Rheological and quality properties of tiger nut containing biscuit dough baked in IR-MW combination oven.

BACKGROUND: The effects of replacing part of the rice flour (RF) with tiger nut flour (TNF) were studied in gluten-free biscuits. A control biscuit dough containing RF only and five formulations containing 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% tiger nut flour on a flour basis (10TNF, 20TNF, 30TNF, 40TNF, and 50TNF) were prepared. The rheological and quality properties of biscuits baked both in conventional and infrared-microwave combination (IR-MW) ovens were determined. RESULTS: The rheological results showed that as the TNF ratio increased, the storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G″) and complex viscosity (ƞ*) decreased due to the high oil and dietary fiber content of the TNF. Texture analysis results showed that control dough and biscuits showed harder texture because of the damaged starch content of RF. Damaged starch also affected the spread ratio of the biscuits adversely. Weight loss of the biscuits baked in the IR-MW oven was higher than the ones baked in the conventional oven since higher inside pressure occurred in the dough. The color of the conventional baked biscuits was darker than IR-MW baked ones due to the greater extent of Maillard browning. As the TNF ratio increased, darker biscuits were obtained since TNF has a high amount of sugar, and also its natural color is brown. CONCLUSION: Given the excellent nutritional and product quality impacts of TNF, it would be appropriate to use it as a raw material substitute in gluten-free biscuits. Furthermore, IR-MW baking was shown to be an appropriate method for biscuit quality when compared to conventional baking. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Knowledge levels, attitudes, and perceptions of individuals with different demographic characteristics on COVID-19: The case of Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the knowledge levels, attitudes and perceptions of people with different demographic characteristics on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study used snowball sampling technique and to the study take 32 participants. Data were collected via phone interview method between the fifth and the sixth weeks of COVID-19 pandemic. FINDINGS: Interviews were analyzed under three main themes (Knowledge level/attitudes and behaviors/perceptions) and nine sub-themes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Knowledge level of the participants was high. Participants underlined the importance of staying at home during the pandemic and expressed important changes in their life styles and professional life.

Characterization of Pectin-Based Gels: A 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry Study.

Rare sugars are monosaccharides and their derivatives that are not commonly found in nature. d-Allulose is a rare sugar that is C-3 epimer of fructose and presents an alternative to sucrose with potential health benefits. In this study, different amounts of sucrose, d-allulose, and soy protein isolate (SPI) were used to prepare a set of pectin gels. The effect of these ingredients on the gels was studied at both a molecular level, by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry, and a macroscopic level, through the assessment of viscoelastic properties as well as hardness and moisture content measurements. The NMR dispersion profiles were analyzed considering relaxation mechanisms associated with rotational and translational diffusion motions of mono- and disaccharides as well as bound water molecules. Significant variations of the local diffusion coefficient for the studied formulations were evidenced by the model fitting analysis. The viscosity trends observed within each group of samples having the same amount of SPI were mostly in agreement with the diffusion coefficients obtained from the NMR relaxometry. The observed discrepancies could be explained considering hardness and moisture content results, which put into evidence the fact that decreasing the moisture (mainly free water) affects the macroscopic properties of the systems, such as hardness and viscosity, but not the local diffusion processes probed by NMR relaxometry. These findings show the importance of combining both micro- and macroscopic information to analyze the different properties of food products.

The Effect of Standardized Patient Simulation Prior to Mental Health Rotation on Nursing Students' Anxiety and Communication Skills.

Mental health clinical practices may be a source of anxiety for nursing students. Anxiety may have a negative impact not only on learning but also on therapeutic relationships with patients. This study was conducted with a semiexperimental pretest-posttest control group design. The sample of the study consisted of nursing students from two different universities (N = 85). After theoretical lectures for the intervention and control groups, the intervention group participated in a standardized patient simulation. After this, the intervention group had decreased anxiety and improved communication skills. In conclusion, prior to mental health clinical practices, standardized patient simulation may help nursing students gain experience.

Assessment of mothers' measures against home accidents for 0-6-year-old children.

AIM: Home accidents are one of the important public health problem, especially in childhood, because all can be avoided. We aimed to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of mothers with a child aged 0-6 years in terms of the safety measures they have taken against home accidents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study was performed between July and December 2017 in the Trabzon, Kalkinma Family Health Center. Two hundred forty-four female volunteer mothers were included in the study. We evaluated the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and scores from the 'Scale for Identification by Mothers of the Safety Measures Taken by Mothers to Prevent Home Accidents in Children in the 0-6 Age Group.' RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 30.8±5.4 years. The frequency of home accidents was 42.6% (n=104). We found significant differences between the scale scores in terms of educational status and income levels (p=0.049, p=0.015). There was no significant correlation between the number of children and scale score (r=-0.067, p=0.299). There was a statistically significant difference between the total score of the scale and the person responsible for the care of the child at home (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: The childhood home accidents are important since they are preventable. The present study reveals the risk factors that may form a basis for the studies on preventing the childhood home accidents. In the scale used here, the score of participant determines the risk of home accident. The increase in the number of children in the house increases the risk of home accident.

Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis, Ischemia Modified Albumin, and Ferroxidase as Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Obesity with Insulin Resistance.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to determine oxidative stress-related plasma thiol/disulphide, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and ferroxidase activity among women with obesity in insulin-resistant and non-insulin-resistant groups in comparison with an overweight group. METHODS: We compared plasma thiol/disulphide, IMA levels, and ferroxidase activity between the study groups. We analyzed plasma thiol/disulphide homeostasis with a newly developed automated measurement method; IMA with Albumin Cobalt Binding Test and ferroxidase (ceruloplasmin) levels with an automated, colourimetric method. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between insulin-resistant and non-insulin-resistant women with obesity in terms of plasma native thiol, total thiol, disulphide, disulphide/native thiol ratio, disulphide/total thiol or native thiol/total thiol values. Ferroxidase activity was higher in insulin-resistant than in non-insulin-resistant women with obesity and higher in the total women with obesity group than in the overweight subjects (p<0.001, and p=0.014, respectively). IMA was lower in the insulin-resistant group than in the non-insulin-resistant group and overweight groups (p=0.011, and p=0.042, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The significantly greater increase in ferroxidase activity in insulin-resistant subjects with obesity may reflect its role as a positive acute phase protein. These findings may be related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Changes in oxidative status occur in women with obesity, and partially in overweight subjects. The ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis and lowers oxidative stress by reducing the detrimental effects of iron.

Examining the effect of simulation based learning on self-efficacy and performance of first-year nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy is an individual's belief in oneself and in one's own judgment and ability to be successful in a task. Strong self-efficacy allows for the achievement of success, well-being, personal development and the diversification of skills. An individual's perception of his/her self-efficacy plays a key role in adopting behaviors and initiating and sustaining change. AIMS: The first aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of simulation-based learning on the self-efficacy and performance of first-year nursing students. The second aim is to examine students' pre- and post-scenario proficiency in their self-assessment of competence in regard to scenario objectives to compare the students' self-assessment and their instructor's assessment in terms of performance evaluations. METHODS: This semi-experimental study was conducted with sixty-five first-year nursing students. A standardized patient method was used as a simulation technique. Students' self-efficacy and their perceptions of their own competence in completing skills were measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Proficiency Assessment Form, respectively. Students' actual performance was evaluated via an Objective Structured Clinical Assessment and performance evaluation checklists. RESULTS: The mean self-efficacy score of students was 52.68 (±10.19) before the scenario and 49.59 (±12.90) post-scenario (p = .001). With regard to their scenario objectives, a decrease was observed in students' proficiency in their post-scenario self-assessment of competence. This decrease was only statistically significant in the "Establishing a safe patient unit" objective (t = 2.27; p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that self-efficacy scores declined in the post-simulation scenario. Using standardized patients in simulation training allows novice nursing students to meet a real patient and to recognize their own true self-efficacy.

Use of simulation from high fidelity to low fidelity in teaching of safe-medication practices.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of simulation techniques on learning outcomes in the teaching of safe drug applications to first year nursing students. METHODS: The semi-experimental study was conducted from February to April 2017, and comprised nursing students of Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University. This student satisfaction and selfconfidence in learning scale, medication practice via oral route checklist, and pre- and post-test for safe drug application knowledge Assessment were used for data collection. Following the theoretical lectures, case studies, task trainer practices and scenario with standardised patient were carried out. Baseline knowledge, during-the-scenario performanceand post-scenario level of student's satisfaction and self-confidence were evaluated. Data was analysed using SPSS 18. RESULTS: Of the 58 subjects, 51(87.9%) were female. The overall mean age of the sample was 20.69±1.02 years. There was a statistically significant difference between students' knowledge levels before and after the scenario (p<0.05). Mean performance scoreon safe medication practice was 65.70±5.83. A significant weak positive correlation was found between the students' scores on satisfaction with the simulation and knowledge levels as well as the performance and self-confidence scores (p<0.05 each). Also, there was a strong correlation between the scores on self-confidence scale and the knowledge levels (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Simulation had a positive effect on learning outcomes..

