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Zinc borate having the formula of 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O has been used as a fire retardant for polymers requiring high processing temperatures since it has a high dehydration temperature (around 415°C). The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature were investigated on the heterogeneous reaction between solid zinc oxide and boric acid solution. A stoichiometric amount of zinc oxide and 5.0% excess boric acid were used in experiments and the other parameters, mixing speed (1700 rpm), the solid-liquid ratio of 20%, and the amount of seed crystal (3.9% wt) were kept constant for all experiments. A 91.1% conversion was obtained at 120°C for 5 h of reaction time. Precipitated product was filtered and washed by hot water to remove the excess boric acid. Finally it was dried until reaching to a constant mass in an air circulating oven at 105°C. Powder products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectrum and XRD pattern of powders are consistent with data of the zinc borate given in the literature. According to SEM analysis, whiskers are less than 1 μm in diameter and their lengths are in the range of 1–10 μm.

A cross-sectional research design was used to examine the relationship between personality, self-compassion and social interest levels of 351 psychological counsellor candidates. Data were collected with the Personality Test of Adjectives, the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form, and the Social Interest Index. Correlation and regression analyses were used to analyze data. A moderately negative relationship was found between self-compassion and neuroticism, while a moderately positive relationship was found between extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness, and a low-level positive relationship was found between agreeableness. While a moderate negative relationship was observed between social interest and neuroticism, a moderate positive relationship was found between extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and responsibility. Personality explained 47.6% of the variance regarding self-compassion and 42.2% of the variance regarding social interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical posture affects swallowing function through contractile and non‐contractile structures. Craniocervical flexor endurance training (CCFET), which focuses on the activation of deep cervical muscles, is used to ensure cervical posture stability. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CCFET on the suprahyoid muscles (SH), which play an important role in swallowing function. Methods: Eighty healthy individuals (52 female and 28 male, mean age 21.77 ± 1.81 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to groups that underwent either deep cervical flexor (DCF) training with a pressure biofeedback unit (CCFET group, n = 41) or no intervention (control group, n = 39). The intervention was applied for 4 weeks (five sessions per week). Static endurance and activation of DCF muscles (Craniocervical Flexion Test, CCFT), tragus–wall distance (TWD) for forward head posture and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activation of suprahyoid muscles were evaluated. Results: The endurance and activation of the DCF muscles were significantly increased in the CCFET group (p = <.001). In the CCFET group, TWD significantly lower than the control group (p = <.001) Peak SH amplitude and mean SH amplitude were lower in the CCFET group compared to the control group (p =.013, p =.003). Conclusion: The study shows that 4 weeks of CCFET reduced SH muscle activation, allowing the same work to be done with fewer motor units. CCFET can be included in rehabilitation programs as an additional method that has an effect on the muscles involved in swallowing by providing cervical motor control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Inquiry Based Activities (JIBA) / Araştırma Temelli Etkinlik Dergisi (ATED) is the property of Journal of Inquiry Based Activities 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 Cumhuriyet International Journal of Education is the property of Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of 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.)

Testing is a vital part of achieving good-quality software. Deploying untested code can cause system crashes and unexpected behavior. To reduce these problems, testing should evolve with coding. In addition, test suites should not remain static throughout the software versions. Since whenever software gets updated, new functionalities are added, or existing functionalities are changed, test suites should be updated along with the software. Software repositories contain valuable information about the software systems. Access to older versions and differentiating adjacent versions' source code and acceptance test changes can provide information about the evolution process of the software. This research proposes a method and implementation to analyze 21 open-source real-world projects hosted on GitHub regarding the co-evolution of both software and its acceptance test suites. Related projects are retrieved from repositories, their versions are analyzed, graphs are created, and analysis related to the co-evolution process is performed. Observations show