International Journal of Advanced Natural Sciences and Engineering Researches

School canteens and the reduction of school dropout in Romania at the end of the 19th century

2025-07-12T01:22:04+03:00

The modernization of education in Romania was provided for in the Public Instruction Law of 1864,
as well as in other laws that complemented it. Starting in 1864, elementary education in Romania became free
and compulsory to increase the literacy rate among the population.
However, it was found that the population was refractory to education, and material and human difficulties
prevented the materialization of the two aforementioned principles. As such, it is not surprising that many
school-age children did not attend classes at all, or if they did, they attended them occasionally. It is also not
surprising that the dropout rate was high, especially in the first two years of study.
Therefore, measures have been experimented with to reduce school dropout and improve children's enrollment
and attendance at school.
Among these was the establishment in the last decade of the 19th century of school canteens. These allowed
students to have lunch at school, without having to return home for this purpose. The article analyzes the
context, necessity, and organization of school canteens. At the same time, the problems that arose in the
functioning of the canteens and the extent to which they achieved their objective will be highlighted.
School canteens were a suitable measure, even if they did not produce the expected results. The necessity and
opportunity of the measure remained, as confirmed by the introduction in 2002 of the corn and milk program
for primary and secondary school students.

Investigation of the Properties of Recycled PET Materials

2025-07-11T23:50:53+03:00

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste has started to reveal serious economic and
environmental problems. Environmental and economic factors, as well as energy saving problems, have
led to the need for large-scale recycling of pet, it has ceased to be just a trend or a new marketing strategy
to make a profit. Products made from recycled plastic can save capital by 50-60% compared to buying
the same product from pure resin.
This study aims to characterize the physical and thermal properties of recycled polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) materials. Color determination, specific gravity measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis
(TGA) were conducted based on two parallel experimental procedures.
Color analysis revealed that the recycled PET flakes exhibited light tones with a slight blue-green hue.
According to the CIE Lab* color space, the L*, a*, and b* values were determined to be 61.12, -2.24, and -6.68, respectively. Specific gravity measurements indicated that the density of the samples ranged
between 1.35 and 1.40 g/cm³, suggesting that the recycled PET retains properties comparable to virgin
PET and is suitable for reuse. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a mass loss of up to 89% between
approximately 200 °C and 490 °C, indicating a single-stage degradation profile with the maximum
decomposition rate occurring around 430 °C. An endothermic reaction was observed within this
temperature range on the corresponding DTA curve.
In conclusion, this study provides significant data that support the reuse potential of recycled PET in
various industrial applications by assessing its colorimetric, density, and thermal characteristics.

Flor Toksikasyonunda Vitamin D Kullanımının Önemi

2025-07-11T23:57:06+03:00

Florozis olarak adlandırılan flor toksikasyonu, uygun beslenme stratejileri, erken tanı ve etkili
önleyici sağlık politikaları ile büyük ölçüde önlenebilir ve yönetilebilir bir halk sağlığı sorunudur.
Bununla birlikte, florozise bağlı gelişebilecek sistemik komplikasyonların izlenmesi ve tedavisinde yeni
yaklaşımların benimsenmesi, uzun vadede önem taşımaktadır. Son yıllarda, vitamin D'nin kemik sağlığı
üzerindeki
düzenleyici etkilerinin yanı sıra bağışıklık sistemi, inflamasyon ve mineral
metabolizmasındaki rolleri, flor toksikasyonunun patofizyolojisinde de önemli olabileceğini
düşündürmektedir. Bu bağlamda, florozis yönetiminde vitamin D'nin potansiyel koruyucu ve terapötik
etkilerinin araştırılması dikkat çekici bir alan haline gelmiştir. Bu derleme çalışmasında, flor
toksikasyonunun fizyopatolojisi, klinik yansımaları ve özellikle vitamin D eksikliği ile olası etkileşimleri
ele alınarak, bu alandaki mevcut literatür değerlendirilmiş ve gelecekteki araştırmalar için öneriler
sunulmuştur.

