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OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of brochure-based and video-assisted information provided before spirometry on patient compliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Before the test, subjects in intervention groups were shown a leaflet outlining the steps of the spirometry protocol and a video prepared for the same purposes. The control group was given standard routine information by the technician before spirometry. RESULTS: The study included 450 patients. We found a significant correlation between compliance status and age, female sex, being a non-smoker, having no known lung disease, investigating respiratory disease as an indication for spirometry, having first-time spirometry, and receiving pre-test information via leaflets. Variables of age, sex, smoking, indication for spirometry, diagnosis, and previous spirometry, which were found in multivariate analysis to be associated with 'compliance with the test protocol' were further processed using regression analysis which identified 'previous spirometry' as the most decisive variable affecting 'compliance with the test protocol'. CONCLUSIONS: Providing information via brochure-based and video-supported information did not contribute to compliance with the testing protocol, leading us to the conclusion that such informative tools do not provide an additional contribution. Previous spirometry experience was the most decisive parameter influencing adherence to the test protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) inhibitors are used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, patients using TNF-a inhibitors are at a high risk of developing tuberculosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the compliance level of patients who were prescribed TNF-a-based tuberculosis prophylactic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 135 patients who were followed up at a tuberculosis dispensary between December 2020 and June 2021 and agreed to participate in the study. The study was conducted after obtaining necessary permissions from the institution, ethics committee, and patients. Data were collected using a questionnaire and evaluated using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS). The MARS scale scores range from 5 to 25, with high scores indicating a high level of "medication compliance level". RESULTS: Of the included patients, 42.2% were females, 46.7% were primary school graduates, and their mean age was 43.75±11.86 years. Additionally, 35.6% of patients had ankylosing spondylitis, among whom 54.1% had a disease duration of 1-5 years and 57.8% had been using TNF-a inhibitors for a year. Of the patients taking isoniazid (INH) for tuberculosis prophylaxis, 47.4% missed their prescribed INH doses, with "forgetfulness" being the reason in 28.9% of these patients. The patients had a mean MARS score of 15.71±6.18. CONCLUSIONS: Patients using TNF-a inhibitors were found to have "moderate" compliance levels for INH-based prophylactic therapy. It is recommended that the compliance levels of patients and factors influencing their compliance should be regularly monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2019 was a year of global protest. Was it democracy in action, or democracy in crisis? The second decade of this millennium will be remembered as a decade of protest. [...]

Use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is spreading at an extremely rapid pace in the agricultural sector as in many other sectors. In many areas such as biomass, disease detection, water stress, irrigation, and soil moisture determination, UAVs can be used in agriculture. The biggest problem of irrigation managers is to not be able to fully determine the irrigation activities in the irrigation area by conventional methods. In this study, the possibility of determining the agricultural parcels where irrigation is carried out in the irrigation scheme was investigated with a UAV. During the study, thermal images obtained with a Matrice 600 pro loaded with Zenmuse XT capable of radiometric temperature measurement with 640*320 resolution were used. Thermal images were interpreted by Agisoft Pro. As a result of the study, it has been determined that the irrigation activities carried out in the scheme can be determined easily, especially with the images taken on the first date of the irrigation. In addition, a thermal camera mounted UAV can be detected easily at the points where the leakage losses occur at the irrigation site. thus, irrigation management is determined in areas that need to be concentrated for maintenance services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the introduction of our lives, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been used for a variety of purposes in a variety of professions such as agriculture, forestry, industry and mining. Their superiority, such as high resolution, frequent measurement range, and relatively low cost compared to other remote sensing technologies, increase their chances of being used in agricultural areas. The aim of this study is to determine the crop pattern of the irrigation network using a drone equipped with the imaging system and to transfer this information to the parcel information system. Crop pattern was determined by UAV imaging, was processed in layout sheet of irrigation scheme and it was determined which channels served these parcels. In this respect, tried to help for irrigation management has tried to determine what channels work in the network and how much. Thereby determining water distribution activities accordingly and trying to help protect the water resources that are already inadequate. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), imaging technology, flight times, payloads, and data transfer speeds seem to have tremendous potential in carrying out such and similar studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several types of renewable energy platforms. Because of requirements of places, where platforms were built, every platform has different energy systems and qualities. In this paper, the renewable energy potential of Turkish coasts was investigated according to different renewable energy types. It is aimed to find suitable places for a near shore renewable energy platform and create a concept design. Firstly, the regions with highest energy potential according to four renewable energy types; wind, wave, current and solar; were determined and five different regions were selected to analyze. For each region, the power data of the different energy types were converted to same unit and the regions were ranked with respect to these results. Then the existing platform types and alternative energy conversion systems were examined and for each energy type a conversion system was chosen according to the characteristics of selected region. Finally, a concept near shore platform was designed with selected systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Prospective, observational study of 20 spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients with chronic pressure ulcers (PUs) using Medihoney.Objectives:To determine the effects of Medihoney by bacterial growth, wound size and stage of healing in PUs.Methods:We treated 20 SCI adult patients with chronic PUs using Medihoney. In all, 7 patients (35%) were female, and 13 (65%) were male. The average patient age was 48.7 years (30-79). In all, 6 patients (30%) were tetraplegic and 14 (70%) were paraplegic. Also, 5 patients (25%) had grade IV ulcers and 15 patients (75%) had grade III ulcers according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.Results:After 1 week of treatment with Medihoney, all swabs were void of bacterial growth. Overall 18 patients (90%) showed complete wound healing after a period of 4 weeks, and the resulting scars were soft and elastic. No negative effects were noted from the treatment using Medihoney. No blood sugar level derailment was documented.Conclusion:The medical-honey approach to wound care must be part of a comprehensive conservative surgical wound-care concept. Our study indicates the highly valuable efficacy of honey in wound management and infection control as measured by bacterial growth, wound size and healing stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]