that the source code is getting updated more frequently than the acceptance tests. They indicate a pattern that source code and acceptance tests do not evolve together. Moreover, the analysis showed that a few acceptance tests test most of the functionalities that take a significant line of code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate/compare the effects of the Bobath concept and task-oriented training on motor function, muscle thickness, balance, gait, and perception of goal achievement in patients with stroke. Thirty-two patients were randomly divided into Bobath and task-oriented groups. Exercises were applied for one hour a day, three days a week, for eight weeks. Clinical (Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), balance, gait)) and trunk muscle thickness assessments (with ultrasound) were performed. Thirty patients completed the study. TIS, STREAM, and GAS scores were increased in both groups (all p < 0.05). Bilateral rectus abdominis thickness was found to have increased in the Bobath group whereby this increase was better when compared with the task-oriented group (p < 0.05). The limits of stability increased in both groups (p < 0.05). Postural sway was decreased in the anteroposterior (normal stability eyes open) in the Bobath group and the anteroposterior (perturbated stability eyes closed) in the task-oriented group. Velocity, step length, and functional ambulation profile scores increased, and double support of the paretic side decreased in the task-oriented group (all p < 0.05). The Bobath concept appears to be superior to task-oriented training in increasing the thickness of rectus abdominis in patients with stroke. Although the task-oriented training provided significant improvement, especially in terms of gait, no superiority was found between the two rehabilitation approaches in terms of functional ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc borate having the formula of 4ZnO·B2O3·H2O has been used as a fire retardant for polymers requiring high processing temperatures since it has a high dehydration temperature (around 415°C). The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature were investigated on the heterogeneous reaction between solid zinc oxide and boric acid solution. A stoichiometric amount of zinc oxide and 5.0% excess boric acid were used in experiments and the other parameters, mixing speed (1700 rpm), the solid-liquid ratio of 20%, and the amount of seed crystal (3.9% wt) were kept constant for all experiments. A 91.1% conversion was obtained at 120°C for 5 h of reaction time. Precipitated product was filtered and washed by hot water to remove the excess boric acid. Finally it was dried until reaching to a constant mass in an air circulating oven at 105°C. Powder products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectrum and XRD pattern of powders are consistent with data of the zinc borate given in the literature. According to SEM analysis, whiskers are less than 1 μm in diameter and their lengths are in the range of 1–10 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:To investigate the role of hematological parameters in assessing disease activity of chronic otitis media (COM).Methods:Patients who underwent surgery for COM between 2014 and 2018 were examined retrospectively. The patients were divided into active and inactive COM groups. Active group was divided into cholesteatoma, granulation tissue, and cholesteatoma + granulation tissue subgroups. Inactive group was divided into tympanosclerosis and normal middle ear mucosa subgroups. Preoperative complete blood count parameters were examined retrospectively. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in active and inactive groups and also the values in subgroups of each group were compared.Results:Our study contained 1126 patients. There were 558 (49.55%) male, 568 (50.45%) female patients. The mean age was 31±14.93 (7-74) years. Active and inactive groups consisted of 329 (29.22%) and 797 (70.78%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between active and inactive COM groups in terms of NLR (p=0.234), PLR (p=0.733) and MPV (p=0.992). There was no significant difference among subgroups of active and inactive groups (p>0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for NLR, PLR and MPV in the groups revealed no cut-off value for differentiating any group from another (p>0.05).Conclusion:NLR, PLR, and MPV values do not have any significant value in the assessment of disease activity of COM.

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a valuable tool in preoperative evaluation of head and neck tumors. However, its accuracy in management of salivary gland tumors is debatable. Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy and the accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy in parotid gland tumors. Methods: Patients who underwent parotidectomy between January 2008 and June 2017 due to parotid gland tumor were examined retrospectively. Patients with both preoperative fine needle aspiration biopsy and postoperative surgical pathologies were included. Preoperative fine needle aspiration biopsy was categorized as benign, malignant or suspicious for malignancy. Surgical pathology was grouped as benign or malignant. Surgical pathology was compared with fine needle aspiration biopsy, and sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and agreement between both tests were investigated. Results: 217 cases were evaluated and 23 cases were excluded because the fine needle aspiration biopsy diagnosis was non-diagnostic or unavailable. 194 cases were included. The mean age of the patients was 47.5 ± 15.88 (7–82). There were 157 benign, 37 malignant cases in fine needle aspiration biopsy, 165 benign and 29 malignant cases in surgical pathology. The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma (43.3%), and malignant tumor was mucoepidermoid carcinoma (4.13%). The diagnostic accuracy for fine needle aspiration biopsy when detecting malignancy was 86.52%. Sensitivity and specificity were 68.96% and 89.63% respectively. Positive predictive value was 54.05% and negative predictive value was 94.23%. There was moderate agreement between fine needle aspiration biopsy and surgical pathology (κ = 0.52). The sensitivity was 54.54% in tumors less than 2 cm while 77.77% in larger tumors. In tumors extending to the deep lobe, sensitivity was 80%. Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration biopsy is an important diagnostic tool for evaluating parotid gland tumors. It is more accurate in detecting benign tumors. In tumors greater than 2 cm and extending to the deep lobe, the sensitivity of fine needle aspiration biopsy is high. The use of fine needle aspiration biopsy in conjunction with clinical and radiological evaluation may help to reduce false positive and false negative results. Resumo: Introdução: A punção aspirativa com agulha fina é uma ferramenta valiosa na avaliação pré-operatória de tumores de cabeça e pescoço. No entanto, sua precisão no tratamento de tumores de glândulas salivares é discutível. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi investigar a eficácia e precisão da punção aspirativa com agulha fina nos tumores da glândula parótida. Método: Pacientes submetidos à parotidectomia entre janeiro de 2008 e junho de 2017 por tumor de glândula parótida foram examinados retrospectivamente. Foram incluídos pacientes com punção aspirativa com agulha fina pré-operatória e histopatologia cirúrgica pós-operatória. A punção aspirativa com agulha fina pré-operatória foi categorizada como benigna, maligna ou com suspeita de malignidade. O histopatológico cirúrgico foi agrupado como benigno ou maligno. Os exames histopatológicos foram comparados com a punção aspirativa com agulha fina, e a sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia e concordância entre os dois testes foram investigadas. Resultados: Foram avaliados 217 casos e excluídos 23 porque o diagnóstico da punção aspirativa com agulha fina não foi conclusivo ou estava indisponível. Portanto, foram incluídos 194 casos. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 47,5 ± 15,88 (7–82). Havia 157 casos benignos, 37 malignos na punção aspirativa com agulha fina e 165 casos benignos e 29 malignos na histopatologia. O tumor benigno mais comum foi o adenoma pleomórfico (43,3%) e o tumor maligno mais comum foi o carcinoma mucoepidermoide (4,13%). A acurácia diagnóstica da punção aspirativa com agulha fina na detecção de malignidade foi de 86,52%. A sensibilidade e especificidade foram de 68,96% e 89,63%, respectivamente. O valor preditivo positivo foi de 54,05% e o valor preditivo negativo foi de 94,23%. Houve concordância moderada entre a punção aspirativa com agulha fina e histopatológico (κ = 0,52). A sensibilidade foi 54,54% em tumores maiores do que e 77,77% em tumores maiores. Nos tumores que se estendiam até o lobo profundo, a sensibilidade foi de 80%. Conclusão: A punção aspirativa com agulha fina é uma importante ferramenta diagnóstica na avaliação dos tumores da glândula parótida. É mais precisa na detecção de tumores benignos. Em tumores maiores do que 2 cm que se estendem até o lobo profundo, a sensibilidade da punção aspirativa com agulha fina é alta. O uso dessa ferramenta em conjunto com a avaliação clínica e radiológica pode ajudar a reduzir os resultados falso-positivos e falso-negativos. Keywords: Parotid gland, Parotidectomy, Fine-needle aspiration biopsy, Diagnostic accuracy, Palavras-chave: Glândula parótida, Parotidectomia, Punção aspirativa com agulha fina, Acurácia diagnóstica

Introduction: Lateral osteotomy is mainly performed either endonasally or percutaneously in rhinoplasty which is a frequently performed operation for the correction of nasal deformities. Both techniques have both advantages and disadvantages relative to each other. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the histopathological effects of endonasal and percutaneous osteotomy techniques performed in rhinoplasty on bone healing and nasal stability in an experimental animal model. Methods: Eight one year-old New Zealand white rabbits were included. Xylazine hydrocloride and intramuscular ketamine anesthesia were administered to the rabbits. Endonasal osteotomy (8 bones) was performed in Group 1 (n = 4), and percutaneous osteotomy (8 bones) in Group 2 (n = 4). One month later the rabbits were sacrificed. Bone healing of the rabbits was staged according to the bone healing score of Huddleston et al. In both groups, nasal bone integrity was assessed subjectively. Results: In the percutaneous osteotomy group, Grade 1 bone healing was observed in two samples (25%), Grade 2 bone healing in two samples (25%), Grade 