Generalized relaxed elastic line on an oriented surface

We study a relaxed elastic line in the general case on an oriented surface. In particular, we obtain a differential equation with three boundary conditions for a generalized relaxed elastic line. Then we analyze the results in a plane, on a sphere, on a cylinder, and on the geodesics of these surfaces.Вивчається релаксована пружна лiнiя у бiльш загальному випадку на орiєнтованiй поверхнi. Зокрема, отримано диференцiальне рiвняння з трьома граничними умовами для узагальненої релаксованої пружної лiнiї. Отриманi результати проаналiзовано на площинi, сферi, цилiндрi та на геодезичних цих поверхонь

Cu-Au type orderings in the staggered quadrupolar region of the fcc Blume Emery Griffiths model

The spin-1 Ising (BEG) model has been simulated using a cellular automaton (CA) algorithm improved from the Creutz cellular automaton (CCA) for a face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice. The ground state diagram ($k$, $d$) of the fcc BEG model has ferromagnetic ($F$), quadrupolar ($Q$) and staggered quadrupolar ($SQ$) ordering regions. The simulations have been made in the staggered quadrupolar region for the parameter values in the intervals $-24\leq d=D/J<0$ and $-3\leq k=K/J\leq 0$ . The phase diagrams on the ($kT_{C}/J$, $d$) and the ($kT_{C}/J$, $k$) planes have been obtained through $k=-3$ and $d=-4$ lines, respectively. The staggered quadrupolar ordering region separates into five ordering regions ($A_{3}B(a)$, $A_{3}B(f)$, $AB$ (type-I), $AB$(type-II) and $AB_{3}(f)$) which have the different stoichiometric Cu-Au type structures.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figure

Evaluation of the factors associated with sublingual varices: a descriptive clinical study

Background: Age is considered as an important factor for the development of sublingual varices (SV). It has been suggested that some other conditions such as gender, systemic diseases, smoking, denture wearing may play a role in aetiology. However, there are a limited number of studies investigating these associations. This study was perform to evaluate association between SV and the conditions which are described as possible risk factors previously.  Materials and methods: A total of 691 patients (470 females, 221 males) who attended for comprehensive clinical examination were included in the study. Age, gender, systemic health, venous varix of the lower extremities, smoking status, denture wearing were recorded during the history taking. SV were classified into two categories: stage 0 (few or none visible) and stage 1 (moderate or severe). Tongue photographs were taken from a group of these patients. For the evalu- ation of intra-observer reliability, 60 photographs of tongue were re-evaluated by the same observer. Intra-observer reliability was evaluated using Kappa statistics. Pearson c2 test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess SV in relation to each variable, and variables showing associations with p &lt; 0.05 were selected for the multivariable analysis, then logistic regression analysis was applied.  Results: Kappa value of intra-observer reliability was 0.91. SV were significantly associated with age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, p = 0.000), hypertension (OR = 2.3, p = 0.007) and denture wearing (OR = 2.17, p = 0.02). Conclusions: The presence of SV is associated with hypertension and denture wearing as well as aging. More detailed studies are needed to prove causative relations between SV and systemic diseases.

First Order Phase Transition in the 3-dimensional Blume-Capel Model on a Cellular Automaton

The first order phase transition of the three-dimensional Blume Capel are investigated using cooling algorithm which improved from Creutz Cellular Automaton for the $D/J=2.9$ parameter value in the first order phase transition region. The analysis of the data using the finite-size effect and the histogram technique indicate that the magnetic susceptibility maxima and the specific heat maxima increase with the system volume ($L^{d}$) at $$.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Alpha-induced reactions for the astrophysical p-process: the case of 151Eu

The cross sections of 151Eu(alpha,gamma)155Tb and 151Eu(alpha,n)154Tb reactions have been measured with the activation method. Some aspects of the measurement are presented here to illustrate the requirements of experimental techniques needed to obtain nuclear data for the astrophysical p-process nucleosynthesis. Preliminary cross section results are also presented and compared with the predictions of statistical model calculations.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Physics Conference Series, proceeding of the Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics IV. conferenc

