes to deviation from both the electrical and dielectric properties of A1/Co-doped PVA/p-Si （MPS） type SBD. In addition, the voltage-dependent profile of Dit is obtained from the low-high frequency capacitance （CLF-CHF） method.

Illumination and Voltage Dependence of Electrical Characteristics of Au/0.03 Graphene-Doped PVA/n-Si Structures via Capacitance/Conductance-Voltage Measurements

Au/n-Si （MS） structures with a high dielectric interlayer （0.03 graphene-doped PVA） are fabricated to investigate the illumination and voltage effects on electrical and dielectric properties by using capacitance-voltage （C-V） and conductance-voltage （G/w-V） measurements at room temperature and at 1 MHz. Some of the main electrical parameters such as concentration of doping atoms （ND）, barrier height （ ФB（ C - V） ）, depletion layer width （WD） and series resistance （Rs） show fairly large illumination dispersion. The voltage-dependent profile of surface states （Nss） and resistance of the structure （Ri ） are also obtained by using the dark-illumination capacitance （Cdark- Cm） and Nicollian-Brews methods, respectively, For a clear observation of changes in electrical parameters with illumination, the values of ND, WD, ФB（O- V） and Rs are drawn as a function of illumination intensity. The values of ND and WD change almost linearly with illumination intensity. On the other hand, Rs decreases almost exponentially with increasing illumination intensity whereas ФB（C - V） increases. The experimental results suggest that the use of a high dielectric interlayer （0.03 graphene-doped PVA） considerably passivates or reduces the magnitude of the surface states. The large change or dispersion in main electrical parameters can be attributed to generation of electron-hole pairs in the junction under illumination and to a good light absorption. All of these experimental results confirm that the fabricated Au/0.03 graphene-doped PVA/n-Si structure can be used as a photodiode or a capacitor in optoelectronic applications.

The Future Prospect for the Evolution of Islamic Banking in Turkey

In Turkey, banks having ＂Islamic＂ features that are long neglected have experienced strong business growth since 2003 that is just after the date of a moderate Islamic party which emerged victorious in parliamentary elections. While Turkey has only four ＂Islamic＂ banks, they capture more than 4% market share. The purpose of this research is to analyze the mechanisms that have allowed such a growth between 2002 （just after the financial crisis in 2001） and 2009, by comparing the results of activities of these four Islamic banks and find out possible opportunities that might exist in this sector. The results indicate that these institutions have a respectively higher risk-taking and internationally more fair open policy than the banks known as ＂conventional＂. While Bank Asya （the market leader of the participatory banks in Turkey） and Albaraka Turk capture the individual customers, the other two institutions that are TurkiyeFinans and Kuveyt Turk capture the commercial customers. In addition, the development of these institutions seems to be very difficult because of the lack of Turkish Sukuk in Turkish banking context having no adequate liquidity. Moreover, in its political context, leading actors in Turkish political and economic structure reject utterly the existence of Sharia Board. In fact, it is clear that the Turkish banking sector is an untapped potential market that could be easily converted into an opportunity by improving the regulatory framework and communication strategy for these institutions. Indeed, since the controversy still exists around the concept of secularism, which is an impediment to the development of these banks called ＂Islamic＂ in Turkey, there is a necessity for a communication strategy to break down prejudices and to become popular for Islamic finance sector, which is still known very poorly and superficially by general public in Turkey.

