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Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14288/3

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    On the past, present, and future of the Diebold-Yilmaz approach to dynamic network connectedness
    (Elsevier Science Sa, 2023) Diebold, Francis X.; Department of Economics; Yılmaz, Kamil; Department of Economics; College of Administrative Sciences and Economics
    We offer retrospective and prospective assessments of the Diebold-Yilmaz connected-ness research program, combined with personal recollections of its development. Its centerpiece in many respects is Diebold and Yilmaz (2014), around which our discussion is organized.
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    On the network topology of variance decompositions: measuring the connectedness of financial firms (Reprinted from Journal of Econometrics, Vol 182, Issue 1, September 2014, Pages 119-134)
    (Elsevier Science Sa, 2023) Diebold, Francis X.; Department of Economics; Yılmaz, Kamil; Department of Economics; College of Administrative Sciences and Economics
    We propose several connectedness measures built from pieces of variance decomposi-tions, and we argue that they provide natural and insightful measures of connectedness. We also show that variance decompositions define weighted, directed networks, so that our connectedness measures are intimately related to key measures of connectedness used in the network literature. Building on these insights, we track daily time-varying connectedness of major U.S. financial institutions' stock return volatilities in recent years, with emphasis on the financial crisis of 2007-2008.
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    Development and preliminary validation of the PrEP empowerment scale
    (Springer/Plenum Publishers, 2023) Crockett, Kaylee B.; Batey, D. Scott; Department of Psychology; Turan, Bülent; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    Informed by the Health Care Empowerment Model, a measure of PrEP Empowerment was developed and assessed for preliminary reliability and validity. Participants (N = 100) were invited to complete a survey during regular clinic visits. A subset (n = 84) volunteered to provide blood samples to assess plasma tenofovir (TFV) levels for recent PrEP adherence. A five-factor measure explained 70% of the total variance. Associations with internalized PrEP stigma, PrEP adherence self-efficacy, and plasma TFV were assessed. Results supported the multidimensional nature of PrEP Empowerment and reliability and validity. Additional research is needed in populations with varying PrEP experience and greater gender and ethnic representation.
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    Acceptability, feasibility and potential of an intervention using secret Facebook groups to complement existing HIV prevention strategies among female sex workers in Cameroon, a randomized pilot study
    (Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2023) Vazquez Guillamet, Laia J.; Babey, Mary Mah; Njah, Mercy; Blake, Hassanatu; Jasani, Amy; Kyeng, Rahel; Hao, Jiaying; Long, Dustin; Tih, Pius; Turan, Janet M.; Khan, Eveline Mboh; Dionne, Jodie; Turan, Janet Molzan; School of Medicine
    This randomized pilot project evaluated an intervention promoting health care literacy around HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and stigma reduction using private social media groups that complemented existing HIV prevention services among female sex workers (FSWs) in Cameroon. The intervention was 12 HIV and sexual health videos tailored to FSWs that were released over 8 weeks through a secret Facebook group platform. In-person surveys were administered before, after the intervention, and three months later. No HIV seroconversions were detected; all participants completed follow-up and agreed to recommend the intervention to a coworker. Although the intervention was assessed to be acceptable and feasible to implement, poor internet connectivity was a key barrier. In time-series analysis, the intervention group participants reported improved PrEP interest, PrEP knowledge, and condom use along with reduced PrEP and HIV-related stigma, but no impact on sex-work related stigma or social cohesion. Similar results occurred in the control group. Cross-contamination and small pilot study size might have hindered the ability to detect the differential impact of this intervention. As communications technology increases in Cameroon, it is essential to learn more about FSWs preferences on the use of social media platforms for HIV prevention strategies.
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    The relationship between HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis stigma and treatment adherence among current HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users in the Southeastern US
    (Springer, 2023) Van Gerwen, Olivia T.; Yigit, Ibrahim; Crockett, Kaylee B.; Department of Psychology; Turan, Bülent; Department of Psychology; College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    Despite efficacy in HIV prevention, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is underutilized in the US, especially among populations at highest risk. PrEP-related stigma may play a role. We developed measures of PrEP-related stigma dimensions and PrEP adherence. We administered them to current PrEP users. We hypothesized that PrEP-related stigma would negatively impact PrEP adherence. Questionnaire measures were developed using data from previous qualitative work and existing validated HIV-related stigma measures. The resultant survey was administered to current PrEP users from two Birmingham, Alabama PrEP clinics. Plasma tenofovir disoproxil fumarate levels were collected to measure PrEP adherence. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to determine the factor structure of each PrEP-related stigma dimension (internalized, perceived, experienced, anticipated, disclosure concerns). Separate binary logistic (or linear) regressions were performed to assess associations between PrEP-related stigma dimensions and adherence (treatment adherence self-efficacy, self-reported adherence, and plasma tenofovir levels), adjusting for education, race, and time on PrEP. In 2018, 100 participants completed the survey, with 91 identifying as male and 66 as white. Only internalized stigma was associated with lower self-reported PrEP adherence. Exploratory mediation analyses suggested that the association between all stigma dimensions and self-reported PrEP adherence is mediated by PrEP adherence self-efficacy. No associations were found between any PrEP-related stigma measures and plasma tenofovir levels. Internalized PrEP stigma may reduce PrEP adherence, possibly by reducing PrEP adherence self-efficacy among experienced PrEP users. Further investigation of how stigma dimensions affect PrEP adherence in populations at risk for HIV may shed light on drivers of PrEP underutilization.
