Making accident data compatible with ITS-based traffic management: Turkish case

One of the most important reasons of the high rate of accidents would largely lend itself to ineffective data collection and evaluation process since the necessary information cannot be obtained effectively from the traffic accidents reports (TAR). The discord and dealing with non-relevant data may appear at four levels: (1) Country and Cultural, (2) Institutional and organizational, (3) Data collection, (4) Data analysis and Evaluation. The case findings are consistent with this knowledge put forward in the literature; there is a transparency problem in coordination between the institutions as well as the inefficient TAR data, which is open to manipulation; the problem of under-reporting and inappropriate data storage prevails before the false statistical evaluation methods. The old-fashioned data management structure causes incompatibility with the novel technologies, avoiding timely interventions in reducing accidents and alleviating the fatalities. Transmission of the data to the interest agencies for evaluation and effective operation of the ITS-based systems should be considered. The problem areas were explored through diagnoses at institutional, data collection, and evaluation steps and the solutions were determined accordingly for the case city of Izmir.The Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institut

Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe

Analysis of illegal physical development in metropolitan cities: An İzmir case

Thesis (Master)--Izmir Institute of Technology, City and Regional Planning, Izmir, 2002Includes bibliographical references (leaves:155-160)Text in English; Abstract: Turkish and Englishxiii, 160 leavesThe main aim of this study is to analyze the production processes of illegal housing, industrial, commercial and other types of buildings and also to examine the municipalities. acts and attitudes against the illegal-uncontrolled development. In this connection, quantitative and physical database about illegal development in İzmir Metropolitan City was searched by using statistical data and Geographical Information Systems as a tool and to generate information about local and physical features of İzmir. Illegal physical development is an urbanization problem, so to understand the characteristics-dynamics of the problem and to search the reasons behind the uncontrolled and illegal development; social, economic and political determinants of the subject such as industrialization, migration and urbanization should be analyzed. Therefore, to understand the process of illegal physical development, background of the phenomenon was discussed. In this study, illegal physical development issue has been regarded as a global problem, which is the result of quantitative and qualitative transformation of the economic, social, political and cultural structure in the 3rd world countries. Thus, samples from 3rd world countries, from Turkish Cities and from İzmir were given to present different variations as a comparative research. Policies, laws, regulations, applications and institutions about the prevention of illegal building production were evaluated. In the case study of the thesis, the enforcement notices (yapı tatil zaptı) that were given by supervision of each 9 district municipality of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, during January 2000-December 2000 period were analyzed. The last step was to search for a strategic approach to prevent illegal-uncontrolled development in urban space

Post-disaster temporary shelter area selection and planning by using delphi method: ızmir/seferihisar case

Afet sonrası geçici barınma alanlarının gerekli ölçütlere uygun olarak yer seçimlerinin yapılması ve vaziyet planlarının tasarımı, afet ve risk yönetimi çalışmalarının en önemli konularındandır. Türkiye’de bu konu Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetim Başkanlığı (AFAD) tarafından koordine edilmektedir. AFAD tarafından 2015 yılında ilan edilen “Geçici Barınma Merkezlerinin Kurulması, Yönetilmesi ve İşletilmesi Hakkında Yönerge” ulusal ölçütleri büyük ölçüde tanımlasa da, uluslararası literatürdeki kadar detaylandırılmamış ve ölçütler önemlerine göre derecelendirilmemiştir. Ayrıca, AFAD tarafından İzmir ili için önerilmiş olan afet sonrası geçici barınma alanlarının, ulusal ve uluslararası mevzuata ve literatürdeki çalışmalarda önerilen ölçütlere uygunluğunun değerlendirilmesi de bilinebildiği kadarıyla henüz yapılmamıştır. Bu kapsamda çalışmanın ilk amacı, afet sonrası geçici barınma alanlarının yer seçimi, planlama ve tasarımına dair ölçütlerin Delphi yöntemi kullanılarak derlenmesi, gruplanması, tanımlanması ve derecelendirilmesidir. Delphi yöntemi ile ortaya konan yer seçim-planlama ölçütleri listesi yardımıyla İzmir için önerilmiş olan afet sonrası geçici barınma alanlarının uygunluk analizinin yapılması çalışmanın bir diğer amacıdır. Delphi yöntemi ile yapılan üç aşamalı panel sonucunda oluşan ölçütler listesine göre, İzmir’de sınırlı sayıda alanın gereklilikleri karşılayabildiği tespit edilmiştir. Bu alanlardan biri olan Seferihisar2 alanının neden en uygun alan olduğu açıklanmış, yine Delphi yöntemi ile elde edilen tasarım-uygulama ölçütlerine dayanarak alan üzerinde örnek bir konteyner-kent vaziyet planı yapılmıştır.Site selection of the post-disaster temporary shelter areas and their site plan designs constitute one of the most important issues of disaster and risk management studies. In Turkey, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) coordinates this research. Although the "Directive on the Establishment, Management and Operation of Temporary Shelter Centers" released by AFAD in 2015 mostly defines the national criteria, it is not as detailed as the regulations revealed in the international literature. Moreover, the criteria announced in this directive are not ranked according to their importance. As another important gap, convenience of the post-disaster temporary shelter areas suggested by AFAD for the province of Izmir has not been yet evaluated according to the national and international legislations. In order to meet these gaps, the first aim of this study is to compile, group, define and rank the criteria for the site selection and planning of post-disaster temporary shelter areas using Delphi method. The second aim of the study is to analyze the convenience of the post-disaster temporary shelter areas, which were suggested for Izmir by AFAD, using the site selection/planning criteria put forward by the Delphi method. According to the criteria list formed as a result of the three-stage Delphi panels, it has been determined that a limited number of areas in Izmir can meet the requirements. It has been explained why Seferihisar2, one of these areas, is the most suitable area, and a sample container-city site plan has been made on the area based on the design/implementation criteria obtained with the Delphi method