Alpha-induced cross sections of 106Cd for the astrophysical p-process

The 106Cd(alpha,gamma)110Sn reaction cross section has been measured in the energy range of the Gamow window for the astrophysical p-process scenario. The cross sections for 106Cd(alpha,n)109Sn and for 106Cd(alpha,p)109In below the (alpha,n) threshold have also been determined. The results are compared with predictions of the statistical model code NON-SMOKER using different input parameters. The comparison shows that a discrepancy for 106Cd(alpha,gamma)110Sn when using the standard optical potentials can be removed with a different alpha+106Cd potential. Some astrophysical implications are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev

Have the EU pre-accession funds achieved their purpose? Beneficiary perspectives on the effects of the funds on production quality, rural development and sustainability

Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU) financial assistance, which began in 1963, continue today. The IPARD (Instrument for Pre Accession Assistance Rural Development) program aims to increase the efficiency of enterprises and achieve Community quality and quality management standards to achieve rural development and sustainability. This research aimed to measure investors' perceptions of the quality (QA), after-sales quality (ASQ), and rural development for IPARD (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance Rural Development) funds. Additional points are given for investor and company characteristics in some measures. This research reveals whether additional scores make a significant difference. 97 enterprises that received support from IPARD I and IPARD II in Bursa province, Turkey, were interviewed. Results showed that the participants' overall perception of RDS was higher than QA and ASQ. The quality perceptions were the lowest. 25-year-old and younger investors had the highest QA and ASQ perceptions. An increase in educational level has led to a rise in the QA, ASQ, and RDS perceptions. No stable trend was observed between the increase in experience and the increase in QA and ASQ perceptions. The perception of RDS is higher among the investors who claim to follow rural development activities

Consumer attitudes, perceptions and motivations towards buying open milk in Turkey

Open milk is subject to adulteration and threatens public health. Despite the health experts' warnings, many consumers in Turkey still prefer milk sold by street vendors. This study investigated families' open milk (street milk) and packaged milk consumption habits and the reasons for consuming open or packaged milk in Bursa, Turkey. The data were obtained through a face-to-face survey of 478 families. Research revealed that 34.6% of adults and 66% of children regularly consume milk. Participants who consumed milk consumed it for bone development (38.1%) and a rich protein source (22.7%). Half of those (45%) who did not drink milk were not accustomed to drinking milk. %13.8 did not like the taste, and %13.5 is allergic to dairy products. People primarily bought milk from markets (41.1%) and street vendors (21.1%). They preferred whole milk (29.7%) and semi-skimmed milk (29.%). Reasons for purchasing open milk were freshness (31.1%) and no additives (24.0%). Reasons for not buying open milk were unhygienic (40.7%) and not being subject to quality control (41.7%). Although its sales are decreasing, open milk purchases continue. Open milk sales should be restricted, and packaged milk options offered to consumers should be increased

Ignoring environmentally sound practices. Farmers’ manure waste handling behavior and its determinants in Turkey

This paper examines the factors that determine farmers’ intention to improve animal waste storage facilities using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Data were collected from 376 small and medium livestock farmers in Turkey. The results showed farmers’ intention to improve waste facilities was primarily determined by their attitudes. Subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were almost equally influential. Multiple-Group Analysis determined the effects of control variables. The attitude of less-educated farmers, who owned more extensive livestock operations and relied solely on income from livestock, had a significant and positive effect on the intention to improve farm waste management. SN and PBC were significant determinants of the behavior of farmers’ who were more educated, had more prominent families, and employed higher-paid labor. The results will help central and local governments, industry investors, and growers’ associations understand farmers’ attitudes toward waste storage issues and develop more effective strategies to ensure environmental sustainability and better use of investment and training opportunities