RIGHT CONOID HYPERSURFACES IN FOUR-SPACE

The right conoid hypersurfaces in the four-dimensional Euclidean space $\mathbb{E}^{4}$ are introduced. The matrices corresponding to the fundamental form, Gauss map, and shape operator of these hypersurfaces are calculated. By utilizing the Cayley--Hamilton theorem, the curvatures of these specific hypersurfaces are determined. Furthermore, the conditions for minimality are presented. Additionally, the Laplace--Beltrami operator of this family is computed, and some examples are provided

Borsa İstanbul AŞ. Perakende Ticaret Sektöründe Sermaye Yapısı Kararlarının Mikro Panel Veri Yöntemi ile İncelenmesi

İşletmenin sermaye yapısı, uzun vadeli yabancı kaynakları ile özsermayesinin toplamından oluşmaktadır. Başka bir ifadeyle sermaye yapısı, bir işletmede devamlı olarak bulundurulması zorunlu olan sermaye tutarını ifade etmektedir. Dolayısıyla işletme yönetim sürecinde sermaye yapısı kararları, stratejik finansal kararlar olarak değerlendirilmelidir. Çünkü sermaye yapısına ilişkin alınan kararlar işletmenin uzun vadede ortaya çıkacak faaliyetlerine yön vermekte, çeşitli çözüm önerileri geliştirmektedir. Öte yandan perakende ticaret sektörü ise; kısa vadeli kararların alındığı, tüketicinin eğilim ve yönelimlerinin işletmeler tarafından yoğun olarak hissedildiği, teknolojik gelişmelere açık, iş modeli temelinde insan odaklı olan dinamik bir sektördür. Bu çalışmada dinamik bir sektör olan perakende ticaret sektörü ile stratejik kararların odak noktası olan sermaye yapısı kararları arasındaki etkileşim incelenmiştir. Çalışmanın temel amacı, potansiyel yatırımcıların ve perakende ticaret sektöründe faaliyet gösteren işletme yöneticilerinin alacağı kararlara ışık tutmaktır. Bu doğrultuda çalışmada, iki ayrı model kurulmuş, ardından kısa ve uzun vadeli borçların, toplam varlıklar üzerindeki etkileri ayrı ayrı analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda kısa vadeli borçların, toplam varlıklar üzerindeki etkisinin toplam borç/özsermaye, özsermaye/toplam varlıklar ve büyüme faktörleri ile açıklanabildiği; uzun vadeli borçların toplama varlıklara etkisinin ise toplam borç/özsermaye, işletmenin yaşı ve özsermaye/toplam varlıklar faktörleri ile açıklanabildiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır

Göreve Yeni Başlayan Ortaokul Matematik Öğretmenlerinin Öz Yansıtma Süreçleri

In this case study the aim is to examine the self-reflection processes (self-evaluation, causal attribution, emotional reactions and inferences) of novice mathematics teachers. The participants were six middle school (grades of 5-8) mathematics teachers who have less than five years teaching experience working in the Western and Central Anatolia Regions of Turkey. The data of the study were collected through the semi-structured interviews developed based on classroom observations. First, the instructional situations were determined by observing the mathematics lessons of the participants (approximately 10 hours for each participant). Afterwards, through semi-structured interviews, the participants were asked to reflect on these instructional situations. During the data analysis, first within case analyses were made, and the self-reflection of each teacher was described. Then by comparing the data obtained from six teachers, it was defined which self-reflection processes the novice mathematics teachers performed and to what extent they performed them. The findings suggest that the participants did not consider their teaching behaviors when they were asked to evaluate the lesson. They attributed the cause of the failure in their lessons to factors beyond their control (e.g., low involvement of parents, insufficient physical facilities of the school). In addition, it is observed that they were less likely to develop positive emotional responses for the observed lessons and were insufficient in taking adaptive decisions for their future lessons. These findings indicate the necessity of pre-service and in-service practices that will support newly recruited middle school mathematics teachers to gain much more comprehensive self-reflection skills.Bu durum çalışmasında göreve yeni başlayan ortaokul (5-8. sınıflar) matematik öğretmenlerinin öğretim faaliyetlerine ilişkin öz yansıtma süreçlerinin (öz değerlendirme, neden atfetme, duygusal tepki ve sonuç çıkarımı) incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada, Türkiye’nin Batı ve İç Anadolu bölgelerinde görev yapmakta olan, meslek yaşamlarında ilk beş yılını doldurmamış altı ortaokul matematik öğretmeni ile çalışılmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri, sınıf içi gözlemlerden hareketle geliştirilmiş olan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler aracılığıyla elde edilmiştir. Veri toplama sürecinde ilk olarak katılımcıların matematik dersleri (her bir katılımcı için yaklaşık 10 saat) gözlemlenerek öğretim durumları belirlenmiştir. Ardından gerçekleştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerle katılımcılardan tespit edilen öğretim durumları için öz yansıtmalar yapmaları istenmiştir. Analiz sürecinde ilk olarak durum içi analizler yapılmış ve her bir öğretmenin öz yansıtma faaliyetleri betimlenmiştir. Ardından altı öğretmenden elde edilen bulgular karşılaştırmalı olarak incelenerek göreve yeni başlayan ortaokul matematik öğretmenlerinin hangi öz yansıtma faaliyetlerini ne derece gerçekleştirdiği tanımlanmıştır. Bulgular, katılımcıların dersi değerlendirmeleri istendiğinde kendi öğretim davranışlarını dikkate almadıklarını göstermektedir. Derslerindeki başarısızlığı, kendi kontrolleri altında olmayan faktörlere (örneğin ebeveynlerin ilgisizliği, okulun fiziksel imkânlarının yetersizliği) atfetmişlerdir. Ayrıca gözlemlenen dersleri için ortaya koymuş oldukları olumlu duygusal tepkilerin ve sonraki dersleri için almış oldukları uyarlamacı (gelişimsel) kararların yetersiz olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bu bulgular, göreve yeni başlayan ortaokul matematik öğretmenlerinin öz yansıtma becerilerini kazanmalarını destekleyecek hizmet önceci ve hizmet için uygulamaların gerekliliğine işaret etmektedir

Erythrocyte arginase activity in lung cancer patients

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, akciğer kanserli hastalarda kanda eritrosit arginaz aktivitesi ve hücre tipi ve ekstrapulmoner metastazın bu aktiviteye etkisi incelendi. Hastalar ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya akciğer kanserli 46 hasta (ort. yaş 63.1) ve sağlıklı 29 birey (ort. yaş 57.2) alındı. Eritrosit arginaz aktivitesi Geyer ve Dabich yöntemi ile ölçüldü. Ayrıca, küçük hücreli akciğer kanserli 15 hasta, küçük hücreli dışı akciğer kanserli 31 hasta, ekstrapulmoner metastazı olan 23 hasta ve metastazı olmayan 23 hastanın eritrosit arginaz aktiviteleri karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular: Sağlıklı kontroller ile karşılaştırıldığında, akciğer kanserli tüm hastaların (p<0.01), küçük hücreli akciğer kanserli hastaların (p<0.05), küçük hücreli dışı akciğer kanserli hastaların (p<0.01), ekstrapulmoner metastazı olan (p<0.01) ve olmayan (p<0.01) hastaların eritrosit arginaz aktiviteleri anlamlı derecede yüksek bulundu. Öte yandan, küçük hücreli ve küçük hücreli dışı akciğer kanserli hastalar arasında ve metastazı olan ve olmayan hastalar arasında eritrosit arginaz aktivitesi yönünden anlamlı farklılık görülmedi. Sonuç: Akciğer kanserli hastalarda eritrosit arginaz aktivitesinde sağlıklılara göre anlamlı bir artış olduğunu; ancak, hücre tipi veya ekstrapulmoner metastazın bu artış üzerinde etkisi olmadığını söyleyebiliriz.Objectives: We investigated blood erythrocyte arginase activity in lung cancer patients and the effect of cell type and extrapulmonary metastasis on this activity. Patients and Methods: The study included 46 lung cancer patients (mean age 63.1 years) and 29 healthy subjects (mean age 57.2 years). Erythrocyte arginase activity was determined with the use of the Geyer-Dabich method. Erythrocyte arginase activity was compared between patients with small cell lung cancer (n=15), non-small cell lung cancer (n=31), extrapulmonary metastases (n=23), and no metastasis (n=23). Results: Compared to healthy controls, erythrocyte arginase activity was significantly increased in all lung cancer patients (p&lt;0.01), and in patient groups with small cell lung cancer (p&lt;0.05), non-small cell lung cancer (p&lt;0.01), extrapulmonary metastases (p&lt;0.01), and no metastasis (p&lt;0.01). On the other hand, erythrocyte arginase activity did not differ significantly between patients with small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, and between patients with and without extrapulmonary metastases. Conclusion: Our data suggest that, compared to healthy subjects, erythrocyte arginase activity is significantly increased in lung cancer patients, with no additional effect of cell type or extrapulmonary metastases

