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An essential factor influencing photovoltaic (PV) panel performance is its operating temperature. Various active and passive cooling methods have been explored in the literature to mitigate the effects of high operating temperatures; however, recent research has shown a growing interest in hybrid cooling systems that combine both active and passive approaches. In this context, phase change material (PCM) serves as a passive cooling method, while fluid is employed as an active cooling medium. This study introduces a channel into the PV panel base through which fluid flows. Additionally, a PCM layer is placed at the bottom of the water channel to reduce the average temperature of the fluid, thus extracting more heat compared to direct contact with the PV panel. The proposed model is compared with traditional water-cooled PV panels using a parametric approach, with varying parameters including concentration ratio, environmental temperature, wind speed, mass flow rate of water in the channel, and inlet temperature. The study findings reveal that the proposed model leads to an increase in electricity production within the range of 1.4–7 kW, an improvement in PV efficiency between 1.6 and 3.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in various medical applications, including clinical decision-making and education. In oncology, the increasing complexity of patient care and the vast volume of medical literature require efficient tools to assist practitioners. However, the use of LLMs in oncology education and knowledge assessment remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate and compare the oncological knowledge of four LLMs using standardized board examination questions. Methods: We assessed the performance of four LLMs—Claude 3.5 Sonnet (Anthropic), ChatGPT 4o (OpenAI), Llama-3 (Meta), and Gemini 1.5 (Google)—using the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology's annual board examination questions from 2016 to 2024. A total of 790 valid multiple-choice questions covering various oncology topics were included. Each model was tested on its ability to answer these questions in Turkish. Performance was analyzed based on the number of correct answers, with statistical comparisons made using chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA. Results: Claude 3.5 Sonnet outperformed the other models, passing all eight exams with an average score of 77.6%. ChatGPT 4o passed seven out of eight exams, with an average score of 67.8%. Llama-3 and Gemini 1.5 showed lower performance, passing four and three exams respectively, with average scores below 50%. Significant differences were observed among the models' performances (F = 17.39, p < 0.001). Claude 3.5 and ChatGPT 4.0 demonstrated higher accuracy across most oncology topics. A decline in performance in recent years, particularly in the 2024 exam, suggests limitations due to outdated training data. Conclusions: Significant differences in oncological knowledge were observed among the four LLMs, with Claude 3.5 Sonnet and ChatGPT 4o demonstrating superior performance. These findings suggest that advanced LLMs have the potential to serve as valuable tools in oncology education and decision support. However, regular updates and enhancements are necessary to maintain their relevance and accuracy, especially to incorporate the latest medical advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis work models and analyzes 3D thermomechanical wave propagation of embedded sandwich nanoplates utilizing high-order shear deformation and strain gradient elasticity theories. This sandwich nanoplate is supported by a visco-elastic base and subjected to magnetic and thermal forces. The nanoplate’s bottom and top layers are functionally graded material (FGM) and core layer is GPRL-supported SUS304 different foams. Flexural, longitudinal, and shear wave behaviors have been studied in 3D. According to the findings, the sandwich nanoplate’s wave behavior depends heavily on the surface and core layers, and visco-elastic foundation characteristics and external magnetic field strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes in two patient groups: first, varus aligned medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) patients who underwent posteromedial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (PMOWHTO) and simultaneous root repair; second, patients with varus medial knee osteoarthritis without MMPRT who underwent PMOWHTO. Methods: Patients had MMPRT repair concomitant with PMOWHTO and varus medial knee osteoarthritis without concomitant root tear patients who underwent PMOWHTO and were reviewed. Radiographic parameters, medial meniscus extrusion (MME) and Knee Society Scores [KSSs, including the following subscores: knee score (KS) and knee function score (KFS)] were evaluated. Continious variables are expressed as the median and interquartile range (IQR) [IQR: (Q1;Q3); Q1: median of lower half, Q3: median of upper half]. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months [29 (28;35) months]. Results: A total of 36 knees of 34 patients underwent PMOWHTO were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a MMPRT. Nineteen of the 36 knees had MMPRTs, and all of them had concomitant root repair (Group 1). Seventeen of the 36 patients did not have MMPRTs (Group 2). The posterior tibial slope (PTS) decreased postoperatively in a total of 36 knees (p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in MME postoperatively in any intragroup comparison. The preoperative and follow-up MMEs of Group 1 were greater than those of Group 2 (p < 0.001). The KSs and KFSs in both Group 1 and Group 2 increased during follow-up [KS; Group 1: 43 (36;53) vs. 86 (84;95), p < 0.001. Group 2: 49 (45;57) vs. 89 (80;93), p < 0.001. KFS; Group 1: 60 (50;60) vs. 90 (80;100), p < 0.001. Group 2: 60 (50;60) vs. 80 (80;90), p < 0.001]. All knees achieved minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in terms of KSs. Eighteen (95%) knees achieved MCID in Group 1, and 17 (100%) achieved MCID in Group 2 in terms of KFSs. There were no differences between Groups 1 and 2 in terms of preoperative and follow-up KSs or preoperative KFSs. The follow-up KFSs in Group 1 was significantly greater than that in Group 2 (p = 0.032). Conclusions: PMOWHTO has favourable clinical and radiological outcomes and prevents PTS increase in simultaneous MMPRT repair and varus medial knee osteoarthritis patients without concomitant root tear. Level of evidence: Level IV, case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we call a right module M (strongly) virtually regular if every (finitely generated) cyclic submodule of M is isomorphic to a direct summand of M. M is said to be completely virtually regular if every submodule of M is virtually regular. In this paper, characterizations and some closure properties of the aforementioned modules are given. Several structure results are obtained over commutative rings. In particular, the structures of finitely presented (strongly) virtually regular modules and completely virtually regular modules are fully determined over valuation domains. Namely, for a valuation domain R with the unique nonzero maximal ideal P, we show that finitely presented (strongly) virtually regular modules are free if and only if P is not principal; and that P = Rp is principal if and only if finitely presented virtually regular modules are of the form Rn ⊕R Rpn1 ⊕ R Rp2n2 ⊕⋯ ⊕ R Rpknk for nonnegative integers n,k,n1,n2,…,nk. Similarly, we prove that P = Rp is principal if and only if finitely presented strongly virtually regular modules are of the form Rn ⊕ ( R Rp)m, where m,n are nonnegative integers. We also obtain that, R admits a nonzero finitely presented completely virtually regular module M if and only if P = Rp is principal. Moreover, for a finitely presented R-module M, we prove that: (i) if R is not a DVR, then M is completely virtually regular if and only if M≅( R Rp)m; and (ii) if R is a DVR, then M is completely virtually regular if and only if M≅Rn ⊕ ( R Rp)m. Finally, we obtain a characterization of finitely generated virtually regular modules over the ring of integers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customer loyalty holds great importance for many sectors. The main objective of this study is to determine the moderating factors in the relationship between service performance and customer loyalty. In this context, factors such as the shippers' gender, age, type of cargo usage, whether they have cargo agreements, and their average monthly number of shipments were examined for their effects on the relationship between service performance and customer loyalty. According to the analysis results, it was found that the gender factor does not have a moderating effect. However, age, type of cargo usage, having a cargo agreement, and the average monthly number of shipments were found to have moderating effects. These results provide important guidance for cargo service providers regarding which factors they should focus on to enhance customer loyalty. The findings of this research are strategically significant for companies in the cargo sector aiming to gain a competitive advantage and increase customer