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Evaluation of Nursing Home Care Staff’s Views on Dignified Death: A Qualitative Study
No full textThis study examined the views of nursing home care staff on dignified death. The study was conducted using an exploratory qualitative research design and included 22 care staff working in a nursing home. The data were collected face-to-face between January and February 2024 through individual. The researchers manually analyzed the data using thematic analysis. Four main themes and ten sub-themes emerged. The themes were requirements (body, comfort, and quality of life), culture (rituals, those left behind, and farewell), environment (space and cemetery of the nameless), and barriers of a dignified death (lack of knowledge and being a burden). Nursing home care staff need information about dignified death. Training care staff about the death process in cooperation with health professionals, including the nurses with whom they work, and raising awareness about dignified death can help individuals whose lives end in nursing homes experience a dignified death
Development and Evaluation of a Simplified CFD Model for a Swirl Diffuser with the Aid of 2D Particle Image Velocimetry
No full textIn numerical modeling of swirl diffusers, simplifying the diffuser geometry can substantially reduce simulation costs. This study describes the development and performance evaluation of simplified computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of a swirl diffuser by using 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV). Two simplified models were created by replacing the diffuser with simple supply openings, where momentums were prescribed. The first model defined momentums solely based on geometric rules. In the second, it was demonstrated how the accuracy of the first, geometry-based model, can be improved by adjusting the momentums using results from a detailed CFD model. The effect of using the Reynolds stress model or the SST k-ω turbulence model on the accuracy of the CFD model and computation time was investigated. The simplified models were benchmarked against both the detailed CFD model and the PIV measurements. The corrected simplified geometry combined with the SST k-ω turbulence model achieved a favorable balance between reliability and computational efficiency. Although the two-dimensional nature of the PIV measurements presented challenges for three-dimensional CFD validation, they proved valuable for developing and assessing the simplified models
Warpage optimization on primary recycled polypropylene composites: investigating the effect of cooling time and injection temperature with machine learning and in-mold sensors
No full textThis study investigates the warpage problem observed in dishwasher bottom cover manufactured via plastic injection molding, considering primary recycled material characteristics, key processing parameters (injection set temperature and in-cycle cooling time), and real-time in-mold sensor data. The material used was a polypropylene homopolymer filled with 40 wt% calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) (I1TPC40), which was mechanically reprocessed (ground) and subsequently reintroduced into injection molding. The effects of material properties, injection set temperature, and cooling time on warpage behavior were systematically evaluated. Material characterization was performed using melt flow index (MFI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The DSC results indicated no statistically significant differences in thermal behavior between the recycled I1TPC40 and the original PURPC40. MFI analysis showed increased flowability of the recycled material, while FTIR spectra confirmed the absence of noticeable chemical degradation. These findings demonstrate that the material retains its integrity and can be safely reused in further production processes. Samples were molded using three injection temperatures (200, 210, and 225 °C) and six cooling times (23–40 s). Warpage was quantified based on dimensional and mass measurements, and in-mold temperature profiles were monitored using embedded sensors. The results revealed that cooling time and the in-mold temperature distribution play a decisive role in warpage formation. To predict warpage, multiple linear regression (MLR) and classification and regression trees (CART) were employed, and both models achieved prediction accuracies exceeding 90%. Overall, the findings indicate that combining primary recycled materials with appropriately selected processing conditions and sensor-driven data-based models offers substantial potential for reducing warpage and enabling more sustainable injection molding practices
Morphometric analysis of hand sesamoid bones using computed tomography and assessment of sex-related differences
No full textPurpose: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the sesamoid bones in the hand using computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: This retrospective analysis examined the data of 211 patients who had undergone upper extremity CT imaging, retrieved from the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Image evaluation was conducted by two independent radiologists using three-dimensional CT reconstructions. The assessment criteria included the presence, number, anatomical location, dimensions (length and width), and volume of the sesamoid bones. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine morphometric differences between sexes, while ANOVA was employed to assess differences among age groups. Results: The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints of the thumb are the most common sites for sesamoid bones. While the prevalence and size of these bones do not show statistically significant differences between genders, their volumes differ in the MCP II and IP I-R joints. The largest sesamoid volume is found in the thumb MCP joint, while the volume generally tends to decrease from the radial side of the hand towards the ulnar side. Conclusion: Morphometric analysis of hand sesamoid bones through CT has unveiled notable anatomical variations and gender-specific differences. These findings are essential for diagnosis and treatment in hand surgery, traumatology, and forensic medicine. For instance, understanding sex-related differences in sesamoid bone sizes can significantly improve identification methods and surgical approaches, ultimately resulting in enhanced patient outcomes
Development and Psychometric Testing of an Infectious Disease Knowledge Questionnaire in a Convenience Sample
No full textThe Effect of Participation in Leisure Time Activities on Quality of Life (QOL) During the COVID-19
