Graphs of Edge-Intersecting Non-Splitting Paths in a Tree: Representations of Holes-Part II

Given a tree and a set P of non-trivial simple paths on it, VPT(P) is the VPT graph (i.e. the vertex intersection graph) of the paths P, and EPT(P) is the EPT graph (i.e. the edge intersection graph) of P. These graphs have been extensively studied in the literature. Given two (edge) intersecting paths in a graph, their split vertices is the set of vertices having degree at least 3 in their union. A pair of (edge) intersecting paths is termed non-splitting if they do not have split vertices (namely if their union is a path). We define the graph ENPT(P) of edge intersecting non-splitting paths of a tree, termed the ENPT graph, as the graph having a vertex for each path in P, and an edge between every pair of vertices representing two paths that are both edge-intersecting and non-splitting. A graph G is an ENPT graph if there is a tree T and a set of paths P of T such that G=ENPT(P), and we say that is a representation of G. Our goal is to characterize the representation of chordless ENPT cycles (holes). To achieve this goal, we first assume that the EPT graph induced by the vertices of an ENPT hole is given. In [2] we introduce three assumptions (P1), (P2), (P3) defined on EPT, ENPT pairs of graphs. In the same study, we define two problems HamiltonianPairRec, P3-HamiltonianPairRec and characterize the representations of ENPT holes that satisfy (P1), (P2), (P3). In this work, we continue our work by relaxing these three assumptions one by one. We characterize the representations of ENPT holes satisfying (P3) by providing a polynomial-time algorithm to solve P3-HamiltonianPairRec. We also show that there does not exist a polynomial-time algorithm to solve HamiltonianPairRec, unless P=NP

Stakeholders’ views on improving the organic certification system: Results from an EU level workshop

