Interests, Passions and Politics: Business Associations and the Sovereignty Dispute in Turkey

This paper examines business associations in a context where the state is being contested from below, focusing on Diyarbakır, a major Kurdish city in Turkey. Against the backdrop of armed conflict, reform processes triggered by the country’s EU candidacy and socio-economic change, Diyarbakır has become a contested zone over which the Turkish government and the Kurdish movement have been competing for control. Local business associations have also been implicated in such contestation. Considering the situation of dual power and moral economy at the local level, the paper examines how these associations deal with an adverse situation that is characterized by political instability and uncertainty. The analysis shows that business leaders have been able to make the ‘best’ of the situation

An anomaly of chelicera in \u3cem\u3eScorpio kruglovi\u3c/em\u3e Birula, 1910 (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)

An anomaly in cheliceral dentition of the fixed finger is recorded in the scorpion Scorpio kruglovi Birula, 1910. This rare teratological anomaly herein is described and illustrated

E-VFIA : Event-Based Video Frame Interpolation with Attention

Video frame interpolation (VFI) is a fundamental vision task that aims to synthesize several frames between two consecutive original video images. Most algorithms aim to accomplish VFI by using only keyframes, which is an ill-posed problem since the keyframes usually do not yield any accurate precision about the trajectories of the objects in the scene. On the other hand, event-based cameras provide more precise information between the keyframes of a video. Some recent state-of-the-art event-based methods approach this problem by utilizing event data for better optical flow estimation to interpolate for video frame by warping. Nonetheless, those methods heavily suffer from the ghosting effect. On the other hand, some of kernel-based VFI methods that only use frames as input, have shown that deformable convolutions, when backed up with transformers, can be a reliable way of dealing with long-range dependencies. We propose event-based video frame interpolation with attention (E-VFIA), as a lightweight kernel-based method. E-VFIA fuses event information with standard video frames by deformable convolutions to generate high quality interpolated frames. The proposed method represents events with high temporal resolution and uses a multi-head self-attention mechanism to better encode event-based information, while being less vulnerable to blurring and ghosting artifacts; thus, generating crispier frames. The simulation results show that the proposed technique outperforms current state-of-the-art methods (both frame and event-based) with a significantly smaller model size.Comment: Submitted to 2023 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2023

Structural and stereogenic properties of spiro- and ansa-substituted 1,3-propanedioxy derivatives of a spermine-bridged cyclotriphosphazene

Reaction of 1,3-propanediol with the achiral spermine-bridged cyclophosphazene 1 at various molar ratios in THF gives a number of spiro-and ansa-derivatives that exhibit different stereogenic properties, viz. racemic, meso or achiral forms. As expected, spiro forms are preferred (giving mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-substitution), although significant amounts of mono- and di-substituted ansa derivatives also occur. A number of new structures have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography in this work; mono-spiro 2, di-mono-ansa 6 and di-spiro/mono-ansa 8. The mono-ansa compound 3 was observed in solution by NMR spectroscopy but no evidence was found for the monospiro/monoansa 5, a necessary precursor of compound 8. The tri-spiro derivative 7 has been isolated and characterized by 31P NMR spectroscopy, whereas the structures of the di-monospiro 4 (meso) and tetra-spiro 9 have been characterized previously. The stereogenic properties of many of the products have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography and/or by 31P NMR spectroscopy on addition of the chiral solvating agent, (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol. Although the starting compound 1 is achiral, it is found that unsymmetrically-substituted derivatives with 1,3-propanediol give racemic mixtures for the mono-spiro 2 and tri-spiro 7 derivatives, whereas symmetrically-substituted derivatives such as di-mono-ansa 6 and di-spiro/mono-ansa 8 are meso. It is found that care must taken in interpreting the 'splitting' of 31P NMR signals on addition of CSA in terms of 'chirality' of molecules, because some meso compounds give false positive results due to changes from A2X-like to A2B or ABX spin systems