A combined VBM and DTI study of schizophrenia: bilateral decreased insula volume and cerebral white matter disintegrity corresponding to subinsular white matter projections unlinked to clinical symptomatology

PURPOSE:Grey matter and white matter changes within the brain are well defined in schizophrenia. However, most studies focused on either grey matter changes or white matter integrity separately; only in limited number of studies these changes were interpreted in the same frame. In addition, the relationship of these findings with clinical variables is not clearly established. Here, we aimed to investigate the grey matter and white matter changes in schizophrenia patients and exhibit the relation of these imaging findings with clinical variables.METHODS:A total of 20 schizophrenia patients and 16 matched healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the grey matter and white matter alterations that occur in schizophrenia patients using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and whole brain voxel-wise analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters with SPM8, respectively. While the preprocessing steps of VBM were performed with the default parameters of VBM8 toolbox, the preprocessing steps of DTI were carried out using FSL. Additionally, VBM results were correlated with clinical variables.RESULTS:Bilateral insula showed decreased grey matter volume in schizophrenia patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01). The opposite contrast did not show a significant difference. Psychiatric scores, duration of illness, and age were not correlated with the decreased grey matter volume of insula in schizophrenia patients. DTI analysis revealed a significant increase in mean, radial, and axial diffusivity, mainly of the fibers of bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus with left predominance, which intersected with bilateral subinsular white matter (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that insula may be the main affected brain region in schizophrenia, which is also well supported by the literature. Our results were independent of disease duration and schizophrenia symptoms. White matter alterations were observed within bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and superior longitudinal fasciculus that intersects with subinsular white matter. Studies with larger sample sizes and more detailed clinical assessments are required to understand the function of insula in the neurobiology of schizophrenia

Intermittent catheterization in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: Obstacles, worries, level of satisfaction

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the obstacles in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face performing intermittent catheterization (IC), also their worries and level of satisfaction. Methods: Two hundred sixty-nine patients performing IC for at least 3 months were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about their opinions on IC. Results: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves, 10.4% had performed by their mothers, 7.8% by another caregiver and 7.4% by their spouse. For the 72 (26%) patients unable to apply IC, reasons were insufficient hand function (56.1%), being unable to sit appropriately (35.4%) and spasticity (8.5%). In all, 70% of male patients had insufficient hand function, 20% could not sit and 10% had spasticity while 56.3% of female patients could not sit, 37.5% had insufficient hand function and 63% had spasticity. Difference between sexes was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Worries patients had when starting IC were fear of being dependent on IC (50.2%), accidentally injuring self (43.8%), embarrassment (43.2%), causing an infection (40.2%), bleeding (32.7%), fear of feeling pain (30.2%) and hygiene (24.7%). More women felt embarrassment; other items were similar in both sexes. In all, 46.9% of patients had urinary incontinence in intervals. Conclusion: In total, 69.5% of patients performed IC themselves. Men's most common obstacle was insufficient hand function while women's was being unable to sit appropriately. Patients' most common worries were being dependent on IC for life. In all, 46.9% had incontinence in intervals; 47.9% said IC improved their life quality; and 97.4% preferred IC over continuous catheterization. © 2014 International Spinal Cord Society All rights reserved

Neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury: Treatment and follow-up