The FP7 CERTCOST project has the overall objective to give recommendations to the public authorities and private actors in the whole organic certification chain on how to improve the organic food certification systems in terms of efficiency, transparency and cost effectiveness. According to the project description (the Description of Work, or DoW) this will be done based on a scientific economic in depth analysis of the certification systems from the farmer to the consumer in 5 EU countries (the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom), plus Switzerland and the candidate country, Turkey. To safeguard that the CERTCOST objectives, work plan and methodology is in line with the expectations of key stakeholders from all levels of the certification chain the DoW foresaw a Stakeholder workshop to be organised in the beginning of the project. The current report documents the main points of the discussions and recommendation given by the stakeholders at this CERTCOST Stakeholder workshop, which took place on November, 13-15, 2008 in Izmir, Turkey, 2.5 months after the project had started. A total of 20 stakeholders were invited, of whom 16 could participate in the workshop. The participant profile included both users and providers of the certification system at different levels such as representatives of farmers’ organizations certification/control bodies, government authorities, EU Commission, processors/ traders, private experts/consultants. Together with the representatives of the partner institutions in the CERTCOST project, the total number of workshop participants was 35 representing 12 European countries. Given the diverse backgrounds of the workshop participants, a working group approach (World Café approach) was applied in order to give the participants the opportunity to reflect their experiences and ideas on the implementation of the project in a synergetic, comfortable and free environment. After a brief presentation of the project, outlining the tasks of the work packages and describing the proposed links between the project and the stakeholders by the project coordinator, the stakeholders were divided into four groups according to their level in the organic certification chain, as farmers, processors/traders, certification bodies and consumers. Two working group sessions were carried out around the questions provided to the stakeholders before the workshop through electronic mails. The questions had been compiled based on input from the managers of the four work packages which were relevant to the workshop discussion. After the first working group session, a plenary discussion session for clustering of the output given by the working groups, their validation and assessment was carried out. In the second session of the working groups, it was rather aimed to harmonize the understanding between the diversified opinions mentioned in Session 1. The working group approach concluded in a final plenary discussion. On the second day, the CERTCOST work package managers presented how the discussions, comments and inputs of the working group sessions could impact on their working plans. In the final session the stakeholders were addressed directly for providing further ideas both on the project and on future collaboration options. The workshop was strongly focused on the identification of key characteristics of cost factors along the supply chain in relation to their impact on the quality of the given service. However a broad range of related subjects were discussed. The Stakeholder workshop put forward that, the ‘cost’ was among the most important topics relating to the certification system performance. The focus of the project aiming at cost effectiveness and not cost minimization was confirmed by the stakeholders. All of the stakeholders present in the workshop demonstrated elevated levels of interest on several outputs of the project. The workshop revealed very positive expectations among the stakeholders towards the risk based approach to be followed in the CERTCOST project. The detailed picture of the organic certification sector obtained through the workshop will constitute an important input to the CERTCOST project and the workshop is considered to be a successful first step in the project-stakeholder interaction. The Stakeholder workshop provided important insight into the many discussion subjects of the organic certification systems in the EU and worldwide, among others the following should be mentioned. Farmers expect to have, clear rules, fair implementation, and high skilled guidance in the inspection and certification process, and underline the need for training of farmers and certifiers and for better communication between all parties in the certification chain. Processors point out the need for a good relationship with the inspectors and certifiers as well as the fact that there existed different schemes in different countries regarding the inspection process and the related cost structure. They also highlighted the difficulty of managing the relations with increasing number of different standards and different certification bodies. It is agreed that consumers expect something they can trust and they can easily recognize, a label, a logo, a certifier, a brand, a farmer or the word ‘organic’; at local, regional, national, or EU-level. It is also concluded that whether, why and how much some consumers might be willing to pay more for particular logos was unknown and was needed to be investigated. Authorities/certification bodies stress that the issue of knowledge and education is extremely important and that there are complex legislations, no common standards, and differences within and between countries. They underline that there are different catalogues in different countries to deal with irregularities which should be harmonized. They emphasize that a clear definition of certification should be made covering its objectives, principles and tools. While on some of the issues there has been a highlighted consensus among the groups, on some others contrasting ideas became evident. Among those subjects of absolute agreement were the importance of and the need for a more clear understanding of the certification system, its components and rules by all the parties involved. Education and elevated levels of necessary skills from farmer to inspector and to consumer; increased transparency and information exchange, well defined relationships between parties were considered to be an indispensable basis for a well functioning and more efficient certification system. The inspection concept came into prominence, with a discussion on policing vs. development approaches. While an efficient and comparable control system was judged to be crucial, promising private governmental formulations were agreed to be based on country conditions. Complexity of the legislation and lack of transparency were the remarkable barriers to a more efficient control system. The EU logo and the new EU Regulation for organic certification were also discussed among stakeholders. It was suggested that the EU logo might have the potential to boost demand in the ‘less developed’ organic markets, but more promotion then currently planned would be needed. It was agreed that most consumers do not look for logos of particular standards but for the word ‘organic’ and/or an organic logo they are familiar with. This might be different for ‘committed’ organic consumers in more mature markets. Overall, it was agreed that ‘trust’ is the most crucial aspect of organic certification regarding the consumer side. The issue of multiple certification and standards appeared to be a factor deserving more attention in the certification world. Harmonization in certification of the same characteristic of a product was deemed necessary. On the other hand, exchange of experiences and cooperation with markets like ‘Fair Trade’ was agreed to be potentially beneficial

The relationship of ankle-brachial ındex with glycemic level, diabetes complications and oxidative stress index

