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
Evaluation of the Analytical and Diagnostic Performances of a Point-of-Care Device for Hematocrit Measurement in Calves
(2025) Tümer, K.Ç; Babacan, S.; Wittek, T.
Objective: To evaluate the performance of a point-of-care hemoglobin/hematocrit measurement device (POCHD), validated for human medicine, for measuring hematocrit in calves.
Design: Prospective study conducted between July 2022 and April 2023.
Setting: University teaching hospital.
Animals: One hundred thirty-three calves <1 month old, suffering from various diseases.
Interventions: The microhematocrit method (MHM) and a POCHD were used to measure hematocrit in venous blood samples. The MHM served as the reference method. The analytical performance of the POCHD was evaluated using Bland-Altman plots and calculating the intraassay coefficient of variation and observed total error (TEobs). Diagnostic performance was assessed by implementing receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Cohen's kappa statistic.
Measurements and main results: Bland-Altman plots showed a mean bias of -0.03 L/L (-3.26%) (95% confidence interval: -0.04 to -0.03 [-4.02% to -2.51%]). The intraassay coefficient of variation for the POCHD was 2.4% for low hematocrit values and 0.7% for high hematocrit values. TEobs ranged from 3.2% to 32.9% (median: 18.1%). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis at hematocrit thresholds of <0.22 L/L (22%) for anemia and >0.33 L/L (33%) for hemoconcentration showed optimized thresholds of <0.19 L/L (18.5%) and >0.33 L/L (33.2%), respectively, for the POC device to differentiate anemic from nonanemic calves, as well as calves with dehydration-related hemoconcentration from those without. At the thresholds of 0.22 L/L (22%) and 0.33 L/L (33%), Cohen's kappa statistic found agreements of 90.2% (kappa = 0.536) and 91% (kappa = 0.820), respectively, between the POCHD and the MHM.
Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware that the POCHD underestimates hematocrit values and exhibits high TEobs; however, when adjusted thresholds are applied, the POCHD shows good sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing anemia and dehydration-related hemoconcentration.
An Examination of Impulsivity and Metacognitions in Adolescents with Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorders
(2025) Okumuş, H.G.; Öksüzoğlu, M.E.; Çelik, Y.S.; Yıldırım, S.K.; Kaşak, M.
Trichotillomania (TTM), skin-picking disorder (SPD), and nail-biting (NB) are classified as Body-Focused Repetitive Disorders (BFRBDs), which share characteristics with both obsessive-compulsive and impulse control disorders. This study aimed to compare impulsivity, metacognitions, and clinical characteristics across BFRBDs. Ninety adolescents (aged 10-18 years) with BFRBDs and 40 healthy controls (HC) completed the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale-Child Version (RCADS-CV), the Metacognitions Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (MCQ-CA), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Brief (BIS-Brief), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Symptom severity was assessed using disorder-specific measures. There were no significant age differences between the BFRBDs and HC groups. However, within the BFRBDs subgroups, adolescents with TTM and SPD were significantly older than those with NB (p = .028). Notably, despite being younger, the NB group exhibited the longest duration of BFRBDs symptoms (p < .001). The TTM group showed higher MCQ-CA total, positive beliefs about worry, and cognitive monitoring. In contrast, the SPD group had higher poor self-regulation scores (all p < .05). Symptom severity across BFRBDs was negatively associated with PedsQL total scores and positively associated with MCQ-CA total and RCADS-CV total scores (all p < .05). These findings suggest that while metacognitions are more prominent in TTM, impulsivity plays a greater role in SPD. Understanding the distinct contributions of impulsivity and metacognitions in BFRBDs may facilitate the development of targeted treatment approaches tailored to each behavior.
From pandemic to earthquakes: crisis-driven challenges in distance anatomy education
(2025) Karakas, A.B.
Purpose: Distance anatomy education has gained increasing relevance due to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, including the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. These disruptions have raised concerns regarding student motivation, accessibility, and the overall effectiveness of online learning. This study explores vocational health sciences students' perceptions of distance anatomy education, with a focus on engagement, learning outcomes, and accessibility.
Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted at the Atatürk Vocational School of Health Services, Kafkas University, included 748 students from four health-related programs. Theoretical anatomy education was delivered synchronously via Microsoft Teams, while practical Components were provided asynchronously through a dedicated YouTube channel. Using a validated 50-item survey, this study examined students' motivation, perceptions of anatomy's importance, course adequacy, accessibility, and effectiveness of distance education.
Results: Motivation levels varied significantly across departments, with Home Patient Care students reporting the highest engagement. Male students perceived distance education as more effective than female students, while students living at home had better accessibility and learning experiences than dormitory residents. The YouTube channel played a crucial role in supporting practical anatomy education. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between accessibility, motivation, and perceived effectiveness.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for blended learning models, digital infrastructure improvements, and interactive strategies to enhance distance anatomy education. Future research should explore hybrid approaches integrating hands-on components and advanced digital tools to optimize learning outcomes.
Comparative (Bio)monitoring of Airborne PAHs Using Mosses and Filters
(2025) Rajfur, M.; Świsłowski, P.; Turlej, T.; Isinkaralar, O.; Isinkaralar, K.; Almasi, S.; Callegari, A.; Stoica, Anca-Iulia
The present investigation provides a comparative six-month analysis of atmospheric pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the urban region of Opole, Poland. The study employs dual monitoring methods: traditional quartz filter-based active air sampling and active moss biomonitoring using , , and mosses. The experimental campaign took place from August 2021 to February 2022, spanning the autumn and winter seasons. PAH concentrations were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) following methodical sample extraction protocols. Filters documented transient air changes in PAHs, particularly high-molecular-weight (HMW) components such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which exhibited considerable increases during the colder months due to heightened heating activities and less dispersion. The size of particles deposited on the filters varied from 0.16 to 73.6 μm, with an average size of 0.71 μm. Mosses exhibited cumulative uptake trends, with showing the greatest bioaccumulation efficiency, particularly for low- and medium-molecular-weight PAHs, followed by and . Meteorological indices, including sun radiation and air temperature, demonstrated significant negative relationships with PAH buildup in mosses. Diagnostic ratio analysis verified primarily pyrogenic sources (e.g., fossil fuel burning), although petrogenic contributions were detected in , indicating its increased sensitivity to evaporative emissions. The study shows that the integration of moss biomonitoring with traditional filter samples provides a strong, complementary framework for assessing air quality, particularly in fluctuating meteorological settings. The results advocate for the integration of moss-based methodologies into environmental monitoring initiatives and provide significant insights into contaminant dynamics influenced by seasonal and meteorological factors.
Impact of screen use on tear breakup time: associations with ophthalmological factors and break frequency in office workers
(2025) Ece, B.Ş.D.; Altındaş, İ.
Purpose: To examine how ophthalmological features, screen exposure duration, and break habits among office employees affect ocular surface parameters.
Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study involved two assessments on the same day: one before and one after a visual display terminal task. During the initial assessment, information on screen use was gathered, and refractive error, anterior segment examination, tear breakup time, and Schirmer test measurements were conducted. Participants tracked their screen usage and break durations throughout the day. At the end of the workday, tear breakup time and Schirmer I tests were repeated. Baseline and follow-up results were compared, and regression analysis was performed to identify factors linked to tear breakup time reduction.
Results: The study enrolled 60 female office employees. Their mean screen time was 269.26 ± 70.21 min, with an average break duration of 151.93 ± 46.24 min. Tear breakup time at the second assessment (6.38 ± 2.70) was significantly lower than at baseline (8.62 ± 2.73) (p<0.001), whereas Schirmer test scores showed no significant change (p>0.05). Tear breakup time reduction was noted in 54 participants (90.0%), with a significant association between tear breakup time decrease percentage and screen exposure (p=0.001, r=0.463). Regression analysis showed that uncorrected or undercorrected refractive error was an independent risk factor for a ≥30% tear breakup time reduction, while taking more frequent short breaks (<15 min) acted as a protective factor.
Conclusions: Taking more frequent short breaks (<15 min) and correcting refractive errors help prevent intra-day tear breakup time decline during visual display terminal use. Structuring breaks to support tear film stability is advisable for occupations that require regular visual display terminal tasks.