Gene Expression of the MLH1 gene is regulated by non-coding RNA in patients with lung cancer

2025-07-12T00:00:24+03:00

Lung cancer is a common cancer worldwide and can occur due to various causes, one of which is
the MMR mismatch repair system. This system repairs mismatched nucleotides in the DNA strand during
replication. MLH1, a key gene in the MMR system, is essential in repairing mutations in lung cancer
patients. Certain non-coding RNA genes, such as snoRNA and FOXD2-AS1, can regulate the expression of
this gene. These non-coding RNAs influence MLH1 gene expression in lung cancer patients. The
examination targeted at detecting the impact of miRNA and non-coding RNA on MLH1 gene expression
rates in lung cancer patients situated within Dohuk City. The study included 70 patients aged between 45 and
65 from September to October 2024, referred to AZADI Hospital. The sample was divided into two groups:
one included 55 lung cancer patients, another group included 15 individuals and was considered the control
group. A total of 5 ml of blood was drawn from each patient and segmented into two parts. The first part was
put in EDTA for DNA extraction, while the second part was placed in a Trizol tube for mRNA and non
coding RNA extraction. The study consisted of two stages: first, detecting the level of MLH1 gene
expression; second, assessing the level of non-coding RNA influencing gene activity. The results showed that
the MLH1 gene expression value was 0.38, while the gene expression values for non-coding RNAs were 4.4
for snoRNA and 4.2 for FOXD2-AS1.

URL Özelliklerine Dayalı Phishing Web Sitesi Tespiti: Klasik Makine Öğrenmesi Yaklaşımlarıyla Karşılaştırmalı Analiz

2025-07-12T00:04:39+03:00

Bu çalışma, URL tabanlı özellikler kullanılarak phishing (oltalama) web sitelerinin tespitinde
klasik makine öğrenmesi algoritmalarının karşılaştırmalı analizini sunmaktadır. Phishing saldırıları,
kullanıcıları sahte bağlantılar aracılığıyla kandırarak kişisel ve finansal bilgilerini ele geçirmeyi
hedefleyen yaygın siber tehditler arasında yer almaktadır. URL’lerin yapısal ve içeriksel öznitelikleri, bu
tür saldırıların tespitinde önemli göstergeler sunmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda, çalışmada Lojistik Regresyon
(LR), Destek Vektör Makineleri (SVM), Karar Ağaçları (Decision Tree), k-En Yakın Komşu (KNN) ve
Rastgele Orman (Random Forest) algoritmaları kullanılarak kapsamlı bir karşılaştırmalı analiz
gerçekleştirilmiştir. Model eğitimi ve test süreçleri, UCI Phishing Websites veri kümesi üzerinde
yürütülmüş; hiperparametre optimizasyonu ise grid search yöntemiyle yapılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar,
özellikle Rastgele Orman modelinin tüm performans metriklerinde öne çıktığını ve klasik makine
öğrenmesi algoritmalarının düşük kaynak gereksinimiyle yüksek doğruluk seviyelerine ulaşabildiğini
ortaya koymuştur. Bu bulgular, kaynak kısıtlı ortamlarda phishing tespiti için klasik yöntemlerin etkili ve
uygulanabilir bir alternatif sunduğunu göstermektedir.

Assessment of gluten and lactose intolerance using the cytotoxic test: prevalence and their association

2025-07-12T00:14:43+03:00

Introduction: Food intolerances—particularly gluten and lactose intolerance—have shown a
notable increase in prevalence across Western countries. These conditions can cause a wide range of
gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Accurate
diagnosis is essential to prevent chronic complications and ensure effective dietary management.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess gluten and lactose intolerance in symptomatic patients using
the Cytotoxic Test, and to explore the possible association between these two intolerances based on gender
and age distribution.
Materials and Methods: A total of 45 symptomatic patients (23 females and 22 males) were evaluated
between March and June 2024. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for leukocyte cytotoxic
response to gluten and lactose antigens. Results were classified into four categories: gluten intolerance,
lactose intolerance, dual intolerance, and negative.
Results Out of 45 patients, 33.3% tested positive for gluten intolerance, 42.2% for lactose intolerance, and
13.3% for both. Only 11.1% tested negative for either intolerance. Statistical analysis showed a significant
association between the two intolerances (OR = 3.125; 95% CI: 1.488–6.563), suggesting that gluten
induced mucosal damage may contribute to reduced lactase activity and secondary lactose intolerance.
Conclusion The Cytotoxic Test appears to be a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool that offers
individualized insights into food intolerance. Comprehensive screening for dual intolerance in symptomatic
individuals may improve treatment outcomes and patient well-being. Larger-scale studies and
methodological standardization are needed to validate these preliminary findings.

