Results of a long-term performance and follow-up of Endovenous Laser Ablatıon procedures performed for treating great saphenous vein incompetence

Objective: To assess the value of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for treating great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. Methods: We reviewed the overall results of EVLA procedures performed on 554 patients in our clinic between March 2011 and December 2015. Evaluations were made concerning the situations of the great saphenous vein (GSV), the energy used in the treatments, and the results obtained. We also investigated if there was a possibility to detect failure of EVLA treatment at an early stage. Results: From a total of 657 GSVs that were subjected to EVLA treatment, the procedure was found to be successful for 611 GSVs and unsuccessful for 46 GSVs (success rate: 93%). In 38 of the 46 GSVs, a thrombus formation was detected by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) at the postoperative first month (82.6%). Conclusion: EVLA is a reliable and successful method utilized for the treatment of GSV incompetence. It is concluded that the detection of a thrombus in the GSV tract during the first postoperative follow-up month is an indicator for revascularization. © 2018, Professional Medical Publications. All rights reserved

Power of the Commission and the Supranationalist Dimension of the Eu

In this work, the power and independence of the Commission are investigated from three perspectives which are the reflection of the supranational dimension of the EU.The first is theoretical perspective that includes two main approaches. The second is the historical (and functional) perspective, and the impact of the member states on the Commission's officials is the third perspective.By looking from the theoretical perspective, especially through intergovernmentalist approach, it can be seen that, the power of the European Commission has and must have an insignificant role. The member states know that, if they want to obtain integration of the European Union in all fields they will need apowerful, independent and supranational Commission. However, the historical and functional perspective demonstrates that, due to their national interests, the member states are not eager to strengthen the Commission. From the third perspective all the indications show that member states' interests are more important than the European Union's interests according to commissioners

Residents as destination advocates: The role of attraction familiarity on destination image

Purpose – Emphasizing the role of residents as destination advocates, this study investigates the influence of residents’ familiarity with, and, favorability of attractions on destination image. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methods research strategy was employed using fifteen individual in-depth interviews and a survey questionnaire with a sample of N=364. The study utilizes an attraction familiarity index to classify respondents into four groups based on high, average, and low familiarity and examines the characteristics of each in the relationship between informational familiarity, experiential familiarity, and favorability and destination image. Findings – The study reveals resident perceptions of attractions within the tourism product assembly framework and illustrates the positive relationship between the residents’ level of familiarity with, and favorability of visitor attractions and destination image. Further, the findings also demonstrate the significant role of demographic characteristics such as gender and length of residency in the area. The study findings suggest that temporary residents can function as destination advocates. Research limitations/implications – Employees and students from a prominent northeastern university were sampled, representing local residents and temporary residents respectively. While appropriate and fairly representative of the target market for the research questions in this investigation, more work is required to replicate this study utilizing representative samples across different locations. Practical implications – Evidence from our study indicates the importance of marketing to residents as they serve as destination advocates. In particular, the residents’ familiarity with and favorability of attractions is critical to positive destination image. The research offers insights into the identification of potential segments of residents that require special attention. Originality/value – Limited existing research investigates the role of residents as destination advocates, especially in the context of destinations that lack a primary tourism attraction but have a well-balanced mix of attractions

Profiling food festivals by type, name and descriptive content: a population level study

Purpose: This research aims to classify and describe food festivals and examine the patterns in food festival naming and festival descriptions in online media. Design: This research represents the first population-level empirical examination of food festivals in the United States using a purpose-built dataset (N=2626). Methodology includes text mining to examine food festival communications. Findings: Food festival size varies across local and regional spheres within the country. Food festivals employ geographical (place-, destination-based) associations in their names. Food festivals’ descriptions and online communications showcase a welcoming environment predominantly emphasizing family-oriented and live entertainment experiences. Food festivals across the country show common naming patterns based on the elements of longevity, recurrence, location name, brand name, geographic scope, theme, and occasion. Originality/Value: The study makes an original contribution to the theory and practice by identifying festival forms, styles, functions, and their diversity. A population level examination of food festivals does not currently exist. Therefore, this research will serve as a foundation for scholarly work in the future and as a benchmark for evaluating current and future researc

Production of microporous Cu-doped BTC (Cu-BTC) metal-organic framework composite materials, superior adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (Basic Blue 9)

Cellulosic woven waste was used as a biomass material to prepare a Cu-doped BTC (Cu-BTC) adsorbent, which was then used to remove methylene blue (Basic Blue 9) from wastewater. Cellulosic woven waste was used as a biomass material to prepare a Cu-doped BTC (Cu-BTC) adsorbent, which was then used to remove methylene blue (Basic Blue 9) from wastewater. The Cu-BTC had higher adsorption capacity for methylene blue (BB9) than pure woven waste because it had high specific surface area and electrostatic interaction with cationic methylene blue molecules. The Cu-BTC removed methylene blue from wastewater rapidly and effectively and had an excellent adsorption capacity (197.90 mg/g). In batch process, the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent for removal of BB9 was evaluated within 20 degrees C-60 degrees C, with initial BB9 concentrations of 50 - 200 mg/L and initial pH of 2 -11. The Cu-BTC activation tailored the topological and textural properties of the obtained adsorbent, leading to a relatively large surface area of 1418.3 m(2)/g and pores with a volume of 0.491 cm(3)/g and an average size of 2.11 nm. The adsorption process fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The possible mechanism for methylene blue removal mainly involved electrostatic attraction and micro pores. This study can serve as a guide for value-added utilization of cellulosic woven waste and as a practical method for the removal of methylene blue from wastewater. Adsorption of methylene blue onto the CuBTC is an effective and eco-friendly method for its removal from wastewater

QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS' VIEWS ON INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

In this study, pre-service teachers' views on inclusive education were evaluated from a quantitative research perspective. The survey model, one of the quantitative research designs, was used. The sample of the study consists of 482 prospective teachers studying at the same state university. The "Opinions Related to Mainstreaming Scale" was used to evaluate the views of pre-service teachers about inclusion. In the study, frequency and percentage values for each item were calculated for the data obtained from the study. In addition, Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to determine whether there was a relationship between the sub-dimensions of the scale depending on the data collected. Although the results of the research are generally positive, the opinions of the pre-service teachers about inclusive education are inconsistent with each other, indicating that the knowledge and skill levels of the pre-service teachers about students with special needs are insufficient. It is important for a qualified inclusive education that teacher candidates who will start working in schools in the future develop positive attitudes towards inclusive education and have high levels of knowledge and skills.   Article visualizations