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Epoxidized soybean oil: A sustainable solution to polyvinyl chloride recycling challenges
No full textRecycling process of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a widely used plastic, is important in order to reduce its harmful environmental impacts and contribute to the circular economy. Thermal degradation of PVC during mechanical recycling significantly reduces its final properties and requires optimization of its thermal stability. In this context, this paper examines the performance of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) as a secondary heat stabilizer to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of PVC during the simulated recycling process through repeated extrusion processes. Two different PVC formulations prepared without and with ESBO were subjected to multiple extrusion, granulation, and film casting cycles five times to simulate the recycling process. The research involved characterizing cast films after each extrusion cycle to assess the effects of ESBO. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the ESBO does not chemically interact with the PVC yet effectively maintains its structural integrity after multiple extrusions. Colorimetric analysis revealed that yellowing and discoloration are reduced by the incorporation of ESBO and the optical properties of PVC films containing ESBO are maintained even after recycling. The dE* value, which shows a significant color change for the reference films without ESBO (REF), started from 20 and increased to 38 at the end of five extrusion cycles. With the addition of ESBO, dE* values remained lower than REF films throughout all cycles. The thermal stability findings determined via thermogravimetrical analysis, Congo red, and oven aging tests indicated that ESBO acted as a heat stabilizer for PVC over all extrusion cycles. It increased stability time and degradation temperatures, delayed thermal aging, and minimized the effects of thermal treatment. Rheological and mechanical tests showed that ESBO decreased torque requirements during extrusion, increased the degradation time, enhanced flexibility, tensile strength, and modulus, and maintained mechanical properties throughout repeated extrusion. These outcomes prove the performance of ESBO as a sustainable additive to improve the durability, thermal stability, and processability of PVC, addressing crucial challenges in its recycling.Highlights The mechanical recycling of PVC is simulated via repeated extrusion. The effects of ESBO on the thermal and mechanical stability were determined. ESBO maintained the thermal stability of PVC under repeated extrusion. ESBO is a sustainable additive for PVC that improves mechanical strength.Yalova, TurkeyThe authors would like to express their gratitude to Akkim Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Yalova, Turkey, for their support in conducting this research
Müşteri perspektifinden kurumsal itibar algısı ve elektronik ağızdan ağıza pazarlama arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi: Kozmetik sektöründe kadın tüketiciler üzerine bir araştırma
No full textÇevrimiçi platformların kullanıcıların istedikleri zaman bilgiye kolayca ulaşmalarını sağlaması, tüketicilerin ürünle ilgili bilgi edinme alışkanlıklarını büyük ölçüde değiştirmiştir. Ancak, düşük maliyetle geniş kitlelere hitap etme olanağı sunan çevrimiçi platformlar, geleneksel medya araçlarını geride bırakarak hem tüketiciler hem de işletmeler için pazarlama mesajlarının yayılmasında yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaya başlanmıştır. Tüketiciler ve işletmeler tarafından son günlerde sıkça tercih edilen çevrimiçi kanalların yanı sıra, sanal ortamda yayılan ağızdan ağıza pazarlamanın artışındaki başlıca faktörlerden biri, ürün satışları ile bu tür pazarlama arasında oluşan olumlu geri bildirim ilişkisidir. Rekabetin yoğun olduğu günümüzün pazarında, sağlam bir kurumsal itibara sahip olmak işletmelere büyük bir avantaj sunmaktadır. Sağlam bir kurumsal imajın oluşturulmasında, olumlu tüketici algıları önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu yüzden, tüketicilerin bir marka veya ürünle ilgili görüş ve duygularını ifade eden ağızdan ağıza pazarlama içerikleri, firmalar için önemli bir bilgi kaynağı oluşturmaktadır. Elektronik ağızdan ağıza pazarlama, işletmeler tarafından etkili bir şekilde yönetildiğinde, marka tanınırlığını artırarak, tüketiciler ile marka arasında ilişkiyi kuvvetlendirir ve kurumsal itibarı yükseltir. Bu çalışma ile elektronik ağızdan ağıza pazarlama ile müşteri perspektifinden kurumsal itibar algısı ilişkisinin incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Çalışma Türkiye'de kozmetik sektöründe hizmet veren beş farklı kurum ve bu kurumlardan satın alma yapan 18 yaş ve üstü kadın tüketiciler üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu doğrultuda çalışmada, kozmetik mağazalarından satın