Prevalence and Dermoscopic Patterns of Acral Melanocytic Nevi in Turkey

Although nevi are frequently encountered in the acral region, very limited studies have reported their prevalence in specific populations. We aimed to determine the prevalence of acral nevi, their dermoscopic patterns, and evaluate patient awareness in a Turkish population. We prospectively examined 2644 patients admitted to the outpatient dermatology clinics between October 2016 and October 2017. The characteristics of the detected acral nevi and dermatoscopic images were recorded. A questionnaire of demographic characteristics was completed from all patients. Two hundred six of the 2644 patients had at least one acral nevus. Two hundred sixty nevi were examined. The general prevalence of acral nevi was 7.8%. Women were more likely to have acral nevi than men (8.7% vs. 6.3%; P=0.028). Moreover, darker-skinned patients were also had significantly more acral nevi (8.6% in skin type III-IV vs. 6.0% in skin type I-II; P<0.001). The prevalence of acral nevi was 9.4% before the age of 20, 9.5% in patients aged 20-40 years, and 4.6% after the age of 40. In addition, 51.5% of all nevi exhibited a parallel furrow, 13.5% were lattice-like, and 7.7% had a homogeneous pattern. The overall nevus awareness rate was 73.8% and was significantly higher in women at 78.3%. Our study is the first large-scale study of that showed the prevalence of acral nevi in Turkey. According to our study, the prevalence of acral nevi was higher in patients with female sex and darker skin type. We also found that the prevalence of acral nevi decreased over 40 years of age. The general awareness of nevi was higher in women

Prevalence and Dermoscopic Patterns of Acral Melanocytic Nevi in Turkey

Although nevi are frequently encountered in the acral region, very limited studies have reported their prevalence in specific populations. We aimed to determine the prevalence of acral nevi, their dermoscopic patterns, and evaluate patient awareness in a Turkish population. We prospectively examined 2644 patients admitted to the outpatient dermatology clinics between October 2016 and October 2017. The characteristics of the detected acral nevi and dermatoscopic images were recorded. A questionnaire of demographic characteristics was completed from all patients. Two hundred six of the 2644 patients had at least one acral nevus. Two hundred sixty nevi were examined. The general prevalence of acral nevi was 7.8%. Women were more likely to have acral nevi than men (8.7% vs. 6.3%; P=0.028). Moreover, darker-skinned patients were also had significantly more acral nevi (8.6% in skin type III-IV vs. 6.0% in skin type I-II; P<0.001). The prevalence of acral nevi was 9.4% before the age of 20, 9.5% in patients aged 20-40 years, and 4.6% after the age of 40. In addition, 51.5% of all nevi exhibited a parallel furrow, 13.5% were lattice-like, and 7.7% had a homogeneous pattern. The overall nevus awareness rate was 73.8% and was significantly higher in women at 78.3%. Our study is the first large-scale study of that showed the prevalence of acral nevi in Turkey. According to our study, the prevalence of acral nevi was higher in patients with female sex and darker skin type. We also found that the prevalence of acral nevi decreased over 40 years of age. The general awareness of nevi was higher in women

Strengths and weaknesses of inviting men to a voluntary-based domestic violence intervention

This study examines the factors motivating domestic violence perpetrators to participate in a voluntary-based intervention program. The experiences and determining factors around men’s positive and negative responses to this invitation were examined through semi-structured interviews with professionals, observations, and reflexive notes during the first meeting with 29 men. Two major themes emerged from the thematic analysis: the factors making men more likely to attend the first meeting or resisting the group intervention. These findings can help professionals recognize the challenges of inviting perpetrators to interventions, especially in countries with insufficient laws for mandated domestic violence perpetrator programs. The paper discusses the importance during the first meeting of building rapport and trust and recognizing complex family histories to encourage voluntary attendance and intervention engagement

A decomposition approach for undiscounted two-person zero-sum stochastic games

Abstract. Two-person zero-sum stochastic games are considered under the long-run average expected payo¨criterion. State and action spaces are assumed ®nite. By making use of the concept of maximal communicating classes, the following decomposition algorithm is introduced for solving twoperson zero-sum stochastic games: First, the state space is decomposed into maximal communicating classes. Then, these classes are organized in an hierarchical order where each level may contain more than one maximal communicating class. Best stationary strategies for the states in a maximal communicating class at a level are determined by using the best stationary strategies of the states in the previous levels that are accessible from that class. At the initial level, a restricted game is de®ned for each closed maximal communicating class and these restricted games are solved independently. It is shown that the proposed decomposition algorithm is exact in the sense that the solution obtained from the decomposition procedure gives the best stationary strategies for the original stochastic game

İstanbul'da Ermeni kimliğinin inşaası: Yeşilköy örneği

The aim of this thesis is to analyze Armenian ethnic identity construction, the dynamics influencing this process, and varying boundaries of this identity in Yeşilköy, which is one of the regions of Istanbul where Armenians prefer to live. The primordial as well as constructed aspects of Armenian identity in Turkey and the influence of objective and subjective definitions of Armenian collective identity constitutes the main themes of this thesis. From that perspective, homeland, history, myths, collective remembering, religion, language, rituals, the sense of being a member of a minority group, and perception of citizenship play a crucial role. Besides, relationalism, interaction with others, daily life practices, and relations with the nation-state appear as the other crucial elements of this identity construction process. Armenian identity in Turkey is multi-layered, situational and fluid. Together with the elements which provide the rigidity of identity such as religion, there are other loyalties such as ethnicity, traditions and language which give rise to plural and flexible identities. Armenian communities outside the national boundaries also serve for the self- positioning of the Armenians in Turkey.M.S. - Master of Scienc

A decomposition approach for undiscounted two-person zero-sum stochastic games

Two-person zero-sum stochastic games are considered under the long-run average expected payoff criterion. State and action spaces are assumed finite. By making use of the concept of maximal communicating classes, the following decomposition algorithm is introduced for solving two-person zero-sum stochastic games: First, the state space is decomposed into maximal communicating classes. Then, these classes are organized in an hierarchical order where each level may contain more than one maximal communicating class. Best stationary strategies for the states in a maximal communicating class at a level are determined by using the best stationary strategies of the states in the previous levels that are accessible from that class. At the initial level, a restricted game is defined for each closed maximal communicating class and these restricted games are solved independently. It is shown that the proposed decomposition algorithm is exact in the sense that the solution obtained from the decomposition procedure gives the best stationary strategies for the original stochastic game