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One of the primary objectives of financial managers is to ensure the optimal capital structure that maximizes firm value. Since the early 1950s, many theories have been developed to explain the optimal capital structure. However, due to the variable nature of the capital structure, no consensus has yet been reached on the optimal capital structure allocation. This situation makes the capital structure issue one of the most intensely debated topics in the finance literature. Accordingly, this study investigates the endogenous and exogenous factors affecting the capital structure of firms traded on Borsa İstanbul (BIST) from 2005 to 2020 using Dynamic Panel Regression Analysis. The dependent variable of the study is the financial leverage ratio. Return on assets, firm size, asset structure, growth opportunities, liquidity ratio, non-debt tax shield, GDP growth, inflation rate, interest rate, and stock market development were chosen as independent variables. As a result of the analysis, it was observed that the lagged value of financial leverage, size, growth opportunities, GDP growth, and inflation have a positive effect on financial leverage. On the other hand, the effect of profitability, asset structure, liquidity ratio, and stock market development on financial leverage was observed as negative. When the findings are evaluated together, it is seen that the Pecking Order Theory is the best theory to explain the capital structure behavior of the firms traded at BIST in the 2005-2020 period..

Politik istikrar ve demokrasi gibi kurumsal olgular ile finansal sistem arasındaki etkileşim, uzun yıllardır araştırılan önemli bir konudur. Politik istikrarsızlık ve terör eylemleri Sahra altı Afrika ülkelerinin yaşadığı önemli sorunlardan birkaçıdır. Bu sebeple çalışmada 2002-2019 döneminde Sahra-altı Afrika ülkelerinde politik istikrarın ve demokrasinin finansal sistemin gelişimi üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. İki Aşamalı Sistem Genelleştirilmiş Momentler Metodu tahmincisinin kullanıldığı çalışmada bağımlı değişken, finansal kurumlar gelişme endeksidir. Çalışmanın açıklayıcı değişkenleri, politik istikrar ve demokrasi göstergeleridir. Kişi başına GSYİH’deki büyüme, ticari açıklık, enflasyon oranı, doğrudan yabancı yatırımlar ve kentsel nüfus oranı ise kontrol değişkeni olarak kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analizler, demokrasi ve politik istikrarın finansal gelişme üzerinde pozitif etkili olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Kontrol değişkenleri açısından; enflasyon oranı finansal gelişme üzerinde negatif etkili olmakta iken gelirdeki artış ve ticari açıklık finansal gelişmeyi pozitif yönde etkilemektedir. Elde edilen bulgular ışığında, Sahra altı Afrika ülkelerindeki politika yapıcılara, finansal gelişmeyi sağlamak için, politik istikrarı sağlayıcı ve demokrasi düzeyini arttırıcı düzenlemeler yapmaları tavsiye edilmektedir.

Abstract The ınvestment decisions of institutional and individual investors in financial markets are largely influenced by market uncertainty and volatility of the investment instruments. Thus, the prediction of the uncertainty and volatilities of the prices and returns of the investment instruments becomes imperative for successful investment. In this study we seek to identify the best fit model that can predict the volatility of return of Bitcoin, which is in high demand as an investment tool in recent times. Using the opening data of weekly Bitcoin prices for the period of 11.24.2013–03.22.2020, their logarithmic returns were calculated. The stationarity properties of the Bitcoin return series was tested by applying the ADF unit root test and the series were found to be stationary. After reaching the average equation model as ARMA (2.2), it was tested whether there was an ARCH effect in the ARMA (2,2) model. As a result of the applied ARCH-LM test, it is reached that the residuals of the average equation model selected have ARCH effect. Volatility of Bitcoin return series after detection of ARCH effect has been tried to predict with conditional variance models such as ARCH (1), ARCH (2), ARCH (3), GARCH (1,1), GARCH (1,2), GARCH (1,3), GARCH (2,1), GARCH (2,2), EGARCH (1,1) and EGARCH (1,2). While the obtained findings indicate that the best model is in the direction of GARCH (1,1) according to Akaike info criterion, it was found that GARCH (1,1) model does not have ARCH effect as a result of the applied ARCH-LM test. Thus, our empirical findings highlight an ample guide on appropriate modeling of price information in the Bitcoin market.

