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This study examines the effects of financial and technological innovations on India's ecological footprint—a comprehensive indicator of environmental degradation. Although previous research has addressed the individual impacts of these innovations, their collective influence has not been thoroughly investigated. Using data from 1973 to 2018 and employing ARDL Bounds and Bayer‐Hanck cointegration tests, we find a long‐run relationship between innovations, economic growth, energy consumption, and the ecological footprint. Notably, while the short‐term impact of innovations appears detrimental, both financial and technological innovations demonstrate a long‐term beneficial effect on the environment, which suggests that initial investments in innovation may have short‐term environmental costs, but ultimately contribute to environmental improvement. Additionally, this study confirms the harmful long‐term effects of energy consumption and economic growth on the environment. These findings underscore the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing robust environmental policies to foster sustainable development in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although first aid knowledge and skills are a necessity, global studies show that there is a lack of awareness, hence the need for training that is accessible to all. This case study focuses on developing a blended learning plan for first aid training and creating interactive VR videos as a distance learning resource. An interactive video was created for VR glasses that explains the basic first aid coma position, enriched with questions. The video was uploaded to a web platform and configured for VR. Participants were randomly selected among Anadolu University staff, ranked according to their first aid knowledge scores. They gave feedback after using the application with VR glasses. For qualitative data, content analysis was performed and key concepts and themes were identified. As a result of the research, it was concluded that individuals with different demographic characteristics had a positive view of first aid learning experiences with VR, understood the steps of first aid application and gained the correct application. The developed VR video has a modular structure and can be developed with different scenarios and can be used to teach other first aid applications and different skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU) in aircraft is DC power supplies. Three-phase AC power supplies are available as long as they work. DC power distribution, on the other hand, provides DC power directly to all DC users, providing input power to the emergency AC distribution system so that the static inverter can generate AC power. To the voltages produced by TRUs to be less oscillating and of higher quality, multi-pulse ones are studied and recommended for aircraft systems. In this study, Zener diode filtered multi-pulse rectifier, which can further reduce the oscillations in the output voltage, is recommended for aircraft. Three-phase half-wave rectifier design and analysis are presented to better demonstrate the effectiveness of Zener diode regulation in multi-pulse TRUs. First, the parts of the power system, which includes the rectifier circuit of a two-engine aircraft and fed by this rectifier, are given. The circuit structure and working order of the rectifier are given with mathematical explanations. In the application phase, low oscillating output voltages and currents are obtained by creating currents and voltages on the load for different Zener voltages. Conventional rectifiers and the proposed rectifier are tested on the same loads, and comparisons are done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon mitigation and net-zero targets have an important place on the political agenda for all countries. Countries have been seeking to decouple economic growth and carbon emissions to achieve decarbonization. However, there is a cost of the decarbonization of economies, which can be called as Green Sacrifice Ratio (GSR), and this is critical for developing countries because they have been in the growing stage. By considering the critical role of GSR in achieving net-zero emissions by decarbonizing economies, the study comparatively examines how much environmental quality should be sacrificed for per capita economic growth in China and India. In line with this purpose, the study uses the Fourier-Shin cointegration test and various time series estimators with Fourier approximations for the period from 1989/Q1 to 2022/Q4. Estimation results are as follows: (i) all variables follow the non-stationary process, (ii) the long-run relationship exists between variables, and (iii) Estimation results show that GSR is 0.65% for China and 0.78% for India. Therefore, China and India sacrifice a significant amount of environmental quality for a 1% increase in per capita income level. Also, the ecological cost of increasing economic welfare in India is higher with regard to China. Besides, the results are robust according to the alternative method. Thus, the study recommends that both Chinese and Indian policymakers should revise the economic expansion structure with green growth strategies to prevent irreversible environmental degradation due to higher economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feasible extraction procedure is proposed to retrieve the diagonal tensor elements of the permittivity and permeability, and the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient of Omega-type biansiotropic metamaterials (MMs). The procedure is based on the state transition matrix approach and uses non-iterative closed-form expressions between constitutive parameters and scattering (S-) parameters to achieve such determination using S-parameters for normal incidence and oblique incidence of TE and TM modes (a desirable feature from practical point of view). S-parameter simulations of a bianisotropic MM slab constructed by edge-coupled resonators are performed using a 3D electromagnetic simulator program and used to validate the proposed procedure and compare its accuracy against previously developed extraction procedures. The effects of incidence angle, S-parameters' noise, and dimensional variations (fabrication tolerances) on the extracted parameters of the examined MM slab are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality is an indispensable requirement in medical laboratories, where controls are performed at different phases of the laboratory processes. In the following, we consider the internal quality control activities during the analytical phase of medical laboratories for verifying the test results prior to their release. To monitor the measurement process for errors in the test results, one approach that is considerably attracting the health professionals is patient‐based real‐time quality control. In this respect, real‐time patient test results are monitored, commonly by implementing the Moving Average (MA) control chart with truncation limits. A usual practice is the use of truncation limits to exclude abnormal patient test results from the MA calculations. However, an open issue in the literature is how to determine the width of the truncation limits and the window size in the MA calculations. Furthermore, the distributions of the test results are often nonnormal and difficult to model by personnel having insufficient training in statistics. Consequently, robustness of the performance of the MA control chart to non‐normal distributions of test results is another open topic in the literature. In this study, a detailed robustness analysis is performed by considering various distributions having different shapes. Performance of several MA control chart designs constructed by altering the truncation limits and window sizes are investigated. Based on our simulation results with selected distributions, we conclude that the truncation limits should not be used and a window size of 20 is recommended. Under such a setting, the MA control chart performs similar to its intended performance in terms of false alarms and in detecting systematic errors, hence being robust to non‐normality of the test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychoactive substances obtained from botanicals have been applied for a wide variety of purposes in the rituals of different cultures for thousands of years. Classical psychedelics from N,N′‐dimethyltryptamine, psilocybin, mescaline and various lysergamides cause specific alterations in perception, emotion and cognition by acting through serotonin 5‐HT2A receptor activation. Lysergic acid diethylamide, the first famous breakthrough in the field, was discovered by chance by Albert Hoffman in the Zurich Sandoz laboratory in 1943, and studies on its psychoactive effects began to take place in the literature. Studies in this area were blocked after the legislation controlling the use and research of psychedelic drugs came into force in 1967, but since the 1990s, it has started to be a matter of scientific curiosity again by various research groups. In particular, with the crucial reports of psychotherapy‐assisted psilocybin applications for life‐threatening cancer‐related anxiety and depression, a new avenues have been opened in the treatment of psychiatric diseases such as treatment‐resistant