10696 research outputs found
Sort by
Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with cognitive training improves decision making and executive functions in opioid use disorder: a triple-blind sham-controlled pilot study
No full textBackground: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic disorder with a considerable amount of morbidity and mortality. Despite remarkable improvement achieved by maintenance programs, an array of treatment goals were still unmet. Mounting evidence suggests that transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) improves decision making and cognitive functions in addictive disorders. tDCS paired with a decision making task was depicted to diminish impulsivity as well. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effect of tDCS combined with cognitive training (CT) in OUD for the first time. Methods: In this triple-blind randomized sham-controlled pilot study, 38 individuals with OUD from the Buprenorphine-Naloxone Maintenance Therapy program were administered 20-minutes of 2 mA active/sham tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with concomitant cognitive training. A selected test battery evaluating decision making under risk and ambiguity as well as executive functions, verbal fluency and working memory was utilized before and after the intervention. Results: Greater improvements were observed in decision making under ambiguity (p = 0.016), set shifting ability and alternating fluency while no improvements were observed in decision making under risk in the active group, compared to sham. Conclusions: Deficits of decision making and executive functions have a pivotal role in the perpetuation and the relapse of the OUD. Alleviation of these impairments brought tDCS/CT forth as an expedient neuroscientifically-grounded treatment option that merits further exploration in OUD, Trial registration: NCT05568251
Does Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep Adversely Affect Language in Self-Limiting Focal Epilepsies of Childhood
No full textIntroduction: The electrical status epilepticus in sleep (ESES) accompanies a wide spectrum of focal and generalized epilepsies, which manifest with cognitive-linguistic regression. Both ESES and language impairment can be seen in self-limited focal epileptic syndromes of childhood (SFEC). The association between the presence of ESES pattern on the EEG and the severity of the language impairment has not been adequately clarified.
Methods: Twenty-eight SFEC cases without intellectual and motor disabilities and 32 healthy children were recruited. Cases with active ESES (A-ESES, n=6) and without ESES pattern on EEG (non-ESES, n=22) were compared in terms of clinical features and linguistic parameters by both standard and descriptive assessment tools.
Results: The only significantly different clinical feature in the A-ESES group was the increased prevalence of polytherapy. While most of the linguistic parameters were impaired in A-ESES and non-ESES groups compared to healthy controls, A-ESES patients differed from non-ESES patients only in terms of decreased complex sentence production, which was assessed by narrative analysis. A-ESES patients also showed trends toward producing lower numbers of words, nouns, verbs, and adverbs during narrative analysis. There were no differences among patients under polytherapy and monotherapy in terms of these language parameters.
Conclusion: Our results show that ESES increases the negative effect of chronic epilepsy on complex sentence and word production. Linguistic distortions that are not reflected in objective tests can be detected by narrative tools. Complex syntactic production obtained by narrative analysis is an important parameter that extensively characterizes language skills in school-age children with epilepsy
Analysis of Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Fatigue Among Yacht Crew: A Case Study of Turkish Yacht Crew Operating in the Southern Aegean Sea
No full textAn examination was conducted on the correlation between burnout, job satisfaction, fatigue levels, and the demographic characteristics of yacht crew. In March 2023, a survey was administered to 81 yacht crew of various ratings operating in the South Aegean. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Piper Fatigue Scale were used in the study, and the subdimensions of these scales analyzed in detail in relation to the yacht crew. Low burnout levels, moderate emotional exhaustion, low depersonalization and a lack of personal accomplishment was found among participants. Job satisfaction was moderate, primarily influenced by internal factors. Overall fatigue levels were moderate, with varying subscale levels. Deckhands had higher burnout and fatigue levels, whereas able seamen had the highest job satisfaction. Statistically significant relationships were found between participant age and years of service and burnout; between job satisfaction, competence, and years of service; and between fatigue and marital status. A statistically significant relationship was found between crew burnout and their levels of job satisfaction and fatigue. Another finding of the research was that males had higher job satisfaction than females, however, male crew members reported higher levels of burnout and fatigue. Furthermore, since there is dense yacht traffic in the Aegean Sea, the high levels of fatigue among yacht crew in the region could be affecting the safety of commercial vessel navigation. Excluding captains, this study is the first to research job satisfaction, burnout, and fatigue levels among yacht crew