Sun-protective behaviours of Turkish young adults.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of skin cancers, including melanoma, has increased significantly in the past five decades. The main environmental factor implicated in their development is excessive sun exposure. Data on sun-protective behaviours in the Turkish population are very limited. OBJECTIVES: We aim to assess sun protection behaviours and the prevalence of exposure through broad participation among a young adult population in a national university in Turkey. METHODS: A multiple-choice questionnaire including 27 questions to evaluate sun protection behaviours was sent to e-mail addresses of all undergraduates. From 40 000 undergraduates, 17 769 of them were included in the study, with a response rate of 44.4%. RESULTS: Sunscreen usage was the most preferred sun protection method, used by 64% of the study population, followed by the use of sunglasses (60%), tending to remain in the shade (49%), the use of a hat (34%) and wearing long-sleeved clothing (23%). Forty-four percentage of the students used at least two methods, whereas 7% did not use any sun protection method. The prevalence rates of the use of sunscreen, sunglasses, wearing long-sleeved clothing and preferring to remain in the shade in the summer were all significantly higher among women. In addition, the prevalence rates of the use of sunscreen and preferring to remain in the shade were higher among students in the faculty of medicine. CONCLUSION: We found that when compared to the countries with the highest incidences of skin cancer, such as Australia and the United States, young adults in Turkey are protecting themselves more from the sun. This rate was even higher among women and faculty of medicine undergrads.

Insulin initiation status of primary care physicians in Turkey, barriers to insulin initiation and knowledge levels about insulin therapy: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

AIMS: Our aim was to evaluate the insulin initiation status, barriers to insulin initiation and knowledge levels about treatment administered by primary care physicians (PCP). METHODS: We conducted our study in accordance with a multicenter, cross-sectional design in Turkey, between July 2015 and July 2016. A questionnaire inquiring demographic features, status of insulin initiation, obstacles to insulin initiation and knowledge about therapy of the PCPs was administered during face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: 84 PCPs (19%) (n=446, mean age=41.5±8.4years, 62.9% male and 90.0% ministry certified family physicians) initiated insulin therapy in the past. Most of the stated primary barriers (51.9%, n=230) were due to the physicians. The most relevant barrier was "lack of clinical experience" with a rate of 19% (n=84 of the total). The average total knowledge score was 5.7±2.0 for the family medicine specialist, and 3.8±2.1 for the ministry certified family physicians (p=0.000, maximum knowledge score could be 10). CONCLUSIONS: The status of insulin initiation in Turkey by the primary care physicians is inadequate. Medical education programs and health care systems may require restructuring to facilitate insulin initiation in primary care.

Optimization of silver nanowire networks for polymer light emitting diode electrodes.

Silver nanowire (Ag NW) networks are promising candidates for replacement of indium tin oxide (ITO). However, transparent conductors based on Ag NW networks often suffer from 'haziness' resulting from surface roughness. Thus, in addition to achieving suitable transparency and conductivity, surface roughness must be minimized if realistic implementation of Ag NW networks as transparent conductors is to be realized. In this work, we have reduced the surface roughness of Ag NW networks to below 5 nm as compared to 54 nm for as-deposited Ag NWs through optimization of the low temperature annealing treatment and planarization by poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfanate). Using this method, we have been able to produce Ag NW networks with transmittances and sheet resistances of 87% and 11Ω/sq, respectively. These are some of the best values reported for non-oxide-based transparent conductors. Incorporation of these smooth Ag networks into polymer light emitting diodes fabricated in our laboratory yields device characteristics that are comparable to or better than those with commercially available ITO.

Zinc oxide nanowire photodetectors with single-walled carbon nanotube thin-film electrodes.

In this study, transparent and flexible zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors prepared via a solution-based method in which single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films were used as transparent electrodes are reported. The photoresponse current was found to be in proportion with the ZnO nanowire density, and the nanowire density could be tuned to increase the photocurrent by a factor of 300. The decay time for the fabricated photodetectors was found to be as low as 16 s. This study suggests the possibility of fabricating inexpensive, visible-blind UV photodetectors via solution-based methods.

Investigation of the reliability of the "reading the mind in the eyes test" in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The "Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test"(RMET) is one of the most widely used tasks for examining the Theory of Mind. In this study, the goal was to determine the reliability of a Turkish version of the RMET and the distribution of the results in a healthy population. METHOD: The original test is made up of 36 pictures of solely the eye region of different individuals. Subjects are asked to choose the option that best describes the mental state of individual in the picture. After 3 piloting studies each conducted with different sets of 8 people, 2 items (25 and 35) in which most of the subjects consistently replied to foil words, were excluded in final step. 117 healthy volunteers were given the test, and 70 of these individuals were re-tested two weeks later. The Bland and Altman method was used to examine test re-test reliability RESULTS: The mean value of the number of correct responses was 24.46 (SD=3.44) for the test and 24.13 (SD=4.36) for the re-test. No significant difference was shown between test and re-test results (p=0.815). After excluding items 19 and 21 which failed to show reliability, the mean correct response rates were 23.64 (SD=3.38) and 23.40 (SD=4.32), respectively. The educational level significantly affected the correct response rates. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the RMET was found to be reliable in a healthy population. The educational level should be taken into account. The 32-item version of the Turkish RMET can be used to evaluate the social, cognitive and emotional processes in adults.