Functional Analysis of Sportswear Materials from Natural and Regenerated Cellulose Yarns

2025-07-12T00:21:35+03:00

The knitted sportswear market is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements and
changing consumer demands for comfort, performance, and style. This study compares materials made
from natural cotton and regenerated cellulose fibres (viscose and modal) to identify suitable alternatives to
polyester. In the experimental part of the study, a number of material properties was evaluated, more
precisely, thickness, porosity, bending rigidity, breaking force and elongation, abrasion resistance,
compressibility, heat resistance, water vapour transfer and wetting time. The normalized values of
investigated properties underscored the unique advantages of each material type - viscose material
performed best in strength and heat-related properties, cotton material provided a well-rounded balance,
and modal material comfort-related properties. Therefore, the choice of material should align with whether
the application prioritizes durability, versatility, or comfort. The conducted PCA analysis confirmed distinct
differences between viscose and modal materials, with cotton positioned between them.

Exploring the Relationship Between Structural Functionalization and Sensory Attributes of Knitted Polyester Sportswear Fabrics

2025-07-12T00:27:04+03:00

This study investigates the physical and perceptual characteristics of five knitted polyester
materials by combining objective measurements and subjective evaluations. The materials were analysed
for thickness, surface roughness, and elasticity using precise instruments, while subjective tactile
assessments were collected from 40 examiners (20 men and 20 women) who rated three bipolar attributes:
thickness, stretchability, and surface roughness. Objective results showed significant variability among the
samples, with thickness ranging from 0.36 to 0.59 mm, roughness (Ra) from 7.98 to 16.61 µm, and elasticity
from 139% to 212%. Subjective ratings generally corresponded well with the objective data, indicating
participants’ ability to perceive differences in material properties. Minor discrepancies and gender-based
variations were observed but did not substantially affect the overall trends. The findings highlight the value
of integrating subjective tactile perception with objective testing to comprehensively characterize textile
materials.

Yatan Hastalarda Sessiz Tehlike - Bası Ülseri Riskine Karşı Proaktif İzleme: Çok Parametreli Sensör Entegrasyonuyla Geliştirilen IoT Destekli Akıllı Yatak ile Gerçek Zamanlı İzleme ve Uyarı Sistemi

2025-07-12T00:31:19+03:00

Bu çalışma, bası ülserlerinin erken teşhisi ve etkili yönetimi amacıyla geliştirilen çok parametreli
bir akıllı yatak sisteminin tasarımını kapsamaktadır. Kronik yara türlerinden biri olan bası ülserleri,
hareketsiz bireylerde sıklıkla gözlenen, iyileşmesi güç ve yüksek tedavi maliyeti gerektiren ciddi sağlık
sorunları arasında yer almaktadır. Bu bağlamda geliştirilen sistem; sıcaklık, nem, basınç ve pH gibi yara
mikroçevresine ilişkin parametreleri sürekli izleyebilen sensörler ile donatılmıştır. Ayrıca, GSM modülü
üzerinden kritik eşik değerlerinde otomatik SMS/arama yoluyla uyarı gönderebilen bir alarm
mekanizması entegre edilmiştir. İzleme algoritmaları, yara oluşumunu tetikleyen fizyolojik değişimlere
erken yanıt verecek şekilde yapılandırılmıştır. Tasarımın, yalnızca hastane ortamlarında değil, evde bakım
uygulamalarında da etkili biçimde kullanılabileceği öngörülmektedir. Bu yenilikçi yaklaşım; yara
iyileşme sürecinde etkin izleme, hasta konforunun artırılması ve sağlık profesyonellerine karar desteği
sağlanması açısından önemli katkılar sunmaktadır.

Kişisel İngilizce Veri Tabanı - WordMasterDB

2025-07-12T00:40:20+03:00

Bu çalışmada, ana dili Türkçe olan bireylerin İngilizce kelime öğrenme süreçlerini desteklemek
amacıyla geliştirilen “Kişisel İngilizce Veri Tabanı - WordMasterDB” adlı web tabanlı uygulama
tanıtılmaktadır. WordMasterDB, kullanıcıların Türkçe kelimeleri girerek bu kelimelerin İngilizce
karşılıklarını, türlerini (isim, sıfat, fiil vb.), anlamlarını ve örnek cümlelerini görüntülemesine olanak tanır.
Ayrıca, kelimelerin doğru telaffuzları sesli olarak dinlenebilmekte ve YouGlish entegrasyonu ile
kelimelerin geçtiği İngilizce YouTube videolarına erişim sağlanmaktadır. Kullanıcılar, kelimeleri önceden
belirledikleri kategorilerle ilişkilendirip kişisel kelime listeleri oluşturabilir; sistemdeki kelimeleri
listelerine ekleyebilir veya yeni kelimeler ekleyerek katkıda bulunabilir. Her kullanıcı yalnızca kendi
kelimelerine erişerek kişiselleştirilmiş bir deneyim yaşar. Ayrıca uygulamada yer alan quiz modülü
sayesinde, kullanıcılar kendi kelimeleriyle hazırlanan çoktan seçmeli testler ve kartlarla tekrar yaparak
kelime bilgilerini pekiştirebilir. Bu sistem, dil öğrenme sürecini düzenli, etkileşimli ve kullanıcı odaklı hale
getirerek bireylerin yabancı dil gelişimine önemli katkı sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır.

