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Exploring CHAPS as a Potential Measurement for Auditory Processing and Cognitive Ability in Children with Hearing Loss
No full textObjectives: The primary goal was to investigate the suitability of CHAPS for assessing cognitive abilities and auditory processing in people with hearing loss (HL), specifically in the domains of auditory processing, verbal working memory, and auditory attention. Method: The study comprised 44 individuals between the ages of seven and 14, 22 with HL (N = 11 males) and 22 with normal hearing (N = 10 males). Individuals' auditory attention, working memory, and auditory processing skills were assessed in the study, and self-report questionnaires were used. The evaluation utilized the Sustained Auditory Attention Capacity Test (SAACT), Working Memory Scale (WMS), Filtered Words Test, Auditory Figured Ground Test (AFGT), and the Children's Auditory Performance Scale (CHAPS). Analyses were conducted, including group comparisons, correlation examinations, and receiver operating characteristic evaluations. Results: There were significant differences in CHAPS total, attention, noise, quiet, and multiple inputs between groups. No significant differences were seen in CHAPS_ideal and CHAPS_auditory memory across groups. The study of SAACT and its subscores, WMS and its subscores, FWT, and AFGT revealed a significant difference between groups, caused by the poor performance of persons in the HL group compared to those in the NH group. The SAACT and its subscores correlated significantly with CHAPS_attention. The AUC calculation showed that The SAACT and CHAPS_attention distinguished persons with or without HL (p < 0.05). WMS_STM and WMS_total correlated with CHAPS auditory memory subscale; however, WMS_VWM did not. AUC values for WMS and its subscores showed significant discrimination in identifying children with or without HL (p < 0.05), whereas CHAPS_auditory memory did not (AUC = 0.665; p = 0.060). FWT and AFGT had a significant relationship with CHAPS_noise and CHAPS_multiple inputs subscales. The CHAPS_quiet and CHAPS_ideal subtests only correlated with AFGT. CHAPS_quite and CHAPS_ideal did not exhibit significant discriminative values (p < 0.05) for identifying children with or without HL, while CHAPS_noise, CHAPS_multiple inputs, FWT, and AFGT did. Conclusion: The CHAPS_attention subscale could be a trustworthy instrument for assessing auditory attention in children with HL. However, the CHAPS_auditory memory subscale may not be suitable for testing working memory. While performance-based auditory processing tests showed improved discrimination, the CHAPS_noise and CHAPS_multiple inputs subtests can still assess hearing-impaired auditory processing. The CHAPS_quiet and CHAPS_ideal subtests may not evaluate auditory processing. (c) 2024 S. Karger AG, Base
Examining disgust learning through category conditioning: Evidence from trial-unique presentations and oculomotor avoidance
No full textDisgust is a basic emotion that motivates avoidance behaviors to protect organisms from pathogens. Objects of disgust are acquired through classical conditioning mechanisms. Oculomotor avoidance serves as an objective marker of disgust, yet previous studies have relied on repeated presentations to establish disgust conditioning. This study aimed to adapt the category-conditioning paradigm (Dunsmoor et al., Cerebral Cortex, 24, 2859-2872, 2014) for disgust learning by employing trial-unique presentations, offering a novel tool for future research. In our experiment, items of two categories – furniture and vehicles – were paired with either disgusting or neutral scenes. Participants' eye movements were tracked, and self-reported measures were collected. The results demonstrated that the category-conditioning task with trial-unique stimuli effectively induced oculomotor avoidance. Participants exhibited both unconditioned avoidance responses to disgusting scenes and conditioned avoidance responses to category items associated with disgust. Eye-tracking data further revealed that disgust-associated stimuli motivated avoidance beyond their role as mere predictors of an aversive stimulus. Interestingly, participants initially exhibited a tendency to view the disgusting image before engaging in avoidance behavior. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the adapted category-conditioning paradigm successfully elicits conditioned responses using trial-unique stimuli. We believe that this paradigm will provide a valuable tool for future research on disgust learning. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Tarımsal danışmanlık sistemi üzerine bir araştırma: İzmir ili örneği
