Think positive! Emotional response to assertiveness in positive and negative language promoting preventive health behaviors

There is insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of various tones of communication in modifying health behaviours. We examine the moderating role of assertiveness in the effect of positive/negative language on emotional responses (optimism, self-efficacy, and guilt), and resulting preventive health behaviours. Three experiments were employed. An online experiment tests the relationship between positive/negative language and assertiveness when people communicate about healthful eating. Next, a field study examines the moderating effect of assertiveness in positive and negative language encouraging using sunscreen among street passers-by. Third, an online study explores whether the effect of assertiveness in positive and negative messages on hand-washing intentions is mediated by increased optimism and self-efficacy, and decreased guilt, respectively. Positive language increases compliance when expressed assertively because the assertive tone emphasises optimism and self-efficacy. Conversely, negative communication is more effective when expressed non-assertively, because of the replenishing effect of the gentler tone on the guilt evoked by the negative communication. Assertiveness serves as an intensifier of what is being communicated. When considering whether to employ positive or negative language in health messaging, assertiveness should be considered as part of the design of effective health communication strategies leading to health promoting behaviour change.

Continuous Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure Control Decreases Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU), and among the several preventative strategies described to reduce the incidence of VAP, the most important is the endotracheal tube cuff (ETC) pressure. The present study was conducted on 60 patients who required mechanical ventilation (MV) in the ICU with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The patients were randomized into two groups of 30, in which ETC pressure was regulated using a smart cuff manager (SCM) (Group II), or manual measurement approach (MMA) (Group I). Demographic data, MV duration, length of ICU stay and mortality rates were recorded. The clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPISs), C-reactive protein (CRP) values, and the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) values of the groups were compared at baseline, and at hours 48, 72 and 96. In Group I, CPIS values significantly higher than Group II in 48th, 72nd and 96th hours ( p  < 0.05). In Group I, PEEP values and deep tracheal aspirate (DTA) culture growth rates significantly higher than Group II in 72nd and 96th hours ( p  < 0.05). The continuous maintenance of ETC pressure using SCM reduced the incidence of VAP.

Mild Hypothermia via External Cooling Improves Lung Function and Alleviates Pulmonary Inflammatory Response and Damage in Two-Hit Rabbit Model of Acute Lung Injury

Targeted temperature management (TTM) with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has an organ-protective effect by mainly reducing inflammatory response. Here, our objective was to determine, for the first time, whether mild TH with external cooling, a simple and inexpensive method, could be safe or even beneficial in two-hit rabbit model of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). Twenty-two New Zealand rabbits (6-month-old) were randomly divided into healthy control (HC) with conventional ventilation, but without injury, model group (ALI), and hypothermia group with external cooling (ALI-HT). After induction of ALI/ARDS through mild lung-lavages followed by non-protective ventilation, mild hypothermia was started in ALI-HT group (body temperature of 33–34 °C). All rabbits were conventionally ventilated for an additional 6-h by recording respiratory parameters. Finally, lung histopathology and inflammatory response were evaluated. Hypothermia was associated with higher oxygen saturation, resulting in partial improvement in the P/F ratio (PaO 2 /FiO 2 ), oxygenation index, mean airway pressure, and PaCO 2 , but did not affect lactate levels. The ALI-HT group had lower histopathological injury scores (hyperemia, edema, emphysema, atelectasis, and PMN infiltration). Further, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and −8 levels in lung tissue and serum samples markedly reduced due to hypothermia. Mild TH with external cooling reduced lung inflammation and damage, whereas it resulted in partial improvement in gas exchanges. Our findings highlight that body temperature control may be a potentially supportive therapeutic option for regulating cytokine production and respiratory parameters in ALI/ARDS.

