Higgs Bosons in supersymmetric U(1)' models with CP Violation

We study the Higgs sector of the U(1)'-extended MSSM with CP violation. This is an extension of the MSSM Higgs sector by one singlet field, introduced to generate the \mu term dynamically. We are particularly interested in non-standard decays of Higgs particles, especially of the lightest one, in the presence of CP violating phases for \mu_{eff} and the soft parameters. We present analytical expressions for neutral and charged Higgs bosons masses at tree and one-loop levels, including contributions from top and bottom scalar quark sectors. We then study the production and decay channels of the neutral Higgs for a set of benchmark points consistent with low energy data and relic density constraints. Numerical simulations show that a Higgs boson lighter than 2m_W can decay in a quite distinctive manner, including invisible modes into two neutralinos (h->\chi^0\chi^0) up to 50% of the time, when kinematically allowed. The branching ratio into h->bb, the dominant decay in the SM, is reduced in some U(1)' models and enhanced in others, while the branching ratios for the decays h -> \tau+ \tau-, h -> WW^* and h -> Z Z^*-> 4l are always reduced with respect to their SM expectations. This possibility has important implications for testing the U(1)' model both at the LHC and later at the ILC.Comment: 35 pages, 5 tables, 4 figure

Identifying Distance Learners’ Learning Styles

This study aimed to identify the learning styles of distance learners studying for an associate’s degree in computer programming and child development and to determine whether there is a difference between the departments. Accordingly the survey model was used in this study. The sample consisted of 261 associate’s degree students enrolled in two distance education programs. The data were collected using the E-Learning Styles Scale. In the data analysis, categories were formed using the mean scores on the E-Learning Styles Scale to identify the dominant -e-learning styles of the students and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used because of The data were not normally distributed. The analysis results showed that the most preferred learning style of computer programming and child development students was the independent e-learning style. The preferred learning styles of computer programming and child development students differed in active learning, social learning, and logical learning styles

Detection of seasonal asymptomatic dermatophytes in Van cats

AbstractThe Van cat is a domestic landrace found in the Van province of eastern Turkey. In this study, we aimed to determine the seasonal carriage of dermatophytes in Van cats without clinical lesions. A total of 264 hair specimens were collected from clinically healthy cats in and around the Van Province. Of these samples, 30.3% were obtained in spring, 30.6% in summer, 16.6% in autumn, and 22.3% in winter; 45.1% of samples were from male cats and the rest from female ones. Of the studied cats, 118 were younger than 1 year, 78 were 1–3 years old, and 68 were older than 3 years. The specimens were subjected to direct microscopic examination with 15% potassium hydroxide and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and dermatophyte test medium supplemented with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol. Dermatophyte identification was carried out based on macroscopic and microscopic colony morphology, urease activities, in vitro hair perforation test, growth at 37°C, and pigmentation on corn meal agar. Dermatophytes were isolated from 19 (7.1%) of the 264 specimens examined. The most frequently isolated fungi were Trichophyton terrestre (4.1%), followed by Microsporum gypseum (1.1%), M. nanum (1.1%), and T. mentagrophytes (0.7%), and these fungi may represent a health risk for humans in contact with clinically healthy Van cats. M. canis was not isolated from any of the specimens. Our results show no significant (p>0.05) association between carriage of dermatophytes and the gender of cats. The carriage rate of dermatophytes was high in spring and winter, and the only possible risk factor for infection was age of the animal

Sex Estimation From Sternal Measurements Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

We aimed to show the utility and reliability of sternal morphometric analysis for sex estimation. Sex estimation is a very important step in forensic identification. Skeletal surveys are main methods for sex estimation studies. Morphometric analysis of sternum may provide high accuracy rated data in sex discrimination. In this study, morphometric analysis of sternum was evaluated in 1mm chest computed tomography scans for sex estimation. Four hundred forty 3 subjects (202 female, 241 male, mean age: 44 +/- 8.1 [ distribution: 30-60 year old]) were included the study. Manubrium length (ML), mesosternum length (2L), Sternebra 1 (S1W), and Sternebra 3 (S3W) width were measured and also sternal index (SI) was calculated. Differences between genders were evaluated by student t-test. Predictive factors of sex were determined by discrimination analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Male sternalmeasurement values are significantly higher than females (P< 0.001) while SI is significantly low in males (P< 0.001). In discrimination analysis, MSL has high accuracy rate with 80.2% in females and 80.9% in males. MSL also has the best sensitivity (75.9%) and specificity (87.6%) values. Accuracy rates were above 80% in 3 stepwise discrimination analysis for both sexes. Stepwise 1(ML, MSL, S1W, S3W) has the highest accuracy rate in stepwise discrimination analysis with 86.1% in females and 83.8% in males. Our study showed that morphometric computed tomography analysis of sternum might provide important information for sex estimation