No full textBu araştırmada Tarımsal Yayım ve Tarım Danışmanlığı Hizmetlerinin işleyişini incelemek, çiftçilerin beklentilerini, memnuniyetlerini belirlemek ve sistemin iyileştirilmesine yönelik öneriler geliştirmek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmanın ana materyalini, 2022-2023 yıllarında İzmir ilinde danışmanlık hizmeti alan 149 çiftçi ve hizmet veren tarım danışmanlarının tamamı (13 danışman) ile yüz yüze görüşülerek doldurulan anketlerden derlenen veriler oluşturmaktadır. Ayrıca, kurum temsilcileri (kooperatif, birlik, ziraat odası) ile görüşmeler ve danışmanlarla gerçekleştirilen odak grup toplantısından da bazı bilgiler sağlanmıştır. Çiftçilerin danışmanlık hizmetinden faydalanma isteğini etkileyen faktörler için lojistik regresyon analizi yapılmıştır. Bulgulara göre danışmanların mesleki açıdan memnunken, ekonomik yönden pek tatmin olmadıkları belirlenmiştir. Danışmanlar en çok proje hazırlama ve uygulama (4.30) ile tarımsal yayım teknikleri (4.15) konularında eğitim verilmesini istemektedirler. Danışmanlar çoğunlukla İl ve İlçe Tarım ve Orman Müdürlükleriyle işbirliği yapmaktadırlar. Danışmanların yaklaşık %70'i işleri ile ilgili gelecek kaygısı yaşamaktadır. Danışmanlar ücretlerinin yetersizliği, bürokratik iş yükünün fazlalığı, çiftçi ziyaret sayısının çokluğu gibi konuları önemli sorunları olarak göstermektedirler. Çiftçilerin tarımdaki deneyimleri ortalama 24.8 yıldır. Çiftçilerin danışmanlardan en sık aldıkları ve memnun oldukları bilgiler hastalık ve zararlılar ile mücadeledir (3.00). Ayrıca, çiftçilerin destekleme ve bürokratik işlemlerle (2.86) ilgili danışmanlardan bilgi aldıkları belirlenmiştir. Çiftçiler danışmanlık hizmetleri sonucu gelirlerinde %20.3'lük artış sağladıklarını belirtmişlerdir. Çiftçilerin %67.8'i devlet desteği olmasa da danışmanlık hizmetlerinden faydalanmaya istekli olmalarına karşın, danışmanlık hizmetlerine ücret ödeyebileceğini belirtenlerin oranı %29.5'tir. Kurum temsilcileri, üye çiftçi sayılarının yüksek olması dolayısıyla; danışman sayılarının ve desteklerin arttırılması gerektiğini düşünmektedirler.The aim of this research is to examine the functioning of Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Consultancy Services, to determine the expectations and satisfaction of farmers and to develop suggestions for improving the system. The main material of the research consists of data compiled from surveys filled out by face-to-face interviews with 149 farmers who received consultancy services and all agricultural consultants (13 consultants) serving in Izmir in 2022-2023. In addition, some information was obtained from interviews with institutional representatives (cooperative, union, chamber of agriculture) and focus group meetings with consultants Logistic regression analysis was conducted for the factors affecting farmers' willingness to benefit from consultancy services. According to the findings, it was determined that while the consultants were satisfied professionally, they were not very satisfied economically. Consultants mostly want training on project preparation and implementation (4.30) and agricultural extension techniques (4.15). Consultants mostly cooperate with Provincial and District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry. Approximately 70% of consultants experience future anxiety about their jobs. Consultants point out issues such as insufficient wages, excessive bureaucratic workload, and the high number of farmer visits as important problems. The average experience of farmers in agriculture is 24.8 years. The information that farmers most frequently receive from consultants and are satisfied with is the fight against diseases and pests (3.00). Additionally, it was determined that farmers received information from consultants regarding support and bureaucratic procedures (2.86). Farmers stated that they achieved a 20.3% increase in their income as a result of consultancy services. Although 67.8% of farmers are willing to benefit from consultancy services even if there is no government support, the rate of those who say they can pay for consultancy services is 29.5%. Representatives of the institution stated that due to the high number of member farmers; They think that the number of consultants and supports should be increased
Utilizing Albumin Value, HALP Score and LCR Value for Predicting Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
No full textBackground and Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether albumin levels and the ratios of key biochemical markers, including the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP score) and lymphocyte/C-reactive protein ratio (LCR), can predict survival and recurrence in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in our clinic between January 2017 and December 2021 were included. Preoperative albumin levels, HALP scores, and LCR values were calculated and analyzed to evaluate their predictive value for pathological findings in the early postoperative period. Results: The mean age of the study population was 64.8 ± 9.6 years; 59 patients (67.8%) were male, and 28 (32.2%) were female. The cut-off values for HALP, LCR, and albumin were 34.4, 0.61, and 38.55, respectively. Patients with low HALP scores had significantly shorter overall survival than those with high scores (15.8 vs. 19.3 months; p < 0.01). Similarly, patients with low LCR scores showed shorter survival than those with high scores (17.8 vs. 18.5 months; p < 0.01). High albumin levels were associated with significantly longer survival compared to low albumin levels (16.3 vs. 14.6 months; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Low HALP scores and low albumin levels were identified as significant independent prognostic factors for both disease-free and overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Effect of preparation method on the activity of red mud based catalysts in hydrogen production from biomass
