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Electrophysiological evaluation of upper extremity entrapment neuropathies in rheumatic diseases
Get PDFSystemic inflammation in rheumatic diseases (RDs) can affect the peripheral nervous system, leading to neuropathic and myopathic complications. This study aimed to assess the frequency of upper extremity entrapment neuropathies in patients with RDs and identify associated predictive variables. A secondary objective was to highlight the role of electroneuromyography (ENMG) in early diagnosis and awareness about these issue. In this cross-sectional study, 102 patients diagnosed with RDs were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data, including disease duration, medications, joint involvement, and comorbidities, were recorded. Laboratory parameters such as rheumatoid factor, cyclic citrullinated peptide, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded. Patients were referred for nerve conduction studies performed according to the American Academy of Neurology standards. Disease activity was measured using the Disease Activity Score 28 for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Disease Activity Score for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and European League Against Rheumatism Sj & ouml;gren Syndrome Disease Activity Index for Sj & ouml;gren syndrome. The frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome was 50% in RA, 47.4% in PsA, and 22.2% in Sj & ouml;gren syndrome patients. Additionally, 9.5% of RA patients had cubital tunnel syndrome. Positive ENMG findings were weakly correlated with age (r = 0.234; P = .018), RD (r = 0.221; P = .026), ESR (r = 0.216; P = .029), CRP (r = 0.229; P = .02), disease activity (r = 0.354; P < .001), and comorbidities (r = 0.229; P = .02). Moderate correlations were observed with disease duration (r = 0.432; P = .037) and the side affected by the lesion (r = 0.447; P < .001). In ordinal regression analysis, age and CRP had a nonsignificant positive effect on abnormal ENMG results. Disease duration, ESR, diagnosis (RA/PsA), disease activity, and comorbidities showed a nonsignificant negative effect on the likelihood of normal ENMG findings. The affected side was significantly associated with ENMG results; compared to bilateral involvement, right-sided neuropathy had a 1.5% and left-sided 4.3% chance of normal ENMG results. In RD patients with symptoms such as wrist or elbow pain, tingling, or numbness, peripheral neuropathies should be considered. ENMG is a critical tool for early diagnosis, as it offers detailed insights into lesion localization, severity, and prognosis
Enhancing resilience in CSCs: a SCOR-integrated fermatean fuzzy AHP approach
Get PDFPurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose a novel framework that utilizes interval-valued fermatean fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (IVFF-AHP) to assess the resilience of circular supply chains (CSC)s. By categorizing resilience-related factors into different levels and determining their weights using IVFF-AHP, the framework aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the resilience of CSCs.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed framework integrates the concepts of CSCs, fuzzy multi criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods and the supply chain operations reference (SCOR) model. The SCOR model serves as a basis for identifying the factors relevant to resilience assessment. The framework then employs IVFF-AHP to determine the relative weights of these factors at each level, accommodating the inherent uncertainties and linguistic evaluations associated with assessing resilience.FindingsThe findings of this study highlight the efficacy of the IVFF-AHP-based framework for assessing the resilience of CSCs. By considering multiple factors at different levels and applying fuzzy AHP, the framework provides decision-makers with a comprehensive understanding of the resilience of CSCs. The use of IVFF-AHP enables the effective handling of vague and imprecise information, enhancing the decision-making process.Practical implicationsBy employing IVFF-AHP, decision-makers can better understand the factors influencing the resilience of CSCs and allocate resources accordingly. This enhanced understanding can aid in developing strategies to mitigate risks, enhance adaptability and improve the overall resilience of CSCs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing literature by introducing a novel framework that combines IVFF-AHP, CSCs and the SCOR model for assessing resilience. The application of fuzzy MCDM methods to evaluate the resilience of CSCs represents a significant novelty. The integration of the SCOR model further enhances the practical value of the framework, as it provides a standardized reference for identifying resilience-related factors. This research offers a unique and valuable perspective for researchers and practitioners in the field
Boric Acid Induces Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis Through SEMA3A/PLXNA1/NRP1 Signalling Pathway in U251 Glioblastoma Cell
