Decomposition of primes in non-Galois extensions

In this thesis we consider the following question: Given a finite separable non-Galois extension F/K of a global field K, how a prime P of K decomposes in the field F. In the first part, we study the Galois extension M/K where M is the Galois closure of F/K and action of Galois group G of M/K over the set of primes of F lying over a prime P in K. We obtain a one to one correspondence between the double coset space of G with respect to certain subgroups of G (depending on P and F) and the set of primes of F lying over P. Under this correspondence ramification indices and inertia degrees are explicitly determined. Then we investigate the case where G is a finite group of Lie type and F is the intermediate field corresponding to a parabolic subgroup of G. We obtain that the number of primes of F lying over an unrami ed place with given residue degree can be given as polynomials in a power of the characteristic of the variety G. This polynomials depend on the length function on the certain subgroups of the Weyl group of G

Kentleşme-kentlileşme sürecinde sivil toplum örgütlerinin rolü: Ankara’da bir semt derneği ve gecekondu mahallesi örneğinde bir değerlendirme

The discussion on urbanization in Turkey is now enriched by the concepts of urban participation and local democracy. This study is based on a research conducted for understanding the relationship between gecekondu and civil society in the frame of participation and urban participation.  In the study, which aims to present the relation between Şirindere neighborhood and an NGO as a neighborhood organization “Çiğdemim” in Çiğdem district, Ankara; the results show that the picture was far away from integrated participation for the neighborhood citizens. The place of civil society in the urban participation and the role of dialogue and interaction in overcoming the obstacles are emphasized.Ülkemizde süregelen kentleşme-kentlileşme tartışmaları bugün, kentsel katılım ve yerel demokrasi kavramları ile daha da zenginleşmiştir. Bu çalışmada, kentsel katılım kavramı ve katılımın gerçekleşmesinde sivil toplumun algılanma biçimi; Ankara’da bir semt derneği ve bu derneğin temsil ettiği semtin sakinleri örneğinde tartışılmıştır. Çalışma, Ankara Çiğdem Mahallesi’nin hemen yanı başında bulunan ve bir gecekondu mahallesi özelliğinde olan Şirindere Mahallesi sakinleri ile her iki mahalleyi de temsil etmek üzere kurulmuş olan Çiğdemim Derneği arasındaki ilişkileri ortaya koymayı amaçlamıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, bu ilişkinin kentsel katılım tablosundan uzak olunduğu görülmüştür. Kentleşme-kentlileşme sürecinde sivil toplum örgütlerinin yeri ve katılımın önündeki engellerin aşılmasında karşılıklı diyalog ve etkileşimin önemi vurgulanmıştır

Voice Analysis to Differentiate the Dopaminergic Response in People With Parkinson's Disease

Humans' voice offers the widest variety of motor phenomena of any human activity. However, its clinical evaluation in people with movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) lags behind current knowledge on advanced analytical automatic speech processing methodology. Here, we use deep learning-based speech processing to differentially analyze voice recordings in 14 people with PD before and after dopaminergic medication using personalized Convolutional Recurrent Neural Networks (p-CRNN) and Phone Attribute Codebooks (PAC). p-CRNN yields an accuracy of 82.35% in the binary classification of ON and OFF motor states at a sensitivity/specificity of 0.86/0.78. The PAC-based approach's accuracy was slightly lower with 73.08% at a sensitivity/specificity of 0.69/0.77, but this method offers easier interpretation and understanding of the computational biomarkers. Both p-CRNN and PAC provide a differentiated view and novel insights into the distinctive components of the speech of persons with PD. Both methods detect voice qualities that are amenable to dopaminergic treatment, including active phonetic and prosodic features. Our findings may pave the way for quantitative measurements of speech in persons with PD

Effect of ANA positivity on clinical picture of the JIA: should ANA positive JIA be classified as a different group?

PubMe

Comparison of the efficacy of once- and twice-daily colchicine dosage in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever - a randomized controlled noninferiority trial

Background: In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of a once-daily dosage schema of colchicine compared with a twice-daily dosage schema in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Methods: In this 24-week, multicenter, randomized controlled noninferiority trial, pediatric patients newly diagnosed with FMF carrying a homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation and not receiving any treatment were included. Patients were randomly assigned using a block randomization method to receive treatment with a once- or twice-daily dosage. Clinical and laboratory characteristics and medication side effects were recorded and compared between groups. The study was carried out in compliance with Good Clinical Practice and the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement. Results: A total of 92 patients were selected, and 79 patients completed the study. There were 42 patients in the once-daily dosage group and 37 in the twice-daily dosage group. The results indicated that the once-daily dosage was not inferior to the twice-daily dosage regarding decrease in attack frequency and duration as well as improvement in clinical findings and Mor severity scores. Alterations in laboratory findings indicating inflammation, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and serum amyloid A, were similar in both groups. The rates of drug side effects were similar between the once- and twice-daily dosage groups, implying comparable safety of colchicine, with the exception of diarrhea, which was slightly higher in the once-daily dosage group. Conclusions: Using colchicine with either a once- or twice-daily dosage provides similar clinical and laboratory improvements. Considering both efficacy and safety, colchicine can be prescribed with a once-daily dosage. Trial Registration ID: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02602028. Registered 5 November 2015