alma yapan 660 kadın tüketiciden anket yöntemi aracılığıyla veriler elde edilmiştir. Nicel araştırmada anket yöntemi ile toplanan veriler SPSS ve AMOS istatistik programları aracılığı ile analiz edilmiştir. Veri analizi aşamasında, normallik testleri, doğrulayıcı faktör analizi, güvenirlik analizi, fark testleri (ANOVA ve t-testi) gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma modelinin doğrulanmasında korelasyon ve regresyon analizi yöntemi ile hipotezler test edilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına göre, müşteri perspektifinden kurumsal itibar algısı ile elektronik ağızdan ağıza pazarlama arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişkilere sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Kurumsal itibar algısının alt boyutlarının etkileri incelendiğinde duygusal çekicilik, kurumsal çerçeve ve sosyal sorumluluk boyutlarının diğer değişkenlerle anlamlı ilişkilere sahip olduğu ancak finansal yatırım alt boyutunun güçlü bir belirleyiciliğe sahip olmadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Kurumsal itibar algısı ve elektronik ağızdan ağıza pazarlama arasındaki ilişki incelendiğinde iki değişken arasında anlamlı ilişkilerin olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.The ability to access information at any desired time, with minimal effort, offered by online channels has significantly changed the habits of consumers in gathering information about products. However, online channels, which offer the opportunity to reach large audiences at low costs, have surpassed traditional mass media and are now being intensively used by both businesses and consumers for the transmission of marketing messages. In addition to the frequent use of online channels by consumers and businesses recently, one of the most significant reasons for the intensity of electronic word-of-mouth marketing in online channels is the positive feedback mechanism between product sales and electronic word-of-mouth marketing. In today's market conditions where competition is quite intense, having a strong corporate reputation provides businesses with a significant advantage. Positive consumer perceptions are a key element in creating a robust corporate reputation. Therefore, word-of-mouth marketing content that includes consumers' feelings and thoughts about a brand or product serves as an important source of information for businesses. Electronic word-of-mouth marketing, if processed and managed correctly by businesses, enables the creation of brand awareness, the establishment of long-term relationships by strengthening consumer-brand relationships, and the enhancement of corporate reputation. This study aims to examine the relationship between electronic word-of-mouth marketing and corporate reputation perception from the customer perspective. The study was conducted on five different institutions serving in the cosmetics sector in Türkiye and female consumers aged 18 and over who made purchases from these institutions. In this context, data were obtained from 660 female consumers who made purchases from cosmetic stores through the survey method in the study. The data collected via the survey method in the quantitative research was analysed using SPSS and AMOS statistical programs. In the data analysis phase, normality tests, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and difference tests (ANOVA and ttest) were performed. In the verification of the research model, hypotheses were tested with correlation and regression analysis methods. According to the results of the research, it was determined that there were statistically significant relationships between corporate reputation perception from the customer perspective and electronic word-of-mouth marketing. When the effects of the subdimensions of corporate reputation perception are examined, it is concluded that emotional appeal, institutional framework, and social responsibility dimensions have significant relationships with other variables. However, the financial investment subdimension does not have a strong determinant. When the relationship between corporate reputation perception and electronic word-of-mouth marketing is examined, it is concluded that there is a significant correlation between the two variables
Secondary intraocular lens implantation with Yamane double needle technique in patients with corneal stromal scarring
