Visceral adiposity index is associated with premature ejaculation inversely: a cross-sectional study

Objective: Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a novel indicator for the assessment of visceral obesity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between VAI and premature ejaculation (PE).

Materials and method: A total of 300 men were included in the study. Hundred and fifty men with PE and 150 men without PE (control). All men were evaluated for PE by premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT). VAI levels were calculated using body mass index (BMI), high density lipoprotein and triglyceride (TG) levels.

Results: Mean age of the study groups was 34.3?±?5.2 (30–60) years and the mean age of the controls were 35.9?±?5.3 (30–60) years. The men with PE had lower BMI, TG levels, waist circumference (WC) and higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Mean VAI level was 4.13?±?0.7 in study group and 5.72?±?1.6 in control group, respectively. VAI levels were statistically higher in men without PE (p?Discussion: Our cross-sectional study demonstrated a negative correlation between VAI and PE. VAI is superior index for the evaluation and calculation the relationship between obesity and PE.     

Turkey's physicians' attitudes toward euthanasia: a brief research report

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are subject to an ongoing debate and discussed with various aspects. Because physicians are in a profession closely related to euthanasia, their attitudes toward this subject are significant. Thus, research intending to explore their opinions is carried out in many countries. In this study, opinions of the physicians regarding euthanasia's definition, contents, legal aspects, and acceptable conditions for its application are addressed. The questionnaire was given to 949 physicians, more than 1% of the total working in Turkey. Of the physicians who participated in the study, 49.9% agreed with the opinion that euthanasia should be legal in certain circumstances. In addition, 19% had come across a euthanasia request and the majority of physicians (55.9%) believed that euthanasia is applied secretly in the country despite the prohibitory legislation. In conclusion, the authors infer from the study itself and believe that euthanasia should be legal in certain circumstances and that the subject, which is not in the agenda of the Turkish population, should continue to be examined.     

Increased visceral adiposity index associated with sexual dysfunction in men

Objective: Visceral adipose index (VAI) is a novel parameter for the evaluation of visceral obesity. As we know that obesity is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED). So, in this study, we compared the VAI levels between the men with ED and without ED.

Materials and method: A total of 177 men were included in the study. Ninety-five men with ED and 82 men without ED (control). All men were evaluated for ED by Index of Erectile Function-5 items (IIEF-5). VAI levels were calculated using body mass index, high density lipoprotein and tryglyceride levels.

Results: Mean age was 53.5 (38–69) in men who have ED and 53.1 (34–69) in control. The men with ED had higher body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG) levels, higher waist circumference (WC) and lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Mean VAI level was 5.18?±?2.50 in study group and 3.47?±?1.76 in control goup, respectively. VAI levels were statistically higher in men with ED (p?Discussion: The simplicity of WC and BMI measurement and TG and HDL assessment, make VAI an easily applicable index for the evaluation of visceral fat dysfunction. VAI can be useful index for the evaluation and calculation of erectile dysfunction risk.     

Least Median of Squares Solution of Multiple Linear Regression Models Through the Origin

Barreto and Maharry (2006 Barreto , H. , Maharry , D. ( 2006 ). Least median of squares and regression through the origin . Comput. Statist. Data Anal. 50 : 1391 – 1397 .[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) showed that PROGRESS algorithm fails to find a correct minimum “Least Median of Squares/LMS” estimate for bivariate regression models which have no intercept. Kayhan and Gunay (2008 Kayhan , Y. , Gunay , S. ( 2008 ). A new approach to least median of squares and regression through the origin . Commun. Statist. Theor. Meth. 37 ( 5 ): 773 – 781 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) presented a different approach for the regression models through the origin which includes at most two unknown parameters. However, LMS estimate for multiple linear regression models still remains an open issue. The aim of this study is to show that finding true LMS estimate for zero intercept multiple linear regression models can be treated as a convex optimization problem and to provide a more general algorithm for any dimensional linear regression models.     

A New Approach to Least Median of Squares and Regression Through the Origin

When the regression model passes through the origin, PROGRESS algorithm fails to find the exact minimum least median of squares (LMS). Therefore Barreto and Maharry (2006 Barreto , H. , Maharry , D. ( 2006 ). Least median of squares and regression through the origin . Comput. Statist. Data Anal. 50 : 1391 – 1397 .[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) proposed a new algorithm for finding the true LMS. In this paper, a new method is introduced to find the LMS solution, when the intercept is suppressed and regression model includes at most two unknown parameters, in the case of an odd number of data points.     

The effect of urinary incontinence on sexual functioning in turkish women of reproductive and menopausal ages

Objectives: The primary objective was to investigate the effects of urinary incontinence (UI) on Turkish women's sexual functioning. Methods: We evaluated 396 women and divided them into 4 groups: reproductive-aged women without UI (Group A), reproductive-aged women with UI (Group B), menopausal-aged women without UI (Group C), and menopausal-aged women with UI (Group D). Results: The mean Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score was significantly higher and the Beck's Depression Inventory scores were significantly lower in Group A. FSFI scores showed a strong negative correlation with age and parity and a strong positive correlation with years of education. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that UI is an independent risk factor for female sexual problems.     

Incentive Schemes for Semiconductor Capacity Allocation: A Game Theoretic Analysis

We study incentive issues that arise in semiconductor capacity planning and allocation. Motivated by our experience at a major U. S. semiconductor manufacturer, we model the capacity‐allocation problem in a game‐theoretic setting as follows: each product manager (PM) is responsible for a certain product line, while privately owning demand information through regular interaction with the customers. Capacity‐allocation is carried out by the corporate headquarters (HQ), which allocates manufacturing capacity to product lines based on demand information reported by the PMs. We show that PMs have an incentive to manipulate demand information to increase their expected allocation, and that a carefully designed coordination mechanism is essential for HQ to implement the optimal allocation. To this end, we design an incentive scheme through bonus payments and participation charges that elicits private demand information from the PMs. We show that the mechanism achieves budget‐balance and voluntary‐participation requirements simultaneously. The results provide important insights into the treatment of misaligned incentives in the context of semiconductor capacity‐allocation.