Behçet disease: evaluation of clinical manifestations in Turkish children

PubMe

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Designing Gain- and Loss-Framed Messages to Increase Physical Activity among University Students Living in two Different Cultures

BACKGROUND Widespread evidence indicates that physical activity has positive effects on physical health in long-run. Therefore, adopting exercising habits at early ages is essential for reducing risk of developing chronic diseases. As a result, prevention studies frequently focus on informing young people about possible consequences of engaging or not engaging in physical activity to encourage them to develop a healthy lifestyle. Gain- and loss-framed health messages (Rothman & Salovey, 1997) have been frequently used to inform individuals on consequences of performing certain health behaviours or unhealthy habits, and to encourage people to change their unhealthy behaviours. However, designing persuasive health messages is regarded as a complex process requiring careful and evidence-based preparation. It is important that the message design process involves identifying the characteristics of the targeted audience and tailoring messages based on these characteristics. Culture is one of the main factors which can influence individuals' health-related values, beliefs, norms, and behaviours. Thus, cultural characteristics of recipients could potentially moderate health-related message framing effects. Although there are extensive information on applications of framed health messages in Western cultures, relatively few studies have been conducted in different cultures. Therefore, influence of framed physical activity messages need to be tested in different cultures to identify the determinants of behaviour change. AIMS The aim of the project is to design culturally-tailored, persuasive and effective physical activity messages for university students. To achieve this aim, a systematic review and preliminary studies are being conducted to gather information on physical activity habits, stress levels, life stressors, and barriers to and benefits of physical activity among undergraduate students living in the UK and Turkey. METHODS Step 1: Systematic review of the literature The systematic review sought to answer what the impact of message framing on intentions and attitudes towards physical activity among university students is. Relevant literature search was conducted through using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PubMed/MEDLINE, ERIC, and EMBASE databases up to October 2014, and screening references of related articles. Step 2: Pilot testing of messages The gain- and loss-framed physical activity messages were designed based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (Witte, Meyer & Martell., 2001), and tested in terms of message quality, manipulation check, and their effects on intentions and attitudes towards physical activity among university students in the University of St Andrews. Participants were also allowed to give written feedbacks on the messages. Step 3: Focus group discussions A focus group discussion was held with university students in Turkey. The participants were asked for sharing their thoughts on how they conceptualize and experience stress both physically and emotionally, effects of engaging in physical activity and its role in stress management, barriers to engaging in regular exercise, what type of messages can encourage them to be more physically active, and what makes a physical activity message more persuasive. The focus group discussion will be held with university students in the UK including same questions. Students’ own statements will be used in physical activity messages to increase message effectiveness. Step 4: Quantitative data collection To obtain more information on Turkish university students’ physical activity habits, perceived benefits of and barriers to physical activity, stress levels, and primary stress sources, an online cross-sectional study is being conducted among Turkish university students from five universities through using validated Turkish versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (Saglam et al., 2010), Perceived Stress Scale (10-item) (Eskin et al., 2013), Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (Ortabag et al., 2010), and Daily Stressors Survey for College Students (Seaward, 2014). RESULTS Step 1: Systematic review of the literature Of two hundred and four abstracts reviewed, only two studies met the inclusion criteria. Review of these studies demonstrated that gain-framed message emphasizing intrinsic outcomes and loss-framed message emphasizing extrinsic outcomes were more effective on changing attitudes toward physical activity of participants who were more likely to spend cognitive effort on processing messages. In addition, the main effect of message framing on intentions towards engaging in physical activity among university students in advantage of gain-framed messages. There were no differences between narrative and informative-style messages in terms of intentions towards physical activity. Step 2: Pilot testing of messages The forty-one students were participated to the study. There were no significant differences between the gain- and loss-framed messages in terms of message tone and personal relevance. Although the messages were found credible and easy to understand, participants’ feedbacks showed that messages were found didactic, authoritative and unengaging. The results of the study revealed a need for further investigation on university students’ level of knowledge on stress and physical activity, and factors influencing message persuasiveness. The findings also emphasized importance of allowing participants to give feedbacks on the messages during the piloting and manipulation check process. Step 3: Focus group discussions The six undergraduate students from Yildirim Beyazit University, Turkey were participated to the focus group discussion. Image of the physical activity was dominated by lacking of knowledge on its physical and mental effects. Participants’ suggested lacking of time, inadequate facilities, and financial problems as main barriers to physical activity. Self-report measurement showed that although physical activity was regarded as valuable and beneficial, it was also found unpleasant and unenjoyable. The UK study will be finalized by January 2016. Step 4: Quantitative data collection The study will be finalized by January 2016. CONCLUDING REMARKS The primary aim of this project is to gather information through using different methods and investigate the determinants of message persuasiveness in university students from the British and Turkish cultures in order to design effective physical activity messages leading intention, attitude and behaviour change. The results of the finalized studies showed the importance of using both qualitative and quantitative methods in message design process