Hand Dominance and Congruence for Wrist-worn Haptics using Custom Voice-Coil Actuation

During virtual interactions, rendering haptic feedback on a remote location (like the wrist) instead of the fingertips freeing users' hands from mechanical devices. This allows for real interactions while still providing information regarding the mechanical properties of virtual objects. In this paper, we present CoWrHap -- a novel wrist-worn haptic device with custom-made voice coil actuation to render force feedback. Then, we investigate the impact of asking participants to use their dominant or non-dominant hand for virtual interactions and the best mapping between the active hand and the wrist receiving the haptic feedback, which can be defined as hand-wrist congruence through a user experiment based on a stiffness discrimination task. Our results show that participants performed the tasks (i) better with non-congruent mapping but reported better experiences with congruent mapping, and (ii) with no statistical difference in terms of hand dominance but reported better user experience and enjoyment using their dominant hands. This study indicates that participants can perceive mechanical properties via haptic feedback provided through CoWrHap.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

TREATMENT, DISEASE CONTROL, QUALITY OF LIFE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has the potential to impact disease activity and psychological well-being in people with rheumatic diseases. This study aimed to compare ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with and without COVID-19 history in terms of treatment, disease control, quality of life and psychological status by providing a cross-sectional look at treatment, disease control, quality of life and psychological status in patients with AS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. The study included 74 AS patients, in two groups based on COVID-19 history. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. Treatment, disease control, functional status, and quality of life were evaluated using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and impact of COVID-19 on quality-of-life scales. Psychological status was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and COVID-19 anxiety scale. Results. Of the 74 patients diagnosed with AS, 44 were female and 34 were male. The mean age was 47.3 years. In total, 35 patients (47.3%) had COVID-19. We found that the group without COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of hypothyroidism than the other group (p = 0.008). The BASFI value was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group (p = 0.031). The group with COVID-19 had a substantially higher rate of continuing non-anti-rheumatic drug use than the other group (p = 0.02). Conclusion. During COVID-19 pandemic period, the majority of patients continued their medication, so treatment and disease control were not negatively affected. Having COVID-19 did not cause a significant difference psychologically

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in head and neck cancer: functions, aberrations, cross‐talk, and therapies

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113753/1/odi12206.pd

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

The use of calcium hydroxide, antibiotics and biocides as antimicrobial medicaments in endodontics

Bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of pulp and periapical diseases. The primary aim of endodontic treatment is to remove as many bacteria as possible from the root canal system and then to create an environment in which any remaining organisms cannot survive. This can only be achieved through the use of a combination of aseptic treatment techniques, chemomechanical preparation of the root canal, antimicrobial irrigating solutions and intracanal medicaments. The choice of which intracanal medicament to use is dependent on having an accurate diagnosis of the condition being treated, as well as a thorough knowledge of the type of organisms likely to be involved and. their mechanisms of growth and survival. Since the disease is likely to have been caused by the presence of bacteria within the root canal, the use of an antimicrobial agent is essential. Many medicaments have been used in an attempt to achieve the above aims, but no single preparation has been found to be completely predictable or effective. Commonly used medicaments include calcium hydroxide, antibiotics; non-phenolic biocides, phenolic biocides and iodine compounds. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and further research is required to determine which is best suited for root canal infections

Manastırlı İsmail Hakkı’nın Fusûlu’t-teysîr fî usûli’t-tefsîr Adlı Eseri ve Tefsir Usûlüne Katkısı

The accumulation of Ottoman exegesis has not been enlightened yet. However, with recent scientific studies, this closedness has been tried to be partially eliminated, but these efforts have not been achieved to the desired level. In this study, we will focus on the work of "Fusul al-Taysir fi Usul al-Tafsir", an unknown commentary of Isma`il Haqqi's (1846-1912), one of the last Ottoman scholars. This work, which we will focus on, was prepared by Isma`il Haqqi for the first grade students of the Faculty of Political Sciences as a textbook. In this study, in the context of the exegesis works of the Ottoman period, this work which can be evaluated in the works written about the exegesis method independently; systematics, contents and sources. On this occasion, the contribution of a recent Ottoman scholar to the tradition of exegesis will be discussed and, albeit a bit, the course of Ottoman exegesis will be shed light

Manastirli Ismail Haqqi's Book Fusul al-Tayseer fi Usul al-Tafseer and Its Contribution to Usul al-Tafseer

The accumulation of Ottoman exegesis has not been enlightened yet. However, with recent scientific studies, this closedness has been tried to be partially eliminated, but these efforts have not been achieved to the desired level. In this study, we will focus on the work of "Fusul al-Taysir fi Usul al-Tafsir", an unknown commentary of Isma`il Haqqi's (1846-1912), one of the last Ottoman scholars. This work, which we will focus on, was prepared by Isma`il Haqqi for the first grade students of the Faculty of Political Sciences as a textbook. In this study, in the context of the exegesis works of the Ottoman period, this work which can be evaluated in the works written about the exegesis method independently; systematics, contents and sources. On this occasion, the contribution of a recent Ottoman scholar to the tradition of exegesis will be discussed and, albeit a bit, the course of Ottoman exegesis will be shed light

Characterization of muscle fibers in Turkish native goat breeds

European Biotechnology Congress -- MAY 25-27, 2017 -- Dubrovnik, CROATIAWOS: 000413585400134…Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [ZRT.E2.17.05]This work was supported by the Ahi Evran University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit. Project No: ZRT.E2.17.05

"If I Die, My Children Will Pursue This Case": Counternarratives of Power in Kurds

Coskan C, Sen E. "If I Die, My Children Will Pursue This Case": Counternarratives of Power in Kurds. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology. 2023;29(2):135-154.Despite hundreds of years of forced and violent assimilation from multiple sources, Kurds continue to exist as dissidents, progressing their ethnonational and cultural ways of being through an anticolonial resistance. Honoring the Kurdish existence by resistance, our motivation is to bring into light the "Kurdish power" that enables this kind of resistance within the Turkish nation-state borders. Guided by critical race theory and decolonial approach, we pursue Kurds' counternarratives of power to dismantle the hegemonic representations of power and oppression while exposing systematic and systemic dynamics of racism. We interviewed 16 Kurds in Van and Istanbul, and we asked their understanding of power and their political reflections. By combining counternarrative and thematic analyses, we provide a multifocal, multisourced understanding of power, shaped around the multitudes of Kurdishness against Turkish oppression and violence. Counternarrators' refusals of hegemonic oppression are intertwined with a strong belief in collectivity, a sense of nationhood is intertwined with multifragmentality, and imaginations of future are intertwined with agency, existence, and oppression