Turkey＇s Relations With the Central Asian Countries and Europen Union

The purpose of this paper, in the light of recent developments, is to analyze whether or not there is an axial drift in Turkey, which is a part of Europe. With the decision of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany, after the collapse of the wall, known as the iron curtain, built on August 13, 1961 in Berlin, the Soviet Union disintegrated on the date of December 25, 1991 and a new unipolar restructure came into view. New hopes, uncertainties, and new threats were brought along by the US-led restructuring. The Cold War period ended, a drastic change process with the Eurasian axis in the international relations started to be lived in, and the world order based on the the nuclear balance between the East and the West also died out. Having been located at the intersection point of Europe and Asia and therefore of strategic importance, Central Asia has been bringing together the two continents for centuries. In this geography, Turkey has been the first country to recognize the Republics that have gained their independence for the last 20 years. Starting in 1991, the relations between Turkey and Central Asia countries progressed swiftly. Turkey, on one hand, has been developing the economical and political relations with the aforesaid countries, but on the other hand, it has also been continuing to progress on the course of being granted a full membership to the EU （European Union）. Turkey has been the only Muslim country to head towards the West since Tanzimat （the Reformations in 1839）. Besides, Turkey, by having preserved the cultural values, having adopted the democratic principles, having a common border with the Western world, and being her neighbour, is the only and the most developed country to have chosen the West on the economic, cultural, social, and sporting areas among the 57 Islamic countries existing in the world. Turkey, with different political and economic systems, is ready to contribute towards ensuring peace and economic prosperity in Central Asia and Eurasia. The diplomatic activity demonstrated by Turkey in its region was interpreted by some parties as undergoing a shift in the axis of the country and becoming Islamized. The development preparing the ground for the emergence of the axis debates in Turkey is that the relationship between Turkey and EU has come to a dead end. While about 80% of the public supporting for full membership in the years of 1999-2005, this proportion dropped to 40% in recent years. Without the support of the public opinion, no government in the Republic of Turkey will be enthusiastic about the EU membership, as it is, the relations between Turkey and the Western world will decline and the axis shift in Turkey will perhaps become a fact in this case. For this reason, an initiative, called Positive Agenda, was launched for the purpose of not breaking off the relations and preventing Turkey from setting sail for new shores. This new approach is not targeting to replace but to complete the accession process, and the development of the more constructive and positive relationship between EU and Turkey is targeted as well. The world＇s economic axis will shift from the West to the East in the next 50 years. The harsh criticism of the double standards of the West voiced by Turkey in the non-Western regions, such as the Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus, is causing to be perceived by the Western world as Turkey is not a partner but a competitive power and the close relationship with the groups and the actors against the West in the Middle East is leading to interrogate about what kind of partner it will be in Europe. When NATO （North Atlantic Treaty Organization） was formed 63 years ago, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, that the Central Asia countries would gain their independence, that two-block structure of Europe would disappear, and that the Warsaw Pact would disband, could not be predicted by any one. Axis is shifting from the West to the East. By realizing this fact, Turkey has to determine a new strategy. As a result, in this statement, the position of Turkey, which is a part of Asia and Europe, against the latest development in the region, will be analyzed.

Materials Development for Adult Learners in Teaching Vocabulary

Considering the special needs and the learning styles of their learners, foreign language teachers should use the most effective methods or approaches which are appropriate for their teaching strategies. Redundant or a diverse range of teaching techniques are not meant to use in the process of their learners＇ acquiring new vocabulary items; instead, the most effective and to the point teaching techniques in terms of each language skill should be employed. Efficiency of language learners in terms of their command of the vocabulary can be assessed through their understanding any reading or listening context and managing to be productive in speaking or writing procedures in language acquisition process. Phonological, morpho-syntactic, or socio-pragmatic positions of new lexical items as well as the learners＇ learning styles and multiple intelligences should all be taken into consideration by language teachers so that their learners could really reach an efficient level of vocabulary power. This efficiency has been identified as having a language passport in terms of the proficiency level of the learners within the CEFR （Common European Framework of Reference） for Languages by all EU countries in recent years. Foreign language teachers should try very hard to supply their learners with the required qualifications in every language skill so that they can have a linguistic identity both in their own societies and inter-cultural or multi-cultural contexts. Within this framework, foreign language teachers will hopefully make use of any suggested approach presented in this study so as to widen their learners＇ horizons in language acquisition process.