Uncertainties are one of the factors affecting investors' investment decisions. In accordance with the wait-and-see policy, which is the best option for investors in an uncertain environment, investors can postpone their investment and consumption decisions. Uncertainties especially in economic policies affect investors' decisions more deeply. In this context, the goal of this study is to test the effect of European Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) index, which represents uncertainties in economic policies of European countries, on BIST 100 index by Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), Johansen Cointegration and cointegration coefficient estimator FMOLS and DOLS. Monthly data between February 1988 and May 2019 were used in this study. Findings of the study, it was reached that there was a long-run interaction between EPU and BIST 100 index and the increases in the EPU index had a negative effect on the BIST 100 index. In addition, one-way causality relationship was determined from the change in EPU index to the change in BIST 100 index.

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of cortistatin (CST) in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) model and to compare the results with corticosteroid treatment. Methods: A total of 35 healthy Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups. EIU was induced by a single subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Group I received intraperitoneal (ip) normal saline (NS), Group II received ip 150 μg LPS plus NS, Group III received ip 150 μg LPS plus 250 μg/kg CST, Group IV received ip 150 μg LPS plus 1mg/kg dexamethasone, and Group V received ip 250 μg/kg CST only. The aqueous humor was collected 24 h after injection and the infiltrating cells were determined. Moreover, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were also performed. Results: The clinical score and infiltrated cell count were reduced in Groups III and IV compared with Group II (P < 0.001). The pathological findings of Groups III and IV were significantly reduced compared with Group II (P < 0.001). These findings were similar between Groups III and IV (P = 1.000). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) immunoreactivity in the ciliary body of Group III and Group IV were significantly reduced compared with Group II (P < 0.001). TNF-α and IL-1β immunoreactivity in the ciliary body of Group III and Group IV were similar compared with Group I and Group V (range of P values was 0.539–0.958). Conclusion: CST administration as a therapeutic agent might ameliorate the severity of intraocular inflammation in uveitis patients. In conclusion, effect of CST and dexamethasone in EIU model was comparable.

In this study, using the Materials Calculator software program, the pseudo binary phase diagrams (i.e. isoplethal maps) of high chromium white cast irons (~19% in weight) with different molybdenum contents were simulated. In order to test the accuracy of the calculated phase diagrams, the transformation temperatures read from the diagrams at certain compositions were compared with the phase transformation temperatures measured using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the samples produced by casting in the same composition followed by slow cooling. With the same purpose, low temperature phases read from the phase diagrams were compared with the crystalline phases determined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) of the casted samples. Simulated diagrams predicted an increase in the amount of secondary M23C6carbides with increasing molybdenum content. The validity of this prediction was tested by determining the phase distribution and phase compositions in the casted samples by means of metallographic examinations and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) - Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyzes. When the hardness values of the samples were taken into consideration, it was seen that the hardness increased from 44.90 to 51.05 HRC with a 1% increase in Mo content and a corresponding increase in the amount of secondary carbides without any heat treatments. Results show that theoretical predictions and experimental measurements are in accord and estimating phase equilibria in multi-component systems is of practical importance.

The efficient use of energy contributes to less energy consumption and the reduction of greenhouse gases released to nature, thus improving environmental sustainability. For this reason, many countries pioneered by the developed nations are trying to develop policies for energy efficiency. In this context, the relationship between energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions was tested by panel co-integration, panel causality, and FMOLS and DOLS analysis. Given that the study used the datasets of 29 European countries over the period 1995–2016, there result suggests that there is a long-term relationship between energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions and that the quantity of greenhouse gas emission decreases as energy efficiency increases. Finally, the robustness and novelty by employing the Emirmahmutoglu & Kose (2011) Testing for Granger causality in heterogeneous mixed panels. Economic Modelling, 28(3), 870–876 approach, the findings illustrated that there is a causal relationship between energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions for many European countries. Overall, the current study presents a relevant policy direction for the European bloc countries.