Managerial Resourcefulness and Leadership in Small Firms During the COVID-19 Pandemic By:Sahin, F (Sahin, Faruk) [1]
No full textThis study explores the influence of managerial resourcefulness (affective, intellectual and action-oriented competencies) of the owner-manager of small firms on employee outcomes, including the perception of leadership effectiveness and satisfaction with the leader. Owner-manager of small firms (n = 49) completed a questionnaire with a managerial resourcefulness scale, and their employees (n = 193) completed a questionnaire with the scales of perception of leadership effectiveness and satisfaction with the leader. Hierarchical linear modelling analyses were used to test the study hypotheses. The results indicated that affective and intellectual competencies are significantly and positively associated with both employee perception of leadership effectiveness and satisfaction with the leader. However, action-oriented competence is significantly and positively associated with employees' perception of leadership effectiveness but is not related to satisfaction with leaders. The results of this study imply that management resourcefulness is a useful foundation to examine a variety of critical organizational and human outcomes
Exploring the distribution of the non-native Umbra pygmaea across European freshwater ecoregions through climatic suitability and locally consumed diet
No full textThe East American mudminnow Umbra pygmaea was introduced to Europe a century ago and is now established in at least six European countries. Although considered harmless and with low spread potential, this fish species shows potential to colonise a broad range of habitats due to its wide environmental tolerance. Stomach content analyses were conducted over 3 years to obtain a first insight into this species' diet, which could indicate the potential to alter the biotic composition of recipient ecosystems. The results showed that this fish can potentially have a high impact on insects, fish, and even amphibians through predation. Species distribution models further indicated that environmental conditions of Central European ecoregions are currently a limiting factor for the spread of this species which seems, at least for now, to be driven by anthropogenically driven introductions. Considering the species’ potential to be invasive and impact native biota, monitoring of potential spread is recommended
Lower Extremity Injuries Due to Chainsaw During Four-Year Periods
No full textBackground Chainsaws cause injuries mostly on the upper extremities, then on the face and lower extremities. In the literature, there are many studies about hand and face injuries; however, articles about lower extremity injuries are limited. The aim of the study is to define injury patterns, treatments, and results of the cases that we have encountered in our hospital and to evaluate precautions after reviewing the literature. Methods Patients admitted to our hospital's Emergency Department with chainsaw-related lower extremity injuries between 2016 and 2021 are evaluated. Patients' demographic data, pathologies, treatments, length of stay in hospital, return to work time, and functional scores are calculated retrospectively. Results There were 39 male and two female patients, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Their mean age was 42.6 ± SD (16-62). Thirty-two patients (78.04%) had injuries on the left lower extremity, and nine patients (21.9%) had injuries on the right lower extremity. 93.75% (30/32) of the patients with left lower extremity injuries had the right hand as the dominant extremity. The most frequently observed injury pattern was extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon disruption, with a percentage of 58.5% (24/41). 29.2% (13/41) of the cases had bone pathologies present as well. Patients' average AOFAS score was 97.4 ± 4.4 (74-100) at the end of one year. The average hospitalization length of stay was 2.95 ± 2.7 (0-15) days, and the time interval of return to work was 6.17 ± 1.4 (2-15) weeks, excluding one patient who had to change his workplace. Conclusion Saw-related injuries of the lower extremities are the injuries that can be seen mostly in male patients. Among the right dominant-handed patients, left foot dorsum injuries were the most common EHL tendon disruptions observed. We have seen that the reason for this is foot injuries remaining in the projection of the saw due to incorrect positioning of the foot. Protective gear and shoes must be used as precautions. More preventive measures could be taken while using chainsaws and similar tools, as they may cause serious injuries. Requirements for the use and sale of this tool should be introduced, and training should be given as it can be easily purchased by the public
Right-censored partially linear regression model with error in variables: application with carotid endarterectomy dataset