Framing the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) revolution

Construct-concurrent validity and reliability of the European Child Environment Questionnaire (ECEQ) in a sample of Turkish children with cerebral palsy

To investigate the construct-concurrent validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the European Child Environment Questionnaire (ECEQ-T) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Mean age 9.53 ± 4.45 years 306 children with CP and their parents participated in the study. While construct validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, concurrent validity was investigated using the correlation between ECEQ-T and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) with Spearman’s correlation analysis. For test–retest reliability, ECEQ-T was administered twice to 65 parents with an interval of two weeks. Cronbach’s alpha ( α ) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were used for reliability. Construct validity (RMSEA > 0.080; GFI ≥ 0.90) and concurrent validity ( r : −0.533 to −0.293; p  < 0.05) were confirmed as acceptable. Eight items were dropped out as they did not fit the model and finally ECEQ-T contains 54 items in three domains. High Cronbach’s α and ICC values were found (Cronbach αPE : 0.960/ICC PE : 0.959, Cronbach αSS : 0.955/ICC SS : 0.954), Cronbach αA : 0.822/ICC A : 0.802, Cronbach αT : 0.957/ICC T : 0.955). ECEQ-T has demonstrated good psychometric properties and can be used as a reliable and valid measure to assess environmental factors. We believe that ECEQ-T is a useful and detailed questionnaire to determine barriers-facilitators for increasing activity and participation in Turkish children with CP.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe Turkish version of ECEQ has acceptable construct validity and moderate concurrent validity for evaluating environmental factors in children with cerebral palsy.The Turkish version of ECEQ provides valuable information, which could be helpful to guide public health services and government policies in order to optimize the participation of children with CP.Environmental factors may play an important role in activity and participation in children with cerebral palsy. Turkish version of the ECEQ can be used for evaluating the environmental factors to determine barriers of activity and participation. The Turkish version of ECEQ has acceptable construct validity and moderate concurrent validity for evaluating environmental factors in children with cerebral palsy. The Turkish version of ECEQ provides valuable information, which could be helpful to guide public health services and government policies in order to optimize the participation of children with CP. Environmental factors may play an important role in activity and participation in children with cerebral palsy. Turkish version of the ECEQ can be used for evaluating the environmental factors to determine barriers of activity and participation.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the pediatric motor activity log-revised (PMAL-R) for 2–17 year old children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

The Pediatric Upper-extremity Motor Activity Log-Revised (PMAL-R) is a structured interview that measures use of the more-affected arm in daily life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study investigated the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of a Turkish version of the PMAL-R. The PMAL-R was translated and cross-culturally adapted to Turkish and administered to parents of eighty children with hemiplegic CP between 2-17 years. Its concurrent validity was examined by correlating scores on the PMAL-R How Well and How Often scales with ABILHAND-Kids scores. Fifty parents were re-interviewed after three weeks to establish test-retest reliability. PMAL-R scores were strongly correlated with ABILHAND-Kids scores (How Well scale, r  = 0.78, p  < 0.001; How Often scale, r  = 0.59, p  < 0.001). PMAL-R test-retest reliability (Intraclass correlation; How Often = 0.98, How Well = 0.99) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α; How Often = 0.96, How Well = 0.97) were high. This translation of the PMAL-R has good reliability and validity for measuring everyday use of the more-affected arm in Turkish children with hemiparesis due to CP between 2–17 years. Implications for rehabilitation An instrument that evaluates real-world arm use in Turkish children with CP. Reliability and concurrent validity of the Turkish PMAL-R is established in 2–17-year old with upper-extremity hemiparesis. Systematic replication of the clinimetric properties of the English PMAL-R is demonstrated in a wider age range than previously, 2–17 years vs. 2–8 years. Reliability and concurrent validity of the PMAL-R is shown in both children with right and left hemiparesis. An instrument that evaluates real-world arm use in Turkish children with CP. Reliability and concurrent validity of the Turkish PMAL-R is established in 2–17-year old with upper-extremity hemiparesis. Systematic replication of the clinimetric properties of the English PMAL-R is demonstrated in a wider age range than previously, 2–17 years vs. 2–8 years. Reliability and concurrent validity of the PMAL-R is shown in both children with right and left hemiparesis.