The Use of GLUT-1, Ki-67 and PCNA Antibodies as Immunohistochemical Markers in Histopathological Differential Diagnosis of Psoriasis and Chronic Spongiotic Dermatitits

Introduction: The present study aims to investigate the benefits of the immunohistochemical antibodies of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), the nuclear protein Ki-67, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) to distinguish between psoriasis and chronic spongiotic dermatitits. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 32 cases of psoriasis and 35 cases of spongiotic dermatitis that had been clinicopathologically diagnosed. Skin tissue from reduction mammoplasty procedures was used as a control group. Skin biopsy sections stained with H&E were examined. Additional immunohistochemistry was performed, including Ki-67, PCNA and GLUT-1. Histological findings were also noted Results: There was no significant difference between psoriasis and chronic spongiotic dermatitits groups in the results of Ki-67 or PCNA staining. GLUT1 distribution was also similar; however, there was a difference between the groups concerning GLUT-1 intensity. The percentage of cases with moderate GLUT-1 staining was higher in the psoriasis group, whereas the percentage of strong staining was higher in the chronic spongiotic dermatitits group. Most of the examined histopathological features of psoriasis and chronic spongiotic dermatitits cases were different. Conclusion: The intensity of GLUT-1 staining with the appropriate histopathological and clinical findings may have a limited benefit in the differential diagnosis of psoriasis and chronic spongiotic dermatitits

Making accident data compatible with ITS-based traffic management: Turkish case

One of the most important reasons of the high rate of accidents would largely lend itself to ineffective data collection and evaluation process since the necessary information cannot be obtained effectively from the traffic accidents reports (TAR). The discord and dealing with non-relevant data may appear at four levels: (1) Country and Cultural, (2) Institutional and organizational, (3) Data collection, (4) Data analysis and Evaluation. The case findings are consistent with this knowledge put forward in the literature; there is a transparency problem in coordination between the institutions as well as the inefficient TAR data, which is open to manipulation; the problem of under-reporting and inappropriate data storage prevails before the false statistical evaluation methods. The old-fashioned data management structure causes incompatibility with the novel technologies, avoiding timely interventions in reducing accidents and alleviating the fatalities. Transmission of the data to the interest agencies for evaluation and effective operation of the ITS-based systems should be considered. The problem areas were explored through diagnoses at institutional, data collection, and evaluation steps and the solutions were determined accordingly for the case city of Izmir.The Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institut

Are Hepatic Portal Venous System Components Distributed Equally in the Liver? A Multidetector Computerized Tomography Study

