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Synthesizing eco-efficiency within EU's inclusive finance: Do environmental policy stringency and renewable energy make a difference?
Get PDFThe European Union (EU) is at the forefront of policy initiatives to address worsening environmental challenges of the 21st century. Although the EU is a financially developed zone, it is still unclear if inclusive finance enhances better eco-efficiency given the economic growth drive of the continent that has triggered high eco-intensity with the resultant historical anthropogenic emissions. Hence, the incessant calls for environmental policy initiatives to tackle climate challenges. Hence, we scrutinize whether environmental policy stringency (ENI) makes difference in attaining climate goals while examining the connectedness of inclusive finance and eco-efficiency among 14 EU countries. Deploying method of Moments Quantile Regression in data analysis facilitated the incorporation of renewable energy, reliance on natural resources, and demographic factor. We observed that inclusive finance does not necessarily curtail worsening eco-intensity if ENI is absent. Essentially, while renewable energy boosts eco-efficiency, natural resources depletion and demographic factor abate EU's eco-efficiency. However, environmental policy stringency positively moderates the undesirable ecological impacts of inclusive finance in the EU. Hence, while it's recommended to keep the momentum on renewable energy investments, the EU needs to continue to leverage environmental policy stringency to curtail the impacts of financial inclusivity on the bloc's eco-intensity. © 2025 The Authors
Author keywords
Eco-efficiency; Environment
Antagonist Static Stretching Between Sets Improves Leg Press Repetition Performance in Adolescent Female Volleyball Players: A Randomized Crossover Within-Subject Design
No full textThis study aimed to investigate the effect of antagonist static stretching applied between sets during resistance training on the number of repetitions of leg press exercise in young volleyball players. For this purpose, a total of 16 female active volleyball players (age 15.50 +/- 0.52 years; height 167.25 +/- 6.10; body mass 57.00 +/- 5.98) participated voluntarily. The athletes participating in the study visited the laboratory five times. In the first session, anthropometric measurements were taken. In the second session, their 10 repetition maximums (RTs) were recorded, and in the third session, 10 control RTs were recorded. In the other two sessions, athletes were randomly assigned to two experimental protocol treatments in accordance with the crossover experimental design. In the traditional application, leg press exercise was performed as four sets with their own maximums and 2 min of passive rest between sets. In the experimental application, the participants performed four sets of leg press exercise with ten repetitions of their own maximums until concentric exhaustion, and static hamstring stretching was applied continuously for 30 s over 2 min between sets. All participants participated in both application protocols in different sessions. SPSS 20.0 package programed and GraphPad Prizm 8 graphics program were used for the analysis of all data. Data were analyzed at 0.05 significance level. In the findings obtained, Group* application interaction was found to be statistically significant according to the application and groups (F = 4.198, p = 0.016, eta p2 = 0.219). In the leg press repetitions, statistical significance was found in favor of the experimental treatment in the third and fourth sets. This study shows that antagonist static stretching applied between sets positively affects resistance training performance by increasing the number of repetitions in leg press exercise in young female volleyball players
When identity becomes strategy: elite narratives and the road to war in Ukraine
Get PDFThis article examines Russia’s foreign policy towards Ukraine using an integrated framework that combines neoclassical realism with constructivist epistemology. Prevailing explanations grounded in structural realism or liberal theory often overlook the significance of identity, perception, and elite narratives in foreign policy decision- making. The analysis contends that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 cannot be adequately explained by systemic factors alone, such as NATO enlargement or the erosion of post-Cold War security structures. Instead, these external pressures were interpreted and intensified through intervening variables – including elite-driven identity narratives, strategic culture, existential nationalism, and securitised discourse. Building on neoclassical realism, the article highlights how structural constraints were mediated by domestic political dynamics and leadership beliefs. Constructivist insights further illuminate how national identity and historical memory shaped Russia’s threat perceptions and served to legitimise military action. The findings suggest that Russia’s behaviour reflects more than strategic calculation; it embodies a deeper ideational contest over status, sovereignty, and regional order. By synthesising realist and constructivist perspectives, the article offers a more comprehensive explanation of the Ukraine crisis and underscores the value of theoretical pluralism in analysing complex foreign policy conduct
A machine learning approach to predict self-efficacy in breast cancer survivors