Respiratory Disease Classification from Cough Sounds Using Pre-trained Audio Embeddings and Embedded Feature Fusion: A Comparative Study of YAMNet and VGGish

2025-07-12T00:44:22+03:00

Cough is a primary symptom associated with a variety of respiratory conditions, including
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. This study conducts a
comparative analysis of pre-trained audio embedding models for classifying these conditions from cough
sounds, with a focus on robust evaluation for a small and imbalanced clinical dataset. We systematically
evaluated three feature sets: YAMNet embeddings, VGGish embeddings, and a fusion of both. These
features were used to train five different classifiers, including classical machine learning models and a
Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Given the class imbalance in our dataset, we prioritized the patient
level 2-fold cross-validation Macro F1-Score as the primary metric for assessing generalization
performance. Our findings demonstrate that the fusion of YAMNet and VGGish embeddings, when
processed by a custom CNN architecture, yields the highest performance, achieving a mean cross-validation
Macro F1-Score of 0.612. This result surpassed the performance of models using single embedding types
and other classical classifiers. These findings underscore that combining complementary audio
representations through feature fusion creates a highly discriminative feature space, and a CNN is
particularly effective at leveraging this space for robust classification. This approach presents a promising,
non-invasive screening tool for respiratory diseases, suitable for telemedicine and mobile health
applications.

Sequence Analysis of TP53 Suppressor Gene in Women with Breast Cancer in Mosul City

2025-07-12T00:49:26+03:00

Mutations in the TP53 gene, which often result in P53 protein dysfunction, are associated with
more than 75% of malignancies. DNA damage and hypoxia activate TP53, a protein that facilitates DNA
repair and regulates cellular aging and apoptosis. These elements play a vital role in tumor suppression
and also alter cellular responses associated with cell cycle regulation. During September and November
2021, 96 recommendations were issued for female patients aged 35–45 at Mosul's Alternative Nuclear
Medicine and Oncology Hospital. One cohort comprised 25 healthy women, while the other encompassed
71 women diagnosed with breast cancer. This work employed DNA sequencing technology with various
physiological parameters and blood components to detect TP53 polymorphisms at codon 249 in exon 7
and (rs1042522) in exon 4, as well as the nucleotide sequences of the amplified areas. For instance, the
levels of hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes. Sequencing study of the
gene's enlarged exons revealed that exons 3, 4, and 6 exhibited varying nucleotide quantities, but exon 5
remained constant. Additionally, a distinctive TP53 genotype with the GeneBank code LC682536.1 was
identified at the NCBI global gene site in Mosul. A novel P53 tumor suppressor protein phenotype was
found in Mosul, with the GenBank accession number BDF83325.1. The research indicated that urea
concentrations in patients were 38.2 mg/dl, and the CA15-3 ratio was 23 U/ml when comparing patients
to healthy controls. The results indicate that, in comparison to healthy controls, breast cancer patients had
significantly lower levels of urea, creatinine, and CA15-3 in their blood plasma. The present investigation
revealed a substantial reduction in the total counts of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and
hemoglobin levels in the blood of breast cancer patients.