No full textBiomass gasification is a promising technology for hydrogen production. This study presents H2 production from olive tree pruning (OTP), employing a fixed dual-bed reactor that combines OPT gasification and volatile reforming. The thermal steam gasification of OTP was performed at 850 degrees C, followed by the catalytic gasification of volatiles at different temperatures. Red mud (RM) and nickel loaded red mud (Ni-RM) catalysts were used as catalytic bed material. The effects of different operating parameters, i.e. catalytic bed temperature, catalyst preparation method (thermal reduction & plasma reduction), and nickel ratios in catalyst on the yield and composition of produced gases were investigated. The catalyst prepared by reduction under non-thermal plasma showed no effect on the gasification due to the insufficient temperature for the reduction of Fe2O3 and NiO. The results indicated that the bottom bed temperature had a significant effect on the H2 yield, especially in the catalytic experiments. The RM alone shows almost the same activity with Ni-RM on the H2 yield; 1076 mL gas/g OTP and 1128 mL gas/g OTP, respectively. The results of present study showed that reduced RM had as much catalytic activity as Ni loaded reduced RM in hydrogen production.Institutional Links grant (British Council Newton Fund Institutional Links Grant) under the Turkey partnership [623389161]; UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [120N971]This work was supported by an Institutional Links grant (British Council Newton Fund Institutional Links Grant, No. 623389161) under the Turkey partnership. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy together with the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK; Project No. 120N971) and delivered by the British Council. MATAL laboratories of Ege University and Integrated Research Centers of the Izmir Institute of Technology are acknowledged for catalyst characterization
Representations of ecogothic in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
Get PDFIn its silence, nature becomes monstrous, not because it poses a threat to humans, but rather because it represents what humanity fears to see in itself. Therefore, this thesis investigates how ecogothic representations take place in Joseph Conrad9s Heart of Darkness and Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. It examines how each novel constructs fear of nature within the larger contexts of colonial and postcolonial discourses. Despite the fact that both works have been widely examined from historical, cultural, and colonial/postcolonial perspectives, they have received limited critical attention from ecological aspects, especially the gothic expressions of ecological fears. Drawing on Elizabeth Parker's ecogothic framework, this study investigates how the nonhuman environment functions as a subject of horror, estrangement, and cultural disruption. This thesis demonstrates how Heart of Darkness depicts the African landscape and London as a place haunted by imperial guilt and moral decay which shows fear of nature is inevitably related to colonial trauma. By contrast, Things Fall Apart places ecological anxiety inside Igbo cosmology and represents nature as both culturally relevant and spiritually powerful. In this novel, fear of nature emerges because of belief systems and ecological anxieties. This study argues that ecogothic framework can be a significant perspective to reveal the ideological and psychological conflicts which are embedded in literary representations of the nonhuman environment. Ultimately, it is demonstrated that nature becomes an uncanny presence in both colonial and postcolonial narratives, the one that haunts, resists, and reveals the weakness of humans. Although the colonial and postcolonial narratives may imply different ideological frameworks, their portrayals of ecological anxiety show a common psychological reaction, which is fear of nature. It appears as a universal timeless phenomenon, despite its culturally and historically specific expressions.Doğa sessizliği içinde canavarımsı bir varlığa dönüşür. Ancak bu insanlığa tehdit oluşturduğundan değil, insanın kendisinde görmekten korktuğu şeyleri yansıttığındandır. Bu bağlamda, bu tez Joseph Conrad'ın Heart of Darkness (1899) ve Chinua Achebe'nin Things Fall Apart (1958) isimli eserlerinde ekogotik temsillerin nasıl yer aldığını incelemektedir. Her iki romanın da doğa korkusunu sömürgecilik ve sömürge sonrası söylemler çerçevesinde