Eastern Mediterranean University

We consider multi-term fractional differential equations with continuous variable coefficients and differential operators of Erdélyi–Kober type and multiple independent fractional orders. We solve such equations in a general framework, obtaining explicit solutions in the form of uniformly convergent series. By considering several particular cases, we verify the consistency of our results with others previously obtained in the literature.

This article investigates the solvability and optimal control of a class of impulsive stochastic differential equations (SDEs) within a Hilbert space. Primarily, we justify the existence and uniqueness of mild solutions (MSs) for the proposed impulsive SDE, leveraging fixed‐point theorems and appropriate analytical techniques. Next, we identify and derive the necessary conditions for the existence of optimal control pairs, ensuring the feasibility and effectiveness of the control solutions. Finally, to validate and depict the practical applicability of our theoretical findings, we supply a detailed example showcasing the utility of the results in real‐world scenarios.

Background Farming is an occupation that predisposes to serious health problems affecting the musculoskeletal system. Objective This study aims to investigate the prevalence and risk factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in farmers. Methods With a sample size of 1552 participants, this study was drawn from 17,500 farmers registered to the farmers’ association. We recorded their demographic information and used the Occupational Data Form to evaluate farmers’ workload and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to assess musculoskeletal symptoms. Results Of the 1552 farmers who participated in our study, 1216 were male (78.35%), and 336 were female (21.65%), and their mean age was 49.02 ± 11.94 and 47.80 ± 10.99 years, respectively. 70% were involved in livestock farming, 29% in agriculture farming, and 1% in both. The three body parts with the highest prevalence rates of MSDs were the lower back (47.5%), knee (23.5%), and ankle/feet (23.2%). It was determined that agriculture farming was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, especially in the neck, elbow, upper back, lower back, and knee, and female gender, body mass index, type of farming, daily weightlifting, weekly working hours, and stress were risk factors associated with MSDs ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The continuation of traditional farming activities necessitates the identification of potential MSDs. The results of our study are crucial in identifying the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal problems and guiding preventive physiotherapy practices, such as workplace exercises.

This study presents a numerical investigation into the small scale-dependent nonlinear flexural instability of shallow microsize arches subjected to unlike end supports. The inhomogeneous microsize arches are constructed with a functionally graded graphene nanofiller-reinforced composite (FG-GNRC) under arbitrary-located radial point load combined with thermal conditions. In order to allow for the size dependency, the nonlocality besides the couple stress tensors is comprised within a quasi-2D parabolic shear deformable curved beam formulations. With the aid of the modified Halpin–Tsai model of micromechanics, the material characters of sandwich FG-GNRC are captured. Thenceforward, the extended isogeometric analysis is put to use embracing the insertion with the addition of multiplication of knot to manifest the necessary more depleted continuity for the coupling among the tangential and flexural reactions. It is discovered that the tensor of nonlocal stress results in to enhance the potential energies attributed to all made known condemnatory points, while it causes to decrease the correlated radial point loads. On the contrary, the tensor of couple stress plays a converse role. Withal, it is deduced that the number of condemnatory points remains unchanged after taking the consequence of temperature rise into account. What is more, as a consequence of the temperature rise, the characters of nonlocal and couple stress tensors in the quantities of radial point loads attributed to all made known condemnatory points get intense.

In this study, we explore a static, spherically symmetric black hole solution in the context of a self-interacting Kalb-Ramond field coupled with a global monopole. By incorporating the effects of Lorentz-violating term $\ell$ and the monopole charge $\eta$ in the KR field, we derive the modified gravitational field equations and analyze the resulting black hole spacetime. The obtained solution exhibits deviations from the Schwarzschild metric with topological defect, as it is influenced by the monopole charge and self-interaction potential. We investigate the thermodynamic properties of the black hole, including its Hawking temperature, entropy, and specific heat, revealing novel stability conditions. Additionally, we perform solar system tests such as perihelion precession, gravitational redshift, light deflection, and time delay of signals to impose constraints on the Lorentz-violating parameter and monopole charge. Our findings suggest that these parameters have to be significantly small, although there are different constraints imposed by individual tests, ranging from $10^{-9}\leq|\ell|\leq 10^{-4}$ and $10^{-9}\leq\eta\leq 10^{-6}\, \mathrm{m}^{-1}$.