satisfaction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has become one of the world’s most pressing problems in recent years, accompanied by rising sea surface temperature (SST). The SST time series data are an essential component in balancing the energy at the planet’s surface. It is of the utmost importance to forecast future SSTs to assist us in better comprehending the climate dynamics and identifying catastrophic circumstances in advance based on historical observations received from earth observation systems. In this sense, monitoring and forecasting SST has become vital for better understanding future climate trends. In this regard, this study proposes a gated recurrent units (GRUs) model, a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network technique, and a seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) statistical model to predict global monthly SST data. According to the findings from the testing procedure, the MAPE values were 0.1377% for the SARIMA model, 0.1374% for the LSTM model, and 0.1390% for the GRU model. All models were found to have MAE, RMSE, and R values within the ranges of 0.0250–0.0253 oC, 0.032–0.0323 oC, and 0.9772–0.9775, respectively. The results of the proposed SARIMA, LSTM, and GRU models showed that they could accurately and satisfactorily predict the global monthly SST time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary industrial sector is experiencing a period of rapid technological advancement. Following Industry 4.0, a shift towards a new human-centric paradigm has emerged, known as Industry 5.0. This study presents a bibliometric analysis aimed at evaluating the potential of Industry 5.0 in terms of sustainability. The study involves examining significant works in literature to understand the fundamental characteristics of Industry 5.0 and its relationship with sustainability. By utilizing a bibliometric review covering academic articles and studies in the literature, it assesses the impacts of Industry 5.0 on sustainability. The bibliometric methods include quantitative analysis of published articles, publication trends, the most cited works, and keyword analysis. It focuses on the potential advantages of Industry 5.0 in terms of sustainability and provides recommendations for future research and applications in these areas. In this context, it aims to make a significant contribution to understanding how Industry 5.0 can provide a sustainable future for the business world and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important indicators of climate change and, consequently, global warming is the rise in the average surface temperature of the entire world. As observed in this light, forecasting the global mean surface temperature is an essential issue that must be addressed to develop adaptation measures for climate change. Many models have been developed to forecast the temperature of the air; however, these models often concentrate on local areas or use a restricted amount of station data. In this study, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA), long-short-term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU) models are used to predict global mean surface temperature (GMST) data. The data sets used in the study are GISTEMP and HardCRUT datasets and consist of land surface air temperature and water surface temperature. An evaluation of the performance of the models is carried out using various error measures to guarantee a high level of prediction accuracy. All models’ results indicate that the yearly GMST value increase relative to 1961–1990 will be between 0.94 oC and 1.45 oC in 2050. In addition, the yearly GMST value, measured as approximately 14.8–15.00 oC in 2022, will be between 15.15 oC and 15.43 oC in 2050, according to the obtained models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat exchangers are widely used in most heat transfer applications, and further improvements are necessary to limit the growing energy demand. In this context, performance improvement studies of shell-and-tube heat exchangers have gained importance. Although many studies have been conducted on this heat exchanger in the literature, research on the Utube channels remain limited. To address this gap in the literature, a detailed investigation of energy, entropy, and exergy analysis was conducted on this geometry using numerical methods. Both passive and active heat transfer enhancement methods were utilized to improve the thermo-hydraulic performance of the U-tube. As a passive method, dimpled fins and MWCNT-Fe3O4/water hybrid nanofluid at volume fractions of 0.001 and 0.003 were employed. As an active method, DC and AC (f = 2 Hz and square wave) magnetic fields with strengths of B = 0.16 T and 0.30 T were applied. The flow conditions in the analysis corresponded to the laminar flow regime at Dean numbers of 117.1, 175.7, and 234.2. Effects of hybrid nanofluid fractions, U-tube positions, flow regime, magnetic field strength, and current type on each other were discussed and compared in detail with previous results. Findings were carefully evaluated, and conclusions were drawn in the context of similar research. Results indicated that the U-tube position did not affect thermo-hydraulic performance. However, it was calculated that dimpled finned U-tube increased convective heat transfer by up to 30% compared to plain U-tube. Moreover, MWCNT-Fe3O4/water hybrid nanofluid at 0.003 volume fraction increased this rate by an additional 5.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initiatives to build research universities to have world-class universities, the creator and the disseminator of scientific knowledge in knowledge-based economies, are among the most important policy reactions in higher education systems. With an increase in demands on greater accountability, transparency, and efficiency, studies investigating the excellence initiatives of different countries are growing in number. However, the literature on the Research University Project of Turkey is still in the infancy stage. We, therefore, conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effect of research university project using six-year panel data between 2015 and 2020. Results from the difference-in-differences analysis showed that the research university initiative of Turkey was not successful in differentiating research universities from non-research universities even if the research universities have not lost the quantitative superiority over non-research universities. However, the result also revealed a possible spillover effect of the initiative on non-research universities by the policy intervention that may have created institutional competition and an isomorphic science production pattern to become a research university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we establish some properties of Bronze Fibonacci and Bronze Lucas sequences. Then we find the relationships between the roots of the characteristic equation of these sequences with these sequences. What is interesting here is that even though the roots change, equality is still maintained. Also, we derive the special relations between the terms of these sequences. We give the important relations among these sequences, positive and negative index terms, with the sum of the squares of two consecutive terms being related to these sequences. In addition, we present the application of generalized Bronze Fibonacci sequences to hyperbolic quaternions. For these hyperbolic quaternions, we give the summation formulas, generating functions, etc. Moreover, we obtain the Binet formulas in two different ways. The first is in the known classical way and the second is with the help of the sequence's generating functions. In addition, we calculate the special identities of these hyperbolic quaternions. Furthermore, we examine the relationships between the hyperbolic Bronze Fibonacci and Bronze Lucas quaternions. Finally, the terms of the generalized Bronze Fibonacci sequences are associated with their hyperbolic quaternion values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known about the life of Hâfız Post (d. 7 Jemâziyelâhir 1105/3 February 1694), one of the most important composers of classical Turkish music, is mainly based on the compilations of his compositions, the contemporary şuarâ tezkires and various biographical compilations. However, the limited information in these sources does not allow for the construction of a comprehensive biography. In this context, what is known about Hâfız’s bureaucratic duties, where he resided, the date and place of his death, and his family is quite limited. The literature, on the other hand, is usually expanded by musicologists' discoveries about Hâfız Post’s works. This article discusses newly discovered information about Hâfız’s family, career, death and estate based on archival documents. This information, which largely unravels the smokescreen of Hâfız Post’s life, is of a nature to make significant contributions to the existing literature. It also offers a perspective that will remind us that archival records should be consulted for the biographies of Ottoman period artists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affect individuals' education, quality of life, work, and social life. Studies have indicated that adults with ADHD often experience emotion dysregulation as much as they exhibit the core symptoms of the disorder, leading to significant problems in social life. This study aimed to evaluate ADHD symptoms and emotional regulation difficulties in medical students studying at a university hospital. Methods: The research was conducted between 20.10.2021 and 20.11.2021 in the family medicine department of a university hospital. The sociodemographic data form, adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS) were administered to the participants online via Google surveys. The study sample was grouped according to the total ASRS score of the participants. Results: A total of 552 participants were included in the study. Participants were divided into 3 groups: high probable ADHD (HPADHD), probable ADHD (P-ADHD), and without ADHD (WO-ADHD) according to the ASRS cutoff score. The HP-ADHD group had higher DERS total score and all subscale scores than the WO-ADHD group (p<0.001 for all analyses). The ASRS total scores were positively correlated with the DERS total scores (r=0.643, p<0.001). In addition, suicide attempts, forensic event history, and class failure were significantly more frequent in the HP-ADHD group than in the WOADHD group (p<0.001, p=0.043, p=0.024 respectively). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between ADHD and emotional regulation difficulties, which may cause clinical diversity that may cause problems in different areas of life in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, irrespective of the primary tumour origin. However, the core gene regulatory program governing distinct stages of metastasis across cancers remains poorly understood. We investigate this through single-cell transcriptome analysis encompassing over two hundred patients with metastatic and non-metastatic tumours across six cancer types. Our analysis revealed a prognostic core gene signature that provides insights into the intricate cellular dynamics and gene regulatory networks driving metastasis progression at the pan-cancer and single-cell level. Notably, the dissection of transcription factor networks active across different stages of metastasis, combined with functional perturbation, identified SP1 and KLF5 as key regulators, acting as drivers and suppressors of metastasis, respectively, at critical steps of this transition across multiple cancer types. Through in vivo and in vitro loss of function of SP1 in cancer cells, we revealed its role in driving cancer cell survival, invasive growth, and metastatic colonisation. Furthermore, tumour cells and the microenvironment increasingly engage in communication through WNT signalling as metastasis progresses, driven by SP1. Further validating these observations, a drug repurposing analysis identified distinct FDA-approved drugs with anti-metastasis properties, including inhibitors of WNT signalling across various cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Methods Results Discussion Orthopedic implants may need to be removed for various reasons. There is little data on the appropriate handling of implants after their removal from patients. This study aimed to analyze how orthopedic surgeons handle removed implants and their underlying philosophies, using data collected from a survey.This study, conducted between May 2024 and June 2024, utilized an online survey targeting orthopedic surgeons and residents in Turkey to investigate practices and views regarding removed implants. A total of 205 participants completed an 11‐question online survey via Google Forms. The survey covered hospital types, professional experience, protocols for handling removed implants, practices for archiving and disposing of implants, and perspectives on current practices and future direction.Participants' professional experience varied widely. None of the participants followed a specific protocol for managing removed implants. Opinions on giving implants to patients were diverse: 17.1% would never give the implant to the patient, 32.2% would comply with the patient's request, and 50.7% had no definitive approach. A minority (2.9%) systematically archived implants, while others archived selectively or disposed of them as medical waste. The primary motivations for archiving included medicolegal protection (21%) and professional curiosity (75.2%). Only 2.9% had experience with legal requests for removed implants, and 80% supported establishing regulations for handling removed implants.Orthopedic surgeons' legal and ethical perceptions regarding removed implants, as well as their preference of handling, vary widely. Establishing a standardized approach can reduce this variability in practice and ensure uniformity in healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the importance of satisfying the eddy viscosity equivalence below the logarithmic layer, to deriving accurate compressibility transformations. First, we analyze the ability of known transformations to satisfy the eddy viscosity equivalence and show that the accuracy of these transformations is strongly dependent on this ability. Second, in a step-by-step manner, we devise new transformations that satisfy this hypothesis. An approach based on curve fitting of the incompressible Direct Numerical Simulation data for eddy viscosity profiles below the logarithmic layer provides an extremely accurate transformation, which motivates self-contained methods, making use of mixing length formulas in the inner region. It is shown that the accuracy of existing transformations can be significantly improved by applying these ideas, below the logarithmic layer. Motivated by the effectiveness of the formulations derived from eddy viscosity equivalence, we introduce a new integral transformation based on Reynolds number equivalence between compressible and incompressible flows. This approach is based on defining a new compressible velocity scale, which affects the accuracy of transformations. Several choices for the velocity scale are tested, and in each attempt, it is shown that the eddy viscosity equivalence plays a very important role for the accuracy of compressibility transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is a common urological complication of diabetes, and current drugs often fail to provide an effective treatment. Smad2/3 signaling-mediated corporal fibrosis has a critical role in the molecular basis of DMED. Aim We investigated the effect of Niclosamide (Nic), an antihelmintic drug with antifibrotic effects, on erectile function in a rat DMED model. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) with streptozotocin (75 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. At week 8, both diabetic and nondiabetic rats were treated with Nic (10 mg·kg−1/day; i.p) or vehicle for 4 weeks. At week 12, erectile function was evaluated as intracavernous pressure (ICP) response to the electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve (CN). Penile tissues were harvested for Masson's trichrome staining or western blotting to determine corporal fibrosis and Smad2/3 pathway-related protein expression, respectively. Outcomes At the end of the experimental protocol, in vivo erectile function was assessed by measuring the ratio of ICP/ mean arterial pressure (MAP) and total ICP following CN stimulation. Smooth muscle content and collagen fibers were evaluated by Masson's trichrome staining of the penile tissues. The expressions of fibrosis-related proteins (Smad2, Smad3, fibronectin) were determined using western blotting in the penile tissues. Results Erectile function, as determined by the maximum ICP/MAP and total ICP/MAP ratios, was drastically decreased in diabetic rats. Corporal tissues of diabetic rats were severely fibrotic with a significant increase in collagen fibers and a marked reduction in smooth muscle content. Also, the protein expressions of phosphorylated (p-)Smad2, p-Smad3 and fibronectin were significantly increased in the penis of diabetic rats. Both functional and molecular alterations in DMED were effectively reversed by Nic-treated diabetic rats without a glycemic alteration. Clinical Implications Nic could be a promising candidate for the treatment of DMED due to its antifibrotic effects. Strengths and Limitations The present study provides the first evidence that Nic has beneficial effect on erectile dysfunction by attenuating corporal fibrosis in a rat model of DMED. The effect of Nic on penile endothelial function and the other potential underlying mechanisms needs to be further elucidated. Conclusions Nic improved erectile function in DMED rats possibly suppressing penile fibrosis by inhibiting Smad2/3 signaling. These results suggest a potential therapeutic repurposing of Nic as an adjuvant treatment in DMED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of a zinc oxide (ZnO) low-power microsensor for sub-ppm detection of NO2 and H2S in air at 200 °C. NO2 emission is predominantly produced by the combustion processes of fossil fuels, while coal-fired power plants are the main emitter of H2S. Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) combined contained 74% of USA energy production in 2023. It is foreseeable that the energy industry will utilize fossil-based fuels more in the ensuing decades despite the severe climate crises. Precise NO2 and H2S sensors will contribute to reducing the detrimental effect of the hazardous emission gases, in addition to the optimization of the combustion processes for higher output. The fossil fuel industry and solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are exceptional examples of energy conversion–production technologies that will profit from advances in H2S and NO2 sensors. Porosity and surface activity of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based sensors are both vital for sensing at low temperatures. Oxygen vacancies ( V O • • ) act as surface active sites for target gases, while porosity enables target gases to come in contact with a larger MOS area for sensing. We were able to create an open porosity network throughout the ZnO microstructure and simultaneously achieve an abundance of oxygen vacancies by using a heat treatment procedure. Surface chemistry and oxygen vacancy content in ZnO were examined using XPS and AES. SEM was used to understand the morphology of the unique characteristics of distinctive grain growth during heat treatment. Electrical resistivity measurements were completed. The valance band was examined by UPS. The Engineered Porosity approach allowed the entire ZnO to act as an open surface together with the creation of abundant oxygen vacancies ( V O • • ). NO2 detection is challenging since both oxygen (O2) and NO2 are oxidizing gases, and they coexist in combustion environments. Engineered porosity ZnO microsensor detected sub-ppm NO2 under O2 interference, which affects mimicking realistic sensor operation conditions. Engineered porosity ZnO performed better than the previous literature findings for H2S and NO2 detection. The exceptionally high sensor response is attributed to the high number of oxygen vacancies ( V O • • ) and porosity extending through the thickness of the ZnO with a high degree of tortuosity. These features enhance gas adsorption and diffusion via porosity, leading to high sensor response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Acne vulgaris is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit and a chronic inflammatory process. This study aimed to compare topical 5% dapsone and 10% benzoyl peroxide in terms of efficacy, side effects, and patient satisfaction in mild to moderate acne. Material and Methods: The patients who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic with the complaint of acne between June 20, 2022, and September 20, 2022, and were diagnosed with mild and moderate acne vulgaris, were retrospectively evaluated. Forty-eight patients in the dapsone group and 53 in the benzoyl peroxide group were included in this study. Results: At the end of the treatment, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ISGA values and improvement percentage in ISGA, improvement was higher in the dapsone group (both p=0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the percentage decrease in lesion counts of closed comedones, papules and pustules, inflammatory and total lesions (decreasement was higher in the dapsone group, p=0.038 for closed comedones, p=0.006 for total lesions and p<0.001 for others). There was no dissatisfied patient in the group using dapsone (p<0.001). Among the side effects, erythema was more common during the whole treatment, and dryness and burning-stinging sensation were higher at the end of the first month in the benzoyl peroxide group. Conclusion: Topical 5% dapsone is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acne and is safe in terms of side effects compared to topical 10% benzoyl peroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Topical therapies are used in almost all patients with psoriasis. A novel fixed topical combination cream (GN-037) with a lower concentration (0.0356%) of clobetasol 17-propionate (CP) was developed together with urea, salicylic acid, and retinoic acid to provide a better benefit–risk ratio. The present multicenter randomized double-blind vehicle-controlled parallel group phase 2 study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of GN-037 in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis (MMPP). Methods: Patients (n = 190) were randomized (2:2:1) to receive GN-037 or CP or vehicle (V) cream twice daily to a selected target body lesion for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was treatment success defined as percentage of patients with at least two-grade improvement in Investigator's Global Assessment Score (IGA) and IGA score equal to 0 or 1 evaluated at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 in each arm compared with baseline. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and safety were evaluated throughout the study. Results: GN-037 demonstrated statistically significant superiority over V throughout the study. At week 4, treatment success was achieved in 37.9% of patients in the GN-037 arm compared with 29.2% and 9.1% in the CP and V arms, respectively. At least two-grade improvement compared with baseline was achieved by 57.6%, 72.7%, and 80.3% of the patients in the GN-037 arm for erythema, plaque elevation, and scaling, respectively. The mean changes in affected BSA were −2.1 ± 2.9, −1.8 ± 2.4, and −0.5 ± 1.6 in the GN-037, CP, and V arms, respectively. The TEAEs were similar among the arms and the most frequently observed TEAEs were Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) increase in all arms. Conclusions: GN-037 was more effective than V in achieving primary and all secondary endpoints throughout the study. Safety data did not reveal any new safety concerns with the combination cream product. Therefore, 4 weeks of GN-037 treatment demonstrated an excellent efficacy and safety profile in patients with MMPP. Trial Registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05706870. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shoulder ultrasonography (US) is commonly employed to differentiate the causes of shoulder pain. However, the correlation between ultrasonographic findings and the individual's functional disability and daily activities remains unexplored. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between shoulder US findings and physical function, disability, and pain. Material and Methods: The study investigated patients with shoulder pain. Tendons of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and long head of biceps brachii, acromiohumeral distance, and acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) degeneration were evaluated using US. The QuickDASH questionnaire was employed to evaluate physical function, symptoms, and disability, while the visual analog scale (VAS) was utilized to assess pain levels. Results: The study included 84 patients (69 [82.1%] women, mean age = 55.7 ± 11.9 years). Ultrasonographic examination revealed ACJ degeneration in 61 (21.4%) patients and biceps tendinitis in 21 (25%) patients. In addition, supraspinatus tendinosis was identified in 51 (61%) patients, while 28 (33%) exhibited a supraspinatus tear. The patients demonstrated a mean VAS score of 7.03 ± 1.49 and mean QuickDASH score of 45.6 ± 15.3. Individuals with a supraspinatus tear exhibited higher VAS (P = 0.008) and QuickDASH (P = 0.016) scores. Patients presenting with ACJ degeneration demonstrated increased VAS scores (P = 0.014), whereas those with biceps tendinopathy showed higher QuickDASH scores (P = 0.035). Conclusion: The results obtained from our research demonstrate significant correlations between ultrasonographic data and pain, disability, and physical manifestations. The findings of this study indicate that shoulder US provides valuable information regarding the difficulties individuals face in their daily tasks and the degree of pain they endure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Three-dimensional (3D) and computerized imaging technologies are increasingly popular in the field of rhinoplasty and other esthetic surgical procedures. In this study, we evaluated the role of 3D simulated preoperative rhinoplasty images in patient decision-making. Methods We conducted this retrospective study included patients who underwent rhinoplasty between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023. Our clinic uses VECTRA® (H2 Handheld 3D Face, Breast, and Body Imaging System, Canfield Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ, USA) imaging technology for 3D simulation. A total of 146 patients (female, 108; male, 38) participated in the study. The mean age was 30.94 years; the age range was 18-64 years. Survey: Did the results obtained using the 3D imaging program before your surgery influence your decision to undergo surgery? Results The data was collected through an online survey platform to provide ease of access and convenience for respondents. The responses were then compiled and analyzed using statistical software to identify trends and key findings. 