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Drawing on regulatory focus and brokerage literatures, we develop new theory that explains individuals' motivation to form and change their relationships in organizational networks. Specifically, we examine how promotion and prevention regulatory foci influence such relational processes as tie formation, maintenance, dissolution, and reconstitution. We further explore the relationship between motivational orientations of regulatory foci and relational orientations to brokerage (i.e., tertius iungens/gaudens) and develop a typology that outlines four major ego-level configurations. Each of the four configurations, labeled dutiful coordinators, aspirational arbitrators, versatile brokers, and indifferent egos, offers distinct predictions on network change and structuring. Overall, our theory contributes to organization theory by elaborating on the important role of ego motivation and strategy in organizational networks, and in so doing, advances research that focuses on individual agency in social networks and complements structuralist approaches to understanding social network dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's examination of optimal facade design for buildings, facade performance has a significant influence on cooling energy consumption. Cooling degree days (CDD) is regarded as a basic and straightforward approach for predicting building cooling energy consumption. Accurate seasonal trend forecasting of the CDD plays a vital role in estimating the energy demand for building cooling. Unfortunately, there are no published statistics or research on Turkey's CDD data for the following years. The monthly mean CDD data of Türkiye were created in this study utilizing data from the Turkish State Meteorological Service for the historical period from 1991 to 2022. The Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) approach was used to model the CDD data, and a time series forecast was performed. The SARIMA model was used to forecast the future trend of CDD from 2023 to 2040. The monthly and yearly CDD statistics were presented as figures, while the yearly CDD maps for Türkiye were created using the ArcGIS software program. Finally, CDD zones that require more attention to the most appropriate facade design in terms of energy efficiency for buildings in Türkiye were identified and classified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several methods are used during waste management: landfill, incineration, composting, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and recycling etc. In particular, the use of biogas formed through anaerobic digestion in energy production and the energy obtained through the incineration process is very effective in turning the negative effects of wastes into positive ones. In this study, the effects of three different waste management scenarios were examined from a life cycle perspective. According to the results, scenario1 (landfill and incineration), scenario2 (landfill, incineration, and anaerobic digestion), and scenario3 (landfill, anaerobic digestion, and recycle) produced emissions of 3233.1, 328.8, and -848.9 kg of CO2eq, respectively. Accordingly, and in accordance with the results of the previous studies, it is observed that the landfill application gave the worst environmental result, the incineration and anaerobic digestion applications reduce the environmental effects, and the recycling application provides environmental benefits. It is concluded that the best environmental practice is plastic and metal recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this experimental research is to assess the impact of a mindfulness‐based empowerment program applied to women who have experienced violence on their levels of self‐compassion, self‐esteem and coping with stress. The study was a randomised controlled trial with a control group. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG, n1 = 27) and the control group (CG, n2 = 26) from women who had experienced violence. Descriptive statistical methods and t‐tests for dependent and independent groups were employed in data analysis. After the mindfulness‐based empowerment program, the intervention group exhibited a statistically significant high effect size in post‐intervention measurements compared to the control group for the Self‐Compassion Scale, Coopersmith Self‐Esteem Inventory and Coping Styles Scale total and subscale mean scores (p < 0.001). The mindfulness‐based empowerment program has been found to enhance self‐compassion, self‐esteem and coping levels in women who have experienced violence. Therefore, it is recommended to promote the widespread adoption of mindfulness‐based interventions for individuals who have undergone trauma, such as violence, to facilitate their re‐empowerment and functional recovery. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05310656 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fasciotomy is a surgical procedure that involves the incision of fascial compartments in the body to relieve pressure, prevent tissue damage, and maintain blood flow. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Bogota Bag technique in closing fasciotomy wounds in patients with lower limb compartment syndrome. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between October 2022 and October 2023 to document our experience in employing the Bogota Bag technique for fasciotomy closure. The study included the evaluation of medical files from fifteen patients aged 17 to 61. Results: The outcomes of the study present the initial series of limb fasciotomies treated with the Bogota Bag technique. Fifteen patients (14 male, 1 female) were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 34.73 ± 13.9 years and the average hospitalization was 8.33 ± 3.2 days. The average closure time of fasciotomy is 3.6 ± 1.4 days. Conclusion: This report makes a significant contribution as the first documented series of limb fasciotomies treated with the Bogota Bag technique. This method exhibits simplicity in execution, cost-effectiveness, and a low incidence of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the climate and environmental problems experienced in the world with the Industrial Revolution has prominently begun to be felt today, and the consequences of climate change on the environment and public health have now become visible. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from human activities, which is the main cause of global climate change, caused the global surface temperature to be 1.1 °C higher between 2011 and 2020 compared to 1850–1900. In parallel with this global problem, the transition to clean energy has increased significantly with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more aggressive energy and climate policies, technological developments, and increasing concerns about energy security. In this study, global climate change indicators, including land and sea surface air temperatures, sea level rise, sea ice extent, ocean heat content, surface humidity, and total column water vapor, are reviewed and updated in parallel with a comprehensive analysis of the progress in renewable energy. The results showed that if no measures are taken to reduce human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, the global average temperature will increase further in the coming years and the negative effects of other climate parameters will be felt even more. It has been emphasized that limiting human-induced global warming requires renewable and sustainable energy sources and net zero CO2 emissions and that the simultaneous adoption of emission reduction and adaptation strategies will be the most effective economic and technical solution to the global warming problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the swelling and degradation behavior of a controlled-release system using gelatin, thymol loading capacity, characterization, morphology, and thymol release level in relation to the recommended therapeutic dose for varroosis control. In this context, a series of hydrogels were first produced using a glutaraldehyde (GA) crosslinker and swelling tests were performed. Thymol loading was performed on the appropriate hydrogels, with swelling values between 269% and 431%. Thymol loading efficiency was determined to be between 20.07% and 29.80%. The chemical structures of the hydrogels with and without thymol loading were compared by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and it was determined that thymol was loaded into the structure. The morphological structures of the thymol-loaded and unloaded hydrogels were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the non-thymolloaded hydrogel had larger pores than the thymol-loaded hydrogel. A model release environment and measurement system were developed to predict the release type, level, and duration of the controlled release system in the hive air environment. In this model release environment, release tests were carried out for four weeks using different thymol application systems and the measurements were compared. As a result, it was found that the controlled thymol release system developed for the control of varroosis showed a more stable release compared to existing application systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze and compare gait patterns and deviations at long-term follow-up in children who received medial open reduction (MOR) before 18 months for unilateral or bilateral hip developmental dysplasia (DDH). Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on children who underwent MOR. The study population was divided into two groups: the unilateral group, including unilateral (five children with unilateral) and bilateral (five children with bilateral DDH). Ten healthy children were recruited for the control group. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, stiff-knee gait (SKG), and kinetic gait characteristics were analyzed. Results: Stance time was significantly shorter in both the unilateral (median [IQR]; 590 ms, [560.0–612.5] and bilateral (575 ms, [550–637.5]) groups than in the control group (650, [602.5–677.5]) (p < 0.001), whereas swing time did not differ substantially (p = 0.065) There was no considerable difference in the mean knee flexion at swing between the unilateral (31.6°, [30–36]) and control (30.11°, [27.8–33.6] groups (p > 0.05), but the bilateral group (28.5°, [24.9–32.1]) showed the lower values than the other groups (p < 0.001 for bilateral vs unilateral group; p = 0.008 bilateral vs unilateral group). All the SKG parameters significantly differed among the groups in multi-group comparisons (p < 0.001 for each parameter). Three children had borderline SKG, and two had not-stiff limbs in the unilateral group. In the bilateral group, four children had stiff limbs, and one had borderline SKG. Most kinetic gait parameters were not statistically different between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study has revealed notable deviations in gait patterns of children with DDH treated by MOR at long-term follow-up compared to healthy children's gait. MOR could negatively affect pelvic motion during gait due to impaired functions of the iliopsoas and adductor muscles, and SKG can be encountered secondary to iliopsoas weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate prediction of hourly global solar radiation is critical to solar energy conversion systems selecting appropriate provinces, and even future investment policies. With this viewpoint, the aim of this study is to predict one hour ahead the global solar radiation of six provinces that have different climate regions in Turkey. A deep learning technique based on the LSTM neural network is used for this purpose. To see the success of this proposed model, the deep learning technique GRU, a machine-learning approach ANFIS with FCM, and standard statistical models ARMA, ARIMA, and, SARIMA are also applied. Forecasting models developed to estimate the future values of hourly global solar radiation are based on past time series data. The study discusses four different statistical metrics (MAE, RMSE, NSE, and, R) to determine the success of these algorithms. The results indicate that the R, MAE, NSE, and, RMSE values of the two approaches range from 0.9352 to 0.9806, from 29.0737 to 59.4840 Wh/m2, from 0.6445 to 0.9686 and from 57.4492 to 94.3287 Wh/m2, respectively. The results revealed that the methods used in the study performed satisfactorily in terms of hourly solar radiation estimation, but the LSTM method performed better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Interdisciplinary Educational Research / Disiplinlerarası Eğitim Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Interdisciplinary Education & Research Association / Disiplinlerarasi Egitim ve Arastirma Dernegi 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.)

In this study, the performance of a novel organic tea compost developed for the first time in the world from raw tea waste from tea processing factories and enriched with worms, beneficial microorganisms, and enzymes was tested in comparison to chemical fertilizers in tea plantations in Rize and Artvin provinces, where the most intensive tea cultivation is carried out in Turkey. In the field trials, the developed organic tea vermicompost was incorporated into the root zones of the plants in the tea plantations in amounts of 1000 (OVT1), 2000 (OVT2) and 4000 (OVT4) (kg ha-1). The experimental design included a control group without OVT applications and positive controls with chemical fertilizers (N: P: K 25:5:10, (CF) 1200 kg ha-1) commonly used by local growers. The evaluation included field trials over two years. The average yields obtained in two-year field trials in five different areas were: Control (6326), OVT1 (7082), OVT2 (7408), OVT4 (7910), and CF (8028) kg ha-1. Notably, there was no significant statistical difference in yields between the organic (at 4000 kg ha-1) and chemical fertilizers (at 1200 kg ha-1). The highest nutrient contents were obtained when CF and OVT4 were applied. According to the average values across all regions, the application of OVT4 increased the uptake of 63% N, 18% K, 75% P, 21% Mg, 19% Na, 29% Ca, 28% Zn, 11% Cu and 24% Mn compared to the control group. The application of chemical fertilizers increased the uptake of 75% N, 21% K, 75% P, 21% Mg, 28% Na, 27% Ca, 30% Zn, 18% Cu and 31% Mn compared to the control group. The organic fertilizer treatment had the lowest levels of antioxidants compared to the control groups and the chemical fertilizers. It was also found that the organic fertilizer increased the levels of amino acids, organic acids and chlorophyll in the tea plant. Its low antioxidant activity and proline content prepared them for or protected them from stress conditions. With these properties, the biotechnologically developed organic tea compost fertilizer has proven to be very promising for tea cultivation and organic plant production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and natural resource depletion have reinvigorated the relevance of technical advancements in energy efficiency, which has been emphasized by the Paris Climate Accord that includes a framework for carbon neutrality. In that effort, the governments have been allocating a considerable amount of budget shares to research and development relating to energy efficiency and green energy. Thus, this study primarily examines the impact and effectiveness of research and development on energy efficiency and energy sources (renewables and fossil fuels) on CO2 emissions in the European region using a novel Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR). Our data cover annual observations of 9 EU countries, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden, based on the period 1990–2021. Our empirical findings confirm that the U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve occurs across all quantiles at 1% significance levels. The findings reveal that energy consumption increases CO2 emissions across the lower to higher quantiles. We discover that (i) R&D on renewable energy cuts CO2 emissions just at the median and higher quantiles, (ii) R&D on Fossil Fuels decreases CO2 emissions just at the lower quantile, and (iii) R&D on Energy efficiency lowers CO2 emissions at both the median and higher quantiles. Therefore, empirical findings suggest that policymakers should maintain their incentives for energy efficiency R&D and renewable R&D to achieve sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evolving trends in organ procurement and technological innovation prompted an investigation into recent trends, indications, and outcomes following combined heart–lung transplantation (HLTx). Methods: The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried for all adult (≥18 years) HLTx performed between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2023. Patients with previous transplants were excluded. The primary endpoint was the effect of donor, recipient, and transplantation characteristics on 1‐ and 5‐year survival. Secondary analyses included a comparison of HLTx at high‐ and low‐volume centers, an assessment of HLTx following donation after circulatory death (DCD), and an evaluation of HLTx volume over time. Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to assess factors associated with mortality. Temporal trends were evaluated with linear regression. Results: After exclusions, 319 patients were analyzed, of whom 5 (1.6%) were DCD. HLTx volume increased from 2013 to 2023 (p < 0.001). One‐ and 5‐year survival following HLTx was 84.0% and 59.5%, respectively. One‐year survival was higher for patients undergoing HLTx at a high‐volume center (88.3% vs. 77.9%; p = 0.012). After risk adjustment, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support 72 h posttransplant and predischarge dialysis were associated with increased 1‐year mortality (HR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.86–5.49 and HR = 3.47, 95% CI = 2.17–5.54, respectively) and 5‐year mortality (HR = 2.901, 95% CI = 1.679–5.011 and HR = 3.327, 95% CI = 2.085–5.311, respectively), but HLTx at a high‐volume center was not associated with either. Conclusions: HLTx volume has resurged, with DCD HLTx emerging as a viable procurement strategy. Factors associated with 1‐ and 5‐year survival may be used to guide postoperative management following HLTx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the acaricidal efficacy, tolerability of the target species, and residue levels of a thymolcontaining gelatin-based hydrogel developed as a controlled release system for varroosis control. The study was carried out on naturally infested honey bee colonies and results were compared with those of negative and positive control groups. The acaricidal efficacy of the negative control, positive control, and hydrogel treatment was 21.93 ± 2.87%, 81.09 ± 2.30%, and 70.32 ± 2.05%, respectively. For tolerability evaluations, the average number of dead bees per colony was determined to be 60.80 ± 8.01, 297.40 ± 21.4, and 86.80 ± 6.94 for the negative control, positive control, and hydrogel treatment, respectively. The average thymol residues in honey were measured as 0.030 ± 0.022 mg/kg, 5.498 ± 3.346 mg/kg, and 0.168 ± 0.110 mg/kg for the negative control, positive control, and hydrogel treatment, respectively. The average thymol concentrations in beeswax were 0.074 ± 0.047 mg/kg, 1.667 ± 0.855 mg/kg, and 0.476 ± 0.278 mg/kg for the negative control, positive control, and hydrogel treatment, respectively. The controlled release system developed in this study was found to prevent the transport of thymol out of the colony due to its structure, which is well tolerated by bees. Consequently, a single application can achieve longer infestation control. Furthermore, the lack of intervention by bees in the system ensures that bee mortality due to contact toxicity and residue levels in honey and beeswax are low. In addition to these advantages of the system, further development is required to increase the acaricide efficacy in order to make it an ideal alternative to existing varroacidal veterinary medicinal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In soil science, the allocation of soil samples to their respective origins holds paramount significance, as it serves as a crucial investigative tool. In recent times, with the increasing use of proximal sensing and advancements in machine-learning techniques, new approaches have accompanied these developments, enhancing the effectiveness of soil utilization in soil science. This study investigates soil classification based on four parent materials. For this purpose, a total of 59 soil samples were collected from 12 profiles and the vicinity of each profile at a depth of 0–30 cm. Surface soil samples were analyzed for elemental concentrations using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and soil spectra using a visible near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectrometer. Soil samples collected from soil profiles (12 soil samples) and surface (47 soil samples) were used to classify parent materials using machine learning-based algorithms such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), Ensemble Subspace k-Near Neighbor (ESKNN), and Ensemble Bagged Trees (EBTs). Additionally, as a validation of the classification techniques, the dataset was subjected to five-fold cross-validation and independent sample set splitting (80% calibration and 20% validation). Evaluation metrics such as accuracy, F score, and G mean were used to evaluate prediction performance. Depending on the dataset and algorithm used, the classification success rates varied between 70% and 100%. Overall, the ESKNN (99%) produced better results than other classification methods. Additionally, Relief algorithms were employed to identify key variables for each dataset (ICP-OES: CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, MgO, and MnO; XRF: SiO2, CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O, and MnO; Vis-NIR: 567, 571, 572, 573, and 574 nm). Subsequent soil reclassification using these reduced variables revealed reduced accuracies using Vis-NIR data, with ESKNN still yielding the best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between smartphone addiction and depression in primary care. Three hundred fifty-two people who participated in our research, designed as a cross-sectional study, filled out the Short Version of the Smartphone Addiction scale and Beck's Depression Inventory. Among the participants, 28.9% were found to have smartphone addiction and 52.3% were found to have depressive symptoms. The mean score of participants in the Smartphone Addiction Scale was 24.32 ± 11.24 points (n = 352). The mean score in Beck's Depression Inventory was 10.80 ± 7.94 points. A positive significant relationship was found between depression frequency and social media usage duration (1-2 hours/day) and length of social media usage (≥5 hours/day). A weak but positive and significant correlation was found between Smartphone Addiction Scale and Beck's Depression Inventory (r = 0.147; p = .006). In the regression analysis, it was determined that having an income between 1000 and 1999 TL, having a computer at home, having other addictions other than smoking, and being addicted to a smartphone increase the risk of depression development. The relationship between smartphone addiction and depression should be given attention. The factors influencing smartphone addiction should be considered. Especially the social media and smartphone usage should be limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal Pharmaceutics, which celebrates its 15th anniversary and highlights advancements in process and formulation modeling in the pharmaceutical industry. The editorial emphasizes the significance of modeling in product development and discusses different types of models available to scientists and engineers. It also provides a summary of the articles included in a special issue of the journal, covering topics such as nanosuspensions, computational techniques, laser ablation, and wet granulation. The editorial concludes by summarizing the main findings from each contribution in the special issue. These studies offer valuable insights into improving drug delivery efficiency and enhancing pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. [Extracted from the article]

Wind energy, which generates zero emissions, is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional electricity generation. For this reason, wind energy is a very popular topic, and there are many studies on this subject. Previous studies have often focused on onshore or offshore installations, lacking comprehensive comparisons and often not accounting for technological advancements and their impact on cost and efficiency. This study addresses these gaps by comparing onshore and offshore wind turbines worldwide in terms of installed capacity, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), total installed cost (TIC), capacity factor (CF), turbine capacity, hub height, and rotor diameter. Results show that onshore wind power capacity constituted 98.49% in 2010, 97.23% in 2015, and 92.9% in 2022 of the world's total cumulative installed wind power capacity. Offshore wind capacity has increased yearly due to advantages like stronger, more stable winds and easier installation of large turbine components. LCOE for onshore wind farms decreased from 0.1021 USD/kWh in 2010 to 0.0331 USD/kWh in 2021, while offshore LCOE decreased from 0.1879 USD/kWh in 2010 to 0.0752 USD/kWh in 2021. By 2050, wind energy will contribute to 35% of the global electricity production. This study overcomes previous limitations by providing a comprehensive and updated comparison that incorporates recent technological advancements and market trends to better inform future energy policies and investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using bibliometric techniques, the author analyzes a dataset of 276 articles on cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs) published in 13 management and international business journals. The author assesses the scientific impact and visualizes the intellectual landscape of research on CBMAs by analyzing publication and citation data and interconnections between publications. First, the author assesses annual publication trends and identifies highly cited articles and productive journals in the dataset that have significantly contributed to our understanding of CBMAs. Second, the author identifies main themes in recent research on CBMAs by focusing on frequently used keywords in publications. Third, the author identifies clusters of related research and explores their interrelationships to outline emerging trends, new perspectives, and directions for future research on CBMAs. Overall, this chapter contributes to the understanding of CBMAs by documenting the progress made to date and providing important insights for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) are among the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections. In this study, the patients diagnosed with primary BSI were evaluated, risk factors and the distribution profiles of the pathogenic microorganisms were identified. Materials and Methods: Culture-confirmed 206 nosocomial primary bacteremic episodes were evaluated regarding age, gender, underlying disease, presence of a catheter, distribution of pathogenic microorganisms, and status of their antimicrobial resistance. Results: 206 episodes of bacteremia were identified in 183 patients diagnosed with nosocomial primary BSI during a period of 5 years among the patients evaluated with active surveillance. The most common underlying disease was diabetes mellitus. There was an intravascular catheter in 55% of the patients. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were A.baumannii, coagulase-negative staphylococci and E.coli. Conclusion: In recent years, the bacterial profile of the causative agents of BSI has changed from gram-positive to gram-negative microorganisms. Antibiotic resistance rates have also increased significantly. In the selection of empirical treatment, it is important to know the complicating factors, the causative pathogen profile of the region and hospital, and the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance rates for appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Textiles & Engineers / Tekstil ve Mühendis is the property of Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers & Architects, Chamber of Textile Engineers 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.)

This study introduces a conceptualization of board of directors' intrafirm knowledge network and a methodology for its construction, assessment, and analysis. We use network theory and analytical techniques to construct boards of directors' intrafirm knowledge networks based on directors' functional domain and committee affiliations. We demonstrate the utility of this approach for governance research by examining the intrafirm knowledge network of the board of directors of General Electric and offer testable propositions that link key director turnover with the properties of and the structural changes in the board's knowledge network and the firm outcomes of strategic change and innovativeness. Our approach bridges the human and social capital perspectives on boards of directors by considering the mechanisms through which turnover of key directors influences firm‐level outcomes. Directors are increasingly expected to not only fulfill their monitoring responsibilities but also provide firms with resources and service (e.g., involvement in strategy‐making). The enactment of these responsibilities is contingent on the effective collaboration within board intrafirm networks. Our conceptualization of intrafirm board ties as a knowledge network can help practitioners identify key directors, analyze the implications of director turnover, and develop succession plans. We make important contributions to corporate governance research and offer insights into understanding the knowledge dynamics in small team‐like settings, such as boards of directors and their impact on firm strategy and innovativeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, air temperature (AT) is the most critical climatic indicator. This indicator accurately defines global warming and climate change, despite the fact that it has effects on different things, including the environment, hydrology, agriculture, and irrigation. Accurate and timely AT forecasting is crucial since it supplies more significant details that can create credibility for future planning. This study proposes innovative hybrid models that integrate a convolutional neural network (CNN) with a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network and a gated recurrent unit (GRU) to perform one-day ahead AT predictions. For this purpose, the daily AT data obtained from 2012 to 2019 at the Adana and Ankara meteorological stations over Türkiye under Continental and Mediterranean climate conditions are used. The hybrid GRU-CNN and LSTM-CNN models are compared with various traditional statistical and machine-learning models such as feed-forward neural network, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, autoregressive moving average, GRU, CNN, and LSTM. The success of the prediction models is evaluated utilizing various statistical criteria (MAE, RMSE, NSE, and R2) and visual comparisons. The results show that the proposed hybrid GRU-CNN and LSTM-CNN models in one day-ahead AT predictions yield the best results among all models with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population balance models (PBMs) for milling processes are based on two fundamental concepts: specific breakage rate function and breakage distribution function, which vary with particle size as well as design–operation conditions. The solution of the inverse problem, i.e., the estimation of these two functions' parameters, may cause falsified kinetics and breakage distribution mechanisms. This perspective article aims to expose and mitigate various aspects of potential falsification, thus enabling the development of a robust PBM. Through an in-depth analysis of historical approaches to the PBM inverse problem and experimental observations, as well as the author's recent contributions to the inverse methodology within the context of back-calculation methods, six principles have been offered: (i) include the governing physical phenomena and reduce errors in model building; (ii) reduce the number of model parameters via size–operation-dependent functional forms, hybrid approaches for back-calculation, and combination with CFD–DEM and other mechanistic models; (iii) generate a dense particle size distribution data set obtained at various milling times and/or locations; (iv) ensure a grid-independent solution with a sufficient number of size classes; (v) use a global optimization-based back-calculation method for parameter estimation and provide standard errors of the estimates; and (vi) test the predictive capability of the PBM. This perspective article boosts awareness of various challenges involved in the solution of the inverse PBM problem as pertinent to milling processes and provides researchers with six principles to minimize falsified kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction and demolition waste consists of residue and discarded materials that result from construction, renovation, remodelling, and demolition activities. This waste typically includes various materials, such as concrete, wood, steel, bricks, drywall, asphalt, glass, plastics, and other construction-related materials. This research quantified the environmental consequences of managing earthquake-generated construction and demolition waste in Turkey using diverse techniques. The study employed a life cycle assessment to compute these impacts. First, the impacts of the currently used landfill process were calculated and then a scenario in which concrete is reused, recyclable wastes are separated and recycled, and the remaining waste is sent to a landfill was created. According to the findings, it is seen that if all the debris is sent to a landfill, 11.9 t CO2eq will be generated in the short term, while 18,428.3 t CO2eq can be saved, especially by reusing concrete. These findings may vary due to the involvement of different unforeseen processes, but they show that although it is often very difficult to utilize such wastes, especially those generated as a result of unusual disasters, such as earthquakes, very significant environmental gains can be achieved through appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seroma that can be seen after endoscopic completely extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty (TEP) is a major problem in patients who are concerned about recurrence. In this study, a prospective study design was prepared in our clinic in order to see the incidence of seroma after TEP and the effect of closed system negative pressure drainage, which is one of the methods thought to reduce it. Materials and Methods: Primary M3 and L3 unilateral inguinal hernias were randomly divided into two groups. Group I was the group in which a drain was placed after TEP, and Group II was the group in which no drain was placed after TEP. In Group I patients, a hemovac drain was placed behind the mesh and the perforated end of the drain was placed in the preperitoneal space. Anatomical 3D mesh (3DMax™ Mesh, BD, USA) was applied to all cases. Results: There were 41 patients in Group I and 39 patients in Group II. 73 of the patients were men and 7 were women. According to the EHS classification, 47 of the hernias were L3 type and 33 were M3 type. Seroma was detected in 5 patients in Group I and 13 patients in Group II on the 7th postoperative day (p<0.024). There was no difference between the groups in the seromas seen in the 3rd month after surgery. Conclusion: Seroma is common after TEP, especially in M3 and L3 hernias. This situation is confused with hernia recurrence in the patient. This may cause fear and panic in the patient. The drainage system installed in large hernias in the early postoperative period reduces the development of seroma and these concerns are eliminated. In addition, having patients come to the team performing the surgery for check-ups at regular intervals is effective in relieving patients’ concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In deep learning inference, model parameters are pruned and quantized to reduce the model size. Compression methods and common subexpression (CSE) elimination algorithms are applied on sparse constant matrices to deploy the models on low-cost embedded devices. However, the state-of-the-art CSE elimination methods do not scale well for handling large matrices. They reach hours for extracting CSEs in a $200 \times 200$ matrix while their matrix multiplication algorithms execute longer than the conventional matrix multiplication methods. Besides, there exist no compression methods for matrices utilizing CSEs. As a remedy to this problem, a random search-based algorithm is proposed in this letter to extract CSEs in the column pairs of a constant matrix. It produces an adder tree for a $1000 \times 1000$ matrix in a minute. To compress the adder tree, this letter presents a compression format by extending the compressed sparse row (CSR) to include CSEs. While compression rates of more than 50% can be achieved compared to the original CSR format, simulations for a single-core embedded system show that the matrix multiplication execution time can be reduced by 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Journal of Medicine is the property of Ege University, Faculty of Medicine 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.)

Copyright of Pamukkale University Journal of Social Sciences Institute / Pamukkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi is the property of Pamukkale University, Social Sciences Institute 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: Involvement plays a crucial role in understanding consumer behavior. In recent years, the concept of social innovation has gained momentum, resulting in the development of eco-friendly products and initiatives to tackle societal issues. This trend is driven by consumers, who are increasingly aware of the social benefits of the products they buy. The present study aims to investigate how socially innovative, environmentally conscious consumers can influence their engagement with eco-friendly products. Design/methodology/approach: Researchers aimed to investigate the "impact of social innovation on involvement in environmentally friendly products." They selected active members of various environmental organizations operating in the country to conduct the study. Convenience sampling was used to reach out to these members, and the managers of these organizations sent an electronic questionnaire to all members' email addresses. Findings: The study found that socially innovative, environmentally conscious consumers tend to be more interested in the symbolic meaning and pleasure of products, leading to a decrease in perceived risk and risk importance. Originality/value: There are limited studies examining the relationship between social innovation and product innovation. Therefore, the novelty of this research lies in its exploration of the relationship between these two concepts. Unlike previous studies, this research found a negative relationship between the dimensions of risk importance and risk probability. This result was interpreted as environmentally friendly products being sensitive to public welfare and not being perceived as risky by environmentalists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Saglik Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi is the property of Celal Bayar University Health Sciences Institute Journal 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.)