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    Attitudes of medical students toward sexual minorities: a multicentric survey from the Medical Education without Discrimination Project
    (ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2024) Bayramlar, Osman Faruk; Nalbant, Hacer; Yasin, Yesim; Mardin, Deniz; Karabey, Selma; Kayı, İlker; School of Medicine
    This study, as a part of the 'Medical Education without Discrimination (MED) Project," focuses on investigating attitudes toward sexual minorities and demographics among Turkish medical students. In the needs assessment phase of MED Project, a survey covering demographics, sexual orientation, attitudes toward sexual minorities, and Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals by Hudson & Ricketts (6-point Likert) was conducted among 523 medical students of one public and two nonprofit private medical schools in Istanbul. Of the students, 4.2% declared themselves as non-heterosexual. The findings highlight that medical students are on the verge of homophobia (44th percentile). Homophobia was significantly higher among public university students, males, younger individuals, those who originated from underdeveloped settlements, those who grew up with mothers who did not graduate from university, those who considered themselves less happy, and those without LGBTI+ acquaintances. Of the respondents, 14.1% do not perceive LGBTI+ people as equals within the community, and 75.7% assert that they would conceal their own LGBTI+ identity if they were part of this community. This study highlights that the need for targeted interventions in medical education in line with the global commitment to reduce inequalities and promote inclusive health care.
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    Bridging the Covid-19 data and the epidemiological model using the time-varying parameter SIRD model
    (Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2024) Şimşek, Yasin; Department of Economics; Çakmaklı, Cem; Department of Economics; College of Administrative Sciences and Economics
    This paper extends the canonical model of epidemiology, the SIRD model, to allow for timevarying parameters for real-time measurement and prediction of the trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic. Time variation in model parameters is captured using the score -driven modeling structure designed for the typical daily count data related to the pandemic. The resulting specification permits a flexible yet parsimonious model with a low computational cost. The model is extended to allow for unreported cases using a mixed -frequency setting. Results suggest that these cases' effects on the parameter estimates might be sizeable. Full sample results show that the flexible framework accurately captures the successive waves of the pandemic. A realtime exercise indicates that the proposed structure delivers timely and precise information on the pandemic's current stance. This superior performance, in turn, transforms into accurate predictions of the death cases and cases treated in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
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    Consanguineous marriage and its effect on reproductive behavior and uptake of prenatal screening
    (Wiley) Şahin, Eda; N/A; Paşalak, Şeyma İnciser; Seven, Memnun; PhD Student; Faculty Member; Graduate School of Health Sciences; School of Nursing; 125009; 32470
    The study aimed to determine the prevalence of consanguinity among pregnant women, its effect on reproductive behavior and the uptake of prenatal screening. The sample consisted of 842 pregnant women recruited to a prospective cohort study conducted in twenty-three cities from different regions in Turkey between June 2017 and March 2018. of the women, 17.7% (n = 149) were in consanguineous marriages. The consanguineous couples were younger at the time of their marriages than non-consanguineous couples, and 49% of the consanguineous marriages were arranged. The educational levels of both spouses in consanguineous marriages were lower than those in non-consanguineous marriages. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the pregnant women having a prenatal screening test between women in consanguineous marriages (53%) and those in non-consanguineous marriages (78.2%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of having health problems during pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, abortions and/or stillbirths, the week of delivery and the birthweight of the baby. Healthcare providers play a key role in eliciting whether or not pregnant couples are consanguineous, providing a tailored risk assessment, education, and counseling about screening and diagnostic tests for early diagnosis and management of the fetus, explaining the testing process and possible outcomes, and helping couples make informed decisions regarding their reproductive options or pregnancy management.
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    Consciousness as objective activity: a historical-genetic approach
    (Guilford Publications Inc, 2011) Department of Philosophy; Azeri, Siyaveş; Faculty Member; Department of Philosophy; College of Social Sciences and Humanities; N/A
    Mental phenomena and consciousness can be located in sign and in language. Since these latter belong to the objective world of human interaction, consciousness emerges as a part of objectivity. A sign is the product of the interaction between consciousnesses. Thus, admitting the existence of the sign presumes the existence of action. Activity is a social phenomenon; thus, it is objective. It is the objectivization of human needs and desires as production and reproduction of these needs in society. Human consciousness emerges as co-knowing or co-consciousness through linguistic activity. Consciousness as co-knowing emphasizes the genesis of human subjectivity not as a mere assertion but as something the existence of which is to be shown. Consciousness and selfhood, thus, appear as objective, mediating but subjective action. In this view, the self is emancipated consciousness. Therefore, the psyche emerges as the subjective image of objectivity.
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    Bargaining over a finite set of alternatives
    (Springer, 2007) Kıbrıs, Özgür; Department of Economics; Sertel, Murat Rauf; Other; Department of Economics; College of Administrative Sciences and Economics; N/A
    We analyze bilateral bargaining over a finite set of alternatives. We look for "good" ordinal solutions to such problems and show that Unanimity Compromise and Rational Compromise are the only bargaining rules that satisfy a basic set of properties. We then extend our analysis to admit problems with countably infinite alternatives. We show that, on this class, no bargaining rule choosing finite subsets of alternatives can be neutral. When rephrased in the utility framework of Nash (1950), this implies that there is no ordinal bargaining rule that is finite-valued.