88.4% of the patients reported that 3D imaging affected their decision to undergo surgery. Conclusion Our study suggests that 3D simulation systems will become increasingly important in surgical practice and that clinics using these systems will become more active in the future. Keywords:Rhinoplasty, 3D simulation, aesthetics: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations from past earthquakes have shown that pipes are more adversely affected and damaged by ground movements, particularly in the direction of their long axis. Based on this observation, the present study evaluates buried continuous pipelines exposed to ground movement in the direction of the pipe due to earthquakes. Numerical analysis was conducted using the finite element method. Commonly used types of steel pipes in natural gas lines were selected for the analysis, with pipe diameter, mechanical properties of the pipe, burial depth, soil-pipe friction, and ground movement values considered as variable parameters. Additionally, eight different geometrical layouts of the pipes, depending on the condition of the roads and existing structures, were evaluated. The behavior of these pipelines under the influence of permanent ground movements (ranging from 0.01 to 4 meters) was determined for different pipe placement situations. The analysis yielded results for displacements, tensile and compressive deformations, and tensile and compressive stresses in the pipeline. The effects of the varying parameters on the pipe were also determined. The study's results illustrate the behavior of buried steel pipes under different permanent ground movements caused by earthquakes and contribute to the design and preliminary evaluations of buried pipelines by the operating institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disadvantaged students have struggled to find equal opportunities in STEM; thus, it is critical to challenge global society's structures so that all students have equal opportunities to learn and become proficient in STEM subjects. To even begin to address STEM equality issues, action plans and solutions must address all tiers of society. However, equity in STEM education reform has received little attention in Türkiye. The purpose of this study is to examine the first years of STEM education reform in Türkiye from the standpoint of equity. The research used a single case with embedded units. The embedded units were seven regions of Türkiye, each with its own set of social, economic, and cultural circumstances. Twenty-one teachers and school principals from different regions of Türkiye participated in the study. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and published documents. The collected data were coded based on the dimensions of the theoretical framework, which was built by combining Bybee's (2013) framework for analyzing STEM education reform initiatives and Gutierrez's (2009) framework for teaching for equity. The findings highlighted the equity and justice challenges and opportunities that STEM education reform entailed. While participants recognized the potential of STEM education initiatives to promote equity in classrooms, particularly in terms of identity and power, the study's findings revealed that the reform's implementation favored schools serving students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, widening the opportunity gap between students from different backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiological findings play an essential and complementary role in diagnosing Covid-19, assessing its severity, and managing its patients. Artificial intelligence technology based on medical imaging, which has made exciting developments by being applied in many areas, has become an area of interest for the rapid and accurate detection of the disease in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The main difficulty is the inability to obtain a large dataset size with quality and standard images that neural networks need to perform well. Aiming at this problem, this study proposes a Siamese neural network-based deep learning framework for accurate diagnostics of Covid-19 using chest X-ray (CXR) images. The pre-trained VGG16 architecture, based on the transfer learning approach, forms the backbone of the Siamese neural network. The outputs of the backbones are joined together by a merging layer, and then the output passes through a fully connected layer. Based on this structure, category-aware Siamese-based models are produced for each class. The predictions from the models are combined using a voting mechanism to reduce the possibility of misclassification and to make better decisions. The framework was evaluated using a publicly available dataset for the 4-class classification task for Covid-19 pneumonia, lung opacity, normal, and non-Covid-19 viral pneumonia images. The findings reveal the high discrimination ability of the framework, trained using only 10 images per class in less training time, achieving an average test accuracy of 92%. Our framework, which learns a single Siamese-based pairwise model for each class, effectively captures class-specific features. Additionally, it has the potential to deal with data scarcity and long training time problems in multi-class classification tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, right almost-QF (respectively, max-QF) rings that is the rings whose injective right modules are R-projective (respectively, max-projective) were studied by the first two authors. In this paper, our aim is to give some further characterizations of these rings over more general classes of rings, and address several questions about these rings. We obtain characterizations of max-QF rings over several classes of rings including local, semilocal right semihereditary, right non-singular right Noetherian and right non-singular right finite dimensional rings. We prove that for a ring R being right almost-QF and right max-QF are not left-right symmetric. We also show that right almost-QF and right max-QF rings are not closed under factor rings. This leads us to consider the rings all of whose factor rings are almost-QF and max-QF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWhile teaching enthusiasm is crucial in traditional classroom settings, its impact on learning processes in digital learning environments still needs to be explored. This study examines the impact of teaching enthusiasm in instructional videos on cognitive and affective learning outcomes. Two separate experiments were conducted at different times: one with 9th-grade students and another with 10th-grade students. Participants viewed instructional videos including either higher or lower levels of teaching enthusiasm, and their cognitive learning outcomes (retention and transfer), social presence, lecture engagement, and motivation were measured. The study revealed that despite the significant difference between the groups regarding perceived teaching enthusiasm, higher enthusiasm did not significantly impact learning outcomes. The study suggests that increased enthusiasm in lecture videos may not necessarily enhance cognitive and affective learning outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore how instructional enthusiasm affects learning outcomes in different situations and with various types of videos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is influenced by institutional trust, conspiracy theory beliefs, and political and religious values using novel data from the 2022 Turkish COVID-19 Values Study (TCVS). We find that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is widespread in Turkey. While 7.75% of the participants did not receive any COVID-19 vaccination, 4.51% received only one dose. Moreover, 16.09% of the population does not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the future, whereas another 35.14% show indecision on this topic. Our findings demonstrate that greater belief in conspiracy theories, higher distrust in political and health institutions, and lower religiosity lead to greater COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Turkey. The results of our study imply that the national government and local municipalities need to readopt vaccine outreach efforts and disseminate trusted vaccination information in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the k -Oresme and k -Oresme-Lucas sequences are defined, and some terms of these sequence are given. Then, the relations between the terms of the k -Oresme and k -Oresme-Lucas sequences are presented. In addition, we give these sequences the Binet formulas, generating functions, Cassini identity, Catalan identity etc. Moreover, the k -Oresme and k -Oresme-Lucas sequences are associated with Fibonacci, Pell numbers and Lucas, and Pell- Lucas numbers, respectively. Finally, the Catalan transforms of these sequences are given and Hankel transforms are applied to these Catalan sequences and associated with the terms of the sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate patient-related factors and compare the techniques used for surgical specimen removal [trocar extension (TE) and Pfannenstiel incision (PF)] in terms of incisional hernia (IH) occurrence in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP). Materials and Methods: The records of 219 patients who underwent RALRP in our clinic between November 2017 and March 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Postoperative complication data and functional (continence and potency status) and oncological outcomes were recorded. Hernia type, location, and treatments applied were also