Background: Columellar strut grafts (CSG) are effective in providing the unity of the nasal tip with a weak,short, medial, or middle crura. However, its effect on tip stabilization is minimal. The CSG may be fixated to an autoextension at the caudal septum to augment the stabilization capacity of the strut. Septal auto-extension may not be applicable in cases with a short/shortened caudal septum, which can be solved by designing an extension in the middle of the CSG, which can be called an “inverted T-shaped CSG.” Methods: Patients who underwent tip stabilization with an inverted T-shaped CSG between January 2019 and November 2021 were selected for this research. All patients underwent open structural rhinoplasty. The inverted T-shaped CSG was prepared similarly to the standard strut. However, spike-like extension was preserved in the middle of the strut, branching out at a right angle. The T-shaped CSG was settled between the medial crura. Then, the extension was fixated to the caudal septum. Medial crura were sutured over the inverted T-shaped CSG, and stability was established. Preoperative, peroperative, and postoperative images were analyzed. Results: This technique was used in 64 patients. The average age was 37 years (26-48 years). Thirty-five patients were female, and 29 were male. Forty-one patients had undergone primary rhinoplasty, and 23 had undergone secondary rhinoplasty. The mean patient follow-up was 14 months (8-22 months). Statistical analysis was used to compare tip projection ratios and nasolabial angle calculations. A statistically meaningful difference was observed between preoperative, immediate postoperative, and 1-year postoperative measurements of the projection ratio and nasolabial angle increase in all cases, and this projection was observed to be maintained at 1 year. The inverted T-shaped CSG provided satisfactory tip stabilization in all patients. Conclusion: The inverted T-shaped CSG is a good alternative for tip stabilization with graft economy, without columellar retraction, overortation, stiffness, in short/shortened septae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reliability of determining fluid responsiveness during surgery in geriatric patients is challenging. Our primary outcome was to determine the reliability of Corrected Flow Time (FTc) in predicting fluid responsiveness. Methods: Elderly patients undergoing major surgery under general anesthesia were included. Measurements of common carotid artery diameter, velocity time integral, and systolic flow time (FT) were performed before and after a fluid challenge. FTc and carotid blood flow (CBF) were subsequently calculated. Results: The median change in carotid diameter was significantly higher in the fluid-responder (R) compared to the non-responder (NR) (6.51% vs. 0.65%, p = 0.049). The median change in CBF was notably higher in R compared to NR (30.04% vs. 9.72%, p = 0.024). Prior to the fluid challenge, systolic FT was significantly shorter in R than NR (285 ms vs. 315 ms, p = 0.027), but after the fluid challenge, these measurements became comparable among the groups. The change in systolic FT was higher in R (15.38% vs. 7.49%, p = 0.027). FTc and the change in FTc exhibited similarities among the groups at all study time points. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.682 (95% CI: 0.509–0.855, p = 0.039) for carotid diameter, 0.710 (95% CI: 0.547–0.872, p = 0.011) for CBF, 0.706 (95% CI: 0.540–0.872, p = 0.015) for systolic FT, and 0.580 (95% CI = 0.389–0.770, p = 0.413) for FTc. Conclusions: In geriatric patients, potential endothelial changes in the carotid artery may influence the dynamic markers of fluid responsiveness. Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of FTc in predicting fluid responsiveness in the general population, this study underscores the limited reliability of carotid Doppler ultrasonography indices for prediction in a geriatric patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-borne fungal infections reduce yields, and result in severe economic losses by destroying the root, stem, and vascular components of many plants. For disease management that is efficient, inexpensive, and has no adverse effects on the environment, the use of biocontrol materials is crucial. In this study, three different biocontrol agents were evaluated for their ability to reduce the stress that Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) causes in tomato plants. These agents included compost made from locally accessible green wastes, a strain of bacteria (Bacillus subtilis strain ®Serenade), and arbuscular mychorrizal fungi (®Mikostar). Using correlation and PCA analysis, the effects of these agents on FOL disease were further linked to nutrient intake, physicochemical properties of plants, and the rhizosphere. Five different applications were used in the experiment, which was carried out in controlled conditions utilizing a completely random experimental design: pathogen-inoculated positive control (A), non-inoculated negative control (B), A + compost (C), A + AMF (D), and A + Bacillus subtilis (E). There were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between groups in terms of the indicators of plant disease as well as the other parameters studied, according to ANOVA-Tukey analysis. Compost proved to be the most effective treatment among the three materials evaluated, reducing disease severity by up to 100%, followed by AMF (36.4%) and Bacteria (34.1%). The LAI, shoot fresh and dry weight, SPAD values, plant nutrient contents (N, Ca, Mg, Mn), and parameters assessed in the rhizosphere (B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Dehydrogenase, and CO2 respiration) were the highest in pots treated with compost, and all had statistically significant negative correlations with disease severity (p < 0.05). The results show that compost made from local green waste could be effective in reducing tomato FOL disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awareness of age-related change (AARC) is a multidimensional concept that evaluates the experiences of aging. Accordingly, this study aimed to adapt the long (AARC-50) and short (AARC-10) forms of the AARC scale for the Turkish population and evaluate their psychometric testing. This study included 570 individuals aged 40–92 years. The data of this study were obtained online by the snowball method. Data for this study were collected using the personal information form, AARC scale, and SF-12 quality of life scale. The form was translated and back-translated, expert opinions were obtained, and criterion-related validity, factor, test–retest, and reliability coefficient analyses were performed. Notably, the Cronbach's alpha values of the two-factor 50- and 10-item scales were 0.923 and 0.717, respectively. The correlation of AARC with SF-12 varies between 0.035 and 0.528. In addition, the test–retest reliability score and content validity index were 0.90. Regarding the results of the factor analyses for the long and short forms, the long form demonstrated good results in terms of the chi-square divided by degrees of freedom and root mean square error of approximation, whereas the short form demonstrated good results in terms of goodness (comparative, normal, and adjustment goodness-of-fit index) and standardized root mean square residual. This study found that the AARC-50 and AARC-10 scales are valid and reliable tools for evaluation in the Turkish population. In the future studies, researchers can choose the appropriate form based on the conditions of their studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Agitation and incompliance with the treatment may be observed in patients undergoing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which may cause inadequate oxygenation, sedation, termination of CPAP or intubation of the patient. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the effect of listening to music during CPAP on the agitation levels of intensive care patients who underwent CPAP as a result of COVID‐19 and their compliance with the treatment. Study design: This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Seventy‐six intensive care patients with COVID‐19 were included in this study and assigned to the music and control groups via the block randomization method. The study was completed with 70 patients. The patients and outcome assessors were not blinded in this study. The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) level, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and mask air leakage amount were the outcome measures. Results: The mean RASS score of the patients in the intervention group was 2.14 ± 0.69 before CPAP, 1.63 ± 064 at the 1st minute, 0.89 ± 0.58 at the 15th minute and 0.74 ± 0.61 at the 30th minute. The mean RASS score of the patients in the control group was 2.06 ± 0.53 before CPAP, 1.80 ± 0.58 at the 1st minute, 1.43 ± 0.60 at the 15th minute and 1.46 ± 0.61 at the 30th minute of CPAP. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups at the 15th and 30th minutes (t = −3.81, p <.001; t = −4.89, p <.001 respectively). The mean respiratory rate, SpO2 and mask air leakage amount were compared between the groups. There was a statistically significant difference in favour of the intervention group at the 15th minute (t = −2.47, p <.001; t = 2.57, p <.001; t = 2.93, p <.001 respectively) and 30th minute (t = −3.17, p <.001; t = 3.46, p <.001; t = −3.93, p <.001 respectively). Conclusions: The study results show that listening to music during CPAP reduces the agitation levels of patients and helps them comply with the treatment. Relevance to clinical practice: Music may be a beneficial application for patients who are agitated and unable to comply with CPAP therapy. This is an easy and applicable method, which can protect patients from the adverse effects of failed CPAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, in addition to the recent advances and tendencies in wind turbine technology around the world, the progress of commercial wind turbine technology installed in Turkey was also thoroughly examined. In this respect, several metrics for installed wind turbines including number of turbines, installed power capacity (MW), mean rated capacity (MW), mean rotor diameter (m), mean specific power capacity (W/m²), and mean hub height (m) have been obtained between the years of 2011 and 2019. According to the obtained results, the mean rated capacity of Turkey's annual installed wind turbines advanced from 1.86 MW in 2011 to 3.52 MW in 2019. However, the mean specific power of yearly installed wind turbines declined from 423.7 W/m² to 314.1 W/m². Outcomes revealed that the growth in the size and the reduction in the specific power have contributed to the tendency of higher power outputs, and wind turbine capacity factor and power generation capacity have been on the rise in Turkey. In time, wind turbines with greater rotor diameters and hubs started to show up more observable on land. For that purpose, the proposed solution to regulate turbine visibility during site selection is the potential visibility model (PVM), which is meant to be used as an auxiliary variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop a practical semi-mechanistic modeling framework to predict particle size evolution during wet bead milling of pharmaceutical nanosuspensions over a wide range of process conditions and milling scales. The model incorporates process parameters, formulation parameters, and equipment-specific parameters such as rotor speed, bead type, bead size, bead loading, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) mass, temperature, API loading, maximum bead volume, blade diameter, distance between blade and wall, and an efficiency parameter. The characteristic particle size quantiles, i.e., x10, x50, and x90, were transformed to obtain a linear relationship with time, while the general functional form of the apparent breakage rate constant of this relationship was derived based on three models with different complexity levels. Model A, the most complex and general model, was derived directly from microhydrodynamics. Model B is a simpler model based on a power-law function of process parameters. Model C is the simplest model, which is the pre-calibrated version of Model B based on data collected from different mills across scales, formulations, and drug products. Being simple and computationally convenient, Model C is expected to reduce the amount of experimentation needed to develop and optimize the wet bead milling process and streamline scale-up and/or scale-out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the evolution of fenofibrate (FNB, drug) particle size distribution (PSD) during the production of nanosuspensions via wet stirred media milling (WSMM) with a cell-based population balance model (PBM). Our objective was to elucidate the potential impacts of batch size, suspension volumetric flow rate, and imperfect mixing in a recirculating WSMM. Various specific breakage rate functions were fitted to experimental PSD data at baseline conditions assuming perfect mixing. Then, the best function was used to simulate the PSD evolution at various batch sizes and flow rates to validate the model. A novel function, which is a product of power–law and logistic functions, fitted the evolution the best, signifying the existence of a transition particle size commensurate with a grinding limit. Although larger batches yielded coarser and wider PSDs, the suspensions had identical PSDs when milled for the same effective milling time. The flow rate had an insignificant influence on the PSD. Furthermore, the imperfect mixing in the mill chamber was simulated by considering more than one cell and different back-mixing flow ratios. The effects were weak and restricted to the first few turnovers. These insights contribute to our understanding of recirculating WSMM, providing valuable guidance for process development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, high energy costs, increases in carbon emissions, and concerns about energy supply security have led countries to prioritize renewable energy sources in their sustainable energy policies. The selection and ranking of alternative renewable energy sources is a critical issue in establishing an effective energy policy and ensuring environmental improvement at the national and global levels. This study evaluates Turkey's best renewable energy options using the institutional fuzzy assessment based on distance to mean solution (IF-EDAS) method and aims to find Turkey's best renewable energy alternative. The decision model alternatively uses wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, wave, hydroelectric, and hydrogen energy options. According to the study's empirical findings, while the best alternative renewable energy source for Turkey is solar energy, the best criterion in terms of criteria evaluation is "Technology Maturity". The study also carried out sensitivity analysis, and the results were shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vaccination is the most important public health practice for preventing infectious diseases and maintaining health. However, some parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children. Design: This study was designed as an instrument development study. Methods: This study aimed to develop a scale to measure the attitudes of parents with children aged 0–5 years towards vaccination and to evaluate the validity and reliability of this scale. The data were collected from 691 participants between November 2020 and January 2021. During the development of the scale, experts provided feedback on its technical, content and language dimensions. The data were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses for conceptual validity and Cronbach's α and item‐level test–retest analyses for reliability. Results: The developed scale is a reliable and valid tool for measuring attitudes towards vaccination among parents (Cronbach's α = 0.97, variance explained by these 28‐item two factors = 62.47%). Conclusion: This scale can be used as a guide in measuring the attitudes of parents towards vaccination and determining the direction of primary health‐care services based on the results of the measurement. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Vaccination plays an important role in health practice.Parents' attitudes towards vaccination affect their children's vaccination status.Increasing vaccination rates in children will contribute to the reduction of infectious diseases and mortality. What this paper adds? A new valid and reliable measurement tool for determining vaccine hesitancy has been developed.The validity and reliability of the scale of attitudes towards vaccination among parents of children aged 0–5 years were tested.The tool could be used to determine the attitudes of parents of children aged 0–5 years towards vaccination. The implications of this paper The scale may help in determining factors affecting parents' attitudes on vaccination.The scale can generate data to guide nursing practices to increase vaccination rates.The scale can be used to influence nursing practices to increase vaccination rates and promote vaccine awareness, trust and acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, being the basic resource for life on earth, is of great importance in arid and semi-arid regions, which face the direct impacts of climate change. This study aims to solve water scarcity for Baranti Plain farmers by constructing concrete canals using modern technology. The Baranti Plain is located approximately 25 km north of Erbil in Iraq and spans an area of 445 km2. The Great Zap River flows through its northern region, with an average discharge of about 400 m3 per second. In response to the challenges faced in this area, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources collaborated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to gather essential data. This extensive dataset, covering the period from 2000 to 2021, particularly focuses on ground-level monitoring in September. Notably, the region experienced a significant decline in groundwater levels, totaling 23 m on average. Additionally, there was a 7.8% increase of urban expansion, and the number of wells increased from 257 in 2006 to 600 in 2021. To counter the diminishing groundwater levels and facilitate agricultural irrigation, a proposal was introduced to harness the waters of the Great Zap River. This plan involves channeling the river waters to the plain through a network of concrete canals known as the Baranati Project Plain. For precise planning, a digital elevation model (DEM) with a 12.5 m resolution was procured to analyze the area using GIS. This investigation revealed a height difference of 130 m between the Great Zap River and the Baranti Plain. Subsequently, the area was segmented into four zones based on its suitability for the project: highest, medium, low, and unsuitable. Notably, the combined areas of high, medium, and low suitability encompass 68% of the entire study region. The project's next phase used a flow calculator to determine the channel's shape, area, slope, and water requirements. The final phase involved analyzing annual rainfall data from three meteorological stations (Bastora, Ankawa, and Khabat), showing an average annual rainfall of 396 mm. The project has the capacity to irrigate more than 30,000 hectares of land, benefiting more than 1200 farmers. It is expected to stop the use of over 600 wells for irrigation and potentially raise groundwater levels by about 2.5 m annually. Our work revealed that addressing groundwater depletion requires implementing canals, rainwater harvesting, farmer education, modern irrigation, drilling restrictions, and supporting water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Anal fistulas represent an inflammatory condition with a connection formed between the anal canal and the perianal skin. Surgery aims to eradicate the fistula while preserving sphincter function. However, inadequate removal of fistula tracts often results in recurrence, and excessive division of the anal sphincter complex can result in fecal incontinence. Therefore, comprehensive preoperative evaluation of the fistula tract is crucial and contributes considerably to outcomes. MRI has emerged as a key method in patients with perianal fistula, but is expensive, uses intravenous contrast agent, and experience is needed to interpret images. Endoanal ultrasound (EUS) is cheaper and more practical than MRI, but is highly operator dependent and its role in suprasphincteric and complex fistulas is controversial. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) for evaluating of fistula-in-ano. DITI monitors infrared radiation emanated by a surface, in this case the perianal skin. The scientific rationale is based on the inflammatory state caused by perianal fistulization. Because one of the pathological findings of inflammation is increased local temperature due to altered blood flow, we hypothesized that by using a contrast agent colder than the human body, the perianal fistula tract could be visualized by DITI cameras. A protocol and simple diagnostic algorithm for evaluation of perianal fistulas are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we investigated the yields of biochar, bio-oil, and synthesis gas under various pyrolysis conditions, as well as their impact on the elemental composition, FTIR, EDX, SEM, and HCV values of biochar. This study utilized three different pyrolysis temperatures (400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C), two holding times (30 and 60 min), and two N2 gas flow rates (0.2 and 0.5 L min−1). We observed that an increase in pyrolysis temperature led to a decrease in the yields of biochar and bio-oil, while synthesis gas yield increased, as expected. Additionally, a higher gas flow rate resulted in a reduction of biochar yield from 34.07% to 32.72%. A longer residence time diminished the bio-oil yield but increased the synthesis gas yield. The FTIR, EDX, and elemental analysis of biochar produced at a pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C, with a 60-min holding time and a 0.2 L min−1 N2 gas flow rate, indicated maximized carbon content. Moreover, a more porous structure was observed at higher pyrolysis temperatures. The research also revealed that increases in pyrolysis temperature, residence time, and gas flow rate enhanced the energy content of the biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the study was to obtain the design parameters of optimum wind turbine linear shrouding bodies to enhance wind turbine performance further. The blade element momentum theory and k-ε turbulence model were used to determine the performance of wind turbine linear shrouds. Based on 17 different wind turbine shrouding systems considered in the present study, it is determined that the mass flow rate of the air passing through the turbine rotor disc section can be enhanced approximately by a factor of 1.85. Numerical analysis revealed that the highest wind power increase was achieved from an optimally designed linear shrouding system of the type having an inlet shrouding component at the upstream and flange component at the downstream of the diffuser. The theoretical wind turbine power coefficient, Cp indicated that power generations can be enhanced on the turbine rotor blades by a factor of 6.33. This result exceeds the field trial testing found in the literature. Finally, it is concluded that this optimally designed wind turbine inlet shroud system and flange components can be applied for micro wind turbines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]