No full textPurpose To evaluate the efficacy/complications of Yamane double needle technique and when needed following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in cases with corneal stromal scarring. Setting Ege University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Izmir. Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Methods Yamane double needle technique was applied to patients with corneal stromal scarring. Pre/post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA-logMAR), intraocular pressure (Goldmann), detailed anterior and posterior segment examinations with slit-lamp, ultrasonography and optic coherence tomography were performed. Results The technique was applied to 24 eyes of 24 patients. Mean age was 57.33 +/- 16.71(13-79) years. Male/female ratio was 0.5. Following secondary intraocular lens implantation with Yamane technique mean best corrected visual acuity improved significantly (1.66 +/- 0.44 vs 1.15 +/- 0.71 logMAR; p = 0.002). After the implantation transient intraocular pressure elevation (4 eyes [16%]), hyphema (2 eyes [8%]), cystoid macular edema (2 eyes [8%]), vitreous hemorrhage (1 eye [4%]), granulomatous uveitis recurrence (1 eye [4%]), intraocular lens dislocation (1 eye [4%]) were observed. PKP was performed to 9 eyes (37%). Due to improvement in BCVA corneal transplantation was postponed in 11 eyes (0.83 +/- 0.61 logMAR). The eyes which had undergone penetrating keratoplasty had a mean BCVA of 1.68 +/- 0.53 logMAR) which improved after surgery (1.01 +/- 0.58 logMAR; p = 0.028). Following penetrating keratoplasty, intraocular pressure elevation (3 eyes [12%]), cystoid macular edema (2 eyes [8%]), hypotonia (2 eyes [8%]), epithelial defects (2 eyes [8%]), keratitis (1 eye [4%]) were detected. Conclusion Yamane double needle technique is a safe and an effective method for visual rehabilitation in eyes with aphakia or insufficient capsular support accompanied by corneal stromal scarring. PKP can be performed safely as a stepwise approach after Yamane double needle technique. Moreover, in some patients due to visual improvement corneal transplant might be postponed
Training of trainers program in interprofessional education for health professionals in Türkiye
No full textBackground: Training of Trainers Program that combines both theoretical and practical components and effectively enhance educators’ competencies in interprofessional education are rarely encountered. This study aimed to design and evaluate a Training of Trainers Program in Interprofessional Education intended to enhance participants’ awareness, knowledge, and self-perceived competencies related to the design, implementation, and improvements of interprofessional education practices among healthcare educators. Methods: The study was planned and conducted between June 2023 and March 2024. The two-phase Training of Trainers Program (TTP) was implemented between February 20 and 24, 2024. The first phase consisted of three-day online interactive theoretical training. Two-day face-to-face practical training was the second phase of the TTP which included interactive studies with large groups and practical activities in professional skills rooms with small groups. The practical training was based on various scenarios created by the researchers themselves. Following the TTP, all participants were assessed using a demographic data form, reflection assignment, group assignment, and multiple-choice questions. Results: The TTP was found to be effective and participants benefited from the TTP. The TTP significantly increased participants’ competencies across all measured dimensions, including roles-responsibilities; team and teamwork; IPE communication; lifelong learner; collaborative leadership; relationships with patients and recognizing their needs; and ethics (p = 0.001). Participants’ responses to the satisfaction questionnaire showed that the program generally provided high satisfaction. High scores were given to areas, such as the enrollment process, training content, effectiveness of the trainers, and overall program satisfaction. Participants also highlighted the program’s comprehensive content, applied teaching strategies, and trainer competencies, while only one participant suggested improving time management. Conclusion: The TTP provide important improvement in participants’ competencies The TTP, which was developed by blending both online and face-to-face education, is a successful program in both developing interprofessional competences and reaching the goals. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Terbium-161 PSMA therapy in mCRPC patient based on an optimized radiolabeling protocol
No full textThis study presents a novel radiolabeling technique for [161Tb]-PSMA-617 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The research focused on assessing the radiochemical yield, in vivo stability, and pharmacokinetics of [116 Tb]-PSMA-617 in a clinical setting. Using a sodium acetate buffer and ascorbic acid, a high radiochemical yield (97.98% +/- 2.01) was achieved, ensuring stability and purity. The therapy was evaluated to a 77-year-old mCRPC patient resistant to [177Lu]-PSMA-617, showing favorable biodistribution and urinary excretion. Despite initial stability, disease progression occurred, with a TP53 mutation identified via liquid biopsy. While the method holds promise for targeted radionuclide therapy, resistance mechanisms remain a challenge, necessitating further research for optimized patient selection and treatment strategies