noted. Results: After exclusion, complete data were available on 192 patients undergoing RALRP between the specified dates. The TE technique for removing the surgical specimen was performed in 135 patients, and the lower abdominal transverse incision technique (PF) in 57 patients. Preoperative patient- and tumor-related characteristics (age, body mass index [BMI], American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, T stage, and prostate size) were similar in both surgical groups. IH was detected in 16 patients (14 in the TE group and 2 in the PF group) (P =.156). Thirteen patients underwent surgery for IH, and three were followed up clinically. Conclusion: In our study, no statistically significant demographic or surgical technique-related factors were found to explain the occurrence of IH in patients who underwent RALRP for prostate cancer. It was observed that IH occurred more frequently in the cases where the surgical specimen was removed with the TE technique compared with the PF incision, but this result was not statistically significant. There was also no statistically significant difference between these two groups regarding oncological and functional outcomes in the early postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of communication within the family can be considered as a protective factor in preventing the development of mental health problems in school by acting as a buffer against mental health problems in adolescents. Thus, this study, which was designed to reveal the potential mechanisms between family communication and bi‐dimensional student mental health (psychological well‐being/distress) in Turkish adolescents, examined the serial mediator role of digital game addiction and school belongingness. The study sample consists of a total of 397 volunteering Turkish adolescents, including 206 girls (51.9%) and 191 boys (48.1%). The participants' ages range from 14 to 17 (M = 14.63 years, SD = 0.60). In this study, a cross‐sectional and explanatory design based on structural equation modeling was used. The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) digital game addiction mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress, (2) school belongingness mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress, and (3) the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress was serially mediated by both digital game addiction and school belongingness. Practitioner Points: Digital game addiction mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress.School belongingness mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress.Both digital game addiction and school belongingness serially mediated the relationship between family communication and psychological well‐being/distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that a ring R is right Kasch if each simple right R -module embeds in a projective right R -module. In this paper we study the dual notion and call a ring R right dual Kasch if each simple right R -module is a homomorphic image of an injective right R -module. We prove that R is right dual Kasch if and only if every finitely generated projective right R -module is coclosed in its injective hull. Typical examples of dual Kasch rings are self-injective rings, V-rings and commutative perfect rings. Skew group rings of dual Kasch rings by finite groups are dual Kasch if the order of the group is invertible. Many examples are given to separate the notion of Kasch and dual Kasch rings. It is shown that commutative Kasch rings are dual Kasch, and a commutative ring with finite Goldie dimension is dual Kasch if and only if it is a classical ring (i.e. every element is a zero divisor or invertible). We obtain that, for a field k , a finite dimensional k -algebra is right dual Kasch if and only if it is left Kasch. We also discuss the rings over which every simple right module is a homomorphic image of its injective hull, and these rings are termed strongly dual Kasch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Palpable undescended testis (PUT) is a common urological condition. Traditional inguinal orchidopexy is widely performed in many clinics for the treatment of this pathology. However, crotal orchidopexy is an effective and safe surgical procedure for PUT. We aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent a single transverse scrotal incision for PUT. Methods The data of 212 patients who underwent scrotal orchidopexy for PUT between 2018 and 2022 at our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Unilateral cases of PUT located between the outer and inner inguinal rings or distal to the outer inguinal ring were included in the study. The analysis also considered postoperative complications and final cosmetic outcomes. Results The average age of the patients was 3.26 years. Of these, 112 (52.8%) cases were right-sided. A hernia sac was present in 168 (79.2%) patients. The testis was located distal to the outer ring in 150 (70.8%) cases and between the outer and inner rings in 62 (29.2%) cases. Postoperative complications included scrotal edema in 8 (3.8%), wound infection in 5 (2.4%) cases, and recurrence of testicular ascent in 3 (1.4%). Cosmetic satisfaction was reported by the families of 208 patients (98.1%). Conclusion Scrotal orchiopexy is an effective technique for managing PUT located between the outer and inner inguinal rings or distal to the outer inguinal ring. Keywords:Scrotal incision, orchidopexy, undescended testis, children: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the relationship between digital printing colour performance and the raw materials used in a matt glaze. Inkjet technology has enhanced the decorative properties of ceramic tiles in production. Improving the colour perception of the glaze is possible by optimizing the raw materials in the glaze, which results in less ink usage and thus lower costs. Investigation of the colour performance of glazes is possible by determining the L* a* b* values of the colours as well as the gamut colour volumes. Colour of the samples were evaluated by spectrophotometer and i1 profiler. Gamut volume was calculated by 3D CIE chromaticity diagrams of ICC profiles. It was observed that the colour saturation was higher in the samples where the pigment was homogeneously distributed in the glaze microstructure. SiO 2 particles not embedded in the glass structure observed in the glaze microstructure disrupt the colour intensity. The low sphere temperature value of the composition made with wollastonite enabled the SiO 2 particles to be embedded in the glaze. When wollastonite was used instead of dolomite as the source of calcium oxide in mat glaze, the colour gamut volume reached its highest value (11262), consequently increasing colour saturation. Conversely, the lowest colour gamut volume (6475) was obtained when dolomite was used instead of wollastonite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the role of serum Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 (GLP-2), and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) levels in relation to obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnancy. Methods: A case-control study was conducted, including 96 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who underwent the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) for GDM diagnosis during the 24th–28th weeks of gestation. Blood samples were collected for measuring GLP-1, GLP-2, GIP, and fasting glucose. Statistical analyses included receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and correlation analysis. Results: Among the 96 women, no significant difference in age was observed between the groups, but Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly higher in GDM-O (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-Obese) and non-GDM-O groups (p < 0.001). GLP-1 had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.666 (95% CI: 0.553–0.778, p = 0.005) for diagnosing GDM. The optimal GLP-1 cutoff was 815.86 ng/mL, with 65% sensitivity and 77% specificity. A significant correlation was found between GLP-2 and GIP (r = 0.289, p = 0.004), but no significant correlations were observed between GLP-1 and other peptides or gestational age (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Impaired secretion of GLP-1, GLP-2, and GIP likely contributes to the pathogenesis of GDM. GLP-1 may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosing GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into optimizing production parameters and 3D printing (3Dp) conditions for alkaline‐treated 10% hemp fiber‐reinforced polycarbonate (PC) composites. Initially, composite filaments were extruded at 250°C (PCH250) and 230°C (PCH230) to assess the impact of varying melt mixing temperatures on thermal behavior. Thermal characterization was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC analysis indicated consistent glass transition temperatures (Tg) across pure PC and the composites, while TGA revealed minimal thermal degradation in PCH230 compared to pure PC. Subsequently, to ascertain the optimal 3D printing temperature, specimens were printed at temperatures elevated by 10°C relative to their melt mixing temperatures (PCH250/260 and PCH230/240), followed by