nasıl kurulduğunu sorgulamaktadır. Söz konusu eserler tarihsel, kültürel ve sömürgecilik/sömürgecilik sonrası dönem bağlamlarında sıkça incelenmiş olsa da ekolojik korkuların gotik ifadeleri eleştirel anlamda yeterince değerlendirilmemiştir. Elizabeth Parker'ın ekogotik kuramına dayanarak yapılan bu çalışma, insan olmayan çevrenin bir korku, yabancılaşma ve kültürel sarsıntı öznesi olarak nasıl işlev gördüğünü araştırır. Bu tez, Conrad'in Heart of Darkness romanında, Afrika manzaralarının ve Londra'nın emperyal suçluluk ve ahlaki çöküş tarafından lanetlenmiş mekanlara nasıl dönüştüğünü ve doğa korkusunun sömürge travmasıyla nasıl iç içe geçtiğini ortaya koyar. Öte yandan, Achebe'nin Things Fall Apart romanı doğa korkusunu Igbo kozmolojisi içerisinde konumlandırarak doğayı hem kültürel olarak anlamlı hem de ruhsal olarak güçlü bir varlık olarak gösterir. Bu eserde doğa korkusu, inanç sistemleri ve ekolojik kaygılar bağlamında ortaya çıkar. Bu çalışma, ekogotik çerçevenin insan olmayan çevrenin edebi temsillerinde gömülü olan ideolojik ve psikolojik çatışmaları ortaya çıkarmada önemli bir yaklaşım sunmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, doğa her iki anlatıda da tekinsiz bir varlık olur; insanı rahatsız eder, direnç gösterir ve insanın kırılganlığını vurgular. Sömürgeci ve sömürgecilik sonrası anlatılar farklı ideolojik temellere işaret ediyor gibi görünse de ekolojik kaygı temsilleri ortak psikolojik bir tepkiyi, yani doğa korkusunu, gösterir. Bu korku, tarihsel ve kültürel bağlamlara göre farklı biçimlerde ifade edilse de evrensel ve zamansız bir olgu olarak varlığını sürdürmektedir
A STUDY ON HYPERSURFACES OF META-GOLDEN RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLDS
No full textThis paper focuses on hypersurfaces within meta-golden Riemannian manifolds, investigating the structures induced by the ambient manifold’s meta-golden Riemannian structure. The study provides characterizations of invariant and non-invariant hypersurfaces and explores their geometric properties. Three distinct examples are also presented to illustrate the theoretical findings. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Successful viral suppression in a two-year-old child with human immunodeficiency virus infection treated with bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide
No full textBackground. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a major challenge in pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management, especially in young children due to medication formulation, administration difficulties, and psychosocial barriers. Single-tablet regimens (STRs) have been shown to improve adherence and viral suppression in adults and adolescents, yet their use in younger children remains limited. Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) is an STR with a high genetic barrier to resistance, making it a promising option for pediatric patients with adherence difficulties. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 2-year-old girl with perinatally acquired HIV who experienced persistent viremia despite multiple ART regimens. The mother received zidovudine prophylaxis during delivery, and the infant was started on zidovudine (AZT) prophylaxis on the first day of life. The patient’s ART history included AZT monotherapy at birth, followed by combination therapy with lamivudine (3TC), lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), and later tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) with dolutegravir (DTG). Despite these regimens, poor adherence related to medication administration difficulties and caregiver challenges contributed to persistent viremia. A multidisciplinary team approach was implemented to address adherence barriers. Given the patient’s ongoing virological failure and resistance mutations (L76V and V179E), off-label use of BIC/FTC/TAF (50mg/200mg/25mg) was approved. The dosage was adjusted based on weight, and medication administration was closely monitored. Within one month of treatment, HIV RNA levels significantly declined from 1,800,000 to 207 copies/mL. Viral suppression was maintained over subsequent three-month intervals, with HIV RNA levels of 35, 40, and 43 copies/mL, alongside immune recovery as indicated by increased CD4 counts. Conclusion. The successful off-label use of BIC/FTC/TAF in a treatment-refractory pediatric HIV case highlights its potential efficacy in young patients facing adherence challenges. Its high genetic barrier to resistance and favorable tolerability make it a promising option when standard therapies fail. Further research is needed to optimize pediatric ART strategies and expand access to STRs globally. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
The relationships between wheat policies and farmers’ attitudes, behaviors and perceptions: evidence from Turkey