21. yüzyıldaki teknolojik gelişmeler iletişim teknolojilerinde de yenilikleri beraberinde getirmiştir. İletişim teknolojilerindeki bu yenilikler insanların iletişim becerilerinde de yeniliklere sebep olmuştur. Facebook, Twitter gibi sosyal medya siteleri başta gençler olmak üzere toplumun birçok kesimi tarafından yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Sosyal ağların gençler tarafından yaygın kullanım oranına sahip olması, öğrenimin etkinliğini arttırabileceği görüşünün ortaya çıkmasına neden olmuştur. Bu çalışmaya, Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Sivrihisar Meslek Yüksekokulu Bilgisayar Programcılığı ile Muhasebe ve Vergi Uygulamaları programlarında öğrenim görmekte olan öğrencilerden 54’ü katılmıştır. Çalışmada 3 farklı parametre için değerlendirme yapılmaktadır. Bu parametreler; öğrencilerin sosyal görünüş kaygısı, sosyal medya bilinirliğini ifade eden Klout skoru ve akademik başarılarını gösteren genel not ortalamalarıdır. Elde edilen bu parametre değerlerine göre; meslek yüksekokulu öğrencilerinin sosyal görünüş kaygısı, Klout skoru ve akademik başarı puanları arasında anlamlı ilişkiler olup olmadığı incelenmiş ve ortalama kaygı ile genel not ortalaması arasında negatif yönlü anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur.

Different nutrient media (MS [Murashige and Skoog 1962]; QL [Quoirin and Lepoivre 1977] and WPM [Lloyd and McCown 1980]); plant growth regulators BA (benzil adenin), GA3 (gibberellic acid), IBA (indole-3-butyric-acid), NAA (naftalen acedic acid); and sucrose concentrations were studied to determine the in vitro culture effects on healthier and faster seedling development from mature lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus L.) seeds. After 28 days of culture, the percentage of germinated seeds was the highest (70%) in the full-strength MS medium. The cytokinin BA was superior to other tested treatments in terms of its ability to promote germination of lentisk seeds. When tested at different concentrations, sucrose gave the best results obtained at concentrations of 1–4%, whereas high concentrations (6 and 8%) mainly decreased germination rate and there was no a regular pattern for elongation of the aerial parts of plants. With this described protocol, on average 76.67% seeds germinated 4 weeks after culture. Developed seedlings were satisfactorily acclimatized in sterilized peat, soil and perlite containing compost, with high percentage survival viability was obtained 9 months after transfer to in vivoconditions (93.33%). The results obtained showed that the enriched full-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L–1 BA and 3% sucrose induced homogeneous and healthy seedling development in a period of 4 to 8 weeks of culture.

Cherries are known as health friendly fruits due to their abundant phytochemical compositions. This study was conducted to determine phytochemical and pomological fruit properties of different cherry species including mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb L.), wild sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), wild sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.), two sweet cherries (‘Napoleon’ and ‘Starks Gold’) and one sour cherry (‘Kütahya’) cultivars. For this aim, together with various pomological traits, total phenolics and anthocyanin contents, antioxidant capacity, organic acids, sugars, were analyzed in fruits of relevant genotypes. Results of all examined traits significantly varied between genotypes. Mahaleb showed the highest TSS (30.17%), fructose (8.71 μg/g) and glucose (20.74 μg/g) contents. Wild sour cherry gave the highest antioxidant capacity (13.25 mmol TE/kg total weight), anthocyanin (351.0 mg Pg-3-glk/kg total weight), citric acid (0.56 μg/g) and malic acid (2.96 μg/g) contents. As a rootstock, mahaleb was found to be superior in some of the traits when compared to wild sweet cherry. Significant correlations were observed between various traits. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed different relationships among the traits and evaluated genotypes.