Fetuin-A is related to syndesmophytes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a case control study

OBJECTIVES: New bone formation is one of the hallmark characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis, which is thereby associated with syndesmophytes. Fetuin-A is a molecule that is abundantly found in calcified tissues and it shows high affinity for calcium phosphate minerals and related compounds. Considering the role of fetuin-A in the regulation of calcified matrix metabolism, we compared the fetuin-A levels in ankylosing spondylitis patients with syndesmophytes with those in patients without syndesmophytes and in healthy controls. We also studied other biomarkers that are thought to be related to syndesmophytes. METHODS: Ninety-four patients (49 patients without syndesmophytes, 67.3% male, 40.7±8.7 years; 45 patients with syndesmophytes, 71.1% M, 43.9±9.9 years) and 68 healthy controls (44.2±10.6 years and 70.6% male) were included in this study. Syndesmophytes were assessed on the lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine. The serum levels of fetuin-A, dickkopf-1, sclerostin, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and bone morphogenetic protein-7 were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with syndesmophytes had significantly higher levels of fetuin-A compared with patients without syndesmophytes and controls (1.16±0.13, 1.05±0.09 and 1.08±0.13 mg/ml, respectively). However, fetuin-A was not different between the patients without syndesmophytes and controls. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 was significantly lower; dickkopf-1 was significantly higher in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared with controls. The sclerostin concentrations were not different between the groups. In regression analysis, fetuin-A was an independent, significant predictor of syndesmophytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that fetuin-A may a role in the pathogenesis of bony proliferation in ankylosing spondylitis

Outcomes of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer with intestinal metastasis

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of advanced stage (stage IIIB-IVB) ovarian cancer (OC) patients with intestinal metastasis, and to investigate the factors that affect survival. Material and methods: Patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery (CS) for FIGO stage IIIB-IVB OC with metastasis in the intestinal system, at Tepecik Research and Treatment Hospital between 2008–2014, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with borderline ovarian tumor; those who had previously undergone radiation therapy and/or hysterectomy and patients having secondary or tertiary cytoreduction were excluded and 49 patients were included and analyzed in this study. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node sampling, resection of bulky lymph nodes and omentectomy were performed. Optimal cytoreduction was accepted as that which left residual tumor ≤ one cm maximum size. Results: The risk factors affecting OS interval were investigated according to Cox’ regression analysis. Optimality of the primary CS (P = 0.008 and HR = 5.202) and cancer stage (P = 0.016 and HR = 6.083) were found to be statistically significant factors. Conclusions: Achieving optimal CS is the most important aim for the general surgeon carrying out an intestinal resection procedure. Although resection procedures are superior in providing the desired optimal results when compared to excision surgery, their higher complication rates and subsequent lower quality of life must be taken into consideration when choosing either resection or excision methods; surgical intervention should always be kept to the minimum possible

The Relationship of Body Mass Index with Insulin Resistance, hs-CRP, and Lp(a) Levels in Female Gender

Background and Aim:Chronic obesity causes adipose tissue to produce mediators that promote atherogenesis and vascular inflammation, contributing to hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in females.Materials and Methods:One hundred thirty-one females participated in the study: 46 morbidly obese, 38 obese, 25 overweight, and 22 normal BMI. To determine insulin resistance, all participants had their HOMA-IR values assessed. As an inflammatory marker, hs-CRP and as a lipid biomarker, Lp(a) were checked.Results:A significant difference in the HOMA-IR was found between the normal and the obese (P = 0.001) and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001) participants. There was also a significant difference in terms of HOMA-IR between the overweight and morbidly obese (P = 0.001) groups. In paired-group comparisons, hs-CRP was found to be significantly different between the normal group and obese (P = 0.001) and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001). Additionally, a significant difference in terms of hs-CRP between the overweight and morbidly obese participants (P = 0.003) was found. When Lp(a) values were compared, there was a significant difference between the normal group and those who were overweight (P = 0.0001), obese (P = 0.0001), and morbidly obese (P = 0.0001). A significant positive correlation of BMI was shown with HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, and Lp(a) levels.Conclusion:Elevated BMI in females is related to insulin resistance, elevated hs-CRP, and Lp(a), which confer a residual risk for CVD