Get PDFGlioblastoma is one of the deadliest cancers with a very low chance of survival. Glioblastomas have a poor prognosis because of their infiltrative nature, which makes them difficult to totally isolate with rigorous surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Our aim in this study was to investigate the efficacy of boric acid, which has anti-cancer properties, on glioblastoma, which has very limited treatment options. U251 human glioblastoma cell lines were treated with IC25 (15.62 mu g/mL), IC50 (31.25 mu g/mL) and IC75 (62.5 mu g/mL) doses of boric acid. Cell viability and proliferation levels were tested. At the same time, the activity of boric acid on cells was tested through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and semaphorin signalling pathway parameters. Our findings indicate that boric acid induced dose-dependent oxidative stress, cellular growth inhibition, apoptosis and morphological changes in U251 cells. Additionally, treatments with increasing amounts of boric acid resulted in a rise in the production of biomarkers of the semaphorin pathway, which may limit cell growth and proliferation. We found that boric acid activates apoptosis by triggering ROS formation at high doses and at the same time inhibits cell proliferation by increasing semaphorin signalling pathway expressions. Boric acid may act as an anti-cancer agent by activating different mechanisms in a dose-dependent manner.TUBITAKThis manuscript will be supported by TUBITAK if it is accepted as open access
Fee-charging private tutoring and educational inequality: voices of secondary school students in Türkiye
Get PDFThis quantitative study, grounded in Entrich's (2018) model of educational inequality, examines the nature and implications of fee-charging private tutoring among 623 Grade 12 students in T & uuml;rkiye. The findings reveal that 76% of participants engaged in tutoring, primarily to prepare for university entrance examinations in subjects such as mathematics and physics. Regression analyses indicate that tutoring frequency and perceived effectiveness were associated with students' views on tutor competence, exam-related motivations, and the role of families in arranging tutoring. While tutoring proved academically beneficial for some, it also placed financial pressure on nearly half of the participants' families and disproportionately favoured students from more educated and economically advantaged households. These patterns suggest that private tutoring reinforces existing educational inequalities. The study contributes to the limited literature on students' perspectives within T & uuml;rkiye's shadow education sector and offers valuable insights for education policymakers. Practical implications include the need for targeted regulation, financial support mechanisms for disadvantaged students, and improvements in public school quality to reduce reliance on private tutoring. Without coordinated reforms, the growth of fee-based tutoring may continue to undermine national and international goals for inclusive and equitable education
Evaluation of the effect of new generation denture base materials aged in artificial saliva at different pH levels on surface roughness and Candida albicans adhesion
Get PDFPurpose The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the surface roughness and Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilm formation of conventional heat-cured and different CAD/CAM milling denture base materials, after immersion in different pH levels of artificial saliva. Materials and methods Disc-shaped samples (10 x 2 mm) (n = 10) were prepared from two brands of CAD/CAM milled and conventional heat-cured PMMA denture base materials. The samples were immersed at 37 degrees C for 21 days in different pH levels of artificial saliva. The surface roughness (Ra) of each sample was measured using a contact profilometer before and after aging. C. albicans adhesion of the samples was determined using the Crystal Violet (CV) method. Results A significant increase in roughness was observed across all material groups maintained at pH 3 (P < 0.001). At pH 7, the roughness for heat-cured PMMA and G-PMMA groups increased significantly. Although pH 14 increased roughness in all groups, this was not significant. Upon comparison of roughness values post-aging, no significant differences were noted between the groups at pH 3 and pH 7; however, the G-PMMA group exhibited significantly lower surface roughness at pH 14 (P < 0.05). Among all material groups, the highest adhesion of C. albicans was observed in the heat-cured PMMA group. (P < 0.05). Conclusions Aging at different pH values caused surface changes in denture base materials and differences in C. albicans adhesion. Although there is an increase in surface roughness in all groups, these values are lower than the plaque accumulation threshold. The highest C. albicans adhesion was observed in heat-cured PMMA samples. Considering both roughness values and Candida adhesions, it is concluded that the new generation denture base materials are suitable for clinical use and should be widely used.Eskisehir Osmangazi University Scientific Research ProjectsNo applicable
Behavior Management Strategies for Teaching Children With Autism in Physical Education
Get PDFThe purpose of this article is to provide effective behavioral strategy recommendations for teachers working with individuals with ASD to reduce inappropriate behaviors and increase appropriate behaviors in physical education. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
REMARKS ON INEQUALITIES WITH PARAMETER BY CONFORMABLE FRACTIONAL INTEGRALS
Get PDFWe prove that an equation holds for differentiable convex functions, and this result has been derived using conformable integrals. With the help of this equality, several parameterized inequalities are established by using the conformable fractional integrals. Namely, we show that our main inequalities reduce to Ostrowski-, Hermite-Hadamard-, Simpson-, and Bullen-type inequalities which are proved in earlier published papers. More precisely, some inequalities are acquired by taking advantage of the convexity, the Holder, and the power mean inequalities. Finally, examples are given to illustrate the investigated results
Early Stage Effectiveness of the Automated Insulin Delivery System-Is Artificial Intelligence Really Effective?