Beton yollar dünyada yaygın olarak kullanılmasına karşın ülkemizde gelişim gösterememiş, bu nedenle de genel olarak bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yollar tercih edilmiştir.Bu çalışmada, Türkiye'de yaygın olarak kullanılan bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yollar ve henüz yaygınlaşmamış olan beton yollar arasında gürültü seviyeleri yönünden bir karşılaştırma yapılmıştır. Bunun için Afyonkarahisar-Emirdağ arasında inşa edilmiş 2 km'lik beton yol ile bu yolun devamı olan bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yol arasındaki geçiş noktası çalışma koridoru olarak kullanılmıştır.Bu koridordaki beton yol ve bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yolun kenarlarına, ses girişimlerini en aza indirecek şekilde, ayrı ayrı gürültü ölçüm cihazı ve kamera düzenekleri yerleştirilmiş, yol yapım malzemesine bağlı olarak değişen gürültü seviyeleri eş zamanlı olarak kaydedilmiş, bulunan değerler analiz edilerek kaplama türleri ile gürültü seviyeleri arasındaki ilişki araştırılmıştır. Bu aşamada, kurulan düzenekler arasındaki mesafe trafik yoğunluğunun ve akış hızının değişimini engellemek için mümkün olduğunca kısa tutulmuştur.Yapılan ölçüm ve analizler sonunda beton yolların bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yollara göre ortalama gürültü seviyesinin aynı taşıt kompozisyonu ve trafik hacmi için yaklaşık 4 dB(A) daha düşük olduğu ortaya konmuş ve ülkemizde de beton yolların gelişim göstermesi gerektiği vurgulanmıştır.

Abstract This study aimed to enhance the accuracy of Gleason grade group (GG) upgrade prediction in prostate cancer (PCa) patients who underwent MRI-guided in-bore biopsy (MRGB) and radical prostatectomy (RP) through a combined analysis of prebiopsy and MRGB clinical data. A retrospective analysis of 95 patients with prostate cancer diagnosed by MRGB was conducted where all patients had undergone RP. Among the patients, 64.2% had consistent GG results between in-bore biopsies and RP, whereas 28.4% had upgraded and 7.4% had downgraded results. GG1 biopsy results, lower biopsy core count, and fewer positive cores were correlated with upgrades in the entire patient group. In patients with $$\hbox {GG}>1$$ GG > 1 , larger tumor sizes and fewer biopsy cores were associated with upgrades. By integrating MRGB data with prebiopsy clinical data, machine learning (ML) models achieved 85.6% accuracy in predicting upgrades, surpassing the 64.2% baseline from MRGB alone. ML analysis also highlighted the value of the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient ( $$\hbox {ADC}_{\text{min}}$$ ADC min ) for $$\hbox {GG}>1$$ GG > 1 patients. Incorporation of MRGB results with tumor size, $$\hbox {ADC}_{\text{min}}$$ ADC min value, number of biopsy cores, positive core count, and Gleason grade can be useful to predict GG upgrade at final pathology and guide patient selection for active surveillance.

Purpose – The last decades have experienced increasingly integrated global political and economic dynamics ranging especially from the influence of exchange rates and trade amid other sources of uncertainties. The purpose of this study is to examine the exchange rate dynamics of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) and the Republic of Turkey. Design/methodology/approach – Given this perceived global dynamics, the current study examined the BRICS countries and the Republic of Turkey's exchange rate dynamics by using the United States (US) monthly dollar exchange rate data between January 2002 and August 2019. The price bubble which is expressed as exceeding the real value of assets' prices which is observably caused by speculative movements is investigated by using the Supremum Augmented Dickey-Fuller (SADF) and the Generalized Supremum Augmented Dickey-Fuller (GSADF) approaches. Findings – Accordingly, the GSADF test results opined that there are price bubbles in the dollar exchange rate of other countries except for the United States Dollar (USD)/Indian Rupee (INR) exchange rate. As the related countries are classified as developing countries in terms of their structure, they are also expectedly the subject of speculative exchange rate movements. Speculative movements in exchange rates may cause serious problems in national economies. Originality/value – Thus, the current study provides a policy framework to the BRICS countries and the Republic of Turkey.