Analysis of high streets of Istanbul: a proposal for strategic management approach

This paper analyses the high streets of Istanbul within the context of high street management through four dimensions of location and movement, physical fabric, real estate & land use and exchange, and suggests a comprehensive approach to manage these commercial axes. While analysing the chosen study areas of Istiklal Street, Bagdat Street and Nisantasi District under the given topics, this paper makes use of analyses regarding transportation network, footfall, commercial and non-commercial use, prime rental values, besides a literature review to have an understanding towards the nature of each case study area. The results imply that despite their differences, all three study areas face certain issues that point out the lack of comprehensive strategic approaches to their management. Towards the high streets of Istanbul, this paper proposes a management approach embracing three main goals: (1) to constitute a brand image, (2) to decrease the vulnerability against macroeconomic factors and (3) to maintain vitality and viability of these axes. To overcome the complexities regarding management issues, this paper suggests an organizational and institutional approach, dedicated to considering the interests of all users on high streets.

Understanding PKK, Kurdish Hezbollah and ISIS Recruitment in Southeastern Turkey

Investigation of carbon footprint effect of renewable power plants regarding energy production: A case study of a city in Turkey

This paper presents a carbon footprint investigation of renewable power plants in a city in Turkey. With a total of 71 licensed power plants, this area is significant in terms of energy production resources such as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and lignite. As of April 2021, it has 4401.17 MW of installed power, accounting for 4.87% of Turkey’s installed power and ranked third in terms of installed power cities. This city has 18 natural gas power plants, 3 lignite power plants, 33 hydroelectric (stream), 7 hydroelectric (dam) power plants, 2 solar, 2 coal, 2 wind, 1 waste heat, and 3 biomass power plants. However, all production technologies produce CO 2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), and emissions might be both direct and indirect. Once harmful gases are released into the atmosphere, they damage the ecosystem and all living things while also contributing to climate change. The Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement were signed to deal with climate change and propose a limitation on carbon emissions. Thus, countries have adopted some strategies to reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, Turkey is aiming to increase the share of domestic and renewable energy in electricity generation to reduce GHG emissions by up to 21% between 2020–2030. In this study, a carbon footprint effect analysis was carried out during electricity generation in a city with abundant renewable energy potential. According to the findings, it was determined that the renewable power plants successfully reduced the carbon footprint of the area as 3,500,794 tons CO 2 , 3,024,120 tons CO 2 , and 1,073,039 tons CO 2 for 2019, 2020, and 2021 (end of April), respectively. Implications: The main aim of this study is to investigate a carbon footprint effect during electricity generation in a region (Kahramanmaraş, Turkey) with abundant renewable energy potential in terms of electricity generation. This area is significant in terms of energy production resources including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and lignite, with a total of 71 licensed power plants. The key contributions of this research study are: (1) The study of carbon footprint savings based on the electricity generation of this city was carried out for the first time in the literature. (2) While generating electricity with renewable energy sources, it has been determined that an average of 3,500,794 tons CO2, 3,024,120 tons CO2, and 1,073,039 tons CO2 carbon footprint savings were accomplished for 2019, 2020, and 2021 (end of April), respectively. (3) This study demonstrated that a city with abundant lignite potential emits a high amount of carbon footprint into the atmosphere while producing energy. By using lignite, 4,462,045 tons CO2, 3,952,348 tons CO2, and 1,140,975 tons CO2 were emitted for 2019, 2020, and 2021 (end of April), respectively. (4) The study includes encouraging research on renewable energy investment in accordance with the Kyoto Protocols and the Paris Agreement for local governments and investors. (5) The study sheds light on the distance Turkey has covered on the way to the 2030 targets in the fight against cli-mate change, regionally

“Legal exhaustion” and the crisis of human rights: Tracing legal mobilization against sexual violence and torture of Kurdish women in state custody in Turkey since the 1990s

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Kurdish women reported sexual violence in state custody during intense conflicts between the Turkish military and the guerrilla organization PKK. Drawing on archival research and in-depth interviews with lawyers and activists in Turkey, we trace the development of legal mobilization by human rights lawyers and activists who characterized state-led sexual violence in the Kurdish region as a war crime against women and brought cases before domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Inspired by the work of Kerem Altıparmak, we develop the concept of “legal exhaustion” to characterize the emotional and relational aspects of legal mobilization in the context of war and counterterrorism politics. Bringing together scholarship in sociolegal studies and critical approaches to human rights, we argue that legal exhaustion is productive—not just an unproductive and constraining state—prompting human rights lawyers to sustain legal mobilization in/outside courts and critique national and international laws.