mechanical evaluation via tensile testing. PCH230/240 exhibited superior mechanical properties, demonstrating a 12% increase in tensile strength and a 29% increase in Young's modulus compared to pure PC. Additional testing at 230°C printing temperature (PCH230/230) demonstrated enhanced mechanical strength over PCH250/260 but inferior performance relative to PCH230/240, attributed to incomplete interlayer adhesion observed through SEM analysis. Consequently, the optimal composite melt mixing temperature was determined to be 230°C, with an accompanying 3D printing temperature of 240°C for optimal mechanical performance. Highlights: 3D printable, 5% NaOH treated hemp fiber reinforced polycarbonate composite.Printing composite with 3D printing device at different temperatures230°C process temperature gives the best thermal properties.240°C 3Dp temperature provides the best mechanical and morphological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this study is to identify key predictors of public distrust in different Covid-19 vaccines available in Turkey. We use multiple linear regression with robust standard errors to analyze the data from the 2022 Turkey Covid-19 Values Survey of 1,500 face-to-face interviews across Turkey. Our results show that Pfizer/BioNTech has the lowest level of distrust, followed by Sinovac and Turkovac. Trust in political institutions and health institutions significantly reduce distrust for all vaccine brands. However, conspiracy beliefs and political conservatism are linked to higher distrust in Sinovac and BioNTech, while increased religiosity correlates with more distrust in BioNTech but less in Turkovac. Our comparative brand analysis adds an essential perspective to the existing literature while highlighting the necessity of maintaining public trust in institutions. It also demonstrates the importance of brand-specific strategies in promoting vaccines and addressing challenges faced by populations for more successful public health initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important problems encountered in acoustic feedback canceller (AFC) systems is the AF path has a sparse nature. This situation deteriorates the convergence rate and steady-state error of AFC systems. On the other hand, large-scale source signals such as speech/music and using high filter orders increase the computational cost of AFC systems. To this end, in this study, a cost-effective l0-norm-online censoring (OC)-least mean square (LMS) (l0-OC-LMS) based AFC system (l0-OC-AFC) is proposed, which solves the sparse problem of the AF path by processing only informative data instead of all the data. Thus, the proposed AFC system significantly contributes to reducing the computational complexity without sacrificing its performance. This is achieved by combining the OC strategy and the l0penalty norm promoting sparsity. The proposed l0-OC-AFC system is comprehensively tested in terms of the misalignment (MIS) and the added stable gain (ASG) on real-world long sparse AF paths measured from a behind-the-ear hearing aid. Simulation results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed l0-OC-AFC system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monkeypox is a disease that, while less deadly and contagious than COVID-19, could pose a global pandemic threat. In the field of medical imaging, deep learning techniques offer promising results in the diagnosis of diseases. This study develops deep learning models using skin lesion images for early diagnosis of monkeypox. The research is divided into two key sections. In the first section, a deep learning model is developed using the Monkeypox Skin Image Dataset (MSID). The second section focuses on a model trained on a combined dataset, which merges the Monkeypox Skin Image, Monkeypox Master, and Monkeypox Original Image Datasets, referred to as HYBRID. The MSID dataset comprises 806 Monkeypox and 690 Non-Monkeypox images for training, along with 309 Monkeypox and 292 Non-Monkeypox images for testing, resulting in a total of 2,097 images of skin lesions with and without monkeypox. The HYBRID dataset includes 1,088 Monkeypox and 1,896 Non-Monkeypox images for training, as well as 468 Monkeypox and 812 Non-Monkeypox images for testing, resulting in a total of 4,264 skin lesion images. Five distinct deep learning models--DenseNet201, InceptionResNetV2, InceptionV3, NASNetLarge, and Xception--were applied to both datasets, and the outcomes were compared. The DenseNet201 model, when trained on augmented data, demonstrated remarkable performance in detecting monkeypox, achieving accuracy rates of 99.33% on the MSID dataset and 98.52% on the HYBRID dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polaritons are generated by strong interaction between photons and matter, with the hybridization fundamentally changing the energy landscape of the system. Future exploitation of polaritons will benefit from implementing low‐cost, flexible, and easily tuneable configurations, as electronics have before. Here, coherent coupling of the carbonyl stretch vibrations of polyester (poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET) films to the optical modes of a Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity is presented, in which the FP cavity is directly formed on flexible, free‐standing, and commercially available PET films. For 2‐µm thick PET films, the carbonyl stretch vibration of the PET overlaps with the half‐wavelength FP cavity mode, leading to the coupling of the two modes, a Rabi splitting above 160 cm−1, and associated anticrossing in angular dispersion measurements. The study demonstrates dynamic control of light‐matter interaction strength by modulating film thickness under tension, finding that a 25% tensile stretch can tune the light‐matter interaction from 20:80 mixing to near‐perfect 50:50 hybridization at normal incidence. These findings are discussed in the context of future foldable/twistable/wearable polaritonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of shredded waste office paper as a raw material on the physical and mechanical properties of fiberboard. Two amounts of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin (10 and 15%) and five shredded waste office paper/wood fiber mixing ratios (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) were selected. The findings showed that all characteristics of boards were improved with an increase in resin content at various wastepaper participation ratios. The 15% UF-bonded board with 100% wood fiber had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) value, but there was no statistically significant difference between it and the board with 50% wastepaper. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) values of the 15% UFbonded boards increased as the wastepaper participation ratio increased, and the highest was obtained from the board with 75% wastepaper. The highest internal bond (IB) strength value was also recorded from the 15% UF-bonded board with 50% wastepaper. This was due to the presence of sufficient bonding potential and smoother surfaces in the shredded wastepaper, which allowed for a synergistic interaction between the wastepaper and wood fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is a continued need for biomarkers for patients with gastric cancer that can aid in diagnosis, treatment follow-up, and relapse detection. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of serum microRNA (miRNAs) in diagnosing gastric cancer and their relationship with prognostic factors that impact the choice of surgical approach. Methods: We compared the serum miRNA expression levels of 35 patients who underwent gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2015-2018 with those of 33 controls. We also evaluated the relationship between serum miRNA expression levels and pathological prognostic factors. Results: The serum levels of miR-17-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-148a-3p, and miR-203a-3p were significantly higher in gastric cancer patients. In early gastric cancer patients, serum levels of miR-21-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-106b-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-148a-3p levels were significantly higher. Furthermore, serum levels of miR-106b-5p and miR-146a-5p were associated with tumor localization [area under the curve (AUC): 0.773, 0.797; p=0.049, 0.036], while serum levels of miR-27a-3p and miR-148a-5p were associated with the T-stage of the tumor (AUC: 0.748, 0.729; p=0.036, 0.049). Conclusion: Serum levels of miR-17-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-27a-3p, and miR-203a-3p were found to be diagnostic biomarkers in gastric cancers. The expression levels of serum miR-106b-5p and miR-146a-5p were found to be related to tumor location, whereas the expression levels of serum miR-27a-3p and miR-148a-5p were found to be related to the T-stage of the tumor. These findings can impact the surgical approach for gastric cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YouTube has emerged as an important source for obtaining information regarding health issues.The study aimed to assess the reliability and quality of facial paralysis exercise videos that are accessible on the YouTube platform.The