Study design:Multi-center, cross-sectional study.Objectives:Our aim was to evaluate the treatment methods and follow-up of neurogenic bladder in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury retrospectively using a questionnaire.Setting: Turkey.Methods:Three hundred and thirty-seven patients who had spinal cord injury for at least 2 years were enrolled from six centers in the neurogenic bladder study group. They were asked to fill-out a questionnaire about treatments they received and techniques they used for bladder management.Results:The study included 246 male and 91 female patients with a mean age of 42±14 years. Intermittent catheterization ( IC) was performed in 77.9% of the patients, 3.8% had indwelling catheters, 13.8% had normal spontaneous micturition, 2.6% performed voiding maneuvers, 1.3% used diapers and 0.6% used condom catheters. No gender difference was found regarding the techniques used in bladder rehabilitation ( P>0.05). Overall, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs; anticholinergic drug use was similar between genders ( P>0.05). The most common anticholinergic drug used was oxybutynin ( 40.3%), followed by trospium ( 32.6%), tolterodine ( 19.3%) darifenacin ( 3.3%), propiverine ( 3.3%) and solifenacin ( 1.1%). The specialties of the physicians who first prescribed the anticholinergic drug were physiatrists ( 76.2%), urologists ( 22.1%) and neurologists ( 1.7%). Only four patients had previously received injections of botulinum-toxin-A into the detrusor muscle and three of them stated that their symptoms showed improvement. Most of the patients ( 77%) had regular follow-up examinations, including urine cultures, urinary system ultrasound and urodynamic tests, when necessary; the reasons for not having regular control visits were living distant from hospital ( 15.3%) and monetary problems ( 7.7%). Of the patients, 42.7% did not experience urinary tract infections ( UTI), 36.4% had bacteriuria but no UTI episodes with fever, 15.9% had 1-2 clinical UTI episodes per year and 5% had ≥3 clinical UTIs. The clinical characteristics of patients with and without UTI ( at least one symptomatic UTI during 1 year) were similar ( P>0.05). The frequency of symptomatic UTI was similar in patients using different bladder management techniques ( P>0.05).Conclusion:The most frequently used technique for bladder rehabilitation in patients with SCI was IC ( 77.9%). In all, 63.2% of patients used anticholinergic drugs, oxybutynin being the most commonly used drug. Also, 77% of patients had regular control visits for neurogenic bladder; 42.7% did not experience any UTIs. © 2014 International Spinal Cord Society

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Niğde İli Bor İlçesinin Tarihi Sosyo-Kültürel Ve Ekonomik Yapısı

Bu araştırma ile Niğde ili Bor İlçesinin tarihi, sosyo-kültürel ve ekonomik yapısı ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Esas konuya geçmeden önce araştırma hakkında kısaca metodolojik bilgiler verilmiştir. Okuyucunun araştırmayı daha iyi anlayabilmesi için metodolojik bilgilerden sonra asıl konu işlenmiştir. Üç bölümden oluşan araştırmanın birinci bölümünde Bor İlçesi?nin tarihi ile ilgili olarak kronolojiye dayalı bilgilendirmeler yapılmıştır. Coğrafi özellikleri ile ilgili olarak da; jeolojik yapısı, yer şekilleri, iklimi, bitki örtüsü, akarsuları ve barajları hakkında bilgi verilmiştir. İkinci bölümde ise; Bor İlçesinin sosyal yapısı; nüfus, idari yapı, kasabalar ve köyler, eğitim, sağlık, ibadet yerleri, spor, medya ve ulaşım açısından değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca tarihi ve turistik yerler, türbeler, Borlu ünlü simalar, Borlu şehitler bu bölümde ele alınmıştır. Bölüm içerisinde ilçenin ekonomik yapısı ile ilgili olarak tarım, hayvancılık, sanayi ve ticaret gibi konulara yer verilmiştir. Üçüncü bölümde ise Bor?un kültürel özellikleri; örf, adet ve gelenekler, sünnet, düğün, bayramlaşma, cenaze, asker uğurlaması, gibi kültürel değerler ile yöresel lezzetler, mani, türkü, ağıt, beddua, şiir ve diğer kültür öğelerine değinilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonuç bölümünde ise eserin genel bir değerlendirmesi yapılmış araştırma esnasında dikkat çeken eksiklikler tespit edilerek çözüm önerileri teklif edilmiştirThis study aims to show the historical, socio-cultural and economic sides of Bor, which is the district of Niğde. Before coming on to the main subject, a brief methodological information about the study is given. After these information, the main subject is handled so that the reader can comprehend the issue. There are three parts in the research. In the First Part, the reader is informed about the historical structure of Bor in a chronological order. With regard to the geographical features, information about its geological structure, landforms, climate, flora, streams and dams are portrayed. In the Second Part, the social structure of Bor district is evaluated in terms of its population, administrative structure, towns and villages, education, health care, places of worship, sports, media and transportation. In addition, historical and touristic places, tombs, notable people and martyrs who are from Bor are discussed in this section. Within this part, in relation to the economic structure of the district, issues such as agriculture, animal husbandry, industry and trade are discussed. In the Third Part, cultural features such as customs and traditions, circumcision feast, weddings, greetings on occasions, funerals, national service, local dishe, mania, folk songs, laments, curses, poems and other cultural elements are mentioned. In the conclusion part of the study, an overview of the work is done and solutions are proposed for the striking problems identified during the research.