No full textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, significant changes in people's lives that they had not experienced before were seen, and quarantines and restrictions imposed by countries have negatively affected individuals' physical and mental health. People initially stayed home to protect themselves from the virus, but as normalization began, they turned to outdoor activities to socialize while maintaining social distancing. In this context, this study's purpose is to investigate the level of participation of people in leisure activities due to lockdown practices and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of this participation on the quality of life. For this purpose, a survey form was developed to determine the effect of participation in leisure activities during the COVID-19 period on the quality of life of individuals living in Turkey was applied to 547 people. To ensure the reliability and validity of our measurement model, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS 24.0. To test the hypotheses, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM). As a result of the research indicates that behavioral leisure attitudes were negatively associated with life quality (β =-0.31, p < 0.01). Still, no direct statistical association was found between affective or cognitive leisure attitudes and life quality. The research findings provide empirical evidence that behavioral aspects of leisure engagement play a more direct role in shaping individuals’ perceptions of quality of life compared to affective or cognitive leisure attitudes
Sotrovimab versus usual care in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial
No full textBackground Sotrovimab is a neutralising monoclonal antibody targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sotrovimab in the RECOVERY trial, an investigator-initiated, individually randomised, controlled, open-label, adaptive platform trial testing treatments for patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods Patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia to 107 UK hospitals were randomly assigned (1:1) to either usual care alone or usual care plus a single 1 g infusion of sotrovimab, using web-based unstratified randomisation. Participants were eligible if they were aged at least 18 years, or aged 12-17 years if weighing at least 40kg, and had confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia with no medical history that would put them at significant risk if they participated in the trial. Participants were retrospectively categorised as having a high antigen level if baseline serum SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen was above the median concentration (the prespecified primary efficacy population), otherwise they were categorised as having a low antigen level. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality assessed by intention to treat. Safety outcomes were assessed among all participants, regardless of antigen level. Recruitment closed on March 31, 2024, when funding ended. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings From Jan 4, 2022, to March 19, 2024, 1723 patients were enrolled in the RECOVERY sotrovimab comparison. Of these, 828 (48%) were assigned to usual care plus sotrovimab and 895 (52%) were assigned to usual care only. Mean patient age was 70.7 years (SD 14.8) and 1033 (60%) were male. 720 (42%) patients were classified as having a high antigen level, 717 (42%) as having a low antigen level, and 286 (17%) had unknown antigen status. 1389 (81%) patients were vaccinated, 1179 (82%) of 1438 patients with known serostatus had anti-spike antibodies at randomisation, and 1021 (>99%) of 1026 patients with sequenced samples were infected with omicron variants. Among patients with a high antigen level, 82 (23%) of 355 assigned to sotrovimab versus 106 (29%) of 365 assigned usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.56-0.99; p=0.046). In an analysis of all randomly assigned patients (regardless of antigen status), 177 (21%) of 828 patients assigned to sotrovimab versus 201 (22%) of 895 assigned to usual care died within 28 days (0.95, 0.77-1.16; p=0.60). Infusion reactions were recorded in 12 (2%) of 781 patients receiving sotrovimab. We found no difference between groups in any other safety outcome. Interpretation In patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 pneumonia, sotrovimab was associated with reduced mortality in the primary analysis population who had a high serum SARS-CoV-2 antigen concentration at baseline, but not in the overall population. Treatment options for patients admitted to hospital are limited, and mortality in those receiving current standard of care was high. The emergence of high-level resistance to sotrovimab among subsequent SARS-CoV-2 variants restricts its current usefulness, but these results indicate that targeted neutralising antibody therapy could potentially still benefit some patients admitted to hospital who are at high risk of death in an era of widespread vaccination and omicron infection. Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license
Revisiting the In-Between: Everyday Potentials of Intermediate Spaces for Social Sustainability in Ankara-Batıkent Housing Settlements
No full textTopical Dracunculus vulgaris Schott Extract Attenuates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis in BALB/c Mice via Clinical and Histopathological Modulation
No full textBackground: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated dermatological disorder marked by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, persistent inflammation, and dysregulation of immune pathways, often accompanied by systemic comorbidities. Despite available treatments, many patients experience side effects or relapse. Recent interest has turned to plant-based therapies with anti-inflammatory potential. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Dracunculus vulgaris Schott extract on imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis in BALB/c mice. Methods: BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: Control, IMQ-induced psoriasis, IMQ + D. vulgaris, and IMQ + betamethasone. IMQ cream (5%) was applied topically for 6 days to induce psoriatic lesions. D. vulgaris extract and betamethasone were administered topically once daily. The extent and severity of lesions were evaluated through a modified version of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring system. Skin thickness, spleen weight, histological changes (via hematoxylin and eosin staining), and interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine levels (via ELISA) were also analysed. Results: D. vulgaris significantly reduced PASI scores, skin thickening, and splenomegaly, with effects comparable to betamethasone. Histological examination confirmed substantial improvement in epidermal architecture and a reduction in inflammatory infiltration. Although IMQ-induced IL-17 elevation was not statistically significant—possibly due to strain-specific immune responses—treatment groups showed mild normalization of IL-17 levels. Conclusion: Treatment with D. vulgaris extract produced significant improvements in clinical presentation and histopathological features, indicating its promise as a topical, plant-based therapeutic option for psoriasis