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ABSTRACT. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of inflammatory back pain (IBP) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) using the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria among employees in a university. Methods. In the first stage of the study, a face-to-face interview was done using a standard questionnaire to investigate IBP in 381 subjects randomly selected from 2894 employees at Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey. In the second stage, subjects with back pain for ≥ 3 months and age at onset &lt; 45 years were evaluated for axSpA using the ASAS criteria. Both the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria and Amor criteria were used for the classification of the whole group of spondyloarthritis (SpA). Results. There were 131 male and 250 female subjects (mean age: 38.0 yrs). Twenty-five subjects (6.6%) were classified as having IBP according to the ASAS criteria. The prevalence of IBP according to the Berlin and Calin criteria was 7.1% and 21.5%, respectively. The prevalence of axSpA was estimated at 1.3% according to the ASAS classification criteria (0.5% for radiographic axSpA and 0.8% for nonradiographic axSpA). A total of 7 patients (1.8%) fulfilled both the Amor and ESSG criteria for the whole group of SpA. Conclusion. This is the first prevalence study of IBP and axSpA using ASAS classification criteria in the Turkish population. Spondyloarthritides are among the most prevalent inflammatory rheumatic diseases 1 . There is a considerable diagnostic delay (8.9 yrs) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the prototype of this group, mainly because of the requirement of radiographic sacroiliitis for its diagnosis 2 . Low awareness of inflammatory back pain (IBP), the first and most common symptom of spondyloarthritis (SpA), in daily practice is also a major reason for the diagnostic delay 3 . New classification criteria developed by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) provide that patients with SpA can be classified as either patients with axial SpA (axSpA) or those with peripheral SpA. The ASAS axSpA criteria cover the entire spectrum of axial disease including AS and nonradiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted our study at the Health Sciences Campus at Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, which has 2894 medical and nonmedical staff aged between 18 and 67 years. A sample of 395 subjects was selected randomly by a computer from the list of all employees, based on the IBP prevalence of 5% in the general population 5 , using OpenEpi (version 2.3) and CI ± 2%. A total of 381 of these 395 subjects agreed to participate, an acceptance rate of 96.5%. In the first stage of the study, 6 trained medical students, using a standard questionnaire, interviewed participants face to face. Questionnaire responses were used to determine whether participants met the ASAS criteria for IBP 10 . Subjects were also evaluated for IBP based on the Berlin 11 and Calin criteria 12 In the second stage, the subjects with back pain for more than 3 month

Transition clinic in pediatric onset multiple sclerosis: Opinions of pediatric neurologists and neurologists

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare in children compared to adults. The management of pediatric onset MS (POMS) differs from adult disease, and the appraoch of pediatric neurologists and neurologists can also diverge in practice.We conducted a survey among pediatric neurologists and neurologists to identify the problems experienced in the transition period of POMS patients to adulthood, and to collect suggestions about a transitional clinic for these patients. Questionnaires were prepared by the Delphi method with a group of specialists and sent via e-mail to pediatric neurologists and neurologists through national associations. Statistical analysis was performed on the answers received. Participants included 31 pediatric neurologists (48.4%) and 33 neurologists (51.6%). The majority of pediatric neurologists (n=22, 71%) had been involved in central nervous system demyelinating diseases for 0-9 years. Among neurologists, the largest group 17 (n=17, 51.5%) was those who had been caring for these patients for 10-19 years. Pediatric neurologists were more interested in a transition procedure for POMS patients than adult neurologists: 26 (89.7%) vs.18 (56.3%) respectively (p=0.004). The preferred method for transferring the patient was face to face, realized more by pediatric neurologists (15/31) than neurologists (8/33) (p=0.044). Satisfaction with the transition process was not at the desired level in both groups of physicians. Transferring patients through a joint meeting and writing a detailed consultation note were frequent recommendations. Most contacted physicians were in favor of a national system for the transfer of POMS patients to neurology care, and suggested specialized transitional clinics. Applicable and agreeable procedures need to be implemented for both patients&apos; and physicians&apos; advantage. [Med-Science 2022; 11(2.000): 639-44

Çukurova bölgesinde höyük ve arkeolojik kalıntıların saptanması ve bazı höyüklerin modellenmesi

TEZ4789Tez (Yüksek Lisans) -- Çukurova Üniversitesi, Adana, 2003.Kaynakça (s. 88-90) var.vi, 105 s. ; res. ; 30 cm.…Bu çalışma Ç.Ü. Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Birimi Tarafından Desteklenmiştir. Proje No:fbe2002yl