depression and substance addictions. An increasing number of studies show that psychedelics have a very promising potential in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases where the desired efficiency cannot be achieved with conventional treatment methods. In this context, we discuss psychedelic therapy, encompassing its historical development, therapeutic applications and potential treatment effects—especially in depression, trauma disorders and substance use disorders—within the framework of ethical considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary dickkopf 3 (uDKK3) is a marker released by kidney tubular epithelial cells that is associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may cause interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Recent evidence suggests that uDKK3 can also predict the loss of kidney function in CKD patients and kidney transplant recipients, regardless of their current renal function. We conducted a prospective study on 181 kidney transplant (KTx) recipients who underwent allograft biopsy to determine the cause, analyzing the relationship between uDKK3 levels in urine, histological findings, and future allograft function progression. Additionally, we studied 82 living kidney donors before unilateral nephrectomy (Nx), 1–3 days after surgery, and 1 year post-surgery to observe the effects of rapid kidney function loss. In living donors, the uDKK3/creatinine ratio significantly increased 5.3-fold 1–3 days after Nx. However, it decreased significantly to a median level of 620 pg/mg after one year, despite the absence of underlying primary kidney pathology. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased by an average of 29.3% to approximately 66.5 (±13.5) mL/min/1.73 m2 after one year, with no further decline in the subsequent years. uDKK3 levels increased in line with eGFR loss after Nx, followed by a decrease as the eGFR partially recovered within the following year. However, uDKK3 did not correlate with the eGFR at the single time points in living donors. In KTx recipients, the uDKK3/creatinine ratio was significantly elevated with a median of 1550 pg/mg compared to healthy individuals or donors after Nx. The mean eGFR in the recipient group was 35.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. The uDKK3/creatinine ratio was statistically associated with the eGFR at biopsy but was not independently associated with the eGFR one year after biopsy or allograft loss. In conclusion, uDKK3 correlates with recent and future kidney function and kidney allograft survival in the renal transplant cohort. Nevertheless, our findings indicate that the uDKK3/creatinine ratio has no prognostic influence on future renal outcome in living donors and kidney recipients beyond the eGFR, independent of the presence of acute renal graft pathology, as correlations are GFR-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAcute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning may cause liver damage and liver dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the efficiency of normobaric oxygen (NBO) and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNCO) treatments on liver injury. For that purpose, 28 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (Control, CO, CO + NBO, and CO + HFNCO). The control group was allowed to breath room air for 30 min. Acute CO poisoning in CO, CO + NBO, CO + HFNCO was induced by CO exposure for 30 min. Thereafter, NBO group received 100% NBO with reservoir mask for 30 min. HFNCO group received high-flow oxygen through nasal cannula for 30 min. At the end of the experiment, all animals were sacrificed by cardiac puncture under anesthesia. Serum liver function tests were measured. Liver tissue total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels, tissue histomorphology and immunoexpression levels of Bax, Caspase 3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB were also examined. Our observations indicated that acute CO poisoning caused significant increases in blood COHb, serum aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT0, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, and globulin levels but a decrease in albumin to globulin ratio (all, p < 0.05). Furthermore, acute CO poisoning significantly increased the OSI value, and the immunoexpresssion of Bax, Caspase 3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in liver tissue (all, p < 0.05). These pathological changes in serum and liver tissue were alleviated through both of the treatment methods. In conclusion, both the NBO and HFNCO treatments were beneficial to alleviate the acute CO poisoning associated with liver injury and dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The methanol extract of Hypericum linarioides (MHL) has positive effect on human dermal fibroblast cell proliferation. • MHL-containing nanoemulsion formulation (MHL-NEF) with droplet size less than 160 nm was prepared successfully. • For MHL and MHL-NEF, the maximum cell viability% was obtained at 0.4 µg/mL. • It was observed as a result of scratch assay that NEF improved the wound-healing potential of MHL. • TGF-β1 and FGFR-2 expressions in MHL-NEF-treated fibroblast cells increased significantly at 24 h. It was aimed to develop and in vitro characterize the methanol extract of Hypericum linarioides (MHL)-containing nanoemulsion formulation (MHL-NEF) to heal the wound effectively. MHL-NEF was prepared and its droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), viscosity, pH and zeta potential (ZP) values were determined. The effect of MHL and MHL-NEF on human dermal fibroblast cell viability was examined by MTT assay. Also, their wound healing potential was evaluated using the scratch assay. The droplet size, PDI, ZP, pH and viscosity values for the MHL-NEF were found to be 157.67±7.61 nm, 0.268±0.036, (-)40.20±6.79 mV, 4.27±0.01, and 1.82±0.01 cP, respectively. In the cell viability assay, the highest percentage of living cells was obtained at concentration of 0.4 µg/mL for the MHL and MHL-NEF. In the scratch assay, MHL-NEF showed significantly ameliorated wound closure (%) rates at 24 and 30 h than the groups of control, MHL and blank-NEF (NEF without MHL) (p < 0.001). Immunofluorescence staining was carried out. TGF-β1 and FGFR-2 expressions in MHL-NEF-treated fibroblast cells increased significantly at 24 h compared to the groups of control, MHL, and B-NEF (p < 0.001). Our findings show that MHL-NEF may be promising for better wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A de-embedding method for determining all scattering (S-) parameters (e.g., characterization) of a sensing area of planar microstrip sensors (two-port network or line) is proposed using measurements of S-parameters with no calibration. The method requires only (partially known) non-reflecting line and reflecting line standards to accomplish such a characterization. It utilizes uncalibrated S-parameter measurements of a reflecting line, direct and reversed configurations of a non-reflecting line, and direct and reversed configurations of the sensing area. As different from previous similar studies, it performs such a characterization without any sign ambiguity. The method is first validated by extracting the S-parameters of a bianisotropic metamaterial slab, as for a two-port network (line), constructed by split-ring-resonators (SRRs) from waveguide measurements. Then, it is applied for determining the S-parameters of a sensing area of a microstrip sensor involving double SRRs next to a microstrip line. The root-mean-square-error (RMSE) analysis was utilized to analyze the accuracy of our method in comparison with other techniques in the literature. It has been observed from such an analysis that our proposed de-embedding technique has the lowest RMSE values for the extracted S-parameters of the sensing area of the designed sensor in comparison with those of the compared other de-embedding techniques in the literature, and have similar RMSE values in reference to those of the thru-reflect-line calibration technique. For example, while RMSE values of real and imaginary parts of the forward reflection S-parameter of this sensing area are, respectively, around 0.0271 and 0.0279 for our de-embedding method, those of one of the compared de-embedding techniques approach as high as 0.0318 and 0.0324. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Though headache is commonly observed after stroke and may affect survivors' quality of life, it has rarely been studied after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). In a cohort of ICH survivors, we assessed the long‐term prevalence and determinants of headache. Methods: We screened consecutive ICH survivors enrolled in the prospective, single‐centre Prognosis of Intracerebral Haemorrhage study for headache 1, 3, and 6 years after ICH, according to the International Headache Society's criteria. Depressive and anxiety symptoms severity was measured at 1‐year follow‐up. Variables associated with the presence of headache 1 year after ICH were analyzed using univariate and multivariable models. Results: Among the 146 patients included in this study, 31 (21%), 25 (19%), and 14 (20%) patients reported headache at 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐year follow‐up, respectively. In an age‐adjusted model, patients with headache at ICH onset (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.75; 95% CI 1.02–7.42) and previous history of headache (aOR 4.60; 95% CI 1.74–12.1) were associated with headache at 1‐year follow‐up. Patients with headache were more likely to report depressive and anxiety symptoms at 1‐year follow‐up (both p < 0.02). Conclusions: One in five ICH survivors suffered from headache and patients who reported headache at ICH onset were especially at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and inexpensive microwave measurement setup based on measurements of magnitudes of transmission properties ( | S 21 | dB ) is proposed for industrial-based microwave aquametry (moisture or water content) applications. An easy-to-apply calibration procedure based on normalization is implemented to eliminate systematic errors in the measurement system. As a case study, we applied this setup for the quantification of water-adulteration in flower honey. After validating this system by distilled water and pure flower honey measurements, | S 21 | dB measurements of the pure flower honey with various adulteration percentages (δ ) up to 9% are conducted to examine the performance of the measurement setup for quantification of water adulteration. A multi-dimensional fitting procedure is implemented to predict δ using the proposed inexpensive microwave measurement setup. It is shown that it is possible to quantify an adulteration level with an accuracy better than ∓ 1 % by the proposed measurement setup and the applied multi-dimensional fitting procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green algae are well known for their plant growth-promoting role, but the biofertilization potential of some industrial algae waste has yet to be tested. Industrial algae production facilities are increasing rapidly yearly, but most growing liquids are unused and remain as waste. Here we examined the effects of various microalgae byproducts as tea plant growth biostimulants. The roles of cell-free supernatant (CFS), sonicated microalgae biomass and living cells of the freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris in promoting tea plant growth were investigated through real field applications. All three algae by-products of the same culture were applied to the tea plants three times either from aerial parts or from the soil. After 40 days of incubation, it was determined that all microalgae waste, even CFS, significantly improved the vegetative growth of the treated tea plants. CFS were also able to improve chlorophyll accumulation, node length, leaf length, and leaf width by 23%-26%, 62%-69%, 5%-36%, and 23%-54%, respectively. Notably, the sonicated microalgae effluents were able to improve the node growth by 123%. To our knowledge, this is the first study revealing the significant biofertilization potential of C. vulgaris CFS for shoot growth of tea plants. The obtained results highlight the agricultural potentials of both microalgae culture broths and degreased microalgae wastes as sustainable and environmentally-friendly biofertilizers for Camellia sinensis organic farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The estimated prevalence of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) worldwide ranges from 2.9% to 27.9%. Conservative, medical, non-operative, and surgical therapy approaches are applied in HD treatment. Milligan-Morgan (MM) hemorrhoidectomy which is the most well-known and frequently applied surgical treatment method, and Laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LH) are among the accepted treatment methods in Grade 2-3 HD treatment where medical treatment is insufficient. Purpose: In this study, the early results of laser hemorrhoidoplasty and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy techniques were compared. Material and Methods: A randomized clinical trial. The study included ASA 1-3, total 85 patients aged 18-70 years old with symptomatic Grade 2 and Grade 3 hemorrhoidal disease whose symptoms persisted despite at least one month of medical treatment. Fifty-four patients were allocated to Group L, whereas 31 were allocated to Group M. Age, gender, weight, body mass index, preoperative symptoms, presence of additional disease, use of anticoagulant medication, and length of hospital stay of the patients included in the study were recorded. Rescue analgesic used was recorded. Postoperative VAS score and complications were recorded within 10 days. The total energy numbers applied to all packages were recorded. Results: The incidence of minor perioperative hemorrhage was significantly lower in Group L compared to Group M (P =.035). The postoperative 3rd-hour VAS scores were statistically significantly lower in Group L compared to Group (P <.001). At the 3rd hour postoperatively, the need for rescue analgesia was statistically significantly higher in Group M compared to Group L. On the seventh postoperative day, Group M needed considerably more rescue analgesia compared to Group L (P <.001, P = 1.00, P =.035, respectively). The cut-off value of 571 J was calculated in Group L. Conclusion: We believe that it is not an advantageous method compared to MM hemorrhoidectomy, both in terms of patient comfort and cost-effectiveness, since postoperative pain, which is shown as the most important advantage of LH over conventional hemorrhoidectomy methods in the literature, can be relieved with simple NSA-I rescue analgesia in patients undergoing MM. Trial Registration: 03.06.2021/21-63. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important issue regarding the safety and performance of concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) is to determine stresses and deformations. However, predictions of crest settlements of CFRDs are usually performed using empirical relationships. In recent years, CFRDs have been constructed much higher and at more complicated topographical and geological dam sites, so numerical analysis is required to evaluate the stress and deformations in the entire dam body. Also, assessing long-term rockfill behaviour and the concrete face membrane crack potential are important for post-construction dam safety. This study evaluates post-construction deformations and crest settlements of a high CFRD under two different loading cases, considering the non-linear elasto-plastic behaviour of the rockfill structure. As a constitutive model, the Duncan–Chang hyperbolic stress–strain model was applied in finite-element simulations considering the failure criterion is isotropic and hardening. Calibration of the rockfill's hyperbolic parameters was performed by comparing the calculated displacements with actual settlement measurements. Computed crest settlements were also compared with those of some CFRDs given in the literature. Calculated crest settlement and other deformations are in good agreement with the rockfill settlement measurements and in acceptable ranges, and do not threaten the dam's safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has consistently shown that juvenile violent victimization is associated with an increased risk of future criminal involvement, a phenomenon commonly known as victim-offender overlap. Despite a growing interest in the factors underlying this overlap, potential roles of major life transitions and turning points that may interrupt and reshape the nature of this developmental association have garnered less academic attention. Analyzing nationally representative data from waves I, IV, and V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health; n = 10,205), this study investigates the association between juvenile violent victimization and adult criminal outcomes (i.e., violent offending, non-violent offending, arrest, and incarceration) and whether this association is moderated by military service with and without combat experience in young adulthood. Employing a series of logistic regression analyses and adjusting for a host of covariates, measures of selection, and criminogenic traits, we found that juvenile violent victimization was significantly associated with greater odds of violent offending, arrest, and incarceration in adulthood. Among individuals with violent victimization histories, military service with no combat experience was associated with a 16% decrease in the odds of incarceration in adulthood. Combat experience, however, was associated with over seven times greater odds of violent offending in adulthood for these individuals. These findings have important implications for theory, research, and practice, and highlight the relevance of life transitions and turning points in general, and military service in particular, in mitigating or perpetuating the criminogenic impacts of violent victimization in the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aims of this paper are to investigate the existence and uniqueness results for the solution of an inverse source problem for a multidimensional, semilinear, backward parabolic equation, subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions, and to propose an iterative difference scheme for the numerical solution of the problem. The unique solvability of the difference scheme is established, as well. In the foundation of the theoretical results, some tools and facts from the operator theory, contraction principle and the Banach fixed-point theorem are applied. Furthermore, a