The Missile Defense System and Its Effects on Security Policies of the EU, the US and Turkey

The concept of smart power requires to combine soft and hard power. Thus, smart power is a new approach for the US politics towards the Middle East. As a consequence of smart power politics of the US, some newly members of the EU and Turkey has become a part of missile defense system. This is a significant indicator of usage of smart power for the EU members and Turkey. The security policies and practices of the US disclose a necessity for straight allies. For this reason, the relationship between the US, the EU and Turkey may be conceptualize with reference to the concept of smart power. In the case of Missile Defense System, Turkey has agreed to be a participant of this system after signing an agreement with the US. After that, Turkish government has confronted with some interior and exterior political difficulties. One of the most important difficulties is the interior resistance of missile defense system＇s Kiirecik Radar Station and its usage in Turkey. Another important point is the question of control of Turkish National Security and Defense strategy. In that respect, the US government＇s smart power applications may be included in the establishment of the radar station. The EU has also been included in that strategy. This paper will argue smart power practices of the US, the EU and Turkey with reference to comparative practices of power politics and the case of Missile Defense System. In this way, a comprehensive and system-type assessment of possible responses and the change in relations between stakeholder states not only in the issue of a set-up of a Turkish radar station, but on a broader range of international ＂hard＂ security balance will be demonstrated.

Chromium (Ⅲ) Biosorption of Deinococcus radiodurans and Its Vitreoscilla Haemoglobin (vgb) Gene-Transferred Recombinants

Objectives:This study used Deinococcus radiodurans,which is extremely resistant to oxidative damage,genotoxic chemicals,high levels of ionising and ultraviolet radiation and drying,and its Vitreoscilla haemoglobin(vgb)gene-cloned recombinant with the vgb−recombinant strain as a control.In addition to the conditions wherein bacteria have an optimum Cr(Ⅲ)biosorption capacity,the contribution of the vgb gene to the biosorption ability of the bacteria has been investigated by providing the organism with a more oxygenic environment.Methods:Bacteria were produced and metal stock solution was prepared.To determine the Cr(Ⅲ)removal capacities of wild and recombinant D.radiodurans strains,the residual metal concentration in aqueous media at the beginning and after biosorption was determined in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Some optimal conditions were created for the biosorption conditions to occur.Conclusions:The optimisation tests showed that Cr(Ⅲ)reached the highest biosorption capacity within 15 minutes at a metal concentration of 2,000 ppm,30°C,pH 5.0 and 150 rpm stirring speed in all the three bacteria.The vgb gene had no significant contribution to the biosorption capacity.

Effect of lavender aromatherapy on pruritus, anxiety, and sleep quality of patients undergoing hemodialysis: a randomized controlled trial

Background:Patie nts un dergo ing hemodialysis experie nces some symptoms.Pruritus,an xiety,and sleep quality are three of the most com mon symptoms.Eve n though some pharmacological treatme nts use to cope with these symptoms,they are still experie need by the patie nts at a high level.Aim:This study aimed to determine the effect of lavender oil aromatherapy on pruritus,anxiety,and sleep quality of patients undergoing hemodialysis.Method:This randomized con trolled study was carried out betwee n December 2019 and March 2020.Eighty of 895 eligible patients were included in the study.Aromatherapy inhalation and massage together applied to the patients for six weeks.5D-Itch Scale,State Anxiety Inventory(SAI),and Richard Campbell Sleep Questio nn aire(RCSQ)were used for data collecti on.IBM SPSS 25.0 were used for statistical an alysis.Mann-Whit ney U,Wilcox on sig ned-ra nks test,and repeated measures-ANOVA tests were used to compare the difference between the groups and simple regression analysis to investigate the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.Results:Most of the patients were male(57.5%)and aged between 41 and 55 years(52.5%).There was significant difference in the mean scores of SAI(Pretest:44.02±5.33,Post-test:35.40±4.52,P=0.003),5D-Itch scale(Pretest:9.80±2.04,Post-test:7.00±2.31,P=0.001),and RCSQ(Pretest:17.11±40.30,Post-test:58.55±33.74,P=0.002)with in time in the in terve ntio n group.There was a statistically significant differenee between the groups regarding the mean scores of SAI(Intervention:35.40±4.52,Control:46.84±4.62,P=0.003),5D-Itch scale(Intervention:7.00±2.31,Control:8.96±2.05,P=0.004),and RCSQ(Intervention:58.55±33.74,Control:19.93±28.36,P=0.001)after the intervention.Conclusion:After six-weeks intervention,lavender aromatherapy was found an effective way to reduce pruritus,anxiety and to improve the sleep quality of patients undergoing hemodialysis.