Amaç: Ayak Bilek-Brakial İndeksi (ABİ), periferik arter hastalığını taramak ve kardiyovasküler prognozu değerlendirmek için kullanılan bir yöntemdir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, tip 2 diyabet (T2D) hastalarında ABİ’nin glisemik düzey, biyokimyasal parametreler, mikro-makrovasküler komplikasyonlar ve oksidatif stres indeksi (OSİ) ile olan ilişkisini incelemek ve iskemi için risk oluşturabilecek faktörleri belirlemektir. Yöntemler: Kesitsel retrospektif olarak tasarlanan çalışmaya 153 kişi dâhil edildi. Katılımcılar, sağlıklı kontrol, prediyabet ve manifest T2D olarak glisemik düzeylerine göre ayrıldı. Ayrıca ABİ’ye göre de gruplandırılan katılımcıların, ABİ ve karotis arter incelemeleri, radyolog tarafından doppler ultrasonografi ile yapıldı. Diyabetik nöropati ve retinopati teşhis muayeneleri nörolog ve oftalmolog tarafından gerçekleştirildi. Antropoemetrik ölçümler, OSİ ve biokimyasal paramatreler tüm gruplar için çalışıldı. Bulgular: Gruplar arasında ABİ düzeylerine göre yaş ve diyabet süresi açısından anlamlı fark vardı (p<0.05, p<0.001). ABİ iskemi düzeyi ile glisemik düzey arasında önemli ölçüde farklılık bulundu. ABİ grupları arasında, açlık kan glukozu, tokluk kan glukozu, insülin direnci, kreatinin ve albüminüri seviyeleri anlamlı şekilde farklıydı. Benzer şekilde ABİ iskemik grubu ile makrovasküler komplikasyonlar arasında da anlamlı fark gözlendi (p<0.001). Makrovasküler komplikasyon grupları ile ABİ, OSİ ve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) arasında anlamlı fark saptandı (p<0.001). Karotis doppler incelemesine göre 6 gruba ayrılmış kohort ile OSİ arasında anlamlı bir fark bulundu (p<0.05). Diğer yandan, mikrovasküler komplikasyon grupları ile HbA1c ve OSİ arasında dikkate değer bir değişiklik vardı (p<0.001, p<0.05). İskemi için risk oluşturabilecek faktörler diyabet süresi, açlık insülin düzeyi, tokluk kan glukozu ve insülin direnci olarak belirlendi. Modelin genel doğruluğu %68.6 olarak hesaplandı. Sonuç: T2D’de periferik arter hastalığı taraması için belirli bir yaşı beklemek yerine diyabetin süresi dikkate alınabilir ve tarama buna göre öne çekilebilir. Diyabet süresi, açlık insülin düzeyi, tokluk kan glukozu ve insülin direnci iskemi için risk faktörleri olarak gösterilebilir.Aim: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a method to screen peripheral arterial disease and evaluate cardiovascular prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of ABI with glycemic level, biochemical parameters, micro-macrovascular complications, and oxidative stress index (OSI) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to determine the factors that may pose a risk for ischemia. Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study was designed with 153 participants who were divided as healthy control, prediabetes, and manifest T2D according to glycemic levels. Examination of ABI and carotid artery, and diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy as well as anthropometric measurements, OSI, and biochemical parameters were performed. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of age and duration of diabetes according to ABI levels. ABI ischemia levels and glycemic levels were also significantly different. ABI groups were meaningfully different from levels of fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, insulin resistance, creatinine, and albuminuria. Likewise, a significant difference was observed between the ABI ischemic group and macrovascular complications. There was a significant difference between macrovascular complication groups and ABI, OSI, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Carotid doppler examination showed a significant difference between the OSI and the cohort divided into 6 groups. On the other hand, there was a noteworthy alteration in HbA1c and OSI of the microvascular complication groups. Factors that may pose a risk for ischemia were determined as duration of diabetes, fasting insulin level, postprandial glucose, and insulin resistance. The overall accuracy of the model was calculated as 68.6%. Conclusion: For peripheral artery disease screening in T2D, the duration of diabetes can be taken into account rather than waiting for a certain age, and the screening can be brought forward accordingly. Duration of diabetes, fasting insulin level, postprandial glucose, and insulin resistance can be suggested as risk factors for ischemia

The Role of Organizational Trust in the Effect of Leadership of School Administrators on Job Satisfaction of Teachers

The aim of this research is to determine whether organizational trust plays a role in the effect of school administrators’ leadership on teachers’ job satisfaction. In the study conducted according to the ex-post facto causal design, data from 2561 teachers working in Şanlıurfa province were analyzed. Three structural equation models based on maximum likelihood estimation have been established to determine the effect of leadership on organizational trust and job satisfaction and to determine the mediator role of organizational trust. According to the results of the research, leadership indirectly affects job satisfaction through organizational trust. It has also been determined that school administrators exhibit adequate levels of leadership, teachers trust their organizations and have job satisfaction, leadership affects organizational trust at a very high level and organizational trust affects job satisfaction moderately. In the researches where leadership and job satisfaction are studied, it is suggested to include organizational trust. For increased job satisfaction of teachers through leadership, teachers should first trust their organizations