No full textPurposeTo determine predictors of self-efficacy in breast cancer survivors and identify vulnerable groups.MethodsThis descriptive study was conducted between November 2023 and April 2024 at three hospitals in T & uuml;rkiye and involved 430 breast cancer survivors. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys using a patient identification form and the Breast Cancer Survivor Self-Efficacy Scale. This study identified patient characteristics that indicate a tendency towards higher self-efficacy using four machine learning models; Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), XGBoost (XGB).ResultsThe mean age of participants was 50.7 +/- 11.5 years. Majority of the participants (n = 425) were female. AUC values were used as ranker for the machine learning models. The ranks of the models were as follows; logistic regression model (0.715), RF (0.710), SVM (0.704), and XGBoost (0.694). Education level ranked first in the LR (0.3874), RF (0.3290), and SVM (0.1250) models, and was the second most important variable in the XGB (0.2327) model. Conversely, the cancer stage stood out in the LR (0.2466) and RF (0.1935) models, ranking third and fourth, respectively, while it ranked third in SVM (0.0683) and fourth in XGB (0.1872). Additionally, comorbidity ranked third in importance in the LR (0.2213) and RF (0.1681) models, but second in SVM (0.0705) and seventh in XGB (0.1393).ConclusionThe study demonstrated that the self-efficacy of breast cancer survivors was associated with their sociodemographic and medical characteristics. These characteristics may assist healthcare professionals in enhancing the care provided to breast cancer survivors. It is of the utmost importance to consider the aforementioned patient group as being vulnerable with regard to breast cancer survivor self-efficacy. There is a clear need for a focus on this vulnerable cohort
Poly-frobenius-genocchi polynomials: A probabilistic perspective with applications
No full textIn the paper, we introduce probabilistic extensions of poly-Frobenius-Genocchi polynomials and modified probabilistic Genocchi-polynomials. By making use of their generating functions, we derive explicit identities and a symmetric relation. In special cases, the obtained results reduce to classical one. Additionally, by choosing appropriate random variable, we obtain new identities including Stirling numbers of the first kind, Frobenius-Euler numbers, Frobenius-Genocchi numbers and Bernoulli numbers of negative order. © 2025 NS
AAnew perspective on career transitions: Developing Career Renewal Power Model
Get PDFThis research aims to develop the Career Renewal Power (CRP) Model, which explains career transition processes through the concepts of need perception and need satisfaction, based on Glasser’s Choice Theory. To investigate the structure and functioning of the model, two qualitative studies were conducted. Subsequently, the CRP Scale was developed, with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses conducted to validate its structure and reliability. Finally, canonical correlation analysis examined the relationship between CRP and Career Adaptability. The qualitative findings revealed that the process between need perception and need satisfaction comprises three stages: sense-making, discovery-empowerment, and action-taking. Scale development identified a three-factor structure explaining 73.5% of the total variance, with confirmatory factor analysis results indicating a good fit. Canonical correlation analysis showed a 59% conceptual overlap between Career Renewal Power and Career Adaptability. These findings provide a robust framework for guiding individuals through career transitions, helping them satisfy their needs and advance their career development
Enhancing Image Quality by Optimizing and Fine-Tuning Multi-Fidelity Generative Adversarial Networks
Get PDFAchieving a balance between image quality and computational efficiency is one of the most challenging tasks in image enhancement. Conventional single-fidelity methods focus on structural integrity; yet, they are ineffective in improving perceptual quality, resulting in unrealistic images. The limitations identified in this paper are addressed by introducing a unique Multi-Fidelity Generative Adversarial Network (MF-GAN).Thequalityoftheimageisenhancedbythedynamicintegrationoflow-fidelityandhigh-fidelity models using a composite loss function and dual-generator design. This method achieves high superior perceptual quality and structural integrity while preserving computational efficiency by gradually improving image details. The model was tested on standard natural image benchmarks, including Set5, Set14, and DIV2K,itachievedaNaturalImageQualityEvaluator(NIQE)of4.55,aPeakSignal-to-NoiseRatio(PSNR) of 30.5 dB, and a Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) of 0.92, outperforming existing methods in terms of f idelity and perceptual quality when compared to techniques like ESRGAN (Enhanced Super-Resolution GAN)andRDN(ResidualDenseNetwork).Regardingtothecomputationalefficiency,MF-GANhas27.6M parameters which is competitive to other models. It achieves an inference time of 1.32 seconds with 203.7G FLOPs(Floating Point Operations). Although MF-GAN is a little faster than RDN, its computational cost is higher than models like ESRGAN and SRGAN (Super-resolution GAN). These results show that MF-GAN is a promising method for image enhancement, since it effectively balances computational efficiency and perceptual image quality
Impact of bottom-up cognitive remediation on functioning in schizophrenia