Synthesis and characterization of carbon quantum dots with different methods using biomass and food sources: Determination of surface properties and particle diameters

2025-07-12T00:53:42+03:00

Nowadays, carbon quantum dots (CQD), a member of the nanoparticle family, are gaining
popularity due to their advantageous optical and energy properties. It is vital for the continued
sustainability of the environment that the chemicals and processes used in the synthesis of such materials
are eco- friendly. The aim of the research will be to synthesize biocompatible CQDs from various waste
biomass sources that are carbon sources using green chemistry hydrothermal and solvent thermal
methods, as well as to develop and modify surface properties. First, CQDs were synthesized from various
biocompatible biomass sources using green chemical hydrothermal and solvothermal methods. The UV
VIS, FT-IR, SEM/EDX, MAPPING, ZETA sizer and fluorescent microscope analysis methods were used
to examine the structural properties of the obtained CQDs. In addition, the color spectra of the dispersion
samples were determined using a UV-Lamp. According to the obtained UV-VIS analysis results, it was
determined that CQDs absorb light at 284nm. Although CQDs are transparent and yellow under daylight,
they have been observed to emit a particularly bright blue fluorescence under UV light (365nm). Blue
fluorescence spectrums in the literature indicate the presence of CQDs between 2 and 5 nm.

The Application of Marketing Concept Within Financial and Banking Companies of Developing Countries: Evidence from Albania and Kosovo

2025-07-12T00:57:32+03:00

This paper investigates marketing concept application in financial institutions and banks in Albania
and Kosovo. The total population is defined according to the profitability criteria, whereby the stratified
sample of 55 insurance companies, microfinance companies and banks was applied. These have achieved the
highest level of profit (earnings after tax) in Albania and Kosovo during 2013- 2023.
The research is aimed at gathering primary data by the questionnaire sent via mail. The questionnaire
includes questions about two essential areas of research:
❖ The degree of acceptance of the market orientation, determined on the basis of 25 structured
questions;
❖ Factors of adoption of market orientation in transitional economies researched through 20 structured
questions about impact of internal and external factors.
Profit is a measure of value which firm has created for the customer and indicator of how well the enterprise
has understood customer needs and translated the understanding into products and services that deliver
superior value.
This research, which includes the explanation of methodology and the conclusion, comprises two significant
sections. In the first section, significance of marketing concept application in Albania and Kosovo economy
is reviewed briefly from the theoretical point of view. The second section tends to be wider and more
significant. It examines the peculation of adoption and application of marketing concept in economy of
Albania and Kosovo in transition on the basis of analysis of empirical research.

The Application of Relationship Marketing in Insurance Businesses in Developing Countries. Evidence from Albania and Kosovo. Barriers and Challenges

2025-07-12T01:05:11+03:00

In recent times, managers have increasingly recognized the strategic importance of retaining
existing customers as a vital determinant of organizational competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
The benefits of cultivating a loyal customer base such as reduced churn, increased profitability, and stronger
brand advocacy - are well established in marketing literature. Customer loyalty is largely built upon the
quality and continuity of the relationship between the customer and the organization.
The deeper and more sustained this relationship is the greater the mutual value it generates.
This study aims to emphasize the importance of relationship marketing management in the context of the
insurance sector in Albania and Kosovo, with a specific focus on how Customer Relationship Management
(CRM) practices influence customer satisfaction and behavioral loyalty. Using a quantitative research
design, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to customers and employees
from selected insurance companies in both countries. A purposive sampling method was employed to
ensure the inclusion of respondents with direct experience in insurance services, while a sample of over
400 respondents (300 customers and 100 employees} was analyzed using SPSS version 25.
The study employed the Friedman test to evaluate the significance of differences in customer awareness
across various CRM practices, and a Neural Network Model to predict customer satisfaction based on
demographic and behavioral factors. The Friedman test results revealed that CRM attributes are not
perceived equally; the most influential factor in customer awareness was identified as “CRM enhances
customer loyalty.”
These findings suggest that successful CRM implementation in the insurance sector depends not only on
technological tools but also on human interaction, service accessibility, and a personalized approach to
client engagement. Therefore, insurance companies in Albania and Kosovo are recommended to invest in
customer-centric CRM strategies, staff training, and targeted communication campaigns that enhance
awareness and trust among customers.

Climate-Sensitive Modeling of Radon Risk in Shkoder, Albania: A Bayesian Hierarchical Approach

2025-07-12T01:10:55+03:00

This study presents a climate-integrated probabilistic framework for assessing radon exposure
risks in northern Albania using Bayesian hierarchical modeling. Drawing from radon survey data and
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis spanning 1974 to 2023, we explore how regional temperature, precipitation,
and soil moisture variability influence radon emissions. Under high-emissions climate projections (SSP5
8.5), the probability of radon concentrations exceeding 300 Bq/m³ is expected to increase by approximately
28% by mid-century, driven primarily by declining precipitation and rising temperatures. These findings
provide evidence to support targeted radon mitigation strategies in climate-vulnerable zones.