Hande Bakırhan, Fatmanur Özyürek Arpa, Halime Uğur, Merve Pehlivan, Neda Saleki and Tuğba Çelik
This study aims to identify the dietary patterns of two groups of subjects (with and without COVID-19), and to assess the relationship of findings with the prognosis of COVID-19…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the dietary patterns of two groups of subjects (with and without COVID-19), and to assess the relationship of findings with the prognosis of COVID-19 and metabolic risk parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
This study included 100 individuals in the age range of 19–65 years. The medical history, and data on biochemical, hematological and inflammatory indicators were retrieved from the files. A questionnaire for the 24-h food record and the food intake frequency was administered in face-to-face interviews, and dietary patterns of subjects were assessed.
Findings
In individuals with COVID-19, the hip circumference, the waist-hip ratio and the body fat percentage were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and the muscle mass percentage was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and healthy eating ındex-2015 (HEI-2015) scores were low in the two groups. A linear correlation of DASH scores was found with the muscle mass percentage (p = 0.046) and a significant inverse correlation of with the body fat percentage (p = 0.006). HEI-2015 scores were significantly and negatively correlated with body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and neck circumference (p < 0.05). Every one-unit increase in MEDAS, DASH and HEI-2015 scores caused reductions in C-reactive protein levels at different magnitudes. Troponin-I was significantly and negatively correlated with fruit intake (p = 0.044), a component of a Mediterranean diet and with HEI-2015 total scores (p = 0.032).
Research limitations/implications
The limitation of this study includes the small sample size and the lack of dietary interventions. Another limitation is the use of the food recall method for the assessment of dietary patterns. This way assessments were performed based on participants’ memory and statements.
Practical implications
Following a healthy diet pattern can help reduce the metabolic risks of COVİD-19 disease.
Originality/value
Despite these limitations, this study is valuable because, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study demonstrating the association of dietary patterns with disease prognosis and metabolic risks concerning COVID-19. This study suggests that dietary patterns during the COVID-19 process may be associated with several metabolic risks and inflammatory biomarkers.
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Locating disaster response centers is one of the key elements of efficient relief operations. The location and infrastructure of the candidate facilities usually conform to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Locating disaster response centers is one of the key elements of efficient relief operations. The location and infrastructure of the candidate facilities usually conform to the required criteria at different levels. This study aims to identify the criteria for the main and local distribution center location problem separately and prioritize each candidate distribution center using a hybrid multiple criteria decision-making approach.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model incorporates analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS) under interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs) to overcome the uncertainty of experts` judgments and expressions in the evaluations of candidate distribution centers. In the proposed approach, weights of the criteria are determined using type-2 fuzzy AHP and the candidate distribution centers are prioritized using type-2 fuzzy TOPSIS.
Findings
Transportation, cost, infrastructure and security are determined as the main criteria for the main distribution center location criteria. Cost, warehouse facilities and security are the main criteria for local distribution center location selection. Prioritization enables decision-makers to assess each alternative accordingly to be able to select the best locations/facilities for efficient disaster response operations.
Originality/value
This study proposes new multi-criteria decision support models for prioritizing disaster response distribution centers. IT2FSs are used to be able to reflect both the complexity and vagueness of disaster environment and expert opinions. Different support models are suggested for main and local distribution centers considering their different missions. The proposed methodology is applied in Istanbul city, Turkey, where a high-magnitude earthquake is expected.
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Banu Tuğba Turğut, Gamze Taş, Ahmet Herekoğlu, Hakan Tozan and Ozalp Vayvay
The purpose of this paper is to propose a disaster logistics center location selection decision support system, based on analytic hierarchy/fuzzy analytic hierarchy process…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a disaster logistics center location selection decision support system, based on analytic hierarchy/fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methods, which will serve to fulfill the needs of disaster victims and rescue teams after a possible earthquake, and to implement the proposed systems for Istanbul.
Design/methodology/approach
Determining the appropriate location from among the possibilities by taking many sophisticated and inter‐related processes and parameters into consideration under stringent constraints is one of the keystones of logistics. Disaster logistics center location selections are extremely complex and vital. In this paper, analytic hierarchy/fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methods are used to compose a decision support system for determining the location of disaster logistics centers. The criteria and the weighting for the criteria that are used are determined via a questionnaire technique applied to specialists working in the Istanbul Center of Disaster Coordination.
Findings
Results gathered from the implementation of the proposed models to the chosen case illustrate that systems successfully determine the location, and both models point out the same result with different weights.
Originality/value
The paper introduces two disaster logistics center location selection decision support systems (fuzzy and crisp) and presents an empirical case study of the proposed models for Istanbul. The proposed model and outcomes from the application may shed light on future work, especially in the field of disaster logistics management.
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The purpose of this research is to show significant points which can be used in the architectural design process by investigating the basic principles of earthquake resistant…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to show significant points which can be used in the architectural design process by investigating the basic principles of earthquake resistant design (ERD) in a deductive format and to contribute to the architectural perception in ERD.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the structural irregularity types are examined depending on the rules defined in the Turkish Earthquake Code, 2007 (TEC). Then, architectural design failures related to earthquake resistance of buildings under earthquake loading are visualized and solution suggestions in literature are described in detail by supported drawings.
Findings
The problems causing structural irregularities are investigated deeply with given solutions in literature. It is obtained that the significant factors affecting the earthquake performance of structures are: architectural form, structural configuration, slenderness ratio, the location and rate of floor openings, projection rates and symmetry, rigidity and strength differences between floors, short columns, pounding effect. Social implications – The practical design decision rules can contribute to the phenomena of earthquake resistant architectural design and can encourage adoption of these rules in building industry.
Originality/value
This study aims to gain an understanding of the problems in projects in terms of structural irregularities, and then manage to solve the problems using problem‐oriented approaches. The suggested solutions can be adopted and applied to future projects for designing earthquake resistant buildings.