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The Effects of Global Volatility Indices on Green and Fossil Energy Markets
No full textUncertainties cause significant fluctuations in financial markets. Energy markets are more susceptible to uncertainties because of their strategic importance. This paper examines connectedness among various implied volatility indices (stock, oil, gold, currency), green markets (green stocks, bonds), and fossil energy commodities (natural gas, oil, heating oil, gasoline) from November 2, 2012, to July 25, 2023, by employing Chatziantoniou et al. (2023)'s TVP-VAR model. We use Broadstock et al. (2022)'s Minimum Connectedness Portfolio technique to construct optimal portfolio weights and hedge ratios. Our findings reveal moderate interdependence, with an increase during the pandemic. Short-and longterm factors are equally significant in this connectedness. All volatility indices are volatility transmitters, while energy markets are recipients. We provide important implications for investors interested in energy markets and aiming at constructing optimal hedging strategies, as well as for policymakers aiming to develop policies to stabilize energy prices and increase the effectiveness ofgreen markets
Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Vaccine Hesitancy at an Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center Bir Bağımlılık Kliniğinde Aşı Kararsızlığının Sosyodemografik ve Klinik Özellikleri
No full textAfter the first cases of coronavirus disease 2019, more than 700 million people were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and more than 7 million people died. The development of new vaccines helped alleviate the pandemic's effects. People with addiction have lower vaccination rates compared to the general public. Reasons like vaccine hesitancy, difficulty in accessing healthcare services, and stigmatization all contribute to this issue. We aimed to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics that might have an impact on vaccination in people with addiction. Accordingly, 394 participants were included in the study. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)-5 was employed to make the psychiatric diagnoses of the participants. Case report forms were filled out for the participants' sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric and family history. Participants were compared regarding their vaccination status. There were significant relationships between vaccination rates and sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Older and more educated participants were more likely to get vaccinated. There was a significant relationship between substance type and vaccination rates. Vaccination rates were lower for participants compared to the general population. The results indicate that specific sociodemographic and clinical characteristics can be identified as risk factors for vaccine hesitancy in people with addiction. Prioritizing this group will help reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates
Investigation of Correlation Between 2D:4D Finger Ratio and Speed and Agility Performance on Cadet Handball Players
No full textIrisin and its role in fracture healing: A comparative study with hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma in a rat model
No full textObjectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of local irisin (IR) injections on closed femoral fractures in rats and to compare its efficacy to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA). Materials and methods: A total of 64 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups: a control group that received no treatment and three experimental groups that received local injections of HA, PRP, or recombinant IR at the fracture site. All rats underwent a standard bilateral closed femoral shaft fracture and intramedullary fixation. Each group was further divided into two subgroups, sacrificed at Week 2 and Week 4. The right femurs were used for radiological examination with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and subsequent histological analysis, while the left femurs were reserved for biomechanical testing. Results: By Week 2, the IR and PRP groups showed statistically significantly higher scores for the transformation of fibrous cartilage into bone tissue compared to the control group (7.88±0.6, p=0.0001, and 6±0.8, p=0.036, respectively). By Week 4, transformation scores in the IR group increased to 9.25±0.7, statistically significantly exceeding the control group (p=0.0001). Bone volume was also statistically significantly greater in the IR group (5.21±0.5 mm3 at Week 2; 5.94±0.8 mm3 at Week 4) compared to the control group (p=0.001) and the PRP group (p=0.003) at Week 2, and compared to the control group (p=0.001), the HA group (p=0.042), and the PRP group (p=0.014) at Week 4. Additionally, maximum strength in the IR group was statistically significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.0001) and the PRP group (p=0.048) at Week 2. By Week 4, the IR group was also statistically significantly higher compared to the control group (p=0.0001), the HA group (p=0.037) and the PRP group (p=0.009). Conclusion: The present study is one of the first to demonstrate the potential of administering local IR via injection into the fracture hematoma to accelerate fracture healing. The superior efficacy of IR over HA and PRP may be explained by its ability to enhance osteoblast activity, promote vascularization, and reduce inflammation, creating an optimal environment for bone regeneration. Unlike PRP, which primarily delivers growth factors, and HA, which supports cell migration and proliferation, IR appears to directly influence the bone microenvironment, expediting callus transformation. These findings suggest that IR may play a significant role in improving outcomes for patients at risk of delayed union. However, further clinical trials in humans are necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety for clinical applications
West Nile Virus Chorioretinitis: First Case with Ocular Involvement in Türkiye
No full textA 59-year-old man who experienced severe visual loss in the right eye for two days following a febrile illness (high fever lasting for 15 days) presented to our center for a second opinion. On examination, his Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1/10 in the right eye and 9/10 in the left eye. On fundoscopy, we observed a few track-like, cream-colored linear lesions in the superior fundus of the left eye and a small whitish foveal discoloration together with a temporally pallid disc in the right eye. On autofluorescence imaging, there were some scattered hyperautofluorescent patchy areas bilaterally and, most notably, several hyperautofluorescent track-like lines in the left eye. A complete systemic evaluation was carried out and a blood sample was sent via the Provincial Health Directorate for West Nile virus (WNV) polymerase chain reaction and immunoglobulin (Ig) M and G testing. IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence assay. The diagnosis was bilateral WNV chorioretinopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain ruled out any central nervous system involvement. A right intravitreal ranibizumab injection was administered for the intraretinal edema. A month later, Snellen BCVA was 2/10 in the right eye 10/10 in the left. Hyperautofluorescent lesions were no longer detectable in either eye but the right optic disc still appeared pallid. Clinicians should suspect WNV horioretinitis in cases presenting with characteristic fundus lesions and a history of febrile illness
Life History Traits and Fishery Dynamics of Speckled Shrimp, Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798), Along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea Coast
No full textMetapenaeus monoceros is the second most abundant commercially important shrimp species caught along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast. However, knowledge of its life history and population dynamics in the region remains limited, posing challenges for sustainable management. This study assessed the growth, maturity, and mortality of M. monoceros based on fishery-independent samples collected from shrimp trawling grounds off Al Qunfudhah and Jizan (October 2022–September 2023). Altogether, 10,859 specimens were examined, with a carapace length (CL) ranging from 7.98 to 49.10 mm and a total weight (W) in the range of 0.41 to 41.28 g. The observed sex ratio was 1.56:1 in favor of females. The CL–W relationship was W = 0.0024∙CL2.58. The seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth parameters were CL∞ = 50.66 mm, K = 0.35 year−1, tanchor = 0.43 years, C = 0.64, and ts = 0.61 years for females, and CL∞ = 38.97 mm, K = 0.55 year−1, tanchor = 0.51 years, C = 0.84, and ts = 0.39 years for males. Females reached their first sexual maturity at 21.12 mm CL. The exploitation rates (0.60 for both sexes) indicated overfishing. Spawning potential ratio analysis showed that the current fishing pressure reduces the spawning stock biomass to 23% of unexploited levels. A 50% reduction in fishing effort, extended seasonal closures, and selective gear modifications are recommended to rebuild the stock and ensure sustainability