Rationale: Endophthalmitis is an uncommon but serious ocular infection often resulting in probable visual loss. Bacteroides fragilis is a rare cause of endophthalmitis. Patient concerns: A 46-year-old male patient complained of eye pain and low vision after pars plana vitrectomy. Diagnosis: Bacteroides fragilis endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy was diagnosed. Interventions: Pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil implantation were performed. Outcomes: Early treatment and choice of tamponade in endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy may possibly prevent evisceration and progression of endophthalmitis. Lessons: Bacteroides fragilis can be seen in cases of endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy.

Leprosy is an infective chronic granulomatous disease involving the skin and peripheral nerves caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Complications such as lagophthalmos, corneal opacity and uveitis are common, but cranial nerve involvement is rarely seen. The fifth and seventh cranial nerves are most commonly involved. We report a case of acquired esotropia due to sixth nerve palsy following a rare cranial nerve involvement by leprosy.

Prolonged fasting has shown beneficial effects in healthy individuals and in people with chronic diseases. In type 1 diabetes, the effect or even the feasibility of fasting is unclear. We aimed to assess the impact and safety of prolonged fasting in adults with type 1 diabetes. Glycemia was assessed during overnight fasting (12 hours) vs. prolonged fasting (36 hours) via an intermittently-scanned continuous glucose monitoring system. Anthropometric data, metabolic and hormonal markers were compared between both trial arms. After each fasting period, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed and plasma glucose levels and hormones were assessed. Data were compared via paired t-tests and mixed-model regressions (p ≤ 0.05). Twenty individuals with type 1 diabetes (7 females) with a mean ± SD age of 35 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI) 24.8 ± 2.8 kg/m2 and HbA1c 54 ± 7 mmol/mol were included. Hypoglycemia/hour (70 mg/dL;

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes that can lead to progressive vision loss. Regular surveillance with fundal photography, early diagnosis, and prompt intervention are paramount to reducing the incidence of DR-induced vision loss. However, manual interpretation of fundal photographs is subject to human error. In this study, a new method based on horizontal and vertical patch division was proposed for the automated classification of DR images on fundal photographs. The novel sides of this study are given as follows. We proposed a new non-fixed-size patch division model to obtain high classification results and collected a new fundus image dataset. Moreover, two datasets are used to test the model: a newly collected three-class (normal, non-proliferative DR, and proliferative DR) dataset comprising 2355 DR images and the established open-access five-class Asia Pacific Tele-Ophthalmology Society (APTOS) 2019 dataset comprising 3662 images. Two analysis scenarios, Case 1 and Case 2, with three (normal, non-proliferative DR, and proliferative DR) and five classes (normal, mild DR, moderate DR, severe DR, and proliferative DR), respectively, were derived from the APTOS 2019 dataset. These datasets and these cases have been used to demonstrate the general classification performance of our proposal. By applying transfer learning, the last fully connected and global average pooling layers of the DenseNet201 architecture were used to extract deep features from input DR images and each of the eight subdivided horizontal and vertical patches. The most discriminative features are then selected using neighborhood component analysis. These were fed as input to a standard shallow cubic support vector machine for classification. Our new DR dataset obtained 94.06% and 91.55% accuracy values for three-class classification with 80:20 hold-out validation and 10-fold cross-validation, respectively. As can be seen from steps of the proposed model, a new patch-based deep-feature engineering model has been proposed. The proposed deep-feature engineering model is a cognitive model, since it uses efficient methods in each phase. Similar excellent results were seen for three-class classification with the Case 1 dataset. In addition, the model attained 87.43% and 84.90% five-class classification accuracy rates using 80:20 hold-out validation and 10-fold cross-validation, respectively, on the Case 2 dataset, which outperformed prior DR classification studies based on the five-class APTOS 2019 dataset. Our model attained about >2% classification results compared to others. These findings demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed model for classification of DR images.