This study examines Nigeria's ecological footprint, addressing a significant gap in comprehensive research on how poverty, public-private partnerships (PPPs), GDP (economic growth), and renewable energy use impact environment. Using data from 1990 to 2023, the analysis explores the relationship between these economic indicators and Nigeria's ecological footprint. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, with FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR robustness tests, were employed to ensure reliability. Key findings from the ARDL approach indicate that: (i) Poverty and GDP increase the ecological footprint; (ii) PPPs eventually lessen the ecological footprint; (iii) Using renewable energy reduces short-term ecological imprint. The long-term ARDL results are in line with those from FMOLS, DOLS, as well as CCR tests, reinforcing the need for coordinated policymaking to address Nigeria's environmental degradation. The study emphasizes the importance of leveraging PPPs to promote sustainable energy use and effective waste disposal practices. It underscores the need for grassroots conscientization and environmental media campaigns to enhance overall environmental quality.

Objective This study aimed to determine the relationship between life satisfaction, self‐care ability, and loneliness in older adults. Materials and Methods This descriptive‐correlational study was conducted on voluntary participants aged 65 years and above who lived in North Cyprus. Personal information form, loneliness scale for elderly, satisfaction with life scale and exercise of self‐care agency scale were used for data collection. Results Older adults in our study had moderate levels of life satisfaction and self‐care ability and the level of loneliness was at acceptable levels. Besides, the life satisfaction of the participants was positively correlated with self‐care ability and negatively correlated with the level of loneliness. Conclusion The psychosocial needs of older adults might be evaluated, and social support systems might be enhanced within the context of primary healthcare services. Besides, nurses might play an effective role in planning elderly care by taking the importance of multidisciplinary approaches into consideration.

In this paper, we study quantum effects on transport properties of charged anti-de Sitter (AdS) black holes, focusing on non-perturbative corrections to the shear viscosity-to-entropy ratio. We consider exponential corrections to both the entropy and transport coefficients, examining their impact on the Kovtun–Son–Starinets (KSS) bound. Through detailed analysis, we demonstrate that quantum corrections significantly modify transport phenomena, particularly in the small-horizon-radius regime. We explore three scenarios: unmodified shear viscosity with quantum-corrected entropy, quantum corrections to both quantities, and preservation of the universal ratio. Our results show that electrical conductivity, bulk viscosity, and thermal conductivity receive substantial modifications from quantum effects while maintaining consistency with established transport laws. The analysis reveals that for the positive correction coefficient, the KSS bound can be violated, while for the negative correction coefficient, it remains valid. We demonstrate these effects through numerical analysis and graphical representations, providing insight into quantum transport phenomena in strongly coupled systems.

This paper evaluates potential welfare gains in the Mercosur region from improvements to trade administration. Streamlined border procedures and related processes could save billions, open markets for exporters, and promote trade diversification. Using a microeconomic model with country-specific trade elasticities, we compare the trade cost structures of Mercosur member states to those of Chile and Canada. The analysis distinguishes between land and sea borders, highlighting cost differences in these trade mediums. A unique case – the Argentinian export tax regime – is examined, revealing welfare losses from this tax that outweigh the benefits of reducing Argentina’s trade costs. Our estimates suggest that if Mercosur’s trade administration costs were reduced to the levels of the reference countries, the region could gain over USD 15 billion annually. This work underscores the substantial economic benefits of improved trade facilitation in the region.

We examined differences and similarities between groups sampled from the Mediterranean region in social orientation, cognitive style, self-construal, and honor, face, dignity values, and concerns using a large battery of tasks and measures. We did this by conducting secondary data set analyses focusing on comparisons between nine pairs of samples recruited from the Mediterranean region (Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus [Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities], Lebanon [Muslim Lebanese and Christian Lebanese], Egypt) that have overlapping and divergent features in terms of religious, ethnic, national, and linguistic factors as well as various physical and socioecological characteristics. Across 38 different psychological characteristics, comparisons between Turkish and Turkish Cypriot samples and between Christian and Muslim samples from Lebanon revealed that they were most similar to each other. In contrast, Greek and Turkish samples were the least similar. Our analyses of intercorrelations between variables, variability, and size of differences provide additional insights into the within-region variation in social orientation, cognitive style, self-construal indicators, as well as honor, face, and dignity values and concerns. Our research contributes to the growing literature on regional variation of psychological processes while raising important pointers for the role of background and socioecological characteristics in cultural group similarities and differences.

