Welcome to Academic Digital Repository
OpenAccess@KU is an academic, open-access repository. It aims to collect, preserve and make Kastamonu University’s scientific output available online, without any or the least financial, legal or technical restrictions, in order to increase the impact and the visibility of the institution and its authors. It was established in 2010 to support the dissemination of knowledge produced by the University members to the wider community both locally and globally.
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Recent Submissions
ViitGEE: an open-source tool for visual image interpretation and reference data collection in google earth engine
(2025.01.01) Akturk, E.
The ViitGEE tool developed and used in this study is accessible to all users with a Google Earth Engine (GEE) account at the following addresses: https://code.earthengine.google.com/b9f219bcfadd8d9950d92100be104dd2 and https://github.com/eakturkphd/ViitGEE (ViitGEE Version 1.0). The tool operates entirely within the GEE environment and does not require local installation. While no new raw datasets were generated during this study, the tool enables users to visualize, interpret, and export their own land cover reference data using freely available satellite imagery provided by Google Maps and MODIS NDVI datasets via GEE. ViitGEE is licensed under the MIT License. This license allows users to freely use, modify, and redistribute the code, provided that the original authorship is credited. The source code and documentation are available at: https://github.com/eakturkphd/ViitGEE.Users are encouraged to cite this article and acknowledge the author when utilizing ViitGEE in their own work. Open-source principles permit further modifications and extensions to the tool.
Investigation of melting and energy storage performance of PCM in a flat plate solar collector considering novel dendritic fin design and GO+MXene hybrid nanoparticles
(2025.01.01) Gürsoy, E.; Gürdal, M.; Kaya, H.; Gedik, E.
In this study, the melting and energy storage characteristics of a phase change material (PCM) vessel integrated into a conventional flat-plate solar collector (FPSC) were numerically investigated using novel modifications. Dendritic fins have a diameter of d = 1 mm and are at different pitch ratios (P) to each other. Based on this situation, different pitch ratios of P/d = 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 were used in the dimpled fin design, and this novel fin structure was utilized in research. As another novel method, graphene oxide (GO) + MXene hybrid nanoparticles (HyNP) incorporated in RT35 HC PCM at volumetric condition of phi(vol.) = 2.0% and 6.0% were brought forward. Solar radiation supplied a heat flux of q" = 1000 W.m(-2) on the system boundary. According to the results, pure PCM performed the best melting and energy storage characteristics compared to hybrid nano-PCM (HyNPCM) due to its lower viscosity. When phi(vol.) = 2.0% and 6.0% HyNPCMs were used, the melting time increased by 1.0% and 1.98%, respectively. In the cases with dimpled dendritic fins, it was observed that the melting time decreased as P/d decreased, and Case 7 (P/d = 1.5) achieved complete melting 11.1% earlier than Case 4 (without dimpled fins) and 76.2% earlier than Case 1. However, since the available volume for PCM storage decreased as P/d decreased, the highest energy storage was observed in Case 13 (P/d = 2.5), with a value of 2517 kJ.m(-1). Acquired stored energy amount was higher than Case 1, 4, 7, and 10 at the rate of 3.45%, 1.51%, 1.38%, and 1.23%, respectively. The results obtained from this study will pave the way for the use of dendritic fin structures in thermal energy storage (TES) systems.
Structural, Morphological, Thermal, and Photophysical Insights into a Highly Fluorescent Symmetrically Functionalized Perylene Diimide
(2025) Zurnaci, M.
Perylene diimide (PDI) derivatives have garnered significant attention in organic electronics and optoelectronics due to their high fluorescence yields, exceptional electrical and thermal properties, and extensive π-conjugated systems. This study synthesized and characterized a new highly fluorescent symmetrical perylene diimide derivative in detail. The structural properties of the synthesized compound were analyzed using spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and LC-MS/MS), while its morphology was examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal stability was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The photophysical properties of the synthesized PDI derivative were assessed, revealing absorption maxima at 350 nm and 536 nm, along with an emission maximum at 566 nm and 0.38 quantum yield in a DMSO medium, attributed to its highly π-conjugated structure. Additionally, the solid-state fluorescence properties of the compound were investigated through fluorescence microscopy. These findings contribute to developing next-generation fluorescent materials, demonstrating their potential for applications in optoelectronics and advanced photonic technologies.
Impact of gender roles on menopause attitudes, symptoms, and psychological well-being: A predictive and correlational study
(2025) Çetinkaya, Ş.Ş.; Yaşar, B.N.
This study aimed to examine the relationships among menopausal attitudes, psychological well-being, menopausal symptoms, and gender role attitudes, and how these factors influence psychological well-being in menopausal women. Data were collected from 290 participants using a Personal Information Form, Gender Roles Attitude Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Attitude Toward Menopause Scale. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the relationships and predict psychological well-being. Menopausal attitude was positively correlated with psychological well-being ( = 0.550, < 0.001) and negatively correlated with menopausal symptoms ( = -0.420, < 0.001). Gender attitude was positively correlated with both menopausal attitude ( = 0.480, < 0.001) and psychological well-being ( = 0.380, < 0.001), and negatively correlated with menopausal symptoms ( = -0.290, < 0.001). The relationship between psychological well-being and menopausal symptoms was not significant ( = -0.100, > 0.05). In the regression model, these variables explained 30% of the variance in psychological well-being (Adjusted = 0.30, = 32.584, < 0.001). Positive menopausal and gender role attitudes were associated with improved psychological well-being, while higher menopausal symptoms were linked to lower well-being. These findings suggest that addressing gender role attitudes and promoting positive perceptions of menopause could enhance psychological well-being during this life transition.
Microbial monitoring and Resistome analysis in white cheese production at a dairy plant: MALDI-TOF MS and shotgun metagenomics approaches
(2025.01.01) Ilikkan, O.K.; Cerit, Z.G.; Baloglu, M.C.; Yilmaz, R.
This study presents a comprehensive microbiological evaluation of white cheese production in a small-scale dairy facility in northern T & uuml;rkiye, integrating culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Ten samples, including raw milk, milk with starter culture added, curd, clot, final cheese product, and environmental samples such as milk truck, cheese vessel, stirrer, cutting wire, and cheesecloth, were analyzed. Pathogenic bacteria were identified using MALDI-TOF MS, while shotgun metagenomics enabled a detailed investigation of microbial communities, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and functional properties. The analysis using MALDI-TOF MS revealed ten pathogenic species, among which Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most dominant. Shotgun metagenomics corroborated the prevalence of S. aureus in dairy samples and Salmonella spp. on equipment surfaces, particularly the cheese vessel, stirrer, and cutting wire. The highest E. coli contamination was detected on cheesecloth, underscoring a critical point of concern. Across 15 antibiotic classes, 974 ARGs were identified, with equipment samples harboring significantly higher ARG loads than dairy products. Resistance mechanisms included beta-lactamase enzymes, RND efflux pumps, and ribosomal protection proteins. Equipment samples showed an enrichment of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), notably glycoside hydrolases and glycosyl transferases, suggesting microbial biofilm development and increased spoilage potential. Functional gene profiling revealed distinct metabolic signatures between dairy and equipment samples, with enriched pathways related to virulence and antimicrobial resistance in environmental samples. These findings underscore the limitations of conventional thermal treatment and the necessity of stringent sanitation practices, particularly for reusable equipment such as cheesecloth. The combined use of MALDI-TOF MS and shotgun metagenomics offers an effective strategy for microbial risk assessment in traditional cheese production systems.