Abstract  The aim of our study was to compare multidetector row computed tomography (CT) angiography (MDCTA) with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms. Between September 2005 and May 2007, 55 consecutive patients with suspected intracranial aneurysms underwent conventional DSA and MDCTA. Thirty-two women and 23 men were enrolled in the study. The mean patient age was 54 (range = 26–79 years). All MDCTA and DSA images were independently evaluated on a workstation by two radiologists, who had 8 and 6 years of experience in CT vascular imaging and angiography. Using DSA as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of CT angiography was calculated for each reader with 95% confidence intervals. The sensitivity was also calculated for aneurysms smaller than 3 mm with 95% confidence intervals. The agreement between the readers for detecting aneurysms was calculated using kappa statistics. A kappa statistic greater than 0.75 was considered an excellent agreement beyond chance, a kappa statistic of 0.4–0.75, fair to good agreement, and a kappa statistic less than 0.4, poor agreement. At DSA, 64 aneurysms were present in 50 patients involved in the study; seven patients had two aneurysms each, and four patients had three aneurysms each. In five patients, no aneurysm was detected by using MDCTA and DSA, and evaluations were considered as true negative by MDCTA. These five patients also had negative findings at repeat DSA. For readers 1 and 2, the sensitivity of MDCT in detecting aneursyms were 96.9% (95% CI = 89.3–99.1%; 62 of 64) and 98.4 % (95% CI = 91.7–99.7%; 63 of 64), respectively. The spescificity was100% (95% CI = 99.7–100%; 1,256 of 1,256) for both readers. The kappa value indicating interobserver agreement was in the category of excellent (kappa = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.97–1). Regarding the aneurysms smaller than 3 mm, for readers 1 and 2, the sensitivities were 84.6% (95% CI = 57.8–95.7%; 11 of 13) and 92.3% (95% CI = 66.7–98.6; 12 of 13), respectively. MDCTA is accurate in the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms and can be used as a reliable alternative imaging technique to DSA. A strategy of using CT angiography as the primary method, with DSA reserved for any cases of uncertainty, appears safe and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study DesignA retrospective study investigating decrease in the nucleus pulposus signal intensity or disc height on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and disc degeneration.PurposeAlthough a degenerated disc cannot self-regenerate, distraction or stabilization may provide suitable conditions for rehydration and possible regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and disc regeneration via MRI in a series of patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD) who underwent lumbar stabilization with a dynamic stabilization system (DSS).Overview of LiteratureA dynamic system provides rehydration during early DDD.MethodsFifty-nine patients (mean age, 46.5 years) who undedwent stabilization with DSS for segmental instability (painful black disc) between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent MRI preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration grades at the implanted segment were categorized using the Pfirrmann classification system. Patients were followed for a mean of 6.4 years, and clinical outcomes were based on visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores.ResultsSignificant improvements in back pain VAS and ODI scores from before surgery (7 and 68%, respectively) were reported at 6 (2.85 and 27.4%, respectively) and 12 months postoperatively (1.8 and 16.3%, respectively). Postoperative IVD changes were observed in 28 patients. Improvement was observed in 20 patients (34%), whereas progressive degeneration was observed in eight patients (13.5%). Thirty-one patients (52.5%) exhibited neither improvement nor progression. Single Pfirrmann grade improvements were observed in 29% of the patients and two-grade improvements were observed in 5%.ConclusionsOur observations support the theory that physiological movement and a balanced load distribution are necessary for disc regeneration. We conclude that DSS may decelerate the degeneration process and appears to facilitate regeneration.