comprehensive numerical analysis and several illuminating visualizations are carried out by employing the iterative difference schemes proposed on some test problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scoring in creativity research has been a central problem since creativity became an important issue in psychology and education in the 1950s. The current study examined the psychometric properties of 27 creativity indices derived from summed and averaged scores using 15 scoring methods. Participants included 2802 middle-school students. Data included students’ scores on the Creative Scientific Ability Test (C-SAT). The following summed and averaged indices were included in the analysis: fluency, flexibility, creativity quotient, traditional creativity index, originality indices, 26 teachers’ ratings of creativity and appropriateness, and additive and multiplicative indices of originality and appropriateness. Results showed that most summed indices were slightly or largely right-skewed and displayed leptokurtic distributions. Averaged indices showed less skewness with mesocurtic, platycurtic, and leptokurtic distributions. Summed scores had higher variance and reliability than did the averaged scores. Fluency contamination was evident on all the summed indices, with much higher contamination on flexibility and percentile-raking-based originality. Interitem correlations between the indices are compared and contrasted using the equal odds baseline, dual pathway, and the trade-off model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the viability of women's participation in women's cooperatives in Turkey. The prospects are evaluated by focusing on the sustainability of the cooperatives' economic activities as well as the recruitment and continued participation of individual women members. Taking a feminist social reproduction perspective, the article seeks to understand the underlying dynamics of women's participation in cooperatives, as this perspective enables us to analyze this participation as a process and captures the permeability between women's social reproduction duties, women's relationship with the state, and the economic market. Based on countrywide, semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with members of women's cooperatives in Turkey, we find that familial constraints as well as governmental policies and practices challenge women's economic development aspirations in the cooperatives, while social class deeply informs the challenges faced as well as the resources available to and strategies developed by women. The resulting analysis demonstrates that familial, social, and political issues related to social reproduction need to be addressed prior to focusing on the impact of cooperatives on women's empowerment. This is essential to ensuring the success of women's cooperatives and the continued provision of meaningful opportunities for women's participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological development and environmental patents have become one of the policy options to solve the problem of global warming. With the development of technology, waste recycling can be faster and more environmentally friendly, which can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses. The question of which patents and technologies should be promoted for waste management is an important decision-making and research topic. Given the increasing importance of ecological patents and waste disposal for environmental sustainability, this study examines the impact of technological progress on reducing waste-related greenhouse gas (WGHG) emissions in BRIC countries. The study considers energy generation and transmission-related patents (EPAT), patents to prevent pollution in the production process of goods (GPAT), and waste management-related patents (WPAT) as technological progress indicators. Methodologically, the study the applies novel quantile-on-quantile regression (QQ), Granger causality-in-quantiles (GQ), and quantile regression (QR) for the period from 1997m5 to 2019m12. The findings demonstrate that at higher quantiles, (i) EPAT have a dampening effect on WGHG in Brazil and India; (ii) GPAT have a diminishing effect on WGHG in Brazil, Russia, and India; (iii) WPAT have a diminishing effect on WGHG in Brazil, Russia, and India. Overall, technological progress contributes to WGHG emissions reduction in Brazil and India, while EPAT is not beneficial for Russia, and China cannot benefit from patents. The results suggest that Brazil, Russia and India should financially support and disseminate distinct patents to reduce WGHG emissions and improve waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In case of migration of Iranian nationals, while Mediterranean countries are hesitant to accept Iranian undergraduate students and do not admit applications from Iranian citizens due to sanctions, Turkey has increasingly been preferred by Iranian students and individuals who purchase real estate in Turkey in return of residency permit in the last decade. By revealing the South-South migration in context of capital intensified migration in Turkey, the article argues that the introduction of citizenship-by-investment category in 2016 regulating the exceptional acquisition of Turkish citizenship and increasing quotas for international students have motivated more Iranian students to apply undergraduate programs in Turkey and Iranian nationals to buy real estate in Turkey. This transformation in Turkish migration domain isin line with the neoliberal logic and demands of market by commodifying both citizenship and education. In unfolding motivations of Iranians, the research utilizes qualitative data collection technique in which I conduct twenty-five semi-structured interviews with Iranian undergraduate students and real estate purchasers. Interviews suggest that the mobility of Iranian students and investors offers a unique example in the Mediterranean region as Turkey has become a plausible option for Iranian nationals who can obtain an alternative way to exit from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we construct a novel family of fractional‐type integral operators of a function f$$ f $$ by replacing sample values (f(k/n))k=0n$$ {\left(f\left(k/n\right)\right)}_{k=0}^n $$ with the fractional mean values of that function. We give some explicit formulas for higher order moments of the proposed operators and investigate some approximation properties. We also define the fractional variants of Mirakyan–Favard–Szász and Baskakov‐type operators and calculate the higher order moments of these operators. We give an explicit formula for fractional derivatives of proposed operators with the help of the Caputo‐type fractional derivative Furthermore, several graphical and numerical results are presented in detail to demonstrate the accuracy, applicability, and validity of the proposed operators. Finally, an illustrative real‐world example associated with the recent trend of Covid‐19 has been investigated to demonstrate the modeling capabilities of fractional‐type integral operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melting of Antarctic glaciers has become a significant issue as a result of global climate change. Algae on the Antarctic ice/snow is an important part of terrestrial photosynthetic organisms. Monitoring and tracking these algal blooms is crucial for understanding the melting of glaciers in the region. Due to the climatic and natural conditions of the region, traveling to and arranging logistics for monitoring and observing snow algae in the Antarctic continent becomes extremely challenging. To overcome these challenges, a novel algorithm has been developed and designed to automatically detect and analyze green algae (Chlorella sp.) from satellite images. Leveraging the vast and free available data from the Sentinel-2 satellite, the algorithm utilizes its high spectral resolution capabilities, capturing invaluable information from various spectral bands. The algorithm was formulated based on the image obtained on February 28, 2017, where green algae formations were intensively seen in the Ryder Bay. The algorithm was developed based on rule-based detection of algae, with the usage of reflection values from the areas where ground truth was established on this date. The developed algorithm was coded and tested using Python version 3.9. The accuracy analysis of the algorithm was conducted using overall accuracy (OA), F1 score, and Kappa statistical test. As a result of the analysis, the OA, F1 score, and Kappa statistic values were calculated as %91, %88.82-%95.27, and 0.901, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid biopsies are revolutionizing the detection and management of malignant diseases. While repetitive DNA sequences, such as LINE-1 and ALU are established in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) research, their clinical applications remain limited. In this study, we explore human satellite 2 (HSATII), a prevalent repeat DNA sequence in plasma that exhibits increased levels in cancer patients, thereby positioning it as a potential pan-cancer biomarker. We employed targeted sequencing and copy number variation (CNV) analysis using two primer pairs to assess the differential abundance of HSATII sequences in the plasma of breast cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. PCR