No full textThis study investigates the relationships between wheat producers’ attitudes and behaviors, and their preferences for specific agricultural policy instruments in Turkey, including differential payment, input support, single payment, and target price policies. Data were collected from 326 wheat farmers selected using a stratified quota sampling method across five major wheat-producing regions of Turkey, ensuring representative geographic coverage. Farmers’ attitudes and behaviors were measured using the Edinburgh Farming Attitudes Scale (EFAS), Edinburgh Farming Objectives Scale (EFOS), and Edinburgh Farming Implementation Scale (EFIS). Factor analysis was employed to identify latent dimensions of these attitudes, categorizing farmers into segments based on positive or negative attitudes toward dimensions such as economic advantage, environmental sustainability, transparency, and resource use efficiency. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to systematically capture and prioritize farmers’ policy preferences. The relationships between farmers’ attitudinal dimensions, farm characteristics, and policy preferences were analyzed using beta regression models. Results indicated significant influences of positive attitudes toward environmentally friendly agriculture, transparency in agricultural activities, and farming as a business on policy preferences. Specifically, farmers with strong environmental sustainability attitudes were more inclined to support single payment policies, while farmers prioritizing profitability and ease of marketing favored target price mechanisms. These empirical findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the importance of aligning agricultural policies with the attitudes and behaviors of farmers to enhance policy effectiveness, responsiveness, and inclusiveness in agricultural governance. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved
Çölyak Hastalarında Maymun Özofagus ve Karaciğer Preparatları ile Anti-Endomisyum Antikorlarının Değerlendirilmesi: IgA Saptanmasında Testlerin Tanısal Performansı
No full textThis study aimed to compare the diagnostic performances of monkey esophagus (ME) and monkey liver (MK) preparations in the detection of anti-endomysium (EMA) IgA antibodies used in the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) and to evaluate their relationship with anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG) IgA and anti-deamine gliadin peptide (GAF3X) IgA levels.This methodological and cross-sectional study included 123 patients with a preliminary diagnosis of CD who did not have selective IgA deficiency. EMA IgA tests were evaluated using the indirect immunofluorescence microscopy (IIF) method with ME and ML preparations. Serological tests (anti-TTG IgA and GAF3X IgA) were analyzed using the ELISA method and intestinal biopsy results were categorized according to the Marsh classification. The diagnostic performance of the tests was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Differences between groups were analyzed using statistical methods. Among 90 patients with anti-TTG IgA positivity, 96.67% were positive with ML testing, while 88.89% were positive with ME testing. A high agreement was observed between ME and ML tests (Kappa= 0.692, p< 0.001) and both preparations demonstrated similar effectiveness in detecting EMA IgA positivity. A strong relationship was identified between Marsh positivity and serological test results. ML testing showed 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity, with positive and negative predictive values of 86% and 100%, respectively. ME testing exhibited 97.7% sensitivity and 64.3% specificity, with positive and negative predictive values of 89.4% and 90%, respectively. Quantitative test results revealed significant differences between pediatric and adult groups (ML: p= 0.006; ME: p= 0.048). However, age (p= 0.268) and gender (p= 0.775) had no statistically significant impact on Marsh positivity. Correspondence analysis indicated a statistically significant relationship between ME and ML categories (p< 0.001) and a high level of correlation was detected in the positive categories. As a result of the receiver operating characteristic analysis for the anti-TTG IgA test, the area under the curve value was calculated as 0.822 which revealed that the test has a good capacity to distinguish between Marsh score positivity and negativity. An optimal cutoff value of 223.84 RU/mL was identified, with sensitivity of 60.5% and specificity of 100%, emphasizing its clinical utility in reducing biopsy requirements. These findings supported the high diagnostic value of EMA IgA and other serological tests in CD diagnosis. The use of EMA IgA tests with ME and ML preparations was shown to be an effective serological method in the diagnosis of CD. ML preparations demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to ME but were more limited in specificity. The optimal cutoff value for anti-TTG IgA testing in relation to Marsh score positivity may assist in clinical decision-making processes. These findings have shed light on diagnostic approaches aimed at reducing the need for biopsy. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved