Application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for Weight Predictions of Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus RATHBUN, 1896) Using Predictor Variables

An evaluation of the performance of artificial networks (ANNs) to estimate the weights of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) catches in Yumurtalık Cove (Iskenderun Bay) that uses measured predictor variables is presented, including carapace width (CW), sex (male, female and female with eggs), and sampling month. Blue crabs (n=410) were collected each month between 15 September 1996 and 15 May 1998. Sex, CW, and sampling month were used and specified in the input layer of the network. The weights of the blue crabs were utilized in the output layer of the network. A multi-layer perception architecture model was used and was calibrated with the Levenberg Marguardt (LM) algorithm. Finally, the values were determined by the ANN model using the actual data. The mean square error (MSE) was measured as 3.3, and the best results had a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.93. We compared the predictive capacity of the general linear model (GLM) versus the Artificial Neural Network model (ANN) for the estimation of the weights of blue crabs from independent field data. The results indicated the higher performance capacity of the ANN to predict weights compared to the GLM (R=0.97 vs. R=0.95, raw variable) when evaluated against independent field data

The Significance of Bladder Trabeculation in the Female Lower Urinary System: An Objective Evaluation by Urodynamic Studies

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bladder trabeculation, urinary function, and the stage of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The medical records of 104 patients with POP who underwent cystoscopies and urodynamic studies were reviewed retrospectively. Age, incidence of detrusor instability, stage and site of POP, and the parameters of urodynamic studies of patients with and without bladder trabeculation were compared. The difference in the incidence of bladder trabeculation was estimated between patients with and without a suspected bladder outlet obstruction. There were significant differences in the patients' age, stage of POP, and maximal voiding velocity. Patients with a suspected bladder outlet obstruction had a significantly higher incidence of bladder trabeculation. In addition, patients with advanced stages of POP were also found to have a higher incidence of bladder trabeculation

Estrogen- and Progesterone (P4)-Mediated Epigenetic Modifications of Endometrial Stromal Cells (EnSCs) and/or Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) in the Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammatory condition in which endometrial tissue appears outside the uterine cavity. Because ectopic endometriosis cells express both estrogen and progesterone (P4) receptors, they grow and undergo cyclic proliferation and breakdown similar to the endometrium. This debilitating gynecological disease affects up to 15% of reproductive aged women. Despite many years of research, the etiopathogenesis of endometrial lesions remains unclear. Retrograde transport of the viable menstrual endometrial cells with retained ability for attachment within the pelvic cavity, proliferation, differentiation and subsequent invasion into the surrounding tissue constitutes the rationale for widely accepted implantation theory. Accordingly, the most abundant cells in the endometrium are endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs). These cells constitute a particular population with clonogenic activity that resembles properties of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Thus, a significant role of stem cell-based dysfunction in formation of the initial endometrial lesions is suspected. There is increasing evidence that the role of epigenetic mechanisms and processes in endometriosis have been underestimated. The importance of excess estrogen exposure and P4 resistance in epigenetic homeostasis failure in the endometrial/endometriotic tissue are crucial. Epigenetic alterations regarding transcription factors of estrogen and P4 signaling pathways in MSCs are robust in endometriotic tissue. Thus, perspectives for the future may include MSCs and EnSCs as the targets of epigenetic therapies in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. Here, we reviewed the current known changes in the epigenetic background of EnSCs and MSCs due to estrogen/P4 imbalances in the context of etiopathogenesis of endometriosis

The Predictive Strength of Students' Self-Efficacy, Problem Solving Skills to Perform Catheter Care

PMID = 3263207

The Effect of The Reproductive Health and Family Planning Education Given in TAF on the Attitudes of Recruits about Sexually Transmitted Infections

AIM: In this study, the effect of the reproductive health and family planning (RHFP) education given to recruits in Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) on the attitudes of the recruits towards the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been investigated. METHOD: The population of this cross sectional research comprises 1218 recruits assigned in 1st Gendarmerie Training Battalion Command in Kutahya in the third training term of the year 2009. A separate sample was not selected; the all population of survey were included in the study. 1109 recruits were contacted in the research and the rate of response elicited had been 91%. In the gathering of the data; an attitude scale prepared in the likert type was used before and after the training. The sociodemographic properties of the participants were identified separately with a form. The data derived were analyzed with nonparametric tests, and SPSS 15.0 statistics program was used for this purpose. RESULTS: The recruits involved in the research had an age range of 20 to 30, and the average age was 20,8(&#177;1,8). The participants were from various parts of Turkey and the degrees of their education also varied. While the average attitude score was 4,00(&#177;0,50) before the training, it increased to 4,32(&#177;0,47) after the training and a significant %8 increase in score was achieved(P<0,001). The education was seen to eliminate the differences in attitudes drived from geographical locations but not the differences caused by different levels of education. The economic and marital status of the recruits have been determined to have no impact on their attitudes. CONCLUSION: In this research it has been revealed that the RHFP training program in process has positively affected the attitudes of the recruits towards the ethical issue titled as STIs. In conclusion, it has been assessed that the RHFP training that leads to a change in attitudes and accordingly to a positive and effective change in behaviors with the knowledge it provides, will contribute to the reduction of ethical issues in this field. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2011; 10(1.000): 19-28