amplicons of HSATII from 10 patients and 10 control subjects were sequenced, generating 151 bp paired-end reads. By constructing a pooled reference dataset, HSATII copy ratios were estimated in the patients. Our analysis revealed several significant CNVs in HSATII, with certain sequences displaying notable gains and losses across all breast cancer patients, suggesting their potential as biomarkers. However, we observed pronounced fragmentation of cfDNA in cancer, leading to the loss of longer PCR amplicons (>180 bp). While not all observed losses can be attributed to fragmentation artifacts, this phenomenon does introduce complexity in interpreting CNV data. Notably, this research marks the first instance of targeted HSATII sequencing in a liquid biopsy context. Our findings lay the groundwork for developing sequencing-based assays to detect differentially represented HSATII sequences, potentially advancing the field of minimally-invasive cancer screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silage corn (SC) production and yield per area in Turkey have increased over the last decade owing to their high economic importance. The first objective of the current study was to determine the agronomic and nutritive profiles of SC hybrids in the Central Anatolian region of Ankara, Turkey. The other objective was to determine the relationship between silage maturity and corn heat unit (CHU) and growing degree day (GDD) ratings. The current study was set up as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Certified seeds of five dissimilar SC hybrids (cv PL 712, cv TORRO, cv CHAMP, cv MACHA, cv RANGER) (n=5) were established in the field. SC hybrids showed variation among themselves. Differences were also detected in all parameters, except dry matter (DM) content and crude protein (CP) yield. Cv "MACHA" had the highest nutritive profile [CP: 9.60%; acid detergent fiber (ADF): 30.02%; neutral detergent fiber (NDF): 51.62%; acid detergent lignin (ADL): 3.72%; total digestible nutrient (TDN): 62.60%; metabolic energy (ME): 2.34 Mcal kg-1 DM; net energy production (NEp): 1.50 Mcal kg-1 DM]. One of the other hybrids, Cv "CHAMP" had the highest yield components [silage yield: 104.20 t ha-1; dry matter yield: 35.4 t ha-1; TDN yield: 21.10 t ha-1; ME yield: 77880.00 Mcal ha-1; NEp yield: 49914.00 Mcal ha-1]. There was a significant correlation between silage maturity and CHU and GDD ratings [CHUseed (r = 0.84, P= 0.001), CHUsilk (r = 0.90, P<0.001), and GDD (r = 0.89, P<0.001). Based on these results, it was determined that the low-CHU SC hybrid had higher yield values and nutrient profiles in Ankara. In addition to this, SC hybrids; "cv CHAMP" and "cv MACHA" could be recommended for their agronomic profile, nutritive profile, and yield components in the Central Anatolian regions, Ankara, Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halal certified cosmetic products are increasingly finding an important market in the market and are preferred by consumers. Heavy metals, which can be seen as the biggest pollutants of recent times, are also mentioned in the cosmetics world. Studies on the levels of heavy metal pollution in the cosmetics industry have not yet reached a sufficient number in the literature. In the present study, nine halal certified cosmetic products (lipstick, eye shadow, face powder) were digested with hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid by microwave acid digestion method. The toxic element (Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Se, As, Fe, Zn, Cd, Al, Pb) contents of purchased halal certified cosmetic products (lipstick, eye shadow, face powder) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results provide interesting data on heavy metal levels in the cosmetics industry. The presence of Ni and Cu in brand 1 powder, Hg, Ni, Cu and Zn in brand 2 powder, Hg, Ni and Cu in brand 3 powder were not found. Ni and Cu in brand 1 eyeshadow, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg in brand 2 eyeshadow, Ni, Cu, As and Hg in brand 3 eyeshadow were not found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodsResultsConclusionsTo report the effect of topical application of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops on corneal epithelial regeneration in patients with refractory epitheliopathy.A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients treated with topical rhNGF for refractory epithelial keratopathy due to stage I neurotrophic keratitis (NK). Data regarding demographics and ocular/systemic past medical history was extracted from patient charts. Visual acuity and corneal staining scores were recorded at baseline and subsequent follow-up visits at 8 weeks and 3 months. Measurements from the worse eye were used to compare before and after treatment values.We identified 14 patients (median age 68 years, 21% male) who received rhNGF treatment for refractory epithelial keratopathy. After an 8-week treatment with topical rhNGF, the median corneal staining score in the worse eye improved from 4 to 1 (p = 0.001). All patients showed at least one-grade improvement in corneal staining at 8 weeks, with sustained effect in seven patients at 3 months. A better response was observed in eyes with post-radiation epithelial keratopathy, LASIK, and Sjogren’s disease. Those with chronic use of other topical treatments and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus demonstrated incomplete responses. Eight patients reported mild-to-moderate ocular discomfort from drop application that fully resolved after completion of treatment.Topical rhNGF was effective and safe for refractory epithelial keratopathy in our small cohort, but sustained effects were seen only in certain etiologies for up to 3 months. Further studies are needed for optimal dosing and duration based on underlying causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Symptoms due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may persist or new symptoms may appear later. It was aimed to investigate the relationships between late respiratory system findings, allergen sensitivity, and laboratory findings in children with asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 history. Methods The study was conducted in tertiary hospital prospectively between April and July 2021. Children with respiratory system symptoms lasting longer than 1 month, with a history of asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 infection and those who were anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)- antibody-positive were included. Late respiratory system findings, allergen sensitivity, and immunological and hematological findings were evaluated. Children with chronic diseases and those who were anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-negative were excluded. Results Of 105 patients, 44.8% were female with a mean age of 10.7 (1–17) years. Median time from history or exposure to COVID-19 was 5 months in all patients. Post-COVID-19 respiratory symptoms were cough (61%), followed by shortness of breath (46.7%), and chest pain (21%), which were similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (p > 0.05). Of the laboratory findings, only the hemoglobin value was significantly higher in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.03), and there was no difference between them in terms of other parameters. Conclusion It was shown that respiratory system symptoms may occur in the late period after COVID-19. The atopic status and laboratory findings of the patients did not affect this result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the microorganism levels on miswak toothbrushes and to investigate the effect of storage conditions. Materials and Methods: 24 Participants kept miswak toothbrushes in the bathroom and room for one month. Thioglycolate was left in the liquids by cutting 1/3 of the miswak hairs, and incubation was provided for microorganisms. Precise identification of microorganisms is achieved with VITEK® 2 Compact. The periodontal health of the participants was evaluated at the beginning and end of the study by evaluating the bleeding on their plaque, gingival indices, sulcus depths, and probing values. Results: Seventeen (70.80%) participants were female and 7 (29.20%) were male. Half of the participants kept their toothbrushes in the bathroom, and the other half in their room. Lactobacillus spp. was found in 29.2% of toothbrushes, with an average count of 2.43±1.71x102 CFU/ml. Streptococcus mutans were found in 88.3% of toothbrushes, with an average count of 4.05±1.64x102 CFU/ml. Of the toothbrushes tested, 25.0% had Candida albicans present with an average count of 3.18±1.47x102 CFU/ml. Lactobacillus spp. in 29.90% of Miswak toothbrushes, S. mutans was found in 83.30% and C. albicans in 25%. No significant difference was observed in periodontal index values. Conclusion: 84% of miswak toothbrushes are contaminated with persistent bacteria in the first month of use, regardless of storage method. Storing miswak toothbrushes in a humid environment results in higher rates of S. mutans bacterial contamination and survival. Surprisingly, colonization and survival of Lactobacillus spp. and C. albicans were higher in miswak toothbrushes stored at room temperature. It should be replaced with miswak toothbrushes every month instead of the previously suggested three months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Static inverters are very important for the emergency energy distribution system of aircraft and similar machines. At the same time, the electrical energy produced at high frequency for electrical devices is used to reduce the weight of the cables in the aircraft and spacecraft because of the skin effect. In the high-frequency system, a thinner cable cross-section is used, and a great weight reduction occurs in the aircraft. So, fuel economy, less and late wear of the materials (landing gear, etc.) can be obtained with decreasing weight. This paper aims to present the development of a functional multilevel inverter (FMLI) with fractional sinus pulse width modulation (FSPWM) and a reduced number of switches to provide high-frequency and quality electrical energy conversion. Design/methodology/approach: After the production of FSPWM for FMLI with a reduced component, which, to the best of the authors' knowledge, is presented for the first time in this study, is explained step by step, and eight operating states are given according to different FSPWMs operating the circuit. The designed inverter and modulation technique are compared by testing the conventional modular multilevel inverter on different loads. Findings: According to application results, it is seen that there is a 50% reduction in cross-section from 100 Hz to 400 Hz with the skin effect. At 1000 Hz, there is a 90% cross-section reduction. The decrease can be in cable weights that may occur in aircraft from 10 kg to 100 kg according to different frequencies. It causes less harmonic distortion than conventional converters. This supports the safer operation of the system. Compared to the traditional system, the proposed system provides more amplitude in converting the source to alternating voltage and increases the efficiency. Practical implications: FSPWM is developed for multilevel inverters with reduced components at the high frequency and cascaded switching studies in the power electronics of aircraft. Social implications: Although the proposed system has less current and power loss as mentioned in the previous sections, it contains fewer power elements than conventional inverters that are equivalent for different hardware levels. This not only reduces the cost of the system but also provides ease of maintenance. To reduce the cable load in aircraft and create more efficient working conditions, 400 Hz alternative voltage is used. The proposed system causes less losses and lower harmonic distortions than traditional systems. This will reduce possible malfunctions and contribute to aircraft reliability for passengers and cargo. As technology develops, it is revealed that the proposed inverter system will be more efficient than traditional inverters when devices operating at frequencies higher than 400 Hz are used. With the proposed inverter, safer operation will be ensured, while there will be less energy loss, less fuel consumption and less carbon emissions to the environment. Originality/value: The proposed inverter structure shows that it can provide energy transmission for electrical devices in space and aircraft by using the skin effect. It also contains less power elements than the traditional inverters, which are equivalent for different levels of hardware. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The augmented resource consumption, higher demand for resources, and limited supply promote a major resource crisis in a number of the largest economies. This crisis upsurges the ecological footprint (EF) augmenting the process of resource depletion and enhancing ecological degradation. Against this backdrop, this investigation aims to apprehend the interplay between environmental policy, socioeconomic conditions (SEC), financial globalization (FG), renewable energy (RN), and the EF within the top 10 economies. Driven by their massive economic growth, the top 10 economies have become entangled in a vicious cycle of resource consumption and environmental degradation. To understand these relationships, the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MM‐QR) is adopted, which helps to identify the impacts of regressors on EF from 2000 to 2021. The findings of this analysis denote that environmental taxes (ETX) reduce the EF in the context of top economies without much variation. RN bolsters reductions in the EF, displaying an escalating impact that ranges from the 10th to the 90th quantiles. FG reduces the EF across various quantiles, with its effects stimulating from lower to upper quantiles. The findings did not reveal any statistically significant effects of SEC on the EF. Additionally, the study observed a U‐shaped relationship between EF and economic growth, indicating a potential escalation of environmental issues with further development in the upcoming years. The study provides in‐depth policy directions for increasing the utilization of renewables and enhancing the FG to enhance environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cornelian cherry (CC) is a source of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, melatonin and, vitamin C and used as traditional food and in folk medicine. In this study, we analyzed and compared the variation of some bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity in CC fruits depending on ripening and genotype. CC fruit was sampled at different ripening times (unripe, semi‐ripe and ripe) and the contents of sugars, vitamin C, melatonin and phenolic compounds were analysed by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography (UFLC‐PDA). The results showed that the fruits at the unripe samples had a significantly higher chemical components and antioxidant capacity. Chlorogenic acid, catechin, gallic acid and rutin were the four major phenolic compounds identified in all genotypes. Melatonin concentration of unripe fruits was found to be high in all genotypes (ranged from 1664.78–114.60 ng/mL) and a decrease was detected in ripe fruits. Significant increases in vitamin C and individual sugar contents (glucose and fructose) occurred with advancing maturity. The highest vitamin C concentration was determined as 77.38 mg/100 g during the full ripening period. Antioxidant capacity results determined by both methods showed a decreasing tendency with the ripening of the fruits. Concerning antioxidant activity, DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity were maximal at unripe in all CC genotpes. During the development and maturity periods of fruits, important physiological and biochemical changes occured that affect antioxidant capacity, nutritional and chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that social media companies' power to regulate communication in the public sphere illustrates a novel type of domination. The idea is that, since social media companies can partially dictate the terms of citizens' political participation in the public sphere, they can arbitrarily interfere with the choices individuals make qua citizens. I contend that social media companies dominate citizens in two different ways. First, I focus on the cases in which social media companies exercise direct control over political speech. They exercise quasi-public power over citizens because their regulation of speech on social media platforms implies the capacity to arbitrarily interfere with citizens' democratic contestation in the political system. Second, companies' algorithmic governance entails the capacity to interfere with citizens' choices about what mode of discursive engagement they endorse in their relationships with fellow citizens. By raising the cost of deliberative engagement, companies narrow citizens' choice menu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germany has set an ambitious goal of meeting the recommendations of COP‐26 and reducing its carbon intensity to zero by 2045. Germany is a leader in environmental patents after the United States, Japan, and South Korea, and the environmental implications of Germany's leadership in eco‐innovation hold important clues for achieving net zero goals. In particular, the European Union is one of the global communities making the greatest efforts to combat emissions, and the success of the leading role of environmental patents in this Union in reducing CO2 emissions is an important research topic for scholars. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of environmental patents on CO2 emissions under the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in Germany. To this end, the study applies Bayer–Hanck and Fourier ADL approaches from 1970 to 2019. The main findings do not confirm the EKC hypothesis, while environmental patents play an active role in CO2 reduction. Based on these outcomes, Germany should consider a long‐term green policy to decouple economic growth and emissions. At the same time, German policy should promote the development and application of environmental patents to achieve the net zero targets for 2045. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Proton craniospinal irradiation (pCSI) is a treatment option for leptomeningeal disease (LMD), which permits whole neuroaxis treatment while minimizing toxicity. Despite this, patients inevitably experience progression. Adding systemic therapy to pCSI may improve outcomes. Methods: In this single-institution retrospective case series, we present the feasibility of treatment with pCSI (30Gy, 10 fractions) and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in two sequential patients with LMD from melanoma. Results: The first patient developed LMD related to BRAF V600E-mutant melanoma after prior ICI and BRAF-targeted therapy. After pCSI with concurrent nivolumab, the addition of relatlimab, and BRAF-targeted therapy, he remained alive 7 months after LMD diagnosis despite central nervous system progression. The second patient developed LMD related to BRAF-wildtype melanoma after up-front ICI. He received pCSI with concurrent ipilimumab and nivolumab, then nivolumab maintenance. Though therapy was held for ICI hepatitis, the patient remained progression-free 5 months after LMD diagnosis. Conclusion: Adding an ICI to pCSI is feasible for patients with LMD and demonstrates a tolerable toxicity profile. While prospective evaluation is ultimately warranted, pCSI with ICI may confer survival benefits, even after prior ICI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In this study, the molecular structure of the mexiletine molecule was investigated. Since the Mexiletine molecule is a drug active ingredient, its molecular structure and spectroscopic properties are important. The effects of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Parameters (NMR), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) parameters and molecular docking studies were examined in the mexiletine molecule. The effects of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on EPR parameters and molecular docking studies are the most important steps for this study. Method: Conformational space scanning required for molecular structure calculations was carried out with the Molecular Mechanic Force Field method. DFT method with 6–311 + + G(d,p) basis set level was used to obtain the most stable structure among the conformations. NMR parameters (1H and 13C chemical shift values) were also performed using the same basis set as the DFT method. The radicals created to calculate the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance parameters were modeled using the DFT/B3LYP/6–311 + + G(d,p) method basis set level. Molecular Docking studies were carried out with the Autodock vina program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the need for thermal management of lithium-ion batteries in electrical transportation engineering has received increased attention. To get maximum performance from lithium-ion batteries, battery thermal management systems are required. This paper quantitatively presents the effects of several factors on both maximum battery temperature and temperature gradient. These factors include ambient temperature (288 K, 293 K, 298 K, 303 K, 308 K), C-rate (1C, 2C, 3C, 4C, 5C), mixing ratio (1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%), and inlet velocity (0.01 m s−1, 0.02 m s−1, 0.03 m s−1, 0.04 m s−1, 0.05 m s−1). Five levels for each parameter were considered to develop the orthogonal array. The significance of the variables was orderly shown through the L25 experiment. Results indicated that for maximal battery temperature, C-rate and ambient temperature are the most significant factors while for temperature gradient, C-rate and inlet velocity play an important role. For maximum battery temperature ambient temperature, C-rate, mixing ratio, and inlet velocity of 288 K, 1C, 4%, and 0.05 m s−1, respectively, were obtained at the optimal setting. An ambient temperature of 308 K, a C-rate of 1, a mixing ratio of 5%, and an inlet velocity of 0.05 m s−1 was the optimal setting for the temperature gradient. The results showed that the confirmatory test validates the optimization process for maximum battery temperature and temperature gradient. This study may provide a pathway for manufacturers and researchers interested in minimizing battery temperature and improving temperature gradient in electric vehicle applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increasing geopolitical tensions and disruption of gas supplies, European countries have been looking for alternatives for electricity generation (EG). As part of this process, one of the most important goals for long-term sustainability is to ensure carbon neutrality. Therefore, this study analyzes time, frequency, and quantile-based impacts of EG from different electricity generation sources (i.e., renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuels) on carbon neutrality, focusing on four leading European countries. The study applies the wavelet transform coherence (WC), quantile-on-quantile regression (QQ), and Granger causality in quantiles (GQ) to high-frequency daily data between January 2, 2019 and March 10, 2023. Results show that (i) there is a strong time and frequency dependence between EG and CO2 emissions across countries, while results vary by EG sources and countries; (ii) renewable EG dampens CO2 emissions. At higher quantiles, a higher share of renewable EG lowers CO2 emissions in Germany and Spain, while they increase in France; (iii) nuclear EG is beneficial only for the United Kingdom. (iv) Fossil EG increases CO2 emissions in all countries. Excessive fossil EG leads to more CO2 emissions at higher quantiles; (v) the impacts of EG on CO2 emissions have a time-, frequency-, quantile-, country-, and EG source-dependent structure. The outcomes of the study demonstrates that the ideal EG source for countries is mainly renewable EG, while in the case of the United Kingdom, nuclear EG could be an alternative for improving the environment while reducing fossil fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The study looked into emergency department family members' (FMs) views on being present during resuscitation and contributing to end-of-life care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 467 FM volunteers of mildly injured or ill patients was conducted at a research hospital between October 2021 and May 2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered by a clinical psychologist. The analysis employed SPSS 22.0 with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. The study was conducted according to the STROBE criteria. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean FMs' age was 34.3 ± 10.43; 64.2% were male, 62.1% were married, and 76.9% had nuclear families. About 61% wanted the option of being present during resuscitation, with 47.5% desiring participation in both resuscitation and end-of-life care. Significant differences were observed in opinions based on education, work status, and resuscitation training (P = 0.015, P = 0.001, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Many FMs sought the choice to be present during resuscitation, and nearly half preferred participation in both resuscitation and end-of-life care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approximation by product means in the variable exponent Lebesgue spaces is a problem that has not been addressed before. With this motivation, in this study the speed of approximation of the functions of class 􀜮􀝅􀝌(􀟙, 􀝌(􀝔)), (0 < 􀟙 ≤ 1) by some product means is obtained with the parameters in the method used as envisioned by Hardy and Littlewood in 1928. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the Noether symmetries of the Klein–Gordon Lagrangian for Bianchi I spacetime. This is accomplished using a set of new Noether symmetry relations for the Klein–Gordon Lagrangian of Bianchi I spacetime, which reduces to the wave equation in a special case. A detailed Noether symmetry analysis of the Klein–Gordon and the wave equations for Bianchi I spacetime is presented, and the corresponding conservation laws are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a phenomenon similar to motion sickness frequently observed in users of visual technologies. The Visually Induced Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (VIMSSQ), developed by Golding et al. (2006), is considered the most effective scale for assessing VIMS susceptibility levels. The main purpose of this study was to standardize the selection of participants for research conducted with virtual reality, especially motion sickness (MS) research. To achieve this, first, the Turkish version of the VIMSSQ was created to establish its validity and reliability, and subsequently, its correlation with the Turkish Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire Short form (HDDA), the expanded version of the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire Short form (MSSQ), was examined. Subjects and Methods: Linguistic equivalence assessment was obtained from ten experts by passing the VIMSSQ through the translation process. The VIMSSQ and the Turkish MSSQ forms were then administered to 49 subjects. This study statistically analyzed the validity and reliability of the VIMSSQ and its relationship with the MSSQ. Results: Results showed that the Turkish version of the original questionnaire is highly reliable (Cronbach alpha=0.843). There is a moderate statistically significant positive correlation between the total MSSQ scores and the subfactors of the VIMSSQ. Conclusions: In this study, VIMSSQ was successfully adapted to Turkish, normative data demonstrated its validity, and all sub-factors were highly reliable. The Turkish version of the VIMSSQ can serve as a valuable tool for estimating individual susceptibility to VIMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a true three‐dimensional dot‐shaped beamforming, in which the transmitted energy in a spatial region (azimuth, elevation, and range) is focused is performed with the nonuniform time‐modulated concentric circular frequency diverse array (NUTM‐CCFDA). The CCFDA structure with a radially outward increasing frequency offset between the rings has structural symmetry that provides the advantage of full scanning in the azimuth plane without any significant change in beam shape. Moreover, the NUTM, where the antenna elements are simply excited with a different modulation frequency in each ring, uses the in‐phase/quadrature channel modulator to realize a single sideband. The proposed NUTM‐CCFDA structure exhibits efficient beam scanning with the switch time‐on instant without using variable phase shifters to steer the dot‐shaped beam. Thus, NUTM‐CCFDA not only realizes a true dot‐shaped beam with better angle resolution on the first harmonic components but also has a simpler configuration than the conventional frequency diverse arrays with sophisticated variable frequency/phase shifters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, the strain wave equation, which plays an important role in describing different types of wave propagation in microstructured solids and the (2+1) dimensional Bogoyavlensky Konopelchenko equation, is defined in fluid mechanics as the interaction of a Riemann wave propagating along the y-axis and a long wave propagating along the x-axis, were studied. The generalized Kudryashov method (GKM), which is one of the solution methods of partial differential equations, was applied to these equations for the first time. Thus, a series of solutions of these equations were obtained. These found solutions were compared with other solutions. It was seen that these solutions were not shown before and were presented for the first time in this study. The new solutions of these equations might have been useful in understanding the phenomena in which waves are governed by these equations. In addition, 2D and 3D graphs of these solutions were constructed by assigning certain values and ranges to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to examine the variations and types of foramen of diaphragma sellae (FDS) and their relationship with nearby surgical landmarks on cadavers.Twenty adult (9 male, 11 female) formalin-fixed cadaveric heads were bilaterally used to analyze the anatomical relationships around the supradiaphragmatic region of sella turcica. Lengths and distances of nearby surgical landmarks were measured by a digital microcaliper. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the comparison between genders and body sides. Dorsum sellae distances to tuberculum sellae and the optic chiasm(OC) were higher in males than females (p < 0.05). Type 8 infundibulum passage was the most common variation with 50%. There was no finding related to types 1–4 of infundibulum passage. Thus, the present study has indicated that the infundibulum passes mostly from the posterior half of the foramen. The shape of the foramen was irregular in 45%, circular in 20%, sagittally oval in 20%, and horizontally oval in 15% of the cases. The OC was noted normal in 60%, prefixed in 35%, and postfixed in 5% of the cases. Comprehensive anatomical knowledge about the types of the FDS and their neighboring structures is crucial for preoperative planning of sellar region diseases in terms of navigating the region when accessing the foramen. Discrimination of variations of FDS, OC, and pituitary stalk, their relationships, and differences between genders is useful to minimize potential surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study brokes new ground to understand the insulation and permeability performances of rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) containing the different contents of micron-sized turkey feather powders (TFPs) depending on the free volume change for the first time. The effects of TFPs loading on the RPUFs were investigated by the examination of their structural and chemical features (particle size and ATR-FTIR analyses), free volume property (PALS analysis), insulation features (thermal conductivity and sound absorption tests), permeability performance (air and water vapor permeability tests) and cellular topology (SEM). PALS analysis results revealed that the addition of TFPs into the foams led to the sharp decrease in all free volume parameters since TFPs caused the formation of the disordered cells by occupying the holes in the matrix. Furthermore, both thermal conductivity and acoustic performance of the resulting foams get worse when compared to unfilled RPUF. This results were attributed to the formation of thinner and weaker cells during polymerization, reduction in the amount of CO2 inside the cells, enhancement in the solid-phase level in the matrix due to the increasing of volumetric density. Additionally, the foam samples with high content of TFPs showed considerably lower air and water vapor permeabilities when compared to neat RPUFs due to the dominant hydrophobic character of the keratin and reduction in the degree of vacancies in the matrix. SEM analysis also revealed that TFPs showed good compatibility with RPUF, but the distorted and irregular shaped cellular morphology was obtained at high contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pregnancy is a critical period in the life cycle of mammals, and proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in the development and health of the offspring. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential benefits of supplementing maternal diets with fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, during pregnancy. This paper explores the effects of incorporating fish oil into the diet of pregnant ewes on the dams and the development and well-being of lambs. The primary aim of this research was to assess the impact of supplementing fish oil into the diet of pregnant Awassi ewes on various aspects of the dam's productive performance, offspring birth weight, colostrum yield and quality, milk production and composition, postpartum offspring performance, and the composition of fatty acids in milk. In this study, two different fat sources, namely palm oil (PO) and fish oil (FO), were utilized, with both being included at a rate of 2.4% of dietary dry matter (DM) during the initial 65 days of gestation (early gestation stage), and then at 2.1% DM from day 65 of gestation until lambing (late gestation stage). The study subjects were Awassi ewes with a body weight (BW) averaging 57 ± 1.5 kg and an age of 3.5 ± 1.2 years. These ewes were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: (i) a diet containing only palm oil from day 0 to day 150 of pregnancy (PO, n = 15); (ii) a diet containing palm oil from day 0 to day 65 of pregnancy, followed by a diet containing fish oil from day 66 to day 150 of pregnancy (POFO, n = 16); (iii) a diet containing fish oil from day 0 to day 65 of pregnancy, followed by a diet containing palm oil from day 66 to day 150 of pregnancy (FOPO, n = 16); (iv) a diet containing only fish oil from day 0 to day 150 of pregnancy (FO, n = 16). Within each treatment, ewes were housed in three replicates, with each replicate further divided into three subgroups. The first two subgroups each contained eight ewes, while the third subgroup contained nine ewes. In addition, each treatment contained 10 primiparous and 15 multiparous ewes. The results indicated that the POFO treatment led to significant increases (p < 0.05) in birth weight, gestation length, and colostrum IgG concentration. However, it also resulted in a decrease (p < 0.001) in colostrum production and a reduction (p < 0.001) in the percentage of milk fat and milk protein. Furthermore, the milk from the POFO treatment exhibited higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (p < 0.001) compared to the PO and FOPO treatments, while the milk saturated fatty acids (SFA) were lower (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the addition of fish oil at a rate of 2.1% DM during the late pregnancy period showed promise for enhancing birth weight, colostrum IgG concentration, and the PUFA content in the milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying eye movement is important for diagnosing various neurological and ocular diseases as well as AR/VR displays. We developed a simple setup for real-time dynamic gaze tracking and accommodation measurements based on Purkinje reflections, which are the reflections from front and back surfaces of the cornea and the eye lens. We used an accurate eye model in ZEMAX to simulate the Purkinje reflection positions at different focus distances of the eye, which matched the experimental data. A neural network was trained to simultaneously predict vergence and accommodation using data collected from 9 subjects. We demonstrated that the use of Purkinje reflection coordinates in machine learning resulted in precise estimation. The proposed system accurately predicted the accommodation with an accuracy better than 0.22 D using subject's own data and 0.40 D using other subjects' data with two-point calibration in tests performed with 9 subjects in our setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]