Using exercises to cope with the transference in the process of group counseling

People who have different characteristics maintain their life by communicating each other. Today people may have many problems related to their relationships with others. So they may need professional support when they could not find a solution for some personal or social problems which they have faced throughout their life. In this sense, Counseling and Group Counseling is a professional field having the aim of helping people to overcome those problems. Group counseling has some advantages compared to individual counseling. The feeling of not being alone within the group and transfer of the experiences learned in the sessions to social life are some advantages of group counseling. Besides its advantages, transference and countertransference may arise in group counseling process. In this article; the exercises which may help to the group leader to cope with transference and countertransference during the group counseling have been examined in a theoretical framework. Some exercises like role playing, empty chair and unfinished business were discussed in the light of literature.  At the end of the study some recommendations and suggestions are offered to the counselors and the field professionals

Bilateral complex regional pain syndrome following spinal cord injury and bilateral calcaneus fracture

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disease affectingone or more extremities, characterized by spontaneouspain, allodynia, hyperpathia and hyperalgesia.CRPS is separated into Type 1 and Type 2. CRPS whichdevelops after a nociceptive event is labeled as Type 1and when it develops following peripheral nerve damage,Type 2. Although the pathogenesis is not fully understood,peripheral and central sensitivity are held responsible.Bilateral lower extremity involvement is extremely rare.However, it should be borne in mind that it can develop intraumatic injuries which occur in more than one area anddiagnosis and commencement of a rehabilitation programshould be made in the early period. The case is presentedhere of bilateral Type 1 CRPS developing after incompletespinal cord injury and bilateral calcaneus fracture. JClin Exp Invest 2013; 4 (3): 360-363Key words: complex regional pain syndrome, calcaneusfracture, spinal cord injur

Sorption of As (V) from waters by use of novel amine-containing sorbents prior to HGAAS and ICP-MS determination

Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, Chemistry, İzmir, 2008Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 93-99)Text in English; Abstract: Turkish and Englishxiv 99 leavesA novel sorption method utilizing several amine-containing sorbents was developed for arsenic determination in waters by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).Chitosan, chitosan-immobilized sodium silicate, chitosan-modified macroporous silicate, and aminopropyl triethoxysilane-treated macroporous silicate were among the sorbents investigated for As(V) sorption.Sorption parameters were optimized for As(V) using chitosan and chitosanimmobilized sodium silicate and were then applied in all sorption studies. These parameters, namely, sorption pH, amount of sorbent, reaction temperature, and shaking time were 3.0, 50.0 mg, 25 .C, and 30 min, respectively. The sorption for chitosan under the optimized conditions was 89% (±1) while that for As(III) was lower than 10% at all pHs. In addition, chitosan-modified and amine-modified macroporous silicate demonstrated 88% (±3) and 68% (±12) sorption, respectively. After the sorption, the release of arsenate from chitosan and chitosan-immobilized sodium silicate was realized using two eluents; namely, 2.0% (v/v) acetic acid which dissolved chitosan, and 1.0% (w/v) L-cysteine solution having a pH of 3.0 adjusted with HCl which eluted arsenate by reducing to arsenite. Their respective desorption percentages were 90% (±1) and 100% (±4) for chitosan, and 67% (±2) and 100% (±1) for chitosan-immobilized sodium silicate.The preconcentration study performed using an absolute amount of 150.0 ng As(V) in bottled drinking water at the enrichment factors of 1, 2, and 10 has given 98% (±3), 95% (±2), and 78% (±4) recoveries, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed methodology with chitosan was verified with spike recovery tests for various water types at a concentration of 10.0 .g/L As(V). With matrix-matched calibration, the percentage spike recovery values were determined to be 114 (±4), 112 (±2), 43 (±4), and 0 (±1), for ultrapure, bottled, tap and sea water, respectively. These results have shown the strong suppression effect of the tap and the sea water matrixes