Existentialism and epistemology.

Comments on B. Vandenberg's (see record 1992-12211-001) article on epistemology and an existential consideration of development, taking exception with both his definition of existentialism and his characterization of Piaget's work. Existentialism, it is argued, is not an alternative to epistemology, but a particular style of responding to philosophic questions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Improvement of flexural bond strength of zirconia-resin cement by surface patterning using sub-nanosecond UV laser

Zirconia is a dental material that shows excellent biocompatibility and high strength in clinical applications. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ultrafast laser applications. The surface nanostructures were classified into three groups. Group 1 was generated using the burst mode, with three different distances between dots: 52 µm (Group 1a), 104 µm (Group 1b), and 156 µm (Group 1c). Group 2 was processed using the scanning mode configuration, with a set of parallel lines. Group 3 was also processed using this scanning configuration creating a set of square-shaped patterning. Group 4 was the control group. After the surface treatments, a pair of zirconia specimens was bonded end to end with resin cement. Flexural bond strength (FBS) test was applied in a universal test machine. Multiple comparisons were performed using a one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey's HSD test. All the samples that were treated with the laser showed higher FBS values than the untreated surface. Using the burst mode, preformed circular-shaped surface on an angle of 90⁰ at 52 µm distance (Group 1a) showed the highest FBS values among all groups (p < .05). Groups 2 and 3 had significantly higher values than 1b and 1c.     

Assessment of the effectiveness of the educational environment supported by computer aided presentations at primary school level

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the educational environment supported by computer aided presentations at primary school. The effectiveness of the environment has been evaluated in terms of students’ learning and remembering what they have learnt. In the study, we have compared experimental group and control group in terms of learning and recalling what has been learned regarding the effect which computer aided learning environment imposes. Data have been collected through the control grouped pretest–final test model. During the experiment, we have prepared an achievement test, which explains behaviors the students should acquire. According to the findings obtained, a computer aided educational environment has been observed to be more effective than that of conventional education in terms of learning. However, in terms of the permanence of what has been learned, no meaningful difference between the educational environment supported by computer aided presentations and that of conventional education has come out. According to the results of the follow-up tests performed, even though students in the test group have forgotten more of what they have learnt, it has been concluded that students in both groups have forgotten on the same level. Consequently, it has been observed that though the educational environment supported by computer aided presentations has positive contributions to learning activity, it does not have effects on the permanence of what has been learnt.     

Estimation of Peak Flood Discharges at Ungauged Sites Across Turkey

The reliable forecasting of the peak flood discharge at river basins is a common problem, and it becomes more complicated when there is inadequate recorded data. The statistical methods commonly used for the estimation of peak flood discharges are generally considered to be inadequate because of the complexity of this problem. Recently, genetic programming (GP) which is a branch of soft computing methods has attracted the attention of the hydrologists. In this study, gene-expression programming (GEP) and linear genetic programming (LGP), which are extensions to GP, in addition to logistic regression (LR) were employed in order to forecast peak flood discharges. The study covered 543 ungauged sites across Turkey. Drainage area, elevation, latitude, longitude, and return period were used as the inputs while the peak flood discharge was the output. Model comparison results revealed that GEP predicted the peak flood discharges with R ²?=?57.4?% correlation, LGP with 56?% and LR model with 42.3?%, respectively. The peak flood discharges in all river basins can now be determined using the single equation provided by the GEP model.     

Electrically controlled release of 5-fluorouracil from conductive gelatin methacryloyl-based hydrogels

Herein, electro-responsive hydrogels were obtained by incorporation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) into the gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) by using photopolymerization technique. Hydrogels were characterized by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Cytotoxicity tests were performed by L929 cell lines to determine cell compatibility. Swelling tests were conducted to investigate the water uptake capacity of hydrogels. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was selected as a model drug as it is known as a topical drug for some skin cancer type treatment. The release of 5-FU from the hydrogel was provided in efficient and controlled manner at simulated skin cancer (pH = 5.5) and under 0 and 1.5 V. The simulated drug delivery experiments conducted in vitro revealed that the drug releasing amount was higher when voltage is applied to the hydrogels. All results visualized that the obtained GelMA-based PEDOT/PSS hydrogels with enhanced electrical properties could be a potential candidate as an electrically sensitive drug carrier for treatment of skin cancer in the future applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46914.     

Using of Photoluminescent Tile for Evacuation of the Buildings During Electrical Failure

Photoluminescent pigments could be successfully applied on the wall tiles, floor tiles and porcelain tiles as well as glass substrates （glass mosaics, borders, and cutted glass with various designs）. For this applications, these products can be used for different purposes. In this study, these pigments are applied on the ceramic tiles and glass mosaics/tiles with traditional ceramic production line. These products are intentended to provide guidance in the event of a power failure. With this study also aimed to prevent potential accidents and injury during evacuation of building.     

Experimental study of a micro-scale sloped solar chimney power plant

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Solar chimney power plants (SCPP) are structures that have the potential to generate a significant amount of electrical energy without harming the...     

The Water-Soluble Peripheral Substituted Phthalocyanines as Corrosion Inhibitors for Copper in 0.1 N HCl: Gravimetric,Electrochemical, SEM-EDS,and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - Corrosion inhibition effects of water-soluble peripheral substituted cobalt, copper and zinc metallophthalocyanines (CoPc (1), CuPc (2) and...     

Geochemical characteristics of major and trace elements in Sahinali Coals,Aydin, Turkey

In this study, geochemical behavior of elements is investigated in 25 coal samples collected at 10 locations of ?ahinli coaliferous units at southeast of Ayd?n, Turkey. In all the samples, X-ray powder diffraction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses were performed and element and mineral compositions were determined. Total organic carbon (TOC) values of coals are between 14.6 and 37.7 wt% with average of 28.5 wt%. Samples are composed of quartz, calcite, feldspar, dolomite, mica, gypsum, and salt minerals which are accompanied by illite-, kaolinite-, and smectite-type clay minerals. Comparison of average element contents of world coals and studied samples yields that K > Fe > As > U > Cs > Y > Er > Al > Th > Rb > Yb > W > Tb > Dy > Lu > Ce > Sm > La > Ho > Si > Nd > Gd > Tm > Eu > Nb > Pr > Pb > Sn > Ni > Cu > Ga > Ta > Sb > Zr > Cd > V > Zn > Co > Mo > P > Hf > Ba are found to be enriched, while Mn > Be > Ca > Sr > Bi > Mg are found to be depleted. Statistically elements are correlated with TOC.