Get PDFIn patients with schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric disorder, cognitive impairments have a significant impact on functioning as well as symptoms. Cognitive remediation (cognitive remediation) interventions are a treatment approach that aims to improve cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia. These interventions can be categorized as "bottom-up" approaches that directly target cognitive functions and "top-down" approaches that indirectly affect cognitive functions. In this study, the contribution of bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions to functioning in schizophrenia was examined. The study provides evidence that bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions can improve cognitive functioning, social functioning and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. When the literature is reviewed, it is observed that there is no research or programs about bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions in Türkiye. It is recommended that programs for bottom-up cognitive remediation interventions should be developed and utilized in Türkiye and they should be incorporated with the current therapy and rehabilitation approaches. It is important to benefit from technological opportunities, to increase the duration and intensity of interventions, to consider the issue of motivation and to ensure the integration of interventions into daily life, in creation of future bottom-up cognitive remediation intervention programs, in order to increase effectiveness, sustainability and cost-efficiency
Youtube videos as an ınformation source about aerobic exercise in rehabilitation of lung cancer
Get PDFObjective: The internet has become a preferred source for obtaining information about diagnostic and treatment methods related to health issues. This study aims to investigate whether aerobic exercise videos on the YouTube platform are an excellent source for lung cancer patients. Methods: The keywords, “lung cancer and exercise,” “lung cancer and physical activity,” and “lung cancer and rehabilitation” were used to identify videos on YouTube on 27 to 28 May 2023. We recorded the characteristics of the videos, including the number of views, duration, days since upload, and the number of likes and dislikes. The Global Quality Scale and the modified DISCERN questionnaire were used to assess the quality and reliability of videos. Results: 150 videos were evaluated. 12 of 150 videos met the eligibility criteria. Lung cancer and aerobic exercise in rehabilitation videos were most commonly uploaded by health organizations and patients. Videos had a median of 3300 views. We assessed videos for user-focused video quality using the DISCERN instrument and found that the average total score was 3 (range 2-5). Inter-observer agreement was 0.89 and 0.91 for DISCERN and GQS scored, respectively. Significance of Results: The results show that YouTube can be a preferred, easy, and inexpensive way to access aerobic exercise modalities, which are the basic rehabilitation steps for lung cancer patients. Experts recommend increasing the number of high-quality videos explaining the exercises. To fill this gap, healthcare professionals and organizations can take an active role in planning, producing, or ensuring reliable content. Collaborations with medical institutions and physiotherapists could further ensure that patients have access to accurate and effective exercise guidance, ultimately improving rehabilitation outcomes. © The Author(s) 2025
Determination of the In Vitro Cytotoxic Activities of Several Coumarin Derivatives on Neuroblastoma Cell Lines With In Silico Inhibitory Effects on CDK9, VEGFR2 and EGFR Proteins and ADME Studies
Get PDFDue to their stable nature and medical applicability properties, coumarin derivatives have fascinated medicinal chemists in the discovery of novel therapeutics. In this study, the cytotoxic/anticancer properties of some newly synthesized coumarin derivatives were aimed at designing, synthesizing, and examining cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, molecular docking studies were carried out to determine the potential mechanism. In addition, ADMET properties were evaluated to examine the drug-likeness of newly designed coumarin derivatives. To detect the cytotoxic action of compounds, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays were carried out. In addition, Hoechst 33258 staining was used to detect abnormal nuclear structures. In silico, the estimates for all compounds (3a-3c) used in the study revealed that they possessed desirable physicochemical properties for bioavailability. The results of our study showed that all tested compounds exhibited remarkable cytotoxic effects on human neuroblastoma cell lines (p < 0.05). Additionally, among the compounds tested, 3a and 3c showed selective effects on neuroblastoma cells effectively at all tested concentrations. However, it was found that the selective feature of 3b, unlike the others, was concentration-dependent. Our findings clearly showed that novel coumarin derivatives exerted potent and selective anticancer effects. Results of molecular docking studies were in parallel with in vitro studies. Unlike the majority of hybrid coumarin derivatives reported in anticancer research, the present study introduces minimalist, heteroatom-free coumarins bearing bulky aliphatic substituents. These compounds demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and a favorable multi-target binding profile, highlighting a distinct hydrophobic volume-based SAR. As a result, the obtained data exhibited that all used molecules may be good multitarget drug alternatives for the treatment of neuroblastoma