Awake chronic mouse model of targeted pial vessel occlusion via photothrombosis

Animal models of stroke are used extensively to study the mechanisms involved in the acute and chronic phases of recovery following stroke. A translatable animal model that closely mimics the mechanisms of a human stroke is essential in understanding recovery processes as well as developing therapies that improve functional outcomes. We describe a photothrombosis stroke model that is capable of targeting a single distal pial branch of the middle cerebral artery with minimal damage to the surrounding parenchyma in awake head-fixed mice. Mice are implanted with chronic cranial windows above one hemisphere of the brain that allow optical access to study recovery mechanisms for over a month following occlusion. Additionally, we study the effect of laser spot size used for occlusion and demonstrate that a spot size with small axial and lateral resolution has the advantage of minimizing unwanted photodamage while still monitoring macroscopic changes to cerebral blood flow during photothrombosis. We show that temporally guiding illumination using real-time feedback of blood flow dynamics also minimized unwanted photodamage to the vascular network. Finally, through quantifiable behavior deficits and chronic imaging we show that this model can be used to study recovery mechanisms or the effects of therapeutics longitudinally.R01 EB021018 - NIBIB NIH HHS; R01 MH111359 - NIMH NIH HHS; R01 NS108472 - NINDS NIH HHSPublished versio

An online acceptance, commitment, and self-compassion based treatment to decrease psychological distress in people with type 2 diabetes: A feasibility randomised-controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a larger trial of a self-guided, online self-compassion and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focused treatment among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to decrease psychological distress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a two-arm, parallel, feasibility randomised controlled trial with nested qualitative methods. UK adults with T2D were randomly (1:1) allocated to a five-week online self-compassion and ACT treatment or waitlist control. Information regarding recruitment, trial retention, and treatment completion was collected, and post-treatment semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess feasibility and acceptability. Self-report measures of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, diabetes distress) and potential treatment processes (self-compassion and psychological flexibility) were completed as secondary feasibility outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-five (60.44 %) out of 91 people who accessed the study link were eligible to participate. Of these, 33 eligible participants (60 %) were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 19) or control arms (waitlist; n = 14). While treatment completion was 47.37 %, trial retention rates were 39.39 % (5-week follow-up) and 21.2 % (9-week follow-up). Secondary feasibility outcomes of treatment effect estimates are difficult to interpret in light of low treatment completion and trial retention rates. CONCLUSION: A larger trial of the self-guided, online self-compassion treatment to decrease psychological distress in people with T2D may be beneficial, but it has limited feasibility in its current form. Further efforts are needed to improve treatment acceptability of online self-compassion and ACT focused treatment and trial procedures

Correction of more hallux valgus pathologic disorders with a single distal osteotomy a new surgical technique

Background: Hallux valgus, one of the most common deformities of the great toe, may cause pain, dysfunction, and impaired gait pattern. In this retrospective study we report the results of a new type of distal metatarsal osteotomy combined with distal soft-tissue release in patients with mild-to-moderate hallux valgus deformity. Methods: This new technique was used in the management of 32 feet of 31 patients (eight men and 23 women) with mild-to-moderate hallux valgus. Hallux valgus angle, i ntermetatarsal angl e, and distal metatarsal articular angl e were measured on preoperative, earl y postoperative (6–8 weeks), and l ate (1 year) postoperative radiographs. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal score was calculated. Sesamoid position, by considering medial sesamoid position, and metatarsal shortness were also measured. Results: Statistically significant differences were detected between the preoperative and late postoperative measurements of the hallux valgus angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, intermetatarsal angle, and sesamoid position parameters in patients operated on with this technique. Improvement was 14° for the hallux valgus angle, 4° for the distal metatarsal articular angle, and 4° for the intermetatarsal angle. Sesamoid position was also improved, and the mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was significantly improved. Metatarsal shortness greater than 2 mm was observed in two patients without resulting in any clinical discomfort. Conclusions: This new technique was easy, safe, and promising in patients diagnosed as having mild-to-moderate hallux valgus deformity. © 2021, American Podiatric Medical Association. All rights reserved

Metamict zircon and structural characters: Pütürge metamorphite example

Mineralogical studies (rock named, zircon separate), geochemical analysis(LA-ICPMS) and cathodoluminescence (CL) image were applied to samples of the Pütürge metamorphites representing different facies such as amphibolites and greenschiste. Pütürge metamorphites are made up of pelite/semi-pelite, psammite, metagranite gneisse, schist, amphibolite, marble and quartzite type rocks. Mineral paragenesis, the transformation of the garnet mineral advancing on the kyanite-almandine-muscovite and staurolite-almandine sub-facies of the amphibolite facies of the massive to chlorite and biotite minerals along with the transformation of the kyanite mineral to muscovite mineral show that the massive has undergone two retrograde metamorphisms on the greenschist facies. The exhumation process of the metamorphites is seen as the cause of the retrograde metamorphism. The cathodoluminescence images of zircon minerals show a zoning that indicates a metamorphic growth where partial radiation damage in the shape of oscillatory zoning and porous structure also occurs pointing out the magmatic root. A zircon type with different textural and chemical components which might be called partially metamictte has developed. The luminescence feature in partially radiated zircon particles rich in radiogenetic minerals is rather high in comparison with other zircon particles. High temperature during the metamorphism of the massive and the ratio of the radiogenetic elements like U and Th in the mineral are effective in the textural and chemical difference between the core and rims of zirconsPütürge metamorfitlerinde mineralojik (kayaç adlandırılması, zirkon ayrımı), jeokimyasal (LA-ICPMS) ve Kathödölüminesans (CL) incelemeleri Pütürge metamorfitlerinin amfibolit ve yeşilşist fasiyesi gibi farklı fasiyesleirn özelliğini yansıtacak örneklerden alınmıştır. Pütürge metamorfitleri, pelit/semi-pelit, pisamit, metagranit, gnays, şist, amfibolit, mermer ve kuvarsitten oluşur. Mineral parajenezleri, masifin amfibolit fasiyesinin disten-almandin-muskovit ve stavrolit-almandin alt fasiyeslerinde ilerleyen, granat mineralinin klorit ve biyotit minerallerine dönüşümleri ve disten mineralinin muskovit mineralinine dönüşümü gibi özelliklerden yeşilşist fasiyesinde gerileyen türden iki metamorfizma geçirmiş olduğunu göstermektedir. Gerileyen metamorfizmaya metamorfitlerin yükselme süreci sebep olarak görülmektedir. Zirkon minerallerinin kathödölüminesans görüntülerinde, magmatik kökeni işaret eden ilksel (oscilatory) zonlanma ve gözenekli yapı şeklinde, kısmen radyasyon hasarının da geliştiği büyüme zonlanması görülür. Dokusal ve kimyasal bileşimleri farklı olan, kısmen metamikt diyebileceğimiz zirkon değişimi gelişmiştir. Radyojenetik kapantı minerallerince zengin metamikt zirkon tanelerinde, luminesans özellik diğer zirkon tanelerine nazaran yüksektir. Zirkonda, çekirdek ve kenar kısımları arasındaki dokusal ve kimyasal farklılığa, masifin metamorfizması sırasındaki yüksek sıcaklık ve U, Th gibi radyojenetik elementlerin mineral içerisindeki oranı etkili olmuştur

Fatty acid profile and sensory properties of lamb meat from males of five indigenous breeds

The objective of this study was to determine meat quality characteristics, fatty acid profiles, and sensory characteristics of 50 single-birth male lambs from five breeds: Artli (n = 10), Cepni (n = 10), Hemsin (n = 10), Karayaka (n = 10), and Of (n = 10). At the beginning of the experiment, the average age and weight of the lambs were 120 +/- 5 d and 30.7 +/- 0.68 kg respectively. After 60 d of intensive fattening, the average live weight before slaughter was 40.96 kg +/- 0.76 kg. All evaluations were performed on samples from the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle. There was no difference between breeds in terms of the pH values of the hot carcasses, whereas the cold carcass pH values were higher (P<0.001) in Hemsin animals than in the other breeds. Meat chemical properties (such as organic matter; dry matter; and fat, measured as the ether extract), physical properties (such as cooking loss; drip loss; and water-holding capacity, WHC), and instrumental values (such as colour, L* and b* values, chewiness, hardness, and resilience) were significantly affected by breed differences. Additionally, the differences between breeds were found to be significant in terms of the fatty acid composition and the evaluation of organoleptic properties, such as sensory characteristics, flavour, and juiciness of cooked (boiled or roasted) meat. The results show that lamb meat's physical, chemical, and sensory properties vary by breed. The differences found in the composition and presence of meat fatty acids between and within breeds can be used as a source of variation for future genetic improvement strategies