A Multicenter Retrospective Study Comparing Immunosuppressive Therapy Combined with Eltrombopag to Immunosuppressive Therapy Alone as Frontline Treatment for Pediatric Severe Aplastic Anemia
No full textObjective: Eltrombopag (EPAG) added to standard immunosuppressive therapy (IST) has been associated with higher overall response (OR) and complete response (CR) rates in adult patients with treatment-na & iuml;ve severe aplastic anemia (SAA), but clinical evidence on the efficacy of EPAG in children with acquired aplastic anemia is limited and controversial. This retrospective study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of EPAG combined with IST in pediatric patients with SAA compared to a standard IST group. Materials and Methods: We compared the efficacy and safety of EPAG combined with IST (n=38) versus IST alone (n=57) as frontline treatment for pediatric patients with SAA. Results: The EPAG+IST group had higher CR and OR rates at 3 and 6 months, although the 1-year OR, CR, and partial response rates showed no significant difference between the two groups. Older age at diagnosis (>8.95 years) was associated with a higher OR rate at 6 months and 1 year in the EPAG+IST group (p=0.007 and p=0.005, respectively). The addition of EPAG to IST did not achieve superiority over IST alone in terms of overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in this study, with 1-year EFS of 81.1% for EPAG+IST and 71.3% for IST, and 1-year OS of 89.2% versus 80.4%, respectively. Conclusion: EPAG+IST induced a faster response compared to IST alone without increasing toxic effects, but EPAG did not confer additional benefits regarding OS or relapse rates in children. Notably, older age at diagnosis was significantly associated with improved response rates in the EPAG+IST group
Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation of Threatened Steppe Vipers of Western Asia: Vipera anatolica and Vipera renardi eriwanensis (sensu lato)
No full textA guild of three phenotypically and ecologically similar, but phylogenetically distinct lineages of grassland vipers inhabit Western Asia: Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Iran. Their official threat statuses were assessed > 14 y ago by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2025): Anatolian Steppe Viper Vipera anatolica (CR: Critically Endangered, one of only 10 globally with that status), Southern Steppe Viper V. renardi eriwanensis (sensu lato; VU: Vulnerable), and Darevsky’s Viper V. darevskii (CR). Nonetheless, information on their distribution, ecology and systematics has remained scarce, a situation seriously affecting effective conservation strategies. Ten years ago, we began building a database by screening literature and online/social media accounts, improving precision of published records by contacting article/account authors, and complementing it with our own records from annual field expeditions. Herein we summarize the largely increased information on the first two vipers, V. anatolica and V. renardi eriwanensis (sensu lato), latter encompassing all populations south of the Greater Caucasus previously assigned to taxa eriwanensis, shemakhensis, and ebneri. In total, we present 293 localities at > 0.5 km (anatolica) and 1 km (eriwanensis) distance between localities, including three (anatolica) and 95 new localities (eriwanensis). Furthermore, with new details from journal and social media records, we refined/published 16 (anatolica) and 175 (eriwanensis) localities, respectively. Comprehensive distribution updates and some genetic data on the eriwanensis complex allowed a finer taxonomic evaluation and detection of a first hybridization (contact zone) with V. r. lotievi, all of which ultimately helps to better tailor conservation needs. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Stenting Versus Non-stenting Strategy in Endovascular Treatment of Acute Anterior Ischemic Stroke Patients with Tandem Occlusion
No full textBackground and Objectives: The optimal endovascular treatment (EVT) strategy for acute tandem occlusion patients has not been decided yet, and a knowledge gap still exists in the literature. Therefore, we aimed to compare the two different interventional strategies, stenting and non-stenting, for the treatment of acute tandem occlusion patients. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study, which was conducted in a tertiary referral center. We reviewed all acute stroke patients between January 2016 and January 2024. We assessed the effects of the two strategies, stenting and non-stenting, on seven outcome measures, namely: hemorrhagic transformation after EVT, number of days in the neurology intensive care unit (N-ICU), number of days in the hospital, in-hospital mortality, functional outcome at discharge, 3-month functional outcome, and 3-month mortality. Results: We included 54 acute tandem occlusion patients who were treated with EVT in the study. Thirty-five (64.8%) patients underwent emergency carotid stenting during EVT and 19 patients (35.2%) did not receive emergency carotid stenting. Hemorrhagic transformation after EVT, number of days in N-ICU, number of days in the hospital, in-hospital mortality, functional outcome at discharge, and 3-month functional outcome did not differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). Emergency stenting during EVT significantly reduced the probability of 3-month mortality (odds ratio = 0.21, confidence interval: 0.04 to 0.96, P = 0.04). Conclusions: This study showed that emergency stenting in the acute tandem occlusion patients decreased the probability of mortality. Further research is needed on this. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Assessment of the fear of progression in Turkish cancer patients: a validation and reliability study fear of progression questionnaire short form
No full textBackground This study sought to translate and validate the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) for use in assessing the FoP among Turkish cancer patients. Methods A sample of 185 cancer patients who were undergoing active treatment at Ege University Oncology Clinic participated in this study. The FoP-Q-SF was translated into Turkish and its psychometric properties were assessed. The questionnaire's reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega, while its validity was tested via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and correlation with established measures such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results The FoP-Q-SF demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89, McDonald's omega = 0.89) and a strong unidimensional structure based on CFA (CFI = 0.987, TLI = 0.984, RMSEA = 0.078, SRMR = 0.076). Significant correlations were found between the FoP-Q-SF scores and related anxiety measures, including the HADS-D, HADS-A and EORTC QLQ-C30 emotional and total scores (0.395-0.578, p < 0.01). The known-groups validity analysis revealed that the FoP-Q-SF scores were higher among female cancer patients (p < 0.001), which was consistent with the findings of previous studies, while no significant associations were observed with cancer patients' age, marital status, perceived income, educational status or psychiatric history. Conclusions The FoP-Q-SF is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the FoP among Turkish cancer patients, which renders it suitable for clinical and research applications in this population
A Hybrid Approach to Semantic Digital Speech: Enabling Gradual Transition in Practical Communication Systems
No full textRecent advances in deep learning have fostered a transition from the traditional, bit-centric paradigm of Shannon’s information theory to a semantic-oriented approach, emphasizing the transmission of meaningful information rather than mere data fidelity. However, black-box AI-based semantic communication lacks structured discretization and remains dependent on analog modulation, which presents deployment challenges. This paper presents a new semantic-aware digital speech communication system, named Hybrid-DeepSCS, a stepping stone between traditional and fully end-to-end semantic communication. Our system comprises the following parts: a semantic encoder for extracting and compressing structured features, a standard transmitter for digital modulation including source and channel encoding, a standard receiver for recovering the bitstream, and a semantic decoder for expanding the features and reconstructing speech. By adding semantic encoding to a standard digital transmission, our system works with existing communication networks while exploring the potential of deep learning for feature representation and reconstruction. This hybrid method allows for gradual implementation, making it more practical for real-world uses like low-bandwidth speech, robust voice transmission over wireless networks, and AI-assisted speech on edge devices. The system’s compatibility with conventional digital infrastructure positions it as a viable solution for IoT deployments, where seamless integration with legacy systems and energy-efficient processing are critical. Furthermore, our approach addresses IoT-specific challenges such as bandwidth constraints in industrial sensor networks and latency-sensitive voice interactions in smart environments. We test the system under various channel conditions using Signal-to-Distortion Ratio (SDR), PESQ, and STOI metrics. The results show that our system delivers robust and clear speech, connecting traditional wireless systems with the future of AI-driven communication. The framework’s adaptability to edge computing architectures further underscores its relevance for IoT platforms, enabling efficient semantic processing in resource-constrained environments. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved