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A portable and performant graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated library for electron repulsion integral (ERI) evaluation, named LibERI, has been developed and implemented via directive-based (e.g., OpenMP and OpenACC) and standard language parallelism (e.g., Fortran DO CONCURRENT). Offloaded ERIs consist of integrals over low and high contraction s, p, and d functions using the rotated-axis and Rys quadrature methods. GPU codes are factorized based on previous developments [Pham et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 19(8), 2213–2221 (2023)] with two layers of integral screening and quartet presorting. In this work, the density screening is moved to the GPU to enhance the computational efficacy for large molecular systems. The L-shells in the Pople basis set are also separated into pure S and P shells to increase the ERI homogeneity and reduce atomic operations and the memory footprint. LibERI is compatible with any quantum chemistry drivers supporting the MolSSI Driver Interface. Benchmark calculations of LibERI interfaced with the GAMESS software package were carried out on various GPU architectures and molecular systems. The results show that the LibERI performance is comparable to other state-of-the-art GPU-accelerated codes (e.g., TeraChem and GMSHPC) and, in some cases, outperforms conventionally developed ERI CUDA kernels (e.g., QUICK) while fully maintaining portability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable hiking and camping common content knowledge test for Turkish preservice physical education teachers. Method: Participants were 305 physical education students who had previously completed hiking and camping content course in Physical Education Teacher Education. The researchers followed five steps to develop the test. The Rasch model was utilized for data analysis. Results: Findings showed a good item model fit for all items, except Item 4. Results also indicated that the developed test had high internal consistency for both item difficulty and person ability. Overall, the test findings demonstrated good evidence to support the validity and reliability of hiking and camping common content knowledge test. Discussion/Conclusion: The developed test can be used for measuring hiking and camping knowledge level of physical education teachers and Physical Education Teacher Education students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the dimensional accuracy of implant impressions obtained using five different tray types and two techniques. Materials and Methods: A partially dentate maxillary Kennedy Class II model was created as a reference model through 3D printing. Then, implant analogs 4.3 mm in diameter were placed at the first premolar, first molar, and second molar sites. Five types of trays were used to create impressions: (1) metal stock trays, (2) plastic stock trays, (3) custom trays fabricated using liquid crystal display (LCD), (4) custom trays fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM), and (5) custom trays fabricated using urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) resin. Open and closed tray techniques were also compared. In total, 150 impressions were obtained. The reference model and impressions were scanned using a laboratory scanner. Additionally, the positional and angular deviations of implants with different tray types and techniques were evaluated using the superimposition method. Results: There was no statistically significant difference (P > .05) between the impression accuracy with the different tray types and impression techniques. The angular deviations with plastic and UDMA trays were greater than those with metal, FDM, and LCD trays. Angular deviation at the second molar was greater when using closed plastic trays compared to open plastic trays. The highest and lowest positional deviations were observed at the first molar implant with an open plastic tray impression (mean ± SD of 62.46 ± 28.54 mm) and a closed LCD tray impression (36.59 ± 29.93 mm). The greatest angular deviation was observed with an open FDM tray impression at the first premolar implant (0.067 ± 0.024 degree), and the lowest angular deviation was observed with a closed metal stock tray impression at the second molar implant (0.039 ± 0.025 degree). Statistical differences were detected using the Mann-Whitney U test for paired groups and the Kruskal-Wallis test for groups with more than three comparisons (P > .05). Conclusions: Plastic and metal stock trays or conventional and 3D-printed custom trays can be used to obtain implant impressions for maxillary partially edentulous arches with similar dimensional accuracy. The five tray types and two techniques may be safely used to obtain impressions of partially edentulous maxillary arches with three implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy of teriparatide and raloxifene on the osseointegration of titanium dental implants in a rabbit model of osteoporotic bone. Materials and Methods: Sixty female rabbits were randomly divided into six groups. The sham ovariectomy group (control) consisted of animals that received no medication. Animals in the ovariectomy group (OVX) underwent ovariectomy and received no medication. The combined group consisted of ovariectomized animals that received combined teriparatide (10 mg/kg) for 12 weeks and raloxifene (10 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. The sequential group (SEQ) consisted of ovariectomized animals that received teriparatide (10 mg/kg) for the first 6 weeks and raloxifene therapy (10 mg/kg) for the following 6 weeks sequentially. The parathormone (PTH) and raloxifene (RAL) groups consisted of ovariectomized animals that received only teriparatide (10 mg/kg) for 12 weeks or raloxifene (10 mg/kg) for 12 weeks, respectively. Dental implants (Bilimplant) were placed in the proximal metaphysis of both tibias in all rabbits. Histomorphometric and microCT studies were performed on the specimens obtained from the right tibia bone. Removal torque (RTQ) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) tests were performed on the specimens obtained from the left tibia bone. The results were compared and evaluated statistically. Results: RTQ analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean values of the combined group (93.01 ± 27.19 Ncm) and the OVX group (49.6 ± 12.5 Ncm) (P = .015). The highest mean T0 (implantation day) value was obtained in the control group (67.1 ± 3.4 Ncm), and the lowest mean value was obtained in the OVX group (61.4 ± 3.8 Ncm). The highest T1 mean (3 months after implantation) was obtained by the combined group (76.6 ± 3.8 Ncm), and the lowest mean was obtained by the OVX group (68.9 ± 6.2 Ncm). Histomorphometric analyses showed that the mean percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC%) of the combined group (51.2%) was significantly higher than that of the OVX group (28.6%) (P =.006). In the microCT examinations, it was found that the mean BIC% value of the combined group (41.1%) was significantly higher than that of the OVX group (24.1%) (P < .001). Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, combined therapy of teriparatide and raloxifene improves the BIC and osseointegration of titanium dental implants in osteoporotic bone compared with sequential or independent therapy with these agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a newly described disease manifestation in children associated with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be easily confused with Kawasaki disease with its clinical and laboratory findings. In this study, the clinical findings, organ involvements, similarities, and differences in laboratory and imaging of the children with MIS-C and KD at the time of admission will be revealed in detail, and the treatment methods and follow-up results will be revealed. Material and method: Our study was a single-center study and included pediatric patients who were treated with a diagnosis of MIS-C between March 2020 and July 2023 in the pediatric cardiology, pediatric emergency, pediatric infection, and pediatric intensive care clinics at Celal Bayar University and who were treated with a diagnosis of KD (complete/incomplete) between January 2015 and July 2023. MIS-C diagnosis was made according to the Turkish Ministry of Health COVID-19 guidelines. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiography findings, treatments given, and clinical course of all patients included in the study were evaluated. Results: The median age was 30 months (7–84) in KD and 96 months (6-204) in MIS-C, and it was significantly higher in the MIS-C group (p = 0.000). Symptom duration was significantly longer in the MIS-C group (p = 0.000). In terms of clinical features, gastrointestinal syndrome findings (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) and respiratory findings (dyspnea) were significantly higher in the MIS-C group (p = 0.007, p = 0.000, p = 0.002, respectively). Regarding cardiovascular system involvement, coronary involvement was significantly higher in the KD group. However, valvular involvement, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and pericardial effusion were significantly higher in the MIS-C group (p = 0.000, p = 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.023, respectively). In terms of laboratory findings, white blood cell count was higher in KD (p = 0.000), absolute lymphocyte count, platelet level, blood sodium, and albumin levels were lower in MIS-C group (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.003, respectively), ferritin and troponin levels were significantly higher in MIS-C group. These results were statistically significant (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, respectively). D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were high in both groups, and no significant statistical difference was detected between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the length of hospitalization and mortality, but steroid use was significantly higher in the MIS-C group (p = 0.000). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the similarities and differences between MIS-C and KD regarding clinical findings, organ involvement, and laboratory and imaging results. The results of our study have important implications in terms of contributing to the data in the existing literature on these two diseases and for the correct diagnosis and better management of pediatric patients presenting with these disorders. What is known: Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is a newly described disease manifestation in children associated with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be easily confused with Kawasaki disease with its clinical and laboratory findings. What is new: Although MIS-C and KD have many similarities, their symptoms, disease processes, possible complications, and treatment regimens may differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare three different types of custom-made root-analog immediate (RAI) dental implants. Materials and Methods: Patients with fractured and/or nonrestorable teeth with uncompromised periodontal ligaments were included in the study. The exclusion criteria were as follows: any uncontrolled systemic disease, bruxism, poor oral hygiene, active periodontal disease, and/or chronic marginal periodontitis. CBCT scans of the teeth were taken, and the datasets were used to reconstruct 3D models that were transferred to 3D modeling software to design the RAIs. Group 1 (GR1) consisted of zirconia RAIs manufactured using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, group 2 (GR2) consisted of titanium RAIs formed by using a CNC machine, and group 3 (GR3) consisted of titanium RAIs manufactured by using direct laser metal sintering (DLMS) technology, all of which were placed immediately after tooth extraction. Primary stability was measured by using Periotest M. Metal-ceramic single crowns were cemented 3 months later. All implants were evaluated clinically and radiologically 1 year after implant placement. Results: A total of 51 patients (18 men, 33 women) aged between 18 and 66 years (average 34.2 years) were included in the study. In 4 patients, RAIs could not be placed due to the lack of primary stability, and they were excluded. In the remaining 47 patients, the custom-made RAIs (GR1: n = 21, GR2: n = 17, GR3: n = 18, total: n = 56) were placed into fresh extraction sockets immediately after tooth extraction for each patient. Primary stability was achieved. Periotest values (PTV) were between -1.4 and -6.2 (mean -3.3). The mean initial PTV (PTV0) was -2.3 ± 1.8 for the failed implants and -4.5 ± 0.8 for the surviving implants. PTV0 was an independent risk factor (HR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.56-8.35, P = .004) for survival rate, which was 33.3%, 70.6%, and 44.4% for GR1, GR2, and GR3, respectively. The overall survival rate was 48.2%. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the probability of survival (P = .051). The survival rate was significantly lower for anterior RAIs (P < .001). Clinically healthy gingival margins were observed without any signs of periodontitis or implant mobility, and the mean PTV was -4.0 ± 1.9 in surviving implants, whereas the mean marginal bone loss was 1.3 ± 0.6 mm (median, 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1-3.4) at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: This study was the first attempt to compare different RAI manufacturing techniques and biomaterials in the literature. Although the probability of survival was not statistically significant between the groups, the survival rate in GR2 was higher than in the other two groups. Nevertheless, the overall survival rate was significantly lower (48.2%) than in the previous reports. Primary stability was an independent risk factor for failure. Further studies with the minimized variables between groups should be designed for precise results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the expression of core molecular clock genes/proteins in penile cavernous tissue from healthy male subjects and to determine whether their expression has circadian variation. Materials and Methods: Corpus cavernosum biopsy samples were obtained from 10 healthy males with penile deviation or fracture who underwent surgical intervention during the day and night. The daytime group (n=5) underwent corpus cavernosum tissue sampling during zeitgeber time (ZT) 8–12, while the nighttime group (n=5) underwent sampling during ZT 20–24. The expression and localization of BMAL1, CLOCK, PER1, PER2, PER3, CRY1, and CRY2 proteins were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and quantified using H-score analysis. RT-qPCR analysis was performed to assess the expression of core molecular clock genes in the corpus cavernosum tissue of 5 additional daytime patients. Results: The expression of core molecular clock proteins was detected in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in corpus cavernosum during daytime and nighttime. BMAL1 exhibited the most significant nuclear expression during daytime in both cell types, whereas its expression decreased significantly at night. In VECs, a significant decrease in the nuclear expression of CRY1 was observed at night. In SMCs, a significant decrease in the cytoplasmic expression of PER3 was observed at night. The expression patterns of the core molecular clock genes were ascertained through a RT-qPCR analysis. Conclusions: Our research provides compelling evidence that core molecular clock genes are distinctly expressed in penile tissue in humans. Furthermore, we observed the expression of molecular clock proteins within the VECs and SMCs of the corpus cavernosum, with BMAL1 being the most prominently expressed. The discovery of core molecular clock genes in penile tissue, as well as proteins within the SMCs and VECs of the corpus cavernosum, introduces the potential significance of the molecular clock mechanism in the physiology of penile erection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the vertical marginal discrepancy (VMD) and residual excess cement (REC) of cementable and screwmentable monolithic zirconia crowns cemented with different types of cement. Abutments were attached to 40 implant analogues. Crowns were created using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology from monolithic zirconia blocks, either with or without a screw access hole (SAC). Crowns created both ways were split into two groups and cemented with resin and zinc polycarboxylate cement under a 5-kg weight. VMD and REC values were evaluated using an X20 zoom stereomicroscope. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni test. According to the two-way ANOVA results, REC measurements differed significantly in the crown design and cement groups. However, whilst VMD values were significantly different in both crown design groups, there was no significant difference in the cement groups. According to the Bonferroni test results, the highest REC (157.241 ± 44.29 µm) and VMD (68.052 ± 16.19 µm) values were found in the crowns without SAC and cemented with zinc polycarboxylate. Screwmentable crowns are more effective than cementable crowns in reducing REC and VMD. Whilst polycarboxylate cement reduces VMD in screwmentable crowns, resin cement is more suitable for cementable crowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software can be vulnerable to various types of interference. The production of cyber threat intelligence for closed source software requires significant effort, experience, and many manual steps. The objective of this study is to automate the process of producing cyber threat intelligence, focusing on closed source software vulnerabilities. To achieve our goal, we have developed a system called cti-for-css. Deep learning algorithms were used for detection. To simplify data representation and reduce pre-processing workload, the study proposes the function-as-sentence approach. The MLP, OneDNN, LSTM, and Bi-LSTM algorithms were trained using this approach with the SOSP and NDSS18 binary datasets, and their results were compared. The aforementioned datasets contain buffer error vulnerabilities (CWE-119) and resource management error vulnerabilities (CWE-399). Our results are as successful as the studies in the literature. The system achieved the best performance using Bi-LSTM, with F1 score of 82.4%. Additionally, AUC score of 93.0% was acquired, which is the best in the literature. The study concluded by producing cyber threat intelligence using closed source software. Shareable intelligence was produced in an average of 0.1 s, excluding the detection process. Each record, which was represented using our approach, was classified in under 0.32 s on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 6, 2023, southeastern Türkiye experienced devastating doublet earthquakes (Mw = 7.7 and Mw = 7.6) with a series of aftershocks along the East Anatolian Fault Zone. The mainshocks were followed by ~ 15,000 aftershocks mainly distributed in the NNE–SSW direction, including ~ 400 events with an Mw ≥ 4.0 in the following 30 days. Although many moderate to large earthquakes have occurred in the historical and instrumental periods of this region, these double earthquakes and their aftershocks majorly impacted lives and released great seismic energy. In this study, we interpret the gravity-magnetic data and the epicenter and hypocenter distributions of the aftershocks to correlate the tectonic structures and the active fault zones. The results of potential field anomalies reveal that the rotational anomalies in the southwestward direction are associated with the tectonic structure of Anatolia. Results show that shallow aftershocks are associated with high-gravity anomalies, whereas deeper aftershocks are associated with low-gravity anomalies and they become shallower in places where gravity values increase. After the derivative transformations are applied to the magnetic anomalies, it is seen that the faults and regions of magnetic discontinuity are in good agreement. Consequently, the findings on gravity, magnetic anomalies and aftershock sequences demonstrate that the first mainshock occurred in the unbroken segment of the East Anatolian Fault Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed an innovative biosensor strategy for the sensitive and selective detection of canine mammary tumor biomarkers, cancer antigen 15–3 (CA 15–3) and mucin 1 (MUC-1), integrating green silver nanoparticles (GAgNPs) with machine learning (ML) algorithms to achieve high diagnostic accuracy and potential for noninvasive early detection. The GAgNPs-enhanced electrochemical biosensor demonstrated selective detection of CA 15–3 in serum and MUC-1 in tissue homogenates, with limits of detection (LODs) of 0.07 and 0.11 U mL−1, respectively. The nanoscale dimensions of the GAgNPs endowed them with electrochemically active surface areas, facilitating sensitive biomarker detection. Experimental studies targeted CA 15–3 and MUC-1 biomarkers in clinical samples, and the biosensor exhibited ease of use and good selectivity. Furthermore, ML algorithms were employed to analyze the electrochemical data and predict biomarker concentrations, enhancing the diagnostic accuracy. The Random Forest algorithm achieved 98% accuracy in tumor presence prediction, while an Artificial Neural Network attained 76% accuracy in CA 15–3-based tumor grade classification. The integration of ML techniques with the GAgNPs-based biosensor offers a promising approach for noninvasive, accurate, and early detection of canine mammary tumors, potentially revolutionizing veterinary diagnostics. This multilayered strategy, combining eco-friendly nanomaterials, electrochemical sensing, and ML algorithms, holds significant potential for advancing both biomedical research and clinical practice in the field of canine mammary tumor diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral respiratory infection in infants. This study aimed to establish the potential changes in the clinical course of RSV in the neonatal period with the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic. Study Design During the observational study period, newborns diagnosed with community-acquired RSV infection and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were evaluated. RSV-infected neonates before the COVID-19 pandemic were classified as Group 1 , those during the strict isolation period as Group 2 , and RSV-infected newborns after the removal of restrictions were classified as Group 3. Results A total of 208 community-acquired RSV-infected neonates were analyzed. The median age at admission to the NICU was 26 days, and the mean gestational week was 37.2 ± 2.7. The ratio of hospitalized babies with RSV infection to all hospitalized newborns rose after the pandemic significantly (1.9, 1.6, and 5.2%; p < 0.001). Following the pandemic, there was an increase in full-term, early-term, and late-preterm cases. Nevertheless, no change was observed in the number of preterm cases (p > 0.05). There was also a statistically significant increase in the need for intubation, noninvasive ventilation (NIV), supplemental oxygen, inhaled bronchodilator drugs, and length of hospital stay in Group 3 after the pandemic (p < 0.001). All these parameters related to more severe RSV infection when the precautions were removed, while there was a milder disease with restrictions during the pandemic in Group 2 (p < 0.001). However, none died due to RSV infection during the study because of timely supportive care. Conclusion Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency and severity of RSV infection in newborns have increased, and it can result in a serious clinical picture even in full-term babies with no comorbidities. Attention to strict contact precautions, particularly in newborns, who are a more vulnerable population after the pandemic, may play an important role in any future outbreak. Key Points The course of neonatal RSV infection has changed after the pandemic. A statistically significant increase was observed in the need of intubation in newborns with RSV. The strict precautions during the pandemic also helped to prevent the transmission of RSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes and poor glycaemic control have been shown to negatively impact cognitive abilities, while also raising risk of both mood disorders and brain structural atrophy. Sites of atrophy include the hippocampus, which has been implicated in both memory performance and depression. The current study set out to better characterise the associations between poor glycaemic control, memory performance, and depression symptoms, and investigate whether loss of hippocampal volume could represent a neuropathological mechanism underlying these. Methods: 1331 participants (60.9% female, age range 18–88 (Mean = 44.02), 6.5% with likely diabetes) provided HbA1c data (as an index of glycaemic control), completed a word list learning task, and a validated depression scale. A subsample of 392 participants underwent structural MRI; hippocampal volumes were extracted using FreeSurfer. Results: Partial correlation analyses (controlling for age, gender, and education) showed that, in the full sample, poorer glycaemic control was related to lower word list memory performance. In the MRI sub-sample, poorer glycaemic control was related to higher depressive symptoms, and lower hippocampal volumes. Total hippocampus volume partially mediated the association between HbA1c levels and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Results emphasise the impact of glycaemic control on memory, depression and hippocampal volume and suggest hippocampal volume loss could be a pathophysiological mechanism underlying the link between HbA1c and depression risk; inflammatory and stress-hormone related processes might have a role in this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Turkish Literature, Culture, Education is the property of International Journal of Turkish, Literature, Culture, Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The time-fractional partial differential equations were solved by the fractional natural transform decomposition method. Fractional derivatives are Caputo sense. The Fornberg-Whitham equation is a generalization of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, which describes the propagation of long waves in shallow water. It includes higher-order dispersion terms, making it applicable to a wider range of dispersive media the fractional natural transform decomposition method (FNTDM) was also used to examine applications, and the solutions obtained by this method have been compared to those obtained by the variational iteration method, fractional variational iteration method, and homotopy perturbation method. In addition, the MAPLE package drew graphs of the solutions of nonlinear time-fractional partial differential equations, taking into account physics. The method described in this study exhibited a notable degree of computational precision and straightforwardness when used to the analysis and resolution of intricate phenomena pertaining to fractional nonlinear partial differential equations within the domains of science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Institute of Science & Technology / Iğdır Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi is the property of Igdir University, Institute of Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose In this study, the changes in microvascular circulation caused by pregestational and gestational diabetes were observed, without focusing on retinal findings, to reveal the effect of diabetes regulation. Methods A total of 135 subjects were included: 30 with gestational diabetes (GDM), 30 pregestational diabetes (PGDM), 30 healthy pregnant normoglycemic subjects, and 45 healthy non-pregnant subjects. All subjects were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography. The retina, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), choroidal thickness (CT), superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris (CC), vascular density (VD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas were measured. Results The foveal VD of SCP and DCP was significantly lower in the PGDM and GDM groups compared to the control groups (p:0.006 and p:0.001, respectively). CC VD was significantly higher in all pregnant groups compared to non-pregnant controls (p<0.001). The choroidal thickness values were highest in the healthy pregnant group and lowest in the PGDM group. There was no significant difference in FAZ area, retina, RNFL and GCL thickness between the groups. In the PGDM group, a negative correlation was observed between the FAZ area and the HbA1c level (r:− 0.417, p:0.043). Conclusion There was a decrease in vascular density in pregnant women with diabetes compared to healthy pregnant women and controls. In the pregnant group with PGDM, a narrowing of the FAZ area was observed with increasing worsening of diabetes control. Diabetes type and glycemic control could influence the microvascular changes even in the absence of clinical or retinal findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a common invasive tumor in women, and the most common subtype of breast cancer is luminal A. Hormonal therapies are the primary treatment for luminal A, but treatment options are limited. Vulpinic acid (VA), a lichen compound, inhibited cancer cells. Here, we aimed to reveal the functional role and mechanism of VA in luminal A breast cancer. Experiments associated with the ferroptosis mechanism were performed to reveal the role of vulpinic acid on luminal A-breast cancer and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that VA induced the ferroptosis pathway by decreasing glutathione (GSH) levels while increasing lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and intracellular Fe2+ levels in MCF-7 cells. After treatment of MCF-7 cells with VA, the ferroptosis-related gene expression profile was significantly altered. Western blot analysis showed that GPX4 protein levels were down-regulated and LPCAT3 protein levels were up-regulated after VA treatment. Our study suggests that apoptosis and ferroptosis act together in VA-mediated tumor suppression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. These findings suggest that VA, an anti-neoplastic agent, could potentially treat luminal A targeted breast cancer via the ferroptosis pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Given the limited studies on types of vaccination and infection rates among health care workers (HCWs) in Türkiye, we analyzed the demographic, clinical, and vaccination characteristics as well as the attitudes of HCWs who have been infected with COVID-19. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed demographic and clinical data on breakthrough COVID-19 infections in HCWs from hospital surveillance data collected between April 5, 2020, and November 1, 2022. The comparison was based on four subgroups that consisted of unvaccinated, one-shot-vaccinated, homologous vaccinated, and heterologous vaccinated individuals. Participants who received various combinations of Sinovac/CoronaVac and/or BioNTech/Pfizer vaccines were compared for detection of COVID-19. Results: During a 33-month period of 744 HCWs who contracted COVID-19, women (65.3%) and nurses (28.9%) were the most affected, followed by doctors (25.8%). Of the infected HCWs, only 1.3% required hospitalization, 0.3% required ICU support, and 98.4% were outpatients. By vaccination status, 143 of the HCWs (19.2%) were unvaccinated, 292 (39.2%) were homologously vaccinated, 294 (39.5%) were heterologously vaccinated, 15 (2%) received a single shot, 206 (27.7%) received two shots, and 165 (22.2%) received three shots. All HCWs contracted COVID-19 at a mean of 134- days (range:1-539) after vaccination. While the proportions of homologously and heterologously vaccinated HCWs were similar, the time elapsed from vaccination to contracting COVID-19 varied (mean 143.4±106.7 vs.126.4±82.43 days). Conclusions: Among both outpatients and inpatients with COVID-19, women HCWs outnumbered men HCWs. HCWs who received homologous vaccination contracted COVID-19 later than those who received heterologous vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-world multi-criteria problems can be solved using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques that allow a variety of qualitative and quantitative aspects to be taken into account simultaneously. There have been an increasing number of theories and approaches created for solving distinct MCDM situations with proportionate and conflicting aspects. Judgments about alternatives considered in MCDM methods may change according to the circumstances and conditions that may occur in the future. Many existing decision-making approaches do not take this situation into account, which may cause wrong decisions. Therefore, it is necessary to create adaptable decision models that make use of both current and future information in order to handle a dynamic decision system. The novelty of this study is to develop a novel MCDM method and its intuitionistic fuzzy set extension, Multi-Period Dynamic ASsessment (MP-DAS) and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multi-Period Dynamic ASsessment (IF MP-DAS), to provide a dynamic decision approach based on present and future information simultaneously. The objective is to present a dynamic-based MCDM method with as many future time points as experts prefer and a stronger multi-measurement system. By concentrating on medium- and long-term judgments that take into account potential variations of the addressed components, the established method enables more informed decisions to be made for complicated problems. In the study, a multi-measurement system is developed by using both Euclidean distance and distance from average solution. The proposed dynamic decision method can be applied by managers and decision-makers as a decision support system. To show the efficiency and applicability of the developed method, a renewable energy source selection problem is handled, where the assessments include possible variations for both developed methods. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is conducted to confirm the effectiveness and stability of the method for the developed methods. The results of the comparison analysis with distance-based MCDM and intuitionistic fuzzy distance-based MCDM methods showed that the developed method is superior to other MCDM methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial planning includes various decisions that guide the formulation of land policies, such as planned urbanisation, environment-nature-culture protection, and safe agriculture. Land Administration Systems (LASs) should also include spatial planning decisions as they play a role in facilitating the implementation of land policies. In this study, the Turkish spatial planning system's role in the land administration is discussed. The paper presents the necessity of designing and standardising the spatial planning system as data model. This data model design includes not only spatial plan decisions but also documents that guide spatial planning and land development decisions caused by planning. Therefore, this study aims to present a standardised model of the Turkish spatial planning system and the land use rights, restrictions and responsibilities established by spatial plans. Designing spatial planning system information as a conceptual data model within the Land Administration Domain Model is expected to support land administration system-based improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy of topical vancomycin and povidone iodine (PI) application on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) keratitis model in rabbits. MRSA keratitis was induced by injecting 0.1 mL MRSA containing 1000 colony-forming units (CFU) into central cornea of right eyes of 24 New Zealand White rabbits. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 6): control (treated with balanced salt solution), 50 mg/mL topical vancomycin, 5% topical PI, and combination; examined before and after treatment, and corneal tissues were harvested for analysis at 9th hour of treatment. Bacterial load was determined as: 7.63 ± 0.82 log10 CFU/g in control group, 6.95 ± 1.66 log10 CFU/g in PI group, 4.67 ± 0.77 log10 CFU/g in combination group, and 4.33 ± 0.71 log10 CFU/g in vancomycin group (p = 0.001). Median of total clinical score increased significantly from 7 [range: 5–8] to 11.5 [range: 11–15] (p = 0.001) in control group, did not change (6 [range: 5–8] to 7 [range: 5–7]; p = 0.695) in vancomycin group, increased significantly from 7 [range: 5–8] to 12.5 [range: 10–14] (p < 0.001) in PI group, increased significantly from 6.5 [range: 5–7] to 8 [range: 7–9] in combination group (p = 0.002). Post-treatment clinical scores for chemosis, conjunctival injection, iritis, hypopyon, epithelial erosion, and corneal infiltrate were significantly lower in vancomycin-treated groups compared to others (p < 0.05). In PI-treated groups, especially scores for chemosis, conjunctival injection, epithelial erosion and corneal infiltrate were significantly higher than vancomycin (p < 0.05). Topical vancomycin significantly inhibited bacterial growth in MRSA keratitis. However, PI was ineffective in controlling this growth; additionally, exerted toxic effect on ocular surface. When vancomycin was combined with PI, no additional increase in efficacy of treatment was detected compared to only vancomycin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To synthesise evidence regarding organisational practice environment factors affecting healthcare workforce development, recruitment, and retention in the UK. Methods/data sources: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and PsycINFO yielded ten relevant studies published between 2018 and 2023 and conducted in the UK (the last search was conducted in March 2023). Adhering to The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, two independent reviewers conducted screening, sifting, and data extraction, applying the quality assessment tool for risk of bias. Results: Results highlight key factors associated with staff intention to leave/turnover/retention: workplace challenges, aggression, moral distress, on-the-job embeddedness, leadership involvement, organisational support, and flexible shift patterns. Notably, aggression from colleagues, including clinical staff but not interdisciplinary personnel, has a more detrimental impact on staff intention to leave than aggression from patients. Conclusion: The complex and context-dependent impacts of these organisational factors on the UK healthcare workforce underscore the need for tailored interventions. The review acknowledges limitations, including bias from excluding qualitative studies, a small pool of included studies, and nurse overrepresentation. Summary statement: What is already known: Securement and retainment issues affect different aspects of health and care services. Moreover, healthcare workforce shortages persist in the UK. What this paper adds: Our findings on the importance of workplace challenges and aggression, moral distress, on-the-job-embeddedness, leadership, flexible shift pattern, and organisational support in staff retention are important to addressing the current UK healthcare workforce crisis. Implications for practice/policy: The findings of this review are important to healthcare commissioners, policymakers, and stakeholders, offering valuable insights for dealing with factors contributing to shortages in the healthcare workforce and enhancing staff satisfaction and retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory functions may be impaired in cesarean section (C/S) delivery performed under spinal anesthesia (SA) and oxygen supplementation may be required. Therefore, we conducted a randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of different oxygen administrations in pregnant women on the lungs during C/S under SA using ultrasound and oxygen reserve index (ORI). Methods: We conducted a randomized, controlled, single-center study from May 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. A total of 90 patients scheduled for C/S under SA were randomly divided into 3 groups. Following the SA, patients in group 0 were treated with room air, in Group 3 were administered 3 L/min O₂ with a nasal cannula (NC), in Group 6 were administered 6 L/min O₂ with a simple face mask. In addition to routine monitoring, ORI values were measured. Lung aeration was evaluated through the modified lung ultrasound score (LUS) before the procedure (T0), at minute 0 (T1), 20 (T2), and hour 6 (T3) after the procedure, and ∆LUS values were recorded. Results: After SA, the ORI values of Group 3 were higher than Group 0 at all times (p < 0.05), while the intraoperative 1st minute and the 10th, 25th and 40th minutes after delivery (p = 0.001, p = 0.027, p = 0.001, p = 0.019) was higher than Group 6. When the LUS values of each group were compared with the T0 values a decrease was observed in Group 3 and Group 6 (p < 0.001, p = 0.016). While ∆LUS values were always higher in Group 3 than in Group 0, they were higher only in T1 and T2 in Group 6. Conclusion: We determined that it would be appropriate to prefer 3 L/min supplemental oxygen therapy with NC in C/S to be performed under SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Higher Education / Yüksekögretim Dergisi is the property of Deomed Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B-PLL) was recognized as a distinct entity in the fourth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification for hematolymphoid neoplasms (WHO-HAEM4); however, its de novo presentation has been removed from the upcoming 5th edition classification (WHO-HAEM5). We present a case of a 65-year-old man with leukocytosis, fatigue, and no organomegaly by imaging. Bone marrow examination showed a prolymphocytoid population comprising 78% of the marrow elements. After thorough exclusion of other entities by clinical parameters and ancillary methods, we concluded that this case represents a de novo case of B-PLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information on the current status of oral health and related risk factors is lacking in Turkiye. This study aimed to evaluate dental caries and associated factors among the Turkish population using the findings of the third national oral health survey. Methods: This cross‐sectional epidemiological survey was carried out between March and September in 2018 including five index ages and age groups (5‐, 12‐, 15‐year‐olds, 35–44 and 65–74 age groups). A multistage cluster sampling design was used to obtain a national representative sample of these age groups. Participants were interviewed face‐to‐face using a structured questionnaire, and oral examinations were performed based on the methods and criteria suggested by the World Health Organization. The adjusted prevalence ratio for dental caries was estimated considering sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics by using log‐binomial and robust Poisson regression analysis in R and SAS software. Results: After data cleaning, a total of 11 091 participants remained. The prevalence of dental caries was 76.5% (95% confidence interval: 75.4%–77.7%) and determined to be associated with age, dental visit, and pain or discomfort history during the previous year among the Turkish population. Prevalence was also associated with the mother's education level among 5‐, 12‐ and 15‐year‐olds. For the 35–44 age group, individuals living in urban areas had lower dental caries than those living in rural areas. For 65–74 age group, none of the factors were significantly associated with dental caries. Conclusion: A high prevalence of dental caries was observed in Turkish children and adults. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen current preventive oral health programs. Regular disease surveillance should be maintained. National oral health targets should be formulated in accordance with Turkiye's needs, resources and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have shown promise as antimicrobial nanoscale agents to overcome antimicrobial resistance. Recently, studies investigating the biological activity of antimicrobial monoelemental 2D nanomaterials such as graphene, borophene, and germanene in biomedical applications have gained momentum. In this study, the silicene nanosheet was fabricated using a simple high-energy sonication method. The silicene nanosheets were characterized by various techniques such as HRTEM, XRD, and FTIR. According to the characterization results, the silicene nanosheet had unique morphology and structure with nano-size, crystallinity, ultra-thin shape, and stability. In particular, microbiological results of the nanostructure showed that it had efficient antibacterial and antifungal activities against various pathogens such as Gram-positive strains, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungal strains. The cytotoxicity study performed by MTT assay indicates the cytocompatibility of silicene nanosheets. This work has shown that the hexagonal honeycomb silicene nanosheet exhibits excellent antibacterial and antifungal activities with good biocompatibility and thus could be developed as a novel strategy for use in biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the association between fetal fraction (FF) levels in cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a single center, involved 2063 pregnant women with normal 1st and 2nd trimester non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) results between 2016 and 2021. Pregnancy outcomes were examined by determining the < 4% and < 5th percentile (3.6%) cut-off values for low fetal fraction (LFF). Pregnancy outcomes were also examined by dividing the FF into population-based quartiles. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases (PIHD), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), low birth weight (LBW), macrosomia, and 1st and 5th minutes low APGAR scores (< 7). Results: PIHD was significantly higher in LFF (< 4% and < 5th percentile) cases (p = 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, in population-based quartiles of FF, PIHD did not differ significantly between groups. Composite adverse maternal outcomes were significantly higher in the FF < 4% group (p = 0.042). When analyzes were adjusted for maternal age, BMI, and gestational age at NIPT, significance was maintained at < 4%, < 5th percentile LFF for PIHD, and < 4% LFF for composite adverse maternal outcomes. However, there was no significant relationship between LFF with GDM, ICP and PTB. Additionally, there was no significant association between low APGAR scores, SGA, LGA, LBW, macrosomia, and LFF concerning neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: Our study showed that LFF in pregnant women with normal NIPT results may be a predictor of subsequent PIHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, three new orthogonal frames are defined for the curves lying on a surface. These moving frames, obtained based on the Darboux frame, are called “Osculator Darboux Frame”, “Normal Darboux Frame” and “Rectifying Darboux Frame”, respectively. Also, the Osculator Darboux Frame components and curvatures are calculated for a presented example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation is a promising technology for green hydrogen production yet faces difficulties in achieving stability and efficiency. The scientific community is pushing toward the development of new electrode materials and a better understanding of the underlying reactions and degradation mechanisms. Advances in photocatalytic materials are being pursued through the development of heterojunctions, tailored crystal nanostructures, doping, and modification of solid‐solid and solid‐electrolyte interfaces. Operando and in situ techniques are utilized to deconvolute the charge transfer mechanisms and degradation pathways. In this review, both materials development and Operando characterization are covered for advancing PEC technologies. The recent advances made in the PEC materials are first reviewed including the applied improvement strategies for transition metal oxides, nitrites, chalcogenides, Si, and group III‐V semiconductor materials. The efficiency, stability, scalability, and electrical conductivity of the aforementioned materials along with the improvement strategies are compared. Next, the Operando characterization methods and cite selected studies applied for PEC electrodes are described. Operando studies are very successful in elucidating the reaction mechanisms, degradation pathways, and charge transfer phenomena in PEC electrodes. Finally, the standing challenges and the potential opportunities are discussed by providing recommendations for designing more efficient and electrochemically stable PEC electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread utilization of nonrenewable fossil-based polymers has led to significant environmental damage. Bio-based Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has garnered substantial academic and industrial interest in the last two decades due to its advantageous characteristics for food packaging applications. Nonetheless, the improper disposal of PLA continues to contribute to the plastic waste problem. PLA recycling mainly involves thermal processes, facing challenges due to PLA's limited stability. This study aims to enhance PLA's molecular weight and melt viscosity by using chain extenders to increase its degree of branching. A modular chain extender capable of thermally forming highly reactive ketene intermediates is employed to react with PLA's hydroxyl and carboxyl end groups in a single step. For this purpose, copolymers of styrene and 2,2,5-trimethyl-5-(4-vinylbenzyl)-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione were synthesized using free radical polymerization and characterized through 1H-NMR, TGA, and DSC analyses. The chemical interaction between these chain extenders and molten PLA was also explored, resulting in increased PLA molecular weight and higher melting temperature (Tm), reaching 155.1 for PLA_2.5CE2. Additionally, the branching introduced through this process led to a notable increase in the UV absorption of PLA, suggesting potential applications in the packaging industry. The chemical tunability of this functional ketene-based chain extender holds promise for tailoring PLA's structure for diverse applications, further advancing its sustainability and utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the relationship between sociodemographic conditions and alcohol use among women. In this study, the microdata set of the Turkey Health Research survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2019 was used. The Chi-square independence test examined the relationship between alcohol use and independent variables. Using the Gompit regression analysis, the factors associated with the alcohol consumption of women were identified. It was determined that the variables of age, education status, marital status, general health status, psycho-social support status, disease status, working status, body mass index, tobacco use status, number of close people who can be trusted and the status of helping someone else were related to alcohol use status. This study emphasizes the importance of targeting women who are youthful, have a high level of education, use tobacco, are single, have a disease lasting six months or longer, are employed, and receive psychosocial support. These groups need more protection from alcohol consumption, and alcohol prevention and cessation programs should also focus on these groups. In order to develop effective strategies to reduce alcohol consumption, it is necessary to consider the factors that affect alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the aim was to examine the factors associated with the tobacco use status of individuals aged 60 and older. In this study, the microdata set obtained from the Turkey Health Survey conducted by TURKSTAT in 2016 and 2019 was used. The binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with tobacco use status at old age. According to the findings, 15.62% of older adults use tobacco. According to the results of the analysis, gender, age, educational status, marital status, employment status, body mass index, visiting a psychotherapist and psychiatrist, exposure to tobacco smoke and alcohol use influence tobacco use among older adults. At the end of this study, it was concluded that older males are in the high-risk group for tobacco use. For this reason, it is suggested that male specific tobacco prevention policies be implemented. The results indicated that being an older single was a risk factor for tobacco use. Therefore, efforts to increase social support for older adults living alone and social activities for older adults should be supported, and this issue should be highlighted in government action plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid particles as heat absorptances and storage mediums promise enhanced energy storage densities in concentrated solar power/thermal (CSP/T) plants. Employment of metallurgical slags as a secondary precursor material for solid particle preparation is ecologically and economically beneficial. Although these processed wastes, comprised of several oxides, exhibit generally promising high-temperature properties, chemical scattering from batch to batch may result in distinct material and functional properties, which may be an obstacle for their utilization. In this study, a steelmaking slag, LiDonit (LD), produced using a unique controlled slag treatment with high reproducibility is investigated as a candidate material. The aforementioned subsequent unique slag treatment makes LD a very promising and distinguishable secondary raw material for high-temperature applications. The as-received microstructure, phase components, and chemical composition of the LD material were analyzed to understand its material properties and to assess its reproducibility. The as-received LD chunks were transferred into pellets by subsequent milling, gel-casting, and sintering stages to reveal the potential processing routes. The CSP/T-related properties of sintered pellets, such as high temperature stability, heat capacity, and solar absorptance, were also examined to reveal their potential use in CSP/T applications and expand application areas with high added value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric vascular and lymphatic neoplasm caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8). It generally concerns the elderly and immunosuppressed population. Four major clinical types of KS have been described. The most common subtype is Classical KS (CKS). Objectives: Our retrospective study aimed to better define prognostic subgroups among patients with CKS, which is the most common in our country. Method: Between 2014 and 2020, 43 patients with CKS were treated with local excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Reviewed information included demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment responses and overall survival. Results: During the follow‐up, eight patients (18.6%) died of CKS. The complete response rate was 46.5%, partial response and stable disease 51.2%, and progressive disease 2.3% of all patients. Gender, haemoglobin level at diagnosis, and disseminated involvement were prognostic factors affecting survival in all patients. Conclusion: We confirmed that male gender, low haemoglobin levels, and disseminated involvement are associated with poor prognosis in CKS patients. It is the only Turkish study in which prognostic analysis was performed for this rare cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming sustainable business strategies globally, yet its specific applications within American enterprises remain underexplored. This study examines the integration of AI in sustainability efforts across various industries in the USA from 2014 to 2022. By analyzing 263 sustainability reports from 41 leading Nasdaq-listed firms using advanced text mining techniques, we uncover nuanced insights into how AI is employed to address environmental and social challenges. Our findings reveal a strategic deployment of AI not only to enhance operational efficiency, but also to drive significant environmental improvements, such as optimizing renewable energy usage and mitigating emissions. Additionally, AI's impact extends to fostering workplace safety, enhancing diversity, and bolstering community initiatives. This research highlights the critical role of AI as a catalyst in advancing sustainable practices, providing a blueprint for other regions and industries aiming to leverage technology for greater sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Timed 360° turn test (T-360° TT) was developed to assess balance and turning ability. Although validity and reliability have been performed in different diseases, validity and reliability have not been performed in individuals with ankle sprain (AS). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the T-360° TT in individuals with AS. Methods: The study included 54 individuals with AS. Participants were initially evaluated with T-360° TT, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Biodex Balance System (BBS). To assess test–retest reliability, the T-360° TT was performed again 5 days after the first measurement by the same assessor. Results: At the end of the study, strong positive correlations were found between T-360° TT with TUG test and BBS (p < 0.05). In addition, T-360° TT had excellent test–retest reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.87). Conclusion: The T-360° TT is a valid and reliable tool for the evaluation of balance and turning ability in individuals with AS. We also think that it can be used practically in clinical settings because it is a test that can be easily and quickly performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Lower-extremity ischemia–reperfusion injury can induce distant organ ischemia, and patients with diabetes are particularly susceptible to ischemia–reperfusion injury. Sevoflurane, a widely used halogenated inhalation anesthetic, and fullerenol C60, a potent antioxidant, were investigated for their effects on heart and lung tissues in lower-extremity ischemia–reperfusion injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 mice were divided into six groups: control (n = 6), diabetes–control (n = 7), diabetes–ischemia (n = 7), diabetes–ischemia–fullerenol C60 (n = 7), diabetes–ischemia–sevoflurane (n = 7), and diabetes–ischemia–fullerenol C60–sevoflurane (n = 7). Diabetes was induced in mice using a single intraperitoneal dose of 55 mg/kg STZ in all groups except for the control group. Mice in the control and diabetes–control groups underwent midline laparotomy and were sacrificed after 120 min. The DIR group underwent 120 min of lower-extremity ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. In the DIR-F group, mice received 100 μg/kg fullerenol C60 intraperitoneally 30 min before IR. In the DIR-S group, sevoflurane and oxygen were administered during the IR procedure. In the DIR-FS group, fullerenol C60 and sevoflurane were administered. Biochemical and histological evaluations were performed on collected heart and lung tissues. Results: Histological examination of heart tissues showed significantly higher necrosis, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, edema, and total damage scores in the DIR group compared to controls. These effects were attenuated in fullerenol-treated groups. Lung tissue examination revealed more alveolar wall edema, hemorrhage, vascular congestion, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, and higher total damage scores in the DIR group compared to controls, with reduced injury parameters in the fullerenol-treated groups. Biochemical analyses indicated significantly higher total oxidative stress, oxidative stress index, and paraoxonase-1 levels in the DIR group compared to the control and diabetic groups. These levels were lower in the fullerenol-treated groups. Conclusions: Distant organ damage in the lung and heart tissues due to lower-extremity ischemia–reperfusion injury can be significantly reduced by fullerenol C60. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic structure calculations have the potential to predict key matter transformations for applications of strategic technological importance, from drug discovery to material science and catalysis. However, a predictive physicochemical characterization of these processes often requires accurate quantum chemical modeling of complex molecular systems with hundreds to thousands of atoms. Due to the computationally demanding nature of electronic structure calculations and the complexity of modern high-performance computing hardware, quantum chemistry software has historically failed to operate at such large molecular scales with accuracy and speed that are useful in practice. In this paper, novel algorithms and software are presented that enable extreme-scale quantum chemistry capabilities with particular emphasis on exascale calculations. This includes the development and application of the multi-Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) library LibCChem 2.0 as part of the General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System package and of the standalone Extreme-scale Electronic Structure System (EXESS), designed from the ground up for scaling on thousands of GPUs to perform high-performance accurate quantum chemistry calculations at unprecedented speed and molecular scales. Among various results, we report that the EXESS implementation enables Hartree–Fock/cc-pVDZ plus RI-MP2/cc-pVDZ/cc-pVDZ-RIFIT calculations on an ionic liquid system with 623 016 electrons and 146 592 atoms in less than 45 min using 27 600 GPUs on the Summit supercomputer with a 94.6% parallel efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cox regression analysis is used to determine the relationship between a dependent variable and covariates in survival analysis involving censored data. The proportional hazards assumption is one of the most important assumptions of Cox regression. Outliers may have a strong influence on the Cox regression model's parameter estimates and lead to violation of the proportional hazard assumption. Therefore, having outliers in the data set is a problem for researchers. In this case, robust estimations are commonly used to infer the parameters in a more robust way. However, we explore a new approach consisting of considering an outlier as missing data and replacing it by the multiple imputation method. The aim of this study is to compare these two methods through simulation. Furthermore, an analysis of a lung cancer data set is considered for illustration. According to the results of the study carried out based on simulated data sets and a real data set, the multiple imputation method, which is a missing data analysis method, solves the problem of outliers better than the robust estimation method, as the outcome is closer to the results obtained through original data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using an OpenMP Application Programming Interface, the resolution-of-the-identity second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation (RI-MP2) method has been off-loaded onto graphical processing units (GPUs), both as a standalone method in the GAMESS electronic structure program and as an electron correlation energy component in the effective fragment molecular orbital (EFMO) framework. First, a new scheme has been proposed to maximize data digestion on GPUs that subsequently linearizes data transfer from central processing units (CPUs) to GPUs. Second, the GAMESS Fortran code has been interfaced with GPU numerical libraries (e.g., NVIDIA cuBLAS and cuSOLVER) for efficient matrix operations (e.g., matrix multiplication, matrix decomposition, and matrix inversion). The standalone GPU RI-MP2 code shows an increasing speedup of up to 7.5× using one NVIDIA V100 GPU with one IBM 42-core P9 CPU for calculations on fullerenes of increasing size from 40 to 260 carbon atoms using the 6-31G(d)/cc-pVDZ-RI basis sets. A single Summit node with six V100s can compute the RI-MP2 correlation energy of a cluster of 175 water molecules using the correlation consistent basis sets cc-pVDZ/cc-pVDZ-RI containing 4375 atomic orbitals and 14 700 auxiliary basis functions in ∼0.85 h. In the EFMO framework, the GPU RI-MP2 component shows near linear scaling for a large number of V100s when computing the energy of an 1800-atom mesoporous silica nanoparticle in a bath of 4000 water molecules. The parallel efficiencies of the GPU RI-MP2 component with 2304 and 4608 V100s are 98.0% and 96.1%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the use of remineralization agents before the application of resin infiltration on the treatment of initial enamel lesions. Materials and methods: Eighty buccal enamel samples were prepared from human molars, and artificial initial lesions were formed after 96 h of incubation with a demineralizing solution. The samples were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 10) including a remineralizing agent (Tooth Mousse, Medical Mineral Gel, Remin Pro), resin infiltration (ICON), and a combined treatment of both. Remineralizing agents were applied in pH cycle for 7 days. Baseline, demineralization, and after-treatment fluorescence (FluoreCam and DIAGNOdent Pen), surface microhardness (HMV-2T), surface roughness (M300C), OCT (Maestro-2) and ultrasonic system (Novascope 4500) data were obtained for all groups. The sample surfaces were examined under SEM/EDX (SU3500) at x1000. Data were statistically analyzed using the Two-Way Robust ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (p < 0.05). Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for microhardness, roughness, OCT, DIAGNOdent Pen, ultrasound, and FluoreCam size/intensity values (p = 0.582; p = 0.963; p = 0.884; p = 0.923; p = 0.051; p = 0.268; p = 0.793 respectively). The effect of the treatment procedure showed a significant difference (p < 0.001), except for the roughness values (p = 0.984). The lowest Calcium (Ca) ratio (%atomic) was observed in the RI group in the EDX analysis. Conclusion: Remineralizing agents and resin infiltration methods may be used in combination or alone in the treatment of initial enamel lesions. Combining remineralizing agents with resin infiltration does not alter the efficacy of the treatment. Highlights: The use of remineralizing agents before resin infiltration does not alter the effectiveness of treatment for the start of demineralization located on the outer half of the enamel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health information consumers can acquire knowledge regarding health problems, combat health problems, make health-related decisions, and change their behaviour by conducting health information searches. This study aims to identify the sociodemographic and economic factors affecting individuals' search for health information on the internet before and during COVID-19. Methods: In this study, micro data sets of the Household Information Technologies (IT) Usage Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in 2018 and 2021 were used. The binary logistic regression analysis was also used in the study. Results: It was determined that age, gender, education level, occupation, social media use, searching for information about goods and services, internet banking use, e-government use, having a desktop computer, having a tablet computer, and region variables were associated with the status of searching for health information on the internet during the COVID-19 period. Conclusion: The main reasons for the increase in health information searches during the COVID-19 epidemic can be attributed to several key factors, such as society's need for information and meeting its need for information, access to up-to-date health data and increased trust in official sources. The study's findings serve as a valuable resource for health service providers and information sources attempting to identify the health information-seeking behaviour of the public and to meet their needs in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's industry, H2 is mostly produced from fossil fuels such as natural gas (NG), oil, and coal through various processes. However, all these processes produce both carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as H2, making them questionable in terms of climate change mitigation efforts. In addition to efforts to increase the conversion efficiency of green H2 technologies, work is also underway to make H2 production from fossil fuels more environmentally friendly by reducing/avoiding CO2 emissions. In this framework, these technologies are combined with geologic carbon storage. In a further step, the use of depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs for in situ H2 production is being investigated, with the co-generated CO2 remaining permanently in the reservoir. The objective of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the technologies that can be used to produce H2 from depleted and depleting hydrocarbon reservoirs (DHRs) in various ways. We evaluate the required processes from a reservoir engineering perspective, highlighting their potential for H2 generation and their technology readiness level (TRL) for applications. We also investigate the possibility of permanently storing the co-produced CO2 in the reservoir as a means of mitigating emissions. In addition, we provide a preliminary cost analysis to compare these methods with conventional hydrogen production techniques, as well as an assessment of operational risks and associated cost estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Dental Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Enormous fresh agricultural produce is wasted annually due to rots caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Most pathogenic fungi attack the harvested produce by penetrating the fruit at the field and remaining quiescent or latent until the fruit ripens or senescence. In this work, a recently developed simple, cost-effective, and high-throughput 96-well plate-based assay was applied to determine the presence of pathogenic fungi in their latent stage. The surface strands immobilized on the 96-well plate, only with the presence of the complementary RNA marker (enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECH)) of the latent fungal-pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides will create a complex with the target and reporter (labeled with the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme) strands for positive signal generation. The developed assay demonstrated 3.1-fold higher specificity for the latent marker (ECH) of C. gloeosporioides compared to latent markers of other pathogenic fungi. A 2 nM detection limit of target strands was demonstrated, showing a high plate sensitivity, and was further validated with biological samples extracted from latent infection in tomato fruit. The developed assay provides a new economical tool for detecting the presence of latent RNA markers of pathogenic fungi in agricultural produce, ultimately improving postharvest decision-making and reducing postharvest losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]