Get PDFObjective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the self-learning capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The hypothesis was that if the success of closed-loop insulin delivery is mainly attributed to AI algorithms, then the improvement in glycemic control would be more significant just after the learning phase. Methods: The Medtrum A8 TouchCare (R) Nano system was used on 15 patients with type 1 diabetes. Daily continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data pre-automated insulin delivery (AID) was statistically compared with the post-AID period. Results: Patients (median age 32 (6-54) years, 40% female) had a median HbA1c of 8.4% (5.3-10.7) before initiation of AID and a median GMI of 6.6% (5.8-8.3) after 2 weeks. The shifts in glycemia and glycemic variability between the 5-day period pre-AID vs. the first day and the 3 5-day periods post-AID were significant (pre-AID vs. 1-5-10-15 days; time in range (TIR, %): 55.9 vs. 76.6-81.7-83.881.5 (P = .001); Q1 (mg/dL): 123 vs. 112-108-106-110 (P = .009); Q3 (mg/dL): 204 vs. 176-173-168-169 (P = .004); inter-quarter range (IQR, mg/dL): 78 vs. 57.2-56.6-53-55 (P = .002)). The biggest shift in TIR was achieved in the first day (10.1%). Comparative analysis of the 5-day intervals post-AID was insignificant by means of the improvement in glycemia (P > .05). No significant change in glycemic parameters between 15, 30, and 90 days were noted (P > .05). Conclusion: Artificial intelligence-augmented AID becomes effective at the very early stages of initiation. There is a need for further research into glycemic changes in the early days of AID initiation to better define the principles of initiating AID systems
Excitation of synchronous machine by contactless power transfer - review from the perspective of electric vehicles
Get PDFElectrically excited synchronous machines (EESMs) are one of the best choices for propulsion motor application in electric vehicles (EVs) due to their wide torque-speed characteristics. Moreover, the air gap flux density can be easily controlled by varying the excitation current. Despite these advantages, it is difficult to transfer the current required by the rotating excitation winding into the motor under conventional methods, so it is not widely used in EVs. In this study, the emerging literature on contactless power transfer methods is reviewed for applicability to an EESM that can operate as an EV propulsion motor. Design criteria such as resonance topologies, operating frequency, winding and core approaches are examined for applicability to EESMs that can be used in EVs. Consequently, an inductive power transfer excitation that uses segmented toroidal windings and parallel connected Series-Series resonance circuits of these windings is proposed
Newton-type inequalities for fractional integrals
Get PDFBu tez kesirli integraller için Newton tipli e¸sitsizlikler üzerinedir. Be¸s bölümden olu¸san bu çalı¸smanın birinci bölümü giri¸s niteli˘ginde olup ikinci bölümünde tez için bilinmesi gereken bazı temel tanım ve teoremlere yer verilmi¸stir. Daha sonra kesirli integraller ve genelle¸stirilmi¸s kesirli integrallerle ilgili gerekli tanım ve teoremlere yer verildikten sonra Newton tipli e¸sitsizliklere de˘ ginilmi¸stir. Üçüncü bölüm tez çalı¸sması için önem arz eden kısımdır. Tek de˘ gi¸skenli diferansiyellenebilir konveks fonksiyonlar için Newton tipli e¸sitsizlikler iki kısım ¸seklinde çalı¸ sılmı¸ stır. Daha sonra iki de˘ gi¸ skenli diferansiyellenebilir konveks fonksiyonlara yer verilmi¸stir, yine çe¸sitlili˘gin sa˘glanması adına iki kısımda çalı¸sılmı¸stır. Bu çalı¸smalar yapılırken elde edilen e¸sitsizliklerin sınırlı varyasyonlu fonksiyonlar ile ilgili ili¸ skileri de incelenmi¸stir. Son bölümde ise bazı sonuçlar ve sonraki çalı¸smalar için öneriler verilmi¸stir.This thesis is about Newtonian inequalities for fractional integrals. The first part of this study, which consists of five chapters, is an introduction, and the second part includes some basic definitions and theorems that need to be known for the thesis. Then, after giving necessary definitions and theorems about fractional integrals and generalized fractional integrals, Newtonian inequalities are mentioned. The third part is the important part for the thesis study. Newtonian inequalities for single-variable differentiable convex functions were studied in two parts. In our fourth chapter, two-variable differentiable convex functions are included, and they are studied in two parts to ensure diversity. While carrying out these studies, the relations of the obtained inequalities with functions with limited variation were also examined. In the last section, some conclusions and suggestions for further studies are given