No full textThis paper considers a partially linear regression model relating a right-censored response variable to predictors and an extra covariate with measured error. The main problem here is that censorship and measurement error problems need to be solved to estimate the model correctly. In this sense, we propose three modified semiparametric estimators obtained from local polynomial regression, kernel smoothing, and B-spline smoothing methods based on kernel deconvolution approach and synthetic data transformation. Here, kernel deconvolution technique is used to solve the measurement error problem in the model and synthetic data transformation is considered to add the effect of censorship to the estimation procedure, which is a very common method in the literature. The performances of the introduced estimators are compared in the detailed Monte-Carlo simulation study. In addition, Carotid endarterectomy data is used as real-world data example and results are presented. According to the results, it is seen that the deconvoluted local polynomial method gives more qualified estimates than other two methods
Experiences and opinions of faculty of dentistry students about distance education system during COVID-19 pandemic
No full textObjective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the experiences and opinions of the faculty of dentistry students about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, the innovations that can be made in the course content in the distance education system, the measurement/evaluati on, and the difficulties experienced in distance education. Methods: In this study, an online questionnaire was applied to the dental students. The survey consisted of 22 questions in total. The obtained data were compared between pre-clinical (first, second, and third grades) and clinical (fourth and fifth grades) students using the Pearson Chisquare test statistic. Results: A total of 170 students voluntarily participated in the study. Half (50%) of the participants reported that theoretical training was adversely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, while almost all (99%) reported that practical training was adversely affected. Most of the participants stated that it would be beneficial to have many numbers of case videos (68%) and to transfer the procedures done to the patient via videoconference (77%) in the courses in the distance education system. Most of the participants reported that they did not have knowledge about three-dimensional simulation systems (76%). The answers given to some questions about the measurement/evaluation showed a statistically significant difference between pre-clinical and clinical student
Reflections of Urban Poverty on Education from the Perspectives of School Administrators
No full textThis study aims to reveal the opinions of school administrators working in disadvantaged schools in Mugla city center (Mentese) about the reflections of urban poverty on education. The study was designed as a case study, one of the qualitative research models. The study group included 15 school administrators from three secondary schools and four primary schools in Mentese's disadvantaged neighborhoods. The data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with school administrators using the interview form developed by the researchers. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis. The results obtained from the research show that urban poor students may have risky behavioral patterns, they generally experience failures in academic terms, their parents cannot provide sufficient support for their education processes, the schools they attend have to cope with a lack of opportunities, and that this lack can create an obstacle to the support that can be provided to the urban poor children
Job demands-resources model and burnout in physical education teaching: A mixed-method sequential explanatory study
No full textACKGROUND: While literature includes a number of studies about burnout in teaching, investigations on teaching fieldspecific perspective remain limited. Research is needed to improve practical implications based on structured theoretical models and methodological basis that focusses on the unique environment of PE teaching field and causal factors behind burnout.
OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine burnout among physical education (PE) teachers based on the job demands-resources (J-DR) model.
METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed design was conducted in the study. 173 teachers replied to questionnaires, of which 14 teachers thereafter participated in semi-structured interviews. Demographic information form, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and J-DR scale for PE teachers were used, as well as an interview form. 173 teachers were first asked to report demographic information, and score Maslach Burnout Inventory and J-DR scale. Then a subsample group (n = 14) was identified/sampled for a semi-structured interview. Canonical correlation and constant comparative analysis were used to unpack the data.
RESULTS: Teachers' states of burnout varied, and physical, organisational, and socio-cultural resources were closely related with burnout levels. Demands that cause pressure on burnout were determined as paperwork and bureaucracy, student-related factors, and pandemic-related experiences. In addition to supporting the general model, specific J-DR factors for PE teaching were observed that is linked with burnout.
CONCLUSION: J-DR factors that might lead to negative conditions in the teaching environment should be considered, and field-specific factors should be focused on through arrangements to increase teaching efficiency and improve the quality of PE teachers' professional life