3 bone healing in four samples (50%). In the endonasal osteotomy group, Grade 1 bone healing was observed in 6 samples (75%) and Grade 2 bone healing was observed in 2 samples (25%). In the percutaneous group, fibrous tissue was observed in 2, predominantly fibrous tissue and a lesser amount of cartilage was observed in 2 and an equal amount of fibrous tissue and cartilage was observed in 4 samples. In the endonasal group, fibrous tissue was observed in 6 samples, and predominantly fibrous tissue with a lesser amount of cartilage was observed in 2 samples. In both groups, when manual force was applied to the nasal bones, subjectively the same resistance was observed. Conclusion: Percutaneous lateral osteotomy technique was found to result in less bone and periost trauma and better bone healing compared to the endonasal osteotomy technique. Resumo: Introdução: Nas rinoplastias, a osteotomia lateral é realizada principalmente por via endonasal ou percutânea para correção de deformidades nasais. Ambas as técnicas apresentam vantagens e desvantagens. Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos histopatológicos sobre a cicatrização óssea e estabilidade nasal entre as técnicas de osteotomia endonasal e percutânea em rinoplastia em um modelo animal experimental. Método: Foram incluídos oito coelhos brancos da Nova Zelândia de um ano de idade. Hidrocloreto de xilazina e cetamina intramuscular foram administrados aos coelhos como agentes anestésicos. Osteotomia endonasal (8 ossos) foi realizada no Grupo 1 (n = 4) e osteotomia percutânea (8 ossos) no Grupo 2 (n = 4). Um mês depois, os coelhos foram sacrificados. A cicatrização óssea dos coelhos foi avaliada de acordo com o escore de cicatrização óssea de Huddleston et al. Em ambos os grupos, a integridade do osso nasal foi avaliada subjetivamente. Resultados: No grupo da osteotomia percutânea, observou-se cicatrização óssea de grau 1 em duas amostras (25%), cicatrização óssea de grau 2 em duas amostras (25%), e cicatrização óssea de grau 3 em quatro amostras (50%). No grupo da osteotomia endonasal, observou-se cicatrização óssea de grau 1 em 6 amostras (75%) e a cicatrização óssea de grau 2 foi observada em 2 amostras (25%). No grupo percutâneo, o tecido fibroso foi observado em 2 amostras, enquanto tecido predominantemente fibroso e uma menor quantidade de cartilagem foi observada em 2 e uma quantidade igual de tecido fibroso e cartilagem foi observada em 4 amostras. No grupo endonasal, observou-se tecido fibroso em 6 amostras e tecido predominantemente fibroso com uma menor quantidade de cartilagem em 2 amostras. Em ambos os grupos, quando força manual foi aplicada aos ossos nasais, a mesma resistência foi observada subjetivamente. Conclusão: A técnica de osteotomia lateral percutânea resultou em menor traumatismo ósseo e periosteal e melhor cicatrização óssea em comparação com a técnica de osteotomia endonasal. Keywords: Endonasal osteotomy, Percutaneous osteotomy, Rhinoplasty, Animal model, Palavras-chave: Osteotomia endonasal, Osteotomia percutânea, Rinoplastia, Modelo animal

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Hematology is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI 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.)

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by disseminated thrombotic occlusions located in the microcirculation, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, and renal and neurologic abnormalities. A 14 year old girl admitted to our hospital complaining bruising on her body and prolonged menstrual bleeding. On her physical examination there were very common bruising on four extremities. On the laboratory studies, Hemoglobin was 9 g/dL; Hematocrit, 24%; white blood count 11600/mm3 and thrombocyte count, 9.000/mm3. According to these findings our first diagnose was idiopatic thrombocytopenic purpura so intravenous immunoglobulin was given to patient for two days. Bone marrow aspiration was performed because of persisting thrombocytopenia despite two days IVIG therapy. Increased number of megakaryocytes was seen in bone marrow. Some accompanying symptoms like headache, numbness in per oral region and extremities, difficulty in speaking, and fluctuation in consciousness for short time occurred. The patient was reevaluated; because thrombocytopenia persisted and some neurological symptoms was observed. Due to these findings we thought that TTP was the diagnosed and plasma exchange was started. Increase was seen in platelet count in the second days of treatment. TTP should be considered in children presenting with atypical thrombocytopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schwannoma is a peripheral nerve sheath tumor which affects the larynx rarely. This tumor is most commonly located in the head and neck region. In this article we report a patient presenting with the complaint of hoarseness of 5-6 months duration in whom a mass was detected in the interarytenoid region at indirect laryngoscopy. An excisional biopsy was performed with microsurgical technique after which the tumor was histopathologically diagnosed to be a Schwannoma. Additionally, we discuss the clinical and histopathological features and current treatment approaches of the laryngeal Schwannoma.