To assess intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) performance for different rates of change in plasma glucose (RCPG) during glycemic challenges in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Nineteen people with T1D (7 females; age 35 ± 11 years; HbA1c 7.3 ± 0.6% (56 ± 7 mmol/mol)) performing two glycemic challenges (OGTT) were included. During OGTTs, plasma glucose was compared against sensor glucose for timepoints 0 min (pre-OGTT), +15 min, +30 min, +60 min, +120 min, +180 min, and +240 min by means of median absolute (relative) difference (MARD and MAD) and Clarke Error Grid (CEG), then was stratified for RCPG and glycemic ranges. Overall, MARD was 8.3% (4.0–14.8) during hypoglycemia level 1 18.8% (15.8–22.0), euglycemia 9.5% (4.3–15.1), hyperglycemia level 1 9.4% (4.0–17.2), and hyperglycemia level 2 7.1% (3.3–11.9). The MARD was associated with the RCPG (p < 0.0001), detailing significant differences in comparison of low, moderate, high, and very high RCPG (p = 0.014). Overall, CEG resulted in 88% (212 values) of comparison points in zone A, 12% (29 values) in zone B, and 0.4% (1 value) in zone D. The isCGM system was accurate during OGTTs. Its performance was dependent on the RCPG and showed an overestimation of the actual reference glucose during hypoglycemia.

Beton yollar dünyada yaygın olarak kullanılmasına karşın ülkemizde gelişim gösterememiş, bu nedenle de genel olarak bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yollar tercih edilmiştir.Bu çalışmada, Türkiye'de yaygın olarak kullanılan bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yollar ve henüz yaygınlaşmamış olan beton yollar arasında gürültü seviyeleri yönünden bir karşılaştırma yapılmıştır. Bunun için Afyonkarahisar-Emirdağ arasında inşa edilmiş 2 km'lik beton yol ile bu yolun devamı olan bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yol arasındaki geçiş noktası çalışma koridoru olarak kullanılmıştır.Bu koridordaki beton yol ve bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yolun kenarlarına, ses girişimlerini en aza indirecek şekilde, ayrı ayrı gürültü ölçüm cihazı ve kamera düzenekleri yerleştirilmiş, yol yapım malzemesine bağlı olarak değişen gürültü seviyeleri eş zamanlı olarak kaydedilmiş, bulunan değerler analiz edilerek kaplama türleri ile gürültü seviyeleri arasındaki ilişki araştırılmıştır. Bu aşamada, kurulan düzenekler arasındaki mesafe trafik yoğunluğunun ve akış hızının değişimini engellemek için mümkün olduğunca kısa tutulmuştur.Yapılan ölçüm ve analizler sonunda beton yolların bitümlü sıcak karışım asfalt yollara göre ortalama gürültü seviyesinin aynı taşıt kompozisyonu ve trafik hacmi için yaklaşık 4 dB(A) daha düşük olduğu ortaya konmuş ve ülkemizde de beton yolların gelişim göstermesi gerektiği vurgulanmıştır.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To assess and compare the histopathological effects of ozone therapy and/or methylprednisolone (MPS) treatment on regeneration after crush type sciatic nerve injury. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Four groups received the following regimens intraperitoneally every day for 14 days after formation of crush type injury on sciatic nerve: Group I: ozone (20mcg/ml); Group II: methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group III: ozone (20 mcg/ml) and methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group IV: isotonic saline (0.9%). The histomorphological evaluation was made after biopsies were obtained from the sites of injury. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted between groups in terms of degeneration (p=0.019), nerve sheath cell atrophy (p=0.012), intraneural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p=0.002), perineural granulation tissue formation (p=0.019), perineural vascular proliferation (p=0.004), perineural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p