investigation was carried out on Youtube, utilizing the keyword “facial paralysis exercises”. We listed the first 100 videos based on relevancy. The quality and reliability of the videos were assessed using DISCERN, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria, the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and the Video Power Index (VPI).Out of 100 studies, we excluded 52 and included the remaining 48. The scores we obtained for the videos were as follows: DISCERN Quality (2.92±0.91), DISCERN Total (39.16±6.75), JAMA (2.09±0.55), and GQS (3.00±0.89). Our study also revealed that videos uploaded by healthcare professionals had significantly higher DISCERN total, JAMA and VPI scores compared to those uploaded by non-healthcare professionals (p = 0.018, 0.001 and 0.023, respectively). Additionally, we observed a positive and statistically significant correlation between the DISCERN quality score, total score, JAMA, and video features.The facial paralysis exercise videos were determined to be of medium to low quality. Higher-quality videos need to be produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avalanche is defined as the movement of the snow layer accumulated on the sloping slopes of mountains where there is no or sparse forest cover due to the effect of gravity from its position for various reasons and causes unpredictable great loss of life and property. Avalanches pose a serious threat to settlements, highways, ski resorts and facilities planned in mountainous areas in Bitlis, Van and Antalya provinces in terms of topographic and climatic characteristics of Turkey. In this study, field investigations were carried out in 3 pilot provinces and information was obtained from local people about the avalanche risk areas. Then, for these pilot regions, avalanche initiation zones, 2D avalanche simulations with RAMMS (Rapid Mass Movement Simulation) software, avalanche hazard maps, risk analyses and prioritisations for avalanche risk reduction were made. Operational and structural avalanche risk mitigation methods were proposed in the risky areas determined according to the prioritisations. This study emphasises the importance of using avalanche hazard maps in the planning of existing and future settlements, highways, tourism facilities, etc., and contributes to a better understanding of avalanche disaster by performing qualitative and quantitative risk analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMachine learning (ML) has been used to predict lower extremity joint torques from joint angles and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals. This study trained three bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models, which utilize joint angle, sEMG, and combined modalities as inputs, using a publicly accessible dataset to estimate joint torques during normal walking and assessed the performance of models, that used specific inputs independently plus the accuracy of the joint-specific torque prediction. The performance of each model was evaluated using normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Each model’s median scores for the PCC and nRMSE values were highly convergent and the bulk of the mean nRMSE values of all joints were less than 10%. The ankle joint torque was the most successfully predicted output, having a mean nRMSE of less than 9% for all models. The knee joint torque prediction has reached the highest accuracy with a mean nRMSE of 11% and the hip joint torque prediction of 10%. The PCC values of each model were significantly high and remarkably comparable for the ankle (∼ 0.98), knee (∼ 0.92), and hip (∼ 0.95) joints. The model obtained significantly close accuracy with single and combined input modalities, indicating that one of either input may be sufficient for predicting the torque of a particular joint, obviating the need for the other in certain contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Predisposing factors of Peyronie’s disease remain controversial. We know that obesity has extremely negative effects on erectile tissue. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between Peyronie’s disease and the body shape index (ABSI), which is a new parameter for the evaluation of visceral adiposity. Materials and Methods: In this study, 55 healthy volunteers (group-1) and 50 Peyronie’s disease patients (group-2). Age, comorbidities, waist circumference (WC), height, body mass index (BMI), testosterone, fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and ABSI scores of all patients were analyzed. In addition, plaque sizes, duration of symptoms, and curvature degrees of patients in group 2 were calculated. Results: The mean ages of group 1 and group 2 were 57.02±8.34 years and 56.02±10.65 years, respectively (p>0.05). Fasting glucose, WC, BMI, and ABSI values were significantly higher in group 2 (p=0.031, p<0.001, p=0.026 and p<0.001). LDL and HDLvalues were similar between both groups (p>0.05). The IIEF score was observed to be lower in group 2 (p<0.001). In terms of ABSI values, the discrimination power of Peyronie’s disease was strong. The cut-off value for the ABSI score was 0.08. For this cut-off point, classification success was determined as 88.0% sensitivity and 80.0% selectivity. Conclusion: ABSI can be a reliable independent risk factor for Peyronie’s disease and a predictor of visceral adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design of a Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistor-based ultra-wideband (UWB) high-efficiency power amplifier (PA) with 25W (44 dBm) output power operating in the 2-6 GHz frequency band. The design of the matching circuits is based on a simplified systematic approach utilizing the target impedance trajectory. The Macom CGHV1F025S model GaN transistor and Rogers RT5870 model substrate are used in the design. The experimental results show that performance of the implemented PA offers 9.8 dB power gain, 43.8 dBm output power, and power-added efficiency (PAE) between 41% and 57% in the 2-6 GHz band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective : Dexpanthenol (DXP), which has known neuroprotective effects, has been shown to be beneficial in various experimental models and ischaemic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of DXP in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Methods : Thirty-six Wistar-Albino female rats, approximately 6 months old, weighing 220–285 g were used. All rats were subjected to closed head trauma by dropping a weight of 350 g on the parietal region from a height of 50 cm at an angle of 180 degrees in the prepared head trauma model setup. The rats were divided into four groups as control (group 1), trauma (group 2), trauma + DXP (group 3), and DXP (group 4). In group 3, DXP was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 500 mg/kg for six times at 30 minutes, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours. In group 4, DXP was administered intraperitoneally simultaneously with group 3 without causing head trauma. Blood samples were taken from all rats 72 hours later for biochemical examination. After blood samples were taken, rats were decapitated under general anaesthesia. Cerebral tissue samples were taken from decapitated rats for immunohistochemical and histopathological examination. Results : Cytokine markers were found to be increased in posttraumatic brain tissue. Malondialdehyde and glutathione reductase levels were lower in group 3 compared to group 2. In addition, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels were significantly higher in group 3 compared to group 2. In histological evaluation, congestion in the piamater layer, cell infiltration, vascular congestion, hemorrhage and neuronal degeneration were significantly decreased in group 3 compared to group 2. DXP seems to be beneficial in neurological recovery in terms of histological and oxidative changes after head trauma in rats. Conclusion : DXP should be further evaluated for its possible therapeutic effect in TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Repeated Reading and Visual Comprehension Program (TOGAP) developed to support the reading comprehension skills of primary school students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. The research was conducted with four primary school students with SLD. The changing criterion design, one of the single-subject research designs, was utilized. Results yielded that TOGAP, developed within the scope of this study, was effective in the development of reading comprehension skills of three out of four participating students with SLD. TOGAP, targetted primary school students with SLD, is effective primarily in improving reading comprehension skills as well as increasing the number of correct words read per minute, and the rate of reading accuracy. Social validity data that shows satisfaction of all stakeholders from TOGAP, contributed to the literature in addition to quantitative data which presented the effectiveness of the program. TOGAP is suggested to be used in resource rooms in schools and special education and rehabilitation centers; to be adapted to tablets, computers etc., and to be used with students with various special educational needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]