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Reports about the clinical relevance of rotavirus in immunocompromised children are rare. We herein presented a case of life-threatening Rotavirus gastroenteritis in an infant with acute myeloblastic leukemia which could be prevented by recently recommended Rotavirus vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of virtual unenhanced imaging by comparing the attenuation values of virtual and true unenhanced images acquired using third-generation dual-source dual-energy computed tomography (dsDECT)., Methods: Single-energy non-contrast and dual-energy arterial and venous phase images of 97 patients who underwent triphasic abdominal computed tomography (CT) were included in this retrospective study. Virtual unenhanced images were generated for the arterial (a) and venous (v) phases using two dsDECT algorithms. The attenuation values were measured on the true and virtual unenhanced images of the liver, spleen, kidney, gallbladder, paraspinal muscle, aorta, subcutaneous fat, retroperitoneal fat, and renal cysts., Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the attenuation values ​​of true and virtual unenhanced images for all tissues (p < 0.001-0.025), except the venous phase virtual unenhanced images of the kidney, renal cysts, and gallbladder (p = 0.061-0.325). The proportion of cases with differences of ≥ 10 Hounsfield unit (HU) in the attenuation values between the virtual and true unenhanced images ranged from 3% to 8% for renal parenchyma, renal cysts, and gallbladder using this algorithm; however, this proportion was up to 90% for adipose tissue. No significant correlation was observed between the body mass index and attenuation differences between the true and virtual unenhanced images, except for those of the aorta and paraspinal muscle., Conclusion: Virtual unenhanced images acquired using third-generation dsDECT cannot replace true unenhanced images in clinical practice owing to the difference between the attenuation values and variability of attenuation between true and virtual unenhanced images., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Gazi University Ethics Committee of Clinical Research issued approval 2019/22. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Yalçın et al.)

Purpose: The present study aims to (1) assess the technical success and limb salvage rates of endovascular therapy in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and infra-popliteal Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C/D lesions according to the updated 2015 TASC II classification and (2) to present our institutional experience., Methods: A single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients with TASC C/D CLTI who underwent endovascular treatment between 2012 and 2017. The follow-up protocol consisted of Doppler ultrasound conduction every 3 months for the first year unless patients showed symptoms of CLTI. Patients with at least 1 year of follow-up data were included in the study, and if applicable their 3-year results were evaluated in terms of primary patency, absence of amputation, amputation-free survival, and overall survival., Results: A total of 248 patients and 287 limbs (238 TASC D lesions and 49 TASC C lesions) were treated via infra-popliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The overall technical success was 87%, the primary patency rate was 41.5% in the first year, and the freedom from amputation rates were 80.8% in 1 year and 67.7% in 3 years., Conclusion: In patients with infra-popliteal arterial occlusive diseases, endovascular treatment methods demonstrate a high rate of technical success and favorable outcomes in limb preservation.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of massage to the sacral region after cesarean delivery instead of employing a urinary catheter for the prevention of urinary retention., Study Design: Cross sectional study., Material and Methods: This interventional study population consisted of 60 women who were divided into two intervention groups and one control group. For the first intervention group, the sacral region was massaged every hour 10-15 minutes after cesarean delivery and every 30 minutes after a voiding sensation for the second intervention group. No interventions were made in the control group, although routine hospital services were provided. Socio-demographic data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Other data were collected via observation., Results: Fifteen percent (15%) of the women in the first intervention group needed to void 2 hours after cesarean delivery, 35% after 3 hours, and the mean time to void after delivery was 3.4±0.8 hours. Forty percent (40%) of the women in the second intervention group needed to void after 5 hours, and the mean time to void after delivery was 5.5±0.8 hours. Sixty percent (60%) of the women in the control group needed to void 6 hours later, and the mean time to void after delivery was 6.2±0.7 hours. Urinary retention was not observed in the first intervention group. Our statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the three groups in terms of mean times to void after cesarean delivery (p<0.05)., Conclusion: In order to facilitate voiding and to prevent urinary retention, which is seen as a post-cesarean complication, massaging the sacral region could be recommended instead of urinary catheter insertion. Additional studies with larger groups are also recommended.