Grids are more general geometric objects than discrete subgroups. However, they are still very regular. Grids are applied in crystallography, chemistry, digital image processing, computer graphics, networking, just to mention a few. Recently, distances of the points pixels of grids based on minimal path have been developed. The trihexagonal grid has three types of pixels: hexagons and two oppositely oriented triangles. Four types of neighborhood relations are considered on the grid. The first type of neighborhood contains the side‐neighbors that are always a hexagon and a triangle. There are two semi‐neighbor relations: the second type of neighborhood describes the pairs of closest hexagons, while the third type of neighborhood refers to the closest pairs of differently oriented triangles. Finally, the extended neighborhood relates to the closest same‐shaped triangles, and this is the fourth type of neighborhood we have defined. Based on the four types of neighbor relations, four weights are used. The main result of the paper is that formulas are provided giving the minimal path between any two pixels. The length of the minimal path depends on the coordinate differences of the pixels, the relation of the weights, and the types of the two pixels. Formulas for all possible cases are given (with some usual restrictions, e.g., a step between side neighbor pixels cannot be longer, i.e., with larger weight than other steps). Some properties of these distances, including metricity, are also analyzed.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an earthquake experienced during pregnancy on maternal stress, depression, and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This descriptive–comparative study was conducted between April and May 2023 in four state hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health with 82 mothers (affected by the earthquake=41, not affected by the earthquake=41) who gave birth. Data were obtained with the Personal Information Form, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and Traumatic Stress Symptom Checklist. RESULTS: The mean age of the mothers who were earthquake affected in the study was 27.63±5.62. It was determined that earthquake-affected mothers gave birth prematurely and the birth weight of their infants was lower (p<0.05). It was determined that all of the earthquake-affected mothers experienced more stress according to the Traumatic Stress Symptom Checklist scale cut-off score (>25) and 73.2% of them showed more depressive symptoms according to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale cut-off score (>13) (p<0.05). According to multivariate regression analysis, early gestational age and depressive symptoms were found to be risk factors for posttraumatic stress in mothers affected by the earthquake (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the earthquake-affected mothers showed depressive symptoms at least 6 weeks after giving birth, and all had increased levels of posttraumatic stress.

In this paper, we study the thermodynamic topology of AdS Einstein–power–Yang–Mills black holes, examining them through both the bulk-boundary and restricted phase space (RPS) frameworks. We consider various non-extensive entropy models, including Barrow ( $\delta$ δ ), Rényi ( $\lambda$ λ ), Sharma–Mittal ( $\beta$ β , $\alpha$ α ), Kaniadakis ( K ), and Tsallis-Cirto entropy ( $\Delta$ Δ ). Initially, we analyze the thermodynamic topology within the bulk-boundary framework. Our findings highlight the influence of free parameters on topological charges. We observe two topological charges $(\omega = +1, -1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 ) with respect to the non-extensive Barrow parameter and also with ( $\delta =0$ δ = 0 ) in Bekenstein–Hawking entropy. For Rényi entropy, different topological charges are observed depending on the value of the $\lambda$ λ with a notable transition from three topological charges $(\omega = +1, -1, +1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 , + 1 ) to a single topological charge $(\omega = +1)$ ( ω = + 1 ) as $\lambda$ λ increases. Also, by setting $\lambda$ λ to zero results in two topological charges $(\omega = +1, -1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 ) . Sharma–Mittal entropy exhibits three distinct ranges of topological charges influenced by the $\alpha$ α and $\beta$ β with different classifications viz, if $\beta$ β exceeds $\alpha$ α , we will have $(\omega = +1,-1,+1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 , + 1 ) ; if $\beta = \alpha$ β = α , we have $(\omega = +1,-1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 ) ; and if $\alpha$ α exceeds $\beta$ β , we obtain $(\omega = -1)$ ( ω = - 1 ) . Also, Kaniadakis entropy shows variations in topological charges; viz., we observe $(\omega = +1,-1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 ) for any acceptable value of K, except when K=0 K = 0 , where a single topological charge $(\omega = -1)$ ( ω = - 1 ) appears. In the case of Tsallis-Cirto entropy, for small parameter $\Delta$ Δ values, we have $(\omega = +1)$ ( ω = + 1 ) and when $\Delta$ Δ increases to 0.9, we will have $(\omega = +1, -1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 ) . A particularly intriguing aspect of this research is its application to the RPS framework. When we extend our analysis to this space using the specified entropies, we find that the topological charge consistently remains $(\omega = +1)$ ( ω = + 1 ) independent of the specific values of the free parameters for Rényi, Sharma–Mittal, and Tsallis–Cirto. Additionally, for Barrow entropy in RPS, when $\delta$ δ increases from 0 to 0.8, the number of topological charges rises. Finally for Kaniadakis entropy, at small values of K , we observe $(\omega = +1)$ ( ω = + 1 ) . However, as the non-extensive parameter K increases, we encounter different topological charges and classifications with $(\omega = +1, -1)$ ( ω = + 1 , - 1 ) .