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between the splenic index, right and left hepatic lobe volumes, diameters of splenic vein (SV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the portal vein (PV) by Multidetector Computerized Tomography (MDCT). We also investigated indirect signs of portal venous flow pattern using these parameters.Material and Methods: Following their contrast thoracoabdominal and abdominal 64-MDCT examinations, the images of 100 cases (61 males and 39 females) were evaluated retrospectively. For each case, the splenic index, total hepatic volume, left and right hepatic volumes were calculated on the post-contrast portal venous phase (50th sec) images. Spearman correlation tests were carried out with the purpose of determining the relationships between the variables. Statistical significance level was set at p<0.005.Results: A statistically significant relation was demonstrated between the diameter of the SMV and right hepatic lobe volume (p<0.0001), and according to Pearson’s correlation analysis, a positive correlation of medium strength (r=0.36) was observed. A positive correlation was demonstrated between the diameter of the splenic vein and left hepatic lobe volume (r=0.36). Statistically significant relation between the diameters of the splenic vein and right hepatic lobe was not observed (p=0.62). A strong correlation between the left hepatic lobe volume and the splenic index (r=0.556) was observed.Conclusion: We observed a positive correlation and a significant relation between the diameter of the SMV and the right hepatic lobe, and a relation between the splenic vein and splenic index and both hepatic lobes. We believe that this situation is related to the streamline flow in the portal vein, and as demonstrated in the literature, the flow in the SMV is directed at the right lobe, whereas the splenic vein empties into the liver homogenously. Our study is the first study in the literature performed by multidetector CT, which is a technique that reveals the relations between the streamline flow in the portal vein, the splenic index and the hepatic lobe volumes

Dark taints on the looking glass: Whither ‘New Turkey’?

The results of the 2002 general election in Turkey came as a powerful shock to multifarious circles both within and outside the country. There were deep concerns that the ‘moderate’ Islamic-oriented Justice and Development Party (AKP) might try to dismantle the very bases of the secular state. Fifteen years of AKP rule have displayed four distinctively different periods: (1) Normalization and reinstitution of civil governance (2002–2007); (2) Methodological transition (2007–2009); (3) Consolidation of power-base (2009–2011); and (4) De-secularization, de-democratization, re-securitization and shift to authoritarianism (2011–2016). Drawing upon the ‘competitive authoritarianism’ literature and the concept of ‘instrumentalization of democracy,’ this article will elaborate the above points as well as the intrinsic Islamist mindset of the AKP. Use of foreign policy as an instrument of legitimation of Islamist policies and anti-secular transformation will also be examined

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Diabetic Foot Wounds and Infections: Turkish Consensus Report

Study Group for Diabetic Foot Infections of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases has called for collaboration of the relevant specialist societies and the Ministry of Health to issue a national consensus report on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diabetic foot (DF) wounds and diabetic foot infections (DFIs) in Turkey. In the periodical meetings of the assigned representatives from all the parties, various questions as to pathogenesis, microbiology, assessment and grading, treatment, prevention and control of diabetic foot were identified. Upon reviewing related literature and international guidelines, these questions were provided with consensus answers. Several of the answers provided in the report are listed below: [1] Although there are many reasons for the development of DF wounds, the main reason is the combined effect of diabetes-related vascular disease and neuropathy. [2] Aerobic Gram- positive cocci are mostly responsible for superficial DFIs in patients with cellulitis and no history of antibiotic use. [3] Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the commonly encountered agents when between the toes of the patient are moist. [4] When the other potential reasons are eliminated, DFIs should be considered in presence of at least two of the classical signs of inflammation including redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and pain, or purulent discharge in the foot lesion. [5] Infections are classified into mild, moderate, or severe groups according to some criteria such as the depth and width of the wounds, and the presence of systemic findings of infection. [6] PEDIS system should be preferred as a classification system for its high predictive value in diabetes-related foot complications. [7] Culture samples from the DF wound should only be obtained when infection is clinically considered and, where possible, before starting antibiotic treatment. [8] Inflammatory biomarkers such as leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and procalcitonin may be useful in distinguishing between colonization with infection. [9] Magnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive and specific method in patients unresponsive to treatment when osteomyelitis and deep soft tissue abscesses are considered. [10] The gold standard in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis is histopathological examination. [11] To provide wound healing and to save the limb, removal of dead and infected tissue with urgent and aggressive debridement, appropriate antibiotic therapy, metabolic control, and off-loading of pressure, the diagnosis and proper treatment of peripheral arterial disease, and restoration of the foot function are necessary. [12] A lot of different factors playing a role in etiopathogenesis complicate the approach to be developed in this type of lesions, and therefore it requires a team concept. [13] In the empirical treatment, the objective should be treating only the potential agents. Adequate tissue levels, low side effects and patient compliance must be observed; effective drugs should be used in specified doses and duration. [14] Debridement is an essential and integral part of wound treatment and is an important tool allowing the formation of healthy granulation tissue. [15] When the infected tissue cannot be completely cleared with the debridement and in cases when the patient could not cope with the remaining infection load, performing a limb amputation on a safe level of infection would be lifesaving