In this paper, we demonstrate that the exact controllability concept is inappropriate for stochastic systems by proving the nonfulfillment of the coercivity inequality. As a result, we explore the concept of C-controllability, which was introduced as a weaker alternative to exact controllability when the controllability problem was first extended to stochastic systems. We establish a sufficient condition for C-controllability in finite-dimensional semilinear stochastic systems driven by a Wiener process and illustrate the result with several examples.

Advanced prediction tools are essential for assessing suitability of regenerative evaporative cooling systems, significantly reducing the time and effort required for extensive testing. Smart algorithms enable optimizing operating conditions and system performance, making the implementation of artificial intelligence tools crucial. This work aims to create first open-source artificial neural network model for performance prediction of a novel a multi-pass crossflow indirect regenerative evaporative cooler configuration. With this purpose, an artificial neural network structure was established for estimating the product air temperature, relative humidity, cooling capacity and the effectiveness of the proposed cooling system. The model was developed using 50 data points from experiments and validated numerical models, with inlet temperature, humidity, and working air ratio as the input parameters. The cooling capacity ranged between 0.27 and 1.33 kW, while wet bulb and dew point effectiveness were 0.49–0.95 and 0.37–0.67, respectively. The developed model achieved a coefficient of determination value of 0.997 and mean deviation less than 0.08%. The study results demonstrated that neural networks are promising engineering tools for regenerative evaporative cooling systems, reducing the effort and time required for complex numerical modeling or experimental testing.

This study examined the perceptions and motivation of 64 pre-service English language teaching (ELT) teachers at an international university in North Cyprus towards technology use in online language education. It employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS 25 while the analysis of the qualitative data involved a combination of thematic analysis performed manually with the use of Leximancer 5.0 software. The findings revealed a general consensus on the benefits of technology for motivation and educational outcomes. The qualitative insights highlighted transformative themes. To illustrate, emotions such as excitement and curiosity were found to drive pre-service teachers’ inclination towards technology integration. The study underscored the significance of technology in modern English language teaching and English language teacher education, offering several profound pedagogical implications.

This article examines China’s soft power strategy in the MENA region, which I argue are qualitatively unsubstantial, quantitatively limited, and inherently selective. As part of its broader aspirations to become a/the leading global power, China seeks to enhance its soft power. However, its efforts in this domain across the region primarily focus on lightweight educational collaborations rather than comprehensive and deep knowledge integration that reflects its global ambition. In this context, the prefix ‘non’ in the title signifies the gap between China’s aspiration for global cultural outreach and the reality of its slow-moving initiatives, which often fall short of achieving the depth and scope expected of a truly transformative soft power strategy. Using Joseph Nye’s conceptualization of soft power as a benchmark, the research highlights the establishment of Confucius Institutes, cultural agreements, and university collaborations to examine China’s soft power strategy that basically prioritizes partnerships with specific countries, such as Israel and Egypt, based on economic and technological considerations. Within this examination of the scope and depth of China’s soft power endeavors, the article critically explores whether China’s selective approach—choosing specific ‘cultural partners’—represents an inherent limitation or a pragmatic strategy for navigating the region.